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So, that powertrain was fitted into a modified variant
of the XL1, a vehicle that is longer (168.9 in. vs. 153.1
in.) and wider (72.7 in. vs. 65.5 in.) and with a longer
wheelbase (95.4 in. vs. 87.6 in.) than the XL1.
And this became the XL Sport, a concept car that VW
unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.
(It is worth noting that the XL1 is a "production car,"
albeit one that will be limited to 250 units, so it is almost
concept-like in its comparative rarity.)
The Sport weighs a total of 1,962 lb, thanks, in large
part, to its carbon fiber reinforced monocoque and
body panels, polycarbonate windows, and magnesium-
alloy wheels (the wheels alone are 53 lb. lighter than
comparable aluminum-alloy rims).
The vehicle has high-strength steel subframes.
While the shape of the XL1 is tapered from front to
rear, the width of the XL Sport is consistent at the front
and rear, although from the plan view there is a bit of
a waist in the cockpit area (the vehicle seats two, with
staggered seating positions). There is no backlight for
the vehicle (nor sideview mirrors, which are replaced
with cameras). There is a louvered hatch in the rear, with
the five louvers opening automatically for powertrain
cooling.
And the engineers provided 3.8-ft
3
of luggage space in
the back—and just to have a sense of how big that is, it is
worth noting that the VW Beetle offers 15.4-ft
3
of cargo
volume.
The 1199 engine produces 197 hp. Combine that with a
1,962-lb vehicle with a low coefficient of drag, and you
come up with a car that has a top speed of 168 mph.
p The powertrain layout of the XL Sport. It is based on the
Ductai 1199 Superleggera engine.
t The rear actually provides some luggage room. Assuming
that you have small luggage. It measures just 3.8-ft
3
.