VW XL1 production version

[Galaxy]

If they had come out with this 5 years ago, instead of wasting time debating if it should be built, it would have been more impressive then it seems now.

Anyways, city/highway diesel average is 261mpg US. It is 100mph fast, and goes from 0 - 62mpg in 12.7sec. The electric range is 31 miles. The car weighs 1,750lbs.













In the first half of 2013 a batch of 50 will be built, after that an initial production run of 5000 units is slated, but that is  not definitive.

[Submariner]

cost?

[Madman]

cost?

Does it matter?  America probably won't get it anyway.  It's far to interesting and revolutionary for the ignorant masses over here.  Just be happy with our cheapend Jettas with hard plastic interiors and rear beam axles try not to think too much.  Why have a fun Scirocco or economical Polo when you can be put to sleep by the rolling mattress that is the US-Passat?

[Galaxy]

cost?

They are not yet saying which seems to indicate price is a problem.

[Galaxy]

It's far to interesting and revolutionary for the ignorant masses over here.

Imo, it is interesting, but not really revolutionary. A Tesla S really does everything better (then again i hope for VWs sake that the Tesla S is much more expensive) with the exception that the XL1 does not have the problem of stranding the driver due to lack of finding an energy source. I would take an XL1 over a Prius, or iMiev though since, imo, it does look kind of funky.

[MrH]

Does it matter?  America probably won't get it anyway.  It's far to interesting and revolutionary for the ignorant masses over here.  Just be happy with our cheapend Jettas with hard plastic interiors and rear beam axles try not to think too much.  Why have a fun Scirocco or economical Polo when you can be put to sleep by the rolling mattress that is the US-Passat?

When you talk about the ignorant masses, you're speaking from experience, right?

Spoken truly like a "grass is always greener" euro-snob liberal.

[Raza]

That looks seriously awesome.  Put in a 2.0T and a 6 speed stick and I'd want one.

[veeman]

i wonder how the single rear wheel would affect driving dynamics.  on pot hole filled slushy streets?  looks great though and may be an ideal summer car for someone without a family or as a second car.

[2o6]

i wonder how the single rear wheel would affect driving dynamics.  on pot hole filled slushy streets?  looks great though and may be an ideal summer car for someone without a family or as a second car.

...it has four wheels.

[MX793]

Imo, it is interesting, but not really revolutionary. A Tesla S really does everything better (then again i hope for VWs sake that the Tesla S is much more expensive) with the exception that the XL1 does not have the problem of stranding the driver due to lack of finding an energy source. I would take an XL1 over a Prius, or iMiev though since, imo, it does look kind of funky.

Prius is many times more practical, what with being able to seat 4 adults.  This car reminds me of the 1st generation Honda Insight.  That car kind of flopped here in the US.

[Galaxy]

Prius is many times more practical, what with being able to seat 4 adults.  This car reminds me of the 1st generation Honda Insight.  That car kind of flopped here in the US.

I am aware of that, but that does not really matter if you use the car to drive to work, and pick up groceries on the way home. If you have just one car, then yes the XL1 becomes problematic. 

[veeman]

...it has four wheels.

oh sh_t!   

[Galaxy]

Looking at the final production "line", and considering that the XL1 mostly carbon fiber makes me more worried about the price. 

[Vinsanity]

Looking at the final production "line", and considering that the XL1 mostly carbon fiber makes me more worried about the price. 

Too lazy to pull up the article, but I believe autoblog is reporting 60k €. In Germany, the Prius costs 27k € and the Prius plug-in is 37k €.

edit: nvm, it's TTAC, estimating the cost to be around 70k £.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/volkswagen-xl1-ready-for-prime-time/#more-478480

[Colin]

What's not obvious from the pics is just how small it is.

I saw the concept version when it was doing the rounds of the Shows, and surprised that it is a fair bit smaller than the first gen Honda Insight.

[MX793]

What's not obvious from the pics is just how small it is.

I saw the concept version when it was doing the rounds of the Shows, and surprised that it is a fair bit smaller than the first gen Honda Insight.

Based on the numbers I've found, it's the same sized footprint (about an inch longer, a fraction of an inch narrower), but the roofline is quite a bit lower.

[Galaxy]

What's not obvious from the pics is just how small it is.

I saw the concept version when it was doing the rounds of the Shows, and surprised that it is a fair bit smaller than the first gen Honda Insight.

Did you see the XL1 or the L1?

L1:



XL1:




I mean the "XL"1 is still small, just not as tiny as the L1. 

[Char]

This is one ugly (expensive) turd. I'll take a Volt or Prius, both of which can do the same job the car can and not make the driver look like a hipster.

And as usual, carspin goes crazy over this shit.

[Vinsanity]

This is one ugly (expensive) turd. I'll take a Volt or Prius, both of which can do the same job the car can and not make the driver look like a hipster.

And as usual, carspin goes crazy over this shit.

This teardrop-shaped, gullwing-doored, mid-engine 2-seater makes its driver look like a hipster, and the Prius doesn't?

[Payman]

This is one ugly (expensive) turd. I'll take a Volt or Prius, both of which can do the same job the car can and not make the driver look like a hipster.

And as usual, carspin goes crazy over this shit.

I'd argue the rest of CarSpin has more developed taste. This car is fantastic and frankly it's amazing it's going to be produced.

[ifcar]

Fun to look at, but the specs are worse than the far more practical Volt or its equally useful new Cadillac version -- both acceleration and range. And VW seems to have managed to pull off the impressive feat of even worse visibility. It looks like it was designed for a time when electric vehicles had to be more compromised than they are now, and could be more expensive, and it was several years too late on that.

[Payman]

Fun to look at, but the specs are worse than the far more practical Volt or its equally useful new Cadillac version -- both acceleration and range. And VW seems to have managed to pull off the impressive feat of even worse visibility. It looks like it was designed for a time when electric vehicles had to be more compromised than they are now, and could be more expensive, and it was several years too late on that.

You did a road test on it already?

[Char]

Fun to look at, but the specs are worse than the far more practical Volt or its equally useful new Cadillac version -- both acceleration and range. And VW seems to have managed to pull off the impressive feat of even worse visibility. It looks like it was designed for a time when electric vehicles had to be more compromised than they are now, and could be more expensive, and it was several years too late on that.

Shhh, don't interupt the circle jerk.

[Galaxy]

Fun to look at, but the specs are worse than the far more practical Volt or its equally useful new Cadillac version -- both acceleration and range. And VW seems to have managed to pull off the impressive feat of even worse visibility. It looks like it was designed for a time when electric vehicles had to be more compromised than they are now, and could be more expensive, and it was several years too late on that.

I don't disagree with you, I stated in my opening post that I think this is 5 years to late. However I do think it is worth pointing out that if one really is after green credentials XL1 does set the bar higher. VW claims it can maintain 62mpg with only 8.4hp. On electric power it uses 0.1kWh  to travel 1 km. You don't really need a bigger vehicle to haul yourself to work, if you have a minivan as a main car to haul the kids to grandma, although it probably could be cheaper.

[Onslaught]

I kind of dig the thing.

[ifcar]

You did a road test on it already?

Huh? I'm just going by VW's quoted specs from the OP.

[2o6]

The original 1L car was not a hybrid, but a tiny diesel. This, although looks cool, doesn't seem like that impressive of an idea.

[cawimmer430]

How does it stack up to the BMW M3 on the track? That's the important question.

[Laconian]

I like the look, kind of wish it wasn't so completely eco-biased - if it were scaled up and given some powah, it would be stunning.

[Galaxy]

How does it stack up to the BMW M3 on the track? That's the important question.

Well it has RWD.