The people that made the Volkswagen XL1 also made the Bugatti Veyron; and amongst many things that they brought with them was a £50k price tag. For that price you get possibly one of the most fuel efficient cars in the world. It does 313mpg and 31 miles on electricity alone from its 800cc TDI hybrid engine. This is an eco-car no doubt about it.
Now TGJ reacts to the word ‘eco’ like Dracula would react to the word ‘Twilight’ or ‘Cullen’: with a mixture of rage, fear, contempt and depression. The Eco-lobby in this country is not likable; it is made up of liberal democrats and people with funny beards (there is a degree of overlap) who believe in things such as communism and global warming. They protest and howl at things such as Range Rovers and want everyone, everywhere, to be taxed all the time!
However, this car is not those people. In fact it’s a bit of a Trojan horse; if you have seen the new Dracula series then this car is the Jonathan Rhys Meyer of the Eco-movement. It’s sleek, good-looking, charismatic and very sneaky! Even the 100 mph top speed, no electric windows, wing mirror and lack of seating isn’t too bad when looked at in context of the flaws. The carbon fibre chassis is nice, the 120litres boot is very nice and the aerodynamic property of an F1 car is extremely nice.
If you want to feel very smug for 2014 then get this car because not only will you save the world (HA!) but you’ll have a lot more free cash.
By Edward Hambro Rabben
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