Volkwswagen XL1 Concept Headed for Limited Production in 2013

Colum Wood
by Colum Wood

Volkswagen‘s 261-mpg XL1 concept car is headed to production, easily besting fuel economy claims by cars like the Chevrolet Volt. Unveiled this week at the Qatar Motor Show, the vehicle is actually billed as a prototype and not a concept, with Volkswagen commenting in an official press release that this latest rendition of its 1 Liter car (a vehicle that can travel 100km on one liter of diesel), puts the project one step closer to production.

In an interview with Automobilwoche, VW execs confirmed plans to build a small production volume of the car (about 100 models), with initial sales in Germany, then in the U.S. and China.

Previous to this news, Volkswagen claimed that at the introduction of the L1 Concept (the XL1’s predecessor) at the Frankfurt Show in 2009 that a vehicle based on that concept would see production in 2013.

The XL1 uses plug-in diesel hybrid powertrain, with a 2-cylinder TDI motor with 48-hp, mated to a 27-hp electric motor and using a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. Volkswagen 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.

GALLERY: Volkswagen LX1 Prototype

[Source: TTAC]

Colum Wood
Colum Wood

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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  • Paras rathaur Paras rathaur on Feb 06, 2012

    I am eager to know that when the lxi will come on indian road/market and would it be in the hands of middle income group people....means to say that will its price be affordable for MIG class

  • Jeff-poole Jeff-poole on Feb 28, 2013

    How can I get notifications on when and wehere it will be available? I would put down a deposit immediately!

    • Colum Wood Colum Wood on Mar 01, 2013

      Volkswagen hasn't released that much info, but keep reading AutoGuide and we'll be sure to update this story with rollout information in the coming months.

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