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German Car Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 01-27-2011 03:22 AM
Many sites and magazines are reporting that Mercedes intends to bring a diesel C-class to market in the next 3 years. Now, that is a pretty wide window and we expect it to happen sooner than that. Currently, the M, GL, R, E, and S are available with diesels. The GLK is expected to join them by the end of the year. The C-class should be getting a 2.1 liter 4 cylinder diesel producing 204 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. If it does not happen for the 2012 model year then expect it in the next generation C-class but either way, the C will be getting a diesel option. ...Published on 01-26-2011 12:04 PM
German Tuner Sport Wheels has modified the R8 V10 spyder and we like the result. They start with an engine tune which they claim bumps the power up to 600 hp. From there they modify the grille, add a lip, lower it, and change to their wheels. It is not lowered just on springs, but they offer a KW coil-over setup for about 7,400 euro. A center exit exhaust is used for a distinct look which works well. Oh, and yes, those are ceramic brakes from Mov-it that retail for about 22,000 euros. Expensive, but oh so sexy! ...Published on 01-26-2011 11:06 AM
Two young Turkish designers 3d modeled their vision for a BMW supercar. We are impressed, the design is pretty nice. In many ways we like it more than the Vision Efficient Dynamics design. What we do not like is that it will never come to reality. This is what a proper mid-engine BMW supercar should look like, with a large V8 just like what they put under the hood. ...Published on 01-26-2011 06:40 AM
Japanese modding is not really low key to begin with. Artis took a C6 A6 and applied a diamond patterned film over an Audi A6 and then painted on top of it with an extremely shiny black finish. There is more to the car than just the paint being lowered with a body kit. However, the paint work is what stands out and clearly was designed to do that. Well then, mission accomplished. ...Published on 01-26-2011 03:41 AM
The guys are Precision Sport recently did an install of Supersprint downpipes on the BMW X6 M. The pictures of the install show some great details of the motor and turbos. No word on the gains as there was no dyno, the downpipes retail for about $2500. ...Published on 01-26-2011 02:31 AM
This is an absolutely awesome video from Top Gear. It has the Atom V8 take on the Lexus LF-A and Gallardo LP560 Superleggera in a 0-100-0 contest. The cars are no match for the Atom V8 so the BMW S1100RR is used. Enjoy! ...Published on 01-25-2011 04:34 AM
The driver actually does a pretty good job getting the G-wagon to slide. We are impressed he didn't flip the thing over with how high the center of gravity is on the car. Note: Don't go and try to drift your SUV now. ...Published on 01-24-2011 11:06 PM
Here we have a comparison of Tial 605/770, GT 2871, and K04 turbo B5 S4 setups all compared on the same dyno. These were done same day, same place, and show a nice overview of the potential of the various turbo choices for the B5 S4. ...Published on 01-24-2011 08:21 PM
The guys at Axis of Oversteer weighed a 1M Coupe with a full tank of gas. The result? 3,351 pounds. This is pretty impressive and lighter than an E92 M3 by about 200 pounds. BMW USA lists the curb weight for the 2011 135i at 3373 so the 1M undercuts it slightly. It is nice to see the parts off the M3 did not come with considerable weight gain. ...Published on 01-24-2011 05:08 PM
Here we have a roll on race video between a 2007 Yamaha R1 and a HPF Stage 3 turbo E46 M3. The runs are not honked off so there is not really a definitive start point but both just sort of roll into it for an extended pull on what appears to be an empty road. The two machines are quite evenly matched with what appears to be the M3 inching ahead up top. ...Published on 01-23-2011 05:50 AM
We know a new RS6 is coming. We know rumors are that the V10 will be ditched in favor of a smaller displacement V8 twin-turbo (giant mistake in our opinion). The horsepower is likely going to be around the 600 horsepower mark and we have no idea if it will come to the United States but here are some rendering of what it may look like. ...Published on 01-23-2011 05:11 AM
Renntech has released an updated airbox for the M156 63 AMG V8 motors. Renntech claims they optimize the air flow as well as increasing the volume of the airbox. This adds approximately 10 hp (no dyno) and looks good while doing it. The airbox comes with filters as well as MAF sensor clips and retails for $2795. ...Published on 01-23-2011 04:41 AM
Here are the results from a recent Gintani Supercharger install on a BMW E92 M3. The vehicle already had a Gintani race exhaust installed a few months earlier. It is important to note this setup is running 7 psi on 91 octane only. This is a result that is putting down numbers similar to what early meth setups at around the same boost did on the Gintani Dyno Dynamics. This displays an excellent grasp of S65 tuning as we have not seen 7 psi on the stock motor from anyone else on 91 octane alone. The dynograph below depicts in red the baseline run before the supercharger install vs. the green run displaying Horsepower and Torque with the Gintani supercharger kit installed. Gains of +195.7wHp@8250 rpm and +117.7wTq@7150rpm with just the supercharger + exhaust on 91 pump. ...Published on 01-21-2011 08:30 PM
Here we have a direct comparison between a 335 with the Cobb Tuning Accessport Stage 1 vs. a 335 with a JB3 2.0, Stett CAI, and Stett charge pipe. The JB3 car pulls but it is important to note it is RWD vs. an AWD car so not exactly apples to apples. Also, we assume this was pump fuel. Still, great to see a comparison like this. ...Published on 01-21-2011 07:40 PM
Brabus and Bilstein have released a new adjustable suspension system for the G-class Mercedes. A control unit in the cabin allows the driver to adjust the suspension to their preference adjusting the damping rates. The unit can also adjust automatically to varying road conditions. Switches between modes are made basically instantaneously. The cost this hi-tech suspension? $8,000 and it can be fitted to any G-class regardless of model year. ...Published on 01-21-2011 06:04 PM
APR is pleased to present the world’s first ECU Upgrade for the 3.0 TFSI engine in the Audi A6. After almost a year of accelerated life testing through professional motorsport racing, we are pleased to offer you an ECU recalibration that is second to none. APR’s extensive research and development provides you with a powerful ECU Upgrade with no loss of drivability or reliability. Expect huge increases in top-end power, improved throttle response and a smoother, more powerful powerband. ...Published on 01-21-2011 04:52 AM
Many of us were attracted to German performance by BMW. There was a time when they made cars unlike anyone else. Cars that took no short cuts, with motors that represented the best their engineers had to offer. Now what do we have? Anti-tuning ecu's, the same motor in every car, M SUV's, FWD city cars coming, smaller and smaller motors paired with extreme brand dilution. ...Published on 01-21-2011 04:51 AM
Many of us were attracted to German performance by BMW. There was a time when they made cars unlike anyone else. Cars that took no short cuts, with motors that represented the best their engineers had to offer. Now what do we have? Anti-tuning ecu's, the same motor in every car, M SUV's, FWD city cars coming, smaller and smaller motors paired with extreme brand dilution. ...Published on 01-21-2011 02:03 AM
The Audi A1 can now be ordered with a 1.4 TFSI motor putting out about 185 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. What is interesting about this motor is that it is both turbocharged and supercharged. The supercharger is active from low revs up until 2,400 rpm at which point a turbo takes over past 3500 rpm until redline. This allows a larger turbo used for efficiency reasons up top that does not have to be concerned with low rpm spool, witchcraft is clearly at work. We wait for some tuner to figure out how to prevent the supercharger from disengaging as well as getting the turbo to kick in earlier for a real kick in the pants. ...Published on 01-20-2011 09:35 PM
Carmagazine is reporting that a Z2 Roadster with a soft top is confirmed for 2012. The downscaling of the BMW brand continues to sell as many cars to as many people as possible. The motor will be a new 1.6 liter turbo with around 200 horsepower. This likely will be a fun car to drive with a targeted 2200 pound curb weight and the rendering is interesting. They are also considering an electric version. Will get an M version of this as well? If we do, just expect it to be the same thing with more boost. More details as they come. ...
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