Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Driving Report XL-1: one-liter car is slowed down at 160 km / h

Bentley, Porsche and Bugatti - these guys are seen in Doha on almost every street corner. The sheik in Qatar love luxury and fast cars, not only because they can afford it thanks to its natural gas exports. A valuable car is more here than elsewhere as a status symbol. Big SUVs, long limousines, Nobel brands, chrome and gold rim - the splendor in the showrooms during the first Qatar Motor Show seems to know no limits.

Most Popular: sports "flounder" as Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, in Detroit or the recently introduced Porsche 918 RSR. "How much is that I want to take," a wealthy Qatari ask the price at the Porsche booth. He probably would have paid immediately in cash. Manufacturers must be careful that your high concept cars and studies are not snapped up immediately by the booth.

But marked also the technical interest of the Arabs. So is the undisputed star of the show, an automotive-saver: XL-1 Volkswagen calls the third stage of evolution of his revolutionary one-liter cars. In a test drive shows the two-seater that a fuel consumption of just 0.9 liters per 100 kilometers long is not an empty promise, and no longer just a dream.

For Ferdinand Piech, it is even "car of the century". The designer Klaus Bischoff and Thomas Ingelath have made with the XL-1 is a flat and dynamic-looking two-seater on the wheels. Since 2007, some 50 specialists are developed under leadership of Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, in the "low-consumption car".

The doors fall shut. The cockpit boasts a comfortable seat, grip the steering wheel and carbon-fiber applications. This Volkswagen is a high-tech package. Pressing the Start button, wait for the green light on the dashboard, select lever of the seven-speed DSG gearbox set to "D" and a gentle step on the accelerator: the XL-1 glides silently from the parking lot in Doha's heavy traffic.

It quickly becomes clear that the 795 kilograms, the XL-1 has temperament, and the acceleration surprised. "We have controls in the top 160th The car would otherwise create smooth 200 ", project manager Holger Bock is on record. The XL-1 moves either electrically or with a tandem to drive the electric motor with 20 kW / 27 hp two-cylinder diesel engine with 35 kW / 48 hp.

This Volkswagen is in the context of massive SUVs and sedans pompous. Clear: the XL-1 is absolutely unique. There is only this one car and it's fun to drive this sensational savings king, because he already shows today what has been the automotive industry made in 2050: A CO ² emissions by 90 percent.

"Without electric power, this is not achievable. We see the XL-1 as a lighthouse technology of the Volkswagen brand. He is another strong example of how far the consumption can be reduced down by a smart combination of maximum downsizing in connection with a plug-in hybrid, lightweight construction and aerodynamics, "says Dr.

Rudolf Krebs, Group Representative for electric vehicles, to solutions vehicle for future projects. 550 km range are possible. For some 40 kilometers of the stream reaches in the battery. With the diesel engine in five-gallon tank again about 510 km would be in it. Impressive: Volkswagen has managed to build the most efficient car in the world.

Ferdinand Piech vision of 2002 is now a reality. At that time he took the so-called "carbon-cigar" to the Annual Meeting of Wolfsburg to Hamburg and took an average of only 0.89 liters - in the wake of a VW bus. The XL-1 is so far advanced that he could now be produced in a small series.

This was confirmed by VW Development Board Ulrich Hackenberg: "We have the intention, the XL-1 to bring into production. If this decision would fall, then the car comes in two years. "customer acceptance, he would surely find, because, unlike its two predecessors, the passengers are sitting side by side, rather than, as in a fighter jet in a row.

The strategy of the present innovative XL-1 in the Persian Gulf, is clear: Qatar, with a share of around 17 per cent major shareholder in Volkswagen. Therefore, the Group Wolfsburg dominates the trade fair as any other manufacturer. The emirate is investing billions in its future, prepares for the period in which the raw material reserves will be depleted.

The scene in Doha is the proof: the capital is a huge construction site. Skyscrapers are built everywhere, glass facades define the architecture. Peter Thul, communications director brand and product at Volkswagen brings the good cooperation between the Gulf States and Europe's leading car manufacturers to the point: ".

Germany and Qatar, which is a winning combination," and he played among others on the recent Dakar victory Nasser Al Attyiah on. The man from Qatar won with the Race Touareg of Volkswagen Motorsport Dakar Rally in South America. Volkswagen brought out the XL-1, two more firsts to Doha, which fit more in there, the familiar environment: the study of a daily use and the Race Touareg Touareg Gold Edition.

The latter shines with gold rims, gold grill and gold roof rails. The Qataris were thrilled. (Ampnet / Sm)

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