German Car Scene

Month: March 2013

  • ABT AS6-R Audi S6

    ABT AS6-R
    Kempten-based ABT Sportsline has revealed its AS6-R program to suit Audi’s current S6 model.

    Thanks to the ABT POWER S package, which consists of a pair of uprated turbochargers and remapped ECU software, output from the 4.0 TFSI V8 is raised from 309 kW (420 hp) and 550 Nm of torque to 441 kW (600 hp) and 750 Nm, taking it well into Audi RS 6 territory with a 310 km/h (192 mph) top speed and a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds.

    Other additions include a new exhaust system with quadruple tailpipes, while the aero package consists of front fascia add-ons, side skirt add-ons and a rear spoiler all constructed from clear coated carbon fibre. There’s also a rear bumper apron with aluminium silver section and some horrendous fender inserts.

    ABT can also supply customers with a wide range of alloy wheels, including the lightweight ER-X designs pictured here, which measure 9 x 21-inches.
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  • Chris Harris drives the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG

    Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG
    Today’s video from the DRIVE channel not only involves a look at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, but also a review of the new Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG by Mr Chris Harris.

    Propulsion comes courtesy of the company’s 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 unit, which now produces 410 kW (557 hp) and 720 Nm of torque. Mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission, which features four different modes as well as a Race Start function with automatic double-declutching, the E 63 cracks 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, while top speed is sadly limited to 250 km/h.
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  • 2013 Audi R8 LMS ultra revealed

    Audi R8 LMS ultra
    Audi Motorsport has unveiled its new R8 LMS ultra race car in Geneva this week.

    Apart from the utilization of the new R8 road car’s head and tail-lights, 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.

    The most notable differences to this season’s car can be seen at the rear, with a ‘hanging mounted’ wing reminiscent of the DTM racers, a much larger rear diffuser divided into a centre section and two channels, and relocated exhausts which now exit through where the number plate would usually sit.

    Weight-saving measures include the use of forged aluminum wheels, which can now be fastened using a steel nut and undercut their magnesium counterparts by one kilogram per wheel, and a Makrolon windshield weighing three kilograms less than the glass equivalent. The triple-plate sinter metal race clutch saves even more weight.

    Under the engine cover, the 5.2-litre V10 unit remains almost unchanged from the production R8, with some customers reporting trouble-free racing for over 20,000 kilometres. An output of up to 419 kW (570 hp) and over 500 Nm of torque is available, depending on the competition and its restrictor regulations, which it transferred to the rear wheels via a sequential, pneumatically activated 6-speed gearbox.

    The car is priced at €339,000 (plus VAT) with customers already starting to receive theirs.
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  • Misha Designs Porsche Cayenne

    Misha Designs Porsche Cayenne
    Los Angeles stylinghouse Misha Designs has released images of its new GTM wide-track program to suit the 955/957 Porsche Cayenne.

    The meaty aero package aero program consists of a new hood, a front bumper with large air intakes and lip spoiler, wheel arch extensions, side skirts, a more prominent roof spoiler and rear bumper with diffuser section.

    Filling out those capacious arches is a set of black DPE CSR05 five-spoke concave wheels in a 22-inch diameter.
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  • Wiesmann GT MF4-CS

    Wiesmann GT MF4-CS
    Dülmen sportscar manufacturer Wiesmann has revealed its new GT MF4-CS in Geneva this week, for enthusiasts seeking increased track performance.

    Built to commemorate 25 years of existence, the Club Sport loses such luxuries as a GPS system, air conditioning and radio, but gains integrated roll bars and a quick-grab fire extinguisher. Kerb weight stands at 1,350 kg, undercutting its GT MF4 sibling by a 40 kg.

    Beneath the slippery fibreglass body and carbon fibre rear wing, Wiesmann has retained BMW’s 4.0-litre V8 engine from the M3, which develops 309 kW (420 hp) and 400 Nm of torque and comes mated to the flappy paddle-operated seven-speed double clutch transmission. A locking differential and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in wider section 245/40 and 275/35 rubber helps to transfer that power to the road, meaning 100 km/h appears in 4.4 seconds and top speed is 293 km/h (182 mph).

    Just 25 examples will be created.
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  • Audi RS 5 DTM unveiled in Geneva

    Audi RS 5 DTM
    Audi Motorsport has chosen the Geneva Motor Show to reveal its 2013 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters car, wearing the RS 5 DTM moniker, a nod to the company’s sportiest models. “The performance data of the current RS 5 road car and RS 5 DTM are very similar. This is why we are of the opinion that both fit perfectly to one another,” explained Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

    Although the name is new, the car’s technical specification was frozen from the last race of 2012 in accordance with the series’ regulations. However, the team has been busy over the winter break, identifying if any of the 4,000 components in the racecar could be optimized in any way. “Our technicians proved to be quite resourceful in the process,” said Dr. Ullrich.

    The car is based on a state-of-the-art carbon-fibre monocoque, which features a high-strength steel tube cage, while the current 340 kW (460 hp) V8 engine is retained for 2013. Gears are changed by a pneumatically operated six-speed transmission via steering wheel-mounted flappy paddles.

    Eight RS 5 DTMs will line up on the grid this year, with the first of the ten races taking part on May 5 at the Hockenheimring. Jamie Green, who is making the switch from Mercedes, is the new team-mate of Mattias Ekström at Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline. “I already feel at home here at Audi and can hardly wait to contest my first DTM race for the four rings,” said the 30-year old Briton.

    Green and co will give the RS 5 DTM its first public taste of track action at the DTM test between March 26 and 29 at Barcelona.
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