German Car Scene

Month: December 2011

  • BMW X6 by Senner Tuning


    If you can’t wait for the forthcoming diesel X6 M from BMW, Ingelheim am Rhein-based specialist Senner Tuning might have the solution with its new program for the chunky Sports Activity Coupé.

    Taking the already powerful BMW X6 4.0d xDrive model, Senner remaps the engine management system and adds a sports air filter, which sees output jump from 225 kW (306 hp) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) to 247 kW (336 hp) and 665 Nm (490 lb-ft). A power converter is fitted to remove the hesitation that can sometimes be experienced on cars with fly-by-wire accelerators, while the V-Max speed limiter is removed.

    Visually the X6 receives black kidney grilles and a BMW Performance aero kit which consists of a front bumper with larger intakes, honeycomb mesh and lower corner spoilers, new side skirts, rear fins and a spoiler for the tailgate. Finally, the rear bumper is fitted with a body-coloured diffuser, while the exhaust apertures are reworked to accommodate the new tailpipes.

    The X6 sits 25 mm closer to the road thanks to a Bilstein B8 damper and spring kit, while those monster Hamann Anniversary Evo Black Line wheels are sized 10.5 and 12 x 22 inches in size.

    The conversion will set you back approximately € 20,000 – depending on your wheel choice.

    [Source: Senner Tuning AG] (more…)

  • Race Of Champions: Sébastien Ogier victorious


    Volkswagen Motorsport’s new boy, Sébastien Ogier, has displayed the type of skills that secured him a job with the Wolfsburg giant, by becoming the Champion of Champions at this year’s Race Of Champions held in Düsseldorf – at the first attempt.

    Employed to develop the new Polo R WRC car before contesting in it from 2013, Ogier beat a field that included the likes of 2011 F1 champion Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button, as well as eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, who admitted: “Sébastien really impressed me and he certainly has a big future ahead of him in rallying with Volkswagen.”

    [Source: Volkswagen Motorsport] (more…)

  • BMW maxi-scooter production begins


    After three years of development and an investment of € 35 million, production of BMW Motorrad’s maxi-scooter has just begun in Berlin.

    The scooters fall in line with BMW’s “Urban Mobility” philosophy; meeting current and future demands from its customers for low energy city vehicles to transport them through increasingly congested traffic.

    Both versions are powered by a 44 kW (60 hp) unit, which is the strongest and most efficient engine in its displacement class. The C 600 Sport is set up for more sport-oriented fans, while the C 650 Sport GT is designed to handle touring duties.

    The plant in Berlin has taken on an additional 30 employees to assemble the scooters, with BMW expecting to produce around 10,000 per year.

    [Source: BMW Germany]

  • 2011 Reitnau Berg Cup highlights


    MPZ has created a compilation video featuring all of the old school VAG cars that competed during this year’s Reitnau Berg Cup event. Packed full of screaming flyers, it’s impossible to pick a favourite, but that Audi 50 is a definite contender. (more…)

  • Auto Express drives the facelifted Audi A4


    Luke Madden headed to Portugal, for Auto Express, in order to sample Audi’s recently facelifted A4 to see how it stacks up against the likes of the latest BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. (more…)

  • BMW teases diesel-powered X6 M


    Here’s the video that appears to confirm the rumours of a diesel-engined X6 M appearing when the popular Sports Activity Coupé receives a facelift next year. (more…)