Volkswagen is returning to the famed Nürburgring circuit to make another run at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race with its natural gas-powered Sciroccos.
Three new Scirocco GT24-CNG racers join a field rife with alt-fuel cars, including two diesel Peugeot CRZs, and VW says its race cars feature “the most eco-conscious powertrain in the world.” In addition to running on bio natural gas as an alternative fuel, one of the factory-prepared and factory-fielded sport coupés also use new differential technology.
“The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is a highlight on the German motorsport calendar and a major technical challenge,” Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg said in a statement. “We want to tackle the challenge in front of this enthusiastic audience and again demonstrate the innovative prowess of the Volkswagen brand.”
VW swept the alt-fuel field last year, but then the two CNG-burning ‘roccos it sent were the only cars in the class. Still, one of the two Scirocco GT24-CNGs took 17th overall, which isn’t a bad showing.
The centerpiece of this year’s car is the 2-liter TSI turbocharged engine running on CNG. VW said burning the alt fuel cuts CO2 emissions by 80 percent. The fuel VW’s team will use was produced entirely from renewable materials in Germany and VW said its production is carbon neutral. VW’s engineers found another 48 ponies since last year; this year’s car produces 330 horsepower, up from last years’ 282.
“Compared with last year, the Scirocco GT24-CNG has clearly improved,” Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen said in a statement. “At the 24-hour race it will demonstrate to a large crowd that an eco-conscious bio natural gas engine and sporty performance are not opposites.”
One of the GT24-CNGs will run a trick differential. Instead of a conventional unit, it features an active electro-hydraulic differential. It combines the functional principle of a conventional locking differential with improved handling, reducing the car’s tendency to understeer — similar to traction control systems but it doesn’t limit the engine’s power output.
Photo: Volkswagen
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