VW To Produce XL1 261 MPG Diesel Electric Hybrid in 2013

In brief: Volkswagen has announced that the popular XL1 concept car will likely see limited production by 2013.

Vehicle in the news

Make/Model: XL1
Manufacturer: Volkswagen

The word

Volkswagen debuted the XL1 concept in its newest iteration in Qatar on January 26. The car's forward-looking concepts caught the eye of many in the industry.

Now, VW has said that limited numbers of the XL1 diesel electric hybrid could be released as a 2013 or 2014 model. VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech says the company wants to go into series production starting in 2013 with the car being offered first in Germany and then throughout Europe. If successful there, the XL1 would then follow on in North America.

The XL1 is capable of an estimated 261 miles to the gallon (US) and is a novel 2-seat coupe. It gets its name from the 1 liter engine. This is the third iteration of an ongoing design that was started in 2002.

The 1L diesel engine displaces only 800cc and puts out 48hp. This goes into a 7-speed DSG gearbox that also has a 27hp electric motor that uses the engine and lithium-ion batteries to add to the power. The car is capable of about 21 miles all electric and is only 1,700 pounds in total curb weight.

And so ...

VW says costs have dropped considerably for many of the advanced materials used in the car's design, which could place the price tag at a more affordable $47,000 (USD, converted from 35,000EU). The final price will hinge on battery costs at the time of production.

Photo credits: Volkswagen