German Car Scene

Author: admin

  • Sideways BMW M3s at Monza


    The E92 BMW M3 is a fantastic sounding car in standard form, but add an Akrapovic into the mix and, as this video proves, things get even more symphonic. This extreme sideways action took place during the last race of Italy’s D1 Stella Championship 2011 at Monza Circuit. (more…)

  • Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid back on track in 2012


    Porsche has announced that it will continue to develop its 911 GT3 R Hybrid project throughout the 2012 season.

    “With the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, we have shown how you can test important future technologies on the race track and pave the way for motorsport success in the future. We will continue to determinedly blaze this trail and further develop the hybrid technology,” confirmed Board Member, Wolfgang Hatz.

    The current 2.0 Version features a pair of electric motors which develop 75 kW/101 hp (increased from 60 kW/80 hp) on its front axle. They supplement the 350 kW/470 hp 4.0 L flat-six engine, while the overall weight of the 911 drops from 1,350 to 1,300 kg.

    Power for the motors comes from an electric flywheel accumulator, which is housed within a carbon fibre cell on the passenger’s side of the cabin. Braking forces see its rotor spinning at up to 40,000 rpm with the resulting kinetic energy being stored inside the cell, ready to be called upon by the driver, via a steering wheel-mounted button, when accelerating out of a corner or overtaking another car. (more…)

  • GRIP’s top 5 all-wheel drive cars


    Matthias Malmedie and Helge Thomsen get together for German’s GRIP magazine to decide on their favourite all-wheel drive cars. Candidates include the Porsche 911 Turbo S and Audi’s epic R8 GT. (more…)

  • Volkswagen Amarok supporting the 2012 Dakar Rally


    For the third successive year, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be providing a fleet to the event organisation team for the 2012 Dakar Rally.

    The A.S.O. (Amaury Sport Organisation) will have access to a total of nearly forty vehicles, including thirty Amarok SUVs, throughout the legendary event, with celebrities and members of the press invited by Volkswagen Motor Sport to experience the Dakar Rally in an Amarok.

    During the rally’s rest day, Formula One legend Jacky Ickx will be showing the Scorpions’ Rudolf Schenker and boxing world champion Dariusz Michalczewski how to safely handle the Amarok, while windsurfers Klaas Voget, Bjoern Dunkerbeck and Robby Swift will be heading to the Atacama Desert to experience to hit the dunes.

    The 9,000 kilometre test of endurance will run from 1 to 15 January starting at Mar del Plata, Argentina.

    [Source: Volkswagen] (more…)

  • sport auto drives the 9ff GT9-CS


    Germany’s sport auto recently took a look around the 9ff factory in Dortmund, before the magazine’s editor Christian Gebhardt got behind the wheel of its insane GT9-CS trackday weapon. (more…)

  • Audi testing 2012 LMP1 sports car


    Audi Sport has been testing its LMP1 sports car in public for the first time, at Sebring Raceway Circuit, ahead of the 2012 sports prototype season.

    Two cars were taken to the 5.95-kilometre track in Florida, with the second serving as a direct comparison, along with each of the 2011 Le Mans winners, Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer who each took a turn in the driving seat. The 2008 title-holders, Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish were also on hand to provide invaluable feedback.

    Audi has yet to reveal further details of the car’s development, driver line-up and racing program for 2012, but promises spill the beans very soon.

    [Source: Audi Motorsport] (more…)