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

We like that Porsche covers just about everything. Their cars are amazing and their Porsche design studio produces some very cool and interesting (and expensive!) stuff. Case and point, this Johnnie Walker Blue Label private bar of which only 50 will be made for a cool $150k. The chiller can be purchased for just $375 and the cube for $770. Not cheap, but a heck of a lot less than $150k for what is an awesome way to display some prized liquor.
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A major congratulations is in order for Weistec who managed to pull off what many said would be impossible. CARB certification (California Air Resource Board) is extremely difficult due to the strict emission controls employed in the state. It is usually only large manufacturers making parts for domestics that have any luck with CARB certification using aftermarket superchargers (Magnusson, NOVI, Stillen) and we searched but could not find another modern example of a CARB certified aftermarket supercharger system for a Mercedes, BMW, or Audi. Not Dinan, not Renntech, not Active Autowerke, not VF-Engineering, not APR, not ESS, not Gintani, nobody producing superchargers for the aforementioned makes has achieved this on a platform produced in the last decade. That should put things in perspective.
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We aren't sure what there is to debate really, do it already. Albert Biermann (Head of M product development) told Insideline the following on the Z4 M, "There are days when it hurts not to have one, but there was no compelling business case at the time when the decision was taken." Uh, but there was a business case for the X5 M? The X6 M? The 550 GT? The X6 hybrid that was already canned? Yet the platform that has the potential to be the best drivers car in the BMW lineup that BMW Motorsport has already been racing doesn't make sense? Are you serious Biermann?
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The Buddh International Circuit, the newest addition to Formula One. This race is the first new race in four years (Singapore & Valencia 2008, Abu Dhabi 2009, Korea 2010). Formula One heads to new territory next week with the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, Round 17 of the 2011 World Championship, taking place at the Buddh International Circuit on the outskirts of New Delhi, on Sunday 30 October. Designed by acclaimed circuit designer Hermann Tilke, the circuit cost $188 million to build and features a 5.141km long track that incorporates 16 corners and runs in a Clockwise direction. ...

Congratulations to Horsepower Freaks for continuing to raise the bar on the S54 platforms. Dyno numbers over 1000 horsepower are simply no joke and that level of power is difficult for many to even comprehend. The highest figure was hit at 29 psi as going above this amount of boost produced diminishing returns. They intend to dyno the car again with smaller wheels which should make an appreciable difference. It is likely at this point head flow limitations are starting to be hit and Chris at HPF hinted at the cam profile possibly being a liability. Regardless, we are seeing some amazing things out of the S54 that nobody would have ever thought were possible not too long ago.
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The facility in Leipzig has served primarily since early 2000 to produce the Cayenne SUV. It was expanded in 2009 to produce the Panamera. Expansion is taking place again, this time to produce the Cajun which will be based on the Audi Q5. Investment is approximately 500 million Euros as detailed in the Porsche press release, a big chunk of change. The construction is expected to generate 1000 jobs when it is completed in 2013 which is when Porsche intends to start production. ...

We would like to thank our premier vendor IND for these great photos from their http://ind-style.com blog. This is a full titanium exhaust system for the V10 Audi R8. Titanium is strong as well as lightweight which is why this exhaust system shaves 35 pounds from a key area of the car. The exhaust is valved which means you can start your R8 without waking up the entire city. An in cabin wireless valve system is optional which means one can go from subdued to racecar loud at the touch of a button. Awesome? You bet, and it also gives you 14 horsepower. Contact @IND-Distribution if interested.
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The SLS Black Series is coming, hope everyone is up to speed with that. Autoevolution caught the vehicle testing and the spyshots have been making their way around the web. What is obviously most striking is the wider carbon fiber body work. The vehicle simply looks mean and aggressive, as has been the case for all Black Series vehicles produced thus far. Rumors about what is under the hood abound but we expect a tweaked M156. How tweaked? Well, 650 horsepower is the current rumor which we find hard to believe due to being well over 100 hp/per liter for a fairly large motor. Would be nice though.
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We are proud to announce our newest products for the E92/E93 M3: The Gintani Aero Line. We are offering four (4) amazing pieces that are unique in their own special way. These products were not only designed for aesthetics purposes but also for functional use. The new line includes the Gintani Carbon Front Spoiler, Gintani Carbon Rear Diffuser, Gintani Carbon Side Skirts, and Gintani Carbon Rear Skirts. Our goal was to create an aggressive kit and yet make it look appealing. We feel we have achieved that goal with our new line of Aero parts. The E90 Kit will be released in short time, however the front spoiler will fit both models. Lets get straight to the pictures, and please let us know what you think!
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We brought you news last week of MBUSA CEO Ernst Lieb being removed by Mercedes but speculation ran rampant as to why. Reports are coming out that Lieb abused the company expense account. What type of abuse? Apparently he renovated his home on Daimler's dime and charged his wife's country club membership to the company. In addition, he would charge personal flights to the expense account as well such as one such flight to Australia. Lieb was warned but another incident was too much for the brass to stand and he was let go. We are guessing the Mercedes USA CEO is paid pretty well so we have to simply say Lieb was an idiot for abusing the company expense account.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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