Volkswagen XL1 Ready For Prime Time
Afew years after its debut in concept form, Volkswagen is readying the ultra-efficient XL1 on a limited production basis. The XL1 could cost as much as 70,000 pounds (or $106,000), and return as much as 314 mpg (according to European test protocols).
The heart of the XL1 is an 800 cc 2-cylinder diesel engine making 47 horsepower, along with a 27 horsepower electric motor and a lithium-ion battery along with a 7-speed DSG transmission. Curb weight is a mere 1752 lbs thanks to extensive carbon fiber usage.
A drag coefficient of 0.189 aids in achieving superb fuel economy, while other tricks like covered rear wheel arches and a pair of cameras in place of mirrors also help the XL1. The XL1 will be built in limited numbers and sold only in left-hand drive, as a sort of green halo car. But the powertrain will eventually be ported into their Up! city car as a new, ultra-efficient model.
More by Derek Kreindler
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Funny that the Veyron comes up a lot in these comments. Because I think that's the most similar VW product to the XL1. Both cars are moonshot engineering exercises. Like the Veyron, the XL1 will probably lose VW money hand-over-foot. But nobody will care. Because the whole point is to show that VW CAN. They CAN engineer cars like this, and they WILL sell them. Whether or not they're practical or profitable is beside the point. I've never liked they Veyron. Simply because it looks like an overstuffed pig. No small feat considering it's not really THAT big. But I've always respected the engineering that went into it. This car, however... is an exotic I want to drive. Simply because it's like nothing else on the road today.
Phaetons that routinely cost £70,000 (incl 20% VAT) were sold Stateside for $70,000 (plus whatever sales tax you let your politicians con out of you). Still, at twice the price of a Volt, this is going to be a very hard sell.