German Car Scene

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  • Hamann widebody BMW M5 F10M


    Hamann Motorsport has released details and images of its widebody program for the BMW M5 F10M program.

    Already developing 418 kW (560 hp) and 680 Nm (502 lb/ft) of torque in standard form, Hamann fits its own performance exhaust and remaps the car’s bi-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine, resulting in 537 kW (720 hp) and 900 Nm (664 lb/ft).

    Visually, it would be less painful to squirt bleach onto your eyeballs before setting them on fire than to spend any amount of time looking at this violated M5. The front fascia features slightly larger air intakes, side vents, a lower spoiler and those all-important LED running lights, while the arch extensions add 50 mm to the width at the front and 60 mm to the rear. Side skirts continue the lines of the arches along with the vented apron on the rear bumper. There’s also a roof-level window spoiler, boot lid wing, mirror casing and side gills constructed from carbon fibre.

    Lowering springs reduce the ride height by 30 mm, while the Unique Forged II alloy wheels are sized 9.5 x 21- and 12 x 21-inches and covered by 265/30 ZR and 325/25 ZR Continental Sport Contact 5P tyres.

    Moving inside, Hamann can provide you will anything from a floor mat set or aluminium pedal kit to a full-blown retrim in materials such as leather and Alcantara.

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  • Audi R18 e-tron quattro launch trailer


    Here’s a nice trailer from Audi marking the launch of its new R18 e-tron quattro racecar. The innovative four-wheel drive diesel hybrid machine, which will be taking part in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, isn’t on screen for too long, but if you like getting all misty-eyed over the Group B cars from yesteryear – this is for you.

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  • AC Schnitzer ASC3 Turbo


    AC Schnitzer has released details of its ASC3 Turbo program for the new BMW F30 3 Series ahead of its Geneva premiere.

    Using the 328i as a base, AC Schnitzer adds its own performance exhaust system and remaps the 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder’s electronics, taking output from 183 kW (245 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb/ft) of torque to 217 kW (291 hp) and 410 Nm (302 lb/ft). That moderate hike shaves 0.2 seconds off the 0-100 km/h time to 5.7 s, while top speed remeains unchanged at a limited 250 km/h (155 mph).

    As we told you last month, the Aachen-based specialist can also offer an aerodynamic package, interior enhancements, a suspension upgrade and a selection of wheels, in silver or bi-colour, ranging from 18- to 20-inch in diameter.

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  • Hamann Hawk Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster


    Southern German tuning specialist Hamann Motorsport has applied its Hawk program to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster.

    Powered by that glorious 6.2-litre V8, which produces 420 kW (571 hp) and 649 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque in standard form, Hamann adds its own sports air filter and stainless steel exhaust system before remapping the engine’s electronics to release 474 kW (636 hp) and 680 Nm (502 lb/ft); enough for a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of just 3.6 seconds a top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph).

    Visually the Hawk features the same aero package as its gullwing-doored counterpart, namely a replacement front bumper with enlarged air intakes, a carbon fibre lower spoiler and LED daytime running lights, sculpted side skirts and wheel arch extensions adding 60 mm on each front side and 70 mm on each rear side. Moving to the back, the bumper receives an apron with integrated diffuser and apertures for the quadruple 90 mm tailpipes. There’s also a vented hood, mirror casings and grille bars which are constructed from carbon fibre.

    The factory suspension has been replaced by a height adjustable coilover kit allowing a drop of up to 30 mm, while the new ‘Unique Forged Anodized’ wheels, which measure 9 x 21 and 12.5 x 21-inches, are wrapped in 245/30 ZR and 345/25 ZR tyres.

    Moving inside, the cabin has been reupholstered in a mixture of leather and ultra-suede, with red accents added to the air inlets, steering wheel and centre console.

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  • David Coulthard talks 2012 DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupe


    Here’s an insightful video featuring David Coulthard and the new DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé that he will be piloting in 2012.

    As well as being a great F1 commentator for the BBC, the popular 40-year-old Scot is about to start his third year in the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) Championship as a member of Team Mücke Motorsport. Here he compares the new car with last season’s DTM AMG Mercedes C-Class. All that carbon fibre is having an unusual effect on us..

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  • Volkswagen Cross Coupe concept gets TDI plug-in hybrid power


    You’ll no doubt remember Volkswagen’s Cross Coupé concept which made its début in Tokyo motor Show last year? Well, it’s back for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and packing diesel hybrid power.

    The previously seen TSI petrol engine, which developed 110 kW (148 hp) and 210 Nm (155 lb/ft) of torque has been replaced by a turbodiesel direct-injection engine. Accompanying it is a front-mounted motor, which can also act as a generator, producing 40 kW (54 hp) and 180 Nm (133 lb/ft). Thanks to a 9.8 kWh lithium-ion battery the Cross Coupé can cover a range of around 40 kilometres (25 miles) running on pure electric power. If the all-wheel-drive system is in use, a second motor delivers 85 kW (114 hp) and 70 Nm (199 lb/ft) to the rear axle, which is fed by the motor/generator in the front.

    With 225 kW (302 hp) of power at its disposal, the Volkswagen Cross Coupé can hit a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph), which is impressive, but this is also a vehicle capable of consuming a meagre 1.8 litres of fuel every 100 kilometres (around 157 mpg) in the New European Driving Cycle, while emitting just 46 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. You know where you can stick your Prius.

    Sitting on the Volkswagen Group’s newly developed MQB (Modulare Querbaukasten – or Modular Transverse Matrix) platform, we have no reason to believe that this won’t see production.

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