German Car Scene

Month: August 2011

  • Mercedes-Benz introducing enhanced BlueEFFICIENCY package for the Vito and Viano


    Mercedes-Benz will be adding an enhanced BlueEFFICIENCY package for its Vito and Viano range from September 2011.

    The new generator management system will be standard specification on the Viano and Vito models with passenger car type approval and works by converting part of the kinetic energy produced during braking into electric energy. This is then stored in the battery meaning that the intelligent alternator can be restricted when not needed, thus reducing load on the vehicle’s engine, lowering fuel consumption in the process.

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz]

  • Sony PlayStation Audi R8 LMS Racing Simulator


    Sony has created PlayStation Racing Simulator in the style of Audi’s R8 LMS race car. The impressive-looking machine made its début today at gamescom 2011 in Cologne.

    European GT3 champion Christopher Mies was present at the simulator’s unveiling to witness gamers experience Gran Turismo 5 – while controlling it from the cockpit of a carbon-black Audi R8 LMS.

    The simulator isn’t based on an adapted production car, but was purpose-built by quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Inside there’s a bucket seat for the ‘driver’ and a second one added for a spectator. There’s also a roll-cage, but this has been simplified so players can enter and exit the car more easily.

    One strapped in, the occupant grips a race steering wheel equipped with flappy paddle gear shifters which – along with the foot pedals – are connected directly to the PlayStation-3 system. Pneumatic cylinders replace the car’s suspension, helping to bring centrifugal forces to the player’s body while accelerating, braking and cornering.

    The addition of a Dolby Surround system, feeding noises from the racetrack into the cabin, is the icing on the cake.

    [Source: Audi Motorsport]

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  • Official 2012 Porsche 911 images leaked


    As sure as night follows day, so do images of eagerly-awaited new cars magically find their way onto the internets and, thankfully, it’s the turn of Porsche’s brand new 911 (991) model that has satisfied our curiosity before its official début at next month’s Frankfurt Auto Show. More shots below. (more…)

  • AMS tests the Audi RS 3 Sportback


    Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport takes to the track to put Audi’s RS 3 Sportback through its paces with a series of tests. The 340 hp rocket sprints from a standstill to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 4.6 seconds, while its top speed is electronically governed to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). (more…)

  • Video: Berg Cup Scirocco


    Our love of Volkswagen Group cars resulted in this very blog’s creation and, personally, we’re glad that cars such as this are still competing today. Here’s Hans-Peter Eller driving a Minichberger Motorsport wide-arched Mk1 Scirocco 16-valve at last weekend’s Berg Cup event in Osnabrück. Turn your speakers up! (more…)

  • The Mercedes-Benz SLK gets diesel power


    For the first time since production began back in 1996, Mercedes-Benz is following in the footsteps of Audi by offering a diesel-engined version of its baby Roadster, the SLK-Class. Impressively, the SLK 250 CDI gets through just 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres, whereas the TT needs 5.5 litres. And with a CO2 figure of 128 gram/km (TT – 144), it’s cleaner in the emissions department too.

    Powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) four-cylinder unit displacing 2143 cc, the SLK cracks 100km/h in just 6.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 243 km/h (151 mph). That’s a full second faster than the TT Roadster to 100 km/h, which is also runs out of steam 20 km/h before the SLK.

    We suspect that the Audi’s quattro drivetrain soak up some performance – and weight, giving it a distinct disadvantage, but if it were our money we’d be handing our credit card details to the guys from Ingolstadt.

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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