German Car Scene

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  • Audi R8 e-tron to see production

    Audi R8 e-tron
    According to reports, Audi’s R8 e-tron could see production after all.

    Previously citing the car’s 200 kilometre (124m) range as a stumbling block, insiders at Ingolstadt are now claiming that advances in lithium-ion battery technology featuring an alternative chemical process has increased that figure to almost 400 kilometres. Audi’s new head, Ulrich Hackenberg, who was responsible for such Volkswagen vehicles as the XL1, e-Up and e-Golf sees the r8 e-tron as a halo model for the brand.

    In its current incarnation the R8 e-tron utilizes a A 49 KWh lithium-ion battery to feed electric motors generating a total output of 230 kW (308 hp) and 820 Nm of torque. At 1,780 kg it’s 220 kg heavier than the R8 V8, but performance is still impressive, with 100 km/h (62 mph) happening in just 4.6 seconds, while top speed is governed to 200 km/h (124 mph). It also lapped the fabled Nurburgring in just 8:09.099 minutes, securing the record for a electric production car.

    The e-tron is expected to be added to the next-generation R8 range towards the end of next year along with its more conventional petrol-powered counterparts.
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  • AC Schnitzer’s BMW M6 Gran Coupe shines at Nardo

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    AC Schnitzer was recently invited to Nardo to take part in a high speed competition organised by Continental AG and Auto Bild Sportscars magazine where its M6 Gran Coupe recorded the fastest time for a BMW.

    Each of the sixteen vehicles present at the Beyond 300 km/h event was fitted with GPS speed measurement equipment before hitting the 13 kilometre long high speed test track. Those interested in the results will have to buy the latest issue of Auto Bild Sportscars, but AC Schnitzer has already spilled the beans on its own success, recording a maximum of 328.9 km/h (204 mph).

    Turning to the M6’s powerplant, AC Schnitzer’s performance upgrade, which includes remapped ECU software and a rear silencer with adjustable flap control, sees output from the turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 jump from 418 kW (560 hp) and 680 Nm of torque to 456 kW (620 hp) and 790 Nm, good enough for a 305 km/h (190) top speed.

    Visually the company’s aero package comprises of a carbon front spoiler, chromed front grille, hood vents, carbon rear diffuser section and rear spoiler (for the Coupe models only). The sport spring kit provides a drop of 15 mm at the front and 25 mm at the rear, while the 20 and 21-inch wheel and tyre packages on offer include the company’s Type VIII (one-piece/multi-piece/forged), Type V (forged) and Type IV rims in Silver or BiColour.
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  • Volkswagen testing ahead of Monte Carlo

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    Volkswagen has spent a week of testing its Polo R WRC car ahead of next season’s Monte Carlo Rally (January 14 – 19).

    The new World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier was in attendance along with his factory team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen to work on asphalt and snow set-ups.

    Earlier this year, Volkswagen Motorsport agreed to freeze WRC car development in order to keep Citroen and Ford in the championship, but with those two manufacturers, along with Skoda, developing lower budget R5 category cars for 2015, the face of world rallying could be about to change.
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  • 2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro revealed

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    Audi has released details of its 2014 R18 e-tron quattro developed to comply with new regulations coming into effect next year.

    Rules on vehicle dimensions have resulted in the width of the R18 e-tron quattro being reduced by 10 cm, while the height of the vehicle is raised by 20 mm to 1,050 mm. The larger cockpit area leads to less favorable aerodynamics than the slimmer body and wheels, but teams can now use a genuine front wing with flaps rather than a diffuser, which means the car can be modified more easily to suit specific circuits rather than producing a variety of separate bodywork assemblies. The underfloor section has also been revised to complement the front wheel area.

    The new R18 has to consume up to 30 percent less fuel than its predecessor; the V6 TDI engine driving the rear wheels has been retained, but this time it is supported by two hybrid systems. As previously seen, a Motor-Generator-Unit (MGU) harvests kinetic energy at the front axle during braking, which flows into a flywheel energy storage system, while an additional unit linked to the turbocharger converts the thermal energy created by the exhaust gases into electricity.

    Other new features include a CFRP structure behind the transmission – the so-called ‘crasher’ – which absorbs energy in a collision, while new wheel tethers, which connect the front suspension units to the monocoque and the rears to the chassis, must withstand forces of 90 KN – the equivalent of a weight force of nine metric tons.

    Audi also stated that the new minimum weight limit of 870 kilograms meant that its engineers had to take ultra-lightweight design technology to a new dimension as last year’s car tipped the scales at 915 kg – and that’s before the introduction of a second hybrid system.

    Fans can see the new R18 e-tron quattro making its racing debut in the 6-hour race at Silverstone on April 20.
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  • 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

    BMW M4
    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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