Friday 3rd October 2014

Ducati-engined VW XL Sport - Paris 2014

VW's pre-show show throws up another surprise with the 200hp XL Sport concept [new pics added]

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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.

[Source: Autocar]

[Pyrolysis]

My head hurts just looking at that, I like the idea of the high revving duke engine tho

[Triumph Man]

I have to admit I like it! I always wondered what the XL1 would look like without those rear spats, and now I know. Shame it's got an autobox though...

[Kawasicki]

eis kalt

[MrTappets]

Have to say, that's astonishing and wonderful. I'm seeing a mix of Nissan GTR and R390 on the looks, for some reason.

[CraigyMc]

The tyres are massive for something with that power and weight.

265's for 200bhp/900kg?

[rejn]

Wow - I love it. 200bhp, 800kg, and its looks have echoes of group C - would be brilliant. Isn't the XL1 base model hideously expensive, though?

[goron59]

Looks v much like an R8 with a hideous body kit, but I like the idea of it.
Torque seems very very low compared to other cars of similar power output, but then it's quite light too, certainly in 'concept spec.'

A little confused why VAG would put a VW badge on something sporty though. Golf GTI aside, the VW brand is supposed to be bland.

Overall, yea!

[biggrim]

Is it just me or is that interior shot a render with an obvious mistake? Look at the passenger side wing mirror.

Aside from that, I love it. Looks a bit Noble M600 to me but that's certainly no bad thing.

[Arun_D]

biggrim said:

Is it just me or is that interior shot a render with an obvious mistake? Look at the passenger side wing mirror.

Aside from that, I love it. Looks a bit Noble M600 to me but that's certainly no bad thing.

Screen in each doorcard as the 'mirrors' way down on the front wings are cameras. Or something wrong with the view it's showing?

Lovely looking car, though.

[RosscoPCole]

I like that a lot, both in shape and what is underneath. The wooden gear lever is a nice touch.

It does remind me of a Noble M600.

[biggrim]

Arun_D said:

Screen in each doorcard as the 'mirrors' way down on the front wings are cameras. Or something wrong with the view it's showing?

Lovely looking car, though.

Ahhhhh

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Still prefer the look of the original personally, but top marks for giving it a go

[thatdude]

goron59 said:

Torque seems very very low compared to other cars of similar power output, but then it's quite light too, certainly in 'concept spec.'

On the flip side, the ducati V-twins are often celebrated (amongst the motorcycling community) for their relatively high amounts of torque in comparison to 1000 cc IL4's

I don't think it's going to be a car for pottering around town in just above tickover!

[danp]

Surprised it's that heavy with the electrical bits removed, power and weight seem similar to an exige s1/s2, but I don't think the price would be, wasn't the eco xl1 circa 100k?

[bubney72]

Fantastic engine.

[kev b]

I think it would have been more interesting if they had left the original dry multi plate, rattling, dust producing clutch assembly in place along with the six speed sequential gearbox.

[MogulBoy]

That is quite something.

[Clivey]

CraigyMc said:

The tyres are massive for something with that power and weight.

265's for 200bhp/900kg?

It appears that they've made a Ducati-powered steamroller.

Still...love the concept. - It's a million times more interesting than most VAG cars!

Arun_D said:

Screen in each doorcard as the 'mirrors' way down on the front wings are cameras. Or something wrong with the view it's showing?

Lovely looking car, though.

The only problem in this case is the screen location. - On the door card, it's going to force the driver to turn their head further to see it. IMO it'd be better on top of the dash or built into the interior A-pillar trim.

Edited by Clivey on Thursday 2nd October 08:47

[IN51GHT]

Much of the original XL-1's appeal was in the appearance. Having spent some time up close, it is engineering porn, why mess with it's appearance & make it into another euro box.

I have plane to fit an NSX engine into a G1 Insight, but it would have to look stock.

[cptsideways]

Le Mans entry anyone?