Jens Meiners wrote:Last year, VW emperor Ferdinand Piëch confirmed development of an evil version of VW’s ultralight and ultra-efficient XL1 sports car. The original vehicle’s reason for existence—apart from being a technological showcase—was eco-friendliness, a mission it achieved thanks to a hybridized two-cylinder diesel powertrain that gets 283 mpg in the European cycle for plug-in hybrids. But its precious nature somewhat spoiled it for enthusiasts, as did the fact that it cost more than $120,000, took nearly thirteen seconds to reach 60 mph, and topped out at a governed 99 mph.
Now the vehicle to which Piëch was referring is here in the form of the XL Sport, a semi-insane answer to all of your hopes and dreams for the XL1. Out go the latter’s two-banger turbo-diesel and whirring electric motor, in goes a high-performance gasoline engine. It’s a special powerplant indeed, borrowed from one of the Volkswagen Group’s crown jewels: a 197-hp, 11,000-rpm, “Superquadro” two-cylinder engine taken straight from the Ducati 1199 Superleggera superbike. A stepdown transmission is employed to reduce engine speeds by a factor of 1.86 before output is routed through to the XL1′s seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic. The latter transmission carries over easily, as it has to deal with less torque: The Superquadro, complete with Ducati’s trademark desmodromic valve control, produces a relatively timid 99 lb-ft.
Using the compact, carbon-fiber structure of the XL1, the XL Sport is a dream car for number freaks. At 1962 pounds, the XL Sport is heavier than the 1753-pound XL1. Fitting a motor-actuated rear spoiler underscores the fact that low weight wasn’t as much of a priority as it is in the XL1, of which just 250 will be built. The XL Sport’s aerodynamics suffer due to wider tires, the need for downforce, and its hearty appetite for fresh air. It stands on 205/40-18 front and 265/35-18 rear tires and forged-magnesium wheels. Compare the rubber with the XL1′s 115/80-15 and 145/55-16 meats, and the increased drag—the claimed coefficient rises from 0.189 to 0.258—can be viewed with a charitable eye. And even so, this is perhaps the lightest and most aerodynamically efficient sports car on the planet.
The Volkswagen XL Sport will reach 168 mph; the sprint from 0 to 62 mph is said to take 5.7 seconds, which we find somewhat disappointing given this car’s power-to-weight ratio. The sound, however, should be almost unbeatable.
Inside and out, the XL Sport looks great. We really dig the scissor doors and the interior, which is a veritable orgy of exposed carbon fiber and faux suede. And the wood-knob-topped shifter with its metal release grip is pure awesomeness. This is just a concept car at this point, but we hear from Wolfsburg that it would be pretty easy to do a limited production run. We sure as hell would like to see it on the road.
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