Image Courtesy Wikipedia

If you haven’t heard, Volkswagen is planning on releasing a new vehicle for the 2010 model year, the 1L.  Of course the image is still a bit in concet phase, however to achieve the staggering fuel efficiency it’s hyped to get, there can’t be too many changes to the overall design.

The 1L is designed to get a ridiculous 235MPG (note the decimal point after the 3 is not missing). In fact, the name 1L comes from the fact that it takes only 1 liter of gas to go 100km. No matter how you slice the numbers, that’s about 8 times better than you’re average compact and about 5 times better the most efficient hybrid that’s mass produced on the road today. So if your gas bill is $200/month right now, imagine it slicing to $25 or so. Unfortunately 2010 is only going to have limited production, but still, this vehicle is in all ways a gamechanger.

This car is nothing short of miraculous in terms of how it achieves it’s gas sipping superiority.  First is the car’s size. It seats only two, but in tandem (think how two ride a motorcycle, only with seats) instead of side by side.  So your passenger is behind you. This keeps the car really narrow, just a hair over 4ft wide.  It's also low at about 3.3ft high. That gives this car ultimate aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of .159, half that of normal cars, meaning less air resistance on the road, to burn less fuel.

VW also made this with ultra-lightweight materials making the cars under 650lbs in weight when empty. To put that in comparison, I had a 1983 VW Rabbit GTI in college, and it’s curb weight was TRIPLE that. Though my girlfriend refused to ride in it because she called it my suicide box, the 1L is built with safety in mind. It’s built with crumple zones that resemble racecars, so even though you’re vehicle may not be much in substance, it is designed to help you in the event of a crash.

Is this the perfect car? No… but it’s probably the best we’ll see in the next 2 years for practicality and affordability in an ultra efficient vehicle.  And with gas prices uncertain in the future, this could turn into the ultimate commuter car.  With my commute 45 miles roundtrip, I know I’d take this car anyday.  1 gallon of gas a week. Nice. But I’m a married guy with no kids. Would you drive it?  Would a 2 seater tandem car fit your lifestyle?