Looking very good ~ VW XL1
 

Spy photog Chris Doane captured the XL1 doing hot weather tests and it looks hot indeed.

Spied: VW’s 235mpg XL1

Does look good! Apparently they had two there... one with the mirrors mounted and one without...

...some things worth 'noticing' in this picture:

http://cdn1.leftlanenews.com/photos/...-spy-2_653.jpg

1) the provisions for rear wheel covers (but, not installed in pix)

2) the rear-view camera (?) port in the door aft of the front wheel.

3) the size & angle of before/behind wheel strakes (both front & rear).

We know its made of carbon fiber but know we can see it.
In the close up photo of the tech with his laptop you can see the carbon fiber clearly.

I think this is the "money shot":

http://cdn.leftlanenews.com/photos/c...-spy-7_653.jpg

The taper on the sides are clearly seen -- they would not have stepped in the rear track if the taper wasn't used. The rear wheel skirts are definitely supposed to be there, but for whatever testing they are doing now, they have been left off.

Yep, that one was my fav as well.

Showing the pic rather than just the link:
http://cdn2.leftlanenews.com/photos/...spy-7_1035.jpg

This is a plug-in hybrid. The Volt had some silly mpg number as well because it was plug in, but actual highway mileage for users was like 35 for extended distances. With consideration the low drag and diesel, any guesses what the long distance mileage would be?

A properly streamlined , lightweight car with a 0.8L TDi diesel ?

I'd put it around 1.5L/100km - that's 150+ mpg - or better.