Overclocker

LOS ANGELES — At the recent Los Angeles auto show in January, Volkswagen had a most unusual concept car on display — a three-wheeler or trike called GX3.

Until now it was a question of how the show car would be accepted by the public, and apparently the acceptance was good. Because here are first prototype pictures of the road-going version, caught during secret testing at Lotus in England, which is quite a sensation.

It is powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine delivering 125 horsepower. Due to the light weight of the vehicle it is almost as fast as a Porsche 911. The GX3 accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds, fuel consumption is 1.4 gallons/62 miles and top speed is 124 mph. It has rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission.

However, while a Porsche costs $71,300 in the U.S., the GX3 could be available at $17,000. A cooperation between Volkswagen and Lotus — the latter owned by Proton, Malaysia — could mean that the odd three-wheeler made by Volkswagen and Proton-Lotus is meant to be sold not only in the U.S. but worldwide.

The test car on the photos is in various ways different from the concept model. It is furthermore equipped with different types of alloy wheels for testing plus two extra supporting wheels on the side.

What this means to you: Cars are starting to break the mold.

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...leId=109643#14

LexFather

VW is building every car BUT what they need. Idiots.

Leets

But it keeps the news so interesting... like watching a dog chase his tail.

Lil4X

Hundreds of "trikes" have been built over the years to take advantage of the economy and light weight of eliminating a wheel and associated suspension bits - as well as a differential in the case of RWD examples.


1928 Morgan - Photo courtesy of Gerhart Kiessling and 3-wheelers.com

Morgan, the British manufacturer successfully marketed a 3-wheeler from the late '20's to the mid '50's. This FWD runabout was most popular in roadster trim and appeared for years in club racing events. Its light weight mad it very quick, despite a small motorcycle engine, and it was known as the standard of automotive handling (probably quite crude today). Amazing what can be done with a sub-half ton car and a small engine!