German Car Scene

Month: October 2011

  • DTM Hockenheim: Green takes the win, Audi secures title


    Britain’s Jamie Green took the win at Hockenheim today for Mercedes, with Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline securing the 2011 team title. (more…)

  • Mercedes-Benz CL 500 and S 500 4MATIC upgrades by Brabus


    Brabus, the Bottrop-based Mercedes-Benz specialist, has revealed details of two PowerXtra CGI performance kits for the CL 500 and S 500 4MATIC.

    Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.7 L V8 unit, the CL 500 and S 500 produce 320 kW (435 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque as standard. The upgrade sees Brabus fitting its PowerXtra module, which is wired into the car’s electronic control system, in order to recalibrate ignition, injection and boost. Stage One, the B50 – 490 kit, releases a handy 360 kW (490 hp) and 780 Nm (575 lb-ft) of torque.

    If that’s not enough, the B50 – 520 kit, which includes a new intercooler, results in 382 kW (520 hp) and 820 Nm (604 lb-ft). That translates to a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of just 4.5 seconds while, with the V-Max removed, both cars are capable of cracking 300 km/h (186 mph), hence the fitment of a Brabus 360-km/h (220 mph) speedometer dial.

    Chassis improvements include high-performance 405×35 mm cross-drilled discs, gripped by 6-piston aluminium calipers, while cars fitted with the ABC (automatic body control) can be dropped by around 25 mm thanks to a lowering module. Brabus also offers a range of alloy wheels options, including the Monoblock F wheels finished in Liquid Titanium, and the Monoblock G Platinum Editions.

    Visually, the CL500 gets an aero kit constructed from Pur-R-Rim, which includes a lower front spoiler, subtle boot lid lip, illuminated side skirts and replacement lower section for the rear bumper to accommodate the new exhaust.

    [Source: Brabus]

    (more…)

  • Fifth Gear track comparison: Audi RS 3 Sportback vs BMW 1 Series M Coupe


    From last night’s Fifth Gear: Tiff Needell heads to the track with British rally driver Mark Higgins to see how the Audi RS 3 Sportback and BMW’s 1 Series M Coupe compare. Both cars cost around € 50,000 and produce 340 bhp – but are very different animals. We get the impression that Mark’s not a massive fan of the RS 3… (more…)

  • Mika Hakkinen to pilot Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3


    Double Formula One World Champion, Mika Hakkinen, is set to compete as a guest driver in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup driving a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 race car.

    The 6-hour marathon at Zhuhai will be the Flying Finn’s first race since he took part in 2007’s DTM season finale at Hockenheim. He will join Lance David Arnold and CongFu Cheng, taking part as a Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador, driving for Team AMG China.

    “It’s a great honour for me to be able to contest the first SLS AMG GT3 race in China. Although I’ve visited China many times, I’ve never raced there, which is why I’m really looking forward to Zhuhai,” said Hakkinen.

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz]

    (more…)

  • Autocar drives the MINI Coupé JCW


    Autocar magazine’s Matt Prior reviews the latest addition to MINI’s range, the quirky coupé model. This € 26,948 JCW version develops 211 hp, and is good for a 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time of 6.4 seconds (more…)

  • Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV


    Last weekend’s Rennsport Reunion IV honoured Porsche’s motorsports heritage by bringing together historic race cars from around the world to do what they were built to do: perform. Enjoy. (more…)