Thread: One way to beat the fuel price increases.

That's one way to beat the fuel increases: Volkswagen unveils sleek new car that does an incredible 313 miles to the gallon
By GRAHAM SMITH
26th January 2011

It promises to be the answer to every hard-up motorist's dreams.
Volkswagen has unveiled the world's most economical car that it says can travel 313 miles on a gallon of diesel.
Emitting just 38 grammes of carbon dioxide per mile travelled, the XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle is also likely to be the vehicle of choice for green enthusiasts.



Future of the car? The XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle was formally unveiled at the Qatar motor show last night



Green friendly: Dubbed the world's most economical car, the XL1 can travel 313 miles per gallon
Formally unveiled at the Qatar motor show last night, the XL1 is powered by an 800cc TDI two-cylinder diesel engine linked to an electric motor.
The compact two-seater weighs just 795kg as it is built around a carbon fibre reinforced polymer exterior.
It can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 11.9 seconds and has a top speed of 99mph.
Due to go on sale in 2013, the car is just under four metres long - the same size as a Volkswagen Polo - and sits lower off the ground than a Lamborghini sports car at 1.18m tall.



Compact: The two-seater weighs just 795kg as it is built around a carbon fibre reinforced polymer exterior



The XL1 can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 11.9 seconds and has a top speed of 99mph
What's more, Volkswagen chairman Dr Martin Winterhorn has said the XL1 will go on sale in Britain and Germany first at an affordable price.
In order to develop the car's innovative exterior, Volkswagen 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.
Further savings, which it is promised will be passed onto the customer, were made through the extensive use of lightweight materials including magnesium for the wheels; ceramics for brake discs; and aluminium for dampers, steering system and brake calipers.



Two years away: The car is due to go on sale in Britain and Germany in 2013 at an 'affordable price'



Interior: The sleek XL1 is not ideal for families as it can only seat two people


Read more: XL1: Volkswagen unveils 313 miles per gallon car | Mail Online

Originally Posted by crippen

Two years away: The car is due to go on sale in Britain and Germany in 2013 at an 'affordable price'

Looks good, I wonder what "an affordable" price will turn out to be?

Originally Posted by crippen

Emitting just 38 grammes of carbon dioxide per mile travelled

So.. for the 313 miles it will emit 11.8 Kg of carbon dioxide, where does that come from?
A gallon of diesel can't possibly contain that much..

At a price that won't hinder the petroleum companies profits too much, I'd suspect.

It's a 2 seater, not a family car so i really can't see a market for it. A small performance sports car that has incredibly low fuel consumption. Designed for the over 50's methinks, or a second car, certainly not for families.

At 313 miles per gallon it perhaps may also give the Shieks some justification in raising the price of a barrel of oil.

sexy car,front half, but why cover the back wheels ? looks shit

Stream lineing the car shape for air flow. a roof rake takes 5miles of your fuel economy.

No rear window and no door mirrors, does it have cameras ?

Originally Posted by sunsetter

sexy car,front half, but why cover the back wheels ? looks shit

To their credit, General Motors actually tried that with the Chevrolet Caprice in the early 1990's and got the same reaction. It's incredibly ugly but it significantly reduces aerodynamic drag. GM eventually had to drop it because of negative customer reaction, but the difference is said to be significant.