Volkswagen 1-litre Car - 2011 Model

2011 Model

The XL1 is the third iteration of the Volkswagen 1-litre car, unveiled at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show. The diesel plug-in hybrid prototype is branded as a "Super Efficient Vehicle" (SEV).

According to Volkswagen, the XL1 can achieve a combined fuel consumption of 0.9 litres per 100 kilometres (310 mpg; 260 mpg) and CO₂ emissions of 24 g/km. Like the L1, the XL1 uses a two-cylinder turbo-diesel. Displacing 800 cc, it is rated at 35 kW (47 hp) and 121 Nm (89 lb-ft) of torque and transmits power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed DSG transmission. The electric motor pitches in with 20 kW (27 hp) and 100 Nm (74 lb-ft) of torque, and can work in parallel with the diesel or drive the car independent of it. Fully charged, the XL1 can travel up to 35 km (22 mi) on electric power.

The XL1 has a curb weight of 795 kg (1,750 lb), and a drag coefficient of 0.186 (a similar drag coefficient to the General Motors EV1 electric car). Just 23.2% of the car (184 kg (410 lb)) is made out of either steel or iron; the drivetrain weighs 227 kg (500 lb). The XL1's length and width are similar to the Volkswagen Polo, with a length of 3,970 mm (156.3 in) and width of 1,682 mm (66.2 in). However, the car is much lower with a height of only 1,184 mm (46.6 in), and has a coupe-like roofline, reducing interior volume. The design incorporates gull-wing doors, with the interior seating layout using a staggered side-by-side arrangement similar to a Smart Fortwo, rather than the previous versions' tandem seating.

Performance credentials include a governed top speed of 158 km/h (99 mph), with 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 11.9 s.

In February 2012, Volkswagen confirmed that it would build a limited series of XL1s starting in 2013.