German Car Scene

Month: July 2012

  • APR Audi R8 V10 ECU upgrade


    Alabama-based APR has released details of its Stage One ECU upgrade for the Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10.

    As the company points out, the R8’s Bosch MED9 Engine Management System is factory detuned so as not to step on the toes of other vehicles in the VAG 5.2 FSI V10 line-up. The APR ECU upgrade sees output rise from 368 kW (524 hp) and 530 Nm (391 lb/ft) of torque to 435 kW (583 hp) and 602 Nm (444 lb/ft), taking it into Audi R8 GT and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera territory. The conversion is priced at $1,349 (€1,098).
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  • BMW M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition


    BMW of North America has released details of its M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition.

    Finished in rare Fire Orange, all models benefit from the carbon fibre roof panel, along with carbon front apron flaps, a rear bootlid spoiler and lightweight inconel-titanium exhaust muffler. BMW’s popular Competition Package is also included, which consists of lightweight 9 x 19-inch alloy wheels and lowered suspension with revised electronic damper adjustment function. Inside the cabin, the sports seats are upholstered in Anthracite and Black cloth with Nappa leather trim, while the special flat-bottomed steering wheel is trimmed in Anthracite Alcantara.

    Output from the 4.0-litre V8 engine remains unchanged at 309 kW (414 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) of torque, with cogs changed via the company’s six-speed manual transmission.

    Just 200 examples of the Lime Rock Park Edition will be produced, with prices starting at $70,995 (€57,780) when it goes on sale this September.
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  • Brumos Racing offering special edition Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car


    To commemorate its success in the 2011 Rolex GRAND-AM GT championship, Jacksonville-based Brumos Racing is producing five special edition 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars.

    Similar to the Mobil 1 Supercup cars, these US-specification versions use 336 kW (450 hp) 4.0-litre engines, which are built by Porsche Motorsport North America solely for Grand-Am teams. Apart from that customary Brumos livery, the cars also feature a carbon fibre dash panel, dead pedal and floorboard beneath the pedals. Technological upgrades include a Motec display and data acquisition system, new brake and wheel steering sensors and a blipper system for easier down-shifts.

    Priced at $265,259 (plus taxes), each machine wears a ‘911 GT3 Cup 4.0’ badge on its deck lid and a chassis ID plaque bearing the vehicle’s full name and VIN number.

    “This is the first time that Porsche Motorsport North America has offered a special limited edition of a race car, and, with the featured strong four liter engine racing engine and the exclusive Brumos detailed features, the happy owners of these cars will have a lot of fun at the track with the unique and beautiful cars,” said Porsche Motorsport North America president, Jens Walther.
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  • Berg Cup eargasm [video]


    Here’s Markus Wüstefeld’s Mercedes-Benz 190 E AMG Evolution II competing in the Group H class in the Berg Cup championship. Originally used as a DTM car in the early nineties, the ex-Sonax car uses a 2.5-litre 16-valve engine developing 264 kW (360 hp) and features a thin sheet metal body with aluminium doors and carbon fibre attachments. Turn your speakers up!
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  • RENM Lamborghini Aventador LE-C


    RENM Performance has revealed details and renderings of its limited edition LE-C program for the Lamborghini Aventador.

    Designed to make the Aventador more track-focused, the aero package includes redesigned carbon fibre replacement sections along with an electronically operated rear wing, while the 52 kW (70 hp) power increase comes courtesy of a valve-controlled titanium exhaust system, optimized air intake and recalibrated ECU.

    Chassis upgrades include race specification brakes, a fully adjustable suspension kit and ultra-lightweight centre-lock wheels with optional slick tyres. Inside, the cabin wears a mixture of carbon fibre and Alcantara trim elements, a new steering wheel and lightweight carbon race seats with harnesses.

    “We wanted to retain the original design lines while enhancing and making improvements across the entire platform. Some aspects of the design were influenced by the Aventador J concept, but only those sections we considered were improvements. For instance, the upper rear grille is similar to the J concept, although the lower rear section is a total redesign,” said a company spokesman.
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  • Opel adds Switch version to Corsa Colour Edition range


    Opel has added a Switch version to its Corsa Colour Edition range.

    Available in three and five-door body configurations, in a choice of colours: Casablanca White, Magma Red or Sunny Melon, the Switch pack is basically a pair of black stripes that cover the hood and tailgate along with a black roof section with corresponding twin cut-outs revealing the paintwork underneath.

    The Colour Edition program consists of black mirror casings with matching 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, a chrome tailpipe and sports chassis. Inside, there’s a pair of sports seats, aluminium pedals, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel and CD player with MP3 connectivity.

    Optional extras include a USB port, Hill Start Assist (HSA), park assistant, Adaptive Forward Lighting system (AFL) and the Flex-Fix integrated bicycle carrier.

    Available with any engine, including the brand new 88 kW (120 hp) ecoFLEX 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol unit with start/stop function, prices start at € 15,095 for the 51 kW (70 hp) 1.2-litre version.
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