German Car Scene

Month: July 2013

  • Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin announce partnership

    Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series
    Mercedes-AMG GmbH has announced that it will be entering a technical partnership with Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

    The letter of intent was signed today, with the two companies ironing out all the details by the end of this year. The union will see Daimler receive five percent equity in Aston Martin along with an observer status in its Board of Management.

    In return, Aston Martin will be allowed access to Mercedes-AMG’s resources, aiding the British sportscar manufacturer’s development of a range of bespoke V8 powertrains.

    “We have selected AMG specifically as the basis for this powertrain development process. Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news,” said Aston Martin’s Ian Minards.

    “We are proud to work with Aston Martin and provide them with powertrain and e/e (electric/electronic) components for their forthcoming sports cars. This is proof of AMG’s technological and performance expertise and a real win-win situation for both sides,” said Ola Källenius, Head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz]

  • Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake by Vaeth

    Vaeth Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake
    Hösbach-based Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Vaeth has revealed its CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake.

    Already producing 410 kW (557 hp) and 720 Nm of torque in series guise, Vaeth’s V63RS option includes modified turbochargers, a stainless steel exhaust system with downpipes, uprated air/water intercooling and remapped ECU software. Those changes see output from the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine climb to 846 hp 622 kW (846 hp) and 1,180 Nm torque, allowing a very respectable 350 km/h (217 mph) top speed. Pricing for the conversion is €46,172. Vaeth recommends its front brake upgrade, which consists of 405 mm rotors gripped by a pair of 6-piston calipers for €6,009.

    Visually there’s a front spoiler and rear diffuser constructed from carbon fibre, while the wheels are Vaeth’s own three-piece forged items measuring 9.5 and 11.5-inches and covered in 265/30 and 305/25 tyres. Suspension springs on threaded platforms allow a drop of between 20 mm and 40 mm in ride height. Moving inside, owners can specify a leather-trimmed steering wheel and carbon fibre package for the dashboard, door panels and centre console.
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  • New Mercedes-Benz S-Class refined by Brabus

    Brabus Mercedes-Benz S-Class
    Bottrop tuning specialist Brabus has released details of what it can do for owners of the latest Mercedes S-Class.

    Power upgrades begin with the B50 – 520 PowerXtra CGI performance kit for the S 500. Once fitted, output from the 4.7-litre V8 sees output jump from 335 kW (455 hp) and 700 Nm of torque to 382 kW (520 hp) and 820 Nm. On the road 100 km/h occurs in just 4.2 seconds, with the V-Max unit now limited top speed to 300 km/h (186 mph). Moving to the epic S 63 AMG, Brabus’ B63 – 650 PowerXtra CGI software results in 478 kW (650 hp) and 1,000 Nm – up from 430 kW (585 hp) and 900 Nm. If that doesn’t inspire you, there’s always the B63S – 730 high-performance version. This option includes a pair of uprated turbochargers, a water radiator for the intercooling system, a free-flow exhaust system including metal catalysts and 75-mm downpipes along with revised software, resulting in 537 kW (730 hp) and 1,065 Nm, and a maximum of 325 km/h (202 mph).

    Visually there’s a plastic aero package with carbon fibre elements, that includes a front spoiler, fender gills, side skirts, a boot lid spoiler and diffuser section for the rear bumper. A suspension module drops ride height by 15 mm, while the company’s Monoblock VI and Monoblock F cross-spoke wheels can be specified in sizes ranging from 19 to 21-inches.

    Moving inside, past the embossed stainless steel scuff plates, Brabus uses materials such as Alcantara and soft Mastik leather finished with quilted stitching to reupholster the seats, panelling and floor mats. Wooden trim packages can also be chosen, along with aluminium pedal kits.
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  • Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse ‘Legend Jean-Pierre Wimille’ announced

    Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse 'Legend Jean-Pierre Wimille'
    Bugatti has announced that it will be creating a range of six special models based on the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse that commemorate figures in the company’s history, with the first example – named after racing driver Jean-Pierre Wimille – being unveiled at next month’s Monterey Auto Week in California (August 18).

    Piloting a Bugatti T51 in 1932, Wimille won the La Turbie hill climb, the Grand Prix de Lorraine and the Grand Prix d’Oran. He also tasted Grand Prix success in 1934 and 1936 behind the wheel of a T59. 1937 was fruitful thanks to a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Type 57G Tank, a feat repeated in 1939 with the supercharged Type 57C Tank.

    Finished in blue clear-coated carbon fibre and light Wimille Bleu paintwork as a nod to Wimille’s victorious Type 57G tank-bodied racer, the cockpit has been specially designed to match the exterior of the vehicle. “The materials and colors selected, as well as a host of details, all reference the essential characteristics of the classic models driven by those figures to whom our edition pays homage. With these Bugatti Legends we are giving history a modern makeover,” said Achim Anscheidt, chief designer at Bugatti.

    Using the 8.0-litre W16 from the 431 km/h Super Sport – complete with upgraded turbochargers, the Vitesse enjoys an elephantine 895 kW (1,200 hp) and 1,500 Nm of torque, rather than the usual 746 kW (1,001 hp) and 1,250 Nm seen in the regular open-topped model. The Vitesse was also recognised as the world’s fastest open-top production sports car after reaching 408.84 km/h (254.04 mph) at Ehra-Lessien.

    Just three ‘Legend Jean-Pierre Wimille’ editions will be built, so get saving.
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  • BMW 435i reviewed

    BMW 435i Coupe
    This brand spanking new episode of DRIVE sees Chris Harris travel to Portugal to sample BMW’s 435i Coupe on the road and at Estoril circuit.

    Until the flagship M4 variant arrives the 435i is the top of the tree; propelled by the company’s TwinPower Turbo 3.0-litre six-pot delivering 225 kW (306 hp) and 400 Nm of torque, 100 km/h happens in 5.4 seconds (xDrive 4.9s) with top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).
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  • Porsche 918 Spyder at the Nurburgring

    Porsche 918 Spyder
    TouriClips recently spotted this striking matte black Porsche 918 Spyder really stretching its legs through the little Karussel and Galgenkopf sections on the Nurburgring.

    Using a 453 kW (608 hp) 4.6-litre V8 engine along with a 115 kW (154 hp) combined with a 95 kW (127 hp) electric motor, 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). In electric mode top speed drops to 150 km/h (93 mph) with a range of 25 kilometres achievable.

    With production already started, the 918 Spyder can be yours for as little as €781,155 – or €853,155 if you specify the track-focused Weissach package.
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