261mpg VW XL1 jolts Chevy Volt

Volkswagen’s 261mpg XL1 superauto

The U.S. government, President Obama and General Motors (a.k.a. “Government Motors” to some) have been touting—and bragging—about the Chevy Volt.

While it’s an interesting car, it’s not very practical unless it’s used as a second car primarily around urban areas. And with a price tag over $40,000 that’s a pretty steep price just to go cruising to the local supermarket to grab a few bags of groceries.

People are buying them though. It’s mainly an emotional or psychological purchase because some consumers believe they’re doing their part by “going green.” For a car with a limited range and an iffy rating of 60mpg (combined electric and gasoline), however, the hype is bigger than the benefits.

In an article that appeared in the Washington Post, ["Cold truths on electric avenue"] Charles Lane blasts electric autos technology and vehemently criticizes their inefficient, unreliable batteries, expense, inherent dangers, and dependence upon a jury-rigged structure of politically driven government subsidies and outright consumer “bribes.”

After a blistering expose of the entire “green auto” mess, Lane ends the article by writing: “This subsidized market niche is just one well-publicized malfunction away from disaster. Perhaps a Volt battery will overheat and burst into flames, as some computer batteries have been known to do. Or maybe a Leaf driver will suffer frostbite while stuck in the next blizzard. Let’s just hope one of his neighbors pulls over to help him out.”

XL1 publicity shot

The real “green” revolution

Across the Atlantic, the German automaker Volkswagen is steering a different path. Automotive engineers are following the vision of Professor Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, who’s now Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG.

And the good professor’s vision is a little different than GM’s and Obama’s.

Back in 2000 Piëch tasked the engineers to start working towards developing a 235mpg automobile.

After almost nine years of intense effort, the engineers proudly demonstrated an amazing achievement: a technological marvel dubbed the L1. Somehow the engineering team had managed to squeeze 170 mpg out of their Wunderkind.

The frowning professor told them that wasn’t good enough and ordered them back to their drawing boards.

XL1 mechanical “X-ray” view

Son of the Wunderkind

About a year later they returned with a stunning accomplishment, the XL1 prototype. It embodied everything the VW engineers had learned over the past decade plus a plethora of amazing innovations. This “son of the Wunderkind” achieves 261mpg.

Along the path towards a 261mpg automobile the company reinvented just about everything that makes an automobile. They created new composite material parts of carbon fiber reinforced polymers and and advanced production method called “advanced Resin Transfer Moulding” that vastly cuts the cost of production.

The hybrid system consists of a two-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and newly patented lithium ion battery powered E-motor coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

Transition from diesel engine to electric motor is ultra-smooth, accomplished by computer technology and patented interfaces replacing the traditional flywheel.

Shot of the XL1 interior

According to Volkswagen, the XL1 accelerates from 0 to 62 miles per hour in a respectable 11.9 seconds with a top speed of 100 mph. The dual power plant works together: the E-motor acts as a booster to the turbo-diesel.

As an added bonus, the battery is recharged automatically when the car is driven by the diesel; it can also be recharged from a standard electrical outlet.

Although just when a full production version of the XL1 will become available to the marketplace has not yet been finalized, word is the target date is somewhere around the middle of 2013.

General Motors engineers and management might want to get some 2013 calendars and circle that date in red.

Chevrolet’s Volt hybrid

Specs: Chevrolet Volt:

Fuel tank (gal): 9.3
Combined electric/extended driving range: Up to 350 miles
Recommended fuel: premium required

Charging times
120 V:     about 10-12 hours (actual charge times may vary)
240 V:     about 4 hours (actual charge times may vary)

Distance on battery after charge: 40 miles

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