German Car Scene

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  • Volkswagen unveils new Golf TDI BlueMotion

    Volkswagen Golf TDI BlueMotion
    Volkswagen has announced the arrival of the TDI BlueMotion version of its seventh generation Golf model.

    Propulsion comes from the company’s EA288 1.6-litre TDI – mated to a wider spaced 6-speed manual gearbox – which was designed to fit the new MQB platform and develops 81 kW (109 hp) and 250 Nm of torque. The BlueMotion variant is capable of sipping just 3.2-litres of fuel every 100 kilometres – a 15 percent improvement compared to its predecessor, with impressive CO2 emissions of 85 g/km. Top speed is a respectable 202 km/h (125 mph), while its 50-litre fuel tank allows a theoretical driving range of more than 1,500 kilometres.

    Along with such measures as a Stop/Start system, battery regeneration and low rolling resistance tyres, the Golf TDI BlueMotion also sits on lower suspension and wears aerodynamically-optimized bodywork including a special roof spoiler, a radiator grille with almost closed slats, partially closed air inlets in the bumper and slippery underfloor panels.

    Due to be launched next month in Trendline and Comfortline trim levels, pricing will start at €22,175.
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  • Le Mans 24 Hours victory for Audi

    2013 Le Mans 24 Hours
    Audi’s innovative R18 e-tron quattro hybrid race car has dominated the Le Mans 24 Hours for the second successive time.

    Clinching the company’s 12th victory in 14 years, the #2 car was piloted by Tom Kristensen – who extends his record to nine wins, Allan McNish and poleman Loic Duval, who celebrated their third and first triumphs on the event. The team also came out on top in the Michelin Green X Challenge, a competition to find the cleanest, fastest and most efficient prototype.

    The race, which witnessed the tragic death of Aston Martin driver Allan Simonsen on lap 3, saw numerous incidents – thanks largely to the constant rain showers – resulting in a total of eleven safety car deployments, with over five hours being run under ‘yellow’ while the track was cleared and repairs carried out.

    The Toyota of Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi and Stephane Sarrazin came home second – a lap behind the winning car, with the other two Audis placed third and fifth following problems on Saturday night. The #3 Audi driven by Gene, Jarvis and di Grassi suffered a puncture after colliding with a slower car and had to complete almost a full lap before pitting, but still managed to secure the third step of the podium, while the #1 R18 of Lotterer, Treluyer and Fassler completed the weekend in fifth after previously looking good for the win. A forced stop for an alternator change saw their sure lead slip to 24th, but an impressive recovery saw them fight through the field to within three laps of the fourth place Toyota.
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  • Mercedes CLA 45 AMG driven

    Mercedes CLA 45 AMG
    Following on from his A 45 AMG track test, Autocar’s Steve Sutcliffe takes to the road in its booted sibling, the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG.

    Equipped with the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged AMG lump as the A 45 AMG, producing 265 kW (360 hp) and 450 Nm of torque, Mercedes makes the same performance claims for the CLA 45 AMG.

    So, does it provide the same entertainment as the hatchback, and is it worth the extra coinage?
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  • Volkswagen’s Ogier wins Rally Italy

    2013 Rally Italy
    Sebastien Ogier secured his fourth rally for Volkswagen at this year’s event in Sardinia, extending his lead in the World Rally Championship to 64 points over team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala.

    The Frenchman, who dominated the rally from the start, also won today’s Power Stage, while Ford’s Thierry Neuville finished over a minute behind him in second place. Acropolis winner Jari-Matti Latvala took the third in his Polo R WRC after fighting his way through the field following a puncture on Stage 1.

    Citroen’s Mikko Hirvonen and Ford’s Evgeny Novikov and Mads Ostberg had all been fighting for podium places, but crashes spelt retirement for Hirvonen and Novikov with Ostberg eventually coming home eighth.

    VW’s Andreas Mikkelsen had been looking good for fourth until suspension damage ended his rally three stages from the end, meaning Citroen’s Dani Sordo capitalized on his misfortune with Martin Prokop and Elfyn Evans rounding out the top six for Ford.

    “It feels fantastic to be back on top of the podium again! I was really beginning to miss that feeling after the last two rallies. I’m simply delighted – the team did a fantastic job and the Polo ran like a dream all weekend,” said a jubilant Ogier.
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  • 1500 hp Bugatti Veyron on the way

    Bugatti Veyron
    According to reports, Bugatti is working on an extreme, final version of the Veyron to be unveiled next year.

    The performance upgrade will come about thanks to the extensive use of carbon fibre in an effort to lose around 200 kg of fat from the regular model along with an increased capacity quad-turbocharged W16 powerplant. With a potential 1119 kW (1500 hp) and 451 km/h (280 mph) top speed being proposed, customers shouldn’t expect much change from £5 million.

    “We are looking at several options. The reality is that we are not under time pressure because we are confident of selling out the full Veyron production run regardless,” said a Bugatti source.

    [Source: Autocar]

  • Mercedes teases sub-SLS AMG model

    Mercedes C190
    Mercedes-Benz has followed other manufacturers by releasing its own spy pictures, this time featuring the company’s baby SLS AMG.

    Apparently codenamed C190, although it could wear the SLR badge when it reaches production, the new model is more compact than the SLS AMG and will be direct competition for Porsche’s 911. Weight will be kept down thanks to an all-aluminium subframe, with power rumoured to come from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 developing up to 447 kW (600 hp) in the range-topping Black Series version. That would make for a nice battle with the forthcoming Porsche 991 GT2.
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