German Car Scene

Month: June 2011

  • AUDI SECURES LE MANS FRONT ROW


    The Audi team, along with its new closed cockpit R18 TDI racer, has taken first and second spot on the grid for this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race – Audi’s sixth at the legendary event. Frenchman Benoît Tréluyer landed pole with a time of 3m 25.738s, incredibly just pushing team mate Romain Dumas into second spot by 0.061 seconds. Those pesky Peugeots occupied the second row, pushing Audi’s Tom Kristensen back into fifth place. Unfortunately, while trying to improve on his position, Kristensen hit a barrier at “Tertre Rouge,” causing substantial damage. This means the team has its work cut out, getting the car race-ready for Saturday afternoon.

    Qualifying results

    1 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 TDI) 3m 25.738s
    2 Bernhard/Dumas/Rockenfeller (Audi R18 TDI) 3m 25.799s
    3 Lamy/Bourdais/Pagenaud (Peugeot) 3m 26.010s
    4 Montagny/Sarrazin/Minassian (Peugeot) 3m 26.156s
    5 Capello/Kristensen/McNish (Audi R18 TDI) 3m 26.272s
    6 Gene/Wurz/Davidson (Peugeot) 3m 26.272s
    7 Lapierre/Duval/Panis (Peugeot) 3m 30.084s
    8 Jani/Prost/Bleekemolen (Lola-Toyota) 3m 32.883s
    9 Collard/Tinseau/Jousse (Pescarolo-Judd) 3m 33.066s
    10 Belicchi/Boullion/Smith (Lola-Toyota) 3m 34.573s

    [Source: Audi Motorsport]

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  • MERCEDES-BENZ REVEALS 2012 M-CLASS MODEL


    After several leaked shots had mysteriously found their way onto the internets; Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed the third-generation of its M-Class. Initially, three engine options will be available: Beginning with the two diesel units, a 204 hp four-cylinder 2.2L CDI now powers the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC, while the ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC receives a new 3.0L V6 which is good for 258 hp. At the moment the only petrol-driven version is the 306 hp 3.5L V6 ML 350 4Matic BlueEfficiency model. Hybrid and hot AMG models should be along in the near future. Fuel consumption is aided by the standard start/stop function and a new seven-speed 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic gearbox.

    For anyone willing to take their prized SUV off the beaten track there’s the new AIRMATIC air suspension with Adaptive Damping System, the impressive-sounding ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM roll stabilisation and the ON&OFFROAD package which features no less than six driving modes: automatic, light and challenging off-road, winter, sport and one specifically for when towing a trailer. Seriously.

    Inside, occupants can expect the type of decadence usually found in premium saloon cars, with trim available in either aluminium – or four different types of wood. Seat coverings are available in ARTICO man-made leather, leather, or DINAMICA microfibre and leather in black for the Sports package option. The brilliant COMAND communication/infotainment system is now Internet-enabled.

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  • ŠKODA TAKING ON BONNEVILLE SPEED WEEK – IN A 200 MPH OCTAVIA


    Not content with dominating the IRC championship, Skoda is turning its attentions to the American salt flats. That’s right; to celebrate ten years of the Octavia vRS, Skoda will be taking a special one-off model, hopefully capable of cracking 200mph, to the iconic Bonneville Speed Week. Along with VAG tuning wizards REVO Technik, skoda is developing a car that will use the same 2.0L TSI unit as seen in the road car. But, with the addition of a new Garrett turbocharger and 26-28 PSI of boost, 600PS should be a realistic output figure.

    [Source: Skoda]

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  • THE FUTURE OF MOTORSPORT ACCORDING TO AUDI


    Just ahead of this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi has released a fascinating look at the people responsible for creating the machinery involved, and asks them how they envisage the future of motorsport will evolve. Head of Audi Sport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Design Wolfgang Egger, and Michael Splett of the Strategic Corporate Planning department all contribute. A lot of talk is based around current fuels used by teams and cars, and how cars powered by diesel, premium and E85 gasoline can compete on a level playing field – and that’s before the likes of hydrogen or gas are introduced. The pros and cons of electric drive vehicles are also raised. We’re liking the sketch too.

    [Source: Audi Motorsport]

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  • BMW 1 SERIES M COUPE ‘WALLS’ PROMO


    Here’s a great promo from BMW. Featuring the new 340 bhp 1 Series M coupé, we’re not sure how much is CGI fakery, and even if it’s real we know that there isn’t much of a risk from drifting through holes in Styrofoam walls, but that doesn’t stop us from watching it over and over again! (more…)

  • BMW GROUP INVESTING £500 MILLION IN UK OPERATIONS


    The BMW Group has just confirmed a further £500 million will be sunk into its UK operations, safeguarding over 5,000 jobs. The extra funding will be vital in upgrading the Oxford plant in order to produce not only the next-generation MINI, but also the recently revealed MINI Coupé model, to be built later this year, plus the new MINI Roadster, which is due to be launched in 2012.

    [Source: BMW]