German Car Scene

Month: May 2012

  • DTM Lausitz: win for BMW


    BMW driver Bruno Spengler turned his pole position into a win at today’s race at Lausitz to give the brand its first DTM win in almost twenty years and its 50th victory in the championship.

    The 28-year-old Canadian had a great start, which saw driver Gary Paffett jumping from third on the grid, passing BMW’s Augusto Farfus. The front pair pulled away from the rest of the field and even Paffett’s two quicker pit stops couldn’t give him the advantage he needed to take the win, although the gap did close to 0.6 seconds at one point. Farfus managed to hold off the Mercedes of Jamie Green to take the third step of the podium, giving BMW an almost perfect weekend.

    Mattias Ekstrom gave Audi its highest place on the day, ahead of ABT team-mate Timo Scheider, who had a relatively successful weekend; starting from 12 th, he used a similar strategy as Green, completing a long first stint ahead of his first stop.

    “Our strong comeback weekend in Hockenheim, then yesterday the first pole position and now – in the second race – even our first win in the new DTM-era. That’s amazing, simply amazing, absolutely amazing,” said Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director.

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  • Audi R8 GT fly-by [video]


    Here’s another video from our friend Jorrik Aben featuring Audi’s epic R8 GT in action at Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Propelled by a 412 kW (560 hp) V10 powerplant, the hardcore GT cracks 200 km/h in just 10.8 seconds, while top speed is an amiable 321 km/h (199 mph). Make sure you turn your speakers up.

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  • Carbon fibre Gallardo LP560-4 components by Racing Sport Concepts


    American tuning and styling specialist Racing Sport Concepts has developed a range of carbon fibre components for the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.

    The parts on offer include a four-piece engine bay kit ($ 3,495), a replacement air box ($ 1,195), a three-piece trunk kit ($ 2,095) and two pieces for the centre console ($ 795). RSC has also just announced that its prototype SV rear wing is about to swing into production, although a price is yet to be confirmed.

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  • smart ebike available to pre-order


    smart’s ebike is now available to be ordered ahead of its release date towards the end of this month.

    Built jointly with Biesenthal-based e-bike company GRACE, the 26 kg smart ebike is a pedelec (Pedal Electric Cycle) which uses a 423 Wh lithium-ion battery to feed the hub-mounted 200 watt BionX electric motor, allowing a range of up to 100 km (62 miles) – depending on which of the four power levels of assistance the rider has chosen.

    The bikes’s battery can be charged in position or off the bike, via a conventional plug socket. Braking energy can also be recuperated, meaning the motor becomes a generator whenever the cyclist applies their brakes, while a USB socket allows the charging of mobile devices whilst on the move.

    UK pricing for the smart ebike has been set at £ 2,495 (€ 3,080), which includes a two-year warranty.

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  • Underground Racing Gallardos v AMS Nissan GT-R [video]


    Here’s a video from last week’s Texas Speed Syndicate that may just be of interest to you. The races involve an AMS-tuned ‘Alpha Omega’ Nissan GT-R and a pair of Underground Racing’s ‘R’ Version Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggeras. According to the information we have, both the twin-turbocharged Gallardos and the GT-R are churning out a biblical 1,500 hp. So, which is your money on?

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  • Auto Express drives the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG


    Auto Express magazine’s Sam Hardy recently headed over to the south of France to try out the new Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. Powered by AMG’s M 157 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine, which produces 395 kW (537 hp) and 800 Nm of torque, the lighter R231 SL 63 AMG cracks 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.3 seconds, or 4.2 s with the AMG upgrade.

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