German Car Scene

Month: June 2011

  • NEW VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE TO START AT $18,995


    Volkswagen of America has just revealed the pricing for its brand new Beetle model, starting at a pretty reasonable $18,995 for the 170 hp 2.5L model model. The sportier 200 hp 2.0L TSI version, will set you back $23,395, while oil burner fans will be offered a 40 mpg, 140 hp TDI Clean Diesel model in 2012.

    Noticeably more muscular than the previous model: 6.0 inches longer, over 3 inches wider, and 0.5 inches lower, the Bug will be available with a transparent, sunroof that is 80 percent longer than its predecessor’s.

    [Source: Volkswagen]

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  • Opel releases Astra GTC details


    Opel has released details and images of the new Astra GTC ahead of its Frankfurt début this September. Looking pretty muscular, and taking many styling elements from the GTC Paris concept, the Astra GTC shares nothing more than its mirrors and roof aerial with the rest of the Astra family.

    At the moment there’s one diesel and three petrol engines available: a 165 hp 2.0 CDTI, a 120 hp and 140 hp 1.4L, and a 180 hp 1.6L unit. Expect a high-performance OPC version next year.

    [Source: Opel]

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  • MERCEDES-BENZ CREATES UNIMOG CONCEPT


    Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks department has created this crazy-looking Unimog concept to mark sixty years of the iconic truck. Based on a U 5000 chassis, the “60 Years Mercedes-Benz Unimog” features an open-topped cab – as seen on the very first Unimog, a modern-day Mercedes-Benz grille and some interesting five star wheels.

    Bertrand Janssen and his design team are said to have taken inspiration for the lucid paintwork from the poison dart frog, as the two are both “extremely mobile both in water and on land.”

    If a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ever witnesses the detonation of a gamma bomb, we’re guessing it’ll look something like that. But only if it gets very, very angry…

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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  • AUDI R18 TDI COMMERCIAL


    Here’s a slick new commercial from Audi featuring its R18 TDI racer. The R18 TDI has been created by Audi in an effort to add to its string of Le Mans 24 Hours victories, and is the first closed coupé design to be used by the Ingolstadt giants since 1999. Power comes from a 3.7L V6 TDI unit. (more…)

  • MINI RELEASES COUPÉ DETAILS AND IMAGES


    MINI has beaten the spy photographers at their own game by releasing images and details of the forthcoming Coupé in pre-production form. The Coupé is the latest in an ever-expanding range of MINI models, and the first two-seater of the bunch. And, thanks to its innovative “helmet roof” configuration, sits 29mm lower than a regular MINI.

    Models and powerplants begin with the 122 hp MINI Cooper Coupé right up to a 211 hp JCW version. There’s also a 143 hp Cooper SD for the diesel fans out there.

    [Source: MINI]

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  • GRIP IN THE G-POWER BMW M3 GTS


    We’ll level with you here: This isn’t exactly a review, but it’s still worth a watch. GRIP host Matthias Malmedie answers viewers’ car-related questions, then surprises fan Roland with a trip in a heavy-duty 635 HP G-Power BMW M3 GTS. We’re glad we’re not paying his tyre bills… (more…)