This super rare Volkswagen XL1 will cost you £115k

Remember when diesel was the future? Well, this is what that future looked like. Revealed in 2011, the XL1 was VW’s stab at the ultimate, money-no-object eco car. What a thing.

It’s all about efficiency, the XL1. Power comes from a miniscule 800cc diesel engine allied to a 27bhp electric motor, for a total of just 75bhp and 30 miles of all-electric range. The narrow, slippery body, with its fared-in rear-wheels, gullwing doors and camera door mirrors, is slippery as they come (seven years after launch, this is still technically the world’s most aerodynamic ‘production’ car). And super lightweight thanks to all the carbon fibre reinforced polymer used in its construction.

Elsewhere magnesium wheels, ceramic brakes and loads of aluminium keep the overall weight down below 800kg. Meanwhile, special Michelin rubber and friction-optimised wheel bearings/driveshafts mean the XL1 will coast for days. The result? Over 300mpg, in theory…

These things don’t come up for sale very often, so prices are high. This XL1 has covered less than 100 miles from new, and is expected to fetch as much as £115,000 when it crosses the auction block at the NEC Classic Motor Show next month.