.jpg?p=120209_04:29)
.jpg?p=120209_04:31)
.jpg?p=120209_04:54)
.jpg?p=120209_04:35)
.jpg?p=111221_03:51)
After a one-two class victory for its Sciroccos at the Nurburgring 24 Hour race last summer, VW is returning to the Green Hell next month - but this time it's packing, er, gas.
This is the Scirocco GT24-CNG, one of two natural gas-powered VW racers that will compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours on May 23/24. The car is based around the same architecture as last year's Scirocco racer, but its 2.0-litre turbo engine has been modified to run solely on natural gas.
Which means 290bhp and 258lb ft of torque feeding the front wheels through a six-speed DSG gearbox. That's a hell of a lot of power from such a small engine, thanks in no small degree to the fact that natural gas boasts an octane rating of 130. Or ‘more than rocket fuel'.
VW says that the gas-powered Scirocco will also emit 25 per cent less CO2 than a similar petrol-powered car. But will it be quick enough to take class victory at the 'Ring ahead of a trio of factory petrol Sciroccos - and a whole bunch of race-prepped German metal? We'll find out in May.
VW gets on the gas
Natural gas-powered Scirocco to race in Nurburgring 24 Hours this May
Related
- Category:
- Car News
- Top moments of TG telly
- Our most-watched clips
- Hammond’s icons
- BMW M3 (E30)
- First drives
- Caterham 7 Supersport
- Merc C63 Black vs M3 GTS
- In this month’s TG mag
More from Top Gear
Advertisement
Get more Top Gear:
Advertisements
Best of TopGear
-
- Aston Martin Zagato: driven at the ‘Ring
- Where better to test a bespoke prototype than the Nürburgring 24 Hour race?
- Video: Formula race car in snow
- Instructor takes single-seater out on the slippery surfaces of a cold Nürbürgring
- New Audi TT RS 'Plus' unveiled
- Hardcore Audi coupe boasts more sound and more power. More is always better
- Merc SLS roadster vs Bentley GTC vs Aston Virage Volante
- West Scotland is icy, dark and dangerous this time of year. The perfect place to head with £500k of lairy supercabrio metal...
- James and Jeremy introduce series 18 of Top Gear! (series 18, episode 1)
- Frankly, no one thought we’d be going this long, least of all us. But somehow we are...
TopGear Video
-
-
- James and Jeremy introduce series 18 of Top Gear! (series 18, episode 1)
- Frankly, no one thought we’d be going this long, least of all us. But somehow we are...
- Rating: 4 out of 5
-
- Behind the scenes with will.i.am (series 18, episode 1)
- We caught up with will.i.am while he practiced his lap times in our automatic cee-apostrophe-dee.
- Rating: 4 out of 5
-
- Behind the scenes: Andy's lucky pants update
- We do recommend that you finish your dinner before watching...
- Rating: 5 out of 5
-
-
-
- James and Jeremy introduce series 18 of Top Gear! (series 18, episode 1)
- Frankly, no one thought we’d be going this long, least of all us. But somehow we are...
- Rating: 4 out of 5
-
- Lamborghini Aventador (Series 17, Episode 6)
- Finally, the mighty Aventador hits the Top Gear test track, and Richard is only too happy to help.
- Rating: 4 out of 5
-
- Behind the scenes: Andy's lucky pants update
- We do recommend that you finish your dinner before watching...
- Rating: 5 out of 5
-
-
-
- Jeremy drives the Cadillac CTS-V (series 6, episode 4)
- Clarkson thrashes the Nurburgring-tested Cadillac CTS-V round the Top Gear track
- Rating: 4 out of 5
-
- Lamborghini Aventador (Series 17, Episode 6)
- Finally, the mighty Aventador hits the Top Gear test track, and Richard is only too happy to help.
- Rating: 4 out of 5
-
- Jeremy tests the Ford Fiesta (series 12, episode 6)
- Jeremy’s most grown-up car test ever. With added guns and Corvettes…
- Rating: 4 out of 5
-
Advertisement Links
Advertisement
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
Ben27 commented on this article
at 06:38 pm on 20 April 2009
NIce one! Finally some form of 'green' car that's fast, good goin' VW
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
robinsfella commented on this article
at 08:01 pm on 20 April 2009
Is just me, or this car now amazingly beautiful like this? But I've saw a standard one on the street and it's hideous!
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
AshHorne commented on this article
at 08:20 pm on 20 April 2009
I don't suppose gas conversion will come as an 'optional extra' at VW dealerships? It's almost worth petitioning for. 290bhp road-going Scirocco GT, anyone? And as for the race car, if you overlook the stupid amount of sponsor stickers, that's one hell of a good-looking touring car! All I need now is a rich sugar-mummy girlfriend with contacts in VW Racing...
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
marius2 commented on this article
at 10:04 pm on 20 April 2009
In general a hate how VW did the new Golf by copying the Scirocco, and I generaly hate how almost all their cars look similar to the Golf or Passat. But I hope this car will bring some sence into the VW bosses' head.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
mustang89 commented on this article
at 10:06 pm on 20 April 2009
isn't running on gas less economic though? In mile per gallon terms i mean cos if tht is true isn't this guna need to stop more often than the petrol versions...
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.