The Green Technology Behind Volkswagen’s L1 Concept

2010-04-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen has been working on an ultra-green one-liter car since before 2002, and finally unveiled an updated version of their L1 concept in 2009—what the automaker is touting “the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the world”.

To understand the development, we need to ask: what is a one-liter car? It’s all down to the mileage: one-liter engines achieve fuel economy of 100 kilometers per liter of diesel fuel. That equates to just one quarter of a gallon of diesel fuel to travel up to 62 miles, or a fuel efficiency rating of nearly 170 miles per gallon. To put this into perspective: the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (turbo diesel engine) averages 36 miles per gallon of diesel fuel. That’s nine miles per quarter gallon versus the 62 miles per quarter gallon average of VW’s latest green vehicle concept.

The 2002 VW shareholder’s meeting saw then-CEO Ferdinand Piëch drive the original prototype vehicle from the company’s Wolfsburg headquarters to the meeting location in Hamburg, completely reliant on its own green technology and fuel economy – a distance of nearly 220 km (136 miles).

Since that shareholder meet-up, VW has continued development of the one-liter technology to produce the L1 concept, which was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show. The company says it plans to continue developing the green vehicle and hopes to begin production in the near future. Since its initial introduction to shareholders, the L1 has become much more sophisticated and closer than ever to being ready to be brought to market by as early as 2013.

Lightweight construction and efficient engineering are the hallmarks of the L1, which features a narrow body made of carbon fiber composites. The powertrain is a two-cylinder turbo-diesel engine supported by an electric motor, with 39 and 14 horsepower respectively. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is accompanied by a stop/start system and is capable of reaching speeds of 100 mph. The icing on the cake is its low CO₂emissions—another tick on the green vehicle checklist for VW.

The L1 marks a significant advancement in green vehicle technology and looks poised to overtake the current crop of gas/electric hybrid vehicles when it comes to fuel efficiency and natural resource conservation.

Audi A3 TDI is Green Car of The Year

2010-02-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

As the quest for fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions becomes more critical to 21St Century automobile manufactures, Dan's Audi Repair is pleased to support Audi in all their efforts to 'Go Green.' True to their engineering goals and true to their commitment to support the advancement of 'Green Technology,' the Audi A3 TDI pulls ahead of the pack and takes the gold for 2010 as the least offending 'Green Vehicle!' As the environmental hour glass passes the sands of time and achievement in engineering, Audi consistently adds to the diverse array of Green Cars taking to our modern highways. In a non-compromising approach, environmental impact is carefully balanced against the mainstream and Audi engineering again outclasses its closest contenders from entry-level models through luxury class editions.

Environmental performance is becoming increasingly more important to consumers as well as the major automobile manufacturers. As the major automotive players continue to jockey for top placement in this highly competitive race to be the 'Greenest,' Audi has clearly taken the lead with advanced engineering protocol directed toward the advantages of clean diesel.

Clean diesel has proven to be a good match for Audi engineering and performance standards because it provides a cleaner fuel source while offering abundant power and a significant increase in fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions. This unique combination of advantages is clearly defined in the performance and engineering of the Audi A3 TDI 'Green Vehicle.'

The fact that the Audi A3 TDI was named 'Green Car Journal's 2010 Green Car of the Year was no big surprise to Audi engineers. The Audi engineering team had worked diligently to blend Audi advanced engineering principles into a performance packed Green Vehicle capable of upholding Audi's tradition of exceptional performance and 'Truth in Engineering' principles.

Audi's win in 2010 for a clean diesel 'Green Vehicle' marks the second year in a row German engineering combined with clean diesel has prevailed placing them at the top of their engineering game in this arena. This is truly an amazing accomplishment when considering the competition they have faced in this race to be the 'Greenest.' The list of significant contenders included the Honda Insight hybrid, Mercury Milan hybrid, Toyota Prius, as well as the clean diesel VW Golf TDI. The VW Gulf is a sporty high fuel efficiency hatchback powered by the same 2.0 liter TDI engine that won last years Green Car of the Year, the VW Jetta TDI.

The Green Car of the Year judges noted in particular the Audi A3 TDI's sophisticated styling, amazing suite of both driver and passenger amenities, and the uncompromising 42 MPG highway fuel efficiency. Among various other important features, the judges also noted that the Audi A3TDI compact luxury vehicle is very quite. The 50 state certified clean diesel engine delivers substantial torque at a low 1,750 RPM's, producing a very aggressive and spirited fun-to-drive Green Vehicle with low CO2 emissions. The A3 TDI has been engineered by Audi for operation on up B5 bio-diesel fuel.

The A3 TDI profiles the characteristic wide and low Audi stance, and is packed with a multitude of distinctive standard features. The A3 sports 17 inch allow wheels, xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and a standard S line exterior sport package. The A3's interior offers a driver-engineered design incorporating among other conveniences, standard leather upholstery, aluminum accents, 10 speaker concert quality stereo system with Sirius satellite radio, and split 40/60 fold-down rear seat. The car is practical for cargo as well with its easy-loan rear tailgate.

The Audi A3 TDI is by conventional wisdom a hatchback, but the vehicle has been officially classified by the EPA as a station wagon. Audi describes the A3 TDI as a Sport back...certainly implying the obvious, that the A3 TDI is a very fuel efficient luxury performance vehicle with hatchback functionality and an attitude to conquer the road in style and comfort. Nevertheless, whatever definition you find most appealing, the Audi A3 TDI, with a base price of $29, 950, an adventurous attitude, low CO2 emissions and exceptional 42 MPG highway fuel efficiency, is definitely a great buy in a Green Marketplace.

UseFuel Tips

The Green Technology Behind Volkswagen’s L1 Concept

Audi A3 TDI is Green Car of The Year