Scooter Story

Wolfsburg,February 21st 1986 There is something about this vehicle which immediately arouses the observers curiosity: the VW Scooter is in fact a three-wheeler with two driven wheels and a rear wheel mounted in a single swinging arm similar to that found on a motorcycle.

The Scooter was in fact closely based around the principles of the motorcycle. VW engineers developed the interesting design study from the fundamental idea of combining the economy of a motorcycle with sportscar comfort and convenience. The Scooter was mainly be used for research purposes in the areas of stylistics and road dynamics, and would have been on show for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March of the same year.

The unusual aerodynamics of the VW Scooter for a vehicle of its size are particularly impressive: with a length of 3.17 m, a width of 1.50 m, and a height of 1.24 m, (for comparison, the Polo measures 3.65 x 1.58 x 1.35 m.), it has a drag coefficient of Cd = 0.25 and a frontal area of just 1.44 m². Features aimed at improving the aerodynamics still further are the flush fitted windows, bumpers merging into the body and headlights and doorhandles flush with the body surface.

The engineers in Wolfsburg tested the Scooter with two different engines during research into its road behavior. The 1.05 litre carburettor version of the water cooled 4 cylinder sparkignition engine develops 26 kw (40hp) and the 1.40 litre fuel injection version 66 kw (90 hp). Both engines are installed transversly ahead of the front axle. The power is transmitted through a four speed manual gearbox.

On the VW test track the scooter reached a maximum speed of 160 km/h with the 29 kw engine and over 200 km/h with the 66 kw engine. With acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 14.8 s for the 1.05 liter engine the Scooter can easily hold its own in traffic with the medium sized automobile. The figure of 8.5 seconds recorded for the 1.4 litre engine puts it into the sports-car class.

Despite its sparkling performance, the average of the three european standard fuel consumption test values for this 500 kg VW design study is an extremely modest 5.2 litres of regular grade fuel per 100 km for the 1.05 litre engine and 6.1 litres of premium fuel for the 66 kw version.

There is easy access to the two side-by-side individual seats through the upward pivoting gullwing doors. All controls and instruments are arranged in a semi-circle within the drivers field of view and are easy to operate. A practical detail is a detachable compartment in the facia in front of the passenger, which can be taken out and used as a briefcase. The motoring pleasure the VW Scooter provides has not been attained at the expense of saftey: it complies with all existing (1986) European regulations.

Why oh why did VW never produce this baby? I for one would love one. Any one want to finance a Kit Car version?

All this is taken straight from VW's press release pack from 1986. Thanks VAG UK.