Max Moseley/FIA/F1 scandal.

The scandal that has engulfed the FIA President Max Mosley has drawn unfavourable responses from BMW and Mercedes and has resulted in both Porsche and Volkswagen reaffirming their commitment NOT to enter Formula 1.
BMW and Mercedes has stated that they feel the scandal requires Max Moslely to resign his presidency whilst the boards of Porsche and Volkswagen cited the scandal as a perfect reason why they feel F1 is unsuitable for their relevant companies.
Volkswagen also added that the sheer size of financial investment required to run a successful F1 team also made their entry impossible.

Audi dominate DTM.

Audi drivers finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall (top 10 results below) at the first round of this year’s DTM series. The podium lockout was a surprise for everyone, not least Audi who didn’t expect such a dramatic showing of speed from their new-for-2008 A4 race car. Mercedes had a disappointing event with 2008 title hopeful Paul di Resta challenging the lead Audi brace before slipping down the field when a clutch problem cost him over 30 seconds at his second scheduled pit stop. New boy and ex-Formula driver Ralf Schumacher made a solid series debut in his older spec car finishing a creditable, if unspectacular, 14th overall. Audi’s new British drivers had mixed results with Oliver Jarvis taking an impressive 9th at the chequered flag and Katherine Legge finishing 18th.
Mercedes are a little under pressure as the next DTM race is on the 20th April at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben.

Top 10 results DTM Round 1
1 Mattias Ekstrom Audi
2 Timo Scheider Audi
3 Tom Kristensen Audi
4 Bruno Spengler Mercedes
5 Martin Tomczyk Audi
6 Jamie Green Mercedes
7 Gary Paffett Mercedes
8 Bernd Schneider Mercedes
9 Oliver Jarvis Audi
10 Mike Rockenfeller Audi

Excellent results for Volkswagen in Formula 3.

Volkswagen declared themselves delighted by the result of the first round of the F3 Euro Series season at Hockenheim after their Formula 3 engine took two podiums during the race weekend. Volkswagen powered driver Edoardo Mortara is joint championship leader having taken two strong 3rd place finishes.
Speed trap recording show that the Volkswagen engine is as powerful as dominant Mercedes unit. Whilst Volkswagen seems to be capable of competing directly with German rival it only currently has 8 cars in the championship, considerably less than Mercedes which could prove to be a slight hindrance.

We're BACK!

After a lengthy office move, provider change, system refit and general problems for our staff we can finally say that GERMAN CARS BLOG is back publishing posts on everything related to German cars.
Hope you enjoy reading what we post!

There's such a lot gone by since we flickered away in January, we'll try to add so of the old news in amongst the current stuff as we progress.

Gumpert Apollo.

1468kgs combined with 650PS is a very respectable power to weight ration. Add in 850Nm of torque and it is clear that the Gumpert Apollo {link} is a serious super car. More figures reinforce the impression; 0-62 mph takes 3.9 seconds, 0-124 mph takes 10.9 seconds and the Apollo’s top speed is 222 mph.
Designed and built by former Audi Sport boss Roland Gumpert’s company the Apollo is a racecar for the road. Many cars make this claim but the Gumpert Apollo really is a road legal racer. Function has taken priority over form, the Apollo is designed to perform rather than parade. The extreme aerodynamic detailing of this 2 seat, mid engined sports car means that as it approaches top speed it generates more downforce than the car itself weighs, both impressive
There are very few creature comforts in the Gumpert Apollo, the sits are floor mounted and offer no adjustment (the pedals and steering wheel adjust) and those that there are come directly from an Audi parts bin. Switch gear, ventilation, dials other items are all from Ingolstadt though the carbon panels and alcantara padding most certainly isn’t, nor are the 4 point harnesses which offer added security compared to normal lap-and-diagonal seat belts. In car entertainment is limited to the steering wheel and pedals, they will provide more entertainment than any radio, CD or DVD player ever could!
Another Audi influence is the engine, normally found in the A8 the 4.2 litre V8 produces far more power than the standard 335PS of an A8. A couple of KKK turbo chargers help give the Gumpert Apollo the extra 325PS it produces and they keep power climbing high into the rev range. By using a six speed sequential gearbox the Apollo always has an ample supply of power and torque available for those lucky enough to drive it. Handling is always going to be at a premium for this type of car and the Gumpert Apollo uses true race bred technology in its suspension; fully independent, double wishbones from and rear with pushrod operated dampers.
The Gumpert Apollo is impressively powerful and undoubtedly very fast. It will also lap race circuits at exceptional speeds offer a very rewarding and ultimately thrilling drive. On the public road, in the wet or in the hands of a driver with more money than ability the Gumpert Apollo will not be a pleasant experience.
When a car is designed and focused so much on ultimate performance, as the Apollo undoubtedly is, then it looses vast amounts of practicality and almost becomes a road car white elephant; tailored to and from venues where it came be driven to its maximum capabilities and where it will definitely excel. Getting to and from those venues in a Gumpert Apollo would be too much of an unpleasant experience for all but the most dedicated…
The lucky 39 Gumpert customers who will receive their £228,000 cars in 2008 will be driving an automotive masterpiece. The fact that everyday driving is a chore should take nothing away from the Gumpert Apollo, it is a masterful and exceptionally capable super car. Currently it is the closest thing to a thorough bred racecar on the roads of Europe and I can’t see any manufacturers taking that title away from Roland Gumpert and his dedicated team of employees any time soon.

BMW Sauber F1.08.

BMW Sauber {link} launched their latest Formula 1 challenger, the F1.08, at BMW Welt with the sole aim of winning races in the coming season. Last year saw BMW clearly ahead of the mid-field teams in the F1 championship; the F1.08 is designed to move the German-Swiss team into the same league as McLaren Mercedes and Ferrari.
The BMW Sauber F1.08 is the most radical F1 car launched so far for the coming 2008 season. It has side wings that extend from just behind the fuel tank to the exhaust chimneys. Designed to clean airflow onto the rear wing these wings are also said to produce a quantifiable amount of downforce.
The whole design philosophy behind the F1.08 has been to make it as stable and neutral as possible, ensuring that without (the now banned) traction control the drivers have a car that reacts quickly to any driver input but one that is not balanced on a handling knife-edge. The car’s aerodynamic package has been devised to give constant handling even whilst cornering. The overall weight has been reduced to optimise ballast possibilities to aid handling and traction whilst both front and rear suspension have been re-designed for greater adjustability and driver feedback.
As with all other 2008 cars the BMW Sauber F1.08 sees the engine specification remain the same (development is frozen from last year) so there has been intense work on the peripherals to reduce weight, bulk and improve reliability. Unlike McLaren Mercedes the F1.08 gearbox is not all new though it is still under going test and development on the run up to the first race in March in Australia.
BMW Sauber are hoping that their F1.08 is sufficiently fast and driver friendly that their drivers, Nick Heidfeld {link} and Robert Kubica {link} can continually challenge the top two teams for victories. If it proves to be the case BMW Sauber will have performed the masterstroke of becoming a race winning team in three years.

Alpina B3.

The BMW M3 is the ultimate performance incarnation of the BMW 3 series but what if you want a slightly less extreme 3 series? The standard 335i isn’t all that impressive and leaves a large performance gap unfilled between it and the M3. That is unless you look at faithful BMW tuner Alpina’s B3. The B3 sits perfectly between the 335i and the M3, offering an ample 360PS (approximately 60 more than the 335i and 60 less than the M3).
Alpina {link} have been tuning 3 Series BMWs for nearly 30 years so the B3 is virtually guaranteed to be a good car. It doesn’t disappoint, the power delivery is smooth and effortless from the 3 litre twin turbo 6 cylinder. Slides can be induced if required but with all the electronic driver aides switched on the B3 remains very easy to drive even in the wet. Handling is crisp and precise, Alpina’s modifications not being overly detrimental to passenger comfort at all.
The Alpina B3 isn’t an outright performance car, despite sprinting to 62mph a tenth quicker than an M3. The subtle yet effective spoilers don’t draw attention, the refined leather interior is more comfortable than hardcore performance and that really sums the B3 up. It is a very quick 3 series BMW (available as saloon, coupe and cabriolet) that has excellent handling characteristics but that is not as, dare one say, power mad as the M3. It is though a far more interesting and enjoyable car than the standard BMW 335i and is a fine example of Alpina’s expert knowledge.

Opel Aura.

The launch of the Vectra replacement is fast approaching with Opel {link} dealerships preparing for the new Aura. Probably the most import Opel launch for many years the Aura needs to be instantly successful. With an elegant, almost coupe, design both hatchback and saloon certainly look good. The estate version also strikes an impressive pose.
Opel have invested heavily in making the Aura a more dynamic vehicle than its predecessor the Vectra with adaptive damping and even four wheel drive being available.
A larger selection of four and six cylinder engines (diesel and petrol) will be used in the Aura with top range models having between 200PS and 280PS.

Audi A5 TDI MTM.

For those who want S5 performance but would rather use diesel fuel Audi tuner MTM {link} are offering their tuned version of the 3 litre V6 TDI A5. Boasting an impressive 300PS and 580Nm at a mere 1300 rpm the MTM A5 is certainly powerful, the BMW 650i has a mere 490Nm of torque in comparison.
All that power and torque transfers safely and easily through the excellent 6 speed gearbox into the well respected Quattro four wheel drive system. As with the S5 oversteer can be provoked when conditions allow and with such a surge of power so low down the MTM A5 is a really enjoyable drive. MTM’s refined suspension and 21” wheel package makes the handling not only razor sharp but exceptionally capable too. There are very few cars that have as much grip as this MTM A5, fewer still that weight about 250kgs under 2 tonne!
The grip, handling and power from the MTM tuned V6 TDI mean that this diesel A5 is actually a quicker car than the S5 on most roads. A twisty B road will see the S5 efficiently outpaced by the MTM TDI, although at the end of the journey the S5 driver will have had a far more comfortable trip, MTM’s wheel and up-rated suspension result in an exceptionally stiff and passenger unfriendly ride.

Audi S5.

354PS is more than enough for an enjoyable drive almost anywhere. If this 354PS comes from a V8 engine fitted in the front of Audi’s reasonably new coupe it means you are driving the mightily impressive Audi S5. Disparagingly called a larger version of the TT the A5 has proven to be a good coupe and the S5 is a very good sports coupe.
Internally there is ample space and the cockpit layout is very much driver orientated with good comfort levels. The dashboard is clean and clutter-free mirroring the exterior styling. Only subtle spoilers differentiating this S5 from its lower spec A5 siblings.
Precise steering and solid handling combine with the highly impressive V8 and 6 speed gearbox resulting in a car that is both quick and enjoyable on B roads, A roads, motorways and even the odd track day too. Normal, everyday driving is not a chore, the S5 handles town traffic, bumpy roads and traffic jams perfectly. Once free from mundane real world road worries the S5 comes alive, its 4 wheel drive system providing massive amounts of grip but allowing oversteer when desired. When the S5 needs to be slowed the brakes prove to be more than capable, bringing the Audi to a halt quickly and efficiently.
If you want a Bavarian performance coupe then the Audi S5 is a good choice and offers good value for money. Audi {link} have created a car that is not quite in the same league as the BMW M3 but it is certainly better than the Mercedes CLK 500 and Alpina B3.

Ruf CTR 3.

As this is typed 20 orders have been taken for the Ruf CTR 3. It could be seen as the most dramatic incarnation of the Porsche Cayman yet it is so much more. For a start Ruf, who have been producing modified Porsche’s since 1963, have given the CTR 3 an ample 700PS twin turbo flat 6 power plant. Combined with a heavily improved chassis and suspension system and the CTR 3 is clearly a very fast and stable vehicle. The sequential six speed ‘box is light and easy to use, it does take a little time to get used to any sequential ‘box in a road car and the CTR 3 is no different. Once the driver has mastered pulling (to go up the ‘box) and pushing (to go down the ‘box) the sequential ‘box is as east to use as an H pattern gearbox in current production.
Ruf have created an exceptionally rapid sports coupe but they have not sacrificed usability for outright performance, the clutch doesn’t require super human effort to master, nor will it snap your leg off as it feeds in. The CTR 3 it is suitable for the school run or a trip to the newsagent for a bottle of milk, ESP keeps the power nicely in check when required and the suspension copes admirably with all road surfaces encountered ~ there are none of the traditional super car lurches, bangs or crashes on normal everyday roads, the CTR 3 really is a accomplished daily driver.
When performance and the Ruf CTR 3 are mentioned there are a few figures that spring to mind. Firstly the already mentioned 700PS, secondly a top speed of approximately 230mph and thirdly 890Nm of torque. With the sprint to 62mph taking a mere 3.2 seconds it is clear that the CTR 3 is blisteringly fast, it is in the true super car league.
If the dynamics and performance of the CTR 3 are impressive so is the mating of standard Porsche with Ruf genius. The interior is clearly directly from Zuffenhausen, retaining all the features and comforts one expects from a Porsche, including cup holder and Sat Nav. Yes the rear view mirror has been replaced by a mini-camera but even that doesn’t strike one as being out of place.
At over £345,000 it is clear that many more than 20 customers will be hard to find for this über-Cayman, those that can afford the Ruf CTR 3 will have smiles as wide as America across their faces from now until eternity.

TECH SPEC RUF CTR 3:~ 2 seat, 2 door Coupe. 3746cc 6 cylinder water-cooled flat six engine producing 700PS @ 7000rpm. 6 speed sequential gearbox. Rear wheel drive. Top speed 232mph. 0-62mph 3.2 seconds, 0-124mph 9.6 seconds.

McLaren Mercedes MP4-22.

Launched at the Mercedes Museum {link}, home to many evocative and highly successful race cars, the MP4-23 is McLaren’s 2008 Formula 1 car. After a stunningly successful but ultimately unrewarding 2007 season the MP4-23 is a clear development of the last year’s car. The 2007 car had very few flaws and those there were have clearly been addressed by this year’s MP4-23.
The latest McLaren Mercedes {link} has a longer wheel base to improve high speed handling, it is also lighter allowing greater use of ballast to improve traction and also tyre wear. A new, longer carbonfibre and titanium gearbox is the most obvious mechanical change over last year’s car. Aerodynamically the MP4-23 benefits from subtle and clever alterations; a new nose and fish-like gills at the rear of the rollhoop being the most obvious.
The complete McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 package is designed at negating the few advantages Ferrari’s F1 challenger had over the team last year. In a quiet and tranquil museum in Stuttgart last week the job seemed to have been done very successfully. A loud, bustling Melbourne in 2 months will offer the real proof. Whether Ferrari or McLaren Mercedes have achieved the best 2008 car will only be seen when the red lights go out on race day. With BMW aiming to make it a trio at the top the MP4-23 has a lot riding on it, yet the drivers and team seem confident that they can, at least, repeat last year’s successful results on any given race day.

Mercedes 300 SL.

The super car Mercedes SLR McLaren has its GT version (as mentioned in a far earlier posting) and there appears to be a GT version of the SL range being developed. As the current SL reaches the end of its model life (the replacement is due in 2012) Mercedes {link} are expected to launch their successor to the gull-winged 300SL. The 2 seater is destined to be powered by a V8 with a capacity of over 6 litres. Development of the car (known only as the W197 currently) is being undertaken by AMG rather than Mercedes partner McLaren. Production of the car is due to start in 2010 in Germany.

BMW M3 GT.

Coinciding with the launch of the latest BMW M3 the Bavarian marque will return to the American Le Mans Series {link}. The M3 GT will be developed in Germany by BMW Motorsport but is likely to be run by an American team when it makes its debut either later this year or for a full season in 2009. The BMW M3 GT is expected to be built to compete in the GT2 class ensuring it goes head-to-head with Ferrari and Porsche.

Mini for the future.

The Mini brand has got the SUV bug too! The Mini SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) is based on a Mini Clubman and uses BMW’s X drive four-wheel drive system to offer a compact, cheekily styled vehicle with some form of off-road capabilities. Not due for public consumption until the middle of 2010 we can still expect to see concept cars and pre-production models in 2008 and 2009.
The new Mini Cabriolet is prepared for its launch in Spring 2009 and follows its forebear closely in concept. The Mini should remain as popular and entertaining as ever although with delivery times in the region of 2 months for a Clubman some models may prove to be a little too popular in the short term.