German Car Scene

Month: October 2011

  • 217 mph BMW 7 Series by Tuningwerk


    BMW performance specialist, Tuningwerk, from Puchheim in Munich has developed the NR 7s program for the long wheelbase 7 Series model.

    Powered by BMW’s trusty 4.4 L twin-turbocharged V8 unit, the NR 7s is offered with two levels of output. Firstly, the GT Edition, which develops 540 hp/400 kW and 750 Nm of torque. That’s enough to propel this luxury barge to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds and onto a governed top speed of 307 km/h (190 mph). If that doesn’t satisfy your needs, there’s the RS Edition. Good for 720 hp/529 kW and an insane torque figure of 1090 Nm, the RS thunders to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds before running out of steam at 350 km/h (217 mph).

    Both models wear the company’s carbon aerodynamic package and larger wheels, which hide much-needed carbon-ceramic brakes. Inside the cabin, Tuningwerk can offer bespoke upholstery or components from the BMW Individual range.

    Prices start at € 169,800 for the GT Edition, which is also available in xDrive form as well as 6-gear sport automatic transmission, while the RS version will set you back € 198,000.

    Tuningwerk can also provide a car hand-over with the option of driver training in Munich – including hotel and flight.

    [Source: Tuningwerk]

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  • GRIP looks at Porsche 911 special editions


    Just before the new Porsche 991 kicks into production, Matthias Malmedie and Niki Schelle of German motoring show GRIP take a look at a few of the (several million) special edition 997 models that have been offered by the Stuttgart auto manufacturer. (more…)

  • BMW offering Real Time Traffic Information


    BMW is now offering the enhanced BMW ConnectedDrive feature, RTTI (Real Time Traffic Information), on all models fitted with the BMW Professional navigation system and Bluetooth telephone preparation with telematics. A further bonus is that the driver can access the RTTI portal, to plan their journey, via the internet.

    Rather than relying on radio-based TMC (Traffic Message Channel), RTTI makes use of TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group) and the GSM cellular network, which feeds traffic information data to the vehicle’s SIM card, providing updates every three minutes.

    [Source: BMW]

  • Audi e-tron Spyder spotted


    Hanging out in the sunshine of California, Colterh spotted this Audi e-tron Spyder during, what looks like, some filming for promotional purposes. Powered by a combination of a 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) TDI engine and two electric motors that provide total of 352 Nm (259.62 lb-ft), the Spyder can hit 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.4 seconds, and a limited 250 km/h (155.34 mph) top speed. Running purely on electric power, top speed is 60 km/h (37.28 mph).

    Click the image to view the video.

  • RevoZport BMW 1 Series coupé carbon roof panel


    Chai Wan styling and performance specialist, Revozport, has released details and photos of its carbon fibre roof panel for the E82 BMW 1 Series.

    Part of its ‘Raze’ program for the 1 Series M Coupé, the roof panel is available in a gloss or matte finish, and weighs just 3 kg whereas the even the original non-sunroof panel comes in at 16 kg. We only wonder why BMW didn’t do this in the first place.

    The panel featured here is the direct replacement insert type, but for those not wanting to remove their roof, RevoZport can provide it as a cover, which will only raise the car’s centre of gravity…

    The price for either of them is $ 1,500.00 in gloss or $ 1,725 in matte.

    [Source: RevoZport]

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  • 2012 BMW M5 test by AutoWeek


    AutoWeek’s Stephan Vermeulen takes BMW’s new M5 to the Ascari circuit to see how it compares to the outgoing V10-engined model. New for 2012, the F10M M5 is powered by a 560 bhp twin-turbo 4.4 L V8, which allows it to crack 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds. Nice. (more…)