Up close: the Volkswagen XL1

[GreenTDI]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

So is a Ferrari

A Ferrari or BMW I8 are indeed in the same price range as the VW XL1 and that bothers me the most. But OK, it's a piece of technology with which VW wanted to make something clear. Which I think would have been better if they had released an affordable and very simple version of this model. Without fancy gadgets and just the 50 hp 2-cylinder diesel without a hybrid system.

[Ecky]

Basically a more modern 1st Gen Insight? I think they sold for around $19,000, and were still all aluminum hybrids built on the Acura NSX assembly line.

Certainly it would have been nice to have way more of something slightly less efficient on the road. I think the PHEV part is one of the larger attractions of the XL1. If I recall, without it, it gets around 130mpg (?) on diesel at slow highway speeds. Subtract the difference between diesel and gasoline (around 20% for fuel energy content) and you're at a little over 110mpg gasoline equivalent.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Basically a more modern 1st Gen Insight? I think they sold for around $19,000, and were still all aluminum hybrids built on the Acura NSX assembly line.

Certainly it would have been nice to have way more of something slightly less efficient on the road. I think the PHEV part is one of the larger attractions of the XL1. If I recall, without it, it gets around 130mpg (?) on diesel at slow highway speeds. Subtract the difference between diesel and gasoline (around 20% for fuel energy content) and you're at a little over 110mpg gasoline equivalent.

The hybrid system on the XL1 is only maybe 3% of the vehicle cost, the rest is in the exotic hand spun body.

[GreenTDI]

Why so much research and development when the best aerodynamic shape is well known by car manufacturers. OK, seen the pictures on this thread it is understandable because they have gone very far with the XL1, it is perfectly crafted. It could perhaps serve to develop new cars.

A simpler aerodynamic shape with a small engine (hybrid or not) and no other fuss around it. Make it affordable. An example is that Honda Insight. That would show real courage.

But then again the question arises: would such a concept appeal to a large enough audience in these times of cross-overs

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by GreenTDI

Without fancy gadgets and just the 50 hp 2-cylinder diesel without a hybrid system.

At least a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup would be still desirable to some extent.

[freebeard]

Why so much research and development when the best aerodynamic shape is well known by car manufacturers.

Cybertruck. There's shape and there's manufacturability.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

No wonder the CyberTruck was not the only one that settled on straight lines instead of featuring so many curves, to the point of bearing some resemblance to third-world makeshift utility vehicles such as the GM/Vauxhall BTV, the Citroën FAF, the Datsun Sado made in Portugal, among others.

[freebeard]

Gordon Murray' flat-pack OX

https://www.gordonmurraydesign.com/e...evious/ox.html

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Gordon Murray' flat-pack OX

It seems to use Ford mechanics. Makes me wonder if it could be federalized with the drivetrain of a Fusion Hybrid.

[freebeard]

It's a Knock Down Kit, shipped globally as a flat pack and capable of integrating local content anywhere locally. Alligator-skin upholstery or whatever.