German Car Scene

Month: February 2012

  • Porsche Cayman S on ice


    Owen Mildenhall, the racing driver and road tester for Auto Express magazine, recently headed over to Swedish Lapland, close to the Arctic Circle, where French company Laponie Ice Driving has recreated Silverstone Circuit – on a frozen lake. Watch him get a little bit sideways in Porsche’s 239 kW (320 hp) Cayman S.

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  • 2013 Audi A3 leaked?


    Could this be the next generation of Audi’s popular A3 hatchback? The image has surfaced on Autoforum.cz, with the site uncertain of its authenticity, but pointing out that it does look remarkably similar to a model recently teased on Audi’s multimedia system MMI presentation. Real or not, it certainly looks like it could sit amongst its Ingolstadt siblings. 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.

    We’ll see if this is genuine or if it’s just someone showing off in Photoshop with an A1 picture when the A3 débuts in Geneva next month.

    [Source: Autoforum]

  • Lumma Design CLR 600 GT BMW 650i Cabriolet


    German tuning company Lumma Design has revealed its CLR 600 GT program for the BMW 650i Cabriolet ahead of its début in Geneva next month.

    Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4 V8 engine, producing 298 kW (400 hp) and 610 Nm (450 lb/ft) in factory form, Lumma’s reworking of the electronics results in 360 kW (483 hp) and 720 Nm (531 lb/ft). A full stainless steel exhaust system with twin-double tailpipes is also fitted.

    Visually the subtle aerodynamic package consists of a lower front spoiler with LED daytime driving lights, side skirts and a diffuser insert for the rear bumper. The company’s GTB Monoblock alloy rims, sized 9 and 10.5 x 20 inches, along with a set of -20 mm lowering springs complete the aesthetics. Inside, the seats, dashboard, door panels, steering wheel and centre console are reupholstered in a mixture of alcantara and leather, while the velour floor and trunk mats are edged with leather.

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  • DRIVE: BMW M5 vs Nissan GT-R


    This brand new episode of DRIVE sees Chris Harris compare BMW’s F10M M5 with the 2012 Nissan GT-R. Powered by a 412 kW (560 hp) twin-turbocharged 4.4 V8 unit, the M5 can crack 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds, while its 250 km/h (155 mph) electronically-governed top speed rises to 305 km/h (190 mph) if you specify the M Driver’s Package. And there’s enough room to lug your puke-covered kids around with you while you’re drifting it…

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  • evo reviews the 2012 Porsche Panamera diesel


    Font of all motoring knowledge and founder of evo magazine, Harry Metcalfe reviews the 2012 Porsche Panamera diesel in his latest video diary. Powered by a 3.0 V6 unit, developing 184 kW (250 hp) and 550 Nm of torque, the diesel Panamera can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds before reaching a 242 km/h (150 mph) top speed, while its fuel economy is 6.5 litres/100 km on the combined cycle.

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  • Lumma Design CLR 558 GT Porsche Cayenne


    German tuner Lumma Design has revealed its 2012 CLR 558 GT program for the 958 Porsche Cayenne.

    Constructed from PUR-RIM, the kit includes an aggressively-styled front bumper with large intakes, quad fog lamps, LED daytime running lights and new grilles, wheel arch extensions with brake ducts on the rears, side skirts and a vented back bumper complete with integrated diffuser. There’s also a subtle tailgate spoiler and a muscular hood made from carbon/Kevlar composite.

    Lumma offers a choice of 22-inch wheels, including these Racing CLR 22 items or the Mono 22, both available in silver or matt black, while the ride height is dropped thanks to a lowering module for air suspension models. Inside, Lumma confirmed that its upholstery department can carry out any request, using such materials as Alcantara, leather, or more exotic skins.

    Power upgrades can be achieved when Lumma fits its D-Power-Box to the diesel car’s management system, resulting in 206 kW (280 hp) and 630 Nm (464 lb/ft), up from 180 kW (245 hp) and 550 Nm (406 lb/ft), while the 4.8 V8 Turbo model enjoys a 100 hp (74 kW) jump to 600 hp (441 kW). There’s also a full stainless steel exhaust system with triple tailpipes.

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