German Car Scene

Month: March 2012

  • New Volkswagen eco up!


    Volkswagen has confirmed the addition of a natural gas-powered model to the up! range.

    Using a 1.0 litre three-cylinder unit from the EA211 engine range, which was designed to fit Volkswagen’s brand new MQB platform, the eco up! is fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG) and produces 50 kW (67 hp) along with 90 Nm (66 lb/ft) of torque.

    Performance was never going to be blistering, but the 168 km/h (104 mph) top speed is bearable. The 0-100 km/h time of 15.8 seconds less so. Clearly, the eco up!’s strong point is fuel consumption, and it doesn’t disappoint. Thanks in part to the BlueMotion Technology, which includes a Stop/Start function, lower ride height and battery regeneration system, it gets through a mere 2.9 kg of natural gas every 100 kilometres and generates 79 g/km of CO2. One kg of natural gas is the equivalent to around 1.5 litres of petrol.

    Fuel is stored in two underfloor tanks (totalling 72 litres/11 kg CNG) near the rear axle. The first tank is in front of the axle along with a 10 litre reserve petrol tank, while the second tank sits in the spare wheel well.

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  • BMW M550d xDrive road test by Chris Harris


    Chris Harris spends some time behind the wheels of BMW’s new M550d xDrive Saloon for the latest episode of DRIVE. Propelled by a tri-turbo 3.0-litre inline-6 cylinder unit, developing 280 kW (381 hp) and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque, the M550d xDrive takes 4.7 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

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  • Mercedes-Benz Viano Pearl


    Following on from last year’s concept version, Mercedes-Benz has released details of its limited edition Viano Pearl.

    Revealed at the Geneva Motor Show yesterday, the Viano Pearl is available with either a 3.0-litre V6 diesel rated at 165 kW (224 hp) or a 190 kW (258 hp) 3.5-litre petrol version, both mated to an automatic transmission. Visually, the special model features satin ‘magno allanite grey’ paintwork, two-tone 19-inch alloy wheels, a restyled grille, LED daytime driving lights and ‘Magic Sky Control’ electrochromatic glass for the rear side windows which offers ten different stages of transparency at the touch of a button.

    Moving inside you start to see why the Viano Pearl starts at € 99,000. Notable luxuries include four separate seats in the rear upholstered in a mixture of two-tone nappa leather, real walnut trim on the floor, side panels and cockpit and brushed aluminium trim strips. A W-LAN hotspot allows up to four devices access to the interwebs, while the van’s final show of decadence is a 1320 W Bang & Olufsen ‘BeoSound Viano’ sound system driving 18 high-end loudspeakers and four tweeters.

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  • Brabus Ultimate 120


    Brabus has unveiled its limited edition Ultimate 120 model based on the latest smart fortwo cabriolet.

    Powering the Ultimate 120 is a turbocharged three-cylinder, fitted with a stainless steel exhaust system and tuned to produce 88 kW (120 hp) and 160 Nm (118 lb/ft) of torque. The sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 8.9 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 170 km/h (106 mph). Gears are changed either automatically or via the steering wheel-mounted flappy paddles.

    Visually the car receives the company’s Widestar body program which includes a front spoiler, side skirts and arch extensions, which are filled out by the Monoblock F ‘Platinum Edition’ forged wheels, sized 7 x 18 and 8.5 x 18-inches, wearing 205/35 R and 235/30 R tyres. A height-adjustable coilover suspension kit brings the fortwo closer to the asphalt, while the front brakes are upgraded with cross-drilled discs and four-piston calipers.

    Moving inside, the interior features Recaro Sportster seats and Mastik leather upholstery, stainless steel pedals and an aluminium shifter. Components including the seat shells, instrument bezels, dashboard mouldings and door trims are painted to match the car’s exterior.

    Just 120 examples will be built at a price of € 45,900.

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  • MotorWeek drives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster


    MotorWeek’s resident auto expert John H. Davis presents another detailed review video from the American automotive television series, this week the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster is under scrutiny. Using the same 6.2-litre V8 engine as its gullwing-doored sibling, this 420 kW (571 hp) ragtop flies to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds, while top speed is a hunkydory 318 km/h (197 mph).

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  • Volkswagen Amarok Canyon concept


    Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has created the Amarok Canyon concept to transport freestyle kayakers and their equipment around in style.

    Finished in bright ‘Baladi Orange’ paintwork, the pick-up is fitted with a body lift kit and larger 18-inch ‘Durban’ five-spoke wheels wrapped in 275/65 R tyres, which results in the Canyon standing 85 mm taller than its standard counterpart, while their extra width meant a set of 35 mm extensions had to be attached to the arches. Other changes include electrically operated retracting tread plates, roof-mounted auxiliary headlights and smoked tail light lenses. Staying at the rear, a pair of carbon fibre kayaks are mounted to the cargo floor with the paddles latched in place on the inner surface of the tailgate.

    Inside, the cabin features two-tone leather seats and a sports steering wheel and auxiliary instruments monitoring the Amarok’s climbing and tilt angles.

    Powering this concept is a twin-turbocharged 2.0 TDI which delivers 132 kW (178 hp) and 400 Nm of torque to the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

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