German Car Scene

Month: June 2013

  • BMW M6 Gran Coupe review

    BMW M6 Gran Coupe
    This new episode of Motor Trend’s Ignition sees Senior Editor Jonny Lieberman sample the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and asks if it is the best M model that money can by.

    Designed to take on the popular Mercedes CLS 63 AMG and Audi’s RS 7, the M6 Gran Coupe builds on the regular 6 Series Gran Coupe with an aggressive front bumper featuring large air intakes and lip spoiler, a CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic) roof panel, flared wheel arches housing 20-inch five-spoke M alloys, wider side skirts and a rear apron with CFRP diffuser and quadruple tailpipes.

    Power comes from the company’s 4.4-litre biturbo V8 engine, which develops 412 kW (560 hp) and 680 Nm of torque at its disposal, meaning a 0-100 km/h time of 4.2 seconds and limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) or 305 km/h (189 mph) with the M Driver’s Package specified.
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  • Lamborghini announces Blancpain Super Trofeo rental pricing

    Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo
    Following the series in Europe and Asia, Lamborghini has announced further details of its Blancpain Super Trofeo program for North America.

    The five race calendar will run alongside Grand-AM, ALMS and IndyCar, beginning with Lime Rock Park on July 5, followed by Kansas Speedway on August 7, Calabogie on September 7, Virginia International Raceway on October 5 and Fontana on October 18. The leading drivers at the end of the season will be given the opportunity to compete against their European and Asian counterparts at the World Final in Vallelunga, Italy, in November.

    Rental is priced at US$17,500 per driver, or US$35,000 per car, per race weekend. In return you get 120 minutes of practice in two sessions, a 40 minute qualifying session and two 50 minute races. A full service package – including tyres – is also included, as well as car transportation, driver race suits, paddock passes and Lamborghini’s trackside hospitality.

    The tasty racecar is based on Lamborghini’s facelifted Gallardo, using its glorious 5.2-litre V10 engine, which transmits 419 kW (570 hp) to all four wheels. Notable changes include an aerodynamic performance kit with large front spoiler, front dive planes, a ten-position rear wing, colossal diffuser and roll-cage. All cars use 18-inch lightweight competition wheels with Pirelli racing tyres, racing ABS with steel brakes and disabled launch control.
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  • Volkswagen unveils new Golf TDI BlueMotion

    Volkswagen Golf TDI BlueMotion
    Volkswagen has announced the arrival of the TDI BlueMotion version of its seventh generation Golf model.

    Propulsion comes from the company’s EA288 1.6-litre TDI – mated to a wider spaced 6-speed manual gearbox – which was designed to fit the new MQB platform and develops 81 kW (109 hp) and 250 Nm of torque. The BlueMotion variant is capable of sipping just 3.2-litres of fuel every 100 kilometres – a 15 percent improvement compared to its predecessor, with impressive CO2 emissions of 85 g/km. Top speed is a respectable 202 km/h (125 mph), while its 50-litre fuel tank allows a theoretical driving range of more than 1,500 kilometres.

    Along with such measures as a Stop/Start system, battery regeneration and low rolling resistance tyres, the Golf TDI BlueMotion also sits on lower suspension and wears aerodynamically-optimized bodywork including a special roof spoiler, a radiator grille with almost closed slats, partially closed air inlets in the bumper and slippery underfloor panels.

    Due to be launched next month in Trendline and Comfortline trim levels, pricing will start at €22,175.
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  • Le Mans 24 Hours victory for Audi

    2013 Le Mans 24 Hours
    Audi’s innovative R18 e-tron quattro hybrid race car has dominated the Le Mans 24 Hours for the second successive time.

    Clinching the company’s 12th victory in 14 years, the #2 car was piloted by Tom Kristensen – who extends his record to nine wins, Allan McNish and poleman Loic Duval, who celebrated their third and first triumphs on the event. The team also came out on top in the Michelin Green X Challenge, a competition to find the cleanest, fastest and most efficient prototype.

    The race, which witnessed the tragic death of Aston Martin driver Allan Simonsen on lap 3, saw numerous incidents – thanks largely to the constant rain showers – resulting in a total of eleven safety car deployments, with over five hours being run under ‘yellow’ while the track was cleared and repairs carried out.

    The Toyota of Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi and Stephane Sarrazin came home second – a lap behind the winning car, with the other two Audis placed third and fifth following problems on Saturday night. The #3 Audi driven by Gene, Jarvis and di Grassi suffered a puncture after colliding with a slower car and had to complete almost a full lap before pitting, but still managed to secure the third step of the podium, while the #1 R18 of Lotterer, Treluyer and Fassler completed the weekend in fifth after previously looking good for the win. A forced stop for an alternator change saw their sure lead slip to 24th, but an impressive recovery saw them fight through the field to within three laps of the fourth place Toyota.
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  • Mercedes CLA 45 AMG driven

    Mercedes CLA 45 AMG
    Following on from his A 45 AMG track test, Autocar’s Steve Sutcliffe takes to the road in its booted sibling, the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG.

    Equipped with the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged AMG lump as the A 45 AMG, producing 265 kW (360 hp) and 450 Nm of torque, Mercedes makes the same performance claims for the CLA 45 AMG.

    So, does it provide the same entertainment as the hatchback, and is it worth the extra coinage?
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  • Volkswagen’s Ogier wins Rally Italy

    2013 Rally Italy
    Sebastien Ogier secured his fourth rally for Volkswagen at this year’s event in Sardinia, extending his lead in the World Rally Championship to 64 points over team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala.

    The Frenchman, who dominated the rally from the start, also won today’s Power Stage, while Ford’s Thierry Neuville finished over a minute behind him in second place. Acropolis winner Jari-Matti Latvala took the third in his Polo R WRC after fighting his way through the field following a puncture on Stage 1.

    Citroen’s Mikko Hirvonen and Ford’s Evgeny Novikov and Mads Ostberg had all been fighting for podium places, but crashes spelt retirement for Hirvonen and Novikov with Ostberg eventually coming home eighth.

    VW’s Andreas Mikkelsen had been looking good for fourth until suspension damage ended his rally three stages from the end, meaning Citroen’s Dani Sordo capitalized on his misfortune with Martin Prokop and Elfyn Evans rounding out the top six for Ford.

    “It feels fantastic to be back on top of the podium again! I was really beginning to miss that feeling after the last two rallies. I’m simply delighted – the team did a fantastic job and the Polo ran like a dream all weekend,” said a jubilant Ogier.
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