2011 Volkswagen XL1 Prototype gets 261 mpg, could sell in 2014!

Volkswagen has just released a 2011 VW XL1 Prototype. They claim this car gets 261 mpg. (no, that isn't a typo!) It is a plug-in hybrid, meaning its fuel use is supplemented by electricity. Even so, 261 mpg is just mind-blowing! The car has a 47-hp diesel engine, a 27-hp electric motor and a 507-lb carbon-fiber chassis. Not to say that this is some kind of sports car. Though it has very nimble handling due to a feather-light 1752-lb weight, its 0-60 time is a sluggish 12 seconds. Volkswagen is even considering selling this car in 2014! How's that to compensate for gas prices that are at $4 and still rising?

Will Hybrids be the Next Racecars?

Everytime a hybrid car brakes, energy is stored into power sources next to its tires. This means that when it accelerates, it will have a much quicker acceleration. That's why hybrids might be the next racecars. In fact, a Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid racecar raced at the Petit Le Mans 10-hour race at Road Atlanta! Whether hybrid cars have the capability of outperforming gas-powered cars hasn't been answered yet. There is a plug-in hybrid racecar, however, going on sale around 2012. Its name: Porsche 918 Spyder. It is a plug-in hybrid, meaning it runs on electricity, and you can give it electricity in two ways: giving it gas which it turns into electricity and gets about twice the mpg on, or you can plug it in to a 110-volt or 220-volt electrical plug. It is a 2-seat convertible, that accelerates from 0 to 62 miles an hour in under 3.2 seconds, and has a top speed of 198 mph! It has an estimated price of $640,000.
Honda recently introduced its Honda CR-Z Sports Hybrid, another hybrid sports car. It has a 1.5 liter engine with 122 horsepower, it boasts 39 mpg in the city, and takes only 9 seconds to go from 0-60 mph. Pricing starts at only $19,200.