German Car Scene

Month: January 2012

  • Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Exclusive


    Volkswagen has announced a special Golf Cabriolet Exclusive model for the German market.

    Designed by the company’s Volkswagen R GmbH arm, the Cabriolet Exclusive is available on all engine models from the 77 kW (103 hp) to 118 kW (158 hp) and focuses around an interior upgrade.

    The seats are trimmed in Nappa leather, with their centres, piping and stitching in “Pepper White”, while the side sections and head rests are “Titanium black”. The upper door panels, gear selector and handbrake handle are also finished in “Pepper White”.

    “Cool leather”, so-called because of its ability to reflect sunlight, has been utilized, while for colder days the front sports seats are also heated.

    Other features include “Exclusive” embossed aluminium sill plates and 17-inch “Salamanca” alloy wheels with 225-section tyres.

    Prices start at € 28,025 for the 77 kW (103 hp) 1.2 TSI version.

    [Source: Volkswagen Germany] (more…)

  • Ogier making rally début as Volkswagen factory driver


    Volkswagen Motorsport’s new driver, Sébastien Ogier, will make his first outing as a Volkswagen Factory rally driver at this year’s Rallye Monte Carlo, from 18–22 January.

    While the Polo R WRC is being developed throughout 2012, in readiness for the beginning of the 2013 season, Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia will compete in a 270 hp Fabia S2000 borrowed from the Group’s Škoda brand – but run by the Volkswagen factory team.

    Volkswagen will take part in all of this year’s rallies, in the smaller SWRC class, with two Fabias. In Monte Carlo, the second car will be piloted by Dutch junior driver Kevin Abbring and his co-driver Lara Vanneste.

    “Monte is a legend and a very special rally, I’m happy to see it back on the WRC calendar. For us, this year will primarily be about developing the Polo in order to compete with a strong and competitive package in 2013,” said a positive Ogier, who finished last year’s WRC in third place.

    [Source: Volkswagen Motorsport] (more…)

  • Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé experiment by DRIVE


    DRIVE’s Chris Harris recently got behind the wheel of the epic Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé at Millbrook. Equipped with the optional power upgrade, which results in an output of 358 kW (480 hp), Mr Harris conducted an experiment to find out what happens when the power-to-rubber ratio is altered… (more…)

  • Porsche reveals 2013 Boxster


    Hot on the heels of the recently revealed 911 Cabriolet, Porsche has unveiled its next generation of the Boxster model.

    Using a completely new aluminium body as well as a revamped chassis, wider track and longer wheelbase, the new Boxster really has evolved noticeably. The daytime running lights and the rear bumper clearly take styling cues from the 911, and we like how the rear lights carry the line of the spoiler, but it’s the flanks of the Boxster that have changed the most. Its stretched and sleek shoulder line, coupled with those larger intakes, provide a dramatic and dynamic appearance reminiscent of the iconic Carrera GT.

    Due to be launched this April, the Boxster will be available with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard or the seven-speed PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) as an option. The base model Boxster uses a 2.7 L flat six which develops 195 kW (265 hp) – 10 hp up on the 987 version, enough for a 5.7 second 0-100 km/h time – with the PDK. Moving up the scale, the Boxster S is powered by a 232 kW (315 hp) 3.4 L engine, allowing a 5.0 s sprint to 100 km/h.

    The basic list price in Germany will be € 48,291 for the Boxster and € 59,120 for the Boxster S (inc. VAT).

    [Source: Porsche] (more…)

  • Vorsteiner BR-10 Bentley Continental GT


    Tuning specialist Vorsteiner has released details of its new BR-10 body and wheel package for Bentley’s latest Continental GT model.

    Constructed from carbon fibre, the styling program consists of a two-piece front spoiler with central splitter, sill skirts with an integrated lower section in lacquered carbon, a subtle gurney deck lid spoiler and aggressive diffuser which attaches to the factory bumper.

    Vorsteiner offers a wide range of one- and multi-piece wheels, which can be custom powder coated or painted to suit the owners’ tastes, but the ones on show are the company’s 22-inch VS-130 series forged aluminium monoblock items wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 rubber.

    [Source: Vorsteiner]

    (more…)

  • Autocar drives the Bentley Continental GT V8


    Autocar’s Andrew Frankel recently headed to Silverstone where he was handed the keys to Bentley’s Continental GT V8. Its new bi-turbo 4.0 L V8 engine is 40 per cent more efficient than the W12, yet still produces 373 kW (500 hp) and a colossal 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) of torque, allowing for a sub-five 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time and 290 km/h (180mph) top speed. (more…)