Volkswagen gets away with powering the XL1 with a meek 47-hp 800cc two-cylinder TDI engine, 27-hp electric motor and lithium-ion battery. That small, rear-wheel-drive powertrain, in turn, contributes to the low weight. The entire drive unit, including the battery, weighs 500 pounds (227 kg), less than the Nissan Leaf's 660-pound (300-kg) battery and only 100 pounds (45 kg) more than the Chevy Volt's battery.
Armed with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG), the plug-in hybrid powertrain provides up to 32 miles (50 km) of all-electric driving. In electric mode, the engine is decoupled from the drivetrain, allowing the electric motor to act alone.