German Car Scene

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  • Monte Carlo Rally win for Opel’s Ampera


    No, not that one. In a field of 130 competitors, Opel’s Ampera came out on top against cars including the Peugeot Ion, Mitsubishi I-MiEV and Tesla’s Roadster sports car to take the win on the Rallye Monte-Carlo des Énergies Nouvelles (Monte Carlo Rally of New Energies).

    Now in its 13th year, the event is open to constructors, companies and individuals, with points awarded for consumption and performance in the regularity tests. Vehicles taking part must emit less than 115 grams of CO2 per kilometre, for all fuel used, except for fossil fuels.

    The first day, which covers 550 kilometres, sees teams start from the three towns of Annecy-le-Vieux, Clermont Ferrand and Lugano, stopping at Monaco. The following day, drivers and co-drivers completed a distance of 272 kilometres, which included the original route of the Monte Carlo Rally through the French Maritime Alps. And it was the French duo Bernard Darniche and Joseph Lambert who took the chequered flag at the Côte d’Azur, leading home a total of four Amperas in the top ten.

    “The Ampera’s success in this versatility contest under very challenging conditions proves its impressive balance between durability and fuel efficiency. This underscores our leadership role in the field of alternative propulsion,” said Opel’s Enno Fuchs.

    The Ampera uses a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery to power its 111 kW (150 hp) electric motor, which can provide between 40 and 80 kilomteres of emission-free motoring – depending on your driving style. Performance is respectable with 100 km/h (62mph) appearing in around nine seconds and a top speed of 161 km/h (100 mph).

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  • Mercedes-Benz SL 500 by Wheelsandmore


    Baesweiler-based tuning specialist Wheelsandmore has wasted no time in developing a new program for the latest Mercedes-Benz SL 500 model.

    Visually the body is wrapped in an aluminium-silver-grey film, while the wheels have been replaced with three-piece matte black 6Sporz² items, sized 9.5 x 20 and 11 x 20 inches and wrapped in 245/30 and 295/25 Continental Contact 5P tyres. Helping to perfect the SL’s stance is Wheelsandmore’s fully-adjustable LowMaXX electronic lowering module, which shuts down to at a speed of 70 km/h to preserve safety and comfort.

    Optimization of the car’s electronic control unit sees output from the 4.7-litre V8 rise from 320 kW (435 hp) and 699 Nm of torque to 377 Kw (505 hp) and 800 Nm.

    Wheelsandmore has further components in the pipeline including air filters and exhaust systems.

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  • Motor Trend drives the BMW M5


    In this new episode of Motor Trend’s Ignition, Carlos Lago finds out if the latest BMW M5 lives up to the legend of the naturally aspirated M5s of yesteryear. Powered by a biturbo 4.4-litre V8 engine, developing 412 kW (560 hp), the M5 officially hits 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds while its governed 250 km/h (155 mph) top speed jumps to 305 km/h (190 mph) when purchased with the M Driver’s Package.

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  • Four-day DTM test for BMW Motorsport in Valencia


    In the build up to the beginning of this year’s DTM season, BMW Motorsport enjoyed another test program in Valencia.

    Other manufacturers were also present at the “Circuit de la Comunitat” in Spain, as BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG spent four days at the 4.005-kilometre circuit with all six drivers. Heavy rain on Tuesday allowed the teams to test the M3 DTM car in wet conditions, but from Wednesday onwards everyone was treated to sunshine and temperatures of up to 18 degrees Celsius.

    “The current condition of our car is a big step forward. We should be well-prepared for the final test in Hockenheim and the season-opener at the end of April. We have once again gained valuable experience in Valencia. Even in the rain on Tuesday I coped well. I am very happy,” said veteran driver Andy Priaulx.

    The teams’ final test program will be at the Hockenheimring from the 2nd to 5th April, before the season’s first race there on 29th April 2012.

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  • Falken’s 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR


    Here’s a thinly-disguised excuse to drool over a 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR racer. President and CEO of Porsche Motorsports, North America Jens Walther talks about the car that Team Falken Tire is using in its quest to extend the momentum generated in last season’s American Le Mans Series. Visually the new machine is 48 mm wider than its predecessor, while power comes courtesy of a 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine, fitted with the mandatory air-restrictor, allowing it to develop 338 kW/460 hp.

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  • MINI Rauno Aaltonen


    There’s a Y in the day, so that usually means that BMW has another special edition MINI ready to be unleashed onto the unsuspecting public. And here it is, the MINI Rauno Aaltonen.

    Named after the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally winner Rauno Aaltonen, this special version can be specified in both Cooper and Cooper S guise but is only available with Chili Red paintwork. Visually, the MINI Rauno Aaltonen wears a white air intake, with matching stripes on the front and rear. This theme continues down the flanks and side scuttles, blending into chequerboard decals, while the 17-inch ‘Infinite Stream Spoke’ wheels and twin spot lights complete the exterior.

    The interior gets a specially badged leather-trimmed steering wheel, while the speedometer features a red outer ring and image of the original Flying Finn’s signature. A nice touch – included in the price of the Cooper S – is a day learning to drive on ice at the rally school owned by Rauno and his son Tino Aaltonen.

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