German Car Scene

Month: August 2012

  • Porsche 991 Carrera 4 and 4S images


    Here are the first official images of the forthcoming Porsche 991 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S.

    Rumoured to be making their world début at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September, both the 4 and 4S will use the same boxer engines as the current 991 Coupe and Cabriolet models, namely a 257 kW (350 hp) 3.4-litre and 294 kW (400 hp) 3.8-litre unit.

    Visually the all-wheel drive version is virtually identical to its rear-wheel driven counterpart, the main differences being slightly wider rear arches, adding around 45 mm to the car’s rear, and that familiar reflective strip, spanning the rump.
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  • Mercedes-Benz SL-Class by Office-K


    Tokyo-based styling specialist Office-K has revealed its initial options for the latest (R231) SL-Class model from Mercedes-Benz.

    For now, the Japanese company can offer a ‘God Hand’ front lip spoiler, smoked tail-light lenses and its own adjustable suspension kit. The spoiler can be specified in ready-to-paint FRP or clear-coated carbon fibre. Office-K also has a large range of wheels from such manufacturers as Savini, Ashanti, Forgiato and Carlsson, the creators of these 20-inch CR 1/10 items.
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  • The man behind quattro GmbH


    This latest episode from the superb DRIVE channel talks to the Technical director of quattro GmbH, Stephan Reil, who explains the company’s role. A wholly owned subsidiary of AUDI AG, quattro GmbH is located in Neckarsulm and exists to develop specialist and high performance Audi automobiles, such as the R8, RS 3, RS 4 and so on. Taking its name from the original four-wheel drive Audi Quattro, a lower-case ‘q’ is used in honour of that iconic machine.
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  • Getaway driver jailed after being clocked at 180 mph in Lamborghini-engined Audi RS 5 Coupe


    ‘Britain’s fastest getaway driver’ was jailed today for nine years after being clocked at 190 mph in a modified Audi RS 5 Coupe.

    Ben Westwood, a 33-year-old car dealer, almost outpaced a helicopter while trying to evade capture during a 65-mile police chase on the M6 motorway in January after trying to cut open a cash machine in Wolverhampton.

    It is believed that Westwood and his gang are responsible for more than a dozen raids, netting them around £50,000 in money and jewellery. He was found guilty of dangerous driving and conspiracy to burgle and steal.

    According to police, the car, a stolen Audi RS 5 Coupe, had been fitted with a Lamborghini engine (we’re guessing a Gallardo V10) and uprated brakes, allowing it to touch 200 mph.

    “The helicopter took up the chase as they doubled back at junction 13 and attempted to exit at junction 12. A police stinger didn’t deter them as they did a U-turn on the exit slip road and went back on to the M6 the wrong way, doing a handbrake turn to set them southbound again to leave at Hilton Park services,” said a police spokesman.
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  • Volkswagen eco up! tops VCD Environmental Car List


    Volkswagen’s natural gas-powered eco up! has been named overall winner in the VCD Environmental Car List compiled by the Car Environment Transport Club Germany. Each car was evaluated on its CO2 emissions, fuel consumption and noise level.

    The up!’s CNG 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine develops 50 kW (67 hp) and 90 Nm (66 lb/ft) of torque, and needs just 2.9 kg of natural gas every 100 kilometres, while generating a mere 79 g/km of CO2. Top speed is a respectable 168 km/h (104 mph), but the 0-100 km/h time of 15.8 seconds is slightly less impressive.
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  • Pagani Zonda F Batmobile


    Here’s something that’s going to divide people: those with taste and those without. This interesting Batman-themed Pagani Zonda F put in an appearance at the recent “Graziosa’s Motorvalley” motor festival in San Cesario sul Panaro. Apparently owned by Argentinian Jorge Gomez, it can usually be seen with its regular orange hood, unless the owner feels that the car isn’t grabbing enough attention. He also owns a Porsche 911 GT2 with a selection of hoods painted by various local artists. Nevermind, you can still enjoy the symphony produced by that glorious Mercedes-AMG 443 kW (594 hp) 7.3-litre V12.
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