GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Has Volkswagen Rewritten The Efficiency Rules With The New XL1?

The XL1 from Volkswagen is the most fuel-efficient production car in the world, with a fuel consumption value of 0.9 l/100 km. Thanks to its plug-in hybrid system, the two-seater can also cover a distance of up to 50 km in all-electric mode and therefore with zero local emissions.

The XL1 is an automotive hero that follows pure sports car design principles: low weight (795 kg), perfect aerodynamics (Cd 0.189) and a low centre of gravity (1,153 mm high). This gives the efficient Volkswagen the ability to cruise on the road at a constant speed of 100 km/h using just 6.2 kW / 8.4 PS. In all-electric mode, the XL1 requires less than 0.1 kWh to cover a driving distance of over one kilometer.



High-tech lightweight design, perfect aerodynamics and a plug-in hybrid system – consisting of a two-cylinder TDI engine (35 kW / 48 PS), E-motor (20 kW / 27 PS), 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) and lithium-ion battery – all make it possible for the new Volkswagen XL1 to emit just 21 g/km of CO2. If necessary, the XL1, with a top speed of 160 km/h, can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 12,7 seconds. Clearly, 0.9 l/100 km fuel consumption is a record figure that has not been achieved by any other vehicle to date, and it illustrates how Volkswagen is redefining what is technically feasible in carmaking.



Conceptually, the XL1 represents the third evolutionary stage of Volkswagen's 1-litre car strategy. When the new millennium was ushered in, Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, who is today Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, formulated the visionary goal of bringing to market a production car that was practical in everyday use with fuel consumption of one litre per 100 km. In the two-seat XL1, this vision has become reality. Despite the tremendous efficiency of the XL1, developers successfully came up with a body concept, which delivers more everyday utility than in the two previous prototypes. While the driver and passenger sat in a tandem arrangement for optimal aerodynamics in the L1, the 1-litre car presented in 2002 and in 2009, in the XL1 two occupants sit slightly offset, side by side, nearly as in a conventional vehicle.\



The XL1 is 3,888 mm long, 1,665 mm wide and just 1,153 mm tall. By usual automotive standards these are extreme dimensions. For comparison: a Polo has a similar length (3,970 mm) and width (1,682 mm) but is significantly taller (1,462 mm). Even a purebred sports car like today's Porsche Boxster is 129 mm taller (1,282 mm). So, the XL1 will make a spectacular appearance – a car of the future, built for today.


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vdiv - 3/5/2013 9:34:49 AM

+5 Boost

...and they will only build 250 of them to sell them at $80,000 to $95,000.

Good job VW!

Next?

AlleVier - 3/5/2013 1:27:57 PM

0 Boost

I've had a lot of critical thoughts about VAG's electric and hybrid development efforts through the years and lot's of people have opined that they are lagging behind, but I'm starting to change my mind. Like Apple, I think they realized that there was no long-term reward in being first to market with a product that doesn't meet the expectations of your customer. For VW, that's centered quite a bit around driving quality and style, sometimes even at the expense of things like, you know, reliability and affordability.

When Johan De Nysschen criticized the Volt as being a car with premium pricing and no other premium quality other than fuel economy, I think he was reflecting the general sentiment at VW that if you're going to have to charge more for efficiency it had better be packaged in something that can be perceived as premium. In that regard, the XL1, attempts to deliver on two fronts; exotic styling and limited quantity. This is pretty smart marketing, if you ask me. This car will make no money for VW, but if it delivers performance as claimed, it will probably be a better brand-icon than the Leaf will be for Nissan. You remember the Leaf, don't you?

vdiv - 3/5/2013 7:48:09 PM

+2 Boost

Remember the LEAF?! Two of my co-workers just got one each and they love them. There is nothing pretentious about the LEAF and at some amazing lease deals it is a steal. Nissan also learned a lot and the 2013 model is a significant improvement for a mid-cycle refresh.

VW is indeed lagging behind. Being one of the largest car conglomerates in the world much is expected from them and little has been delivered so far. Let's see if they can catch up with the E-Up! and the e-Golf, and, maybe even lead.

trmckin - 3/5/2013 11:04:20 AM

+3 Boost

I like the idea of the MPG but can a vehicle like this really perform in the real world? As in... If I have an inch or 2 of snow in my driveway, can it go through it? I wish i had a nickel for every time I've had to get out and push a prius or civic to help someone get moving when it snows. Granted... they get stuck again 50 ft later but that is their problem. Seems the real world is still a pain for many.

On another note... I think I might have to watch star wars tonight. This looks just like a storm trooper.

ParadoX - 3/5/2013 2:41:20 PM

+3 Boost

Not really. Tell me when it can seat 4 passengers and be sold at a competitive price.

260mpg @ 80k - 95k for the VW
The Nissan leaf gets 99 mpg at a fraction of the cost - oh and it is a lot more practical. It could actually be used as a daily driver.

I wonder if the other auto companies could produce a micro car with no practicality, and a price tag that is sky high. I think they could do it, it just makes no business sense for them to try.

AlleVier - 3/5/2013 4:29:46 PM

+1 Boost

Of course other auto companies could produce a micro car with no practicality and a price tag that is sky high. But if that's all they're offering, it probably won't sell. Other auto companies could also produce something that seats 4 passengers and is sold at a competitive price, but it may not be highly profitable, sell that well, or serve the brand in very positive way. The Leaf is a capable car for some, but if it's the "rule book" on efficiency, it's also at the expense of other needs and that's reflected in the missed sales targets.

vdiv - 3/7/2013 10:55:22 AM

+1 Boost

One should not confuse actual sales targets and marketing. Nissan has sold a quite respectable number of LEAFs considering their price tag and now with a lower price and better equipped models they will sell even more.

randy3023 - 3/5/2013 5:14:39 PM

+3 Boost

What the hell is going on with its rear window? I think something plastic and T-shaped needs to be removed there.

1CarSmart1 - 3/7/2013 12:34:55 PM

-2 Boost

SmartEuro!

trmckin - 3/8/2013 12:06:07 AM

+1 Boost

At what price? Are the claims real? Can it carry more than one person and a suitcase and still achieve reasonable MPG. You call it smart... I call it an unproven prototype with little to no info.

DieselRules - 3/8/2013 12:47:59 AM

+1 Boost

Silly title. Have they re-written the rules? Of course. Will it sell? I have clients near Chicago who commute nearly 100 miles each way each day.
Is the volume too low to be "production"? Does anyone remember the first Insight and Prius production numbers? And they were heavily subsidized.
Is VW behind? Not a chance. But all the good stuff stays in Europe, where family cars (Passats) follow traffic, brake for hazards, and steer themselves on the free-way (Yes, truly "hands-off" cruise control). Oh, Mr. Mahi's foot-activated tail-gate on the new Fords was ripped off from VW as well. That's old tech too. But back to the car.
This is the first production car design looking at how it "should be done" rather than "how can we improve what we already have". They laughed at the aerodynamic Studebaker designs in the early '50s. But the competition looked surprisingly similar less than 5 years later...