German Car Scene

Month: October 2013

  • Porsche Macan spotted in Dubai

    Porsche Macan
    Dubai-based car enthusiast Patrick3331 recently captured some video of a virtually undisguised Porsche Macan being tested in his city.

    Despite this particular vehicle’s lights being hidden we’ve seen in Porsche’s official photos that the Macan features four-pronged LED headlight units similar to those seen on the company’s Panamera Sport Turismo along with C-shaped lighting units housing the indicators and sidelights – known as C-Blades – mounted in the large air inlets.

    Sharing the same Volkswagen Group MLB platform as the new Audi Q5, the Macan is rumoured to be powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 in the S and a 295 kW (395 hp) twin-turbo 3.6-litre in the Turbo, with both variants using a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.

    Expect more information ahead of its LA Motor Show debut next month.
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  • Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG Black Series imagined

    1_a-45-amg-black-series_803
    Following on from Anton Gjorsev’s rendering of a CLA 45 AMG Black Series, French digital artist Antoine51 has applied the same treatment to the A 45 AMG.

    Looking suitably aggressive, the model features a more muscular rear bumper with large diffuser and four trapezoidal tailpipes, deeper side skirts and purposeful fender flares to accommodate a set of wider wheels and tyres.

    We have no doubt that the boffins at AMG’s skunkworks will be able to squeeze some extra horsepower from that 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit, which already has 265 kW (360 hp) and 450 Nm of torque at its disposal, with rumours suggesting that it will develop around 298 kW (400 hp).

    Expect to pay over €60,000 for one when it reaches production next year.
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  • BMW M5 Competition Package vs Mercedes E 63 AMG 4MATIC S-Model

    BMW M5 Competition Package vs Mercedes E 63 AMG 4MATIC S-Model
    This new episode of Head 2 Head sees Motor Trend’s Jonny Lieberman and Mike Shaffer team up to compare a couple of sledgehammer saloons: the Mercedes E 63 AMG 4MATIC S-Model and BMW’s M5 Competition Package.

    As well as optimized chassis settings, the Competition Package’s presence means output from that 4.4-litre biturbo V8 powerplant is raised to 423 kW (575 hp) and 680 Nm of torque, while the meatier E 63 AMG 4MATIC S-Model enjoys a 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 producing 430 kW (585 hp) and 800 Nm.
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  • Design philosophy of the Porsche 911 50 Years Edition

    Porsche 911 50 Years Edition
    This new video from Porsche catches up with the company’s Design Manager, Tony Hatter, who explains how iconic design elements first seen on the original 911 can be found in the new 50 Years Edition.

    Based on the 294 kW (400 hp) Carrera S, but wearing the wider body of the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 model, the celebratory variant features Fuchs-inspired 20-inch alloy wheels, high-gloss window frames and SportDesign mirrors, the Porsche Dynamic Light System, chrome trim strips on the front air inlets, engine compartment grille and between the rear lights.

    The interior gains green labelling on the instruments and white needles with silver caps on the instrument pivot pins, while the material on the seat’s centre section evokes the ‘Pepita’ tartan design seen on 1960s 911s.
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  • Volkswagen XL1 to cost almost £100k in the UK

    Volkswagen XL1
    According to reports, Volkswagen’s XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle will carry an eye-watering price tag approaching £100,000 (€117,500) in the United Kingdom.

    Just 200 examples will be built at the company’s Osnabrueck plant in Germany, with between 20 and 30 units expected to make it to British shores. Volkswagen has apparently had no shortage of interested parties, but will hand-pick specific customers based on their suitability.

    Powering this quirky machine is a combination of an 800 cc two-cylinder TDI engine, developing 35 kW (48 hp) and 120 Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission, along with an electric motor producing 20 kW (27 hp) and 100 Nm. On the road, a top speed of 160 km/h is achievable, with 100 km/h appearing in 12,7 seconds. Amazingly, the XL1 is able to cruise at 100 km/h using a mere 6.2 kW (8 hp), while in electric-only mode it requires less than 0.1 kWh to cover one kilometre, and can cover a range of up to 35 km.

    The most aerodynamic car ever made, with a Cd figure of 0.189, the XL1 tips the scales at a mere 795 kg, helping it to return an insane fuel consumption figure of 0.9 l/100 km (around 313 mpg) and 21 g/km of CO2.

    If the price is a little out of your league, last year, Volkswagen’s Ulrich Hackenberg confirmed that a two-cylinder engine derived from the XL1 will be making its way into the up! city car.
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  • Volkswagen Golf R by Alpha-N Performance

    Alpha-N Performance Volkswagen Golf R
    Ahrweiler-based motorsport and tuning specialist Alpha-N Performance has announced details of its program to suit the outgoing Volkswagen Golf R.

    Developing 195 kW (265 hp) from its 2.0-litre FSI engine as standard, Alpha-N fits an EVOX Systems chip tuning box along with an EVOMS sports air filter system and turbo-back stainless steel exhaust system, which results in 246 kW (330 hp) being sent to all four wheels via the six-speed DSG transmission.

    Chassis upgrades comprise a fully adjustable “Road & Track” Öhlins suspension set-up, while the factory alloy wheels are superseded by lightweight OZ-Racing Ultraleggera HLT items. Finished in gold they measure 8 x 20-inches and come wrapped in 235/30 rubber.
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