German Car Scene

Month: September 2012

  • Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss by Office-K


    This is less of a news article and more of an opportunity to fawn over a genuine rarity. The guys at Tokyo-based stylinghouse Office-K have had their hands on the stunning Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss but, thankfully, they haven’t butchered it with any irreversible modifications.

    A set of Forgiato’s Pinzettes were deemed the alloy wheel of choice to suit the SLR. Staggered in their sizes, they measure 21-inches up front and 22-inches at the rear and feature high-gloss black spokes with a matte black rim. The only other touches include LED upgrades for the interior lighting and license plate lamps.

    Undercutting the regular SLR by 200 kg (440 lb), power comes from a supercharged 480 kW (640 hp) 5.5-litre V8 engine, allowing the Stirling Moss to crack 100 km/h in under 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 350 km/h (220 mph). Just 75 examples were produced and sold to existing SLR owners only – at a price of €750,000. We’ve only ever seen one in the flesh, and to say its appearance and sound left an impression, is an understatement.
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  • Lamborghini Sesto Elemento eargasm


    Supercar fanatic Brian Huk not only witnessed this striking Lamborghini Sesto Elemento at a recent car show, but also managed to capture some footage of it starting up and driving. The limited edition, carbon fibre track weapon tips the scales at just 999 kg (2,202 lb) and is powered by the Gallardo’s 570 hp 5.2-litre V10 unit which sends power to all four wheels via a flappy paddle-operated semi-automatic transmission.
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  • Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe by Mansory


    Brand-based tuning specialist Mansory has created a program for C-Class Coupe owners who lust after the 336 kW (457 hp) Black Series model.

    Constructed from carbon fibre, the standard aero package consists of a front bumper with large air intakes, metal grilles and LED daytime running lights, a radiator grille mask, wider front fenders, side skirts, rear wheel arch extensions and a rear bumper with integrated air outtakes, clear-coated diffuser and unambiguous twin tailpipes.

    Optional pieces include a ventilated bonnet, front bumper lip, mirror casings, a one or three-piece trunk lid spoiler and a roof-level spoiler. Interior garnishes include a leather and carbon fibre-trimmed sport steering wheel and carbon fibre trim pieces for the door panels, console, dashboard and sill plates. Mansory can also provide a full re-upholstery service if your pockets are deep enough.
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  • Porsche 991 Carrera S vs 997 GT3


    In this brand new episode of Fifth Gear, good old Tiff Needell puts the 294 kW (400 hp) Porsche 991 Carrera S through its paces, before bringing in the sublime (320 kW) 429 hp 997.2 GT3 for a comparison at Rockingham circuit.
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  • 2013 Volkswagen Golf officially revealed


    After what feels like an eternity, Volkswagen has finally revealed its seventh-generation Golf hatchback in Berlin.

    Sharing the same MQB (Modulare Querbaukasten) platform as its Audi A3 and SEAT Leon cousins, it is almost identical in its dimensions. Measuring 4,255 mm in length, it is 56 mm longer than the model it replaces, and 13 mm wider, at 1,799 mm. More interior space is also found thanks to the 59 mm longer wheelbase of 2,637 mm. At 380 litres, the boot space capacity has been stretched by 30 litres larger and, with the front passenger seat folded flat, a load of up to 2,412 mm long can be carried. All in a car that weighs 100 kg less than the outgoing version.

    Initially, there will be two petrol and two diesel engines available: a 63 kW (86 hp) 1.2-litre TSI which consumes 4.9 litres every 100 kilometres and a 103 kW (138 hp) 1.4-litre TSI unit with ACT (Active Cylinder Technology), which deactivates two of the engine’s cylinders at low load. Amazingly, that technology means that the more powerful engine is capable of returning a figure of just 4.8 l/100 km. Diesel fans will be catered for with a super-frugal 77 kW (104 hp) 1.6 TDI that needs 3.8 l/100 km (BlueMotion: 3.2l/100 km) and a meatier 2.0 TDI that churns out 110 kW (148 hp) and gets through 4.1 l/100 km. All models feature a Stop/Start function and battery regeneration system, while transmission options include a five- and six-speed manual and six- and seven-speed DSG gearbox.
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  • TM concept30 BMW 3 Series


    Hungarian styling company TMCars has released these digital renderings of its program for the evergreen e30 BMW 3 Series.

    Designed to coincide with the e30’s thirtieth anniversary, the body package consists of twelve pieces that either replace or attach to the original panels, including a new front fascia, hood, fenders, side skirts, rear arch extensions, boot lid and rear bumper with diffuser. It’s an interesting look. We think the front has a look of the older e21 model, yet the intersecting trapezoid LED stripe lighting wouldn’t look out of place on the i8.

    TMCars says it will build a limited number of cars, in two styles: a street version that retains the original c-pillars and a race version with more extreme arches and thicker pillars. Price on asking.
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