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

We have a video from Bahrain showing an X6 M with eisenmann race exhaust on MS109 vs. an N54 135i with an AR Design downpipe. The X6 M traps 1 mph higher and also gets a better ET. A bit of a surprising result considering the X6 M is not even running an aftermarket tune. ...

AWE Tuning has released their new Gen 2 exhaust for B8 2.0t's. The exhaust is available in a variety of configurations: single outlet, dual outlet, and dual outlet with quad tips. A resonated downpipe is also available ($296). The rear section starts at $854 and goes to over $1300 depending on configuration. Gains are only about 9 horsepower at the crank and 7 crank torque. ...

We just received these videos of an HPF turbo M3 which lost control at the Irwindale 1/8 mile strip and ended up going into the wall. The car looks like it is running bias-ply slicks with radial street tires up front. This may have contributed to the driver losing control as the general rule is not to mix due to instability up top. Additionally, once the car starts to sway it looks like the owner stays in it and then tried to brake too late which causes him to lose it. Hopefully we will have more details on the car and the setup soon. ...

The Unimog produced by Mercedes is part of a range of medium to heavy duty trucks. They come equipped in a variety of different ways and are capable of towing your car to competing in the Dakar rally. Brabus has modified what they are calling a "Black Edition" Unimog sure to to help you ford a river or run over your average SUV. ...

Piecha Design has released their tuning program for the Mercedes ML SUV. This tuning program is called the Evorian RS. They start by lowering the car on H&R springs mated to a set of 22 inch Piecha rims. Tires are 315/30/22 in back and 275/35/22 up front. The front diffuser has integrated LED's which seem to be all the rage right now. Side skirts, a roof spoiler, and a rear diffuser contoured to the quad exhaust round out the package. Pricing is as follows: ...

BMW is set on releasing an all electric car. You may remember BMW released a test program featuring an electric Mini (Mini E) and this is now the next step. This is the test bed for the electric system which will serve as the underpinnings of the Megacity Vehicle. The ActiveE has 170 horsepower and a range of approximately 100 miles on special low resistance tires. The range may improve in the lighter Megacity Vehicle. The battery is fully charged in 4 to 5 hours and BMW plans on leasing 1,000 of these ActiveE's beginning in the fall. Good for you BMW, can we have our Z4 M now? ...

Here we go again, for the second time Singh is claiming to be the first to tune a motor without anything to substantiate it. We do know tuners have been working on this motor but Singh claims to be the first in North America to offer an upgrade. To substantiate this they have provided... nothing. No dyno chart as support, no customer impressions, no pricing, just a shot of the engine bay. We saw these claims from Singh previously and they were dismissed as unsubstantiated. We have to do the same here, but know that 600+ hp tunes are coming. ...

PAW Motorsport has officially released their N55 flash tune. This tune is for all 2011 on BMW 135i's, 335's, F10/F07 535's, and xDrive 35i's with the N55 single turbo 6 cylinder motor. Special pricing is in effect for BimmerBoost members for February only at $645. Regular pricing is $835. Power gains are about 50 whp. This is the "mild" mail order tune available to anyone. This does require sending your ECU in unless you are located in Florida. The free trial tune is available to one member only who will report on their experience with the tune. ...

Hot on the heels of MTM we have ABT releasing their take on the new Audi A7. ABT adds their sideskirts to give a muscular side profile. Their rear diffuser is made to house their unique quad pipe exhaust. The vehicle is lowered with the ABT lowering module on top of ABT rims that are available for the A7 in 19-21 inch sizes. For the 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6, ABT tunes it to 410 horsepower. ...

Kleemann makes a variety of supercharger setups for Mercedes vehicles. They use a roots blower for their kits which makes for a clean install which you can see as well as a car that is a fun to drive. Our friends at DC Performance did a supercharger install of a used kit on a W209 CLK500 and they did a great job documenting the install. No dynos yet although we intend to ask for them, Kleemann claims 455 horsepower and 433 pound-feed of torque. ...

As of March 2011, this option will be available for all X6 models except the hybrid. The extra seat naturally replaces rear center storage compartment. There are also new wheel options being rolled out as well but the 5 seat option is something that should have been available to begin with. About time BMW, and we figure this is going to be a popular retrofit for X6 owners. ...

Well... that was fast. MTM managed to already get a hold of an A7 and tweak it. The most obvious difference is a modified rear diffuser which accepts a quad exhaust. Wheel spacers and MTM rims were installed as well. A lowering module designed to work with the stock suspension is in the works. A tune for the 3.0 TDI in this A7 was added which boosts horsepower by about 40 to 285. ...

It is logical that we should see an Audi S7. It would also be logical that it would have the new turbo direct injected V8 motor. The S7 would get it in single turbo guise putting out something in the low 400's, making it a great 550i competitor. The RS6 would then get the twin turbo version putting out 550-600 horsepower. Autolifestyle.nl put up some renderings of what the new S6 might look like and expect this model as early as the end of the year. ...

Hartge released their lowering springs for the 535d yesterday. These springs lower the car approximately 30 millimeters. Hartge now has a complete set of lowering springs available for all F10 5 series models. This means the 520d, 523i, 528i, 530d, 535i, and the 550i. Pricing was not available but one may want to check with Eibach (located in Southern California) directly, as they make these springs for Hartge. ...

If you are in the United States you may even be asking yourself what a CLC even is. Basically, it was the entry level C-class hatchback. The newest model was not sold in the United States. It was based on the W203 but it was updated with W204 styling. With the C-class coupe occupying the entry level C class segment Mercedes deemed there was no need to continue with the CLC. Will be miss it? Uh, we already forgot it existed. ...

Autoblog reports that this is the new Audi RS7. It does not look beefed up as an Audi RS model should but that is likely part of the disguise. Power comes from a twin turbo V8 (reported on earlier) shared with Bentley. The car should have between 550-600 horsepower going through a dual clutch gearbox along with what appear to be carbon ceramic brakes making for quite the ride. This car is aimed directly at the CLS63 AMG and that should be an epic battle. ...

Autocar is reporting that Bentley will be getting two different versions of a direct injected turbo 4.0 liter V8. This powerplant will come in single turbo form putting out around ~410 horsepower as well as a twin turbo version putting out over 550 horsepower. This motor would likely power an Audi S7, RS7, S8, and a new RS6. Expect to see this motor in a Bentley by the end of the year. ...

First of, congratulations. Closing in on 1k hp at the wheels with an HPF Stage 4 setup is no small feat. Horsepowerfreaks has been advertising this as 970 whp which is what the car did put down uncorrected. The SAE corrected numbers are 925 whp and what we will go with. This car belongs to someone named Jason and it is a very, very impressive car. ...

AWE Tuning has released their Audi Q5 3.2 exhaust. It is available in two different versions, resonated and non-resonated. The non-resonated starts at about $1700 and the resonated version goes up to about $2300 depending on options such as polished tips. Power gains are about 6 horsepower at all 4 wheels which is about what one should expect from a rear section only. Click read more for pics and videos. ...