German Car Scene

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  • Audi confirms hybrid drive for Le Mans


    In an effort to continue as the most successful brand in the race’s recent history, Audi has confirmed that it will be using hybrid power for the first time at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

    Four LMP1 sports cars will be taken to the 80th running of this iconic marathon, with two of those machines featuring hybrid drive. “To develop the hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as our diesel project was in its early stages. The first test results are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs,” said explains Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport.

    The new Audi sports prototype will make its début at the end of February before competing in the 6-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps on May 5. It will then be heading to Circuit de la Sarthe in a bid to win an eleventh 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2000. This year, the race takes place on June 16–17.

    [Source: Audi Motorsport]

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  • MINI Highgate revealed


    Just for a change… MINI has created yet another special edition for its fans. Following on from the Bayswater and Baker Street models, the MINI Highgate, named after a fashionable region of London, is only available in Cabriolet form.

    Finished in new metallic ‘Iced Chocolate’ paintwork, or Midnight Black metallic or White Silver metallic as an option, the Highgate also features a ‘Silvertouched Truffle’ fabric roof and truffle bonnet stripes with blue edging, while the 17-inch ‘Double Cross Turned’ alloy wheels are unique to this special edition. Moving past the embossed sill plates, the seats are trimmed in ‘Dark Truffle’ Lounge Leather with contrasting stitching, while the Chili Pack features equipment such as automatic air conditioning, a multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. A brushed alloy dashboard section and Chrome Line packages complete the look.

    Four engine options are available for the Highgate, including the 90 kW (122 hp) Cooper, 135 kW (184 hp) Cooper S, 82 kW (112 hp) Cooper D and 105 kW (143 hp) Cooper SD. A six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, with the six-speed automatic listed as an option.

    [Source: MINI]

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  • Volkswagen Beetle TDI Clean Diesel model heading to Chicago


    Volkswagen will début a TDI Clean Diesel-powered version of its new Beetle at this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

    This is the first diesel Beetle available to the U.S. market since 2006, when Volkswagen offered its 1.9 L turbocharged four-cylinder model. The 2013 car utilizes the company’s 2.0 L turbocharged, direct-injection Clean Diesel engine, which develops 104 kW (140 hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb/ft) of torque, with buyers able to specify either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch DSG transmission. Predicted fuel consumption is 29 US mpg city (8.1 L/100 km) and 39 US mpg highway (6 L/100 km).

    The three self-explanatory trim lines are TDI, TDI with Sunroof; and TDI with Sunroof, Sound, and Navigation. Standard equipment includes electric windows, Leatherette seating, cruise control, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with audio controls and keyless entry with push-button start.

    [Source: VWoA]

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  • Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 production: part two


    Following on from last week’s video, here’s part 2 of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 production series. This new footage shows the car’s panels being fitted. If they had the cameras any further away from the car – they’d be outside the building…

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  • Audi RS 3 suspension by KW


    KW Automotive has created a range of suspension upgrades for Audi’s 250 kw (340 hp) five-door firecracker, the RS 3 Sportback.

    For street use KW recommends its Variant 3+ “inox-line” coilover kit. As well as being adjustable between 5 and 35 mm on the front and 0 and 25 mm at the rear, this system also allows adjustment of the damper piston’s rebound valves with 16 click levels available to choose from via the top of the damper. Compression of the damper in the low-speed range can also be tweaked via a dial, mounted lower down the damper, with twelve levels of adjustment.

    Alternatively, 2-way and 3-way Clubsport coilovers systems are more suitable for track use, and feature racing springs with high-performance dampers. As with the Variant 3+, the 2-way Clubsport kit can be adjusted for height, compression and rebound, and it can also be ordered with adjustable aluminum strut mounts.

    Thanks to its two-way valve, which is situated within the separate expansion tank, the 3-way Clubsport kit also features 14 level high-speed range compression damping and 6 levels of low-speed damping force adjustment. Adjustable aluminum uniball strut mounts are also included.

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  • Chris Harris in the Audi Sport quattro


    Even though it’s still in its infancy, DRIVE seems to have flooded the internetwork with an awful lot of memorable material, and this latest offering is no different. Chris Harris recently drove a pair of icons from the eighties; Ford’s RS200 and the Audi Sport quattro.

    Built as a road-going version of the legendary Group B rally car, the Sport quattro differed from the regular ur-quattro thanks to the fact that its body was 320 mm shorter and wore wider Kevlar panels. The more upright windscreen and A-pillars came from the Audi 80 – a modification carried out to to reduce reflections from the dashboard.

    When new, its 2.1 L turbocharged five-cylinder unit developed 228 kW (306 hp); enough to return a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). (more…)