The VW Group is pulling out the…small guns at this year’s edition of the Frankfurt auto show with a variety of Lilliputian electric car concepts.
Following the announcement on Audi’s two-seater Urban Sportback and Spyder studies, the Volkswagen brand today revealed the first images of its new Nils concept, a tiny single-seater electric vehicle designed primarily for use in an urban environment.
“The goal of the NILS project is to research a technically realistic and economically feasible concept for a minimalist commuter vehicle that makes individual transportation more efficient and eco-friendly thanks to its electric drive,’ said Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Head of Volkswagen Group Research.
The Nils measures 3.04 meters (119.6-in.) long, 1.39 meters (54.7-in.) wide and just 1.20 meters (47.2-in.) tall, making it about 0.5 meter shorter than the new Volkswagen up!.
It is built on a lightweight aluminum spaceframe while the same material has been used on certain body parts such as the gullwing-style doors and free-standing wheels. As a result, the Nils tips the scales at just 460kg or 1,014 pounds.
Propulsion is provided by an electric motor positioned right behind the driver. The motor develops a continuous 20HP (15kW) and 130Nm (95.9 lb-ft), and a short boost of 33.5HP (25kW).
Volkswagen says the Nils can sprint from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in less than 11 seconds and reach speeds of up to 130km/h (81mph).
The concept rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels equipped with 115/80 (front) and 125/80 (rear) tyres optimised for low rolling resistance.
A lithium-ion battery, which is also mounted at the back, has a capacity of 5.3 kWh, enough to provide energy to cover a driving distance of around 65 kilometers or 40 miles.
The automaker says that’s more than enough to cover the needs of city duelers as according to the German Bureau of Statistics, 73.9 per cent of all commuters residing between Berlin and Munich cover less than 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) on their way to work.
We’ll have more on the Nils concept in the coming weeks.
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