German Car Scene

Month: December 2011

  • Audi testing 2012 LMP1 sports car


    Audi Sport has been testing its LMP1 sports car in public for the first time, at Sebring Raceway Circuit, ahead of the 2012 sports prototype season.

    Two cars were taken to the 5.95-kilometre track in Florida, with the second serving as a direct comparison, along with each of the 2011 Le Mans winners, Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer who each took a turn in the driving seat. The 2008 title-holders, Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish were also on hand to provide invaluable feedback.

    Audi has yet to reveal further details of the car’s development, driver line-up and racing program for 2012, but promises spill the beans very soon.

    [Source: Audi Motorsport] (more…)

  • Auto Bild looks at the 2012 BMW M3 DTM


    When BMW’s new M3 DTM car made its official track début at Hockenheim Circuit, along with its 2012 rivals, Germany’s Auto Bild was there to get a good look around it. (more…)

  • Berlin Airport testing the Opel HydroGen4


    Berlin Brandenburg Airport has taken possession of Opel’s HydroGen4 fuel cell demonstration vehicle, expanding the company’s market trial with fuel cell vehicles.

    Power comes from a fuel cell stack which features 440 series-connected cells and, rather than relying on combustion, an electro-chemical reaction occurs when the hydrogen reacts with oxygen, which produces the electricity supply to drive the electric engine.

    Output is 73 kW (100 hp); enough to carry the HydroGen4 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in twelve seconds and on to a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). The carbon fibre composite tank hold 4.2 kg of hydrogen – enough to provide a range of 320 kilometres (198 miles).

    “We fully intend to develop the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport into the most modern airport in Europe with a leadership role in environmental and resources protection. Of course the same is true for the use of alternative propulsion in the airport vehicle fleet.” said BBI general manager Dr Manfred A. Körtgen.

    [Source: Opel] (more…)

  • Fifth Gear drives the 2012 BMW M5


    The brilliant Vicki Butler-Henderson headed to France to test out BMW’s brand new 412 kW (560 hp) biturbo V8-engined M5, on both stunning mountain roads and a race track, for tonight’s Fifth Gear. (more…)

  • The world’s fastest Christmas card by BMW


    BMW recently asked an illustrator to create a cliché Christmas motif for its fans. There was only one stipulation: he had to draw it whilst being chauffeured around L’Anneau du Rhin Circuit in a 2012 M5. Thanks to its 412 kW (560 hp) twin-turbocharged V8 unit, the F10 M5 can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds and 200 km/h (124 mph) in 13.0 seconds. It’s also quite good at going sideways. Ask Gavin Patterson… (more…)

  • Volkswagen Caravelle Edition 25


    Volkswagen has created a special edition, high specification Caravelle model for the UK market.

    Limited to just 225 units, the Caravelle Edition 25 can be ordered in Candy White, or optionally in Reflex Silver, and stands out from the rest of the Caravelle range thanks to a restyled front bumper with satin black elements, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and black sections running along the length of the body, the tailgate and roof. Those Satin black alloy wheels are 18-inch diameter and exclusive to the Edition 25.

    Using SE trim level as a base, the Edition 25 gets two-tone leather upholstery, three-zone air conditioning, allowing occupants in each area of the Caravelle to control their own temperature, voice-activated Sat Nav, parking sensors with reversing camera, mobile phone preparation with Bluetooth interface and Lane Change Assist which constantly monitors blind spots. (more…)