German Car Scene

Month: April 2013

  • Volkswagen CrossBlue Coupe

    Volkswagen CrossBlue Coupe
    Volkswagen has debuted its new CrossBlue Coupe Concept at Auto China in Shanghai today.

    Essentially a sportier version of the CrossBlue Concept, this five-door Coupe variant retains the Group’s MQB platform, is slightly shorter at 4,889 mm in length, but similar in width and height at 2,015 mm and 1,673 mm respectively.

    Again a plug-in hybrid, the CrossBlue Coupe uses a turbocharged V6 TSI unit mated to a six-speed DSG transmission, which is backed up by a 40 kW (54 hp) unit on the front axle and one rated at 85 kW (114 hp) on the rear. Their energy comes via a tunnel-mounted 9.9 kWh lithium-ion battery module. With a total power output of 305 kW (227 hp) 100 km/h appears in a mere 5.9 seconds, while maximum speed is 236 km/h.

    An impressive combined fuel consumption of just 3.0 l/100 km is achievable, with that figure rising to 6.9 l/100 km when propelled by the engine alone, meaning a range of around 1,190 kilometres can be covered – on one (80 litre tank). A distance of 33 kilometres can be covered in electric-only mode, with top speed a very respectable 120 km/h.

    Looking much sleeker and more aggressive than its larger brother, the CrossBlue Coupe wears 22-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, a bold aluminium grille, large air intakes, a ventilated hood, chrome sill trims, anthracite wheel arch trims, a large roof spoiler and aluminium lower panel with twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Moving inside the Nappa leather-trimmed cabin, there’s a programmable 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 10.1 inch infotainment touchscreen integrated into the centre console and a pair of iPad minis on the rear of the front headrests.
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  • Mercedes-Benz G550 Night Edition

    Mercedes-Benz G550 Night Edition
    Mercedes-Benz has revealed a special G550 Night Edition version of its G-Class specifically for the Japanese market.

    Based on the regular 5.5-litre V8-engined model, developing 285 kW (382 hp) and 530 Nm of peak torque, the Night Edition is finished in Titanium Grey and features colour-matched 18-inch twin-five-spoke alloy wheels and wider AMG fender flares.

    Moving inside, there’s an Alcantara roof lining, wood and Piano Black inlays, a leather-trimmed dashboard and a choice of either red porcelain or white porcelain leather upholstery on the seats and door panels.

    Just 100 examples will be built with a price tag of €107,000.
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  • Jaguar F-Type vs Porsche 911 Cabriolet

    Porsche 911 Cabriolet vs Jaguar F-Type
    The latest video from evo magazine sees Tiff Needell heading to Bedford Autodrome to compare the current Porsche 911 Cabriolet with Jaguar’s pretty F-Type model.

    Propelled by a 3.4-litre flat-six, the Carrera Cabriolet can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds and achieve a top speed of (285 km/h) 177 mph, while its heavier British rival uses a 283 kW (380 hp) supercharged 3.0-litre V6 unit to hit 100 km/h in 4.9s and a 275 km/h maximum of (171 mph).
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  • Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG by RENNtech

    RENNtech Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
    Following on from the pre-production images, Florida-based tuning specialist RENNtech has released its range of aerodynamic additions for the mighty Mercedes CLS 63 AMG.

    Designed in-house, the clear-coated carbon fibre components include a three-piece replacement front spoiler resulting in increased down force, a rear spoiler, which offers a smooth transition of airflow over the trunk lid, and a diffuser section. The diffuser decreases drag and increases rear down force by improving the underbody airflow.

    Pricing isn’t cheap at $3,880, $1,840 and $3,780 respectively, but the quality looks pretty impressive.

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  • Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario

    Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario
    Here are the first images of Lamborghini’s Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario model, which will be making its debut at 2013 Auto China in Shanghai.

    As the name implies, it has been built to commemorate fifty years of Lamborghini and builds on the regular Aventador model. New additions comprise of a set of high-gloss black wheels along with a more extreme aero package, including a larger front spoiler and colossal rear diffuser reminiscent of those seen on the Aventador J Concept.

    The 6.5-litre V12 has been tweaked – very slightly – to produce 537 kW (720 hp) meaning, on the road, 100 km/h appears in less than 3 seconds, while top speed in excess of 350 km/h (217 mph). Just 100 examples will be created.
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  • Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept surfaces

    Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept
    This almost never happens, but a set of photos showing a brand new concept car have leaked out ahead of the vehicle’s official reveal. This time it’s the turn of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.

    Due to premiere at 2013 Auto China in Shanghai, the crossover stands 1.57 metres tall, 4.38m long, 1.97m wide, 1.57m tall and has a wheelbase of 2.69m, making it a similar size to the Audi Q3 and BMW’s X1.

    Styling-wise, it resembles an A-Class on anabolic steroids, with a beefed-up radiator grille, more aggressive front fascia, rugged plastic wheel arch trims, sill cladding, roof rails and an imposing rear bumper panel with rectangular exhaust outlets. Staying at the rear there’s also a large roof spoiler and pretty c-shape tail-lights – which we hope won’t disappear on the production version. The 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, wrapped in 255/45 tyres, complete the look.

    This GLA 250 version uses a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which transfers its 155 kW (211 hp) to the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system via the 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission. Expected to be in production-ready guise for the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, it will share drivetrains with the A-Class, including a halo GLA 45 AMG version using the same 265 kW (360 hp) unit as the A 45 AMG.
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