A rather curious car was recently revealed by Volkswagen – the 2014 VW XL1, the most fuel efficient production car in the world. This car is able to put out a staggering 0.9 liters / 100 km or 261.36 mpg.
Measuring 3,888 mm in length, 1,153 mm in height and 1,665 mm in width, the XL1 boasts a wheelbase of just 2,224 mm. It’s a plug-in hybrid 4-wheeler, with a power train that involves a 2-cylinder 0.8-liter common rail turbodiesel TDI engine which develops around 48 HP (35 kW) and 120 Nm of torque.
In addition, the car sports an electric engine right between the TDI and the 7-speed DSG transmission, which pulls out an additional 27 HP (20 kW) and 140 Nm of torque. The combined output sums up at approximately 68 HP (51 kW) and 140 Nm of torque. This allows the car to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in around 12.7 seconds up to an electronically limited speed of 100 mph (160 km/h).
If driven in E-drive electric mode, exclusively, the autonomy barely reaches 50 km. If the driver chooses to drive in hybrid mode, the 10 liter fuel tank is able to ensure an autonomy of 500 km. The CO2 emissions are extremely low as well, of just 21g / km.
The car is manufactured with a CFRP monocoque chassis, semi-trailing link rear suspension and double wishbone front one. The rest of the car is crafted from aluminium – the brakes and the suspension -, the wheels are made of magnesium, the brake discs are crafted from ceramics and the anti-roll bars are manufactured from carbon fiber.
The XL1 comes with a boot of 120 liters in capacity, found at the rear, alongside the drive unit. The car is also fitted with rear diffuser and LED rear lights. The 2014 Volkswagen XL1 will be officially unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
[CarScoop]