VW XL1 production version gallery

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by sendler

So there is the number I have been wondering about. It seems the 260 mpgUS number that has been promoted is some kind of voodoo number combining unaccounted for wall power like the Chevy volt fans always love to quote. The XL1 will really get only 112 mpgUS on a long trip as the Volt gets 40. A pregen Insight can get 66 with decades old technology and was apparently cheap at less than half the price.

Yes but the XL1 tech will end up in a steelie at some point, when it does expect a moderately high MPG sleeper at a much more human price point.

Also what do you care what it costs, you will never be able to buy one anyway, unless you live in one specific place and have the cash and credentials to get one of the 50 units.

[NachtRitter]

Correct, that is already happening with the VW Up!: VW Up hybrid to use XL1 tech | Autocar. Still not something that is available in the US, but the "trickle-down" is happening.

... personally I'm impressed with the XL1 FE of 112mpg ... not too shabby. If a pregen Insight *can* get 66mpg when rated for 60, it'd be interesting to see what an XL1 "can" get.

And while there may be "voodoo" in the 260mpg number, I think the concept of combining plug-in electric-only capability with a high FE ICE engine is brilliant... it's just a matter of having an equivalent method of describing that capability, as they already do for all-electric vehicles.

[sendler]

112 mpgUS is great in itself. Why go around saying it is 260 if it is really 112? I have seen articles in the newspaper claiming 350 mpg for the Volt. You drive for "free" untill the battery runs out. When the engine starts you drive another 100 feet and then pull up to the pump. See, I just got 350 mpgUS.

[NachtRitter]

Sure, individuals can test using whatever method they want to come up with whatever result they want, including driving for "free" on battery only, never running it out, and claiming infinite mpg.

However, it is the manufacturer (VW) that is claiming the 260mpg (or, more accurately, they are claiming 0.9l per 100km) and in order for them to claim that, I suspect (but have not confirmed) that they are basing the number on the current available European standardized FE testing, which would be NEDC. I don't know enough about NEDC to say if it considers the electric consumption of a PHEV, and so I can't comment how "valid" it is. But I do not believe the manufacturer would make the claim unless they could have it verified independently through standardized testing.

[niky]

NEDC gives you a "get out of jail free" card if you can complete a portion of the cycle on electricity, as far as I can recall. I'm not that familiar with the test, but a lot of PHEVs claim faintly ridiculous numbers on the NEDC city cycle.

[Superfuelgero]

I smell a factory 5 style tdi kit car.

I would love to own one, but it would be anti-climatic since it will kill this high FE hobby we have. What would Basjoos do?

Same problem as the insight, only 2 seats.

Love the detailed pictures. Great for aerodynamic guidance for those of us without million dollar budgets and a wind tunnel. Especially the design of the tire deflectors in contrast to the SLR ones floating around.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by niky

NEDC gives you a "get out of jail free" card if you can complete a portion of the cycle on electricity, as far as I can recall. I'm not that familiar with the test, but a lot of PHEVs claim faintly ridiculous numbers on the NEDC city cycle.

You're right.
They'll never get anywhere near those numbers on longer distances - where regular cars get closer to NEDC

Aerodynamics OTOH have 0 impact on NEDC as the test is run on a dynamometer ...
They're there to get the customers somewhere remotely near NEDC test numbers IRL.

[HypermilerAX]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Aerodynamics OTOH have 0 impact on NEDC as the test is run on a dynamometer ...
They're there to get the customers somewhere remotely near NEDC test numbers IRL.

Of course it has. Every parameter is taken into account including CdA. NEDC would be around 1 l/100 km for a 4 l/100 km car if you cut the aero.

[some_other_dave]

I would expect that they would use the CdA to calculate the amount of load (resistance) that is placed on the dyno during the test.

Of course, that would rely on the manufacturer's published Cd and A figures...

-soD

[pete c]

Car and Driver has an article on the XL1 in this month's issue. I really wish they would do one on the Edison2 VLC as, IMO, it beats the VW in so many different ways.