-
German Car Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 02-09-2012 05:44 PM
The Audi R8 V8 was used for this comparison. That is fine, as the V8 is already much more expensive than the Boxster and offers much more power. However, this is one of those instances where Quattro hurts more than it helps. The Boxster is able to beat the more expensive and more powerful R8 by almost a full second with a laptime of 1:24.7 versus 1:25.5 for the R8. A bit embarrassing for the R8 wouldn't you say? ...Published on 02-09-2012 05:02 PM
We have been keeping high hopes that the design of the new A-Class would stay close to the concept. We are happy to report it has. It does not have the aggressive lines of the concept or the aggressive headlights but the general design and proportions remain in check. Expect an official reveal next month in Geneva. This is going to be a great entry level vehicle for Mercedes and we can not wait for the A25 AMG version. Oh, and we should be getting it in the USA. ...Published on 02-09-2012 01:28 AM
The Mercedes B-Class is not exactly the meanest or manliest vehicles in the lineup. However, Brabus has released their modification package for the new W246 B-Class which makes it look much more aggressive. They start with a body kit which includes side skirts as well as modified front and rear diffusers. Quad exhaust tips give the rear a far meaner look. This is all complimented by a drop on 19 inch Brabus rims. Overall, the car looks much better with these modifications. ...Published on 02-08-2012 09:52 PM
Many of you may be unaware of this but Vossen wheels had a contest recently where the person who posted a photo on their Facebook wall that got the most likes would win a free set of 20 inch wheels. When this came across our Twitter feed the first thought that came across our minds was that this was not going to be a fair contest. Facebook likes can simply be purchased and that is exactly what happened here. ...Published on 02-08-2012 07:09 AM
Finally some direct comparisons between the two super sedans. These are runs on the track between two brothers one of whom has the F10 M5 and the other with a 6 speed manual CTS-V. Both cars we are stock. The runs are very close with the first video featuring a roll on that is neck and neck. The second video has runs from a stop and the M5 takes two runs and the CTS-V takes two showing whomever got the better launch got the win. ...Published on 02-08-2012 07:00 AM
It sure looks to us like GIAC forced APR to revise their 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 tunes. You may remember that GIAC has made some big waves in the Audi 3.0 TFSI tuning scene recently by showing gains in the 100 all wheel horsepower range for their software. These gains were larger than any other gains we had seen on this motor including APR's. APR has now revised their software (coincidence? We don't think so) with Version 2.0. ...Published on 02-08-2012 12:47 AM
Now this is ridiculously cool. We have to wonder why it did not happen sooner. HRE is taking classic wheel designs and giving them a modern refresh with new materials and build process. The final result is well, stunning. There are three designs currently available. The 454 which many will recognize as a classic Italian Lamborghini influenced design. The 505 is a thick 5 spoke design which is clearly Ferrari influenced. Then the German BBS influenced 501 mesh lace style wheel. HRE, much respect. ...Published on 02-08-2012 12:41 AM
We bow down in respect to Porsche. This is some of the most impressive factory stock specific output we have ever seen. To hit over 100 wheel horsepower (not crank horsepower) per liter is a feat we have not seen many factory stock motors over 4.0 liters accomplish with the F430 Scuderia being the only other one in recent memory with 459 wheel from its 4.3 liter. 457 wheel horsepower in STD correction from a 4.0 liter flat-6 is absolutely absurd and this is by far the most powerful production naturally aspirated six cylinder the world has ever seen. ...Published on 02-07-2012 07:21 AM
BMW has been doing a lot of things as of late that their hardcore enthusiasts are questioning. One aspect of BMW performance that BMW is still holding true to is balanced weight distribution. There are many other cars in the world that do no offer a 50/50 split which also takes driver weight into account. It is this perfect balance that plays a large role in how a BMW feels so naturally tossable yet controllable. This is also why a nose heavy Quattro Audi will simply never be able to match the driving experience of a BMW. ...Published on 02-07-2012 07:14 AM
UK tuner MRC Tuning is tackling a variety of platforms these days. Known mostly for their VW Group work (Audi, Porsche, VW, Skoda, Lamborghini, etc.) they are branching out into the Mercedes market as well. Their ECU tuner offers a gain of 67 horsepower over stock. The dyno provided is from a Cartec dynamometer which was set to read the crank values. We would have preferred to see the numbers at the wheels and at the crank including the losses as with their R8 V10 dynograph but at least they provided a graph unlike most European tuners. ...Published on 02-07-2012 06:51 AM
Well, this is kind of disappointing but at least the model is not cancelled. The B8 RS4 will be wagon only with no manual option sharing the 450 horsepower V8 out of the RS5 as well as its dual clutch transmission. This pretty much eliminates the chances for the RS4 coming to the United States as wagons do not sell well here and we will be passed over again just as we were with the B5 RS4. Not as big of a deal this time though as this vehicle will not offer much of anything that one can not get in a B7 RS4 other than the dual clutch transmission. ...Published on 02-07-2012 02:40 AM
Someone needs to get British people to stop reviewing / comparing cars. The main similarities between the M5 and the GT-R are that they have twin turbocharged motors mated to dual clutch transmissions. The M5 is a luxury sport sedan that is heavier and rear wheel drive. Comparing the two in a sprint from a stop where the M5 can not apply its power on street tires makes no sense. A roll on comparison would have been far more telling of the horsepower difference rather than allowing an all wheel drive car to showcase why all wheel drive is useful from a stop. ...Published on 02-07-2012 12:12 AM
PorscheBoost premier vendor Eurocharged has released their ECU tune for the Panamera S and 4S. The stock horsepower and torque are 400 and 369 lb-ft respectively. After the Eurocharged tune these figures are raised to 430 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque. The factory 155 mile per hour speed limiter is also removed. We are waiting on a dyno and pricing information which we hope to post shortly. ...Published on 02-06-2012 05:45 PM
The new M157 twin turbo V8 powered SL63 AMG was spotting doing its final testing before its official reveal expected in Geneva. The rear exhaust setup closely follows the renderings BenzBoost did last month. Mirroring the other M157 twin turbo cars expect standard figures of around 518 horsepower and a performance package option with 550 horsepower. With less weight and more power than the previous SL63 AMG the new model should not give up much if anything to even the previous range topping SL65 AMG. ...Published on 02-05-2012 04:12 PM
Tuners have been tinkering with Porsche turbo motors for years. With all the emphasis on new cars we often forget the older turbo platforms can be made into powerful vehicles in their own right. TPC is known these days for their Cayman/Boxster turbo kits but they modify and race basically every king of Porsche out there. This particular 964 puts down 520 horsepower to rear wheels and with a fairly low curb weight it no doubt moves quite well. ...Published on 02-05-2012 01:24 PM
The M157 twin turbo powered ML63 AMG will not come cheap, starting at $96,865. This pricing is higher than the comparable X5 M which starts at $88,850 for the 2013 model. Both performance SUV's undercut the Cayenne Turbo by decent margin which starts at $107,100 but quickly goes up with options. The reality is with options out the door these are all $100k+ plus sport utility vehicles.
...Published on 02-05-2012 12:00 PM
We are paying more attention to MRC Tuning these days after seeing their impressive B7 RS4 supercharger in action. This is a before and after dyno tune of a V10 Audi R8. The dyno used is a Cartec which we are not familiar with but it shows power at the crank, wheels, as well as the losses. Baseline was 514.7 wheel horsepower and after the tune it was 559.2 wheel horsepower making for an impressive gain of 44.5 wheel horsepower. A stage 2 setup is being tested as well shown in the video below. ...Published on 02-05-2012 04:21 AM
Here is one company that realizes the United States is not averse to diesels. Revealed ahead of the Chicago Auto Show here is the 2013 Beetle TDI. No surprises, it shares the same 2.0 liter diesel that the Jetta TDI and Passat TDI have. The motor is good for 39 MPG on the highway and 29 in the city, very nice. Horsepower is at 140 and torque 236 pound-feet. This is available mated to either a 6 speed manual or a dual clutch DSG transmission. ...Published on 02-04-2012 09:40 PM
Volkswagen introduced a new modular engine family called EA211 which encompasses three cylinder and four cylinder motors. The four cylinder motor is the world's first with cylinder deactivation meaning it is able to run on 2 cylinders to save fuel. The motors range in spec from 54 horsepower to 148 horsepower with the range topping 1.4 liter four cylinder direct injected turbo. The 1.4 liter turbo delivers 184 lb-ft of torque from just 1400 rpm. ...Published on 02-04-2012 11:31 AM
And the good news from BMW just continues to roll in. Was it not bad enough the US will not get the M550d, X5 M50d, or X6 M50d? To make matters worse, one of the few diesel options we actually had in the USA from BMW is now being taken away from us. Why? BMW wants us to buy their upcoming hybrid 3 series instead. They are slowly conditioning the US market toward electric powertrains it seems in preparation for the all electric "i" brand. So, the 335d is axed in favor of a hybrid. ...
Today, 05:10 AM