German Car Scene

Month: August 2012

  • White Storm Edition Panamera by Anderson Germany


    Düsseldorf-based tuning specialist Anderson Germany has developed its White Storm Edition program for the Porsche Panamera GTS.

    Visually, the Satin White Panamera’s aero package includes a vented hood, front apron with lower spoiler, side skirts, rear bumper vents and replacement lower section with integrated diffuser. There’s also a set of headlight surrounds and rear light brows, if that’s your bag. A lowering module provides a 30 mm drop in ride height, while the company’s own black/polished alloy wheels, measuring 10 and 11×22-inches and covered in 265/30 and 295/25 tyres, do a great job of filling the arches out.

    Inside, the cabin has been reupholstered in a mixture of mainly-quilted brown leather and Alcantara with white diamond stitching, while elements such as the front and rear centre consoles, door panels and dashboard inserts are trimmed with white carbon fibre elements.

    Finally, a performance exhaust system with remote controlled adjustable valve and optimized ECU software sees output from the 4.8-litre V8 engine rise from 316 kW (430 hp) to 379 kW (508 hp).
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  • Volkswagen Passat CC by KBR Motorsport


    Erftstadt-based tuning specialist KBR Motorsport has revealed the latest guise of its first generation Volkswagen Passat CC project car.

    Underneath the hood, the turbocharged 2.0 TFSI features a remapped ECU and a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system with racing catalyst, which takes output from 155 kW (208 hp) to 209 kW (280 hp). Other mechanical changes include a KW Variant 3 coilover suspension kit and a set of cream coloured R12 Nero alloy wheels, sized 9×20-inches and wrapped in 225/30ZR20 rubber.

    Previously finished solely in stealthy matte olive-grey wrap, the CC now wears camouflage-style sporadic dots and splashes, applied by CoverEFX – a fellow member of the S.W.A.T. (Special Wagons And Tuning) union. Personally, we prefer it without the Smurf jizz.
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  • Volkswagen’s up! becomes automated


    Volkswagen has released details of its new automated manual gearbox (ASG) option for the company’s up! city car.

    An automated version of the five-speed manual transmission, the driver simply selects from D (Drive), N (Neutral) or R (Reverse) and the gearbox chooses the optimum gear for that particular situation. Alternatively, the driver can change up or down through the gears – manually via the gear lever, rather than flappy paddles as seen on the more sophisticated DSG.

    Weighing just 3 kg more than the five-speed manual, the ASG uses a pair of gearbox-mounted electromechanical actuators to control the gate selection and disengage or engage the gears., while another electric motor controls the clutch.

    The ASG can only be specified on the move up! and high up! models, using both the 44 kW (60 hp) and 55 kW (75 hp) engines for an additional price of €725. Volkswagen has also just also just announced that its electric-powered up! will go into production towards the end of next year. First seen in concept form last September, a 210 Nm electric motor fed by 18 kWh capacity batteries will provide a range of up to 130 kilometres.

    [Source: Volkswagen]

  • Volkswagen and Porsche Integrated Automotive Group finalized


    After what feels like an eternity, it has finally happened; the Integrated Automotive Group between Volkswagen and Porsche has finally been approved.

    We’re clearly too simple to understand the full nitty-gritty of the partnership, but we can tell you that yesterday, Volkswagen and Porsche SE paid out €4.49 billion to acquire a 50.1 percent stake in Porsche AG, meaning Volkswagen now owns 100 percent of the shares of Porsche AG.

    “The path is now finally clear for a bright future together. Even closer cooperation will enable us to significantly strengthen Volkswagen and Porsche, and further expand the Group’s product portfolio with fascinating new vehicles”, said Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn.

    Volkswagen is already responsible for the production of the Porsche Panamera’s body, and the forthcoming Macan will also utilize the Wolfsburg giant’s manufacturing premises, so don’t be surprised to see further collaborations in the future. Perhaps it’s time to put that 650 hp mid-engined Golf into production…

    [Source: Volkswagen]

  • BMW M3 CSL by REIL Performance


    For many BMW fans, the hardcore E46 M3 CSL is already a masterpiece, but that hasn’t stopped Marcel Reil, owner of Erftstadt-based REIL Performance and MR Design, from reworking it a little.

    Designed to be even more of a track weapon, the 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine receives an ECU tweak and exhaust system, taking output from 265 kW (360 hp) to 288 kW (391 hp) and, even though the standard CSL is already 110 kg (243 lb) lighter than the regular M3, REIL still put it on a diet, fitting Plexiglas side and rear windows as well as a carbon fibre boot lid and doors. Those changes see a final weight of 1,260 kg (2,772 lbs), compared to the original figure of 1,385 kg (3,054 lb).

    Other components include a set of BBS CH alloy wheels with Yokohama tyres, Bilstein suspension kit, a Porsche GT3 rear wing, grooved Porsche brake discs, six and four-piston calipers, a RECARO racing seat, extensive roll-cage and that all-important foil body wrap.

    The end result is a Nurburgring lap time of just 7:43 minutes. We’ll leave you to decide if that 7 second improvement is worth the €130,000 price tag.
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  • C 63 AMG Coupe Black Series by Domanig


    Grossostheim-based tuning specialist Domanig has revealed its new program for the C 63 AMG Coupe Black Series.

    Performance upgrades include optimization of the ECU software and a full exhaust system with manifolds and sports catalysts, which sees output from the 6.2-litre V8 engine rise from 380 kW (517 hp) to 447 kW (600 hp), resulting in a limited top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph).

    Visually, the Coupe has been fully de-chromed and wears a set of Domanig’s Special Edition three-piece wheels. Finished in high-gloss black, they measure 10.5 and 12.5×20-inches and wear 265/30ZR20 and 305/25Z20 Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tyres, although these can be switched for semi-slick Michelin Cup items upon request. Completing the package is a KW Variant 3 adjustable coilover kit fitted with marginally softer springs than standard to solve what Wolfgang Domanig describes as the “much too hard and very nervous” characteristics of the Black Series.
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