The vw being front drive will not have rear springs capable of accepting a lot of extra weight.

Actually the volvo might have been a good choice because of the solid rear axle. The extra weight wouldn't change the camber like it will with our beloved benzos.

The volvo wagon and the two forty are pretty close to the same weight iirc. And the benz diesel is probably a good one hundred fifty pounds heavier than the volvo lump so weight wise it probably would have been a wash.

I don't see how you can make a decent performing electric car out of a non dedicated electric auto. The weight will be just too high. The insight is a very very light car and its performance as a hybrid is just so so.

Good luck though and keep us posted with this very interesting project.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.