German Car Scene

Month: August 2013

  • Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 1st Anniversary Edition

    Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 1st Anniversary Edition
    Mercedes-Benz has announced details of a special ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 1st Anniversary Edition exclusively for Japan.

    Available in either Obsidian Black or Diamond White metallic, the celebratory model is fitted with the AMG Exterior Sports package as standard, which comprises of more aggressive front and rear aprons along with stainless steel running boards and privacy glass. A set of five-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels measuring 9 x 20-inches and wrapped in 265/45 tyres complete the aesthetics.

    Moving inside, the cabin is equipped with AMG sports seats covered in Artico artificial leather/Dinamica microfibre, stainless steel AMG sport pedals, AMG steering wheel, brushed aluminium trim inlays and special floor mats.

    Powering the Anniversary Edition is the regular model’s 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine developing 190 kW (258 hp) and 620 Nm of torque. Mated to a 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission 100 km/h appears in 7.4 seconds with top speed rated at 224 km/h (139 mph).

    Production will be limited to 100 examples with pricing starting at ¥8,600,000 (€66,082).
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  • Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo reviewed

    Alpina B3 Bi-turbo
    This new episode of DRIVE sees Chris Harris thrashing the trouser off Alpina’s alternative to BMW’s forthcoming M3, the B3 Bi-Turbo.

    Propulsion comes from a twin-turbocharged straight-six 3.0 litre engine, which delivers 306 kW (410 hp) and 600 Nm of torque to the road via a 8-speed SWITCH-TRONIC sport-automatic transmission. Performance is impressive with 100 km/h arriving in just 4.2 seconds and top speed a rather tasty 305 km/h (190 mph).
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  • Opel reveals Adam Black Link and White Link

    Opel Adam
    Following on from the announcement of new 1.0 SIDI and LPG versions, Opel has released details of two limited edition variants of its baby Adam city car; the Black Link and White Link.

    Due to debut in Frankfurt (September 12 – 22) they’re available in either I’ll be Black or Saturday White Fever (seriously?) body colours with brushed aluminum-look mirror casings and grille bar. Other standard features include a colour-coded roof spoiler, tinted rear window, 18-inch Twister alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights and LED tail-lights

    Moving inside, the cabin matches the exterior’s theme in either black or white OCIO Morrocana seat cushions along with leather-trim on the steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake lever. Completing the package is Opel’s IntelliLink infotainment system and Siri Eyes Free voice control. Operated via a 7-inch colour touchscreen, the infotainment system includes the Tune-in, BringGo and Stitcher apps, while Siri Eyes Free allows the driver to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls and play songs in the iTunes Library without taking their eyes off the road.

    Available to order from late autumn, just 2,000 examples will be produced.
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  • TopCar Mercedes ML 63 AMG Inferno Deceptikon

    TopCar Mercedes ML 63 AMG Inferno Deceptikon
    Russian aftermarket specialist TopCar has created a unique ‘Deceptikon’ version of its Inferno Mercedes ML 63 AMG program as a special order for one of its regular customers.

    Constructed from a mixture of carbon fibre and Kevlar, the aero package consists of an aggressive front bumper with spoiler and LED daytime running lights, vented fender extensions, door trims, side skirts, a ventilated hood, tailgate spoiler and rear bumper with diffuser section and quadruple tailpipes.

    Known for its bespoke interiors, TopCar reupholstered the cabin in a burgundy and black colour scheme to suit the owner’s wishes using coloured carbon fibre pieces, perforated leather finished with diamond stitching on the seat centres, crocodile leather on the dashboard, door inlays and seat bolsters, and Alcantara on the pillars. The vibrant cockpit also features family crests on the headrests and a 01/01 plaque on the glove box lid.

    TopCar did not reveal the vehicle’s performance figures, but its does offer three levels of upgrade for the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine, which already churns out 381 kW (518 hp) and 700 Nm of torque in factory form. Stage I yields 477 kW (640 hp) and 980 Nm, followed by Stage II which delivers 515 kW (690 hp) and 1,100 Nm, while the final option produces 567 kW (760 hp) and 1150 Nm.

    If you’re interested in doing something similar to your ML 63 AMG, pricing for the body program, including fitting and painting, starts at €22,768.
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  • Porsche ‘Feast for the Senses’ trailer

    Porsche 911 GT3
    Porsche has just released this trailer for company’s 991 GT3 featuring Andreas Preuninger, the man responsible for the team that developed the new model. He even recalls the exact point where he was convinced that a PDK transmission was the way to go.

    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 ‘Ring time.
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  • Volkswagen e-up! and e-Golf announced

    Volkswagen e-up! and e-Golf
    Volkswagen has revealed intial details of two new electric cars that will make their world debut in Frankfurt next month; the e-up! and e-Golf.

    Both cars are four door variants and come equipped with automatic climate control, radio-navigation system, windscreen heating and LED daytime running lights as standard. The e-Golf also receives the Volkswagen brand’s first LED headlights.

    Powered by an electric motor producing 85 kW (114 hp) and a maximum torque figure of 270 Nm, the e-Golf reaches 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds while top speed is limited to 140 km/h. The motor propelling the e-up! develops 60 kW (80 hp) and 210 Nm of torque allowing 100 km/h to appear in in 12.4 seconds before the fun stops at 130 km/h.

    The e-up! can cover 160 km on one battery charge (18.7 kWh), while the e-Golf can reach 190 km thanks to its larger battery (24.2 kWh) has a range of 190 km. Eco and Eco+ driving modes, along with four regenerative braking modes help to maximize range, while an 80 percent charge takes just thirty minutes at a (direct current) CCS charging station.

    Amazingly, the e-up! consumes just 11.7 kWh of electricity every 100 km, while its larger sibling requires 12.7 kWh. Working on today’s electricity price of €0.258 per kWh in Germany, that equates to a mere €3.02 per 100 km travelled in the e-up! and €3.30 in the e-Golf.
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