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Thursday, November 5, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- BMW launches M3 GTS, the track-oriented CSL you’ve been dreaming of, photos and video included
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park prepares to open its doors in 2010
- The last 500 Dodge Viper models will be made until 2010, replacement due in 2012
- MR Car Design unveils Black Rocco, outfits VW Scirocco with 370 HP
- UFC boss Dana White crashes his customized Ferrari F430
- Chrysler plans to replace Jeep Patriot and Compass with model based on Fiat platform
- VR Camaro coming to the UK, a cross between a Chevy and a Lamborghini Reventon
- Opel pleased with GM’s decission to keep it
- Unique Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano sold for €1.2 million / $1.8 million in China
- Toyota’s research and development to go on undaunted by Formula 1 exit
| BMW launches M3 GTS, the track-oriented CSL you’ve been dreaming of, photos and video included Posted: 05 Nov 2009 02:31 AM PST  You’ve got to hand it to BMW: when the company launched the new M3, it has clearly emphasized that fans shouldn’t expect a CSL (Coupe Sport Lightweight) version of the car to appear ever. BUt after a few years and a facelift, a track-oriented version of the M3 did appear, dubbed the GTS (see what they did there?). The model is aimed at the club-based racing scene, but in true BMW style, a homologation package, so that you can register the car for road use will be made available. Let’s get straight to the details shall we? Powering the BMW M3 GTS will be a revised version of the stock M3’s 4-liter V8 engine, which has seen its displacement upgraded to 4.4-liters, thus increasing the low end performance of the unit. The M division also fitted a larger carbon fiber inlet manifolt, reworked throttle body butterflies, mounted cast aluminum pistons, a stiffer crankcase and many other tweaks. The end result you ask? 30 HP more, taking the final output to 450 HP. Now while this may not sound as much, bear in mind that the model has been stripped of many “luxuries” and is now a full 155 kg (341 pounds lighter). Take into consideration the improved aerodynamics, largely due to the new body kit taken straight from the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) race car, the 320si, and you’ve got yourself an even faster M3. Changes and weight saving have been made all around the car, starting with the carbon fiber roof to the new body panels and the spartan interior, which saw its standard trim replaced with carbon fiber and alcantara panels. Special racing seats have been added, as well as a six point harness, a roll cage and a fire extinguisher, just in case. More mechanical upgrades were made to the M3 GTS, upgrading the M division’s seven-speed dual clutch DKG Drivelogic gearbox, which allows changes to be made through the shift paddles. More resilient clutch plates and other software changes makes the new model shift gears as fast as ever The suspension was of course modified, with newer and lighter mechanical parts, as well as reworked dampers, which will be attached toa set of 19-inch cast aluminum wheels, wrapped in performance Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires. Expect the BMW M3 GTS to appear on the market in summer of 2010, costing around €115,000 or $170,000. Hit the jump to see a teaser video of the BMW M3 GTS.
Source: BMWblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park prepares to open its doors in 2010 Posted: 05 Nov 2009 02:04 AM PST  Not a lot of companies can expect to make a profit by constructing a huge theme park dedicated to themselves, Disney being the one who started it all. But it seems that Italian supercar maker Ferrari hopes that its first theme park dedicated to its brand will break the mold when it will be opened next year, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. We’ve seen just how many enthusiasts are in the Arab country, and given the fact that it will be adjacent to the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 circuit situated on Yas Island, it will surely attract many fans under its giant red roof, sporting the biggest Ferrari logo ever made. The theme park will occupy over 200,000 square meters (that’s around two million square feet), all indoor, making it the largest park in the world. It will include over 20 rides, including the world’s fastest roller coaster, racing simulators, karting and flume rides through a giant Ferrari engine and, the most interesting, a g-force drop tower, which extends over 200 feet in the air, breaching the 150-foot-high roof. As well as these rides for the young children and for those young at heart, there will be plenty of other attractions for the whole family, at least according to Ferrari. The Ferrari World Abu Dhabi park will open next year. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| The last 500 Dodge Viper models will be made until 2010, replacement due in 2012 Posted: 05 Nov 2009 01:43 AM PST  After much debate, rumors and speculations, Chrysler’s CEO of the Dodge brand, Ralph Gilles, revealed yesterday that the Viper sports car will see 500 more models made, which will be the most “special” Vipers ever. He also said that the production of the model will end in July 2010, so as to not depreciate the value of the models already sold to fans all around the world. No details were given on how special the last batch of cars will be, but here’s hoping it will go out with a bang. But before you mourn the passing of the iconic model, rest assured that a replacement will arrive, as Gilles revealed that a new car will appear in 2012, with the help of Chrysler’s newest partner, Fiat. And in case you’ve forgotten, Fiat owns a very prestigious Maranello-based supercar maker (nudge nudge, wink wink). Does this mean American customers will be getting an Italian-flavored supercar under the Dodge name? Until 2012, let the speculations begin. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| MR Car Design unveils Black Rocco, outfits VW Scirocco with 370 HP Posted: 05 Nov 2009 01:30 AM PST  If there’s one thing the brilliant Volkswagen Scirocco can’t get enough, it’s power. At least according to tuning company MR Car Design, which has just presented its Black Rocco project, taking the power of the 2-liter TSI engine to a whopping 370 HP. Partly to “blame” for this increase in power is the revised ECU, a downpipe and a special MR Car Design stage 3 turbo kit. An exhaust system with four tailpipes was added, and thus the end ouput of 370 HP and 519 Nm was achieved. Throw in a limited slip differential, a Stoptech braking system and a set of V3 coilover suspension from KW and you’ve got yourself a proper hot hatchback model.  Of course the outside couldn’t be left untouched, as the team at MR fitted a Rieger body kit, consisting of front apron, side skirts and a rear valance with a faux diffuser, a matte black paint scheme and a set of 20-inch “Emotion wheels wrapped in Hankook S1 Evo high performance tires. No details on price were given, but judging by the looks and performance details, there will be plenty of people lining up to buy this tuning package. Source: WorldCarFans Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| UFC boss Dana White crashes his customized Ferrari F430 Posted: 05 Nov 2009 01:10 AM PST  Besides taking an interest in watching big sweaty guys duke it out in his competition, UFC boss Dana White also prefers cars, with one of his latest acquisition being a customized Ferrari F430 sports car. But the model has now entered into a bit of troubled, as highlighted by the picture the UFC executive posted on TwitPic, with the front side of the car being a bit smashed and cooling fluid, besides a few other liquids spilling on the asphalt. No details were given, so we shouldn’t point any fingers (that and because White knows a lot of strong fighters). Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Chrysler plans to replace Jeep Patriot and Compass with model based on Fiat platform Posted: 05 Nov 2009 12:59 AM PST  Yesterday, following its various presentations at the SEMA show, Chrysler, alongside its brand new partner, Fiat, has revealed its plans for the future of the company and all of its manufacturing brands. Besides revealing plenty of interesting presentations, which you can check out at the Chrysler website, the company highlighted a few things about the iconic Jeep brand. Most importantly, the Patriot and Compass will be replaced in 2013 by a model based on a platform from Fiat. While speculations point to a cross between Jeep and the Fiat Panda, it would be very interesting to see what Chrysler and Fiat will do in order to get the Jeep brand back to the top of the SUV/CUV market segment. It was also revealed that the Wrangler model will get facelifts for both the 2010 and 2011 model, with a special 70th Anniversary Wrangler set to be sold in 2011. Also, the executives highlighted that all Jeep models will come with an optional Trail Rated package, ensuring that the off-road prestige of the brand will stay the same. Overall, it seems that Fiat’s influence on Chrysler might get the company and its respective brands back to the success they enjoyed in yesteryears. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| VR Camaro coming to the UK, a cross between a Chevy and a Lamborghini Reventon Posted: 05 Nov 2009 12:31 AM PST  The UK has been getting the short stick lately in terms of the American muscle cars, as models like the Mustang or Challenger could only be imported from the US, which meant many taxes and, the most troublesome, being stuck with a left-hand drive car. But for fans of the Chevrolet Camaro a major surprise is brewing, as next year will see the premiere of the VR Camaro, a customized version of the American muscle car, which takes some major styling cues from the Lamborghini Reventon and comes with a much-welcomed right hand drive option. In terms of power, the VR Camaro will have plenty, as it will come with a special high performance braking system, a coilover suspension and, most importantly, a supercharger which takes its output to well above 600 HP.  As I’ve said, on the outside the VR Camaro takes some cues from Lamborghini’s exclusive Reventon, with the biggest shock coming from the front, with the aggressive fascia. Side skirts and a set of lighter 22-inch wheels have been added, as well as lighter carbon fiber body panels. The rear ends with a retro duck tail spoiler. The VR Camaro will come in two flavors, either white with orange accents or black with orange accents, both looking superb. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Opel pleased with GM’s decission to keep it Posted: 05 Nov 2009 12:09 AM PST  Well the workers and executives at Opel / Vauxhall might have not popped open the bottles of champagne, but the company did release a statement in which it welcomes the decision that General Motors’ board of directors approved yesterday, which meant that the American company will keep its stake in Opel stocks and won’t sell it to the consortium made by Magna and Sberbank.
The company took the chance to reveal that following recent successes, like the Insignia and the new generation of the Astra, it will prove to be a partner on which GM can rely to provide successful insight into its worldwide business. Source: AutoEvolution Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Unique Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano sold for €1.2 million / $1.8 million in China Posted: 04 Nov 2009 11:59 PM PST  You might remember about the unique Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano we reported on last month. The model, based on a customized edition of the 599 for the Chinese market, was finished by renown Chinese artist Lu Hao in a special pattern from the Ge Kiln porcelain from China’s Song Dynasty. You would think that people would prefer the normal Rosso Fuoco red paint job, but it seems that at least one anonymous bidder considered paying €1.2 million (or $1.8 million) to be a great deal, and got the unique model at a special Gala organized by Ferrari in Beijing. The money will be put to good use, as it will help young Chinese engineers and students from Tsinghua University’s Department of Automotive Engineering to study at Italy’s Politecnico di Milano University, and, if they’re lucky, land internship jobs at Ferrari’s Maranello production plant. Overall, it’s nice to see that Ferrari is doing great things for the community even though it is trying to get more popularity from the Asian country, which is set to buy more models than many other countries around the world in the following years. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota’s research and development to go on undaunted by Formula 1 exit Posted: 04 Nov 2009 11:41 PM PST  As we revealed yesterday, giant carmaker Toyota has retired from one of the most important motorsport competitions, Formula 1, due to the economic crisis. But a Toyota source revealed that this won’t affect the current research and development on new cars, and that it will just be business as usual.
Don’t forget that Toyota has already revealed the Lexus LFA supercar, which promises to take on companies like Ferrari or Lamborghini, and also plans to release the Toyota FT-86 concept (which might be named Celica) in order to make a comeback in the sports coupe market. One of the most interesting statements though was the small contribution the Formula 1 team had to R&D. “When did we last see anything from an F1 car on a road car?” he said. “The R&D on roads cars is now so advanced and far removed from F1 that we’re probably ahead of what they know in many aspects already.” The source ended by saying that until 2020, Toyota plans to have a hybrid in every car segment, and as such, the R&D department needs to work hard. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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