Cologne, Germany  - A modified Audi A4 B7 quattro has achieved a world speed record of 327.2 kilometres per hour running on an alternative bio-gas fuel processed from grass, the German technical testing authority (TUeV) Rhineland has announced.

"We wanted to give the debate on alternative fuels impetus by demonstrating that driving fun and ecology are not mutually exclusive," said Dr Stefan Behrning, who oversaw the project, conducted on a test track at Papenburg in northwestern Germany.

The Audi was powered by a 430 kW/585 hp engine with the fuel used 100 per cent carbon dioxide neutral. The modifications to the Audi were carried out in a joint project with the TUeV, the Hohenester tuning firm and several sponsors. (dpa)