I've been visiting Priuschat and CleanMPG since 2005, and there is a lot of posting and discussion about alt-fuel cars and technologies at those sites.

VW announced that they where eliminating 30,000 jobs because of their last fiasco.

Cool, I usually get my car kick from reading Car And Driver. I know previously we talked about the BMW i3, this was the update for the 2017 model year from the magazine. We live in a strange World.

"The lithium-ion battery pack in BMW’s funky EV runabout grows from 22 kWh to 33, which means an increase in rated range from 81 miles to 114. And because qualifying as a zero-emissions vehicle in California requires that a car such as the i3—which offers an optional range-extending gas engine—have greater range on electric power than it has on gas, the larger battery means the BMW can now offer buyers opting for the range extender an extra half-gallon of fuel capacity. Actually, BMW previously “limited” the tank amount by shutting off the fuel pump after 1.9 of the tank’s 2.4 gallons were gone. So the fuel tank remains the same, but the pump now gives you all of it. Seriously, we are not making this up"

Hey Paul, if you are still planning on going to the dealer to take some pictures, I wouldn't mind seeing what kind of tires are on the thing if it's not too much to ask. I got the size below from the internet, but not sure if this is the production or the prototype size. I also listed the BMW i3, Prius and Elio's tire size for comparison. I like seeing skinny tires on fuel efficient cars.

2017 Volkswagen XL1
Front wheel and tire: 3.5" x 16" 115/80-16
Rear wheel and tire: 4" x 17" 135/50-17
Lug Nuts: 4x100
Tire manufacturer: ?

2017 BMW i3
Front wheel and tire: 5" x 19" 155/70-19
Rear wheel and tire: 5" x 19" 155/70-19
Lug Nuts: 5x112
Tire manufacturer: Bridgestone

2017 Toyota Prius Two Eco
Front wheel and tire: 6.5" x 15" 195/65-15
Rear wheel and tire: 6.5" x 15" 195/65-15
Lug Nuts: 5x112
Tire manufacturer: Dunlop Enasave 01 A/S

201? Elio E1c
Front tire (two): 135/80-15
Rear tire (one): 175/65-15

Of course, I might have a chance this weekend, there are two cars I'd like to view in the same region. I think the XL1 is very close to the prototype, I mean look at it, it looks like a concept car. Yes skinny tyres are great, the Bridgestone Ecopias on the Insight are epic. I've had some pretty narrow tyres in the past, 145's on a 12" rim and 155's on a 13" rim, great for cutting through snow too.

Volkswagen XL1 front tires:

https://www.fuelly.com/attachments/fo...979392074b.jpg

BMW i3 rear tire (the Bimmer's rear wheel and tire is actually 5.5" x 19" 175/60-19:

https://www.fuelly.com/attachments/fo...52faa8b3bd.jpg

BMW i3 front tire:

https://www.fuelly.com/attachments/fo...bee548d064.jpg

There's someone with an i3 in my town. The wheels are a bit of an illusion on the XL1 as they have a large diameter, they fill the arches quite well, presumably because the car is low to create less drag, but it also means you cant really see how wide the tyres are unless the front wheels are turned slightly.

So I went to see the XL1 today, it's a crazy little thing, although it doesn't look very unconventional sitting in a pristine showroom, it would no doubt stand out on the open road. It's tiny, and not as long as I thought it would be. Love the design, it's really quite a beautiful little thing, didn't see the lambo doors open as it was locked. As always, I seemed to know more about it than the salesman lol. The front tyres were 115/80 on a 15" rim, couldn't see the rears. They really are just glorified bicycle tyres, so thin you can pinch then with your finger and thumb. Pics and vids to follow.

Video with picture slideshow at the end as promised.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cDOwdbo7EQ

Paul,

The XL1 looks amazing. Not a bad price considering there are only 250 of them.

You would think there would be some middle ground where they could get a 100 MPG version for a third of the price?

Oliver.