Volkswagon GX3

[Derwin]

Hey, I was just surfing the net today, and I came across this VW vehicle. Does anybody know what ever happened to the VW GX3? I think this is an incredible vehicle, and Volkswagen stated that it would retail for only $17,000......Now that's a bargain! Take a look at this thing....

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=427&stc=1&d=1211826792
http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=428&stc=1&d=1211826792
http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=429&stc=1&d=1211826792
http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=430&stc=1&d=1211826792
http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=431&stc=1&d=1211826792
http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=432&stc=1&d=1211826792
http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=433&stc=1&d=1211826825
http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=434&stc=1&d=1211826825
http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=435&stc=1&d=1211826825
http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=436&stc=1&d=1211826825

[RAN]

Yup.... here's a piece of irony for you Derwin. The GX3 was designed primarily for the US market, but not for US lawyers... Once the lawyers got involved, and mentioned the kinds of product liability suits a product like the GX3 could inspire, VW decided the prototypes would make really fine planters and dropped any production plans they had.

BTW... check this out: http://www.grinnallcars.com/content/home/grinnall.html
The Scorpion III is a 3-wheeler; the Scorpion IV has 4.

[Derwin]

I guess I must be stupid or something, but how can that vehicle present anymore liability than a motorcycle? And we all know that motorcycles are marketed all over the country. The Spyder is a 3-wheeled vehicle also, and it doesn't seem that BRP is concerned about any liability issues. The GX3 would have been a much safer vehicle than the Spyder or ANY cycle on the road. Are you sure that was the reason? It just doesn't make sense to me.

Derwin

[RAN]

Well.... they also mentioned that, from marketing surveys taken, they couldn't produce the level of vehicle they wanted at the price consumers wanted.

[Derwin]

Hey, I really like that Scorpion III vehicle. Can this be imported to America? How much does it cost? RAN, if this vehicle is not a fortune, I think I would rather have IT than the Spyder! But I have a feeling the cost is prohibitive......as usual.

Derwin

[RAN]

You might want to e-mail them Derwin... I don't believe it's as expensive as you're thinking it might be (although it's probably more than the Spyder...).

Bear in mind that, with the US dollar in the toilet, 1 British pound = @2 USD

[rogwild]

.......but how can that vehicle present anymore liability than a motorcycle? And we all know that motorcycles are marketed all over the country. The Spyder is a 3-wheeled vehicle also, and it doesn't seem that BRP is concerned about any liability issues. The GX3 would have been a much safer vehicle than the Spyder or ANY cycle on the road. Are you sure that was the reason? It just doesn't make sense to me.

Derwin

I read/heard the same reason, about the GX3. First, it probably does NOT present anymore liability than a motorcycle; BUT how many 'motorcycles' has VW marketed to the American public?
Second, BRP markets all sorts of ATV's and PWC, so a 3-wheeled cycle would probably seem like LESS risk to them.

It seems like 'risk' is relative to different companies. Also it has been a few years (and the tanked $) so I'm sure the $17,000 is nowhere near valid.

[Miracleman89]

The VW GX3 was ready to go and vw was waiting for the green light from the head executives when the lawyers claimed there was a liability problem! According to the lawyers they said "if a high profile star such as Paris Hilton were to get one and get killed in it, it would be a PR nightmare"! That's right, because lawyers want to pander to the morons of the world this vehicle was scraped! I wrote several letters to VW concerning the GX3 mule. The response was a basic brush off! So, I have maintained my stance on never buying a VW again

[rogwild]

Here are some articles to support those claims:
http://tinyurl.com/4htwlh

http://tinyurl.com/5gyk2c

http://tinyurl.com/33ott2

The last one mentions that that the same chassis designer for the GX3 was working on the V~1!

[smoove7410]

I loved the GX3, and would have bought one if they brought it to market. I was really bummed when they cancelled it, especially since lotus was testing a mule for them, really showing their intentions were to produce it.

[Victoly]

I really have to ask... what's this seemingly religious apprehension that automotive engineers have to putting a canopy over any of these 3-wheel vehicles? Just give me a lousy piece of plexiglas, something to keep the rain out. Is that too much to ask?

[Miracleman89]

Sorry for the delay, been working a lot and am getting ready to go back to Illinois for a couple of weeks! But thank you Rogwild for those links!

[waboom]

A little Venture Vehicles tie-in here: Ian stated in an interview (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/02/19/interview-with-ian-bruce-founder-of-venture-vehicles-part-one/) that the GX3's chassis was designed & built by Swift Engineering, where the lead engineer on the project was Chris Norris. Chris is now doing the chassis, suspension, and propulsion engineering for the Venture One.

Hope some of that DNA shows through!