Praised to have the dynamic performance of a sports car

Sep 14, 2011 15:12 GMT  ·  By

With the same basic layout as a Formula 1 race car, with the driver in the middle, the engine in back, and free-standing outboard wheels, the Volkswagen NILS concept made its world public these days in Frankfurt.

The German automaker introduced the NILS, a concept car that is sad to have the dynamic performance of a sports car, without using a single drop of fuel.

Featuring an aluminium space frame, wing doors and free-standing wheels, the VW NILS electric concept is presented by its creators as a very compact car that requires extremely little space in traffic and drives like a go-kart.

Safety-wise, the NILS comes fitted with an automatic distance control system with integrated Front Assist, and that can even automatically brake the car to a stop, depending on the situation.

Interior highlights include the Portable Infotainment Device (PID), which allows the driver to control functions related to Navigation, Radio, Media, Telephone, Trip computer and – to preconfigure the driving range – ‘Eco.

“NILS anticipates the future. The goal of the NILS project is to research a technically concrete and economically feasible vehicle concept for micromobility which restructures individual transportation to make it more efficient and environmentally compatible based on electric drive technology,’ said Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Board of Management and Head of Development for the Volkswagen Brand.

Powering the concept is a single electric motor that sits behind the driver and provides 20 hp or 33.5 hp for a short period of time, via a one-speed transmission. This only has to push 460 kg or 1,014 lbs worth of aluminum and plastic, and it manages to do so at a respectable top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph). Range is expected to be around 65 kilometers or 40 miles.

But before we get to see the NILS rolling on the streets we can at least enjoy the live photos provided by autoevolution from Frankfurt:

Photo Gallery (9 Images)

Meet the VW NILS!
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