[quote=]The racing version of the new Volkswagen Scirocco has successfully taken its first hurdle. Hans-Joachim Stuck (A), Dieter Depping (D), Francois Verbist (B) and Thomas Mutsch (D) completed a comprehensive endurance test with the 300-hp Scirocco at the Motorsport Arena at Oschersleben. The tests with the coupé that will be delivered to dealerships as a production model in autumn of 2008 served to prepare for the 24-Hour Race at the Nürburgring (23 -25 May), which Volkswagen will contest with three Scirocco cars. The Racing Scirocco’s roll-out had taken place at the Spreewaldring near Cottbus on 14 April.
"The Scirocco has passed its first real ‘baptism of fire’ well,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “The racing version was developed and prepared by our technical staff in record time. With the endurance test, we’re perfectly within our truly tight schedule. The Scirocco is a real highlight: when watching the car on the race track for the first time, it simply looks cool.”
“Strietzel” Stuck was pleasantly surprised after the first kilometres: “I got into the vehicle and felt comfortable. The Scirocco is one of the most uncomplicated racing cars I’ve ever driven. It’s really fun. Now I’m looking forward to the 24 hours on the Nordschleife with even greater anticipation.”
Alongside Stuck, who has been the Volkswagen Group’s motorsport representative since the beginning of the year, the two-time world rally champion Carlos Sainz (E), whose most recent exploit was victory at the Central Europe Rally with the Volkswagen Race Touareg, his cross-country rally team-mates Giniel de Villiers (RSA) and Dieter Depping, Volkswagen Junior Jimmy Johansson (S) and the touring car youngsters Florian Gruber (D), Thomas Mutsch and Francois Verbist, Volkswagen board member for technical development Dr Ulrich Hackenberg as well as journalists Bernd Ostmann (auto motor und sport) and Matthias Malmedie (Grip – das Motormagazin) will compete for Volkswagen at the endurance classic staged in the "Green Hell”.
For the race around the demanding, legendary Nordschleife, the Racing Scirocco with front-wheel drive will use a two-litre TFSI engine delivering over 300 hp and a direct-shift transmission with DSG technology including shifting paddles in the steering wheel.
At the 24-Hour Race one year ago Volkswagen – among 220 teams – had clinched class victory and eighth place overall with the Golf GTI. As in previous years, over 200,000 spectators are expected to line the "ring” on the last weekend in May – the fitting setting for the Racing Scirocco’s début. "Deutsche Sport-Fernsehen” (DSF) will provide more than 12 hours of live coverage from the Nürburgring.[/quote]