Wiesmann MF5 Roadster

Making its debut at this year’s IAA (Frankfurt motor show) the Wiesmann MF5 Roadster offers stunning performance and looks. Basic specification remains the same as the coupe MF5, thus the cabriolet uses the V10 engine from BMW’s M5 (507PS and 520Nm of torque) as well as the 7 speed, sequential SMG gearbox. Thus the MF5 cabriolet is able to sprint from 0-62mph in a mere 3.9 seconds before continuing to a top sped of approximately 192mph.
The aluminium monocoque and composite body ensure that the Wiesmann MF5 Roadster is taut yet still light and the ABS, DSC plus driver and passenger airbag add an extra layer of safety. The rear spoiler (unlike on the coupe) alters position automatically providing extra downforce and stability when required.
Whilst not being exactly cheap at around £146,000 the MF5 Roadster will certainly be exclusive as Wiesmann {link} intend on building a production run of 55 and no more.

Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen {link} have given the motoring world its first official look at the range topping Golf, the Golf R. Meant as a direct replacement for the out going mark 5 Golf R32 the mark 6 Golf R offers 270PS (a 20PS increase over the R32) and 350Nm of torque from a 2 litre turbocharged engine, thereby becoming the most powerful production Golf ever made. The TSI engine in the Golf R is similar to that fitted to the GTI but not the same. Originating in the mark 5 GTI the engine has undergone a large amount of development to produce 270PS; this includes stiffening of the cylinder block, new turbo, new intercooler, high pressure injectors and heavy duty internal parts.
As with the old R32 the Golf R uses Volkswagen’s 4motion 4 wheel drive system to transmit its power to the road, when combined with a DSG gearbox this means the Golf R can sprint from 0-62mph in a creditable 5½ seconds carrying on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.
The latest generation 4motion fitted to the Golf R is the most sophisticated yet and, for the first time, will allow almost all the power to be transmitted to the rear wheels only. The system is supposed to react quicker and smoother that the generation before thanks to the use of a new, pump driven pre-charged hydraulic system. Development of the transmission, and Golf R in general, started in the spring of this year at the motor industries favourite test track, the Nürburgring.
Working in conjunction with 4motion is enhanced ESP (with a specific ‚Sport’ mode designed predominantly for track use) and suspension that sits 25mm lower than standard. Wheels are 18“ as standard with 19“ optional, standard tyre size is 225/40..
Styling wise the Golf R To set the Golf R apart from a conventional Golf or has a new front fitted with LED running lights, a new rear bumper with a gloss black diffuser that houses the trademark pair of centrally exiting exhausts. The Golf R also comes a new black grille, wing mirrors and a set of sill extensions. Bi-xenon headlights are standard providing excellent forward lighting, the rear lights are unique to the Golf R with high-intensity LED bulbs and behind smoked lenses.
The interior remains traditional Golf with extra R badging and detailing, as per other R models this includes pedals, steering wheel and sill protectors.Volkswagen have mentioned that the Golf R (produced, incidentally, by Volkswagen Individual) is a more extreme performance model than the Scirocco R, claiming that where the Scirocco stops in terms of performance and handling the Golf R starts. Certainly Ford, Opel/Vauxhall and Renault will be studying the Golf R very carefully to see if it does set new standards in the performance (or ‚hot’) hatch segment.
Sales commence at the end of the year with prices expected to start around £28,500.

Irmscher Astra

Irmscher launched their tuning options for the Opel/Vauxhall Astra on their stand at the IAA (Frankfurt motor show) yesterday. For those who find the standard new Astra a tad run-of-the-mill Irmscher {link} are offering a comprehensive range of styling products, both exterior and interior.
Exterior styling products include a front spoiler/lip for the bumper, sideskirts, a rear diffuser/spoiler plus a roof spoiler. The traditional Irmscher grille is available for the new Astra in either stainless steel or carbon effect.
Dynamic improvements include 18” wheels (20” wheels are currently being developed), 30mm lowering springs and a quad piped, twin exit (left and right) stainless steel exhaust back box that offers better through flow, a sportier sound and improved aesthetics.
Irmscher are offering complete leather interior for the new Astra (including seats, door panels and centre rests), aluminium door pins, pedals and stainless steel sill covers.

Italian Grand Prix

Mercedes powered teams had a successful Italian Grand Prix last weekend. Brawn GP managed to secure 1st and 2nd with Rubens Barrichello leading home team mate and world championship leader Jenson Button. The Brawn GP duo were able to turn round a reasonably poor qualifying result (they qualified 5th and 6th respectively) into an impressive, and important result. After Jenson Button's poor finishing record of late the second place he earned settles his nerves and gives him increased confidence as he enters the last 4 races of the season. Meanwhile Barrichello has closed the gap to championship leader Button to 14 points. Brawn GP {link} now lead the team's championship by an impressive 40.5 points.

Force India {link} continued their highly impressive showing at high speed, low downforce circuits with Adrian Sutil claiming 4th overall from 2nd on the grid. This result helped counter the disappointment of seeing Antonio Liuzzi cost to a halt after 22 laps.

McLaren continue to show impressive pace but the race result proved to be quite frustrating. Lewis Hamilton lead the early stages of the Italian Grand Prix after starting on pole position and settled into a comfortable 3rd position once all the fuel stops had finished. Sadly, after giving his all in an attempt to catch and pass Jenson Button for 2nd a driver error resulted in a half spin which saw the MP4-24 slam into the barriers and instant retirement. Heikki Kovalainen qualified 4th and finished 6th which wasn't what he would have hoped for as he battles to justify his position in the McLaren {link} team.

BMW Sauber's fortunes continue to fluctuate and they enter the twilight of their F1 life. After a poor performance in qualifying (Robert Kubica qualified 13th two places in front of Nick Heidfeld) Kubica's race very short and action packed as he and Mark Webber came together and into retirement on the first lap. Heidfeld battled on and finally finished in the points in 7th overall. Neither BMW driver is in the top 10 of the world championship and BMW Sauber {link} are down in 7th in the team's championship, probably not the end the team would want to their Formula 1 experience.

Italian Grand Prix results:~

1. Barrichello Brawn GP / Mercedes
2. Button Brawn GP / Mercedes
3. Raikkonen Ferrari
4. Sutil Force India/Mercedes
5. Alonso Renault
6. Kovalainen McLaren Mercedes
7. Heidfeld BMW Sauber
8. Vettel Red Bull / Renault
9. Fisichella Ferrari
10. Nakajima Williams / Toyota
11. Glock Toyota
12. Hamilton McLaren Mercedes
13. Buemi Toro Rosso / Ferrari
14. Trulli Toyota
15. Grosjean Renault
16. Rosberg Williams / Toyota
Retired Liuzzi Force India / Mercedes
Retired Alguersuari Toro Rosso / Ferrari
Retired Kubica BMW Sauber
Retired Webber Red Bull / Renault

Magna seal deal to buy Opel and Vauxhall.

The German government have announced that GM are in the process of selling 55% of their European car manufacturing arm to Canadian car part manufacturer Magna.

Whilst much speculation suggested that GM would like to keep hold of Opel and Vauxhall conditions put in place by both American and German governments may well have forced GM into parting with companies it would have preferred to retain. Tellingly it was the German government that announced the sale of Opel and Vauxhall to their favoured bidder. Exact details of finance and time scales for the hand over have yet to be released.

With the Frankfurt motor show just days away an end to speculation as to who will own Opel should help them launch the new Astra with increased confidence.

Crunch time for GM Europe.

(New) General Motors are expected to announce what the future holds for Opel/Vauxhall as they announce who is buying (or not selling) GM Europe today at a press conference in Berlin, Germany.
It is thought that GM really do not want to sell the mainstay of GM Europe, hence the length of time they have deliberated about the sale and why no real news of favoured buyers has been released. Two days worth of meetings have been held in Detroit, America, by GM in an attempt to keep GM Europe in their control.
Whether GM not selling is a realistic option remains to be seen, the German Government (the the Opel Trust which is currently running GM Europe) have a very important say in the final decision on the future of both Opel and Vauxhall. So far all the Germans have said is „The €1.5 billion bridging credit is a loan. And a loan is a loan. GM must pay back the €1.5 billion under the conditions that we agreed on for Opel” and that there will be no more monies available should GM close factories in Germany. Whether this signals acceptance that GM are keeping GM Europe remains to be seen.
Certainly GM, Opel and the German government need a swift conclusion, the Frankfurt motor show and a German general election preclude any more stalling. The German voters and European car buying public need to know who owns Opel/Vauxhall and how secure their future is.....

Audi ring in the changes.

At this years IAA (Frankfurt motor show) Audi are using their new logo that debuted at their 100 years celebration. A refinement of the 4 rings and their typeface the update is nothing dramatic. The old logos will gently start to disappear from forecourts and paperwork as of the IAA, consigning the re-profiling of 1995 to history.
In conjunction with the new logo their will be 2 new models receiving their world premier at the IAA; the R8 Spyder and the A5 Sportback.
Filling voids in the Audi model range at different ends of the spectrum both cars are expected to draw plenty of attention and probably buyers too.
The A5 Sportback completes the A5 range and, surprisingly, offers almost exactly the same amount of luggage capacity as an A4 estate (seats up). There are 5 engine options available for the Sportback when sales commence this month. They are: 2 litre TFSI quattro (211PS), 3.2 litre FSI quattro (265PS) 2 litre TDI (170PS), 2.7 litre TDI (190PS) 3 litre TDI (240 PS). The S5 Sportback tops the range offering a supercharged 3 litre V6 FSI petrol engine producing an impressive 333PS and 440Nm of torque. A 7 speed S Tronic paddleshift gearbox transmits the powers through the quattro drive train to all 4 wheels.
Audi are adding to the R8 range with the R8 Spyder, a convertible version of the impressive Bavarian Coupe. The R8 Spyder on display at the IAA will not be the finished production model as there is still plenty of prototype testing to be done before sales start around June 2010. Expect the Spyder to have exactly the same engine and drive train options as its solid roofed sister, including the 525PS V10.
Neither the R8 Spyder not the R8 will have a diesel engine option for the foreseeable future. The diesel concept made it right to the test track but not quite as far as production and sales. Audi’s latest idea for the R8 uses electric power and will be on the Audi stand at the IAA.
Also debuting on the Audi stand is the A4 Clean Diesel which uses the 3 litre TDI seen in the Q7. The common rail V6 TDI engine provides excellent performance, fuel economy AND emissions due to clever use of so called AdBlue technology ~ and additive mixed with water and sprayed in the exhaust system. The A4 Clean Diesel should easily pass the Euro 6 emission levels expected in 2014.
The 1.2 TSFI A3 and A3 Sportback will also be unveiled at the show. Due in the dealerships early 2010 the new 1.2 A3 uses lightweight turbo technology to provide a reasonable 105PS and 175Nm of torque whilst returning good economy and keeping emissions low.

Astra debut.

Opel {link}, along with sister company Vauxhall {link}, are debuting the new Astra at this month’s Frankfurt motor show (IAA). The 5 door model will be available almost immediately after the show and this Astra is possibly one of the most important models for the struggling car manufacturer, should it receive bad reviews and be unpopular with the public the future for the European arm of GM would not be healthy. Opel and Vauxhall have chosen to debut the 5 door model as this is the body design which dominates old Astra sales.
More economical engines and a modern, Insignia based, design seem to almost guarantee a good reception with the motoring press and European car buying public.
There will be a range of 7 engines available for the Astra as soon as sales start. Power options vary from 95 to 180PS with a six speed automatic gearbox available for the 1400 turbo, 1600 and 1600 turbo petrol engines as well as the 2 litre diesel.
Also debuting at the IAA {link} is an Ecoflex version of the Astra (pictured) using a 1300ccm diesel engine. Expected to become one of the more popular models withing the Astra range the Ecoflex will be available in showrooms in early 2010.

Porsche 911 Sport Classic

”Out with the old and in with the new” is an oft used statement and when the new draws heavily on the old a future classic is always a possibility. Porsche Exclusive {link} (Porsche’s specialist tuning department) are launching the 911 Sport Classic at the IAA (Frankfurt Motor Show). A production run of 250 cars is planned; expect the 911 SC to sell out almost instantly.
The most interesting and striking feature on the SC harks back over 35 years to the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7; the “ducktail” rear spoiler has returned! Sitting between wider rear arches the unmistakable ducktail merges modern with classic beautifully. Whilst the ducktail spoiler is the most obvious feature of the new 911SC there are distinct differences over the Carrera S upon which the SC is based. For example a new spoiler adorns the front, whilst subtle roof bubbles on both passenger and driver side add an extra dimension to the external and internal styling.
Internally the Porsche 911 Sport Classic is modern through and through, drawing no design ideas from past times. New leather technologies have allowed the seat centre to be made from woven (yes woven) leather. The interior contrasts with the model specific exterior paint, Sport Classic Grey, which offers exclusivity and yet remains subtle and unobtrusive.
The wheels fitted to the 911 Sport Classic are a modern twist on a timeless classic, they may be 19” in diameter but they hark back to the Fuchs design of over 35 years ago, to the extent that they are black in colour just as the ever popular Fuchs wheels were.
Behind the Fuchs inspired wheels sit Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes whilst the rear wheels are driven through a 6 speed manual gearbox (no other option is available). The Porsche 911 Sport Classic sits some 20mm lower on its PASM suspension.
Power for the SC limited edition special is provided by a modified 3.8 litre engine which (after Porsche Exclusive have worked the magic) produces 408PS. By using direct fuel injection fuel consumption and emissions follow other models closely.
Sales of the Porsche 911 Sport Classic created by Porsche {link} Exclusive start in 2010, though with such a small production run the 1:43 model (launched at the same time) will be all bar a lucky few will own!

IAA - Frankfurt Motor Show.

This year's Frankfurt Motor Show will once again be crammed with new launches and hints to future designs and concepts, with German manufacturers using their home show to address their main market.

Whilst we will cover the show as extensively as possible the IAA is always worth a visit. The show runs from the 17th September to 27th September. The 17th and 18th are bonafide trade days, the rest are fully open to the public.

More information on the opening dates, ticket prices, exhibitors and exhibits can be found by following this link.

New hands!

German Cars Blog has new hands guiding it and we hope to offer a far more regular service than GCB of old!!

The tried-and-tested format will remain; with a little extra detail and more tests where possible. We look forward to offering factual and concise reports on everything associated with German motor manufacturers and their products, be they road, race or tuned cars.

The change at GCB has meant many weeks and events have passed; we hope to cover the important points in a few "catch-up" articles over the next few days.

Thanks to everyone who has visited already, we hope you come back regularly!