A little over a year ago, rumors were flying around suggesting that Volkswagen might actually build a production version of its Formula XL1 concept car for limited consumption. While most skeptics were quick to dismiss the nature of these rumors, the latest spy shots beg to differ. Volkswagen is indeed making progress on an actual road-friendly model of its 1.0-liter fuel economy XL1.
We still don’t know exactly what the specs will be for the production XL1. The Formula XL1 concept car featured a two-cylinder TDI diesel paired with an electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; averaging out to an astonishing 235 miles per gallon. The XL1 is about as long and wide as a Volkswagen Polo and should be ultra-light – the concept version weighed in at just 1,753 pounds.
Sleek and sporty aside, the XL1 production car will be limited to a stop speed of about 75 miles per hour, and that it’ll take 32 seconds to shoot from a stand-still to 50 mph.