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VOLKSWAGEN IN MOTORSPORT: EFFICIENCY AND POWERFUL PERFORMANCE
Wolfsburg, 05 May 2011

Highly efficient engines with production-based technology
Volkswagen in 2011 again pursues a forward-thinking overall concept for its racing programmes. The programme encompasses commitments in Germany, Europe, Asia and South America. Sustainable motorsport with diesel fuel and bio natural gas as eco-conscious alternatives to conventional spark ignition engines and clever downsizing are the core elements of this strategy.

‘Volkswagen is already putting the aims of eco-conscious motorsport of the future into action now,’ says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. ‘With bio natural gas power in the Scirocco R-Cup and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours we proved in 2010 that eco-consciousness and top-calibre racing are not at all opposites. Quite the contrary is true. Volkswagen is vigorously pursuing a strategy of fielding production-based technology in motorsport and conserving natural resources. Consequently, we have achieved an 80% reduction in our overall carbon footprint consisting of racing activities and logistic operations for the Scirocco R-Cup. This is unique in the world.’

Since 2003 Kris Nissen has been responsible for the motorsport activities of the Volkswagen brand. The 50 year-old Dane is motorsport director and managing director of Volkswagen Motorsport GmbH.

Flat out through the ‘Green Hell’: the Nürburgring 24 Hours
By contesting the Nürburgring 24 Hours Volkswagen has been taking on one of the most demanding challenges in international motorsport for years. The endurance race on the legendary Nordschleife covering a distance of more than 25 kilometres is regarded as one of the most difficult circuit races of all in terms of driving skills and technical demands. Volkswagen will travel to the round at the Nürburgring held from 23 to 26 June with a spectacular new version of a racing vehicle.

Based on its top seller, the Golf, Volkswagen has developed a 440-hp race touring car with four-wheel drive. During tests in Portugal, Italy and on the Nordschleife the new ‘Golf24’ completed its first kilometres. Volkswagen’s most recent fielding of a Golf in the notorious ‘Green Hell’ of the Nürburg-ring dates back to 2007 when the near-300bhp front-wheel drive racing car came eighth,  outperforming numerous favourites. As the event has become immensely more competitive since then a new technical concept was required. The ‘Golf24’ is fitted with an updated 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine delivering 324kW (440bhp) with a maximum torque development of 540Nm. Power is transmitted to the permanent four-wheel drive by a paddle-shifted sequential six-speed gearbox.

The Scirocco GT24-CNG car powered by bio natural gas, which clinched class victory for cars with alternative drive and 16th place overall ahead of clearly more powerful sports cars in 2010 in front of a crowd of 235,000, will be entered as well. The use of bio natural gas reduces CO2 emissions by 80% – compared with conventional petrol. Maximum efficiency of the powertrain, perfect reliability of the technology fielded – this has been the bottom-line result achieved at the motorsport endurance run in the Eifel region.

The world’s most eco-friendly one-make cup: the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup
Eco-conscious, economical, sporty: Volkswagen has assumed a pioneering role featuring trendsetting technical and sporting ideas in the Scirocco R-Cup that was incepted in Germany in 2010. The Scirocco R-Cup is the world’s first one-make cup to use eco-conscious bio natural gas. For Volkswagen this has been a logically consistent step as Volkswagen is the market leader in the field of natural gas powered production cars.

In the Cup version the two-litre turbo engine delivers up to 202 kW (275bhp). A speciality of the vehicle is the push-to-pass system that allows drivers to boost the engine’s power output from 225 to 275 several times during each event by pressing a button. This makes for thrilling races and captivating duels. In addition, the Scirocco R-Cup’s field of 25 contenders features a mix of motor-sport legends, top talent and prominent guest entrants. In 2010 renowned drivers from Formula 1, rally racing or the Le Mans 24 Hours such as Derek Bell, David Brabham, Martin Brundle, Mark Blundell, Johnny -Herbert, Jacques Laffite, Carlos Sainz and Juha Kankkunen were on the grid.

Defending the titles in three championships: Volkswagen in Formula 3
When Volkswagen announced their return as an engine supplier to Formula 3 in 2007 the brand continued a long tradition spanning from 1979 to 1994 during which racers like Michael Schumacher or Tom Kristensen celebrated their first exploits for Volkswagen. 2010 went down in Volkswagen Motor-sport’s history as the most successful title hunt ever, producing a tally of three titles clinched in three series. In the Formula 3 Euro Series Edoardo-Mortara (I) ‘powered by Volkswagen’ won the champion’s title while in the British Formula 3 Championship Jean-Eric Vergne (F) and in the ATS Formula 3 Cup Tom Dillmann (F) were the victors. In 2011 Volkswagen continues its programmes in Great Britain, Europe and Germany. In addition, the brand has assumed a commitment in the newly incepted FIA Formula 3 Inter-national Trophy.

[Source: Volkswagen Motorsport]