German Car Scene

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  • Auto Bild drives the Audi Q3


    Dennis Petermann drives the new Audi Q3 for Germany’s Auto Bild magazine. Audi created the urban SUV to tackle the lifestyle/sports car segment. This means it will face direct competition from the likes of Range Rover and BMW, but it costs less than the X1 and considerably less than the new Evoque. So, should you choose one? (more…)

  • New Volkswagen Beetle meets its legendary ancestors


    Volkswagen fans were in for a treat at this year’s Schloss Dyck Classic Days, with the new, 2012 Beetle showing up – flanked by the “Mille Miglia” pretzel and “Mille Miglia” Oval Beetles.

    The outstanding classic car and motorsports event is known as the ‘German Goodwood’ with thousands of fans visiting each year, to witness the historic machinery of yesteryear racing around the park.

    It’s safe to say that, at this particular show, the 200 hp modern-day Bug had to fight for its share of attention with its air cooled predecessors. Both absolutely immaculate, the 1951 Volkswagen Beetle was nicknamed “Pretzel Beetle” because of the style of its rear window, while its younger 1956 oval-windowed sibling was capable of surprising a few of its rivals on the “Mille Miglia” thanks to its 75 hp Porsche heart. Admittedly, that doesn’t sound like much, but it’s almost double the output of a standard Beetle from that era.

    [Source: Volkswagen]

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  • DTM: Ekstrom dominates at the Nurburgring


    Sweden’s Mattias Ekström turned pole position into his first win since May 2010 at this weekend’s DTM round held at the Nürburgring. The Audi driver pulled away from the rest of the field with relative ease and, up until the the penultimate lap, it was looking like a one-two result for the Abt Sportsline team, until Mercedes pilot Bruno Spengler forced Mike Rockenfeller into making a mistake which saw him locking the wheels of his A4 DTM car and go wide. This allowed Spengler’s C-class through to second place – enough to extend his lead in the championship to 7 points.

    Audi also secured fourth and fifth place thanks to Phoenix team-mates Timo Scheider and Martin Tomczyk who switched positions during a fierce battle on lap twenty. Tomczyk, currently second in the standings, had started well from seventh on the grid but was struck by the Mercedes of Jamie Green, who finished sixth. (more…)

  • Barely disguised Porsche 991 spotted


    Now, we’re guessing that Dr Gumo Lunatic isn’t his real name – but that’s not really important. All we know is this car spotter had a stroke of luck yesterday after spying a barely camouflaged 2012 Porsche 911 filling up at a petrol station in Stuttgart, Germany. (more…)

  • Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC by Kahn


    Bradford-based UK styling specialist Project Kahn has created a program for the Mercedes-Benz ML 350 Bluetec. The engine was treated to a new Kahn exhaust system and Brabus D6 performance kit, meaning it now produces 268 hp (40 hp up on standard), before Afzal and his team went to work on it.

    The body modifications are relatively subtle, with Kahn adding a new grille and fog lamp surrounds finished in carbon, and tinted front indicator lenses. These, along with those striking 22-inch RS-X Black Edition alloy wheels provide a great contrast to the new soft pearl white paintwork.

    Inside the ML’s cabin Kahn’s upholstery department has clearly gone into overdrive, with every inch covered in quilted, claret leather, including the seats, door panels, glove box and transmission tunnel. Other additions include piano black wooden trim inserts, red steering wheel stitching, underfloor LED lighting and slotted aluminium pedals.

    [Source: Kahn Design]

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  • Excellence drives the Porsche Panamera Turbo


    Damon Lowney drives the 500 bhp Panamera turbo for specialist Porsche magazine, Excellence. It may be colossal, but it’s certainly no slouch: capable of hitting 60 mph in around four seconds and completing sub-12 second quarter miles. (more…)