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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Autos

Volkswagen to produce 270mpg car

According to my abacus, with its 2.6-gallon fuel tank Volkswagen’s XL1 concept has a theoretical range of 700 miles.  If Volkswagen’s mileage claim proves to be true the plug-in electric diesel could make it from Seattle to the middle of Montana without stopping for gas.  Impressive as that may seem VW is remaining skeptical as to whether or not they’ll sell many of the silver bullets.  

Their plan is to hand-build an initial run of just 50 XL1’s later this year at a plant in Osnabruck, Germany, alongside the Porsche Boxster and VW Golf convertible.  Depending on how the cars sell production could increase or get a swift axe to the Nacken (neck). 

From the looks of the XL1’s spec sheet it would be an expensive axe to swing. The car uses carbon-fiber reinforced plastic for the body panels and aluminum for the frame structures.  The weight-saving materials help drop the XL1’s curb weight to 1,753 pounds.  That in conjunction with a body designed to maximize aerodynamic efficiency helps the XL1 maintain cruising speed at 62mph using just 8.3 hp.  This is a good thing as the diesel-electric powertrain combines to make a whopping 74hp. 

VW plans to sell the XL1 in Europe initially and has yet to announce a price. 

SOURCE:

Tire Business.com



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