VW's L1 Concept Car Is Test Bed for Future Fuel Efficient Vehicles.

Published: 16-Sep-2009

Volkswagen's bullet-shaped L1 concept car at the Frankfurt motor show is more than just an attempt to grab the miles-per-gallon headlines - much of it could go into production.

Although its tandem seating layout and waist-high body will not see the light of day, its hybrid powertrain and carbonfibre-reinforced plastic construction will.

One insider told us that they have officially passed from the 'research' stage to 'development', which means the company intends to use them.

	The Prius-toric Hybrid from GM The XP883 utilized a 573cc gasoline engine, a DC motor and six lead acid batteries when it was rolled out in 1969, decades ahead of Toyota's Prius. Photo credit: GM Design.
	Mercedes-Benz's $100,000 Hybrid The S 400 hybrid will consume 7.9 liters of gas per 100 kilometers while emitting 190 grams of CO2 per kilometer, placing it ahead of the Lexus LS 600h hybrid's 21 mpg and 219 g/km.
	New Honda Insight Hybrid Won't Hurt Prius Sales, Toyota Says Demand for the Prius, the top-selling hybrid, outstripped production increases at Toyota's plants in Japan this year as gasoline prices topped $4 gallon in the U.S. Pictured is recently released photo of Honda Insight, due out in the Spring of 2009.