Back to the Future: Formula One Racecar Lapping the Nürburgring Circuit in 1967

The Nürburgring 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.

VIDEO: 2010 VW Scirocco R 265HP Presentation at the Nurburgring

Parallel to the start of the 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring at the end of May, Volkswagen staged the world debut of its hottest Scirocco model ever that comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot cranking out 265HP and 350Nm of torque. This video that was shot during the presentation event includes the first driving footage of the new Scirocco R on the 'Ring as well as interviews with VW officials. Bear in mind though that the interviews are in German - and yes, those of you out there 'sprechen die Deutsche', feel free to enlighten us with your bilingual skills.

Nissan 370Z Nurburgring Edition: Limited Production Model Launched in Europe

When you hear a name like 'Nurburgring Edition', you expect something special, right? Well, judging from Nissan's press release, this doesn't seem to be the case with the new 370Z Nurburgring Edition that has been launched in Germany. Supposedly inspired from the bright-yellow 370Zs that participated at the 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring in May, the limited edition model will be produced in a limited run of 80 copies. Unique features are limited to a 'Premium Ultimate Yellow' paint finish, special decals, a more sonorous Cobra exhaust system, a numbered plaque and 19-inch OZ alloy wheels shod in Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires (255/40 R19 at the front, 285/35 R19 at the back).

There are no mechanical upgrades with the special edition 370Z retaining the standard model's 331HP 3.7-liter V6 engine. Prices in Germany have been set at €50,400 (that's about $71,700 at today's exchange rates). Buyers of the special edition 370Z also get a €150 gift card (approx. $215 US) for use at the Nurburgring race track either to perform a few laps on the Nordschleife or to buy memorabilia items.

Nissan's German division has yet to release any photos of the 370Z Nurburgring Edition - the pictures are from the standard model.

VIDEO: Lexus LF-A V10 Supercar Proves Too Hot for the Nurburgring...

Damn that Youtube; you can't have an unfortunate moment these days without someone uploading a video and circulating it around the web for the entire world to see. Lexus' "Moment of Zen" came during this past weekend's Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race when one of the two participating V10-powered LF-A sportscars caught on fire. If you dying to see what happened out of pure interest (or boredom, doesn't matter) hit the jump to watch the video.

Opel Insignia OPC Completes 10,000km Testing Around the 'Ring

It's no secret that most automakers hone and further develop their sportiest models on Nurburgring's Nordschleife, which is considered the toughest and most demanding race track in the world. Of course, General Motors' European unit, Opel, is no exception. The German automaker said that all vehicles in its OPC lineup (VXR in the UK) complete a painstaking 10,000km (6,219 mile) testing around the 20.8km (12.9 miles) Nordschleife of the Nurburgring before they go on sale. While 'ze' Germans did not disclose any lap times, the company said that a few days ago, the Insignia OPC sedan completed its final 10,000km 'Ring challenge with no problems.

"The Insignia OPC sedan raced 487 laps for 12 days at some top speeds flawlessly. This kind of performance and quality is what we expect from all our Opel cars," said Hans Demant, Managing Director of Opel.

Over the next few days, the Insignia Sports Tourer OPC will also complete its final 10,000km testing around the Nordschleife. Both versions of the Insignia OPC boast a 325HP, 2.8-liter V6 Turbo engine as well as Opel's Adaptive 4x4 transmission with an electronic rear limited slip differential (eLSD) and purpose-built Brembo brakes. The OPC models are due to go on sale in Europe later this year.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Lexus Reveals LF-A 500HP V10 that will Race at the 24h of Nurburgring!

Even though we have yet to see the production model of the Lexus LF-A study that has been previewed in both coupe and roadster forms in the past, the Japanese automaker decided to put its long anticipated (and overdue...) supercar to the ultimate test by entering two race-spec versions at this weekend's Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race. Seen here for the first time in race livery, the 200mph+ (321km/h) LF-A sportscars are powered by a front-mid mounted V10 engine producing 500HP. The LF-As will be entered by Gazoo Racing, which from what we learned, is a Japanese market, Toyota-owned, e-commence website that has its own racing team.

The team that will tackle the 'Green Hell' will be made up of a combination of professional drivers, Toyota test drivers, dealers and a pilot that Lexus refers to as "Morizo" who is none other than Toyota's soon-to-be CEO Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the firm's founder.

According to a previous release from Lexus, the knowledge gained from the endurance race will be fed back to engineering teams to assist with further development of the production LF-A.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

2012 Volkswagen Passat Test Mules Hit the 'Ring

The first test mules of Volkswagen's next-generation Passat sedan are slowly starting to break cover on and around the Nurburgring race track, as the German automaker moves ahead with the development of the mid-size sedan that is expected to hit the market sometime in 2012. It's still too early for specific details but the photos reveal that the new Passat will most likely sit atop a longer and wider platform - notice the stretched B-pillar and the extended wheelarches on the test mule that uses the body of the current generation Passat.

Like most new vehicles today, it is almost certain that Volkswagen will equip the new Passat with a revised engine line up promising to offer better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Nissan Announces New Record Nurburgring Time for GT-R: 7min 26.7 sec

To whom it may concern because quite frankly, these Nurburgring lap time records are starting to get as boring as the never-ending promotion of Chevy's Camaro, Nissan has officially announced that it has improved the GT-R's lap time at the Nordschleife circuit in Germany to 7min 26 seconds 70 on April 23, 2009. The previous recorder lap times at the 'Ring were 7 minutes 27 seconds 56 on April 15, 2009, 7min 29sec in April 2008 and 7min 38sec in September 2007.

"This record demonstrates our commitment to the continuous evolution of the Nissan GT-R," says Kazutoshi Mizuno, Chief Vehicle Engineer and Chief Vehicle Specialist. "We would like to continue delivering the passion and pride of ownership to our customers by improving its performance every year."

In other words, expect to see Porsche, Nissan, GM and who knows who many other automakers, announcing new 'record' lap times at the 'Ring faster than you can say Nordschleife.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com