German Car Scene

Month: June 2013

  • Vorsteiner previews Bentley Continental GT

    Vorsteiner Bentley Continental GT
    Following on from the GT BR-10 edition, North American aftermarket specialist Vorsteiner has released details of its forthcoming Bentley Continental GT program.

    Constructed from pre-preg carbon fibre, the muscular body package comprises of an aggressive front bumper featuring large intakes and spoiler lip, two-piece side skirts with blade sections, a subtle gurney deck lid spoiler and rear bumper with air outlets and a colossal, integrated diffuser.

    The conversion is completed with a set of the company’s forged monoblock alloy wheels available in 20, 21, or 22 inch diameter.
    (more…)

  • Audi’s A1 e-tron to be used in Electromobility Showcase program

    Audi's A1 e-tron
    Following on from the pilot scheme in Munich, Audi’s A1 e-tron is to be utilized in the German federal government’s €180 million Electromobility Showcase program exploring the potential of new drive systems.

    The Ingolstadt company will provide 80 cars for six separate projects, the first phase being the E-NUE project in Nuremberg. Audi is providing N-ERGIE Aktiengesellschaft’s employees with five Audi A1 e-tron models for both business and personal use. The second phase will see five additional companies in the Nuremberg area receive an A1 e-tron each. The Commuting and Charging project in Berlin with 25 of the compact electric cars handed to commuters living or working near Potsdamer Platz.

    The sun2car@GAP project in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which will be launched in late summer, will see participants’ homes fitted with photovoltaic systems. A wall box in the garage will adjust the charging process according to the amount of sunshine, the time and the priority of the users.
    (more…)

  • Evolution of the BMW M3

    Oh, what a lovely BMW M3
    Following on from its brilliant BMW M2 video, Electric Federal has created this film documenting the evolution of the iconic M3 model.

    BWS Motorsports’ Marc Norris talks about the box-arched car that was initially built to compete in the DTM Championship right up to the current version, which is doing a great job of dominating it in 2013 following last year’s triumphant return.
    (more…)

  • Vorsteiner teases Lamborghini Aventador-V

    Vorsteiner Lamborghini Aventador-V
    Styling and performance specialist Vorsteiner has teased its new program for the Lamborghini Aventador.

    Still at the pre-production stage, the carbon fibre Aventador-V package will not only include a full array of components replacing such factory items as air intake shrouds, but also a more aggressive front splitter, side blade skirts and a two-piece wing section.

    The conversion is topped off by a choice of the company’s specially designed 20 and 21-inch diameter monoblock forged aluminum wheels.

    Vorsteiner also provided a insight into how its products are developed. A blue laser light scanner is used to create an accurate, computer-generated 3D model which can then be used as a virtual base for the development team to work with, ensuring that the end product will be a perfect fit.
    (more…)

  • BMW M3 CSL gathering

    BMW M3 CSL gathering
    On the eve of its tenth birthday, fifty BMW M3 CSL owners from all over Europe to mark the occasion at the BMW Welt in Munich.

    For many BMW enthusiasts the hardcore E46 M3 CSL (Coupé Sport Leichtbau) is the ultimate M model, with Sport Auto taking one around the Nurburgring in 7:50 minutes – two seconds quicker than the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4.

    The deletion of electric seats, navigation system, air conditioning and stereo system, and the use of carbon fibre in such areas as the roof, front bumper and rear diffuser, along with a plastic boot lid and cardboard boot floor, sees the CSL undercuts its regular sibling by 110 kg (240 lb), while the slightly improved output of 265 kW (360 hp) and 370 Nm is thanks to an optimized carbon airbox, revised software, camshafts and exhaust valves.
    (more…)

  • Lamborghini Sesto Elemento on track in America

    Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
    Here’s a video from a VIP event held last month by Lamborghini at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch with Stephan Winkelmann in attendance, which saw a handful of people offered the chance to drive the company’s stunning Sesto Elemento.

    Carrying a $2.2 million price tag, this carbon fibre track weapon tips the scales at just 999 kilograms (2,202 lb) and uses the 419 kW (570 hp) V10 engine and all-wheel-drive layout from the company’s 1,340 kg (2,954 lb) Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera. With a power-to-weight ratio of just 1.75 kilograms per hp, 100 km/h appears in just 2.5 seconds with top speed surpassing the 300 km/h mark. Wearing different motorsport wheels and sliding windows from the concept car, it looks – and sounds – like it’s ready to be abused. Just 20 units will be created.

    “The Sesto Elemento is intended for collectors who occasionally also want to drive on a track. It is for a car collector who also wears a race suit,” said the Chief Designer of the Sesto Elemento, Filippo Perini.
    (more…)