German Car Scene

Month: January 2012

  • Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-2 SV


    Robert Himler has just posted this new video to his YouTube channel and yes, you read that title correctly – a Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-2 SV. The footage shows his friend Emily, a fellow car nut and Gallardo Spyder LP570-4 Performante owner, taking the Murcielago for a spin.

    The car has been converted to RWD and is about to be fitted with a pair of turbochargers. Seriously. This Facebook page allows you to keep up to date with the ballistic project which is being carried out by the guys at Covert Tuning Dynamics. (more…)

  • Volkswagen introducing the up! GT


    Great news that Volkswagen’s dinky up! GT concept has been given the green light for production.

    Seen by many people as the spiritual successor to the original, iconic Golf GTI – an appellation that the Lupo GTI didn’t quite manage to pull off, the up! GT develops 81 kW (109 hp) and an impressive 163 Nm (120 lb/ft) of torque thanks to its turbocharged 1.0 L three-cylinder engine. Visually it sports a more aggressive front bumper, deep roof spoiler, bumper diffuser, twin exhaust tailpipes, a lowered ride height and muscular 17-inch alloy wheels.

    [Source: Pistonheads]

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  • Audi A7 Sportback by B&B Automobiltechnik


    Tuning specialist B&B Automobiltechnik has unveiled a wide range of options for Audi’s A7 Sportback model.

    Stage one for the V6 2.8 FSI, which develops 150 kW (204 hp) and 280 Nm (207 lb/ft) as standard, is based around an ECU tweak and returns 158 kW (215 hp) and 295 Nm (218 lb/ft), with stage two yielding 162 kW (220 hp) and 300 Nm (221 lb/ft) and stage three, which sees the addition of a sports exhaust, resulting in 169 kW (230 hp) and 310 Nm (229 lb/ft).

    Stage one for the V6 3.0 TFSI, produces a figure of 283 kW (385 hp) and 490 Nm (361 lb/ft) – up from 220 kW (300 hp) and 440 Nm (325 lb/ft), while the extra boost of stage two results in 300 kW (408 hp) and 520 Nm (384 lb/ft) and stage three making 313 kW (425 hp) and 540 Nm (398 lb/ft) – the same amount of torque as Audi’s epic R8 GT.

    Diesel fans are also catered for, with the 150 kW (204 hp) version tunable up to 220 kW (300 hp) and 520 Nm (384 lb/ft) and the 180 kW (245 hp) model capable of producing 239 kW (325 hp) and a colossal 640 Nm (472 lb/ft) of torque.

    B&B can also offer a range of various wheels, including the B12 items shown, a simple spring set or full suspension kit, and two stages of brake upgrades involving steel braided hoses and four- or six-piston calipers. If you were thinking about purchasing those hideous vents, perhaps it’s time to begin questioning your own sanity.

    [Source: B&B Automobiltechnik]

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  • Vivid Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport heading to Qatar


    Bugatti will be bringing this striking Veyron Grand Sport to the 2012 Qatar Motor Show, which runs from the 25th – 28th of January.

    Finished mainly in yellow, the lower section of the Veyron’s body has been left in contrasting lacquered carbon fibre, with the wheels painted in matching black. Moving inside the cabin, the seats are upholstered in yellow leather with black stitching, while the steering wheel and gearshift are trimmed in black leather with yellow stitching. The centre console and door panels continue the exterior’s carbon fibre theme.

    The price for this unique example is a staggering € 1.58 million. But that does guarantee you exclusivity, and a 407 km/h (252 mph) top speed, or 350 km/h (217 mph) if you take the roof off.

    [Source: Bugatti]

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  • Volkswagen releases official five-door up! images


    We told you as far back as last October that Volkswagen will be releasing the baby up! model in five-door form, and here are the first official images of it.

    While the five-door version was initially revealed as the cross up! concept, with more rugged bumpers and a raised ride height, the production version will be a regular city car, available with the same equipment levels and engine options as its three-door sibling, namely a 1.0 L three-cylinder in 60 hp (45 kW) or 75 hp (56 kW) guise using just 4.2 l/km and 4.3 l/km respectively.

    Our favourite option has to be the City Emergency Braking system. Automatically active at speeds up to 18 mph (29 km/h), the device utilizes laser sensors to detect potential collisions and can apply the brakes automatically.

    Due to hit German dealerships as early as May before being rolled out to the rest of Europe in the summer, there will be a € 475 premium for the two extra doors with prices starting at € 10,325.

    [Source: Volkswagen via Motor Trend]

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  • Sordo takes second in Monte Carlo


    Dani Sordo has secured second place for MINI at this year’s Rally Monte Carlo. The Spaniard grabbed his third podium for the team after today’s final 5.16 kilometre Powerstage.

    The rally was eventually won by Citroen’s reigning champion Sebastien Loeb, who had been battling Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala until the Finn crashed out – while leading the event – on Wednesday. Sordo fought off competition from the likes of Petter Solberg and Mikko Hirvonen, and was lucky to stay in the running after damaging his MINI John Cooper Works’s suspension following an argument with a bridge. Kris Meeke’s replacement Pierre Campana came home seventh in the other works MINI.

    An honourable mention has to go to Volkswagen’s Sebastien Ogier, who had taken his Skoda Fabia S2000 up to an amazing fourth overall – before crashing out in spectacular style. His co-driver Julien Ingrassia suffered arm injuries, but vowed to be fit for next month’s Rally Sweden.

    [Source: Autosport]

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