VW Introduces the 69 MPG Diesel EcoRacer Concept
19 October 2005
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| The 69 mpg EcoRacer |
At the Tokyo Motor Show, Volkswagen is presenting its EcoRacer—a mid-engine diesel sports car with fuel consumption as low as 3.4 liters/100km (69 mpg US) and a maximum speed of 230 km/h (143 mph).
Powered by a 100-kW (134-hp) turbo diesel, and with a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFP) body and weight of just 850 kg (1,874 lbs), the car accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 6.3 seconds.
The 1.5-liter TDI diesel is still under testing at Volkswagen, and represents the highly-charged downsizing approach represented in the new twin-charged TSI family of engines (earlier post). (In other words, using super-, turbo-, or dual-charging to increase power, and then applying that in a smaller engine to reduce overall fuel consumption.)
Volkswagen also notes that the new TDI has the potential to implement its Combined Combustion System (CCS) process—a homogeneous combustion process optimized for synthetic fuels.
Along with the 100-kW power output, the new TDI develops torque of more than 250 Nm between 1,900 and 3,750 rpm. The compression ratio is 17.2:1. The EcoRacer uses the DSG double-clutch transmission. (Earlier post.)
The EcoRacer TDI conforms to the expected Euro 5 emissions standards.
VW is also using Tokyo as the venue for the world premiere of the new Polo GTI. With 110 kW (150 hp) of power, it is the strongest Polo since the series was introduced thirty years ago.
(A hat-tip to Mike Weindl!)
Cool, but made of carbon fiber, I assume it would have to carry an exotic sports car kinda price if they were ever to build it. Too bad.
Posted by: Marc | 19 October 2005 at 05:19 PM
Brilliant car VW! Now they just need to advertise that it can officially use Bzero up to B100. It would be a great way to get new customers into the showroom then sell them a Touran or Passat TDI.
Posted by: TDI_bio_dvr | 19 October 2005 at 07:10 PM
Cool car, cool MPG, cool engine, cool power :D
What else we can expect more from a car? Yup, a mass production cheap version of it.
Posted by: rexis | 19 October 2005 at 08:50 PM
Interesting concept! Now when does America get the Polo? VW never meant premium to me, so tone the concepts down and give us a real disel peoples car.
PS. I'll never pay more than $18K on just a volkswagen.
Posted by: Michael | 19 October 2005 at 10:11 PM
Go! Rudolf, go!
The inventor would be smiling if
he could see this car.
Well, maybe not, the Germans are too serious a lot.
Posted by: tonychilling | 20 October 2005 at 03:48 AM
While any car with a carbon fiber frame is never going to be mass market, this thing helps smash the myth that a car with good fuel economy will have awful performance.
If they bring the Polo over here without a diesel, it will be dubbed "Polio" instead. I drove a Polo gasser in France years ago - it had a little trouble getting up those mountain roads.
Posted by: eric | 20 October 2005 at 05:42 AM
Less weight + better aerodynamic + efficient engine = less fuel consumption. Newly found mathematics? (10 mpg vs 70 mpg and Euro-V standards would certainly reduce OIL imports and pollution). It seems that HUMMERS - NAVIGATORS - SUPER V-10 RAM ++++ went the other way.
A few more Katrinas and Wilmas wake-up calls may be required, but we will eventually see the good side of using less energy and even cleaner energy.
There's a garage down the street with about 200 huge 4 x 4 on sale and even at -$7000 there are very few buyers. The Toyota garage nearby is completely out of Corollas. Is that a sign of things to come?
Posted by: Harvey D | 20 October 2005 at 06:55 AM
Psst. GM & other domestic companies were paid arab oil bucks to build those SUV's.
And. I love this car! Absolutely beautiful! With alternative fuels like bio diesel at around $1 a gallon, the mpg could be increased by a factor of 3 : 1 in terms of fuel cost.
Posted by: bob | 20 October 2005 at 07:21 AM
Where do you get biodiesel at $1 a gallon? Correct me if I am wrong, but most of what I have been reading about biodiesel's benefits are that it is "renewable" and adds lubricity without sulfur, not its lower price. In fact, I think I read where biodiesel is considerably higher than regular diesel. Of course theres also the idea that we would have to give up "eating", if we go "full fledged" biodiesel.
But if biodiesel is at $1, and I may have to go find my old '93 F-350 Ford crewcab, for everyday driving.
Posted by: Mark A | 20 October 2005 at 11:28 AM
Sweet! I was beginning to think I would have to figure out on my own how to put an efficient engine in my Toyota MR2.
Posted by: LochDhu | 20 October 2005 at 11:43 AM
Way to go VW. While this car will obviously carry a high-end price tag if it is ever mass-produced, it will serve as a great example of how to maximize fuel economy without sacrificing performance. Now for those of you who don't mind not being able to go 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, think about how much more fuel efficient we could get. There's absolutely no reason our average fuel economy in the US should be ~18 mpg. If we were to only double this to 36-40 mpg (let alone the 69 mpg this baby pulls off) we would have oil consumption for transport. Now THAT would be a real solution for domestic energy security and would certainly lower the price at the pump, unlike this hogwash I hear about drilling in ANWR...
Posted by: Jesse Jenkins | 20 October 2005 at 11:45 AM
And of course by "have oil consumption for transport" I meant "halve oil consumption for tranport." Its amazing what one letter's difference can do...
Posted by: Jesse Jenkins | 20 October 2005 at 11:47 AM
bob probably means that biodiesel costs about $1/gallon to make from waste grease, which appears to be pretty close. On the other hand, there is only about 3.5 billion gallons of cooking grease used each year in the USA, vs. 60-odd billion gallons of diesel and 134 billion gallons of gasoline. It's kind of like the $10/barrel oil; if you own some you're sitting pretty, but it's sure not going to get sold that cheap.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 20 October 2005 at 12:40 PM
There sure don't seem to be much of a apatite for diesel cars in USA I believe it's less than ½ of one percent. I have not owned a gas car for 5 years and put a lot of miles on them but very little fuel, maintainence or repairs on them. With all the racing enthuses cars like this might help spur some interest. Since cars like these will never make it ashore. Greedy Gov't and Corporations can keep lining their pockets with profits and high taxes on SUV Edsel's of the future. I expect the advertising to get more intense to keep this scam going. The only thing I see that might counter this is the 5 dollar gallon.
Cameron Dell
Posted by: Cameron Dell | 20 October 2005 at 04:27 PM
TDi engines run great and I do hope that Americans will soon follow the Europeans towards diesel.. Great move VW, show the world what modern diesel engines can do!
My '01 Polo 1.4-liter TDi with now over 80,000 miles is still a real toy to drive, with 75hp, 190Nm and just over 2,400lbs. Better acceleration than any gas-guzzling sedan. Real fuel economy is over 55mpg and it can also run on bio-diesel.
Posted by: European TDi | 21 October 2005 at 02:50 AM
Hi,
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/
I am surprised that I dont see more of you posting at
the GM blogs. If you are going to throw rocks at least
throw them from a close distance.
I dont defend GM's decisions and think GM should fire its board of directors and upper management today.
GM is in the worst shape its been in for a long time. Bad descisions are hurting them and even though they own about 20% to 30% of Toyota its not helping.
Although I like reuse, I dont like the waste produced by Diesel. It doesnt burn clean. I would love an all electric nano tube car with electric recharging stations.
If 300 Miles can be done now as Honda has shown
isnt that enough to make it real for day to day commute?
Electric distribution is easy to pass sice you have more places to get it from like hte Iron men that pass overhead.
If only this country would invest largely on alternative ways to power the electric plants (wind solar etc) then I think electric cars can be the God send we are all hoping for. Nuclear takes a LONG time to buld how long
does it take to put up a solar panel or a Wind mill?
With solar panels becoming better each year I see this
as a great way to make up for home heating and cooling.
Just some random thoughts..
Bob
Posted by: Robert | 21 October 2005 at 08:35 AM
The hydrogen storage is great, but the fuel cells still have to come down from their thousands of dollars per kilowatt. The feasibility of the cars remains to be determined; they've just built the first one, and nothing has been proven in the real world yet.
I think you're right about the rest.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 21 October 2005 at 05:06 PM
smart shape good looking car i will spent $15000 to get this
Posted by: jags | 25 October 2005 at 05:36 AM
i want one. Lets hope it is more reliable than the jetta or golf. i'll take one of these or a cdi SMART car. 1st one for sale in Seattle under $20k gets my money.
Posted by: i have the cash i want one soon | 26 October 2005 at 12:07 AM
Good going VW!
Now all you need to do is get your finger out! Explain why I can only buy 5-year old technology in Canada, when my friends in Europe can get today's stuff!
I own a 2005 1.9litre 105bhp VW Jetta TDI with 5-speed. What I asked my dealer for was a 2litre 140bhp Jetta with 6-speed. The dealer replied that I could get the 2litre engine in the Passat - but only as an automatic! The 6-speed engine comes only with the spark ignition engine . . .
Posted by: Peter Bursztyn | 27 October 2005 at 06:18 AM
Good going VW!
Now all you need to do is get your finger out! Explain why I can only buy 5-year old technology in Canada, when my friends in Europe can get today's stuff!
I own a 2005 1.9litre 105bhp VW Jetta TDI with 5-speed. What I asked my dealer for was a 2litre 140bhp Jetta with 6-speed. The dealer replied that I could get the 2litre engine in the Passat - but only as an automatic! The 6-speed engine comes only with the spark ignition engine . . .
Posted by: Peter Bursztyn | 27 October 2005 at 06:19 AM
I drive a VW diesel in Florida. I average 42mpg. The United States needs to follow the example of other countries and go diesel. These engines have seen vast improvements in emissions, fuel economy, and power. They have always been noted for they reliability and longevity. Tree huggers have been off-base about small diesel pollution. When you can top fifty miles per gallon, driving sixtyfive on the interstate, you are greener than anything else on the highway.
Posted by: Deezl Guy | 22 November 2005 at 11:23 AM
Seems that VW recognizes that IC engine technology has hit the wall, and is addressing the next hurdle: Weight! A <2000 pound car has a huge advantage over the 3-4,000 pound cars. Just any good clean 100 HP engine can deliver sparkling performance and brilliant fuel economy if the car is light enough. We have the technology to make a 2000 pound car with room for 4, with moderate comfort and safety. Problem is, people will not accept "moderate" comfort and safety. They want to drive mini-limousines like the Toyota Camry.
Posted by: Bob A. | 03 April 2006 at 12:25 PM
hey if they give up on the oil/pharmaceutical greed then every farmer in the nation could grow hemp and with some down to earth work we could have clean small LOCAL refineries in place and run the country on bio-diesel and actually employ our own people. when are we going to wake up and stop supporting the billionares? (of course growing hemp in all US states would trash the marijuana scene -pollen from hemp actually kills yeilds and such on weed- but isn't that what the gov wants?)
Posted by: skye | 21 June 2006 at 09:00 PM