German Car Scene

Month: March 2012

  • Volkswagen Cross Coupe concept gets TDI plug-in hybrid power


    You’ll no doubt remember Volkswagen’s Cross Coupé concept which made its début in Tokyo motor Show last year? Well, it’s back for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and packing diesel hybrid power.

    The previously seen TSI petrol engine, which developed 110 kW (148 hp) and 210 Nm (155 lb/ft) of torque has been replaced by a turbodiesel direct-injection engine. Accompanying it is a front-mounted motor, which can also act as a generator, producing 40 kW (54 hp) and 180 Nm (133 lb/ft). Thanks to a 9.8 kWh lithium-ion battery the Cross Coupé can cover a range of around 40 kilometres (25 miles) running on pure electric power. If the all-wheel-drive system is in use, a second motor delivers 85 kW (114 hp) and 70 Nm (199 lb/ft) to the rear axle, which is fed by the motor/generator in the front.

    With 225 kW (302 hp) of power at its disposal, the Volkswagen Cross Coupé can hit a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph), which is impressive, but this is also a vehicle capable of consuming a meagre 1.8 litres of fuel every 100 kilometres (around 157 mpg) in the New European Driving Cycle, while emitting just 46 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. You know where you can stick your Prius.

    Sitting on the Volkswagen Group’s newly developed MQB (Modulare Querbaukasten – or Modular Transverse Matrix) platform, we have no reason to believe that this won’t see production.

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  • Brabus Bullit Coupe


    Bottrop-based Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus has created a real paradox, giving the pretty C-Class Coupé true sledgehammer performance.

    Beneath that matte black aero-kitted body lies a totally reworked 5.5-litre V12 engine, fitted with a longer-stroke crank and larger forged pistons, taking its displacement out to 6.3-litres. Fed by a pair of upgraded turbochargers and cooled by water-to-air intercoolers output is a colossal 588 kW (800 hp) and 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb/ft) of torque, which is limited to 1100 Nm (811 lb/ft).

    On the road, those figures translate to a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 100km/h in 3.7 seconds, with 200 km/h appearing in just 9.8 seconds and 300 km/h in 23.8 s – less than a second behind the McLaren F1. Top speed is a lovely 370 km/h (229 mph).

    We genuinely adore this car, but € 449,820 is a little out of our price range.

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  • Lamborghini teases new model


    Lamborghini has released this little teaser ahead of next week’s Geneva Motor Show. Asking people to follow the hashtag #Unica on Twitter, Lamborghini promises that the big reveal will happen on March 6th at 9:00 a.m. (CET). Some rumours suggest it could be the extreme Sesto Elemento model, but – as far as we’re aware – that will only be a track car. So we’ll go with the theory that it’s a Roadster version of the insane Aventador.

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  • Ogier and Sainz test Polo R WRC in Spain


    Continuing the development of its Polo R WRC in readiness for the 2013 season Volkswagen Motorsport has completed a testing program in Spain.

    Rising star Sébastien Ogier was on hand along with double World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz to put the Polo through its paces on gravel surface. Between them the pair covered around 700 kilometres in Andalusia, primarily to study the longevity of chassis components such as the hub carriers, dampers and suspension components.

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  • AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport BMW M5


    BMW tuning specialist AC Schnitzer has revealed its ACS5 Sport program for the 2012 M5 model ahead of its official unveiling in Geneva.

    Already churning out 418 kW (560 hp) and 680 Nm (502 lb/ft) of torque in factory form, AC Schnitzer adds its extra control unit to the car’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine, which releases a tasty 456 kW (620 hp) and 790 Nm (583 lb/ft); enough for a new top speed of 305 km/h (189 mph). There’s also a sports silencer with valve control and twin chrome tailpipes.

    Visually, the aero package consists of a carbon fibre front spoiler, chrome grille insert, boot lid spoiler, roof-level spoiler and carbon fibre diffuser for the rear bumper. Wheel options include the 21-inch Type VIII racing alloys or the forged Type V and Type IV BiColor rims measuring 20-inches. The car sits a little lower thanks to a sports spring kit.

    Moving inside, there are ‘Magic Blue’ inserts on the steering wheel, centre console and dashboard to match the exterior of the car. The familiar velour mats and aluminium pedal set are also added to the mix.

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  • ABT QS3 previewed


    Following on from last year’s images and details of its Audi Q3 program, Kempten-based VAG specialist ABT Sportsline is offering further power upgrades for the compact coupe crossover from Ingolstadt.

    The extra S in the Q3’s name apparently stands for ‘even sportier’ and it sees output from the diesel-engined 2.0 TDI jumping from 130 kW (177 hp) to 151 kW (205 hp) while the 2.0 TSI now produces 199 kW (270 hp) – up from the factory vehicle’s 155 kW (211 hp).

    Visually, the QS3 retains its aggressive body styling package, including a replacement fascia with large RS-esque air intakes, a vertical bar grille with honeycomb mesh, sill extensions, a rear wing and lower apron with tailpipe surrounds. Let’s not mention the graphics…

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