Further weight reduction details include the dispensing of door locks, their place being taken by the most up-to-date electronic locking technology. The system automatically unlocks the canopy when the driver approaches with the sensor. As in some top-range sports cars, the engine is brought to life with a starter button. Both details have recently been highlighted in the 2004 Toyota Prius hybrid electric, coming out this fall. It's nice to know that technology has caught up with the idea that as long as "the keys" are within a certain distance, the car senses you are cleared for entry. Something very much appreciated by someone who always has to dig for her keys at the bottom of some large bag.
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| Although the small 1-Litre has plenty of conveniences, VW also made safety a priority, with impact absorption corresponding to that of a GT sports car. (Photo: Volkswagen) |
While convenience is important safety issues have also been considered. The passive safety level corresponds to that of a GT sports car registered for racing, or in other words, its impact absorption is mighty impressive. All kinds of crash types were investigated with the aid of computer simulations, and the vehicle designed accordingly. So-called crash tubes, with integrated pressure sensors for airbag control in the front end of the car, absorb the entire deformation energy, leaving the footwell unaffected.
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| With weight a constant factor Volkswagen couldn't just pull one of it's existing gearboxes off the shelf, so they built a 23 kilogram 6-speed gearbox just for the 1-Litre Car. (Photo: Volkswagen) |
Furthermore, active safety is provided by the latest-generation four-channel ABS and electronic stability program (ESP).
But how long, how far, and how fast can it travel? No worries on this last question as the 1-Litre Car reaches a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). Regarding how far, it's not difficult to calculate the range available with the 6.5 litre tank: the two-seater can travel up to 650 km (404 miles) on a single filling.
There is also a newly conceived automated direct shift gearbox. It was not reasonable to simply pull a Volkswagen gearbox off the shelf, as once again the objective was to save weight. And so the gearbox housing is made of magnesium, all gears and shafts are hollow, and bolts are made of titanium. In addition, high-lubricity oil ensures the 6-speed gearbox, which weighs a mere 23 kilograms (51 lbs), always runs smoothly.