Volkswagen to Build Ultra-Efficient Up City Car

Volkswagen recently impressed the whole automotive industry with what it called the XL1 concept, an innovative prototype that could burn as less as 1 liter of gasoline per kilometer. Not only that the company confirmed that the concept will enter a limited production sometime in 2013, but it appears that the Germans are looking to use the technology underneath its hood to develop other super efficient vehicles.

The first would be the so-called Up blue-e-motion, according to Autocar, which will employ an 800cc turbodiesel engine that would develop 47 horsepower. More power would be provided by an electric unit that would generate around 26 horsepower, while the whole vehicle would rely on very lightweight materials.

However, the production Up won't be as fuel efficient as the XL1 concept. The final model is likely to weight around 300 kilos more than the concept, while aerodynamics would be affected by a more "conventional" architecture.

The XL1 concept that was displayed in Qatar achieved a fuel consumption rating of 0.9 l/100km (261.3 mpg), while releasing only 24 grams of CO2 per kilometer. The XL1 uses a combination of lightweight construction, monocoque and add-on parts made of carbon fiber, a very low aerodynamic drag (0.186) plus a very advanced plug-in hybrid system which relies on a two-cylinder TDI engine and an electric motor.

Volkswagen confirmed in January that the Xl1 will go in production in 2013, but only as a limited run as the company tries to determine the way the vehicle interacts with the public streets. More to come on the subject, so we'll keep you posted.