The notion that competition breeds innovation seems to be truer than ever, as every major car maker turns its attention to making cleaner, greener cars that cost you and I less to run. The latest of these is Volkswagen’s XL1, which looks like it just cruised off the set of Bladerunner. But this new petrol-electric hybrid is automotive fact. So how does the XL1 measure up against a standard petrol car? Will it be shuttling us round and keeping our petrol bills low, or will it be causing us to call for breakdown assistance every few miles?
If we’re to believe the VW hype, this car is as impressive under the bonnets as it is outside. Weight is of course a major factor in any car’s performance, and the boffins at V-dub have managed to get this down to just 795 kilos, thanks to its carbon fibre reinforced polymer monocoque. I’ve no idea what a monocoque is, but it certainly sounds pretty impressive.
The combination of a 0.8 litre two cylinder diesel engine and an electric motor results in a vehicle that can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 11.9 seconds. But it’s the positive implications for the environment together with motorists’ pockets that will be of most interest; VW says the car can travel 313 miles on a single gallon of diesel, and emit a mere 24 grammes of CO2 for each kilometre covered.
It seems that hybrid and eventually all-electric cars are set to become the norm, rather than simply headline grabbing tactics on the part of car makers. As long as these cars are as reliable as petrol cars and don’t require us to dial up for breakdown cover provider every time we drive up the dual carriageway, most motorists will be delighted with such innovations
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