Opel Astra OPC / Vauxhall Astra VXR

Opel (plus Vauxhall) will be using the forth coming Geneva motorshow to showcase the Astra OPC EXTREME (Vauxhall Astra VXR EXTREME) which will become the basis for a future, low-volume production model.

Derived from the last year's Astra Cup race car that competed in the Nürburgring Endurance Championship, the EXTREME is a road-legal motorsport base model that will top the current Astra range, sitting above the current Astra VXR in terms of performance and cost.

The EXTREME design study boast a lightweight design, two competition 'bucket' seats, roll cage and race harnesses - the road model will be slightly less, well, extreme.

The current Astra OPC/VXR is now the best-selling OPC/VXR model and, very tellingly, the UK remains the largest market in Europe for Vauxhall and Opel's highest powered models.

MINI John Cooper Works Concept

Debuting at the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit the MINI John Copper Works Concept offers a glimpse of what the future may hold for the iconic small car. The study car will be presented for the first time in Detroit and flies the flag for innovative sportiness in time-honoured John Cooper Works style.

The MINI John Copper Works Concept features paintwork in Bright Highways Grey, Sports strips, coloured body accents, bespoke aerodynamic features including large air intakes, a model-specific John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit (comprising  specially contoured side skirts, rear apron, a diffuser element, roof spoiler and C-pillar elements), LED headlights, twin tailpipes and a black surround for the front grille.

Volkswagen Beetle Dune

As America feels the brunt of an exceptionally cold winter Volkswagen are preparing their new Volkswagen Beetle Dune concept for its debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next week.
The Beetle Dune is based on the latest version of the iconic Volkswagen, adding a rugged off-road look to the popular car.  The body is raised by 50 mm compared with a standard Beetle, while 19-inch wheels with large tyres increase ground clearance and offer a more all-terrain look.  A rear-mounted ski-rack is reminiscent of those fitted to classic Beetles ensuring the Dune offers a little confusion - skiing and sand dunes?
The latest Beetle Dune concept also revisits an idea from January 2000, when Volkswagen showed the New Beetle Dune concept in Los Angeles.  Whilst that concept was far from a production possibility, the new Beetle Dune is very much based on the current production model, using the same 210 PS turbocharged petrol engine and six-speed DSG gearbox, providing power to the front wheels.
More information and images of the 2014 Beetle Dune concept will be available as soon as the car makes its debut at the NAIAS on 13 January.

BMW 4 Series Cabriolet

The BMW 4 Series Cabriolet got its world premiere at the Tokyo Motorshow. The 4 Series Cabriolet is a replacement for the open-top 3 Series. The BMW 4 Series cabrio is already in production and is set to go on sale next March, initially as petrol powered 428i and 435i versions along with a diesel 420d version. Further engines will be added to the range as the production run continues.

The emphasis with the new car (4 Series Cabriolet) was greater acoustic comfort in the cabin and improved accessibility for loading - especially over the out-going 3 Series Cabriolet. To that end the three-piece retractable hard top has a noise-absorbing roof liner which is designed to lower sound levels in the rear of the cabin by two decibels and make normal conversation possible at speeds of 100mph. There is also a new design of wind break which improves the comfort of occupants once the BMW 4 Series Cabriolet is being driven roof stored away. BMW's new compact convertible now has a load assistance switch which raises the rear of the hard top when the car is closed to make it easier to through-load into the cabin, ensuring practicality remains a key feature of the 4 Series Cabriolet.

Volkswagen Twin Up!

The Volkswagen twin up! concept car is a hybrid version of VW's ever popular city car and uses an 800ccm two-cylinder turbo-diesel engine in conjunction with a 27 kW electric motor and seven-speed DSG gearbox to provide ultimate city car economy. The twin up! is able to reach a combined fuel consumption figure of 256.8 mpg.

The twin up! diesel and electric drivetrain is a version of the that found in the pioneering XL1. A decoupling clutch between the diesel and electric motors allows the electric motor to operate independently.  Provided that there is sufficient battery charge, the driver can press the e-mode button for emissions-free driving. On electric power alone the twin up! can operate at speeds of 77 mph, and accelerate from zero to 37 mph in 8.8 seconds. The range on batteries alone is up to 31 miles. When braking, the electric motor acts as a generator, and the braking energy is used to charge the battery, under appropriate conditions the TDI engine can be used to charge the battery too.

The twin up!'s diesel engine and electric motor each produce up to 35 kW, while the maximum system power output of the twin up!'s front-mounted drivetrain is 55 kW. Using diesel and electric motors together, the car can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 15.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of 87 mph. Combined torque peaks at 215 Nm. All this combined with good aerodynamics (0.30 Cd), a low unladen weight (1,205 kg) despite the addition of the lithium-ion batteries and 165/65 R15 tyres optimised for low rolling resistance all help to maximise the twin up!'s efficiency, and to achieve the 256.8 mpg combined fuel consumption figure and 27 g/km CO₂ emissions.

Audi Sport Quattro concept

Audi have a new Sport Quattro on display at the forth coming Frankfurt IAA Motorshow. Inspired by the ever popular Sport version of the Ur-Quattro the 2013 concept might take its styling concept from the short wheel base Group B rally car but it benefits from a very modern combination of electric and petrol powerplants that offer a total of 700PS (800Nm of torque) when working together. The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine develops 552PS with the electric motor providing a healthy 148PS on its own (driving range on the electric motor alone is claimed as 31 miles). Power is transmitted via an eight-speed automatic gear box with a claimed top speed of 189mph and the the 0-62 dash taking 3.7 seconds.

The Sport Quattro concept is slightly shorter than an Audi A5 Coupe, although it has a longer wheelbase, it is however slightly wider than an A5 Coupe. Many of the car's design details hark back to the original Sport Quattro with modern composite and aluminium panels keeping weight to around 1850kg.

Whilst there are no concrete plans for production just yet it is more than possible that a small production run of Sport Quattros could be ready for customers by 2016. As a range topping halo model the Sport Quattro would certainly find buyers, although the expected price of £150,000 means a production run similar to the original's 224 could be as many as Audi can sell.

2013

1984

Flat four to return?

It is almost guaranteed that Porsches will once again be powered 4 cylinder engines, many years after they were last used. The Porsche board are thought to have given approval or the new engine once they received assurances that only Porsche will be allowed to use the newly designed boxer engine.
The entry level Boxster and Cayman could be powered by a 4 cylinder boxer engine as soon as 2014 with the "Baby Boxster" also using the engine when it reaches the showrooms in 2015 - other parts may be shared with the other VW Group models but the 2.5 engine will remain solely for Porsche's use.
The flat four (boxer) motor is expected to be quite potent when fitted in the Boxster and Cayman, providing 350PS from a single turbo, it will provide greater power and torque than the current flat six 2.7 litre engine currently used in both models. Fuel consumption and emissions are also expected to be better than the current 2.7 engine. The "Baby Boxster" will most likely have a non-turbo version fitted, retaining the boxer sound and characteristics thus differentiating it from the Audi and Volkswagen offerings.
Here at German Cars Blog we're looking forward to a free revving 4 cylinder boxer powering a small entry level 2 seater similar to the 914 of old. An increase in power for the base model Boxster and Cayman can also only be a good thing! 
The IAA in Frankfurt this year (2013) is expected to be the official unveiling of the latest 4 cylinder in Porsche’s history, more pointers towards the “Baby Boxster” are also expected.

VW Futura

For the 1989 IAA in Frankfurt Volkswagen gave their IRVW 4 its debut, the concept car was more commonly known to the press and public as the Futura. Designed to show what motoring in the year 2000 would be like it was received with usual mixture of hype, excitement and cynicism.
Now that we're well and truly into the 21st century it's worth looking back to see how good Volkswagen's crystal ball really was.....
A car goes nowhere without an engine and the Futura had the earliest incarnation of a VW direct injection petrol engine, the1700cc engine wouldn't be out of place in any car today - although the meagre 82PS shows how much development has been undertaken in the passing 23 years.
Electronic brake distribution and electronic power steering were also key features of the Futura; once again these are common place in the 2013 motoring world. So far the crystal ball seems to be on top form!
In 1989 a magical Park Assist system set the tongues of the motoring world wagging, after all who would want such a system and it would never work in the real world would it? Most drivers might not need the system (some certainly do!) but it's available on a selection of models and - as yet - no stories of cars running amok have surfaced. The Park Assist system also provided the Futura the benefit of parking sensors too, a feature seen on virtually every model from every manufacturer these days. Yet more successful gazing into the future by the Futura designers...
Colour digital information displays are old hat in 2013 but they were considered items of wonder in 1989, easy to understand when you think Volkswagen's Golf was still only in its mark 2 form... With an integrated Sat Nav and mobile phone system the Futura would certainly not look out of place in a dealership or on the road in 2013.
Not everything on the Futura has made it into production, gull wing doors are still exotic, white dashboards are rare, sound compensating systems haven't become common place and seats that can be transformed into child seats are only just being put into mass production. The high tech CD music system of the Futura would look sadly out of place in a current car; technology has already left the CD floundering in its wake - something the designers of the Futura were unable to foresee.
Clearly not everything on the Futura is now available throughout the Volkswagen range but all the really remarkable features (in the eyes of 1989 motorists) are readily available in 2013.
It is easy to write concept cars off as styling and PR exercises but if you look back at them not all are as worthless as they may first seem.

BMW at Auto China 2012

World premiere – the new BMW 3 Series sedan in the long wheelbase version.
Developed at BMW head office in Germany, it will be rolling off the production line in the new Shenyang production plant and celebrating its world premiere at Auto China 2012 in Beijing – the new BMW 3 Series sedan in the long wheelbase version. With its wheelbase extended by 11 cm, a conspicuously elegant design, and the best rear seat travel comfort among the competition, this new model fulfils precisely the expectations of Chinese automobile customers. They can choose from the BMW 335Li, the BMW 328Li, or the BMW 320Li, each fitted with a powerful and efficient engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology. Also presented at Auto China will be the new BMW 3 Series sedan with the normal wheelbase and the full hybrid model BMW ActiveHybrid 3.
Asian premiere – the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe.
Fascinating aesthetics and thrilling driving pleasure are the hallmarks of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, which at Auto China 2012 will be announcing the advance of German premium automobile manufacturers on a new vehicle segment. The brand’s first four-door coupe combines the sporty, elegant styling of the BMW 6 Series with a luxurious interior ambience and a high level of seating comfort in the rear. The offer in China will include the BMW 640i Gran Coupe with its inline six-cylinder engine and the BMW 650i Gran Coupe whose new V8 drive can also be combined with the intelligent all-wheel-drive system BMW xDrive. The BMW Individual programme available for the launch will boost the exclusive appeal of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
Asian premiere – the new BMW M6 Coupe.
The new BMW M6 Coupe embodies high performance in its purest form. The high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo Technology and 412 kW / 560 bhp, the seven-speed M dual transmission Drivelogic, the Active M Differential, the M specific suspension technology, extensive body reinforcements, and the optionally available M Carbon ceramic brake represent an advance into a whole new dimension of driving dynamics. The sporty, elegant lines of the two-door model are supplemented with hallmark M design features. One highlight is the strikingly contoured roof of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic.
Asian premiere – the new BMW X3 xDrive28i.
Yet another variant of the BMW X3 now features BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology for intensified driving pleasure and reduced fuel consumption. The new BMW X3 Drive28i is powered by a 180 kW / 245 bhp four-cylinder engine that not only develops optimised pulling power, but also enhances greatly the efficiency of this Sports Activity Vehicle by interacting with the eight-speed automatic transmission, the automatic engine start-stop function, brake energy regeneration, and ECO PRO mode activated at the drive experience switch.
Asian premiere – the new BMW X6.
The BMW X6 is the world’s first and only Sports Activity Coupe and now presents specific design modifications and innovative equipment features serving to underscore its exclusive status. Among other things, the new BMW X6 has a particularly strikingly designed radiator grille, higher fog lights, and rear lights featuring LED technology. The new BMW X6 is the only vehicle in its segment to be optionally available with adaptive LED headlights.
Asian premiere – new BMW ConnectedDrive services.
The BMW ConnectedDrive range on the Chinese automobile market will be supplemented with new functions for optimising infotainment access, comfort, and safety. These optional apps allow, for instance, access to webradio stations and social networks in the vehicle. Moreover, BMW models can now be fitted with the BMW Head-Up Display and the Surround View system.
Attraction: the BMW i3 Concept.
With individually tailored vehicle concepts, sustainability throughout the entire supply chain, and supplementary mobility services, BMW i has created a whole new understanding of individual mobility. The central focus is on groundbreaking models which set new milestones along the road to CO₂-free motoring by means of innovative drivetrain technology and consistent lightweight construction. At Auto China 2012, visitors will be presented with the BMW i3 Concept, whose powerful electric drive and innovative passenger cell of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic provide the ideal conditions for zero-emissions driving in local urban traffic. This BMW i study provides a look ahead to the very first electrically powered premium vehicle, due to go on the market as early as 2013 as the BMW i3.

Volkswagen Amarok Canyon

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presented an extreme version of the successful Amarok pick-up at the recent Geneva International Motor Show; the Amarok Canyon concept vehicle.  Specially configured for the popular extreme sport of ‘freestyle kayaking’, this impressive show car illustrates how versatile pick-up configurations can be created.  
The concept vehicle is significantly taller and wider than the production Amarok. The Amarok’s body (in bright Baladi Orange) was raised by 40 mm with a body lift kit; and when the tyres are included, the concept is a full 85 mm taller than the production model.  The freestyle pick-up also has auxiliary headlights mounted on its roof, and additional visual accents are provided by the smoked rear lights and the colour-contrasting underbody protection. Two electrically deployed tread plates make it easy for all occupants to step into and out of the vehicle, despite the raised ride height.
The tread plates were designed to be visually unobtrusive, and they retract when the vehicle is moving to maintain the standard Amarok Canyon’s traditional high level of off-road capability.  As noted, the concept car’s width has also increased to accommodate outdoor activities. The wheel housings were widened by 35 mm on each side to make room for the big AT tyres, size 275/65 R 18, mounted on ‘Durban’ type wheels painted in ‘High Gloss Adamantium Dark’.
The two carbon fibre kayaks are securely mounted to the cargo floor: at the rear, the floor is designed with two formed cut-outs with soft padding, while the kayak bows are mounted on a styling bar in ‘High Gloss Adamantium Dark’ with straps for firmly securing the boats. The paddles are firmly latched in place on the inside surface of the easy-to-operate tailgate, ready to grab. All other gear – white-water helmets, flotation devices and rafting shoes – are also stowed securely: the helmets in nets on the front wall of the cargo bed, and the rest of the gear in smaller boxes that can be locked with watertight lids.
Inside, a special colour scheme was used with many details and new accents. The leather seats have two-tone styling: the seating surfaces are in ‘sterling’ colour, while the head restraints and side supports are elegantly offset in ‘adamant’ colour. The decorative seams on the seats take on the orange-red colour of the body. This colour is also reflected in numerous other details such as in the seams of the three-spoke steering wheel and gear shift lever trim, the safety belts and the air outlets. Housed in a cowl in the cockpit are three auxiliary instruments. They show the climbing and tilt angles of the Amarok, which gives the driver key information for extra safety on extreme off-road drives.
To enable maximum off-road capability, the Amarok concept vehicle is powered by a torque-strong 2.0 TDI bi-turbo with 180 PS, which provides a maximum torque of 400 Newton metres over engine speeds ranging from 1,500-2,250 rpm.  The switchable 4MOTION all-wheel drive system – together with a reduction gearbox and differential lock at the rear axle – ensures effective power transfer to the wheels even in the toughest off-road conditions.

BMW M3 GTR

BMW’s M3 GTR is finally coming to a European race circuit! It makes its European debut at the Nürburgring on the 3rd of October, with a second outing planned on the 17th of October.
The car is enetered into the final 2 rounds of the German VLN Endurance Championship by the works favoured Schnitzer team and will be driven by current WTCC drivers Andy Priaulx (17th Oct.), Augusto Farfus (3rd Oct.), Dirk Müller (17th Oct.) and Jörg Müller (3rd Oct.).The two events are seen as important development excercises for the M3 GTR as BMW try and improve their car for the coming 2010 season. Results in America have proven to be good but the GTR is yet to be a consistant class winner and the races at the world’s toughest race track are hoped to bring an extra competive edge.

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.