Volkswagen XR1 Sports Car in Planning Stages

A sports car that borrows from the fuel-sipping Volkswagen XL1 is in the planning stages.

The Volkswagen XL1 is the world’s most fuel-efficient car with a claimed 261-mpg rating, but the XL1’s aerodynamic design might seem wasted in such a to sports car enthusiasts, accelerating to 62 mph in 12.7 seconds.

The German automaker seems to agree, believing that the XL1’s platform can lead to a viable and potent sports car. It appears that Volkswagen is planning to use the XL1’s basic architecture and its carbon-fiber reinforced polymer chassis to build an ultra lightweight, mid-engine sports car to perform like a Porsche 911 while returning fuel economy similar to a diesel Golf.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen XL1 Gets 261-MPG, is NOT a Concept Car

Insiders are referring to the project as XR1 and it could use the Golf GTI’s 2.0-liter, turbocharged powerplant. The German automaker’s engineers are currently mulling over a turbocharged and supercharged setup or maybe a hybrid, but financially the Golf GTI’s engine makes sense. The combination of the XL1’s lightweight platform and the GTI’s powerplant could spawn a sports car with a top speed of 190 mph and a 0-62 sprint faster than the Porsche 911’s 4.6 seconds.

Of course it’s not as simple as dropping a more potent engine into the XL1. The automaker will need to widen and lengthen the chassis in order to accommodate the larger engine. The car will also probably adopt a more aggressive-looking body style, sacrificing some of its aerodynamics. The XL1’s gullwings are believed to be carried over to the XR1.

Volkswagen hasn’t given the project the green light yet, but insiders are optimistic on the vehicle’s outcome given how much has been invested into the XL1 and its limited production.