What is it?
The L1 concept is a two-seat diesel hybrid whose sole purpose is to get two people to places using as little fuel as possible. And that it does - its fuel consumption is exceptionally miserly. Better still, VW claims it's not actually that far away from production.
Why's it here?
Because every maker and their dog is jumping on the fuel efficiency bandwagon - a hybrid wagon heading to a land where the icecaps are big and the air is fresher than Barack Obama's sock drawer. This lozenge shaped concept is designed to get through the air like Jo Brand does a packet of chocolate Hob Nobs, which is why its occupants sit in tandem. Power comes from a diesel-electric powertrain mating a 14bhp electric motor to an 800cc 29bhp diesel engine, working either in parallel or the former by itself for CO2-free power.
It only weighs 380kg (less than half a Lotus Elise), which added to its shape gives it the astonishing ability to go 189 miles on a gallon of fuel, emitting just 39g/km.
Show stopper or floor filler?
Stopper. The L1 Concept is both madcap and a production possibility. Previous iterations of the L1 have been prohibitively expensive in terms of the materials used, but this one is feasible, we're told. Wouldn't that be something?
Mark Nichol - 18 Sep 2009