German Car Scene

Month: September 2013

  • BMW i8 photos surface

    BMW i8
    Following on from a cheeky teaser video, here’s a couple of the first BMW i8 photographs showing the car in production guise.

    Due to make its world debut in Frankfurt in exactly seven days, the i8 utilizes the company’s i LifeDrive architecture, which focuses around a lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell connected to the aluminum Drive module.

    Propulsion comes via a TwinPower turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder combustion engine that sends 170 kW (231 hp) and 320 Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, along with an electric motor developing 96 kW (131 hp) and 250 Nm driving the front wheels through a two-stage automatic gearbox.

    It can hit 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) in all-wheel drive mode, with a maximum of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a range of 35 kilometres (22m) achievable in electric-only mode.
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  • BMW X3 by Hamann

    Hamann BMW X3
    Laupheim-based tuning specialist Hamann Motorsport has revealed its range of options to suit the current BMW X3 SUV.

    Performance upgrades based on ECU software optimization are available for petrol models including the xDrive 20i, 28i and 35i, with the xDrive 35i now producing 266 kW (348 hp) and 449 Nm – up from the series figures of 225 kW (306 hp) and 400 Nm. Diesel fans aren’t overlooked either, with the xDrive 18D, 20D, 30D and 35d all benefitting from a tweak. An example of this is the 35d, which enjoys a jump in output from 230 kW (313 hp) and 630 Nm to 260 kW (355 hp) and 695 Nm.

    Other items include a lowering kit, which provides a drop in ride height of 35 mm, and the company’s ANNIVERSARY EVO multi-spoke alloy wheels. Measuring 9 and 10.5 x 22-inches, they’re available in either a silver or black/chrome finish and come wrapped in Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R tyres.
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  • New Volkswagen Golf R images and video released

    Volkswagen Golf R
    Following on from the initial details, Volkswagen has released a set of Golf R images along with a new promo video.

    Producing 22 kW (30 hp) more than its predecessor, the Golf R is powered by a revised version of the GTI‘s 2.0-litre TSI unit, which receives a new cylinder head, pistons, high-pressure injection valves and beefier turbocharger. Those upgrades see 221 kW (300 hp) and 380 Nm of torque transferred to the road via an 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, loowing a 0-100 km/h time of 5.1 seconds with the six-speed manual gearbox and 4.9s with the six-speed DSG transmission, while top speed is limited to 250 km/h.

    The start-stop system and recuperation contributes to an 18 percent improvement in fuel consumption, with the manual car needing an average of 7.1 litres every 100 kilometres while emitting 165 g per km and the DSG requiring 6.9 l/100 km (159 g/km CO2).

    Visually, the Golf R wears a more aggressive front bumper with oversized air intakes, bi-xenon headlights, side skirts, matte chrome mirror casings, larger roof spoiler, subtle R badging, darkened LED tail-lights, and a diffuser section housing quadruple tailpipes. 18-inch Cadiz alloy wheels come as standard with 19-inch Pretoria available as an option. The interior boasts sports seats trimmed in Alcantara fabric, a three-spoke leather sports steering wheel, ambient lighting, climate control and touchscreen radio-CD system.
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  • 2014 Porsche Panamera Diesel revealed

    2014 Porsche Panamera Diesel
    Porsche has added a new diesel model to its facelifted Panamera range which enjoys a 20% increase in performance over its predecessor.

    Once again propulsion comes from a 3.0-litre V6 unit, but thanks to a redesigned crankshaft and pistons, along with a water-cooled turbocharger running at the higher boost pressure of 3 bar (up from 2.5 bar), output is raised by 37 kW (50 hp) and 100 Nm to 224 kW (300 hp) at 4000 rpm and 650 Nm between 1750 rpm and 2500 rpm.

    With Porsche’s Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) fitted as standard, along with a retuned transmission and chassis (inc thicker anti-roll bars), performance is further improved, with the 100 km/h time dropping from 6.8 seconds to 6s and top speed climbing from 244 km/h to 259 km/h. While gears one to four of the eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission have been shortened slightly to increase acceleration the longer final gears help to achieve an average fuel consumption figure of 6.4 litres/100 km along with emissions of 169 CO2/km.

    The new Panamera Diesel will be revealed in Stuttgart later this month, with deliveries in Germany beginning in January. Pricing starts from €85,300.
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  • Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 RST Trofeo by Revozport

    Revozport Lamborghini LP560 RST Trofeo
    Chai Wan-based tuning specialist RevoZport has revealed its RST Trofeo program that provides a motorsport look and increased downforce for Lamborghini’s Gallardo model.

    Designed to fit all second-generation variants, the aero package, which is constructed from carbon fibre, comprises of a front upper bumper section with mesh and separate splitter lip, side skirts, engine decklid panel, rear bumper with monster diffuser, and large wing mounted on aluminium struts. The company can also supply owners with carbon fibre mirror casings.
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  • Porsche 911 Turbo S vs McLaren 12C drag race

    Porsche 911 Turbo S vs McLaren 12C drag race
    Following on from Autocar’s review, the magazine lines Porsche’s brand new 911 Turbo S up alongside a McLaren 12C for a little drag race. Could they have found a narrower piece of road?

    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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