Volkswagen has unveiled a striking new electric concept that pushes the boundaries of how far an EV can travel without stopping to recharge, claiming an estimated 500-mile range on a single charge. The car, called the Mission Efficiency, draws heavy inspiration from another notable Volkswagen project from over a decade ago.

Back in 2013, Volkswagen introduced the XL1, a limited-run two-seat plug-in hybrid powered by a small turbo-diesel engine. Its ultra-aerodynamic body allowed it to travel roughly 62 miles on a single liter of fuel. The Mission Efficiency picks up that same philosophy, translating it into a fully electric package while growing slightly in size and practicality.

Built on Volkswagen's MEB+ platform, the Mission Efficiency isn't just capable of hitting 500 miles on a charge — during a real-world test, it managed 794 miles with only one charging stop along the way. Even more impressive, the car reportedly still had 102 miles of range remaining when that journey concluded, meaning it theoretically could have covered more than 870 miles total before needing a full recharge.

Much of that efficiency comes down to the car's shape. The Mission Efficiency boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.158, which Volkswagen says makes it the most aerodynamic road-legal car ever produced. Its frontal area measures a mere 22.4 square feet, further reducing resistance as it moves through the air.

Despite its futuristic looks, the concept relies on components you can already buy. It uses front-wheel drive and shares its electric motor and battery pack with the Volkswagen ID. Polo supermini. Rather than developing exotic new hardware, engineers focused on cutting weight, minimizing energy losses, and refining aerodynamics.

To showcase the car's capabilities, Volkswagen tested it under controlled "ideal" conditions — a steady 42 mph, flat terrain, and no extra systems running — where it sipped just 6.48 kWh per 100 km. In a far tougher real-world test, the team drove the car nearly 800 miles from its Wolfsburg development center to Vienna, passing through Poznań, Poland, and Olomouc, Czech Republic. Averaging 42 mph with a top speed of 86 mph, the car used 7.51 kWh per 100 km including charging losses, or 6.89 kWh per 100 km without them.

Germany's Record Institute (RID) has certified the Mission Efficiency as the most efficient near-production electric vehicle designed for everyday four-passenger use. Configured as a 2+2 coupe with a much larger tailgate than the two-seat XL1, the car feels like a true spiritual successor — though Volkswagen has given no indication that it plans to put the Mission Efficiency into production.

Source: Yahoo Autos