VW Reveals 300mpg XL1 Coupe

[Hajduk]

Volkswagen is set to steal this week’s Qatar motor show with its latest ‘one-litre car’, the XL1 — a diesel hybrid concept that can deliver well in excess of 300mpg.

The new car is the third concept built to the vision of travelling 100km (62 miles) on a single litre of fuel. The first two vehicles, introduced in 2002 and 2009, used tandem seating, but the XL1 achieves the goal (or at 0.9l/100km, surpasses it) while looking remarkably conventional.

The XL1 is powered by an 800cc, two-cylinder turbodiesel powerplant (half a BlueMotion engine), producing 47bhp. It’s supported by a 27bhp electric motor that is fuelled by lithium-ion batteries. These can be charged from a domestic plug, allowing the car to travel for 35km (22 miles) on electric power alone.

The electric motor can also be used to support the diesel engine’s torque during ‘full power’ acceleration, lifting the figure from 74lb ft to 103lb ft. But it also contributes to overall efficiency that’s well beyond that of regular production cars. The XL1 requires just 8bhp to maintain a constant speed of 62mph; by contrast, a Golf 1.6 TDI requires 18bhp to achieve the same feat.

The result is a car that can return 313.9mpg and emit just 24g/km of CO2 — while being capable of a top speed of 100mph (electronically limited) and a 0-62mph time of 11.9sec. Despite having a relatively small 10-litre tank for diesel, the XL1 has a range of around 340 miles.

The XL1 uses a carbonfibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) monocoque construction, helping it to weigh 795kg. Of this, 227kg is taken up by the drive unit, 153kg the running gear, 80kg equipment (including seats) and 105kg of electrics. The body is the final 230kg.

The car’s styling is more ‘normal’ than VW’s previous one-litre concepts, although it’s clearly designed for efficiency. It’s shorter than a Polo, at 3.9m, but lower than a Lamborghini Gallardo, at 1156mm. The profile is not unlike Honda’s original Insight. But the XL1’s drag coefficient is just 0.186.

The concept is not destined for direct production. But parts of its hybrid powertrain could be used on the next generation of eco models. The matter is said to have been the subject of intense debate within the VW Group in recent months, with VW itself favouring a stronger push towards diesel hybrids and Audi flagging up its Wankel-based range-extender technology.
John McIlroy

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/255101/

[Sledge]

"The car really gets 300 MPG, Abdul?"
"Yes, Ahkmet. We must call OPEC to arrange an... accident... for VW's management."
"Abdul, can we try something different this time? I want to see if we can get America to 'freedomize' Germany."
*giggles*

[IHateSpeedBumps]

"The car really gets 300 MPG, Abdul?"
"Yes, Ahkmet. We must call OPEC to arrange an... accident... for VW's management."
"Abdul, can we try something different this time? I want to see if we can get America to 'freedomize' Germany."
*giggles*

I got a laugh out of that.


So they refreshed the Volkswagen L1 Concept Car?

[elementpb]

how much better MPG does it get when you get rid of the 900 pounds of ugly?

Even in CF, the doors must be heavier that way than they would with a traditional door.

Also.. not a single mirror inside or out and no rear glass. Bet this is fun to drive.
Side mirrors would probably take away 60mpg.

[Air and water do mix]

So they refreshed the Volkswagen L1 Concept Car?

It's more than a refresh. This actually has usable power and is conventional looking. Tandem seating and a cockpit design will never sell cars. Ever. This is feasible to sell... even though it's not production ready, the idea is sound. This is much more interesting to me than the first two for that very reason.

[IHateSpeedBumps]

Also.. not a single mirror inside or out and no rear glass. Bet this is fun to drive.
Side mirrors would probably take away 60mpg.

They are playing into what the American people want. People do not want to actually look behind them anymore, we have cameras for that now.

[Air and water do mix]

Also.. not a single mirror inside or out and no rear glass. Bet this is fun to drive.
Side mirrors would probably take away 60mpg.

Cameras. They don't stick out in the wind any more.

[IHateSpeedBumps]

It's more than a refresh. This actually has usable power and is conventional looking. Tandem seating and a cockpit design will never sell cars. Ever. This is feasible to sell... even though it's not production ready, the idea is sound. This is much more interesting to me than the first two for that very reason.

I know its more than a refresh. It is the next generation and, as with all VW generations, its fatter than its predecessor.

[elementpb]

Cameras. They don't stick out in the wind any more.

****ing cameras. how do they work?

[Dieselstation]

i would totally drive that. so 80's futuristic looking.

[Kar98]

[Shifty]

God, please make this fun to drive.

[EGSEDAN]

As someone who currently drives a Gen 1 Honda Insight, I approve. Unfortunately I just don't think they will ever make it.

[Mikedav]

how much better MPG does it get when you get rid of the ugly?

Also.. not a single mirror inside or out and no rear glass. Bet this is fun to drive.
Side mirrors would probably take away 60mpg.

I think it looks great. It would be brilliant if VW could take a shot and just build it. 300 MPG isn't even necessary, a bit more power and 150 MPG would do - it would sell. As long as the price is right of course...

As above, it has cameras, so the monitors inside on the doors obviously show what's going on outside. The aerodynamic benefit of not having mirrors must justify the complexity, or perhaps it's just a flashy concept and they can do what they want to make it look cool.

As for a rear window.... I can see pretty much **** all out of the back / rear side quarter of mine and I don't care

[under the radar]

"The car really gets 300 MPG, Abdul?"
"Yes, Ahkmet. We must call OPEC to arrange an... accident... for VW's management."
"Abdul, can we try something different this time? I want to see if we can get America to 'freedomize' Germany."
*giggles*

yeah...we alread freedomized Germany.

[whitejeep1989]

They are playing into what the American people want. People do not want to actually look behind them anymore, we have cameras for that now.

Take your American-bashing elsewhere. Did you NOT see that the car is set to debut in Qatar?????

[mavric_ac]

God, please make this fun to drive.

it gets 300mpg.....it won't be fun to drive

[Sledge]

Cameras. They don't stick out in the wind any more.

The only problem with digital cameras for rear view mirror replacements is at night when someone is behind you with their headlights on. The screen will just go completely white.

If they've fixed this issue, then I'll take some rear view cameras for my car right now.

[IHateSpeedBumps]

Take your American-bashing elsewhere. Did you NOT see that the car is set to debut in Qatar?????

[Sledge]

yeah...we alread freedomized Germany.

But that time was to prevent the spread of facism. This time it's something far more important: protecting corporate profits

[rbloedow]

how much better MPG does it get when you get rid of the 900 pounds of ugly?

Even in CF, the doors must be heavier that way than they would with a traditional door.

Also.. not a single mirror inside or out and no rear glass. Bet this is fun to drive.
Side mirrors would probably take away 60mpg.

This post reeks of opinionated stupidity.

[2.0_Mazda]

[H3LVTCA]

[1Point8TDan]

I'm trying to get into O&G and cars like this ain't helping.

[rpreslar]

I would LOVE to see this produced. Kind of scared of the price, though, especially considering that a golf TDi starts at 23k and this has a lot more technology.

[cougar]

I would LOVE to see this produced. Kind of scared of the price, though, especially considering that a golf TDi starts at 23k and this has a lot more technology.

Yeahhh... I don't see this thing making the production line. Ignore the costs of the engines, batteries, etc. for a moment...

The XL1 uses a carbonfibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) monocoque construction, helping it to weigh 795kg. Of this, 227kg is taken up by the drive unit, 153kg the running gear, 80kg equipment (including seats) and 105kg of electrics. The body is the final 230kg.

Yeahhh... something tells me that stuff ain't cheap.

[spoonie]

How did that front end (or something very similar) not make it to the passat? it could have worked and still be in the same "design language" they seem to be going for. It's a lot more interesting.

[Zaris]

I think it looks great, especially from the front. The things that really makes this concept stand out for me are:

- The side mirrors integrated into the interior armrest
- Electronically limited to 100MPH, suggesting it can do more with so little horsepower
- Awesome headlamps

Now, if only they added a rear window and the ability to see all four wheels, I'd be set. Too bad they're not making it, though. But I'd love to see this kind of styling for the future of all VW/Audi cars.

[KahviVW]

It's appropriate to debut in Qatar, where they have been trying to develop a post-petroleum sustainable economy.

Who cares about the styling, it's not the point of this car.



The button blanks would annoy the OCD in me. I like the instrument panel, makes me feel like I'm in a Bf 109

Overall this looks promising. If VW can develop hyper-efficient cars that are relatively practical and not too expensive, they would have a hit on their hands.

[rlfletch]

Is the world ready for an exotic car that gets uber MPG instead of uber MPH? I say give it a shot at whatever price and enjoy the halo effect of putting such a unique beast on the road. Given the scratch I would hit it and park it right next to my R8 V10. Yin and Yang man.

[pat_ernzen]

I think it looks pretty great, actually.

[bhtooefr]

Damnit, Volkswagen.

Read between the lines, and look at the whole press release here: http://www.zercustoms.com/news/Volkswagen-XL1.html

Note that it's a plug-in hybrid... and despite having 1.4 times the drag (due to the added frontal area) and 2.1 times the weight, it's using only 65% of the fuel of the concept shown about 1.5 years ago?

Yeah, they're cheating by running the NEDC cycle with a fully charged battery... and it's a 20 minute cycle. And about 13 minutes of it is in simulated city driving. God DAMNIT, Volkswagen.

I'm sure it'll get 100 mpUSg fairly easily, given that it's got a small displacement diesel, relatively light weight, and excellent aerodynamics for a side-by-side car. However, it won't get anywhere near 260 mpUSg in real-world conditions, and it won't get 260 mpUSg in the EPA test cycle, which takes PHEV tricks into consideration.

[mike02467]

I want it. I WANT IT WANT IT

[Air and water do mix]

The only problem with digital cameras for rear view mirror replacements is at night when someone is behind you with their headlights on. The screen will just go completely white.

If they've fixed this issue, then I'll take some rear view cameras for my car right now.

I'm with you. I wouldn't want them unless they worked well under most any condition, were reasonably inexpensive and extremely reliable.

I wonder how much benefit they'd get just putting the shape into production with standard (steel) construction and diesel technology.

Basically what I'm asking is: "How much benefit is from the aerodynamics, how much is from the weight and how much is from the driveline?"

[Khyron]

It looks cylon-ish. Even with the wheel covers, I want it!