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Dealers
Viknesh Vijayenthiran
As outrageous as the idea of a production 235 mpg (1.0L/100km) car sounds, Volkswagen believes it has what it takes to build such a vehicle and has already produced a concept version. The ultra-frugal concept hit the floor of the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show today, and we were there to capture these live shots.
News from the show today indicates that 2013 would be the earliest the car could enter production, though we'll have to wait to see rubber hit the road before we'll know whether it's all auto show bluster or real green muster.
Called the L1 and feature a carbon-fiber body wrapped around a 0.8-liter twin-cylinder turbodiesel engine developing 36 horsepower and matched to a 7-speed dual-clutch DSG and a 14-horsepower E-motor hybrid electric drive system. With a curb weight of just 1,100 pounds and a super-slippery aerodynamic body thanks to its tandem seating layout, the L1 is claimed to return a fuel economy of 157.8 mpg (1.49L/100km)--we think this is low enough to warrant the L1 or '1-Liter' name.
The 800 cubic centimeter turbodiesel engine in the L1 is essentially half of the 1.6-liter unit found in the Golf and Polo BlueMotion vehicles, meaning it is a series-engine-derived mill. Performance isn't as terrible as you might expect from a hyper-frugal hybrid, either: top speed is 100 mph and it can reach 62 mph in just 14.3 seconds--not so far behind some standard cars on the road today.
Driving range is an impressive 416 miles, much farther than a typical electric-only or plug-in electric vehicle. Cargo space is at a premium, however, with just 1.8 cubic feet, or about enough for a quick run to the market.
This isn’t the first time Volkswagen has developed a super efficient concept car. Back in 2002 the automaker produced a similar vehicle powered by a 0.3-liter diesel engine that returned a fuel economy of 264 mpg.
2009 Volkswagen L1 ConceptEnlarge Photo 2009 Volkswagen L1 concept at the 2009 Frankfurt auto showEnlarge Photo 2009 Volkswagen L1 concept at the 2009 Frankfurt auto showEnlarge Photo 2009 Volkswagen L1 concept at the 2009 Frankfurt auto showEnlarge Photo 2009 Volkswagen L1 concept at the 2009 Frankfurt auto showEnlarge Photo 2009 Volkswagen L1 concept at the 2009 Frankfurt auto showEnlarge Photo As outrageous as the idea of a production 235 mpg (1.0L/100km) car sounds, Volkswagen believes it has what it takes to build such a vehicle and has already produced a concept version. The ultra-frugal concept hit the floor of the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show today, and we were there to capture these live shots. News from the show today indicates that 2013 would be the earliest the car could enter production, though we'll have to wait to see rubber hit the road before we'll know whether it's all auto show bluster or real green muster. Called the L1 and feature a carbon-fiber body wrapped around a 0.8-liter twin-cylinder turbodiesel engine developing 36 horsepower and matched to a 7-speed dual-clutch DSG and a 14-horsepower E-motor hybrid electric drive system. With a curb weight of just 1,100 pounds and a super-slippery aerodynamic body thanks to its tandem seating layout, the L1 is claimed to return a fuel economy of 157.8 mpg (1.49L/100km)--we think this is low enough to warrant the L1 or '1-Liter' name. The 800 cubic centimeter turbodiesel engine in the L1 is essentially half of the 1.6-liter unit found in the Golf and Polo BlueMotion vehicles, meaning it is a series-engine-derived mill. Performance isn't as terrible as you might expect from a hyper-frugal hybrid, either: top speed is 100 mph and it can reach 62 mph in just 14.3 seconds--not so far behind some standard cars on the road today. Driving range is an impressive 416 miles, much farther than a typical electric-only or plug-in electric vehicle. Cargo space is at a premium, however, with just 1.8 cubic feet, or about enough for a quick run to the market. This isn’t the first time Volkswagen has developed a super efficient concept car. Back in 2002 the automaker produced a similar vehicle powered by a 0.3-liter diesel engine that returned a fuel economy of 264 mpg.
Responses (13 total)
By Gandhi #1, Posted: 9/14/2009
nice car, i would to see this liited edition car
By Matt #2, Posted: 9/14/2009
should it be the L1.5?
By vwe #3, Posted: 9/15/2009
I don't see much room for groceries. If making a car get super high mileage entails stripping out all extra space don't we need a little bit more of a driving habit change than expected?
By greedo #4, Posted: 9/15/2009
L1.5 doesn't have the same ring to it, and it doesn't fit with carmakers making overzealous claims about their "super-efficient" specials, a la Volt.
That said, this looks like the ultimate soap box racer.
By Jim b. #5, Posted: 9/15/2009
Too me it is just yet another old honda civic hybrid in its design from few years back. Why VW doesn't get some better designers and put something with a true wow effect?
By cooldude #6, Posted: 9/15/2009
I like the look of the car. But I am not sure how convinient is getting in and out of the car.
By Jezza #7, Posted: 9/15/2009
Looks interesting but I could never see myself in one of these.
By Damien Thomas #8, Posted: 9/15/2009
Wow. That is a lot smaller than I expected. Lord help the L1 driver who crashes into even a... Smart Fortwo or Mini Cooper.
By carguy #9, Posted: 9/15/2009
really cool design- kinda like the ipod for cars
The guys at the pod races on Tatooine are gonna be totally jealous.
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