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The uber futuristic Volkswagen XL1 forgoes performance figures for efficiency

23 Feb 2013|6,112 views

The Volkswagen XL1 is most suitable to be featured in the upcoming Robocop remake for its sleek lean body and uber futuristic design.

Bold clean lines and a sleek, flush body contribute to ideal aerodynamic figures and best of fuel efficiencies and emissions ratings

To achieve this, the original VW 1.0-litre was produced with lightweight materials, a sleek body and redefined automotive engineering to work around the concepts of efficiency and practicality rather than performance.

In its third iteration, the XL1 is the most fuel efficient production car in the world, with a fuel consumption rate of just 0.9L/100km. Moreover the plug-in hybrid can cover a distance of up to 50km in all-electric mode producing zero emissions in the process.

The XL1 was unveiled back in 2011, during the Qatar Motor Show, as a 'Super Efficient Vehicle' (SEV) and trails sports car design principles with a low weight of just 795kg - thanks to monocoque and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) components.

The XL1 also posseses an almost ideal aerodynamic efficiency drag value of just Cd 0.189 and a low centre of gravity by standing 1,153mm tall - only 129mm shorter than a Porsche 911. The careful attention to efficiency and engineering allows the XL1 to cruise at a constant speed of 100km/h with just 8.31bhp. In all-electric mode, the Volkswagen XL1 requires less than 0.1kWh to cover a driving distance of over 1km.

Despite the pint-sized engine, the XL1 can achieve a top speed of 160km/h, and hit the century mark in a leisurely 12.7 seconds

The XL1 plug-in hybrid emits a low 21g/km of CO2 and contains a two-cylinder TDI engine with 48bhp, an E-motor with 27bhp mated to a seven-speed DSG and lithium-ion battery.

The VW XL1 measures 3,888mm long, 1,665mm wide and stands 1,153mm tall which is closer in dimensions to the Polo sub-compact which measures 3,970mm long, 1,682mm wide and stands significantly taller at 1,462mm.

What an irony that Volkswagen which houses a family of automakers has created two iconic automobiles at either ends of the spectrum. While the VW XL1 provides the best efficiency ratings, on the other end, we have Bugatti which produces one of the fastest cars in the world - the Veyron Super Sport.

Back in 2000, Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Piech, who is the current Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, envisioned a goal of bringing to market a production car which was practical for everyday use that could also travel a 100km on just a litre of diesel. And with the two-seating XL1, this vision has become a reality.

To achieve this, the original VW 1.0-litre was produced with lightweight materials, a sleek body and redefined automotive engineering to work around the concepts of efficiency and practicality rather than performance.

In its third iteration, the XL1 is the most fuel efficient production car in the world, with a fuel consumption rate of just 0.9L/100km. Moreover the plug-in hybrid can cover a distance of up to 50km in all-electric mode producing zero emissions in the process.

The XL1 was unveiled back in 2011, during the Qatar Motor Show, as a 'Super Efficient Vehicle' (SEV) and trails sports car design principles with a low weight of just 795kg - thanks to monocoque and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) components.

The XL1 also posseses an almost ideal aerodynamic efficiency drag value of just Cd 0.189 and a low centre of gravity by standing 1,153mm tall - only 129mm shorter than a Porsche 911. The careful attention to efficiency and engineering allows the XL1 to cruise at a constant speed of 100km/h with just 8.31bhp. In all-electric mode, the Volkswagen XL1 requires less than 0.1kWh to cover a driving distance of over 1km.

The XL1 plug-in hybrid emits a low 21g/km of CO2 and contains a two-cylinder TDI engine with 48bhp, an E-motor with 27bhp mated to a seven-speed DSG and lithium-ion battery.

The VW XL1 measures 3,888mm long, 1,665mm wide and stands 1,153mm tall which is closer in dimensions to the Polo sub-compact which measures 3,970mm long, 1,682mm wide and stands significantly taller at 1,462mm.

What an irony that Volkswagen which houses a family of automakers has created two iconic automobiles at either ends of the spectrum. While the VW XL1 provides the best efficiency ratings, on the other end, we have Bugatti which produces one of the fastest cars in the world - the Veyron Super Sport.