German Car Scene

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ‘WISH’ COMMERCIAL

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:50:40 +0000

Another amusing commercial from Volkswagen, this time featuring the company's latest Golf model. Go on, make a wish!

2010 BMW ACTIVEHYBRID X6 PRICING AND SPECS

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:00:16 +0000

The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will arrive in US showrooms right on the heels of its North American debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The one-of-a-kind Sports Active Coupe featuring two-model hybrid technology will be available beginning December 5, 2009 with a base MSRP of $89,725, including destination and handling. In addition to BMW’s [...]

20 YEARS OF TDI ENGINES FROM AUDI – TRAILBLAZING TECHNOLOGY WITH A GREAT FUTURE

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:50:28 +0000

Audi is celebrating another very special anniversary in 2009: the 20th birthday of TDI technology. In the fall of 1989, the Audi 100 2.5 TDI – the first Audi with a direct-injection turbocharged diesel engine – was exhibited at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. Ever since, the brand with the four rings has continued to increase its lead and set many milestones. Since 1989, Audi has produced over five million TDI engines and is now marketing a wide range of leading-edge power units. They combine great propulsive power, sporty driving enjoyment and exemplary efficiency, and demonstrate that this technology also holds great potential for the future.

ABT TUNES THE GOLF GTD

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:32:05 +0000

Some affectionately call it the "racing tractor", as it combines sporty dynamism with enormous torque of 390 Nm. Rudolf Diesel would have had fun with the 190 HP (140 kW) strong "off-spring" of his invention. He would certainly never have thought it possible that the diesel engine could reach 100 km/h in a 7.1 second sprint. A top speed of 230 km/h and plenty of steam in all seven gears - that is how ABT Sportsline defines the 2.0 TDI in the new Golf GTD. This is because after its treatment in the Allgaeu the abbreviation now stands for "Gewinner Tanken Diesel - Winners tank diesel". The Golf still retains, of course, its economical qualities, as the fuel consumption remains at the low level of the series diesel version.

VOLKSWAGEN GROUP CONTINUES LONG-TERM GROWTH STRATEGY

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:12:16 +0000

Wolfsburg, 20 November 2009 - The Volkswagen Group’s Automotive Division will invest around €25.8 billion in the coming three years. Investments in property, plant and equipment will account for €19.9 billion, half of which will be invested in Germany alone. The Group’s home market thus remains the main focus of its capital spending. In addition to investments in property, plant and equipment, €5.9 billion of the total represents capitalized development costs. This is the outcome of the investment planning for the years 2010 to 2012, which Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft’s Supervisory Board discussed at its meeting today.

VOLKSWAGEN SUPERVISORY BOARD LAYS FOUNDATION FOR CAR MANUFACTURE AT KARMANN SITE IN OSNABRUCK

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:02:54 +0000

Wolfsburg, 20 November 2009 - At its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft approved the acquisition of land, machinery and equipment formerly belonging to the Karmann holding company at the Osnabrück site. Furthermore, during the coming weeks it is also planned to establish a new Volkswagen car manufacturing subsidiary and later start a new vehicle project.

THE FUTURE HAS ARRIVED: THE MERCEDES-BENZ CITARO FUELCELL-HYBRID BUS

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:23:20 +0000

It generates no emissions while running, is whisper-quiet and conserves resources: the new Citaro FuelCELL-Hybrid bus from Mercedes-Benz opens up a whole new era in drive technology for urban buses. The newcomer had its world premiere in June 2009 at the UITP Congress (the World Congress of the International Association of Public Transport) in Vienna and could be seen in action for the first time on the occasion of the final conference of the HyFLEET:CUTE project in Hamburg. The advent of the Citaro FuelCELL-Hybrid bus means that the future really has arrived: the launch of the prototype will shortly be followed by small series production while next year will see the start of a large-scale test of the Citaro FuelCELL-Hybrid bus on the basis of ten customer vehicles in service in Hamburg. The objective is for further in-service testing in customer fleets to be conducted at European level.

VATH MERCEDES-BENZ ML 63 AMG

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:59:39 +0000

One of the most powerful ML 63 AMG comes from VÄTH Automobiltechnik. This fast vehicle with up to 300 km/h is being built on the ML 63 AMG base in Hösbach. The heart of this high-performance SUV is VÄTH 6.3 liters 585 HP engine with sensational 690 Nm.

VALENTINO ROSSI SAMPLES THE BMW M3 GTS, AWARDED M3 SALOON

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:54:30 +0000

A great show at the BMW M Award on the occasion of the MotoGP in Valencia: at the season final of the motorcycle road world championship, Valentino Rossi was once again the best qualifier of the MotoGP and the recipient of the BMW M Award. The prize has been part of BMW M’s involvement in MotoGP since 2003. First of all, the fastest MotoGP rider is of the season test is rewarded with a BMW automobile, then at the end of the season the fastest rider of all qualifying sessions can look forward to a BMW M.

HIGH CONTRAST PROGRAMME – THE NEW BEETLE “BLACKORANGE”

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:47:30 +0000

Volkswagen defies the grey everyday world of autumn and launches the New Beetle “BlackOrange”. This exclusive supermini series is an eye-catcher thanks to its Red Rock (orange) or black uni metallic paintwork and its special model lettering on its doors.

OPEL CORSA: NEW HEART, NEW MUSCLES – EVERYTHING UNDER THE SKIN IS NEW

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:54:26 +0000

Rüsselsheim. Come January 2010, the Opel Corsa gets a complete re-make, with major engineering changes so numerous that the super-mini family is reshaped. A re-vamped powertrain line-up, chassis improvements and a steering recalibration will give the Corsa better performance and greater fuel economy – as well as superb passenger comfort, excellent handling and exciting driving dynamics.

EISENMANN “SPARK 8″ PACKAGE FOR THE AUDI R8

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:42:18 +0000

Eisenmann GmbH as a company does not often divert from making artwork with stainless steel, but when they do, the results are often spectacular. Mr.Eisenmann personally designed the Spark 8 styling package for the Audi R8, and after using it on his personal R8 for most of this year, has chosen to release it to the public. This kit is made from a combination of Carbon Kevlar and Carbon Fiber fabrics, and offers perfect fit and finish along with extreme strength.

SPORTIER EDGE AND IMPROVED FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR BMW 6 SERIES

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:56:41 +0000

MULGRAVE, AUSTRALIA – November 19, 2009: BMW has introduced a sportier edge, as well as improved fuel consumption, for its new 6 Series Sport Coupé and Convertible. The updated sports cars arrive in BMW dealerships this month. Brake Energy Regeneration joins the standard equipment list, improving fuel consumption by up to 6.8 per cent, to ensure [...]

PORSCHE APPROVES WINTER TYRES SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUNG AND OLD CLASSICS

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:46:12 +0000

Stuttgart. Porsche has extended its demanding approval process for winter tyres to include tyres for young and old classics. Offering customers this unusual service, the German manufacturer of sports cars enables drivers of older models to use the best available products on their car. Porsche is therefore providing valuable help and orientation particularly in the process of choosing new winter tyres with safe driving characteristics also on snow and ice. A further point is that this makes Porsche one of the few car makers to offer such an elaborate tyre approval process.

PRODUCTION OF THE SMART FORTWO ELECTRIC DRIVE BEGINS IN HAMBACH

phunkshon@googlemail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:32:48 +0000

Hambach, France / Stuttgart, Germany - This week, Daimler AG started production of the smart fortwo electric drive at the smart plant in Hambach, France. In a first step, 1,000 vehicles will be provided to customers participating in various mobility projects in major cities in Europe and the U.S., in order to generate broad feedback on electric driving under everyday conditions.