VW XL1 will bring fuel consumption to new level

We’re always on the look-out for interesting prototypes: see our previous blog where we looked at some concept cars with stunning new design features. Now Volkswagen has taken concept vehicles to a new level because not only do they present an interesting futuristic design – kinda like the Audi that featured in  the film iRobot – but also a car that will bring fuel consumption to a new level:  VW say the vehicle will cover 100km on less than a litre of petrol! Considering this is a petrol engine – not electric, hybrid or diesel – that’s some feat. It also confirms that manufacturers are turning their attention back to petrol and improving the economy – and  the CO2 emissions – of petrol engines after the sustained effort with diesels in that regard over the last number of years.

The two-seater prototype is named as the XL1, and VW say it is the most fuel-efficient car in the world. Furthemore it will have CO2 emissions of just 24g/km of greenhouse gases! The vehicle was unveiled at the Quatar Motor Show. Here are a few pictures.

The company say the secret of the car’s fuel efficiency lies in the ‘structural skin’ a lightweight shell, similar to some F1 cars, made from carbon fibre reinforced polymer. This reduces the weight significantly – to about 800kg.

In the engine bay the engineers have used a 1.6-litre TDi turbo diesel with 48 horsepower coupled with a 27 horse-power e-motor. The car is described as ‘near production’  - perhaps 2013 – and it gives us the first real near-production glimpse of future automotive design.

VW XL1 is Like the Chevy Volt

 

A plug-in hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, right? Things aren’t quite that simple. Although Volkswagen’s XL1 concept does abide by the same concept behind the Chevrolet Volt — arguably one of the most publicized plug-in hybrids to hit the market — the execution does differ notably between the two.

At the heart of the Volt lies a unique powertrain configuration that blends aspects of parallel and series hybrid systems together. Power is split through an electrically variable transmission, but the electric motor — even when the battery’s charge is almost depleted — primarily drives the front wheels. The engine typically serves as a generator, sending electricity to that motor. However, in certain conditions (i.e. hard launches, high-speed cruising, etc), it too can help provide motive force to the drive wheels.

The XL1, however, uses a pure parallel system, similar to that used in the Touareg Hybrid. The package sandwiches an electric motor between a 0.8-liter, two-cylinder diesel engine, and a seven-speed DSG dual clutch transmission, which is then coupled to the drive axle.

Volkswagen believes this configuration is more efficient because of the mechanical link between the power source and the drive wheels. When functioning as an EV, the motor has seven different forward gears to move the car — in contrast, the Volt only has two ratios. Additionally, when the XL1’s battery pack is depleted, the TDI engine is directly connected to the wheels. VW says the engine is more efficient performing in this manner than it is functioning as a generator.

Interestingly, this powertrain configuration may change in the near future. Jürgen Leohold, VW’s director of research & development revealed to us that VW does plan on building a small batch of XL1s by 2013, but it is unlikely the vehicles will actually be fitted with the small diesel two-cylinder shown here. Instead, the quasi-production models will likely use a turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline two-cylinder.

Not only does such an engine already exist within VW’s engineering labs (it was once rumored to be used in the Up! family of small cars), but Leohold says there are a number of advantages to going gasoline instead of diesel. Although the TSI is 10 percent more thirsty than the comparable TDI, it needs less equipment to meet emissions regulations. Ironically, that makes the engine less expensive to install, although the TDI’s design is reportedly mechanically simpler.

Volkswagen has just unveiled its XL1 to the world, and no, it's not a Burger King special.

This, people of Earth, is the Super Efficient Vehicle; the third iteration of Volkswagen's continuing mission to mock today's emissions regulations by creating a concept which returns 313mpg.

The XL1 also emits 24g/km of CO2, setting unbelievable benchmarks for saving our green 'n' blue hemisphere. VW says its combined range is around 340 miles on a 10-litre tank.

Man Sets Guinness World Record for Tightest Parallel Parking [Video]

Under the supervision of an official Guinness World Records [GWR] adjudicator, German driver Ronny Wechselberger, also known as "Ronny C-Rock" (be careful with the spelling here…), set a new record earlier this year for the world's tightest parallel parking.
Mr. C-Rock was able to slide his VW Polo with the help of the handbrake into a parking space measuring just 26 cm’s (10.24 inches) longer than that of his vehicle. Even though the record was set in April 2, 2011, the Guinness World Records officials released the video today.
However, Wechselberger's record breaking feat didn't last long as on July 21, Chinese driver Zhang Hua managed to squeeze a car into a space just 24cm longer than that of his vehicle. GWR said it will release the new video later in the year.

VIDEO

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