Up close: the Volkswagen XL1

[Vman455]

How did it feel inside? Cramped at all? Every time I get in my Prius I'm struck by just how enormous it is--several inches above my head, way more room side-to-side than I need, etc. And compared to a first-gen Insight, the Prius actually has slightly less headroom and legroom, but 4 inches more hip- and shoulder-room. I wonder what it would be like to live with an XL1?

[JulianEdgar]

Originally Posted by Vman455

How did it feel inside? Cramped at all? Every time I get in my Prius I'm struck by just how enormous it is--several inches above my head, way more room side-to-side than I need, etc. And compared to a first-gen Insight, the Prius actually has slightly less headroom and legroom, but 4 inches more hip- and shoulder-room. I wonder what it would be like to live with an XL1?

The door wasn't shut so it's hard to tell. I don't remember it feeling tiny, though.

[GreenTDI]

I don't know why, but the XL1 reminds me to the Audi A2, released in 1999. The prototype from 1997 looks even cooler. OK, XL1 <-> A2: totally different concepts, and yet quite similar again.

It is a pity that it was not a great success and it was not given a successor. People are just not ready for this kind of cars.

Both the XL1 and the A2 show how far car manufacturers can go when it comes to fuel consumption. They are both far ahead of their time ...

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by GreenTDI

I don't know why, but the XL1 reminds me to the Audi A2, released in 1999. The prototype from 1997 looks even cooler. OK, XL1 <-> A2: totally different concepts, and yet quite similar again.

It is a pity that it was not a great success and it was not given a successor. People are just not ready for this kind of cars.

Both the XL1 and the A2 show how far car manufacturers can go when it comes to fuel consumption. They are both far ahead of their time ...

I'm really fond of the idea of the A2, and for a while wished we could get them in the 'states (still do really) but I understand the reality of them is pretty abysmal reliability - mostly electrical issues but some engine and transmission issues as well.

I wonder how the XL1 will hold up, and if anyone is daily driving them.

[GreenTDI]

@ Ecky

Mostly transmission problems, the automatic gearbox from the 3L version is very delicate and very expensive. But most of those A2's are still running, 20 years old with 200K+ miles on the odometer. They don't disintegrate like other daily drivers at that age, because of their aluminium body.

I wonder if there is one XL1 on this planet which is ridden daily. It's a 120.000 dollar car …

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by GreenTDI

I don't know why, but the XL1 reminds me

It is a pity that it was not a great success and it was not given a successor. People are just not ready for this kind cars time ...

How do you define success?

Every single example was sold before they even went up for sale, VW Auctually produced more cars than the original production limit .

VW only ever planned to make a small number of these and succeeded

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by GreenTDI

the automatic gearbox from the 3L version is very delicate and very expensive

Weren't those fitted with a single-clutch automated-manual transmission? Even though AMTs have been widely accepted among the trucking industry, they're not so favored on light-duty vehicles.

[GreenTDI]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

How do you define success?

Every single example was sold before they even went up for sale, VW Auctually produced more cars than the original production limit .

VW only ever planned to make a small number of these and succeeded

Indeed, they were sold. But mainly to sit in a museum or used for events. It's not a car for the average family (wo)man, for his/her daily commute.

[GreenTDI]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Weren't those fitted with a single-clutch automated-manual transmission? Even though AMTs have been widely accepted among the trucking industry, they're not so favored on light-duty vehicles.

You're right!

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by GreenTDI

It's not a car for the average family (wo)man, for his/her daily commute.

So is a Ferrari

Well, even though it wouldn't have the same performance level of a BMW i8, and Volkswagen might not seem so appealing as Audi and BMW are for someone looking for a fancy ride to show off, I can relate some eventual buyer of a BMW i8 to the one who would rather go for the XL1 due to the high-tech and "sustainable" approach surrounding both models.