German Car Scene

Month: July 2011

  • Jay Leno drives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster


    As part of his European tour, TV host Jay Leno paid a recent visit to AMG in Stuttgart. Ola Källenius, the CEO of the Mercedes-AMG GmbH management board, gave Leno a comprehensive overview of the company and its products, including the beautiful new SLS AMG Roadster. The open-topped version of the stunning gullwing-doored Coupe has near-identical performance, taking 3.7 seconds to hit 60 mph, before topping out at (an electronically limited) 197 mph. (more…)

  • Volkswagen contesting the ADAC Rallye Deutschland with young drivers


    In the quest to find pilots for its Polo R WRC rally car, Volkswagen will be contesting the ADAC Rallye Deutschland – in 270 hp Škoda Fabia S2000 SWRC cars – driven by a pair of young drivers.

    Christian Riedemann (23) and Trier Hans Weijs junior (24) will be given their chance to shine at next month’s event, knowing that – if they impress, there could be an offer to drive the 300 hp Polo R WRC car on further rallies – and ultimately a place in the Volkswagen Motorsport team, ready for the 2013 Monte Carlo Rally.

    “It would be great if we could find a new Walter Röhrl or Michèle Mouton using this approach,” commented Kris Nissen, Volkswagen Motorsport Director.

    [Source: Volkswagen Motorsport]

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  • Brabus upgrades for E-Class and S-Class AMG models


    Brabus has created a selection of upgrades for the Mercedes-Benz E and S-Class, already wearing AMG body styling. For the E-Class there’s a small front lip that fastens to the car’s AMG apron, while at the rear – for saloon models only – there’s a rear boot spoiler and lower diffuser, complete with cut-outs to accommodate the new Brabus quad tailpipes. The S-Class receives an aero-enhancing front spoiler, along with a rear boot spoiler and lower diffuser.

    All components are manufactured from OEM quality Pur-R-Rim plastic and come ready to be painted body-coloured, or in a titanium-coloured paint finish from Brabus. Similar options are available for the E 63 AMG and S 63 AMG but these are crafted from carbon fibre.

    Brabus also offers its usual upgrades for the 5.5L and 6.3L engines, various wheels styles and interior packages available in “any colour” and featuring carbon fibre or wood trim inserts.

    [Source: BRABUS]

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  • Mercedes-Benz develops new climatic wind tunnels


    Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a pair of climatic wind tunnels at its Sindelfingen-based Technology Centre. The tunnels, which took two years to build, are capable of changing weather conditions at the push of a button, replicating anything from heavy snowstorms to tropical rainfall and operate at temperatures between minus 40 and plus 60 degrees Celsius.

    The tunnel’s turbine can be adjusted to produce varying levels of airflow, meaning the test car can be subjected to anything from a light breeze to a full-blown hurricane. For example, a human being could not stand upright in a wind of 100 km/h without holding onto something – the tunnel can unleash a snowstorm at an astonishing 200 km/h.

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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  • Twin Turbo Lamborghini Gallardo Vs Street Bike


    This is what happens when an extremely quick street bike comes across an Underground Racing Twin Turbo Lamborghini Gallardo. We may not condone street racing, but that Gallardo truly is a thing to behold. (more…)

  • Fifth Gear: Porsche 911 GT3 RS Vs BMW M3 GTS


    From last night’s Fifth Gear, Vicki and Tiff do battle in the BMW M3 GTS and Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Both cost over £100,000, have identical power figures and promise to offer excitement by the bucketload. Watch two great drivers explore each car’s limits to find out which is best. We’d be happy to own either of these, but just how good does that M3 sound? (more…)