German Car Scene

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  • BMW X3 BY AC SCHNITZER


    Aachen-based tuning specialist AC Schnitzer has created a new package for BMW’s X3 model. Visually there’s a front and roof spoiler, a choice of alloy wheels between 18- and 22-inch diameter, and chromed “Racing” tailpipe trim, while inside there’s a new steering wheel, floor mats and a choice of aluminium gear knobs – including anodized silver/chrome or “Black Line”/chrome, or with one with a digital face that displays your gear selection.

    Performance-wise, the X3 xDrive20d is upgraded from to 184 to 218 HP, with a similar option being made available for the X3 xDrive30d later in the year. There’s a stainless steel sports exhaust available for the 2.8i and 3.5i models too.

    [Source: AC Schnitzer]

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  • BUGATTI UNVEILS VEYRON GRAND SPORT L’OR BLANC


    As we told you last week, production of the regular Bugatti Veyron 16.4 coupé has reached its 300 unit limit, but the Grand Sport lives on and will be rolling off the line in Molsheim for a little while yet. This latest unique example of the open-topped Veyron – the Bugatti L’Or Blanc – was created as a joint project with Königliche Porzellan-Manufatur Berlin (KPM); it features a painstaking two-tone exterior that mimics reflections on the car’s body, and has been treated to bespoke KPM porcelain inlays, covering such components as the centre wheel badges, fuel and oil filler caps, and that legendary “EB” badge on the rear.

    Inside you’ll find porcelain is used for the inlays on the sides of the centre console, and a panel (complete with elephant logo) behind the seats. Unusually, there’s a fine porcelain dish fitted to the top of the console, that can be removed and used as part of the Bugatti’s picnic set. Seriously.

    Interested parties will need €1.65 million burning a hole in their pocket if they want to own this real one-off.

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  • BMW TO FEATURE IN MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL


    BMW has been announced as the official automotive partner for the new “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” film, with the company’s Vision EfficientDynamics concept car fighting a certain Mr Cruise for screen time..

    The 2+2-seater, with plug-in full-hybrid technology, has a governed top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate to 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds, but is capable of returning 62.6 mpg. Drives comes via a 3-cylinder turbodiesel with one electric motor on each axle. Overall output is 356 hp.

    The new Mission: Impossible film is slated for release in the United States on December 16, 2011.

    [Source: BMW]

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  • Porsche returning to Le Mans


    Massive news here: Porsche has just announced that it will be returning to Le Mans in 2014, with a works-run LMP1 sports prototype. Porsche is the most successful manufacturer in Le Mans, with an impressive 16 overall victories.

    Porsche CEO Matthias Müller, pointed out the company’s unrivalled success in the legendary event, and followed up by saying it was only a matter of time before they returned, to target a 17th outright victory.

    [Source: Porsche]

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  • MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD GOES ON SALE – AT A COOL £41,000


    The limited edition MINI Inspired by Goodwood model makes its début at Goodwood today – coinciding with the first day that customers can place their orders for one. We know it’s a rare car – limited to just 1000 units, and also a collaboration between MINI and Rolls-Royce, but with a price tag of £41,000 – it’s BMW 1 series M coupé and Audi RS 3 Sportback money, so you’d need to be a serious MINI fan to purchase one.

    Based on a MINI Cooper S, the special model features Rolls-Royce Diamond Black metallic paintwork, Xenon Adaptive Headlights and Park Distance Control as standard. The interior is clad in Rolls-Royce colour Cornsilk, while the dash and door handle surfaces are finished in Walnut Burr inserts. The roof lining and sun visors are cashmere and the floor mats are deep-pile lambswool. Obviously.

    [Source: MINI]

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  • BMW 1 SERIES M COUPÉ ‘LONG DRIFTS’


    We’ve witnessed the drifting skills of Andre de Vries before, but this piece of film is our favourite to date. Usually seen driving a BMW E46 GTR in the Dutch Supercar Challenge, here Andre gets behind the wheel of a 1 Series M coupé before driving it sideways – all daaaay long… (more…)