Comments on: Volkswagen XL1, World’s Most Efficient Car, Makes Its US Debut (CT Exclusive)

By: George

George — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 19:04:00 +0000

I’d settle for 180 mpg with side mirrors, but with this car’s accel rate I’d get tired of blue haired old ladies honking for me to get out of the way.

By: GodoStoyke

GodoStoyke — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 20:54:00 +0000

The high price is likely due to the fact that VW is making a very limited number. Because, let’s face it: does the world really need an inexpensive car with extremely high fuel efficiency (Oh, wait, yes it does!!)

By: bob

bob — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 01:30:00 +0000

Ya f u c k you.

Of course they are not going to give us the tech for mass use. They would rather we all die of Fukushima, 3 mile island and Chernobyl type global radiation contamination than let us have the ability to really go far on a little fossil fuel.

By: Ivor O'Connor

Ivor O'Connor — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 18:02:00 +0000

All well and good. The way things should be. I hope they can change the laws here in America and finally finish the job Tesla has been trying to accomplish. Maybe if enough auto makers demand our government will finally listen.

By: Mantorok

Mantorok — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 05:49:00 +0000

It has rear view cameras instead of side mirrors. they are the parts on the front of the door that look kind of like door handles. (noting the handles are actually on the rear of the door frame)
you can see the monitors on inside of the doors on the picture of the interior.

By: Wayne Williamson

Wayne Williamson — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 18:51:00 +0000

Can’t understand the price for this. Granted, carbon fiber is nice, but from what I’ve seen it requires hand on manufacturing. Probably where most of the cost comes from. ie building them one at a time, no two are the same….

By: Marion Meads

Marion Meads — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 22:05:00 +0000

This VW car has inferior technology and has inferior performance than the Chevy Volt, and is more than 4 times the price.

By: Ivor O'Connor

Ivor O'Connor — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 20:43:00 +0000

The Tesla S has the best drag coefficient of any car on the road that has side mirrors. When this VW really gets to America it will have to be fitted with side mirrors and then we’ll get to compare its drag coefficient to the Tesla’s.

The Tesla has an amazing suspension that changes height and firmness based on conditions. Not to mention a frame built to be incredibly safe. Lots of luggage room. Noise insulation to keep the inside quiet at virtually any speed. Acceleration 3x greater than the VW and a top end speed a bit over 30mph faster. Did I mention it was extremely fun to drive?

Now the VW costs 30 to 70 thousand more than the Tesla. Is a technological wonder. And you may be able to drive cross country with it if you bring a spare 5 gallon tank with you.

They each have their strengths. I’d like to see it when it is made street legal here.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 20:24:00 +0000

The electronics between motor and battery are a lot more complex than a piece of wire.

By: Klevis Ymeri

Klevis Ymeri — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 20:19:00 +0000

The Tesla S is just 4 wheels with a battery and an electric motor. There is nothing more technologically complex than this car. The side mirrors are missing because they have used cameras to lower the drag and I think that in Europe the law is more flexible regarding these things than in US.

By: Ivor O'Connor

Ivor O'Connor — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 16:02:00 +0000

This is still a concept car. Notice how the stupidly mandated side mirrors are missing from this car. Tack them on and lets see what the coefficient of drag really is. It could easily be worse than the Tesla’s given that Tesla currently has the best Cd on the market and they state they would see a 5% improvement if they could remove the side mirrors.

Still it is nice to see VW is attempting to compete.

By: J_JamesM

J_JamesM — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:37:00 +0000

Um, I actually would say that 0-62 mph in over 12 seconds IS sacrificing speed, especially in something so lightweight.