Volkswagen launches eco-friendly Scirocco Cup
2010 Volkswagen Scirocco Cup - Click above for high-res image gallery
It seems like an odd juxtaposition, but "going green" and motorsports have been increasingly paired together lately. In the United States, the American Le Mans Series initiated the Green X Challenge this past season with a focus on creating the least amount of negative impact on the environment. Winning teams even get trophies made from recycled Michelin tires.
For the past several years, Volkswagen has had its own version of green racing in Europe with the Polo Cup, but for 2010 they will be making the switch to a natural gas-powered Scirocco as the vehicle of choice for the one-make series. Each of the cars will feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine fueled by Bio-CNG, which is produced using renewable sources like grass, corn or biological waste. The Scirocco Cup has also signed on to become a partner with DTM series, and will also pit young talent against motorsports legends at each race.
So to recap, saving the planet now includes racing the Scirocco in Europe. Where do we sign?
Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Scirocco Cup
[Source: Volkswagen via DieselStation.com]
PRESS RELEASE:
VOLKSWAGEN PRESENTS WORLD'S MOST ECO-FRIENDLY ONE-MAKE CUP
Following the successful debut of the compressed natural gas-powered Scirocco GT24-CNG at the Nürburgring 24-hour race, Volkswagen is launching a one-make Bio-CNG-powered race series in 2010. With a CO 2 reduction of 80 per cent being achieved in combination with Bio-CNG, the Scirocco Cup will demonstrate that major innovative strides are still being made in motorsport and make it the most eco-friendly one-make championship in the world.
The Cup version of the Scirocco is designed to enable eco-friendly motorsport. Based on the TSI unit fitted in the Scirocco, the Bio-CNG-racing version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine develops 203 lbs ft of torque and up to 223 PS. A push-to-pass system provides a short burst of increased power of 30 PS to create additional overtaking opportunities and action throughout the race. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts operate a six-speed DSG gearbox and, as with the road-going Scirocco R, power is channelled through the front wheels.
Fitted with a fuel tank with a capacity of 22-litres, the Volkswagen Scirocco Cup uses so-called Bio-CNG which is produced from renewable resources such as grass or a special type of maize as well as from refined biological waste. The fuel tank itself is made from a composite material and is located behind the driver's seat, protected by the vehicle's roll cage.
The stainless steel pipes and special valves required for CNG operation within the Scirocco Cup use tried and tested components from Volkswagen production models with CNG engines, and the system pressures of 200 Bar are identical to those of the production vehicles.
Commenting on the new Scirocco Cup, Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen explained: 'By clinching class victory at the Nürburgring we proved that CNG-powered vehicles not only deliver high fuel economy but also allow very sporty driving. That's why we're particularly proud about launching the world's first one-make cup with CNG-powered vehicles.'
Next year, promotion of young talent will again be a top priority and the aspiring racers youngsters will be able to compete with five motorsport legends at each of the races. These legends will come from Formula 1, DTM, rally racing and Le Mans as well as TV and show business.
Volkswagen first raced the Scirocco back in 1976 in the VW Junior Cup and the first winner, Manfred Winkelhock, went on to achieve major exploits in motorsport with Volkswagen. Since then, drivers including Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, Keke Rosberg, Bernd Schneider, Tom Kristensen and Michael Schumacher have all won the title "powered by Volkswagen".
The Scirocco Cup will replace the successful Polo Cup after six years and will become the DTM partner series in 2010.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
thipps 10:02AM (10/30/2009)
Ecofriendly racing?
hmmmm dont think so
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geo.stewart 10:19AM (10/30/2009)
"creating the least amount of negative impact on the environment" is not synonomous with "saving the planet"
Dont get me wrong. I love me some racing, but I'm also not under the illusion that diesel, CNG, or any of it means its "saving the planet".
By 'saving the planet', I assume they really mean conserving resources that the rest of the animal life on this planet does not use (oil, natural gas, and its byproducts) by using products (biofuel) that other animals on this planet do use.
Or by reducing excess CO2 emissions that which plants need to survive and give off the O2 that we need.
turbo-quattro 11:43AM (10/30/2009)
geo.stewart -- this is very true. you can try to minimalize the impact, but any negative impact at all is still hurting, not saving the planet.
just like people that drive their prii(plural prius) thinking that they are saving the world. they are just impacting it minimally less.
Chris 10:03AM (10/30/2009)
Has there been any update as to whether or not we are getting this car here? (the production version, not race version)
Last time I heard, the answer was no.
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sparrk 12:53PM (10/30/2009)
where is "here" ?
Chris 4:52PM (10/30/2009)
Madagascar
happyfun86 10:12AM (10/30/2009)
I'm all for racing in all its forms, but racing has nothing to do with being eco-friendly. I wish companies would stop trying to make racing seem like it is.
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Egon 10:16AM (10/30/2009)
Yes, but did they plant any daisies in the infield?
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ToniCipriani 10:17AM (10/30/2009)
The Diesel Scirocco
Gets you down to Morocco
On one fill up of Diesel
A 55 MPG-iesel...
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Zeph 10:32AM (10/30/2009)
There is so much falseness in this news item I don't know where to begin. So I'll just list it in no particular order:
1) CO2 emissions are not per se pollution, it's just some lie made up by the world elite to increase taxation and restrict individual liberties and control technology.
2) Auto racing will never be ecologically friendly with fossil fuels. They add pollution to the system.
3) Corporations don't want to save the planet, they are stuck on the "make money" grove and can't think outside that box.
4) It's time supposed auto journalists and professional bloggers grew a pair and stopped using the eco friendly corporate sound byte and started talking truth for once. For once I would like to see an honest title, like, just for an example: "Volkswagen tries to convince it's clients diesel racing is ecological despite all evidence to the contrary".
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Shawn 11:01AM (10/30/2009)
Autoblog is advertising driven, hence all "Journalists" and professional bloggers working for AOL have to repeat the corporate friendly lingo to attract advertising dollars. No advertising = No Autoblog. I'm sure there are plenty of podiums online people can stand on to scream out whatever their views are. This is just a PG13 automoative news outlet for the masses not intended to be hardcore investigative journalism.
It's like watching a mainstream movie...Yes, that bottle of soda she's holding seductively was brought to you by PepsiCo Inc.
MM 11:59AM (10/30/2009)
Dear Autoblog,
Please stop showing us these cool cars that won't be coming over to the US. All you are doing is reminding us that we live in a country that is dominated by Beige CamCord owners who think cars a simply a means to go from point A to point B and that enthusiasts who think driving is a stimulus to our senses can only dream of things in Europe like the beautiful VWs, Fords, and Fiats that we are promised but are yet to see.
Thank you.
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Shiftright 1:10PM (10/30/2009)
Will a Scirocco Cup protect your crown jewels?
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vwboyaf1 6:36PM (10/30/2009)
Isn't just driving less the easiest way to be green? How does burning up laps to nowhere = 80% less CO2? If this program didn't exist, they could have just put up a sign that said, "Non-existent Diesel Scirocco Cup, -100% CO2!"
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Swede 7:32AM (10/31/2009)
People seem to be very confused.
Biogas (not to be confused with natural gas, which is a fossil) is as green as you can get. It does not emit any fossil emissions at all. It's easily the best and most cost efficient solution there is.
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