Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle debuts in Qatar

Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle debuts in Qatar

Volkswagen has unveiled its XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV) concept at the Qatar Motor Show. The oddish-looking vehicle, an evolutionary progression of of the 1-Litre car from 2002 and the L1 concept of 2009, pioneers construction techniques, innovative packaging and an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain, all of which comes together to offer the XL1 a massive 313 mpg (that’s miles per UK gallon, yes, or if you prefer, 110.9 km per litre) on a combined cycle. Definitely notable numbers.

At the heart of it all is a compact 800 cc TDI two-cylinder common-rail diesel engine developing 47 hp, linked to an electric motor producing 27 hp, resulting in a total of 74 hp – a rather modest output, but more than enough juice to move the light-ish 795 kg kerb weight mass of the XL1.

Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle debuts in Qatar

Weight-wise, the body structure tips in at 230 kg, the drivetrain at 227 kg, the running gear at 153 kg, the interior including a pair of bucket seats at 80 kg and the electrical system at 105 kg. In total, just 23.2% of the car, or 184 kg, is made out of either steel or iron.

To make such weight savings possible, and yet viable for series production, VW developed and patented a new system for the manufacture of the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) parts on the car, tagged as a Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process. Further weight savings were achieved through the extensive use of lightweight materials including magnesium (wheels), ceramics (brake discs) and aluminium (dampers, steering system, brake calipers).

Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle debuts in Qatar

The hybrid powertrain works with a seven-speed DSG gearbox with an automatic clutch mounted between each unit. The electric motor can either work independently of the TDI engine or in tandem when accelerating – in pure electric mode the XL1 can travel up to 35 km before the diesel engine cuts in.

Other performance specs include a 0-100 kph sprint time of 11.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 160 kph.

Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle debuts in Qatar

VW says that the styling of the XL1 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 result being a remarkable 0.186 Cd figure.

Dimension-wise, the XL1’s overall length of 3.97 m and 1.68 m width are similar to those of a VW Polo, but its 1.18 m height brings it into Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder territory. Of course, it manages to offer far, far better fuel consumption.

Gallery after the jump.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=1909]

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • vertigo on Jan 27, 2011 at 2:48 am

    hmmm….should i say it’s ugly? nahh….it looks like that for a very noble reason.

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  • Paul Tan on Jan 27, 2011 at 2:55 am

    Is this the L1?

    http://paultan.org/2009/09/14/2-seater-volkswagen-l1-concept-consumes-just-1-49-liters-of-diesel-per-100km-travelled/

    Anyway, quite abit of concepts shown at Qatar, rise of the Middle East and China motorshows. No more everything big at Geneva!

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  • Judging by the gas/electric specs and the quirky looks, it appears Volkswagen have finally created the First Generation Prius from 1997. Well done guys, only 14 years to catch up now.

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    • kozekx on Jan 27, 2011 at 9:00 am

      From a toyota website, fuel consumption is 3.9L per 100km.

      This vw car gives you 110.9 km per litre.

      Who is playing catching up here?

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      • Anthony Lim (Member) on Jan 27, 2011 at 10:13 am

        I do think that Gav is going on another point, but anyway, to set the numbers in line for those reading the thread, the claimed 110.9 km per litre figure (313 miles per 1 Imperial gallon = 503.6 km per 4.54 litres) for the XL1 works out to 0.90 litre per 100 km.

        The quoted Prius’ consumption above is the official UK fuel efficiency figure for the third-gen ZVW30, at 72.4 miles per Imperial gallon (also combined cycle), which works out to the 3.90 litre per 100 km, or 25.65 km per litre.

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    • What on Earth are you going on about? Do you not read the specs right or are you one of those blind Toyota fanboys? The Prius Mk1 did 49mpg, this VW does 313mpg and still does 0-100 1.5secs faster than the Mk1 Prius. This VW is obviously still a concept car but when VW does come out with a Prius challenger, it’ll most definately pawn whatever Prius is out at the time, be it the Mk3 or Mk4.

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  • Carl Wong on Jan 27, 2011 at 4:38 am

    Diesel hybrid is one of the near future. Keep going Volks.

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  • Orang Timur on Jan 27, 2011 at 7:45 am

    i think it’ll look much better (or ‘less ugly’?) if the rear wheels are not covered.

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  • cardreamer on Jan 27, 2011 at 8:09 am

    Good looking..clean and safe futuristic design that will last…the front profile looks handsome and the side is so tidy with minor lines appears..Good job.

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  • junaidi on Jan 27, 2011 at 9:39 am

    I wonder where I’ve seen this design before?

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  • why they closed the back wheel?? i think the car will look okay if they did not close the back wheel…

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  • Peter on Jan 27, 2011 at 10:39 am

    Why on earth they covered the rear wheel? Anyone, mind to explain?

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    • LanunFX on Jan 27, 2011 at 2:39 pm

      Obviously to achieve better aerodynamic, otherwise it will not hit that ridiculously low 0.186 Cd drag coefficient

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  • If come to stesen minyak to pam the tayar. I think i got problem on how to pump my rear tyres

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  • Diluar, macam kereta tak siap je!

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  • Mozilla Chrome on Jan 27, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    Seems too good to be true..anyway, good job VW for making ‘clean’ car for our environment..

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  • Adham on Jan 27, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    it’s look like Honda Insight first gen design….
    ughh, ugly, creepy and hideous design i’ve ever seen…

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  • Jason on Jan 27, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    It’s look like old General Motor EV1~!

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