Volkswagen to reveal 1L/100km concept at Frankfurt – report
September 14, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Volkswagen is set to release a concept two-seat car capable of obtaining a fuel economy figure of 238 mpg (1 litre per 100 kilometers) at this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show according to a report published in German newspaper Blid.
To be known as the L1, for obvious reasons, the concept uses carbon-fibre extensively in a bid to keep vehicle weight below 500 kilograms.
Aerodynmaic drag has been reduced thanks to a sleek, passenger-behind-driver body with the rear wheels covered by skirts to improve air flow. Air intake ports for engine cooling and cabin ventilation also open only as required to further assist the car’s slippery shape.
The L1 is 3800mm in length and has a canopy roof for passenger entry and egress. A small cargo area allows 50 litres of luggage to be carried.
Powered by a twin-cylinder (27kW) turbo-diesel engine the L1 uses a seven-speed DSG transmission, and in addition to its outstanding fuel economy figure, also achieves a CO2 output of just 39 grams per kilometre.
Print it: 
are they going to make this a production vehicle? cause i don’t think anyone will buy it
I would buy it. Why not! If petrol prices suddenly goes up to $3 liter maybe you would consider. Anyway look at cars on the road in 90% of the cars one person sitting. Excellent city car!
Well said
This already exists.. it’s called a motorcycle.
wake up to yourself Steve, I had a CBR600RR in the UK and the best I could get riding conservatively was just under 6L/100KM, almost 200 Miles on an 18 litre tank. That’s a long way from 1L/100KM
50cc scooters don’t get that good economy, however I suspect that this also has a crash safety rating not much better than a scooter.
5 star green rating, 1 star safety rating???
If they have used a carbon fibre reinforced aluminium honeycomb chassis then it would be extremely rigid and light. Im sure they would not have skimped on safety.
absolutely
Clearly you don’t understand carbon fibre construction nor energy absorbsion engineering, nor the weight of safety equipment components. This lightweight concept car is showcasing fuel efficiency not safety. Probably doesn’t even have DSC/ABS etc.
If I may enlighten you Isuzu, the 2002 concept had front and rear ABS and ESC, why would they not put it on this new concept?
Almost forgot, ti also apparently had airbags.
This car (if it can be called that) has the potential to debut astounding tech, but as Honda and Toyota have said, people dont like absolute aero and this is getting close to it.
What about VW’s previous 1L vehicle? Has everyone forgotten that?
I’m ecstatic that Volkswagen continues to pursue gas saving technology such as the L1 concept car. Granted, this car may not be perfect, but I think we all need to prepare for the reality of gas becoming more expensive with Peak Oil, and as a result, cars becoming lighter and more aerodynamic.
Do we sacrifice safety? Oddly enough, I think the concept of safety has really changed. I still drive a 1969 VW Type III, and I guarantee you it is no where near as safe as would be the L1. Unfortunately, I get the sense that the SUV is often equated to safety, and anything smaller, lighter, and more compact (oh, and gas saving) is unsafe.
Anyway, go Volkswagen! Volkswagen has been behind the curve lately and I applaud this effort. I look forward to the L1 release. And, to make sure no one forgets, I have started up a Twitter page: http://twitter.com/VW_L1_Love. Follow VW_L1_Love and lets continue this discussion.
Funny when the Germans and Italians do something it becomes ground breaking…Maybe its just me….
This is sexy. I would buy it. If Clarkson doesn’t put it in the cool section of the cool board I may have to kill him.