VW's 258mpg car rumors not quite right, not completely wrong

Well, would you look at this crazy little contraption. According to the Metacafe link, this single seat car (actually double seat, the passenger is in the rear), will be sold in Shanghai in 2010. The car allegedly gets 258 miles per gallon, can cruise at 100 to 120kmh and only costs 4000RMB. There's absolutely nothing to dislike... EXCEPT IT'S NOT REALLY TRUE.

So why are we posting up false-ish news of a concept car? Because we've heard it mentioned to us at least three times in the last month, coupled with a "Gee, Shanghai's so awesome. It's totally becoming the city to watch for the future of automobiles" (paraphrased). Well Shanghai is awesome and it does hold some clues for the future of automobiles... but you probably shouldn't ascribe them to this car.

Happily, not everything about this Volkwagen onesie is false. According to energyboom, the L1 is a prototype that VW is planning on releasing a limited number of in 2010... but it won't only cost 4000RMB.

Since 2002, VW has been working on a car called the L1. It seats 2 people and is made from carbon fiber so it’s super light at just 290 kg or 638 pounds. The body is flat and narrow, and even includes a little bit of storage space.

The prototype has a single-cylinder diesel engine (though that could change), anti lock brakes, driver's airbag and an electronic stability program. It holds 6.5 liters or 1.72 gallons of gasoline and does, in fact get 258 miles per gallon with a top speed of around 74 miles per hour...

Reports say [the price] will be more like $25,900 and that VW will be making a limited number for release in 2010.

But will we see it in Shanghai? We don't know, and thus far, we haven't found out how the prototype got attached to our fair city in the first place. We're guessing the Shanghai Auto Show had something to do with it.