Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Volkswagen Conceptualized Sports Car and Motorcycle in One: The GX3!


Volkswagen presents the GX3 – a completely new type of motorcycle – in a world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Moonraker team and Volkswagen’s Design Center in California, exclusively with the U.S. in mind, conceived the GX3 to bring an exciting idea to a fully functioning concept. This Volkswagen opens up a new driving dimension with its three wheels and unique design.

The GX3 is Light, fast, and environmentally friendly, which conceptually shows that it is much closer to a motorcycle than to a classic type automobile. This two-seater Volkswagen is unique, being bold, young, and affordable. a new driving dimension is opened by this new Volkswagen, turning even the daily commute to work into a small trip to freedom, allowing you to cruise in the carpool lane, even if you’re driving alone, after all GX3 is a motorcycle, and a completely new horizons for recreational driving is opened up with its keen handling.

The GX3 will be powered by a VW 1.6 liter engine. 125 bhp is produced by the four-cylinder, so far, so good. Nevertheless, the GX3, a motorcycle with two seats positioned side-by-side, is a pure driving machine. And that’s the reason why you can find 125 bhp and 112.5 lb-ft in a simple 1,257 lbs Volkswagen. This end up in a power-to-weight ratio of 10 lbs/bhp. The GX3 is capable to reach a speed of 62.5 mph in just 5.7 seconds and the possible lateral acceleration reaches 1.25g, which values typical of sheer performance cars but delivered from a vehicle under the $17,000 price range. However, there is no comparable sports machine in the world that can come even close to the low fuel consumption of the GX3: 46 mpg (5.2 l/100 km). In fact, a production counterpart of the GX3 could be on the market very soon, depending all on the American driver’s feedback.

The Volkswagen GX3 is different from anything currently on the roads in the U.S conceptually and visually. It is actually a tradition at Volkswagen. The Volkswagen propelled itself to the top in the USA during the 50’s and 60’s because it was with exceptional and unique products, which today all of them legends. All were the cult cars of their time up to the present Whether the Beetle, the Thing (Type 181), or the Microbus. Volkswagen, with the GX3, once again presents in 2006 something totally unexpected and exceptional, a VW in every sense.

Volkswagen’s design team in California focused on creating a quintessential and pure driving machine. The GX3 has a true feeling of authenticity inspired by the minimalist design language often expressed in contemporary GP motorcycles and F1 race cars. Throughout the exterior, these influences are seen with an exposed single sided swing arm, aggressive central exhaust, open front wheels and stealthy matte finishes. The GX3 has a progressive dynamic that is emphasized with a strong graphic that divides the body as it wraps up to the aggressive forward leaning roll hoops. The further examples of track inspired designs are anodized gold and black suspension components and LED lighting.

The interior of the GX3 is all about business with nothing to distract from the absolute driving experience. The five point racing harnesses – “moto” style instruments and a GTI inspired stainless shifter – are equipped in the driver’s cockpit. The rear boasts a massive single 18”x12” back wheel dressed with a 315 rubber most distinctly. A bold V graphic consistent with Volkswagen’s vehicle lineup, most notably the GTI, is proudly displayed at the front end. In no way, the GX3 denies that it is a motorcycle, but to a certain extent plays it up as a unique design advantage. A high-density, warp-resistant, steel construction space frame forms the basic structure of this driving machine. High density fiberglass made up the paneling of the interior and exterior parts of the space frame. A 2.83 tf3 (80 liters) trunk is positioned behind the seats.

A double lateral steering axle controls the 215/45 R17x8J front wheels. While the layout of an automobile is resembled by the front axle and the rear axle displays more similarities to a motorcycle. A monoswing arm is used by the right side of the vehicle. The power of the engineis delivered via 6-speed transmission and chain drive to the rear wheel that has a tire size of 315/30 R18x12J, which is a new super bike dimension. The Volkswagen that will break away from the conventions and that will redefine driving fun and freedom of mobility is already crafted and it is the GX3.

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