These live pics of the Volkswagen Up! Lite concept show the unusual concept which debuted at the Los Angeles auto show. The concept is almost like a cross between a people mover and a shooting brake, and shows the futuristic style often used for alternative fuel and hybrid models.

The Up! Lite concept has a combined diesel-electric drivetrain, with DSG dual clutch, seven-speed transmission. It will appear as early as 2011 on the new small family car, which is the original Up! we saw back in 2007 at the Frankfurt motor show. The diesel engine is an 800 TDI with 51 hp and 120Nm, while the electric motor has 14 hp and uses lithium ion technology.

Fuel consumption and emissions are almost laughable, if it weren’t for the fact we’d be ridiculing what’s fast becoming a reality in motoring. On an average combined run, the Up! Lite uses just 2.4 litres of diesel per 100 km, and CO2 emissions are at 65 g/km. The “Lite” part of the name refers to the carbon fibre roof, the whole of which weighs just 3.3 kg, with the concept car weighing in at 695 kg. The carbon-fibre roof is unlikely to see production, although the rest of the car makes good use of aluminium.

Perfromance figures are a top speed of 160 km/hr, and an acceleration to 100 km/hr of 12.5 seconds. Nothing to be ashamed of, particularly for a small car measuring 3.8 metres long. The Volkswagen Up! Lite concept will be one to keep an eye on to see how it evolves.

Volkswagen Up! Lite Concept live pics from LA

Photos | BenzInsider

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