German Car Scene

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  • eSetta imagined


    Graduate of the University of Applied Arts in Vienna Tony Weichselbraun has come up with a great looking successor to the iconic BMW Isetta, with this eSetta citycar.

    But, whereas the 1950’s machine used a one-cylinder, 10 kW (13 hp) motorcycle engine, Tony’s vision of the future is an electric vehicle destined to be used in an urban environment and inductively charged at sharing hubs. This would allow customers to hire them for short journeys in much the same way that bicycles can be hired and left in docking points once they’ve served their purpose. We love the retro luggage rack, red accents and how the front door slides and rotates, allowing passengers entry via the pavement much like the original example.

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  • C 63 AMG Coupe Black Series DTM Safety Car


    It’s that time of year again, when Mercedes-Benz reveals its DTM Safety car for the new season, and here it is.

    Based on the epic C 63 AMG Coupe Black Series, the only mechanical change is the fitment of a more TV-friendly, modified exhaust system. Obviously, the brawny Coupe is equipped with the AMG Track package, AMG Aerodynamics package, AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre package and 19-inch forged AMG light-alloy wheels wrapped in Dunlop Sport Maxx Race tyres. Output from that glorious 6.2-litre V8 engine remains unchanged at 380 kW (517 hp) and 620 Nm of torque, allowing a 0-100 km/h time of just 4.2 seconds.

    Marking it out from the road-going version is a roof-mounted light bar, which uses green and orange LED technology, and stroboscope-like flashing LED lights on the front and rear which remain active while the Safety Car is being deployed. Inside the cockpit is a two-way radio, auxiliary switches and a TV monitor, which is linked to a rear-mounted camera, providing the co-driver with a view of the following DTM cars.

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  • 2013 Audi Q5


    After several leaked images recently hit the web, Audi has officially released details of its facelifted Q5 SUV.

    Visually, the changes are pretty mild and include an evolved single-frame grille with beveled upper edges and sculpted vertical chrome struts, headlamps with curved LED running lights on the optional xenon plus units, modified bumpers with integrated air inlets, high-gloss black inserts and chromed-trimmed and fog lights. The rear bumper gets a diffuser section and revised tailpipes, while the tail-lights also use LED technology to match the fronts.

    Moving inside, Audi has added chrome trim elements to the steering column control stalks, ignition key and instruments, an updated MMI navigation plus system, three-zone air conditioning and climate-controlled comfort seats with a ventilation action. A total of 35 different upholstery combinations can be specified in fabric and leather with inlays available in aluminium or three different wood veneers.

    New engines include a new 2.0 TFSI, which develops 165 kW (225 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque and consumes 7.6 litres per 100 km, while the outgoing 3.2-litre has been replaced by the supercharged 3.0 TFSI. Producing 200 kW (272 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft), 100 km/h appears in 5.9 seconds before it tops out at 234 km/h (145 mph). Combined fuel consumption is 8.5 litres every 100 kilometres.

    The new Q5 hybrid quattro uses a 2.0 TFSI with 155 kW (211 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque along with a 40 kW (54 hp) electric motor. With a 0-100 km/h time of 7.1 s and a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph), performance is brisk, while a range of three kilometres can be covered purely in electric mode – at a constant speed of 60 km/h. Combined fuel consumption for the hybrid is just 6.9 litres per 100 km.

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  • G-Power BMW M3 E46


    Bayern-based BMW tuner G-Power has unveiled its program for the outmoded – but brilliant – M3 E36, giving it the chops to eclipse the current E92 model.

    After fitting its SK I ‘Sporty Drive’ supercharger system to the M3’s 3.2-litre straight-six, output jumps to 331 kW (444 hp) and 460 Nm (339 lb/ft) of torque – an improvement of 79 kW (106 hp) and 95 Nm (70 lb/ft) over the factory vehicle. Those changes see the E46 rocket to 0-200 km/h in 14.7 seconds (E92 M3: 15.7s) before hitting a governed top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). The price for this conversion is € 7,000 (plus installation).

    Other components available for the M3 include a sports rear muffler (€ 1,080), the GM3-RS adjustable coilover suspension kit (€ 1,205), a wheel and tyre package consisting of 20-inch Silverstone Diamond rims and Michelin Pilot Sport tyres (€ 4,422) and G-Power’s brake upgrade option. Featuring six-piston calipers – up front – along with 370 mm and 342 mm discs, the fronts and rears are available separately for € 5,800,00 and € 3,860 respectively.

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  • Audi R8 LMS ultra preparation


    Have you ever been to a motorsport event or watched one on TV and wondered how the car’s slick-looking bodywork is prepared? Neither have we. Anyway, here’s WRT Belgian Audi Club’s sticker crew, Stéphane Ortelly and David Hallyday, applying that familiar livery to the team’s Audi R8 LMS ultra. WRT represents Audi in the 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship, fielding two of the brand new cars, and currently leads it following a sixth place at last weekend’s Zolder round.

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  • BMW Motorsport: “See you in Hockenheim”


    Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year or so, BMW Motorsport is about to make its return to the DTM series after a twenty year hiatus. Since the M3 DTM concept was unveiled last July the company has been pretty much faultless when it came to keeping fans updated with its progress. Here’s the final promo before all the cars line up on the grid at Hockenheim this weekend, with BMW hoping to repeat the success it first enjoyed 25 years ago, winning the DTM title at the first attempt.

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