Volkswagen XL1 Prototype Gets 260-MPG, is One Step Closer to Production
Ahead of its debut at the Qatar Motor Show, Volkswagen has unveiled a a new version of its 1L (1 Liter) car, bringing the company’s goal of delivering a production vehicle that can travel 100 km (62 miles) on a single liter of diesel fuel. The XL1 Prototype, achieves 0.9 l/100 km, or 261-mpg.
Powering the carbon fiber shell is a plug-in diesel hybrid powertrain, using a 2-cylinder TDI motor with 48-hp, mated to a 27-hp electric motor and using a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. Volkswagen also says that due to the plug-in hybrid setup, the power contained in the lithium-ion battery pack can propel the car 35 km (roughly 22 miles) emissions free.
It may look like a bizarre concept, but Volkswagen clearly indicates this vehicle as a prototype, highlighting the side-by-side seating, rather than the odd tandem setup in the L1 concept from the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. It even has a near-production interior.
Also of note, VW says it has achieved “significant reductions in productions costs” for carbon fiber reinforced polymer parts (CFRP) allowing this project to move ahead. In the past execs at the German automaker have indicated the car will see production in 2013.
GALLERY: Volkswagen XL1 Prototype
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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Drop the electric motor and reduce the price.
where and when can we order the vw? current owner of 2 vw's