if the Volkswagen XL1 Plug-in Hybrid looks kind of familiar to you, then it is because it has been a concept since two years ago. and if you love what you saw two years ago, you be glad that nothing much has changed since and even better, it will finally get the production nod when it hits the show floor at the Geneva Auto Show next month. it is really exciting cos’ not often we see a concept makes it to the production line, and be kept nearly as what has been conceptualized. sporting the same lust-worthy futuristic wedge-like shape, the XL1 boasts an incredible drag coefficient of just 0.19 and is powered by an ultra-efficient hybrid setup consisting of a 47 hp two-cylinder TDI engine and a 27 hp electric motor, mated to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox. though this practical diesel-electric marriage managed an impressive 0.9-liter per 100-km fuel efficiency (about 261 mpg), its performance is pretty modest at best: century sprint is pegged at 12.7 seconds while top speed is limited to just 99 km/h. speaking of which, was it just me or did the Wolfsburg folks trimmed off some performance out of this final production version? if we recall correctly, its 0-62 mph was given at 11.6 seconds and has a significantly higher top speed of 160 km/h. then again, the XL1 talks performance in another language and that’s the efficiency and emission standards, which if it hits the market, it will be crowned the most fuel-efficient and aerodynamic production car on earth. seriously, the good look that we have dreamed of and the fact that it could saves whole lot of in the fuel department are enough for us to look past its near-sluggish acceleration. hey, we are concern citizens too and the less smog it produces, we most definitely welcome it with open arms but that’s also very much depends on how much the ‘initial investment’ will hurt the bank account. learn more about the Volkswagen XL1 Plug-in Hybrid HERE.
Volkswagen via Autoblog
