The Kneeslider

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VW GX3 Spy Photos

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VW GX3 testingThe Volkswagen GX3 looks to be headed for production. When the 3 wheeler showed up at the LA Auto Show, VW said they would gauge public reaction before deciding whether to make it. I guess when they saw people pulling out checkbooks they decided they might be on to something.

Christa Lehman, one of those spy photographers, was loitering about the Lotus works and saw the GX3 screaming around the track. The 1.4 liter 4 cylinder with 125 horsepower gives you 0-62mph of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 124mph plus get 1.25g on the skidpad, yeehaw! It has a six speed transmission and is rumored to have a price tag in the $17,000 range. It also gets about 45 miles per gallon.

It looks like it may be a joint VW and Lotus venture and with Lotus being owned by Proton Malaysia, the GX3 could be going worldwide. Maybe everybody will get in on the fun.

Inside Line
Photo: Christa Lehman/Hidden Image
The Kneeslider: Volkswagen GX3 at LA Auto Show

Comments

  2. It’s cool, but the Campana T-Rex is much cooler. Of course, it’s also much more expensive.

  3. If the GX3 sells, VW will build other models (first will be one with a top of some kind, I bet). Then Toyota (with Scion and Lexus variants, of course), then etc…
    Smaller, lighter, fewer-dead-dinosaurs-at-a-time traffic will be the result.
    I hope that it remains classed as a motorcycle, if people have to go out of their way to acquire an MC endorsement before they buy one they are ever so slightly likely to become more attentive drivers as a result, and maybe not get killed.
    Can I get one with TDI?

  4. The whole motorcycle license issue may be one reason (that and having to wear a helmet) VW, and especially Toyota, might not introduce these. Of course, the re-emergence of sporty small cars stemming from the miata and culminating in the elise may have proven a market viability. If VW does introduce the GX3 I for one would be impressed.
    -todd

  5. Todd,
    It just occured to me that the Governator recently demonstrated that in California you don’t need a MC endorsement for a three wheeler. I’m not being sarcastic, you really don’t need one in CA.
    Big Market. Nice weather.

  6. The only time in california a 3-wheeled vehicle is not considered a motorcycle and does not require a motorcycle license endorsement is when that vehicle has an inclosed driver area and is used by local public agencies for the enforcement of parking control provisions.

    I guess this is why they originally thought the Governator’s outfit did not require a license. It was later found they were incorrect.

    http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc400.htm

    -todd

  7. Put an enclosed cockpit on it and then I would have an alternative to my motorcycle for winter,…..as it is, why not just buy a motorcycle? It’s about 7 grand cheaper to get a GSXR 1000.