|
|
---|
Monday, September 21, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- VW Golf R and Scirocco R showcased on the track in this new video
- Future BMW M models won’t be electric but will loose cylinders to turbos
- Jaguar wants to create a rival for the Audi A5 and BMW 3 Series
- Volvo presents the C30 BEV, the electric version of the C30
- Crazy Ferrari ad shows two 458 Italia models on the racing track
- Lexus revealed the new 2010 LS 600h in Frankfurt
- Mercedes-Benz might eliminate Maybach brand
- Volkswagen targets Ssangyong for new purchase
VW Golf R and Scirocco R showcased on the track in this new video Posted: 21 Sep 2009 05:07 AM PDT Volkswagen sure is betting big on its hot hatches, especially in the performance segment of the market as it has launched a few months ago the new Scirocco R and at last week’s Frankfurt Motor Show the Golf R, both of which promise to offer some fast thrills to their buyers. In order to increase the hype around the two new models, Volkswagen has just released this new video, in which they, and their drivers, are subjected to some extreme racing conditions. I have to admit that while the Golf R makes more sense, with its four-doors and AWD, the Scirocco’s looks are gorgeous and I’d buy it in an instant. Enjoy the video and leave a comment with which model impresses you the most. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
|
Future BMW M models won’t be electric but will loose cylinders to turbos Posted: 21 Sep 2009 04:55 AM PDT When you talk about performance, BMW cars are right up there in terms of reliability and the fact that they can bring a big smile to any car enthusiast’s face. But any fan of the Bavarian automaker knows, if you want the best experience, then a special M model from BMW is the only choice. But in recent times things haven’t been that good for the tuning division at the automaker as people aren’t going for massive engines these days due to fuel cost and the new environment issues. That is why one of the most recent cars from the M division, the X6 M, is powered by a twin-turbo 4.4 liter V8, instead of opting, just a few years ago, for 5- or 6-liter V10 engines, like it is found currently on the M5. Dr. Kay Segler, the newly appointed head of the M division went on the record by saying that this new downsize in engine size won’t mean that all future M models will not offer the same dose of excitement or the same thrills as older versions. He says that looking to the future, the new M cars need to be both sporty but still offer a good fuel economy with lower CO2 emissions, in order to reach standards from various governments, meaning that cylinders will be cut, and turbochargers will be added. The executive also defended the fact that the new X6 and X5 have both received an M model, by saying that they belong in the lineup as these versions offer not only a bigger dose of power, but also new technologies implemented in the powertrain and are even lighter. He also said that new M models based on the X1 or X3 will soon appear. At the end of his interview, he took the chance to answer a question which has been making BMW fans scratch their heads for quite some time: Will we see an M car with an electric motor. Short answer from Segler: NO! (and BMW fans breathe a sigh of relief). Read More: Future BMW M models won’t be electric but will loose cylinders to turbos Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
|
Jaguar wants to create a rival for the Audi A5 and BMW 3 Series Posted: 21 Sep 2009 04:34 AM PDT Jaguar is definitely trying out some new things, thanks to its new Indian ownership, and according to its engineering boss, Mick Mohan, it seems that it wants to get involved in the hot coupe market, specifically the under £30,000 segment, where the Audi A5 and the two-door BMW 3 Series reign supreme. He also touched on the often-rumored XE sports car, which will target the high end market.
After releasing the new XJ, XF and the facelift for XK, Mohan also tackled a trend which is quite popular these days among high end car makers: 4×4 SUVs. “Utility will never be what we’re about,” the engineering boss said, “but that still leaves us plenty of avenues to explore. And we’ve got no shortage of ideas at the moment.” So there you have it folks, while you won’t get a chance to ride in a big 4×4 Jag, a cheaper coupe might be arriving sooner than you’d expect. Hopefully the ideas from its engineers will take some shape in the near future. Read More: “Jaguar wants to create a rival for the Audi A5 and BMW 3 Series” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
|
Volvo presents the C30 BEV, the electric version of the C30 Posted: 21 Sep 2009 04:15 AM PDT Volvo grasped the audience at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week largely with its R-Design styling kit for its hatchback model, the C30. But the Swedish automaker also revealed to the general public the C30 BEV, a fully electric concept of its model. The C30 BEV will have a 100% electric engine, which will be capable of going for 150 km (93 miles), go from 0 to 100 km/h (60 mph) in less than 11 seconds and will reach 130 km/h (80 mph). As with many recently released electric cars, it will be a normal plug-in model, which can be fully charged when connected to a regular 230 V socket.The lithium-ion battery can reach its maximum charge in just eight hours, guaranteeing that your Volvo C30 BEV can be fueled up in the morning. Sadly though, the BEV is still a prototype concept, but the Scandinavia manufacturer did reveal that in the future, it might release a production-ready model of the BEV. Until then though, eco-conscious drivers can opt for the DRIVe version of the C30, which has a 1.6-liter diesel engine that emits only 99 grams of CO2/km. Also, if you still want an electric motor in your C30, Volvo says it will release a plug-in hybrid based on the hatchback as soon as 2012. Read More: “Volvo presents the C30 BEV, the electric version of the C30″ Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
|
Crazy Ferrari ad shows two 458 Italia models on the racing track Posted: 21 Sep 2009 12:23 AM PDT Ferrari had a lot of work ahead when it decided to replace the popular F430 model, but with the new 458 Italia, many people agreed that it has truly met the high standards put forward by the predecessor. But there were a few voices which weren’t really dazzled by the publicity photos revealed by the Italian supercar maker. They wanted to make sure that the new Ferrari 458 Italia can really live up to the Ferrari racing heritage on the track. That is why this new video made by the Italian company wants to set things straight. In it, two stunning 458 Italia models duke it out on a racing track, revealing the sports capabilities of the new car. Enjoy! Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
|
Lexus revealed the new 2010 LS 600h in Frankfurt Posted: 21 Sep 2009 12:13 AM PDT The Frankfurt Motor Show was the place to be if you were a car fan as many brands revealed new iterations of their main models and concepts of their future ones. Besides revealing the LF-Ch hot hatch concept to the public, the Lexus division of Toyota also took the chance to present the new facelift for its LS 600h limousine. The flagship luxury model has received a wide array of new things, starting from the outside with a slightly more distinguished look, thanks to the redrawn front end, complete with new fog lights, air vents and a Lexus hybrid blue finish on the lamps, and continuing on the inside, where new, slightly more ergonomical seats have been fitted. Alongside them, the navigation system’s hard drive has been upgraded to a 40GB one, allowing for more detailed maps to be stored on it. The indicators and dashboard have also been revamped to highlight the luxury feel of the model. In terms of mechanical upgrades, the new Lexus LS 600h has received a new ECO mode, which changes the way the A/C works, and more importantly to how the engine reacts when the acceleration pedal is pushed powerfully. The Lexus Hybrid Drive system has also been tweaked, in order to meet Euro 5 emission restrictions, but the 5-liter V8 and the electric 165 kW engines haven’t seen any changes. They still output the same 439 HP with a torque of 520 Nm, meaning that it will move the large limousine from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.3 seconds, a respectable time for a car of that size and weight. Lexus also claims that the reported CO2 emissions are around 219 g/km, largely due to the hybrid technology. Overall, the new facelifted 2010 Lexus LS 600h is looking pretty good and will hit countries all around the world soon enough. Read More: “Lexus revealed the new 2010 LS 600h in Frankfurt” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
|
Mercedes-Benz might eliminate Maybach brand Posted: 20 Sep 2009 11:55 PM PDT If you have more money than people earn in a lifetime, then you can certainly afford to be picky about the cars you drive, or more exactly, are driven in. For many rich people, Mercedes-Benz’s Maybach brand has been a prime target, with its 57 and 62 models. But if the recent economic recession hasn’t thinned out your wallets, then you may want to purchase that new Maybach soon, as the boss of Mercedes, Dieter Zetsche, has revealed during the Frankfurt Motor Show that the luxury brand might soon face the cutting block. This is largely due to the fact that there aren’t many rich people buying cars these days, and that the few who are, have more discrete taste and don’t want something as opulent or as flashy as a Maybach. Don’t forget though that the 57 and 62 have been around for quite some time and a new generation for both of them still hasn’t been confirmed or denied by Mercedes. Hopefully though, such a prestigious brand will live on, if not by being still in production maybe by its models becoming exclusive collectibles. Read More: “Mercedes-Benz might eliminate Maybach brand” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
|
Volkswagen targets Ssangyong for new purchase Posted: 20 Sep 2009 11:40 PM PDT Perhaps some of you might have hear about Volkswagen, which currently owns brands like Audi, Bugatti, Bentley, Seat or even Lamborghini. But it seems that the leader of the large corporation, Ferdinand Piech, isn’t content with all of these groups under his umbrella and is eying South Korean SUV maker Ssangyong. Yes, you read right, Ssangyong, the corporation which is now in bankruptcy and under some severe cost cutting measures, might be purchased by one of the biggest automakers in the world. A big part of the motivation behind Piech’s actions relate to the plants that Ssangyong owns, which can produce around 250,000 cars per year, and which might be modified to produce other models from the VW corporation, right in the Asian continent. Also, unbeknown to many Europeans is that Ssangyong currently owns and is developing plenty of new electric technologies, thanks to the big industry segment of South Korea. The new purchase seemingly has all of the right attributes to take place as the current owner of Ssangyong, SAIC, revealed that it doesn’t want to take helm of the South Korean manufacturer once more without a reliable partner, and guess who currently has no obligations? Yeah, Volkswagen. All we can do though is wait and see if this transaction will actually take place or if VW will target another Asian automaker. Read More: “Volkswagen targets Ssangyong for new purchase” Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
|
You are subscribed to email updates from Rpmgo.com To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 |