Volkswagen XL 1

The 111kmpl Volkswagen XL1
After working on the idea for over a decade, Volkswagen has revealed the near-production version of the XL1, a two-seat, plug-in diesel hybrid designed to be the world's most energy-efficient automobile. VW estimates the XL1 can get up to 111 kilometre per litre — although with a time to 100 kmph of 12.7 seconds, it won't get there quickly.

Year Make Model:  ---------------------------  2014 Volkswagen XL1
Vehicle type:   ----------------------------------- RWD 2dr 2-passenger coupe
Assembly location:  ----------------------------  Osnabruck, Germany
Configuration:   --------------------------------- Tranverse, midengine, rear-wheel drive
Engine type:  ------------------------------------ Two-cylinder turbodiesel
Displacement (cc/cu-in):   --------------------- 800/48.8
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):   -------------------- 47
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): --------------------------   89
Fuel type:   --------------------------------------- Diesel
Hybrid type:   ------------------------------------ Series-parallel plug-in
Electric motor rating (kW):  ------------------  27
Combined horsepower (hp @ rpm):   ------- 68
Combined torque (lb-ft @ rpm):  ------------  103
Battery type:    -----------------------------------Lithium-ion
Battery capacity, rated (kW-hr):  ------------  5.5
Plug-in type (110v/220v):  ---------------------  110-volt
Plug-in driving range, mfr. claim (mi.):   ----- 31
Transmission type:   ------------------------------ Seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual
Suspension, front:   ------------------------- Independent, double wishbone, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Suspension, rear:  ---------------------------  Independent, semi-trailing arm, coil springs
Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.):  -----------  1,749
Length (in.):   --------------------------------- 153.1
Width (in.):   ------------------------------------- 65.6
Height (in.):   ----------------------------------- 45.3
Wheelbase (in.):   ----------------------------- 87.6

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan in Geneva 2011 Auto Show

Volkswagen’s Diesel-Hybrid L1-The World’s Most Fuel Efficient Car

It turns out they could, but they didn’t stop there. Instead, VW blew by that goal to create a car that uses only 1 liter of fuel for every 100 km. That’s 285 MPG.

To accomplish such a feat, VW’s engineers had to go back to the drawing board and start from scratch. They knew that fuel efficiency depends on aerodynamics and weight, so they created a bullet-shaped, ultra-lightweight (640 lbs) carbon-fiber car powered by a new, completely redesigned diesel engine. To save more weight, they didn’t even paint it:

Proper aerodynamics were key to the low fuel consumption. VW engineers knew they needed a small frontal area. This led to its unusually narrow, bullet-shaped body where the passenger sits behind the driver. As well, the car features an aircraft-like canopy, enclosed rear wheels, special flat carbon-fibre front wheel covers, and an aerodynamic under pan. Even the side cooling air inlets only open when the engine needs cooling, and otherwise stay closed. . .the 1-Litre-Car has an amazingly low coefficient of drag of 0.16 (a typical car has a drag coefficient of approximately 0.30 ).

VW claim the quinella at 2010 WCOTY

The minuscule Volkswagen Polo has taken out the biggest prize at the 2010 World Car of the Year awards in New York, a following in the tyre tracks of its larger sibling, the Golf VI.

The minuscule Volkswagen Polo has taken out the biggest prize at the 2010 World Car of the Year awards in New York, a following in the tyre tracks of its larger sibling, the Golf VI.

Fifty-nine judges from all areas of the world, including this writer from Australia, have pored over their computer screens for the past few months, whittling down a preliminary selection list of 30 cars down to one World Car, one Green Car, one World Performance Car and one World Car Design of the Year.

The Polo won out over strong competition from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Toyota Prius.

And Toyota won’t be impressed at the Germans gazumping them in its key category, with the BlueMotion VWs also taking out the Green Car segment. Unfortunately for Toyota, the finalists were whittled down during the height of the Prius braking/steering/crashing scandal…

Performance Car of the Year went to the drool-worthy Audi R8 V10, which we Aussies are yet to see in the metal… From 16 entries, the R8 whipped the Ferrari California and the Porsche 911 GT3 (actually, it must have been a close finish with the Porsche).

And the Chevrolet Camaro, which claims some home-grown input, claimed Design of the Year over the Citroen C3 Picasso and the Kia Soul, and gave GM some good news for a change.

Volkswagen Touareg 2011

Volkswagen Touareg is faster, lighter and better built than its predecessor, as well as massively well equipped.There's a huge amount of technology built into this new Touareg, which is bristling with cameras, sensors and proximity detectors. Volkswagen unveiled its heavily upgraded 2011 Touareg today at the Geneva Motor Show. Thoroughly re-engineered inside and out, the next Touareg is truly a new vehicle. The outgoing VW Touareg was often referred to as a hulking brute because of its sheer size and (some would say) excessive weight. Coupled with the outgoing model’s available V10 TDI, the Touareg was everything a hulking brute of an SUV could be.

Lighter, more aerodynamic and more fuel efficient

For 2011, VW had a different vision for the off-road capable SUV – VW envisioned a more modern vehicle that made use of lighter weight, more aerodynamic and fuel efficient design. To achieve this, VW shaved 208 kilograms off of the base version, while increasing torsional rigidity by 5 percent – maintaining its spot as a class leader. To achieve the fuel economy numbers customers are demanding, VW put them gave special attention to the Cd value of the vehicle, and reduced its aerodynamic drag. VW also lowered the stance slightly, which also improves fuel economy and road handling. The final step was to make an eight-speed automatic transmission standard with all engines – a market segment first.

The base engine for the new Touareg will be a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel resulting in 238 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the new eight-speed automatic transmission, VW says this will achieve a very respectable 38.1 mpg on the European cycle (Imperial gallons).

Next in line is a 4.2-liter V8 TDi with a healthy 337 hp and a whopping 590 lb-ft. of torque – still achieving 31 mpg on the combined cycle. This engine replaces the now discontinued V10 that previously was the range-topping engine. Although no V10, this V8 is no slouch either – reporting a zero-to-62 sprint in just six seconds flat, and capable of 155 mph computer-governed top speed. VW is also premiering a new, more efficient gasoline V6. Producing 276 horsepower, the TSI V6 is capable of averaging about 23 mpg in the European combined cycle, according to the automaker.

VW will also be offering a hybrid offering that makes use of a supercharged 3.3-liter V6 that produces 329 hp, mated to a 46 hp electric motor. Peak output is 375 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, with zero-to-62 in just 6.5 seconds while still offering 34.4 mpg. VW says this SUV will be capable of accelerating to 30 mph without any gasoline in pure EV mode. North American-specification motors haven’t been announced, but we’re pretty confident that the V6 TDI and a pair of V6 and V8 gasoline engines will be on offer and, eventually, the hybrid.

2009 Volkswagon Tiguan

MSRP: $23,200 - $32,940

Invoice: $21,455 - $30,668

Miles Per Gallon

City: 18 MPG - 19 MPG

Highway: 24 MPG - 26 MPG

Body Style: N/A

Engines: 2.0L I-4 200 HP

The Tiguan is Volkswagen's new entry into the ever growing small SUV segment. With European design and sophistication, VW looks to take on the established player's in the market head-on.

The Tiguan is powered by VW's versatile 200-hp 2.0L turbo FSI engine and smooth six-speed automatic transmission, a six-speed manu

al will be available a little later in the model year. Front wheel drive is available in S, SE and SEL trim levels, while the 4Motion all-wheel drive system is available on SE and SEL trims only. Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control, and electronic stability control.

The new 2009 Tiguan also includes VW's new no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program.

Volkswagen taken over by Porsche

Berlin, Jan 6: The German luxury sports car maker Porsche has taken over Volkswagen, the biggest European car maker, by purchasing more than 50 per cent of its shares. Porsche said in a brief statement that by buying new Volkswagen shares, it will thus increase its participation to 50.76 per cent of the group's capital, compared with 42 per cent before.

As a result, Porsche is now obliged by Swedish law to make an offer for outstanding shares in the heavy truck maker Scania, in which Volkswagen is the dominant shareholder. But the German sports car company will offer a minimum price for Scania shares, and has no 'strategic interest' in the company, the statement said.

Porsche had initially planned to acquire more than 50 percent of Volkswagen's stock in 20007 but was forced to delay the operation after the value of the shares soared amid frantic stock market speculation.

At one point, they traded for more than USD 1,350 per share, making Volkswagen briefly the biggest company in the world by stock market valuation. On Monday, Jan 5, Volkswagen shares closed at 254.74 euros, close to the range Porsche had set for itself of between 200-250 euros.