VW has announced that its ground-breaking eco car, the XL1, is to go on sale in Britain. The futuristic-looking hybrid is capable of an astonishing 300 mpg, but its £90,000 price tag puts it out of reach of frugal drivers.
VW will not be worried about filling its order book. Only 30 examples of this incredible vehicle are destined for the British market, which means that every XL1 will be snapped up by a car collector.
The car has been in development for ten years as part of the company’s goal of producing a car capable of travelling 100 km using no more than one litre of fuel.
The XL1 combines a small diesel engine with an electric motor and manages to surpass this target by ten per cent.
Despite the impressive fuel efficiency, the hybrid is capable of 99 mph and a 0-60 time of 11.9 seconds. Its CO2 figure is a scooter-beating 24 g/km.
How does a car deliver 300 mpg?
- The L1 weighs in at 800 kg. Savings have been made through the use of carbon fibre and only half an engine
- The designers took the motor from a VW 1.6-litre TDI turbo diesel and chopped it in half before coupling it to a 14 hp electric motor
- The car can travel for 22 miles on electric power alone
- VW have made the XL1 as slippery as possible – the seats are staggered, which makes for a narrower and more aerodynamic shape (drag coefficient 0.186) – the car even does away with wing mirrors in favour of tiny cameras
Mark Iliff
Well done VW for pushing ahead with this. And thanks to the wealthy early adopters who will help get the cost down and debug this technology for the rest of us.
Amoeba
Based upon past behaviour, this technology is unlikely to see the light of day, see my other comment.
David S
at long last a manufacturer has realised that wing mirrors make very good air-brakes ( in aviation terms) and that by disposing of them and using video substantial aerodynamic gains can be made.
Amoeba
VW Group has a long track record of opposing and obstructing energy efficiency in Europe.
“….Volkswagen has a history of diverting attention from its poor overall
environmental performance by developing super-efficient prototype car
designs which never come to mass production.
Volkswagen were one of the driving forces in the lobbying campaign against
the introduction of vehicle efficiency standards in Europe. It has also been part
of efforts to oppose the introduction of strong US standards.
The Volkswagen Group has more positions on the board of ACEA (the car
manufacturers’ association and one of the most powerful lobby forces in
Europe) than any other company. ACEA has been leading the charge against
strong fuel efficiency standards in Europe….”
From “the Darkside of Volkswagen”
Isn’t this publicity stunt a cynical smokescreen to hide VW’s consistent double standards regarding fuel efficiency? It’s a pretence to appear to be doing the right thing, when the reality is VW is doing the exact opposite, obstructing fuel efficiency standards. Essentially this car is nothing but GREENWASH.
Do your bit for the environment, if you must run a car, never buy a VW Group product. Even better, tell them why.