Volkswagen unveiled a new car at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show this week, a car that also caught the attention of the BBC in the UK. The car they unveiled isn’t a production car, but instead a new concept car that highlights that there could be alternatives to all-electric cars—at least until the electric technology progresses. The concept car is name the XL1 and its unique quality is being able to travel 313 miles on a single gallon of diesel. What is even more impressive is that VW says the XL1 will only emit 24 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer traveled.

Volkswagen XL1 Concept

Volkswagen XL1 Concept

The Volkswagen XL1 is constructed from a “carbon fiber reinforced polymer monocoque” that brings the weight of the concept car to 795 kilos (1749 lbs). More than the construction materials and the overall weight of the car, the XL1 is the combination of a 0.8-liter two-cylinder diesel engine and an electric motor. There aren’t a lot of details on the power or if the vehicle uses the electric motor to drive the vehicle like the Chevrolet Volt or if it is more of a hybrid like the Toyota Prius. That said, VW did reveal that the car should go from 0-60 km/h (0-62 mph) in 11.9 seconds. Not to shabby, now we just have to see what VW will do with this concept.

 

[Source: BBC]