German Car Scene

Month: September 2013

  • Audi Nanuk quattro Concept surfaces

    Audi Nanuk quattro Concept
    Audi has revealed yet another new vehicle to grace its stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show with the addition of the Nanuk quattro Concept.

    Developed jointly with the designers from Italdesign Giugiaro, the two-seater is powered by a mid-mounted, 5.0-litre bi-turbo V10 TDI mated to a beefed-up seven-speed S tronic transmission. Delivering in excess of 400 kW (544 hp) and 1,000 Nm of torque to all four wheels – from just 1,500 rpm, the Nanuk cracks 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds and reaches a 305 km/h (189 mph) top speed, with average fuel consumption working out at 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres (30 US mpg).

    With a wheelbase of 2,710 millimetres, a length 4,541 mm, a width of 1,990 mm and standing 1,337 mm tall, the load-bearing body structure is a lightweight, aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF), while the outer panels are constructed from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer and finished in Extreme Red. Looking like an R8 on steroids, its face features a narrow-framed hexagonal single-frame grille, slimline headlights using Audi’s new Matrix LED technology and colossal air intakes with three upright bars. The flanks are dominated by those extremely blistered wheel arches, which accommodate 22-inch alloys and carbon ceramic brakes, along with short sideblades and tiny mirrors housing a digital camera. At the rear the brake light runs as a flat strip between the tail-lights, while the diffuser houses a pair of large, round tailpipes.

    Moving inside the cockpit, beyond the scissor doors, there’s a pair of folding seats with pronounced side bolsters, while controls for the electronically controlled air suspension, the touchwheel for navigation and multimedia functions and turn signals, are located on the centre console and steering wheel. Monitors on the A-pillars relay signals from the side cameras with a screen in the roof-lining superseding the rear-view mirror. And, rather than physical dials and needles, the driver can select their desired instrument cluster from a variety of displays.

    Apart from the trick air suspension, which has 70 mm of height adjustment and automatically raises up when it turns onto a gravel road, another technological highlight is the Concept’s integral steering. Two active track rods send the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speed, increasing agility, and in the same direction at higher speeds, resulting in greater stability.

    If this is a taste of the next R8, we like what we see. Especially that 400 kW (544 hp) diesel motor.
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  • Brabus B63S-700 6×6 revealed

    Brabus B63S-700 6x6
    Bottrop tuning specialist Brabus has revealed its B63S-700 6×6 program for the crazy Mercedes G 63 AMG 6×6 ahead of Frankfurt.

    The B63S-700 performance kit, which is also available for the regular G 63 AMG, consists of a pair of larger turbochargers along with a new stainless steel exhaust system with adjustable butterfly valve, high-performance metal catalysts and remapped ECU software, which sees output from the 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine jump from 400 kW (544 hp) and 760 Nn of torque to 515 kW (700 hp) and 960 Nm. Those tweaks result in an impressive 0 – 100 km/h time of 7.4 seconds, while the heavy-duty off-road tyres mean top speed is limited to 160 km/h (100 mph).

    Visually Brabus adds a front spoiler with tinted LED daytime running lights, a carbon fibre hood scoop and mirror casings, a chrome radiator grille, polished stainless steel under-ride guard and black xenon headlights with integrated turn signals. Carbon fibre louvres cover the holes left from the factory turn signals.

    Moving inside, the cabin has been upholstered in red leather and Alcantara with carbon fibre trim inlays and stainless steel scuff plates with illuminated Brabus logos.

    Just when you thought it couldn’t get any less subtle…
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  • Mercedes tests autonomous S-Class

    Mercedes-Benz S-Class Intelligent Drive
    Mercedes-Benz has completed the same 100 kilometre journey from Mannheim to Pforzheim taken by Bertha Benz exactly 125 years ago – using an autonomous S-Class.

    But, rather than certain other manufacturer’s self-driving prototype vehicles, this particular S 500 dealt with traffic lights, roundabouts, pedestrians, cyclists and trams using technology that is largely already available in the current E-Class and S-Class models. The core of the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive, the Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, is capable of steering the vehicle mainly autonomously through traffic jams with the driver overseeing these functions.

    Modifications include two long-range radars on the sides of the front bumper to provide early detection of vehicles coming from the left or right at junctions, one to monitor traffic at the rear, and a short-range radar on each corner of the car to improve detection of the nearer surroundings and other road users. A colour camera behind the windscreen monitors traffic lights, while one in the rear window locates the vehicle by comparing what it sees with features previously entered on a 3D digital map providing greater accuracy than GPS alone. The map was developed jointly between Mercedes-Benz and KIT and HERE, a division of Nokia.

    “This S-Class spells out where we’re headed with “Intelligent Drive” and what tremendous potential there is in currently available technology. Of course, it would have been a lot easier to take the autobahn for the autonomous drive from Mannheim to Pforzheim. But there was a special motivation for us to carry out this autonomous drive along this very route 125 years after Bertha Benz. After all, we wouldn’t be Mercedes-Benz unless we set ourselves challenging goals and then went on to achieve them,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Daimler AG CEO and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
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  • Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan surfaces

    Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan
    Volkswagen has revealed that it will be taking a concept of the forthcoming Golf Sportsvan to the Frankfurt Motor Show (September 10-23).

    As with the current Golf hatchback, the minivan variant sits on Volkswagen’s MQB platform and utilizes engines that all comply with Euro-6 emissions standards. Powerplant options include four TSI units producing 63 kW (84 hp), 81 kW (109 hp), 92 kW (123 hp) and 110 kW (148 hp). Diesel fans get the choice of a 81 kW (109 hp) or a 110 kW (148 hp) TDI, with the 81 kW (109 hp) 1.6 TDI BlueMotion requiring an average of 3.7 litres every 100 kilomteres while emitting 95 g CO2/km. Apart from the 63 kW (84 hp) TSI, all units can be optionally mated to the DSG dual clutch transmission, while all models get the XDS+ electronic differential lock from the new Golf GTI.

    With a length of 4,338 mm, the concept car is 134 mm longer than the outgoing Golf Plus, 83 mm longer than the Golf hatchback and 224 mm shorter than the Estate. At 1,807 mm, it is 8 mm wider than the regular Golf, while the previous model was actually 48 mm narrower. Standing 1,580 mm tall, it is a mere 2 mm lower than the Golf Plus and 126 mm taller than the Golf. Featuring bolder, more sculpted lines, the Sportsvan wears a large chrome grille, (optional) bi-xenon headlights with U-shaped LED daytime running lights, while the fifth side window within the D pillar, lengthens the transparent surface towards the back of the vehicle, adding a lightness to the design and daylight to the interior.

    Inside, the cabin features a rear bench seat with 180 mm fore-aft adjustment and over 1,500 litres of cargo capacity. Standard equipment includes Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, air conditioning, a 5-inch touchscreen, variable cargo floor and a cargo cover, with options such as a heated steering wheel, Blind Spot Monitor, DCC dynamic chassis control, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control available to add to your wish list.

    Expect a production version to appear in dealerships by the middle of next year.
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  • Audi A3 Cabriolet revealed

    Audi A3 Cabriolet
    Audi has officially released details of its A3 Cabriolet before next week’s big reveal in Frankfurt.

    Essentially a roofless version of the three-door A3 hatchback, the Cabriolet use’s Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform and is slightly larger than its predecessor at 4.42 metres in length, 1.79m in width and a 2.6m wheelbase, with the only reduced dimension being the 15 mm lower height of 1.41m. Thanks to the use of a lighter chassis, exhaust system, interior components and aluminium for the hood and fenders, the new A3 Cabriolet enjoys a weight saving of around 50 kg – at 1,365 kg – compared to the outgoing model; all contributing to a more responsive chassis and better fuel economy.

    Three engine options will be available when the A3 goes on sale later this autumn at a base price of € 31,700. Beginning with a 1.4-litre TFSI engine that produces 90 kW (121 hp) and 200 Nm of torque, then a 1.8-litre TFSI that churns out 132 kW (177 hp) and 250 Nm and comes with the seven-speed S tronic gearbox as standard, whereas the other two engines are mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Diesel fans get the 2.0-litre TDI which develops 110 kW (148 hp) and 320 Nm.

    Styling is very familiar with the corporate single-frame radiator grille being a dominant feature along with the optional xenon plus headlight package which provide those distinctive LED daytime running lights and LED rear clusters. The Cabriolet gains aluminum windscreen pillars and aluminium-look trim strips along its waist, while the soft top utilizes magnesium and steel for its mechanism, with the acoustic available in Black, Grey or Brown. The top opens or closes electro-hydraulically in under than 18 seconds, while an active rollover protection system protects the occupants in case of a rollover accident. A nice option is the Audi drive select system which lets the driver vary characteristics such as steering weighting, throttle response and the transmission shift points (on S tronic-equipped cars). The car can also be upgraded to control the brilliant optional magnetic ride suspension system.

    An S3 variant will follow on from the initial launch, meaning a 2.0 TFSI engine producing 221 kW (300 hp) and 380 Nm of torque, a six-speed S tronic and quattro all-wheel-drive system, resulting in a 5.4s sprint to 100 km/h.
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  • Porsche 911 Turbo S reviewed

    Porsche 911 Turbo S
    Here’s another review from Guido The Getawayer, which sees the German car fanatic sharing his verdict on Porsche’s brand new 911 Turbo S like only he can.

    Propelled by a turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six engine developing 560 hp (412 kW), the S takes just 3.1 seconds to crack 100 km/h before reaching a 318 mph (197 mph) top speed. Notable features include centre-locking 20-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlamps, the Sport Chrono Package Plus (incorporating dynamic engine mounts), and ceramic brakes.
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