German Car Scene

Month: August 2011

  • Audi unveils the A8 hybrid


    Audi has unveiled a hybrid version of its flagship saloon, the A8. Due to go into production next year, the A8 hybrid is powered by a four cylinder 2.0L TSI petrol engine and electric motor – developing 180 kW (245 hp). Impressively, the A8 hybrid can travel up to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) powered purely by electricity, or – if driven at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37.28 mph)- can cover a range of around three kilometers (1.86 miles) with zero local emissions.

    The fact that this A6 is able to use less than 6.4L of fuel per 100 km isn’t all due to the addition of a 40 kW (54 hp) electric motor, but the car’s construction also has a large role to play. Thanks to its ASF (Audi Space Frame) aluminium shell, the A8 hybrid’s body weighs a mere 231 kilograms (509.27 lb), undercutting its steel equivalent by around 40 percent.

    Visually, the A6 wears tell tale ‘hybrid’ badges, turbine-inspired alloy wheels – available as a 19-inch upgrade or 18-inch as standard. LED headlights and Arctic Silver paintwork, a hue exclusive to the A8 hybrid.

    In visual terms, the Audi A8 hybrid is distinguished by subtle details. The ten spokes of its alloy wheels – which have a diameter of 18 inches as standard and 19 inches as an option – are reminiscent of turbine blades. The body features hybrid badges, and Arctic Silver is available as an exclusive paint finish. The metallic paint finish, three-zone automatic air conditioning, LED headlights and the BOSE sound system come standard.

    [Source: Audi]

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  • 2012 Bentley Continental GTC surfaces


    Bentley has released details and images of the 2012 Continental GTC ahead of its debut at next months motor show in Frankfurt. Powered by a more powerful twin-turbocharged 6.0L W12 engine – with FlexFuel capability – which means it can run on E85 biofuel, petrol or a combination of the two. With 60 mph appearing in just 4.8 seconds, 100 mph in 10.9 s and a top speed of 195 mph, the 2495 kg GTC has rocket-like performance – with fuel consumption to match.

    Visually, the GTC has aluminium front wings, which feature more sculptured and muscular lines than its predecessor. The new ‘jewelled’ headlamps house LED daytime running lights. Those new lights and a more upright grille give the GTC a face reminiscent of the company’s flagship Mulsanne model.

    Inside the cabin, the Continental a mixture of soft-touch leather upholstery – with the owner having a palette of 17 standard colours to choose from – and a range of wood veneers and metal trim to complement your choice of hide. Deep-pile carpets are a necessity, obviously.

    It’s available to order now, with customer deliveries beginning towards the end of the year. Depending on which part of the world you’re in it will set you back £149,350, $212,800, €170,060, or ¥26,400,000.

    [Source: Bentley]

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  • Porsche officially unveils the new 911


    After countless teaser videos and leaked images, Porsche has finally revealed its next-generation 911 model. Undercutting the outgoing 997 by 45 kg, the 991’s lightweight body also delivers greater rigidity, and aerodynamic optimisation – notably a wider, variably extending rear spoiler – which reduces the lift while retaining an impressive overall drag factor.

    The 911’s rear-mounted flat six engines come in two forms – the Carrera gets a new 3.4L unit, developing 350 hp. With PDK the 0-62 mph time is 4.6 seconds – 0.1 quicker than its predecessor. If you specify the optional Sport Chrono Pack, a press of the Sport Plus button reduces that time to 4.4 s.

    The Carrera S features a 3.8L powerplant, good for 400 hp. This translates to a 0-62 mph time of 4.3 seconds and 4.1 s with Sport Plus engaged. An improvement of 0.2 s over the old car.

    Thanks to systems such a auto start/stop, electrical system recuperation, thermal management, the 991’s fuel consumption and emission levels are up to 16 per cent lower than the 997. Another beneficial feature is the (world’s first) seven-speed manual transmission – in conjunction with PDK (Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) which features a ‘coasting’ function that decouples connection to the engine while the throttle is closed – further enhancing fuel efficiency. For example, the PDK-equipped 911 Carrera can return 34.4mpg – a 6 mpg improvement over its predecessor – and is the first sports car from Porsche to dip under the 200 g/km mark. And, although the new Carrera S produces 15 hp more than the old one, it also enjoys a 14 percent improvement drop in consumption – capable of 3.4 mpg.

    The new Porsche 911 will début next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show and will be in UK Porsche Centres from December 17 2011 priced at £ 71,449 (€ 81,792) for the Carrera and £ 81,242 (€ 93,022) for the Carrera S. Standard equipment on all models includes leather trim, climate control, Bi-Xenon headlights, colour touch-screen Porsche Communication Management, PSM(Porsche Stability Management). In addition, the Carrera S gets 20-inch alloys, PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management)and PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring) with limited slip differential.

    [Source: Porsche]

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  • Volkswagen’s up! gets all shirty


    Following on from Volkswagen releasing details of its new baby, the up!, Bundesliga football club VfL Wolfsburg has announced that it will promote the car’s logo on its player’s shirts.

    VfL Wolfsburg is based in Lower Saxony, and it has won the Bundesliga once in its history, in the 2008–09 season. The club grew out of a multi-sports club for Volkswagen workers in the city of Wolfsburg and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group. Golf GTI and Polo logos have featured on player’s shirts in the past.

    [Source: Volkswagen Germany]

  • Skoda Octavia vRS hits 227 mph at Bonneville!


    Not satisfied with cracking the 200 mph barrier, evo journalist Richard Meaden has taken Škoda UK’s 600 bhp ‘salt spec’ Octavia vRS faster than any other 2.0L forced induction production car, after reaching an incredible 227 mph at the Bonneville Speed Week.

    The Octavia’s record breaking runs spanned two days at the legendary five-mile course with a 225.513 mph run last Thursday followed by a 228.647 mph run the day after.

    “Our goal was to break 200 mph as a celebration of 10 years of vRS, and we have achieved that, and significantly more. The success is a tribute to everyone who has worked so tirelessly and with such passion to make ŠKODA a world beater,” said Robert Hazelwood, ŠKODA UK Director.

    [Source: Skoda]

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  • 2012 Porsche 911 – cold weather testing


    Following on from the leaked images we shared with you last week, Porsche has just released this video featuring the next generation 991 model during winter testing. Not long to wait until its official début at next month’s Frankfurt Auto Show. (more…)