German Car Scene

Month: March 2013

  • Dutter Racing Audi 90 quattro

    Dutter Racing Audi 90 quattro
    Here’s a couple of videos featuring Rammersdorf-based Dutter Racing’s Audi 90 quattro.

    The first shows the car in action on the dragstrip at Vilshofen, while the second offers a glimpse of it towards the end of the winter rebuild. In its previous guise the 90 was developing 673 kW (915 hp) and 955 Nm of torque from the five-cylinder 20-valve 2.5-litre unit fed by a GT42 ball bearing turbocharger.

    Sadly, Jürgen Dutter had a full-time job trying to control the car, as it had a tendency to skitter across the track like a smashed transvestite attempting to run in 8-inch platforms. And we all know how tricky that can be.

    So, new for the 2013 season is a set of colossal wheel arches, which house much-needed wider rubber, and a revised ‘eight-second’ motor. The rear doors have also been sealed up along the way.
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  • Audi RS 6 takes ice crown

    Audi RS 6
    The proof of the pudding is in the eating. That’s not a great analogy here, but we can’t think of a better one at this moment in time. Basically, what we’re saying is: it’s fine to claim that your product is the bee’s knees, but until you can actually prove its worth – talk is cheap.

    Nokian Tyres has a reputation for throwing its wares onto high-powered vehicles to demonstrate their superiority on the slippery stuff, and the company’s new Hakkapeliitta 8 items are the latest offerings to step up to the plate.

    With test driver Janne Laitinen at the wheel of a modified Audi RS 6, the new world record was accomplished on 9 March just outside the city of Oulu, on an 12 kilometre track created on the ice of the Gulf of Bothnia.

    Having previously held the Guinness World Record for fastest car on ice, back in March 2011 (331.61 km/h, 206.05 mph), Laitinen averaged a speed of 335.713 km/h (208.602 mph) over two runs, hitting an astonishing 340 km/h (211.27 mph) during the attempt.

    “At extreme speeds, the forces focused on the tyres are enormous, as the car travels over 93 metres per second and the studs hit the ice 43 times. As the air resistance increases, we need even more grip to accelerate the car. In addition to grip, handling and stability are also essential,” said Nokian Tyres’ Technical Customer Service Manager, Matti Morri.
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  • Porsche explains the 911 GT3’s engine and chassis

    Porsche 911 GT3
    The fifth generation of Porsche’s 911 GT3 is a completely new development in terms of engine, transmission, body and chassis. This in-depth video looks at the end result, and has us drooling at the prospect of a 991 GT3 RS, which will hopefully gain a manual transmission.

    The 350 kW (475 hp) track weapon hits 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, 200 km/h in less than 12 seconds, and enjoys a top speed of 315 km/h (195 mph). It also eclipses the 997 GT2’s Nürburgring time.
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  • The Lamborghini Gallardo that thinks it’s a Polo R WRC

    Lamborghini Gallardo WRC
    We’re not entirely sure why this video from Canada’s Daily Driven Exotics has been put together, but felt it was worth a share.

    Rather than opting for a compact hatchback with full roll-cage and a fizzy little four-cylinder engine, this guy has gone down the expensive route of taking a Lamborghini Gallardo out for some muddy forest action.

    Perhaps it’s time to start offering some slippery fun to that local detailer. Whatever keeps the costs down.
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  • Pagani Huayra God of Wind film

    Pagani Huayra
    Here’s a great piece of film commissioned by the guys at Prestige Imports of Miami, displaying the mouthwatering Pagani Huayra in all its glory.

    Powered by a revised version of the 6.0-litre Mercedes-AMG V12 Bi-Turbo engine from the SL 65 AMG Black Series, the Huayra produces a substantial 515 kW (690 hp) and 1,000 Nm (740 lb/ft) of torque, meaning it has the same Power-to-weight ratio as a Bugatti Veyron – in a rear-wheel drive car. Dribble.

    Without sound like a bunch of leering mecophiles, and as great as the hot girl’s keister is, we’d rather see more of the car.
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  • Sportec BMW M135i

    Sportec BMW M135i
    Bülach-based tuning company Sportec has revealed its program for BMW’s brilliant M135i hatchback.

    Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six, which develops 235 kW (320 hp) and 450 Nm of torque, Sportec’s Stage 1 program uses remapped ECU software to take output to 265 kW (355 hp) and 510 Nm, while the Stage 2 option, which sees the inclusion of a replacement exhaust system with 200-cell catalyst, results in 276 kW (370 hp).

    In return for your €4,300, the 0-100 km/h time drops from 5.1 seconds to 4.6s, with top speed now a pleasant 275 km/h (171 mph).
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