1983 Volvo LCP 2000
In 1983, Volvo was on a mission. The idea was to create a vehicle that weighed less than 1,500 pounds, could sit two people safely, and achieve at least 58 miles per gallon, fuel economy numbers that were unheard of. It was part of the automaker’s Lightweight Component Project. The resulting model was the LCP 2000.
Four cars were built — all of them with minor technical differences. LCP 2000 looked like a car, but different; a wedge shaped two-door hatchback with an upright rear end and plastic tailgate that also served as an entrance door into the rear seat. This was rearward-facing for safety and space purposes. And yes, there was also room for luggage.
Different types of plastic, magnesium and aluminum were extensively used throughout the design, both from a weight perspective and for recycling reasons and future availability. A small sensation was the use of carbon fiber for the door frames, then a completely new and untried material.
The LCP cars were equipped with specially designed transverse turbo-diesel engines of two types. Both types were three cylinder engines but one was a 1.3 liter 50 horsepower lightweight magnesium engine, whereas the other was a cast-iron 1.4 liter 90 horsepower engine, heat-insulated without a cooling jacket in the cylinder head and using the engine oil as coolant instead.
It ran on any oil fuel, like rape seed oil, which gave the car a nice smell of fish & chips when it drove by. All LCPs were front-wheel drive combined either to a five-speed manual transmission or an electronically controlled CVT.
The car’s small proportions, thrifty diesel engines and the use of lightweight materials were complemented by an aerodynamic body exhibiting a drag coefficient of just 0.25, which is just as good as one of today’s hybrid cars that begins with a “P.’’
0-60 mph time was about 11 seconds, and top speed was 110 mph. So it was slow, but not horrendously so, because it weighed just 1,543 pounds.
The design of the LCP 2000 may be a bit dated, but that remarkable fuel economy number isn’t.
