A VW biomethane-powered Scirocco sets the pace in preliminary Nürburgring races.
Volkswagen will again contest the 24-hour Nürburgring with natural gas cars. Racing three biomethane-powered 2-litre TSI turbo Scirocco GT24-CNG cars this year, the Volkswagen team will tackle the event with factory-prepared, factory-fielded sport coupés. Compared with conventional fuels for spark ignition engines – including transport and trackside provision of the fuel – the Scirocco GT24-CNG’s CO2 emissions will decrease by at least 80 per cent.
At the same time, the engine’s power output has increased as a result of further development: compared with last year when a natural gas-powered Scirocco GT24-CNG clinched victory in the class for alternative powertrains the drivers can now draw on 243 kW (330 hp) instead of the previous 207 kW (282 hp).
The fuel used by Volkswagen for the 24-hour race, which will run from 12 to 16 May, is fully produced from renewable materials in Germany and its production has a neutral impact on the climate.
The Scirocco squad will be spearheaded by the junior team consisting of Peter Terting (D), Florian Gruber (D), Jimmy Johansson (S) and Nicki Thiim (DK). During the preparations for the 24-hour race the 330-hp Scirocco GT24-CNG, with Nicki Thiim at the wheel, set a new lap record for the combined Nordschleife and Grand Prix circuit. In 8m 47.337s the Dane completed a lap of the 24.433-kilometre version of the “Green Hell” during a race of the Nürburgring Endurance Championship on 10 April.
The second car will again be driven by Vanina Ickx (B), who will take turns at the wheel with Nasser Al-Attiyah (Q), Dieter Depping (D) and Klaus Niedzwiedz (D).
The third Scirocco GT24-CNG will be piloted by a team from technical development which is augmented by journalists: Dr Ulrich Hackenberg (D), Prof Dr Stefan Gies (D), Bernd Ostmann (D) and Peter Wyss (CH). “The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is a highlight on the German motorsport calendar and a major technical challenge,” says Dr. Hackenberg.
“Compared with last year, the Scirocco GT24-CNG has clearly improved,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “At the 24-hour race it will demonstrate to a large crowd that an eco-conscious biomethane engine and sporty performance are not opposites. After ringing in a new era of one-make cup history with the Scirocco R Cup [commencing 23-24 April at Hockenheimring], which in itself will demonstrate the sprint capabilities of biomethane-powered Volkswagen models, the ‘bigger brother’ event will demonstrate that this trend-setting technology also harbours perfect endurance capabilities at the 24-hour race.”
Volkswagen will also contest another Endurance Championship race on the Nürburgring with the Scirocco GT24-CNG on 24 April.
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