German Car Scene

Month: April 2012

  • Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe images seep out


    These images of the new Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe have trickled onto the internet.

    Due to make a relatively understated world début at the Transmission LA: AV CLUB art and music festival in Los Angeles before heading to Beijing, the Concept Style Coupe looks very much like a compact version of the CLS. Resting on a 2,699 mm wheelbase, the CSC is 4,637 mm long, 1,891 mm wide and 1,398 mm tall – almost identical dimensions as Volkswagen’s CC, funnily enough.

    Rumoured to eventually bear the CLA title, power will initially come from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, developing 155 kW (211 hp), which will be mated to a 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, but we can expect more choices – including an AMG version – once it swings into production.

    Utilizing the same MFA (Mercedes Front-wheel [drive] Architecture) platform as its A-Class sibling, the concept also clearly takes styling cues from the five-door hatchback, displaying a similar mix of fluidity and muscularity. We’re liking the aggressive radiator grille, c-shaped intakes, that glass roof and those 21-inch wheels – and love the fact that it features frameless side windows and has no B-pillars.

    We’re told that there’ll be a price tag of around € 30,000 when it goes on sale, but please don’t ask us when that will be. Thank you.

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  • Audi acquires Ducati


    The Supervisory Boards of AUDI AG and Volkswagen AG have today approved the acquisition of the legendary motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding SpA – for a reported € 860 million ($1.1 billion).

    Founded in 1926 by Adriano and Marcello Ducati, the Bologna company initially made parts for radios before venturing into the motorcycle business in 1949. It currently employs 1,100 people and sold around 42,000 units last year, generating a revenue of € 480 million.

    “Ducati is known worldwide as a premium brand among motorcycle manufacturers and has a long tradition of building sporty motorcycles. It has great expertise in high-performance engines and lightweight construction. That makes Ducati an excellent fit for Audi,” said Chairman Rupert Stadler.

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  • BMW M5 system by Eisenmann


    Stuttgart-based exhaust specialist Eisenmann Gmbh has revealed its stainless steel system for BMW’s F10M M5 model.

    Constructed from high quality, double-walled stainless steel, the exhaust culminates with quadruple tailpipes, sized either 90mm (3½ inch) or 102mm (4 inch). The mufflers are priced at € 2,975 and € 3,094 respectively, while the middle section retails at € 1,725. Eisenmann is also developing a unit in Inconel alloy; a lightweight material used in F1, which will undercut the factory exhaust by around 30 percent.

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  • Wednesday eargasm: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Super Trofeo


    This new video from Jorrie2’s YouTube channel is too good not to share. The specimen before you is a vivid green Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Super Trofeo – the All-Wheel-Drive racing version of the road-going Gallardo LP 560-4 built to take part in a one-make series. According to Jorrie, the car spent a brief amount of time at the Gran Turismo Event, which took place at Belgium’s Spa Francorchamps, but was deemed illegal after failing to comply with the circuit’s noise regulations. Their loss.

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  • Head 2 Head: Nissan GT-R Black Edition vs Porsche 911 Turbo S


    Motor Trend’s latest Head 2 Head episode sees Jonny Lieberman pit Nissan’s 406 kW (545 hp) GT-R Black Edition against the Porsche 911 Turbo S. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six, which develops 395 kW (530 hp)and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque, the Turbo S flies to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a mere 3.3 seconds, 200 km/h in 10.8 s and onto a top speed of 315 km/h (195 mph).

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  • Audi RS Q3 concept surfaces


    Audi has released details and images of the much rumoured RS Q3 concept ahead of its world début at Auto China 2012 towards the end of this month.

    Propelling this matte Ordos Blue SUV is the same turbocharged five-cylinder 2.5 TFSI unit as seen in Audi’s TT RS – developing 265 kW (360 hp). Delivering its power to the quattro all-wheel drive system via a seven-speed S tronic transmission, performance is brisk, with 100 km/h (62 mph) appearing in just in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 265 km/h (165 mph).

    Visually, the face wears that imposing brushed aluminium single-frame radiator grille with honeycomb mesh, slightly tinted headlights and capacious air intakes with smooth funnel-shaped outer sections constructed from CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced polymer). CFRP has also been used to construct the lower front spoiler, mirror casings, sills and slightly wider arch extensions. The rear gets a sportier tailgate spoiler, anthracite tinted lights, large diffuser insert and typical RS twin tailpipes, while the 8.5 x 20-inch alloys provide a more purposeful demeanor, accentuated by the 25 mm drop in ride height.

    Moving inside, the cabin is upholstered in black Fine Nappa leather with contrasting blue stitching and Alcantara elements on the seats and door panels. Decorative CFRP panels with blue luminescent glass fibres are fitted to the centre console, dashboard and black Velvet leather-trimmed steering wheel, while, as a nod to the place of its unveiling, the dials’ usual Arabic numerals have made way for Chinese characters.

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