Volkswagen XL1 was showcased by Volkswagen India back in 2012 Delhi auto expo. The car was not just any ordinary car. It has unbeatable and stunning mileage of 111 mpg. The XL1 is currently the most fuel efficient car in the world
The car was no unnatural and we no one hoped there will be a production version of the car. It looked like the car of some sort of fantasy film. Anyway Volkswagen with a strong mind will showcase the production version of XL 1 at the Geneva motor show.
The XL1 has a very small 800 cc engine(same as M 800) which produces just 47 HP. But the engine is coupled to a new refined DSG gear box. For additional power the car gets 27 HP of power from an electric motor. The electric motor is powered by a battery pack. The battery pack is fitted on the nose of the car which produces about 5.5KW/h. Formula one Kerls system enables battery to charge during braking and coasting.
But this engine is barely enough for 111 km/l of economy. The car is ultra light weighting about 795 kg. The car is entirely build in reinforced carbon fiber and plastics to save weight. Even the windshield is specially made from light materials. The car just gets a 10l fuel tank which also lightens the car. The car is designed for best aerodynamics it is shaped almost like a wind tunnel which reduces drag to just 0.189 for the XL1.
So 800 cc engine, light weight carbon fiber and plastics and aerodynamic design helped the XL1 to obtain 111 km/l of fuel efficiency.
Although the car is a 47 HP 800cc one the combined power of electric motor and the 800 cc motor say about 74 HP makes the car reach 100 km in 12.7 seconds which is as fast as Honda Brio(Brio is the fastest premium hatch in India). The car also has a top speed of 160 km/h.
Well Lets just say incredible. But Volkswagen will only produce 50 models of the car. Volkswagen may consider building more if the demand increases. prices are not known. It will surely be steep as their are only limited models and the car is the king of efficiency. The correct mileage is 114.79 km/l, 0.89km /l. The car has tank range of 700 km.
Although this car is incredible it has few practical aspects. This car is not made to make massive impact but just to boast or show off the skills of Volkswagen. In truth for fame. We have doubts whether the car will take off at 160 km or stay on the ground.
It would have been much nicer if Volkswagen has introduced a more practical mileage king than the XL1. Currently Volkswagen will sell the car in Europe only that too 50 limited models.
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