VW Jetta TDI Cup racing series coming to a track near you in 2008
Volkswagen has a long history of grassroots racing series in the US and elsewhere. For the past three decades those series mostly used various GTI models. For 2008, Volkswagen is replacing the current GTI cup with the new Jetta TDI Cup. As the name implies, the new series will use the new Jetta CleanTDI diesel sedan. For racing purposes, the 2.0L diesel will be rated at 170 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque pumping through the standard six-speed DSG gearbox. The suspension and brakes will be beefed up for track use and all the usual racing safety equipment will be included. The series will be organized by SCCA Pro Racing and up to thirty cars per race are expected.
[Source: Volkswagen]
VOLKSWAGEN TO FEATURE CLEAN DIESEL POWER IN JETTA TDI CUP RACING SERIES
LAS VEGAS – Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it will bring TDI clean diesel technology to select North American race tracks starting in May 2008. The Jetta TDI Cup series will be sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing Inc., and will appear at up to eight major racing venues in North America during 2008.
"The Jetta TDI Cup racing series will celebrate Volkswagen's diesel technology and heritage in motorsports as good, clean fun," said Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "Not only will the young drivers gain real-life track experience in a factory-prepared race vehicle, it will allow them to develop their own mindset of today's clean diesel technology, and foster increased awareness of its advantages in this new era of environmental sensitivity."
The Jetta TDI Cup shifts gears from the previously announced GTI program, allowing Volkswagen to showcase the power and performance of its new clean diesel technology, available in the upcoming 2009 Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen. With up to 30 Jetta TDI's competing in the hands of aspiring, young drivers, this unique motorsport offering will highlight a new, exciting platform of racing that does not currently exist – a full field of clean diesel powered vehicles.
"With the Jetta TDI Cup, Volkswagen has created an amazing platform to develop young drivers and expand their knowledge about clean and quiet diesel technology," said Robert Wildberger, president and CEO, SCCA Pro Racing, Inc. "We look forward to the series in hopes that it will attract more attention to the drivers and advantages of diesel power."
The Jetta TDI Cup racecars will be optimized for track performance and safety. To focus on the skill of the young drivers and to ensure performance parity, proper maintenance and safety standards, all vehicles will be owned and maintained by Volkswagen. The heart of the Jetta TDI Cup racing vehicle will be the all-new, high-tech 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine rated at 170 horsepower and nearly 300 ft.-lbs. of torque in racing trim. The Jetta TDI race vehicles will be outfitted with a six-speed automatic DSG® transmission, electro-mechanical power rack-and-pinion steering system, and advanced multi-link fully independent race-tuned suspension, driver airbag supplemental restraint system, and four-wheel ABS racing brakes.
Signifying Volkswagen's environmental commitment, the Jetta TDI Cup series will be certified as CarbonFree by Carbonfund.org. Additional program details will be available at www.vwmotorsportusa.com by mid-November 2007.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
William Worley 3:49AM (3/29/2008)
Everyone get ready for a good series on SPEED TV with the Volkswagen Jetta TDi Cup
check out www.williamworley.com
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magicwrench 11:11AM (10/17/2009)
if vw had any balls they would run on biodiesel
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GoodCheer 9:22AM (11/01/2007)
Hmmmm. While the VW TDIs certainly are nice cars in terms of fuel consumption, I'm not sure that motorsports of any kind really have a place in a venue that calls itself "AutoBlogGreen". If our interests are in reducing our use of resources, then I would think job one would be to find some kind of recreation where the only driving involved is in getting to a venue. Me, I like triathlons.
I take that back... I would be very interested in a racing series where competitors were given a fixed amount of fuel with which to cover a set distance, say 5 gallons to cover 200 miles (so that they'd have to average better than 40mpg). Such a race would promote careful engineering with an emphasis on efficiency as well as performance. THAT would really serve the automotive world.
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Michael Hippenhammer 12:04PM (11/01/2007)
Racing with the most efficient engines will be the future. I would rather watch a race where fuel efficiency was the number one criteria. Any body can race and guzzle fuel. We here on Autobloggreen know very well that formula 1 technology eventually ends up in our daily drivers and it is about time that the efficiency side of racing be a priority in technology trickling down to our daily cars. Best example is the direct injection engines from Audi's legendary R8 race car. It is now standard on all Audi's and Volkswagen. FSI, fuel straight injection, engines reduce consumption, gives more power and reduces emmissions. Now the Audi R10 TDI, diesel, has replaced the R8 and is dominating its class again. Cheers to Audi for moving in the right direction!
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Paul Bloomberg 9:39PM (11/02/2007)
I currently am a NASA championship winning road racer, racing a Acura Type R but am very interested in purchasing/developing a VW diesel race car for the obvious reasons.
If you have any information regarding developement of these cars or who is currently developing smaller displacement diesels.
Please contact me:
Paul Bloomberg
pjbloom1@sbcglobal.net
Phoenix, Az
602-435-7605
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Peter L 7:53AM (11/07/2007)
A great way to develop better road cars for the likes of you and me
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