German Car Scene

Month: November 2011

  • DTM: illness hinders testing for BMW


    BMW Motorsport has carried out its latest M3 DTM testing program, at Spain’s Monteblanco, despite being blighted by health issues affecting the team.

    As well as members of the team, including mechanics, new driver, Bruno Spengler was also hit by an acute gastro-intestinal disease. Spengler, who is still contracted to Mercedes, had been given permission to test with BMW, but only had limited involvement.

    BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG were all present, along with BMW works drivers, Augusto Farfus and Dirk Werner, and the current American Le Mans Series champion, Joey Hand, who was piloting the M3 DTM for the first time.

    The drivers covered a total of 910 laps over the three days of testing, which focused around chassis settings and aerodynamics, while wet-weather tyre testing for supplier, Hankook, was performed on an artificially-dampened circuit. All the teams will be returning to Spain, for their next test program, in December.

    “It was great to get a first taste of the DTM car. It has a lot of downforce and really good carbon brakes. You can really stand on the brakes and it is impossible to lock them. Also because of the downforce, the car is so hooked up in highspeed corners,” said American driver, Joey Hand.

    [Source: BMW Motorsport]

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  • Fifth Gear: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0


    From UK motoring show Fifth Gear, wrinkly driving god, Tiff Needell gets to grips with Porsche’s swansong to the 997 series, the hardcore 911 GT3 RS 4.0 model. Powered by a 368 kW/500 hp, naturally aspirated 4.0 L unit, the RS 4.0 can crack 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds and lap the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in just 7 minutes and 27 seconds. (more…)

  • MotorWeek tests the BMW 1 Series M Coupe


    John Davis presents another video from American automotive television series, MotorWeek. The car being reviewed is BMW’s 1 Series M Coupe, which is put through its paces on the road and test track. Powered by a 246 kW (335 hp), twin-turbocharged 3.0 L straight-six, the Baby M can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds, and 200 km/h in 17.3 s. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). (more…)

  • Volkswagen creates eT! research vehicle


    Volkswagen has unveiled its vision of the delivery van of tomorrow, with the eT! research vehicle. The eT! came about after the Wolfsburg giant got together with the Deutsche Post AG (the German Post Office) and Braunschweig’s University of Art to form a think tank on future transport.

    Propelled by wheel hub motors, the lightweight commercial vehicle concept is a pure electrically powered Transporter, that would not only provide emissions-free urban motoring, but could be driven semi-automatically. Volkswagen believes the van could take commands from the driver, such as “Follow me”, which would see it keep up with the delivery person as they go from house to house, or a “Come to me” command that would see the driverless vehicle track its driver down (sounds a bit sinister).

    Another nice touch is the sliding electric door that allows the driver to access the van from the passenger side and operate it via a ‘drive stick’. This, again, would help to drastically cut delivery times.

    After making its début at Volkswagen’s Potsdam Design Centre of, the research vehicle will be analysed following a driving test study.

    [Source: Volkswagen]

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  • Audi A1 Sportback surfaces


    Audi has added a more practical version to the A1 range for 2012. Due to appear in showrooms early next year, the five-door Audi A1 Sportback has the same 2.47 metre (8.10 ft) wheelbase as its three-door sibling, but is six millimetres (0.24 in) wider and taller, providing more space for passengers in the rear.

    Enigne options include three TFSI petrol and three TDI diesel units developing between 63 kW (86 hp) and 136 kW (185 hp), with the seven-speed S tronic transmission available as an option in the 90 kW (122 hp) 1.4 TFSI and 66 kW (90 hp) 1.6 TDI, and standard specification in the 136 kW (185 hp) TFSI model.

    Many options from the current A1 are available for the Sportback, including xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights, a panoramic sunroof and leather multifunction sport steering wheel. Other features will include Audi connect, meaning cars with the in-car MMI (Multimedia Interface) display could go online and also integrate Google Earth into the in-car navigation.

    The two prices given are € 16,950 for the 1.2 TFSI in the Attraction trim line and € 19,050 for the 66 kW (90 hp) 1.6 TDI version.

    [Source: Audi]

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  • Audi unveils R8 LMS ultra


    From 2012, Audi will produce a new and improved version of its incredibly successful R8 LMS racer. Bearing the R8 LMS ultra name, Audi says the new car was borne out of feedback from customers’ suggestions and wishes.

    “We have close ties to our customers. In the R8 LMS ultra we consistently implemented all the performance measures which ensure that we’ll be able to continue to offer an intercontinentally competitive and attractive race car in the future,” said the Managing Director of quattro GmbH, Werner Frowein.

    The R8 LMS ultra features new doors constructed from CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) incorporating new, high-energy absorbing crash foams, which not only help reduce the race R8’s weight, but also increase its passive safety. The new Audi-developed PS1 safety seat serves this purpose too. Helping to improve downforce, there’s also a wider rear wing and hood – with optional vents – depending on homologation rules.

    Under the engine cover, the 5.2 L V10 engine remains almost unchanged from the production R8, guaranteeing reliability, with some customers reporting trouble-free racing for over 20,000 kilometres. But it does receive a new exhaust system with racing cats, helping to improve engine characteristics including higher torque and lower engine speeds. An output of up to 419 kW (570 HP) is available, depending on the competition and its restrictor regulations. Other changes for the R8 LMS ultra include larger coolers for the engine oil and transmission fluid, enlarged sideblades, and improved front brake cooling.

    Chassis upgrades include the addition of uniball joints in the transverse control arm mounts rather than rubber mounts, lightened gas dampers from Bilstein, and wider 12-inch wheels on the front to accommodate new 30-65/18 Michelin tyres.

    Priced at € 329,900.00 (plus VAT) deliveries begin from March 2012, with quattro GmbH offering evolution conversions to existing vehicles.

    [Source: Audi Motorsport]

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