German Car Scene

Month: June 2011

  • BMW TO FEATURE IN MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL


    BMW has been announced as the official automotive partner for the new “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” film, with the company’s Vision EfficientDynamics concept car fighting a certain Mr Cruise for screen time..

    The 2+2-seater, with plug-in full-hybrid technology, has a governed top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate to 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds, but is capable of returning 62.6 mpg. Drives comes via a 3-cylinder turbodiesel with one electric motor on each axle. Overall output is 356 hp.

    The new Mission: Impossible film is slated for release in the United States on December 16, 2011.

    [Source: BMW]

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  • Porsche returning to Le Mans


    Massive news here: Porsche has just announced that it will be returning to Le Mans in 2014, with a works-run LMP1 sports prototype. Porsche is the most successful manufacturer in Le Mans, with an impressive 16 overall victories.

    Porsche CEO Matthias Müller, pointed out the company’s unrivalled success in the legendary event, and followed up by saying it was only a matter of time before they returned, to target a 17th outright victory.

    [Source: Porsche]

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  • MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD GOES ON SALE – AT A COOL £41,000


    The limited edition MINI Inspired by Goodwood model makes its début at Goodwood today – coinciding with the first day that customers can place their orders for one. We know it’s a rare car – limited to just 1000 units, and also a collaboration between MINI and Rolls-Royce, but with a price tag of £41,000 – it’s BMW 1 series M coupé and Audi RS 3 Sportback money, so you’d need to be a serious MINI fan to purchase one.

    Based on a MINI Cooper S, the special model features Rolls-Royce Diamond Black metallic paintwork, Xenon Adaptive Headlights and Park Distance Control as standard. The interior is clad in Rolls-Royce colour Cornsilk, while the dash and door handle surfaces are finished in Walnut Burr inserts. The roof lining and sun visors are cashmere and the floor mats are deep-pile lambswool. Obviously.

    [Source: MINI]

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  • BMW 1 SERIES M COUPÉ ‘LONG DRIFTS’


    We’ve witnessed the drifting skills of Andre de Vries before, but this piece of film is our favourite to date. Usually seen driving a BMW E46 GTR in the Dutch Supercar Challenge, here Andre gets behind the wheel of a 1 Series M coupé before driving it sideways – all daaaay long… (more…)

  • AUDI CREATES R8 V8 LIMITED EDITION TO CELEBRATE TENTH LE MANS TITLE


    In honour of the company’s tenth 24 Hours of Le Mans title, Audi UK has just announced the arrival of its R8 V8 Limited Edition. Restricted to just 100 examples, the R8 V8 Limited Edition comes with titanium finished 19-inch R8 GT alloys (covering red brake calipers), and is available in any of the metallic and pearl effects usually offered as an option – for no extra price – unless the owner chooses this special Titanium Metallic paintwork.

    Inside, there’s contrasting crimson red accents on the Black Fine Nappa Leather-upholstered seats and headrests, Sat Nav, the Audi Music Interface (AMI), and a premium Bang and Olufsen sound system.

    Audi’s magnetic ride suspension comes as standard, but the carbon pack – including carbon sideblades, door mirrors, inlays and door sill trims will cost you a few more pennies.

    Speaking of pennies, the R8 V8 Limited Edition is available to order from July, starting at £93,935 OTR. Deliveries begin in October.

    [Source: Audi]

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  • MOTOR TREND TEST: AUDI R8 GT


    Motor Trend heads out to the test track in Audi’s hardcore R8 GT model to see if it has what it takes to battle the world’s top supercars. With 100kg shaved off the weight of the regular R8 – and a 35PS power upgrade, the GT hits 62mph in 3.6 seconds, 124mph in 10.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 199mph – where conditions permit. (more…)