Latest VW diesel hybrid does over 300mpg

With diesel prices at a record £1.30 per litre, Volkswagen this week unveiled a car designed to slash fuel bills; the XL1 two-seater hybrid promise to be the world’s most aerodynamic, lightweight and fuel efficient car and returns over 300mpg.

The ‘near production concept’ has been in development for ten years as part of the company’s goal of producing a car capable of travelling 100km using no more than one litre of fuel. The XL1 combines a small diesel engine with an electric motor and manages to surpass this target by ten per cent – the equivalent of 313mpg.

Despite the impressive fuel efficiency, the L1 is capable of 99mph and a 0-60 time of 11.9 seconds. Its CO₂ figure is a scooter-beating 24g/km.

How does a car get over 300mpg?

The short answer is by investing a huge amount of expertise and time in the project – the company has been working on the L1 for over a decade.

• The L1 weighs in at 800kg. Savings have been made through the use of carbon fibre and only half an engine.

The designers took the motor from a VW 1.6-litre TDI turbo diesel and chopped it in half before coupling it to a14hp electric motor. The car can travel for 22 miles on electric power alone.

• VW have made the L1 as slippery as possible – the seats are staggered, which makes for a narrower and more aerodynamic shape (drag coefficient 0.186), and the car does away with wing mirrors in favour of tiny cameras.

The CO₂ figure of 24g/km is exceptionally low for a hybrid vehicle. The following table illustrates how it compares with public transport in London based on average passenger numbers.

How does it compare?

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “If the XL1goes on sale it is likely to be a limited run and given its specification, fairly expensive, but its technology will herald 140mpg mass market cars of the near future.”

Hyper-fuel-efficient, four-seater cars

VW XL1 may boast astounding fuel efficiency, but what if you need more than two seats?

The Automotive X Prize, a competition to find the best super-efficient vehicles capable of 100mpg (or energy equivalent), has been won by

The Edison 2 Very Light Car has a performance almost identical to the VW XL1, but can carry four passengers and return 120mpg. The distinctive-looking car uses a rear-mounted, single-cylinder motorcycle engine running on a blend of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol to produce 40 horsepower.