Microturbine Range-extended Electric Supercar to Debut at LA Auto Show
Factory Five GTM Joins Phalanx of Alternate Powered Vehicles
On the heels of our battery electric vehicle (BEV) '33 Hot Rod, which debuted at SEMA 2009, comes this impressive turbine-electric GTM Supercar conceived by Richard Hillerman (Chief Creative Director at EA - Electric Arts) and built in cooperation with the crew from Capstone Turbine Corporation. The car is on display at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show from December 4th to 13th.
The car will be on display alongside a conventional GM LS-powered Factory Five GTM. The Capstone CMT-380 (car is badged as) uses a 30 kW C-30 Capstone microturbine to charge a litium-polymer battery pack. The range of the battery pack is approximately 80 miles and at a programmed state of discharge, the C-30 microturbine fires up and recharges the batteries while underway to extend driving range up to an estimated (but unconfirmed) 500 miles. Performance of the prototype is estimated at 0-60 in 4 seconds and a top speed of 150 MPH.

The Factory Five GTM has been tested by Car & Driver Magazine and ran 0-60 in 3.0 sec.
Factory Five Racing chassis have been used in a variety of alternate energy powered vehicles. Factory Five Racing is also working with GM Performance Parts on an installation of GM's new LS3 E-Rod engine in the GTM. Factory Five Racing is the world's largest component car kit manufacturer and is located in Wareham, MA.
Volkswagen Announces World Premiere of the Up! Lite Concept Car at 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show
Other Highlights Include the New Beetle Final Editions, and the Comprehensive Lineup of Vehicles with TDI® Clean Diesel Technology
HERNDON, Va., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. is proud to announce the world premiere of the groundbreaking Up! Lite concept car at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. With its combination of a Volkswagen TDI® Clean Diesel engine, an advanced electric motor, and a seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox® (DSG®), the Up! Lite is an innovative hybrid capable of up to 70 mpg on the highway, with room for four adults. The Up! Lite, together with the New Beetle Final Editions, Volkswagen's full collection of TDI® Clean Diesel models, and other industry-leading vehicles and automotive technologies, will be on display through December 13, 2009, in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vw/40219/
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091203/NY20430 )
"Volkswagen aims to be at the forefront of every level of automotive design - from the creation of an idea all the way to consumer experiences with the final product," said Stefan Jacoby, President, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The Up! Lite stands at the pinnacle of that devotion, as a clear representation of what we believe is the standard by which all other hybrid vehicles will be judged. It integrates decades of research and heritage that can be found in both today's Volkswagens, along with those that will be available to consumers in the near future, via the Volkswagen New Small Family of vehicles."
The Up! Lite Concept Car
At the heart of the Up! Lite is Volkswagen's all-new hybrid power train consisting of an 0.8-liter, two-cylinder TDI® Clean Diesel engine, and an electric motor that acts as the vehicle's starter, alternator, and E-drive unit. On its own, the 0.8L engine produces 51 horsepower and up to 88 lbs.-ft. of torque. The electric motor, with its 13 additional horsepower, can be used to boost the TDI® engine when needed, provide valuable regenerative braking, and even propel the Up! Lite on its own. The seven-speed DSG® transmission ensures the driver has access to the full power range whenever needed, and allows for a 0 to 60 mph run of 12 seconds, a top speed of 100 mph, and the exceptional fuel economy rating of 70 mpg.
The Up! Lite's superior efficiency is also a result of lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber elements throughout, and an aerodynamic exterior, which comes dressed in a truly unique Liquid Blue Metallic paint to match the car's fun and futuristic feel. The hatchback carries a low, lengthened profile that starts up front, continuing with a broad shoulder section, and a thoroughly clean profile. Side cameras stand in place of traditional outside mirrors, and 18-inch carbon fiber and aluminum wheels give a hint of sports car-like appeal. Inside, passengers are welcomed with an intuitive touchscreen and hand motion sensors for climate controls, Internet connectivity, telephone, multimedia playback, and more. Three cameras take over for the more common rearview mirror, and an easy folding rear seat promises extra storage space.
The 2010 New Beetle Final Editions
Sharing the spotlight with the Up! Lite are the newly-announced 2010 New Beetle and New Beetle convertible Final Editions, marking the last of Volkswagen's current generation of the iconic models. With a variety of upgrades and distinct touches, the Final Edition coupe and convertible will be available in U.S. dealer showrooms starting in the Spring of 2010, limited to only 1,500 units each.
The coupe carries Aquarius Blue paint with a painted black roof, and the convertible wears a two-tone Aquarius Blue and Campanella White paint scheme and with a white top. Both models feature Final Edition exterior badging, with the coupe adding individually numbered badges outside, and a set of front fog lights. A full sport suspension and select 17-inch alloy wheels are also included. The interior hosts an individually numbered, Final Edition steering wheel, and the convertible receives a white interior to match the special top and paint. Volkswagen's 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder gasoline engine, a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic® control, and the standard-equipped Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) complete the Final Edition package.
The 2010 New Beetle Coupe and New Beetle Convertible Final Editions will be available for $20,240 and $27,170 respectively.
The Full Line of Volkswagen TDI® Clean Diesel Vehicles
For drivers who want to enjoy improved fuel economy and reduced emissions today, without needing to cut back on performance, Volkswagen's ready-to-go, TDI® Clean Diesel vehicles will be on the show floor. The fully redesigned Golf, the award-winning Jetta, the versatile Jetta SportWagen, and the powerful Touareg are all available with advanced TDI® engines at Volkswagen dealerships across the country.
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (found in the Golf, Jetta, and Jetta SportWagen TDI®), and the 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (found in the Touareg TDI®) both meet the strict Tier 2, Bin5/ULEV II standards that apply in all 50 U.S. States. The 2.0T engine is bred for performance, with 140 horsepower and an impressive 236 lbs.-ft. of torque, and can be paired to either a six-speed manual transmission, or the six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox® (DSG®) automatic transmission. The Touareg's 3.0T engine and automatic transmission come ready to tow just about anything, with 225 horsepower and 407 lbs.-ft. of torque.
Regardless of the model or the engine, every 2010 Volkswagen with TDI® Clean Diesel technology promises up to 30 percent better fuel economy than with a similar gasoline engine, a hefty 25 percent reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and a cutback of nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 95 percent. The German-tuned performance and fun to drive dynamics come standard.
To learn more about the Volkswagen Up! Lite, the 2010 New Beetle Final Editions, TDI® Clean Diesel technology, and more, please stop by the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, or visit www.vw.com <http://www.vw.com/> and media.vw.com <http://media.vw.com/> .