German Car Scene

Month: December 2012

  • The Mercedes-Benz F1 Safety Car story


    This new video from Mercedes-Benz takes a look at the company’s F1 Safety Cars throughout the years with the help of DTM veteran Bernd Mayländer.

    Mayländer began the role at the 1999 San Remo Grand Prix during the F3000 race at the wheel of a CLK 55 AMG before moving to F1, the following year, in a CL55 AMG. His current office is the 435 kW (591 hp) SLS AMG GT.

    To date, only five races have finished behind the Safety Car in Formula One, including this season’s round in Brazil, which was the first time for a season finale.
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  • Audi R8 China Edition revealed


    Audi has announced details of a special R8 model for the Chinese market, imaginatively named the R8 China Edition.

    Based on the outgoing R8 Coupe, just 80 examples will be built in a choice of two colours, Suzuka Grey or Malibu Blue with a contrasting sideblade. Other features include LED headlights, gloss black 19-inch ‘Y-spoke’ alloy wheels and the carbon aero package from the R8 GT, including the front dive planes, raised rear wing, larger diffuser and bazooka tailpipes.

    Sadly it doesn’t share the GT’s powerplant, but does have 386 kW (518 hp) and 530 Nm of torque at its disposal thanks the company’s V10 5.2 FSI, which is mated to an R tronic transmission and good for a 3.9 second 0-100 km/h time.

    Moving inside, past the unique sill plates, the seats are trimmed in a mixture of leather and Alcantara, the steering wheel is also wrapped in Alcantara, while the handbrake lever wears shark skin. Body coloured sections adorn the door panels and centre console, with the finishing touch being an aluminium gearknob bearing the car’s individual serial number – excluding the number 4, which is skipped due to superstitious beliefs that it brings bad luck.
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  • Rieger BMW 1 Series Coupe


    If you’re a fan of BMW’s lively 1M, but your budget only stretches as far as the regular 1 Series Coupe, Bavarian stylinghouse Rieger might just have a solution for you.

    Constructed from ABS plastic with carbon-look elements, the aero package consists of a replacement front bumper with splitter, side skirts and a rear apron with diffuser section.

    Completing the look is a set of 19-inch BBS CH-R alloy wheels wrapped in Hankook S1 Evo tyres, while the factory suspension has made way for a KW coilover set-up.

    Just imagine, you’ll be able to pretend to your friends that you’ve purchased the spicy bi-turbo 3.0-litre version. If they have cataracts, and impaired hearing.
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  • Porsche patents 919 name


    It has been revealed that Porsche registered the 919 appellation at the German Patent Office, last month.

    The Stuttgart manufacturer registered the combination of digits as a word mark, meaning that no other company can use it to name their product. Of course, that may be the sole reason for retaining it, but it could also be the label that its much-rumoured sub-918 model wears.

    Time will tell.

    [Source: derwesten]

  • SchwabenFolia Volkswagen Golf R


    The guys over at Korntal-Münchingen styling specialist SchwabenFolia have shared these images of their Volkswagen Golf R program with us.

    The Golf’s power upgrade is thanks to ECU software optimization and a 90 mm custom exhaust system with variable Capristo valves, which sees output from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI rise from 199 kW (270 hp) to 246 kW (330 hp).

    Chassis changes include a H&R sport spring kit and a set of powder coated BBC CH alloys, measuring 8 x 19-inches and wrapped in 235/35 Dunlop tyres. Finally, PWF were called in to wrap the hatchback’s body in matte metallic Urban Taupe film.
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  • Creating the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Venet


    Bugatti has released a new video documenting the design and creation of its Veyron Grand Sport Venet, with French Conceptual artist Venet describing how it came to be a reality.

    The “fastest artwork ever” features a striking copper-coloured pattern made up of mathematic and scientific formulas which Bugatti’s engineers had used to make the original Veyron a reality, and it’s available to view at the Art Basel Miami Beach 2012 from today until December 9.
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