German Car Scene

Month: September 2013

  • Audi Sport quattro concept announced

    Audi Sport quattro concept
    Audi has announced initial details of its plug-in hybrid Sport quattro concept which is set to be unveiled in Frankfurt next week.

    With a wheelbase of 2,784 millimetres, it is 4,602 mm long, 1,964 mm wide and stands just 1,386 mm tall, meaning it bears dimensions not too dissimilar to those of the Bugatti Veyron. We like the aggressive styling, including that huge hexagonal single-frame grille, the Audi Matrix LED headlights with wrap-around daytime running lights, the colossal vertical vents cutting into the front fascia and purposeful CFRP splitter lip. The blistered wheel arches and subtle hood louvres are a nice nod to the original Sport quattro, which debuted in Frankfurt 30 years ago, while the CFRP sill flairs, diffuser, large oval tailpipes and LED tail-lights bring its namesake roaring into the present day. Other nice touches include automatically extending power door handles, the functional air outlets behind the front wheels and the 21-inch five twin-spoke centre-locking wheels, which hide a set of carbon fiber-ceramic brake discs.

    Moving inside, the cabin is awash with carbon fibre trim and features racing bucket seats with folding backs, a digital instrument cluster and head-up display. The multifunction sport steering wheel is used to switch between a range of virtual 3D displays including a Race mode with central speedometer, detailed track information and a stopwatch, while the air conditioning controls and temperature displays are integrated within the air vents.

    As mentioned, the Sport quattro concept utilizes a plug-in hybrid drive that makes use of the twin-turbo V8 from the RS 6 Avant, which develops 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm of torque, along with a disc-shaped electric motor. Located between the 4.0 TFSI and the transmission, it produces a peak output of 110 kW and 400 Nm and is fed by a 14.1 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery in the rear, allowing a range of 50 km (31 miles) on electric power alone.
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  • TechArt updates Porsche Cayman program

    TechArt Porsche Cayman
    Leonberg-based Porsche tuning specialist TechArt has revealed its updated program for the current Cayman model ahead of next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

    Based on the package revealed earlier this year, TechArt has added the Rear Spoiler II, which is constructed from high-quality PU-RIM and mounted on aluminium struts that allow the angle of the wing to be adjusted.

    The rest of the kit comprises of a two-piece front spoiler with integrated splitter, mirror casings, side air intake fins and a diffuser section for the rear bumper. TechArt can also provide customers with its five-spoke Formula wheel or the lightweight Formula III forged wheel in a five-double spoke design measuring 21-inches in diameter, which offers a weight advantage of around 40 percent compared to the factory wheel.

    The company’s sport spring kit lowers the Cayman by 30 mm on the front and 20 mm at the rear. The final mechanical upgrade is a stainless steel exhaust system with adjustable valve control and a muffler with twin tailpipes.
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  • Porsche 911 GT3 by Cam Shaft

    Martini Racing Porsche 911 GT3
    Cam Shaft, the oddly-named Kempen styling specialist, has revealed its latest project based on the recently superseded Porsche 997 GT3.

    The transformation begins with Cam Shaft applying a Pearl White foil to the body for €2,400 – or €3,150 if you want your door edges covered too. And that’s before the Martini Racing livery is added, which adds another €900 to the cost. The company can also powder coat your wheels in matte black for €480.

    For €1,899 Cam Shaft’s in-house performance arm provides an ECU software upgrade for the 3.8-litre flat-six, which sees output climb from 305 kW (415 hp) (305 kW) to 320 kW (435 hp), with the aftermarket specialist also recommending a KW Variant 3 KW coilover suspension kit.
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  • Porsche Panamera GrandGT by TechArt

    Porsche Panamera GrandGT by TechArt
    Leonberg-based Porsche tuning specialist TechArt has released details of its GrandGT program for the current Porsche Panamera model.

    Constructed from a carbon and polyurethane RIM composite, the aggressive aero package comprises of a ventilated hood, front bumper with integrated splitter and colossal air intakes, wheel arch extensions, side skirts, roof and tailgate spoilers, and a rear bumper with air outlets and diffuser. LED daytime running light units and trims for the headlights and side gills complete the conversion.

    TechArt can provide wheel and tyre packages ranging from 20 to 22-inches in size, including its Formula II GTR, Formula IV and Formula III items (pictured). Moving inside, the company offers anything from a 3-spoke sport steering wheel – complete with flappy paddles, to carbon fibre trim elements, to a completely reupholstered cabin in leather and Alcantara.

    As well as a new stainless steel exhaust system with adjustable valve control, TechArt specializes in performance upgrades across the range, with a Power Kit for the Turbo model about to be released, which sees output from the 4.8-litre biturbo V8 jump from 388 kW (520 hp) to 432 kW (580 hp).
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  • 2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S announced

    2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S
    Bentley has tweaked its V8-powered Continental GT a little to create with the Continental GT V8 S and GTC V8 S.

    Due to be unveiled in Frankfurt, the regular car’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 unit has been massaged to produce 389 KW (522 hp) and 680 Nm of torque – up from 373 kW (500 hp) and 660 Nm, and returns an average fuel consumption figure 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres with CO2 emissions of 246 g/km (Cabriolet 10.9 l/100 km and 254 g/km). On the road, those figures translate to an impressive 0-100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds for the Coupe (4.5s) along with a 309 km/h (308 km/h) top speed, especially when you realize that the 6-litre twin-turbocharged W12-engined Continental GT takes 4.6s to 100 km/h and is only 9 km/h faster.

    Other performance upgrades include lowered sports suspension (by 10 mm), revised damping, increased spring rates (45% front, 33% rear), a stiffened rear anti-roll bar, and recalibration of the steering, Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system and Electronic Stability Control.

    Visually the S models can be identified by their black radiator grille with chrome divider bar, along with a front splitter, side sill trims and rear diffuser finished in Beluga gloss.’V8 S’ fender badging and exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels complete the aesthetics.

    Deliveries begin in early 2014 with pricing yet to be confirmed.
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  • Porsche confirms 918 Spyder for Frankfurt

    Porsche 918 Spyder
    After what feel like several hundred years of development, Porsche has announced that its innovative 918 Spyder will be revealed in production form at Frankfurt next Tuesday.

    At the heart of the 1640 kg hybrid is a 453 kW (608 hp) 4.6-litre V8 engine that revs to over 9000 RPM, which is complemented by a hybrid module at the rear along with an electric motor driving the front wheels. Top speed in electric mode is 150 km/h (93 mph) with a range of 25 kilometres achievable – depending on driving style. However, with the full-on 661 kW (887 hp) a its disposal, 100 km/h appears in 2.8 seconds and 200 km/h in 7.9s, while top speed is 340 km/h (211 mph). All from a car capable of drinking around three litres of fuel every 100 kilometres.

    If the 845,000 USD (€633,000) starting price of the 918 Spyder is a little out of your league Porsche will also be taking its new 911 Turbo and celebratory ‘50 years 911’ edition to the show.
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