VW premieres 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. We have seen a lot of futuristic cars over the years, but this is not another 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. Due to its compact dimensions, Volkswagen engineers have offset the passenger seat behind the driver and toward the center of the vehicle. The twin turbodiesel is located behind the passengers, in a rather high position due to the narrow track between the rear wheels. 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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