German Car Scene

Month: February 2012

  • 2012 BMW 3 Series Saloon by AC Schnitzer


    Renowned Aachen-based tuning specialist AC Schnitzer is to reveal its range of accessories for the new F30 BMW 3 Series at next month’s Motor Show in Geneva.

    Visually, the 3 Series receives an aerodynamic package, while a range of alloy wheels, sized 18- to 20-inch, are available in bi-colour or silver. There’s also a chrome tailpipe trim and lowering spring kit.

    Moving inside, AC Schnitzer can provide a three-spoke sports steering wheel, velour floor mats, iDrive controller cover, several styles of gear knob – including one with a digital gear readout, and an aluminium handbrake cover and pedal set.

    Power upgrades for petrol and diesel engined models are almost at production stage along with a stainless steel sports rear silencer.

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  • Official 2013 Audi A3 images surface


    The Russian motoring website zr.ru has published this set of photos featuring the next generation of Audi’s A3 hatchback.

    Resembling a corpulent A1 and wearing the familiar corporate grille and LED headlights, the 2013 A3 will initially use petrol engines ranging from a 77 kW (104 hp) 1.2 right up to a 155 kW (208 hp) 2.0, while diesel units will range from a 77 kW (104 hp) 1.6 TDI to a 132 kW (178 hp) 2.0 TDI, with hybrid drivetrains to follow. Gearboxes will include a six-speed manual and the seven-speed S tronic transmission.

    This will be the first car to use the Volkswagen Group’s newly developed MQB (Modulare Querbaukasten – or Modular Transverse Matrix) platform along with the Golf 7. Expect the three-door version to appear first, followed by the five-door Sportback, Cabriolet and Saloon later on.

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  • Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse


    Those crazy people at Bugatti have just announced a new model to be unveiled at next month’s Geneva Motor Show; the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse.

    Using the Grand Sport Roadster model as a base, Bugatti not only gives it the appearance of the company’s record-breaking 431 km/h (267 mph) Veyron Super Sport, but also the four enlarged turbochargers and intercoolers, which sees output rise from 746 kW (1,001 hp) and 1,250 Nm (922 lb/ft) to 895 kW (1,200 hp) and 1,500 Nm (1,106 lb/ft). The car’s chassis has been modified to cope with the power increase, which is reassuring when travelling at those sorts of speeds.

    “The rapid success of the Super Sport convinced us to increase the performance of the Bugatti Roadster. We gave our all to transfer the achievements of the Super Sport over to the Grand Sport, thereby turning open-top driving itself into an extraordinary experience at high speed,” said Bugatti’s Wolfgang Durheimer.

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  • 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG


    After a sneak preview in the company’s recent F1 presentation video, Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed its SL 63 AMG model heading the new SL-Class line-up.

    As with its ML counterpart, the SL 63 AMG has dropped the 6.2-litre V8 in favour of AMG’s M 157 5.5-litre V8 biturbo unit which develops 395 kW (537 hp) and 800 Nm of torque or 415 kW (564 hp) and 900 Nm when specified with the AMG Performance pack: up from the outgoing car’s 386 kW (525 hp). Thanks to an aluminium bodyshell, plus the use of magnesium in some sections, the R231 SL 63 AMG manages to undercut its steel-bodied predecessor by 276 lb (125 kg), resulting in 30 percent less fuel consumption at 9.9 L/100 km and a drop in CO2 emissions from 328 g/km to 231 g/km. Performance-wise, 100 km/h (62 mph) appears in 4.3 seconds, or 4.2 s with the AMG upgrade, while top speed is limited to 249 km/h (155 mph), although this rises to 300 km/h (186 mph) with the Performance package.

    Visually, the SL 63 AMG can be identified by its double-bar grille, a more aggressive front bumper with repositioned LED daytime running lights, a rear bumper diffuser insert which shrouds dual twin tailpipes and an AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid.

    It’s expected to make its official début in Geneva next month before reaching Mercedes-Benz showrooms this May at a price of € 157,675. The AMG Performance package will set you back and additional € 4280 and, as well as the extra 20 kW (27 hp) and 100 Nm, features a carbon fibre engine cover and boot lid lip, an AMG differential lock and red calipers. For € 189,269, the ‘Edition 1’ includes the AMG Performance package, matt black AMG forged alloy wheels, exclusive red or white designo leather upholstery, a Logic 7 surround sound system by harman/kardon, AirScarf neck heating and the superb Magic Sky Control panoramic vario-roof.

    Notable optional extras include the AMG performance suspension system, the exterior carbon package consisting of mirror covers, boot lid lip and front apron strut, and the ceramic brake upgrade program.

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  • eGarage visits RWB


    The regulars amongst you will remember last year’s Fatlace video featuring the crazy world of RWB’s nicotine-driven Nakai-San. Here’s another piece of film focusing on his RAUH-Welt BEGRIFF workshop in Japan, this time by Luke Huxham for eGarage. Responsible for creating some attention-grabbing machines that are more rolling-caricature than Nurburgring weapon. Whatever you think of his products, it’s hard not to admire his dedication and attitude. And it’s great that he believes his brand will never become mainstream but, judging by some of the RWB cars that have recently popped up, it already has. We’ll always prefer them with Japanese plates…

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  • MINI Cooper S Coupe review by Winding Road


    Once Winding Road’s Multimedia Editor Chris Amos was handed the keys to the magazine’s long-term MINI Coupe he wasted no time in fitting a set of winter tyres before heading off to the Sno*Drift Rally round of the Rally America National Championship. Powered by a turbocharged 1.6 four-cylinder, the Cooper S model develops 135 kW (184 hp) and 240 Nm (177 lb/ft) of torque, allowing it to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph).

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