The new Volkswagen twin up! hybrid has been unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The twin up! is a plug-in hybrid which uses a modified version of the diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain already used in the XL1. This means it gets a 47bhp 0.8-litre two-cylinder diesel engine coupled to a 47bhp electric motor, giving a total power output of 74bhp.
As a result, Volkswagen claims that the twin up! is good for 256.8mpg and CO2 emissions of just 27g/km. While this is some way off the 313mpg offered by the XL1 it's still mightily impressive, especially for a car which was designed from the outset as a petrol-powered car.
Performance is hardly earth-shattering, with a leisurely 15.7 second 0-62mph time and a top speed of 87mph; however, what's more impressive is the twin up!'s range. VW claims it'll do 31 miles on electric power only, with a full diesel-electric range of more than 600 miles reportedly on the cards.
The range is helped by the car's good aerodynamics (the drag coefficient is just 0.30 Cd), low-rolling resistance tyres and a brake energy recuperation system which is used to recharge the batteries.
Volkswagen has yet to confirm whether the twin up! will make it into production.
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