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A 2016 Volkswagen XL1, one of about 250 examples of the ultra-efficient diesel plug-in hybrid, is up for auction in the Netherlands. The auction house estimates it at around $140,000; its often-cited 261 mpg figure comes from a European test cycle, not a guarantee of real-world economy.
A 2016 Volkswagen XL1 with just over 1,000 miles is up for auction in the Netherlands, where auction house Catawiki estimates it could sell for about $140,000. The rare diesel plug-in hybrid was built as an efficiency-focused engineering project, but its European test-cycle rating of 261 mpg does not mean it will deliver that mileage in ordinary driving.
Volkswagen made about 250 XL1s after the model debuted in 2013. The example listed by Catawiki is described in the source report as being in excellent condition inside and out. Its estimated value is an auction-house estimate, not a confirmed sale price; the report does not state the current bid or final result.
The XL1 pairs an 800cc two-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with a plug-in hybrid system and a 5.5-kilowatt-hour battery. Volkswagen rated its electric-only range at about 31 miles. The car’s carbon-fiber body and chassis, low weight of 1,852 pounds and reported drag coefficient of 0.189 helped it achieve a claimed European-cycle consumption figure of 0.9 liters per 100 kilometers, equivalent to about 261 mpg.
Those efficiency figures came with trade-offs. The XL1 produces 68 horsepower and takes nearly 13 seconds to reach 60 mph, according to the source report. It is a two-seat car with offset seating and butterfly doors. The report also says drivers need a removable charging unit stored in the trunk to connect the car to power.
A Rare Efficiency Experiment at Auction
The listing puts a scarce example of Volkswagen’s attempt to build an exceptionally fuel-efficient production car in front of collectors and enthusiasts. Its limited production and unusual materials and design may help explain the estimate, but they do not make it an economical purchase for drivers seeking to reduce fuel costs.
At around $140,000, fuel savings alone would be unlikely to justify the price, especially because the car runs on diesel, whose price can also fluctuate. The 261 mpg figure is based on a European test cycle and should not be treated as a promise of real-world consumption. Buyers would also need to account for the car’s age, condition, specialist servicing and the practical limits of a two-seat vehicle with modest power.
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From One-Liter Goal to Limited Run
The XL1 grew out of Volkswagen’s effort to develop a car capable of using about one liter of fuel per 100 kilometers. The project took 12 years and went through several iterations before the production version arrived in 2013. The source report says the car cost roughly $150,000 when new, though it does not specify the market or pricing terms for that figure.
The final design combined a diesel engine with electric assistance, despite the plug-in hybrid system not being part of the original plan, according to the report. Its small battery and electric range made it a plug-in hybrid rather than a fully electric car. Volkswagen’s 261 mpg rating and 31-mile electric range are manufacturer figures reported in the source; actual results can vary with driving conditions, charging and testing methods.
“The XL1 needed about 8 horsepower to sustain a steady 62 mph.”
— Volkswagen, as quoted in the InsideEVs report
Sale Price and Real-World Economy
The source report does not give the auction’s closing date, current bids, final sale price or full listing terms. Catawiki’s estimate of about $140,000 may differ from the eventual result. The report also does not provide independent inspection findings, maintenance records or details of the car’s battery health.
The 261 mpg rating is tied to a European test cycle. The source does not offer real-world fuel-use data for this auction car, and buyers should not assume the test figure will be reproduced in daily use. The condition description is reported by the source, but no independent assessment is included.
Auction Results Will Set the Price
The next confirmed milestone is the auction’s closing and any announcement of a winning bid. Until then, the listed $140,000 estimate remains a forecast rather than a sale result. Prospective buyers would need to review Catawiki’s complete listing, confirm the vehicle’s documentation and condition, and establish what inspection or service history is available before bidding.
Key Questions
Is the Volkswagen XL1 rated at 261 mpg?
The figure reported for the XL1 is about 261 mpg on a European test cycle, based on consumption of 0.9 liters per 100 kilometers. It is not a guarantee of real-world fuel economy.
How much is the auctioned XL1 expected to cost?
Catawiki’s reported estimate is about $140,000. That is not a confirmed sale price, and the source does not provide the final result or current bid.
How many Volkswagen XL1s were made?
The source report says Volkswagen built about 250 examples of the XL1.
Can the XL1 drive without using diesel?
It has a plug-in hybrid system and was rated for about 31 miles of electric-only range. The source does not provide a current battery-health assessment for the car listed at auction.
Is the XL1 a practical way to save money on fuel?
The source report says fuel savings are unlikely to offset an estimated $140,000 purchase price quickly. The car also runs on diesel, and its test-cycle rating may differ from everyday results.
Source: insideevs.com
