Ducati-Engined XL1 Being Internally Developed at Volkswagen

Ferdinand Piech’s idea to create a sporty version of the XL1 using a Ducati V-twin engine is gaining traction within the company. Piech showed a rendering for the car during a presentation to students at the Technical University of Vienna.

Piech’s rendering was codenamed the XL Sport and used a 1.2-liter V-twin engines from a Ducati 1199 Panigale with 190ps (187hp) and 91lb-ft (123.7Nm) and a Volkswagen dual-clutch transmission.

“Yes, we are working on it internally. It is a very special project,” said Hans-Jakob Neusser, VW head of research and development.

The company’s plan is to create a one-off prototype to display at an auto show in 2014. From there, it may be put into very limited-run production, but that is still something of a long shot.

If anyone can push a project like this through VW, it is Piech. When he was VW Group chairman, he spearheaded the Bugatti VeyronBugatti VeyronGermany, 2000 > present27 versions
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, and much earlier in his career, he developed the 917Porsche 917Germany, 1969 > 19817 versions
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at PorschePorscheGermany, 1931 > present43 models
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