Volkswagen targets one-litre

Europe's biggest carmaker has unveiled a concept vehicle that's waist-high and about as long as a pushbike. Dubbed the L1 (one-litre – fuel consumption/100km, not engine capacity), the car seats the driver and passenger one behind the other, like on a motorycle.

Although the looks a bit like a Solar Challenge racer, the VW concept is powered by a 0.8-litre two-cylinder turbodiesel (20kW/100Nm) that sips fuel at a rate of 1.38L/100km. A sport mode increases the engine output to 29kW.

Volkswagen stops short of calling the L1 a hybrid but it does have an electric motor to reduce the load on the engine when running the car's ancillaries. A seven-speed DSG automated twin clutch gearbox with stop-go technology also helps make it a super-frugal commuter.

It has a top speed of 160km/h – incredible – and accelerates from rest to 100km/h in 14.3 seconds – predictable. The key to this efficiency is its tandem occupant packaging. It slips through the air with an aerodynamic drag rating [Cd] of 0.195. Toyota's Prius and Mercedes-Benz E-Class have Cds of 0.25 but boast vastly larger frontal areas.

The 10-litre fuel tank means the car has a theoretical driving range of 670km, but would you really want to drive it that far? And the other question that remains: will you be seen dead in one?

Volkswagen is coy about whether it will build the L1. The answer is: "maybe", or "some parts of it yes".

The company at least appears committed to the engine, claiming it is the smallest engine it will ever put into production. As for the carbon fibre body and the sleek, weird, pushbike-like design, maybe not so much.

At least VW has learned a lot building the experimental car, the second of its type in seven years.

The total weight of the L1 is just 380kg, about as much as a decent touring motorcycle. The body itself weighs 124kg, the engine weighs 122kg while interior furnishings add up to 35kg. The rest is in the weight of the chassis and suspension.

If it does go into production, we can't wait to drive it. It will surely bring a new meaning to the term "back seat driver".

Check out the Carsales Network’s Frankfurt show preview and brand-by-brand summaries. And stay tuned for more Frankfurt show news and first drives in the days to come.