Volkswagen Unwraps Monster Golf24 with 440HP Five-Cylinder Turbo for 2011 N�rburgring 24-hour Race

Volkswagen has announced that it will compete at this year's 24-hour endurance race at the N�rburgring 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 N�rburgring 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 N�rburgring 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 N�rburgring racing event that takes place from June 23 to 26.

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BMW 1-Series M Coupe Allegedly Laps the N�rburgring in 8:12" Making it Faster than E46 M3

The BMW 1-Series M Coupe is pretty fast on paper. Reaching the 60 mph (96 km/h) mark in just 4.7 seconds is no small feat, but nowadays, it seems that performance cars need to have a respectable �Ring� time under there belt to command respect. Now, a forum member of the 1Addicts fan site who calls himself "SteveD" claims that the Ring time for the 335-horsepower strong M model is 8 minutes and 12 seconds.

If true (and according to the N�rburgring lap times list posted on Wikipedia), this means the entry-level M model is 10 seconds faster than the E46 M3, on par with the E86 Z4 M Coupe, but 7 seconds slower than the E92 M3 .

Of course, just because something is posted on a forum, doesn�t necessarily make it true. However, it seems that �SteveD� is none other than Steve Davies, a UK journalist who writes for Skiddmark. When asked where did he received the info, "SteveD" wrote �directly from BMW when we filmed the car�.

And indeed, Skiddmark does feature a piece about the 1-Series M Coupe and it contains the information posted on 1addicts. Still, we�re going to take this one with a grain of salt until we have the official confirmation.

You can see how the 1 Series M Coupe's alleged 'Ring lap time compares with other models from BMW and other makers in the list below.

By Csaba Daradics

Nurburgring Lap Times as Posted on Wikipedia:

� E46 M3 CSL - 7:50

� E90/E92 M3 - 8:05

� E63 M6 - 8:09

� 1 series M coupe - 8:12

� Z4 M-Coupe - 8:12

� E60 M5 - 8:13

� Alpina B3 Biturbo - 8:14

� Z4 M-Roadster - 8:15

� Alpina Roadster S (Z4) - 8:15

� E46 M3 - 8:22

� 335i E92 Coupe - 8:26

Other Models Compared:

� 911 Carrera S PDK (997.5) - 7:50

� Audi R8 4.2 - 8:04

� Cayman S - 8:04 (by Walter R�hrl)

� Audi RS4 - 8:09

� Audi TT-RS - 8:09

� BMW 1 series M coupe - 8:12

� Aston Martin V8 Vantage - 8:13

� Mercedes C63 AMG PP - 8:13

� Corvette C6 - 8:15

� Cayman S - 8:16 (Sport Auto)

� Porsche Boxter S (987.5) - 8:18

� Lexus IS-F - 8:18

� 2010 VW Golf R - 8:23

� Audi S5 (2007) - 8:26

� Audi TT-S (2008) - 8:29

Source: Skiddmark , Via: 1Addicts

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Back to the Future: Formula One Racecar Lapping the N�rburgring Circuit in 1967

The N�rburgring circuit is called �The Green Hell� for a good reason. Measuring 24.4 km (15.2 miles) in today�s combined version that uses a part of the Formula 1 track, it�s not an easy circuit to master. Complete a fast lap was even more difficult in the late �60, when Formula 1 was nowhere near the high-tech parade it represents now. Back then, fearless drivers raced cars with skinny tires that had very few, if any safety features and weren't exactly easy to drive.

Check out the video after the break to see 1967 Formula 1 car running the Green Hell. At the time, the Nordschleife measured 22.8 km (14.2 miles) and had 174 turns.

By Csaba Daradics

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Real Life Red Bull X1 to be Shown at GT5 Launch Party in Madrid

We were quite impressed with the virtual Red Bull X1 Prototype, the fastest car in the upcoming fifth installment of the Gran Turismo series. This time, Evo Magazine reveals that Red Bull has decided to build a scale model, which will be shown at the GT5 launch party in Madrid, in a few weeks time.

As previously reported, the virtual X1 will feature a twin-turbocharged 3-liter V6 engine, producing 1,483 hp (1,106 kW) and � new piece of information � 526 lb-ft (713 Nm) of torque.

According to Red Bull's older press release, the X1 can reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in a mind-boggling 1.4 seconds, 120 mph (193 km/h) in 2.8 seconds and last but not least, 200 mph (320 km/h) in a mere 6.1 seconds.

Should by any chance the X1 become a reality, an important question arises: who will dare pilot this thing as it can effortlessly generate 8.25 Gs during cornering?

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Evo Magazine, Via: GT Planet

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VIDEO: Red Bull X1 is the Fastest Car in Gran Turismo 5

The Red Bull X1 will be the fastest car in Sony's forthcoming Gran Turismo 5 - that is, if the game ever comes out� To prove this, Sebastian Vettel was asked to do a lap of the N�rburgring race track. As you'd expect, it was done in record time and you can witness it by watching the video after the break.

This is all fine and dandy, but the X1 doesn't exist in real life. However, the science behind it is very real, so, if it were to be built, it would be the fastest vehicle on Earth. Let's check out some [virtual] facts and numbers.

On paper, the X1 measures 0.98 m (38.58 inches) tall, 2.18 m (85.82 inches) wide and 4.75m (187 inches) long - or about the same length as an average family sedan.

Power comes from a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces in theory 1,483 hp (1,106 kW) at an equally astonishing 15,000 rpm! That's right: 283 horses more than the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

To say that something this powerful is fast is an understatement. The X1 could easily reach 450 km/h or 280 mph, while the Veyron Super Sport maxes out at 431 km/h or 267 mph. Then again, that's in real life...

As for the other performance figures; 0-60 (0-96 km/h) comes in 1.4 seconds; 0-120 mph (0-193 km/h) in 2.8 seconds and 0-200 mph (0-320 km/h) in a truly incredible 6.1 seconds.

These numbers are a possibility because the X1 is not just insanely powerful, but also very light. According to the designers, it tips the scales at a mere 615 kg (1,356 lbs) - almost on par with a 1959 MINI, or with Mark Webber's weight, when cornering at 300 km/h (186 mph) and enduring 8.25Gs! Oh man, that is jet fighter territory! Oh, you really have to build this Red Bull, you really do.

By Csaba Daradics

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