Volkswagen Group is one of the largest automakers on Earth, operating 106 factories in 27 countries and building everything from motorcycles to commercial vehicles. However, it saved something very special to celebrate its latest production milestone. During VW's preview night ahead of the 2014 Paris Motor Show, the company showed off the frankly amazing XL Sport concept and announced that it was the 200-millionth vehicle ever built by the group.
In its release, VW claims that the XL Sport "symbolizes the innovative power and passion of the brand," but when it comes down to it, the vehicle just looks cool as the high performance evolution of the super-efficient XL1. The Sport ditches everything to do with fuel economy in favor of a 197-horsepower, V-twin engine from a Ducati 1199 Superleggera and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All that grunt, in an already light car allows for a claimed sprint to 62 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 168 miles per hour. Unfortunately, because the XL Sport is a concept for now, it may never see the road.
Perhaps even more surprising, it took VW Group until 1999 to reach the 100-million vehicle mark with a New Beetle. Getting to 200 million only required about another 15 years to accomplish. In that time, the company acquired Porsche and expanded heavily in China, among other business moves.
"This impressive figure also bears witness to our customers' confidence in the Group," said VW Group Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn during the ceremony. He also presented a donation of 200,000 euros to French actress Catherine Deneuve for her charity the Cinema for Peace Foundation. Scroll down to read VW's full release.
In its release, VW claims that the XL Sport "symbolizes the innovative power and passion of the brand," but when it comes down to it, the vehicle just looks cool as the high performance evolution of the super-efficient XL1. The Sport ditches everything to do with fuel economy in favor of a 197-horsepower, V-twin engine from a Ducati 1199 Superleggera and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All that grunt, in an already light car allows for a claimed sprint to 62 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 168 miles per hour. Unfortunately, because the XL Sport is a concept for now, it may never see the road.
Perhaps even more surprising, it took VW Group until 1999 to reach the 100-million vehicle mark with a New Beetle. Getting to 200 million only required about another 15 years to accomplish. In that time, the company acquired Porsche and expanded heavily in China, among other business moves.
"This impressive figure also bears witness to our customers' confidence in the Group," said VW Group Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn during the ceremony. He also presented a donation of 200,000 euros to French actress Catherine Deneuve for her charity the Cinema for Peace Foundation. Scroll down to read VW's full release.
New record: Volkswagen Group celebrates 200 million vehicles produced
A top value among European automakers
Record-breaking vehicle XL Sport makes its world debut at Paris Motor Show
French film icon Catherine Deneuve receives €200,000 donation for "Cinema for Peace"
Wolfsburg/Paris, October 1, 2014 – A new record for the Volkswagen Group: Europe's leading automaker has now produced 200 million vehicles. Volkswagen is one of the few manufacturers in the world to have reached this impressive total. At the Group evening, the sports car study Volkswagen XL Sport made its world debut as the 200 millionth Group vehicle. On the occasion of the production record, actress Catherine Deneuve, founding chairperson of "Cinema for Peace", received a check for a donation of €200,000 from the Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn.
The Volkswagen Group has been able to double the number of vehicles produced within a few years. In 1999, the Group celebrated the 100 million vehicle mark with an anniversary New Beetle. In the meantime, customers can choose from a unique individual mobility portfolio ranging from motorcycles through to supercars. Vehicles are produced at 106 plants in 27 countries.
As its latest model, Volkswagen is presenting the XL Sport at the Paris Motor Show. The highly efficient sports car design study is driven by the world's most powerful twin-cylinder engine. 200 PS from the V2 engine of the Ducati 1199 Superleggera take the high tech driving machine manufactured from carbon and magnesium to a top speed of 270 km/h. The Volkswagen XL Sport symbolizes the innovative power and passion of the brand as well as the technical competence and success of the entire Volkswagen Group.
Catherine Deneuve, who starred in movies like "Belle de Jour", "Indochine" and "Dancer in the Dark", congratulated Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group, on the world premiere and on the Group's overall success: "I am impressed that you have celebrated 200 million vehicles with this extraordinary car. Très magnifique!".
"We are proud to have produced 200 million vehicles. This impressive figure also bears witness to our customers' confidence in the Group. For Volkswagen, success and responsibility are inseparable. This is why we are pleased to support Catherine Deneuve in her commitment to "Cinema for Peace", said Winterkorn.
Volkswagen is donating €200,000 to aid the Cinema for Peace Foundation. This charitable organization is committed to peace and human rights throughout the world, mainly through the medium of film, and supports a large number of humanitarian aid projects.
A top value among European automakers
Record-breaking vehicle XL Sport makes its world debut at Paris Motor Show
French film icon Catherine Deneuve receives €200,000 donation for "Cinema for Peace"
Wolfsburg/Paris, October 1, 2014 – A new record for the Volkswagen Group: Europe's leading automaker has now produced 200 million vehicles. Volkswagen is one of the few manufacturers in the world to have reached this impressive total. At the Group evening, the sports car study Volkswagen XL Sport made its world debut as the 200 millionth Group vehicle. On the occasion of the production record, actress Catherine Deneuve, founding chairperson of "Cinema for Peace", received a check for a donation of €200,000 from the Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn.
The Volkswagen Group has been able to double the number of vehicles produced within a few years. In 1999, the Group celebrated the 100 million vehicle mark with an anniversary New Beetle. In the meantime, customers can choose from a unique individual mobility portfolio ranging from motorcycles through to supercars. Vehicles are produced at 106 plants in 27 countries.
As its latest model, Volkswagen is presenting the XL Sport at the Paris Motor Show. The highly efficient sports car design study is driven by the world's most powerful twin-cylinder engine. 200 PS from the V2 engine of the Ducati 1199 Superleggera take the high tech driving machine manufactured from carbon and magnesium to a top speed of 270 km/h. The Volkswagen XL Sport symbolizes the innovative power and passion of the brand as well as the technical competence and success of the entire Volkswagen Group.
Catherine Deneuve, who starred in movies like "Belle de Jour", "Indochine" and "Dancer in the Dark", congratulated Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group, on the world premiere and on the Group's overall success: "I am impressed that you have celebrated 200 million vehicles with this extraordinary car. Très magnifique!".
"We are proud to have produced 200 million vehicles. This impressive figure also bears witness to our customers' confidence in the Group. For Volkswagen, success and responsibility are inseparable. This is why we are pleased to support Catherine Deneuve in her commitment to "Cinema for Peace", said Winterkorn.
Volkswagen is donating €200,000 to aid the Cinema for Peace Foundation. This charitable organization is committed to peace and human rights throughout the world, mainly through the medium of film, and supports a large number of humanitarian aid projects.
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