2014 Paris Auto Show – VW XL Sport

Throw away the electric nonsense, stick a bike engine in it and this happens

By Shahzad Sheikh

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

I drove the Volkswagen XL1 electric hybrid hyper-efficient car here at the Dubai Autodrome earlier this year, and found it to be rather fun – read that review here.

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

Could help but wonder what it might be like with a proper engine in it. I guess some engineers at VW were clearly wondering the same thing.

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

So now that VW sister company Audi owns Ducati, some of them have snuck over there and nicked a V2 engine from a Ducati Superleggera. And in the best tradition of MEMEs – you won’t believe what happened next!

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

Here are the facts

  • XL Sport is based on XL1
  • Fitted with V2 from Ducati Superleggera producing 197bhp – claimed to be the world’s most powerful two-cylinder engine – with 99lb ft of torque
  • Engine is rear mid-mounted and revs up to 11,000rpm!
  • Drive is through 7-speed DSG auto to the rear
  • XL Sport has a top speed of 270kph with 0-100 in 5.7seconds
  • Body made from lightweight carbon fibre it weighs just 890kg, aero is just 0.26
  • 18-inch wheels with 205/40 tyres up front and 265/35 at the rear
  • Bonnet, frotn and rear fenders unique to XL Sport
  • And they’ll build it – just 500 units

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

So the answer to my original question is that you end up with a sort of Caterham 7 for the 21st Century. They should make a lot more than 500 units of these and sell them for AED100 instead of the absurd money it will cost – I guarantee they’ll sell loads here!

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

2014 Paris Auto Show - VW XL Sport

 

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