German Car Scene

Month: September 2012

  • Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept leaked


    These leaked images of the much-rumoured Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept have turned up on Autoblog.nl. Designed to compete in the luxury estate segment, it’s a massive improvement over the regular, cumbersome Panamera and must surely lead to there being fewer Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brakes on the road, which can only be a good thing.

    The revised roofline, c-pillar and more upright rear window bring a sense of proportion to the vehicle, while those slim 991-inspired rear lights help to create a pretty derrière. The e-hybrid badging gives a hint as to what lies beneath its skin, which is a supercharged V6 engine combined with a small electric motor, providing a total power output of 315 kW (428 hp).

    When we first heard about a Panamera wagon heading to Paris, we feared the worst, but thankfully it doesn’t look anything like a rolling version of the Elephant Man. That much.
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  • Heffner builds 8 second Gallardo


    Jason Heffner of Sarasota-based Heffner Performance has shared this video of the company’s latest project – an 8 second Lamborghini Gallardo. No specific details of this 2008 Superleggera have been released as of yet, but we can tell you that it remains a complete street car, including original interior and air conditioning, and it recently ran an 8.72 @ 169 mph. Our regular readers will be very familiar with Heffner’s insane twin-turbocharged machines, including this 730 hp example and the 900 hp model as tested by Matt Farah.
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  • Volkswagen Golf GTI VII concept leaked


    These images showing the GTI Concept version of Volkswagen’s brand new Golf VII have sploshed out onto the internet.

    Power comes from the company’s 2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged engine, developing 220 hp or 230 hp when specified with the performance package, while torque rises to 350 Nm – 70 Nm up on the outgoing model. The extra power combined with the car’s lighter construction results in a 0-100 km/h time of 6.6 seconds and 246 km/h top speed (performance package: 6.5s and 250 km/h). Fuel consumption is also improved, with the 2013 GTI needing just 6.6 litres every 100 kilometres – a 1.3 litre reduction compared to its predecessor..

    Visually the GTI Concept wears bi-xenon headlights with LED DRLs, tinted LED tail-lights, honeycomb grille sections with red trim, 17-inch alloys (optional 18s), a larger roof spoiler and twin tailpipes. Inside, Volkswagen has retained that check trim, reminiscent of the original 1970’s upholstery.

    Expect it to make an appearance at the Paris Motor Show, from September 29 to October 14.
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  • Prior Design PD-GT850 Audi R8


    Kamp-Lintfort styling specialist Prior Design has released details of its new PD-GT850 program to suit the Audi R8, providing the appearance of the company’s R8 LMS ultra racecar.

    Constructed from high quality Dura-Flex FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic), the extreme aero package consists of an aggressive front fascia with integrated carbon fibre spoiler, wider ventilated fenders, skirts, sideblades, rear quarter panels, vented rear bumper with combative diffuser and roof scoop. That voluminous motorsport wing completes the conversion, which is priced at €24,900.

    Filling out those capacious arches is a set of 20-inch three-piece ADV1 concave wheels. These will set you back €9,900 – including 265/30R20 and 325/25R20 Continental tyres.

    Prior can also offer a range of power upgrades, providing examples for the 4.2-litre version. A stainless steel exhaust system with flap control costs €2,699, while the stage 1 option, priced at €5,900, sees output rise to 354 (475 hp). If that doesn’t satisfy you, the company’s supercharger conversion yields 421 (565 hp).
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  • BMW 3 Series by Tuning Concepts


    Neumunster-based Tuning Concepts has created this BMW 3 Series project to highlight its wares.

    Designed to freshen up the ageing coupé and convertible models, the conversion includes a set of vented M3-style fenders and exterior mirrors, a spoiler for the roof and boot lid, a Bilstein coilover suspension kit and big brake upgrade.

    Completing the appearance of this two-tone coupe is a set of Schmidt-Revolution’s concave Gambit alloy wheels. Finished in Satin Black, they measure 8.5 and 10×20-inches and are wrapped in 235/30-20 and 265/25-20 rubber.
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  • G-Power G1 V8 Hurricane RS


    Following on from its recent package for the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, G-Power has released details of a whole new beast with the introduction of the G1 V8 Hurricane RS.

    As its name suggests, rather than a simple ECU software upgrade, this new program sees the Bayern-based specialist remove the factory bi-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six and replace it with the current M3’s 4.0-litre V8 unit mated to a double-clutch (DCT) transmission. If that wasn’t enough, G-Power then goes on to fit its ASA T1-523 supercharger kit, a large water-to-air intercooler and stainless steel exhaust system, which takes output from 309 kW (414 hp) and 400 Nm to 447 kW (600 hp) and 580 Nm. Stunning figures, but we would have expected a faster 0-100 km/h time than 4.4 seconds. 200 km/h appears in 12.7s – 2.5s quicker than the standard car, while top speed is an impressive 330 km/h (205 mph). We’d love to know its Nurburgring time.

    Other upgrades include a fully adjustable GM1 RS Clubsport suspension package, a Mov’it carbon ceramic brake kit with 396 mm discs gripped by six and four-piston calipers and 20-inch Silverstone alloy wheels covered in 255/30 ZR 20 and 295/25 ZR Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres.

    Weight-saving measures include a carbon fibre hood and boot lid with integrated spoiler, while inside the cabin, G-Power reupholsters the seats, dashboard and door panels in a mixture of leather and Alcantara.

    Just 30 examples will be built to mark the company’s landmark anniversary next year.
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