Yes, you read all that correctly. HPA’s Scirocco might have a few more ponies but it does not spit fire like KMS’s. Not to spoil it but 45sec’s in is nuts! All we have on it is the horsepower, it’s running 4Motion and Hankook studded tires keep it on the ice… Ya ICE! Those vids after the jump

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Since its market launch in 1974, this compact sports coupé has been the most successful Volkswagen in its segment: 795,650 vehicles were sold up to 1992. Currently, the third generation is being manufactured.

Today, at the VW Autoeuropa – Automóveis Ltda. plant in Portugal, just two years after its market launch, the hundred-thousandth third-generation Scirocco rolled off the production line. “The Scirocco is one of the most important cars that we produce. For myself personally, it was a moving moment”, said Andreas Hinrichs, Autoeuropa Plant Manager.

The celebrated model is a Scirocco R 2.0 TSI, in Rising Blue Metallic, with a Titan Black interior, radio navigation system, Park Pilot and a tilting sunroof. In southern Portugal, with 3,000 employees, Volkswagen produces the Volkswagen Eos, the new Sharan and, since 2008, the third generation of the Scirocco.

With its attractive design and sporty appearance, the Scirocco leaves a lasting impression. In 2008, it swept up the AutoBILD Design Award and was named Car of the Year by Top Gear magazine. The Scirocco is looking just as good in motor sports as it does on the open road: already in 2008, the racing version of the new Scirocco occupied top ranks at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. In its first time at the competition in 2009, the Scirocco GT24-CNG (natural gas) won in the alternative-drive class.

- Volkswagen AG

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Last week we got the dreaded phone call from Volkswagen and it’s time for the Scirocco to go back to its rightful owner. Having spent nearly three months with the little VW, I am reluctant to let it go. But since my feeble attempts at the authoritarian “we can’t send it back yet” phone calls and even desperate pleas cut no ice, it seems we will have to see our longtermer off shortly.

Knowing well that my time with the Vee Dub was limited, I headed to Fujairah last Thursday. But since I am worse than rubbish with directions — what doctors would term ‘geographically autistic’ — I ended up in the depths of what looked distinctly like Sharjah. A quick scan of the signs confirmed that I was indeed in what is possibly the most congested city in the universe.

Being ever the optimist, I thought it was in fact a good opportunity to test the VW in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Surprisingly, I did notice something I hadn’t earlier. Under 1,500rpm the ‘Rocco feels hesitant and rough. This, er, driving characteristic is magnified further if you have the transmission in Sport mode.

However, the ‘problem’, if you can call it that, is remedied as soon as you get an open stretch of road and plant your right foot. In essence, the Scirocco is perfect for squirting in and out of traffic, but a tad jumpy at low speeds. Outward visibility is great, although the tiny rear window, thanks to the sloping coupé-ish roof, could have been bigger.

At the end of the day the Scirocco did get me back home with my sanity intact. And had I relied on its sat-nav rather than my own abilities, there’s a fair chance I would have made it to Fujairah. Boy, will I miss it when it’s gone.

Facts

• Driven by: Amit Benjamin
• Start mileage: 9,240km
• Average fuel economy: 22-25mpg
• Highs: Peppy handling
• Lows: Rough low speed drive. Getting lost in Sharjah

gulfnews

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• 2.0 TSI engine with increased performance of 155 kW / 210 PS
• Fuel consumption reduced by up to nine percent

The Golf GTI’s well-known TSI engine with 2.0-litre displacement and 155 kW / 210 PS is now also available for the Scirocco and Eos. The greatest advantage: the engine, which replaces the previous top class engine, the 2.0 TSI (147 kW / 200 PS), reduces fuel consumption by up to nine percent.

The high-rev engine fulfils the EU5 emission standard and consumes a mere 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres (Eos: 7.2 litres / 100 km). Thus increased performance translates to lower fuel consumption: for the Scirocco, the fuel consumption decrease is up to five percent. In the Eos, the reduction is even more considerable: up to nine percent. In both vehicles, a torque of 280 newton metres is available between 1700 and 5000 rpm. The Scirocco can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds; the Eos requires just 7.8 seconds.

Both vehicles offer the choice between the standard 6-speed manual gearbox and the optional dual clutch gearbox (DSG). The cost of ownership for the Scirocco starts at 26,050 euros and for the Eos at 31,975 euros.

- Volkswagen Group

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This years Race of Champions was spectacular! Thanks to freecaster.tv, you could watch it live from any where. If you missed it head over to Radio Le Mans to relive the action, catch the Scirocco’s and watch Mattias Ekstrom defeat Mr. Schumacher! Gallery after the jump!

Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, David Coulthard, Mattias Ekström or Giniel de Villiers – the world’s best racers started from the grid at the Race of Champions in Beijing.

For the first time, the racing version of the Volkswagen Scirocco was part of the action. 16 top-class drivers competed with identical vehicles in the annual event at Beijing’s famous Olympic Stadium, both in a national and in a single classification. On Tuesday, the “Nations Cup” went to the German team consisting of Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher. The title win of the Race of Champions was celebrated for the third time by Audi factory driver Mattias Ekström, who prevailed against his select rivals at the wheel of – among others – a Scirocco.

For the first time, the organizers of the Race of Champions took advantage of Volkswagen’s long-standing one-make cup experience. The sport coupé from the Scirocco Cup, equipped with a 200-hp TSI engine and a DSG gearbox with steering wheel paddle shifters thrilled the spectators in the Olympic Stadium of Beijing which is affectionately nicknamed “Bird’s Nest”. Volkswagen provided four technically identical vehicles that will run again next weekend at the season finale of the Scirocco Cup China in Shanghai.

Great honour for “Dakar” winner Giniel de Villiers

Another debut was the running of Volkswagen factory driver Giniel de Villiers, who won the Dakar Rally in January 2009 with the Volkswagen Race Touareg and thus marked the first victory of a diesel-powered automobile in the history of the desert classic. The 37-year-old competed together with David Coulthard as the “RoC Allstar Team” in the Nations Cup and also contested the single classification of the Race of Champions. “It was a unique experience to race at the famous “Bird’s Nest” of all places – and with such an incredible field of contenders,” enthused de Villiers. “What’s more, this was my first visit to China and I enjoyed it very much. The friendliness of the people and their enthusiasm for motorsport greatly impressed me.”

- Volkswagen Motorsport

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R-Concept – sports car project. Powerful, fast, fuel efficient and clean: The new Scirocco R – a sports car without compromises

Clear the ring: World premiere of the Scirocco R at the 24 hour race
R-values: 350 Nm, 265 PS, 250 km/h, 8.3 l/100 km, 6.5 s, Euro 5, 2.0 TSI

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It is certainly the perfect venue for the world premiere of a new sports car: the Nürburgring. On May 23, at the legendary 24 hour race held there – the toughest in the world – Volkswagen will be presenting the new Scirocco R. Power: 195 kW / 265 PS. Character: genuine sports car. Performance: at its fullest. Handling: just like it should be. Fun factor: maximum. Market launch: sometime in 2009.

R-CONCEPT

The Scirocco R – conceptualized by Volkswagen Individual – is an impressive performance package with a brilliant engine and chassis, unique looks and exclusive features. Instead of the usual six-cylinder used so far in R-models of this segment, a boosted four-cylinder TSI is being used in the new Scirocco R. Its advantages: very high power and torque values with significantly reduced fuel consumption. On average, just 8.3 liters of super unleaded flows to the combustion chambers via direct injection per 100 kilometers of driving. That corresponds to CO2 emissions of 194 g/km – top values for a fast 250 km/h (electronically limited) sports car.

Scirocco fleet at the start in 24 hour race:

Volkswagen plans to demonstrate once again at the 24 hour race just how much dynamic potential the Scirocco R possesses. An entire fleet of two-door cars, five cars altogether, will enter the marathon ride through the “Green Hell” there; all of them bear a close resemblance to the production vehicle, both technically and visually.

Gas in a literal sense: Three of the Scirocco GT24 versions are powered by a TSI gasoline engine with 315 PS. Two other Scirocco GT24 cars carry the additional CNG label, designating Compressed Natural Gas, because their TSI is fired with very cleanly combusting natural gas – an exception in car racing. The 300 PS Scirocco GT24-CNG cars have extremely low emissions. After winning and putting its stamp on the Dakar Rally with the Race Touareg powered by a fuel-efficient TDI (direct-injection diesel), Volkswagen is now taking up the issue of sustainability in the Scirocco GT24 as well – and emphatically – on the race course.

Scirocco R – from car racing to the street:

This is not the Scirocco’s first race of this type. This Volkswagen was shaking up the racing field on such occasions as far back as the 1970s. And in 2008, professionals the likes of Carlos Sainz and Hans-Joachim Stuck rocketed two Scirocco GT24 cars to a dual victory in its class. In 2009, things will be even more exciting. Because for the first time, the event offers an opportunity to take a good look at the street version of the racing cars in the form of the new Scirocco R. The first production cars will be produced later this year; with a manual six-speed transmission or – as in the Scirocco race vehicles – with the optional DSG 6-speed dual clutch transmission. Always aboard as standard equipment on the front-wheel drive vehicle: the XDS electronic transverse differential lock on the front axle for attaining optimal traction performance; this system was introduced for the first time on the new Golf GTI.

R-Drive – sports car engine

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About one year after the market launch of the third generation Scirocco and the dual victory on the Nürburgring track, the new R-version is going to the starting line as what is certainly the most powerful production Scirocco ever built. To attain the very high specific power in the 2.0 TSI (97.5 kW / 132.5 PS per liter displacement), Volkswagen decided on a turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine known internally as the EA113.

More dynamic performance by clever downsizing:

Like all TSI engines, the R-version too combines the efficiency of direct injection with the power of engine boosting. Despite downsizing the engine displacement and number of cylinders, the 1,984 cm3 sixteen-valve, four-cylinder engine develops significantly more power (+ 15 PS) and torque (+ 30 Newton-meter) than the six-cylinder engine of the most recent Golf R32. Specifically, the 2.0-liter TSI in the new Scirocco R attains a maximum power of 265 PS at 6,000 rpm. Its maximum torque – a hefty 350 Newton-meter – is available over an immense range of engine speed: 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. This makes for agile responsiveness of the engine, which is able to spontaneously summon torque in the blink of an eye in practically any speed range. The engine’s acoustic output impressively underscores its special kind of power development. The exhaust system itself is designed as a double-flow system. Oval chrome tailpipes extend out from the bumper, one on the left and one on the right.

Engine of the Year for the Scirocco R:

The in-line four cylinder, which has already earned four “Engine of the Year” awards, builds up its powerful torque via a turbocharger (up to 1.2 bar boost pressure) with intercooling. The engine, weighing in at just 152 kilograms, is controlled by fully electronic engine management with E-gas. The four cylinder’s pistons have bolts with higher strength compared to less powerful versions. The connecting rods were also designed to be stronger, to reliably transmit the engine’s high torque to the crankshaft. Because of the hefty engine forces that are generated, the cylinder block itself was reinforced as well.

All of this has a highly dynamic effect:

The lightweight 1,333 kilogram Scirocco R needs just 6.0 short seconds for the intermediate sprint from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear. It is precisely this type of driving, with a sensation of the build up to maximum torque that is “felt” right from idling, that distinguishes this sports car. It is an impressive, cool cruiser for every route and day of the year. Yet, those who downshift and give the car full throttle awaken a second side of the Scirocco R: a wild beast that sprints from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, that is not electronically limited until it reaches 250 km/h and 6,320 rpm, and that accomplishes the classic 1,000 meter sprint in 25.9 seconds.

It is a given that this Scirocco will also have an optional dual clutch transmission (DSG). Those who choose the innovative 6-speed DSG will experience an even faster sprinting Scirocco R: the 100 km/h mark drops down to 6.4 seconds here. As is so often the case with a DSG, gains in dynamic performance (and comfort) are by no means purchased at the expense of fuel efficiency or emissions. In fact, the opposite is true, as demonstrated by its 8.2 liter average fuel consumption and 192 g/km CO2.

R-Chassis – sports car tuning

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Volkswagen will launch the front-wheel drive Scirocco R with a specially tuned sport chassis and XDS electronic transverse differential lock as standard equipment. The latter refers to a functional extension of the electronic differential lock (EDS) that is integrated in the ESP system and eliminates any type of traction loss.

XDS compensates for understeer: As soon as the intelligent electronics detects unloading of the front wheel at the inside of a curve in fast curve driving, the ESP hydraulics applies braking pressure at this specific wheel to restore optimal traction. So, XDS acts like a transverse differential lock that compensates for the typical understeer of front-wheel drive cars in fast curve driving. The driving behavior of the already agile Scirocco R is made significantly more precise and neutral thanks to XDS.

Chassis layout from production: In front, the Scirocco R has a McPherson suspension for precise tracking and balanced comfort properties. In the rear, it is a four-link suspension that convincingly meets the challenge of achieving chassis tuning that is sporty yet comfortable.

DCC optimally resolves dilemma between comfort and dynamics:

As an option, the Scirocco R will also be available with DCC Dynamic Chassis Control. This system continually adjusts damping of individual wheels to roadway conditions based on signals from three body sensors and displacement sensors for each wheel. During acceleration, braking and steering processes, chassis damping is stiffened in fractions of a second to optimally meet vehicle dynamic requirements. By making these automatic adjustments, DCC significantly increases comfort in driving situations that are less challenging dynamically, resolving the conflict in goals between a stiff sporty tuning and a comfortable one. Besides the “Normal” DCC mode, the driver can also choose the “Sport” or “Comfort” mode.

New R-wheel styling:

Standard equipment includes newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels (“Talladega” type) with size 235/40 tires. An optional 19-inch version of the same wheel type is also offered. Both wheel-tire combinations support the maximum attainable transverse dynamics of the new sports car.

17-inch braking system for maximum deceleration:

The braking system was also modified to handle the Scirocco R’s higher level of driving performance. That is why a 17-inch system is used, instead of a 16-inch system; all four brakes have ventilated disks and R-specific brake calipers painted in glossy black. In front, the disks have a diameter of 345 millimeters, and in the rear 310 millimeters. The electronic stabilization program (ESP) was also modified. A new Sport mode can be selected by pressing the ESP button. This makes the ESP respond later in very fast driving on roads with lots of curves – e.g. on a race course – for handling that is even more agile. The electro-mechanical power steering of the Scirocco R was also given a sportier tuning curve.

R-Design – sports car look

Visually, many aspects of the Scirocco R follow the lead of the GT24, the Scirocco designed for car racing.

Front end with LED daytime running lights:

Click here to view gallery

The front end design reflects the motto “form follows function”; it has three large air inlets with large louvers in the specially designed Scirocco R bumper that engineers designed for optimal cooling of the brakes and engine. Integrated to the right and left of the outboard air inlets are newly designed and standard LED daytime running lights. The narrow, unique radiator grille screen is styled in a high-end glossy black. Here (as on the tailgate) the strongest Scirocco of all times can be identified by a new R-logo design that it sports in chrome on a black background. Providing for perfect illumination of the roadway, meanwhile, are standard bi-xenon headlights with integrated turn signal lights.

Rear end with double-flow exhaust system:

Compared to all other production Sciroccos, the rear image of this car is dominated by a considerably larger roof edge spoiler and a prominent glossy black diffuser in the lower area of the bumper that shows typical R-design styling. Both of these components – diffuser and roof edge spoiler – reduce aerodynamic lift at the rear axle. Stylistically, the oval chrome tailpipes of the double-flow exhaust system are harmoniously integrated into the overall design of the rear. One tailpipe on the left and the other on the right define the border between the black diffuser and the bumper painted in car color. In addition, the taillights of the new Scirocco R were given a smoked tint.

Side profile with new R-wheels:

The side view is characterized by powerfully styled side skirts painted in car color as well as new “Talladega” style alloy R-wheels in 18-inch format. The milled, polished wheels sport five sets of three spokes that are as visually unique and striking as the wheels of the Golf GTI (“Denver”) and offer a very attractive view of the large 17-inch braking system with its glossy black calipers and R-logo. As an option, Volkswagen is also offering a 19-inch version of the “Talladega” wheels (named after a US race course). Like the brake calipers, the outside mirrors of the Scirocco R are always painted a glossy black, independent of the car color.

R-Interior – sports car workplace

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The interior of the new Scirocco R presents an altogether refined appearance. Like all R-models, specific interior accents, sport seats (optionally in leather) and numerous other dynamic features are applied. And indeed as standard equipment. Details of features distinguishing the Scirocco R from other versions with up to 200 PS power:

• Sport seat system with seat covers in “Kyalami” fabric weave (named after the Formula-1 race course in South Africa), with R-Logo on the front head restraints in “Art Grey”. Inner surface of contoured seat side supports has crystal gray microfibers.
• Unique aluminum decor inserts in the instruments. High-gloss black accents in the center console area, door handles, gearshift grip, air vents and steering wheel spokes.
• Parking brake grip and gearshift trim in leather, with “Art Grey” decorative seams.
• Floor mat inserts are also in “Art Grey”.
• Aluminum tread plates with R-Logo worked in.
• Instruments with white backlighting and blue pointers and speedometer indicator up to 300 km/h.
• Multifunctional leather steering wheel, flat-bottomed, in R-design (three spokes, perforated leather in upper and lower third, grip recesses right and left), with “Art Grey” decorative seams, R-logo in the lower steering wheel spoke and multifunctional keys in the steering wheel’s cross spokes. When the Scirocco R is ordered as a DSG version, the steering wheel is equipped with shift paddles (+/-).

R-Extra features – sports car plus

All Sciroccos sport a very extensive list of features. Standard features on board include six airbags, ESP with countersteering assistance, electro-mechanical power steering, daytime running lights, semi-automatic climate control (“Climatic”), central locking with RF remote control and power windows, to name just a few details. On the Scirocco R, this list is lengthened to include the features already touched upon under “Interior”. These extra functional features are included:

• Bi-xenon headlights including static curve lighting, dynamic headlight leveling control, headlight cleaning system and warning lamp for low washer fluid level.
• Automatic climate control (“Climatronic”) with separate left and right controls, plus automatic recirculation switching.
• “RCD 310″ Radio-CD system (4 x 20 Watt) with eight loudspeakers, CD player, MP3 playback function with title display, dual tuner with phase diversity for best possible radio reception and AUX-IN multimedia socket in the center console.
• Light and Sight package with two lights in the front footwells, automatic running
• light switching (including “Coming home” and “Leaving home” functions, automatically dimming rearview mirror and rain sensor.
• Tire pressure monitoring indicator.
• LED daytime running lights

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Sports car has international debut at the Nürburgring

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There could not be a better time or place for a world premiere: parallel to the start of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, Volkswagen is presenting the new Scirocco R for the first time anywhere. A sports car without compromise and a race track that demands everything of the driver will be meeting together this weekend.

Approximately one year after the market launch of the third Scirocco generation, Volkswagen is presenting the most powerful series built Scirocco ever made at the Nürburgring. Its charged four-cylinder 2.0 l TSI is impressive with an output of 195 kW / 265 PS and 350 Newton metres of torque – the dynamic effect is just as striking as the running gear which provides optimal traction characteristics thanks to, amongst other things, the new front axle differential lock XDS.

The design of the Scirocco R is largely based on the Scirocco GT24, which was designed for motor sports: there are large air intake openings in the front bumper which the engineers used to achieve optimal cooling for the engine and the brakes, and an integrated front spoiler as well as the bi-xenon headlights. At the rear end, the roof edge spoiler, which is much larger than on the standard model, a striking shining black diffuser and the chrome tailpipes of the dual exhaust system dominate the design. The side view of the vehicle is characterised by the powerful sill panels as well as the specially-designed 18′ alloy wheels ‘Talladega’.

Volkswagen will demonstrate the potential of the new Scirocco R during the 24- hour race with this racing version. With a total of five Sciroccos, driver teams including Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Volkswagen board of management for technical development, the rally world champion Carlos Sainz as well as this year’s Dakar winner Giniel de Villiers, will be at the start line.

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The new performance diesel variant of the Scirocco GT equipped with a 2.0-litre TDI 170PS engine is now available to order. Combining effortless acceleration, made possible by 258 lbs ft of torque delivered from 1,750 rpm, and the ability to return 53.3 mpg on the combined cycle, the new model mixes style, economy and sharp dynamics.

The refined and powerful 2.0-litre common rail TDI engine develops 170 PS at 4,200 rpm and is available linked to either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearbox. Both gearboxes accelerate the Scirocco to 62 mph from a standstill in 8.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 138 mph (DSG: 136), while emitting just 139 g/km (DSG: 147) of CO2.

The latest addition to the Scirocco range is available linked exclusively to the GT trim level and offers a comprehensive list of standard equipment including a six-CD autochanger, rain and dusk sensor, multifunction computer and 2Zone air conditioning. In terms of safety, ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and six airbags are all standard.

For the first time new 19-inch ‘Lugano’ alloy wheels are available as an option.

As with all models in the Scirocco range, the new GT 2.0-litre TDI 170PS is fitted with Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) operating through pneumatic valves in the damper units. The system allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension and steering response settings for the conditions.

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24-Hour Race on the Nürburgring 2009

At the 24-Hour Race on the Nürburgring on 23/24 May, Volkswagen will field two Scirocco cars with innovative natural gas engines. Volkswagen based this CNG (compressed natural gas) version on last years winning 2.0L pertrol engine. In the end, the Scirocco GT24 CNG creates just under 300 hp and 350 Nm of torque which continue to be transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed DSG gearbox operated by paddle shifters in the steering wheel. Yes, all you DSG naysayers, you read that right!

The new Scirocco GT24-CNG wll makes its first appearnce in this weekends Four-Hour Race at the Ring.

Following the historic one-two victory at the Dakar Rally in January, which Volkswagen won as the first automobile manufacturer using diesel technology in the event, the Wolfsburg brand is now taking on another technical challenge – the use of EcoFuel engines in the endurance test twice around the clock on the world’s most demanding race track. The two Scirocco GT24-CNG two-litre turbo engines powered by natural gas deliver nearly 300 hp. In addition, the “factory” team will field three further Scirocco GT24 cars powered by two-litre turbo petrol engines in the classic endurance race at the “Green Hell” in the Eifel region. Last year, Volkswagen had clinched a one-two victory in the two-litre turbo class even before the Scirocco’s market launch.

“The 24-Hour Race offers Volkswagen an exciting stage to demonstrate its technical capabilities and expertise,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “The Scirocco GT24 already proved its strengths as a dynamic sports coupe by clinching class victory in its debut race last year. In 2009, we are taking yet another step forwards by using two different engine concepts. We want to prove that Volkswagen offers different powertrain concepts, all of which excel in terms of high efficiency, dynamics and reliability. The Nordschleife and the 24-Hour Race provide an ideal test bed for this purpose.”

Engine technology: innovative and proven systems for the circuit marathon

For this acid test on the challenging Nordschleife, Volkswagen developed a CNG (compressed natural gas) version based on the two-litre petrol engine that was victorious last year. The engineers primarily focused on the fuel induction system of the unit equipped with a turbocharger as well as on the balance between maximum exhaust gas temperature and full usage of the turbocharger’s potential in order to optimise both driveability and power output. The result: just under 300 hp and 350 Nm of torque which continue to be transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed DSG gearbox operated by paddle shifters in the steering wheel.

Natural gas as an efficient and clean source of power

The new generation of natural gas turbo engines takes full advantage of the high anti-knock quality of approx. 130 octane offered by natural gas fuel. This enables natural gas vehicles to achieve a level of driving dynamics unrivalled by any other alternative powertrain system. Furthermore, natural gas as a fuel is particularly eco-friendly as well as very cost-effective. On average, natural gas vehicles reduce CO2 emissions by 25 per cent compared with conventional spark ignition engines. The combustion process generates almost no particulate matter or fine dust.

“Dakar” aces, “ring” experts and multi-talents: the drivers of the Scirocco GT24

In addition to these technological innovations, Volkswagen tackles the challenge of the “Green Hell” with interesting driver combinations. The two natural gas-powered Scirocco GT24-CNG cars will be driven by Dr Ulrich Hackenberg (D), Board Member for Technical Development of the Volkswagen Brand, and journalists Bernd Ostmann (D), Peter Wyss (CH) and John Barker (GB) as well as touring car ace Peter Terting (D), Nordschleife expert Thomas Klenke (D), former DTM driver Vanina Ickx (B) and touring car legend Klaus Niedzwiedz (D), two-time overall winner of the 24 Hours on the Nürburgring.

The squad of one of the three petrol-powered Scirocco GT24 cars reflects the exploit achieved at the Dakar Rally: “Dakar” winner Giniel de Villiers (ZA), two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz (E) as well as Dieter Depping (D) will take turns at the wheel during their excursion from rally to circuit racing. A true juniors’ foursome is formed by last year’s winners Jimmy Johansson (S) and Florian Gruber (D) as well as Nicki Thiim (DK) and Martin Karlhofer (A). In addition, the formula racing specialists Congfu Cheng (CN), Carlo van Dam (NL) and Franck Mailleux (F) as well as the two-time 24-h overall winner Altfrid Heger (D) will share another one of the cockpits of the 330-hp Scirocco GT24 cars.

A model of success returns: the Scirocco GT24 on the Nordschleife

The 2009 24-Hour Race on the Nürburgring will mark the return of the Scirocco GT24 to the scene of its success. Last year, the Scirocco experienced its competition debut even before its production counterpart started selling on the market. Jimmy Johansson (S), Florian Gruber (D), Thomas Mutsch (D) and Hans-Joachim Stuck (D) secured class victory in the ultra-competitive two-litre turbo class (SP3T) in front of an audience of some 200,000 spectators. The one-two victory in the field 219 touring cars that had started from the grid was completed by Carlos Sainz (E), Giniel de Villiers (ZA), Dieter Depping (D) and Hans-Joachim Stuck (D).

Tests and races to prepare for the 24-hour Nürburgring

In addition to tests, Volkswagen’s preparation for the 24-hour Nürburgring includes three races in the BFGoodrich Endurance Championship Nürburgring. The Scirocco GT24-CNG will make its debut on 18 April at the Four-Hour Race on the “ring”.

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Volkswagen has been honoured with a trio of awards for its newest models in the prestigious What Diesel Car of the Year Awards.

Chief among these awards was one for the new Golf which beat a total of 23 entrants to the title of “Best Medium Car’.

 
Launched in January the Golf Mk VI has continued the sustained popularity of the Golf range in the UK. Powered by an advanced range of 2.0-litre TDI common rail diesel engines in 110 PS and 140 PS form they combine the ability to travel in excess of 690 miles on a single tank of fuel with refinement and low emissions.

Presenting the award, Editor of What Diesel Magazine, Ian Robertson, commented: “If there’s a better designed, better built car of its size than the sixth generation Golf, we’ve yet to discover it.”
 
The new Scirocco 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS was also honoured, scooping the “Best Coupe” award. In a hard-fought category the Scirocco beat 14 other contenders through its mix of style, agility and low running costs.
 
“We applaud the Scirocco as our winning coupe,” said Ian Roberston.  ”It is svelte, sexy, terrific fun and good value.”
 
The Green Award was also collected by Volkswagen. In the past year Volkswagen has further expanded its BlueMotion range of vehicles with the announcement of the new Golf BlueMotion cable of achieving 74 mpg and the new Polo BlueMotion II concept that returns a combined 83 mpg. Production cars such as the new Passat BlueMotion II featuring Stop-Start technology have gone on sale along with the introduction of new, ever more efficient engines. In addition new concepts have also been unveiled in the form of the Golf TwinDrive, Passat EcoFuel and Touareg Hybrid.

“Volkswagen has taken great strides this year in trying to reduce environmental impact, having unveiled the 99 g/km Golf BlueMotion and 87 g/km Polo BlueMotion II Concept,” said Ian Robertson.
 
Chris Craft, Director of Volkswagen UK, commented: “For Volkswagen to win three awards is a tremendous honour.  The market has never been more competitive and these awards for such diverse products prove that we are in a strong position to respond to the challenges facing us in the current climate.”

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