VW launches the 1 L/100km car, or more accurately the 0.9 L/100km car. A plug-in hybrid two seater allowing to cover 50km in electric mode before switching to diesel. This is not a concept, this is a commercial product.

To achieve this bold objective. Volkswagen has designed a radical car. Light (795 kg, or 1743 lbs), extremely aerodynamic (Cx 0,189), very low (1’153 mm in height). It only takes 8.4 hp of power to take this featherweight to a constant speed of 100 km/h. In electric mode, the XL1 can drive you for more than a kilometer with 100 Watts. CO2 emissions are rated at a measly 21 g/km.

The powertrain is based on a twin cylinder TDI engine putting out 48 hp, assisted with a 27 hp electric engine, both mated to a 7 gear DSG twin clutch gearbox. The electrical motor is powered by lithium-ion batteries. Top speed is 160 km/h, and the 0 à 100 km/h sprint is covered in 12,7 seconds.

Shorter than a Polo, lower than a Porsche Boxster, the XL1 is 3’888 mm long, 1’665 mm wide and only 1’153 mm high. VW will produce the XL1 using “handcrafting-like” production methods in its Osnabrück plant in Germany. Market launch dates and pricing details have not been disclosed at this point.

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