German Car Scene

Month: April 2013

  • Behind the Porsche 991 RSR

    Porsche 991 RSR
    Porsche’s new 911 RSR has just finished its first race at the FIA World Endurance Championship in Silverstone, where it narrowly missed out on a podium position. In this video, the team talks about the preparation and testing that lead up to the season opener.

    Larger than its predecessor, and with a lower centre of gravity and better weight distribution, the 991 RSR utilizes carbon fibre for its front and rear wheel arch extensions, doors, underbody, rear wing, and quick-release front lid and rear panel. The same 338 kW (460 hp) 4.0-litre unit that saw service in last year’s 911 GT3 RSR has been retained for the 991, with gears in the six-speed transmission being changed via flappy paddles on the steering wheel.
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  • 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI review

    2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI
    This latest video from Auto Express sees the magazine’s Mat Watson climb behind the wheel of Volkswagen’s brand new Golf GTI model.

    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).
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  • Gemballa Porsche 991 Carrera S Cabriolet

    1-gemballa-991-cs-c
    Leonberg-based tuning specialist Gemballa has released images of its GT package for the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet.

    Constructed from carbon fibre, the aero package includes an aggressive front bumper with three large air intakes and integrated spoiler, deep side skirts and a recessed rear bumper featuring vertical reflectors and a lower section with outlets to accommodate those six tailpipes which finish off the new exhaust system with adjustable valve control. Pricing for the program is €19,860 inc fitting and painting.

    Other upgrades for the 991 include the new 21-inch GForged-one alloy wheels, which weigh less than the factory 20-inch wheels and can be specified in either diamond cut or gunmetal finishes. Prices start at €9,895 depending on tyre choice. Sport springs provide a 30 mm drop in ride height, while the Brembo brake kit is always a welcome addition
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  • Porsche 918 Spyder spotted in Monaco

    Porsche 918 Spyder
    As with every Top Marques Monaco event, there will always be an array of rare and amazing vehicles buzzing around the principality. And this year was no different, with this Porsche 918 Spyder, captured by the lens of NM2255, being a prime example.

    Looking scrumptious in matte black with Martini Racing livery, the targa-topped machine is propelled by a 425 kW (570 hp) 4.6-litre V8 engine, which is backed up by a 90 kW (121 hp) hybrid module at the rear along with a 80 kW (107 hp) electric motor powering the front wheels.

    Pricing will start at 845,000 USD (€633,000).
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  • smart forjeremy

    smart forjeremy
    Don’t bother checking your calender, it’s not the first of April, the smart forjeremy is actually heading for production – thankfully as an extremely limited special edition.

    The tridion safety cell, door mirror casings and radiator grille are all painted in alubeam, with the body panels finished in polar white along with the 16-inch front and 17-inch rear Monoblock wheels on the BRABUS drive variants. The mirror triangle and tailgate wear ‘by Jeremy Scott’ badges, then there’s those wings. “I wanted to design something out of the ordinary, something that expressed my dreams and fantasies,” said Jeremy Scott. Mission accomplished.

    Moving inside, the cabin is dominated by diamond quilted white leather upholstery on the seats and door panels. The three-spoke steering wheel is also trimmed in white leather, while the top of the instrument panel is covered in black leather. A pair of embossed black velours floor mats complete the interior.

    There are three engine options to choose from: a 55 kW (74 hp) electric drive, a 60 kW (80 hp) BRABUS electric drive and a BRABUS 75 kW (101 hp) turbo petrol engine version, with pricing set at €34,800, €40,600 and €33,333 respectively.
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  • BMW M2 created

    BMW M2
    If we had to choose a BMW model of yesteryear to fill our fantasy garage, we’d find it incredibly difficult to choose between the 2002 and the E30 M3, but Marc Norris has blurred the line and created the best of both worlds for a customer who had initially only visited him for a restoration…

    This video from Electric Federal takes a look at the stunning machine put together by Marc’s Bavarian Workshop in West Hills, California, which combines a mid-seventies 2002 with the E30’s S14 2.3-litre four-cylinder powerplant.

    Other notable goodies include a custom coilover suspension kit, a Wilwood brake upgrade and 16-inch Alpina alloy wheels housed within turbo fender flares.

    The price of the conversion was not revealed, but Marc did point out that for the same money: “You could get a new BMW M5 – and a spare car too.”

    Gulp.
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