German Car Scene

Month: February 2012

  • It’s official: Audi TT RS plus


    Audi has finally revealed its much-rumoured TT RS plus model, and it’s enough to give the V8-engined R8 a run for its money…

    Using the same 2.5 L TFSI five-cylinder engine as the regular TT RS, the plus enjoys a boost of 15 kW (20 hp) and 15 Nm (11 lb/ft) taking output to an impressive 265 kW (360 hp) and 465 Nm (343 lb/ft) of torque. That’s enough for a scorching 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of just 4.1 seconds for the S tronic-equipped Coupé (manual: 4.3 s), with the Roadster a mere 0.1 s behind it. Top speed is electronically limited to 280 km/h (174 mph). Fuel consumption in the S tronic Coupé averages just 8.5 litres of fuel every 100 km (Roadster: 8.6 L/100 km). When you compare that to the R8 (13.6 L/100 km), the TT RS plus is even more amazing. There’s also a carbon fibre engine cover and exhaust sound flap for a richer, more resonant sound.

    Visually the plus receives 19-inch five-spoke ‘Rotor’ design wheels finished in black with red rim flanges and fitted with 255/35 rubber, polished anthracite radiator grille mesh with a matt aluminum-look frame, CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced polymer) mirror casings and black tailpipe trims. Inside, the gear shifter gets an aluminum-look trim ring and TT RS plus badge.

    The TT RS plus will make its world début at next month’s Geneva motor Show before going on sale in April. In Germany, the Coupé with manual transmission will be priced at € 60,650 (S tronic: € 62,800), with the Roadster coming in at € 63,500 and € 65,650 respectively.

    [Source: Audi]

    (more…)

  • Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 production: part three


    For those of you who are building your own SLS AMG GT3, here’s part three from the generous guys at Mercedes-Benz which features seat construction. Each racing bucket seat is individually foam-contoured to provide the driver with maximum lateral support.

    (more…)

  • smart fortwo sharpred


    Judging by this newly-released sharpred edition, we’re guessing the designers at smart may just be big A-Team fans..

    Based on the facelifted smart fortwo, the sharpred is available in both Coupe (from € 14,490) and Cabriolet (from € 17,580) configurations with a 52 kW (70 hp) mhd petrol unit or 62 kW (83 hp) turbocharged petrol engine. Visually, the body’s main section and side skirts are finished in black paintwork with the tridion safety cell and door mirror casings in bright red, while the front apron and lower rear panel are grained. The chunky 3-double-spoke alloy wheels are 15-inch in diameter and wrapped in 175/55 and 195/50 rubber.

    Moving inside, the passion-specification equipment includes electric windows, automatic air conditioning and a panoramic roof, with electric power steering, heated seats, a five speaker upgrade and navigation/multimedia audio system available from the options list.

    The sharpred will go on sale this May, with smart manufacturing just 1800 examples.

    [Source: smart]

    (more…)

  • Autocar drives the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S


    Autocar magazine’s Steve Sutcliffe takes to the roads around Britain’s favourite suicide spot, Beachy Head, armed with Porsche’s new 911 model. Thankfully, the 400 hp Carrera S version he’s driving appears to be pretty fantastic, so Steve’s initial intentions of skipping off the 162 m cliff face soon melt away. Probably.

    (more…)

  • Audi A7 3.0 BiTDI by B&B Automobiltechnik


    Birlenbach-based tuning specialist B&B Automobiltechnik has wasted no time in creating a range of upgrades for Audi’s A7 3.0 BiTDI model.

    Developing 230 kW (309 hp) and 650 Nm (479 lb/ft) of torque in stock form, stage 1 costs € 1,498 and involves a remapped ECU and mild boost increase to 0.15 bar which yields 250 kW (335 hp) and 690 Nm (479 lb/ft). Stage 2 sees more boost, resulting in 272 kW (365 hp) and 720 Nm (531 lb/ft), for € 1,698. The third program, priced at € 4,950, includes high performance injectors and an uprated air intake, coupled with upgraded intercooling. That results in 291 kW (390 hp) and 760 Nm (561 lb/ft). For € 998, the stainless steel exhaust system adds around 4 kW (5 hp).

    A set of -30 mm lowering springs will set you back € 398, while an adjustable coilover kit is priced at € 1,498. For cars equipped with air suspension B&B can supply its lowering module for € 1,298.

    A six-piston caliper brake upgrade can be specified with either 370 mm or 396 mm discs for € 5.995 and € 6.995, while a range of alloys can also be added. These ‘B12’ items are available, in 19- and 20-inch diameter, in a wheel/tyre package for € 3,498 and € 3,998.

    (more…)

  • Motor Trend Head 2 Head: Corvette Grand Sport Vs Porsche 911 Carrera S


    In Motor Trend’s premiere episode of Head 2 Head, Angus Mackenzie takes to the streets of Southern California to compare the Corvette Z06 Grand Sport with Porsche’s 2012 911 Carrera S. Propelled by a 3.8 L flat-six engine, the Carrera S is good for 400 hp, while the corvette needs a 6.2 L V8 to produce just 36 hp more…

    (more…)