The future of driving could be a pretty lonely place, at least if you’re behind the wheel of the one-passenger VW Nils Concept, set to be shown at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show. This electric-powered concept has room for only its driver, along with a modest amount of luggage. Volkswagen says the Nils represents “micromobility,” a bare-essentials (and zero-emission) form of vehicle, aimed specifically at commuters who travel 15 miles or less to and from work.
The Nils features a cockpit-like body, with narrow 17-inch wheels standing separately from the car. The doors swing upward, gullwing-style. At 120 in. long, the Nils is a whopping 20 in. shorter than the Volkswagen Up!, the German automaker’s newest small car that is also making an appearance at Frankfurt. And at 47 in. tall, the Nils is nearly 5 in. shorter than a Porsche 911.
Performance also doesn’t stack up to what’s offered in any Porsche. Nestled in the aluminum spaceframe of the Nils, directly behind the driver, are a compact 42 lb. 20-hp electric motor, single-speed transmission, and a lithium-ion battery pack. Thanks to its lightweight construction—the curb weight is 1014 lb.—the Nils, says VW, is agile and very fun to drive. Top speed is a modest 81 mph, however, and the sprint to 62 mph takes a leisurely 11 seconds. Driving range is estimated to be around 40 miles. (more)
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