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German Car Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 05-29-2012 08:50 PM
A very impressive result for a naturally aspirated M156. This W204 C63 AMG features the Renntech C74 widebody kit. In addition the vehicle has prototype Renntech camshafts, Renntech ported cylinder heads, long tube headers, a prototype intake manifold, race exhaust, built transmission, limited slip diff, weight loss (unknown to what extent), and a Renntech race tune. This is a very strong result for a naturally aspirated M156 especially at PBIR (Palm Beach International Raceway). Video of the run is below and we expect this work in progress to get even faster. ...Published on 05-29-2012 08:40 PM
Automobile magazine posted a very interesting article on the BMW i sub-brand. Automobile says the brand is on very thin ice due to its sheer size. It is the idea of the car being drastically changed requiring tremendous commitment of resources. The i3 for example having a carbon fiber body shell, aluminum chassis, lithium-ion batteries, and a rear mounted electric motor that to justify the entry-level $45,000 price tag will need to sell about 100,000 units. That is a very big bet on an expensive all electric car that is not going to be near as fun to drive as a 335i. Do not get us started on how much better BMW's real cars would be with weight dropped thanks to carbon fiber body shells. ...Published on 05-26-2012 08:03 PM
Porsche is honoring the 60th Anniversary of the very first Porsche Club with a limited edition Porsche 991 Club Coupe. This a very limited edition with only 12 being made 1 of which will stay with Porsche. That means Porsche Club members will have a very hard time getting one of the remaining 11 and only have until July 16 to register for the chance to purchase, good luck with that. Each owner will have their name engraved on the door sill of the car which is a nice touch. What about pricing? 142,831 Euros meaning this likely will not be coming to the USA like the previous Club Coupe. ...Published on 05-26-2012 07:49 PM
Audi made an amazing documentary called Truth in 24 released in 2009 highlighting the preparation for the 24 Hours of Lemans in 2008. This is the sequel appropriately titled Truth in 24 II. The sequel features Audi's 10th Le Mans victory coming last year in 2011. The 2011 race was tumultuous and emotional with two of the Audi cars retiring due to incredible accidents. Audi of America uploaded the full documentary to their YouTube account and it is well worth watching for any automotive enthusiast or Motorsport fan. Thank you Audi, check out the documentary below which captures all the ups and downs ultimately culminating with the triumph of victory. ...Published on 05-26-2012 07:00 PM
The seven time world champion Michael Schumacher claimed his 69th pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix with a 1:14.301, just 0.08 seconds ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber. However due to the 5 grid spot penalty handed to him after the Spanish grand prix, Michael will start from 6th spot. Fellow Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg took third. Mclaren's Lewis Hamilton starts behind them followed by Romain Grosjean, and Fernando Alonso. Ferrrari's Massa will start seventh breaking into Q3 for the first time this year, followed by Renault's Kimi Raikkonen. Williams driver Pastor Maldonado starts 9th. The current world champion Sebastain Vettel will start in 10th place, who struggled throughout qualifying and opted not to run in Q3 to save a set of tires for the race. To everyone's suprise, Mclaren Mercedes driver Jensen Button failed to make it into the final qualifying session and will start in 13th place. ...Published on 05-26-2012 06:38 PM
The BMW 1M in stock form is much slower than the previous generation E63 BMW M6 especially up top. The appeal of the 1M with its N54 engine partially is the modability of the turbo motor. This video is surprising as with it being a roll on race the circumstances favor the strength of the M6. However, the 1M jumps out to a fairly significant lead. It seemed to get on the gas quicker as well as being in a meatier part of the power band to start the race immediately pulling. The M6 does eventually run it down and pass as expected but it does take it a while to do so, check it out below. ...Published on 05-26-2012 01:17 AM
A debate has been raging on the BenzBoost forums and we decided it was finally time to put together information on these two cars to help sort out the video below. There are three races and the SLS gets the jump in the first two. In the first race the SLS is lined up ahead and gets on the gas first pulling. In the second video a mix-up in the honks has the SLS jump again leading the 458 to have to run it down which it can not. The third race is the cleanest with the SLS still pulling away and rather quickly. ...Published on 05-25-2012 10:15 PM
Well, a victory for liberty. Seems these have been hard to come by in the recent climate but the First Amendment to the Constitution prevails. Long story short, a man in Florida was ticketed for flashing his headlights to alert other motorists of a speed trap. In Europe, this practice is practically mandatory likely because it helps control and slow traffic down instead of simply being for generating revenue. ...Published on 05-25-2012 05:15 AM
The BMW S38 is one of (if not arguably the best) the most impressive inline-6 cylinder motors ever produced by BMW. We will leave that debate for another article however and instead give you the details on the PPM-Racing 4.2 liter stroker kit. It includes forged pistons, H-Beam connecting rods, and a billet 4340 crankshaft. It is applicable to either 3.6 or 3.8 liter S38 motors from the BMW E28 M5 and BMW E34 BMW M5 respectively. ...Published on 05-25-2012 04:42 AM
The Audi A7 is a very stylish 4 door coupe designed to take on the Mercedes CLS and BMW Gran Sport. There really is no need for an A7 wagon but Theophilus Chin decided to render one anyway to show us what it would look like. The A7 with its sloping rear already mimicks wagon proportions somewhat so it certainly looks natural this way. With A6 and A4 wagons, this model would be completely redundant. Still, Audi is obsessed with wagons/avants and Mercedes is working on a CLS wagon so never say never. ...Published on 05-24-2012 07:27 PM
Here it officially is, the facelifted BMW F01 7 Series. The exterior gets some updates with a new larger grille, revised intakes, new headlights with LED turn signals, side mirrors with integrated turn signals, updated rear lights, and a second chrome strip in the rear apron. The exterior changes are fairly mild but look good. The interior also is revised with new front and rear seats as well as optional individual rear seats for all 7 Series models (standard on the 760). ...Published on 05-24-2012 07:14 PM
Weistec has released their high flow air filters for the M157 and M278 Mercedes twin turbo V8 engines. For those familiar with modern German engines such as those from Mercedes the factory uses a restrictive filter namely out of emissions concerns. The stock filter is a point of restriction on these motors and the Weistec filters flow much more freely giving gains of 5-20 horses depending on the motor and modifications. Gains will be greater when combined with an ECU tune which of course requires more air. ...Published on 05-24-2012 06:50 PM
Well it is finally here, the Porsche expansion pack for Forza Motorsport 4. Turn 10 and Electronic Arts were able to come to an agreement and that means that 30 new Porsche cars are available for the game along with 20 new events and 10 achievements. This brings the grand total of cars in Forza 4 to an impressive 625. The full vehicle list is below and although $19.99 is not a cheap add-on we are glad it exists and since it is Porsche we will look the other way and download it as any car enthusiast no doubt will. ...Published on 05-24-2012 05:08 AM
Five different races, five different winners. Unpredictable doesn't even begin to discribe the season so far. With the ban on off blown diffusers and higher degrading tires, the grid has never been closer. Mercedes AMG with Nico Rosberg already claiming the win in China, look to continue their success here in Monaco, while Michael Schumacher will continue to attempt to break into the podium. The Monaco Grand Prix is the most famous track in F1.This race shows the difference between a great driver and a good one. To win this race, a driver needs to be precise, quick, and brave. This is why it is considered a "must win" for drivers. The track, a combination of being technically difficult but also extremely glamorous and high profile. The circuit is one of the most demanding with no margin for error as the Armco barriers that line the track are at some points just inches from the cars. ...Mercedes AMG twin turbo V12 changes - How the new M279 Twin Turbo V12 differs from the previous M275
Published on 05-24-2012 01:52 AM
You should all know by now that Mercedes is bringing back the twin turbo V12 with the new R231 SL65 AMG. We originally thought this was just the same old M275 V12 that had seen duty in the previous generation 600 and 65 AMG's but the motor has received some updates along with a new M279 engine designation. The 6.0 liter V12 to reach its new 630 horsepower rating received far more than just different ECU software. ...Published on 05-23-2012 11:43 PM
BimmerFest has come and gone and for those who could not attend we have high 198 photos below. For those interested in higher resolution images for a background, they are also available. Like last year BimmerFest took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena California. A very diverse group of BMW's and it was nice to see the new F30 3 Series already getting modification attention. The photography is courtesy of European Auto Source, enjoy. ...Published on 05-23-2012 12:51 AM
This is the Misha Designs body kit for the new W218 Mercedes CLS-Class. This is a widebody kit that includes fenders. In addition to the widened fenders it includes side skirts, a front bumper, carbon lip, hood with carbon vents, and a roof spoiler. There are optional carbon fiber accents as well. We have seen this kit in person and it definitely makes the new CLS look far more aggressive and attractive. Everything works well, except the wheels chosen here. ...Published on 05-23-2012 12:11 AM
The R8 will get a facelift later this year for the 2013 year model. The changes are small with the LED headlights getting a revision as well as the grille. The rear will be changed to mirror the R8 GT exhaust tips. The rear lights will also be getting a change. The cosmetic updates are fine but the main thing we want to see is for the car to get a dual clutch transmission finally and a horsepower bump on the V8 to match the new RS4 and RS5 with 450 horsepower. The V10 is also expected to get an increase thanks to software changes. ...Published on 05-21-2012 05:44 PM
The new S-Class is completing testing and will be revealed sometime later this year. In the meantime, our graphic design artist Wild-Speed has done his usual superb work in showing us what the finished product will likely look like. The new S-Class will likely be getting lights similar to the SL featuring LED's as is customary for new Mercedes models today as well as a new taillight design inspired by the CL. ...Published on 05-21-2012 06:00 AM
Braking has always been a bit of a contentious subject with BMW M. If there was one consistent weak spot in M vehicles it would be the brakes. It is not that they did not perform well as much as that they were rapidly susceptible to fade. For M track junkies, the brakes were almost always the first place to look at upgrading. Well, that is until now. With the new ceramic brake option coming for the F12, as you can see in the photos below, the BMW M Achilles heel is likely gone for good. We just are scared to ask what BMW is going to price this option at. ...
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