Audi R10TDI.

Another German manufacturer to taste glory in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was Audi. Racing their R10 TDI {link} the Bavarian company dominated the LMP1 class all season long. Their title success means that the ALMS LMP1 championship has now been won by Audi Motorsport an astonishing 8 times.
The Audi R10TDI also won the exceptionally demanding 24 hour race at Le Mans.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI.

With a name that is bound to cause difficulty in the dealerships Volkswagen’s {link} small SUV is proving to be a better drive than it is name. Styled along the lines of the larger Touareg the Tiguan looks all Volkswagen, both internally and externally.
Component quality is to the usual high standard; the interior is modern, very practical and uses top quality materials. Space is good throughout the Tiguan, especially in the rear. The boot offers good capacity which can be boosted by folding the split rear seats flat. So in terms of space and quality then Volkswagen Tiguan is impressive.
Once driving the Tiguan continues to impress with solid handling and good comfort. The 140PS TDI engine provides ample power and torque allowing sprightly process to be made everywhere. Certainly the TDI Tiguan is no GTI but it offers class leading handling benefiting from crisp steering and very capable braking. The permanent four wheel drive system adds excellent traction to the Tiguan’s excellent suspension.
The Tiguan is more than capable when tarmac turns to mud with ample ground clearance and minimal overhangs. A question mark does remain over the off road capabilities of the 18” Goodyear F1 tyres which appear far more suitable on road than on mud and rocks. Perhaps the tyres are a clear clue as to where the Tiguan will spend most of its driving time…..
Volkswagen’s Tiguan is a later comer to the compact SUV market and this must be a good thing. The Tiguan is a class leader and no mistake. With permanent four wheel drive, excellent suspension, steering and brakes plus ample internal space all using high quality products this compact SUV offers excellent value for money.

Porsche RS Spyder.

Porsche’s customer specification racecar has had a tremendously successful season racing in the 2007 American Le Mans Series {link}. Not only did the Penske team {link} win the LMP2 class in the championship the team’s drivers also won the LMP2 drivers championship. The Porsche RS Spyder clearly proved to be the best LMP2 car in 2007, clearly out performing all class competition. in doing so it won its class 11 times. The RS Spyder stunningly also managed to win 8 events outright beating the far more powerful LMP1 cars!
The RS Spyder {link} has been developed by Porsche as a customer car for use in the ALMS and LMS {link} race championships. With no works teams entered Porsche has aimed to foster customer team relations and in 2008 there should be a plethora of teams racing the RS Spyder. The ALMS has been the main focus of development and the vast majority of cars are expected to enter that series but there are some teams (including Horag Racing {link}) planning to contest the LMS series too. Currently there are no concrete plans for any teams to contest the 24 hours race at Le Mans {link}.
Porsche have deliberately shied away from mentioning the classic race at La Sarthe whilst developing the RS Spyder but with their exceptional record of success at the world’s most famous endurance race it will surely only be a matter of time before an RS Spyder takes the flag in France.

BMW investigate diesel WTCC car.

Despite management reluctance BMW Motorsport {link} are considering developing a diesel powered 3 series racecar for the World Touring Car Championship {link}. BMW’s main competitor in the WTCC is SEAT {link}, which already race a diesel, with success, in the WTCC. For the last 3 years the WTCC has been won by petrol powered BMWs but the company is assessing what, if any, advantages a diesel powered 3 series would have in the World Championship.
BMW road car diesels have an enviable reputation for power and speed so it seems strange that BMW management are not overly keen on a diesel racecar. Doubly so when one considers the publicity and kudos Audi have gained from racing their diesel powered R10 TDI sports car {link} at Le Mans and in America.
The WTCC uses ballast to try and equalise power and handling differences between different engine and transmission configurations. This has always proved to be a little contentious and this is the main area of concern for the BMW Motorsport management but they have accepted that the diesel route is one that needs investigating and developing.

World Touring Car Championship.

BMW driver Andy Priaulx is the 2007 WTCC {link} champion. He won the championship at the final round in Macau. This tremendous result means that the WTCC champion for the last 3 years has driven a BMW 3 series, has come from Guernsey and has been called Andy Priaulx. An astounding achievement when one considers Andy his BMW have been up against the might of Alfa Romeo, Chevrolet and SEAT as well as numerous other BMW teams.
As well as winning the driver's championship BMW {link} also claimed the manufacturers title. this means that every WTCC manufacturer's title has been won by BMW.
Can Andy and BMW continue their dominance into the 2008 season? German Cars Blog will keep you informed as the season progresses.

Porsche Panamera.

The Porsche Panamera continues its gentle way to production. The four-door super saloon will be Porsche dealers by the beginning of the second quarter of 2009. Production lines at both Leipzig and Volkswagen Hannover are being readied and those close to the project estimate capacity to be comfortably in excess of the desired 20,000 units per year.
The Panamera marks the debut of Porsche’s 4th model range and heralds a new dawn for the company. Investment in the new range has been considerable; ranging from production facilities and technology to design staff. Aimed at the BMW 7 series, the Mercedes S class, the Audi A8 and even the high-end Volkswagen Phaeton there is no doubt that the Porsche Panamera will need to be an excellent car to be competitive. In this market segment name alone is not a guarantee of success. The success of the last new model ranges (Cayenne and Boxster/Cayman) have shown how well Porsche {link} seem to know their potential customers so one must assume that the Panamera will fulfil all expectations.
It remains to be seen how the Porsche Panamera will compare to the offerings of companies like Bentley, it is more than feasible that a top specification Panamera could prove to be an alternative to the 2-door Bentley Continental GT for power, performance, poise and presence. Footballers and rappers may yet prove to be Porsche’s biggest initial buyers.

Hybrid Audi.

Audi {link}, along with every other major German manufacturer (including Porsche), are working industriously on hybrid technology for their model range. Their current philosophy is to use Lithium Ion batteries in conjunction with some form of internal combustion engine. Only when the batteries are capable of being mass-produced will there be a wide range of hybrid Audis available. Whilst this sounds like a long wait the new incarnation of the Audi A4 is expected to be available as a hybrid in the not too distant future.
The Audi Metroproject Quattro concept, which had its debut at the recent Tokyo Motorshow, gave clear indications as to how close to production the new Audi hybrid system is. It also gave an interesting glimpse into possible transmission configurations; the Metroproject is four wheel drive but the front wheels are drive by an internal combustion engine whilst the rear are powered by an electric motor. Ironically this allows the Audi Metroproject to be front wheel drive, rear wheel drive or four-wheel drive!
The Audi Q7 will be available as of next year with hybrid technology, using a 36-kilowatt electric motor positioned between the normal V6 and the automatic gearbox. This will allow better performance whilst reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The Q7 isn’t available with the new lithium ion batteries, it will nickel hybrid batteries.
Audi have also developed a hybrid A5 although this uses natural gas in conjunction with petrol to power its 163PS turbo engine. The A5 T-CNG as it is known is aimed squarely at reducing CO2 emissions hence the use of natural gas. Natural gas (from the earth’s reserves) emits approx 20% CO2 compared to petrol so is the obvious choice for a quick and easy way to reduce a car’s CO2 emissions. By using commercially grown and produced natural gas the figure can be reduced even more as this gas only produces the amount of CO2 the plants absorbed during their growing period.
Combining a mixture of ethanol and petrol (an 85/15 split is ideal) Audi have also been able to produce a vehicle with substantially lower CO2 emissions than a standard petrol powered car. Ethanol requires extensive modifications to the fuel tank and pipes but, unlike natural gas, requires no extra fuel tanks. This ensures that an Ethanol powered Quattro remains a possibility; a natural gas powered Quattro is currently impossible because the extra fuel tanks are positioned over and around the rear axle. Another advantage of ethanol is its lower price compared to petrol and natural gas, although this is somewhat negated by the fact that current ethanol technologies have been unable to produce fuel consumption as low as petrol power.

For Sale.

Looking for an interesting or exotic car? Not concerned about left hand drive? How about one of the following? Alpina B12 5.0i. 1993. Blue. 349PS. €27,000. Alpina Z1. 1991. Blue. 26000km. €55,000. Audi A8 W12. 2005. 450PS. 37000km €78,000. Audi R8. 2007. Black. €178,000. Audi R8. 2007. Silver. €165,000. BMW 2000 CS. 1967. 86000km. €18,000 BMW M1. Choice of two. from €165,000. BMW Z1. 1991. 170PS. Red. 44000km. €30,000. Mercedes 190SL. 1957. Red. €66,000. Porsche 356 C. 1964. Red. 75PS. €31,000. Porsche 959. 1988. Silver. 8000km. €275,000. Porsche Carrera GT. 2004. 9000km. €400,000. {e&oe}

BMW M3.

The new BMW M3 Coupe is an exciting car and make no mistake. It’s 2 door, rear wheel drive with 420PS from a 4 litre V8 engine. The latest incarnation of BMW’s {link} iconic M3 series is a thoroughly enjoyable and dramatic performance Coupe. When fitted with all the electronic gadgetry available the M3 Coupe is excellent in all conditions, the dampers adjusting to give enough comfort through town but offering taught and predictable handling when in sport mode. Add in the extra performance from the steering, differential and engine once the M pack buttons have been pressed and the M3 is a sheer joy to drive on twisty B roads. The responsive nature of the whole car allows the driver to power into, through and out of corners using the wonderful V8 engine to its maximum.
What a pleasure the V8 engine is, free revving and powerful; especially in terms of torque with 400Nm @ 3900rpm. The 4 chrome exhaust pipes add extra styling to the M3 Coupe both visually and aurally, allowing even those at the roadside to enjoy the beauty of Bavarian V8 power.
The major negative point of the M3 is unfortunately fuel consumption, which is on par with the considerably quicker Porsche GT2. Certainly the M3 Coupe was never going to be frugal but with high fuel consumption and a small fuel tank visits to petrol pumps will feature highly on any owners driving experience. This thirst for the Middle East’s finest takes the shine off an otherwise extremely enjoyable driving experience. With fuel prices seemingly on a weekly increase the M3 Coupe could suffer at the hands of equally enjoyable but less thirsty South German competition.
It is undeniable that the BMW M3 Coupe offers tremendous performance at what must be seen as a reasonable cost. Its performance is comparable with many far more expensive out-and-out sports cars, which is both remarkable and praiseworthy. The new BMW M3 Coupe is the best M3 yet produced of that there should be no doubt, it is thoroughly at home in normal traffic situations and is sheer driving enjoyment on the open road. It is not without faults (cabin space isn’t generous for example) nor is it cheap to run but the driving pleasure is impressive for those who own this car.
TECH SPEC BMW M3:~ 4 seat, 2 door Coupe. 3999cc 8 cylinder water-cooled V8 engine producing 420PS @ 8300rpm. 6 speed gearbox. Limited Slip Differential. Rear wheel drive. Top speed 170mph (with M pack fitted). 0-62mph 4.9 seconds, 0-124mph 16.7 seconds.

Mercedes McLaren SLR.

Spotted pounding round the ubiquitous Nurburgring Nordschleife {link} was a race prepared SLR. The Mercedes super car had the letters GT in large type along each flank. Thus has lead to speculation that the company are intending to produce a limited edition ‘über-version’ or that a motorsport debut for the SLR {link} is possible in 2008.

Volkswagen Caddy Maxi.

Filling a gap that might or might not exist in the VW {link} model range is the new Caddy Maxi. The Caddy Maxi is 50cm longer than a standard Caddy and offers an impressive 2.3 meters of loading capacity. It will be available in Germany from the end of this year in 5 and 7 seat options. As a load lugging small van the Caddy Maxi would be ideal, as a passenger carrying small SUV the Caddy Maxi competes directly against the Touran and Sharan and doesn’t appear as capable as its inter-company competitors.

Opel Flextreme.

Another German stunner at the Tokyo Motorshow was Opel’s Flextreme. Designed with the commuter in mind the Flextreme is an electric car with a difference. Using battery power for propulsion the Flextreme does have an internal combustion engine too. Surprisingly the 1300cc diesel engine isn’t connected to the wheels at all, instead it is used to generate electricity to charge the batteries should extra charge be required. Using battery power alone the Opel Flextreme has a range of approx 35 miles, ideal for most commuters apparently. A simple plug-in and charge system allows the Flextreme’s batteries to be recharged simply and quickly (Approx 3 hours charge time.).
Based on the Opel Astra Estate platform the Flextreme makes maximum use of space and technology using touch screen displays, lightweight plastic body and large wide opening doors (suicide style for the rear passengers).
Whilst the Flextreme is highly unlikely to see production GM and Opel {link} aim to introduce a range of hybrid vehicles around 2010.

Formula 1.

The dramatic and entertaining 2007 Formula 1 {link} has drawn to a close and German manufacturers BMW and Mercedes have both had successful championships. Mercedes engines powered the McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to joint second overall in the Drivers championship whilst BMW drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica finished fifth and sixth overall in the Drivers championship respectively.
The Constructors championship was a far greater success for BMW {link} who achieved their best ever result of second overall. Unfortunately for Mercedes the McLaren team {link} were excluded from the Constructors championship as a result of an FIA hearing.

Mercedes C 63 AMG.

Is the C 63 AMG’s (and therefore Mercedes {link}) answer to the BMW M3 and Audi RS4? Yes it is. Does it compare favourably to BMW’s icon and Audi’s massively impressive class leader? Once again the answer has to be yes. Thanks to AMG {link} and their development the basic facts make impressive reading. A 6.2 litre V8 producing 457PS and 600Nm of torque all driving the rear wheels. The Audi and BMW are certainly lagging behind in the power and torque stakes. A little surprisingly the C 63’s chassis handles the power well, having competent handling on virtually all road surfaces. Steering inputs can feel vague when driving at speed but otherwise the Mercedes is more than capable, proving to be extremely enjoyable when the road conditions allow.
The C 63 benefits from updated electronics over the standard C Class; the automatic gearbox has a paddle shift system for those who prefer to control gear changes. The ESP system has a standard as well sport setting, for dramatic powerslides the ESP can be switched off. These features give the opportunity to really test the car’s limits. In reality though most owners will never use the paddles to shift, nor will they ever switch the ESP off.
The Mercedes is slightly more subtly styled than its Bavarian competition, which can be seen as a plus point, although it certainly is no shrinking violet. Internally the Mercedes is a little on the cramped side but this is forgotten when the accelerator is pushed to the floor!
The Mercedes C 63 AMG is an awesomely quick saloon car and does provide a realistic alternative to both the Audi RS4 and BMW M3. It isn’t, however, a better car than either of its German compatriots. It is so close to the M3 and RS4 that it is difficult to say it is noticeably worse than either of its competitors it just doesn’t quite feel as complete a package.
The only major question mark about the C 63 is Mercedes quality, especially as the 2 year warranty isn’t as good as either of it competitors. If there are no quality issues then a Mercedes C 63 AMG will provide enjoyable, dynamic and exhilarating motoring for its owner.
TECH SPEC MERCEDES C 63 AMG:~ 5 seat, 5 door Saloon. 6208cc 8 cylinder water-cooled V8 engine producing 457PS @ 6800rpm. 7 speed automatic gearbox. Rear wheel drive. Top speed 155mph (limited). 0-62mph 4.7 seconds, 0-124mph 15.6 seconds.

Volkswagen Beetle.

Next year sees the 10th anniversary of the Volkswagen Beetle {link} (the new Beetle not the old Type 1 that is). Whilst not an outstanding seller here in Europe the Beetle has been and undoubted success in the USA and that is the market that will really influence how the updated version will look when it hits the roads of the world in 3 to 4 years time. Expect it to be more environmentally friendly, more economical and larger. Styling and design is expected to draw heavily from the Volkswagen Small Family concepts. Wheels are expected to be closer to the front and rear of the car, overhangs will be reduced, interior space will increase as will luggage capacity. The current Beetle is still using the Golf 4 platform but the updated Beetle will use the Golf 6 platform allowing a wider selection of modern engines to be used. There will be cabriolet and saloon versions both looking similar and yet obviously different to the current models.
As Volkswagen attempt to increase sales to men of the Beetle an interesting possibility is the addition of a Speedster model. Similar in concept to the Street Ka and even the Porsche Speedsters of old, the Volkswagen Beetle Speedster would be a sporty 2-seat cabriolet aimed at those wanting performance and distinctive styling in one. The Ragster {link} concept of 2005 is expected to be the foundation stone of the latest Volkswagen Beetle incarnation.

Volkswagen F3 engine.

2007 saw Volkswagen Motorsport {link} return to Formula 3 as an engine supplier, the first time in well over a decade. Once again the Volkswagen F3 engines were tuned by Spiess and proved to be promising. VW are hoping for a much more successful 2008 and have selected a couple of teams to run their engines in the ultra competitive Formula 3 Euroseries.

Audi Mobile Device.

Tokyo saw the debut of the Audi Mobile Device fitted to the Metroproject Quattro. This impressive piece of technology performs a multitude of tasks for the modern Audi motorist both inside and outside of the vehicle. The Audi Mobile Device acts as an electronic car key allowing the driver to start the car amongst other car related functions. It is also a telephone, satellite navigation system as well as a music and video player. Fitting into the car’s centre console the Audi Mobile Device gives a glimpse of what the humble car key may well transform into.

Low volume but high speed.

Dresden’s very low volume car manufacturer Melkus {link} is hoping to have their RS2000 ready for production by the end of 2008. The 2-seater sports car is expected to weigh around 1000kg and use either an Opel or Volkswagen 2 litre engine. The car, which is still only a design model as yet, is expected to cost around £45,000 and could possibly make an ideal track day car for those who want something extra rare ~ production forecasts are for between 15 and 25 units a year.

Mercedes F3 master class.

The Formula 3 Euroseries {link} is probably the world’s most prestigious F3 race series. 2007 saw the top 18 championship finishers use Mercedes engines. The fact that every race was won by a Mercedes power car proves just how successful the car giant has been in developing its F3 engine.

Volkswagen Space Up!

The Tokyo Motorshow saw Volkswagen {link} launch a minivan version of their impressive Up! city car. An impressive 23cm longer than the Up! the Space Up! is the latest design in Volkswagen’s New Small Family concept. The Space Up! offers excellent interior space thanks to having the wheels placed as close to the corner of the body. Minimal body overhangs ensure good manoeuvrability especially when one considers the fact that the Space Up! is 15cm shorter than the current Volkswagen Fox.
Using the same interior design as the Up! (Debuted at the IAA at Frankfurt this year) the Volkswagen Space Up! has two colour displays offering information to the driver and entertainment to passengers. All the seats bar the driver’s fold flat allowing wide and long loads to be carried.
The Space Up! will offer a choice of three engine/motor options. All will be rear mounted (harking back to the original Type 1 Beetle) and environmentally friendly. Low emission and low consumption diesel and petrol engines will be complemented by an electric motor.
The Volkswagen New Small Family concept will be seen in dealerships towards the end of 2010 with the latest designs and innovations due to be shown at the Los Angeles Auto show later this month.

Mini Clubman.

Another British motoring name is rescued from obscurity. BMW {link} have now launched the Mini Clubman to complement the standard Mini {link}. The original Mini Clubman was basically an normal Mini with an estate back attached, nothing has changed – at least not at first glance. The new Mini Clubman is an estate of that there can be no doubt; it is also very clearly a Mini. The new, large centre instrument is striking but annoyingly hard to read easily and this is the story in other areas too. The single suicide door allowing access to the rear passenger compartment is novel. On right hand drive models it has the immense draw back of forcing passengers to alight into to road and traffic because it is on the right hand side of the car only, fine for Europe but not so good for here! Space and luggage capacity isn’t fantastic either, the Clubman isn’t a serious load carrier, and there are far bigger estate cars available for the same or less money.
Once on the move though the gripes are nearly all forgotten, the new Mini Clubman is still a tremendously enjoyable drive. It feels a tad slower than its smaller sibling but still offers plenty of smiles per mile! The new Efficient Dynamic feature takes a little getting used to but does offer a noticeable fuel saving. When the Clubman comes to a stop and neutral is engaged the engine stops; it’s not as dramatic as it seems honestly. As soon as the clutch pedal is slightly depressed the engines springs back into life and away you motor. The system isn’t completely faultless as take off from stationary is sometimes a bit juddery. The system isn’t exactly new either; Volkswagen tried a similar system on the Golf 2.
The Clubman offers all the joys of a Mini with extra luggage capacity; it is a fun yet small estate car that will undoubtedly prove to be a success. As already mentioned there are more practical estates available but very few that prove to be as much fun to drive or as nicely styled.

Porsche GT2.

Two letters and one number always mean something special with Porsche! The current GT3 is undoubtedly a stunningly fast car that captivates drivers with its power and handling and is rated as the best current Porsche {link} for sheer enjoyment and performance.
The GT2 is the ultimate performance incarnation of the current 911 (997). In theory the GT2 is a homologation special built for racing, that’s certainly how it started out when the first GT2 was introduced all those years ago. This incarnation of the GT2 is far more than a race car that happens to be road legal. Certainly it is powerful enough; with 530PS and 680Nm of torque from its turbocharged 3.6 litre flat six engine this is the most powerful 997 currently available (This engine is also used by the 997 Turbo but has 50PS extra in the GT2.). The power delivery from the engine is astonishing, the surge between 2200 and 4500rpm is both dramatic and exceptionally satisfying; the urgency with which the GT2 reaches its top speed of just over 200mph is most impressive.
For the less confident driver Porsche’s ESP and launch control allow even a GT2 novice to drive quickly and thoroughly enjoy the experience. The driver aids do hold the car in check but they’re not harsh, for more fun they can of course be switched off. Then the GT2 comes to life and its race car heritage is obvious! With the limited slip differential keeping power fed to the rear wheels even through the most dramatic slides the Porsche GT2 is real joy. Slides are easily controlled and the direct steering never leaves the driver in doubt as to where the wheels are on the road.
The ceramic brakes are excellent, offering powerful braking from any speed. Combined with an excellent suspension set-up the GT2 really does reward its driver and remains easy to drive even on the limit. The PASM suspension not only keeps the GT2 under control when being driven on the limit it also, impressively, helps keep the GT2 a civilised and compliant in and around town.
Porsche’s GT2 is a fantastic car; it is stunningly fast and handles wonderfully. Whilst not cheap the GT2 is a wonderful example of what a sports car should be; stunningly fast on all roads and thoroughly enjoyable to drive. If you have the budget for a GT2 then head down to your nearest dealer and order one, you won’t be disappointed!
TECH SPEC PORSCHE GT2:~ 2 seat, 2 door Sports Coupe with aluminium doors and bonnet. 3600cc 6 cylinder water-cooled flat 6 engine producing 530PS @ 6500rpm. 6 speed manual gearbox. Limited Slip Differential. Rear wheel drive. Top speed 203mph. 0-62mph 3.7 seconds, 0-124mph 11.2 seconds.

Audi show their hand.

Audi {link} are using the world’s prestigious Autumn and Winter motor shows to launch a range of new models albeit indirectly. At the recent Tokyo Motorshow {link} the Audi Metroproject Quattro gave clear indications as to what the A1 will look like. The Los Angeles Auto show {link} later this month sees the first public viewing of the Audi Q5 range. Wrapping up the new model previews will be the Audi TTS Roadster, which will appear at the North American International Auto Show {link}, Detroit in January 2008.
A1 ~ the Metroproject Quattro shows exactly what the Audi A1, due in 2009, will offer buyers in the Supermini class. Showing clear Audi DNA the Metroproject Quattro has the deep, large single piece front grille and a very TT-esque interior with widespread use of bright metal. The A1 will be predominantly front wheel drive despite the Metroproject Quattro being 4-wheel drive at times. The Metroproject has an electric motor driving the rear wheels but (as mentioned elsewhere on German Cars Blog) Audi will not be producing electric hybrids until Lithium Ion batteries are readily available.
Q5 ~ The Q5 is the smaller version of the ever popular Q7. Expect the Audi Q5 to be launched towards the end of 2008. Based on the new A4 platform the 5 seat SUV will combine the traditional Quattro system with a range of Audi’s most current engines (both diesel and petrol). By using an active rear diff in the 4-wheel driver system the Q5 aims to be exceptionally competent both on and off road.
TTS ROADSTER ~ The Audi TTS Roadster completes the new TT range in Spring 2008. Using a 275PS four-cylinder petrol engine coupled to 4-wheel drive the cabriolet version of the TT offers wind-in-the-hair motoring with added excitement. The standard TT will also get the 275PS four-cylinder engine when the TTS Roadster is released offering yet another performance option for Audi’s premier sports Coupe.

DTM 2007.

The German Touring Car Championship (DTM) {link} is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious saloon car race series in the world. The DTM had one of its most fascinating and enjoyable seasons ever. The only thing never in doubt was that the winning driver was going to be in a German car. As it was Audi beat arch rivals Mercedes to both the Driver’s and Team’s championships; highly talented Swede Mattias Ekström taking the Driver’s crown with Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline sealing the team honours.
With new cars from both Mercedes (C Class) and Audi (A4) due for 2008 it looks like being another stunning race for the championship as the south German manufacturers renew their battle for DTM supremacy.

367PS 4-door saloon.

Small German manufacturer Bitter {link} have worked their magic on the Holden Caprice creating the Vero. With 367PS and 530Nm of torque the Vero would appear to be aimed at the AMG / M Power / RS market sector for big 4 door saloons. It measure 5.2 meters and comes with a 6-litre V8 engine mated to a 5 speed automatic gearbox. Bitter’s Vero differs from the Holden not as much as one would possibly expect. The front radiator grille is the most obvious difference along with the 4 tail pipe exhaust system. Erich Bitter and his company has focused mainly on ensuring the Vero handles well thus the suspension has been carefully tailored to European road conditions. Internally there is alcantara and leather galore plus a Bose sound system and DVD fitted. The Bitter Vero is a powerful and interesting option to traditional South German power saloons and at around £87,000 isn’t excessively over priced.

Hello! This blog aims to cover all things to do with German cars, mainly new but some information on older models may sneak in from time to time. If you are interested in Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Opel, Porsche and Volkswagen then this blog should be ideal. Not only will we cover the main German manufacturers we’ll also cover the Tuners too (For example Schnitzer, Hartge, Abt, Hamann, RUF, Techart etc).
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