Spied: Radical Looking Volkswagen XL1 Winter Testing
The future of VW is closer then you may have thought

In February of 2012, Volkswagen confirmed that it would build a limited series of their long-awaited 1-litre car, likely to be named the XL1 when it hits to road in 2013, and here are the exclusive spy-shots that prove: Volkswagen is deadly serious about that schedule.

The XL1 was the third iteration of the Volkswagen 1-litre car, first shown in concept guise at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show. The two older concept cars had been shown to the public in 2002 and 2009 (then called L1). Our pictures clearly show: With a few modifications (like e. g. conventional rear view mirrors), the XL1 will finally make it onto production.

According to Volkswagen, the XL1 can achieve a combined fuel consumption of 0.9 litres per 100 kilometres 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 47 hp and 121 Nm of torque and transmits power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed DSG transmission. The electric motor pitches in with 27 hp and 100 Nm 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 kilometres on electric power.

The concept-car XL1 had a curb weight of 795 kg and a drag coefficient of 0.186. Just 23.2 per cent of the car (184 kg) is made out of either steel or iron; the drivetrain weighs 227 kg. The XL1's length and width are similar to the Volkswagen Polo, with a length of 3,970 mm and width of 1,682 mm. However, the car is much lower with a height of only 1,184 mm, and has a coupe-like roofline, reducing interior volume. The design incorporates gullwing doors, with the interior seating layout using a staggered side-by-side arrangement similar to a Smart For-two, rather than the previous versions' tandem seating.

Performance credentials include a governed top speed of 158 km/h, with 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 11.9 seconds.

Stay tuned for more info soon!

 

Um... Woah.

That's actually pretty cool.

 

^^ you like it?? Looks like an R8 replica gone wrong IMO.

 

looks awesome. very different.

 

I actually really like it! Very interesting styling.

Someone should remind them to replace the pizza dishes with tires though

 

The wheel/tire combo is a little too aggressive for my taste

 

side view reminds me of the xj220

 

A very good supercar look for a piece of s**t. Those wheels are ridiculous.

 

Lots of things I don't like but I am a sucker for any car with split windows.

 

ridiculously low fuel consumption,..wow!