We are confident that the XL1 VW is one of the most exciting modern VWs.
Although the VW XL1 might not seem very exciting, once you get to know more about the engineering, the world changes. The VW XL1 is one of the most aerodynamic cars ever made and it’s also the lightest car due to its attention to weight saving. The XL1 uses a lot of carbon fiber to construct the body panels and carbon tub as well as the interior trim.
The plug-in hybrid drivetrain features a 2-cylinder turbo diesel motor that acts both as a generator, and as a drive component. The combined 0.8-liter diesel engine with the electric motor produces a total power output of 68 horsepower (51kW). 100 lbft (140 Nm), of torque is produced by the hybrid drivetrain. This unique drivetrain is coupled to a 7 speed dual-clutch transmission to deliver lightning fast shifts and keep the engine in its maximum efficiency.
Although the Volkswagen XL1 is not the most thrilling supercar ever made, the engineering effort put into making this car as efficient and as interesting as possible makes it a fascinating machine. The VW XL1’s lessons can be applied to other vehicles in the VW lineup, making it a worthwhile investment despite its limited production and limited sales. Although efficiency may not be something to be excited about, this level of engineering effort is worthy to be celebrated.