Month: November 2013

Petrolicious looks at a German classic in Italy

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Here’s another great offering from Petrolicious, which features Donato Maniscalco discussing what owning a Porsche means to him.

As an Italian child, it would be easy to be seduced by the marque with the prancing horse, but when a ten-year-old Donato was just becoming interested in automobiles he only had one brand in mind. Years later, his dream of owning a Porsche was realized when he purchased this 110 horsepower 1968 911T. A keen participator rallies and other driving events, Donato is a firm believer that the Italian countryside looks better when viewed as a blur.

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MTM Audi RS 6

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Wettstetten-based tuning specialist MTM has revealed its new program for the Audi RS 6.

Propelled by a twin-turbocharged 4.0 TFSI V8 unit sending 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, MTM’s upgrade, which includes remapped ECU software and a stainless steel exhaust system with adjustable flap, results in a borderline obscene 538 kW (722 hp) and 885 Nm.

Priced at 13,750 euros, the conversion yields a new 0-100 km/h time of just 3.3 seconds, while 200 km/h appears in 11.3s and 250 km/h in 19s before a top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph) is reached.

MTM also offers its classic 20-inch bimoto wheels wrapped in 285/35 Michelin Pilot Supersport tyres, along with a Brembo front brake upgrade, which utilizes monobloc six-piston calipers and cross-drilled discs.

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Wald International Mercedes S-Class

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Japanese styling company Wald International has released initial details of its Sports Line Black Bison Edition program to suit the new Mercedes S-Class.

Audi S3 vs Sport quattro

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Audi has released this promotional video which sees Hermann Müller and Stig Blomqvist taking to the old rally track in San Remo armed with the company’s new S3 as well as its fabled Sport quattro.

Propelling the S3 is Audi’s long-stroke 2.0 TFSI which develops 221 kW (300 hp) of power and 380 Nm of torque, with power transferred to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via a manual six-speed transmission or optional six-speed S tronic. The sprint to 100 km/h takes 5.1 seconds in the S tronic-equipped car (manual: 5.4 s), while top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

When new in 1983, the Sport quattro enjoyed 228 kW (306 hp) thanks to its delicious 2.1-litre turbocharged five-cylinder unit; enough to return a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

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Record run for the Volkswagen Golf TDI BlueMotion

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Volkswagen has announced details of a record-breaking run using its super-frugal Golf TDI BlueMotion for a trip from Nantes to Copenhagen.

The 50-litre tank was filled and sealed by DEKRA officials before drivers representing the Volkswagen Driving Experience set off from the French city of Nantes; passing through Antwerp, Bremen and Hamburg before reaching Copenhagen. Following a journey time of 20 hours and 45 minutes in regular traffic, the same officials calculated that the Golf had consumed just 2.92 litres of diesel every 100 kilometres (96 MPG) during its 1,602 kilometre excursion meaning it breaks the ‘three-litre’ barrier and undercuts the factory figure of 3.2l/100 km.

Propulsion comes from the company’s EA288 1.6-litre TDI – mated to a wider spaced 6-speed manual gearbox – which develops 81 kW (109 hp) and 250 Nm of torque. Top speed is a respectable 202 km/h (125 mph).

Along with such measures as a Stop/Start system, battery regeneration and low rolling resistance tyres, the BlueMotion also sits on lower suspension and wears aerodynamically-optimized bodywork including a special roof spoiler, a radiator grille with almost closed slats, partially closed air inlets in the bumper and slippery underfloor panels.

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