German Car Scene

Month: July 2012

  • BMW 3 Series Saloon by Kelleners Sport


    Merzig-based Kelleners Sport has released details of its program for the current (F30) BMW 3 Series Saloon.

    Visually, the aero package consists of a front spoiler lip, a skirt extension for the rear bumper and a boot lid spoiler. The factory wheels have been superseded by Kelleners’ Titanium Grey ‘Hamburg’ design alloy wheels in either a 19 or 20-inch diameter, while a choice of sports springs or an adjustable coilover kit lower the car by 30 mm and 60 mm respectively. Moving inside, Kelleners’ upholstery department offers a range of leathers including Nappa and ostrich, with a choice of over 60 colours to choose from, along with wood and carbon fibre trim elements, velour floor mats and aluminium pedals.

    The company can provide performance increases for all petrol and diesel-engined versions. For example, the 320d enjoys an increase in output from 135 kW (184 hp) and 380 Nm of torque to 160 kW (218 hp) and 435 Nm, while owners of the 328i see a jump from 180 kW (241 hp) and 350 Nm to 216 kW (290 hp) and 420 Nm. An exhaust system with quadruple tailpipes is also available for all models.
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  • Supercharged SLS AMG Roadster by Vaeth


    Hösbach-based Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Vaeth has revealed its latest program for the SLS AMG Roadster.

    Fitment of the company’s V63 Supercharger Kit along with its full stainless steel exhaust system with flap controls and sports catalyst, which sees the 6.2-litre V8’s output rise from 420 kW (571 hp) and 649 Nm (479 lb/ft) of torque to 515 kW (691 hp) and 850 Nm (627 lb/ft), enough for a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.6 seconds and a 330 km/h (205 mph) top speed. A larger transmission oil cooler system helps to keep temperatures to a minimum.

    Chassis upgrades for the SLS include a 405 mm big brake kit with steel braided lines and an adjustable spring set-up, which allows a drop of 45 mm and works in conjunction with the nose-lift system. The stunning wheels are Vaeth’s own three-piece forged items, measuring 9 and 12×20-inches and wrapped in 265/30-20 front and 315/25-20 tyres.

    Visually, the Roadster wears a carbon fibre aero package consisting of a front spoiler, boot lid spoiler and side skirts with ducts, while inside the cabin, there’s a new steering wheel, 400 km/h speedometer and a choice of leather upholstery along with wooden and carbon trim elements.

    Pricing for the conversion starts at €85,130.
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  • Opel Adam officially revealed


    After countless spy pictures, Opel has officially revealed its new baby, urban car, the Adam, to the world before it makes its physical début at the Paris Motor Show on September 29.

    Measuring almost 3.70 metres in length and 1.72m in width and with a 2.31m wheelbase, the stylish three-door hatchback is almost identical in size to the Fiat 500 – the car Opel is hoping to steal sales from. Three engines will be available at launch, including a 51 kW (70 hp) 1.2-litre and a 1.4-litre producing either 64 kW (87 hp) or 74 kW (100 hp) all mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The ecoFLEX pack including Start/Stop function can be added to any variant. A super-frugal, turbocharged three-cylinder engine combined with a six-speed manual gearbox will be released early next year.

    Electrical Power Steering is standard and includes CITY mode which increases power assistance at lower speeds, while the latest generation ESP includes sub-functions such as Hill Start Assist. Side Blind Spot Alert is available as an option, as is the company’s new Advanced Park Assist, which uses the same ultrasonic sensors to automatically steer the Adam into a parking space with the driver just controlling the throttle and gears.

    There are three levels of trim to choose from: Jam is the colourful base model, followed by Glam, which features more elegant equipment. Finally, Slam is designed to suite drivers of a racier nature and features larger diameter 17 or 18-inch alloys along with a more responsive sports chassis and steering feeling. Personalisation touches include the LED headlamps and the taillights, LED lit ‘starlight’ roof trim, smartphone integration with the seven-inch, high-resolution full-colour touch screen.

    “The ADAM offers lots of growth potential for our brand. We are very proud that our fashionable small car brings German engineering excellence to its segment. In fact, the ADAM is the only A-segment car that will be exclusively built in Germany,” said Opel CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke.

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  • Lamborghini HK 20th Anniversary Edition


    To mark twenty years since the opening of its first official Hong Kong dealership, Kingsway Cars, Lamborghini has unveiled the HK 20th Anniversary Edition Gallardo LP550-2.

    Visually, the limited edition model is finished in solid white (Bianco Monocerus) paintwork, with twin matte gold stripes running from its front hood to the roof and the engine cover, while the front spoiler, side skirts, rear wing and lower bumper sections are all matte black. Graphics denoting the HK20’s exclusivity appear on all sides of the car, along with the centre console and headrests.

    Mechanically the HK20 is identical to the model it’s based on, meaning 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.9 seconds and a 320 km/h (199 mph) top speed. Just eight examples will be created at a price of HK$3,680,000 (€387,504).
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  • Vorsteiner V-CT Porsche Cayenne Turbo


    Tuning specialist Vorsteiner has released details and images of its V-CT program for the Porsche Cayenne Turbo

    Basically, the aero package consists of a lower front spoiler with integrated brake cooling ducting, replacement side skirts with carbon fibre blades and a carbon diffuser section for the rear bumper. The front spoiler can be specified with either a paintable or visible carbon centre section. No pricing has been disclosed.
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  • Vivid Racing supercharged M3 in action [video]


    For most of us, the prospect of witnessing a supercharged BMW tearing around the streets in the dead of night, would be enough to view this video. But, the guys at Vivid Racing have also thrown a blonde girl (complete with microscopic black dress) into the mix too. The E90 M3 Saloon has been treated to a set of Volk Racing G2 wheels, a Brembo brake upgrade and a VF Engineering supercharger kit, taking output to 620 hp. Sadly, we don’t have any details on the girl but, for some reason, she does appear to turn into a guy in a baseball cap at the 1:09 mark…
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