German Car Scene

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  • Car and Driver in the Ruf Yellowbird and CTR 3 [video]


    It’s very easy to hate Jethro Bovingdon. Not only did Car and Driver’s European correspondent get to take the iconic 911 Ruf Yellowbird for a blast around the test track, but he also paid a visit to the factory and took the CTR 3 on Germany’s autobahn for some high-speed fun.

    The narrow-bodied, lightweight 469 hp (350 kW) model, officlally named the Ruf CTR, made a name for itself after the company released the Faszination promo, showing the car in action at the fabled Nürburgring. If you don’t own a copy – get one.
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  • Olympic MINI Rocketman Concept


    The last we’d heard, MINI’s quirky Rocketman Concept hadn’t made the cut in the production stakes, but that hasn’t prevented the company from reworking it to coincide with the 2012 London Olympics.

    Originally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2011, the Rocketman Concept measures just over three metres in lenghth and uses a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic spaceframe, guaranteeing a lightweight construction. Inside, its innovative 3+1-seater layout accommodates three full-size seats and an extra seat suitable for short trips. Other notable features include the Union Jack transparent and illuminated glass roof, double-hinged doors allowing easier access in tight spaces, trapezoidal stirrup design taillights, and circular headlights with LED full beam units surrounded by a dipped-beam light ring.

    This version, revised to mark London’s hosting of the Olympic Games, has been painted dark blue, with a red roof and grille section, while the mirror caps, surrounds for the grille and headlights and boot opener are finished in Matte Porcelain White. The 18-inch alloy wheels feature white polished areas and a metallic red accent.

    The red, white and blue theme continues inside, with nubuck leather used on the seats and side panels, while the name of every host city of the summer Olympic Games in the modern era has been stitched into the door inserts. Other touches include a rocket-shaped key fob in British national colours and a rucksack attached to the rear of the front passenger seat.

    The car will be on display in the BMW Group Pavilion, close to the Olympic and Paralympic Village throughout this year’s Games.
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  • Audi A1 amplified


    Audi has announced the release of two new exclusive A1 and A1 Sportback editions, with the A1 amplified.

    Based on the Ambition line, the A1 amplified is available in a Misano Red pearl effect or Glacier White metallic colour scheme with three different equipment levels to choose from. The first, simply known as the amplified, features a high-gloss black roof-line, S line roof spoiler, exterior mirrors and grille, along with 17-inch alloys with black inserts. The body also wears matte black film on its hood, roof and tailgate. Inside, the air vent sleeves are colour-coded, while the stitching on the black sports seats also correspond to the exterior’s paintwork, using either Parade Red or Rock Grey thread.

    The amplified plus version wears LED taillights, a body-coloured aerodynamics competition kit, a high-gloss black rear bumper diffuser and matte black tailpipes, while the interior gets a black headliner, LED interior lighting package, a colour coordinated centre console and interior mirror housing and stainless steel pedal covers.

    Lastly, the amplified advanced, which is reserved for models above 90 kW, builds on the plus, and features a black kit and roof spoiler, Xenon plus headlights, matte black five-spoke 18-inch wheels and tinted rear glass. Moving inside, the S line sport package includes Silk Nappa leather S sport seats with red or white seat back shells and matching floor mat edges.

    For some reason, the The A1 amplified red edition is available right now, with the amplified white versions following shortly. Prices for each level start at€1,990, €3,990 and €6,990.
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  • Audi R8 GT Spyder review by Auto Express


    Mat Watson heads to Silverstone circuit to try Audi’s most expensive road car ever, the R8 GT Spyder, for Auto Express magazine. Powering the rag-top supercar is a tweaked version of the regular R8’s 5.2-litre V10 engine, resulting in 412 kW (560 hp) and 540 Nm (398 lb/ft) of torque, allowing the Spyder to rocket to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a mere 3.8 seconds and onto a 317 km/h (197 mph) top speed. So, is it worth the extra coinage?
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  • Prior Design teases PDM1R kit


    Kamp-Lintfort stylinghouse Prior Design has released this teaser image of its PDM1R aerodynamic package for the BMW 1 Series Coupe.

    No details were attached to the picture, but it appears to be an evolutionary version of the company’s PDM1 kit, a more aggressive front bumper with LED daytime running lights and carbon centre section, rear bumper with diffuser section and boot lid spoiler. Expect the usual range of alloy wheels, suspension kits and exhaust systems too.

    [Source: Prior Design]

  • BMW i8 engines to be UK built


    BMW has confirmed that the engines for its i8 plug-in hybrid sports car will be constructed at its Hams Hall plant, near Birmingham in the West Midlands of the UK.

    Expected to feature the same unit as the i8 Concept, the production car will use a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit, developing 164 kW (223 hp) and 300 Nm of torque, to drive the rear wheels, along with a 96 kW (131 hp) motor powering the front axle. The lithium-ion battery allows a range of 27-30 km (17 – 19 miles) on its own but, with both units combined, a sub-5 second sprint to 100 km/h time is achievable, while the top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Impressive figures for a car capable of consuming just 3 litres of fuel every 100 kilometres.

    “Our Hams Hall engine plant will make an important contribution to the future success of the new BMW i brand and the company’s strategy for achieving sustainable mobility. The new 3-cylinder petrol engines will enable our future BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car to set new standards for dynamic performance in combination with industry-leading fuel-efficiency and low carbon emission levels,” said BMW’s Ian Robertson.
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