RE: VW XL1: 119,000 euros
Discussion
exceed said:
VERY confused by this, £100+k for an eco box?!
The design is about as far from a box as it is possible to get. It has the proportions of a 1970s show car! The design is fantastic.The irony is that individuals who would never ordinarily consider a diesel car, as the MPG difference is not a major deciding factor for them, will be interested in this diesel car, the most fuel efficient of all, because of the rarity, the design, and the technological achievement it represents.
kambites said:
The i3 is a very different car. The XL1 is a hugely specialised proof of concept; the BMW is a serious attempt at a production car.
Lets be realistic, even at that price they aren't going to struggle to sell 200 of them.
true- but i can see the i3 developing into a reasonable part of BMW's busiess for company car sales- why VW are not doing the same is odd?Lets be realistic, even at that price they aren't going to struggle to sell 200 of them.
The XL1 could have been great as a "pool" car- most of the time you're only moving 1 person
kambites said:
I suppose the question is how far the power-unit technology has come on since the Insight.
Even then, why would this car be a future classic? The article raves about it as it's the second coming.To me, it just seems like an evolution on what the Insight was... probably a lot better (hopefully, considering the price), but far from the so called Jesus car the article makes it out to be. Or I must be missing something important...
320touring said:
kambites said:
The i3 is a very different car. The XL1 is a hugely specialised proof of concept; the BMW is a serious attempt at a production car.
Lets be realistic, even at that price they aren't going to struggle to sell 200 of them.
true- but i can see the i3 developing into a reasonable part of BMW's busiess for company car sales- why VW are not doing the same is odd?Lets be realistic, even at that price they aren't going to struggle to sell 200 of them.
The XL1 could have been great as a "pool" car- most of the time you're only moving 1 person
ZesPak said:
kambites said:
I suppose the question is how far the power-unit technology has come on since the Insight.
Even then, why would this car be a future classic?myhandle said:
exceed said:
VERY confused by this, £100+k for an eco box?!
The design is about as far from a box as it is possible to get. It has the proportions of a 1970s show car! The design is fantastic.The irony is that individuals who would never ordinarily consider a diesel car, as the MPG difference is not a major deciding factor for them, will be interested in this diesel car, the most fuel efficient of all, because of the rarity, the design, and the technological achievement it represents.
Mass produce it, or at least find a way to drop the price to quarter that then sell. Only way I see this as viable...
VW is trying hard to position ECO as luxury, and trying to play on scarcity. I think BMW's i8 does it better without limiting production numbers. Even evaluating it by ECO standards, the XL1 does 120mpg in hybrid mode, whereas the BMW does 94mpg. Since the Beemer seats four, and the VW seats only two, using the mpg/passenger, the BMW does a better job. And it does 0-60 in 4.4 secs, while the XL1 does it in 11.6.
kambites said:
Dempsey1971 said:
A little confused by this. Surely, with an Eco project, the aim is to get the maximum number of people using it to have the greatest impact on the environment.
I don't think the idea is that the XL1 itself will have any appreciable effect on automotive emissions. It's a technical demonstrator, nothing more. Other manufacturers have used lease deals or given the cars to customers to do real world testing with. By pricing this at such a high price point, they are still not going to make a profit (I imagine a billion plus in R&D has gone into this so far), but they are also not going to get any real world data back, as the car will not be used in a real world way (i.e. commute to office, going shopping, mother in laws on a Sunday etc etc) as the buyers will not have that lifestyle, and will also have several other cars to use on a daily basis.
This just doesn't make sense. Headlines for all the wrong reasons.
kambites said:
exceed said:
Mass produce it, or at least find a way to drop the price to quarter that then sell. Only way I see this as viable...
You think they'll fail to sell the allocation of 200 then? Is it a collectors item or a daily driver?
I'm just confused as to who this is aimed/targeted at?
MonteV said:
VW is trying hard to position ECO as luxury, and trying to play on scarcity. I think BMW's i8 does it better without limiting production numbers. Even evaluating it by ECO standards, the XL1 does 120mpg in hybrid mode, whereas the BMW does 94mpg. Since the Beemer seats four, and the VW seats only two, using the mpg/passenger, the BMW does a better job. And it does 0-60 in 4.4 secs, while the XL1 does it in 11.6.
I don't understand this statement? What's "hybrid mode"? exceed said:
I'm just confused as to who this is aimed/targeted at?
It's aimed at generating publicity for VW. Doesn't make the blindest bit of difference who buys them as long as someone does. I suspect they'll sell mostly to the Hollywood set - those who want to appear "green" but also want to show how rich they are.
I think it's a real shame they're not mass producing these. It's the first car that's achieved the "ipod/iphone" cool thing. Technology is inherently very uncool, but the whole world is now walking around playing with their touch screen pocket computers - apple did that with one product.
VW could have done the same here - I really really want one! Sadly they'll just stick the technology in a f
king golf, and I won't care one bit.
VW could have done the same here - I really really want one! Sadly they'll just stick the technology in a f
king golf, and I won't care one bit. exceed said:
kambites said:
exceed said:
Mass produce it, or at least find a way to drop the price to quarter that then sell. Only way I see this as viable...
You think they'll fail to sell the allocation of 200 then? Is it a collectors item or a daily driver?
I'm just confused as to who this is aimed/targeted at?
Smart.
Regardless of whether or not it is some kind of technological eco miracle (it's not), or whether it's value for money (it's not), I don't get where the beauty is with this. In the eye of the beholder I suppose.
To my eyes it looks like a reject from a thunderbirds movie!
I think they've spent too long on it - the impact has now gone as several manufacturers are producing real cars, usable by at least 4 people, with fuel economy close to if not beating this, that are far cheaper, quicker and better looking.
My (imaginary) 100k currently goes to the BMW i8.
To my eyes it looks like a reject from a thunderbirds movie!
I think they've spent too long on it - the impact has now gone as several manufacturers are producing real cars, usable by at least 4 people, with fuel economy close to if not beating this, that are far cheaper, quicker and better looking.
My (imaginary) 100k currently goes to the BMW i8.
There isn't a whooshparrot big enough for this thread. This is a handbuilt carbon fibre vehicle to show what can be done with hybrid TDI tech and efficient design, not a Polo.
I'm glad to see pricing and production numbers finally, should keep the boys and girls at Karmann busy for a bit! I wouldn't be surprised if the 200 orders weren't confirmed a long time ago. At €24 million I doubt the project will break even. I'd love to see the TDI-hybrid tech make it into future up!s and Polos.
I'm glad to see pricing and production numbers finally, should keep the boys and girls at Karmann busy for a bit! I wouldn't be surprised if the 200 orders weren't confirmed a long time ago. At €24 million I doubt the project will break even. I'd love to see the TDI-hybrid tech make it into future up!s and Polos.
Edited by cianha on Thursday 24th October 11:17
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