VW's 'cleanest race series'

What is being dubbed as the world's most eco-friendly one-make race series is being set up for CNG-powered Volkswagen Sciroccos next year.

The championship will support the DTM German touring car series, and feature track prepared Scirocco Cup cars that will be converted to run on biological, compressed natural gas (CNG). VW says this fuel cuts CO2 emissions by 80 per cent compared to the petrol equivalent.

Hi-res CNG VW Scirocco pictures

Cars in the same spec competed at this year's Nurburgring 24 Hour event, producing 220bhp and 203lb ft of torque from the four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine.

The racers will also have a push-to-pass feature that provides a short burst of an extra 30bhp.

Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts operate a six-speed DSG gearbox, while the front wheel-drive system remains, transmitted through a DSG six-speed paddle shift gearbox. The exterior has also gained the racy Scirocco R bodykit

VW will run five celebrity cars at every event, promising to put "legends" from Formula ONe, DTM, rallying and Le Mans as well as TV and show business personalities in the cars.

George Chapman

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