The VW XL1 is a Concept Car for the Public

Patreon: / agingwheels
Merchandise: teespring.com/...

[@edstratton]

The only problems I've encountered driving my XL1 over the last 4 years are: 1. Cars pull in behind you and lurk there for ages, or pull in front of you and move erratically around the road, in both cases because they are transfixed by their first encounter with an XL1, 2. When you need to overtake a truck in front of you on a multi-lane highway, you often can't because someone with an iPhone stuck out the window is boxing you in, 3. If you need to pull into a fuel station to fill up and you're in a hurry, the only way you'll get on your way again quickly is to either be rude or very apologetic to the nice people who gather round the car asking enthusiastic questions (or if you're not in a hurry, you spend so much happy time answering their questions that somebody waiting in line to fill up complains you're holding them up), 4. If you end up parked next to a supercar at a car show, the owner gets pissed off by the permanent crowd around the XL1 who seem to have little interest in their car.

[@censport]

I work for the museum and have driven that XL1 a few times, including to car shows. Can confirm all four of your points.

[@grn1]

If I wasn't worried about the tons of steep hills, snow and occasional potholes around here I would love to have one of those. Alas a AWD SUV (2017 Trax) is much more practical here (Ohio). On the bright side several years from now (At least, still paying off the Trax) when I'm looking for a new car there should be quite a few good AWD electric SUVs to choose from (and I should hopefully be in a house by then so I can actually charge it).

[@joshuaheffernan4374]

How did you come across it?

[@edstratton]

​@@joshuaheffernan4374 Back in 2014 I had noticed online for some time that VW were developing this car and learned all I could about it. I got in quick by calling VW UK to get my name on the waiting list, and they contacted me in Oct 2014 to let me know they were about to start taking orders - I was lucky to get a build slot for what turned out to be one of just 28 cars allocated to the UK, and it was eventually delivered to me in July 2015. It's been a wonderful car to own and drive and I'll never part with it!

[@joshuaheffernan4374]

@@edstratton how much did it cost you in the end?

[@dapz]

i think the looks of the xl1 will age really well, especially since the overall trend of cars over the past 50 years or so is getting closer to that teardrop shape for efficiency

[@edstratton]

The XL1 looks will never date

[@edstratton]

@Aging Wheels I own an XL1 which I purchased new in July 2015, one of the 26 cars that were sold in the UK. I've watched or read every review that's ever come out on the XL1 and your review is among the best, not least because you obviously totally get why the car was created and what VW achieved and why. I enjoyed the review - thanks for making it. I just thought I'd add some information that you missed or didn't have time to include, and clarify a couple of things: The trunk is actually a very reasonable size for a two seater car - it's 140 litres, so plenty of room for your food shopping for example, and you can actually get a further 60 litres of squashy bags piled up behind the driver's seat if you really need to. It does get a little warm in the boot on a long journey but not to a degree that is any problem or nuisance - it doesn't get hot in there. The reason there are butterfly doors is that the car is very low, and without that style of doors it would be very difficult to get in, especially if you are parked between cars. Incidentally, it's actually easier to get in an XL1 when parked between cars than it is for a car with normal doors because the XL1 doors lift up out of the way and never stick out sideways from the car very far, unlike normal doors which have to be opened quite a bit before you can begin to squeeze your body through, by which time they are already sticking out from the car further than the XL1 doors do. Talking of getting in the car, you said it's "very difficult to get in and out of" and later you called it "a real struggle" - but this really is not true. Sure, it's not AS easy as 'normal' cars (when you're not used to it) but once you learn the technique you can get in and out very quickly and easily. Tip: when getting in, put your right foot in first while holding the door handle to support your weight as you swing your torso in, also supporting your weight with your right hand on the far seat edge; when getting out, swing both legs out first and put both hands on the outer edge of the seat base and push up. With very little practice this all becomes fast and second nature. The reason for window winders instead of electric window motors is of course to save weight, which is also the reason for the same basic window design as the McLaren F1. You said there is no glovebox inside the car but you missed the nice storage box that VW provided behind the drivers seat. You described the diesel engine as a "generator diesel engine" but it isn't there just to generate electricity to store in the battery, it's primarily there to power the car either on its own or together with the electric motor. One of the most important ways the XL1 gets such a huge MPG figure is by coasting (free-wheeling) or as VW call it "sailing". It does this whenever the sensors detect that it's more efficient to do so (both the diesel engine and the electric motor shut down and the clutch is released so the car just coasts) - it coasts for about 20% to 40% of the time you are driving. One of the times you really notice this is when you're on a fast road or motorway with the cruise control operating - if the landscape takes a slight downward incline, all propulsion is switched off and yet your speed is maintained by gravity. When the ground levels up again, you just about feel the electric motor coming on line, and then when you get to an upward incline, the diesel engine cuts in. Sometimes it will coast for very long periods without losing speed depending on the landscape. In your review you were driving the car with a badly depleted battery, and this causes the diesel engine to run almost all of the time. Normally the car runs on pure electric power for a lot of the time (switching in and out automatically as required for efficiency) but when the battery charge drops to 14% or less it then tries to keep the charge from dropping any lower than absolutely necessary by regeneration (the diesel engine works as a generator at these times whilst at the same time propelling the car). So when used correctly (starting your drive with at least a decent charge level in the battery) you hear a lot less of the diesel engine, unless of course you're pressing ahead in a hurry to get somewhere. The car doesn't need power steering as it is so light and the tyres are so skinny, so the steering is extremely communicative and direct (as I'm sure you noticed). This, combined with the feeling of being so close to the ground and the low centre of gravity, makes for a great driving experience - PROVIDED you don't need big acceleration to get your kicks. The ceramic brakes are incredibly powerful but yes, as you noticed the lack of sound insulation means you can clearly hear the pads rubbing the discs. I actually love this sound. Not an unpleasant sound at all. The most noticeable thing of all, which pervades the ownership experience, is the way it instantly fascinates other road users and pedestrians - the amazing reaction and attention it gets is always a positive and fun kind of vibe, totally different to the kind of reaction that say the latest Ferrari or even Pagani would get. Pulling in to fill up with fuel usually takes quite a while - you're inevitably approached with enthusiastic questions from a fascinated petrolhead or two, or someone who'd just like to know what new model of VW it is and how much it will cost to get one. At car shows (I've done over 100 of them in the 4 years I've had it) there's always a small crowd of people around the XL1, much to the annoyance of some supercar owners you may have had to park next to. Fortunately I love talking to people about the technology and every aspect of the car. I wonder if the early adopters of the Tesla Cyber Truck realise what's in store for them when they first get out on the road?! The Cyber Truck is the only other car to come along that I think has the potential to get the same type of reaction on the road as an XL1. I've owned many rare and unusual cars in my life including a few exotic classics but nothing has been as much fun to own as the XL1. I could never part with it.

[@turbopumped6490]

Thats what I was thinking too: this thing will attract more attention than an Lamborghini or Ferrari. I think it looks cooler too.

[@edstratton]

@@turbopumped6490 Totally! Makes most supercars invisible when parked next to them!!!!

[@zacksstuff]

What kind of real world mileage do you get? I know it's rated 260 MPG on the NEDC but that's famously optimistic, I'd be surprised if you got over 200.

[@edstratton]

@@zacksstuff When I just drive it without thinking about driving style at all, I seem to get around 150 mpg but have easily got over 200mpg when trying to drive it economically (judging from the trip computer info). I do start every long journey with its little 5.5 kW/h battery fully charged however. In reality, I didn't buy an XL1 for its fuel economy! I just love the way it looks and the amazing engineering. The fact that it uses up less energy getting along the road than any other car is a nice bonus though.

[@apfelkuchen4672]

Loved reading your comment, thanks for sharing some insights!

[@angerthosenear_yt]

Oh no, he found another car he loves. He's like a kid in a melted chocolate store sold out of the trunk of a XL1.

[@raven4k998]

well fund him on patreon so he can buy one you should regard him like that cause he has the trabant and wheego

[@KariIzumi1]

Lol

[@Dave_Sisson]

8:20 "It doesn't feel slow". Well almost anything feels fast if you drive a Trabant.

[@matthewhoffman9242]

Or a 84 Isuzu pup with 2.2l diesel, it can't even pass itself with its 50 some odd horsepower ,but it gets 30 mpg so there is that

[@ClassicRides13]

Or faster than the weego life that he owns

[@kallejodelbauer2955]

It looks similar to a GM EV 1 so the Designers are on Topic with Aerodynamics. But VW dont trust about Batteries.But People shit on Miles per Gallons,they want payable Cars.A Trabant is lighter then a VW XL1 and had room for 5 Persons.Even when you drive the XL1 50 Years every Day, you dont get the high Price in saved Gasoline.But if you make it not with Carbon but with such similar to the Trabant Hull ist can save Gas.But who want that Car, when Americans want only Pickup Trucks at 2 tons and more weight? If you made a Diesel Hybrid that light,because its similar to the Trabant Hull but for 4 Peoples and payable.That can save the World up they find a Solution for the Energyproblem.The Energyproblem they talk about 50 years and nobody find an Answer.Carowners want to drive,they go back to Steamengines if they Ban Gasoline.Electric Cars didnt all drive with clean Energy.Its needed, to give the Pickup Truck Drivers, such a Light but efficient Car for the next Decades. If they had a real Solution about the clean Energy,then they can drive Electric. Then they can only drive on Batteries and find a better way for store the Energy. its simply useless, to find out a way to Store Energy if the Energy is not Clean. People know that,they dont want to drive in Teslas with not clean Energy. To drive in Pickup Trucks on and on is cosy but it the worst Situation.Its must give Gas only on a Ration,thats will change their Minds fast.

[@argosharru]

nice, but can you throw a metal ball at its window

[@joshonthetube]

Polycarbonate windows though, they actually might do better!

[@slackerengi2401]

No real reason why you would need too

[@mehrzahl2219]

Easily. We worked on those windows. Polycarbonate would bounce those balls right back in your face.

[@carsonp.7009]

none of them got it

[@FreeStuffPlease]

Yes. But don't do it live.

[@SoundShunter72]

This is the kind of car we should be making: lightweight, efficient, sleek and SIMPLE (except for the AC, who thought that was a good idea on this car?). Not just more electric SUV's that are large, heavy and don't ever meet their specified MPGs. The XL1 reminds me of the Honda Insight, which was also an amazing car. This is honestly the only hybrid/electric car I would ever consider buying. But of course it's only a limited run and not for sale any more, as is the case with all good ideas in the automotive world.

[@2ManyVloggers]

The question here is, why would you buy this when for the price of one you can buy probably like a thousand Trabants?

[@edstratton]

Because it's more fun and will inevitably go up in value. = Free fun motoring. And isn't bad for the planet like huge batteried Teslas.

[@janosvarga962]

Cost 140k ? Thats tops at 50 trabants or less.

[@JimFortune]

@@janosvarga962 With or without a full tank of gas?

[@aaaabababa]

@@janosvarga962 tops maybe about 180

[@Space_Reptile]

@@edstratton "And isn't bad for the planet like huge batteried Teslas." [Citation needed]

[@tarstarkusz]

If they sold 200 of these cars at 146k each, that's almost 30 million dollars.

[@agingwheels]

I didn't verify this, but apparently VW still lost about $100k on each car they sold

[@edstratton]

@@agingwheels Actually VW didn't lose anything because this was an R&D car meaning it was the means by which their engineers were able to learn new techniques and solutions that would enable them to make all future VW models more efficient and therefore more profitable. VW spent well over 1 billion dollars developing the XL1, so if it were the case that they needed to recoup all of that just by selling a mere 200 cars (which for the reasons above they were not interested in doing) they would have had to sell each one for over 5 million dollars.

[@rkan2]

You don't develop a carbon fiber-bodied production car for 30m€ :D

[@jh5kl]

@@agingwheels you made a really nice video about a very interest project of Porsche s grandchil (or greatgrandchild?) when he was the boss of Volkswagen. please make a video on VW futura concept (decades old) :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoe0pImhjsejq9k kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5vXYoSkbLZpf9U

[@Filipe1020]

Lane Motor Museum: *exists* Aging Wheels: "It's free real estate."

[@superknightlol]

Will Waghorne bro chill. dont get too violent

[@qwertyuiop-cy5en]

filipe?? blockland guy??? why are you here??????

[@Filipe1020]

@@qwertyuiop-cy5en Why not?

[@germaineliew2012]

I know RCR already did these along with the XL1, but I wanna see Aging Wheels do both the Tata Nano and Peugeot 205 GTi as well.

[@mayhem_1192]

I was highkey waiting for this after I realized Aging Wheels filmed at Lane Motor Museum

[@germaineliew2012]

@Lassi Kinnunen Any old Peugeots would be a plus point for me. Considering that modern Peugeots are riddled with serious unreliability.

[@aaaabababa]

@Lassi Kinnunen when were Citroens unreliable?

[@bangerbangerbro]

He said before that one of the cars he wanted to own one day was a Peugeot 205 GTI. What is it that is so interesting about them though? I'd like to see him review a Tata nano because he'd probably be more reasonable with it.

[@user-xg8yy7yl1d]

I want to see RCR review a Trabant

[@letsgoOs1002]

i saw one of these in amsterdam several years ago. it was the most unique car i have ever seen driving around

[@edstratton]

That's right. An XL1 stops people in their tracks and they stare. This forward thinking masterpiece will have been on the road for around 8 years or more before the next car comes along that has the same effect on bystanders (the Tesla Cybertruck). XL1 was way, way ahead of its time.

[@techno1561]

​@@edstrattonI'd actually go as far to say it looks further ahead than Tesla's cybertruck. It looks like what the Cybertruck could be a few generations down the line.

[@web1bastler]

I saw both the first version and one of the later versions at the IAA a long time ago as a kid. Even back then I was completely infatuated by this car! I still want to own one.

[@mushroomblin4193]

im tired of suvs and shit like that, that thing is beautiful

[@joshuamelton7311]

Always so impressed with this car. So happy to see a newer review of it. Can't believe there's one in the states!

[@edstratton]

And it's a damn good review too!!!!!

[@thebear5454]

Jeff Lane sure knows where to find the unusual. I love his collection.

[@Handl3sAreStupid]

I'm so happy for the above average number of aging wheels videos lately. Best automotive channel on KZbin! Though I would like to see more skoolie videos... 😁

[@claudiobizama5603]

This is The God of hypermiling Why there aren't more diesel hybrids? (Aside for emissions and dieselgate)

[@JimFortune]

There's the Porsche Maus....

[@98dizzard]

I have one, A Citroen, it's fine, not amazing for fuel economy though.

[@Hugo1234567890hello]

Reliability (modern diesels have turbos, intercoolers, etc, and they have some minimum requirements to not shorten their life, so you can´t just turn them on and off again) plus the glowplugs for cold starts, plus the torque curve isn´t as good as a gasoline engine with an atkinson cycle, where the electric motor gives the instant torque and then the petrol one compliments it. But there are some electric models like the Citroen or a Mercedes. A gasoline atmosferic engine like the toyota one is way more simple, and because of that, more reliable.

[@gg_vard]

There's the Mercedes C 300 de in Europe

[@bandombeviews6035]

Starting and stopping a diesel is just hard and very unrefined. Most normal consumers don’t want to hear and feel their car doing car things, they just want it to work.

[@krmusick]

I have been in love with the XL1 since it was announced.

[@HubNut]

Nicely done! Can't believe I forgot to check the lights when I drove it...

[@springbay1]

Don't ask why you are late. Become a Patreon instead and get early access to all Aging Wheels and help this dude continue to make the most entertaining automotive content on the KZbins.

[@enzoperruccio]

Broke viewer here, I can't :(

[@eliaskapravelos7171]

4:07 These ain't grocery bag holders, these are panty holders

[@danielseelye6005]

Uh huh... because if you drove up in this, _the panties be droppin'._ [/sarcasm] Except the people who had the money and desire to buy it would've been nerdy tech guys who dried many a cunt when they opened their mouths.

[@edstratton]

@@danielseelye6005 "...the people who had the money and desire to buy it would've been nerdy tech guys" - actually quite a few of them are the opposite, this being such a cool car. For example one owner is the son of one of the world's greatest Formula 1 champions....

[@LeglessWonder]

@@danielseelye6005 by that description, I'm betting you bought one then

[@danielseelye6005]

@@LeglessWonder Nope, not even close to having the money, or the panty droppin' either.

[@FernieCanto]

@@danielseelye6005 Woah, the snark went *WAY* off the mark there.

[@MrQbee87]

I love old diesel engines. The older the better... Yes I know I am seeing a doctor about this.

[@daszieher]

Is he or she any good? I gave up a Euro6 car in favour of my old Euro3 diesel...

[@MrQbee87]

@@daszieher I have Euro 3 car as a daily. 2 moths age I bought an Opel Corsa B from 1993 for renovation. So far I swaped the engine to 1.7 TDI from Vectra. I think I will stop wasting my money on a doctor and buy an intercooler.

[@dermax9390]

My current daily is 2.2 DTI Vectra C. You can smell the NOx when it's idling next to you. But hey, it cost me 1,5k and only uses like 6,5 L (somewhere between 35 and 40 mpg, i don't really dig the imperial stuff). The worst part about it is the insane insurance-rate on those diesels...

[@AlexAlex-zp3jc]

hell yea, I drive a A4 B5 quattro with the legendary 110hp 1.9TDI in it... So far it has run 476000km and it is going strong! It is Euro2, though so forget about going into towns;)

[@phadodasdoktrin5559]

Same. I have wet dreams about a Mercedes 300D

[@magpieblue]

Fantastic car review, and what a wonderful vehicle as well! I didn't know of its existence, but delighted to have learned about it from you :) Brilliant production!

[@kaissner289]

its so pretty, I want 7!

[@beewald3107]

Watch out! If you keep coming out with videos this often I might die of happiness! Please be careful!

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

The Lane Motor Museum ... ROCKS! I'm so happy they've let you do these vids, and this car here is the coolest one yet that you've shown. I've added a visit to this museum to my ... BUCKET LIST. See if they'll let you take the Dymaxion for a spin next. I rather watch you do these, than Doug's reviews any day, thanks Robert.

[@DFMurray]

To put its efficiency into perspective. That little drive he took probably only burnt about 2 teaspoons of diesel (~10ml). There was one being sold a while back with 80 miles on the odo...it had used 5 cups of diesel (a little over 1L). To drive from NYC to LA would take 10.6 Gallons.

[@penelopeboivin3191]

This look like a Tesla Cybertruck but on a PS2 and not a PS1

[@Patchuchan]

I thought the Cyber truck looked like something rendered on a Atari Jaguar or SNES with FX chip.

[@bangerbangerbro]

@@Patchuchan Yeah, or a sega model 1 arcade machine (virtua racing, virtua fighter), or one of those Atari or midway arcade machines like I robot or Hard drivin that use that Texas instruments CPU with built in blitter that I can never remember the name of.

[@lightdark00]

Exactly what I thought first seeing it.

[@penelopeboivin3191]

Perhaps, Im kinda sad than everybody hates the design of the Cybertruck, because i find it cool and original... but... it STILL looks like something from a PS1

[@lightdark00]

Dusty Dude the pre-sales number is huge. Not everyone hates it.

[@I_Cant_win_engagements_D2]

this car looks like it should have a foldout in a naughty magazine, it's great!

[@joannaatkins822]

This is one of my favourite cars of all time, not because it's especially expensive, but because it's adorable, egg shaped, clattery, and looks like a streamlined johnnycab

[@Trully1949]

Someone please clue me in. Why do concept cars not get made just the way they are? There are so many that are beautiful and cool and yet they never make it to the showrooms, and thus, don’t get into the consumer’s hand. Our car manufactures afraid that will like them? Love your reviews. This is the first time I’ve seen one of your reviews and it’s nice to see someone who doesn’t take themselves seriously. I think that’s a compliment.

[@jakekaywell5972]

In short, costs and safety. Manufacturers have to make their cars as economical to produce as possible. This means parts sharing, which does make it more viable, but can also dilute the aesthetic quality of the final products. There are also safety ratings to meet, as any auto exec knows that an unsafe car won't sell among the general public. Concepts are usually designed with only aesthetics in mind, so this is diluted is well. An excellent example of this is the new Lincoln Continental. The 2015 concept car looked fantastic, but because it had to use the Taurus platform for the production version, the looks were diluted. Not horribly so, but noticeable.

[@trr94001]

That 2c diesel would be a great engine swap for the Trabant.

[@mannequinfukr]

If i remember right i read somewhere that there was a diesel engined prototype trabant

[@jussapitka6041]

@@mannequinfukr yes, there's exactly one example in a museum somewhere.

[@maxschon7709]

@@mannequinfukr Yes, in the 1983 the made a dievel engine for the old Trabant 601. What a waste. They had planed it for the 610 that next-next Generation car after the 601. But the politicans bought then an old VW Polo engine to mass produce it in the GDR and the rights to sell the new Trabant 1.1 with VW warranty.

[@DansAm76]

Excellent review on a super cool car. This museum is amazing!

[@michaellynch1018]

The Lane Motor Museum is by far one of my favorite museums

[@christopherbuda6592]

This car looks like what I would imagine what the buick reatta would look like if they kept on making it, a true piece of automotive artwork as well as one of if not the most attractive Volkswagen ever seen

[@GrumpyIan]

Imagine driving this during the oil crisis.

[@kenbest7660]

Awesome! The first diesel electric hybrid I've seen. A good concept.

[@nigel-Rollercam-channel]

This is what keeps me coming back to your channel... it is your genuine enthusiasm for all of the diversity of engineering and design from every generation of automotive evolution. Thank you for sharing!

[@stephenberry1205]

Lots of fun. The VW XL1 at 795 kg compares to Citroen's effort with the quirky but conventional Citroen C4 Cactus at 965 to 1070 kg with many weight saving features is only 170 kg heavier for 5 passengers & luggage. In 2015 we leased a C4 Cactus 1.6 turbo diesel ETG (automated manual transmission) After 8 weeks from Lisbon to Paris via the Pico Europe, Pyrenees, UK & Ireland and 10,500 kms the trip computer showed 4.6 litres/100 km. I bought a 1.2 turbo petrol with 6 speed auto in 2019. My 1990 Citroen 2CV6 weighs 625 kg seats, seats 4 plus luggage, 25 litre tank, putters thru the countryside making friends everywhere with narrow 15 inch wheels and stupendous ride. Up to 115 kph on the flat. 125 downhills. Over the max Aussie limit of 110. After 30 years it is now worth more than I paid for it.

[@OdykKayne]

Loving these series Robert! Looking forward to more Lane stuff! :D Excited to see what you have next! :P

[@mmmmm5556]

Wish they would make a electric version of this now.

[@foximacentauri7891]

This would increase the weight significantly since batteries are still very heavy, but I'm sure some people would buy it.

[@ikannunaplays]

@@foximacentauri7891 I would use this for daily commutes and a small battery would be ideal as I don't need 100+ miles, only 50 miles.

[@nox5555]

@@foximacentauri7891 that would not work well. also they have the up!.

[@Ink_25]

VW test drove one of these regularly through my home town (east Hamburg, Germany). They looked super futuristic back then!

[@edstratton]

Still do, and probably will never date!

[@MattMcIrvin]

I remember this car inspiring some daft conspiracy-talk on Facebook when it came out: "if the car companies are capable of making a car this efficient, it means that all along they've been deliberately making them less efficient to prop up Big Oil." Sort of "100 MPG carburetor" stuff. Ignoring all of the *extreme* compromises and optimizations that were necessary in order to get this level of efficiency.

[@JamesSmith-dn8lb]

It's mostly government regulations that are keeping them from getting high MPG.

[@honestguy7764]

Diesel is the answer for long conmutes.

[@Billiamiscool]

I've never heard of this thing before, but I NEED ONE

[@dippitydoinit]

I don't understand why more vehicles aren't diesel electric. Trains have been for decades. I especially think that diesel electric pickup trucks should be the way to go.

[@daszieher]

Cost

[@thomaspeterson8659]

Robert loves quirky cars.👍 This is why his channel is one of the best on KZbin!

[@chibiwibi]

I remember test driving a diesel Golf MK III in the late 90s. That engine was hilarious. I too love the XL1's engine.

[@thejaks8731]

I bet this would be your daily if you won the lottery!

[@hqi1321]

0:08 Realized there was a guy in the car staring at us before he got out. Gave me a tiny heart attack.

[@garethbaus5471]

I read about this car a couple of years ago, I hope they come out with a US street legal variant, I don't have enough money for one yet, but I hate spending money on fuel.

[@goliathprojects7354]

I remember being hyped for this thing when they presented it. Honestly I still like the design

[@Soonjai]

I have 2 Questions about this Video: What is the deal with that white-gold, plane-ish looking Subaru in the Background of some shots and will we see a Video about it?

[@Killpocalips]

Won't let me like this twice, sorry. Please someone tell us what it is T.T

[@davyfella]

I saw it too and am itching to find out more about it.

[@mman454]

Maybe check the museum website to find out?

[@Killpocalips]

@@mman454 This sounds like an awful lot of work lol

[@mman454]

Killpocalips in the time you typed your two replies, you probably could’ve had your answer. ;)

[@Julian-do7bv]

I think it’s pretty cool and those MPGs are great

[@newevolution]

I was SO EXCITED back when I heard about these, and then it was only 200. I've got to stop slacking off and get out to Lane and check this thing out.

[@antondizxinzo]

I love this car, if I could I bought this car and do a lot of road trips across the europe It`s low and small, perfect for have a good driving experience in smalls european twisty roads It`s very fuel efficient, good for hight fuel prices in Europe Finally It looks so good Sadly the others fuel efficient cars don´t looks that great, the other very fuel eficient cars are the Audi A2 3L 1.2TDI, VW LUPO 3L 1.2TDI and the SMART fortwo 0.6CDI that are basically city cars good video, thanks for sharing this car

[@ozon3k]

I've read somewhere, that there was sport edition of that car with engine from Ducati Panigale sportbike 🔥 that'd sound amazing! I've tried to find some videos, but there's nothing out there

[@jh5kl]

it was the xl1 sport, it was gorgeous

[@sgtepic4659]

It looks like The Force Awakens remake of the Stormtrooper helmet.

[@markmalinowski5951]

This is YOUR halo car, robert. All the other youtubers are getting lambo's, you need this.

[@agingwheels]

I was going to say something about this being illegal to import, but it might fall under the show and display law. You may have just given me an ultimate goal

[@station240]

@@agingwheels Just register it as a tractor, seeing as it has the engine of one.

[@markmalinowski5951]

@@agingwheels Thanks to Bill Gates you may have a leg to stand on. Problem is that you could only put on 2500 miles annually which would defeat the purpose of its efficiency. I'm still rooting for you though.

[@edstratton]

@@agingwheels Does the show and display law allow it to be taken out on the road for the purpose of reviewing it? Just curious.

[@olafwagner]

"Ostrich wing doors" - that is the BEST name ever for this implementation. One of those things one can never ever 'unsee' :-)

[@edstratton]

I agree. I've always called them butterfly doors but now I'll be looking for ostrich photos online...

[@kowalskidiazdegeras9190]

Is this the first video with a new ending? I guess it's the Trabant but with the engine rebuildt, so it runs faster XD

[@mileskosik472]

Nah, two videos ago had the new intro.

[@JeffreyJakucyk]

I like the old outro better, that launch is so pathetic it's hilarious.

[@lrochfort]

God I love covered wheels

[@ImmortalInflames]

"A SPACESHIP... that sounds like a tiny adorable tractor!" *-Aging Wheels* ^ Quote of the week!

[@bass-tech]

your videos are more fun to watch than boring supercars videos others making.love to see video about that subaru rocket in the background.

[@hello5578]

Arteon/passat/golf front bumper..

[@spugintrntl]

I love two cylinder diesels. They're so nifty.

[@mcrsit]

The rear/tail of the car really is something of beauty!

[@davidgrover5996]

There is almost no hope that I will ever get to visit this collection, and I certainly would have never have known of it if it was not for you so thank you and your host.

[@rickpaulos]

I guess if you are in prison for life you can't go. But the rest of can. I've been 3 times and it's 14 hour drive each way to get there. Well worth the trip.

[@davidgrover5996]

rickpaulos, Some people live on the other side of the continent.

[@censport]

We get visitors from all over the world. Hope to see you soon.

[@davidgrover5996]

censport, Thank you I can only hope for such a lucky opportunity to present itself.

[@roblox0701]

i’m somewhat more interested in that Nissan GT-R LM Nismo sitting back there

[@MisterItchy]

I want one! MMMMMM ... Chocolate Soup!

[@spaghetti9067]

This is what wind but in car form looks like Beautiful

[@albinnygren2367]

RCR: IT SOUNDS LIKE A 2001 JETTA WITH AN EXHAUST LEAK AND BROKEN MUFFLER MOUNTS!!! Robert: Tiny adorable tractor 😀

[@3Dsjk]

They have a Dymaxion car there? You're going to do a video on it, right?

[@robertkoons1154]

Is that 260 mpg real or VW "We have to pay a big fine later" lies?

[@SuperUltimateLP]

Real

[@mccutcheogeoff]

It actually can achieve real world fuel economy of 1l/100km. I have heard it can do better if you have the right driving style. It was named the xl1 because the target was 1l/100km

[@robertkoons1154]

@@mccutcheogeoff 100 km per litre is 235.2 miles per gallon which would be what a normal driver would get so still fineable as it is about 10% less than 260 mpg claimed by Mr Aging Wheels. As the car is already broken since it won't charge correctly we'll never know.

[@stevethepocket]

I'll bet it means that if you top off the battery from an outlet, you can drive until you've used up one gallon of fuel and then keep going on pure battery power, and by the time the battery is dead you'll have traveled 260 miles.

[@BratislavMetulskie]

its the truth bro

[@excaliburjohndeere3887]

I have admired the car for years. I bought a 2000 Honda insight because they are very similar in construction and the Honda is made of aluminum instead of carbon fiber. I modified the way The car burns gasoline and I'm getting 150 mpg at 50 mph. Would be glad to prove it. I'm from West Tennessee. Did not know there was a XL 1 in Nashville. As always fantastic video.check out my avatar that's the mileage on my dash 150 mpg. Like I said I can prove it .

[@zacksstuff]

I spot a Fisker Karma and a first Gen Insight in the background... Man I need to visit this museum.

[@toddhoward5964]

Wait a minute, why does Mr. Regular look different?

[@edstratton]

Because this is Mr Regular's antithesis. This man actually understands the car he's reviewing.

[@dantebg100]

Americans: this 1.4 diesel engine is so bad for the environment! Fuel consumption is 3/100 km. I better replace it with V8 pickup truck with fuel consumption 20/100 km. It's so good to the environment

[@LeglessWonder]

@@Leemur2335 the "coal rollers" don't exactly help matters any.

[@user-xg8yy7yl1d]

US emissions laws and especially CAFE laws which often conflict are stupid and partly the reason so many new cars are lame as hell We have no emission regulations here for personal cars and we dont even have smog

[@user-xg8yy7yl1d]

@@LeglessWonder Coll rolling is a protest against those draconian laws though

[@51-FS]

Can this car roll Cole?

[@alexs8710]

If you dont give a shit about fuelconsumption its way easier to work with emmisions produced by a gasoline ICE. No SCR-catalytic needed e.g.

[@frankmcgorman962]

Definitely going to make this museum a destination. I can see a lot of cars in the background that I'd like to take a closer look at.

[@lourencoalmada1305]

You can certainly see the face of this car on newer VWs, especially the Scirocco.

[@amigaboy]

europeans still love the vw diesels xD :D we are weird like that xD :D

[@jackielinde7568]

My first two vehicles were rabbit diesels. And I have a 2011 Jetta TDI... One of the dirty, rotten, lyin' diesels... AND it also has one of those faulty radios VW says "aren't a problem". While I'm upset with VW, I still love my car. But my next vehicle won't be a VW, though. Still love diesels.

[@maxschon7709]

They were thinking that bio-diesel would be the way of the future.

[@alias_not_needed]

I guess almost all car producers take every opportunity to get better numbers in the prospect. For their efficiency tests they put tape around the mirrors and door gaps and so on. I think most efficiency tests take place on the dyno and not in the real world. The tech is still not so bad anyway. Its producer was just not honest about the measuring method. And please don't think I am a fan of VW. I just hate how all the hate goes to the one producer who gets caught first. Probably not even caught first, but first made public in broad spectrum.

[@jackielinde7568]

@@alias_not_needed If I remember correctly, VW were caught first (And kept getting caught because of how pervasive the scandal was.) Others were caught after, but mostly for altering MPG numbers and not tailpipe emissions. And I'm not hating on VW. I want to like them. But they did something scummy, so I have to be honest about it. One of the reasons I sought out a Jetta TDI over other cars was because of their claims for the environment. I feel betrayed. And, because of it, my next vehicle won't be a VW.

[@denny9931]

The range-extender wouldn't even need to suffer from the problems of diesel-gate. If you only have a couple of points of operation the engine runs in, it can be optimized way over what is possible with conventional diesel engines.

[@zbradbell]

reminds me in almost every way of the insight. basically a super efficient experimental car that got refined, got lucky and actually sold lots of them.

[@zbradbell]

could have sworn you did a video on the insight? not seeing it now though. Well, there is one right there in the museum waiting for you!

[@edstratton]

Yeah but Honda wanted to sell lots of them whereas VW never planned to sell more than 200 of the XL1.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

I think this is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Apart from the good intentions it represents.

[@edstratton]

Ronald de Rooij, Those were my exact thoughts, the moment I first saw one online in Oct 2014. For mainly that reason, by next day I'd ordered one. Arrived 9 months later. Four years on, I still stop and just stare at it every time I go in the garage. The designers (Peter Wouda and his colleagues) did a sensational job on this project.

[@misterakt]

VW’s diesel engines are my favorite. i have a 15 Golf TDI (the last year we got the diesels stateside) and its a wonderful car…and it sounds amazing! they really do sound like tractors

[@Schmidt54]

Just for the fun of it, I researched if this car was available in Germany. I found 1 offer, 89,000 EUR/100,000 USD, super cool red paintjob and red accents on the seats, just under 2,000 km driven.

[@joelaugustin6407]

I watched the RCR review, discovered your channel a month later and thought, "this guy would love the XL1."

[@excaliburjohndeere3887]

I'm getting 150 mpg at 50 mph on my 2000 Honda insight. Also deleted the hybrid battery. I changed the way the car burns gasoline.be glad to prove it. I'm from West Tennessee you probably drove within 3 miles of my house on the way back to St. Louis.

[@davidrawlins2862]

It’s such a brilliant design. I hope that more cars are developed like this.

[@tsxalex8370]

Thanks for the bus window, Robert.

[@shroomyesc]

My dream project car would be to buy one of these (there are like 4 on sale at any given moment in Germany, importing cars here to Finland from Germany is a piece of cake), get rid of the drivetrain, shove a powerful bike engine or something in it, a 6-speed manual gearbox if possible and whatever else, giving it bigger wheels as much as possible (just removing the rear wheel cover would do a lot but not sure about the front) and such heavy modifications. It could never be the XL-Sport without getting custom bodywork done which goes a bit past even dream project car, but to get it to a point where it'd still be cool to drive to match the looks would be fantastic. There are red ones on sale too so you wouldn't need to get it repainted.

[@jh5kl]

i think you ll like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5eYiKWJqZlrntE

[@V10PDTDI]

I was very impressed when VW came out with this car it’s like a Bugatti veyron but in reverse light weight.highest fuel economy, small foot print etc. It would be cool that they would bring it back but in a Electric version I would buy one but not for $ 100 000

[@jh5kl]

this and the Veyron are an example of projects from Porsche s grandchild(?) when he was Volkswagen s boss

[@taylormorris3355]

Going to Lane Motor Museum today! Super excited.

[@hi_tech_reptiles]

Imagine if they took these principles for a CUV or something with more storage and practicality - id imagine the limiting factor would be added weight/capacity etc. Though if it scaled with said weight well, thatd at least be enough. Like, 250mpg empty, 100mpg with 500lbs added in tow/storage. (Random numbers for reference) Super cool! Always loved hidden wheelwells.

[@maxfic]

I love this museum so much! Been ther and loved it

[@VraccasVII]

This is my favourite looking car VW ever built, for sure

[@WolfrCats]

Don't forget about the Plymouth Prowler that was the concept car for the road.

[@lowermichigan4437]

If this was still in production and reasonably priced I would own one.

[@NeilLund]

At first Glace I thought I was looking at the EV1, but then it sunk in that it was a VW. I remember a ton of people in the US wanted one back in the day.

[@edstratton]

Quite a lot of people have commented that it looks like the GM EV1 but I just can't see that much of a resemblance. I think the EV1, although obviously quite different to all other cars at the time, was far more conventional looking and IMO nothing like as attractive as the XL1.

[@cyrollan]

If I had disposable income, I would try to purchase one. LOVE IT

[@alec4672]

They need to bring this into production, they have the perfect huge hippie market base right now. This thing is gorgeous, maybe sprinkle in a couple modern features like Android Auto and Apple Car Play and ramp up full production 😂🤙