The XL1 is Volkswagen’s vision of a plug-in hybrid car that returns an amazingly low combined fuel consumption of 0.9lt/100km, equal to 261 mpg US and 313 mpg UK, or to be precise, MPGe (Miles per gallon gasoline equivalent) since this figure includes the use of both the internal combustion engine and the battery.
The two-seater model was presented as a concept last year and is now heading for very limited run production starting from next year – if all goes according to plan. VW’s engineers were filmed in Spain completing new tests with the car as they prepare for its introduction.
For its motivation, the XL1 links a 47hp (48PS) 0.8-liter turbocharged twin-cylinder diesel engine to a 27HP electric motor, a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG) and a lithium-ion battery.
The hybrid powerplant produces a combined system output of 74HP (75PS), which may not sound a lot, but the car is compact in size measuring 3,888mm long, 1,665mm wide and just 1,156mm tall, and light in weight (only 795kg or 1,752 lbs) thanks in part to the extensive use of carbon fibre reinforced polymer parts (CFRP).
At least in pre-production guise, the XL1 is quoted as being able to accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in a respectable 11.9 seconds and top out at 160km/h (100mph – electronically limited).
Volkswagen says that the car emits only 24g/km of CO2 and has a batter-power only range of 35km (22 miles), and a combined driving range of 550km (342 miles).
If you scroll down, you will find a video of the XL1 prototype undergoing tests in Spain along with a gallery of photos of the concept model shown at the Qatar Motor Show last year.
Video Credits: YouTube/Carparazzi
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