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Volkswagen XL1 Plug-in Hybrid Makes Production Debut

The super-frugal XL1 plug-in hybrid has stepped out of Volkswagen's science fiction-fuelled fantasies and into the world of the real, this week.  Revealed as a concept in 2011, the XL1 was seen as a technology showcase, previewing a produc


The super-frugal XL1 plug-in hybrid has stepped out of Volkswagen's science fiction-fuelled fantasies and into the world of the real, this week. 

Revealed as a concept in 2011, the XL1 was seen as a technology showcase, previewing a production-bound powertrain and offering a stylised glimpse at new design features.

Few would have expected the concept to make the leap into showrooms without a single change to its futuristic styling - but that is precisely what Volkswagen has delivered here.

Bound for next month's Geneva Motor Show, the final XL1 will enter production in Germany later this year, although a run of just 50 models is planned for now.

The XL1 is powered by a diesel-electric plug-in hybrid system, and according to Volkswagen, it is capable of returning fuel consumption figures of just 0.9 l/100km. 

The engine in that equation is a 0.8 litre two-cylinder diesel, mated to an electric motor and a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.

On its own, the diesel offers just 35kW of power, but the electric motor adds a further 20kW. Together, the system propels the XL1 to 100km/h in around 12.7 seconds.

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