Volkswagen 's XL1 of only 0.9 l/100 km. Thanks to its plug -in hybrid system, the two -seater vehicle also offers an autonomy of up to 50 kilometers in the purely electric mode of zero emissions (at the local level). As for design, XL1 is defined by a reduced weight (795 kg), a perfect aerodynamics (CW 0.189) and a low center of gravity (1,153 mm high). Therefore, this efficient Volkswagen is enough 6.2 kW / 8.4 hp ascetic to slide at a constant speed of 100 km / h on a flat terrain. In electric mode, Volkswagen has enough with less than 0.1 kWh for more than a kilometer.
XL1 plug -in hybrid system is composed of a bicylindrical TDI engine (35 kW / 48 hp), an electric motor (20 kW / 27 hp), an automatic change of double clutch 7 -speed (DSG) and a lithium -ion battery (capacity: 5.5 kWh. This system makes it possible for CO2 emissions of the new Volkswagen XL1 to be reduced 21 g/km. If necessary, the XL1 accelerates at 0 to 100 km/h in just 12.7 seconds and reaches a maximum (limited) speed of 160 km/h.
History of the XL1 prototype
The XL1 is the third prototype that Volkswagen manufactures according to its a liter car strategy. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, president of the Volkswagen AG Group, had a vision at the beginning of the century: manufacturing in series a complete car and suitable for daily use with a consumption of only a 1.0 liter every 100 km. With the XL1 biplaza this vision has come true. The body of the new XL1 is not only more efficient, but also offers a daily utility greater than that of the two previous prototypes: while the 1 -liter car places presented in 2002 and in the L1 of 2009 they were located in tandem for aerodynamic purposes, the new XL1 offers two slightly displaced parallel places as it is almost common.
Shorter than a pole, more flat than a Porsche Boxster. The XL1 has a length of 3,888 mm, a width of 1,665 mm and a height of only 1,153 mm. According to the usual standards of vehicles, these are unique dimensions. In comparison, a pole has a length (3,970 mm) and a width (1,682 mm), however, it is considerably higher (1,462 mm). Even a genuine sports car like the current Porsche Boxster still measures 129 millimeters more height (1,282 millimeters).
CFRP and ALUMINUM: XL1 materials
XL1 is largely formed by light and resistant plastics reinforced with carbon fibers (CFRP). The monozympo, all exterior attached pieces, as well as the functional elements such as stabilizing bars are manufactured by CFRP. To do this, Volkswagen favors the components of CFRP, which are produced with the RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) method. The density of this material and the specific weight respectively are only about 20 percent of a comparable steel outer layer. However, CFRP components show a stiffness and resistance similar to component steel or aluminum components. And that the components of the outer lining of the XL1 have a thickness of only 1.2 mm.
This Volkswagen only weighs 795 kilograms. The propulsion unit weighs 227 kilos, the 153 kilos chassis, the 80 kilos equipment (incl. The two seats) and the electronics 105 kilos. The remaining 230 kilos correspond precisely with the weight of the CFRP body, which includes the folding doors, the sausage glass windshield and the resistant monozygasco. In total, 21.3 percent of the new XL1 , that is, 169 kilograms, are from CFRP. Additionally, Volkswagen uses light metals for 22.5 % of all pieces (179 kilos). Only 23.2 % (184 kilos) of XL1 goes to iron and steel materials. The remaining weight is distributed among different plastic materials (eg the side windows of the Sabic company are polycarbonate, which have also contributed to reduce the weight of the XL1 ), metals, natural fibers, fuel and electronic system.
The XL1 is not only a light vehicle, but also very safe. In case of emergency it provides the necessary survival space for the driver and the companion. This is due to the intelligent design of the load pillars including the use of sandwich structures in the monocasco. In addition, the structures of the front and rear of aluminum absorb much of the energy. These principles also applied when designing the doors of CFRP, in which an aluminum impact absorber is responsible for capturing energy; Also, a rigid frame of the CFRP doors minimizes intrusions in the CFRP safety cell. Special attention was also paid to the salvation of the occupants: in case the XL1 is head down after a turnaround, the pyrotechnic separation screws facilitate the opening of the doors (rotating doors).
The artisanal manufacture of the Volkswagen XL1 in Osnabrück
the XL1 is manufactured by Volkswagen Osnabrück GmbH. There, in the old plants of the Karmann company, currently some 1,800 employees manufacture among other models the Golf Cabrio and the new Porsche Boxster. However, in the case of the small XL1 , Osnabrück's specialists do not take the classic path of the production of large series, but that of artisanal car manufacturing. However, as usual also within the framework of vehicles in large series such as Golf Cabrio, other plants and suppliers contribute other components, such as in the case of monozygasco, engines, axes or battery. However, the manufacture of the XL1 carried out in Osnabrück is highly innovative and unique in this way worldwide. Nowhere in the world there were models for the individual steps of manufacturing since to date no other vehicle is manufactured in a union of similar materials.
Therefore, other brands of the consortium will also benefit in the long term of the numerous innovations made with the XL1 .
