German Car Scene

Month: January 2014

  • Audi allroad shooting brake show car surfaces

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    Here are the first official images of Audi’s crossover concept, which will be unveiled in Detroit next week.

    Finished in Ice Blue, the sculpted allroad shooting brake show car, which weighs 1,600 kg and measures 4.20 metres in length, is almost identical to the company’s Crosslane Coupe and rides on 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels and features raised suspension for additional ground clearance, Matrix LED headlights, a trademark e-tron single-frame grille with finer chrome bars and rugged aluminum underbody guards at the front and rear. The flanks feature plastic cladding and arch trims, while the rear wears a large roof spoiler, wrap-around LED clusters and tailpipes integrated within the bumper.

    The short overhangs, sloping roof line and coupe-like rear all serve to provide an athletic appearance, while the badging denotes a plug-in hybrid drivetrain beneath the skin developing a total output of 300 kW (408 hp) and 650 Nm of torque. The turbocharged 2.0 TSI petrol engine produces 215 kW (292 hp) of power and generates 380 Nm, along with an electric motor making 40 kW (54 hp) of power and 270 Nm integrated within the six-speed e-S tronic transmission. Thanks to its 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery the concept can cover a range of around 50 km (31 miles) running on pure electric power. If the all-wheel-drive system is in use, a second motor generating 114 hp (85 kW) and 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) sends power to the rear axle at low and moderate vehicle speeds.

    On the road 100 km/h happens in just 4.6 seconds, with top speed limited to 250 km/h (155 mph) or 130 km/h (81 mph) in electric mode. An astounding fuel consumption figure of 1.9 litres per 100 km is achievable, with CO2 emissions of 45g/km and a total driving range of 820 km (510 miles).

    Inside, the cabin is almost identical to the next-generation TT virtual cockpit teased by Audi at CES, right down to the large multi-function screen, smartphone-style text search function (MMI search) on the console and turbine-look vents with built-in controls and gauges.

    As with the previous Audi Shooting Brake concept, which was unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, we suspect that this is largely how the next TT will turn out.
    (more…)

  • Mercedes E-Class Black Bison by Wald

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    Japanese styling company Wald International has unveiled its Black Bison program to suit the Mercedes E-Class at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon.

    Constructed from fibre-reinforced plastic, Wald’s aero package includes a front bumper featuring large intakes, a lip spoiler and flics with integrated LED daytime running lights. There’s also a pair of side skirts, a boot lid spoiler and rear diffuser section accommodating quadruple AMG-style tailpipes.

    Further details and pricing to follow.
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  • Supercharged BMW V10 by G-Power

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    Bayern-based BMW tuning specialist has announced details of its mono-kompressor program to suit the M5 and M6 E6X models.

    G-Power’s new T1-724 supercharger replaces the two ASA T1-313 units previously used. Already developing 373 kW (500 hp) and 520 Nm on torque from that S85 5.0-litre V10 engine in factory guise, the entry level SK Plus system sees output jump to 447 kW (600 hp) and 560 Nm for €7,900.

    Next is the SK I option, which includes an intercooler and increased boost. Starting from €9,500, this package yields 462 kW (620 hp) 600 Nm with an optional update to 477 kW (640 hp) and 620 Nm available.

    Finally, the SK II program receives an additional performance exhaust system with racing catalysts. Priced from €14,500, output is increased to 522 kW (700 hp) and 670 Nm.

    G-Power points out that it is only selling thirty of each of the packages at these special prices to mark thirty years in the business.
    (more…)

  • Audi TT cockpit at CES 2014

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    Here’s a couple of videos via Pocket-lint and Auto Bild from the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show 2014, which look at the next-generation Audi TT cockpit.

    The 12.3-inch TFT monitor offers brilliant graphics with a 3D impression allowing the driver to switch between the ‘classic’ view to monitor the speedometer and rev counter in the foreground, while the ‘infotainment’ mode reduces the size of the virtual instruments to provide a clearer display space for functions such as the navigation map.

    Operated either via buttons on a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel or on the redesigned centre console, we really like the look of it, especially the smartphone-style text search function (MMI search).
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  • Volkswagen unveils 2014 Polo R WRC

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    Volkswagen Motorsport has updated its championship-winning Polo R WRC for the 2014 season.

    With manufacturers agreeing not to homologate any new World Rally Cars for the 2014 season, many details of the current car have been further developed. Still propelled by a turbocharged 1.6-litre TSI four-cylinder engine – limited to around 224 kW (300 hp) thanks to a regulatory air restrictor, the team has focused on optimising chassis components and new set-up variants for the drive train, while the software controlling the on-board electronics has been completely revised.

    Impressively, Volkswagen won ten of the 13 rallies last season, finishing ten events with three cars and three with two. None suffered any engine damage; there was just one technical fault: a loose electrical connection.

    “If you don’t go forwards in motorsport, you go backwards. When it comes to technical development, you simply cannot afford to let up for a single second. Although we won some laurels in 2013, we have certainly not rested on them. Every single member of the team cannot wait to find out where we stand compared to the strong competition we will face from Citroën and Ford, as well as our new opposition at Hyundai,” said Motorsport Director Jost Capito.
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  • Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept heading to Detroit

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    Volkswagen has released renderings of a new Beetle Dune Concept ahead of its world debut in Detroit next week.

    As with the original version, which was unveiled at the 2000 Los Angeles Auto Show, the rugged Beetle Dune Concept features a raised ride height and protective under-panelling along with blistered plastic arches and side mouldings.

    Inside, the cabin features more practical, harder-wearing surfaces, while power is believed to come from the same 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine seen powering the Beetle GSR, which develops 155 kW (208 hp) and 280 Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed DSG transmission.
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