German Car Scene

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  • Mercedes tests autonomous S-Class

    Mercedes-Benz S-Class Intelligent Drive
    Mercedes-Benz has completed the same 100 kilometre journey from Mannheim to Pforzheim taken by Bertha Benz exactly 125 years ago – using an autonomous S-Class.

    But, rather than certain other manufacturer’s self-driving prototype vehicles, this particular S 500 dealt with traffic lights, roundabouts, pedestrians, cyclists and trams using technology that is largely already available in the current E-Class and S-Class models. The core of the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive, the Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, is capable of steering the vehicle mainly autonomously through traffic jams with the driver overseeing these functions.

    Modifications include two long-range radars on the sides of the front bumper to provide early detection of vehicles coming from the left or right at junctions, one to monitor traffic at the rear, and a short-range radar on each corner of the car to improve detection of the nearer surroundings and other road users. A colour camera behind the windscreen monitors traffic lights, while one in the rear window locates the vehicle by comparing what it sees with features previously entered on a 3D digital map providing greater accuracy than GPS alone. The map was developed jointly between Mercedes-Benz and KIT and HERE, a division of Nokia.

    “This S-Class spells out where we’re headed with “Intelligent Drive” and what tremendous potential there is in currently available technology. Of course, it would have been a lot easier to take the autobahn for the autonomous drive from Mannheim to Pforzheim. But there was a special motivation for us to carry out this autonomous drive along this very route 125 years after Bertha Benz. After all, we wouldn’t be Mercedes-Benz unless we set ourselves challenging goals and then went on to achieve them,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Daimler AG CEO and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
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  • Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan surfaces

    Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan
    Volkswagen has revealed that it will be taking a concept of the forthcoming Golf Sportsvan to the Frankfurt Motor Show (September 10-23).

    As with the current Golf hatchback, the minivan variant sits on Volkswagen’s MQB platform and utilizes engines that all comply with Euro-6 emissions standards. Powerplant options include four TSI units producing 63 kW (84 hp), 81 kW (109 hp), 92 kW (123 hp) and 110 kW (148 hp). Diesel fans get the choice of a 81 kW (109 hp) or a 110 kW (148 hp) TDI, with the 81 kW (109 hp) 1.6 TDI BlueMotion requiring an average of 3.7 litres every 100 kilomteres while emitting 95 g CO2/km. Apart from the 63 kW (84 hp) TSI, all units can be optionally mated to the DSG dual clutch transmission, while all models get the XDS+ electronic differential lock from the new Golf GTI.

    With a length of 4,338 mm, the concept car is 134 mm longer than the outgoing Golf Plus, 83 mm longer than the Golf hatchback and 224 mm shorter than the Estate. At 1,807 mm, it is 8 mm wider than the regular Golf, while the previous model was actually 48 mm narrower. Standing 1,580 mm tall, it is a mere 2 mm lower than the Golf Plus and 126 mm taller than the Golf. Featuring bolder, more sculpted lines, the Sportsvan wears a large chrome grille, (optional) bi-xenon headlights with U-shaped LED daytime running lights, while the fifth side window within the D pillar, lengthens the transparent surface towards the back of the vehicle, adding a lightness to the design and daylight to the interior.

    Inside, the cabin features a rear bench seat with 180 mm fore-aft adjustment and over 1,500 litres of cargo capacity. Standard equipment includes Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, air conditioning, a 5-inch touchscreen, variable cargo floor and a cargo cover, with options such as a heated steering wheel, Blind Spot Monitor, DCC dynamic chassis control, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control available to add to your wish list.

    Expect a production version to appear in dealerships by the middle of next year.
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  • Audi A3 Cabriolet revealed

    Audi A3 Cabriolet
    Audi has officially released details of its A3 Cabriolet before next week’s big reveal in Frankfurt.

    Essentially a roofless version of the three-door A3 hatchback, the Cabriolet use’s Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform and is slightly larger than its predecessor at 4.42 metres in length, 1.79m in width and a 2.6m wheelbase, with the only reduced dimension being the 15 mm lower height of 1.41m. Thanks to the use of a lighter chassis, exhaust system, interior components and aluminium for the hood and fenders, the new A3 Cabriolet enjoys a weight saving of around 50 kg – at 1,365 kg – compared to the outgoing model; all contributing to a more responsive chassis and better fuel economy.

    Three engine options will be available when the A3 goes on sale later this autumn at a base price of € 31,700. Beginning with a 1.4-litre TFSI engine that produces 90 kW (121 hp) and 200 Nm of torque, then a 1.8-litre TFSI that churns out 132 kW (177 hp) and 250 Nm and comes with the seven-speed S tronic gearbox as standard, whereas the other two engines are mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Diesel fans get the 2.0-litre TDI which develops 110 kW (148 hp) and 320 Nm.

    Styling is very familiar with the corporate single-frame radiator grille being a dominant feature along with the optional xenon plus headlight package which provide those distinctive LED daytime running lights and LED rear clusters. The Cabriolet gains aluminum windscreen pillars and aluminium-look trim strips along its waist, while the soft top utilizes magnesium and steel for its mechanism, with the acoustic available in Black, Grey or Brown. The top opens or closes electro-hydraulically in under than 18 seconds, while an active rollover protection system protects the occupants in case of a rollover accident. A nice option is the Audi drive select system which lets the driver vary characteristics such as steering weighting, throttle response and the transmission shift points (on S tronic-equipped cars). The car can also be upgraded to control the brilliant optional magnetic ride suspension system.

    An S3 variant will follow on from the initial launch, meaning a 2.0 TFSI engine producing 221 kW (300 hp) and 380 Nm of torque, a six-speed S tronic and quattro all-wheel-drive system, resulting in a 5.4s sprint to 100 km/h.
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  • Porsche 911 Turbo S reviewed

    Porsche 911 Turbo S
    Here’s another review from Guido The Getawayer, which sees the German car fanatic sharing his verdict on Porsche’s brand new 911 Turbo S like only he can.

    Propelled by a turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six engine developing 560 hp (412 kW), the S takes just 3.1 seconds to crack 100 km/h before reaching a 318 mph (197 mph) top speed. Notable features include centre-locking 20-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlamps, the Sport Chrono Package Plus (incorporating dynamic engine mounts), and ceramic brakes.
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  • Mercedes-Benz A-Class by Carlsson

    Carlsson Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Carlsson will be revealing its latest program to suit the current A-Class at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

    For the body Carlsson offers an aero package comprising of a front spoiler with air inlets, sculpted side skirts, a larger roof spoiler and rear bumper apron with integrated diffuser and twin apertures to accommodate new quadruple tailpipes. A separate apron for cars fitted with the AMG body kit includes air outlet grilles.

    Sport springs drop the A-Class by 35 mm, with an adjustable coilover option available for those with deeper pockets, while the factory wheels can be replaced with Carlsson’s 1/10 items in diamteters ranging from 18 to 20 inches.

    Inside, Carlsson can supply anything from aluminum door pins and pedal covers or floor mats to a completely bespoke interior using such materials as leather, wood and carbon fibre.

    The company also offers performance upgrades to suit all four-cylinder petrol-engined cars with its C-Tronic CB Plug & Drive module. Once plugged into the car’s ECU output from the A 250 jumps from 157 kW (211 hp) and 350 Nm of torque to 189 kW (253 hp) and 420 Nm, while the A 200 goes from 116 kW (156 hp) and 250 Nm to 139 kW (187 hp) and 300 Nm.
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  • Brabus 850 6.0 Biturbo iBusiness revealed

    Brabus 850 6.0 Biturbo iBusiness
    Following on from its package for the new Mercedes S-Class, Bottrop tuning specialist Brabus has released details of the mammoth 850 6.0 Biturbo iBusiness ahead of Frankfurt.

    Starting with the 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 engine from the E 63 AMG, Brabus increases the cylinder bores to 99 mm before fitting reworked cylinder heads, forged pistons, billet connecting rods and billet crankshaft. A pair of larger turbochargers along with a new stainless steel exhaust with adjustable butterfly valve help to achieve 625 kW (850 hp) and a limited torque figure of 1,150 Nm. With that power being transferred to the road via a modified AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission, this S-Class enjoys a 0-100 km/h time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). Sensibly, a Brembo-developed carbon ceramic brake upgrade, using 380 x 34 mm front discs and six-piston calipers, has also been fitted.

    Visually there’s a plastic aero package with carbon fibre elements, which comprises of a front fascia with larger intakes and lip spoiler, fender gills, side skirts, a trunk lid spoiler and diffuser section for the rear bumper with apertures for the quadruple tailpipes. A suspension module lowers the ride height by 15 mm, while the company’s Monoblock VI, F and R alloys can be specified in sizes ranging from 19 to 21-inches, with its brand new Monoblock G Platinum Edition forged wheels – also debuting in Frankfurt – available in a 22-inch diameter.

    Moving past the illuminated sill plates, the cabin has been reupholstered in fine leather, and also features Brabus’ tech-filled iBusiness multimedia system. The on-board goodies use a roof-mounted 15.2-inch colour TFT screen as a central display; they include an iPad mini that can also control all functions of the car’s COMAND system and is connected to a trunk-mounted Mac mini computer via the InCar-Hotspot, which also offers an internet connection with a speed of up to 7.2 megabits per second. An iPod touch is there to supply the music, while the factory screens in the headrests have also been retained. Obviously.
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