German Car Scene

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  • BMW 1 Series M Coupe by Leib Engineering

    BMW 1 Series M Coupe by Leib Engineering
    Giessen-based tuning specialist Leib Engineering has revealed its program to suit BMW’s feisty 1 Series M Coupe.

    Visually Leib has fitted the Coupe with a pretty horrendous chequered plate-style matte grey foil along with a carbon fibre BMW Performance rear spoiler and Alpha-N diffuser section. A Bilstein B16 PSS10 suspension kit keeps the 1M planted, while the factory wheels have made way for a set of 10 x 20-inch
    Bavaria BC5 Concave alloys, which have been painted baby blue and wrapped in 255/30 and 275/30 Yokohama Advan sports tyres.

    Thankfully the Swiss company hasn’t messed the engine up. Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six developing 246 kW (335 hp) and 450 Nm of torque in standard form, Leib remaps the ECU software and adds a Supersprint exhaust system with adjustable flap operated via the M button, taking output to 298 kW (400 hp) and 560 Nm. If that doesn’t float your boat, the next stage involves upgraded turbochargers, a larger air intake and improved cooling, resulting in a very pleasant 373 kW (500 hp) and 600 Nm.
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  • MINI Vision looks to the future

    MINI Vision
    MINI has offered a glimpse of its future model range at today’s MINI Design@Home event with the MINI Vision.

    Presented as a virtual 3D hologram, the slippery-looking MINI Vision features elliptical full-LED headlights with daytime running light rings, a hexagonal radiator grille with integrated auxiliary lights, air intakes cut into the front wheel arches, an air-channelling roof spoiler and airflow-optimised wheels and retro-styled mirrors.

    Finished in Glamorous Gold paintwork, the most striking part of the Concept is the utilization of ‘organo metal’ for the wheel arch extensions, side skirts, bumper skirts and trim strips running around the vehicle’s waistline. The mouldable material is formed by pressing fibres together into a composite, much like carbon fibre.

    Moving inside, the cabin is an attack on the senses thanks to the Driving Experience Control switch that allows the driver to turn the ambient colour scheme of the interior a calm, dynamic or energy-charged shade – including the ‘MINI Disco’ floor, which brings the footwells alive. Is there a problem officer?

    Other highlights include the Union flag design elastic fabric straps on the insides of the doors, customizable interior elements with the MINI click system, and the ability to choose either a classic, analogue-style view or a 3D look for the central display.
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  • Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin announce partnership

    Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series
    Mercedes-AMG GmbH has announced that it will be entering a technical partnership with Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

    The letter of intent was signed today, with the two companies ironing out all the details by the end of this year. The union will see Daimler receive five percent equity in Aston Martin along with an observer status in its Board of Management.

    In return, Aston Martin will be allowed access to Mercedes-AMG’s resources, aiding the British sportscar manufacturer’s development of a range of bespoke V8 powertrains.

    “We have selected AMG specifically as the basis for this powertrain development process. Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news,” said Aston Martin’s Ian Minards.

    “We are proud to work with Aston Martin and provide them with powertrain and e/e (electric/electronic) components for their forthcoming sports cars. This is proof of AMG’s technological and performance expertise and a real win-win situation for both sides,” said Ola Källenius, Head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz]

  • Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake by Vaeth

    Vaeth Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake
    Hösbach-based Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Vaeth has revealed its CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake.

    Already producing 410 kW (557 hp) and 720 Nm of torque in series guise, Vaeth’s V63RS option includes modified turbochargers, a stainless steel exhaust system with downpipes, uprated air/water intercooling and remapped ECU software. Those changes see output from the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine climb to 846 hp 622 kW (846 hp) and 1,180 Nm torque, allowing a very respectable 350 km/h (217 mph) top speed. Pricing for the conversion is €46,172. Vaeth recommends its front brake upgrade, which consists of 405 mm rotors gripped by a pair of 6-piston calipers for €6,009.

    Visually there’s a front spoiler and rear diffuser constructed from carbon fibre, while the wheels are Vaeth’s own three-piece forged items measuring 9.5 and 11.5-inches and covered in 265/30 and 305/25 tyres. Suspension springs on threaded platforms allow a drop of between 20 mm and 40 mm in ride height. Moving inside, owners can specify a leather-trimmed steering wheel and carbon fibre package for the dashboard, door panels and centre console.
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  • New Mercedes-Benz S-Class refined by Brabus

    Brabus Mercedes-Benz S-Class
    Bottrop tuning specialist Brabus has released details of what it can do for owners of the latest Mercedes S-Class.

    Power upgrades begin with the B50 – 520 PowerXtra CGI performance kit for the S 500. Once fitted, output from the 4.7-litre V8 sees output jump from 335 kW (455 hp) and 700 Nm of torque to 382 kW (520 hp) and 820 Nm. On the road 100 km/h occurs in just 4.2 seconds, with the V-Max unit now limited top speed to 300 km/h (186 mph). Moving to the epic S 63 AMG, Brabus’ B63 – 650 PowerXtra CGI software results in 478 kW (650 hp) and 1,000 Nm – up from 430 kW (585 hp) and 900 Nm. If that doesn’t inspire you, there’s always the B63S – 730 high-performance version. This option includes a pair of uprated turbochargers, a water radiator for the intercooling system, a free-flow exhaust system including metal catalysts and 75-mm downpipes along with revised software, resulting in 537 kW (730 hp) and 1,065 Nm, and a maximum of 325 km/h (202 mph).

    Visually there’s a plastic aero package with carbon fibre elements, that includes a front spoiler, fender gills, side skirts, a boot lid spoiler and diffuser section for the rear bumper. A suspension module drops ride height by 15 mm, while the company’s Monoblock VI and Monoblock F cross-spoke wheels can be specified in sizes ranging from 19 to 21-inches.

    Moving inside, past the embossed stainless steel scuff plates, Brabus uses materials such as Alcantara and soft Mastik leather finished with quilted stitching to reupholster the seats, panelling and floor mats. Wooden trim packages can also be chosen, along with aluminium pedal kits.
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  • Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse ‘Legend Jean-Pierre Wimille’ announced

    Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse 'Legend Jean-Pierre Wimille'
    Bugatti has announced that it will be creating a range of six special models based on the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse that commemorate figures in the company’s history, with the first example – named after racing driver Jean-Pierre Wimille – being unveiled at next month’s Monterey Auto Week in California (August 18).

    Piloting a Bugatti T51 in 1932, Wimille won the La Turbie hill climb, the Grand Prix de Lorraine and the Grand Prix d’Oran. He also tasted Grand Prix success in 1934 and 1936 behind the wheel of a T59. 1937 was fruitful thanks to a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Type 57G Tank, a feat repeated in 1939 with the supercharged Type 57C Tank.

    Finished in blue clear-coated carbon fibre and light Wimille Bleu paintwork as a nod to Wimille’s victorious Type 57G tank-bodied racer, the cockpit has been specially designed to match the exterior of the vehicle. “The materials and colors selected, as well as a host of details, all reference the essential characteristics of the classic models driven by those figures to whom our edition pays homage. With these Bugatti Legends we are giving history a modern makeover,” said Achim Anscheidt, chief designer at Bugatti.

    Using the 8.0-litre W16 from the 431 km/h Super Sport – complete with upgraded turbochargers, the Vitesse enjoys an elephantine 895 kW (1,200 hp) and 1,500 Nm of torque, rather than the usual 746 kW (1,001 hp) and 1,250 Nm seen in the regular open-topped model. The Vitesse was also recognised as the world’s fastest open-top production sports car after reaching 408.84 km/h (254.04 mph) at Ehra-Lessien.

    Just three ‘Legend Jean-Pierre Wimille’ editions will be built, so get saving.
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