German Car Scene

Month: December 2013

  • Pure Fusion Design BMW Z4 Roadster

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    BMW has announced details of its new Pure Fusion Design package to suit the company’s Z4 Roadster.

    Focusing around interior upgrades, the cabin receives specially designed sport seats upholstered in premium Nappa leather with contrasting brown stitching, with the lower portion of the dashboard, the door panels and armrests trimmed in the same hide. The horizontal trim line of the dashboard utilizes Saddle Brown Nappa leather, while the upper sections and sun visors are coated in black leather. Completing the look is the addition of Fineline wood on the centre console and around the five controls just below the central air vents.

    The Pure Fusion Design can be specified with BMW’s M Sport package in a choice of colours including the new Sparkling Brown metallic paint finish pictured here.
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  • Porsche 918 Spyder reviewed by evo

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    This new video from evo sees the magazine’s Dickie Meaden travel to Spain’s Valencia circuit to sample the Porsche 918 Spyder.

    At the heart of this plug-in hybrid hypercar is a 453 kW (608 hp) 4.6-litre V8 engine, which is based on that of the LMP2 RS Spyder race car and is backed up by a hybrid module at the rear along with a electric motor powering the front wheels. When using electric power alone, top speed is 150 km/h (93 mph) with a range of 25 kilometres achievable – depending on driving style but, with the full 661 kW (887 hp) a its disposal, 100 km/h appears in 2.8 seconds and 200 km/h in 7.9s, while top speed is 340 km/h (211 mph).
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  • Mark Webber tests the Porsche LMP1

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    Following Red Bull Racing’s decision to allow Mark Webber to test Porsche’s 2014 LMP1 car, the popular Aussie has joined his new employer at Portugal’s Algarve circuit.

    “My first day in this fascinating project was an intense experience for me. I would like to thank Red Bull Racing for giving me the chance to join the project so early. It allows me to integrate with the team quicker and to contribute to further developing the LMP1 race car,” said the 37-year-old.

    The car uses a direct-injection four-cylinder petrol engine to drive the rear wheels and features a pair of energy recuperation systems that harvest power for an electric motor located on the front axle. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid also utilized a similar set-up that harnessed kinetic energy via an electric flywheel accumulator.
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  • 2014 BMW M3 Saloon and M4 Coupe

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    After a period of time comparable to the evolution of man, today is the day that BMW reveals its new M4 Coupe and M3 Saloon models and here are the first images.

    Aggressively styled, the low-slung M4 and M3 differ from their regular counterparts thanks to the power dome on the hood, a CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic) roof, bulging wheel arches, wider side skirts and trademark M fender gills. There’s also a gloss black kidney grille with double slats, a sculpted front bumper with large air intakes, boot lid spoiler and rear bumper with air outlets and a diffuser that shrouds quadruple tailpipes. A set of 19-inch forged M alloy wheels complete the look.

    Under the hood lies the new twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre S55B30 in-line six-cylinder fed by two low internia turbocharger units. Mated to a 6-speed manual or optional 7-speed M-DCT transmission, 316 kW (430 hp) and 550 Nm of torque is sent to the rear wheels via a lightweight carbon fibre reinforced prop shaft and revised M differential utilizing an electric actuator to constantly vary the locking effect – anywhere between 0 per cent and 100 per cent.

    Other weight-saving measures, including an aluminium hood and front wings, help the M4 and M3 to tip the scales at 1497 kg and 1520 kg respectively, with BMW stating that both vehicles crack 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. Maximum speed is electronically restricted to 250 km/h (155 mph); if the optional Driver’s Package is specified, this limit is raised to 280 km/h (174 mph).

    The stop/start function and brake energy recuperation systems help to return an improved average fuel consumption figure of 8.3 litres per 100 kilometres (34 mpg) with CO2 emissions of 194 g/km. Forged aluminium suspension components along with a choice of Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus adaptive damping settings and a new axle carrier mounted directly to the bodyshell increase rigidity and handling dynamics, while the electro-mechanical Servotronic steering features Efficiency, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes.

    Moving inside, the bucket-style seats in the front are electrically adjustable and heated and feature illuminated M logos, while the rear bench is constructed from a composite material and can be folded in a 60:40 split. There’s also a leather-trimmed M steering wheel, exclusive sill plates, an Anthracite BMW Individual headlining, and the optional M Head-up Display. Owners can also download the BMW M Laptimer app to their smartphone, which – once connected to the car’s USB port – records such data as speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, engine revs, the gear engaged, steering angle, accelerator position and fuel consumption.

    Due to be launched in June 2014, pricing in the UK will start at £56,175 OTR for the M3 Saloon and £56,635 OTR for the M4 Coupe.
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  • BMW M6 Gran Coupe vs Audi RS 7 Sportback

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    In this new video from Auto Express, Owen Mildenhall decides which high-powered four-door coupe gets his vote between the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and Audi’s RS 7 Sportback.

    Propelled by a twin-turbocharged 4.0 TFSI V8 engine, the RS 7 has 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm of torque at its disposal, 100 km/h appears in just 3.9 seconds, while the limited 250 km/h top speed can be raised to 280 km/h (174 mph) with the optional dynamic package and 305 km/h (190 mph) with the dynamic package plus.

    Power for the M6 Gran Coupe comes from BMW’s 4.4-litre biturbo V8 engine, which develops 412 kW (560 hp) and 680 Nm of torque, meaning a 0-100 km/h time of 4.2 seconds and limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) or 305 km/h (189 mph) with the M Driver’s Package specified.
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  • Four-cylinder Porsche Macan on the way


    According to reports, the new Porsche Macan will also be offered with a four-cylinder powerplant following its launch next year.

    Available as a petrol unit only, the turbocharged engine will power the entry-level Macan and is expected to produced just under 224 kW (300 hp). Rumours suggest that it could be based on the same 2.5-litre flat-four boxer lump linked to the company’s Boxster and Cayman models.

    Slated to appear before the end of 2014, a four-cylinder Macan could start at £40,000, with the Boxster expected to be available from around £35,000.

    [Source: Auto Express]