German Car Scene

Month: July 2013

  • Alpha-N Performance BT92 BMW M3

    Alpha-N Performance BT92 BMW M3
    Ahrweiler-based motorsport and tuning specialist Alpha-N Performance has announced details of its ALPHA-N BT92 program to suit the current BMW M3 Coupe.

    Visually, the car wears a carbon fibre body package, which shaves 250 kg from its weight, consisting of a replacement front bumper with lower spoiler, muscular hood, wider fenders and rear arch extensions, side skirts, boot lid and back bumper with integrated diffuser and aperture for the centrally-mounted exhaust system. The M3 now rides on Ohlins coilover suspension system and wears a set of three-piece 19-inch S3 alloy wheels wrapped in 255/35 and 295/35 Hankook Ventus S1 Evo tyres. Moving inside, the cabin receives a pair of Alcantara-trimmed Recaro Sportster CS sport seats with corresponding door panels and rear bench.

    Under the hood Alpha-N fits a new crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons taking displacement up from 4.0-litres to 4.6-litres. Remapped ECU software and a prototype MAC carbon fibre air box helps to increase output from 309 kW (414 hp) and 400 Nm of torque to 360 kW (490 hp) and 470 Nm, enough for a 0-100 km/h time in the region of 4.5 seconds and a 315 km/h 195 mph) top speed.
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  • Audi RS 6 Avant vs Caterham 485 R

    Audi RS 6 Avant vs Caterham 485 R
    France’s Motorsport Magazine has conducted a drag race between two performance cars from opposite ends of the spectrum: Audi’s RS 6 Avant and the featherweight Caterham 485 R.

    Developed by Caterham Technology and Innovation (CTI), the 525 kg Caterham 485 R is propelled by a 2.0-litre Duratec, running electronically-actuated throttle bodies, that develops 179 kW (240 hp) and 207 Nm of torque, while the family-friendly Estate from Ingolstadt is propelled by a twin-turbocharged 4.0 TFSI V8 unit churning out 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm.

    Which is your money on?
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  • G-Power BMW M3 GT2 R

    G-Power BMW M3 GT2 R
    Bayern-based tuning specialist G-Power has released details of its extreme BMW M3 GT2 R program.

    Starting with the engine, G-Power takes the 4.0-litre V8 apart and reconstructs it with a new crankshaft, Mahle pistons and reinforced connecting rods, taking displacement up to 4.6-litres. The company’s SK III ASA T1-724 supercharger kit is then added, along with a carbon fibre air box, a titanium exhaust system with 100 cpsi metallic catalytic converters, an additional fuel pump, optimized ECU software and uprated cooling circuits, resulting in a monumental 537 kW (720 hp) and 700 Nm of torque at 0.7 bar. On the road the GT2 R rockets to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, 200 km/h in 9.5s, and on to a top speed in excess of 330 km/h (205 mph).

    Chassis upgrades come in the form of a Clubsport coilover suspension kit, 20-inch Silverstone RS forged alloy wheels wrapped in 245/30 and 315/25 Michelin Pilot Cup tyres and a carbon ceramic brake system utilizing 396 mm front discs gripped by six-piston calipers and 380 mm items with four-piston calipers on the rear.

    Helping to achieve a 1.500 kg kerb weight the GT2 R is fitted with a carbon fibre aero package comprising of new bumpers, wider front fenders, rear wheel arch extensions, a motorsport rear wing and heavily vented hood. Moving inside the cabin, the rear bench has been removed along with the factory front seats which have been replaced by lightweight carbon racing buckets. An FIA-approved roll-cage was also added for good measure.

    Customers wanting the engine conversion alone will have to part with €41,650 – plus installation costs, while the complete transformation starts at €195,310.
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  • Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Edition 507 Estate reviewed

    Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Edition 507
    In this episode of Ignition, Motor Trend’s Jonny Lieberman heads to Germany to drive the Estate version of Mercedes’ heavy-hitting C 63 AMG Edition 507 through the Black Forest and on the Autobahn.

    Powered by a revised version of the regular car’s AMG 6.2-litre engine, the forged pistons, connecting rods and lightweight crankshaft have been borrowed from the SLS AMG, resulting in an improved output of 373 kW (507 hp) and 610 Nm of torque – an increase of 37 kW (50 hp) and 10 Nm.

    On the road, 100 km/h appears in just 4.3 seconds with top speed limited to a 280 km/h (174 mph) thanks to the inclusion of the AMG Driver’s package.
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  • SEAT Leon ST revealed

    SEAT Leon ST
    After countless leaks, SEAT has officially its new Leon ST model to the world.

    Based on the same MQB platform as its counterparts, the Estate variant shares an identical wheelbase with the regular five-door hatchback, but features an additional 270 mm overhang at the rear allowing a 587 litre luggage capacity that can be increased to 1470 litres with the rear seats folded down. The extra metal adds 45 kg of weight, but at 1,233 kg it’s still the lightest vehicle in its class.

    Engines choices begin with a 1.2 TSI engine developing either 63 kW (86 hp) or 77 kW (105 hp), with the 1.4 TSI producing 90 kW (122 hp) or 103 kW (140 hp) Top of the petrol tree is the FR, which uses a 1.8 TSI unit delivering 132 kW (180 hp) and 250 Nm of torque.

    Diesel fans are also catered for with the 1.6 TDI making 66 kW (90 hp) and 230 Nm, along with a 2.0 TDI generating 110 kW (150 hp). Once again, the most powerful unit is reserved for the FR: a 2.0 TDI delivering 135 kW (184 hp) and 380 Nm. Transmissions include a five- and six-speed manual, and six- and seven-speed DSG gearbox.

    Entry-level Reference line models get the Media System Touch system, which includes a five-inch touch screen CD radio with an SD card slot and four speakers, while the higher Style and FR versions enjoy a superior quality screen, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and six speakers as standard (eight in the FR). The Leon FR also features SEAT’s Drive Profile, which allows the driver to choose from three modes which vary the characteristics of the throttle control, power steering and engine tone.
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  • German Special Customs Stealth Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

    German Special Customs Mercedes CLS 63 AMG
    German Special Customs has updated its Mercedes CLS 63 AMG fitted with the company’s Stealth package.

    Visually the CLS wears wider, ventilated front fenders, rear wheel arch extensions, a muscular hood with large vent, deeper front bumper with factory LED daytime running lights and spoiler, angular side skirts and a new rear bumper with air outlets and integrated carbon fibre diffuser. There’s also a Black Series track-style rear wing.

    KW coilovers with adjustable dampers lower the front of the car, while the standard wheels have made way for a set of 9 and 10.5 x 20-inch alloys wrapped in 255/30 and 305/25 Michelin tyres.

    Moving inside, GSC has reupholstered the interior in black and orange leather, replicating the exterior’s theme.

    Already producing 410 kW (557 hp) and 720 Nm of torque in series guise, GSC fits larger turbochargers to the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine, along with a stainless steel exhaust system and uprated air/water intercooling. Those changes result in 559 kW (750 hp) and 1,150 Nm, meaning 100 km/h occurs in just 3.7 seconds and top speed is approaching 350 km/h (217 mph).
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