German Car Scene

Month: April 2013

  • Bugatti’s record-breaking run in the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse

    Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Car
    Following on from Harry Metcalfe’s film for evo magazine, Bugatti has released its own video featuring the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse‘s record-breaking run, which saw the car reach 408.84 km/h (254.04 mph) at Ehra-Lessien, Volkswagen Group’s own test track facility.

    Using the same 8.0-litre W16 from the 431 km/h Super Sport – complete with upgraded turbochargers, the Vitesse enjoys an elephantine 895 kW (1,200 hp) and 1,500 Nm of torque, rather than the usual 746 kW (1,001 hp) and 1,250 Nm seen in the regular open-topped model.

    To mark the achievement, a special black and orange-themed World Record Car (WRC) Edition will be produced. Limited to just eight vehicles, the price has been set at €1.99 million – plus taxes.
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  • BMW M3 GTS meets its ancestor

    BMW M3
    The latest video from XCAR’s channel sees a pair of BMW M3s brought together for a little comparison: the original E30 model and a modern day GTS version.

    First seen at the 1985 Frankfurt motor show, the E30 was created as a homologation special for Group A Touring Car racing. It uses the BMW Motorsport-developed S14 four-cylinder powerplant and features improved aerodynamics along with flared box wheel-arches to accommodate a wider track with wider and taller wheels. Initially introduced with 143 kW (192 hp), the capacity was enlarged from 2.3 to 2.5-litres, meaning the final Evolution III model had 175 kW (235 hp).

    The limited edition M3 GTS develops 331 kW (444 hp) from its 4.4-litre eight-cylinder powerplant which is based on the 4.0-litre engine found in the regular M3. BMW also managed to shed 13.6 kg of weight from the car.

    It would have been nice to have seen an E46 M3 CSL as the meat in this sexy sandwich.
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  • Volkswagen Golf R-Line

    Volkswagen Golf R-Line
    Volkswagen has revealed its range of R-Line options to suit the company’s seventh generation Golf model.

    The exterior package, which adds €995 to the price of Highline equipped cars and €1,180 to the Comfortline, includes a gloss black grille with R-Line badge, fog lights, front and rear bumpers, diffuser section, sill flares and a roof spoiler.

    The interior pack, priced at €640 and €945, comprises of stainless steel sill plates and foot pedals, embossed sports seats trimmed in ‘San Remo’ microfibre, black headlining, aluminum look dashboard and door panel inlays and a leather multi-function steering wheel, gearknob and armrest. The ‘Vienna’ leather interior option will set you back €1,755 euros and €2,115.

    For €430 customers can also specify the R-Line Sport Package, which includes sports suspension, progressive steering and darkened rear windows.

    Completing the look, Volkswagen R GmbH offers its ‘Salvador’ alloy wheels in 17 and 18-inch diameters.
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  • Manhart BMW M6 MH6 S Biturbo

    Manhart BMW M6 MH6 S Biturbo
    Geilenkirchen tuning specialist Manhart Racing has released initial details of its MH6 S Biturbo to suit the current BMW M6.

    The company’s performance upgrade includes remapped ECU software, an additional MHR performance box, a complete exhaust system with sports cats and adjustable valve control, and a carbon fibre intake. Those changes see output from the turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 jump from 418 kW (560 hp) and 680 Nm of torque to 515 kW (700 hp) and 900 Nm.

    Visually, the carbon fibre aero package comprises of a lower front spoiler, ventilated bonnet, side skirts, an aggressive rear diffuser and M3 CSL-inspired trunk with integrated spoiler. Finally, this mighty Coupe sits lower to the ground thanks to a new coilover suspension kit and wears a set of three-piece forged ADV.1 Track Spec wheels measuring 9.5 and 10.5 × 21-inches.
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  • Audi R8 V10 plus with the Ferrari 458 and McLaren 12C

    Audi R8 V10 plus
    The June issue of evo sees the magazine compare the Audi R8 V10 plus with Ferrari’s 458 and the McLaren 12C, and here’s a little taster of the day in video form. But rather than add any commentary, evo says that it has listened to its readers and let the cars provide the soundtrack.

    Differences on the plus include CFRP mirrors, side blades, splitter, larger diffuser and adjustable bucket seats. Carbon ceramic brakes are fitted 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.

    Turn your speakers up.
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  • Porsche Cayman by TechArt

    Porsche Cayman by TechArt
    Leonberg-based Porsche tuning specialist TechArt has released details of its options for the current Porsche Cayman model.

    Visually the aero package comprises of a two-piece front spoiler with integrated splitter, mirror casings, side air intake fins and a diffuser section for the rear bumper.

    TechArt can provide owners with its five-spoke Formula wheel or the lightweight Formula III forged wheel in a five-double spoke design measuring 21-inches in diameter, which offers a weight advantage of around 40 percent compared to the factory wheel. The company’s sport spring kit lowers the Cayman by 30 mm on the front and 20 mm at the rear. The final mechanical upgrade is a stainless steel exhaust system with adjustable valve control and a muffler with twin tailpipes.

    Moving inside, the company can provide anything from a simple carbon fibre inlay package or three-spoke steering wheel to a completely reupholstered cabin in such materials as leather and Alcantara.
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