German Car Scene

Month: August 2012

  • Audi RS Moments of Truth: 5 cylinder engine [video]


    Here’s an episode from the Audi RS “Moments of Truth” is a series of short-form documentaries that capture a pivotal moment in time, highlighting how the innovative technology from the world of motorsport has impacted on road cars.

    This story covers the Audi 5-cylinder engine used in the Audi 90 IMSA GTO in 1989, with input from Hans-Joachim Stuck, who still has strong memories of that fire-breathing turbocharged unit. We’re then brought up to date with quattro GmbH engineer Michael Ganz, who discusses the glorious 253 kW (340 hp) TFSI in today’s Audi TT RS models. It’s time to get nostalgic.
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  • Audi releases teaser image ahead of Pikes Peak


    We already know that motor racing legend Walter Rohrl will be taking his original Sport quattro S1 up Pikes Peaks later this month, but Audi has thrown us a curve ball with this teaser image of an RS 5 Coupe accompanied by a secretive “we’ve got a surprise in store for you”. Wearing the same familiar stripes as its veteran sibling, we’re hoping that this is a spicier version of the regular 331 kW (450 hp) machine. Our guess is an RS 5 plus model along the same lines as the new R8 but, for now, we’ll just have to wait until August 12.

    [Source: Audi via WCF]

  • Carlsson CGL45 Royal Last Edition


    Following on from Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd acquiring 70 percent of the shares of the Merzig-based tuninghouse, Carlsson, this special version of the company’s CGL45 model has been created for the Chinese market.

    Based on the previous generation of GL-Class, the Royal Last Edition is almost identical to the regular CGL45, which means it gets a restyled front fascia with double-twin units and LED daytime running lights, chrome grille mesh inserts and slightly wider wheel arch extensions. The only real difference is a set of 22-inch 1/5 EVO DS alloy wheels and a choice of 36 different colour combinations to choose from.

    Thanks to Carlsson’s C-Tronic power unit, output from the diesel 3.0L V6 rises from 198 kW (265 hp) up to 231 (310 hp), providing an impressive torque figure of 700 Nm (up from 620 Nm), while the 5.5L V8 – in the GL 500 – jumps from 289 kW (388 hp) to 324 kW (435 hp), and a maximum torque of 600 Nm (up from 530 Nm). All six and eight cylinder models in the range are also catered for.

    Not quite as rare as the C25 Super GT model, just 300 examples will be created.
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  • Lamborghini Aventador by Capristo


    Sundern-based performance specialist Capristo has developed a new program for the Lamborghini Aventador.

    Rather than go down the flamboyant route, the guys at Capristo have simply sought to lower the Aventador’s weight, stripping it down and looking at individual plastic components that it felt should be constructed from carbon fibre.

    External pieces, such as the central front lip, front and side air intakes, the rear vents below the tail-lights and the diffusor have all been replaced, while underneath the Lamborghini’s skin, the engine compartment panels and trunk liner panelling have also been superseded. The quality looks impressive, with Capristo going as far as saying that its parts look even more impressive than their factory counterparts.

    Obviously, Capristo had to manufacture and exhaust to suit that glorious V12-cylinder engine. Constructed using mirror finish 1.4828 stainless steel, the system features remote-controlled adjustable flaps, to suit your mood or environment.

    The end result is a 40kg reduction in weight, 0.1 seconds off the 0-100 km/h time and a slightly higher top speed of 354 km/h (220 mph). At least it looks nice.
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  • Audi R8 e-tron at the Nurburgring [video]


    Here’s a new video from Audi featuring the R8 e-tron during its recent record-breaking run at the Nurburgring. The onboard footage shows ex-DTM driver Markus Winkelhock at the wheel of the 230 kW (308 hp) electric supercar as it completed a lap of the 20.8 kilometre (12.9 mile) circuit in a mere 8:09.099 minutes – just 5 seconds behind its 4.2-litre V8-engined sibling. Don’t bother turning your speakers up for this one.
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  • Porsche 918 Spyders spotted in Spain [videos]


    Following on from the official Martini Racing Porsche 918 Spyder images, these two videos featuring a pair of pre-production models have turned up on the YouTubes.

    Both videos, from Revista del motor and Furiousbooster, show previously seen cars, with heavily-striped bodies, putting in the miles on the roads around the Spanish city of Valencia.
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