German Car Scene

Month: December 2012

  • Lamborghini Gallardo Renazzo-V by Vorsteiner

    Lamborghini Gallardo Renazzo-V
    Styling specialist Vorsteiner has ventured into the Lamborghini market with its carbon fibre program for the Gallardo.

    The Renazzo-V package, which is designed to suit all 2009+ LP models, consists of a front bumper fascia with detachable splitters, vented side skirt panels with blades attachments, vent covers, a fixed rear wing and rear bumper with large air outlets and substantial diffuser.

    Vorsteiner also carries a range of one and three-piece alloy wheels in 19 and 20-inch diameters.

    The kit will be available from March 2013.
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  • Porsche releases second 991 GT3 Cup trailer


    Porsche has done the right thing and released a second trailer featuring its 991 GT3 Cup car in action on the company’s test track in Weissach.

    The new video details the car’s specification, while highlighting its motorsport pedigree and links to the production road car upon which it is based.

    The latest incarnation of the Cup car is propelled by a 3.8-litre flat-six unit, producing 338 kW (460 hp), a 7 kW (10 hp) hike over the outgoing model, while gears are changed via a flappy paddle-controlled six-speed dog-type, a first for a Porsche brand trophy race car.
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  • Volkswagen Polo R WRC Street


    While in Monaco to unveil its WRC rally car, Volkswagen also took the wraps off the Polo R WRC Street.

    Looking virtually identical to the Concept from Wörthersee, the production version wears an aggressive front fascia with lower lip spoiler, raised rear wing and diffuser, but loses the Concept’s black wheel arch trim, which is a shame. Other features include bi-xenon headlights, R and WRC badging, motorsport striping and 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels wearing 215/35 tyres. Moving inside, the driver is treated to WRC-embossed sports seats in leather/Alcantara, an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel and aluminium pedals.

    Rather than tune the Polo GTI’s 1.4-litre TSI engine, Volkswagen has transplanted the 2.0 TSI from the current Golf GTI, which sends 162 kW (217 hp) and 349 Nm of torque to the front wheels via a quick-shift six-speed manual transmission. On the road that translates to a 6.4 second 0-100 km/h time and and a top speed of 243 km/h (151 mph).

    Available to order now, just 2,500 examples will be built to homologate its rallying counterpart; all left-hand-drive, with prices starting at €33,900 and deliveries beginning next September.
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  • Creating the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo


    This new video from Porsche sees designers Mitja Borkert and Michael Mauer talk about how the Panamera Sport Turismo came about, while the R&D department’s Wolfgang Hatz explains the technology behind it.

    Powering this striking Concept car is a three-litre V6 supercharged engine producing 245 kW (333 hp) combined with a 70 kW (95 hp) electric motor, which allows a sub-six second sprint to 100 km/h and a combined fuel consumption figure of less than 3.5 litres every 100 km. When running in pure electric mode it can reach speeds of 130 km/h and cover a range of over 30 km.

    It turns out that Porsche didn’t simply drop a grand piano on top of a cayenne, after all.
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  • BMW M135i impresses at the Nurburgring


    The guys over at autoforum.cz recently lapped the fabled Nurburgring armed with BMW’s remarkable M135i.

    The unassuming hatchback, which is powered by a 235 kW (320 hp) bi-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six engine, managed to negotiate the 20.8 kilometre complex in just 8:05 minutes. That matches Sport Auto’s time for the current BMW M3 Coupe, and is just one second behind the Audi R8 V8 and Porsche’s previous generation Cayman S – with a certain Walter Röhrl at the wheel.
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  • MEC Design Mercedes-Benz SL R230


    The Berlin tuning specialist MEC Design has released details of its widebody program for the R230 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.

    Limited to just 15 examples, the company’s Black Seriesesque aero package consists of a front bumper with gargantuan intakes, a ventilated hood, replacement fenders with air outlets, side skirts, rear wheel arch extensions, a back bumper with diffuser section and small trunk spoiler.

    Customers can opt for a small or large front spoiler, choosing it in plastic or clear coated carbon fibre. The trunk spoiler and diffuser can also be specified in carbon, while the lateral fins provide a track package look. Apparently.
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