Remember the 300mpg VW XL1 supercar? Well, imagine a badder, meaner version. That’s the XL Sport, a more sporty but still enviably frugal two-cylinder concept unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2014.
The VW XL Sport is powered by a modified Ducati 1199 Superleggera V2, the world’s most powerful two-cylinder motorbike engine. A healthy 200PS (197bhp) is sent through a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.
Besides weighing less than your typical car engine, the motorbike powerplant means the XL Sport can rev up to an ear-shredding 11,000rpm as it blasts from 0 to 60mph in 5.7 seconds. Top speed is an impressive 167mph.
Size wise, the VW XL Sport measures 4,291mm in length, 1,847mm in width and 1,152mm in height so it’s bigger than the £98,515 XL1. The wheelbase is also longer, at 2,424mm.
Those head-turning looks come from significantly wider wings, larger alloy wheels and an extending spoiler that spans the width of the car. There are also special air curtains, wheel arch air outlets, diffuser designed to reduce aerodynamic lift and adaptive exhaust vents.
VW is yet to spill details about the efficiency and handling. We’re guessing the lightweight engine and XL1’s aerodynamic prowess should make for a grin-inducing, eco-friendly mix. If it ever reaches production. Considering the XL1 did, we have high hopes.
VW’s other Paris Motor Show 2014 unveiling is the Passat GTE, a plug-in hybrid version of the popular German saloon.
Update: VW says it will be building 250 of the XL Sport for an undiclosed priced, mirroring the XL1 production run.
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