German Car Scene

Month: November 2011

  • a-workx BMW M3 460cs


    With decades of involvement in such racing series as the FIA GT Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup and ADAC GT Masters, a-workx, the Bavarian-based tuning specialist is putting its wealth of experience into a variety of tuning programs for road-going cars that wouldn’t be out of place on the track, and this BMW M3 460cs is the latest one.

    The thinking behind the 460cs (Club Sport), is to provide E92 M3 owners with a car that is capable of outshining BMW’s hardcore M3 GTS model, and that begins with the engine conversion at € 8,710. A remapped ECU controls the 4.0 L V8, which is fitted with a-workx camshafts, a sports air filter, carbon fibre air box and Akrapovic Evolution titanium exhaust, which is 24 kg lighter than the factory system, but comes with a € 4,160 price tag. Those changes give the M3 a 40 hp increase in power to 460 hp, with a matching torque figure – up from 400 Nm. A Drexler limited slip differential is also fitted at a cost of € 4,000.

    Chassis upgrades include some serious hardware, with KW supplying a set of its Clubsport suspension built to a-workx’s specification. The wheels, priced at € 4,202, are 19-inch ATS Super Lights wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 235/35Z and 265/30Z tyres, and undercut the OEM alloys by 15 kg. Behind them lies a MOV ‘IT CER ceramic brake system, which consists of two-piece discs (380×40 mm front and 380×32 mm rear) gripped by mono-block calipers (6-piston and 4-piston rear), it also shaves a further 12 kg from the car. If the thought of parting with € 19,235 scares you, a steel alternative from MOV ‘IT can be had for € 3,945. Along with steel braided brake lines and Castrol SRF Racing brake fluid, the 460cs is ready to compete.

    The end result is an M3 that can crack ­100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.1 seconds rather than the original 4.8 s, and ­200 km/h in 13.2 s – down from 15.7 s. It can also lap Germany’s Hockenheim Short in 1:11.9, which is six tenths faster than the BMW M3 GTS.

    If that’s not enough, a-workx suggests that you contact them for a price on their 600 hp supercharger option. If you’re serious about creating a track weapon, they can also supply you with Recaro Pole Position (ABE) race seats, Schroth harnesses, titanium anti-roll bars, an emergency stop switch, SPA fire extinguisher and LiFePo4 lightweight racing battery.

    [Source: a-workx]

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  • Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder revealed


    After endless whispers about its existence, Lamborghini has finally revealed the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

    Basically a roofless version of Lamborghini’s mid-engined masterpiece, the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni model, the Spyder is powered by the same 5.2 L V10 engine, delivering 405 kW (550 hp) to the rear wheels via the company’s e-gear paddle-shift transmission.

    Those figures, combined with a weight of just 1,520 kg, result in a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of just 4.2 seconds, while top speed is a pleasurable 319km/h (198 mph).

    Lamborghini has tweaked the aerodynamics and chassis of the Spyder, particularly the damper settings, in order to optimize the handling characteristics of a car that had initially been designed to be all-wheel drive.

    [Source: Lamborghini]

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  • Autocar drives the 2012 BMW 3 Series


    Steve Sutcliffe drives the 2012 BMW 3 Series for UK motoring magazine, Autocar. The 328i Saloon on test is powered by a new turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0 L petrol engine, developing 180 kW (245 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. (more…)

  • Porsche Panamera GTS revealed


    Porsche has released details of its new Panamera GTS model, just as it makes its official debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show, this week.

    The GTS (Gran Turismo Sport) is powered by a modified version of the naturally aspirated 4.8 L V8 engine seen in the S and 4S models, but enjoys a 22kW (30 hp) increase in power, now delivering 316 kW (430 hp) and 520 Nm of torque – up from 500 Nm. All four wheels are driven via the PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) transmission, which, when combined with the standard Sport Chrono package, allows this Panamera to crack 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 4.5 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 288 km/h (179 mph).

    Thanks to adaptive air suspension and PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management), the GTS can constantly adjust the ride height, spring rate and damping to suit any condition, meaning it’s at home on the motorway, school run or even the racing circuit.

    [Source: Porsche]

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  • MINI Coopers to compete in 2012 B-Spec Race Series


    MINI USA is joining forces with South Carolina-based MINI of Charleston to produce MINI Cooper race cars for the 2012 B-Spec series. B-Spec cars are production-based vehicles, that are equalised on weight and power, but receive a few tweaks to ready them for track use.

    Powered by a 121 hp unit and weighing in at 2,535 lbs, the MINIs are fitted with Carbotech brake pads and stainless steel hoses, a KW V1 coilover suspension kit and Vorshlag front camber plates, while the wheels used are 7×15-inch 15 x 7 Kosei K1 items wrapped in Hoosier SM6 205/50 rubber.

    MINI of Charleston can build and sell you a complete turn-key car, or provide owners of 2007 – 2012 MINI Coopers with all the hardware needed to compete in the series. The SCCA, Grand Am, NASA and World Challenge bodies will all host B-Spec races next year.

    “B-Spec racing is a great fit for MINI because the car is developed with racing heritage in mind and the races are run with vehicles very similar to those already sitting in the driveway,” said MINI USA’s Vice President, Jim McDowell.

    [Source: MINI USA]

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  • Auto Bild drives the mia electric car


    Formerly the Head of Volkswagen’s Design Department, Murat Günak was instrumental in the conception of the Golf, Eos, CC and Tiguan, as well as the IROC Concept, which went on to become the Scirocco. But, since 2010, Günak has been the Managing Director behind mia electric GmbH, and Germany’s Auto Bild recently tried out its current creation… (more…)