German Car Scene

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  • MINI reveals special Crystal edition


    MINI has created a special edition Crystal model for the Japanese market. Named after the iconic cast-iron and glass Crystal Palace building in London, production will run until next August.

    Finished in High-Class Grey Metallic with a black roof, the body features ‘Crystal’ bonnet stripes and mirror caps. The wheels are ‘twin-blade’ 17-inch items.

    Crystal motifs adorn the sides of the sports seats, which are finished in Satellite Grey with Carbon Black elements and piping, as is the multi-function steering wheel. The lower dashboard section, door panels and floor mat edges are also finished in leather, however, owners can specify a completely covered dashboard as a ¥ 110,000 (€ 1,036) option.

    The Crystal is available in Cooper and Cooper S form from today, with prices ranging from ¥ 3,170,000 (€ 29,861) for the 6-speed manual Cooper and ¥ 3,300,000 (€ 31,086) for the 6-speed automatic, up to ¥ 3,510,000 (€ 33,064) for the manual Cooper S and ¥ 3,690,000 (€ 34759) for the auto.

    [Source: MINI Japan]

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  • Lamborghini Aventador vs twin-turbocharged Ferrari 458


    This new video from Underground Racing sees the company’s twin-turbocharged Ferrari 458 Italia take on a stock Lamborghini Aventador. The Lamborghini’s 6.5 L V12 helps it to hit 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 2.9 seconds. Top speed is a pleasant 350 km/h (217 mph). Scarily, UR has just announced that a twin-turbocharged Aventador is on the way… (more…)

  • GRIP BMW M5 review


    Matthias Malmedie takes a look at the new BMW M5 for Germany’s GRIP show, before seeing how it stacks up against it’s V10-powered predecessor. Now propelled by a 560 bhp twin-turbocharged V8, the F10 model is no slouch; capable of hitting 100 km/h [62 mph] in just 4.4 seconds, while 200 km/h [124 mph] appears in 13.0 seconds. (more…)

  • Audi’s new A5 DTM joins 2012 contenders on track


    Audi’s Le Mans winning driver, Tom Kristensen, hit Hockenheim Circuit at the weekend, giving fans a glimpse of the new A5 DTM car ahead of next season.

    Joined by the new BMW M3 DTM and C-Class Coupé DTM car from Mercedes, Kristensen completed several laps of the Hockenheimring before and after the season finale, which saw Audi secure the 2011 team title.

    The A5 DTM is based on a state-of-the-art carbon-fibre monocoque, which features a high-strength steel tube cage. The outgoing A4 DTM’s V8 engine is retained for 2012, and remains largely unchanged, fitted with 28 mm air intake restrictors it develops 340 kW (460 HP). Gears are changed by steering wheel-mounted paddles via a pneumatically operated six-speed transmission.

    [Source: Audi Motorsport]

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  • DTM Hockenheim: Green takes the win, Audi secures title


    Britain’s Jamie Green took the win at Hockenheim today for Mercedes, with Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline securing the 2011 team title. (more…)

  • Mercedes-Benz CL 500 and S 500 4MATIC upgrades by Brabus


    Brabus, the Bottrop-based Mercedes-Benz specialist, has revealed details of two PowerXtra CGI performance kits for the CL 500 and S 500 4MATIC.

    Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.7 L V8 unit, the CL 500 and S 500 produce 320 kW (435 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque as standard. The upgrade sees Brabus fitting its PowerXtra module, which is wired into the car’s electronic control system, in order to recalibrate ignition, injection and boost. Stage One, the B50 – 490 kit, releases a handy 360 kW (490 hp) and 780 Nm (575 lb-ft) of torque.

    If that’s not enough, the B50 – 520 kit, which includes a new intercooler, results in 382 kW (520 hp) and 820 Nm (604 lb-ft). That translates to a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of just 4.5 seconds while, with the V-Max removed, both cars are capable of cracking 300 km/h (186 mph), hence the fitment of a Brabus 360-km/h (220 mph) speedometer dial.

    Chassis improvements include high-performance 405×35 mm cross-drilled discs, gripped by 6-piston aluminium calipers, while cars fitted with the ABC (automatic body control) can be dropped by around 25 mm thanks to a lowering module. Brabus also offers a range of alloy wheels options, including the Monoblock F wheels finished in Liquid Titanium, and the Monoblock G Platinum Editions.

    Visually, the CL500 gets an aero kit constructed from Pur-R-Rim, which includes a lower front spoiler, subtle boot lid lip, illuminated side skirts and replacement lower section for the rear bumper to accommodate the new exhaust.

    [Source: Brabus]

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