As an innovative and desirable diesel hybrid, the
VW XL1
is already a fairly remarkable little thing. It is a car to pique the interest of PH with its clever construction, unique design and meticulous engineering. Now it has a Ducati bike engine in it. Lordy...
The XL Sport's headline stats are appropriately astonishing: 200hp, 11,000rpm, 168mph and 890kg. VW says the Ducati 1199 Superleggera V2 engine was 'slightly modified' for this installation but 'basically the same as the motorcycle engine'. It still runs an amazingly (for a car at least) oversquare bore to stroke ratio of 112mm/60.8mm, plus the bike's titanium conrods and desmodromic valve control.
VW boss Martin Winterkorn presents the XL1 Sport
Torque is rated at 99lb ft and, combined with a seven-speed DSG, VW says a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds should be possible along with that fantastic top speed. Dare anyone dispute its claim of the XL Sport being the fastest 200hp car in the world?
Stopping this mad XL are carbon ceramic brakes that sit behind magnesium wheels. Tyres are 205/40 R 18 at the front and 265/35 R 18 rear.
Fundamentally the Sport is very similar to the 'standard' XL1 in its construction but is significantly larger than that car. Length is up from 3,888mm to 4,291mm, the Sport is wider by 183mm at 1,847mm and the wheelbase grows 220mm to 2,424. WIth the height near identical at 1,153mm (against the standard 1,152mm), the Sport's appearance is undoubtedly dramatic. Note also how it remains the same width throughout whereas the XL1 tapers at the rear.
As outside, the interior is very much the XL1 with some very racy accoutrements. So there's carbon this and aluminium that, plus the substitution of the eco displays for information such as lap times and oil pressure. Excellent.
Officially the XL Sport is a concept, one step on from last year's confirmation that a Ducati-engined XL1 had been discussed. Production spec in 2015 perhaps? Please VW, do everything possible.
