The Volkswagen XL1: 147 mpg car.

[Motown_Johnny]

60. the 0.8L diesel engine is the secret to this thing.

Yes, the carbon fiber body and other weight saving methods utilized help, but being able to create enough electricity to keep the thing running on that small and efficient an engine is the breakthrough.

This thing is basically a Chevy Volt style vehicle. That is to say, an electric car that brings it's own electric generator with it to create electricity when needed. The Volt uses a 1.4L 4 cyl. engine to generate electricity. It is also run on regular gasoline, not diesel. Of course the Volt seats 4 and is a mass production vehicle, so in a way I am comparing apples and oranges.

I think a diesel and bio-diesel version of the Volt is inevitable but they better get moving. VW isn't going to be the only one making new vehicles like this. Diesels have always been more efficient when it comes to generating electricity. This has to be the next step.