A group of security experts recently mentioned to me that the Oil-producing countries are all well-aware that their resources are limited. They explained this in terms of Iran’s urge to develop nuclear power.

Whether or not you accept that argument, it makes a fitting backdrop to VW’s decision to announce a super-efficient fuel-economy concept car at the Qatar Auto Show.

Take half a regular TDI engine, reduce the body weight about half, and sprinkle in some high tech bits and you get the XL1:

Now, Piech’s Volkswagen has combined state-of-the-art technology, from common rail diesel-supplemented plug-in hybrid power to carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer lightweight body material, to create the XL1. The concept consumes 0.9 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers, the automaker says, which translates to an EPA fuel mileage figure of 261.3 mpg. That mileage equals 24 grams of CO2 per kilometer, VW says. Our CO2 converter converts 261.3 mpg to 0.30 pounds per mile. VW chose to unveil this car as part of an auto show in Qatar, the one part of the world where fuel efficiency isn’t much of an issue.