Volkswagen Rennbahn* Coupe and Briza (cabriolet)News 6/20/2008 just in, VW may in fact move the engine in the upcoming "UP!"
to the front, in order to save money and speed it to market!
Public naming poll results:
*German for race course
5/1/2008: decided to create a cabriolet version, which takes the well voted for (in the online polling here) 'Briza' name, while the coupe is renamed "Rennbahn".
A 'track ready' verson (called "Rennbahn TR" of course) is 300lbs lighter due to carbon fibre use, and less equipment. Wider tires and larger brakes as well.
Design Brief-
-Rear engine, under floor, 3 cyl. turbo.
-Expected later arival of a hybrid 'Rennbahn eH' (electric Hybrid) version;
-Rear engine, under floor, 3 cyl. turbo.
-Expected later arival of a hybrid 'Rennbahn eH' (electric Hybrid) version;
Picture above from Smart 'ForTwo' showing 'under-floor' engine location.
-Light and quick coupe
-Low cost
-Somewhat remake of the original Karmann Ghia.
Renderings-
http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b346/jackdogg890/20xx%20VW%20Rear%20Engine%20coupecabriolet%20concept/
Rick's take-
VW has recently (late 2007) been showing various forms of it
s 'UP!' concept, using a gas/electric hybrid or 3 cylinder gas only powered rear engine car and variants.
In many ways this 'replaces' the original beetle.
I have taken this and created a small/light/quick coupe that in ways replace the original Karmann Ghia. Nevertheless, this is no retro job on th
at car. I am in fact using ideas from the type 3 VW 'fastback' of the 60's where the engine resided under the floor of the rear cargo area. In this case a hatchback will open to a carpeted area above the engine for storage. This area is well insulated against engine heat, and lifts for access to the engine.
VW has no such firm plans for any coupe variant, so this ends up just my idea of one. I love the current Scion tC, and this car actually undercuts it in price while providing 4 place seat with more sporting pretentions. In other words, I'd buy this!
Specifications-
VW UP! rear engine concept (2007) based.
3 cyl. turbo; lightweight chassis;
$16k price;
Styling to emphasize rear engine via intakes and air diffusers.
May use side mounted radiator which requires side intakes.
December10, 2007:
Volkswagen has announced that it will build its 'Up!' minicar in India. Set to begin production as early as 2011, VW will make and market a four-door hatchback version of the Up in India. Inside sources say that VW is targeting a price of under $7,500 for the Up.VW also revealed that the Up would be built in three different markets of the world starting in 2010, but failed to name any other locations. VW is currently in talks with India's Bajaj Auto to help co-develop the car.At least one version of the Up is U.S.-bound.
Engineering innovations:
VW has recently (late 2007) been showing various forms of it
s 'UP!' concept, using a gas/electric hybrid or 3 cylinder gas only powered rear engine car and variants. In many ways this 'replaces' the original beetle.
I have taken this and created a small/light/quick coupe that in ways replace the original Karmann Ghia. Nevertheless, this is no retro job on th
at car. I am in fact using ideas from the type 3 VW 'fastback' of the 60's where the engine resided under the floor of the rear cargo area. In this case a hatchback will open to a carpeted area above the engine for storage. This area is well insulated against engine heat, and lifts for access to the engine. VW has no such firm plans for any coupe variant, so this ends up just my idea of one. I love the current Scion tC, and this car actually undercuts it in price while providing 4 place seat with more sporting pretentions. In other words, I'd buy this!
Specifications-
VW UP! rear engine concept (2007) based.
3 cyl. turbo; lightweight chassis;
$16k price;
Styling to emphasize rear engine via intakes and air diffusers.
May use side mounted radiator which requires side intakes.
December10, 2007:
Volkswagen has announced that it will build its 'Up!' minicar in India. Set to begin production as early as 2011, VW will make and market a four-door hatchback version of the Up in India. Inside sources say that VW is targeting a price of under $7,500 for the Up.VW also revealed that the Up would be built in three different markets of the world starting in 2010, but failed to name any other locations. VW is currently in talks with India's Bajaj Auto to help co-develop the car.At least one version of the Up is U.S.-bound.
Engineering innovations:
[]'Invisible' air intake 'perimeters': Benefit is no side body intakes to clutter the design, and the benefit of using wasted air capture areas like the wheel openings...
- Radiator intake utilizes the rear wheel opening on one side, placing the radiator lateraly behind the wheel/tire. Air comes in asssited via an open-wheel design that utilizes blades to direct air to the brakes and radiator behind them. Under car shrouding directs also directs air up into radiator.
- Turbo air instake utilizes the other side wheel opening as above.
