VW’s sleek, 1-liter two-seater owes its model cues to the Batmobile and its amazing gas mileage — .9 liters per 100 kilometers, or a predictable 260 mpg — to a combination of feather-weight clothing and a multi-technology heart. The 1,700-lb body is made largely of aluminum and carbon fiber (including a Formula One-inspired carbon monocoque), while the ingenious power plant consists of half of VW’s staple 1.8-liter TDI diesel engine mated to a seven-speed transmission. There’s also an lithium-ion battery-powered electric drivetrain, which VW says is good for 21 miles all by itself. The wicked torque inherent in all electric motors helps push the XL1 to 60 mph in a reputable 11.9 seconds, while top speed is 110 mph.
But really it’s the symbiotic nature of the two power sources operational together that could push this slippery car (with an impressive .18 coefficient of drag) into the position of eco-superstars. Consider that though XL1’s diesel engine only produces 48 hp, VW says the vehicle can preserve 62 miles an hour on just 9 hp. That’s more like gliding than driving.
The best news about the XL1 is that aspects of its innovative nature just might be break on other VW models soon. By contrast, the XL1 seats two people side by side, features normally operating doors evaluate to previous jet canopy iterations, and steer clear of overusing wildly exotic and luxurious materials such as magnesium
But really it’s the symbiotic nature of the two power sources operational together that could push this slippery car (with an impressive .18 coefficient of drag) into the position of eco-superstars. Consider that though XL1’s diesel engine only produces 48 hp, VW says the vehicle can preserve 62 miles an hour on just 9 hp. That’s more like gliding than driving.
The best news about the XL1 is that aspects of its innovative nature just might be break on other VW models soon. By contrast, the XL1 seats two people side by side, features normally operating doors evaluate to previous jet canopy iterations, and steer clear of overusing wildly exotic and luxurious materials such as magnesium
