Volkswagen on Monday unveiled a new electric vehicle prototype, one that is capable of achieving the equivalent of 323 miles per gallon under ideal conditions, making it one of the most efficient cars in the world.
It’s not unusual for automakers to come up with fantastic concepts with outlandish statistics, but Volkswagen took it a step or two further by building the electric vehicle and driving it from its base in Wolfsburg, Germany, on a 794-mile (1,278-kilometer) trip to Vienna. The team charged the Mission Efficiency prototype once during the trip and arrived with 104 miles (168 kilometers) of range remaining, resulting in consumption of 7.51 kilowatt-hours per 100 miles, or about 279 MPGe.
The teardrop-shaped Mission Efficiency prototype was built using the ID’s electric motor and battery. Polo, two features that bring the car to “near production” status, Volkswagen said in a Press release.
For those keeping score, the prototype is almost twice as efficient as the world’s most efficient production car, the Lucid Air Pure.
By some rough calculations, Volkswagen’s science experiment can get more than 400 miles of range from a 54.9 kilowatt-hour battery, although that’s not an official EPA rating. The Lucid gets 420 miles on an 84-kilowatt-hour battery according to EPA ratings, but it’s a much larger, more practical vehicle.
Volkswagen had to make some concessions in the name of efficiency.
Most notable is the roofline, which tapers quickly after peaking above the driver’s head. The shape, known as Kammback, is among the most aerodynamic that a vehicle can take. Volkswagen was able to reduce the drag coefficient to 0.158, while keeping the frontal area low at just 2.08 square meters.
As a result, the Mission Efficiency is technically a 2+2, meaning the rear seats aren’t suitable for most adults. Volkswagen said the rear seat is designed for people shorter than 5 feet 3 inches, or about 1.6 meters.
“The prototype was designed so that, in theory, it could be used by a young family of four,” Volkswagen said, although anyone who has contemplated sitting in a 2+2 knows that even children might scoff at the idea.
Another commitment is closer to the road. Because wheels and tires can contribute between a quarter and a third of aerodynamic drag, designers reduced the space between the wheel arches and the front tires. It’s great for efficiency, but probably not great for ride quality, as the wheels need room to move inside the wheel wells so the shock absorbers can absorb the shocks.
One aspect where Volkswagen made no concessions was the mirrors. Side mirrors generate a lot of drag simply by hanging off the sides, and while cameras would have reduced those losses significantly, they don’t offer the same sense of depth as real mirrors.
To top it off, Volkswagen installed solar cells on the roof and trunk lid. It’s a nice touch that’s sure to delight the Internet, but its impact is limited: It adds just 18 miles (30 kilometers) to perfectly flat, sunny routes traveled at a constant speed of 42.25 mph (68 kph).
Inside, the seats are constructed with lightweight materials and designs. On the dashboard, Volkswagen took a page from electric vehicle startup Slate Auto. As Slate’s basic truckMission Efficiency doesn’t come with an infotainment system or built-in speakers. Instead, it offers a portable Bluetooth speaker and assumes drivers will bring their own devices.
While Volkswagen frequently calls the Mission Efficiency a “near production” vehicle, the company has not committed to actual production. Don’t assume it won’t be, though: More than a decade ago, the automaker produced 250 examples of the XL1, another efficiency-minded car. And like other Halo cars, it wasn’t cheap, with prices starting at €110,000 in 2013.
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