German Car Scene

Author: admin

  • Audi RS 3 by ABT Sportsline


    Kempten-based VAG tuning specialist ABT Sportsline is the latest company to tune Audi’s speedy RS 3 Sportback. Already equipped with 340 hp, the RS 3 could never be described as sluggish, but thanks to the ABT POWER kit – an ECU remap and stainless steel performance exhaust system – 420 hp (309 kW) is achieved. If that doesn’t inspire you, there’s always Stage 2.

    The ABT POWER S conversion enjoys the benefit of ABT’s uprated turbocharger. This releases 470 hp (346 kW) and 630 Nm of torque (standard – 450 Nm), which is good enough for a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of just 4 seconds and a top speed of 285 km/h (177 mph).

    ABT sells a range of wheels for the RS 3, including the BR and CR design, but the ones on the car shown are 19-inch DR items.

    [Source: ABT Sportsline]

    (more…)

  • Manhart Day at the Nurburgring


    Customers and fans of the BMW tuning specialist Manhart Racing recently got together at the legendary Nürburgring for Manhart Day. Cars in attendance included the insane 739 hp M3 V8R Biturbo and the recently revealed 414 hp 1 Series M Coupe. (more…)

  • BMW 1 Series M Coupe by APP


    Automotive components supplier Advanced Performance Parts has developed a nice program for the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. Erfstadt-based MR Car Design provide the desired hike in power, adding its own large intercooler and remap, the Baby M now enjoys 410 hp rather than the 340 hp factory output. A lightweight, titanium performance exhaust was also fitted.

    Things get a little more serious with the addition of MOVIT’s CER Ceramic 6 pot brake upgrade kit. Not only do they weigh around 50% less than BMW’s OE brakes, but also provide epic performance and fade resistance, hence the colossal € 6,000 price tag. The chassis also receives fully adjustable Variant 3 coilover suspension and superlight ATS wheels fitted with Pirelli P Zero rubber.

    Inside the cabin, there’s a pair of lightweight BMW Performance seats and a BMW Performance steering wheel – complete with LED display.

    [Source: APP]

    (more…)

  • Futuristic forvision smart revealed


    smart and the chemical giant BASF have collaborated to create the smart forvision concept vehicle. Débuting at the Frankfurt motor Show, the smart forvision incorporates lightweight design, energy efficiency and temperature management.

    Firstly, those organic-looking transparent hexagonal areas on the roof are solar cells, that, even in diffused light and poor light conditions generate enough energy to power the multimedia system and fans that assist with the car’s climate control. Underneath the solar cells, the super-efficient transparent OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes) illuminate the interior.

    Weight-saving measures have been made to the already-featherweight smart fortwo, thanks to the addition of carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin doors, which – together – weigh the same as one steel door. BASF believe these items could be produced in high volumes. The Ludwigshafen-based company also designed what will be the world’s first mass production all-plastic wheel. The fitment of these alone results in a 12 Kg weight loss.

    BASF also played a large part in the forvision’s heat management. The use of “e-textiles” – fabrics with conductive coatings – applies heat to where the body absorbs it the most efficiently, the middle and lower back area, thus warming the occupants more efficiently. The other climate extreme – hot weather – posed the problem of keeping the heat out. The solution was a new kind of infrared-reflective film applied to the front and side windows that helps to keep temperatures to a minimum inside the cabin. Unlike metallized films, this new material only blocks the suns infrared rays, meaning the waves needed for mobile phones and GPS etc can still pass into the car.

    [Source: smart]

  • BMW develops laser light technology… for cars, not sharks


    Move over LED headlamps, there’s a new kid in town – according to BMW. The Munich auto giant is looking beyond light emitting diodes in its quest to find the ultimate vehicle lighting system, with its sights set on laser technology.

    Developed, initially, for the company’s i8 Concept, BMW is aiming to have production units on our cars within the next few years. Measuring just ten microns in length, laser diodes are one hundred times smaller even than the cells found in LED lighting. Naturally, this opens up all sorts of new design possibilities – such as radically reducing the size of the light units. However, BMW says it has no immediate plans to do this as headlight presence makes up for a large part of the car’s styling.

    Posing no risk to human eyes, the laser beam is transformed in bright white light via a fluorescent phosphor material within the headlight before it is projected on to the road. Impressively, not only is laser lighting more efficient, but it also produces a near-parallel beam with an intensity a thousand times greater than that of today’s LEDs. The laser’s other notable quality is that it uses less than half of the energy that LED lamps require, meaning obvious fuel savings.

    [Source: BMW]

  • Motor Trend enjoys a hot lap in the Porsche Cayman R


    Every car in Motor Trend’s Best Driver’s Car competition was taken around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca by Randy Pobst. Here’s the next candidate, Porsche’s Cayman R. Powered by a 330 bhp 3.4L flat six unit, the R reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5 seconds, but that time comes down to 4.7 seconds on cars equipped with the seven-speed PDK transmission and Sport Chrono package. (more…)