After looking at the BMW Z1, one might think that this is already a pretty unique German car. However, here comes an almost even more unique car, also from Germany.
Brands like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, or VW are usually known for their somewhat more ordinary vehicles. Ordinary everyday cars that don't stand out much or even some slightly sportier ones. However, throughout history, these brands have occasionally brought cars that don't quite fit into the usual mold. The VW XL1 is precisely one of those. Many people don't even know that you could buy this car once. If they see it on the street, many might even think it's a concept vehicle because it doesn't fit into any class or adhere to VW's design language. And that was somehow Volkswagen's goal.
The VW XL1 was manufactured between 2013 and 2016 and was a limited production vehicle designed as a technology showcase for future efficient vehicles. The XL1 was a plug-in hybrid vehicle powered by a 0.8-liter two-cylinder diesel engine combined with an electric motor. The total power output of the drivetrain was about 75 horsepower (55 kW). One of the most remarkable features of the XL1 was its exceptional fuel efficiency. With an average consumption of only about 0.9 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, the XL1 set a new standard for economical vehicles. To maximize efficiency, the XL1 was consistently designed for lightweight construction. The body was made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), while other components were made of aluminum and magnesium. As a result, the vehicle weighed only about 795 kilograms in total. The XL1 featured an extremely aerodynamic shape that minimized air resistance, thus contributing to efficiency improvement. With a coefficient of drag (Cd value) of only 0.186, the XL1 set new standards for aerodynamics in road traffic. Due to its technological advances and complex manufacturing process, production of the XL1 was limited to a very small number of only 250 units. Therefore, this special VW is naturally seen extremely rarely. The XL1 served as a platform for the development and testing of pioneering technologies that were later used in other Volkswagen brand vehicles, such as the Golf GTE and the Passat GTE. Particularly interesting is also the exterior and interior design. Because this vehicle was actually equipped with gull-wing doors like a sports car. And instead of mounting conventional rear-view mirrors, this car has cameras and screens inside. It is also special that the wheels at the rear are concealed by the bodywork. This also gives the car a special effect.
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