German Car Scene

Month: March 2013

  • Lamborghini Aventador by Kahn Design

    Lamborghini Aventador by Kahn Design
    The last time we called in to Kahn Design’s studio in Bradford, we were bowled over by the sheer volume of high quality supercars on display, including a totally reworked Bugatti Veyron. Sadly we missed the arrival of the company’s new Lamborghini Aventador by a matter of days, but here it is.

    Clearly, the 6.5-litre V12-engined spectacle needs very little fettling and, as usual, Afzal Kahn and his team have got it just right. As nice as the factory alloys are, we have to say that Kahn’s new Sant’Agata wheels are certainly an upgrade. Finished in Liquid Billet Silver, they measure 20-inches at the front and 21-inches on the rear.

    Moving inside, the cabin Kahn has reupholstered the original seats in black leather with trapezoidal quilting on the centre panels.

    If you’re interested in the car, and have £310,000 burning a hole in your pocket, this actual vehicle is for sale. Go on, treat yourself, you only live one. There may be a brain aneurysm or horrifically violent murder waiting for you just around the corner. Imagine that? Have a nice Sunday…
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  • New Volkswagen Golf Estate surfaces

    2014 Volkswagen Golf Estate
    These are the first official images showing the Estate version of Volkswagen’s seventh generation Golf.

    No facts, figures or specifications have been released, but customers can expect the same range of powerplants, such as a the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol engines and the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI diesel units. The model pictured here is the 1.4 TSI BlueMotion, which develops 103 kW (140 hp) and 249 Nm of torque.

    As the current Golf hatchback enjoys an extra 30 litres of cargo capacity over its predecessor, owners can expect to have around 1,850 litres of space to throw a couple of decomposing hitchhikers into.
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  • SEAT Mii Ecofuel announced

    Seat Mii Ecofuel
    SEAT has announced that it will be unveiling a CNG (compressed natural gas) version of its Mii citycar in Geneva.

    Borrowing the powerplant from Volkswagen’s eco up!, the Mii uses a 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine producing 50 kW (67 hp) and 90 Nm of torque, and needs just 2.9 kg of natural gas every 100 kilometres, while generating a mere 79 g/km of CO2. The Start/Stop function, low rolling resistance tyres and Brake Energy Recovery system also help to drive consumption down.

    One kg of natural gas is the equivalent to around 1.5 litres of petrol, meaning the Ecofuel’s costs around half as much to run. Although, if need be, it can also run on petrol.

    Starting at €12,050 in Germany, the Mii undercuts its Volkswagen equivalent by €900, making it the most inexpensive CNG model on the market today.
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  • Audi releases delicious R8 V10 plus trailer

    Audi R8 V10 plus
    Audi has released a new trailer featuring its stunning R8 V10 plus on a rolling road, proving that it takes a pretty special car to look this good – standing still.

    Differences on the plus include CFRP mirrors, side blades, splitter, larger diffuser and adjustable bucket seats. Carbon ceramic brakes come as standard, while the improved output of 404 kW (550 hp) and 540 Nm of torque allows a 3.5 second 0-100 km/h time and a 317 km/h (197 mph) top speed.
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  • MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar Winner 2013

    MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar Winner 2013
    Seriously, MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar Winner 2013 is the actual name of MINI’s limited edition JCW Countryman that celebrates Stéphane Peterhansel’s 2013 Dakar Rally victory.

    Sadly, this special vehicle doesn’t share the same BMW-derived 235 kW (315 hp) 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel inline-six as its motorsport counterpart, relying instead on the regular road car’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which produces 160 kW (218 hp) and 280 Nm of torque, allowing a 7.1 second 0–100 km/h time and 225 km/h (140 mph) top speed.

    Defining features include matte black paintwork with bright green stripes across the hood, roof, tailgate and sides, auxiliary spotlights, 19-inch Cross-Spoke Crusher light-alloy wheels, Peterhansel’s signature on the hood, along with his car number on the doors.

    Moving inside, the Gravity Black leather sports seats, John Cooper Works sports steering wheel, gearshift gaitor, floor mats and head rest logo are stitched in bright green thread, while the trim strip above the glove compartment bears its own serial number.

    Just eleven example will be sold.
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  • Brabus B63S Mercedes CLS 63 AMG

    Brabus B63S Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
    Bottrop Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has developed a program for the notoriously underpowered CLS 63 AMG…

    The company’s B63S – 730 package includes a pair of uprated turbochargers with larger compressor units, an additional water-to-air intercooler, remapped ECU software and a new stainless steel sports exhaust with high-flow cats and adjustable butterfly valve. Gold foil on the intakes and charge-air tubes is added to reduce charge-air temperatures.

    Those tweaks see output from the 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 engine jump from 410 kW (557 hp) and 720 Nm of torque to 537 kW (730 hp) and a limited 1,065 Nm. On the road that translates to a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.8 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 10.8s and a heady 350 km/h (217 mph) top speed.

    Visually, there’s a clear-coated carbon fibre front spoiler and fender vents, with Brabus offering a wide range of alloys, including the nine-spoke Monoblock F and ten-spoke Monoblock R Platinum Edition forged wheels pictured here, available in 19 and 20-inch diameters.

    Moving inside, past the backlit stainless steel scuff plates, Brabus uses materials soft Mastik leather finished with quilted stitching to reupholster the seats, panelling and floor mats. Carbon fibre and wooden trim packages can also be chosen, along with aluminium pedal kits.
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