Volkswagen’s Diesel-Hybrid L1 Concept Gets 170 MPG, Available by 2013
Volkswagen will display an updated version of its 1-Liter concept this week at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The diesel-hybrid car which only weighs around 800 lbs gets an jaw-dropping 170 MPG. So who wants one?
It was seven years ago when VW first announced the idea. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch–currently the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Volkswagen Group–drove a prototype of the car from Wolfsburg to Hamburg. It was the world’s first car to travel 100 kilometers on just a single liter of fuel. But the concept wasn’t ready for production as the body’s carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) was too costly for consideration.
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“It is an enormous challenge to control costs in producing the monocoque out of CFRP,” says Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Board of Management for the Volkswagen Brand with responsibility for development.
The 2-seater L1, with a length of 150 inches, is still similar to that of a Volkswagen Fox, and a height of 45 inches..it nearly matches that of a Lamborghini Murciélago.
Aerodynamics was a huge part of the L1 concept. The idea behind it was the form of a glider–one seat behind the other. It has a special chasi of aluminum components to take advantage of the CFRP body.
The two-cylinder rail-injected TDI, the E-motor and the 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox are all rear located. The combo not only delivers a low fuel consumption but it only emits 36 g/km of C02. The hybrid module has been integrated into the housing of the 7-speed DSG and consists of a 10 kW / 14 PS electric motor and a clutch.
During general acceleration the electric motor can supply 40-percent additional torque and even propel the L1 over a short distance by itself. It also operates as a generator to charge the lithium-ion battery by recovering braking energy.
Full details on the car can be found at VWVortex. On display with the L1 concept, Vdub will also be showing off their Up! concept. I suspect we will be seeing a lot of these roll out under VW’s new BlueMotionTechnologies brand.
Source: VWVortex
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September 14th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
It seems to me that this rig would have low fuel consumption, and not high fuel consumption as described in the artice.
September 14th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
it must be a typo
September 15th, 2009 at 6:20 am
No Republican would buy it. we believe in big, thirsty cars
like Rush Limbaugh’s V-12 Mercedes Sedan.
September 15th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Phil, you are an ignoramus.
September 15th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Yuck!! Let me say that again… YUCK!
This isn’t even news worthy. What about Tesla sedan, or that Goss132 company??
Those I would be interested in reading about!
September 15th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Wow Phil, that sounds like a pretty narrow minded / possibly even bigoted comment.
At least this Republican would buy one, but then I, as a Republican also built my own solar heating panel back in the 80’s too.
September 15th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Wow phil… what douche move there.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Teh uglee.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Er….so it seats 2 people, front and back?
September 15th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Meh. Although 170 MPG is a great number, this is an absurd design. Just make a Diesel-hybrid Golf/Jetta and crush the Prius already!
September 15th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
chevy volt anybody?
September 16th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Have give dave a break, he was doing parody. Get over it.
I would definitely would purchase this. It is an awesome design and would look great next to my 2000 Honda Insight.
Can not come fast enough, hope it will take 100% bio-diesel because that will be all I would put in it. Besides the three winter months where most-likely be 50-50.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:12 am
“It was the world’s first car to travel 100 kilometers on just a single liter of fuel” – big deal…I can travel 100 k on my bicycle on less than a liter of fuel – and my fuel’s renewable. how about instead of developing slightly better technologies to put of the inevitable loss of an unsustainable resource people start burning the excess of human fat that the US has on its hands. A little bit of sweat is not that big of a problem.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Right you are Phil.
Most Republicans couldn’t even fit in one of these.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
There is a race going on with competing approaches (electric, hybrid, diesel) to develop and commercialize viable designs that are safe, carbon free and able to travel distance and aren’t glorified golf carts. While the VW design is a prototype, we are beginning to see some exciting new designs that will make current model cars obsolete. The next five years ought to be very interesting…….
September 17th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
fantastic-about time-i would buy one, except i have a family, and need more seating. and i’m assuming the side skirt over the back tires remove easily for changing tires-unless…don’t tell me..they re-inflate LOL
really–i think it’s a fantastic concept and i really like the construction of the vehicle. it will sell and i’m wondering for how much??but family size vehicles will sell better
September 17th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
and what about the trunk? no picture of that-if there is one. need one for traveling and the groceries. because a vehicle that can go that far will be pushed that far and needs storage
September 17th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
This car is ridiculous.
It has 29-38 horsepower, and maximum torque of 135 ft-lbs. It will take two and a half days to reach highway speeds.
Also, those doors ain’t gonna work.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Some people are saying this thing will probably be priced in the mid 20K range.
Also, will this pass the US crash test standards with its carbon fiber? Consequently, this may possibly only be sold in Europe.
Nevertheless, I think this car will work great for someone who has a long commute…could save that commuter $3-4K/year…fuel savings could pay for the car in less than 8 years.
September 19th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Sounds like a very expensive and emasculated Prius imitation. Not terribly useful unless compared to a bicycle. Imagine an 800 pound flammable carbon fiber shell colliding with a standard car. Not a pretty picture.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
PROTIP: MPG ratings on semi-electric cars are not reliable.
Theoretically a plugin hybrid can have infinite gas mileage.
Until these tests are standardized, independent and account for the cost of electricity – these numbers have no credibility.
September 28th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I like this uber thinking, but it is just the start.
In November 2009 the Large Hadron Collider guys are going to test for the particle I discovered = the Graviton. This is the particle that causes gravity & inertia, one of the major factors in fuel consumption…Alfred Herman Schrader
November 19th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I think it looks kind of sporty. I would much rather drive this car than an ugly Geo metro egg or some boxish looking, old design such those the other car makers continue to churn out. Bring on the aerodynamics. Finally! Good job VW! Put these on the market in the US – I will buy one! Unless the american car makers get with the program and make something comparable that I like better!
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:28 pm
We have the first Honda Insight, which resembles this car. It’s basically a small version of a Citroen sedan from the ’70s’, which was distinctive and very aerodynamic. So if the shape works, keep it. We also have a MB 320 D sedan which gets 40 MPG easily at 60 mph on the freeway – so can see that 80 + MPG would be no sweat for this design. If they can meet some crash-tests with the design, and get the price point right, should sell well world wide – even in the US . . .