German Car Scene

Month: May 2013

  • Facelifted Audi R8 by ABT Sportsline

    ABT Sportsline Audi R8
    Kempten-based ABT Sportsline has revealed its range of options to suit the facelifted Audi R8.

    Visually there’s an aero package with clear-coated carbon fibre elements, which comprises of an aggressive front fascia with grille section and lower spoiler, side skirts, a ventilated rear apron with diffuser insert and a raised wing.

    The R8 sits 25 mm lower than standard thanks to a set of sports springs or adjustable coilovers, while the factory wheels make way for ABT’s new ER-F alloy wheels. Measuring 9 x 19-inches and 11 x 19-inches, the forged rims weigh just 7.7 kg and 8.7 kg respectively and come wrapped in 235/35 and 305/30 rubber.

    When it comes to improving performance, ABT fits its powerkit and stainless steel exhaust system to the 5.2-litre V10 engine, resulting in a climb from 386 kW (525 hp) and 530 Nm of torque to 441 kW (591 hp) and 550 Nm. On the road, 100 km/h appears in 3.5 seconds, while top speed jumps to 320 km/h (199 mph).
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  • BMW 6 Series M Sport Edition

    BMW 6 Series M Sport Edition
    BMW has announced details of an M Sport Edition option for any of its 6 Series Coupe, Cabriolet and Gran Coupe models.

    Available to purchase from July 2013, includes the M Sport Edition includes BMW’s M Sport package, which comprises of an M aerodynamics upgrade, 19-inch M alloy wheels in a double-spoke design, LED foglamps, BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line, black brake callipers and dark chrome exhaust tail pipes. Adaptive LED Headlights complete the exterior.

    Moving inside, past the M door sill plates, there’s an M leather steering wheel, sports seats trimmed in Alcantara and nappa leather, along with a nappa leather-covered dashboard. Goodies include the BMW Head-Up Display, multifunction instrument display, Professional hi-fi system with 16 speakers, ConnectedDrive Navigation package, Park Distance Control and a rear-view camera. A ski bag for the through-loading facility from the luggage compartment to the rear of the cabin also comes as standard.

    Coupe pricing starts €81,600 for the 640i, with its Cabriolet counterpart beginning at €90,200, while the 640i Gran Coupe can be yours for €86,200. Options include the Sakhir Orange metallic M paintwork – usually reserved for M6 model – along with interior upholstery in BMW Individual leather Merino fine grain Opal white with Sakhir Orange seams.
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  • New Mercedes-Benz S-Class revealed

    2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
    Mercedes-Benz has released details and images of its new generation of S-Class model following the big reveal in Hamburg.

    The W222 measures 5116 mm in length, 1899 mm in width and 1483 in height with a 3035 mm wheelbase, while its long-wheelbase counterpart has been stretched to 5246 mm with a wheelbase of 3165 mm. Looking like an overgrown E-Class, it featuring a more streamlined look than the outgoing model – and a slippery drag coefficient of 0.23 – the new version gains a larger, more upright grille, a sportier fascia with large intakes and muscular flanks with a pronounced shoulder above the rear wheel area. The first ever car without a single light bulb as standard, the S-Class’ headlamps use up to 56 LEDs each, the tail lights up to 35 and the interior around 300.

    Moving inside, the upholstery can be specified in a choice of leathers, with wooden trim elements, metallic switchgear, a touch-sensitive telephone keypad, and a twee analogue clock which shares cabin space with a pair of 30.7 cm (12.3-inch) high-resolution TFT displays – one used as an instrument cluster and the other for controlling infotainment and comfort. Impressively, the S-Class offers a genuine multi-user system with Individual Entertainment System in the rear, meaning there is independent access to such media sources as radio, TV, internet, navigation and DVD player from any of the four seats. Customers with slightly deeper pockets can opt for a Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound system upgrade.

    The front seats are electrically adjustable, with the Seat Comfort package adding a massage system offering six different programs using 14 separate air chambers. In the rear, the Executive Seat package includes reclining seats, the Business centre console and additional cushioning for lardy-butted businessmen, while the First Class Rear option provides thermo-cup holders and fold-out tables.
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  • Porsche 911 GT3 technical highlights

    Porsche 911 GT3
    Here’s a video from Porsche that highlights some of the technical highlights behind its new 911 GT3 model.

    For the first time, Porsche is introducing active rear-wheel steering in order to achieve even higher precision and lateral dynamics. Depending on the speed, the 911 GT3 steers in the same or opposite direction as the front wheels, improving stability and agility.

    Rear-wheel steering technology has also been added to the recently revealed 991 generation 911 Turbo.
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  • New Porsche 918 Spyder images

    Porsche 918 Spyder
    Porsche has released a set of photos showing the 918 Spyder in its production guise.

    Tipping the scales at 1640 kg, the plug-in hybrid hypercar is constructed around a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque interlocked with CFRP unit carrier, a two-piece Targa roof and fixed roll-over protection.

    Propulsion comes via a combination of a 453 kW (608 hp) 4.6-litre V8 engine along with a 115 kW (154 hp) hybrid module at the rear along with a 95 kW (127 hp) electric motor driving the front wheels. With all systems go and the full 661 kW (887 hp) a its disposal, the Spyder can hit 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and 200 km/h in 7.9s, while top speed is 340 km/h (211 mph).

    When using electric power alone, top speed is 150 km/h (93 mph) with a range of 25 kilometres achievable – depending on driving style. Pricing will start at 845,000 USD (€633,000) for the base model, rising up to 929,000 USD (€696,000) if you specify the Weissach Package, which removes 40 kg and includes six-point harnesses, a carbon interior pack, flame-resistant material on the seats, deletion of the air-con system and stereo, a lightweight braking system and foil on the body rather than paintwork.
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  • Chris Harris drives the Porsche 918 Spyder

    Porsche 918 Spyder
    This brand new episode of DRIVE sees Chris Harris getting to grips with Porsche’s forthcoming 918 Spyder at Leipzig.

    At the heart of the 1640 kg hybrid is a 453 kW (608 hp) 4.6-litre V8 engine that revs to over 9000 RPM, which is complemented by a hybrid module at the rear along with an electric motor driving the front wheels. Top speed in electric mode is 150 km/h (93 mph) with a range of 25 kilometres achievable – depending on driving style. However, with the full-on 661 kW (887 hp) a its disposal, 100 km/h appears in 2.8 seconds and 200 km/h in 7.9s, while top speed is 340 km/h (211 mph). All from a car capable of drinking around three litres of fuel every 100 kilometres.

    Pricing will start at 845,000 USD (€633,000) for the base model, rising up to 929,000 USD (€696,000) if you specify the Weissach Package.
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