Volkswagen's crazy-efficient EV borrows an idea from Slate

Key Points:

• Volkswagen unveiled the Mission Efficiency prototype electric vehicle, capable of achieving an equivalent of 323 miles per gallon under ideal conditions, making it one of the most efficient cars globally.
• The prototype completed a 794-mile trip from Wolfsburg to Vienna with only one charge, using 7.51 kWh per 100 miles (about 279 MPGe), demonstrating near-production readiness with components from the ID. Polo.
• The teardrop-shaped car features a highly aerodynamic Kammback design with a drag coefficient of 0.158 and compromises such as limited rear seating space and tight wheel arches for improved efficiency.
• Solar cells on the roof and trunk add a modest 18 miles of range under optimal conditions, and the minimalist interior excludes built-in infotainment, instead offering a portable Bluetooth speaker.
• Volkswagen has not confirmed production plans for the Mission Efficiency, but the prototype follows the tradition of high-efficiency halo vehicles like the XL1, which was produced in limited numbers over a decade ago.