German Car Scene

Month: June 2011

  • SLS AMG ROADSTER CONFIGURATOR LAUNCHED


    Mercedes-Benz has launched a configurator for potential owners (and dreamers like us…) to configure the SLS AMG Roadster of their dreams. We opted for a Designo White 2 body sitting on black wheels. Now, we’re just waiting for our lottery numbers to come up, then we’ll put our order in…

  • AUTO EXPRESS: MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG VS ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE


    Auto Express journalist Owen Mildenhall sets out to find the perfect GT car, and ends up comparing the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with Aston Martin’s beautiful new Virage model. The 571 hp SLS accelerates to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 197 mph, while the Aston Martin, with a slightly smaller 490 hp 6.0L V12, hits 60 mph in 4.6 and tops out at 186 mph. And doesn’t have gullwing doors… (more…)

  • DTM SPIELBERG: VICTORY FOR AUDI’S TOMCZYK


    Pole-sitter Martin Tomczyk took his Audi A4 DTM to victory, his first for almost two years, today at Spielberg. The German driver, who had been leading for most of the race, had built up a four second cushion over Ralf Schumacher at one point, but the Mercedes driver had managed to whittle it down to just 0.4s as the pair crossed the finish line at the Red Bull Ring. Audi’s Oliver Panis took the third spot on the podium, but the outstanding drive of the day went to championship leader, Bruno Spengler, who climbed from a lowly 12th on the grid to take fourth place. (more…)

  • BMW reveals new 1 Series


    After a few leaked images surfaced online recently, BMW has officially released all the blurb and photographs covering its new 1 Series model. The face of the baby Bimmer definitely draws inspiration from the 5 Series GT, but we quite like the rear, which reminds us slightly of the Volkswagen Polo. A body, wheelbase and track slightly larger than the previous E88 model results in a more spacious interior (21 mm extra rear legroom and a luggage compartment increasing 330 to 360 litres). All models benefit from Start/Stop technology, while the new generation of petrol engines include a 136 hp 116i and 170 hp 118i model. Diesel lovers are given the choice of a 116 hp 116d, 143 hp 118d and a 184 hp 120d. Later on, a 116d EfficientDynamics Edition will be made available, with a CO2 output of just 99g/km.

    [Source: BMW]

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  • MOTORWEEK ROAD TEST: PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS


    Here’s MotorWeek delivering another one of its informative road tests, this time it’s the hardcore Porsche 911 GT3 RS in the spotlight. Its 3.8L powerplant produces an effectual 450 hp, which is pretty astonishing for a naturally-aspirated engine. From a standstill 60 mph comes up in 4 seconds dead, while the quarter mile is taken care of in 12.5 seconds at 118 mph. Top speed is a missile-like 193 mph. (more…)

  • ROGER FEDERER IN THE MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG ROADSTER


    Mercedes-Benz have been kind enough to let Roger Federer loose in a brand new SLS AMG Roadster. The Swiss tennis legend put the open-top model through its paces across the deserts of Dubai, in what is actually not a bad promo. With almost identical performance to its tin-topped sibling, the Roadster hits 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, before topping out at (an electronically governed) 197 mph. Production begins in the fall of 2011. (more…)