Volkswagen first revealed a concept version of the tandem two-seater car at a company annual general meeting back in 2002, predicting it could see production in 2012.
But a report on British website CAR says that the concept, which in its original form could travel 100km on one litre of fuel, is close to production readiness.
The original bullet-shaped concept car, which weighed just 290kg, looked more like a solar vehicle than regular passenger transport. It was 3.65m long, just 1.25m wide and less than a metre tall, with a jet fighter-style gull-wing canopy door.
The side mirrors were replaced by cameras to improve the aerodynamics, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
The 2002 concept was built entirely from composite carbon-fibre reinforced material, with a reinforced plastic outer skin concealing a space frame constructed from lightweight magnesium.
But the CAR report says the production version will be a two-cylinder diesel unit, with a mild hybrid system that would allow full-electric operation under some circumstances. (ANI)
Read »