German Car Scene

Month: June 2012

  • Porsche offering 991 upgrades


    Porsche is offering a range of personalization products for its 991 range, including a Powerkit for the Carrera S model.

    Developed by the company’s Porsche Exclusive arm, the Sport Design Package includes a front apron and rear ducktail spoiler, while the Aerokit Cup consists of a front lip with additional air intakes and a raised rear wing that attaches to the factory item. Carbon fibre and aluminium trim inserts are available to decorate the cabin.

    The Carrera S Powerkit consists of the Sport Chrono package with dynamic engine mounts, revised cylinder heads and camshafts, an optimized ECU, variable resonance intake system design with six air flaps and resonance flap and a sport exhaust system with de-throttling button. Those changes result in a increase from 294 kW (400 hp) to 316 kW (430 hp), which means 100 km/h appears in just four seconds with PDK – in Sport Plus mode and top speed is slightly higher at 306 km/h (manual: 308 km/h).
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  • Street sleeper Golf runs 8.89 second quarter [video]


    The regulars amongst you will be familiar with the insane ’16Vampir’ Volkswagen Golf Mk2, and its habit of covering the quarter mile at an increasingly-alarming rate. Well, it just got a little faster. Competing at Bitburg earlier this month, the relatively innocent-looking 1989 hatchback recorded a time of just 8.89 seconds at 266 km/h (165 mph), prompting claims of it being the quickest Golf on the planet.

    Built by Boba Motoring, the engine uses a 1.8-litre 1Z diesel block, with a billet steel crank, Pauter steel connecting rods, forged pistons and a KR 16V cylinder head. The unit is fed by a Garrett GTX4202R turbocharger, which results in 671 kW (900 hp) on E85 fuel. Enjoy.
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  • Audi R8 by Racing One


    Racing One, the Rhineland-based motorsports specialist, not only supplies professional support for cars and drivers on race or track days, but can provide packages designed to optimize your vehicle for such event, as this Audi R8 demonstrates.

    Using the 5.2-litre V10-engined R8 Coupe as a base, Racing One adds a titanium Akrapovic exhaust system and optimizes the car’s ECU, which sees output rise from 391 kW (525 hp) to 455 kW (610 hp), while chassis upgrades include a two-way Bilstein Modular Damper System, Performance Friction Brakes racing pads and a set of semi-slick tyres. Inside, there’s the obligatory fire extinguisher and a pair of racing bucket seats with six-point harness. Externally, the body wears a pair of R8 GT-style winglets and a lairy green wrap. Prices for the program start at € 26,000.

    Racing One also organizes its own events at circuits such as the Hockenheimring, Lausitz and Nürburgring, which include lap data recording along with a high quality video from the day.
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  • Opel Corsa 1.4 turbo debuts in Colour Edition models


    Opel has added an ecoFLEX 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol unit with start/stop function to the Corsa’s engine portfolio, débuting in the new All Black and All White Colour Edition models.

    Developing 88 kW (120 hp) and 175 Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm the Corsa, which uses a five-speed manual transmission, hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in 10.3 seconds and is capable of consuming 5.5 litres of fuel every 100 kilometres with a CO2 figure as low as 129 g/km.

    Visually, these two Colour Editions wear either Casablanca White or Carbon Flash paintwork, a colour-coded grille bar and a choice of 17-inch bi-colour alloy wheels, while inside, the fabric, body-coloured seats feature silver coloured seams. Other equipment includes a multi-function leather-trimmed steering wheel, aluminium pedals and a CD radio with mp3 technology.

    Optional extras consist of Hill Start Assist (HSA), park assistant, USB connectivity, Adaptive Forward Lighting system (AFL) and the innovative Flex-Fix integrated bicycle carrier.
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  • Audi RS 4 v Mercedes C 63 AMG [video]


    In this latest episode of DRIVE, Chris Harris not only samples Audi’s fantastic new 331 kW (450 hp) RS 4 Avant, but the original B5 and brilliant B7 version too. Not only that, but he also brings the brawny 336 kW (457 hp) Mercedes-Benz C 64 AMG into the equation. Which would you choose?
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  • 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed


    Bentley has revealed details and initial images of its 2013 Continental GT Speed ahead of its official début at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

    Visually, the GT Speed sits on lowered and uprated suspension and can be picked out by its dark-tinted matrix grille, enlarged lower air intakes and the ‘rifled’ finish on the twin exhaust tailpipes, while the 21-inch Speed alloy wheels, wrapped in 275 35 R21 Pirelli PZero tyres, complete the car’s more purposeful appearance. Inside, the cabin is finished to Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification.

    Under the hood resides Bentley’s glorious 6-litre, twin turbocharged W12 engine, which churns out 460 kW (617 hp) and 800 Nm of torque, and transfers its power to all four wheels via a close-ratio, ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing a 0-100 km/h time of just in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 329 km/h (205 mph).

    “For nearly a decade, the Continental GT has defined high luxury, high performance grand touring and the unique W12 engine has been so successful that Bentley is now the world’s largest producer of 12-cylinder engines. The new GT Speed with its harder-edged, sportier character reaffirms this pinnacle positioning and continues to broaden the worldwide appeal of the Continental Coupe,” said Bentley’s chairman Wolfgang Dürheimer.
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