German Car Scene

Author: admin

  • ABT Sportsline Audi SQ5

    ABT Sportsline Audi SQ5
    Kempten-based ABT Sportsline has revealed details of its tuning program to suit Audi’s potent SQ5 model.

    Visually, ABT’s wide-body package comprises of a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes and radiator grille section with vertical bars, wheel arch extensions, side skirts and roof spoiler. A choice of replacement alloy wheels are available in sizes from 20 to 22-inches including the DR items pictured, while the sports spring kit helps to bring the SQ5 closer to the road.

    Finally, there’s a performance upgrade to suit the diesel version of the SQ5. Already developing a healthy 230 kW (313 hp) and 650 Nm of torque from its 3.0 TDI biturbo engine in factory form, ABT’s powerkit takes output up to 265 kW (360 hp) and 700 Nm.
    (more…)

  • BMW 2 Series Cabriolet testing at the Nurburgring

    BMW 2 Series Cabriolet
    BMW’s forthcoming 2 Series Cabriolet has been recently spotted stretching its legs at the Nurburgring during pre-production testing.

    Succeeding the 1 Series, the 2 Series Cabriolet is expected to arrive in the second half of next year – six months after the Coupe, which makes its debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

    Engine options will include a turbocharged 1.6-litre in the 216i and 218i, and the 180 kW (245 hp) 2.0-litre 228i, with diesel fans being offered a 2.0-litre engine in the 220d and 225d. The initial flagship version will be the M235i using the same 235 kW (320 hp) turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six currently seen in the M135i, with an even hotter M2 variant arriving later.
    (more…)

  • Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Squadra Corse

    Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Squadra Corse
    Lamborghini has released details of the Gallardo LP570-4 Squadra Corse ahead of its debut in Frankfurt this September.

    Essentially an updated version of the Super Trofeo Stradale, the Squadra Corse takes its name from Lamborghini’s racing department and is the closest thing you can get to a road legal Super Trofeo racecar. Based on the standard LP 570-4 chassis, power comes courtesy of a 5.2-litre V10 which sends 419 kW (570 hp) and 540 Nm of torque to all four wheels via a 6-speed robotized sequential system operated by flappy paddles. Tipping the scales at 1340 kg, it hits 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, 200 km/h in 10.4 seconds and a reaches a 320 km/h (199 mph) top speed before the carbon ceramic brakes are applied.

    Visual clues to the car’s identity include a front spoiler, rear diffuser and 19-inch forged alloy wheels in gloss black, along with mirror casings, a raised rear wing and quick-release engine cover all constructed from carbon fibre. Available in Giallo Midas (yellow), Monocerus Bianco (white), Grigio Thalasso (grey) and Rosso Mars (red) exterior colours, the body is finished off with tricolour striping as a nod to the company’s heritage.

    Moving inside, the dashboard is trimmed in Alcantara, with the door panels, centre console, handbrake cover and racing seats all carbon fibre, although customers can specify ‘comfort’ seats as an option. But don’t do that.
    (more…)

  • Ford Fiesta ST vs Mercedes G 63 AMG

    Ford Fiesta ST
    Today’s episode of DRIVE with Chris Harris, see’s the fanbois’ favourite putting Ford’s feisty Fiesta ST through its paces, before introducing a Mercedes G 63 AMG into the equation – but not in the usual way.

    The Fiesta is equipped with a 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine developing 134 kW and 240 Nm of torque, helping it to hit 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, while the hairy-chested G-Wagen takes just 5.4s thanks to its sinewy 5.5-litre V8 biturbo units developing 400 kW (544 hp) and 760 Nm.
    (more…)

  • Audi RS 7 Sportback review

    Audi RS 7 Sportback
    This latest video from Auto Express magazine sees Luke Madden heading to Neckarsulm to review Audi’s latest sledgehammer, the RS 7 Sportback.

    Propelled by a twin-turbocharged 4.0 TFSI V8 engine, the RS 7 has 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm of torque at its disposal, which is delivered to all four wheels via a specially tuned eight-speed tiptronic transmission. 100 km/h appears in just 3.9 seconds, while the limited 250 km/h top speed can be raised to 280 km/h (174 mph) with the optional dynamic package and 305 km/h (190 mph) with the dynamic package plus.
    (more…)

  • Porsche 911 Blu Edition announced

    Porsche 911 Blu Edition
    Following on from its 50 Years Edition model, Porsche is set to round off celebrations of the 911’s anniversary with the addition its most environmentally friendly variant yet, the 911 Blu Edition.

    Offered in Convertible guise with PDK transmission as standard, the Blu Edition is finished in Riviera Blue with Guards Red highlights on the intake trims, lip spoiler, mirror casings and composite roof. Along with the roof panel, which weighs just 22 kg and replaces the regular car’s hydraulically-operated framework altogether, Porsche has fitted 18-inch hollow-spoke alloys wrapped in low rolling resistance (tractor?) tyres specially created by Michelin. Overall there’s a total weight saving of 63 kg compared to the standard model, rising to 85 kg with the roof removed.

    Under the engine cover is a revised 3.4-litre flat-six that features low-friction silicon carbide-coated pistons, titanium alloy connecting-rods and selective cylinder deactivation technology. Torque remains unchanged at 287 Nm, but power is down from 257 kW (350 hp) to 224 kW (300 hp). On the road 100 km/h appears in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 266 km/h achievable.

    Further measures include an active grille shutter system to enhance aerodynamic slipperiness, an advanced stop/start function and alternator that disengages during normal conditions, but activates during decelerating. That technology results in a combined EU5 fuel consumption of 6.4 l/100 km with CO2 emissions of 152 g/km, which crush the regular Carrera‘s figures of 8.4 l/100 km and 198 g/km.

    Expected to make its debut in Frankfurt this year (September 11 to 22), with just 911 examples being built at a price of €74,600, buyers will be chosen via a lottery system comprising of interested members of officially approved Porsche Clubs.

    This just looks dreadful, and everything that a 911 shouldn’t be; the automotive equivalent of a doughnut with all of the tasty jam sucked out of it.
    (more…)