German Car Scene

Month: October 2012

  • Audi F12 e performance project


    Audi has announced details of an e performance research project focusing on the development of a high-voltage battery to power electric cars.

    The €36 million, three-year collaboration between Audi, Bosch and the RWTH Aachen University has yielded the F12 ‘e Sport’ model, which draws over 38 kWh from a pair of battery blocks made up of 200 macrocells each. The blocks, which produce voltages of 144 and 216 volts respectively, feature cast aluminium sections, which absorb the majority of the energy during a crash, and can deliver varying amounts of output depending on load.

    Propelling the R8-bodied car is one motor up front, which is utilized under light load, but once the quiet pedal is pressed into the carpet a pair of motors at the rear are activated to develop a total of kW (204 hp) and 550 Nm of torque, resulting in an all-electric quattro sports car.

    Notable equipment in the car is an efficient heat pump, which controls the temperature of the drive system and interior, and also store excessive heat in the batteries which may be required to warm up the cabin when needed. Buttons on the centre tunnel operated the basic Drive, Reverse, Neutral and Park functions, while other actions are carried out via the removable tablet computer mounted within the console.
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  • Cars I See: Porsche 930


    Following on from the recent BMW 2002 film, Frazer Spowart’s Cars I See series brings us an equally brilliant video featuring Jim Goodlett and his 1984 grey market Porsche 930.

    The story focuses on Jim’s 28-year love affair with the iconic, turbocharged Coupe, from drooling at the dealership on his way home from school, right up to his 50th birthday, when it was time to realise his dream.
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  • David Coulthard announces DTM retirement


    Team DHL Paket’s David Coulthard has announced his retirement from the DTM Championship following the final round of the year in Hockenheim.

    We’re massive fans of Mr Coulthard but, with a tally of just 16 points from 32 races, it’s safe to say that he didn’t set the series on fire. Now employed as a presenter for the BBC, he is best known as a Formula One driver who has driven in 247 races for such teams as Williams, Red Bull and finally McLaren Mercedes, giving the company its first victory of the modern Silver Arrow era fifteen years ago.

    The 41-year-old Scot will continue his television work, while retaining his role as a brand ambassador for Mercedes-AMG. Personally we’d love to see a certain Michael Schumacher occupy David’s vacated seat in the Mercedes AMG C-Coupe.

    “I am looking forward to the final race of what has been an exciting season in the DTM. The weekend will be my final opportunity to compete at this level as I will stop racing in the DTM to concentrate on my developing off-track businesses and of course my family,” said Coulthard.
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  • BMW M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition promo


    Here’s the new M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition promo from BMW, featuring the likes of Californian racing driver Bill Auberlen and the owner and operator of Lime Rock Park, Skip Barber.

    Powered by the regular 4.0-litre V8 engine, developing 309 kW (414 hp) and 400 Nm of torque, this limited edition model features BMW’s Competition Package along with carbon front apron flaps, a boot lid spoiler and lightweight inconel-titanium exhaust muffler.
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  • Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition


    Porsche has today announced the introduction of a special Panamera Platinum Edition model, based on the Panamera 4 and Panamera Diesel models.

    Available in black or white as standard, or metallic basalt black, metallic carbon grey and metallic mahogany finishes as an optional extra, each car features high gloss black window pillars and subtle platinum silver metallic details on the lower section of the mirrors, front air-inlet grilles, boot lid trim, diffuser section and side air vent grilles on the turbo model. Standard equipment includes Bi-Xenon headlights, front parking assist, auto-dimming mirrors and 19-inch alloy wheels from the Turbo model.

    Moving inside, there’s a set of exclusive ‘Platinum Edition’ sill plates, bi-colour part-leather interior package in black and luxor beige, heated front seats and the Porsche Communication Management which controls the navigation and eleven speaker sound system via a high-resolution 7-inch touchscreen.

    Available from the end of November, pricing has been set at €82,206 for the Diesel and €87,323 for the Panamera 4.
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  • Vorsteiner Porsche 991 V-GT Coupe


    Styling and performance specialist Vorsteiner has developed a body program to suit the new Porsche 991 Carrera.

    The subtle aero program consists of a clear coated carbon fibre front spoiler, side skirts with integrated carbon blades, a gurney deck lid spoiler and underbody panel for the rear bumper with finned diffuser section.

    The wheels on this particular car are Bright Liquid Silver VS-110 forged monoblock items, measuring 9 and 11 x 21-inches and wrapped in 255/30 and 305/25 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres.
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