BMW has sent out a bulletin to its dealerships, demanding they cease sales and deliveries of the M5 and M6 Coupe and Convertible models because of a potential faulty oil pump. According to the blurb, vehicles fitted with the affected part are at risk of suffering from a a drop in oil pressure, which will obviously put the health of that 412 kW (560 hp) 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 at risk. Owners of said cars have also been contacted and told that their car will be collected for repair. Nothing kills fun like a sudden lack of lubrication.
(more…)
Month: September 2012
-
BMW M5 and M6 recalled over faulty oil pumps
-
Stirling Moss in the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, talking Mille Miglia
If you have some spare time this weekend you could do much worse than spend it watching this video. In the latest episode of Motor Trends’s Epic Drives, Angus MacKenzie retraces the route of the iconic Mille Miglia endurance race across Italy in a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. If that’s not enough, he also meets the 1955 Mille Miglia winner, Stirling Moss, who goes on to drive Angus across the Raticosa Pass, while reliving his victory from nearly sixty years ago. Awesome piece of film from start to finish.
(more…) -
Kicherer CLS 63 AMG Yachting
Stockach-based tuning specialist Kicherer has released details of its Yachting program for the mighty Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG.Already developing a healthy 415 kW (557 hp) and 800 Nm of torque from its 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8, Kicherer tweaks the ECU software to produce 466 kW (625 hp) and 860 Nm and raises the V-Max to 300 km/h (186 mph). The power converter removes the delay that can be experienced in fly-by-wire accelerators, while the limited slip differential provides increased traction.
Other upgrades include a Brembo brake upgrade kit along with stainless steel braided hoses, Kicherer’s own three-piece RS-1 forged wheels in 20 and 21-inch diameters and an electronic lowering module.
Visually, this four-door coupé wears a Star Graphite body film, while interior changes include reupholstered seats with contrasting piping, an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel and carbon inlays.
(more…) -
Cayman R vs 1 Series M Coupe
In this new episode from The Smoking Tire, Matt Farah invites his friend Roland along with his 250 kW (335 hp) BMW 1 Series M Coupe to see how it stacks up against the 243 kW (330 hp) Porsche Cayman R. Both vehicles hit 100 km/h in under 5 seconds, but the BMW is limited to 250 km/h, while the Porsche keeps going until it reaches 282 km/h.
(more…) -
2013 Audi S3
Audi has revealed details of its third-generation Audi S3, due to launch in 2013.As with the regular A3 model, the S3 uses Volkswagen Group’s MQB (Modulare Querbaukasten) platform, which helps it to undercut the outgoing S3 by an impressive 60 kg. Providing the grunt is Audi’s long-stroke 2.0 TFSI which develops 221 kW (300 hp) of power and 380 Nm of torque, with power transferred to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via a manual six-speed transmission or optional six-speed S tronic allowing changes using the short selector lever or flappy paddles.
The sprint to 100 km/h takes 5.1 seconds the S tronic-equipped car (manual: 5.4 s), while top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Average fuel consumption for the manual is 6.9 litres every 100 kilometres (manual: 6.9 l/100 km) The S3 with S tronic consumes on average just 6.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (manual: 7.0 litres) with CO2 emissions of 159 (162) g/km. Impressively, models with the manual ‘box enjoy an improvement of 1.5 litres compared to their predecessor.
Visually, the S3 is a real wolf in sheep’s clothing, wearing xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, an S-specific grille with aluminum-look frame and matt platinum grey insert, aluminum-look grille bars, bumper ribs and mirror casings and side skirts. Moving towards the rear, there’s a larger roof spoiler and platinum grey diffuser which accommodates the four oval tailpipes. Five-spoke 7.5 x 18 alloy wheels, wrapped in 225/40 tyres, complete the exterior.
Moving inside, the cabin features S sill plates, automatic air conditioning, matt brushed aluminium inlays, seats trimmed in either Pearl Nappa leather/cloth, perforated Alcantara/Pearl Nappa leather or Velvet leather/Fine Nappa leather. The items shown are the optional diamond quilted S sport seats with integrated head rests.
Due to arrive in dealerships early next year, prices in Germany will start at €38,900.
(more…) -
ABT Audi A1 quattro
Kempten-based tuning specialist ABT Sportsline has released details of its performance upgrade for the limited edition Audi A1 quattro.The 333 owners of these pocket rockets will now be able to enjoy a little extra grunt from now on, thanks to ABT’s ECU software upgrade, which will see output from the 2.0 TFSI engine rise from 188 kW (256 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb/ft) of torque to 226 kW (307 hp) and 400 Nm. That means the 0-100 km/h time drops from 5.7 seconds to 5.4 s, while top speed is raised from 245 km/h to 250 km/h.
(more…)
