The Volkswagen XL1 is marching ever closer to production. Spy photographers recently spotted the diesel hybrid prancing through the snow during a little winter testing, giving us our first look at the vehicle’s daytime running lights, as well as the LED taillamps. The ultra-efficient two-door is said to be capable of returning up to 235 miles per gallon thanks to its two-cylinder diesel engine, 27-horsepower electric motor and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. We don’t expect the car to be quick off the line, but it’s hard to argue with triple-digit fuel economy numbers.
With its skinny tires and inset rear track, the XL1 should offer up interesting driving dynamics, too. All of the quirks of the XL1 can be attributed to the engineering quest for ever better fuel efficiency. Volkswagen says the car will have a slippery drag coefficient of just 0.186, which is far better than anything else on the road today.
