VW GX3 concept (2006) CAR review

What planet’s this from? It looks like a mash up between a Lotus Elise, Ariel Atom and Reliant Robin…

This is Volkswagen’s GX3 – a minimalist three wheeler that combines a superbike’s blistering acceleration with a sports car’s flat-out cornering ability. And after a world exclusive drive in the Austrian Alps, I can reveal that no other motor vehicle tagged at $15,000 has ever been this much fun. After four hours of non-stop carving, skating and gliding up and down twisting alpine roads, the broad grin on my face is now frozen stiff – and it’s nothing to do with the temperature. Every corner enhances the sticky roadholding and sweet handling balance of this insect-eyed street machine. With every climb, the mix of instant grip and eager acceleration gets ever more addictive. And with each descent, the subtle weight transfer, aggressive brake bite and the quite physical downshifts challenge the man at the wheel. Had we not run out of fuel, it would have taken a chainsaw to separate me from the GX3. This trike performs like a drug.

Sounds amazing – and nothing like the VW norm. How the hell did they come up with the GX3?

It’s the out of this world-work of Team Moonraker, a task force charged with finding initiatives to boost VW’s faltering image in North America. Founded in spring 2005, and led by Stefan Liske, the 23-member Moonraker team was based in Los Angeles and reported directly to VW brand chief Wolfgang Bernhard. Currently, the Volkswagen brand has a strong female bias – something the uber-macho GX3 seeks to redress. The GX3 was unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show in January 2006. After a stellar reception, Volkswagen’s suits began to wrangle over whether to sell it exclusively to US punters.