German Car Scene

Month: October 2013

  • Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Radar Safety Edition announced

    Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Radar Safety Edition
    Mercedes-Benz has announced a special version of its SLK for the Japanese market labelled the SLK 200 Radar Safety Edition.

    Powered by a turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder developing 135 kW (184 hp) and 270 Nm of torque, standard equipment includes the Magic Sky Control panoramic vario roof, 18-inch AMG alloy wheels and the AMG body styling package comprising of a deeper front apron, sculpted side sills and a rear valance with finned diffuser and twin AMG tailpipes. All cars are finished in Polar White with the interior receiving Bengal Red Nappa leather upholstery and Solar Red ambient lighting.

    As the name suggests, this special variant features the Radar Safety Package, which comprises of Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist, Distronic Plus and Brake Assist Plus.

    Available to order from today, just 100 examples will be built at a price of ¥6,330,000 (€47,940).
    (more…)

  • Davide Testi takes you for a ride in Pagani’s Huayra

    Pagani Huayra
    This new video from Speedhunters sees Pagani’s test driver Davide Testi attacking the Auto Dromo di Modena in Italy with the company’s epic Huayra.

    Powered by a revised version of the 6.0-litre Mercedes-AMG V12 Bi-Turbo engine from the SL 65 AMG Black Series, the Huayra produces a substantial 515 kW (690 hp) and 1,000 Nm of torque and, at 1,888 kg, is 538 kg lighter than the Veyron.
    (more…)

  • Magnus Walker’s 1966 Irish Green Porsche 911

    Magnus Walker's 1966 Irish Green Porsche 911
    Following on from the brilliant Urban Outlaw film, Yorkshire’s finest export Magnus Walker talks about his stunning ’66 Irish Green Porsche 911 to XCAR Films.

    It’s impossible not to be drawn in by Magnus’ passion about the marque when he describes the feeling of driving a 911 and how their characteristics can differ from car to car. Operating from his Los Angeles workshop, Walker, who turned his hobby into an obsession and a successful business, creates one-off machines using donor 911s from a bygone era.
    (more…)

  • Sebastien Ogier crowned World Rally Champion

    2013 Rally France
    Rally France has barely begun, but Volkswagen’s Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have already been crowned World Rally Champions.

    Driving the Polo R WRC in its debut season, Ogier has won six out of the ten rallies and needed just one point to tie up the title following his victory in Australia.

    As it turned out, the Frenchman’s closest rival Thierry Neuville, who had to pick up maximum points in France to keep his title dreams alive, could only manage a second place behind fellow Citroen driver Dani Sordo on the Strasbourg Power Stage, so it became an impossible task to catch Ogier and Ingrassia, who recorded the third-fastest time on the opening stage.

    “The feeling is impossible to describe. To have won the World Championship title in France is an absolute dream come true. As a little boy, I used to marvel at the cars and top drivers at the Rally Monte Carlo with my father in my home town of Gap – and now Julien and I are World Rally Champions,” said a jubilant Ogier.
    (more…)

  • Special Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse marks Lang Lang performance

    Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse
    Bugatti has announced details of its latest Grand Sport Vitesse variant, which was built to celebrate pianist Lang Lang’s performance at Château St. Jean in Molsheim, where the factory had been converted into a concert hall for one night only.

    Inspired by the keys of a concert piano and the iconic Type 57 Atalante, the exterior is finished in a mixture of black-tinted carbon fibre and “Blanc Atalante”, while the filler cap has been gold plated. Gold also features on the steering wheel centre and clasp, while the black and white leather on the door panels mimic music note lines. Finally, Lang Lang was called upon to sign the centre console’s piano black inserts.

    Using the 8.0-litre W16 from the 431 km/h Super Sport – complete with upgraded turbochargers, the Vitesse enjoys an elephantine 895 kW (1,200 hp) and 1,500 Nm of torque, rather than the usual 746 kW (1,001 hp) and 1,250 Nm seen in the regular open-topped model. The Vitesse was also recognised as the world’s fastest open-top production sports car after reaching 408.84 km/h (254.04 mph) at Ehra-Lessien.
    (more…)

  • Bentley Continental GT by Onyx Concept

    Bentley Continental GT by Onyx Concept
    Ireland’s Onyx Concept has revealed its new program to suit Bentley’s Continental GT V8.

    Available in a mixture of polycarbonate and carbon fibre or completely in carbon, the GTX package adds 30 mm to the car’s width and comprises of a replacement front bumper with large air intakes, a ventilated bonnet, fender flares, side skirts, boot lid spoiler and a rear bumper with diffuser and trapezoidal tailpipes. Sitting 10 mm lower than standard, the Bentley’s wheel arches are filled by a set of Onyx’s 22-inch flow forged alloy wheels.

    The company has custom paintwork and upholstery departments supplying such goodies as full leather retrims, lambs wool floor mats, carbon fibre inlay packages and starlight headliners.

    Finally, Onyx’s performance upgrade sees output from the turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine jump from 373 kW (500 hp) to 447 kW (600 hp), enough for a 0-100 km/h time of four seconds.
    (more…)