Thursday, 26 January 2012

The World's Most Fuel Efficient Car - Volkswagen XL1.

 The world's most fuel efficient car - The Volkswagen XL1 concept is one of the most innovative concept car designed to provide best fuel efficiency keeping in the view of environmental friendliness. The XL1 concept is a hybrid car using an electric motor plus a diesel engine to power itself efficiently. This car has a futuristic styling and is fabricated with weight less components.


XL1 delivers a maximum mileage than any other concept car in this world. It delivers an outstanding mileage of  111km/litre of diesel. The entire car weighs just 795 kilograms. The tear drop design and light weight construction plays a vital role for its top class mileage. Besides that it also has minimal carbon emissions of  24gm/km. The XL1 comes with the 7-speed DSG transmission, a Lithium-ion battery pack and is compliant with the Euro VI emissions standards.



This car as i mentioned already is a hybrid system equipped with a 0.8 litre, 2-cylinder TDI engine delivering a peak power of 48 BHP plus the electric motor delivering 27 HP, totally of 75 Ps. It can cover a range of 35 kms using only the electric motor for full charge.


XL1's Engine

The design of the entire body was uncompromisingly subjected to the aerodynamic efficiency. In front, the new XL1 exhibits the greatest width; the car then narrows towards the rear. Viewed from above, the form of the XL1 resembles that of a dolphin; especially at the rear, where the lines optimally conform to the air flow over the car body to reduce the Volkswagen’s aerodynamic drag.


The aerodynamic styling like a dolphin as viewed from top.


The rear wheels are fully covered to prevent air turbulence; the air flows here are also optimized by small spoilers in front of and behind the wheels.








Cameras replacing rear view mirrors.
Replacing the side mirrors are small cameras that send images of the surroundings behind the car to two displays inside the vehicle.

The front end of the new XL1 no longer exhibits the typical radiator grille; however, it still reflects the styling of the current Volkswagen “design DNA” with a predominance of horizontal lines.
Volkswagen XL1 Concept Design Sketch 



There is a black cross-stripe (in the area where there is no longer a radiator grille) that combines with the energy-efficient dual LED headlights to form a continuous band. The actual air intake for cooling the TDI engine, battery and interior is located in the lower front end section and has electrically controlled louvres.


The narrow turn indicators are also designed in LED technology; these form an “L” shape which vertically follows the wheel housing and horizontally a line beneath the headlights.



 The XL1 0-100 km/hr in 11.9 seconds and  reaches a top speed of 160 km/hr. 23.2 % of the car is made without iron or steel and the light weight construction is done by volkswagen's patented carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and resin transfer moulding process.



Volkswagen XL1 Concept Specifications


Engine Location: Mid
Drive Type: Rear Wheel
Body/Chassis: Carbonfibre monocoque
Weight: 795.147 kg 
0-60 mph: 11.7 seconds. 
Top Speed: 160 km/h | 99.44 mph (limited)
Engine Configuration: S
Cylinders:  2
Aspiration/Induction:    Turbocharged
Displacement: 800 cc | 48.8 cu in. | 0.8 L.
Horsepower: 75 BHP (55.2 KW)
Torque: 162 Ft-Lbs (220 NM)
HP to Weight Ratio: 23.4 LB / HP
HP / Liter: 93.8 BHP / Liter
Fuel Feed: Fuel Injected, Direct Fuel Injection
Gears: 7
Transmission: DSG Semi-Automatic
Fuel Capacity: 10.0 L 
Length: 153.1 in | 3888 mm.
Width: 65.6 in | 1665 mm.
Height : 45.5 in | 1156 mm.
Wheelbase: 87.6 in | 2224 mm.
(source : volkswagen)