Volkswagen has announced that it will compete at this year's 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring with an all-new challenger, the freshly developed Golf24. The dramatic racing version of the Golf borrows the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine from sister company Audi's TT RS and RS3 models, modified to deliver 440-ponies and a maximum torque of 540Nm or 398 lb-ft. Power is transmitted to the permanent four-wheel drive by a sequential six-speed gearbox with paddle shift operation.
The last time Volkswagen fielded a factory Golf for the famous Nürburgring endurance race was in 2007, at which time, the 300HP, front-wheel drive Golf that delivered about 300 hp finished in eighth place overall. For the past three years, the Germans have been competing in the race with the Scirocco GT24.
"With the new Golf24 we are continuing our successful commitment at the Nürburgring 24-hour race," said VW Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "The event enjoys huge popularity, is one of the true classics in motorsport and, due to its extreme distance and unique race track, also represents a very big technical challenge, With our spectacular Golf we want to provide an additional highlight in front of a large audience – right in time for the 35th anniversary of the GTI this year."
The new Golf24 has already reeled off its first circuit miles in Portugal and Italy, but VW will continue the testing and development programme until the Nürburgring racing event that takes place from June 23 to 26.
Power is transmitted to the road through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission with two auto and one manual modes, and the Ingolstadt firm's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.
Weighing in at 1,575 kg (3,472.28 pounds), the RS3 completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in a mere 4.6 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Audi adds that the RS3 returns an average fuel consumption of 9.1 liters per 100 km (25.9 US mpg) and emits 212 g CO2 per km (341.18 g/mile).
Power is transmitted to the road through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission with two auto and one manual modes, and the Ingolstadt firm's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.
Weighing in at 1,575 kg (3,472.28 pounds), the RS3 completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in a mere 4.6 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Audi adds that the RS3 returns an average fuel consumption of 9.1 liters per 100 km (25.9 US mpg) and emits 212 g CO2 per km (341.18 g/mile).
Ever since it was confirmed that Audi was developing the TT RS and especially after the Coupe made its public debut at last month's Geneva Motor Show, there have been rumors that the German automaker is developing an RS version of the A3. Well, this time is seems that the rumors were based on actual facts as our spy photographers snapped a test mule of the most powerful A3 performing test runs in Nurburgring, Germany.
Even though officially the RS3 has not yet received the green light, Audi's engineers have begun testing the TT RS's five-pot on an S3 mule meaning that the company is seriously considering a production version. For the record, it is not at all uncommon for automakers to test vehicles or specific versions of cars that are awaiting final approval for production. In the RS3's case, according to our sources, if all goes well and Audi's high-rank execs give their blessings, we could see the RS3 on the market as soon as 2010.
In the TT RS, the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine makes 340HP and 450 Nm (331.90 lb.-ft.) of torque. Most likely, those numbers will not change on the RS3 that will also get the TT's new six-speed manual transmission as well as Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.
Since the RS3 will probably weigh in about as much as the TT RS, expect to see similar performance figures with 0–100km/h (62mph) times of under 5.0 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h or 155 mph. As with the TT RS, Audi will probably offer to remove the limiter as an option increasing the hot hatch's top speed to over 270km/h (170mph).
As for aesthetics, despite the fact that the only visible difference on the test mule were the covered foglights, the production RS3 will get the usual upgrades such as new alloy wheels, revised bumpers and front grille as well as a larger roof spoiler.
