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German Car Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 08-10-2011 08:21 AM
The BMW i3 electric city car was officially unveiled last month. Audi has now decided to potentially enter the fray with their own city car, the Audi Urban. Audi's approach is a little different with a 1+1 seating configuration and aiming to be ultra light. The roof of the car slides to the rear to allow access to the inside. The concept also features 21 inch free standing wheels which we are not sure why something aiming to be super light and efficient needs large 21 inch rims. Exact specifications have not yet been provided for the motor but it is fully electric with lithium-ion power. Expect an official reveal sometime soon, maybe Frankfurt.
...Published on 08-10-2011 07:02 AM
In an interview with Car and Driver Porsche CEO Matthias Muller confirmed that a new mid engine sports car to be positioned between the 911 and 918 is coming. Well, we know the cars in the segment Porsche is aiming at and the main rivals are the 458 Italia and the McLaren MP4-12C. It would not be surprising to see this car share a platform with whatever Lamborghini calls the Gallardo successor. The name of the car will likely be 961 which was the race car in the famous Group B based on the Porsche 959 supercar. The car may bow in as early as 2013.
...Published on 08-10-2011 04:57 AM
The results below are for the OE Tuning N55 flash tune on a 2011 BMW 335i N55. The only mod on the car is an aftermarket downpipe. Baseline is on 91 octane with the stock tune vs. the OE Tuning tune on the same fuel. Custom tunes are available for race gas applications, downpipes, cat deletes, whatever, and all the N55 models. Please contact sales@oetuning.com for more details.
...Published on 08-09-2011 07:25 AM
What is going on at BMW? This is an unsubstantiated rumor based on a magazine that got a hold of some internal BMW documents showing the M550 diesel. This would be the first ever diesel M car. As the X in the name on the document states, this would likely be an AWD diesel variant. Not all that surprising considering an all wheel drive M5 was already confirmed. This may be the car BMW was referring to when they stated the intention to produce an all wheel drive M5 model.
...Published on 08-09-2011 06:22 AM
These are the same pulleys that are used on all the Weistec supercharger kits. These CNC machined aluminum belt idlers are also available for all M156 based cars not just those with the supercharger kit. The factory Mercedes pulleys are plastic and have been known to have problems. For modified or even stock vehicles this billet pulley is a good solution. It is a direct bolt in replacement, $299.
...Published on 08-08-2011 10:29 AM
Bimmerfest East 2011 has come and gone. It took place this past Saturday, August 6, 2011. The event was held at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen Maryland. The event seemed to be a big success with a nice turnout with several of our vendors stating they are already looking forward to the event again next year. Take a look at the pictures, courtesy of BimmerBoost member 5mall5nail5.
...Published on 08-08-2011 09:53 AM
The M157 ECU tune from BenzBoost premier vendor Modern Horsepower (MHP) is now available. The dyno below is a Cartec dyno from the MHP European facility. It reads stock, non-performance package cars at 528 crank and 484 rwhp. Tuned cars are at 627 crank and 589 rear wheel horsepower. Torque figures rise from 569 crank / 521 rwtq stock to 690l / 632 rwtq. Dyno tests were done on 98 RON octane fuel on a car without the performance package. This tune is available now for $2995.
...Published on 08-08-2011 09:43 AM
Perhaps we have gotten a bit spoiled by BMW's dominating performances this season in ALMS. Seeing them finish 3rd and 4th seems almost out of character. It is certainly possible they would have finished 1-2 if it was not for a torrential downpour forcing an end 13 minutes early. The BMW pit stop strategy would have likely worked out if it was not for the heavy rain. BMW remains atop the manufacturer, driver, and team standings even with the 3-4 finish.
...Published on 08-06-2011 07:10 AM
Suspension systems that are able to raise the nose of a car at the push of a button are getting popular. Namely in the performance car scene because performance enthusiasts like their cars low to the ground for handling and styling. Problems arise when trying to enter steep driveways or go over speed bumps but Carlsson has SLS owners covered. This system can raise the car at both ends up to 40mm and do so at speeds of up to 50 MPH. Very useful and likely very expensive.
...Published on 08-06-2011 07:02 AM
This rendering is courtesy of Auto Motor Und Sport. Yes, you read correctly, BMW 4 series. Get used to the idea as BMW will be putting sedans into odd numbers and coupes into even numbers. Why? They were bored we guess and kind of a shame to throw away the 3 series tradition. Regardless, the 4 series coupe will be an F32. We reported the new chassis designations earlier but here they are again:
...Published on 08-05-2011 07:00 AM
Well, here is yet another SUV variant coming. This one is designed to rival the BMW X6 as well as the upcoming Audi Q6. The platform has been confirmed as C166. The car will be built on a modified M-class platform much like the X6 is built on an X5 platform. It will be built in the US plant that already builds the ML, GL, and R-class vehicles. Do not expect it anytime soon, it is scheduled as a 2015 model.
...Published on 08-05-2011 06:41 AM
This is the Motorsport 24 widebody kit for the BMW E82 1 series. This kit is available in carbon fiber for 6,900 Euros ($9874) or FRP for 5,500 Euros ($7871). It consists of 9 pieces including the front bumper, rear bumper, front fenders, side skirts, and rear fenders. Motorsport 24 products will be distributed in the United States by BimmerBoost premier vendor IND-Distribution. If interested, contact them or check out the Motorsport 24 USA site which should be fully up soon.
...Published on 08-04-2011 08:12 AM
We knew the Audi S8 was coming and that it would be using a twin turbo V8 from a leaked report in February of this year. That report states the car will get 518 horsepower. This will mean the car will have slightly more power and torque as well than the 12 cylinder W12 version, making it almost redundant. The S8 should not only be sportier than the W12, but lighter and cheaper. If it was up to us, we would take the twin turbo V8, thanks.
...Published on 08-04-2011 07:06 AM
Prior Design has been putting out some great SL kits as of late. Here is their latest wide, very wide, body kit. The kit consists of a new front bumper, rear bumper, front fenders, front bonnet, side skirts, rear fenders, rear diffuser, and a rear trunk spoiler. Other than the LED's in the front bumper (this LED obsession needs to stop) we like the kit a lot. Pricing information to come shortly, enjoy the pictures.
...Published on 08-04-2011 06:56 AM
We would like to welcome our newest premier vendor, Vorsteiner. Most of you have heard of them and for good reason, they are a premier aftemarket body kit/piece and wheel supplier. The M3 GTRS3 widebody kit pictured below has been featured basically everywhere and makes a very, very large statement. Vorsteiner also has expanded their wheel lineup with a variety of styles. These guys are doing it all at the moment and we are very happy to have them as a vendor across our entire network. Enjoy the photos below!
...Published on 08-03-2011 07:14 AM
Ok, so a quick recap for you. Audi put out a commercial that was basically a blatant rip-off of the Eminem/Chrysler imported from Detroit commercial. The music publisher threatened to take Audi to court. Audi responded by saying the commercial was not actually a commercial (yes, idiotic). Now, they have both reached an agreement. Translation: Money changed hands, and everyone is happy. “Eight Mile is very pleased that this dispute could be settled quickly and amicably. Eight Mile is very impressed by Audi’s openness to discuss and reach consensus on the issues involved…”
...Published on 08-03-2011 07:04 AM
Mercedes asked their Facebook fans what stunt they would like to see Mercedes do on the set of their newest commercial. This figure 8 drift was the stunt chosen. To be honest, it is kind of weak. Especially when compared to BMW drifting the 1M on top of a helipad on top of a skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles. Check it out and see what you think. Stunt driver Greg Tracy does the driving in a new W204 C63 coupe around two W204 C63 AMG sedans.
...Published on 08-03-2011 06:31 AM
Eisenmann has released their exhaust for the E82 1M Coupe. It comes in two forms, a rear section and a downpipe back exhaust. The rear section is $2096 and provides gains of 10 horsepower and 7.5 pound-feet of torque. For larger gains, one will want the downpipe back system which retails for $3672.96. Combine this with a good downpipe and... fun times. The exhaust is available through our sponsor IND, Eisenmann North America distributor.
...Published on 08-03-2011 04:35 AM
Here is the official trailer for the 2012 Porsche Panamera Diesel. On the European cycle the Diesel Panamera gets 44.4 MPG which we do not think would translate into the same style of US MPG numbers. Still, the car is quite fuel efficient. The Panamera Diesel features a 3.0 V6 turbo diesel with 250 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. What is also interesting to note is that the Panamera Diesel is only available in rear wheel drive. Will it come to the USA? We do not know at this point but it definitely should. We are sick of getting the short end of the stick on diesels.
...Published on 08-02-2011 07:39 AM
The mid-size luxury sport sedan market was one BMW dominated. Some can argue they really invented it and set the standard. The E39 5 series was really were people saw just how much better BMW was at building these cars for all around performance than anyone else. Something has happened along the way and the F10 5 series is no longer as dominating in this sector. Has Audi gotten better or has BMW slipped? Maybe the answer is both.
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