German Car Scene

Month: June 2012

  • Audi e-tron quattro takes pole position at Le Mans


    The innovative R18 e-tron quattro of André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler and Benoît Tréluyer and has provided Audi with pole position for this weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours; a first for a car with hybrid drive.

    Lotterer achieved a time of just 3m 23.787 seconds – two seconds quicker than last year’s fastest qualifier – in the #1 car, with Loïc Duval a mere 0.291 seconds behind him in the #3 R18 ultra for the crew including Romain Dumas and Marc Gene. Toyota’s Anthony Davidson spoilt the chance of a one-two-three, meaning Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen had to settle for fourth spot (3m 25.433s) in the #2 R18 e-tron quattro he’s sharing with Dindo Capello and Allan McNish.

    “Clinching pole at Le Mans is a cool feeling. Of course a lot can happen in the race but our performance does show that we’ve got a strong car in our R18 e-tron quattro. So my thanks go to the squad that has been working hard for this for a year,” said an ecstatic Lotterer.
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  • Bugatti Veyron Super Sport hits the ‘Ring [video]


    Here’s some footage from Bridge to Gantry showing the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport stretching its legs around the Nurburgring.

    Developing 882 kW (1183 hp) and 1,500 Nm (1,106 lb/ft) of torque from its quad turbocharged, 8.0-litre 16-cylinder engine, the SS has hit 431 km/h (267 mph) with Pierre Henri Raphanel behind the wheel, but an official ‘Ring time has never been publicised. We have a feeling that this nuclear-powered weapon won’t threatening the record held by Radical’s featherweight 339 kW (455 hp) SR8LM, which stands at 6:48.
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  • AC Schnitzer Raptor


    Aachen-based tuning specialist is celebrating after its new Raptor Concept embarrassed plenty of the competition at last month’s Tuner Grand Prix hosted by sport auto magazine.

    Based on MINI’s 155 kW (211 hp) John Cooper Works Coupé, the Raptor has been tweaked to produce 221 kW (300 hp), which was enough to make it the fastest MINI over the weekend at the Hockenheimring. With a time of 1:10.87 minutes it eclipsed last year’s returning machine, the Eagle (1:12.3 min), and the next fastest MINI; Schaefer’s Cooper S Clubsport (1:13.0 min).

    To put that time into perspective, other cars on sport tyres, included a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (1:12.0 min), BMW M3 GTS (1:12.5 min) and a Ferrari Challenge Stradale (1:13.0 min). The fastest car in attendance was a Koenigsegg CCR with 1:09.8 min, but they cost about the same as an Southeastern European city.

    So far, AC Schnitzer has sunk around € 62,000 into the concept, with the increase in power coming thanks to the company’s Motronic program, an uprated turbocharger and intercooler, stainless steel exhaust with racing cat and limited slip differential.

    Weight loss is a major factor in the Raptor’s performance, this can be seen in the carbon fibre hood, boot lid, fenders, doors and rear diffuser. The side windows are now macrolon, and even the battery is a lightweight ion item. Chassis upgrades consist of an adjustable coilover suspension kit and thicker anti-roll bars. Inside, equipment is kept to a minimum with carbon racing bucket seats, a rollcage, sports steering wheel and aluminium pedals.
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  • Audi A6 by JMS Tuning


    Walddorfhäslach-based JMS Tuning has released details of its wares for the elderly Audi A6 4F model.

    The company’s own product on offer is its Racelook front lip, which costs € 239 and fits all non-S line models, while other components include the stainless steel KW Variant 1 Coilover suspension kit, capable of providing a 60 mm drop on the front and 50 mm at the rear, and completing the look is a set of unsubtle Oxigin 14-Oxrock alloys, measuring 9.5 x 20-inches all round and wrapped in 265/30 rubber.
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  • Car and Driver in the Ruf Yellowbird and CTR 3 [video]


    It’s very easy to hate Jethro Bovingdon. Not only did Car and Driver’s European correspondent get to take the iconic 911 Ruf Yellowbird for a blast around the test track, but he also paid a visit to the factory and took the CTR 3 on Germany’s autobahn for some high-speed fun.

    The narrow-bodied, lightweight 469 hp (350 kW) model, officlally named the Ruf CTR, made a name for itself after the company released the Faszination promo, showing the car in action at the fabled Nürburgring. If you don’t own a copy – get one.
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  • Olympic MINI Rocketman Concept


    The last we’d heard, MINI’s quirky Rocketman Concept hadn’t made the cut in the production stakes, but that hasn’t prevented the company from reworking it to coincide with the 2012 London Olympics.

    Originally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2011, the Rocketman Concept measures just over three metres in lenghth and uses a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic spaceframe, guaranteeing a lightweight construction. Inside, its innovative 3+1-seater layout accommodates three full-size seats and an extra seat suitable for short trips. Other notable features include the Union Jack transparent and illuminated glass roof, double-hinged doors allowing easier access in tight spaces, trapezoidal stirrup design taillights, and circular headlights with LED full beam units surrounded by a dipped-beam light ring.

    This version, revised to mark London’s hosting of the Olympic Games, has been painted dark blue, with a red roof and grille section, while the mirror caps, surrounds for the grille and headlights and boot opener are finished in Matte Porcelain White. The 18-inch alloy wheels feature white polished areas and a metallic red accent.

    The red, white and blue theme continues inside, with nubuck leather used on the seats and side panels, while the name of every host city of the summer Olympic Games in the modern era has been stitched into the door inserts. Other touches include a rocket-shaped key fob in British national colours and a rucksack attached to the rear of the front passenger seat.

    The car will be on display in the BMW Group Pavilion, close to the Olympic and Paralympic Village throughout this year’s Games.
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