Volkswagen will be showcasing the XL1 at the upcoming 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The Volkswagen XL1 is the world’s most fuel-efficient production car with a fuel consumption figure of only 0.9-litres/100km.

Volkswagen XL1 is a futuristic car built for today

The Volkswagen XL1’s outstanding performance is thanks to its plug-in hybrid system that consists of a two-cylinder, 35kW TDI engine, a 20kW E-motor, a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a lithium-ion battery which makes it possible for the XL1 to emit CO2 emissions of 21g/km and maintain a fuel consumption figure of 0.9-litres/100km. The XL1 can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 12.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 160km/h. The XL1 can also operate in all-electric mode with a range of 50km while emitting zero emissions.

Conceptually, the Volkswagen XL1 represents the third evolutionary stage of Volkswagen’s 1-litre car strategy. Despite the tremendous efficiency of the XL1, developers successfully came up with a body concept, which delivers more everyday utility than the two previous prototypes.

In the XL1, two occupants can sit slightly offset, side by side as in a conventional vehicle as opposed to the 2002/2009 L1 model, which had the driver and passenger sit in a tandem arrangement for optimal aerodynamics. The XL1 is 3.888m long, 1.665m wide and only 1.153m tall, which is some 129mm lower than a Porsche Boxster, giving the XL1 a striking appearance on the road.

Further details will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on 5 March 2013.