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Tuesday, November 3, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Ken Block reveals Subaru-based TRAX STI, a true snow tank, video included
- Wheelsandmore introduces YarroW Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 with 620 HP
- 2010 European Car of the Year finalists have been announced
- McLaren denies the delay of the MP4-12C’s launch in the US
- GM CEO says Chevrolet Volt will enter production in late 2010
- Toyota and Subaru’s sports coupe might get a convertible version
- Mercedes-Benz crash tests its newest SLS AMG supercar in new video
- Prodrive to debut Mini Crossover in WRC?
- Next generation Saab 9-3 “unlikely” to use GM platform
- Range Rover Sport gets tuned by Prestige
| Ken Block reveals Subaru-based TRAX STI, a true snow tank, video included Posted: 03 Nov 2009 05:41 AM PST  I’m sure most of you have heard about Ken Block, who is a popular rally driver slash stunt man, collaborating deeply with Subaru and promoting the fabulous WRX STI Impreza model. But up until now he has only modified the model for rally stages, fitting special performance parts and regular things you might expect on a car. Now though, it seems he found himself surrounded by snow, and deemed that a Subaru might do great on said surface. Not content with fitting snow tires or anything like that, Block decided to take a rally-spec WRX to Vermont SportsCar where its power was boosted to 400 HP, saw Group-N dampers fitted and, just as a last minute adjustment, had its wheels replaced with cat tracks. That’s right, as you can see in the image above, Block now has the TRAX STI, a true Subaru tank for driving in snowy conditions. If you want to check out the vehicle in action (trust me, you do) hit the jump to see a video of it.
Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Wheelsandmore introduces YarroW Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 with 620 HP Posted: 03 Nov 2009 05:13 AM PST  Even though owning a Lamborghini can put you into a very exclusive company with various other rich people and famous celebrities, this doesn’t stop tuning companies from offering tricked out versions of the models from the Italian supercar maker in order to appeal to those who want an even higher degree of exclusivity. This new project from Wheelsandmore is further testimony to this, as the team modified the rather exclusive Gallardo LP 560-4, taking the power to 620 HP and 785 Nm (580 lb-ft). Dubbed the YarroW, the new Gallardo was on the receiving end of a revamped ECU, a new carbon airbox, a stainless steel exhaust system with valve control, as well as an enhanced braking system and a coilover suspension. The engine kit costs €12,500 while the brakes are €13,998 and the suspension a measly €8,999.  On the outside, Wheelsandmore, as its name suggests, fitted a set of 20-inch wheels with 3-piece forged rims, offered in various color and surface options, wrapped in Dunlop Sport Maxx tires. They will cost “just” €11,400. The body kit, which wasn’t priced, includes things like a carbon fiber rear diffuser or side mirrors, while on the inside we can find various carbon fiber accessories. Source: WorldCarFans Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2010 European Car of the Year finalists have been announced Posted: 03 Nov 2009 02:20 AM PST  While Car of the Year competitions may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they are definitely a sign that its participants do offer some of the best experiences you can have on four wheels. We’ve already revealed the list of finalists for the North American car and truck of the year competitions, and now the European version of the contest has also chosen its seven cars which will fight over the Car of the Year award. They are: There will be 58 jurors from 22 countries, who will cast their vote until November 27 and proclaim the winner on November 30. Considering both the fact that last year’s winner was the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, and that our own Car of the Year contest held in Romania (at which our sister site AutoMOD participated) chose the Opel/Vauxhall Astra, the German model is a safe bet for this year’s competition. What’s your favorite model out of these seven? Leave a comment with your pick. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| McLaren denies the delay of the MP4-12C’s launch in the US Posted: 03 Nov 2009 02:06 AM PST  If you’ve been reading our blog for the last few months, you most definitely know about McLaren’s upcoming supercar, the MP4-12C, which will give rival carmakers Ferrari, Lamborghini or even its old partner Mercedes-Benz, a run for their money. Set to be released in early 2011, the car is already eagerly anticipated all around the world. But recent reports indicated that the company might delay the launch of the supercar in the United States, as finding dealers willing to market the car was proving to be rather difficult. But all of those rumors are nonsense, at least according to McLaren which revealed, through the voice of a spokesman, that: “All is on-track. Retailers are very keen and the customer list is strong.” He also took the chance to clear things up, as certain speculations indicated that McLaren pulled out of the December’s Los Angeles Motor Show, by saying that it has never intended to go there in the first place. So there you have it US McLaren fans, the British supercar will appear in 2011 at a dealer near you. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GM CEO says Chevrolet Volt will enter production in late 2010 Posted: 03 Nov 2009 01:51 AM PST  During a recent conference call at Washington, GM CEO Fritz Henderson was asked by a Senator about the state of one of the company’s biggest gambles, the Chevrolet Volt electric car. Henderson replied that everything is going smoothly and that it will enter production around late November or early December, 2010. As you all know, the government is quite interested about the measures GM is taking in order to become more popular and to generate a bigger profit, especially after getting all that bailout money from the tax payers. Henderson, besides praising the Volt, also revealed that he expects less than one percent of the cars sold through its “May the best car win” strategy, those with the 60-day Money Back guarantee, in case you forgot, to be returned. The executive also revealed that market share and brand reliability will increase, after a recent report deemed GM cars lagging behind its fellow Detroit rival, Ford, which didn’t receive any bailout money. Source: DetNews via Automarket Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota and Subaru’s sports coupe might get a convertible version Posted: 03 Nov 2009 01:33 AM PST  While most fans considered this fact a no-brainer, it seems that a Toyota executive confirmed that a convertible version of the company’s rear-wheel drive sports coupe, the FT-86, developed in partnership with Subaru, will appear, if demand is strong enough. We’ve already talked extensively about this joint project, which manifested in Toyota’s case with the FT-86 concept presented at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show and for Subaru in many spy shots and speculative renderings. We’ve also revealed that at least Toyota hasn’t decided on a name, but that it is quite possible that it will be Celica, in an effort to please fans of the famous sports coupe, which was discontinued a few years ago. While Toyota’s FT-86 will most probably be powered by a 2-liter boxer engine from Subaru, and will feed its power to the rear wheels, according to recent rumors, Subaru will create an all-wheel drive version, powered by a more powerful engine. But until next year when the FT-86 might enter production, we can’t know for sure any of these things. Source: AutoTelegraaf via MotorAuthority Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mercedes-Benz crash tests its newest SLS AMG supercar in new video Posted: 03 Nov 2009 12:35 AM PST Mercedes-Benz has just released a new video in which its newest supercar, the SLS AMG, is being crash tested at its safety labs. The brilliant supercar is being subject to all kinds of damage, and, from what we can see, manages to keep its inhabitants quite safe, even under the most extreme conditions. But while many of its buyers won’t pay much attention to its safety options, much rather preferring the performance ones, especially the massive 6.2-liter V8 engine, it’s good to know that it is a safe car. Hit the jump to see the video. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Prodrive to debut Mini Crossover in WRC? Posted: 03 Nov 2009 12:14 AM PST  Wild speculation time everybody! It seems that renown rally team Prodrive, which up until now represented Subaru in the WRC competition and produced world champions like Colin McRae, Richard Burns or Peter Soldberg, is working with a carmaker completely new to the rally scene and on a car that hasn’t been launched yet. Hmmm, whatever could it be? *cough* Mini Crossover maybe? When asked about the possibility that his team is indeed working with the British brand, the technical director, David Lapworth, said that he can’t confirm or deny such a thing, and that in the following months it will become harder and harder to keep the project a secret.
When asked by Autocar if the rally team has a working prototype of the car that they will use in the competition, Lapworth revealed that: “That would be difficult, the car doesn't exist yet.” While there are certainly plenty of cars which haven’t been launched, it seems that all of the current rumors indicate the Mini Crossover, set to be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010, as the prime target. Autocar also suggest that if the rumors were to come true, Mini and Prodrive will test the car during 2010, attend a few stages in 2011 and if things go along smoothly, will enter for the full season in 2012. Do you see such a thing coming true? Leave a comment with your thoughts. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Next generation Saab 9-3 “unlikely” to use GM platform Posted: 03 Nov 2009 12:01 AM PST  As you all know, Swedish carmaker Saab has been going through some tough times, but as fellow supercar maker Koenigsegg has officially bought it from GM, things are beginning to get a lot clearer about its future. We’ve already revealed the future plans that the new owner has for Saab, as it will manufacture fewer cars, but more expensive, in an effort to take the brand upmarket. Now, according to an executive from Saab, it seems that the next generation of its main sedan, the 9-3, won’t be based on a GM platform. For those of you unaware, the current 9-3, which received a facelift a few years ago, is based on a heavily modified version of the Epsilon platform from GM, outfitted with new suspension and various other subsystems, which made it more expensive to produce. According to Saab Global Brand and Sales Operations Director Knut Simonsson, it is “more unlikely than likely” that the next 9-3 will be using an American platform. Don’t forget that the company is also preparing a special Koenigsegg edition of the current 9-3, after which a much needed revamp will be made to the whole lineup. For fans of the Swedish manufacturer will still have to wait and see though, as the reconstruction process has just begun for Saab. Source: Leftlane Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Range Rover Sport gets tuned by Prestige Posted: 02 Nov 2009 11:37 PM PST  UK-based tuning company Prestige has just revealed its latest project, based on the Range Rover Sport, in which the team attempted to give it a more urban and muscular look, removing any doubts that the SUV could be used in other places except the city. First off, the bodykit is quite intriguing, with the front bumper boasting new air intakes and fog lights, and in order to achieve a wider presence on the road, the arches of the wheels have been enlarged. Side skirts were also added, as well as a set of air intakes in the rear door paneling. Speaking of the rear, the bumper has also been lowered and in order to support the new exhaust pipes.  On the inside you will be able to find custom leather finishes as well as a few other trinkets. If you want more exclusivity, Prestige also offers LED headlights, a side wing, bonnet vents, new radiator grilles or even spoilers for the rear of the Range Rover Sport. While it does look rather good, I would still prefer my SUV to look the part, and take comfort that if I buy such a big car, the next road bump won’t have me worried that I’ll lose any body kit parts. Source: WorldCarFans Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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