Scooter Renderings

Here are some of the marker renderings which were published with the press pack along with the comentary from the brochure supplied.

The Idea.

With the presentation of the concept study Scooter, which reflects a fundamental rethinking on the subject of sporty transport. Volkswagen AG has developed an alternative to the sports car and high performance motorcycle.

The VW Scooter is chariacterised by sporty asthetics and dynamic shape. Progressive youthful design for all classes of car, a second car concept which everyone would like as a first car.

VW Scooter means fun and functionality for the sportscar fan and the individualist biker. Technology and design, driving equipment and comfort - these characteristics are realised in the VW Scooter.

The Exterior.

The outward appearence of the VW Scooter is despite its compact dimensions grown up. With a cd value of 0.25 and a projected frontal ares of just 1.44m² the engineers and technicians of VW research in collabaration with the VW designers have given the VW Scooter an attribute which is unusual in the size of vehicle: streamlining.

The aerodynamic detail work in the wind tunnel led to joinless glass, bumpers flowing harmoniously into the body, and flush headlights and doorhandles.

The passenger cell has some suprises in store. For ease of entry there are two gull-wing doors which can be easily removed. The rear window too will be removable thus fulfilling the desire for wind-in-the-hair motoring for the fresh air fans.

The rear axle group is characterised by sporty emphasis on technology. Here functionallity is openly displayed. The third wheel of dimension 235/55 VR is framed by uncovered exhast mufflers: high grade technology underlined by a robust sound.

The vehicle conception-two front driven wheels and one undriven rear wheel-permits design of the body as an integrated teardrop shape which can only be realised in this ideal configuration with a three wheeled layout.

The basic aerodynamic factors give the VW Scooter performance data in the 3m vehicle class which make possible unusually economical driving with this fun car.

The Interior.

The logical design of the exterior has been carried over to the interior. The two sigle seats are plced next to each other. Head restraints over the entire seat width offer optimum safety-and nevertheless good rearward vision and access to the space in the rear.

The door design is of stylistic interest: door opener, door pull and ashtray determine the dynamic division into single components which flow into the overall design concept of seat and door.

The instruments ate laid out in a semi-circle before the driver. The well shaped switches are brought togeter in a satellite and placed in an ideal position for ease of operation. A removable briefcase fits into the dashboard on the passenger side.

The interior is cockpit-like. Together with technologicall efficient ergonomy of the seat/pedal, steering wheel and instrument layout, the sporty avant-garde design quality underlines the integrity of the entire concept.

The Technology.

The three wheeled concept in the VW Scooter combines the up-to-date and proven VW drive technology with a newly-developed swinging arm rear axle design. The engine is in font of the driven front axle. The base version drive unit is a four cylinder carburetor engine. For the sports version an injection engine is possible.

Power transmission is via a 4 speed manual gearbox modified according to the engin version. Payload is 210kg. The vehicle meets all the statutory provisions for Europe and the USA.

At the VW proving ground at Ehra-Leissien the working prototype of the VW Scooter produced noteworthy figures - top speeds depending on engine between 160 - 220 km/h and acceleration times for 0 - 100 km/h between 14.8 and 8.5s.

The vehicle conception produced by engineers and designers of the VW Research and Development division impresses with its sporty performance, favorable fuel consumption, low emmisions, good natured handling, excellent braking and above all driving enjoyment.

The VW Scooter is characterised by its manouverability in traffic and easy parking in small spaces. Despite the priority given to driving enjoyment in the VW Scooter, the safety framework conditions self-evident for VW have been incorporated in designing the vehicle to withstand th 50 km/h frontal collision.

In this way the driving saftey of a car and the fun of a motorcycle have been ideally married in the VW Scooter.