German Car Scene

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  • Audi A0 monocycle concept rolls by


    We’ve been aware of the projects between Technische Universität München and Audi for some time, particularly the in-car Avatar-based Virtual Co-driver System (AviCoS), which replaced the need for a cumbersome owner’s manual.

    This latest piece of work involved a third collaborator in the form of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and we like it. The Audi A0 concept works along the same lines as a Segway, in that it’s a self-stabilizing, electric-powered, urban mode of transport for when walking seems too much of a chore.

    But, whereas the Segway is a pretty hefty unit, this single-wheeled concept is far lighter and can be folded up and placed in the boot of a car. Another bonus is that you can actually sit down on it. Top speed is 15 km/h (9 mph), and battery life is around one hour.

    We’ve seen something similar before – the Enicycle, which uses mini gyroscopes to constantly measure the vertical angle of the vehicle, they then transfer the data back to a processor, which drives the motor and in turn maintains your balance. (more…)

  • Jay-Z and Kanye West trash Maybach in ‘Otis’ video


    We expected better from Jay-Z, but Kanye “I’ma let you finish” West is known as much for his lame attempts at grabbing attention (such as having his teeth replaced with diamonds…) as he is for creating unoriginal, heavily-sampled music accompanied by very average lyrics, so we’re not surprised to see his name connected to a video that features the pair of them butchering a Maybach.

    We know it’s just spare change to these guys, but there are people around the world who are suffering from the effects of earthquakes, famine and general poverty. They could have auctioned it for charity rather than trash it.

    Are these the same artists who cry when a few people who “take food out of their mouths” by downloading their albums for free? Spread it around a bit guys, you’ve obviously got money to burn… (more…)

  • Porsche 911 GT3 Cup track test


    Dutch motoring magazine Autoweek heads over to Italy’s Monza Circuit to test a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. Porsche recently revealed the last Cup car in 997 guise for use in the 2012 and 2013 race seasons. (more…)

  • Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34 turns fifty


    A new world record will be set when one hundred Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34 models meet up at Volkswagen Osnabrück GmbH for this weekend’s Volkswagen Classic to celebrate 50 years of the Type 34.

    The original Karmann Ghia, which sat on a Beetle platform, was launched in 1955 and internally designated the Type 14. Later on, in 1961, Volkswagen introduced a variant based on the newly introduced Type 3 platform – the Type 34 – featuring an angular body, earning it the nickname “Razor Edge Ghia.”

    A prototype Karmann Ghia Type 34 Coupé will also be in attendance, as will a a TC 145 – Brazil’s version of the Ghia. The event is fully supported by Classic Volkswagen and the Volkswagen Auto Museum.

    [Source: Volkswagen Germany]

    (more…)

  • Audi R8 GT Week – Parts three and four


    Here are the final two videos marking ‘Audi R8 GT Week’. Yet again, multiple Le Mans winner and AudiWerks Driver, Emanuele Pirro, gives his views on the hardcore 552 hp supercar from Ingolstadt. This time he comments on the car’s ‘no compromise’ development, and also a few facts highlighting the weight-saving measures involved. Overall, the GT weighs 180 lbs less than its regular R8 V10 sibling, thanks to the use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for many panels, and polycarbonate for the bulkhead and the window in the rear hatch, thinner windscreen glass, a lighter battery, and even lightweight carpets! (more…)

  • First decade of BMW’s MINI is out of this world


    Approximately 300,000 MINIs have been sold in the UK since its launch ten years ago, meaning around 15 billion miles have been covered – or put another way – 600,000 times around the globe.

    Of course, these numbers are an estimate. But MINI is looking for more realistic figure, so has launched ‘MINI Lunatics’, a special space-themed site where owners can log their car’s mileage. Various prizes are on offer to those who happen to dock in a section where the surprises are hidden, and an extra incentive for anyone finding specific hidden words in the site – a trip for four to Cape Canaveral.

    Drivers who have driven at least 252,000 miles – the equivalent distance to the moon – could be in line to scoop special limited edition MINI memorabilia.

    For the record, our 2005 Cooper has devoured over 112,000 miles – and one clutch…

    [Source: MINI]