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Thursday, September 17, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line debuts in Frankfurt
- Volkswagen’s 1 Liter (L1) Concept is a hybrid car, still has great fuel economy
- Citroen reveals its hybrid concept: the REVOLTe
- Mercedes-Benz unleashes the E63 AMG Estate in Frankfurt
- Volvo C30 Facelift gets sporty R-Design package from Frankfurt
- New Audi S5 Sportback hits Europe in spring 2010, pics included
- Electric cars are still “too expensive” for normal consumers, Toyota exec says
- VW already testing new 200 HP Polo GTI
- New photos and video of the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the road-legal racing car
| Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line debuts in Frankfurt Posted: 17 Sep 2009 12:55 AM PDT  Besides introducing new hybrid cars which have a great fuel efficiency or teasing the new GTI version of the Polo, Volkswagen also launched during this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show the R-Line package for its Passat CC (Comfort Coupe) model. While no new performance upgrades will be launched, the R-line package will see a modified version of the inside and outside of the car. On the exterior, new 17-inch “Mallory” alloy wheels will touch the ground, while redesigned front spoiler and side skirts, all painted in the color of the car, will decorate the new model. They will also be in sharp contrast with the glossy black radiator grille, which has two chrome-plated louvres.  On the inside, the CC R-Line will have special tread plates on all of the doors, while the front ones have the R-Line logo. A sportier three-spoke leather steering wheel will also be included, with multifunction keys and, of course, the R-Line badge. Considering the fact that the Passat CC is already a very attractive car, this new R-Line package will make it even more so, by adding a sportier touch. Look forward to availability details and price in the near future. Read More: “Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line debuts in Frankfurt” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Volkswagen’s 1 Liter (L1) Concept is a hybrid car, still has great fuel economy Posted: 17 Sep 2009 12:27 AM PDT  Frankfurt was host to some pretty big announcements these days, during the Motor Show, but a very enticing one came Volkswagen, which reintroduced its 1 Liter (L1) concept to the world, revealing that in fact it is a hybrid, running a small 14 CP electric engine in tandem with the regular diesel one, but that it will still be able to do 1.49 liters/100 km (158 mpg). This electric engine will be linked by the DSG gearbox through a separate clutch with the 800 cc TDI one, and will achieved the great fuel economy numbers mentioned above. It is worth to note that the L1 has two running modes, Eco and Sport, which take a different toll on the diesel engine: while the Eco mode gets only 27 HP from the motor, the Sport mode will output a “staggering” 39 HP. Maximum power will be achieved at 4,000 rpm, while maximum torque, 100 Nm at 1,900 rpm.  Other systems which will improve fuel economy will be the Stop-Start one, which, as its name implies, will stop the engine when the car isn’t moving, and restart it when you press the acceleration or the E-pedal. This will kick in the electric engine, while the TDI is still being started, to provide a seamless throttle response. But even though the hybrid has 39 HP, it seems that the maximum speed will be 160 km/h and the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time will be around 14.3 seconds, quite respectable for a hybrid. Its 10 liter gas tank will potentially keep you going for about 670 km (416 miles). No word on when it or if it will enter production, but even so, the L1 concept is looking extremely good and might give VW the boost in the hybrid market it has been searching for. Read More: “Volkswagen’s 1 Liter (L1) Concept is a hybrid car, still has great fuel economy” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Citroen reveals its hybrid concept: the REVOLTe Posted: 17 Sep 2009 12:03 AM PDT  As you might have guessed, hybrids and electric cars were one of the main attractions at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. We’ve seen performance ones, like the Audi e-Tron, but now the French automaker Citroen wants to introduce to us the hybrid city car of the future, through the REVOLTe concept. Heavily inspired by the famous 2CV, and using some of the lines from present-day Citroen models, the REVOLTe is a bit small, measuring only 3.68m in lenght, 1.73m in width and 1.35 in height, but it promises to be great for city traffic. The design is a bit bold, to say the least, as it features an arched hood, glass inserts in the radiator grille and Rolls Royce doors (suicide). While some say that it has the French “je ne sais quoi”, I personally believe that it looks as a concept for another Cars animated movie.  On the inside, the groovy futuristic theme is kept, with the driver sitting at the front and the passengers in the back. This back seat also hides the set of batteries which will power the electric engine. Besides the seating arrangement though, carbon-fiber inserts and black leather are plentiful, with looks also being grabbed by the touch screen in the dashboard. But while the looks are very interesting, the mechanical details aren’t that new, with the French car maker opting for a hybrid drivetrain, with a small regular engine running in tandem with an electrical one. Linking them will be a recharging system, which allows the batteries to be refueled whenever possible, by the normal engine.  All in all, the REVOLTe concept from Citroen is pretty interesting, it certainly has the looks, but until a production-ready model will be introduced, we can’t know what features will or won’t transition into reality. Read More: “Citroen reveals its hybrid concept: the REVOLTe” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mercedes-Benz unleashes the E63 AMG Estate in Frankfurt Posted: 16 Sep 2009 11:44 PM PDT  As the Frankfurt Motor Show is in full swing these days, we are literally flooded with new models and concepts. Among all of these announcements, Mercedes-Benz decided to reveal the brand new E63 AMG Estate model, based on the E Class limousine. This top-of-the-range version will be the most powerful estate in the Mercedes lineup, being fitted with the traditional 6.3 liter V8 engine, courtesy of its tuning division, AMG, which will deliver 525 HP, with a torque of 630 Nm. The engine will see a special Speedshift MCT AMG gearbox fitted to it, which will have seven speeds and take it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.6 seconds, and up to a electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, a very uncommon figure when you consider estate cars.  Even though it will take performance to new heights, thanks to some careful tuning, the new V8 engine is even more economical than the previous generation, managing to average around 12.8 liters/100 km (18.3 mpg). Other technological improvements include a new AMG Ride Control suspension, which can be adjusted, a new set of ceramic brakes, a finer tuned steering system and a revamped ESP system, which can be turned fully on, put in sport mode, or off. In order to reflect the sporty nature of the E63 AMG Estate, the outside has been improved by the AMG team, starting from new alloy 18-inch rims, to LED tail lights, bigger air vents, darkened head lights and some more aggressive front and rear bumpers. Another winning factor is the boot, which offers a generous 695 liters capacity, which can reach 1950 liters, if you fold the rear seats.  Overall, if you want a sporty car but with enough room for the family, then the E63 AMG Estate might be for you. Read More: “Mercedes-Benz unleashes the E63 AMG Estate in Frankfurt” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Volvo C30 Facelift gets sporty R-Design package from Frankfurt Posted: 16 Sep 2009 08:44 AM PDT  While Swedish company Volvo is famous for its extremely safe cars, the automaker also wants to reveal that it can make beautiful and even sporty ones from their existing lineup of vehicles. That is why the new facelifted C30 will be getting a custom R-Design package, which is currently exhibited at the Frankfurt Motor Show these days. This new package will see mechanical upgrades in terms of steering, which received new, sharper ratios, but also in terms of suspension, which received stiffer springs and dampeners, as well as the ride height, which has been lowered by 10 mm.
But the biggest changes were made on the outside, as the new R-Design package brings forth a brand new, more aggressive bodykit for the C30, making the premium hot hatch a very attractive one. The aforementioned bodykit, alongside the new chrome plated tailpipes, 17-inch sport rims and the metal finish for the grille and mirror housings complete the sportier look of the facelifted C30.  On the inside, a leather interior in either two-tone or all black will be featured, as well as various inserts in the center console and dash alongside an aluminum and blue theme on the speedometer and rev counter. Volvo declined to reveal a launch date for this R-Design or a presumed price, but seeing as how it changes the new C30 facelift, it will surely make plenty of people consider it for their new car. Read More: “Volvo C30 Facelift gets sporty R-Design package from Frankfurt” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| New Audi S5 Sportback hits Europe in spring 2010, pics included Posted: 16 Sep 2009 07:43 AM PDT  While Audi kept us busy speculating on its new e-Tron electric concept, we almost forgot that it announced and dated the brand new 2010 Audi S5 Sportback for Europe. This potential rival to the Porsche Panamera will really give any performance sedan a run for its money, with its supercharged 3-liter V6 engine, capable of offering 245 kW (333 HP) with a torque of 440 Nm (324.5 lb-ft). The FSI engine will be fitted to a seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, which will unleash the power through the quattro system and deliver it to all of the wheels, with a slight rear bias, and through an optional sport differential. All of this technical stuff will manifest in a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time of 5.4 seconds, and will keep the new S5 Sportback going until it reaches its electronically limited 250 km/h (155 mph) limit. Also, Audi claims that the fuel average is around 9.7 liters/100 km (24.25 US mpg), quite respectable for such a big car.  The 2010 S5 Sportback also flauts its sports-tuned chassis, which is more rigid and the wide array of wheels that can be fitted. Expect the Servotronic speed-sensitive steering to be a standard, with a dynamic one available as an option. In order to highlight the sporty nature though, you will be encountering plenty of S5 trinkets all around the car, from the front grill to the black brake calipers. On the inside, more of the same, but the Silk Nappa leather, which cover the sport seats, will make you forget about the aggressive nature of the model and feel quite pampered. Quickly bringing you back though will be the sport steering wheel and aluminum-look shift paddles which are also filled with S5 badges.  Expect the new Audi S5 Sportback arriving in Germany in spring of 2010, for a estimated base price of €57,900. Read More: “New Audi S5 Sportback hits Europe in spring 2010, pics included” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Electric cars are still “too expensive” for normal consumers, Toyota exec says Posted: 16 Sep 2009 07:13 AM PDT  As you all know, the Frankfurt Motor Show is in full swing these days in the German city, giving the chance to many car makers to unveil new models, concepts and pave the way for the future. A future, if we consider a few new interesting concepts, will be electric, with models like the Audi e-Tron leading the way to both performance and mainstream acceptance of electric-powered cars and zero emissions. But we still have a long way to go, at least according to Toyota executive vice president Takeshi Uchiyamada, which revealed that for the time being, electric cars are still too expensive and can’t be adopted by regular car fans.
He completed his statement by saying that while testing feasible alternatives to regular cars, research which eventually led to the large fleet of hybrid cars, led by the popular Prius, his company realized that at least for now, all-electric-powered cars can be saved for fiction. While you can’t doubt that Toyota holds the whole eco movement in its hand thanks to its hybrids, there are plenty of other alternatives, which are being supported. Whether it will be hybrid, electrical or even hydrogen-powered, the future for car makers will be a pretty bright one, albeit a tad limited in terms of fuel economy, thanks to president Obama. Do you agree with the statements made by the Toyota executive? Don’t be shy to leave a comment to this story. Read More: “Electric cars are still “too expensive” for normal consumers, Toyota exec says” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| VW already testing new 200 HP Polo GTI Posted: 16 Sep 2009 05:52 AM PDT  Volkswagen really wants to control all of the markets, as it has just announced that it is currently testing a new Polo GTI, which will be a high performance version of the economical Polo (featured above). Set to feature the supercharged and turbocharged 1.4 liter four-cylinder engine, it will be able to output almost 200 HP. As I’ve said, the extremely reliable 1.4 liter engine will be the only one available when the new Polo GTI will be launched next spring, but will definitely take the drivers of the future model to new heights in terms of thrills. All of its power will go to the front wheels, but before you say that the small car will be plagued by torque steer, the VW product director, Dr. Ulrich Hackenburg, revealed that a lot of progress has been made to prevent such a thing. Most importantly, an electronically controlled limited slip differential will eb used, in order to help the front wheels deliver the big amount of power and still be able to steer the small car. Other improvements will reflect in the gearbox, as drivers can opt for either a six-speed manual one or a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch box, which will also have a paddle-shift option. On the outside, all of the usual GTI trinkets will be there, including a more aggressive bodykit and a new front grille. Also, according to the engineers at the German automaker, the 1.4 liter engine is capable of delivering up to 280 HP, after a few modifications, and might even reach an exclusive version of the small car, presumably a Polo Cup edition Overall, if the Golf GTI or the new Golf R aren’t up your alleys, perhaps you might want to wait until next year when the Polo GTI will be released. Read More: “VW already testing new 200 HP Polo GTI” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| New photos and video of the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the road-legal racing car Posted: 16 Sep 2009 05:23 AM PDT  While Porsche can be blamed for many things, including following almost the exact design line for about 20 years or so, you can’t argue that it makes some of the most unbelievable cars which you can still drive everyday, but also take them to the track. Such is the case with the top-of-the-range 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which promises to be the definitive road-lega racing car from the German automaker. Powered by an upgraded naturally-aspirated 3.8 liter engine, which delivers 450 HP, it overtakes the GT3 as the definitive enthusiast’s choice from the 911 lineup. An specially customized six-speed manual gearbox is standard with this model, which was optimized for a shorter gearshift travel, in order to gain even the slightest millisecond. Faster gear ratios are also fitted to this gearbox, thus bringing out all of the power of the car.  An interesting part of this new 911 GT3 RS will be the dynamic engine mounts, which will improve the handling of the model. They change their stiffness depending on the conditions, thus not intruding on everyday drives around the city. Also, if you really want to take weight trimming to the extreme, you can opt to outfit the car with a 10 kg slimmer lithium-ion battery, instead of the normal lead-acid one. To further highlight the racing potential of this car, the GT3 RS will have a custom PASM suspension, a wider front and rear tracks, as well as a wide body. The low ride height and big carbon fiber rear wing will also make quite an impression on racing fans, alongside the titanium exhaust system. Look forward to the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS reaching US shores in early spring 2010, for about $132,800. Until then, enjoy this video of this fantastic car. Read More: “New photos and video of the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the road-legal racing car” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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