Although VW will argue the design inspiration for its latest concept comes from Formula One, the thinking behind the NILS electric vehicle is more similar to that of the less than successful Sinclair C5. However, Volkswagen clearly believes that the concept, which will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month, “offers a glimpse of a new form of minimalist mobility.”
The NILS concept features an aluminium space frame, gull-wing doors, and free-standing wheels in an attempt to save weight, have sporty performance while producing zero emissions.
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Clearly targeted at urban employees, owing to the fact VW says 73.9 percent of all commuters between Berlin and Munich cover less than 15.5 on their way to work, the NILS has a range of 40 miles and can reach a top speed of 80mph.
Although the NILS is quite a radical design, the concept's compact shape requires little road space, measuring just over three metres long, 50cm wide, and just over one metre tall.
“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 Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management and Head of Development for the Volkswagen Brand.
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