VW confirms XL1 production
Groundbreaking two-seater will be the world's most fuel-efficient production car
The two-seater was first previewed by Dr Ferdinand Piech way back in April 2002 at a VW shareholders’ meeting as the 1L, so named for its capacity to achieve fuel economy levels below 1l/100km (or above 282mpg, in real money). Since then, the 1L been transformed into the more production-friendly XL1, which loses the concept’s bubble roof to a more conventional coupe roofline, but retains the tapered profile and near-fully-enclosed rear wheels – as well, of course, as the remarkable fuel consumption.
Today, VW has announced that you’ll be able to buy your own XL1. And while we’ll admit this little car doesn’t fit entirely with the PH ‘Speed Matters’ maxim, it is nevertheless a stupendously clever car, and worthy of our attention as such. It’ll be a plug-in hybrid, driven by a two-cylinder turbodiesel that’ll produce 48hp, as well as a 27hp electric motor, both of which will be allied to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. Super-smooth aerodynamics will result in a drag coefficient of just 0.189, and combined with low weight (795kg) and height (just 1.2 metres), they’ll contribute to a staggering 314mpg fuel economy figure. Enough, in other words, to get you from Land’s End to John O’Groats on around £17-worth of fuel.
You won’t have to travel too slowly while you’re getting there, either, as the XL1 will manage the 62mph benchmark in 12.7 seconds. OK, that’s not exactly fast, but it’s not unusable, either. It’ll also crack 100mph – just – giving it the ability to cruise at motorway speeds without too much trouble. Unlike the 1L, which seated its occupants in tandem, the XL1 will also feature a near-normal seating arrangement, albeit with the passenger slightly rearward of the driver to assist with packaging.
No word has yet been given on how much the XL1 will cost, nor when (or, indeed, whether) we’ll see it on sale in the UK. But VW has confirmed that the new car will be hand-built at its Osnabruck facility, so expect to see a limited production run and a not-inconsiderable asking price.
Hmmm... now, what does the XL1 remind us of? Oh yes, that’s right – the first-gen Honda Insight wore the same tapered profile and covered rear wheels, for obvious aerodynamic reasons. And they still look just as outlandish today, which means they’re developing something of a cult following. So if you like the look of the XL1, but don’t have the cash it’s likely to cost (and, we hasten to add, aren’t looking for over 300mpg), you can still ‘own the look’ for significantly less. Here’s one, for example, going for just over £6,000 – which seems a trifle steep, but it has only done 45,000 miles. Or if not, how’s about this one? It isn’t cosmetically brilliant, but if nobody else bids it could be yours for £1,700.
It's 603 miles to get from one to the other. 314mpg would mean 1.92 gallons, which is 8.6l, and at 1.40 per litre that would be £12.09.
C
It's 603 miles to get from one to the other. 314mpg would mean 1.92 gallons, which is 8.6l, and at 1.40 per litre that would be £12.09.
C
Regardless of costing a few quid more to drive it the car is still a remarkable engineering achievement. It'd still be £300+ cheaper doing that drive than my old RS4 would have been.
One of the big manufacturers needs to build a white goods commuter car. Essentially a insight with a 3 pot 1itre diesel and two comfy seats, simple interior with no sat nav / stupid electronic gadgets but a good quality stereo, and a decent boot. Faired in rear wheels and skinny little high profile tyres.
There are thousands of people who do fairly long commutes who just want somewhere comfy to sit, and something that will do mega MPG.
There are thousands of people who do fairly long commutes who just want somewhere comfy to sit, and something that will do mega MPG.
VW XL1 Prototype by retromotoring, on Flickr
Looked absolutely fantastic just parked up like that in a regular driveway, really distinctive.
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