German Car Scene

Month: July 2013

  • Audi R8 Spyder vs Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

    Audi R8 Spyder vs Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet
    This episode of Head 2 Head sees Motor Trend’s Jonny Lieberman travel to the American Southwest in Utah armed with the Audi R8 Spyder and Porsche’s 911 Cabriolet.

    The exact models being compared are the Carrera S, which develops 294 kW (400 hp) and 440 Nm of torque from its 3.8-litre straight-six and the 4.2-litre V8-engined R8, with 316 kW (430 hp) and 430 Nm at its disposal.

    Will the R8’s extra horsepower and quattro system be enough to counter the 911’s lower weight and rear-wheel drive sports car advantage?
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  • Mercedes-Benz SLC details emerge

    Mercedes C190
    New details have emerged surrounding Mercedes’ forthcoming Porsche 911 rival.

    Codenamed C190, although it could wear the SLC or GT badge when it reaches production, the new model won’t be replacing the SLS AMG, but will sit below it with a price tag of around £80,000 putting it in the same bracket as models such as the 911 Carrera S and Jaguar’s pretty F-Type V8S.

    Power is likely to come from a newly-developed twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 developing 358 kW (480 hp) in the base model and up to 447 kW (600 hp) in the range-topping Black Series version, which would be priced around £120,000 and compete directly with the new 911 Turbo.

    Expected to surface in 2015, the aluminium-bodied SLC will be joined by the new C-Class Cabriolet and GLA-Class crossover based on the recently shown concept. An SLC Roadster should follow in 2016.
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  • Oettinger Volkswagen Golf GTI

    Oettinger Volkswagen Golf GTI
    Friedrichsdorf-based tuning specialist, Oettinger GmbH, has released details of its program to suit Volkswagen’s Golf GTI.

    Aesthetically, Oettinger offers an aero package comprising of a front spoiler with separate splitter, side skirts, a roof spoiler with open R-Flaps and diffuser section. Priced at €1990, the components can also be fitted to the Golf GTD. Completing the look, owners can add the company’s new five-spoke alloy wheels, which measure 8.5 x 19-inches, come in Black Redline or Black Silverline finishes and are priced at €475 each.

    Oettinger can also provide power increases up to 261 kW (350 hp), alongside such performance upgrades as sports exhausts, adjustable suspension kits, intercoolers, air intakes, limited slip differentials, uprated clutches and brake systems.
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  • BMW i3 revealed

    BMW i3
    BMW has today revealed is brand new i3 electric vehicle contemporaneously in London, New York and Beijing.

    With a 2570 mm wheelbase and measuring 3999 mm in length, 1775 mm in width and standing 1578 mm tall the i3’s dimensions are virtually identical to those of the MINI Paceman. Thanks to a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger compartment, which is fixed to the aluminium Drive module, the i3 not only enjoys a 1,195 kg kerb weight, but the structural rigidity allowed this four-door citycar to be designed without the need for b-pillars. A 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the floor feeds an electric motor, which sends 125 kW (168 hp) and 250 Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. On the road 60 km/h (37 mph) appears in 3.7 seconds and 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 seconds, with top speed limited to 93 mph (150 km/h).

    In everyday driving, a range of 130 to 160 kilometres (81 – 99 miles) is possible, rising by 20 kilometres (12 miles) in ECO PRO or ECO PRO+ mode which cuts such luxuries as heating and music. Additionally, a range-extending 25 kW (34 hp) 650 cc two-cylinder petrol engine can be specified, which sits immediately adjacent to the electric motor above the rear axle and raises range to around 300 kilometres (180 miles). A full charge from a regular household socket or BMW’s i Wallbox takes around six house, while the public fast-charging stations (50 kW) take just 30 minutes to reach 80 per cent capacity.
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  • Lamborghini Sesto Elemento reviewed

    Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
    If you missed last night’s Top Gear there were one or two little gems in there, most notably Richard Hammond’s review of Lamborghini’s Aventador Roadster – followed by a Sesto Elemento track test at Imola circuit.

    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.

    If you can’t wait, the action begins around the middle of segment two, but if you have time to watch from the beginning you’ll see James May compare the Porsche 991 with Singer’s stunning 911 interpretation.
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  • Porsche 991 GT3 launch control in action

    Porsche 991 GT3
    France’s Motorsport Magazine recently tested Porsche’s most excellent 991 GT3 and did the right thing by releasing on-board footage of the car rocketing to 200 km/h with the aid of its launch control system.

    The hardcore 350 kW (475 hp) track weapon cracks 100 km/h in a mere 3.5 seconds, 200 km/h in less than 12 seconds, and hits a top speed of 315 km/h (195 mph). It also eclipses the current 911 GT2?s Nurburging time – and sounds fantastic.
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