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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Nissan GT-R driver hits tow hitch, needs to pay $18,000 repair bill
- Hummer plans H4 and H5 models, looks to the future
- 73 year old man has destroyed over 10 supercars in 3 years
- McLaren begins webseries showcasing the development of the MP4-12C, first episode included
- Nissan still working on GT-R SpecM model, to be priced around $200,000
- Mercedes-Benz preparing new C Class-based coupe model?
- US launch of next generation BMW X3 delayed six more months, due out in middle of 2011
- Volkswagen launches New Beetle Black Orange special edition, goes for a little Porsche look
- Mitsubishi issues recall for 30,000 2008-2009 Lancer and Evolution models over airbag sensors, but there’s a catch
- US-spec Chevrolet Cruze to debut alongside Volt in Los Angeles
| Nissan GT-R driver hits tow hitch, needs to pay $18,000 repair bill Posted: 18 Nov 2009 02:36 AM PST  This is just one of those stories which leaves your mind boggled after hearing it. It seems that a UK driver of a beautiful Nissan GT-R sportscar, was involved in a minor accident, as a van in front of him stopped suddenly and he didn’t have time to complete stop without damaging the car. After the accident, which consisted in his front bumper scraping on the tow hitch of the van, the man took the Japanese supercar to the service to get it fixed. You can imagine the shock and surprise he had when he found out that he needed to pay a whopping £11,000 (around $18,000) for the repair. It seems that the crash, besides causing some scrapes on the front bumper, managed to trigger the pedestrian collision sensor, which deployed two, one-use air rams that lift the hood and provide a cushion for the pedestrian, which was inexistent during the crash. As such, the guy needed to pay for new hood hinges, the aforementioned rams and a new electronic controller for the pedestrian collision safety system. While I definitely applaud such safety systems, in cases such as this, perhaps Nissan GT-R owners should just weld the rams in place and not have to pay the amount spent on a small car every time the system deploys. What do you think? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment. Source: GT-R Register via Jalopnik Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Hummer plans H4 and H5 models, looks to the future Posted: 18 Nov 2009 02:08 AM PST  Whatever say about it, Hummer’s current situations isn’t the most craved after in the whole automotive industry, as GM is preparing to get it off its hands and sell it to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong corporation for just $150 million, a deal which might get signed at the beginning of December. But Hummer does have a plan for its future though, as its CEO, Jim Taylor, revealed that alongside the company, Sichuan will also receive plans for the H4 model, and has expressed the points that the company wants to address as soon as the new Asian ownership is confirmed. First on the agenda will be the revamp of the brand, as the Chinese company is eager to invest in marketing and get rid of the image everyone has when it thinks about Hummer, of big, heavy gas guzzlers which are of limited use. Secondly, the company plans to sell more cars next year and get more models in the showrooms in order to get the attention of prospective buyers. The aforementioned marketing will also play a key role in this goal. Last but not least, and perhaps the most important thing, the Hummer CEO revealed that it plans to release a H4 model, which will be smaller than the H3 (that’s not saying a lot) and based on the HX concept (shown above) it showed last year in Detroit. Rumors also indicate that this H4 might even receive a hybrid version in order to improve fuel economy. An even smaller H5 is also on the drawing board, to attract people who want a smaller, but practical off-roader, with top notch fuel economy. Overall, these are some big goals from Hummer, but until the ink is drying on the contract between GM and Sichuan Tengzhong, nothing is for certain. Source: Automotive News (sub. req.) via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 73 year old man has destroyed over 10 supercars in 3 years Posted: 18 Nov 2009 01:36 AM PST  I’m sure most of us know at least one driver which no matter what car he is maneuvering, pushes it to its limits and well beyond them, managing to crash it in one way or another. But I’m sure most of them have got nothing on a 73-year-old Florida business man who managed to crash around 10 supercars, most of them worth a small fortune, all during 3 years of his life. He should of course commend the manufacturers for implementing safety features which kept him alive and still able to destroy more vehicles. Above you can see one of two Ferrari 360 Spyder models he crashed during the aforementioned three years, but he also managed to crash models like a Ferrari F355, Bugatti EB110, Ford Indigo concept car, Ferrari Dino, Ferrari F430, Ford Model T, Yenko Camaro plus a couple Caterham racers. Yes, I know, it’s unbelievable and I think every guy from the first two or three crashes would’ve realized that his place wasn’t behind the steering wheels of any supercar. Source: Wrecked Exotics Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| McLaren begins webseries showcasing the development of the MP4-12C, first episode included Posted: 18 Nov 2009 01:20 AM PST  I’m sure most of you are pretty excited about the upcoming McLaren MP4-12C, the UK-based carmaker’s supercar which will take the fight to brands like Ferrari or Lamborghini. In order to capitalize on that interest, the company has now began a webseries consisting of videos detailing the production process of the McLaren MP4-12C. In the first vidoe, the technical director Dick Glover shows the facilities of the McLaren headquarters, allowing a brief glimpse at the Formula 1 simulator, where engineers and drivers have worked on improving the cars of the motorsport team. He also says that the MP4-12C spent a lot of time there. The video also reveals where the company has tested the upcoming supercar, taking it from extremes like the Arctic to Bahrain, and on famous tracks like the Nurburgring and even the Top Gear test track in Dunsfold. Overall, an interesting video, which you can check out after the jump.
Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Nissan still working on GT-R SpecM model, to be priced around $200,000 Posted: 18 Nov 2009 01:03 AM PST  The Nissan GT-R (R35) is one incredible car, fact highlighted by its great track times and praises it has earned from experienced drivers and pilots all over the world. With the SpecV, the Japanese company improved the model and made it perfect for racing enthusiasts. But what about those of us who still want some racing pedigree, but need to car for some day-to-day activities? Well I’m sure most of you can remember the great Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) M-Spec, which offered some great experiences, but didn’t forget that its place was on the track. There were and still are consistent rumors about Nissan planning a supposed SpecM model for the GT-R, but most of the speculation revealed that it would’ve been surely revealed at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, which, as we all know, has ended for quite some time. Now, a new report comes from the land of the rising sun, with fresh details about the GT-R SpecM. According to a source, it will see the tough suspension of the SpecV be softened, but still firm enough to get around corners like European supercars from Aston Martin, Ferrari or Lamborghini. Sadly though, it will be priced like them, with details indicating a tag of 18,000,000 yen (around $200,000). But while this is more than prohibitive for the average driver, I’m sure many will gladly pay out for a GT-R they can use both on the track and the road. Source: InsideLine via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mercedes-Benz preparing new C Class-based coupe model? Posted: 18 Nov 2009 12:41 AM PST  While the new C Class sedan from Mercedes-Benz has definitely broken some boundaries in terms of sportiness for the German carmaker, the company is reportedly planning a new coupe based on the current generation of models, which will be the second after the not-so-popular CLC hatchback coupe. The new model, which will replace the discontinued but highly successful CLK model, will debut alongside the upcoming facelift for the C Class, which is set to arrive in 2011. It is reported, by an inside source, that the next coupe will draw heavily from the current C Class and its already aggressive lines.
But in case the possibility of a C Class coupe makes you interested, be warned that it won’t have a very long life cycle, as the source gives it at most four years in the model catalog before the new generation of the C Class appears, bringing with it another coupe based on it. Also, don’t expect a convertible like with the upcoming E Class coupe, as it isn’t worth the investment, according to the insider. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| US launch of next generation BMW X3 delayed six more months, due out in middle of 2011 Posted: 18 Nov 2009 12:16 AM PST  US fans of light crossovers will be disappointed to hear that the upcoming next generation BMW X3 has been delayed six more months by BMW America in order for a new ordering program to be implemented and to decide just what engines will be offered when it will go on sale, in the middle of 2011. As such, BMW will be offering X3 models with the most popular 10 options in dealer lots across the country, and will also move the production of the X3 from the Magna facility in Austria to its own Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, which currently handles the X5 and X6. In terms of engines, it seems that potential X3 owners will have a choice ebtween some interesting six-cylinder units, like an inline one, a naturally aspirated and even a turbocharged unit. Rumors also talk about a four-cylinder diesel and the newly revealed six-pot diesel, borrowed from the 335d. But even if the mid-2011 launch date scared you off, you should know that BMW plans to begin taking pre-orders in October 2010, meaning that the revamped crossover will most certainly be presented at a major auto show until then. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Volkswagen launches New Beetle Black Orange special edition, goes for a little Porsche look Posted: 18 Nov 2009 12:03 AM PST  While popular with retro fans, the Volkswagen New Beetle wasn’t really the hit the German company wanted. Who knows, maybe the next generation will be different, but until then, VW has announced a new special edition of the small city car, dubbed the Black Orange. While we’ve seen a few other special New Beetle editions, this one is quite interesting, as the exterior will be offered in a choice of either black, with white stripes on the side or orange with black stripes, managing to pull off a classic Porsche look. The special edition will be available for both the hatch and the convertible verison of the New Beetle, and will also arrive with a set of 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels on the outside and for the interior, a three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals and sport seats, all featuring orange stitching. Starting at a hefty €22,550 (around $33,800) for the hatch model with the 1.6-liter petrol engine developing 102 HP, the New Beetle Black Orange will also feature standard equipment like A/C, an upgraded audio system, armrest and electric windows. Does this funky new edition spark your interest or is the Beetle a lost cause in your view? Don’t be shy and leave a comment below. Source: CarScoop Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Posted: 17 Nov 2009 11:40 PM PST  The NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration) has announced that Mitsubishi will recall 29,353 Lancer and Lancer Evolution models from 2008 and 2009 due to an airbag sensor which, under certain circumstances, might corrode and delay the deployment of the airbags. Before all of you Lancer owners head to your local dealer, you should warned that the primary cause of corrosion for the airbag sensor will appear in the following months in case it is exposed to a mixture of snow and salt, the latter being a material used by many North American states when there is snow on the road. That salt will eventually corrode the sensor and thus prevent it from working correctly. As such, in states where salt in used, like Connecticut, New York or Wisconsin, starting from November 27 Mitsubishi will be recalling its Lancer models in order for a newer, more resistance airbag sensor to be fitted. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| US-spec Chevrolet Cruze to debut alongside Volt in Los Angeles Posted: 17 Nov 2009 11:30 PM PST  After we Europeans have had a taste of the new Chevrolet Cruze for quite some time, General Motors has announced that it will premiere the model stateside at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, in December. The model, which will replace the aging Cobalt, will debut alongside the Chevrolet Volt electric car at the brand’s stand during the convention. The Cruze is now scheduled to appear in dealerships in the third quarter of 2010, and will feature engines like a 1.4-liter turbocharged one or a direct-injected four-cylinder unit. No word on whether or not units offered in the European market, like a 1.6 or 1.8-liter engines or even the 2-liter turbo diesel, will appear in the US model of the Cruze. Expect more details though when the LA Auto Show will begin. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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