Developed by Volkswagen, the VW L1 Concept is a new and very different concept car. The L1, which can be seen at this week’s Motor Show in Frankfurt, will also be displaying its new VW ‘face’, enclosed wheel covers and tandem seating position.
Unlike the recent spate of electric and hybrid car announcements from a variety of manufacturers including VW themselves, VW have taken a surprising turn by basing the L1 on a fuel-fossil powered motor. But the L1 is designed to travel 100km on less than 1 litre of fuel, hence the L1 name. This concept car was originally shown in 2002 but has now been updated with a two cylinder, 29bhp diesel engine and is capable of an astonishing 190mpg.
This tiny little machine weighs less than 400kg and has a seven-speed DSG gear box to maximise revs from the dinky 800cc engine.
The L1 Concept is only 1.25 meters wide, lower than a Lamborghini, and it will be the most aerodynamic and lightest car in the world when it goes on production in 2013.
The L1 is fairly simple in design with no hybrid or electric assistance, due to use of some exotic materials and plastic bodywork. The interior features a fighter aircraft’s cockpit canopy and very cool rear-view television cameras instead of wing mirrors.
The L1 really does test the limits for very low emissions and efficiency for a fossil fuel powered car, achieving fuel economy never before seen.
Stay up to date
Like us on Facebook and stay up to date with all the blog news. Follow our daily twitters for motoring news and information. Sign up for our RSS feed and get the news into your folder app.