227 MPH Audi A4 beats Bugatti to set world record for fastest car powered by biogas
After a few earlier attempts were unsuccessful in setting an official record, Jürgen Hohenester, a German racecar driver and automotive tuner, has finally set a new world record for reaching the fastest speed ever recorded running a vehicle on biogas. Yes, Guiness has indeed been notified. Powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine that's been converted to run on the compressed gas, the silver Audi sedan was clocked at an impressive 226.55 mph (364.6 kilometers per hour). Previously, the record was held by a Bugatti that was reportedly 20 kph slower.Amazingly, the car reportedly wasn't even running at full capacity. It seems that this particular powerplant can reliably put out over 800 horsepower, but was dialed back a few notches to around 700 horsepower to keep the all-wheel-drive Audi's transmission from showering the Papenburg, Lower Saxony, race track with a pile of gear-shaped shrapnel. One key reason the powerplant was able to make such prodigious power is because biogas carries an octane rating of over 120. Us? we like to think it was down to the BBS-aping aerodynamic wheel covers. Click past the break for the awkwardly translated press release.
[Source: Hohenester Sport]
PRESS RELEASE:
Jürgen Hohenester sets a new world record: With a HS 650 Audi A4 Quattro he drove 364.6 km / h "with biogas."
What power brings biogas in the tank, the successful record with by the Company modified Hohenester Audi. The car drove on the test track in cardboard castle Niedersächsiches 364.6 km / h, surpassing the old world record with a Bugatti was up to nearly 20 km / h.
The world had gas for the Competence of TÜV Rheinland, and the VSS Saarbrücken initiated. A total of eleven were well-known companies for the implementation of enthusiasm.
"The world record with the Audi will be the theme for Earth and biogas awareness and show that biogas is a real alternative to fossil fuels," said Dr. Behrning by TUV Rheinland.
Biogas or natural gas must not be confused with Autogas (LPG) will be confused and is clearly superior to gasoline, high octane number of 120 to 140 resulting from a motor on the gas is trimmed with an extremely high efficiency.
Biturbo the expanded to 3.0 liters and is optimized for gas. The power of the HS 650 is not designed, so the performance was electronically limited to 700 hp.
The next target is the overall victory at the Tuner Grand Prix in Hockenheim is envisaged.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Steven 4:33PM (5/28/2009)
Total sleeper!
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geo.stewart 5:22PM (5/28/2009)
yeah but its only the fastest car.
you should see me leave when my dog passes gas. talk about motivated by biogas
har har har
but seriously, sweet sleeper.
James 6:45PM (5/28/2009)
"Jürgen Hohenester sets a new world record: With a HS 650 Audi A4 Quattro he drove 364.6 km / h "with biogas."
The "smell" of success...
threesmplwords 7:05PM (6/28/2009)
VW POWER!
Kooshball 4:36PM (5/28/2009)
man, i wanna work for a company that specializes in the implementation of enthusiasm.
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audi_arena 4:59PM (5/28/2009)
I love my job :)
pmalik 4:38PM (5/28/2009)
Are those fake BBS CH hub caps?
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VW GTi 4:52PM (5/28/2009)
It appears so. Maybe that is to save weight? Or not.
david 6:00PM (5/28/2009)
Less drag
PJ 4:42PM (5/28/2009)
Seems like an unusual amount of aesthetic effort went into this car. I love that they bothered to print graphics on the aero mods to make the blanked-off wheels, grille, windshield surrounds, air inlets etc. look stock.
Makes you wonder how much mileage would increase (and how cheap it would be) using such simple measures on customer cars.
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David 5:31PM (5/28/2009)
Probably not much. The effect of aerodynamics at 227 mph is a *LOT* more pronounced than at 55 mph.
PJ 1:32PM (5/29/2009)
Without a doubt. But it also costs next to nothing, at a time when manufacturers are spending plenty on other routes to a 5% mileage boost at 70 mph.
Aki 4:45PM (5/28/2009)
Luv em color-printed wheels, reminds of the Lemons Civic-testrossa and its wheels, haha.
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Tomac 4:58PM (5/28/2009)
Wow. I'm genuinely impressed.
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zamafir 5:01PM (5/28/2009)
What engine is this? the 2.7TT was phased out prior to this gen A4 and the 3.0 in current production is Tupercharged.
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Alex 5:37PM (5/28/2009)
well it doesnt say anywhere that this was a previously factory provided engine. So, they could have taken the old 3.0 and strapped on two turbos, or taken the old 2.7tt and expand it to 3.0 liters. either way, it would be an engine swap (i dont think the 3.0 was offered in the b7).
"Biturbo the expanded to 3.0 liters and is optimized for gas." This seems to suggest that they exanded the 2.7tt, but the poor translation could lead to a misinterpretation.
Steve 6:22PM (5/28/2009)
Oh man, I really enjoyed that Tupercharged crack. Thanks.
zamafir 6:42PM (5/28/2009)
lol np, it's from one of audi's drivers actually who mentioned to me she was hoping it would stick :D
Toy Yoda 6:31PM (5/28/2009)
How does this car beat the Bugatti which goes 225mph but needs 1100hp to do it? This thing doesn't look more aerodynamic than the Bugatti, is it? Is it incremental that much more slicker? Perhaps this is a hoax.
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Brandon 6:36PM (5/28/2009)
May be it's much lighter.