フォルクスワーゲンがコンセプトカーというか、省燃費車の市販バージョンにちかいショーモデル「XL1」を発表。

2気筒ディーゼルエンジンと7速DSGを組み合わせ、さらにモーターをプラスしたプラグインハイブリッドとすることで、100kmを走るのに１Lの燃料も必要としないという驚きの一台。

ガルウイング・ミッドシップというスーパーカー的なクルマながら、ボディは3970*1682*1184mmと日本でいう5ナンバーサイズ。カーボンを多用したことで車重は795kg……。

たしかに、このスペックはすごく軽いとは思います、ただ10年以上前に3940*1695*1355mmのボディサイズで820kgというハイブリッドカーに乗っていた自分には、軽さやボディサイズという面ではそれほど刺さらないというか、10年以上経って、カーボンを使ってもこの程度の進化しかしないのか、と思ってしまうのも事実。

そう、自分が10年前に乗っていたのはホンダの初代インサイト。アルミと樹脂で構成されたボディ、リアのタイヤをカバーした処理などはVW・XL1にも通じるものがあるというか、燃費スペシャリストとして生まれたという点からスピリッツとしては同じものを感じます。


もちろん10年以上の月日による進化で驚くべき点もあって、それは空気抵抗係数。インサイトのCd値は0.25といういまでも市販車としては最高レベルにありますが、VW・XL1のそれは0.186と圧倒的な存在感のある数値で迫ってきます。これは刺さる！

というわけで、以下にプレスリリースを全文掲載。
Volkswagen unveils the XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle in Qatar

The new Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV) has been unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show. Pioneering construction techniques, an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain and innovative packaging all play a part in allowing the XL1 to return 313 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 24 g/km of CO2 to set a new benchmark for vehicle efficiency.

Powering the XL1 is a compact 800 cc TDI two-cylinder common rail diesel engine developing 48 PS. It's linked to an electric motor producing 27 PS, resulting in a total of 75 PS – a modest output yet more than enough when the low kerb weight (795 kg) of the vehicle is taken into account.

The TDI engine is linked to an electric motor and a seven-speed DSG gearbox with an automatic clutch mounted between each unit. The electric motor can either work independently of the TDI engine or in tandem when accelerating. In pure electric mode the XL1 can travel up to 35 km before the diesel engine cuts in. Accelerating from rest to 62 mph can be achieved in 11.9 seconds; the electronically limited top speed is 99 mph.

In both its styling and packaging the XL1 draws on lessons learned from the 1-Litre car (2002) and the L1 concept (2009). The XL1 has evolved to feature staggered seating with the driver and passenger placed next to each other in a body structure made from advanced new materials providing immense strength yet weighing just 230 kg.

To make such weight savings possible, and yet viable for series production, Volkswagen developed and patented a new system for the manufacture of the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) parts on the car called the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process.

In total the XL1 weighs 795 kg. In addition to the body structure, the weight is accounted for by the drivetrain (227 kg), the running gear (153 kg), the interior including a pair of bucket seats (80 kg) and the electrical system (105 kg). In total just 23.2 per cent of the car (184 kg) is made out of either steel or iron.

Further savings are made through the extensive use of lightweight materials including magnesium (wheels), ceramics (brake discs) and aluminium (dampers, steering system, brake calipers).

The styling of the XL1 is borne out of functional requirements – easy access to the interior is granted via a pair of elegant scissor doors that hinge on the A-pillar while the profile of the car has been honed in the wind tunnel, the result being a remarkable coefficient of drag figure of 0.186. The XL1's overall length (3,970 mm) and width (1,682 mm) are similar to those of a Volkswagen Polo yet its height (1,184 mm) is more akin to that of a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder.

Although the XL1 is still very much a concept, its unveiling marks the next step towards the birth of a new class of Super Efficient Vehicles, while the advent of a process such as RTM is a significant milestone.

ところで、ブログタイトルにあるSEVとはSuper Efficient Vehicle (SEV)のことでありました、あしからず。

なお日本語リリースはコチラですが、少々情報を端折った感もあるので元リリースをおすすめします。