German Car Scene

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  • Facelifted ABT AS5 Sportback

    ABT AS5 Sportback
    Kempten-based ABT Sportsline has revealed its updated AS5 program to suit Audi’s facelifted A5 Sportback model.

    Visually, ABT provides a lower front spoiler and diffuser insert for the rear bumper. A choice of 19 or 20-inch wheels and tyres can be stipulated, including the DR (as shown) and CR Silverlight.

    As well as a new exhaust system with quadruple tailpipes, ABT can also provide its Powerkit to suit all engines. Once fitted, output from the 1.8 TFSI climbs from 125 kW (170 hp) to 155 kW (211 hp) with 370 Nm of torque, while the 2.0 TFSI now delivers 199 kW (270 hp) and 400 Nm and 3.0 TFSI owners can enjoy 279 kW (380 hp) and 500 Nm.

    Diesel fans aren’t overlooked either, with the 2.0 TDI tweaked to produce 151 kW (205 hp) and 420 Nm, and the 3.0 TDI churning out 221 kW (300 hp) and 570 Nm.

    Finally, chassis upgrades include a -25 mm sport spring kit, an adjustable coilover set-up allowing a 50 mm drop and a big brake conversion featuring either 345 or 380 mm diameter discs.

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  • BMW M4 Coupe Concept rendered

    BMW M4 Coupe Concept
    We’ve seen a few renderings of the forthcoming BMW M4 Coupe Concept, some OK, some looking like they’ve been done by a moronic child with an Etch A Sketch. But these are well worth sharing.

    Using the recently revealed 4 Series Concept as a base, Bimmerpost member E92Alpine328i has added the aggressive front fascia, carbon fibre roof section and rear bumper from the M6 Coupe, an M3-inspired hood bulge and 1M side gills. The wheel arches have been flared and the mirrors and side skirts have also been tweaked, while those striking five-spoke alloy wheels are lifted from the M6 Gran Coupe.

    BMW is likely to drop the V8 engine currently powering the M3, with propulsion expected to come from a twin-turbocharged straight-six (developing around 331 kW/444 hp), which will be mated to either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or optional six-speed manual.
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  • MINI Clubman Bond Street

    MINI Clubman Bond Street
    MINI has today announced the arrival of its nineteen millionth special edition, with the Clubman Bond Street.

    Once again inspired by an iconic area of London, the Bond Street’s body is finished in Midnight Black Metallic with the roof, mirror casings, bonnet stripes, C-pillars and upper rear bumper section all painted in Cool Champagne. The 17-inch twin-six-spoke alloy wheels replicate this colour combination, while the side repeater surrounds and sill plates bear the ‘Bond Street’ script.

    Moving inside the cabin, the seats are trimmed in Carbon Black lounge leather with contrasting piping and stitching. The dashboard receives the same leather trim, while its plastic surfaces and the door panels are finished in Deep Champagne.

    Standard equipment comprises of front fog lights, Chrome line exterior and interior packages, sport leather steering wheel, climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, USB functionality and automatic wipers and headlight activation.

    Available with four engine options: the 91 kW (122 hp) Cooper, 137 kW (184 hp) Cooper S, 84 kW (112 hp) Cooper D and 107 kW (143 hp) Cooper SD, all come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard or an optional six-speed automatic.

    OTR prices range from £20,275 for the Cooper to £24,045 for the Cooper SD.
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  • Volvo S60 Polestar Concept vs Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG

    Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG
    Hot off the press, DRIVE’s latest offering sees Chris Harris behind the wheel of Volvo’s small-volume concept car, the S60 Polestar. The feisty Swede had been sent over to the UK to avoid the snowy weather – only for it to meet the exact same conditions.

    Nevertheless, that didn’t stop Monkey from stretching its legs on the slippery stuff, and also bringing in a Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG for comparison. Powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six developing 379 kW (508 hp) and 575 Nm of torque, the Volvo flies to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 300 km/h, while its German rival pumps out 336 kW (457 hp) and 600 Nm from that 6.2-litre V8 AMG unit, allowing 100 km/h to appear in 4.5s and a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h.
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  • Twin-supercharged Audi R8 teased

    Twin-supercharged Audi R8
    Banbury-based MRC Tuning has released a new video showing its prototype supercharged Audi R8 V8 Coupe on the rollers.

    Developed jointly with fellow UK specialist – and official importer for Rotrex superchargers, TTS Performance, the car is fitted with a pair of centrifugal Rotrex C38-61 superchargers along with that huge alloy charge cooler sitting in the bay. MRC is still perfecting the management system, but points out that the twin ‘chargers are capable of flowing enough air for 746 kW (1,000 hp).

    We’d love to see the set-up applied to a V10 model.
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  • Carlsson SLK 340 race car announced

    Carlsson SLK 340 race car
    Carlsson has revealed details of a new Mercedes-Benz SLK hillclimb car that will be making its début at the Geneva Motor Show (March 7-17).

    Building on the success the 190 EVO, Swiss team Meisel Motorsport are handling the project, headed by team leader and driver Reto Meisel, who will compete in national and international hill climb races in the E1 category.

    A total of 1,800 hours of development has gone into the SLK, including time in the wind tunnel developing its carbon fibre widebody aero package and closed underbody layout.

    Propulsion comes from the 3.4-litre V8 Judd engine, tuned to develop an impressive 455 kW (610 hp) and 430 Nm of torque, which is mated to a Hewland transmission with flappy paddle shifters.

    Other features on this 780 kg machine include a complex safety cage, a Fibreworks racing seat, lightweight braking system, 3-way adjustable KW competition suspension and a set of BBS racing wheels, measuring 10 and 13 x 18-inches and wrapped in sticky Avon rubber.

    “We developed the design over a long period of time and with lots of feeling. As an engineer, it is a pleasure to contribute to such a project, and we can show everything that is technically possible in the vehicle in cooperation with Carlsson,” said Markus Schuster, Managing Director of Carlsson.
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