German Car Scene

Month: April 2013

  • BMW S1000RR drag bike

    BMW S1000RR drag bike
    This episode of Motor Trend’s On Two Wheels sees Super Streetbike magazine taking a trip to Roland Sands Design to check out their newest project, a BMW S1000RR drag bike.

    Using a predominantly stock 999 cc inline-4 engine, developing around 149 kW (200 hp), the bike features a 6-inch extended swing arm, BST carbon fibre wheels, a Brock’s Performance exhaust, an Öhlins rear shock absorber and carbon fibre panels from BMW Motorrad. The next modification will be to turbocharge the bike to reach the 224 kW (300 hp) mark.
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  • Facelifted Porsche Panamera revealed

    2014 Porsche Panamera
    Porsche has released images and details of its facelifted Panamera model ahead of its world premiere at 2013 Auto China in Shanghai.

    Visually the 2014 model has been freshened up thanks to restyled bi-xenon headlights and a front bumper with smaller lights and larger air intakes. At the rear there are new taillights, a restyled tailgate with a wider spoiler and window, and a more appealing bumper with relocated number plate recess.

    A biturbo 3.0-litre V6 engine developing 313 kW (420 hp) and 520 Nm has replaced the 4.8-litre V8 unit in the Panamera S and Panamera 4S, and not only does it produce it 15 kW (20 hp) more power and 20 Nm more torque than its predecessor, but fuel economy is also improved by up to 18 per cent.

    As well as the arrival of the new Turbo and 4S Executive models, which feature a 15 cm longer wheelbase than standard for improved leg room and comfort, Porsche will also be debuting its plug-in hybrid, the Panamera S E-Hybrid. An additional 70 kW (95 hp) motor allows the Panamera to reach 135 km/h in all-electric operation, with a range of 36 km achievable. An equally impressive NEDC fuel consumption of 7.1 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 71 g/km can also be accomplished.

    Recharging from a household outlet takes less than fours hours, but this time drops to two and a half hours at an industrial charging point. When the combustion engine introduces itself 100 km/h appears in 5.5 seconds, with top speed working out at 270 km/h (167 mph).

    The Porsche Car Connect smartphone app allows the driver to monitor the car’s charge status indicator, remaining driving distance, or preheat or cool the cabin via the climate control.

    Due to be launched this July, pricing in Germany will start at €81,849 for the Panamera Diesel, €88,513 for the Panamera 4, €107,196 for the 4S and €110,409 for the S E-Hybrid. Moving up the scale, the GTS can be had for €121,595 and the Turbo for €145,990, while the long wheelbase 4S Executive and Turbo Executive will set you back €132,662 and €163,364 respectively.
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  • Audi R8 e-tron in new Iron Man 3 trailer

    Audi R8 e-tron
    Following on from the sneaky image and previous trailer, Audi France has released this new promo featuring Tony Stark behind the wheel on an R8 e-tron ahead of Iron Man 3’s release on April 24.

    Audi is highlighting the company’s use of tomorrow’s mobility being utilized in such vehicles as the recently unveiled plug-in hybrid A3 Sportback e-tron, which is propelled by 110 kW (150 hp) 1.4 TFSI mated to a newly designed six-speed e-S tronic transmission which also houses a 75 kW electric motor.
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  • Porsche Cayenne Turbo Vs Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG

    Porsche Cayenne Turbo
    Last night’s Fifth Gear saw Tiff Needell join British rally star Mark Higgins testing two SUVs with supercar power figures – Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo and the Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Here’s the pair being compared on track.

    The Cayenne uses a twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre, eight-cylinder engine producing 368 kW (500 hp) and 700 Nm of torque, while the ML 63 AMG is propelled by a 6.2-litre V8 unit developing 381 kW (518 hp) and an identical torque figure of 700 Nm.
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  • Porsche 911 GTM2 by Misha Designs

    Misha Designs Porsche 911 GTM2
    Californian styling specialist Misha Designs has released details of its lovely GTM2 program to suit Porsche’s 997 model.

    The aggressive body package comprises of a new front bumper with large air intakes, a ventilated hood, side skirts, rear bumper with air outlets and diffuser section, and a choice of wings including the one pictured or the company’s previously seen duck tail item.

    A carbon fibre front lip, rear wing blade and diffuser can be specified for a little extra coinage.
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  • BMW M6 Active Noise Control review

    BMW M6 April Fools
    This new video from evo sees the magazine’s road test editor, Henry Catchpole, taking a world exclusive look at the latest noise cancelling technology currently being tested on the BMW M5 and M6…
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