German Car Scene

Month: March 2012

  • Kahn Design armour-plated Rolls-Royce Ghost


    Bradford-based styling house Kahn Design has developed a new program for Rolls-Royce’s Ghost model.

    The Ghost’s shadow line finish body package includes window surrounds, clear side light repeaters, surrounds for the head lights and rear light clusters and under-floor lighting. The biggest visual difference is those new wheels. Designed by Afzal Kahn, the Silver Mist alloys are sized 9.5 x 22-inches and feature diamond-polished spoke faces as well as the original RR centre caps.

    The majority of the work lies beneath the skin of the Ghost; with Kahn fitting armoured plates inside the body of the car, while at the same time replacing the factory glass with bullet resistant units.

    In the usual Kahn fashion, customers can specify any colour for the bodywork and virtually any interior you can dream of. “You could, for example, have an exterior the colour of your suit and an interior with seats the same shade as your living room – the choice is yours,” says the accommodating boss.

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  • Opel Insignia by JMS Tuning


    Walddorfhäslach-based JMS Tuning has released details of its program for Opel’s Insignia model.

    Visually there’s a lower lip spoiler (€ 240) for the front bumper and a set of 20-inch ASA AR1 alloy wheels wrapped in 245/35R rubber – available as a package for € 2,600, while the KW Variant III coilover suspension kit (€ 1,700), which features adjustable rebound, compression damping and height, can provide a drop of around 50 mm.

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  • Porsche Carrera GT on the dyno


    High Tech Corvette’s YouTube channel usually features over-inflated, scantily-clad girls experiencing large amounts of horsepower. There are no fun bags in its latest video, but it does feature the iconic Porsche Carrera GT on the dyno at TX2K12 this weekend. You really need to turn your speakers up to eleven to appreciate that glorious 5.7-litre V10 powerplant. Enjoy.

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  • Audi dominates Sebring 12 Hours


    Audi enjoyed a commanding victory at this weekend’s Sebring 12 Hours, securing its tenth win at this classic race in Florida; a perfect start to the World Endurance Championship and farewell performance of the Audi R18 TDI.

    Audi’s stranglehold on the weekend was evident after André Lotterer took pole position in the #1 car, which started strongly, but dropped down the field after losing 17 laps due to a problematic electrical shifting unit which led to to an unscheduled stop for repairs. It was then up to car #2, driven by Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, to fight it out with Loïc Duval, Romain Dumas and Timo Bernhard in #3. The cars became increasingly closer, thanks partly to the safety car’s repeated introduction, until #3 suffered body contact with another, recovering well to take the second step of the podium.

    “I’m very proud of the team. We worked very hard for this victory. Together with the engineers and the mechanics Tom, Dindo and I invested a lot of time in working out the optimal race setup. That paid off because I think we had the best race car today. The new world championship couldn’t have started better for us than with a victory,” said a jubilant Allan McNish.

    Audi’s recently revealed four-wheel drive diesel hybrid R18 e-tron quattro, which will be making its race début at Spa on May 5, was also on display for the motorsport fans.

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  • Gemballa GT Porsche 991


    Renowned tuning specialist Gemballa has come up with a body styling program for the new Porsche 911 model, named the Gemballa GT.

    The package, constructed from carbon fibre, features a replacement front bumper with C-shape side vents and an integrated spoiler, side skirts and a vented rear bumper with apertures allowing the fitment of those six tailpipes. As always, the company’s logo takes centre stage on the rear panel, while those 21-inch ultra-light forged alloy wheels complete the look.

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  • ABT AS3


    Kempten tuning specialist ABT Sportsline GmbH has wasted no time in announcing its program for the brand new Audi A3.

    Visually the AS3 wears a Front spoiler with central splitter, side skirts and a restyled front grille with vertical bars and black mesh. The rear gets a sportier spoiler and bumper inserts with apertures for the double twin tailpipes. Other components include a coilover suspension kit, a 345 mm brake upgrade and a choice of 18- and 19-inch alloys wheels, including the DR items shown.

    Thanks to ABT’s Power Kit, engine tuning options see output from the 2.0 TDI rise from 125 kW (170 hp) to 147 kW (200 hp), while the 2.0 TFSI is said to produce 184 kW (250 hp) – up from 147 kW (200 hp). Which is pretty clever considering Audi hasn’t announced a 2-litre petrol version yet.

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