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German Car Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 10-23-2011 07:52 PM
We prefer Fifth Gear videos to all other British automotive reviews. They use real drivers, with real racing experience, who evaluate the cars as enthusiasts would expect instead of trying to entertain you with crazy stunts. It is very cool to see Tiff Needell and British rally driver Mark Higgins throwing these two cars around a road course. What is interesting is that they both come to the same conclusion, the BMW 1M is the better driver's car. The BMW 1M continues to crush the RS3 around the track as the laptimes show, no surprise.
...Published on 10-23-2011 07:51 PM
We prefer Fifth Gear videos to all other British automotive reviews. They use real drivers, with real racing experience, who evaluate the cars as enthusiasts would expect instead of trying to entertain you with crazy stunts. It is very cool to see Tiff Needell and British rally driver Mark Higgins throwing these two cars around a road course. What is interesting is that they both come to the same conclusion, the BMW 1M is the better driver's car. The BMW 1M continues to crush the RS3 around the track as the laptimes show, no surprise.
...Published on 10-22-2011 12:21 AM
The BMW S1000RR surprised a lot of people when it came out. Nobody expected a BMW sport bike with such stellar performance and cutting edge technology. BMW is not resting on their laurels as they have updated the bike for 2012. The engine is the same 193 horsepower mill with changes to throttle maps for smoother performance. The suspension however has received numerous changes including new springs, forged/milled fork bridge, and the front and rear suspension geometry has changed. There are also more color options. One of the best bikes out there just got even better.
...Published on 10-21-2011 11:41 PM
Keep in mind, Mercedes likely has no intention of producing a vehicle like this. A convertible C63 Black Series coupe does not really make much sense for what is intended to be a hardcore track car. Then again, Ferrari did a Scuderia convertible so the idea is not completely out of line. This rendering has popped up around the web and it certainly is cool to see what a convertible version of the C63 Black Series would look like. It definitely has a certain appeal.
...Published on 10-20-2011 02:55 AM
The X6 isn't exactly much of an off-road vehicle in factory form. It actually is a rather heavy street vehicle (~5300 pounds) offering minimal sport and utility. All German Motorsports decided to create an off-road version of the X6 and that is just awesome in our book. They dropped the weight to 4500 pounds using a fiberglass body and added 25 inches of suspension travel. Tires are 32 inchers obviously for off-road duty. Under the hood is 750 horsepower (not from a BMW motor, from GM, despite the engine covers) which will be needed to compete in the SCORE trophy truck series.
...Published on 10-20-2011 02:50 AM
It seems W204 C63 widebodies are becoming quite popular with more and more options in this department. Many already know about the Renntech widebody option but ACG is creating a custom widebody of their own. We do not know if this is a one-off or intended to become kit but if it can be done once it most certainly can be repeated. We look forward to bringing you the completed pictures along with further information such as pricing.
...Published on 10-19-2011 12:11 AM
The German website http://automobilwoche.de is reporting that head of development on the new R8 claims maximum weight savings and maximum rigidity are the goal with the R8 update in 2014. Audi will be using carbon fiber and aluminum in the chassis to drop weight of about 220 pounds (or around 100 kilograms) which is quite a bit shaved off. Torsional rigidity is stated to increase by 30% to 40,000 Nm (29,498 lb-ft) which is actually more than the figures for the 458 Italia and Aventador. Nice to see Audi pursuing lightweight technologies with their cars having traditionally been the heaviest out of the German makes. BMW, what is going on when Audi's are getting lighter and you are getting heavier?
...Published on 10-18-2011 02:33 PM
Vorsteiner has announced their carbon fiber 997 hood is available for custom order. The bonnet is a direct replacement for the factory 997 turbo hood and we believe will also work on all 997 models. It features 1x1 carbon weave and is available either in high gloss or or matte clear lacquer finishes. No word on the price for the bonnet or the weight savings vs. the factory steel hood. Contact Vorsteiner for more information and how to order.
...Published on 10-18-2011 07:10 AM
We are not going to name any names here but chances are there are a few M156 ECU's out there that look exactly like what you see here. This ECU was drenched in epoxy gunk which essentially ruined it without the owner knowing or providing consent for the ECU to be modified in this manner. The only way to remove the material to be able to tune the ECU was to use a CNC machine carefully to remove it over a period of a couple hours. It was a coin flip whether the board would be hit essentially creating an expensive paperweight but the ECU was able to be salvaged and tuned as the material was removed without hitting/damaging the board. Make sure you do not have to go through this ordeal with your ECU and be careful what tuner you go with.
...Published on 10-18-2011 07:00 AM
Congrats to BimmerBoost member @alextremo who took his manual F10 550i out to the New England Dragway and ran 12's with only a Dinan Stage 2 tune. Alex weighed his car with himself in it and it came in at a staggering 4,560 pounds so running almost 113 mph and high 12's on stock runflat street tires along with that weight is certainly impressive. The Dinan tune clearly has made a considerable difference. The vehicle had an 1/8 tank of gas and some MS109 race fuel mixed with pump gas. This vehicle is capable of much more in cooler weather with some drag radials as well as supplementary modifications.
...Published on 10-18-2011 02:58 AM
Some of the older folks who read this site may not know who The Game is. He is an American rapper from Los Angeles. That should likely explain why this Porsche Panamera has been hideously blinged out. It's sad to see huge gaudy red rims that would look out of place even on an Escalade along with red trim in all the wrong places. Red chosen obviously to signify the rapper's ties to the Bloods street gang. Our advice? If you want to look like a baller save the money on the overdone rims and painted trim and go get yourself a stock Panamera Turbo.
...Published on 10-17-2011 09:13 PM
This story has come out of nowhere and is being reported by Automotive News. Ernts Lieb has been relived from his position that he has held for the last 5 years as head of Mercedes in the USA. Herbert Werner will take over in the interim until an official successor is announced. Mercedes has had strong months this year in the USA so we are not sure what the reason is for Lieb being suddenly removed from his post especially considering he has worked for Daimler for over two decades. This dismissal seemingly coincides with the cancellation of the Mercedes national dealer meeting which was supposed to take place this week. We do not know what Lieb may have done wrong but we do like his taste in women. More on this story to come.
...Published on 10-17-2011 05:16 PM
It looks like Audi will be producing an RS1. Excited? Don't be, since the USA will be excluded not that this is up their on our list of RS models we would like. Regardless, the car is expected to have around 220 horsepower from a 2.0T motor mated to all wheel drive with a 6 speed gearbox. This sure would be a fun little car to drive around, try giving the US market a chance for small cars Audi.
...Published on 10-17-2011 06:34 AM
Forza Motosport is awesome, this is well known. Forza Motorsport is the latest game in the series and reviews across the board praise the game as automotive nirvana. The new BMW M5 graces the cover and it is only natural that BMW wanted to share in the publicity the game is receiving. This led to the creation of the "M5 Forza Cup" which will award a brand new M5 to the person with the fastest virtual laptime with the new M5. You have until November 26 to set the fastest laptime to make the final group of 16 which will compete for the main prize, go get your copy already!
...Published on 10-17-2011 05:55 AM
Low 11's with just a tune in warm 85 degree Florida weather? That is what a CLS63 AMG (non-Performance Package) with the Stage 1 Renntech M157 tune just did. The Stage I tune raises boost from the stock 14.5 psi to about the exact same amount as the performance package, 18.8 psi. The vehicle was completely stock except for Nitto NT05 drag radials. Density altitude was just under 2000 feet which means in winter conditions we can realistically expect high 10's out of tune only M157 cars.
...Published on 10-17-2011 02:56 AM
Carbon fiber is much more than just something that looks cool. It also saves weight and when applied in the appropriate places it makes a considerable difference. This is why BMW used it for the roof on the E92 M3. BMW skimped on the carbon roof for the 1M (among other things) but not to worry as Revosport has a carbon roof option for the 1M. The carbon panel weighs only 4 kilograms vs. the stock 16 kilograms. That is 12 kilograms (26 pounds) saved at the highest point of the car. Cool looking and functional? You bet.
...Published on 10-16-2011 11:01 PM
Vorsteiner teased their 958 Cayenne Turbo body kit with the following photos. A great looking kit that is not overdone like some of the others. The entire offering for the Cayenne will consist of the carbon body pieces, forged wheels, and exhaust systems. Parts will be available for the Cayenne, Cayenne S, and Cayenne Turbo. Expect the official release of the parts toward the end of this year, 2011.
...Published on 10-16-2011 09:50 PM
We already had a general idea of the next generation A3 thanks to the sedan concept from Geneva. AutoExpress brings us renderings of the hatchback which, no surprise, looks just like the sedan. There will be four body styles of the new A3; a five door hatch, 3 door hatch, sedan, and one that has not been announced (cab perhaps?). Audi is also going to offer an all electric A3 along with a hybrid version. That is great and all but we we are looking forward to is the RS3 sedan. Bring it Audi, bring it on.
...Published on 10-16-2011 06:27 AM
Despite a promising weekend for Mercedes GP, the team couldn't show it where is counts, the race. Rosberg could only manage to claim eighth place, after battling it out with Jenson Button and the Ferrari's. In the end, he's tires gave out and was passed by Torro Rosso's Alguersuari on the last lap of the race. Michael had an unfortunate race and had to retire after Ranault's Vitaly Petrov completely over-braked and took out Schumacher on turn 3. Petrov and Alonso were battling for position after the first pitstops and both outbraked themselves. Alonso was on the outside and went off the track, but Petrov on the inside, ran into Schumacher, destroying his rear wing and puncturing his rear tire.
...Published on 10-15-2011 11:50 PM
Renntech is branching out to other markets from their traditional Mercedes tuning and they have several ECU tunes now available for BMW vehicles. The Renntech 335 diesel tune puts down an impressive 311 horsepower to the wheels along with a tremendous 432 wheel torque. The ECU has to be sent in for the flash unless one is local. A 24 month warranty is also included in the $1100 price. This tune should be applicable to the X5 diesel as well in the United States.
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