Volkswagen XL1 revealed
Fuel-efficient technology enthusiasts will rejoice that the world’s most fuel-efficient car has just been revealed ahead of its official unveiling planned to take place at next month’s Geneva Motor Show: the Volkswagen XL1.
According to the German automaker, the futuristic two-seater is the first ever production car powered by an internal combustion engine capable of using less than one litre of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle.
The Volkswagen XL1 combines a super-fuel-efficient diesel plug-in hybrid propulsion system with a lightweight body and sleek aerodynamics to give out in the end an official fuel consumption rating of 0.9L/100km and average CO2 emissions of 21g/km.
The zero-emissions pure-electric mode will see the XL1 running for up to 50km, however the total range is in excess of 500km even though it only features a 10-litre fuel tank.
For more details about the hybrid system, a 35kW.120Nm 0.8-litre two-cylinder turbo-diesel engine is combined with a 20kW/140Nm electric motor as well as a 5.5kWh lithium-ion battery. They are coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission which sends a maximum of 51kW/140Nm to the rear wheels, enough power to allow the XL1 to reach 100km/h in 12.7 seconds and capable of reaching an electronically limited top speed of 160km/h.
The two-seaters weight is kept very low by using a carbonfibre reinforced polymer body, with the car’s total mass totaling 795kg, which makes it actually 85kg lither than the three-door and rather pint-sized Volkswagen Up!.
The XL1 features gullwing doors which themselves are installed with rear-facing cameras instead of conventional side mirrors, with real-time images being displayed in screens mounted in the door liners.
The XL1 has been approved for use in Europe, and initially fifty will be built although there are reports that suggest future vehicles will be built to order in low numbers.