German Car Scene

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  • KTM X-Bow GT by Wimmer RS


    Solingen-based tuning specialist Wimmer Rennsporttechnik has revealed its new program to suit the KTM X-Bow GT.

    Taking Audi’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI engine apart, which produces 210 kW (285 hp) and 420 Nm of torque in series guise, Wimmer adds uprated connecting rods with forged pistons, a larger turbocharger unit, a high-pressure fuel pump, remapped ECU software and an exhaust system with 100 cell sports cat. Those changes see output jump to 320 kW (435 hp) and 50 Nm of torque, resulting in a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.3 seconds, with 200 km/h appearing in 11.7 seconds, while the V-Max was raised to 246 km/h (153 mph).

    Wimmer will give the X-Bow its public debut at The Essen Motor Show (November 30 to December 8).
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  • Porsche revises 918 Spyder figures

    Porsche 918 Spyder
    Porsche has just confirmed the rumours that it has made further enhancements to the 918 Spyder‘s drivetrain, resulting in increased performance.

    From what we gather, apart from general fine tuning, the front motor has been reprogrammed to work at a higher rpm, allowing it to make more power for longer and to be decoupled at higher speeds and to make all the systems work together more efficiently.

    With the hardcore Weissach package fitted, the 918 now cracks 100 km/h in just 2.6 seconds (-0.2s), 200 km/h in 7.2s (-0.5s), and reaches 300 km/h mark after 19.9 seconds (-2.1s). In purely electric mode the car accelerate from to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds or 6.1s with the Weissach package fitted.

    “We have now used all options available to electrify the 918 Spyder, working right up to the last minute to do so,” said Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, the car’s project manager.
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  • Rally Great Britain: another one-two for Volkswagen


    Volkswagen ended a dominant 2013 WRC in Great Britain with a stunning one-two finish which saw Sebastien Ogier take control from Friday onwards.

    This result was Volkswagen’s best since entering the World Rally Championship in January. As well as the second one-two in a row for Ogier and Latvala, Andreas Mikkelsen came home fifth, with the three works duos achieving their best team result of the year, winning 16 of 22 stages and claiming 41 of the 66 top-three spots on offer. The third step of the podium was occupied by Ford’s Thierry Neuville, who secured second place in the drivers’ championship.

    “This is the perfect end to a perfect season. I am very happy, and extremely proud of this win, as the Rally Wales is one of the toughest on the calendar. Things have not always gone to plan here for me in recent years. We just tried to maintain the gap through to the finish today. Now that the season is over, I can look back on what has really been an incredible year,” said a jubilant Ogier.
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  • Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo surfaces


    The designers at Mercedes-Benz AMG have let their imaginations run wild for their latest project – the Vision Gran Turismo for new PlayStation 3 racing game Gran Turismo 6.

    The shockingly muscular, low-slung Vision Gran Turismo utilizes an aluminium spaceframe body along with components in carbon fibre, meaning it tips the scales at only 1385 kilograms. Under the bonnet there’s a front-mid-mounted AMG V8 biturbo engine delivering 430 kW (585 hp) and 800 Nm of torque.

    The styling answers that age-old question: if an Aston Martin One-77 had a filthy one night stand with a Mercedes SLS AMG – what would the result look like? Which, given that the two companies announced details of a new partnership earlier this year, means that such a car could exist if they really wanted it to. Also, with the SLS AMG about to be sent to a retirement home, Mercedes could really make a statement with a halo model such as this standing above the forthcoming S 63 AMG Coupe.

    Notable features include the colossal radiator grille constructed from a bank of variable LED light units, gullwing doors, massively bulging wheel arches, deep side skirts, retro-styled twin filler caps, adjustable rear wing and no less than eight tailpipes.

    “By virtue of its proportions and expressive appearance, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo embodies the brand’s defining design philosophy of sensual purity in a unique way. The design of this concept car reflects to extreme effect the perfect symbiosis between emotional, sensuous contours and intelligently presented high tech,” says Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG.
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  • Cars by Singer and Magnus Walker reviewed


    If you missed this series of Fifth Gear, here’s a highlight from Tiff Needell who travelled to America to meet a few impressive car builders including Rob Dickinson of Singer Vehicle Design and Magnus Walker.

    While Magnus creates one-off machines using donor 911s from a bygone era, Singer builds carbon fibre-bodied reimagined cars with a choice of Cosworth engines, including a 224 kW (300 hp) Touring, a 283 kW (380 hp) Sport and a 317 kW (425 hp) Cup version. Pricing starts north of $300,000 and go beyond the $500,000 mark.

    Magnus appears at the 3:00 mark in the first segment, while the Singer feature starts at 7:30 in segment four.
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  • Gemballa Porsche Panamera Turbo previewed


    Leonberg-based tuning specialist Gemballa has previewed its new Porsche Panamera Turbo program ahead of its public debut at The Essen Motor Show (November 30 to December 8).

    Even though Gemballa is yet to provide many details of the GTP 700 conversion, other than that the modifications see output from the twin-turbo 4.8-litre V8 engine rise from 382 kW (520 hp) and 700 Nm of torque to 515 kW (700 hp) and 950 Nm, AutoTop recently tested the car, reporting it to be the quickest they’ve ever driven.

    The tweaks allow a new 0-100 km/h time of just 3.3 seconds, with 200 km/h arriving in 9.6 seconds and a top speed in excess of 330 km/h (205 mph).
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