German Car Scene

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  • BMW offering Real Time Traffic Information


    BMW is now offering the enhanced BMW ConnectedDrive feature, RTTI (Real Time Traffic Information), on all models fitted with the BMW Professional navigation system and Bluetooth telephone preparation with telematics. A further bonus is that the driver can access the RTTI portal, to plan their journey, via the internet.

    Rather than relying on radio-based TMC (Traffic Message Channel), RTTI makes use of TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group) and the GSM cellular network, which feeds traffic information data to the vehicle’s SIM card, providing updates every three minutes.

    [Source: BMW]

  • Audi e-tron Spyder spotted


    Hanging out in the sunshine of California, Colterh spotted this Audi e-tron Spyder during, what looks like, some filming for promotional purposes. Powered by a combination of a 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) TDI engine and two electric motors that provide total of 352 Nm (259.62 lb-ft), the Spyder can hit 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.4 seconds, and a limited 250 km/h (155.34 mph) top speed. Running purely on electric power, top speed is 60 km/h (37.28 mph).

    Click the image to view the video.

  • RevoZport BMW 1 Series coupé carbon roof panel


    Chai Wan styling and performance specialist, Revozport, has released details and photos of its carbon fibre roof panel for the E82 BMW 1 Series.

    Part of its ‘Raze’ program for the 1 Series M Coupé, the roof panel is available in a gloss or matte finish, and weighs just 3 kg whereas the even the original non-sunroof panel comes in at 16 kg. We only wonder why BMW didn’t do this in the first place.

    The panel featured here is the direct replacement insert type, but for those not wanting to remove their roof, RevoZport can provide it as a cover, which will only raise the car’s centre of gravity…

    The price for either of them is $ 1,500.00 in gloss or $ 1,725 in matte.

    [Source: RevoZport]

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  • 2012 BMW M5 test by AutoWeek


    AutoWeek’s Stephan Vermeulen takes BMW’s new M5 to the Ascari circuit to see how it compares to the outgoing V10-engined model. New for 2012, the F10M M5 is powered by a 560 bhp twin-turbo 4.4 L V8, which allows it to crack 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds. Nice. (more…)

  • Suzuka Grand Prix: Button wins in Japan, Vettel seals title


    After missing out on pole – by 68 cm – Jenson Button made up a place, coming home first for McLaren Mercedes at today’s Japanese Grand Prix, ahead of Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who tied up the drivers’ title for a second consecutive year. Today’s result makes him the youngest double-champion in F1 history.

    Vettel’s Red Bull team-mate, Mark Webber finished fourth, with Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher securing fifth and sixth – some way back.

    The race began with Button being forced onto the grass by Vettel, resulting in Hamilton slipping into second place until a puncture meant he had to make an early pitstop. Hamilton later went on to clash with the Ferrari of Massa, causing the safety car to come out while debris was cleared from the track.

    This saw Vettel caught up in traffic, so he came in to pit for tyres. Button and Alonso ran three and four laps longer, before pitting, meaning they still came out ahead of a frustrated Vettel. The German was climbing all over the Ferrari until his team suggested that he didn’t need to take any risks to pick up the title today… (more…)

  • Porsche GT3 RS vs McLaren MP4-12C


    Autocar recently pitched Porsche’s GT3 RS against the new McLaren MP4-12C around the tight and twisty Rockingham circuit. So, which one came out on top?

    The Porsche is powered by a 3.8L unit that develops 450 hp, which is pretty astonishing for a naturally-aspirated engine, while the McLaren makes use of a 3.8 L twin-turbo V8 developing approximately 592 hp. Also bear in mind that, at € 200,000, the MP4-12C costs around twice as much as the GT3 RS… (more…)