VW XL Sport: a superbike in the form of an eco car

By: AFP
| Updated on: 10 Oct 2014, 11:41 AM

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For its latest concept car, Volkswagen has combined the best attributes of its environmentally friendly XL1 car with the engine from a Ducati Superleg

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For its latest concept car, Volkswagen has combined the best attributes of its environmentally friendly XL1 car with the engine from a Ducati Superleggera racing bike to devastating effect.

What is currently the world's most aerodynamic production car? The 250mph+ Bugatti Veyron? The V12/electric Ferrari LaFerrari hypercar? The Porsche 911 Turbo S? No, no and no. That accolade belongs to the hyper-efficient Volkswagen XL1.

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It cuts a finer dash through oncoming air than any of its contemporaries in order to return record fuel economy figures of 0.9l/100km (310mpg) rather than set a scorching lap time at the Nurburgring.

But, at this year's Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen is demonstrating what would happen if those aerodynamic credentials were used for evil rather than good.

At a quick glance, the XL Sport looks almost identical to the XL1 when fully clothed, but when stripped back, where the latter has a three-cylinder diesel engine and an electric motor working together for the good of the planet, the new concept has a 197hp V-Twin transplanted from a Ducati racing bike instead.

That 1199 cc double-overhead-camshaft engine can rev up to 11,000 rpm, meaning a top speed of 168mph (270 km/h) and a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds.

To keep the super lightweight car in check, the XL Sport is actually very slightly wider than the XL1 and has a retractable rear spoiler to improve downforce and keep it glued to the track in the bends. The body also has new vents to keep that fast revving engine cool and somehow, VW has found room to add a bit of luggage space too.

And although this car is currently a concept, there is a good chance that, like its angelic counterpart, it could be heading for a very limited production run.

First Published Date: 08 Oct 2014, 15:43 PM IST