With all the talk about hybrids, fuel cells, and electric vehicles, one alternative fuel that should not be forgotten is natural gas. One automaker that hasn’t forgotten about compressed natural gas (CNG) is Volkswagen. At the grueling 24 Hours of Nurburgring race, VW plans to race three Scirocco GT24-CNG racers.
Last year, Volkswagen also raced two alternative fuel vehicles, with one capturing 17th place overall. But this year, VW is looking to become even more competitive with new 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged engines running on bio-gas. These units produce 300 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque.
“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.”
According to VW, these cars are not only built to performance, but they also emit 80 percent less carbon dioxide. Aside from their environmentally friendly powertrains, VW has also bolstered the Sciroccos’ handling capabilities for this year’s race.
Qualifying for the 24 Hours of Nurburgring will begin this Thursday, with the race starting on Saturday.
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