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German Car Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 04-03-2012 02:04 AM
Congratulations to BenzBoost member Dads 63 (Keith) for setting a new C63 and M156 V8 overall performance record with a 1/4 mile run of 10.1@139. 9's are pretty much right around the corner for this platform and we expect them soother rather than later with all the competition. The run was done at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida and was immediately backed up with a 10.3@139 at Orlando Speedworld to remove any doubt. Full mod list is below, congratulations Keith! ...Published on 04-01-2012 01:41 AM
Congratulations to Renntech who raised the bar to a whole new level. This Renntech tuned SLR was the first Mercedes to break into the 9's with a 9.76@140 and now they have taken the record to 9.68@142. It is important to keep in mind this was done at PBIR (Palm Beach International Raceway) in Florida so in colder weather and at a different track this is definitely a mid 9 second capable car. Changes from the previous runs include a larger throttle body and redesigned headers. Absolutely incredible work, congratulations to Renntech. ...Published on 04-01-2012 01:22 AM
Auto Motor Und Sport already leaked the photos out yesterday of the Spyder but here are the official details and pictures from BMW. Specs are the same as the coupe with 354 horsepower (131 from the eletric motor) from the hybrid powertrain. It can travel 19 miles on electricity alone before the gasoline motor turns on to charge the batteries. The Spyder has 50-50 weight distribution and gets around 78 miles per gallon. Press release below. ...Published on 03-30-2012 08:01 PM
We have seen the 991 turbo rendered before, by our own graphic design artist Wild-Speed. These are from Theopihilus Chin and are pretty good but not innovative at all. These renderings look way, way too much like the 997 which it seems is like what Tehophilus used for inspiration. Wild-Speed's renderings of the 991 turbo are much more progressive looking forward rather than back like these. Regardless, we expect the final design to be revealed later this year at some point. ...Published on 03-30-2012 07:53 PM
It seems that BMW does not just want to produce a coupe version of the i8 but a Spyder as well to increase the potential market for the car. Fine by us as this is going to be an expensive car to be seen in to begin with so dropping the top is logical. The main question was if the gullwing style doors would still be there (as Mercedes went to traditional doors for the SLS convertible) and we are happy to report they still are. Pictures of what is said to be the concept are from Auto Motor Und Sport and they show the rear seats are deleted with the Spyder. ...Published on 03-30-2012 07:33 PM
We all know Formula 1 is highly competitive and highly expensive. It's the absolute best of the best and the pinnacle of motorsport. Competing is somewhat of a privilege and honor. It also displays that a company is willing to compete with the best. The problem is not that Mercedes does not want to compete or does not have the money, it is that other teams seem to be getting incentives that the Mercedes team is not. Mercedes is threatening legal action over incentives that Ferrari, McLaren, and Redbull get (seats on the board, shares, cash bonuses) and may possibly pull out entirely. Those incentives by the way were given to those teams who threatened to pull out as well. We expect Mercedes to come to some kind of deal with Formula 1. ...Published on 03-28-2012 08:17 PM
The M157 E63's are very fast cars even in stock form. These 1/4 mile numbers are a little slower than expected though but keep in mind it was run at PBIR (Palm Beach International Raceway) in 1200+ DA and 76% humidity. Florida does not have the fastest tracks especially once the weather begins to warm. The E63 ran 12.0@116 and the GT-R ran 11.0@123. So, the GT-R is clearly the faster car although a Performance Package E63 would have been much closer. ...Published on 03-28-2012 04:38 AM
This is some very, very nice power available for the 2.0 TSI motors as shown in this MKVI Golf. 405.6 horsepower at the wheels on 93 octane pump gas certainly is impressive. Especially when put in context of the stock horsepower numbers which are 200.4 at the wheels. The factory horsepower was more than doubled by the APR Stage III+ kit. Dyno courtesy of AP Tuning. ...Published on 03-28-2012 04:30 AM
Before we delve into the details of what is coming in the next gen M3 platform, we found it interesting Insideline (who usually is closer to enthusiast nomenclature than most) titled this piece and renderings with "M3 Coupe." Is this an error or an effort to make the articles easier to read for the masses? Enthusiast sites seem to be in agreement the the next generation M3 platform coupe will be called the M4 and receive its own F82 code/designation. Major blogs have all also reported BMW is adding a 4 series which will of course be the new 3 Series coupe platform essentially. So what gives, especially considering they mention the M4 and F82 at the bottom of the article? ...Published on 03-28-2012 02:05 AM
Audi has enjoyed sales to the Chinese government for some time now being the preferred brand. Audi and the Chinese government have become so ubiquitous that many younger people have started avoiding the Audi brand in China as it somewhat represents the old and stodgy. New regulations propose that government agencies be forced to buy only Chinese cars to help the struggling Chinese domestic auto industry. ...Published on 03-27-2012 08:02 PM
This car simply looks like it means business, aggressive. We have not seen many black Vorsteiner GTRS3 M3 widebody cars let alone convertible versions. The kit comes off very well in black which makes the huge arches looks cleaner. Filling said arches out are 20 inch Vorsteiner VS-350 wheels at 10.5 inches wide up front and 12.5 inches wide in back. The rubber used measures 285/25 up front and 325/25 in back. The end result is a great looking E93 M3. ...Published on 03-27-2012 04:31 PM
This whole VW and Porsche saga just keeps getting more and more confusing. Porsche is facing numerous lawsuits that Volkswagen does not want a part of due to the financial liability that would be involved. Deutsche bank analyst Jochen Gehrke stated that a meeting between the parties, “confirmed our view that a merger of Porsche and VW is not possible." So the merger is off but the manufacturing ties will continue and become more involved. Yes, this is all confusing and who knows what will happen. ...Published on 03-27-2012 04:09 PM
First of all, both of these cars sound awesome and have some of the best naturally aspirated motors in the business. These vehicles both have stock exhausts and they really open up and show what they are capable of when their muffled stock exhausts are dumped. It makes for an interesting comparison though and we have to say the S85 V10 sounds much better stock for stock versus the M156 V8 in the C63 AMG. ...Published on 03-27-2012 03:51 PM
Unfortunately Mercedes had a poor showing in the Malaysian Grand Prix with Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg finishing in 10th and 13th places respectively. It isn't necessarily the fault of the drivers as Michael started in third but was hit on the first lap spinning him out and dropping him to 16th place. The rain intensified and led to tough conditions including a red flag on the 9th lap and a delay of almost an hour. Rosberg and Schumacher need to get going in the next race or this is going to be a very long season for Mercedes. ...Published on 03-27-2012 12:09 AM
Congratulations to Eurocharged as well as the owner of this W211 E55 AMG who goes by the name of e55amgrocket. The screenname is very appropriate considering the results. What is even more impressive is that this record time was achieved on the stock blower with Density Altitude over 1000 feet and 80 degrees at the MIR dragstrip. This means there is still room to improve on what is already a very strong result. Congrats again to Eurocharged for tuning this beast. ...Published on 03-26-2012 11:05 PM
Porsche is likely going to launch a Panamera plug-in hybrid in 2014. It should not surprise anyone Porsche is expanding their hybrid offerings especially after all the research they are pouring in developing the technology for use in their racecars as well as road going vehicles that benefit from the race research. Expect to see many more Porsche as well as VW Group hybrid models that go the plug-in route. "We are really convinced that the future of hybrids won't be pure hybrids, but the plug-in hybrids" stated Rudolf Krabes who is the VW groups head of electric propulsion. ...Published on 03-25-2012 02:31 AM
No M version of the BMW i8 is coming. Kind of disappointing as it would be nice to finally have a halo M car or BMW supercar so to speak. The 1.5 liter turbo 3 cylinder has been upped to 223 horsepower and 295 pound-feet or torque. The total horsepower rating is now 393 horses and 406 lb-ft of torque. That is more like it! The car will also be switchable from front, to rear, to all wheel drive at the drivers discretion. Imagine using all wheel drive only from a stop for example. ...Published on 03-25-2012 12:14 AM
Here it is folks, what many said could not be done. For those keeping score, this marks the third breakthrough by Weistec Engineering (first being the M156 supercharger and second being CARB certification). The Mercedes 722.9 transmission is used in a variety of vehicles and made its debut in 2004. Tuners have struggled to upgrade it with some saying it was impossible due to electronic complications but parts are now available to take the transmission up to the 1000 pound-foot of torque handling range. ...Published on 03-23-2012 02:17 AM
First of all, we want to point out the disparity in the engines here. The Audi has a 5.2 liter direct injected V10 that revs to 8700 rpm and is rated at 518 horses. The GT3 RS 4.0 has a comparatively small 6 cylinder at 4.0 liters that puts out an amazing 500 horses. The Audi should win but does not even with the drag from the aerodynamic enhancements on the GT3 RS 4.0. Why? Well, the GT3 is lighter and routes its power to the rear wheels and not all four. It also puts out a lot of power to the wheels despite only 6 cylinders and 4.0 liters. Very, very impressive vehicle. ...Published on 03-23-2012 01:56 AM
First of all, congratulations to Mike Radowski of Maximum PSI. We know of only one faster street BMW in the United States that edged this out by just 1 MPH. There are only a couple quicker cars in the 1/4 that have run in the low 9 second range. This trap speed puts the vehicle above almost everything out there and with the claim of pump fuel in the video (E85 ethanol was mixed in though) 160 mile per hour trap speeds and 8's appear to be around the corner for street BMW's. ...
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