German Car Scene

Month: June 2012

  • Gemballa GT Aero 2 Cayenne


    Leonberg-based tuning specialist Gemballa has revealed its GT Aero 2 program for Porsche’s type 958 Cayenne.

    The carbon fibre body package features the same front bumper, lower spoiler, deeper rear bumper as the Aero 1 kit, but includes a set of wheel arch extensions and wider side skirts. All components use factory mounting points, so no need for any drilling, plus, you can always remove it and stick it on eBay when you sell your Cayenne.

    Gemballa also offers a range of alloy wheels, including the 22-inch forged GT Sport items shown here, which weigh less than the original 20-inch rims.
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  • Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster v Aston Martin DBS Volante [video]


    Here’s evo magazine’s new boy Tiff Needell having a tough time comparing Aston Martin’s stunning DBS Volante with the brawny Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster at a moist Bedford Autodrome. The DBS uses a 6.0-litre V12, producing 380 kW (510 hp), while the SLS is propelled by that majestic 6.2-litre V8 churning out 420 kW (571 hp). So, will that extra grunt prove the difference on track?
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  • Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda by Vilner


    Known for reworking more modern vehicles, such as the G-Class, Bulgarian-based Vilner Studio has turned its attention to a more mature model, with this Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda.

    Concentrating on the interior of the, Vilner has fitted a pair of artificially aged aluminium sill plates bearing the project’s ‘Gentle Pagoda’ name, while the cabin has received lashings of café and latte leather upholstery, finished with double diamond stitching on the seat centres, arm rest, door panels and roof lining. The chromed dashboard trim, gear stick gate, door strips provide a great contrast to vintage-look hides, along with that mahogany-rimmed steering wheel.

    Even the boot follows the same theme, finished to the same high standards and, quite rightly, described as a ‘jewellery box’ by Vilner. Can you imagine keeping a set of rusty jumper cables and a leaky, half-full bottle of engine oil in there?
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  • MINI Clubvan heading for production


    Hardly the most surprising news of the decade; MINI has announced that its Clubvan concept has been given the green light.

    Measuring 3,961 mm in length, 1,683 mm in width, 1,426 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2,547 mm, its dimensions are – unsurprisingly – identical to those of the MINI Clubman, but the lack of rear seats means 860 litres of load space is available, along with a 500 kilogram maximum payload capacity. The only real, visual difference is the body-coloured side windows with opaque polycarbonate reinforcements and tinted rear glass, while inside, there’s a flat loading floor, carpet-trimmed side walls, an anthracite roof lining, floor-mounted attachment hoops and handy 12-volt sockets for power tools.

    The other side of the stainless steel mesh partition features a pair of black fabric seats with silver trim strips, although these can be upgraded to sports items trimmed in Ray, Punch or Lounge Leather. Other optional extras include a trailer hitch, xenon headlights, adaptive headlights, climate control, park distance control and a navigation system, while the standard 15-inch Delta Spoke alloy wheels can be exchanged for 16 or 17-inch versions.

    Available from autumn 2012 in a choice of four colours: Midnight Black metallic, Pepper White, British Racing Green metallic and Ice Blue, the Clubvan will be offered in 72 kW (98 hp) One, 90 kW (122 hp) Cooper and 82 kW (112 hp) Cooper D guises.

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  • evo drives the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse [video]


    evo magazine’s Editor Nick Trott brings us the latest – and most incisive – review of Bugatti’s biblical open-top Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. Using the same 8.0-litre W16 engine from the 431 km/h (267 mph) Super Sport – complete with four upgraded turbochargers, the Vitesse enjoys a colossal 895 kW (1,200 hp) and 1,500 Nm (1,106 lb/ft) of torque, rather than the usual 746 kW (1,001 hp) and 1,250 Nm (922 lb/ft) seen in the Grand Sport.
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  • Lumma Design CLR 6 M


    Winterlingen-based Lumma Design has released initial details and images of its widebody program for the 412 kW (560 hp) BMW M6 Coupe and Cabriolet models.

    The Lumma Design CLR 6 M package consists of a sculpted hood, an aggressive front bumper with massive air intakes and lower splitter, bulbous wheel arch extensions, side skirts with carbon blades, a vented rear bumper with a serious diffuser which accommodates twin centrally-mounted tailpipes and a raised, motorsport-inspired wing mounted to the rear of the boot lid.

    The CLR 6M sits on multi-piece alloy wheels, measuring 10 and 12.5 x 21-inches, while inside, the cabin has been reupholstered in leather and Alcantara with carbon fibre trim elements.

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