By John Lamm of Road & TrackThat's right, a sipper car, not a supercar like the VW Group's Lamborghinis or Bugattis that appeared at the 2011 Qatar Auto Show.
It's not unusual for us to find all sorts of experimental vehicles at auto shows, but to drive one just a few days after its launch? Very unusual.
But that's why we were in Doha, Qatar, where VW's slim and aero slick XL1 made its debut. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch — grandson of Ferdinand Porsche and godfather of such legends as Porsche's 917 race car — has set the 1-liter/100-km mileage goal — that's 235 mpg to us — as a corporate quest.
With the XL1 Concept, Volkswagen beats that goal with an astounding fuel consumption figure of only 0.9 liters/100 km, which translates to 261 mpg.
Approaching the Problem from All Fronts
Aero: Super sleek with a CD of 0.186, the XL1 has an overall teardrop shape. The aero detailing is precise, from louvered inlets for radiator air, to a sculpted bellypan, to rear wheel spats to well defined covers on the wheels that hold the super-narrow Michelin low-rolling-resistance tires.
Weight: Or More Precisely The Lack Of It
The heart of the XL1 is a carbon-fiber tub that looks like it came from an upsized, 2-seat Formula 1 car. The same material is used for the body panels, and the weight savings program even went so far as true magnesium wheels and aluminum wiring.
Packaging
VW points out that the XL1 has the length and width of its Polo subcompact, but is only as tall as a Gallardo. Where VW's first stabs at 1-liter/100-km cars placed the passenger behind the driver, this one has them almost side by side...the passenger is situated slightly behind the driver to help trim the car's width. Aft of the cockpit is the engine compartment, while behind that is a 3.5 cu.-ft. trunk.
Drivetrain
This is the most interesting element of the equation. VW matches a 48-horsepower 0.8-liter 2-cylinder diesel (half its 1.6-liter production TDI) to a 20-kW motor, a lithium-ion battery pack and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The result is a plug-in hybrid that will go 22 miles in electric mode and go as far as 342 miles with the diesel engine. Then you fill up the fuel tank and keep going, a la Chevrolet's Volt. The electric motor both provides motive power and added oomph for the diesel when needed.
Safety
Lightweight doesn't have to mean flimsy, and VW has created a safety cell with the monocoque chassis, to which is added various crush elements. Naturally, the XL1 has such modern safety aids as ABS and ESP stability control.
What's It Like to Drive?
You enter the XL1 through doors that flip up and forward to allow an easy slip into the driver or passenger seat. Two pushes of the power button and the VW doesn't so much start up as light up.
Into drive and off you glide. VW claims a 0-100 lm/h (62 mph) time of 11.9 seconds, but what's important is the feeling the XL1 has sufficient power for you to be comfortable in traffic. It squirts along nicely and you wouldn't be holding up other cars. Need that extra power at low speed? Push down on the pedal and the diesel jumps to life. It isn't subtle, suddenly whipping a high-compression diesel up to operating speed. This changeover to the balance-shaft diesel isn't as noticeable above, say, 35 mph, but it also isn't invisible.
The regenerative ceramic brakes aren't assisted and feel a bit vintage, but that's a comment not a complaint. The ride is what you might expect from a 1753-lb. car on efficient-but-hard tires, not that great a sacrifice for the mileage you're achieving.
Fuel efficiency is the overriding concern when driving the XL1. It's easy to find little faults with it compared to even a small cheap car, but what do you expect? This is a prototype, just one step along the way to future production.
When? VW isn't even guessing, but the XL1 is a commendable next move.
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