This is not the first time we’re hearing rumors of an XR1 lightweight sports car from Volkswagen, which will feature a similar architecture as the one used on the ultra-frugal XL1 hybrid, but do away with some of the fuel-saving tech, and slot in a two-liter petrol engine, most likely from the latest Golf GTI, or some sort of high-powered force-fed three-pot unit.
This means that the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time stated by CAR Magazine for the XR1 of under 4.6 seconds, is feasible, if the car has good traction and can quickly get its 850kg (1,873 pounds) of estimated weight going.
However, the quest for efficiency won’t be completely neglected, if the car does move from just being an idea, and actual prototypes are built and testing is commenced. The aim is to make it use less than 70 mpg UK (4 l/100 km or 58.3 mpg US), while still offering the strong acceleration and top speed around the 190 mph (~300 km/h) mark.
Handling should also hypothetically be something the XR1 could excel at, having its engine in the middle, using carbon-fiber to keep weight and center of gravity down and getting considerably wider tires than those fitted to the efficiency-minded XL1.
Finally, it is speculated that if it does get made, pricing will hover around the £40,000 (€46,150 / $60,000) mark, making it a far more accessible vehicle than the price-impaired XL1.
By Andrei Nedelea
Note: VW XL1 pictured above and below
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