Ducati powered VW car?

[JulesMaximus]

I WANT ONE!!!

Timing belts and valve adjustments every 15k miles might be a problem though.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/firs...oncept-gets-ducati-v-twin-power?src=soc_fcbks

The Volkswagen XL1 is the coolest new car I drove last year. And I just had a couple of minutes in it at an LA parking lot. Stateside drivers have no idea what they're missing, because it's the most special vehicle to come from Volkswagen since the original GTI. A genuine exotic in every regard, it manages to make fuel economy exciting, and the driving experience itself is pure. The car is light, has no power steering, a brilliantly simple interior, and is a throwback in terms of road and steering feel. It's brilliant, and it uses almost no gas.

Given that the original fuel-sipper version was so engaging, an XL-based car with more power and no record-chasing efficiency conceits to worry about would be downright fun. And with the debut of this XL Sport concept, VW takes us a step closer to that eventuality. It's longer and wider than the XL1, and in terms of footprint, the rear track equals the front track (the XL1 body narrows toward the rear).

The 197-hp two-seater is powered by the same 99 lb-ft, 90-degree V-twin found in the Ducati 1199 Superleggera sportbike. It redlines at 11,000 rpm and is mated to a 7-speed DSG. The run from 0–62 mph (100 km/h) takes 5.7 seconds, and the XL Sport will keep on running until it reaches its top speed of 168 mph.

Like the XL1, this too is a featherweight, featuring a CFRP monocoque and high-strength steel subframes. It tips the scales at 1962 lbs. The front suspension features pullrod actuation for the dampers, while the rear has a pushrod setup. Carbon-ceramic brakes hide behind the car's 18-inch magnesium-alloy wheels, which are shod in 205/40 rubber in front and 265/35 meats in back.

Other fun factoid: the mechanism for the rear wing is swiped from the Lamborghini Aventador.

The cockpit carries forward the XL1's beautiful simplicity while incorporating new elements like a lap timer. Will VW build it? We'd guess yes. This is an extremely fleshed out concept that writes a second chapter for the XL story. Will we ever see it here? The answer to that, sadly, is likely no.

 

[xaeniac]

as if VW needs more reliability issues.

 

[dawp]

considering that this a concept car, if anything like this ever reaches production, which is unlikely, I sure they would address those shortcomings.

 

[_Rick_]

I doubt this will get built.
They barely sell any normal XLs, and they'll have to go to the trouble of getting emissions for the bike engine sorted out.
As a track-only car, it's probably too expensive, I'd estimate costs well north of $100k (probably even north of $200k), since a production run will be unlikely to reach three-digit volume, and I'm unsure how much of the XL-tooling can be reused for this.

But it's still friggin' awesome, especially for something VW-branded. I'm not sure the service intervals will be that bad, since this isn't a car that will see many miles put on it in most circumstances, unless you take it endurance racing.

Actually, VW could maybe use it as a one-make endurance racing formula, a step up from something like the GT-lights. That's probably the best way to get some additional exposure for the brand, and could be an interesting young-driver-academy thing to go with Porsche's and Audi's long-term WEC ambitions.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I doubt this will get built.
They barely sell any normal XLs, and they'll have to go to the trouble of getting emissions for the bike engine sorted out.
As a track-only car, it's probably too expensive, I'd estimate costs well north of $100k (probably even north of $200k), since a production run will be unlikely to reach three-digit volume, and I'm unsure how much of the XL-tooling can be reused for this.

But it's still friggin' awesome, especially for something VW-branded. I'm not sure the service intervals will be that bad, since this isn't a car that will see many miles put on it in most circumstances, unless you take it endurance racing.

Actually, VW could maybe use it as a one-make endurance racing formula, a step up from something like the GT-lights. That's probably the best way to get some additional exposure for the brand, and could be an interesting young-driver-academy thing to go with Porsche's and Audi's long-term WEC ambitions.

If they stick with the Ducati 1199 L-Twin engine then maintenance costs will be that bad. It is a motorcycle engine, a high revving twin cylinder with belt driven cams. Service intervals for that motor are belts and valve adjustments every 15,000 miles.

 

[_Rick_]

If they stick with the Ducati 1199 L-Twin engine then maintenance costs will be that bad. It is a motorcycle engine, a high revving twin cylinder with belt driven cams. Service intervals for that motor are belts and valve adjustments every 15,000 miles.

That's every 6 years then

Can't imagine anyone buying this as anything other than a toy, so I think yearly maintenance will be easily good enough, with a major over-haul every 5 years or so.
If they turn it into a racer, the engine would probably be halfway rebuilt after every event anyway.

This is not the kind of car I can imagine anyone but the most insane person to put significant mileage on. It'll be too noisy and small as a daily driver, way too small and uncomfortable for long trips, passengers are unlikely to happen, so you can really only take it out on Sundays, or on the occasional commute where you're sure that you don't need to pick up any groceries. It's still slightly more useful than a Morgan 3-wheeler or a Radical, but only because it's got a roof and hopefully at least a hint of ground-clearance.

 

[JulesMaximus]

That's every 6 years then

Can't imagine anyone buying this as anything other than a toy, so I think yearly maintenance will be easily good enough, with a major over-haul every 5 years or so.
If they turn it into a racer, the engine would probably be halfway rebuilt after every event anyway.

This is not the kind of car I can imagine anyone but the most insane person to put significant mileage on. It'll be too noisy and small as a daily driver, way too small and uncomfortable for long trips, passengers are unlikely to happen, so you can really only take it out on Sundays, or on the occasional commute where you're sure that you don't need to pick up any groceries. It's still slightly more useful than a Morgan 3-wheeler or a Radical, but only because it's got a roof and hopefully at least a hint of ground-clearance.

Belts (there are two) are every 15,000 miles or every 2 years.

I put 15,000 miles on my Ducati in 3 years and it has had 2 valve adjustments and one belt change. If I owned this car and it was street legal I can't imagine walking past it in my garage and not wanting to drive it everywhere.

Still, I doubt we'll ever see this car produced.