German Car Scene

Author: admin

  • Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion covers 1,564 km on one tank


    Volkswagen has answered a question posed on its www.thinkblue-spiel.de microsite – just how far can the Polo BlueMotion travel on one tank of fuel.

    So, along with representatives of DEKRA, Volkswagen filled one of its super-frugal hatchbacks to the brim with diesel, then set off from Autostadt in Wolfsburg on Saturday evening. A Passat Variant BlueMotion, carrying three other fuel-saving trainers from ‘Volkswagen Driving Experience’ to share the driving duties, followed the Polo through Leipzig, Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Kassel before returning to Saxony. Covering an average speed of 84 km/h, the crew managed to travel an astonishing 1563.9 kilometres, which translates to just 3.3 litres every 100 km, undercutting the factory’s established consumption figure of 2.9 litres. For the record, the Passat – loaded with luggage and three occupants, managed to drink a mere 4.2 l/100 km.

    [Source: Think Blue]

  • £250 million investment in MINI’s UK plants announced


    BMW Group has announced that its manufacturing plant in Ovford, Midlands engine plant and Swindon steel body pressings operation are to receive a £250 million (€315.2m) boost in investment.

    This follows last year’s £500m investment, adding further support to the company’s growth blueprint which will eventually lead to the production of ten different models and job security for its workforce employed at the triangle of plants. A medium term solution to the expansion in capacity may require the utilization of an additional production facility outside the UK with the Nedcar plant in The Netherlands being considered.

    “Over the last eleven years, MINI has been a unique global success and the BMW Group has even greater plans for the future development of the brand. Plant Oxford has played a major role in this with cars being exported to over 100 countries around the world,” said BMW Group’s Harald Krueger.

    [Source: MINI]

  • BMW 1 Series M Coupe hoonage [video]


    Italy’s Mattia Santino Merli has created this nice piece of footage for Clash Production as a fitting tribute to the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. A mere 80 examples of the 246 kW (335 hp) Baby M made it over to Italian soil, and here’s iconic drifter, Nicola Tesini, destroying the Pirellis on a couple of them. The hoonage takes place on a closed-off area as well as the legendary circuit of Monza. Enjoy!
    (more…)

  • APR Audi R8 V10 ECU upgrade


    Alabama-based APR has released details of its Stage One ECU upgrade for the Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10.

    As the company points out, the R8’s Bosch MED9 Engine Management System is factory detuned so as not to step on the toes of other vehicles in the VAG 5.2 FSI V10 line-up. The APR ECU upgrade sees output rise from 368 kW (524 hp) and 530 Nm (391 lb/ft) of torque to 435 kW (583 hp) and 602 Nm (444 lb/ft), taking it into Audi R8 GT and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera territory. The conversion is priced at $1,349 (€1,098).
    (more…)

  • BMW M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition


    BMW of North America has released details of its M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition.

    Finished in rare Fire Orange, all models benefit from the carbon fibre roof panel, along with carbon front apron flaps, a rear bootlid spoiler and lightweight inconel-titanium exhaust muffler. BMW’s popular Competition Package is also included, which consists of lightweight 9 x 19-inch alloy wheels and lowered suspension with revised electronic damper adjustment function. Inside the cabin, the sports seats are upholstered in Anthracite and Black cloth with Nappa leather trim, while the special flat-bottomed steering wheel is trimmed in Anthracite Alcantara.

    Output from the 4.0-litre V8 engine remains unchanged at 309 kW (414 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) of torque, with cogs changed via the company’s six-speed manual transmission.

    Just 200 examples of the Lime Rock Park Edition will be produced, with prices starting at $70,995 (€57,780) when it goes on sale this September.
    (more…)

  • Brumos Racing offering special edition Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car


    To commemorate its success in the 2011 Rolex GRAND-AM GT championship, Jacksonville-based Brumos Racing is producing five special edition 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars.

    Similar to the Mobil 1 Supercup cars, these US-specification versions use 336 kW (450 hp) 4.0-litre engines, which are built by Porsche Motorsport North America solely for Grand-Am teams. Apart from that customary Brumos livery, the cars also feature a carbon fibre dash panel, dead pedal and floorboard beneath the pedals. Technological upgrades include a Motec display and data acquisition system, new brake and wheel steering sensors and a blipper system for easier down-shifts.

    Priced at $265,259 (plus taxes), each machine wears a ‘911 GT3 Cup 4.0’ badge on its deck lid and a chassis ID plaque bearing the vehicle’s full name and VIN number.

    “This is the first time that Porsche Motorsport North America has offered a special limited edition of a race car, and, with the featured strong four liter engine racing engine and the exclusive Brumos detailed features, the happy owners of these cars will have a lot of fun at the track with the unique and beautiful cars,” said Porsche Motorsport North America president, Jens Walther.
    (more…)