Volkswagen obviously believes the world is now ready to embrace a car as radical as the XL1, because they are putting it in the production, and the final version looks exactly like what you see here. And yes, it is as frugal as the concept version, doing 0.9 liters / 100 km or 313 mpg.

The reason the XL1 is so amazingly economical is first because it is incredibly aerodynamic – hence the rather uninspiring design, second, it is very very light – 795 kg, and third, it has a microscopic hybrid powertrain featuring a a two-cylinder TDI engine and an electric motor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTIdkgYxhnA

The hybrid system makes around 70 horsepower combined, delivered to the wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG). The performance is not that shabby, as it does 0 to 100 km/h in 12.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of a60 km/h (limited).

As mentioned, the XL1 does 0.9 liters / 100 km or 313 mpg, corresponding to a CO2 rating of just 21 g/km. The two-seater can cover a distance of 500 kilometers with a full tank of gas.