The Paris Motor Show is known for artful and striking concept cars, and Volkswagen was right on cue unveiling their XL Sport.
But this one isn’t a concept car. Expanding on their XL1 franchise, the new XL Sport leverages Volkswagen’s ownership of the Ducati brand and crossbreeds the two icons for a stunning and exclusive sports car.
Based on the Volkswagen XL1, the most fuel-efficient production car of all time, the XL Sport is infused with a V-Twin engine from the also exclusive Ducati 1199 Superleggera motorcycle.
The 197 horsepower 1.2 liter Ducati engine is just slightly modified for its use in the XL Sport and can rev to an astounding 11,000 rpm. It’s power goes to the rear wheels through a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox.
Volkswagen says the XL Sport can accelerate from 0-60 in about 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 168 mph. This change in performance from the XL1 required new bones underneath.
Thus, the XL Sport received a redesigned chassis with dual-wishbone suspension with pull-rod dampers up front and push-rod dampers at the rear.
Because the car is quite petite, its 18” wheels look rather large. Rubber is also somewhat minimal at a 205 section up front and 265 out back.
Only 250 copies of the Volkswagen XL Sport will be hand built, and unfortunately we can count on none of them for sale in the States.
