German Car Scene

Month: July 2012

  • Vorsteiner GTS-V BMW 1M Coupe


    Styling and performance specialist Vorsteiner has released a new set of images featuring its GTS-V program for the BMW 1M Coupe.

    Visually, the carbon fibre aero package includes the lower front spoiler with built-in brake ducts, a finned diffuser section for the rear bumper, and a replacement boot lid with integrated lip spoiler which tips the scales at an exiguous 11.5 lbs.

    The twin-seven spoke, forged three-piece VS-400 are also by Vorsteiner and improve performance thanks to the reduced unsprung weight, while the company’s exhaust system, available in either titanium or stainless steel, releases a further 11 kW (15 hp) and 7 Nm (5 lb/ft) of torque from the Baby M’s bi-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six.
    (more…)

  • Opel Insignia gets LPG option


    Opel has announced that its Insignia can now be specified with an engine reworked to run on liquefied petroleum gas.

    The 1.4-litre turbocharged LPG ecoFLEX engine, which develops 103 kW (140 hp), can be specified in the Saloon, hatchback and Sports Tourer station wagon variants and consumes 7.6 litres every 100 kilometres (124 g/km CO2 emissions). While that’s higher than the regular 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol Saloon’s figure (5.7 l/100 km) pricing for LPG is around 40 percent less. Another plus is the fact that LPG cars emit up to 15 percent less carbon-dioxide than vehicles with a conventional engine.

    The Insignia is converted to run on LPG at the Opel Special Vehicles GmbH, with Opel’s engineers strengthening the engine valves and valve seats, remapping the ECU and fitting a 42-litre LPG tank within the spare-wheel housing. A range of up to 500 kilometres is possible on one tank of LPG, while that figure rises to an impressive 1,700 km when the petrol tank is also used.

    Prices start at €28,150 in Germany for the four-door Saloon.
    (more…)

  • Electric BMW M3 Coupe gets a work out [video]


    Following on from the company’s teaser video, the guys at Electric Vehicle West have let Pikes Peak veteran and Jalopnik writer, Bill Caswell, loose in their electric BMW M3 Coupe. Rather than the factory 3-litre straight-six unit, this silent assassin makes use of a twin-air cooled NetGain DC electric motor, developing 949 Nm (700 lb/ft) of torque and 298 kW (400 hp). Look out for it at this year’s iconic hill climb event on August 12.
    (more…)

  • Mansory Lamborghini Aventador Carbonado


    Following on from its previous program, Mansory, the Brand-based German tuning specialist, has revealed its latest take on the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4.

    Visually, the Black Diamond version wears a body package constructed from visible carbon fibre, consisting of a replacement hood, roof panel and engine cover, an aggressively-styled front apron and lower lip with larger intakes an daytime running lights, wider fenders, side skirts, rear apron with integrated diffuser and raised wing. Adding 40 mm to the front and 50 mm on the rear of the Aventador, the ultralight forged rims, measuring 9 x 20 and 13 x 21-inches and wrapped in VA 255/30 ZR20 and HA 345/25 ZR21 tyres, help to fill those larger arches. Inside, the cabin is reupholstered in leather and carbon fibre.

    The combination of a remapped engine management and new exhaust system results in 555 kW (744 hp) and 750 Nm (553 lb/ft), allowing a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 2.8 seconds and 355 km/h (220 mph) top speed.
    (more…)

  • Project Maximus CLS 63 AMG by SR Auto Group


    SR Auto Group, the Vancouver-based styling specialist, has created a new project car, displaying the type of wares it has to offer.

    Based on the 415 kW (557 hp) CLS 63 AMG four-door Coupe, Project Maximus wears the aggressive Black Bison body conversion by Japanese company Wald International, which consists of a sculpted front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights, replacement fenders, side skirts, a vented rear bumper with diffuser insert and a larger boot lid spoiler. Finally, a pair of twin double oval tailpipes replace the factory trapezoidal items.

    Completing the look is a set of Wald’s Renovatio alloy wheels. Sized 20-inch in diameter, the new rollers are finished with chrome lips and faces, along with silver spoke edges.
    (more…)

  • 600 hp APR Audi TT RS review [video]


    This new episode of DRIVE sees Matt Farah heading over to Alabama to sample an APR-tuned Audi TT RS Coupe.

    Matt is the first journalist to test the company’s pre-production Stage 3 program, which includes a larger turbocharger, remapped ECU, upgraded intercooler, manifold and exhaust system; enough for 447 kW (600 hp) and a 0-60 mph time of just 2.8 seconds.
    (more…)