Nurburgring 24H: Volkswagen news 2010-05-07

Volkswagen Scirocco with bio natural gas power ready for marathon

With bio natural gas into the "Green Hell": the three Volkswagen teams of the factory-fielded and factory-prepared Scirocco GT24-CNG are tackling the Nurburgring 24 Hours from 12 to 16 May with supreme motivation. 100 per cent commitment and, thanks to alternative bio natural gas fuel, 80 per cent less CO2 emissions - in addition, the Volkswagen squad presents itself perfectly prepared for the legendary race on the Nordschleife. On Tuesday the three race cars completed their final functional test at Oschersleben and are thus ready for the motorsport marathon.

With respect to its line-up, Volkswagen relies on a multi-faceted driver mix: Peter Terting (D), Florian Gruber (D), Jimmy Johansson (S) and Nicki Thiim (DK) form the junior team among the three quartets. Vanina Ickx (B), Nasser Al-Attiyah (Q), Dieter Depping (D) and Klaus Niedzwiedz (D) drive the second vehicle. Volkswagen's Management Board Member for Technical Development, Dr Ulrich Hackenberg (D) and the Head of Chassis Development of the Volkswagen Brand, Prof Dr Stefan Gies (D), as well as Bernd Ostmann (D) and Peter Wyss (CH) take the wheel of the third Scirocco GT24-CNG.

"An endurance classic like the 24-hour race on the Nordschleife requires meticulous and perfect preparation," says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "I'm optimistic before this motorsport highlight: in every single move our squad takes advantage of the routines that have secured two 'Dakar' victories and numerous class wins at the 24-hour race as well. Now we want to prove that technical innovations like bio natural gas power possess ideal endurance properties and - on the race track - stand for the qualities that have been hallmarks of Volkswagen road-going cars for years: reliability, sportiness and innovation."

Baptism of fire for innovative differential lock in the #116 Scirocco GT24 CNG

An innovative, electro-hydraulic differential lock will experience its baptism of fire at the 24-hour race in the "Green Hell". In the vehicle driven by Management Board Member of the Volkswagen Brand Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, the Head of Chassis Development of the Volkswagen Brand, Prof Dr Stefan Gies as well as the journalists Bernd Ostmann (auto motor und sport) and Peter Wyss (Automobilrevue) Volkswagen will use the differential lock that will also be installed in production models for the first time in a 24-hour race. "Motorsport and production car development have always inspired each other," says Dr Ulrich Hackenberg. "An electro-hydraulic differential lock has enormous advantages compared with conventional versions. Now we want to prove the potential of this technology in the world's toughest circuit race as well."

The electronically controlled lock combines the positive effect of a conventional differential lock with the advantages of an active, controllable system. This provides the benefits of more forgiving handling and less severe understeer.

Nordschleife lap record during preparation - the junior team

An entry in the record books proves the sporting prowess of the Scirocco GT24-CNG on the Nordschleife. As early as during Volkswagen's first preparatory run for the 24-hour race Nicki Thiim set a new lap record for front-wheel vehicles in the 243 kW (330 hp) sport coupe. In the Endurance Championship Nurburgring race the Dane completed the 24.433-kilometre version of the "Green Hell" in 8m 47.337s. Thanks to updated engine electronics and improved flow ducts with a higher power output, and fitted with a more efficient deceleration system featuring brakes with larger dimensions, the Scirocco GT24-CNG demonstrates that it is even better set to tackle the legendary Nordschleife than it was last year. "The 24-hour Scirocco is a high-performing car that is very forgiving," says Nicki Thiim. "It gives us the chance to beat even clearly more powerful vehicles."

In previous years the junior team that clinched class victories in the strong field of vehicles with two-litre turbo engines (SP3T) in 2007, 2008 and 2009 already left a first-rate impression. Class victory - in 2010 the three Scirocco GT24-CNG cars compete in the class for cars with alternative powertrains due to their bio natural gas engines - is again the goal of Jimmy Johansson, Peter Terting, Florian Gruber and Nicki Thiim, who will contest the race in the Scirocco GT24-CNG designated as car number 118, in 2010.

"Number 117" - endurance aces amongst themselves

The driver line-up of the number-117 Scirocco GT24-CNG features a multi-faceted mix. The Belgian Vanina Ickx, the Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah, who in his excursion from the rally scene is making his debut in a 24-hour race on the Nordschleife, and the Germans Dieter Depping and Klaus Niedzwiedz are considered genuine endurance specialists. "On the first kilometres of the Nordschleife you can immediately feel the legendary atmosphere of the Nurburgring," says Nasser Al-Attiyah, who in January 2010 celebrated a second-place finish at Volkswagen's one-two-three 'Dakar' victory in the Race Touareg behind his team colleague Carlos Sainz. "I approached the tests with awe. But driving on this notorious and fascinating race track was good fun. The Nordschleife can make you addicted. I'm looking forward to May 15 with really eager anticipation."

-source: vw