Autoblog

Volkswagen's hyper-efficient XL1 edges closer to production

Zach Bowman — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Europe, Volkswagen, Diesel

The Volkswagen XL1 is marching ever closer to production. Spy photographers recently spotted the diesel hybrid prancing through the snow during a little winter testing, giving us our first look at the vehicle's daytime running lights, as well as the LED taillamps. The ultra-efficient two-door is said to be capable of returning up to 235 miles per gallon thanks to its two-cylinder diesel engine, 27-horsepower electric motor and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. We don't expect the car to be quick off the line, but it's hard to argue with triple-digit fuel economy numbers.

With its skinny tires and inset rear track, the XL1 should offer up interesting driving dynamics, too. All of the quirks of the XL1 can be attributed to the engineering quest for ever better fuel efficiency. Volkswagen says the car will have a slippery drag coefficient of just 0.186, which is far better than anything else on the road today.

Volkswagen's hyper-efficient XL1 edges closer to production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Two new models coming from Morgan

Zach Bowman — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Technology, UK, Luxury

Morgan LIFEcar 2 diesel-electric hybrid - Click above for image gallery

We suppose it was only a matter of time before mighty Morgan threw its cap into the electric car realm. With everyone from Mercedes-Benz to Audi toying around with motor-powered supercars, the eclectic purveyor of long-hood wonders was bound to follow suit. According to Autocar, we can expect to see a pair of new models to emerge from Morgan in short order. The first, called the LIFEcar 2, is especially mouth watering. The svelte coupe supposedly gets its power from a diesel-electric powertrain and will pack a range of around 1,000 miles. Despite its city car name, the LIFEcar 2 will be a sports car above all else.

As for the second model, Autocar was able to drum up very few details, other than it will be more extreme with a focus on entertainment.

If you're thinking this sounds like the standard Brit-pub rumor mongering, think again. Morgan says it will bring the LIFEcar 2 from prototype to production, and that it will weight a scant 1,700 pounds when it hits the road. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Morgan LIFEcar 2

[Source: Autocar, Morgan]

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Report: Two new models coming from Morgan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot delaying launch of plug-in hybrid?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Peugeot, Citroën

Peugeot plans to offer its 3008 CUV with a diesel-electric hybrid by 2011. The step after that is to add plug-in capability, but those plans have been pushed back "a year or two" because of the economy. With R&D budgets pinched by slim sales, the investment in the technology simply can't be justified right now, especially in light of Peugeot's assertion that such cars will sell in "in the tens of thousands, not millions."

As exhibits of Peugeot's intention to employ the diesel-hybrid drivetrain, PSA/Peugeot-Citroen showed three concepts at last year's Paris Motor Show that employed the technology: the Peugeot Prologue HYmotion4, the Peugeot RC HYmotion4, and the Citroen Hypnos. Nevertheless, the head of Peugeot's hybrid innovations unit said plug-in hybrid production - and we would guess the actual date of any PSA hybrid production at all - would "depend on battery costs."

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

Peugeot delaying launch of plug-in hybrid? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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