Month: March 2013

  • 2013 Audi R8 LMS ultra eargasm

    2013 Audi R8 LMS ultra
    Motorsport fan 19Bozzy92 has added a new video to his YouTube channel which sees the recently updated Audi R8 LMS ultra carrying out testing at Italy’s Monza Circuit.

    The 2013 vehicle features redesigned front-end aerodynamics, underfloor modifications allowing a more precise airflow into the two wheel arches and out through the louvres on top of the fenders. The smaller wing mirrors also help to improve the drag coefficient, resulting a higher top speed than its predecessor.
    (more…)

  • Mercedes CLS 63 AMG by German Special Customs

    Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG by German Special Customs
    Chemnitz-based German Special Customs has developed a complete package for the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG, which it calls stealth, for some reason.

    Already producing 410 kW (557 hp) and 720 Nm of torque in series guise, GSC fits larger turbochargers to the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine, along with a stainless steel exhaust system and uprated air/water intercooling. Those changes result in 559 kW (750 hp) and 1,150 Nm (848 lb/ft), meaning 100 km/h appears in just 3.7 seconds and top speed is approaching 350 km/h (217 mph).

    Finished in Lamborghini’s Arancio Argos paintwork, the CLS wears an aero package comprising of a muscular hood with large vent, deeper front bumper with LED daytime running lights, angular side skirts and a new rear bumper with side air outlets and an integrated carbon fibre diffuser. KW coilovers with adjustable dampers lower the front of the car, while the standard wheels have made way for a set of 9 and 10.5-inch five-spoke alloys wrapped in 255/30 and 305/25 Michelin tyres.

    Moving inside, GSC has reupholstered the interior in black and orange leather, replicating the exterior’s theme.
    (more…)

  • Volkswagen’s Scirocco venturing into Rallycross

    Volkswagen Rallycross Scirocco
    Kristoffersson Motorsport and Volkswagen Sweden have announced that they will be moving from the STCC to Rallycross for 2013.

    Operating under the name Volkswagen Dealer Team KMS, the team will compete in a full Swedish Rallycross Championship program, along with the Swedish round of the European Rallycross Championship at Höljes in July following an invitational event held during the Solvalla STCC round in June, which may lead the Rallycross Championship to fall under STCC’s umbrella.

    A driver pairing of the current STCC, Superstars and Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia champion Johan Kristoffersson and Pontus Tidemand, a rising star within Swedish rallying, will be piloting specially constructed Sciroccos.

    Nestling within the MJ Racing-built wide-arched bodyshell is a 2.0-litre engine, which develops an impressive 418 kW (560 hp) and 810 NM of torque thanks to a Garrett turbocharger with 45 mm restrictor. A five-speed sequential gearbox sends the power to all four wheels, allowing 100 km/h to appear in 2.1 seconds, 200 km/h in 6.5 s, and a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph).

    “Rallycross is an attractive spectator sport that is close to Volkswagen Motorsports bet on rally. STCC has also opened up opportunities to drive rallycross races in 2014. This makes it attractive for us to invest in this,” said Sten Forsberg, Director of Volkswagen Sweden.
    (more…)

  • Audi A3 Saloon teased

    Audi A3 Saloon
    Audi will be launching its new online channel Audi MediaTV with a bang next week, when it is expected to reveal the saloon version of the new A3 model.

    Designed to compete with the likes of Mercedes’ compact CLA-Class, the A3 Saloon will share the same MQB platform as its siblings along with powerplants including a 90 kW (121 hp) 1.4-litre TFSI, a 132 kW (177 hp) 1.8-litre TFSI and a 110 kW (148 hp) 2.0-litre TDI for the diesel fans.

    The online reveal will take place on March 27, at 01:00 A.M. (CET), before the car makes it’s public debut in New York (March 29 – April 7). A hotter S3 Saloon will follow shortly, with the flagship speedball RS 3 version expected to take the fight to Mercedes’ CLA 45 AMG.
    (more…)

  • Chris Harris drives the Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series

    Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series
    This new episode of DRIVE sees Chris Harris heading to France’s Paul Ricard Circuit to put the new SLS AMG Black Series through its paces. But first, he gives us a great insight into this more extreme version.

    Weight-saving measures include a carbon fibre driveshaft, 15 kg lighter seats, a 17 kg titanium exhaust system and a featherweight lithium-ion battery; all contributing to the Black Series’ 70 kg reduction to 1,550 kg.

    Powered by a revised version of the regular SLS’s 6.2-litre V8, the Black Series has 464 kW (622 hp) and 635 Nm of torque at its disposal; enough for a 3.6 second sprint to 100 km/h and a 316 km/h top speed.
    (more…)

  • New Volkswagen Golf GTI commercial

    Volkswagen Golf GTI
    Volkswagen has released this new commercial for its recently revealed Golf GTI, once again highlighting the model’s iconic pedigree. The video sees the GTI hitting the streets and car parks of Las Vegas before stretching its legs on the city’s roof tops.

    The seventh generation version is powered by the company’s 2.0 TSI engine, which develops 162 kW (220 hp) or 169 kW (230 hp) when specified with the new performance package, while torque rises to 350 Nm – 70 Nm up on the outgoing model. The extra power combined with the car’s lighter construction results in a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds and a 246 km/h top speed (performance package: 6.4s and 250 km/h).
    (more…)