German Car Scene

Month: October 2012

  • Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG by Fostla


    Hannover styling specialist Fostla has created its MOPF II program for R230 Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG owners who don’t mind being pointed at in the street.

    Visually, the biggest transformation is the fitment of a Prior Design PD-Series widebody kit, which consists of a new front and rear bumper with diffuser, wider replacement front fenders, side skirts, rear wheel arch extensions, boot lid spoiler and genuine AMG grille mesh and fog lights.

    When it came to filling the new arches, Fostla opted for a set of Rotiform’s concave SNA wheels. Measuring 10.5 and 12.5 x 20-inches and wrapped in 265/30-20 and 325/25-20 tyres, the centres are painted gloss black, with the spokes covered in the same metallic matte yellow foil wrap as the bodywork.

    Equipped with a supercharged 5.4-litre Mercedes-AMG V8, Fostla optimizes the ECU software, which sees out put rise from 500 hp to 548 hp and also powder coats the exhaust tips in gloss black. A very important modification.

    Total cost for the conversion is 30,000 Euros.
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  • 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet


    Volkswagen has released initial details of its 2013 Beetle Cabriolet model ahead of its official début at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show (November 30 – December 9).

    Following the same lines as the current Beetle Coupé, the 2013 Cabriolet features a more upright windscreen and flatter roofline, which also helps to create a silhouette resembling that of the original 1949 version. Well, that’s what Volkswagen is saying.

    Once again constructed from fabric, the automatically-operated roof opens and closes in around ten seconds at speeds up to 48 km/h (30 mph). The Bug’s boot capacity of 225 litres might just be enough to handle your groceries, but additional space can be found once the split rear bench seats have been folded down, while a pair of extendable modules mounted behind the seats are activated by the central airbag triggering unit in the event of a rollover mishap.

    Engine options will begin with a 77 kW (103 hp) 1.2 TSI, followed by a 118 kW (158 hp) 1.4 TSI and 2.0-litre version producing 147 kW (197 hp), with diesel fans being offered a 77 kW (103 hp) 1.6 TDI and 103 kW (138 hp) 2.0 TDI. BlueMotion Technology can be specified on the 1.2 TSI and 1.6 TDI.

    Due to be launched in Europe next spring, Volkswagen will be taking orders from this November with prices starting at €21,350.
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  • Porsche 911 Sport Classic trio


    Here’s the latest video from our friend Jorrie, filmed at the recent Droomrit voor het Leven (Droomrit for Life) event in his homeland of the Netherlands. Held each year, in aid of young people with serious health problems, there’s always a fine selection of vehicles to admire, but 2012 saw the attendance of not one, but three examples of Porsche’s 911 Sport Classic.

    Just 250 of the 300 kW (408 hp) models were built, with retro-inspired touches including Fuchs-style 19-inch alloy wheels and a ducktail rear spoiler. Based on the 997 Carrera S, but with the wider rear bodywork of the all-wheel drive models, all cars were finished in exclusive Sport Classic Grey and, at €200,000, they weren’t cheap.
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  • Volkswagen adds Tiguan R-Line


    Volkswagen UK has once again added an R-Line version to its Tiguan range.

    Based on the already bountiful SE trim level, the Sterling Silver SUV is also fitted with bi-xenon headlights, body-coloured ‘R’ design bumpers and roof spoiler, black wheel arch extensions, 18-inch ‘Mallory’ alloy wheels and R-Line grille badging.

    Moving inside, past the embossed aluminium sill plates, there’s a pair of two-tone sports seats, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel and stainless steel pedals.

    Available to order from today, OTR pricing for the 154 kW (207 hp) 2.0-litre TSI starts at £28,435, while diesel fans are given the choice of the 103 kW (138 hp ) 2.0-litre TDI BlueMotion for £28,020 and the 125 kW (168 hp) 2.0-litre TDI for £28,700. All three powerplants are mated to a six-speed manual transmission and 4MOTION four-wheel drive system.
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  • Chris Harris in the Porsche 918 Spyder


    This new episode of DRIVE sees Chris Harris having to make do with the passenger seat as he hitches a ride in Porsche’s forthcoming 574 kW (770 hp) 918 Spyder. The innovative 325 km/h (202 mph) plug-in hybrid was undergoing testing at the Nurburgring when Porsche made the call, asking if he was interested in riding shotgun around the local roads. Great video with fascinating input from the development team, too.
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  • Porsche 991 Carrera S completes the Nurburgring in 7:37.9


    Porsche has released this video of its 298 kW (400 hp) 991 Carrera S attacking the fabled Nurburgring last week. With racing driver Timo Kluck piloting the car around the Green Hell, the S managed an impressive time of just 7 minutes and 37.9 seconds. To put that into perspective, that’s faster than the 997 Turbo (7:39), so just imagine what the 991 GT3 will be capable of.
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