Volkswagen XL1
Hello, I'm new to this forum. I purchased a VW XL1 brand new in 2015. I use it quite a lot (in all weathers and for most everyday purposes) and have done almost 8000 miles now. I'd be happy to discuss the car / answer any questions! Regards, Ed
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Hello, I'm a big fan of the XL1, awesome feat of engineering! I went to see one 3 years ago in a showroom, it was for sale but was a bit pricey to say the least. Shame it never made mass production as I would have bought one in the drop of a hat if it were priced properly!
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I'm not familiar with that one. Post pics when you get the chance.
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I have a few questions good sir if you don't mind answering. I'm a big fan of the XL1 as well. Here it goes:
1. Where do you buy tires for such a car? I know a lot of people complain about the BMW i3's tires only lasting 15,000 miles in the rear. With the XL1 having the same skinny tires and the rear wheels being used as the driven wheel and the regen, it probably doesn't last that long either. Only Bridgestone makes tires for the BMW i3 and i8. 2. Are these the correct wheel and tire sizes for the car: Front: 3.5x15 115/80-15 Rear: 4x17 135/50-17? 3. How often do you need to change the oil in the diesel generator, did you have to change it yet? 4. There was a rumor that you had to submit a few page essay to VW to be able to qualify as a buyer for one of these, is this true? |
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Beautiful lightweight low drag aerodynamic diesel hybrid, only made a couple of hundred. You have to see one to fully appreciate them. Was supposed to be one of VW's cheapest mass produced cars, however it never made full scale production, so ended up being one of thier most expensive. The one I saw was around £100,000. Just as the emissions scandal was unfolding too, bad timing, which is a shame because it could do well over 200 MPG without even trying...
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I agree with you that it's a great pity the XL1 was not mass produced. I wish they had made a new, much less expensive version that looked the same but without the expensive efficiency features like carbon fibre and magnesium and made it pure electric. With aluminium or steel body and bigger battery it would have been a lot heavier but I bet the mpg would still have been quite impressive. Even then though, I fear the look of the car is too extreme for most buyers - people generally don't like to be stared at all the time on the road. Personally it doesn't bother me at all - after all it's the car they are interested in, not the driver! |
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The tyre sizes are: 115/80 R15 (front) and 145/55 R16 (rear). Lots more info on the XL1 in its brochure: https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/files/l...1-brochure.pdf The diesel engine propels the car, it is not a generator as such. The car is either propelled by diesel engine or by electric motor or by both, depending on what the on board computer thinks is more efficient at any one moment. The car has to be serviced every 3000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes sooner. It has to go to VW's technical centre in Milton Keynes (other VW dealers wouldn't know how to do it). They send a covered trailer to collect and return it. Mine has been for its annual service 4 times now. Oil and filter is always changed as you would expect. When I originally contacted VW to express interest in buying one (October 2014) they asked me to send them an email explaining why I wanted to buy it and how I would use it. I don't think they wanted them bought by collectors who would hide them away and not use them. I wanted to use it a lot and take it to lots of car events so I guess I was the kind of buyer they wanted! |
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The tyre sizes are: 115/80 R15 (front) and 145/55 R16 (rear). Lots more info on the XL1 in its brochure: https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/files/l...1-brochure.pdf The diesel engine propels the car, it is not a generator as such. The car is either propelled by diesel engine or by electric motor or by both, depending on what the on board computer thinks is more efficient at any one moment. The car has to be serviced every 3000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes sooner. It has to go to VW's technical centre in Milton Keynes (other VW dealers wouldn't know how to do it). They send a covered trailer to collect and return it. Mine has been for its annual service 4 times now. Oil and filter is always changed as you would expect. When I originally contacted VW to express interest in buying one (October 2014) they asked me to send them an email explaining why I wanted to buy it and how I would use it. I don't think they wanted them bought by collectors who would hide them away and not use them. I wanted to use it a lot and take it to lots of car events so I guess I was the kind of buyer they wanted! |
That is really cool. Thanks for all the photos. I've never seen one and probably never will in real life.
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Thanks for the answers.
LDB, the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee has one. Hopefully I will see one after the 15 year import ban is up in Canada. The US has a 25 year import ban. |
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Without sounding disrespectful, I'm trying to figure out the reasons people buy these, obviously it's not to save money on fuel on a car so expensive. Is it purely the pleasure of owning such a rare and quirky car? Or are you predicting its rarity alone will prove a worthy investment in the future? Not sure where you're from, but would be worth knowing if you're ever visiting Mid Wales, I'd love to see another one, perhaps make another video. You could get some awesome regen on these hills, I would deplete my battery entirely on the way up, but have it full again at the bottom in my Honda. |
Cool. If I ever get to Nashville again I'll have to check it out.
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According to "how many left" there are 24 on UK roads (more than I thought considering the limited production) 10 of which are not taxed, probably in private collections. Very rare little car indeed!
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Sorry but I don't tend to venture into Wales and mostly only take the XL1 to car events down in the West Country. |
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All very interesting, thanks for the replies! Just a shame you won't be able to log your fuel consumption here, as fuelly has a limit of around 200 MPG, which is outdated now considering the amount of plug in hybrids that are flooding the market. I guess they'll adapt eventually, but exactly when is anyone's guess. I presume you keep your own records, what kind of figures have you averaged for the 8000 ish miles? Do you always start with a full battery or let the car do the charging?
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The tank only holds 10 liters?
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Yes, but with the combined 30 ish mile electric range, it still has a realistic range of around 300 miles.
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