German Car Scene

Month: February 2012

  • 700 hp BMW M3 by VF Engineering


    The Smoking Tire’s Matt Farah headed over to California-based VF Engineering to sample its E92 BMW M3 for DRIVE. Fitted with the company’s supercharger kit, this innocent-looking 2011 Coupe is churning out almost 700 hp…

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  • Extra power for the Alpina B5 Biturbo


    Buchloe-based company Alpina has reworked its B5 Biturbo program for 2012, providing it with the chops to do battle with BMW’s 412 kW (560 hp) F10M M5 model.

    Initially developing 378 kW (507 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb/ft) of torque from its twin-turbocharged 4.4 V8 engine, Alpina turns the wick up to release 397 kW (540 hp) and 730 Nm (538 lb/ft). Feeding its power to the road via a modified 8-speed automatic transmission the B5 Biturbo now hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.5 Seconds (down from 4.7 S) and enjoys a top speed of 319 km/h (198 mph) – up from 308 km/h (191 mph), while its fuel economy is 10.5 litres/100 km on the combined cycle.

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  • evo drives the Porsche Panamera GTS


    evo magazine’s Contributing Editor Dickie Meaden headed over to Spain to sample the harder-cored naturally aspirated Panamera GTS from Porsche. With a sub-4.5 second 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time and a 288 km/h (179 mph) top speed, does this 316 kW (430 hp) model have enough qualities to grab the attention of M5 owners?

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  • Top Gear: Ferrari FF v Bentley Continental GT V8


    From tonight’s Top Gear; Jeremy headed over to an icy recreation of Silverstone – close to the Arctic Circle – to compare Bentley’s Continental GT V8 with Ferrari’s FF model. Yes, the FF, with its unusual four-wheel drive system, is more powerful and lighter than its competitor, but it will cost you a staggering € 120,000 more than the Bentley. So which will be the fastest?

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  • Wide-track Audi Q7 by Project Kahn


    Bradford-based styling specialist Project Kahn has revealed its latest Wide track program to suit the Audi Q7.

    Finished in Bugatti pearl white paintwork, the body features a front apron with central lip spoiler, vented fenders, wheel arch extensions, side skirts, a lower section with integrated diffuser and tailpipes for the rear bumper and a high-level tailgate spoiler. The mirror casings have been painted gunmetal grey to match those 22-inch RS-X alloy wheels. The only performance upgrade is a sports exhaust system constructed from stainless steel.

    Inside the cabin, Kahn has reupholstered the seats in black perforated Nappa leather with contrasting red elements and also added aluminum foot pedals and illuminated sill plates.

    This Q7, complete with 171 kW (230 hp) 3.0 TDI engine, can be yours for just under € 75,000.

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  • MINI Clubvan Concept revealed


    MINI has released images and details of its MINI Clubvan Concept ahead of its official début at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

    Incontrovertibly using the MINI Clubman as its base, the Clubvan Concept features polycarbonate reinforcements behind colour-coded rear side windows, a totally level floor where the rear seats usually reside and a partition grille consisting of stainless steel honeycomb grating and a solid aluminum lower section.

    The load compartment’s floor and sidewalls are trimmed in anthracite-coloured cloth to match the rooflining, while six elasticized straps are recessed within the floor, allowing cargos of varying shapes and sizes to be tethered down for safe and secure transportation. The 12-volt plug sockets also provide additional practicality.

    [Source: MINI]

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