German Car Scene

Month: November 2011

  • Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series on track


    Inside Line has posted this video on its Straightline Blog featuring the hardcore C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series from Mercedes-Benz. The site’s Dan Edmunds drew the long straw so got to thrash the thinly-disguised racer around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Powered by a 6.2 L V8 that develops 380 kW/517 hp and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque, the Black Series hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.2 seconds, and can be specified with an AMG Track Package and Aerodynamics package. (more…)

  • Breitling reveals Bentley ISR watch


    Grenchen-based Swiss watch specialist, Breitling, has created a special timepiece to commemorate Bentley’s world-record breaking run on ice in a Continental Supersports convertible piloted by Juha Kankkunen.

    The Finnish driving legend, drove the convertible on the frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, managing to hit 330.695 km/h (205.48 mph), breaking his previous record of 321.6 km/h (199.83 mph).

    The self-winding Breitling Calibre 27B movement lives inside a titanium case with special engraving on the back, while the carbon fibre weave face lies beneath a glare proofed sapphire crystal face. The limited edition chronograph is water resistant to a depth of 100 m and is presented in a carbon fibre box fitted with a unique plaque.

    [Source: Bentley] (more…)

  • Porsche 9P1 concept animation


    A group of 3D digital design students from France have released this animation featuring their vision of how a Porsche of the future might look. Vincenzo La Manti, along with Sébastien Baudemont, Thomas Pignol and Ludovic Joppé have created the Porsche 9P1 concept, which features a cool, minimalist interior, an exposed powerplant, and the extensive use of carbon fibre. We love it. (more…)

  • AutoWeek drives the 2012 Porsche 991 Carrera S


    Roy Kleijwegt is the latest test driver to put Porsche’s new 991 through its paces. The Dutchman travelled to California to drive a Carrera S model for AutoWeek magazine. Equipped with the PDK transmission, the 294 kW (400 hp) S cracks 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds, or 0.2 s quicker with Sport Plus engaged. (more…)

  • Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL refrigerator van


    Kerstner, the specialist refrigerator van builder, will be debuting its variant based on the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL at France’s Solutrans Trade Show from tomorrow.

    The Vito E-CELL is the first van to be fitted with an electric drive from the factory. Thanks to lithium-ion batteries with a 36 kWh capacity mounted beneath its floor, the Vito’s motor develops a continuous power figure of 60 kW (max 70 kW) and 280 Nm of peak torque. That translates to a healthy 130 km range.

    Kerstner’s flat, roof-mounted refrigerator system is powered by a separate lithium-ion battery that runs independently of the van’s power source. It can provide six to ten hours of cooling before needing a four hour maximum recharge. Kerstner says the battery has a service life of 3,000 charging cycles meaning, based on a 240 days per year useage, will last upto twelve years. Plus, the compact nature of its – and the charging system’s – design, means that just 75 kg of payload is sacrificed.

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz] (more…)

  • Mercedes-Benz reveals ‘aero trailer’ concept


    Mercedes-Benz Trucks has unveiled a design study at the Trailer 2011 Show in Belgium, that promises to drastically reduce running costs.

    The ‘aero trailer’ concept features a much more slippery design than a regular trailer, wearing special trim panels including a front airdam that closes the distance between the tractor unit and trailer and tapered side pieces that draw in towards the front and have an opening at the rear. These openings direct air into that colossal diffuser that is linked to the underbody panelling.

    When attached to a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck, the “boat tail” design aero trailer provides a cut in wind resistance of 18 percent, meaning a five percent reduction in fuel use in real-life road traffic. During test runs, Mercedes has collated information and can conclude that a truck covering an average annual distance of 150,000 km will see consumption drop by 2,000 L per annum while at the same time slicing five tonnes of carbon dioxide from its emissions.

    [Source: Mercedes-Benz] (more…)