VW Scirocco and Gumpert Apollo hybrid to join LF-A in 24hr Nurburgring race

Next month’s Nurburgring 24 hour endurance challenge is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events on this year’s racing calendar with three new important models confirmed for the race. Lexus has already confirmed a preproduction race-spec version of its upcoming LF-A supercar will be competing this year and Volkswagen has announced that a specially tuned 300hp version of its new Scirocco coupe will also turn up on race day.

VW will in fact have three factory-developed racing versions of the Scirocco with two-time Le Mans winner Hans-Joachim Stuck and the two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz among the list of drivers.

Organizers hope to repeat the success of last year’s Golf GTI, which took top honors in its class. “This would be an excellent way to support the market launch of the production model in autumn,” said VW board member Dr Ulrich Hackenberg.

The racing version of the new Scirocco is based on last year’s successful 300hp 2.0L TFSI from the race-going Golf GTI.

At the other end of the spectrum, in the supercar arena, will be a Gumpert Apollo (pictured) race car complete with a hybrid powertrain. The car will feature a 3.3L twin-turbo petrol engine mated to an electric motor and will develop a combined output of close to 800hp. At the wheel will be former F1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Dirk Muller.

The Nurburgring 24 hour race will take place on the 24th and 25th of next month.

2009 Volkswagen Scirocco