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German Car Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 04-03-2011 10:16 AM
Supporting information continues to trickle in about the Renntech record breaking 1/4 mile run. A video of the run was recently posted and you can watch this below. What we know thus far is that it is likely on upgraded turbos and no nitrous was used in the run. This is the mod list we know of: drag radials, higher stall torque converter, limited slip diff, custom exhaust, modified intercooler, carbon ceramic brakes, and race gas only tune. Density altitude for the run was around 1500, very impressive. ...Published on 04-02-2011 09:51 PM
We were not expecting photos the M5 concept for at least a little while longer. Seems a Russian site jumped the gun slightly and was able to post the photos for the M5 concept before anyone else. As usual, BMW reveals their production aspirations for the M car in concept form and we like what we see. No real surprises, the car is actually fairly mild and restrained. ...Published on 04-02-2011 07:27 PM
These records are falling left and right. It is quite surprising that literally days after MHP and Dads63 set the new overall Mercedes record that Renntech has surpassed it. We do not have the full details yet but are informing you of what we know. The car is a CL65 and we strongly suspect it is running some sort of modified/aftermarket turbos. With a 137 it exceeds what all other 65's on stock turbos have done so no evidence suggests this is not an OEM set. We will bring you more as we find out more. ...Published on 04-02-2011 05:43 PM
Everyone keeps talking about the importance of the Chinese market. BMW is taking China very seriously offering multiple special editions for China and realizing the potential of the market. What is the problem? The Chinese allow their own automakers to steal designs and sell them as cheaper knock-offs. China does not have the same trademark or copyright enforcement as the rest of the world and it is clear something is going to have to change. Check out these "Chinese" versions of BMW designs. ...Published on 04-01-2011 05:31 PM
What the hell Audi? You guys have been so cool lately, now this? Jeff Khulman, head of AUDI USA communications, has confirmed there are no plans to bring the next generation B8 RS4 to the USA which has been spotted testing in avant form here. Unfortunately, it seems this is going to be the B5 RS4 situation all over again. You will give us the TT-RS but no RS4? Audi, you need some consistency to your RS products, this is insulting. ...Published on 04-01-2011 05:25 PM
Spy photos of the next generation SLK55 have been making their way around the web. What caught our attention is that the photographers have been reported the motor the motor sounded like the twin turbo M157 V8. What does this mean? Well, it means the next generation AMG SLK may be ridiculously potent and an SL AMG usurper. Will Mercedes go this far to produce a 500+ horsepower SLK? We hope so. ...Published on 04-01-2011 09:32 AM
BMW officially unveiled the M3 pickup truck today. It has the same 420 horsepower S65 V8 we have all known to come in love in the standard M3. It has a cover for the bed which is removable as well as a targa top. Losing the rear half of the car has not really lightened it, putting it at 110 pounds less weight than the E93 cab. Hey, still, this is the hottest performance sport truck on the planet. ...Published on 03-31-2011 08:53 PM
Well, just as we predicted, HPF is starting to offer S54 turbo components with more options as well as the ability to tune it yourself using the new Pro-EFI setup. The "tuner" kits start at $4495 with the Precision T67 for a Stage I setup and go up to the Precision T76 Stage 4 turbo setup for $5995. Just add your tuning option and supplemental parts (BOV, intercooler, etc.), full specs below. ...Published on 03-31-2011 08:32 PM
After a long wait, we are proud to announce that Akrapovic's first inbound batch of X5M and X6M exhaust systems! We were so excited about the new exhaust that we purchased every available system on the first inbound shipment. Seeing the exhaust first hand was an experience we've now come to expect from Akrapovic and left all of us very impressed. The intricate carbon fiber tips, carefully spaced to allow for cool operation and longevity, the beautifully CNC bent and laser cut brackets, the phenomenal welds, everything about this exhaust was typical Akrapovic artwork. ...Published on 03-31-2011 12:11 PM
Prior Design has released a couple new video of its PD70 C207 E class coupe body kit. The kit fits all E class coupe models. It includes a new front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper, trunk spoiler, and roof spoiler. The E class coupe in the video also has Prior Design wheels. ...Published on 03-31-2011 11:53 AM
Heffer Performance is wrapping up their R8 V10 twin turbo kit. The car produces 725 whp on pump gas at only 6 psi on the stock internals. This is up over 225 whp from stock. No word yet on the cost of the setup but the but the V8 kit for the stock internals was around $25k last time we checked. This will be a bit more than that. ...Published on 03-31-2011 07:21 AM
A couple sites reported that AutoBild leaked the new 1 series. Unfortunately, that is incorrect and we hate to interfere with their headline grabbing attempts but this is just a speculative rendering. It is likely very accurate though and based on a look by AutoBild at the real thing but this is not the official F20 1 series. So, everyone calm down. ...Published on 03-30-2011 09:51 PM
Earlier this month, we brought you an article that highlighted concerns with the quality of Vorsteiner products. We felt in that article that perhaps the cheaper products did not reflect the quality of the $25k E92 M3 GTRS3 widebody kit. We were recently made aware of photos highlighting flaws in the GTRS3 kit and have posted those photos here. ...Published on 03-30-2011 07:11 PM
Vorsteiner has released their diffuser for the Audi R8 V10. This is a carbon fiber piece using pre preg autoclave twill carbon fiber construction. It is a replacement for the OEM diffuser and mounts in the factory mounting points. No word on price, but it is a nice looking piece. ...Published on 03-30-2011 09:15 AM
Wimmer Racing has released an upgrade package for the C63 which takes the M156 V8 to 601 horsepower. They achieve this figure through a head and cam package. In addition, they modify the headers, intake, and the rest of the exhaust along with a tune. This is a pretty expensive package and there are no dynos or performance numbers to support the claims. ...Published on 03-30-2011 07:33 AM
Vorsteiner has released its new E93 carbon fiber bootlid. They claim it is the lightest trunk available for the E93 although no weight specs have been posted. It uses all the OEM mounting points and there is no interruption in the operation of the hard top. It looks great from the side profile but the integration of the brake light seems to be a bit awkward. No word on pricing. ...Published on 03-30-2011 07:29 AM
Gold rims are a hate it or love it proposition. Few cars can pull them off but the SLS would be one of them, especially a black SLS. These 3 piece forged rims come in a 9.5 x 20 inch front wheel and an 11 x 21 inch rear wheel. Tires are 275/30/20 and 295/25/21. No word on the wheel weight. ...Published on 03-29-2011 03:22 PM
Car and Driver did a short take road test of the active hybrid 750. This is a car with a 4800 pound curb weight (about 250 pounds over the regular 750) due to the electric motor and battery yet it still manages to run an impressive 12.8@112 which is just about on par with an E92 M3. So, if you really feel the need to save the world and be green, you don't have to do it in a Prius and can still have fun. ...Published on 03-29-2011 10:01 AM
The Japanese tuner Wald International has released their preview for their C218 CLS body kit. In typical Wald fashion, the kit is a bit overdone. We just can not get into the look of the front fenders. The side skirts and front bumper look pretty good but with what we have seen from Wald lately we expect the rear to be pretty overdone. European tuners just seem to have a more refined approach to body kits for German cars in comparison. ...Published on 03-29-2011 09:12 AM
West Coast Customs decided to tackle this project and convert an R8 into a TRON inspired car which depending on your perspective is either really cool or really revolting. Yes, the car is chrome and fitted with lights that mimic the TRON motorcycle. The build is sure to get a lot of attention for West Coast Customs who is using it on the premier for their new TV show but we just feel like an R8 deserves better than this. ...
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