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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Video: Volvo S60 Concept driving footage
- Video: BMW X5 stuck on the beach
- New 2010 MINI crossover spy shots
- It’s over! GM files for bankruptcy
- Rolls Royce Phantom and Drophead Coupe tuning packages by Hamann leaked on the web
- Video: Ken Block’s Gymkhana TWO
- FBI agent crashed seized Ferrari F50
- Video: German police pulls over a 2010 BMW 5 Series prototype
- Exclusive BMW M3 Edition Models announced
- Magna International to acquire Opel
| Video: Volvo S60 Concept driving footage Posted: 01 Jun 2009 05:04 PM PDT The Volvo S60 Concept was unveiled earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show and, with the market launch scheduled for next year, we’re waiting for a production version of the four-door coupe soon. Until then, here’s a video made by some dudes from the Swedish magazine Teknikens Varld, which were lucky enough to take the concept for a drive. Unfortunately, we have no idea what the heck they’re saying, but we assume it was really fun. Enjoy! [Source: Teknikens Varld / Via Carscoop] Post published on Rpmgo.com Video: Volvo S60 Concept driving footage Related posts:
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| Video: BMW X5 stuck on the beach Posted: 01 Jun 2009 04:44 PM PDT So, what happens when you put a retard behind the steering wheel of a BMW X5? Well, he’ll take it to the beach and do what the Turkish guy in this video did. Get stuck. I’m sure ordinary people have the impression the X5 looks like a car that can go anywhere, but if you know a little about cars you know that while the X5 is good off-road, it’s not THAT good. We’re only hoping this was a lesson to the dude and next time he’ll think twice before confusing his X5 with a beach buggy.
Post published on Rpmgo.com Video: BMW X5 stuck on the beach Related posts:
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| New 2010 MINI crossover spy shots Posted: 01 Jun 2009 04:38 PM PDT  It looks like MINI is really busy working on their highly anticipated crossover (could be called Crossman, could be called Crossover, no one knows for sure) and here is a set of the latest spy shots. According to Carscoop, there will be some changes from the Crossover Concept which we really loved back at the Paris Motor Show last year. Among these changes are the conventional doors (the cool asymmetric doors from the concept will go away) and the also conventional liftgate. Some rumors say that the car could share its platform with the upcoming X1, including BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The Crossman, which will be MINI’s first car to measure more than 4 meters (13.1 feet) in length, will probably be powered by some of the engines from the Cooper and it will also get new four-cylinder engines, both in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. Another premiere the Crossover brings is the fact that it’ll be the first MINI to be built outside UK at the Magna Steyr plant in Austria. MINI reached this decision because the company’s plant n Cowley doesn’t have enough capacity to handle production. So, when are we going to see the new crossover from MINI. Well, we’re probably looking at a debut scheduled for this fall’s Frankfurt Motor Show ro, who knows, maybe next year’s Geneva show. And if you’re really anxious about getting one, rumor has it that market launch is scheduled for the sacond half of 2010. [Source: Carscoop] Post published on Rpmgo.com New 2010 MINI crossover spy shots Related posts:
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| It’s over! GM files for bankruptcy Posted: 01 Jun 2009 04:10 PM PDT  Yes, it’s sad, but true…GM is history! This morning the Detroit giant has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, allowing it to continue trading while it restructures. Chapter 11 is designed to provide a “breathing spell” during which a company can reorganize its operations to emerge as a potentially successful firm. In a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a company does not go out of business, and its management is not necessarily replaced. How did it happen? GM, which was the world’s largest carmaker for 77 years until Toyota took its place in 2007, lost about $88 billion since 2005 and even though in the past months it received more than $20 billion in loans from the US government, nothing could be done to save the giant who filed for bankruptcy today, June 1, 2009 at 8:00 am. This is the third largest bankruptcy in US history after Lehman Brothers bank (2008) and Worldcom (2002). So, what next? A restructuring process will start with the company splitting in two. Profitable business like Cadillac, Chevrolet and some plants will form a ‘new GM’, while poorly performing ones, like Saturn or Hummer will either be discontinued or sold. The ‘new GM’ (we’re really curious how it’s going to look like) will be owned by the U.S. Treasury (60%), governments of Canada and Ontario (12%), bondholders (10%) and the Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) with 17.5 percent. However, the Obama administration has clearly stated they intend to sell its GM holding as soon as that is practical. Like we reported earlier today, Opel was saved, the German government helping Magna International acquire GM’s European arm (including Vauxhall). So far, we don’t know what’s going to happen to Saab, which was refused governmental aid earlier this year. What will happen to GM workers? This is where it’s going to be really tough. As an important part of GM’s restructuring, around 21,000 factory jobs are scheduled to be cut by the end of 2010. Also, GM has already worked out a cost-saving deal with the UAW, including concessions on retiree health care. So, that’s it, it’s over, GM is gone. Without doubt, this is a sad day, because when a company that ruled the auto industry for all these years goes bankrupt, you can’t help wondering what went wrong. However, we must hope the future will also bring good news for the reborn ‘new GM’.
Post published on Rpmgo.com It’s over! GM files for bankruptcy Related posts:
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| Rolls Royce Phantom and Drophead Coupe tuning packages by Hamann leaked on the web Posted: 01 Jun 2009 03:17 PM PDT  It looks like the German tuner Hamann is preparing a surprise for Rolls Royce owners, because two packages for the Phantom and the Drophead Coupe are almost ready. These photos, published by Autoblog.nl, were leaked on the web and we can see new 23 inch wheels available in several designs and some other minor styling elements, while at the interior we notice a new three spoke steering wheel. There’s no official confirmation, but rumor has it that power upgrades will also be available, Hamann engineers boosting the cars’ V12 output from 460 to 535 hp and max torque from 720 to 835 Nm (615 lb-ft). Like we said, official details are unknown so far, but stay tuned because we’ll let you know once we have more info. Meanwhile, enjoy the photos: Full Photo Gallery: Rolls Royce Phantom and Drophead Coupe Tuning by Hamann
[Source: Autoblog.nl / Via Carscoop] Post published on Rpmgo.com Rolls Royce Phantom and Drophead Coupe tuning packages by Hamann leaked on the web Related posts:
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| Video: Ken Block’s Gymkhana TWO Posted: 01 Jun 2009 02:27 PM PDT After the first video of Ken Block’s Gymkhana practice was really popular on video sites like YouTube, DC Shoes decided to produce the Gymkhana TWO infommercial, which features the same Block, this time in a 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STi doing some crazy driving stunts at the Los Angeles Harbor. Amazing driving, don’t you think? Enjoy!
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| FBI agent crashed seized Ferrari F50 Posted: 01 Jun 2009 02:16 PM PDT  According to the folks from Wrecked Exotics, the Ferrari F50 you see in this photo was crashed by an FBI agent in Lexington, Kentucky. The car was seized during a drug raid and the agent was driving it to a police warehouse when he lost control and ended up into some bushes, probably making the drug dealer really pissed. The official report says the accident was caused by possible bald tires but for some reason we don’t buy that. More likely the FBI should teach the agents not to fool around in a $500,000 supercar. More photos on Wrecked Exotics. [Source: Wrecked Exotics / Via CarDomain] Post published on Rpmgo.com FBI agent crashed seized Ferrari F50 Related posts:
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| Video: German police pulls over a 2010 BMW 5 Series prototype Posted: 01 Jun 2009 01:45 PM PDT  A 2010 BMW 5 Series prototype was pulled over last week by the German police, who thought all that camouflage looked very suspicious. Fortunately, a camera woman from TVnews-Hessen was passing by and managed to record some images with the car’s interior and exterior, while the helpless driver was being questioned by the policemen. Unfortunately, the car was heavily camouflaged, both on the exterior and interior, so not many details are revealed. [Source: Carscoop] Post published on Rpmgo.com Video: German police pulls over a 2010 BMW 5 Series prototype Related posts:
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| Exclusive BMW M3 Edition Models announced Posted: 01 Jun 2009 01:17 PM PDT  BMW has announced that in July 2009 the BMW M3 Edition Models will be entering the market worldwide. The cars will boast new exterior and interior features, a 10 millimetres (0.4″) lowered chassis and new 19-inch forged M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, available in black or classic rim color. The Edition Models production will be limited to only six months. On the exterior, the special M3 will be available in Alpine White, Black, Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo paint finish, combined with BMW Individual High-Gloss Satin Chrome. The openings on the engine compartment lid on all models are finished in black, while the kidney grille, side gills and the dual tailpipes will come dark eloxy-plated chrome. Also, the caps on the special BMW M exterior mirrors are finished in black. On the interior, the surfaces on the centre armrest, the centre console and the armrests on the door panels are finished in White on the Alpine White and Black models. At the same time these Edition Models come with interior trim in Carbon Structure Leather with white contrasting seams. The seats in Black Novillo Leather feature bespoke contrasting seams as well as vertical trim stripes on the upper section of the backrest and at the front of the legrest. On the Alpine White and Black models, these features come in white, on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue models they are in the appropriate exterior colour. As a further feature the armrests and door closing handles at the inside on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue models come with yellow and, respectively, blue contrasting seams. And last but certainly not least, entry trim bars in Checkered Flag Design bearing the “M3″ model designation give all Edition Models yet another highlight. Full Photo Gallery: BMW M3 Edition Models
[Source: BMW] Post published on Rpmgo.com Exclusive BMW M3 Edition Models announced Related posts:
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| Magna International to acquire Opel Posted: 01 Jun 2009 12:13 PM PDT  With GM’s future surrounded by mistery, it looks like its European arm, Opel, is safe, Canadian autoparts giant Magna International reaching an agreement to take majority in Opel. The move was made possible with the financial help of Sberbank, the largest bank in Russia and Eastern Europe, who backed the Canadian company. Another very important decision was the $2.11 billion bridge loan for Opel, approved by the German government and four state governments, Thuringia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. After the deal is closed, Magna will own a 20$ stake in Opel, Sberbank will take 35% (giving their group a majority), GM will retain a 35% stake and the remaining 10% will go to Opel employees. “The time of uncertainty is over,” North Rhine-Westphalia governor Juergen Ruettgers said of the deal. “The main components of Opel’s future remain in Europe.” “We’ve decided that there is to be a new European company,” Hesse governor Roland Koch said. “I think that for Opel and its employees, it is an unbelievable chance.” [Source: Detroit Free Press] Post published on Rpmgo.com Magna International to acquire Opel Related posts:
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