German Car Scene

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  • Audi RS 4 v Mercedes C 63 AMG [video]


    In this latest episode of DRIVE, Chris Harris not only samples Audi’s fantastic new 331 kW (450 hp) RS 4 Avant, but the original B5 and brilliant B7 version too. Not only that, but he also brings the brawny 336 kW (457 hp) Mercedes-Benz C 64 AMG into the equation. Which would you choose?
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  • 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed


    Bentley has revealed details and initial images of its 2013 Continental GT Speed ahead of its official début at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

    Visually, the GT Speed sits on lowered and uprated suspension and can be picked out by its dark-tinted matrix grille, enlarged lower air intakes and the ‘rifled’ finish on the twin exhaust tailpipes, while the 21-inch Speed alloy wheels, wrapped in 275 35 R21 Pirelli PZero tyres, complete the car’s more purposeful appearance. Inside, the cabin is finished to Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification.

    Under the hood resides Bentley’s glorious 6-litre, twin turbocharged W12 engine, which churns out 460 kW (617 hp) and 800 Nm of torque, and transfers its power to all four wheels via a close-ratio, ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing a 0-100 km/h time of just in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 329 km/h (205 mph).

    “For nearly a decade, the Continental GT has defined high luxury, high performance grand touring and the unique W12 engine has been so successful that Bentley is now the world’s largest producer of 12-cylinder engines. The new GT Speed with its harder-edged, sportier character reaffirms this pinnacle positioning and continues to broaden the worldwide appeal of the Continental Coupe,” said Bentley’s chairman Wolfgang Dürheimer.
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  • Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse review [video]


    Autocar is the latest publication to get its sweaty hands Bugatti’s insane Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. The open-top Vitesse borrows the 8.0-litre W16 engine from the 431 km/h (267 mph) Super Sport, which enjoys four enlarged turbochargers and intercoolers, resulting in a rise from 746 kW (1,001 hp) and 1,250 Nm (922 lb/ft) to 895 kW (1,200 hp) and 1,500 Nm (1,106 lb/ft).
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  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate Black Bison by Wald


    Japanese styling company, Wald International has developed a Black Bison Edition program for W212 E-Class Estate owners desiring an alternative to the AMG look.

    Constructed from fibre-reinforced plastic, Wald’s package includes a front apron with lower spoiler and LED daytime running lights, side skirts and a rear bumper section with integrated diffuser. Prices start at ¥ 504,000 (€ 5,062) for the basic kit, with extras such as the vented fenders (¥ 207,900/€ 2,088) and stainless steel mufflers (¥ 252,000/€ 2,530) helping to swell that figure. And that’s before you choose a set of wheels.
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  • Vorsteiner GTRS5 unveiled


    Vorsteiner has released details, images and a video of its extreme package for the elderly E90 BMW M3 Coupe, named the GTRS5.

    Limited to just 40 examples, the widebody program is constructed from carbon fibre and consists of aggressive new bumpers with a clear-coated spoiler on the front and hefty diffuser on the rear, replacement, vented front fenders, wide arch extensions with corresponding side skirts. Optional components include the GTS3 hood and GTRS3 boot lid.

    Completing the look is a set of Vorsteiner’s VS-310 three-piece concave forged alloy wheels, while the only mechanical tweak is the E9X titanium exhaust system.
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  • Skoda Rapid revealed


    Skoda has released preliminary details and images of the new Rapid compact saloon before it makes its world début a the Paris Auto Salon on September 29.

    Due to hit showrooms this Autumn, the Rapid is largely unchanged from last year’s sharply-styled MissionL concept, but does lose those flush door handles, sadly. Designed to sit between the Fabia and the Octavia, the five-seater Rapid, which has over 500 litres of boot space, is 4.48 metres in length and 1.7 metres in width. This puts it in direct competition with other cars in the A segment, which accounts for around 36 per cent of the world’s auto market. Within this class, saloons have a share of about 42 per cent.

    Powerplants on offer at launch, will include five petrol and two diesel engines mated to five-speed manual and DSG transmissions, including a super-frugal 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel GreenLine version.
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