German Car Scene

Month: January 2012

  • Audi V6 TDI named ‘Race Engine of the Year’


    A judging panel for the magazine Race Engine Technology has awarded Audi Sport the ‘Race Engine of the Year’ accolade for its avant-garde V6 TDI powerplant.

    The extremely compact 3.7 L V6 TDI unit develops more than 397 kW (540 hp) and was instrumental in providing Audi with its tenth 24 Hours of Le Mans title last year.

    The 120 degree V6 TDI is 25 per cent lighter than the V10 TDI engine previously seen in the older R15 TDI and uses one – rather than two – turbochargers. Developed jointly with Garrett, the ‘charger sits above the engine and draws its air directly through the roof-mounted air scoop.

    “Audi invented the TDI engine and is convinced that this technology remains one of the most efficient and modern forms to power a car – especially at Le Mans where engines with high specific power, low fuel consumption and low emissions are a necessity,” explained Audi Motorsport’s Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

    [Source: Audi Motorsport]

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  • Werner occupies final BMW DTM seat


    After impressing during extensive testing programs, Germany’s Dirk Werner has become the sixth and final driver to sign on the dotted line for BMW’s newly-reformed DTM team.

    Along with new recruit Joey Hand, 30-year-old Werner switches from GT racing to DTM after driving for BMW Team RLL in the American Le Mans Series and securing third place in the GT Drivers’ Championship last season. He’s also a double winner in the GT class of the American GRAND-AM series.

    “Dirk convinced us he was the right man during the tests. The result of our efforts over the past few months is a line-up that we believe will achieve great things in the DTM. It boasts speed, experience and a host of international titles,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

    [Source: BMW Motorsport]

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  • Testing of the Skoda Octavia Green E Line begins


    Skoda has launched a ten-strong test fleet of its electrically powered estate car, the Octavia Green E Line, with the aim of gathering feedback and information regarding the reliability, usability and safety of electric vehicles.

    “Skoda and the entire Volkswagen Group have a long-time aim, and that is sustainable mobility based on renewable energy sources. Working as we are with our Group partners, we think we are making very good progress,” said Skoda’s Dr. Eckhard Scholz.

    Based on the Octavia Combi, the Octavia Green E line is Škoda’s first-ever vehicle with a 100 percent electric drive, which has a constant power of 60 kW (80 hp) and maximum output of 85 kW (114 hp), while the impressive 270 Nm (199 lb/ft) torque figure is available from the start.

    Energy comes from a 26.5 kWh ion-lithium battery, allowing a range of 150 kilometres on a single charge, which takes 8 hours at 230 V (single-phase AC) or 2 hours at 400 V (three-phase AC).

    Performance was never going to be this Octavia’s selling point, but with a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of twelve seconds and a limited 135 km/h (84 mph) top speed, it’s pretty respectable.

    [Source: Skoda]

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  • Clash Production’s 2011


    Motorsports film company Clash Production has released a 2011 showreel highlighting its work throughout the year. Their mantra is ‘Motorsport as an Art’ and that’s the only way to describe this beautiful footage. (more…)

  • Audi A5 Coupe review by CarBuyer


    Mat Watson recently drove the facelifted Audi A5 Coupe for Auto Express magazine’s sister site, CarBuyer. The model being reviewed is the 130 kW (177 hp) 2.0 TDI version. (more…)

  • Autoblog.nl: Audi R8 V10 Spyder vs Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster


    Autoblog.nl recently compared a pair of highly-desirable ragtop supercars; Audi’s R8 V10 Spyder and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. Developing 391 kW (525 hp) from its 5.2 FSI unit, the R8 Spyder cracks 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.1 seconds before hitting a top speed of 313 km/h (194 mph), while the 420 kW (571 hp) SLS AMG Roadster, which uses a 6.2 L V8 engine, takes just 3.7 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph). Top speed is 318 km/h (197 mph). (more…)