German Car Scene

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  • Audi RS 6 Avant vs Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake

    Audi RS 6 Avant vs Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake
    Today’s episode of DRIVE sees Chris Harris compare a couple of heavy-hitting estate cars: the Audi RS 6 Avant and Mercedes’ expeditious hearse, the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake.

    With its 4.0 TFSI V8 sending 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm to all four wheels, the RS 6 rockets to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds before reaching a limited 250 km/h top speed, which can be raised to 280 km/h (174 mph) upon request, while the CLS uses a 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 engine developing 410 kW (557 hp) and 720 Nm of torque. On the road the CLS hits 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds before the fun stops at a restricted 250 km/h top speed.
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  • Audi RS 6 commercial featuring the R18 e-tron quattro

    Audi R18 e-tron quattro
    Audi Germany has given its Le Mans-winning R18 e-tron quattro hybrid race car a starring role in the new RS 6 Avant commercial, highlighting the exquisite motorsport pedigree behind the company’s road vehicles.

    While the innovative track weapon is propelled by a 3.7-litre V6 TDI engine developing over 360 kW (490 hp) and 850 Nm of torque along with a 160 kW (215 hp) motor drive unit powering the front wheels by harvesting kinetic energy, its family-friendly sibling uses a twin-turbocharged 4.0 TFSI V8 that sends 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission.
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  • Audi creates science fiction car for Ender’s Game

    1_quattro-shuttle-fleet
    Following on from such collaborations as the one with the Iron Man franchise and I, Robot, which featured the fabulous RSQ, Audi has revealed a futuristic vehicle for the forthcoming Ender’s Game movie.

    With input from the film’s director, Gavin Hood, the Audi quattro shuttle fleet was created by the Audi Design Team using digital technology and exists in only a virtual world, a first for the Ingolstadt company in a Hollywood production.

    “Designing the Audi fleet shuttle quattro was similar to customizing a tailor-made suit. We adapted it to the requirements of the world in Ender’s Game and at the same time had to take care to preserve our brand values,” said Frank Rimili, chief designer for the film project.

    The movie, which hits German cinemas on October 24 and stars Harrison Ford, sees Earth preparing itself for an attack by hostile aliens (the absolute worst type…). Enter Ender Wiggin, who is chosen from a group of potential leaders as the chap to save our planet. Fingers crossed, eh?
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  • Opel’s Adam gets new turbocharged three-cylinder engine


    Opel will unveil a new turbocharged 1.0-litre three–cylinder petrol engine at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show, ahead of its debut in the company’s Adam city car.

    The first of a new, modular range of three and four-cylinder gasoline engines, the 12-valve, 1.0 SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) unit produces the same 85 kW (115 hp) as the naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine that it replaces, while developing almost 30 percent more torque at 166 Nm. Teamed with a new six-speed manual transmission designed specifically for medium torque applications, Opel has managed to construct a gearbox with a dry weight of 37 kg that is 30 percent lighter than its predecessor and packaged within a unit measuring just 375 mm across its axis.

    Notable factors contributing to the all-aluminium powerplant’s efficiency include a cylinder head with integrated exhaust manifold, which is bolted directly to the turbocharger. This compact installation results in the delivery of a fast boost charge for strong, low-end power. The unrefined tag associated with three-cylinders has been dealt with thanks partly to the installation of a chain-driven balance shaft in the oil sump. The counter-rotating shaft spins at the same speed as the crankshaft, offsetting any inherent vibrations. Covers for the engine, manifold and camshaft housing, along with a low-hiss turbo compressor and specially designed oil pan ensure noise levels lower than its turbocharged 1.6-litre counterparts.

    No specific numbers were released, but Opel stated that this new engine not only requires 20 percent less fuel than its predecessor, but that CO2 emissions are significantly lower than 100 g/km.

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  • BMW i8 details

    BMW i8
    Following on from the i3, BMW has released details of its forthcoming plug-in hybrid sports car, the i8.

    Utilizing the company’s i LifeDrive architecture, the i8 focuses around a lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell connected to the aluminum Drive module, which incorporates a TwinPower turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit that sends 170 kW (231 hp) and 320 Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, along with an electric motor developing 96 kW (131 hp) and 250 Nm driving the front wheels through a two-stage automatic gearbox.

    With a length of 4689 mm, width of 1942 mm and standing 1293 mm tall, the i8 possesses almost identical dimensions to Ferrari’s F12 but enjoys a lower drag coefficient of 0.26. The slippery design and weight of 1490 kg means it can hit 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) in all-wheel drive mode, with electric power alone allowing a maximum of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a range of 35 kilometres (22m). Overall a distance of 500 km (310m) can be covered, with less than 2.5 litres of fuel needed every 100 km (95 US MPG) and fewer than 59 grams of carbon dioxide emitted every kilometre. The liquid-cooled lithium-ion can be fully charged in less than three hours at a conventional household socket and less than two hours at a BMW i Wallbox.
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  • BMW M5 program by Vorsteiner

    Vorsteiner BMW M5
    North American aftermarket specialist Vorsteiner has released new images of its BMW M5 program.

    Constructed from clear-coated pre-preg carbon fibre, the aero package comprises of an add-on front spoiler with GT centre splitter, a trunk lid spoiler and finned diffuser section for the rear bumper.

    The changes are complete with a set of Vorsteiner’s VS-190 forged monoblock alloy wheels in a 21-inch diameter.
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