Volkswagen Shows Off its Ducati-Powered XL Sport

VW XL Sport (Credit: © Volkswagen)

We all love Volkswagen’s 313-mpg, 74-horsepower, 1,752-pound XL1; it is truly a modern marvel that shows off what kind of fuel economy a diesel engine can pull off. However, its 11.9-second 0-to-62-mph sprint time makes it a less-than-fun car to drive. Well, VW has realized this and satisfied its performance junkies with the new XL Sport concept that it released at the Paris Auto Show.

The XL Spot bears the same super-modern look as the original XL1, save for tons of performance-oriented upgrades. These changes include the elimination of the rear-wheel skirts, and the addition of a set of huge air intakes just forward of  the rear wheels, heat extractors behind the rear wheels, hood vents, a more aggressive ground-effect kit, a revised rear fascia, a huge rear spoiler and 18-inch and magnesium-alloy wheels that are 53-pounds lighter than equivalent aluminum wheels. The other big change is what’s powering this beast.

VW XL Sport (Credit: © Volkswagen)

Propulsion is the responsibility of a 1,199-cc, V-twin engine from the limited-run Ducati 1199 Superleggera. This sport-bike engine spins up to an incredible 11,000 rpm, and produces 197 horsepower and 99 pound-feet of torque. That may not sound like much power, but it is plenty to get this 1,962-pound sports car up and moving.

Transferring the power to the rear wheels is a VW seven-speed, DSG , dual-clutch transmission. This drivetrain team allows the XL Sport to hit 62 mph in just 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph.

The Chassis also received some tweaks, as its subframes are made from high-strength steel with pullrod actuation for the dampers up front and race car-like pushrods on the rear. Doing the handling is a set of high-performance tires sized 205/40R18 up front and 265/35R18 out back. A set of carbon-ceramic brakes handle stopping duties while reducing weight and brake fade.

VW XL Sport (Credit: © Volkswagen)

On the inside, the XL Sport gets a dose of racing injected into it. To show off its performance-oriented nature, VW added in a lap timer and oil-pressure gauge, a carbon-fiber cowl across the instrument panel to reduce reflections, red stitching on the steering wheel, aluminum-alloy shift paddles. anodized-aluminum accents surrounding the air vents, climate control fascia and the DSG shifter, and red seat belts.

For now, the XL Sport is only a concept, but with enough interest, VW will likely build it in limited numbers.