German Car Scene

Month: September 2012

  • smart forstars concept announced


    Following on from its for-us pick-up earlier in the year, smart has released details of its electric-powered smart forstars concept ahead of its Paris debut.

    As with its roofless counterpart, this SUC (Sports Utility Coupé) is larger than the fortwo, measuring 3,550 mm in length, 1,710 mm in width and standing 1,505 mm tall, allowing a wheelbase of 2,470 mm (plus 603 mm) and a track of 1475 mm all-round – an increase of 193 mm at the front and 90 mm out back.

    Visually, the body is finished in wet look ‘Alubeam Rouge’ paintwork with a contrasting titanium-coloured tridion cell and high-gloss black 21-inch three-spoke wheels. Visual highlights include a convex glass roof which extends over the cargo area, rhombic design headlamps with eyebrows and LED daytime running lights and tail-lights which open outwards, with the right unit revealing a charging socket and the left a beverage holder. Yes, that’s right; a beverage holder behind the light.

    A nice touch is the projector mounted behind that fake scoop in the hood. Operated by the driver’s iPhone via Bluetooth, a pair of high quality speakers located behind the doors means other road users will be able to fully experience your home movies as you use the truck in front as a screen. At the rear, the tailgate slides down in a parallel position, allowing easy access to the 900 mm cargo area.

    Powering the forstars is the same system as that found in the smart Brabus electric drive. Essentially the 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery feeds a motor which delivers 60 kW (80 hp) and 135 Nm (100 lb/ft) of torque; enough for a top speed in excess of 130 km/h (81 mph).
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  • Audi SQ5 TDI exclusive concept


    Audi is taking a special version of its brilliant SQ5 TDI to Paris this month, with the SQ5 TDI exclusive concept.

    Marking it out from the regular model is the exclusive Aral Blue crystal effect paintwork, standard LED daytime running lights and new 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.

    Inside the cabin, the sports seats, multi-function steering wheel, gear lever gaiter, arm rest and dashboard are covered in black Fine Nappa Leather with Snow White stitching. The seat’s centre panels are trimmed in woven leather – a first in an Audi production vehicle. The Alacantara headlining, sunroof blind and door trims are Snow White, while the inlays are constructed from natural grain ash. A set special sill plates bearing Audi exclusive badging complete the aesthetics.

    Power comes courtesy of the original model’s 3.0 TDI bi-turbo unit, churning out 230 kW (313 hp) and 650 Nm of torque, which is transferred to the quattro all-wheel drive system via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission. Performance is impressive, with 100 km/h appearing in 5.1 seconds and a limited 250 km/h (155 mph) top speed, while a fuel consumption figure of 7.2 litres every 100 kilometres is also achievable.

    Just 50 units will go on sale in the first quarter of 2013 at an eye-watering price €92,000. Or you could just go for the regular SQ5 TDI, which launches at the same time, for a bargain €58,500. We like it, but this one is for the hardcore Audi aficionados who earn considerably more than us.
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  • Gemballa GT Porsche 991 Cabriolet


    Leonberg-based tuning specialist Gemballa has revealed its GT package for the latest Porsche 911 Cabriolet.

    Constructed from carbon fibre, the aero package includes an aggressive front bumper with three large air intakes and integrated spoiler, deep side skirts and rear bumper featuring vertical reflectors and a lower section with outlets to accommodate those six tailpipes which finish off the new sport exhaust system with valve control. Pricing for the program is €19,860 inc fitting and painting.

    Other upgrades for the 991 include the new 21-inch GForged-one alloy wheels, which weigh less than the factory 20-inch wheels and can be specified in either ‘diamond cut’ or ‘gunmetal’ finishes. Prices start at €9,895 depending on tyre choice. Sport springs provide a 30 mm drop in ride height, while the Brembo brake kit is always a welcome addition. Wallet permitting.
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  • BMW Concept Active Tourer surfaces


    BMW has released details and images of its Concept Active Tourer before it hits this year’s Paris Motor Show (September 29 to 4 October 4).

    Highly likely to wear the 1 Series GT name when it swings into production, the plug-in hybrid CAT takes many styling cues from the BMW range, with the face reminiscent of an F30 3 Series and the deep, muscular swage lines and rear lights similar to those of the F10 5 Series. Other notable elements include a front-tilting, chrome grille, LED headlights, large chrome-trimmed air inlets, 20-inch wheels and “Cool Shade” panorama composite glass roof that utilizes Suspended Particle Device (SPD) technology, allowing the occupants to control the amount of light into the cabin.

    Interior features include soft full-grain leather trim with orange seams and laminated wood trim elements. There’s an optional full-colour Head-Up-Display which appears on a retractable glass section, but the main focal point is multifunction instrument display which uses a 10.25-inch integrated screen to keep the driver informed of such necessities as speed, engine revs, fuel level and oil temperature. The 8-inch display takes care of route planning functions navigation.

    With an exterior length of 4,350 mm, it’s virtually identical to the F20 1 Series, but its width of 1,834 mm and height of 1,560 mm are more akin to the dimensions of the E84 X1.

    Beneath the CAT’s skin lies the latest BMW eDrive system; a combination of 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder with a lithium-ion-powered electric motor. With a total output of 140 kW (187 hp) and 200 Nm driving the front wheels, the Concept Active Tourer can hit 100 km/h in under 8 seconds and reach a top speed of 200 km/h. Emissions of under 60 g/km of CO2 are achievable with a consumption figure of just 2.5 litres every 100 kilometres equally impressive.
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  • MINI Paceman revealed


    MINI has revealed its coupé version of the Countryman, the Paceman, ahead of its world début in Paris later this month.

    Visually, the Sports Activity Coupé features a hexagonal radiator grille with chrome surround, downward-sloping roofline, elongated doors, muscular wheel arches, integrated roof spoiler and large, horizontal rear lights. Inside, there’s the usual MINI fare, including that familiar centrally-mounted speedometer along with newly-designed air vents and revised switchgear. A strict four-seater, the rear items can be folded down to increase load-carrying capacity from 330 to 1,080 litres.

    Two petrol and two diesel engine options will be available at launch with a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic gearbox, beginning with the Cooper D, which features a 82 kW (112 hp) 1.6-litre allowing a 0-100 km/h time of 10.8 seconds and a 187 km/h (116 mph) top speed. Moving on, the Cooper SD uses a 2.0-litre unit, developing 105 kW (143 hp) and 305 Nm, which is good for a 9.2 s 0-100 km/h time and 200 km/h (124 mph).

    The petrol-engined Cooper produces 90 kW (122 hp) 160 Nm from its 1.6-litres, meaning 100 km/h arrives in 10.4s and top speed is 192 km/h (119 mph). Until the John Cooper Works arrives, the turbocharged Cooper S Paceman is the top of the tree. Churning out 135 kW (184 hp) and 240 Nm (260 Nm on overboost), the S cracks 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds before running out of steam at 217 km/h (135 mph). With the exception of the Cooper, the Paceman can be specified with the ALL4 permanent all-wheel drive option.

    Due to go on sale mid-March 2013, MINI GB has set the on the road pricing from £18,970 (€23,690).
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  • ABT Level Control


    Kempten-based tuning specialist ABT Sportsline has created an incredibly practical device allowing owners to tailor the ride height of their pneumatically-damped car to suit their taste.

    Designed for the Audi A6/S6, A7/S7, A8/S8, Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg models equipped with air suspension, the ABT Level Control (ALC) module lets the driver choose a comfortable setting for long distances or a lower, sportier mode for more spirited driving. The factory default settings are permanently stored in the system and can always be retrieved at the push of a button.
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