Car FYI

Can a vehicle travel at a top speed of 168 miles per hour, achieve 0 to 100 kilometer per hour acceleration times in just 5.7 seconds from the momentum of two cylinders? The Volkswagen XL Sport concept car presenting itself to the world for the first time in Paris this month boasts those exact impressive performance numbers from a high-revving motorcycle engine. Think of the Volkswagen XL Sport as a motorcycle with four wheels and a full car body. The concept vehicle was derived from the limited production Volkswagen XL1 plug-in hybrid. On the surface, the XL Sport fits all the criteria to be called a supercar. Radical exterior sculpting of the Volkswagen XL Sport concept results in a 0.258 drag coefficient. Lamborghini's active aerodynamic features including an extendable rear spoiler and adaptive air vents augments the vehicle to achieve an optimum level of downforce. Extensive carbon fiber construction, LED lighting and 18-inch forged magnesium wheels are also character...

Next month, the 2014 Paris Auto Show will start a period known as the auto show season. A season that typically starts in North America with the LA Auto Show in November, European audiences receive the first exhibition of all-new production vehicle premieres and the presentation of mind-wondering concept cars. A show where the likes of Italian designer Pininfarina first appeared on the world stage, the show often motivates the debut of classy styling studies. At Infiniti, you can say the luxury car brand has received inspiration from competitors as well as from their individual designers in the latest concept car. An interpretation of the four-door fastback premise demonstrated by the Audi A7 Sportback , Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera , the Infiniti Q80 Inspiration concept car doesn't appear to be following luxury car rivals when it comes to their image of a vehicle. Sweeping forward and backwards, the bodywork...