German Car Scene

Month: September 2012

  • DMC Lamborghini Aventador LP900-4


    Düsseldorf-based styling specialist DMC has put some meat on the bones of its Molto Veloce program for the Lamborghini Aventador, adding a large dollop of horsepower to the proceedings.

    Visually, the Aventador wears DMC’s carbon fibre Molto Veloce [Very Fast] aero package, which consists of a front spoiler with central splitter, side skirt extensions, an aggressive diffuser and tunnel, and a raised Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce-style rear wing.

    Also contributing to this Aventador’s new moniker is its engine upgrade which sees DMC remove the factory injection system and replace it with 12 separate single intake throttle plates, uprated fuel pumps, nozzles, electronic load pressure control system and revised ECU software. The 6.5-litre V12 was then fitted with a titanium exhaust system that tips the scales at just 3.45 kg, resulting in an apparent output of 900 hp.

    No pricing has been released for the engine conversion, but the body program will set you back €25,000, a reupholstered interior is priced at €10,000, the exhaust is €5,500 and those repulsive Forgiato F2.01 wheels are €10,000. seriously.
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  • Volkswagen Caddy Cross edition


    Volkswagen has revealed details of the Caddy Cross edition ahead of its official début at Hanover’s IAA Commercial Vehicles show later this week.

    Finished in eye-catching Viper Green, the Caddy Cross edition features a rugged body kit which extends around the lower sections of the colour-coded bumpers and along the side sills and wheel arches. Other details include silver roof rails, offroader-style front and rear undercarriage guards and a set of 17-inch ‘Canyon’ alloy wheels.

    Moving inside the cabin, there are two-tone front seats with contrasting door panel inserts, an adjustable centre armrest and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

    Due to hit showrooms in the first half of next year, there will be a large range of engines to choose from, along with the option of the company’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive.
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  • DTM: Oschersleben victory for Bruno Spengler


    Bruno Spengler turned his third pole position of the year into his third win for Schnitzer BMW, closing the gap on current DTM championship leader Gary Paffett who finished just 0.6 seconds behind him at this weekend’s Oschersleben round.

    The popular Canadian ran a perfect race from start to finish, building up a lead of 4 seconds at one point, with Jamie Green briefly slipping into second place, but it was Green’s HWA Mercedes team-mate Paffett who ended up finishing within sniffing distance of the M3 DTM’s tailpipes.

    Local hero Dirk Werner grabbed fourth for Schnitzer, with Brazil’s Augusto Farfus followed in fifth for RBM BMW, while the highest placed Audi driver was Mike Rockenfeller, who crossed the line to secure sixth place.

    “This course is really fun to me. She may be aggressive for the car, but everything held. Gary was very fast and I am happy to have brought victory to the finish,” said a jubilant Spengler.
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  • David Coulthard drives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT


    Here’s mediocre DTM pilot, chirpy BBC sport pundit and former F1 star David Coulthard appearing in his latest Mercedes-Benz promotional video, this time driving the company’s € 204,680 SLS AMG GT Coupe at the Nürburgring GP track. Powered by a tweaked 6.2-litre V8 unit, producing 435 kW (591 hp) rather than the usual 571 hp (420 kW), 100 km/h appears in 3.7 seconds, with top speed limited to 320 km/h. And, as our Dave points out – it’s got some red stitching.
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  • Volkswagen introduces new entry-level Beetle engines


    Volkswagen UK has announced the addition of two more engine options to its Beetle line-up.

    From today, customers can specify a 1.2-litre TSI version, which produces 77 kW (104 hp), mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. OTR pricing starts at £15,195, meaning it undercuts the currently-offered 1.2-litre TSI with seven-speed DSG transmission by £1,405.

    Diesel fans are catered for with the 77 kW (104 hp) 1.6-litre TDI model. Featuring BlueMotion Technology, such as Stop/Start and battery regeneration, and a five-speed manual transmission, combined fuel consumption is 4.3 litres every 100 kilometres with a CO2 figure of 113 g/km emitted. Starting at £17,030, if you want a DSG gearbox, you’ll have to opt for the higher ‘Design’ trim level including 16-inch ‘Whirl’ alloy wheels, priced at 19,100.

    [Source: Volkswagen UK]

  • Porsche legends join the Boxster


    Here’s a new commercial from Porsche featuring the iconic cars and racing legends from the past that have helped to shape the current Boxster model. Filmed at Barber Motorsports Park, the precious metal stayed undercover until the rainstorm finally passed, then the magic happened. That 996 GT1 will always leave an unmentionable impression on us.
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