Concept-cars usually show what next year’s model may look like, but this Nils concept looks much further away. This is a city car for 2020 and beyond. More than a city car actually, this is a PC, a Personal Car because it cannot go anymore personal than this: this is a one-seater vehicle.

It’s not particularly small, though. The Nils is 10 feet long when a Smart is only 9 feet. We guess space efficiency was not a priority, but style was. In our mind, this little vehicle is remarkably elegant with its free-standing wheels. It doesn’t look cheap in anyway. It’s also practical with 2 large gullwing doors so one can get in or out very easily, from either side of the car.

With an all aluminium spaceframe, this Nils concept weighs only 1014 pounds. So a 25-kW motor is enough, with a smallish 5.3-kWh lithium battery. Volkswagen says it is sufficient to give a 40-mile range, while top speed is an excellent (for that kind of vehicle) 80-mph. Of course, the Nils meets all safety regulations. It could be sold worldwide, but it’s highly doubtful Volkswagen will greenlight it.