The Volkswagen Twin Up! Concept , the one that borrows the hybrid powertrain from the XL1, has debuted at the Tokyo motor show . We’ll start off with the most important numbers it boasts: claimed average fuel consumption is 1.1 l/100km, or 256.8 mpg UK or 214 mpg US, while emitting practically nothing, at 27 g/km CO2.
With total peak power coming in at 75 hp and a total unladen weight of 1,205 kg, its sprint from 0-100 km/h or 0-62 mph takes a painful 15.7 seconds, though we suspect that in-gear performance will be better, with 215 Nm of combined diesel-electric torque – 0-60 km/h or 0-37 mph comes up in 8.8 seconds.
On the outside, there are, of course, typically-VW subltle design touches to set this apart from conventionally-powered examples which include a cues taken from the all-electric e-up! to which it adds “flowing blue double stripes above the sills.” Step aboard, and the white exterior theme is continued and there’s also a bespoke fully-digital gauge cluster.
No word on production plans, but if they do make it, don’t expect it to get anywhere near the claimed efficiency figures . Make no mistake, though, it will use very little fuel to get around and will easily be one of the most efficient cars on the road – too bad it will most likely cost far too much to buy.
By Andrei Nedelea
