German Car Scene

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  • Astra GTC by Steinmetz


    Aachen-based Opel tuning specialist, Steinmetz, has unveiled its new program for the Astra GTC at this year’s Essen Motor Show.

    The visual package includes a badgeless radiator grille that follows the design of the section in the bumper, a lower front spoiler, scalloped silver and anthracite decals down the flanks, polished stainless steel door handle covers and mirror caps, a roof spoiler and twin sports silencers.

    The Astra sits 30 mm closer to the road thanks to a set of lowering springs, which hide behind those bi-colour 8.5 x 19-inch ST10 alloys wrapped in 245/40 tyres.

    Inside the cabin, Steinmetz offers polished stainless steel sill plates, embroidered floor mats, a digital gear indicator and load protection film for the rear bumper.

    [Source: Steinmetz] (more…)

  • Opel Insignia gets twin turbo power


    Opel has added a twin-turbocharged diesel engine option to its Insignia range.

    The new 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI engine develops 143 kW (195 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque, which helps the Insignia to crack 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 8.7 seconds and has a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph). Equally impressive is the fact that the front-wheel drive notchback model uses just 4.9 litres of fuel every 100 kilometres and has a CO2 emission figure of 129 g CO2/km.

    The engine uses innovative sequential double-turbo technology – a first for diesel-engined cars in this mid-size car segment – which sees two different sized turbochargers set to activate at different engine speeds working either separately or together. The smaller (primary) one spools up quickly at lower engine speeds, while the larger turbocharger kicks in mid-range, providing a seamless increase in power – with minimal lag. From around 3000 rpm, all the engine’s exhaust gases flow directly to the larger unit.

    Another new feature is the company’s “twin cooler system” which means the smaller ‘charger uses a water-cooled intercooler to keep temperatures down, while its big brother is cooled by a more substantial, conventional intercooler.

    As an optional extra, all versions specified with four-wheel drive can benefit from the SuperSport chassis – a system usually reserved for the top-of-the-range 325 hp (239 kW) Insignia OPC (Opel Performance Centre) model. This package include the FlexRide system with electronically adaptive damping, HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) front wheel suspension and a high performance Brembo brake system.

    [Source: Opel] (more…)

  • Testing the 2012 Porsche Carrera 911


    Here’s a newly released video that gives an insight into the development of Porsche’s new Carrera 991 model. Engineers carried out rigorous testing in South Africa and the Arctic Circle, taking the car on the most demanding road trips imaginable in order to guarantee that the seventh-generation 911 will perform to Porsche Standards – no matter where it is on the planet. (more…)

  • KBB drives the Audi TT RS


    America’s largest automotive vehicle valuation company, Kelley Blue Book, heads to the track armed with Audi’s brilliant TT RS Coupé model. Powered by a 2.5 L TFSI engine developing 265 kW (360 hp) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft), the TT RS can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.6 seconds and reach a 280 km/h (173.98 mph) top speed (more…)

  • Supercar pile-up in Japan


    Think you’ve had a bad weekend? This bunch of friends in Yamaguchi, Japan were out in their supercars on Sunday, when one hit a central barrier before collecting a few of its counterparts, going on to cause an estimated $ 4,000,000 worth of damage to the Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Mercedes-Benz cars. Ouch… (more…)

  • BMW X6 by Senner Tuning


    If you can’t wait for the forthcoming diesel X6 M from BMW, Ingelheim am Rhein-based specialist Senner Tuning might have the solution with its new program for the chunky Sports Activity Coupé.

    Taking the already powerful BMW X6 4.0d xDrive model, Senner remaps the engine management system and adds a sports air filter, which sees output jump from 225 kW (306 hp) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) to 247 kW (336 hp) and 665 Nm (490 lb-ft). A power converter is fitted to remove the hesitation that can sometimes be experienced on cars with fly-by-wire accelerators, while the V-Max speed limiter is removed.

    Visually the X6 receives black kidney grilles and a BMW Performance aero kit which consists of a front bumper with larger intakes, honeycomb mesh and lower corner spoilers, new side skirts, rear fins and a spoiler for the tailgate. Finally, the rear bumper is fitted with a body-coloured diffuser, while the exhaust apertures are reworked to accommodate the new tailpipes.

    The X6 sits 25 mm closer to the road thanks to a Bilstein B8 damper and spring kit, while those monster Hamann Anniversary Evo Black Line wheels are sized 10.5 and 12 x 22 inches in size.

    The conversion will set you back approximately € 20,000 – depending on your wheel choice.

    [Source: Senner Tuning AG] (more…)