Autoblog

2014 Volkswagen XL1 [w/video]

Matt Davis — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Europe, Volkswagen, First Drives, Diesel

World's Most Efficient Car Impresses, Not Without Compromises

Among our many duties at the recent Geneva Motor Show, we were offered a pretty exclusive drive in the new Volkswagen XL1 hyper-efficient plug-in diesel hybrid. There is so much that is interesting about a car like this reaching production from a major automaker that it's tough to know where to begin.

First off, you should know that - at least for this generation - there is absolutely no chance in Albuquerque that this "1-liter vehicle" (i.e. a vehicle that can burn just one liter of fuel to travel 100 kilometers, or 62.1 miles) will ever make it into the hands of North American customers. We, too, were having trouble imagining an XL1 in typical American traffic, surrounded by comparatively massive pickups and SUVs. The driving experience had us recalling a couple of weeks in 1999 when we drove the then-revolutionary Honda Insight hybrid on US roads. We keenly remember the feeling of being very small and vulnerable, even as we felt proudly green in our 61-mpg Tochigi pod. Thing is, the Volkswagen is smaller still, and nearly as light despite its more complex drivetrain and safety features.

In fact, the VW XL1 drive experience itself is very much like what we experienced in the Honda. Start talking about those details, however, and the XL1 reveals itself as a new way of seeing ultra-efficiency at work. The main technical difference is that the XL1 runs off of the parallel combination of a 27-horsepower electric motor that derives its current from a 5.5-kWh lithium ion battery pack, plus a 47-hp 800-cc turbocharged and direct-injected two-cylinder diesel engine. The whole parallel powertrain is located in back, while the 12V battery for ancillaries and the lithium-ion assembly, which can be charged via plug and gets some energy through brake recuperation, is positioned up front.

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2014 Volkswagen XL1 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Editors' Choice: Top Five 2013 Geneva Motor Show Debuts

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini, Toyota, Volkswagen, Alfa Romeo, Design/Style, McLaren

We've returned from a very busy week in Switzerland, and in going back over all of our 75 stories from the Geneva Motor Show, our editors have gathered up their personal favorite debuts from the European expo.

The wonderful thing about the Geneva show is just how wide of an array of vehicles are on display - everything from funny little one-off EVs to the most exotic of supercars to, well, truly ridiculous displays of coachbuilding. And because of that, this list of our editors' favorites might not be as predictable as you think.

But we don't want to give anything away just yet. Scroll down to have a look at our team's favorites from Geneva.

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Editors' Choice: Top Five 2013 Geneva Motor Show Debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen formally introduces super-efficient XL1

Chris Tutor — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Technology, Volkswagen, Electric, Diesel

Lightweight and low drag are hallmarks of great sportscar design. But when paired with a super-efficient, hybrid powertrain, you have the Volkswagen's XL1 that has been formally introduced in Geneva today.

When the 1,700-lb, carbon-fiber-bodied two-seater hits the road, its claimed 261 miles per gallon will make it the world's most-fuel-efficient production car. Though "production car" might be a stretch since VW said in a February press release that the XL1 would be built using "handcrafting-like production methods." We translate that to mean you won't be seeing many of these cars on the road. Though no one at VW has mentioned pricing yet, early rumors suggested a six-figure price tag.

That's supercar budget for a vehicle that has a 47-horsepower, two-cylinder diesel engine and a 27hp electric motor. With numbers like that, owners can expect 0-62 mph times of 12.7 seconds and top speed near 100 mph.

No new information was released in Geneva so we still don't know how many XL1s will be built or when interested buyers can start placing their orders. Still, we invite you to check out the high-res images live from VW's annual pre-show event above.

Volkswagen formally introduces super-efficient XL1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen planning Up! hybrid model using XL1 powertrain

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Diesel

Even though we've finally gotten a look at the production version of the 261-mile per gallon Volkswagen XL1, this aero-shaped two-seater was never intended for high-volume sales. Fortunately, it sounds like the same isn't true for the car's diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain, which, according to a report from AutoCar, could make its way under the hood of another Volkswagen model: the Up! minicar (shown above).

A potential Up! Hybrid would likely be able to return some of the same impressive fuel economy numbers as the XL1, but it would be a more realistic car with more passenger space and greater production capacity. The hand-built XL1 will use a 47-horsepower, two-cylinder TDI engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the 27-hp electric motor and lithium-ion battery helps deliver an all-electric driving range of 31 miles.

One of the core pillars of the XL1's design is its lightweight construction with a 1752-pound curb weight, which makes the Up! a perfect recipient for using this powertrain since it weighs just 300 pounds more. The report says that the Up! Hybrid is still in the developmental phase, so a production version isn't expected for at least another 18 months.

Volkswagen planning Up! hybrid model using XL1 powertrain originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen's 261-mpg hand-built XL1 headed for Geneva

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Volkswagen

After years of rumors, development and testing, the Volkswagen XL1 is finally about to become a reality. The project that began life as a daring 1-Liter concept car in 2002, will finally get its production-ready curtain call at the Geneva Motor Show in just a few weeks.

As soon as it hits the streets, the two-seat XL1 will instantly become the most fuel-efficient and most aerodynamic production car in the world. The car uses a plug-in hybrid system to achieve mind-blowing consumption of just 0.9 liters of diesel fuel consumed every 100 kilometers (and average of roughly 261 miles per gallon). Plus, the XL1 can go up to 50 kilometers on its battery power alone. Coefficient of drag is a miniscule 0.189, thanks to a tiny frontal area and an obviously slippery shape.

XL1 power comes from a 47-horsepower, two-cylinder diesel motor connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, while the 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor is fed by a lithium-ion battery. Both combine to give the XL1 performance figures that are, while not stirring, not shabby considering its extreme frugality: 0-62 miles per hour comes up in 12.7 seconds and top speed is nearly 100 mph.

There's still no word as to how many examples of the XL1 Volkswagen plans to build, nor how much the company intends to charge for each. The press release does mention that the car will be constructed using "handcrafting-like production methods" though, so we're guessing that it won't be cheap or ubiquitous - not by a long shot. Early rumors had a six-figure price tag attached, suggesting the XL1 be viewed as more of a green halo supercar for VW than a volume proposition.

Scroll down to read a bit more about the Volkswagen XL1 in the attached press release and be sure to check back for our Geneva coverage of the car.

Continue reading Volkswagen's 261-mpg hand-built XL1 headed for Geneva

Volkswagen's 261-mpg hand-built XL1 headed for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Audi plotting a 235-mpg, "affordable" four-seat city car

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Audi

Volkswagen has its XL1, the aero coupe that promises 235 miles per gallon through the use of a two-cylinder TDI diesel, an electric motor with a lithium-ion battery pack, and a seven-speed DCT. Rumored to hit showrooms next year, it will be sold in limited markets and in limited numbers. Over the corporate fence, Autocar reports that Audi is also working on a 1.0-liter car, but theirs looks to have a very different brief.

The report says that it's known as the "1.0-liter car" internally, but it won't use the same engine as Volkswagen's entry and the displacement codename might or might not describe the car's actual engine size. There will definitely be an electric component involved, however. The tiny bit that is known comes courtesy of Wolfgang Durheimer, Audi's technology chief, who says the car will utilize a version of the steel platform the A1 is based on. He tells Autocar that it will "be an 'affordable' full four-seater" and it will provide "all the creature comforts of a normal car, including climate control."

Instead of an Audi version of the XL1, this sounds like Ingolstadt's take on the BMW i3, but with better mileage. The Autocar piece says it's at least three years away from showrooms, but the Audi future product plan changes so frequently, so the timeline is hardly set in stone. The concepts, if and when they do arrive, should be very interesting, at least.

Audi plotting a 235-mpg, "affordable" four-seat city car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Nov 2012 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Bulli production hopes dead, 313-mpg XL1 coming next year

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Volkswagen

Volkswagen had a lot going on at this year's Paris Motor Show, including, it seems, dishing to Britain's What Car? about some product plans.

VW board member Ulrich Hackenberg has gone on record saying that the Bulli concept van, as shown at the last Geneva Motor Show, is not currently planned for production. That runs counter to recent reports that the German company was considering a vehicle in the small CUV segment that a Bulli might fill, though it doesn't discount the earlier rumor entirely. Hackenberg cites a shortage of demand for a production Bulli as the reason for the project getting shelved. Love for the original Microbus remains high both inside VW and in the public at large, but it remains to be seen if nostalgia alone can be counted on to drive unit sales for something wearing the Bulli's unique shape.

Less surprising is word that VW is going forward with a production version of its groundbreaking XL1 - which makes sense, as we've already seen prototypes in spy photos. The two-seat, 300-plus-miles-per-gallon car is reportedly earmarked to go on sale in limited numbers. Where, and exactly how limited those numbers are remains to be seen.

VW Bulli production hopes dead, 313-mpg XL1 coming next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #274 LIVE

Dan Roth — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Ford, Nissan, Toyota

We record Episode #274 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and Chris Shunk is returning to the host chair with a vengance. You can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below, check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #274 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Groundbreaking pre-production Volkswagen XL1 caught testing on the ice

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Volkswagen, Electric, Diesel

Just over one year ago, we heard reports suggesting that Volkswagen would actually be building a production version of its Formula XL1 concept for limited consumption. And while the skeptics among us were quick to dismiss these reports with a resounding "yeah, right," this latest set of spy shots show that Volkswagen is indeed making progress on an honest-to-goodness road-going model of its 1.0-liter fuel economy warrior.

It's still unclear exactly what will power the production XL1, though the concept car featured a two-cylinder TDI diesel paired with an electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All in, this is said to be good for an astonishing 235 miles per gallon. It might look big and sleek, but the XL1 is about as long and wide as a Volkswagen Polo. It should be ultra-light, too - the concept version tipped the scales at just 1,753 pounds.

The XL1 might look sleek and sporty, but performance will be anything but. The latest report from our spy shooter's sources state that the production car will be limited to a stop speed of about 75 miles per hour, and that it'll take 32(!) seconds to shoot from a standstill to 50 mph, even though earlier reports have suggested a 0-62 time of as little as 11.9 seconds.

We'll keep our eyes peeled for future XL1 prototypes as development continues, but for now, scroll through our attached high-res image gallery to see the space-age VW for yourself.

Groundbreaking pre-production Volkswagen XL1 caught testing on the ice originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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