VW GX3 concept mixes it up

Car-bike hybrid for California only

By PH Staff / Thursday, 5 January 2006 / Loading comments

VW GX3: unsuited to the M62?

VW's generated a weird car-bike hybrid concept for the Los Angeles auto show this week. The GX3, dubbed "a completely new type of motorcycle", was conceived by the Moonraker team and VW's Design Center in California, exclusively with the US market in mind.

With its two seats and three wheels -- two at the front, one at the rear -- it's said to be "light, fast, and environmentally friendly". VW reckoned that "it allows you to cruise in the carpool lane, even if you're driving solo and opens up new horizons for recreational driving".

Costing under US$17,000 (about £9,700), the 570Kg GX3 will be driven by a 1.6-litre 125bhp engine, a power-to-weight ratio that results in a dash to 60mph from rest in 5.7 seconds with fuel consumption of 46 mpg (US). According to VW, a production version of the GX3 could be available soon, depending on American drivers' feedback.

Design elements

According to VW, the focus for its design team was "to create a quintessential and pure driving machine". As a result, it sports "an exposed single sided swing arm, aggressive central exhaust, open front wheels and stealthy matte finishes", along with anodised gold and black suspension components and LED lighting. The driver's cockpit is equipped with five-point racing harnesses and the rear boasts a single 18"x12" back wheel.

Chassis and transmission

The basic structure of this driving machine is formed by a high-density, warp-resistant, steel construction space frame, draped in GRP bodywork. The 215/45 R17x8J front wheels are controlled by a double lateral steering axle. The engine's power is delivered via six-speed transmission and chain drive to the rear wheel, which has a tyre size of 315/30 R18x12J.

Don't think it'll make it to the UK...