German Car Scene

Author: admin

  • GOLF24 READY FOR THE NÜRBURGRING


    After a relatively brief testing programme, Volkswagen’s Golf24 is ready to do battle at this weekend’s 24-hour race at the fabled Nürburgring.

    Based loosely on the popular VW hatchback, the Golf24 bears little resemblance to its road-going namesake. Power comes from a 450 hp 2.5L five cylinder turbo unit, driving all four wheels via a sequential 6-speed transmission, shifted by flappy paddles.

    Three cars have been prepared for the race, with some very familiar faces lined up to drive the beasts, including ex-F1 drivers Johnny Herbert and Mark Blundell, as well as ex-Porsche Supercup drivers René Rast and Nicki Thiim. Dakar winners Nasser Al-Attiyah, Carlos Sainz and Giniel de Villiers will also be taking part in the race, driving a 330 hp Scirocco GT24-CNG.

    [Source: Volkswagen Motorsport]

    (more…)

  • AUDI UK ANNOUNCES SUPER-FRUGAL A1 TDI MODEL


    Audi in the UK has announced a newly revised 1.6 TDI version of its A1. With a CO2 output of 99g/km this baby Audi dodges the pesky London congestion charge, and returns an impressive 74.3mpg while it’s at it. (more…)

  • MINI COUPÉ OFFICIALLY REVEALED, STARTING AT €18,845


    After endless teaser shots, MINI has finally unveiled its Coupé. The latest in a constantly-expanding range of MINI models, the Coupé is the first “three-box” and two-seater version of the gang.

    Models and powerplants begin with the 122 hp MINI Cooper Coupé, priced in the UK at £16,640 (€18,845), and the 184 hp Cooper S Coupé at £19,775 (€21895), right up to £23,795 (€26,948) for the 211 hp, 149 mph JCW version. There’s also a 143 hp Cooper SD for the diesel fans, with an OTR price of £20,510 (€23,228).

    The Coupé’s A-pillars and windscreen are sharply raked by 13 degrees compared to the current MINI Hatch, which results in a smaller frontal area that gives the Coupé excellent aerodynamic properties, and an extremely distinctive appearance.

    [Source: MINI]

    (more…)

  • WORLD DRIFTING RECORD SMASHED AT MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD


    Mercedes-Benz test driver, Mauro Calo, has slid his way into the Guinness Book of World Records after keeping his 457 hp C 63 AMG sideways for almost eight laps of the Handling Circuit at Mercedes-Benz World in England. Calo’s distance of 1.43 miles, achieved on June 19, eclipses the previous record, held by Vaughn Gittin Jr., by around one-quarter of a mile. (more…)

  • AUTO BILD: CABRIOLET COMPARISON


    After a break of nine years, the newly-reintroduced Golf Cabriolet from Volkswagen has thrown its hat into the ring. Germany’s Auto Bild sees if it was worth the wait, and how it compares to competition in the form of BMW’s 1 Series and the Peugeot 308. (more…)

  • DTM LAUSITZRING: TOMCZYK TAKES THE WIN


    Audi Sport Team Phoenix driver Martin Tomczyk took his second consecutive win at the Lausitzring in this weekend’s DTM round, and snatched the championship lead from Mercedes driver Bruno Spengler while he was at it. Fellow Audi driver Timo Scheider finished second, while Spengler took the third step of the podium.

    Tomczyk had been in third during the early stages, but outbraked the Mercedes of Jamie Green to grab second place on lap three. Running two laps further than Spengler on his opening stint and a speedier maiden stop helped Tomczyk to secure Audi’s first win at Lausitz since 2005.

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz]

    (more…)