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
