News from Deutschland

Audi

Trying to convince the world that your products are just as good, if not better, than your competitor's is no easy task. Tradition, pedigree and badge value can't be bought, researched or invented.

Even so, Audi is still keen to get in the ring with the likes of the BMW 5-series and Mercedes Benz E-Class, to duke it out in the ultra-competitive medium luxury segment.

How will the German marque do this? With its fancy new Audi A6.

As you can see from the artist's sketch and the early photos, the grille has been extended much lower, harking back to yesteryear's designs. Combined with new head and tail lights, not only is this 'retro-chic' as some would say, but the larger grille will also offer the new breed of engines a better cooling capacity.

The new look is definitely more upmarket and, with any luck, will propel the new A6 into an era of popularity.

Furthermore, the new A6 is slightly larger in most respects than its predecessor and, like the new 2003 Audi A8, uses Audi's Space Frame (aluminium structure) technology to reduce weight.

The 2004 A6 will make use of the Quattro all-wheel drive power delivery system and buyers will also be able to order pneumatic (air) suspension too.

Powering the new medium luxury car will be any number of engines, as these haven't yet been finalised. It would be safe to say, however, that Audi's 3.0-litre V6, worth 179kW, will make the cut. Other powerplants rumoured to be on offer include the new 134kW 2.7-litre V6 and perhaps even a 200+ kilowatt V8. Europe will also get turbo diesel versions.

The new-look Audi A6 will go on sale in Europe in 2004, with an Avant model to follow. Can the new car be competitive? If looks are anything to go by, then yes. Let's just hope it handles as well as the Mercs and Beemers.

Porsche

While the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg are both based on the same chassis, both companies were originally set to announce their new products simultaneously at the Paris Motor Show. You could have called it a gentleman's agreement.

As you'll no doubt already know from our first look article on the Cayenne and Touareg, this didn't happen.

Like a kid with a new toy, Porsche jumped the gun showing off its first non-sportscar model. On paper, the new Porsche sounds unbeatable, but specifications can often be misleading.

Anyway, the one thing that the German automaker neglected to mention was price.

The S model comes with a naturally aspirated 4.5-litre V8, while the pricier Turbo gets the same V8 with a new exhaust system, a new fuel computer and twin turbochargers. The result is a whopping 336kW of power and 620Nm of torque.

These prices are simply the US dollar conversions - expect the asking price to be a little higher than this when they release locally.

Pricing:

• Cayenne S - $US55,900 ($104,200)
  

• Cayenne Turbo - $US88,900 ($165,700)

The new 4WD Porsche will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, which begins on September 28, 2002. When this happens, we'll know more about what options, extras and standard features both vehicles will offer.

BMW

Perhaps the most interesting news of this Germanic trio, it seems BMW is working on a replacement for the funky-looking M3 Coupe.

Even more interesting, however, is the name change that is rumoured to occur. You can forget getting mixed up with the M3 from the 3-series and M3 Couple from the Z-series, as BMW insiders are calling the new model the Z5.

From the "clothes off" shot you can see that the Z5 has a slight resemblance to the 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10. Is it a coincidence that BMW's new head of design is Chris Bangle, an American?

The new look is a similar in profile (side-on) to the upcoming BMW Z4, yet the front-end of the Z5 is quite different, going for a less 'bulgy' and more angular look.

The two-door coupe is currently in the testing phase, as you can tell from the black disguises used on photos 2 and 3. No word on a release date as yet, but surprisingly, word is it will emerge sooner rather than later.

Sharing components of the upcoming Z4, the Z5 is also likely to borrow many elements from the X Coupé concept, such as tail lights.

Furthermore, the next generation coupe is expected to be one of these ultra-light performance cars, somewhat similar to a Lotus Elise, for instance. As such, we can expect seminal handling and feedback from this rear-wheel driver.

Sure, it won't come close to the Elise's mind-boggling 710kg mass, but in using aluminium, and even kevlar for areas such as the door panels, boot and bonnet, the new Beemer is expected to weigh in at around 1000kg.

While you may be wondering why this is such a big deal, considering your average Honda Civic weighs only a few kilos more, how many Civic's boast a power output of 164kW? Well, admittedly the Civic Type R does come close...

The 164kW figure will arrive courtesy of a 3.0-litre BMW mill, an inline six-cylinder to be exact. More interesting, however, is the speculation that the BMW M5's engine will be transplanted into the Z5's spacious engine bay.

This would make for a seriously fast rear-wheel drive coupe, as this 5.0-litre V8 engine is highly tuned for a rather tasty 298kW @ 6600rpm. Likewise, 500Nm of torque is quite a bit of twist, and you can bet there'll be a fair amount of Formula One technology in there as well.