Volkswagen XL1 Wins Top Gear Award

A decade spent in research, development and painstaking engineering feats, Volkswagen has produced the XL1, which is a super efficient automobile. The vehicle sports an ultra light body and an innovative hybrid drivetrain.

Under the hood is a twin cylinder turbo diesel engine with a 27 kW electric motor, which is mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. The XL1 body sports carbon fibre and weighs in at just 795 kg, it delivers an astounding 313 mpg on the combined cycle EU fuel-economy test and emits 21gm/km CO2.

The Volkswagen XL1 will receive the award ‘innovation of the year', from BBC Top Gear magazine. A ceremony is to be held on Thursday, 5 December in London, where the German outfit would officially be handed their award.

BBC Top Gear magazine believes, the XL1 is a demonstration of boundaries that have been successfully pushed and expanded. This is the type of progress that cannot be unlearned.

The XL1 is on sale, however in limited numbers. It's principal purpose is to create a platform and push the boundaries of mass produced vehicles. Volkswagen recently showcased the Twin Up! concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show, it used a version of the drivetrain from the XL1, in the practical five-door body of the award winning Up! City car.