German Car Scene

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  • BMW M4 Concept revealed

    BMW M4 Concept
    BMW has finally released images of its M4 Coupe Concept ahead of the car’s unveiling at Monterey Auto Week in California.

    Aggressively styled, the Concept differs from the regular 4 Series thanks to the power dome on the hood, a CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic) roof with M striping, bulging wheel arches, wider side skirts and trademark M fender gills.

    There’s also a gloss black kidney grille with double slats, a sculpted front bumper with large air intakes and carbon fibre front splitter, boot lid with integrated spoiler and rear bumper with air outlets and a diffuser that shrouds quadruple tailpipes. A set of bi-colour 20-inch forged M alloy wheels complete the look.

    BMW remained tight-lipped regarding the powerplant, but it’s likely that the 309 kW (420 hp) V8 engine currently powering the M3 will be ditched, with propulsion expected to come from a twin-turbocharged straight-six (developing around 331 kW/444 hp), which will be mated to either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or optional six-speed manual.
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  • evo drives the BMW i8

    2014 BMW i8
    Following on from his video diary back in February, evo magazine’s Harry Metcalfe has been sampling BMW’s forthcoming i8 at the company’s test-track facility in Miramas.

    Utilizing a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic passenger cell connected to an aluminum Drive module, the i8 uses a combination of a 170 kW (231 hp) turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit in the rear along with a 96 kW (131 hp) electric motor driving the front wheels.

    Due to make its world debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show (September 10 to 22) before production begins in 2014, rumours suggest that pricing will start at around €100,000.
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  • Skoda Citigo CNG sets efficiency record

    Skoda Citigo CNG
    Fuel-saving champion Gerhard Plattner has managed to take Skoda’s Citigo CNG from Italy to Sweden in five days – for less than 100 euros.

    Covering a total of 2,619 kilometres, the Citigo arrived in Stockholm after requiring an average of just 2.39 kg of natural gas every 100 km, equating to more than 0.5 kg under the manufacturer’s specification, or almost 18 percent, along with CO2 emissions of 65g per km.

    Setting off from Vicenza in Italy over Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Germany and Denmark on to Sweden, with Plattner enjoyed his most frugal stint on the 515 km penultimate stage of the tour where he eked out an amazing average consumption of 2.04 kg per 100 km (96 MPG).

    Utilizing the powerplant from Volkswagen’s eco up!, the Citigo uses a 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine producing 50 kW (67 hp) and 90 Nm of torque, and officially needs a mere 2.9 kg of natural gas every 100 kilometres, while generating a mere 79 g/km of CO2.

    “I am very excited about this record; it’s a testament to the efficiency of the CNG engine in the ŠKODA Citigo. Despite the unexpected price increases for natural gas in Italy and Sweden, I managed it on this small budget and even have 18,76 euros left,” said Plattner.
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  • Special edition Audi TTS competition

    Special edition Audi TTS competition
    Audi has announced details of a special edition TTS competition package to celebrate 500,000 examples of the TT being built.

    Available in Coupe and Roadster variants and exclusively in Imola Yellow or Nimbus Grey paintwork, the fixed rear wing features matte aluminum-look finish struts, while the Roadster roof is available in either Black or Grey. Measuring 19-inches in diameter and shod with 225/35 tyres, a set of silver ‘Rotor’ design five-spoke alloy wheels complete the exterior.

    Moving inside, there’s an Impulse leather package in Steel Grey with yellow edging and stitching, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and aluminum badges on the door trims bearing the words ‘1 of 500’. Standard TTS equipment includes aluminum inlays, xenon plus headlights, magnetic ride damper control system and rear parking sensors.

    Powering the TTS is the company’s 2.0 TFSI engine, which generates 200 kW (272 hp) and 350 Nm of torque, allowing the Coupe to crack 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds with the six-speed S tronic transmission (manual 5.5s) before reaching a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

    Just 500 units will be built with customers having to part with an additional €1,900 for the competition package. If your budget won’t stretch to a TTS Audi also produces the S line competition.
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  • Brabus Bullit tuned by GAD Motors

    Brabus Bullit tuned by GAD Motors
    Fellbach tuning house GAD Motors has done the unthinkable and tuned Brabus’ already insane 370 km/h (229 mph) Bullit.

    Equipped with a massaged bi-turbo 6.3-litre V12 powerplant sourced from the S-Class, the regular Bullit develops 588 kW (800 hp) and 1,420 Nm of torque, which is limited to 1100 Nm.

    GAD’s conversion sees the addition of upgraded turbochargers, injectors, intercoolers and an optimized air box, along with remapped ECU software, resulting in a gargantuan 667 kW (894 hp) and 1413 Nm while the limited torque figure of 1100 Nm. The transmission was also strengthened for non-smashy gears reasons.

    German magazine Auto Bild recently tested the car, recording a blistering 0-300 km/h (186 mph) time of 23.5 seconds, eclipsing even GAD’s CLS 63 AMG, the previous record holder.
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  • dp motorsport anniversary Porsche 911 sleeper 3.2

    dp motorsport 911 sleeper 3.2
    Following on from its stunning lightweight 911 project and Classic 964 RS, Overath-based dp motorsport has created an anniversary sleeper to mark forty years in business.

    Starting with a 1986 model as a base for the club sport racer, the guys stripped it back to a bare bodyshell before reconstruction of the vehicle took place using carbon fibre doors, mirrors, hood, engine cover and bumpers, along with hardened perspex windows. Such components as brackets, hinges and even the door handles were also drilled in an effort to trim the fat, resulting in 280 kilograms being shaved from the car to end up at an impressive 905 kg. The ABS and power steering systems were also ditched.

    Moving inside, the cabin receives a DP roll-bar, 935-style seats with 4-point harnesses, a 350 mm sport steering wheel, lightweight RS carpet and featherweight 25 Ah gel battery.

    Propulsion comes via a 3.2-litre flat-six, which is fitted with flowed cylinder heads, 288° Schrick cams, a 67 mm throttle valve, lightened flywheel and an titanium RSR Racing exhaust system with 100 cell catalytic converters. Now generating 199 kW (270 hp) and 307 Nm of torque, the engine is mated to a 5-speed 915 transmission equipped with a limited slip differential and short shift mechanism.

    Chassic upgrades consist of adjustable Bilstein coilovers combined with Super Pro polyurethane bushings and Uniballs all around, a welded-in strut brace and 964 braking system using drilled discs. A set of Fuch alloy wheels measuring 7 and 9 x 16-inches and wrapped in 225/50 and 245/45 Michelin semi-slick tyres complete the conversion.

    dp can provide customers with all the aforementioned components, or you could purchase this metallic Rock Green example for €89,911.
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