German Car Scene

Author: admin

  • Volkswagen Golf R32 T by MR Car Design


    Erftstadt-based MR Car Design is well known for creating project cars that highlight the type of products it can supply, and its latest one, a Volkswagen Golf R32, is no exception.

    Powered by a 3.2-litre V6, the popular flagship model in the Mk5 Golf range develops 186 kW (250 hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb/ft) of torque in standard form, but that figure was dwarfed after MR Car Design got together with BTS-Racing to fit a HPG Turbocharger kit to the creamy six-cylinder. Once the engine’s electronics have been recalibrated and the DSG gearbox reinforced the Golf produces an impressive 342 kW (459 hp) and 550 Nm (406 lb/ft) of torque.

    To cope with the extra power a KW Clubsport coilover suspension kit from was fitted, along with a pair of H&R anti-roll bars and Superpro polyurethane bushes throughout. The Stoptech brake upgrade system, which uses 355 x 32 mm brake discs and 4-piston calipers, hides behind a set of 9 x 19-inch O.Z. Ultraleggera HLT alloy wheels, while the bodyshell is coated with an anodized matte blue foil wrap.

    (more…)

  • Carlsson Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class


    Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Carlsson has created a range of upgrades for the latest SLK-Class Roadster. Externally there’s an aero kit designed to suit cars with the AMG sports package, which includes a front spoiler with carbon fibre ‘RS’ lip, a rear apron with integrated diffuser and a boot lid spoiler. There’s also a polished stainless steel front grille kit which replaces the factory car’s honeycomb grille, if that’s your thing…

    A spring kit allows the SLK to be dropped 30 mm closer to the road, while Carlsson offers various wheel styles ranging between 18 and 20-inch are available. The one-piece 1/10 TE items shown are sized 8.5 and 9.5 x 19 inches. Moving inside, there’s an embossed aluminium gear selector and pedals, and inlay kits in wood or carbon fibre, while Carlsson’s upholstery department can finish your interior in any colour and material to suit your taste and budget. Basic packages, involving the retrimming of the car’s seats and door panels in Nappa, will set you back € 3900.

    The Carlsson C-Tronic control unit is capable of boosting CGI engines by between 20 kW/27 hp and 30 kW/40 hp, while the CB25 S – kit, which includes an additional intercooler, provides the SLK250 CGI with 176 kW/239 hp and 400 Nm of torque. There’s also a a stainless steel rear muffler with four oval tailpipes

    (more…)

  • Porsche Panamera by JE Design


    The Leingarten-based tuning company JE Design has revealed its range of accessories for Porsche’s Panamera.

    Visually JE Design offers an aero package consisting of a front apron (at € 3,332) which features a 911 GT3-style vent and humongous intakes with LED daytime running lights, € 1,547 side skirts, a large rear wing for € 1,547 and a lower skirt (€ 3,332) with integrated diffuser section. A € 1,428 air suspension module allows the Panamera to drop by around 30 mm while the 9 and 10.5 x 22-inch Pandora alloys will set you back € 6,545 in a wheel and tyre package.

    Apart from a stainless steel exhaust system JE Design can provide power upgrades for the 3.0-litre, six cylinder diesel model, raising output from 184 kW (250 bhp) and 550 Nm of torque to 221 kW (300 bhp) and 650 Nm. This results in a lower 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 6.5 seconds (down from 6.8 s) and a raised top speed of 250 km/h 155 mph, up from 242 km/h (150 mph). When fitted with JE Design’s software the Panamera Turbo jumps from 368 kW (500 bhp) and 700 Nm to 441 kW (600 bhp) and 850 Nm. That sees a 0-100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds (down from 4.2 s while top speed remains unchanged at 303 km/h (188 mph). These modifications are priced at € 1,500 and € 2,000 respectively.

    (more…)

  • Volkswagen to reveal up! concepts in Geneva


    Volkswagen has announced a few design studies of its baby up! model ahead of their big reveal in Geneva next week.

    Firstly, based on the cross up! concept, the winter up! features Pure White and Malibu Blue paintwork and snowboards on its roof. The raised ride height and ESP with electronic differential lock helps it to negotiate slippery conditions. Next is the cargo up! concept; seen by Volkswagen as the perfect solution for city deliveries. With a huge 1,400-litre or 426 kg payload, it enjoys pothole-proof underbody protection, while the rear seats have been deleted in favour of a flat load area. A Plexiglas separates the driver from their cargo, while the side windows are painted to match the body providing a more commercial presence.

    Finally, the swiss up! concept is a hat tip to the country hosting this popular motor show; it is finished in Tornado Red with white mirror housings, while inside there is a white dashboard facia and red air vent bezels. There’s also a leather band across the back of each front seat, apparently for storing a Swiss Army Knife..

    [Source: Volkswagen]

  • smart Brabus electric drive and ebike


    Brabus, the Bottrop-based tuning specialist, has unveiled its take on smart’s third-generation fortwo electric drive and ebike ahead of their appearance in Geneva next week.

    Delivering 60 kW (80 hp) and 135 Nm (100 lb/ft) of torque, the motor in the smart Brabus electric drive is slightly up on the standard car’s 55 kW (74 hp) and 130 Nm (96 lb/ft) peak output, helping to turn those Monoblock VII alloy wheels, which measure 16-inch at the front and 17-inch on the rear. Other visual clues to the car’s nature include the Brabus Xclusive aero kit, a lower ride height, dark headlamps, electric green paintwork on the tridion safety cell and door mirror casings. The electric green theme continues inside with the door trims, speaker rings and dashboard elements providing a vivid contrast to the black leather seats. Brabus also adds its own handbrake handle, stainless steel pedals, cockpit clock and rev counter.

    The ebike has received a more extreme upgrade, with Brabus not only doubling power in the wheel hub motor to 500 watts, but also adding lightweight cranks and pedals as well as a carbon fibre seat post. A handlebar-mounted throttle grip allows the rider to choose between four power levels, the maximum allowing a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph). Optical differences include a matte black frame and fork set, a green leather saddle and grips, and anodised green skewers, seat post clamp, pedals and brake calipers. It will be in smart dealerships by the end of the year.

    (more…)

  • BMW M3 Limited Edition 500


    BMW has announced a limited edition of its M3 Coupe and Convertible for the UK market, the M3 Limited Edition 500.

    Priced at £ 55,690 for the Coupe and £ 59,785 for the Convertible, just 500 (combined) units will be constructed in either Imola Red, Mineral White or Santorini Blue with a dark chrome kidney grille surround, side gills and twin double exhaust complimenting BMW’s Shadowline exterior trim, while the 19-inch alloys are painted in high-gloss black.

    Inside, the seats and door panels are upholstered in Novillo leather, with the red and blue cars receiving black hide and the white cars having blue, with stitching to match the exterior paintwork. The trim elements are Piano Black interior trim, with ‘One of 500’ laser cut into dashboard inlay.

    Powered by the regular car’s eight-cylinder engine, which delivers 313 kW (420 hp) and with 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) to the road via BMW’s six-speed manual gearbox or optional M DCT (M Double Clutch Transmission), the M3 hits 100 km/h (62mph) in just 4.6 seconds (Coupé with M DCT) before reaching a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

    If you’re thinking of purchasing a new M3 you could do a lot worse than this; the Limited Edition 500 is loaded with over £ 4,000 worth of equipment at a premium of just £ 1,000.

    [Source: BMW UK]