German Car Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News

Well, the new ML63 AMG was supposed to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The internet is making debuts at auto shows almost obsolete as here we have all the details well in advance. No surprises here, the car features the M157 twin turbo V8 and puts out 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque with the performance package available as an option to boost these further. The performance package also raises the speed limiter in the ML to 174 miles per hour.
...

BMWUK has put out a great new video showing off the engine sounds of the new F10 M5. The motor sounds great which makes us wonder why BMW has to go the cheesy fake engine note route when the motor is more than capable of speaking for itself. The S63tu sounds a bit more aggressive than the standard S63 twin turbo V8 that is in the X5/X6 M likely due to its intake, exhaust, and rev limit changes. Check out the video below.
...

Here is Vortseiner's quad exhaust for the F10 535i. The exhaust is available in either Stainless Steel construction or Titanium. Obviously Titanium will have different pricing from the Stainless. Dual walled lased etched tips are available in either Stainless or Titanium as well. The exhaust simply bolts in, no cutting or permanent modification required. The exhaust also pairs well with the Vorsteiner VMS rear diffuser which is pictured. The exhaust ships in December.
...

The Mercedes GP team started the race with aggressive battle on their first lap. On the exit of the first corner, Nico ran wide which allowed Michael to pass him, but Nico never gave up and passed him after a brief wheel to wheel battle. After that Nico never looked back and finished the race 23 seconds ahead of his older team mate in sixth place. After being passed by Rosberg, Schumacher also fell to Force India's Sutil, but managed to pass him in the pits, to finish behind his teammate.
...

We are waiting on more details as just this video was posted through a tweet which came from APR. We are guessing (but may be wrong) this is the same car that previously ran 12.25@114.8. 11.9@117.73 would be a considerable improvement and this vehicle obviously has APR mods on the car. The vehicle also belongs to a user named "Primetime." We will post more details as soon as we get them, for now just enjoy the video and the new record.
...

Well, so much for VW holding Porsche back to protect Audi. The Detroit Bureau reports Porsche is intent on growing as large as possible as fast as possible setting a very loft goal of doubling global sales by 2015. To do that in just 4 years would be absolutely incredible but Porsche is the most profitable automaker on the planet. The numbers look possible as they want to go from about 97,000 vehicles to 200,000+. The Cajun entry level SUV and the entry level roadster are the models Porsche is betting on that will push the sales numbers to their goal.
...

Well, it is getting pretty boring posting qualifying reports with Vettel having the pole almost every time. This marks his 14th pole of the season tying the record for number of pole positions for one season set by Nigel Mansell. Nico Rosberg qualified in 7th followed immediately by Michael Schumacher in the 8th spot. Vettel will have a chance to break the record at the last race of the season in Brazil at the end of this month.
...

The Nurburgring is one of the most famous race circuits in the world due to its history, length, and just how challenging it is. 24 hour races push teams to the very limit. The filmakers for this documentary accompanied the BMW Motorsport team from the first tests to the drive across the finish line detailing all the challenges along the way. As driver Andy Piraulx stated, "If you can conquer the Nürburgring, you can conquer anything." More info and how to order on the facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/24hours.film
...

Prior Design makes a lot of nice body kits for a variety of cars. This one is a bit different than their other offerings as it is designed to update a 996 to look like a 997. This updated version of the kit looks better than what was posted previously as the wing make the rear of the car look cleaner and flow better which not something a large wing often does. Overall, we still think the best thing to do with a 996 that an owner wants to look like a 997 is to trade it in for one.
...

Another congratulations to Renntech who keeps raising the bar! To our knowledge, this is the first 11 second X5 or X6 M in the world. The 114 MPH trap speed is also the fastest we have seen from the platform. What is surprising about that? This was all done with just a Renntech tune. The 5300 pound vehicle hit an astonishing 1.6 60 foot on runflat tires. Renntech will now be taking the X5 M to the next level with an exhaust, intake, downpipes, and modified turbos.
...

The new ML63 AMG will be unveiled at the Los Angles International Auto Show taking place later this month. The AMG facebook page will likely be trickling out photos of the vehicle right up until its official debut. The ML63 will have the M157 twin turbo V8 motor with an optional performance package which increase horsepower and torque. More details to come in the days leading up to the reveal.
...

Audi does some pretty funny and overall interesting commercials. Audi USA pulled off a great one here for the new A6 where they flip the typical script. Normally it is the kids trying to take the parents car for a joyride. This time around, it is the parents taking their son's new Audi A6 for a spin without his permission. Check out the video of the commercial below, nicely done Audi.
...

Here is a rendering of what the Mercedes answer to the BMW X6, the MLC, may look like. If so, sign us up! The Daimler board approved the vehicle in a meeting earlier in the year. This will also be the new model built at the Tuscaloosa plant in the United States. The platform will be referred to internally as C166. Production starts in March of 2014 as reported by CAR and we look forward to the final product as well as an AMG version.
...

The Cayman is an absolutely awesome drivers car. The only downside has really been that Porsche protects the 911 at the Cayman's expense and that the looks were somewhat feminine with the previous generation. Well, the new 981 generation is coming as a 2013 model and these spyphotos reveal a much more aggressive and larger looking car. The rear of the car being the major improvement. Will Porsche let this vehicle evolve more this time around? They will probably still guard the 911 gravy train but the next generation Cayman is shaping up nicely thus far.
...

A lot of times we tend to focus more on acceleration and big power rather than ultimately what M cars are about which is a complete all around package that can also dominate in the twisties. This is a very nice track build by the Automotive Conoisseur Group. Nothing is more beautiful than a car with functional aerodynamics to increase downforce at the track rather than for looks. The vehicle is on Hankook Ventus RS3 which is just the next step from a full blown R compound. Overall, this is just a great build with function and performance in mind. Check out the details and pictures below.
...

Insideline captured the next generation M3 sedan testing and suggested that the model may not come to the United States. Why? Due to slow sales of the E90 M3 sedan. The thought of an M3 not coming to the USA though is simply something we can not fathom. Also, getting used to the idea of an M3 that is sedan only is going to take some time. The video clearly shows the motor is a 6 cylinder with a bit of rasp to it. Expect the motor to be turbocharged as well possibly with a tri-turbo setup putting out at least 450 horsepower.
...

First of all, a congratulation to Graham Rahal and Weistec for being featured in the December 2011 issue of European Car Magazine. Definitely a great accomplishment and of course great for exposure. Most of you are familiar with this beautiful CLK63 and we posted photos of it a little while back. Just a clean and well modded car with a Weistec Stage I supercharger system, Volk wheels, Evosport headers, and a full exhaust. Check out the full article below.
...

The penultimate race of the 2011 Formula One World Championship takes place in Abu Dhabi. Round 18 will be hosted at the Yas Marina Circuit and is the season’s only day-night race. The light are switched on from the start of the race to ensure a seemless transition from day light to darkness. The first F1 race in Abu Dhabi was held in 2009 as the last race on the calender. Jessen Button had already secured the world title with Brawn GP(now Mercedes GP), while Sebastian Vettel and Rubens Barichello were battling for second place. Sebastian Vettel would go on to win the race, while polesitter Lewis Hamilton retired on lap 18 with brake failure.
...

BMW launched their own performance parts division not too long ago. Why? To make money, why else. But, these are supposed to be performance parts first and foremost. The performance part seems to be lacking as the BMW Performance Exhaust on this E92 M3 did not even gain two horsepower at the wheels. That is not a typo. Neither is the price at $4374 plus tax and installation. The worst horsepower per dollar performance modification in M3 history? Probably.

...