German Car Scene

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  • Munich gets Mercedes-Benz hybrid bus


    Thanks to Mercedes-Benz, the citizens of Munich now have their first hybrid bus. Market Launch Manager, Ulrich Piotrowski, handed the Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid Omnibus over to Busservice Watzinger’s Jörg Schuchtmann, earlier this week.

    The new bus, which consumes 20 percent less diesel, is part of the city’s “Munich District Energy Vision” project, which aims to shed 60 percent off the region’s energy consumption by 2050.

    The diesel-electric hybrid layout of the Citaro sees the use of motors, providing a total output of 320 kw, located close to the bus’s middle and rear hubs. These are fed by either the roof-mounted 240 kW lithium-ion battery system or the 4.8 L diesel engine, which is – at 450 kg – less than half the weight of the regular 12 L unit.

    Wearing the number 266, this Citaro will be responsible for the route between Planegg suburban railway station and the Grosshadern hospital. A delighted Jörg Schuchtmann commented, “The hybrid bus will now allow an almost noiseless and emissions-free service in the vicinity of the hospital.”

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz]

  • evo drives the MINI WRC car


    MINI recently let evo magazine’s Henry Catchpole loose in its new Prodrive-developed John Cooper Works WRC car. Based on the Countryman model, the WRC car is equipped with a BMW Motorsport-built 1.6 L turbocharged engine for use in series complying with FIA Super 2000 regulations. (more…)

  • Audi TT RS Ultimate Lap series: Wet Traction


    Here’s part three of Audi’s “Ultimate Lap!” video series, celebrating the arrival of the TT RS on American shores. “Wet Traction” sees Justin Bell at the Monticello Raceway in New York, demonstrating the benefits of this this 360 hp coupé’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, allowing it to maintain traction in wet conditions. (more…)

  • MKB offers V12-powered Mercedes-Benz GL-Class


    Winnenden-based Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist, MKB, is offering a V12 conversion for the GL-Class SUV.

    Available for the for Mercedes GL 500 and GL 450 models, the company’s MKB P 670 program yields 491 kW/668 hp and 1,200 Nm/885 lb-ft of torque from the V12 bi-turbo twelve-cylinder unit. This allows the GL to hit 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds before going on to a governed top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph).

    Helping to bring this high-speed off-roader to a halt, MKB also offers a set of ceramic brake discs – gripped by six-piston calipers on the fronts and four-piston items at the rear.

    The installation takes six months to complete and looks incredibly neat. But for € 217,568 ($ 294,030), you’d expect a certain level of quality, wouldn’t you?

    [Source: MKB]

    (more…)

  • Porsche Motorsport’s vision of the future


    Head of Porsche Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen, talks about future developments in the world of racing and the transfer of technology from track to road. With the new Porsche 991 Carrera S recording a lap time of 7:40 at the Nürburgring – the same as a 997.2 GT3, SLS AMG and Murciélago LP640, can you imagine what the new GT3 RS will do? (more…)

  • TechArt Porsche 911 Turbo power kit


    Leonberg-based Porsche tuning specialist, TechArt, has developed a power kit for the 911 Turbo model. The TA 097/T3 program consists of a pair of new TechArt VTG (Variable Turbine Geometry) turbochargers, manifolds, higher-performance intercoolers and air filters, all working in harmony thanks to a recalibrated management system.

    That package helps the 3.8 L boxer engine to produce 515 kW (700 hp) and 880 Nm of torque – up 174 kW (200 hp) and 230 Nm on the standard output.

    On the autobahn that translates to a mind-blowing 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.8 seconds, and 0-200 km/h in 9 s. Top speed is 352 km/h (218 mph).

    [Source: TechArt]

    (more…)