Editorial Methodology
Automobilisto.de is built on primary automotive sources — original manufacturer brochures, regulatory datasets, and first-hand expert analysis. This page describes how we collect, cross-verify and publish vehicle specifications, market data and buying guides.
Automobilisto.de is an independent automotive reference platform. Our database covers 3,141 vehicle models with verified specifications; our brochure archive holds 34,400 original manufacturer PDFs spanning 1950 to 2026. Every number on this site — an engine's output figure, a kerb weight, a towing capacity — traces back to a primary document. This page explains how that traceability works.
Automotive Data Sources
We work with three tiers of automotive sources, ranked by proximity to the original manufacturer record. When two sources conflict, the higher tier wins — and the conflict is logged.
| Tier | Source type | Specific sources | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Source typeOriginal manufacturer documents | Specific sourcesDealer brochures (PDF), factory press kits, technical data sheets, Betriebsanleitungen | RoleDefinitive |
| Secondary | Source typeRegulatory & independent testing | Specific sourcesKBA (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) type approvals, ADAC test results, Euro NCAP crash ratings, NHTSA safety data, TÜV inspection statistics | RoleCross-check |
| Tertiary | Source typeMarket & valuation data | Specific sourcesSchwacke Eurotax, DAT (Deutsche Automobil Treuhand), S&P Global Mobility, Dataforce fleet registrations, JATO Dynamics | RoleContext |
A dealer brochure from 1989 is the only document where a manufacturer committed, in writing, to the specifications offered at the time of sale. It captures option codes, market variants and country-specific configurations that never appear in later reference works. Our archive of 34,400 PDFs is the primary reason our historical data is more complete than any digital-only database.
Browse the brochure archiveRegulatory Sources We Use
For current models, regulatory type-approval data from the KBA (Germany's Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) provides the authoritative record of every vehicle registered for sale in Germany: engine codes, CO₂ figures, kerb weights and variant identifiers. ADAC test results give us independent fuel consumption and reliability data. Euro NCAP and NHTSA provide crash-test scores that we display alongside manufacturer safety claims.
Fact-Checking Process
Every specification published on Automobilisto.de passes through a five-step verification pipeline. Steps are logged in an internal editorial ledger — each data point carries an audit trail back to its source document.
- 01Source RetrievalMandatoryBrochure or press kit
A researcher locates the original manufacturer document for the vehicle model and year. For archive models this means the dealer brochure PDF from our collection; for current models it means the manufacturer press kit or technical data sheet. The document is filed with: reference code, market (DE/US/UK), language, and year of issue. No data is extracted before the source is filed.
- 02Cross-Reference VerificationMandatory±3% threshold on numeric specs
Each numeric figure (power output, torque, kerb weight, boot volume, 0–100 km/h time) is compared against at least one secondary source — typically a KBA type-approval record or an ADAC test measurement. Any discrepancy exceeding 3% is flagged. All three values (brochure, secondary source, flag note) are recorded in the ledger. The item cannot be published until the discrepancy is resolved or explained.
- 03Technical Expert ReviewFlagged itemsDomain-specific sign-off
Flagged items go to the relevant specialist: a powertrain engineer for engine data, a market analyst for pricing and residual-value figures, a safety specialist for crash-test ratings, or the archive curator for historical brochure data. The expert resolves the discrepancy by consulting additional primary sources or provides a documented explanation for the variance (e.g. market-specific detuning, interim model update, different test cycle).
- 04Editorial Completeness ReviewAll pagesTone · gaps · links · schema
The senior editor reviews the published text for completeness, neutrality and factual accessibility. For buying-guide content, this includes checking that German regulatory terms (Zulassung, TÜV, Kfz-Steuer, Gewährleistung) are correctly defined and linked. Cross-links to the vehicle catalogue and brochure archive are verified. Structured-data markup is validated.
- 05Publication with AttributionPublicationByline · source list · revision timestamp
The page publishes with a visible byline (author + reviewer), a source list naming each document used, and a "Last verified" date. For catalogue pages, each specification row carries its source tier in the data layer. For brochure archive pages, the original PDF is linked so readers can consult the primary source directly.
For pre-1980 vehicles where only one manufacturer brochure survives, step 3 is mandatory regardless of whether a numeric discrepancy was found. The archive curator's assessment and the single-source limitation are noted prominently on the page.
Corrections Policy
We acknowledge and publicly correct factual errors in specifications, prices, ratings and regulatory information. Corrections are published within 3 working days of confirmation.
If you have found an error in a vehicle specification, a safety rating, a price figure or a regulatory detail, email [email protected] with: the page URL, a description of the error, and a link to the correcting primary source (manufacturer document, KBA record, ADAC test, or equivalent). The editor on duty will consult the original archived document and, if the error is confirmed, publish a correction within 3 working days.
Corrections appear in a labelled block at the bottom of the affected page, showing the original value, the corrected value, the source used, and the date of the fix. We do not silently overwrite content. Where a specification error affects multiple catalogue pages — for example, a mis-recorded engine variant applied across an entire generation — all affected pages are corrected in one deploy and a summary note is published.
| Error type | How to report | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle specification (power, torque, weight, dimensions) | How to reportEmail with page URL + primary source (manufacturer brochure, KBA record) | Resolution3 working days |
| Safety rating (Euro NCAP / NHTSA score) | How to reportEmail with page URL + official test report or NCAP/NHTSA result page | Resolution3 working days |
| Pricing or residual-value figure | How to reportEmail with page URL + Schwacke/DAT printout or official price list | Resolution5 working days |
| German regulatory detail (Kfz-Steuer, TÜV interval, Zulassung) | How to reportEmail with page URL + official BGBl or KBA/Kraftfahrtbehörde source | Resolution5 working days |
| Brochure archive metadata (year, market, trim) | How to reportEmail with archive page URL + documentation of correct date/market | Resolution7 working days |
If an automotive brand believes a specification on this site is incorrect, we apply the same corrections process: a primary document from the manufacturer (press kit, technical data sheet) is accepted as evidence and the correction is published with attribution. There is no preferential treatment — the primary source wins, regardless of who submits it.
All published corrections are permanently logged on the affected page. The log entry shows: what was wrong, what replaced it, which source confirmed the fix, and the date. We do not delete, hide or unpublish correction records.
Our Automotive Experts
Automobilisto.de does not outsource automotive content to generalists. Each contributor covers only the domain where they hold verifiable professional credentials. Our editorial team combines four distinct competencies:
All contributors sign annual conflict-of-interest declarations that prohibit undisclosed financial relationships with automotive manufacturers, importers or dealer networks.
- mechanical engineering for powertrain and chassis data
- automotive market analysis for pricing, depreciation and registration statistics
- independent safety testing experience for crash-test ratings and ADAS assessments
- automotive history for brochure curation and pre-1990 model documentation
Germany-based automotive journalist with 8 years covering the German car market. Former ADAC member researcher. Has personally bought and registered five vehicles across Bavaria, NRW, and Berlin.
Editor-in-Chief at Automobilisto. Architects engineering specification systems for tier-1 automotive suppliers in the Stuttgart-Gerlingen corridor. Owns the publication's technical reference cluster and brochure archive. Editorial methodology: two independent sources for every database entry, publicly documented review criteria, logged corrections.
Our Areas of Expertise
Engine specifications, transmission data, drivetrain variants. Verified against KBA type-approval records and ADAC technical measurements.
New-car pricing, residual values, depreciation curves. Cross-referenced with Schwacke Eurotax and DAT market indices.
Euro NCAP and NHTSA crash ratings, ADAS feature verification, TÜV inspection statistics.
Original manufacturer PDFs, trim-level identification, option-code decoding for models from 1950 to 2000.
What We Cover — and How
Automobilisto.de combines three content types: a structured vehicle catalogue with verified specifications, an original brochure archive, and editorial magazine content. Each type has its own sourcing and update rules.
Content Update Cycle
Automotive data decays. Prices change quarterly, model variants are dropped without announcement, safety ratings are revised after updated tests. We maintain three update cadences matched to how quickly each content type becomes stale.
Technical data, powertrain variants, option codes. Automated weekly monitoring of KBA type-approval updates; full human review every quarter.
German automotive regulation changes (Kfz-Steuer rates, emissions zones, Zulassung requirements), market pricing, depreciation rates. Revised on regulation change or at minimum twice per year.
Archive pages are updated when a new primary document is identified. The archive grows continuously — historical pages do not expire.
Every catalogue specification and buying-guide article displays a "Last verified" date in the byline. When a page is updated for regulatory or data reasons, the revision is noted at the bottom of the page with the specific change and its source.
Editorial Independence
Automobilisto.de is an independent reference platform. We sell no vehicles, accept no manufacturer advertising, and have no commercial relationship with any brand or dealer group. These are operational rules, not aspirational statements.
We carry no display advertising from automotive brands, dealer groups, or automotive finance providers. Advertising revenue, where it exists, comes exclusively from non-automotive contextual sources and B2B data subscriptions.
We do not accept vehicles, trips, gifts, or payments in exchange for coverage. If a manufacturer provides press material or a test vehicle, this is disclosed in the article header and has no influence on the published assessment.
Attending a press drive or product launch does not create any commitment to publish coverage, to publish at a specific time, or to submit copy for brand approval before publication.
We do not earn commissions from vehicle sales referrals. Links to dealers or car-buying platforms in our guides are editorial recommendations only, with no financial relationship.
Every contributor signs a contract that prohibits undisclosed financial relationships with automotive manufacturers, importers or dealer networks. Violations result in immediate removal and public disclosure.
Fleet operators, insurers and automotive researchers access our structured vehicle-specification data via a licensed API. This commercial relationship provides no editorial benefit and does not influence coverage of any brand or model.
Common questions about how Automobilisto.de sources, verifies and updates automotive data.
Where do Automobilisto.de's vehicle specifications come from?
All technical specifications are sourced from original manufacturer documents (brochures, press kits), KBA type-approval records, and regulatory datasets from ADAC and Euro NCAP. Each data point is logged with its source document and verified against at least one secondary source.
How does Automobilisto.de handle discrepancies between sources?
When two sources conflict, the higher-tier source wins. Tier 1 (manufacturer documents) overrides Tier 2 (regulatory data), which overrides Tier 3 (market sources). All conflicts are logged in our internal editorial ledger.
Does Automobilisto.de cover German market specifications specifically?
Yes. We prioritise German-market specifications and regulatory data (KBA, Kfz-Steuer, emissions zones). Where specifications differ between markets, the German-market variant is listed as primary with regional variants noted.
How current is the vehicle data?
Technical data is monitored weekly against KBA type-approval updates with full human review every quarter. Market pricing and regulatory data is revised on the regulatory calendar. Archive pages are updated when new primary documents are identified.
Can I use Automobilisto.de data in my own work?
Fleet operators, insurers and automotive researchers can access structured vehicle-specification data via our licensed API. For editorial or personal use, please contact our team. Data on individual pages may be cited with attribution.
How do I report an error in a vehicle specification?
Use the 'Report an error' link on any vehicle page, or email our editorial team directly. Confirmed specification errors are corrected within 3 working days.