German Car Scene

Month: November 2013

  • Mercedes SLS AMG GT Final Edition announced


    Mercedes has announced that it will be taking the SLS AMG GT Final Edition to Tokyo Motor and Los Angeles (both from 20 November to 1 December 2013) along with the recently revealed S 65 AMG.

    Details are limited, but this will be a last hurrah for the SLS before the introduction of the SLC. Based on the SLS AMG GT, the Final Edition utilizes that tweaked 6.2-litre V8 unit developing 435 kW (591 hp) and 650 Nm of torque allowing a 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds and top speed electronically limited to 320 km/h.

    Visually differences include a revised front fascia with larger intakes along with a new front lip spoiler, bonnet, side strakes, mirror casings and a Black Series rear wing – all constructed from carbon fibre.

    Tinted headlight housings and exclusive five-double-spoke AMG alloy wheels complete the exterior, while the cabin receives AMG designo Exclusive Leather upholstery with contrasting silver diamond-shaped stitching and a carbon fibre trim package.

    Production will be limited to just 350 units.
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  • Audi RS 4 and RS 5 by Akrapovic


    Performance specialist Akrapovic has released a video and details of its Evolution Line exhaust to suit Audi’s RS 4 and RS 5 models.

    The cat-back system is constructed from titanium alloy and features carbon fibre detailing on the tailpipes. Thanks to the materials used, the replacement exhaust undercuts its factory counterpart by 9 kilograms, while output from the 4.2 FSI V8 powerplant is raised from 331 kW (450 hp) and 430 Nm of torque to 341 kW (457 hp) and 443 Nm.
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  • Mercedes SL Shooting Brake imagined


    Following on from his impressive S-Class Estate renderings, Singaporean digital artist Theophilus Chin has asked an interesting question with his latest work: would a Shooting Brake Mercedes SL be a viable vehicle?

    Ferrari’s 485 kW (651 hp) FF has proven to be a popular choice for those delving into the Grand Tourer market, but a Shooting Brake variant of the SL 65 AMG, with its 6-litre twin-turbo V12 engine developing 463 kW (630 hp) and 1000 Nm of torque, would be a worthy competitor.
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  • Bentley Continental GT3 development


    Following on from the testing video, Bentley has released a new trailer documenting the development of its stunning Continental GT3 racecar.

    Built jointly with WRC specialist M-Sport, the GT3 is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 using Cosworth management and a dry-sump system. Producing 447 kW (600 hp) in unrestricted guise, power is sent to the rear wheels via a carbon fibre propshaft connected to an Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission.

    Following its unveiling at Yas Marina circuit in December, the Bentley will start full competition in the FIA Blancpain Series in 2014.
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  • Porsche’s Macan hits the test track


    Here’s Porsche’s forthcoming Macan going for it at the R&D centre in Weissach ahead of its public unveiling in Los Angeles on November 20.

    Sharing the same Volkswagen Group MLB platform as the new Audi Q5, the Macan has an identical wheelbase of 2,807 mm, but is marginally longer at 4,675 mm, with a width of 1,923 mm and height of 1,628 mm, and a DIN kerb weight starting at 1,898 kg for the S Diesel variant compared to the SQ5 TDI‘s 1,920 kg.

    Three versions will be offered at launch, beginning with the Macan S, which is propelled by a 3.0-litre V6 engine developing 250 kW (340 hp) 460 Nm of torque, enough for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 254 km/h (158 mph). The Macan S Diesel follows, with a 3.0-litre V6 unit producing 190 kW (258 hp) and 580 Nm, allowing 100 km/h to happen in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 226 km/h (140 mph).

    Finally, there’s the flagship Macan Turbo. With a twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre powerplant churning out 294 kW (400 hp) and 550 Nm, 100 km/h is dispatched with in 4.8 seconds and top speed is 269 km/h (167 mph).

    We’ve also added a screencap from the video showing the Macan’s interior.
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  • Audi S3 by ABT Sportsline


    Kempten-based ABT Sportsline has revealed its new upgrade to suit Audi’s current S3 model.

    Propelling the S3 is Audi’s 2.0 TFSI which develops 221 kW (300 hp) of power and 380 Nm of torque in factory guise. Once ABT’s Power Kit is in control of the engine’s software those figures climb to 272 kW (370 hp) and 460 Nm, which sees the 0-100 km/h time drop to 4.6 seconds (series 5.1s) and top speed raised to 265 km/h (165 mph).

    A choice of alloy wheels are on offer, in sizes ranging from 18 to 21-inches, including the DR items pictured here.
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