Concepts from science fiction movies and stories, but this Volkswagen Formula XL1 plug-in hybrid vehicle will actually be available for sale. In an interview, said VW CEO Martin Winterkorn, the car will come first in Germany to the market, the U.S. and China would follow at a later date.

The plans is to provide for small scale production, to be built to 100 XL1. A decision on the production site has not been taken, according to VW head of development Ulrich Hackenberg Wolfsburg and Dresden come into question. vw xl1

The two-seater XL1 is the latest concept car from VW. With it renewed the manufacturer is formulated several years ago claiming to build a one-liter car. By some carbon existing body weighs only 795 kg the vehicle. Its inspired by a dolphin body shape is particularly aerodynamically (CW-value: 0.186). XL1 has a maximum speed of : 160 km / h

In trip brings the XL1, a two-cylinder diesel with 0.8 liter displacement and 35 kW/48 hp, which an electric motor of 20 kW/27 PS at their side. This is fed by a rechargeable lithium-ion plug on each battery, the XL1 take up to 35 km or 20 miles without the diesel kicking in. Both motors work together, the prototype accelerates According to VW in 11.9 seconds to 100 and reached a maximum of 160 km / h. Pioneering construction techniques, an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain and innovative packaging all play a part in allowing the XL1 to return 313 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 24 g/km of CO2 to set a new benchmark for vehicle efficiency.

According to the XL1 Piech has the second highest number of carbon parts on the body after the Bugatti Veyron. The cost of carbon has fallen dramatically: The body of the first one-litre cars from VW in 2002 still cost 35,000 euros, that of the XL1 is only at 5000 €. Hackenberg expected that the prices for lithium-ion batteries to fall and move to 2013 at a level 200-250 euro.

The TDI engine is linked to an electric motor and a seven-speed DSG gearbox with an automatic clutch mounted between each unit. The electric motor can either work independently of the TDI engine or in tandem when accelerating. In pure electric mode the XL1 can travel up to 35 km before the diesel engine cuts in. Accelerating from rest to 62 mph can be achieved in 11.9 seconds; the electronically limited top speed is 99 mph.

In both its styling and packaging the XL1 draws on lessons learned from the 1-Litre car (2002) and the L1 concept (2009). The XL1 has evolved to feature staggered seating with the driver and passenger placed next to each other in a body structure made from advanced new materials providing immense strength yet weighing just 230 kg.

To make such weight savings possible, and yet viable for series production, Volkswagen developed and patented a new system for the manufacture of the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) parts on the car called the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process.
In total the XL1 weighs 795 kg. In addition to the body structure, the weight is accounted for by the drive-train (227 kg), the running gear (153 kg), the interior including a pair of bucket seats (80 kg) and the electrical system (105 kg). In total just 23.2 per cent of the car (184 kg) is made out of either steel or iron.

Further savings are made through the extensive use of lightweight materials including magnesium (wheels), ceramics (brake discs) and aluminium (dampers, steering system, brake calipers).

The styling of the XL1 is borne out of functional requirements – easy access to the interior is granted via a pair of elegant scissor doors that hinge on the A-pillar while the profile of the car has been honed in the wind tunnel, the result being a remarkable coefficient of drag figure of 0.186. The XL1’s overall length (3,970 mm) and width (1,682 mm) are similar to those of a Volkswagen Polo yet its height (1,184 mm) is more akin to that of a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder.

Although the XL1 is still very much a concept, its unveiling marks the next step towards the birth of a new class of Super Efficient Vehicles, while the advent of a process such as RTM is a significant milestone.

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