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German Car Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 06-18-2011 04:11 AM
This is BMW engine modification on a whole different level. What you see is a hoverbike. No scienece fiction, the real thing. Twin rotors are framed around an 1170 cc BMW boxer motor that was sourced from an R1200 BMW bike. The hoverbike is made out of carbon fiber and weighs 231 pounds. Maximum takeoff weight is is 595 pounds with a calculated maximum altitude of 10,000 feet. Pricing is said to be aimed for the $40,000 range but clearly there is a lot to work out here before we can all start riding our hoverbikes to work. Specs and details below. ...Published on 06-18-2011 02:56 AM
We really don't know what to say about this. How a person is not embarrassed to be seen in this pile of crap we do not understand. The triple headlights are simply absurd as is the poorly constructed widebody. The grille looks like a pig's snout. What about the rear? Well, the center exit exhaust with 4 odd shaped tips is a mess. The car doesn't even appear to be an R230 but an older generation SL which was transformed into this... thing. ...Published on 06-17-2011 07:24 AM
We know BMW has been testing the S63 twin turbo V8 in the X6/X5 M and F10 M5 in higher states of tune. An X6 M with large air scoops on the hood has been spotted testing as well as with other changes to the bodywork such as the side skirts. We know Mercedes will have a Performance Package available for the new ML63 AMG so it seems BMW is preparing to respond. The questions are, will this package be available for retrofit to standard X6 M's and will it be a new higher performance model or just a factory option? ...Published on 06-17-2011 07:00 AM
This is a roll on racing video of the new 2012 Nissan GTR with an ECU tune vs. a 997.2 PDK Porsche Turbo. The 911 Turbo has a Fabspeed X-pipe with 200 cell cat, ECU tune, Fabspeed headers, and a BMC filter. The 2012 GTR just has an ECU tune and is putting out around somewhere in the 590 crank horsepower range. The PDK Turbo in these runs in the stronger car, significantly. ...Published on 06-17-2011 04:11 AM
Nothing positive about this story but it is news unfortunately. Russian poltician Dmitry Grigoryev Ostrovenko and his Cayenne Turbo were involved in a fatal high speed accident. Witnesses report Ostrovenko was so drunk he could barely even stand. The Cayenne collided at high speed into 6 other cars, one of which was completely destroyed and the driver lost his life. Unfortunate and avoidable; but no punishment will bring back the young student killed. ...Published on 06-17-2011 04:00 AM
Horsepower Freaks is becoming a giant for several reasons. One is that they have some of the most powerful packages available in the BMW aftermarket sphere. Another is that they have some of, if not the best, marketing in the BMW aftermarket. Part of the approach is controversial but the fact is you can not get away from the name and everyone does know it. Their build journals and marketing are basically the most detailed and well done out of anyone. The film is enjoyable and when Chris (owner of HPF) sent it to BimmerBoost, we told him we would have no problem putting it up. ...Published on 06-17-2011 04:00 AM
"Truth in 24" is a documentary which details the Audi team, drivers, fans, preparing for the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2008 where Audi was attempting to win their 5th straight Le Mans. The film has been received very well and critically acclaimed for its behind the scenes view of what it takes to win at Le Mans. The video really brings out the emotion and drama of the race, a must watch for any motorsport fan. You can get the film free from Itunes or watch the youtube version below. ...Published on 06-16-2011 10:51 AM
Russians do some pretty crazy things with BMW's. From getting them stuck in the sand at the beach trying to show off to wrapping them completely in gold. This leather covered X6 is yet another attempt at doing something extreme but it just doesn't look good. Plus, leather shrinks when exposed to the elements so what is the point? The gold X5 might have been controversial but it pulled the look off well. This is just...
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Published on 06-16-2011 10:30 AM
Let's not kid ourselves, the Porsche Cajun will basically be a re-skinned Audi Q5. That is ok though, it worked out well for the Cayenne and Touareg. There will be two diesel powerplants but these likely won't carry over to the USA. The 2.0 TFSI turbo charged 4.0 cylinder likely will though. A turbo model is rumored but unconfirmed at this point. The Cajun will enter production in late 2013. ...Published on 06-16-2011 10:03 AM
The SLS GT3 officially started racing this year and has done fairly well so far. The car is currently racing in the FIA GT3 European Championship where its best result so far is a 3rd place finish. It competes against cars such as the Ferrari 458, Aston Martin DBRS 9, BMW Z4 GT3, Lamborghini Gallardo LP600, Ford GT3, Porsche 911 GT3 R, and the Audi R8 LMS. Check out the video for a glimpse into what the car is like on the track. ...Published on 06-16-2011 10:03 AM
The SLS GT3 officially started racing this year and has done fairly well so far. The car is currently racing in the FIA GT3 European Championship where its best result so far is a 3rd place finish. It competes against cars such as the Ferrari 458, Aston Martin DBRS 9, BMW Z4 GT3, Lamborghini Gallardo LP600, Ford GT3, Porsche 911 GT3 R, and the Audi R8 LMS. Check out the video for a glimpse into what the car is like on the track. ...Published on 06-16-2011 07:33 AM
Here is one way to make your A5 fast at the drag strip. This car was built by crazy people in Sweden who seem to do this type of thing with German machinery routinely. Eklund Racing is responsible for the build which is nothing less than impressive. The motor is a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder putting out approximately 1000 horsepower. Some tweaking is still being done and we are not sure what ET they are aiming for. Not much remains from the original car and the curb weight has been dropped considerably so this car should definitely open some some eyes at the strip. ...Published on 06-16-2011 06:53 AM
As many, probably all of you know, I've been having a slipping transmission since the record setting track day. After a vast search of capable transmission specialists, I decided to go with Level 10 Transmissions, located right here in my own NJ. I have heard their name thrown around in high HP/TQ domestic crowd before, but never knew they were in NJ. From the moment I talked to Pat on the phone, my spider senses kicked in and told me this is the place I need to go to get what I want done, when I want it done, and done right the first time. ...Published on 06-16-2011 04:00 AM
The new SLK is a great looking car and over the next year we will see most Mercedes tuners tackle it. Carlsson is one of the first offering a body kit consisting of a front spoiler, lip, side skirts, trunk spoiler, and rear diffuser. LED's which everyone seems to be obsessed with are included for the front bumper. They also offer a lowering kit which reduces ride height by 30 millimeters. 20 inch Carlsson wheels round it out. ...Published on 06-16-2011 02:52 AM
Car and Driver did a very interesting comparison recently where they compared launch control to humans. In the comparison, they listed the hardest launching production cars and it was no surprise to see the Bugatti Veyron atop the list with 1.09g's pulled at launch. What was surprising was that the Panamera Turbo was in second with 1.02g's. This put it ahead of the 997 Turbo S PDK tied for fourth with the Nissan GTR at .96. There were three Porsches in the top 10 with the Cayenne Turbo tied with the X5 and X6 M at .88g's. ...Published on 06-16-2011 02:51 AM
The new Audi A7 is the competitor to the Mercedes CLS. The 4 door coupe segment is popular and Audi, desiring to be the largest luxury automaker, is trying to fit in every niche. Insideline found it surprisingly sporty and we agree it is for a 4,207 pound car. It pulled .88g on the skidpad and ran the 1/4 mile in 13.6@101 in 80 degree weather at the notoriously slow Fontana Drag Strip. Sharing the motor with the B8 S4, there will be some nice gains to be had with tuning for a pretty quick ride despite the 8 speed auto instead of a DSG. ...Published on 06-16-2011 02:50 AM
AR Design is close to wrapping up their top mount turbo manifold for M50 based motors. We first reported on this manifold three months ago and AR Design has made significant progress in that time. The only other quality top mount we know of on the market is the 666 fabrication manifold which retails for $1400. It will be interesting to see what AR Design prices the manifold at and also if it will be part of a turbo kit that they will offer. ...Published on 06-15-2011 09:21 AM
Mercedes AMG vehicles lend themselves well to drifting. Although we are not huge fans of drifting, since it isn't the fastest way around the track, we do understand there is considerable skill required to position the car and sustain a controlled slide. Mercedes driving instructor and race car driver Mauro Calo will attempt this feat in either a C63 AMG or E63 AMG at Mercedes Benz World in Surrey, UK. The current record is 2,000 feet. He is aiming for 10,000 feet or 1.9 miles. Will he do it? He thinks so, "I'm 100 per cent confident that I can do it." ...Published on 06-15-2011 12:32 AM
Nothing shocking here folks but this is the official F10 BMW M5. It looks pretty much just like the concept. 20 inch wheels appear to be standard with Z rated tires. What we are hoping for with the photos out there now is that we can get the details on the good stuff. Such as the changes made to the motor, the new redline, the torque capacity of the new DCT transmission, etc. ...Published on 06-14-2011 02:55 PM
We all know the next generation 911, the 991, is coming. From spyphotos is appears the 991 won't differ drastically from the 997. 911 design is usually evolution, not revolution, and that should hold true. You can see the renderings AutoBild did below. There really is not much difference from the 997 other than the taillights which are more aggressive LED's. The new 911 will be revealed at the Frankfurt Auto Show this year. ...
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