Volkswagen XL1 At Katie's Cars And Coffee: December 7th, 2013

"J. David Buerk" (acousticaperture)
12/07/2013 at 13:43 • Filed to: Carporn, Volkswagen, XL1, Cars and Coffee, Photography, DMV, Virginia, Great Falls, DC, Washington DC

I debated not going to Katie's this morning since the turnout has dwindled due to the cold weather, however I knew Volkswagen HQ had both a Veyron and an XL1 on hand this week. I decided to come on the chance an XL1 did appear, despite my being told that it almost certainly would not come. Much to my delight, VW DID bring the 240 MPG, 1.0L plug-in hybrid concept vehicle. A friend of mine who was able to drive this vehicle just a few days ago likened it to "an old Packard" with the tiny diesel engine rumbling just behind your head.

And for those who are wondering, my 35mm is perfectly fine - a broken UV filter is nothing to fret over. This is why you spend $70 on a filter and lens hood (which is rare I didn't have it on today), so when accidents happen you're not spending $700 on a new front lens element. My 35mm 1.4 is ready to go for my wedding shoot tomorrow.

This blog post has been !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! by J. David Buerk onto !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . For the full set of photos, view the album at his !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . All photography is by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and is copyrighted All Rights Reserved.

DISCUSSION (53)

Bandit > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 13:48

Awesome pictures! What kind of PP did you have to do to get the exhaust from the Cougar to stand out so much? I'd love to try it.

Alex Nunez > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 13:56

The XL1 is the coolest car I've driven in years. It sucks that they aren't sending it stateside.

J. David Buerk > Bandit
12/07/2013 at 13:58

No PP. Just cold.

exizeo - still loving fourza > Alex Nunez
12/07/2013 at 14:14

This one is US-plated though...I have hopes. Just like the time I hoped for a US RS4 when I saw the US registered one...that didn't happen, though.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 14:15

I want an XL1 so, so bad.

What an insanely cool car.

RaymondStantz > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 14:51

If only I could muster the strength to get out of bed, brave the cold, and get out to one of these! Seems like a damn good time. Unhappy I missed the XL1!

J. David Buerk > exizeo - still loving fourza
12/07/2013 at 14:51

It's just a plate they slapped on to drive it from VW to Katie's and back. But you didn't hear it from me ;-) This one is going back to Germany in a few days.

J. David Buerk > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 14:52

This one is going back to Germany in a few days.

AM3R > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 14:59

Damn I always miss the good stuff :( I need to force myself to go to more of these. Do you know of any big plans around Christmas time?

Axial > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 15:19

I would have gone if my car wasn't in such dirty shape...final week of class prevented me from keeping her shiny. Now I'm sad I didn't go today, because the weather is so nice and this awesome car was there.

Axial > RaymondStantz
12/07/2013 at 15:20

We're theoretically in the "off season" for Katie's Cars and Coffee right now. I'm surprised there was as much turn out in these photos as there is, but I guess it has been a warm week.

ranwhenparked > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 17:04

Just think - only have to wait until 2038, and we can own one here in the States!

bimmerismyname > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 17:08

Very cool looking car. As a VW owner, i'm still hopeful that VW will produce some insane V12 Supercar that they keep teasing us with

japanophile25 > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 17:10

That Cougar gives me all sorts of tingly feelings....in my loins.

cnessel27 > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 17:18

Just joined the jalop-oppo-munity to ask "what's Katie's cars and coffee?" And why am I missing it and why does that vw have Michigan plates? So really I joined to ask three questions?

Autolegend86 > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 17:19

Prius and other econoboxes bore be to no end. Seeing an XL1 makes me feel the same excitement i get from seeing a long tail Le Mans prototype.

Kinja'd!!!

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 17:34

Kinja'd!!!

The front track looks wider then the rear here O_o I don't think that's the actual case looking at the other pictures, but at the same time I can't find and specs on the XL1's track. Anybody know for themselves?

ZweiDeutschesAutos > Axial
12/07/2013 at 17:37

I was one of the few who made it out and this made it well worth it. Well, this AND the legacy wagon with custom suspension, wheels, and brakes...that was also tracked. Small but great turnout today!

DownShiftRecords > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 17:38

Video of the XL1 on the road and at Katie's - DownShiftRecords

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 17:39

Rumors persist the XL1 will come stateside as an "Show and Display" law car and will not have a mileage limit due to it producing negligible amounts of CO2

J. David Buerk > Somethingwittyer likes noisy
12/07/2013 at 17:46

Your eyes don't deceive; it almost looks like a 3-wheeler in person.

CaptainStu > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 17:54

Good looks, made out of CFRP, no side mirrors, good aero, etc. just drop in a V8 and the project's complete...

J. David Buerk > cnessel27
12/07/2013 at 17:59

Katie's is a coffee shop in Great Falls, Virginia which hosts a weekly drive-in for classic, exotic, and interesting car culture. You're missing it because everyone makes a bad life choice now and then. The Michigan plates were slapped on the car to simply allow VW to drive it on public roads for the time it is here (which is only for a few more days).

KamikazePigeon > Somethingwittyer likes noisy
12/07/2013 at 18:19

I believe, and do correct me if I'm wrong, it has something to do with the tear drop shape being extremely aerodynamic. The same is true for the original Honda Insight.

EDIT: Yes, the Insight's rear track was actually 7 inches shorter than the front (according to Wikipedia) which helps with aerodynamics. However, I can't find anything on the track of the XL1.

Kinja'd!!!

cnessel27 > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 18:19

Thank you for the info, and the life lesson. Not to mention the awesome photos and coverage!

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > KamikazePigeon
12/07/2013 at 18:23

Seven inches!? Wow.

LWMartin > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 18:24

ARGH I almost went today! If only it weren't like an hour from DC =[

urdum > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 18:25

Jesus, what a lame, ugly piece of crap car.

wjc04c > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 18:50

honestly, the best pictures of the XL1 I have seen. nice.

KamikazePigeon > Somethingwittyer likes noisy
12/07/2013 at 18:55

I thought the same thing!!

Silvermannn > Somethingwittyer likes noisy
12/07/2013 at 19:01

That's what she said.

.. I had to.

MallardDuck > exizeo - still loving fourza
12/07/2013 at 19:05

It's a Manufacturer Plate, which means it can be experimental, doesn't have to be DOT legal. I would guess one of the main reasons it's not coming to the US is the lack of side mirrors, even though the cameras are there. Anyone know other reasons?

Alex Nunez > Alex Nunez
12/07/2013 at 19:14

There's gonna be one in NYC next week, too.

Gary Yogurt > Alex Nunez
12/07/2013 at 19:29

I'd take one over a Veyron. Such a cool car.

Alex Nunez > Gary Yogurt
12/07/2013 at 19:38

For all intents, it IS a Veyron. Just approached from the opposite line of thinking.

jkrew > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 19:41

Man, I need to write for you guys. I was in this car a week ago haha

http://instagram.com/jkrew

langadamd > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 19:43

It's crazy how old the design is, but still looks modern and cool.

Fenderaddict2 > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 21:13

Cougar pic. I'm happy.

pfftballer > Somethingwittyer likes noisy
12/07/2013 at 21:59

Hey it worked just dandy for the Volvo 240s.

Dr_Watson > J. David Buerk
12/07/2013 at 23:08

why does everything look like toys? these tilt-shifted?

Gary Yogurt > Alex Nunez
12/07/2013 at 23:56

Exactly. Easily the most excited I've been excited about a new car since I was in elementary school.

TractionControlOff > J. David Buerk
12/08/2013 at 00:14

Two things I didn't realize about this car: a) there's one in the U.S. and b) it's small!

Chaos-cascade > J. David Buerk
12/08/2013 at 02:47

I like the looks of the XL1 for the most part. 240 mpg would be amazing. I do think it would look even better without that rear wheel flat spot. If it was seamless it would just improve the lines so much. Maybe they could have the whole rear flip up as one unit with the engine cover for tire maintenance.

Although that might get a bit pricey in the event of a flat tire. As it is it looks like a flat in the rear would likely include some expensive body work.

thebrothernamedbigsby > J. David Buerk
12/08/2013 at 03:56

I don't care. That's the best looking VWs in a long time, and everyone knows it. Technologically and ascetically, it's modern art.

Drives a Citroen, doesn't regret a thing! > J. David Buerk
12/08/2013 at 07:57

Kinja'd!!!

That rear quarter view with those lights, those curves and angles, wheel well covers .. They're what modern day futuristic Citroens should be. Those right there.

MAKE IT SO, PSA.

Jagvar > J. David Buerk
12/08/2013 at 09:31

Now see, aren't you glad you showed up?

tapzz > J. David Buerk
12/08/2013 at 12:34

A friend of mine who was able to drive this vehicle just a few days ago likened it to "an old Packard" with the tiny diesel engine rumbling just behind your head.

Other than the fact that both the '48-'50 Club Coupes and XL1 are fastbacks, I'm really intrigued to hear what the other resemblance is between a 2 tonne straight 8 luxury smooth mobile and a no-compromise, carbon fibre two cylinder diesel economy special!

Kinja'd!!!