German Car Scene

Month: October 2012

  • Bentley Continental GT by Wheelsandmore


    Wheelsandmore has released details of its tuning and styling options for the current Bentley Continental GT and GTC range.

    Visually, the company offers a choice of alloy wheels, including its three piece 21-inch 6Sporz² items the as well as the six-spoke Kahn Design RS-D in a 22-inch diameter, while the Lowmaxx suspension module provides the required drop in ride height.

    For a price of €2,748 Wheelsandmore can perform its ECU software upgrade, which sees output from the V8-engined GT rise from 337 kW (507 hp) and 660 Nm of torque up to 415 kW (565 hp) and 750 Nm, while its W12 counterpart enjoys a jump from 423 kW (575 hp) and 700 Nm to 467 kW (635 hp) and 760 Nm. Finally, the brawnier GT Speed leaves the workshop with 500 kW (680 hp) and 850 Nm – up from 463 kW (630 hp) and 800 Nm.

    Additional components include a polished stainless steel exhaust system for €4,370, which features remote-controlled adjustable flaps and releases an extra 15 hp/18 Nm, while the cat bypass tubes (€1,218) improve output by a further 15 hp/25 Nm.
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  • Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake by Brabus


    Bottrop Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has released details of its program for the CLS Shooting Brake.

    Visually, the Pur-R-Rim aero package consists of a front spoiler and fascia with integrated LED daytime running lights, ventilated replacement fenders and side skirts. Cars fitted with the AMG kit get a sportier lower lip, while the CLS 63 AMG goes one step further with a larger item constructed from clear-coated carbon fibre.

    Brabus offers its usual range of alloy wheels, including the Monoblock F, Q or R designs, in sizes ranging from 8.5 x 17 to 10.5 x 20-inches, while the lowering of this luxury hearse can be carried out with either a simple set of sports springs, a full replacement system or the company’s electronic module for cars equipped with Airmatic air suspension, providing a drop of around 35 mm in tide height.

    Performance upgrades are available for each engine, with the 250 CDI getting a 23 kW (31 hp) jump from 150 kW (204 hp) and a new torque figure of 560 Nm. The 350 CDI enjoys a rise from 195 kW (265 hp) and 620 Nm to to 230 kW (313 hp) and 690 Nm, allowing a 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). After the 4.6-litre biturbo V8 in the CLS 500 has been tweaked, output climbs from 304 kW (408 hp) and 600 Nm to 368 kW (500 hp) and 720 Nm, which results in a new top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).

    Top of the food chain is the 5.5-litre biturbo-engined CLS 63 AMG model, which is fitted with additional software, a supplementary water-to-air intercooler and stainless steel exhaust system with adjustable butterfly valve, culminating in 455 kW (619 hp) and 1000 Nm, meaning 100 km/h happens in a mere 4.2 seconds and top speed is a bragworthy 320 km/h (200 mph). There’s also a limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent.
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  • Opel Mokka by Irmscher


    Remshalden styling specialist Irmscher has been dabbling with Opel’s compact SUV, the Mokka.

    Externally, Irmscher can provide a honeycomb grille section with stainless steel strip, door handle covers and stainless steel foot plates, while the rear receives a larger roof spoiler and twin double tailpipes connected to the new silencer. The company can also offer a range of alloy wheels, in sizes up to 20-inches, in an Evo-Star or Turbo-Star design, while a sports suspension kit drops the Mokka by 30 mm.

    Moving inside, past the sill plates and Irmscher floor mats, the cabin receives a leather retrim on the multi-function steering wheel, gear stick gaiter and arm rest.

    Irmscher has also promised a performance hike for the 103 kW (140 hp) 1.4-litre variant in the very near future.
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  • Porsche releases 918 Spyder Nurburgring video


    Following on from Porsche letting slip that its 918 Spyder had whisked its way around the fabled Nurburgring in a mere 7 minutes and 14 seconds, the company has released a video of the 574 kW (770 hp) plug-in hybrid hypercar in action. Unsurprisingly, the car featured the optional Weissach Package, which includes six-point harnesses, front and rear dive planes, a lightweight braking system and the deletion of the air-con system and stereo. It was also riding on street tyres. Walter, you legend.
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  • SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary


    Mercedes-Benz has announced details of a special ’45th Anniversary’ model of its SLS AMG GT3 car, aimed at a handful of collectors.

    Based on the regular customer sport racing car that has tasted success in the FIA GT3 European Championship, FIA GT1 World Championship and ADAC GT Masters, the celebratory version is finished in the same designo magno graphite matt paintwork as the SL 65 AMG Anniversary Edition, and wears “45 Years of Driving Performance” logos on the doors, along with a set of designo magno graphite AMG lightweight alloy wheels. Moving inside, there’s a body-coloured roll-cage, an additional carbon fibre seat and ‘1 of 5’ badging on the matte carbon fibre centre console and seats.

    One more detail of interest is the fact that none other than Bernd Schneider, the Mercedes-AMG ambassador and former DTM champion and FIA GT world champion, will assist in the fitment of that luscious AMG 6.2-litre V8 powerplant and even sign the engine’s badge along with the fitter.

    Just five vehicles will be built, at a price of €446,250, with customers being invited to Mercedes-AMG’s Affalterbach plant for the handover and a tour of the factory.
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  • Gas station heaven


    This new video from supercar fanatic Marchettino has just helped us to envisage what heaven might will look like. Filmed at the gas station where drivers stop off at just before venturing onto the fabled Nurburgring, the footage is crammed full of the good stuff, including an Audi R8 GT, CLK 63 AMG Black Series, Superleggera, 911 GT3 RS 4.0, BMW M3 CSL and even a handful of Porsche 991s. Although the best spot for us has to be the ‘Ring Queen herself; Sabine Schmitz and her 911 GT3 RS. This is effing nuts.
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