German Car Scene

Month: July 2011

  • BMW aiming to convert landfill gas to hydrogen


    BMW Manufacturing has unveiled its new project to convert the gas from landfill sites into hydrogen. If the initial stage of the million dollar program goes to plan, BMW will be looking to power its fleet of material handling equipment by the newly-generated hydrogen.

    BMW has been making use of landfill sites since 2003 to produce methane gas that goes on to provide over 50% of the Spartanburg plant’s total energy requirements. This results in savings of $5 million and reductions of 92,000 tons in CO2 emissions each year, in the process.

    “This project allows testing of valuable technology to determine if using locally-sourced hydrogen in our fuel cell equipment can provide the necessary performance needed to expand our hydrogen fuel cell fleet,” said BMW’s Josef Kerscher.

    [Source: BMW]

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  • MotorWeek road test: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg


    MotorWeek’s resident auto expert John H. Davis reviews the current Volkswagen Touareg. The hybrid version on review uses a 333 hp 3.0L supercharged V6 petrol engine that is paired with a 34 KW electric motor – that can be used independently – allowing the SUV to drive up to 30 mph on pure electric power. (more…)

  • Mercedes-Benz CLS by Lorinser


    Following on from last year’s renderings, Waiblingen Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist, Lorinser, has unveiled its package for the latest CLS-Class model.

    Visually, the most striking part of the program is centred around those wider, ventilated, replacement front wings, which blend seamlessly into the new lower front spoiler. The flanks receive a pair of sill extensions, while around the back there’s a window spoiler, boot lid lip and bumper apron. Lorinser also offers a selection of 19 and 20-inch diameter alloy wheels, and -25 mm suspension kit to complete the look.

    Tuning-wise, Lorinser can tweak any engine in the CLS range, for example; thanks to a remap of the management system the CLS 350 CGI can produce 322 HP (up from 306 hp) and raise its top speed to 265 km/h (165 mph) in the process. There’s also an optional sport exhaust system culminating in quad tailpipes.

    Inside the cabin, occupants are greeted by illuminated sill plates bearing the company’s logo, and aluminium foot pedals. In the upholstery department Lorinser promises to recreate the desires of the owner, offering anything from a set of personalised floor mats to a complete leather re-trim.

    [Source: Lorinser]

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  • Carlsson refines the Mercedes-Benz S-Class


    Merzig-based tuninghouse, Carlsson, has created a range of visual and performance options for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Engine upgrades are available for 6-, 8-, and 12-cylinder powerplants as well as the diesel units, but Carlsson has focused on the heavy-hitters in the range.

    Thanks to reworked engine management, a sports exhaust and air filter, the S 600’s twin-turbocharged V12 jumps from 517 hp (380 kW) to 600 hp (441kW), enough to propel the luxury barge from 0-100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds and onto a governed top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph). Torque has been limited to 1024 Nm. If that doesn’t float your boat, Carlsson offers a 685 hp (504 kW) upgrade for the already-mighty S 63 AMG.

    Externally, there’s an RS aero kit consisting of a front lip, sill extensions (for the S 600 L), boot lid spoiler, and front and rear aprons. The most notable difference to the car’s face is the addition of polished stainless steel grille inserts and four additional headlights, as well as those vertically mounted LED daytime running lights. The company’s 1/10 Brilliant Edition alloy wheels are now available in 19 and 20-inch diameter, while the C-Tronic lowering kit – for vehicles with AIRMATIC or ABC suspension – system drops the S-Class 30 mm closer to the road.

    Synonymous with luxury, the interior of the S-Class is treated accordingly, with owners able to specify the exact colour of leather upholstery, right down to the piping and stitching. The basic package begins at € 5290.

    [Source: Carlsson]

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  • GRIP: Techart GrandGT vs plane


    Since Top Gear did it with a Bugatti Veyron – on two occasions, other shows seem to be pitting cars against planes – most recently evo. GRIP has just released this video featuring the Force India Formula One driver, Adrian Sutil, and a 500 hp Porsche Panamera Turbo-based Techart GrandGT. GRIP’s Matthias Malmedie spends some time in the car with Sutil before strapping himself into the 450 hp light aircraft for the race. (more…)

  • F1: Hamilton the ‘Ring Master in Germany


    In a race that saw championship leader, Sebastian Vettel, fail to achieve a top three finish for the first time in 2011, Britain’s Lewis Hamilton shocked a lot of people – including himself – to take the win at this weekend’s German Grand Prix. “Coming into this weekend, I said I’d take things one race at a time. So to win today is massively positive for us, but there’s a long way to go and it’ll be about consistency as well as speed from here on in,” said Hamilton.

    Starting from second on the grid, the McLaren Mercedes driver muscled his way past pole man Mark Webber, only for the Red Bull driver to regain his place after the first set of pit stops. However, Hamilton managed to pass the Australian after the second stop, and stayed there for the remainder of the race.

    Webber had stayed out until lap 56 before eventually coming in to take on a set of the harder compound tyres, but the gamble did not pay off, resulting in him rejoining the race some distance behind Hamilton and Alonso. That’s how the podium looked, with Sebastian Vettel running a rather muted race, but doing well to grab fourth after experiencing a half spin on the ninth lap, then suffering with a rear brake problem.

    Mercedes GP team-mates Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher came home seventh and eighth respectively. (more…)