German Car Scene

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  • SEAT Leon ST revealed

    SEAT Leon ST
    After countless leaks, SEAT has officially its new Leon ST model to the world.

    Based on the same MQB platform as its counterparts, the Estate variant shares an identical wheelbase with the regular five-door hatchback, but features an additional 270 mm overhang at the rear allowing a 587 litre luggage capacity that can be increased to 1470 litres with the rear seats folded down. The extra metal adds 45 kg of weight, but at 1,233 kg it’s still the lightest vehicle in its class.

    Engines choices begin with a 1.2 TSI engine developing either 63 kW (86 hp) or 77 kW (105 hp), with the 1.4 TSI producing 90 kW (122 hp) or 103 kW (140 hp) Top of the petrol tree is the FR, which uses a 1.8 TSI unit delivering 132 kW (180 hp) and 250 Nm of torque.

    Diesel fans are also catered for with the 1.6 TDI making 66 kW (90 hp) and 230 Nm, along with a 2.0 TDI generating 110 kW (150 hp). Once again, the most powerful unit is reserved for the FR: a 2.0 TDI delivering 135 kW (184 hp) and 380 Nm. Transmissions include a five- and six-speed manual, and six- and seven-speed DSG gearbox.

    Entry-level Reference line models get the Media System Touch system, which includes a five-inch touch screen CD radio with an SD card slot and four speakers, while the higher Style and FR versions enjoy a superior quality screen, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and six speakers as standard (eight in the FR). The Leon FR also features SEAT’s Drive Profile, which allows the driver to choose from three modes which vary the characteristics of the throttle control, power steering and engine tone.
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  • German Special Customs Stealth Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

    German Special Customs Mercedes CLS 63 AMG
    German Special Customs has updated its Mercedes CLS 63 AMG fitted with the company’s Stealth package.

    Visually the CLS wears wider, ventilated front fenders, rear wheel arch extensions, a muscular hood with large vent, deeper front bumper with factory LED daytime running lights and spoiler, angular side skirts and a new rear bumper with air outlets and integrated carbon fibre diffuser. There’s also a Black Series track-style rear wing.

    KW coilovers with adjustable dampers lower the front of the car, while the standard wheels have made way for a set of 9 and 10.5 x 20-inch alloys wrapped in 255/30 and 305/25 Michelin tyres.

    Moving inside, GSC has reupholstered the interior in black and orange leather, replicating the exterior’s theme.

    Already producing 410 kW (557 hp) and 720 Nm of torque in series guise, GSC fits larger turbochargers to the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine, along with a stainless steel exhaust system and uprated air/water intercooling. Those changes result in 559 kW (750 hp) and 1,150 Nm, meaning 100 km/h occurs in just 3.7 seconds and top speed is approaching 350 km/h (217 mph).
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  • Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series vs SLS AMG Electric Drive

    Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series vs SLS AMG Electric Drive
    If you missed last last night’s Top Gear, here’s the segment with Jeremy Clarkson where he compares the Mercedes SLS AMG Black series with the SLS AMG Electric Drive.

    Propelled by a revised version of the regular car’s 6.2-litre V8, the Black Series has 464 kW (622 hp) and 635 Nm of torque at its disposal, while its electrical counterpart enjoys 552 kW (740 hp) and 1,000 Nm via a quartet of motors, allowing an impressive 0-100 km/h time of just 3.9 seconds.
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  • Bentley Continental GT3 testing

    Bentley Continental GT3
    Following its big reveal at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Bentley has released this video of the Continental GT3 during testing. Although there is no track footage we still get some arousing close-ups of the car’s exterior and cockpit.

    Built jointly with WRC specialist M-Sport, the GT3 is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 using Cosworth management and a dry-sump system. Producing 447 kW (600 hp) in unrestricted guise, power is sent to the rear wheels via a carbon fibre propshaft connected to an Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission.
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  • BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe previewed by Kelleners Sport

    Kelleners Sport BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
    Merzig-based Kelleners Sport has released images of its forthcoming program to suit BMW’s 6 Series Gran Coupe.

    The aero package includes a replacement front bumper with angular intakes, integrated spoiler and central splitter, a pair of hood vents, c-shape surrounds for the fender vents, side skirts, and a rear bumper with diffuser section and faux side outlets.

    Other components include a trunk lid spoiler and mirror cases constructed from carbon fibre, and Kelleners’ new ‘Munich’ forged alloy wheels available in 19 and 20-inch diameters. As well as the new exhaust system with quadruple tailpipes the company can also provide ECU software upgrades.

    We’re not sure if a body with such flowing lines benefits from a kit with so many squared-off edges. It’s like putting Kate Upton inside a Dalek.
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  • Volkswagen Golf GTI by HG Motorsport

    Volkswagen Golf GTI by HG Motorsport
    Lübeck-based tuning specialist HG Motorsport has revealed details of what it can do for Volkswagen’s Golf GTI with the performance package.

    Developing 169 kW (230 hp) and 350 Nm of torque from its 2.0 TSI engine in standard guise, HG Motorsport fits its BULL-X exhaust system with 200 cell cat, an uprated HF Series intercooler and HFI air intake kit, resulting in 193 kW (259 hp) and 377 Nm.

    If that’s not enough to whet your appetite, the company can also remap your ECU software, which sees output jump to 227 kW (304 hp) and 435 Nm. Pleasant.
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