German Car Scene

Month: November 2011

  • Opel reveals new Astra OPC


    Opel has put its pretty Astra GTC model on a course of steroids, and the end result is this; the Astra OPC.

    Powered by a 2.0 L turbocharged engine, which develops 206 kW/280 hp and 400 Nm/295 lb/ft of torque, the Astra OPC (Opel Performance Center) tops out at 250 km/h/155 mph – the highest top speed of any Astra.

    When it came to refining the Astra’s chassis, double 24 Hours Nürburgring winner and ex-Opel DTM driver, Joachim Winkelhock, was called upon. Many hours at the Northern Loop (“Nordschleife”) of the legendary circuit resulted in, according to Winkelhock, “A great package that will convince even the most experienced sports drivers – not just on the Nürburgring.”

    As well as the HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) front suspension, which features on the Astra GTC, the OPC variant also benefits from the FlexRide chassis control system. This allows the driver to choose between “Sport” and “OPC” modes. These two options offer greater throttle response, tighter suspension and sharper steering, depending on your style of driving requirements at the time. The addition of a limited slip differential further improves stability and handling, reducing the dreaded torque steer that can occur in high-performance front-wheel drive cars, while a set of Brembo brakes also help to promote confidence.

    Visually, the OPC receives a more sculpted look, thanks to exclusive, more-muscular bumpers, side skirts, roof spoiler and twin trapezoidal-shaped tailpipes. Inside, there’s a leather-trimmed flat OPC steering wheel, special instruments, and OPC embossed seats and sill plates.

    [Source: Opel]

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  • Fifth Gear drives the MINI Coupe


    This new Fifth Gear video sees Vicki Butler-Henderson driving the MINI Coupe around the twisty mountain roads between Austria and Italy. The model on test is the range-topping 211 hp John Cooper Works version (more…)

  • First test of the Volkswagen Polo R WRC


    Volkswagen has begun testing of its Polo R WRC car this week, with double World Rally Champion, Carlos Sainz, at the wheel.

    The first day of testing took place around the vineyards of Veldenz near Trier and, as well as Sainz, Volkswagen’s head of development, Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, also put in a few laps of the 2.8 km tarmac circuit alongside Sainz’s co-driver, Timo Gottschalk. Overall, around 100 km was covered, with the team reporting no problems with the 300 hp, four-wheel drive machine. “I immensely enjoy being involved in the development and testing of the new Polo R WRC. The car is still in an early stage but already feels very good,” said Sainz.

    Continuing its search for potential drivers, Volkswagen Motorsport will be fielding a pair of Škoda Fabia Super 2000 rally cars at next week’s Great Britain Rally in Wales, with Germany’s Sepp Wiegand and Dutchman Kevin Abbring hoping to impress team boss Kris Nissen.

    [Source: Volkswagen Motorsport]

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  • MINI Roadster videos


    Here’s three new videos from MINI featuring exterior, interior and driving footage of its recently revealed Roadster model. The 155 kW/211 hp John Cooper Works version on show hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 237 km/h (147 mph). (more…)

  • 2013 Volkswagen CC revealed


    Volkswagen has revealed a few details and images of its stylish four-door coupé, the CC, for 2013. Just as the original Passat CC (Comfort Coupé) made its debut in America, so will the facelifted version, with it officially breaking cover at the LA Auto Show between November 18 and 27, before hitting German dealerships in February 2012. The rest of Europe, China and the U.S will follow soon after.

    The front of the new CC has been freshened up thanks to a restyled grille and Bi-Xenon headlights featuring an Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) which can turns in the direction you’re turning. At the rear there’s a new set of LED taillights, while other new features include camera-based traffic sign recognition and climate seats with massage function. Another new option is the Side Assist Plus with Lane Assist, which warns the driver of vehicles in their blind spots.

    All models come with brake energy recuperation, while the diesel-engined cars also receive start/stop function as standard. Powerplants range from 103 kW/138 hp TDI unit, right up to a 224kW/300 hp petrol version.

    [Source: Volkswagen]

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  • Renown Lamborghini Gallardo heads to SEMA


    Los Angeles-based styling specialist, Renown Auto Style, has débuted its first ever products at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The R70 program has been designed by the fledgling company to freshen up Lamborghini’s first-generation Gallardo.

    The hand crafted aero package consists of replacement front and rear bumpers, both featuring integrated carbon fibre lower sections; the front has massive air intakes, while the rear is dominated by an aggressive diffuser. A Gurney flap and pair of carbon side skirts complete the look, providing an appearance reminiscent of the LP 570-4 Superleggera.

    Renown can also offer a wide choice of alloy wheels and is currently developing a new exhaust system for the Gallardo.

    [Source: Renown Auto Style]

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