Month: June 2021

Spectacular motorsport in the dunes of Senegal: At the second appearance of the Extreme E, this time on the West African Atlantic, the ABT CUPRA XE team collected further valuable championship points with a fifth place and caused more than one sensation on the track: The team from Germany missed the final of the top four by only nine tenths of a second in an exciting semi-final.

After a difficult start to the new all-electric racing series during the season opener in Saudi Arabia in April, the next challenge awaited the team at the famous Lac Rose: Claudia Hürtgen, the regular driver at Mattias Ekström’s side, had to pull out due to illness. She had already not felt well after waking up on Friday morning, but still fought her way through the day, completed the shakedown and the free practice, but was then no longer able to take part in the weekend.

The team sent best wishes for recovery and at the same time welcomed a prominent substitute driver: Jutta Kleinschmidt, who exactly 20 years ago crossed the finish line of the legendary Dakar Rally, just 300 metres away from the paddock, as the first and so far only female winner. “I’m really happy to get this chance in this team and to compete in a real race again after many years,” said Kleinschmidt, who was doing her seat test in the e-CUPRA ABT XE1 on Friday evening. “I have a lot to learn and I am grateful for the support of Mattias and the whole team.”

Too much of modesty. From the first lap of qualifying on Saturday morning, Jutta Kleinschmidt was one of the fastest women in the field, earning the utmost respect from fans, media and competitors within hours. “I’m impressed how quickly Jutta got used to our car and all the procedures – that’s a lot of fun,” said Mattias Ekström. The Swede delivered another stellar performance in Senegal and led ABT CUPRA XE all the way to the first, strongly contested semi-final. There, too, Ekström handed over the race car in the lead to Jutta Kleinschmidt, who lost a few seconds during the driver change due to a problem with the radio. Although the German fought her way back on the six-kilometre circuit and even set the fastest lap time of the female rivals, she still had to admit defeat at the finish by just nine tenths of a second.

“At the moment I am terribly annoyed, because we would have had the best chances for the final and thus also for a podium place,” said Jutta Kleinschmidt. “But it’s outweighed by gratitude for the surprise of having been part of this team and this championship this weekend.”

“This weekend Extreme E showed its true colours for the first time with spectacular wheel-to-wheel duels,” said Mattias Ekström, who showed all his experience and coolness especially in the direct semi-final duel with nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb and three-time World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson. “We can be disappointed today because much more would have been possible. But we also know about the real strength of our car by now at the latest – that makes us very keen on the next race.”

The next Extreme E event is scheduled in exactly three months, the so-called Arctic X Prix in Greenland. Around Kangerlussuaq, where the effects of climate change on the world’s glaciers can be observed in a particularly impressive way, ABT CUPRA XE will then fight for the first trophy of the premiere season.

The powerful and spacious Audi Q7 was launched in 2005. But the SUV is by no means an old-timer, as the second generation received an update in 2019. This redesign formed the basis of the SQ7, which was introduced in autumn 2020 and is powered by a burly bi-turbo engine. With 507 HP (373 kW), the 2.3-tonne standard version of the all-wheel drive car is catapulted from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds – a current 911 does not achieve this any quicker. ABT Sportsline has now made sure that the latter even loses out to the SQ7. The brilliant Bavarians have introduced their ABT Power S performance upgrade* for the SUV – thanks to the high-tech ABT Engine Control (AEC) unit, the 4-litre TFSI now delivers an impressive 650 HP (478 kW) and 850 Nm. This equates to a significant increase of 143 HP (105 kW), which definitely launches the large-format SQ7 to a RS level of performance.

But of course the world’s largest automotive aftermarket and performance parts specialist for Audi and VW has more to offer then merely improving performance. The Bavarian company offers a package consisting of the mentioned performance upgrade ABT Power S, an aero package with front and rear skirt add-ons and door strip attachments, 4 end pipes with a diameter of 102 mm and the HR22 wheel set in dark smoke or glossy black – the GR22 in matt and glossy black is optionally available for the package – at a price of EUR 20,900 plus EUR 3,219 installation and paint costs. Prices for the ABT SQ7 as a complete vehicle start at EUR 121,319. All stated prices include VAT. A wide range of additional individual tuning options for the SQ7, such as the interior is available in the latest ABT Configurator.

Off to the next adventure: This weekend, Extreme E (29/30 May) will be competing on the Atlantic coast of Senegal. After a chaotic season opener in the Saudi Arabian desert at the end of March, Claudia Hürtgen and Mattias Ekström want to attack and fight for trophies with their ABT CUPRA XE team.

“The first event was a very special experience for our team, but it turned out differently to what we had hoped for,” says ABT CEO Thomas Biermaier. In Saudi Arabia, the car first rolled over in qualifying due to a technical defect and had to be completely rebuilt overnight in record time. On race day, Claudia Hürtgen had to retire from the race after a competitor made contact with her, through no fault of her own.

Nevertheless, positive insights were gathered. “We saw strong performances from Claudia and Mattias on the track and a fantastic team spirit from the crew in the paddock,” says Biermaier. “That’s why our goal remains the same: we want to have a clean Saturday with the heats and then move into the final. Bringing home a trophy from Senegal would be a great reward for everyone after a tough start to our Extreme E adventure together.”

The site at the famous Lac Rose is about 30 kilometers east of the Senegalese capital Dakar. Beach, sandbanks, salt beds, gravel and forest sections between the lake and the Atlantic Ocean form the terrain for the second of a total of five rounds this season. More races in Greenland, Brazil and Patagonia are planned until the end of the year.

Claudia Hürtgen: “We are simply starting the season once again”

“Our wild weekend in Saudi Arabia is behind us and now we are just beginning the season again in Senegal,” says Claudia Hürtgen. After her two accidents at the end of March, the only German driver in the series is fit again and ready for the next challenge. “From the series’ point of view, I thought the season opener was very successful: Extreme E really manages to combine the themes of racing and raising awareness for the environment in a great way. I received a lot of positive feedback.” Claudia Hürtgen prepared for Senegal with a few off-road days and is now also paying special attention to the inspection of the 6.260-kilometer track: “This is a very decisive factor of the weekend, because we have very little time to learn the course properly. There’s the track inspection, then a short free practice session and then it’s on to the important qualifying heats.”

Mattias Ekström: “First fun, now a trophy”

Mattias Ekström looks back on the season opener in Saudi Arabia with a smile. “Off of the track, it was probably the craziest thing I’ve done in my career so far.” The Swede spent hours working with the mechanics and his teammate Claudia Hürtgen to rebuild the e-CUPRA ABT XE1 in time for Sunday’s race. “The guys looked a bit scared at first when I picked up the tools, but then they realized that I know my way around a bit and could at least be a little help.” Among other things, Ekström got himself in the mood for Senegal by taking part in the Andalusia Rally and presents himself boldly: “At the opener, we had fun and performed well, the only thing missing was a trophy. We are travelling to Africa to win the race.”

Extreme E live on ProSieben MAXX and ran.de

Extreme E has succeeded in attracting renowned television partners from all over the world. For example, the BBC, Eurosport, FOX or Sky will broadcast the final races on Sunday. In Germany, ProSieben MAXX will be broadcasting live from Senegal from 4 pm on Sunday, 30 May. The races will be commentated on by Eddie Mielke, who fans already know from the DTM and Formula E broadcasts. The semi-finals on Saturday (from 13:30) and the “Crazy Race” on Sunday (from 12:00) will also be shown live on ran.de, as well as on the Extreme E channels. A complete list of all the channels can be found here: www.extreme-e.com.

Daniel Abt reports live from Senegal

Daniel Abt makes his debut in the Extreme E paddock in Senegal. In his role as CUPRA brand ambassador, the most successful German Formula E driver will be reporting on the brand’s social media channels during the race week, hosting interviews with Claudia Hürtgen and Mattias Ekström and taking a look behind the scenes of the race series for the fans. “I’ve already been following the preparation of our race car in Kempten and now I’m excited to see the action along the coast,” says Abt. The 28-year-old German will also be seen in the broadcasts on ran.de and ProSieben MAXX this weekend.

Racing for a Reason: The Challenges of the Lac Rose Region

Extreme E is not only about motorsport, but also about racing against climate change. Each event is used by the series and teams to draw attention to special challenges in the region. Lac Rose, on the west coast of Africa, is the venue for the Ocean X Prix and draws attention to the threats faced by the oceans: half of the coral reefs and a third of the mangroves and sea grasses have already been lost, leaving coastal ecosystems exposed to erosion, storm damage and food shortages. Important fish stocks are disappearing and plastics, oil spills and chemicals are destroying the marine environment and contaminating food chains. Climate change is causing ocean temperatures to increase, making them more acidic and bleaching coral reefs, melting ice at the poles and endangering the life they harbor. Most importantly, global warming is causing sea levels to rise, putting some islands and coastlines at risk of disappearing altogether.

GridPlay: How fans can support ABT CUPRA XE

The best start position in the final can play a deciding factor and that is in the hands of the fans. From 26 May until 60 minutes after the start of the “Crazy Race” on Sunday, fans can vote twice a day via the Extreme E website or on Twitter using the hashtags “#GridPlay #ClaudiaHürtgen” or “#GridPlay #MattiasEkström”. The team with the most accumulated votes from the fans gets to choose its position on the start line. Additional strategic element: The teams that do not reach the final also play an important role by passing on their votes to a team of their choice.

The Audi SQ8 is a combination of several vehicle classes – as such, it is an impressive sports car, coupé and SUV all in one. The SQ8 was introduced in 2019 as a TDI. Since last year, the powerful all-rounder cruises with a 4-litre V8 bi-turbo petrol engine under the hood. The series model of this spacious SUV delivers a hefty 507 HP (373 kW) with a maximum torque of 770 Nm. The SQ8 achieves 0-100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds, almost as fast as its brother, the RSQ8, which boasts 600 HP. If the engineers at ABT Sportsline are commissioned to give the “little” brother SQ8 a performance upgrade*, it trumps its sibling in the HP stakes by 50 HP (37 kW). Thanks to the high-tech control unit ABT Engine Control, the TFSI engine delivers a sensational 650 HP (478 kW) and 850 Nm of torque! It now hits 100 km/h in an extremely rapid 3.8 seconds, with acceleration to match its big brother, the RSQ8 exactly. With its listed maximum speed of 250 km/h, the latter must admit defeat to the ABT SQ8, whose power in this category delivers 270 km/h and more than outdoes the competition.

In addition to this performance statement, the world’s largest automotive aftermarket and performance parts specialist for Audi and VW also offers a selection of visual enhancements for the SQ8. For example, the multi-component ABT Aero Package, comprising front skirt add-on, rear skirt set and rear spoiler. With regard to rims, the Bavarians recommend their High Performance GR flowforming model in an appropriate 23-inch size, which is available in matt black or glossy black for the SUV. ABT Sportsline is putting together an attractive package: It comprises the Power S performance upgrade to 650 HP, the GR23 wheel set and the Aero Package for EUR 22,900 plus installation and paint costs of EUR 3,445. Prices for the ABT SQ8 as a complete vehicle start at EUR 130,795. All stated prices include VAT. For further individual tuning options for the SQ8, such as the interior, visit the ABT Configurator.

It can get pretty stormy in a Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Cabriolet: After all, the car uses an impressive 510 hp (375 kW) and 700 Nm to propel the driver and up to three passengers through the air – without ever losing its grip on the road. The German tuning company Sportservice Lorinser now adds a few wind force levels to that: For 2,499 euros plus installation, the discerning customers can expect 598 hp (440 kW) and 830 Nm. And for those who are not entirely comfortable at the upper end of the Beaufort scale, this and of course all the following extras are of course also available for the Coupé, Sedan or Wagon.

The “powerhouse” is based on the innovative Lorinser PowerModule, with which the tuner recently rang in a new era of power boosts. The benefits compared to the previous generation are already evident during installation, which only takes a short time in the workshop thanks to the plug-and-play concept: All connections are simply plugged in, so the entire process is nondestructive and can be reversed at any time. Getting more power under the hood has rarely been this quick. Convenient: Although the software for each PowerModule is meticulously adapted to the respective engine, the hardware can be transferred into another Mercedes if required. In this case, only a flat fee of 300 euros will be charged for complete reprogramming.

But who would want to part with a cabriolet that gives driver and passengers such an exciting driving experience? Those looking for a little change in appearance can invest in attractive side mirror covers (799 euros) made of matt real carbon from Sportservice Lorinser.

The 19 or 20 inch “turbine” wheels are another attractive highlight. The distinct RS8 alloy wheels are a true classic in the range of the Mercedes tuner and convey a highly dynamic feeling. They are available in an elegant silver color or in racy black for a price of 2,599 euros per set. The immense and aggressive RS9 with its five double-slotted spokes offers a 19 inch alternative for 2,949 euros per set. With so much fine tuning, the sky is practically the limit for the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Cabriolet.

Webcon is delighted to advise that the superb MSX crossflow cylinder head for the MGB is once again in full production and is available from stock.

The MSX crossflow cylinder head is manufactured from lightweight aluminium which makes it approximately 50% lighter than the stock iron head. It is also easier to modify and has significantly better heat dissipation qualities.

The MSX crossflow cylinder head allows the fitment of a pair of Weber DCOE carburettors or DCOE-style throttle bodies using the appropriate intake manifold.

The Webcon MSX MGB cylinder head is available with or without valves and springs as follows:

Without Valves/Springs Part no. 9990261300 £1259.25 plus VAT
Fully assembled Part no. 9990261300AS £1436.35 plus VAT

For further details contact Webcon UK on +44 (0)1932 787100 or visit www.webcon.co.uk

Webcon is delighted to announce the relaunch of the Weber Twin Choke Conversion Kit for the Ford CVH 1.6 engine.

This popular engine is used in many cars, including the Ford Fiesta XR2 and Escort XR3, Morgan 4/4 and numerous kit cars. With many of the original carburettors approaching the end of their useful life, a Weber 32/34 DMTL manual choke carburettor conversion will breath new life into these performance cars.

The Weber Twin Choke Conversion Kit can be ordered as part number PFO103 and includes a new Webcon manifold, a Weber 32/34 DMTL carburettor jetted for the 1.6 CVH engine, an air filter
and an OEM air box adaptor, as well as a new choke cable.

The kit is very competitively priced at just £572.55 plus VAT.

For further details contact Webcon UK on +44 (0)1932 787100 or visit www.webcon.co.uk

Mini Spares is now producing door frames with inner skins for classic Mini Mk3 models onwards.

The frames are supplied without outer skins giving the customer the option of fitting an original metal or a lightweight alloy outer skin for competition/racing use.

This also allows customers and restorers to apply a corrosion preservative covering before fitting the outer door skin.

Order right hand door frame/inner skin as part number MSP020 at £250.74 inc. VAT
Order left hand door frame/inner skin as part number MSP021 at £250.74 inc. VAT

For more details contact Mini Spares on
+44 1707 607700 or visit their website: www.minispares.com

M-Style is currently offering a ‘Stance’ Package for the BMW F40 M135i that will lower the ride height by 30mm and increase the track width for improved handling and a ‘performance’ appearance.

The springs come from the leading German manufacturers Eibach and the 12/15mm spacers are manufacturered by BIMECC.

The kit is available at just £400 inc. VAT but numbers are limited, so contact M-Style now to ensure you get yours.

For further details e-mail info@mstyle.co.uk or call 0208 598 9115

Leading suspension specialist, GAZ, can now offer a GAZ GHA kit to bring ride height and damper rate adjustability to the popular 2005-on Fiesta ST150.

GAZ damper units allow damping adjustment while on the vehicle by means of easily accessible adjuster knobs/top adjusters.

Shortened body and stroke lengths allow a -25 to -55mm ride height variation with a coarse acme form thread provided for easy adjustment.

Each unit is zinc plated to minimise corrosion and to ensure that the height adjusters will go on working for many years to come.

All units are individually tested before leaving the factory and are covered by a two year warranty.

GAZ GHA Coilover Kit for the 2005 on Fiesta ST150 can be ordered as GHA368 and retails at £658.21 plus. VAT.

For further details visit the GAZ website: www.gazshocks.com