Volkswagen L1 Concept

A remarkable diesel electric hybrid concept car, the new Volkswagen L1 Concept, has been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Built from aluminium and carbon fibre and weighing only 360 kg, this new concept car returns 189mpg on the combined cycle and emits only 39g/km of CO2 emissions.

Volkswagen L1 Concept car

The L1 can seat two people in tandem and you enter through a side hinging, electrically operated canopy which maximises the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle.  Powered by a tiny 800 cc two-cylinder common rail, direct TDI engine, the car reaches 0-62 mph in 14.3 seconds and onto a top speed of 99mph. The car only has a 10-litre tank but this still provides a range of 416 miles.

Under normal conditions the 14PS electric motor is inactive and only engages when additional acceleration is. If required the electric motor can take over from the diesel engine for short distances.