313 MPG from a Volkswagen

I remember less than a decade ago when car manufacturers use to present concept cars it was all about how fast the car can go and what the 0-60 mph time was. I have noticed a trend with recent car launches and prototype exhibits, it’s all about how fuel efficient the car is and how little CO2 it emits.

Not to be left behind VW has unveiled the XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV) at the Qatar Motor Show. The concept car on show boasts pioneering construction techniques, an advanced plug-in hybrid drive train and innovative packaging all play a part in allowing the Volkswagen XL1 to return 313 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 24 g/km of CO2.

The XL1 concept is powered by a TDI engine that is linked to an electric motor and a seven speed DSG gearbox. The electric motor can either work independently of the TDI engine or in tandem when accelerating. In electric only mode the concept car can do 35km before the need of the diesel engine.

The concept uses a compact 800 cc TDI two-cylinder common rail diesel engine that develops 48 PS. It is linked to an electric motor producing 27 PS, resulting in a total of 75 PS – which is a modest output but more than enough when the low kerb weight of 795 kg is taken into account.

The look of the car is very unusual, the styling is borne out of functional requirements - easy access to the interior is granted via a pair of elegant scissor doors that hinge on the A-pillar while the profile of the car has been honed in the wind tunnel. The Volkswagen XL1's overall length of 3,970 mm and width of 1,682 mm are similar to those of a Volkswagen Polo yet its height of just 1,184 mm is more like a supercar. As it is still just a concept don’t expect to see it at Wolsey VW just yet.

Please continue reading here: Wolsey VW