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Thursday, November 26, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- VIDEO: 2010 Dodge Viper ACR breaks lap record at Laguna Seca, special version to commemorate that will appear
- EuroNCAP safety scores revealed: Opel Astra, Chevy Cruze, BMW X1 and more pass, Toyota Urban Cruiser disappoints
- Land Rover Discovery celebrates 20 years of existence through new ad collage
- Volkswagen reveals 2010 Dakar rally-prepped Touareg competition model
- GM hasn’t given up on Saab, Swedish government official says
- Underground Racing reveals ridiculous 1,500 HP twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo
- No, plug-in hybrids won’t cause a blackout in your neighbourhood, yet
- Ouch! GM preparing to cut almost 9,000 jobs from Opel
- Volkswagen considering CC version of the Golf 7
- Mazda thinking about new compact crossover CX-3
| Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:22 AM PST  Most people don’t usually care about racing circuits, instead focusing on the cars that are on them. But true enthusiasts know that if a track is designed properly, it can amplify the feats of both the cars and the drivers which handle them. One such track is Laguna Seca in the USA, which has offered some unique thrills to anyone thanks to its sharp corners and demanding sections. That is why Dodge chose this track to prove the skills of the 2010 Viper ACR performance model, which is faster, accelerates better and even sticks more firmly to the road thanks to some aerodynamic adjustments, than the 2009 model. The result? The 2010 Dodge Viper ACR has broken the lap record of Laguna Seca, which was set by a Devon GTX, also powered by a Viper engine. The new ACR, and sadly one of the last ones to appear for the brand, traveled the Laguna Seca circuit in just 1:33.944. In honor of this feat, Dodge was quick to announce that a commemorative Laguna Seca edition of the Viper ACR will appear soon. You can check out the record-breaking lap, complete with commentary from Chris Winkler, the Dodge test driver which wrangled the Viper on the track, after the jump. Enjoy!
Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Posted: 26 Nov 2009 01:37 AM PST  After seeing the results from the IIHS in terms of the safety ratings for the newest cars launched on the North American market, the independent organization EuroNCAP has also revealed its results from the crash tests it conducted with the new models from the old continent. Out of the 12 new cars tested, 10 of them managed to score a perfect 5 stars of out 5 for their safety precautions. Props go to the new Chevrolet Cruze, which managed to score a 96% safety rating for its inhabitants, with high marks also going to the Opel Astra, BMW X1, Citroen DS3, Infiniti FX, Mazda3, Mercedes E-Klasse, Mercedes GLK, Peugeot 5008 si VW Scirocco. The two cars which didn’t manage to get the highest safety rating were the new Chevrolet Spark, which could’ve gotten it if ESP was standard on all of its versions, and the Toyota Urban Cruiser, which managed a 56% safety rating for its inhabitants, scoring only three stars Overall, in case safety is your primary concern, these new results from the EuroNCAP will definitely help you in the hunt for a new car. Source: Automarket Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Land Rover Discovery celebrates 20 years of existence through new ad collage Posted: 26 Nov 2009 01:18 AM PST  It seems that a lot of things are celebrating 20 years of existence these days, as not only did the TDI engine reach the big number but also the famous Land Rover Discovery model, which celebrates it through an ad collage. I commemorates some of the most interesting ads made for the Discovery, ever since it began its life and from the new one, which is the perfect solution for those of you who want to have something for the city, but also rest assured that it will handle itself off road. Hit the jump to see the video and wish the Land Rover Discovery a happy birthday.
Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Volkswagen reveals 2010 Dakar rally-prepped Touareg competition model Posted: 26 Nov 2009 12:49 AM PST  During the 2010 Dakar Rally, eyes will be primarily on the Volkswagen Amarok vehicle, which even though won’t race, will provide technical support and transport officials on the harsh terrain in Argentina, where the competition will take place. But don’t forget that Volkswagen is also entering the competition with a special Touareg model. Don’t go thinking that this will be a normal Touareg with bigger tires or something like that, as the competition model has very little in common with the road-legal VW SUV. Everything from the special 2.5-liter straight-five-cylinder TDI engine to the custom three-plate hydraulic clutch has been optimized for the harsh desert environment which makes the Dakar rally such a challenge. The body of the model is made completely out of carbon fiber, weighing just 50 kg (110 pounds), and allows the engine, which develops 280 HP and 596 Nm of torque, to push the model from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.1 seconds and up to 189 km/h. Overall, seeing as how Volkswagen needs to defend the title it earned at the beginning of the year with the old Touareg model in the cars category, this is definitely the car which can achieve such a thing. The rally is set to begin right on January 1st, 2010. Source: Wired Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GM hasn’t given up on Saab, Swedish government official says Posted: 26 Nov 2009 12:30 AM PST  GM was set to bounce back from the economic turmoil, as it announced that it will start paying off its debts to the US and Canadian governments, it will keep and restructure Opel, but things are taking a turn for the worse once more, as the deal it had with Swedish supercarmaker Koenigsegg to get fellow company Saab off its GM’s hands has fallen. But don’t go thinking that GM will simply close down Saab, as according to Joran Hagglund, a state secretary for Sweden’s industry ministry revealed that: “I talked to GM last night and my impression is that they have not given up hope.” But the enterprise minister, Maud Olofsson, did admit that: “”For every day that passes the challenge gets bigger and bigger.” Don’t forget that the Swedish government has already passed on bailing out Saab, and is willing to sit the whole ordeal through until the bitter end. Hopefully GM will be able to find a new buyer for its Scandinavia brand, perhaps from Asia. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Underground Racing reveals ridiculous 1,500 HP twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo Posted: 26 Nov 2009 12:13 AM PST  There are some tuning projects which aim to increase the power of an engine by around 100 HP, and there are some which aim to take it as high as mechanically possibly. The latest work from the team at Underground Racing falls right into the second category and pushes it to its limit, as the team unveiled an outrageous Lamborghini Gallardo, which saw its normal V10 engine fitted with twin turbos, and its output increased to a massive 1,500 HP (at 30 psi and running on VP C16 racing fuel). The company made this Gallardo for a client known only as Jonah, which then took it to drag track and, with minimum experience and on his first drive of the car, managed to get a sub-10 second time on the quarter mile strip. This is quite an impressive feat of tuning and you can check out the video of the car after the jump.
Source: WorldCarFans Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| No, plug-in hybrids won’t cause a blackout in your neighbourhood, yet Posted: 25 Nov 2009 11:56 PM PST  With hybrid cars becoming more and more popular these days, many eco-friendly motorists are considering such models, with plug-in ones being the most attractive as they offer a zero-emission way of doing short drives around the city. But skeptical people quickly raised the question of what this new wave of plug-in hybrids and electric cars will do to the electric power grid, supposedly taking it way past it safety margins. Don’t worry about that though, as a new study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute and the Natural Resources Defense Council has revealed that such vehicles aren’t that numerous in the US and won’t pose a threat to the grid anytime soon. The study also says that some areas might require some reinforcement, but until people will heavily demand and charge up plug-in hybrids from their average home sockets, things are still alright … for now. Source: Green Car Reports via Jalopnik Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Ouch! GM preparing to cut almost 9,000 jobs from Opel Posted: 25 Nov 2009 11:38 PM PST  Even though Opel was pleased with General Motors’ decision to keep it and refrain from selling it to the Canadian partsmaker Magna, it seems that the celebrations will come to an end soon, as the restructuring process will mean that almost 9,000 jobs at Opel will be cut, with the majority affecting Germany. The plan, which will require around $5 billion in funding that GM hopes to get from various European governments, with the German one expect to be the primary contributor, will require fat trimming from all of the departments of the carmaker. Hopefully the good sales that it has been experiencing with the Insignia and the big ones expected for the new Astra will make things better. Seeing as how things are very troublesome at Opel, Saab isn’t in the best of positions. Source: The Detroit News via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Volkswagen considering CC version of the Golf 7 Posted: 25 Nov 2009 11:24 PM PST  Seeing as how it struck gold with the Passat CC model, Volkswagen is attempting to see if it can adapt the recipe for the smaller brother underneath the Passat, the Golf, and is considering releasing a CC premium sedan version of the upcoming Golf 7 model. The new car will of course be launched a couple of year after the regular Golf 7 hatchback, around 2014, and will offer a more premium feel, but situated, in terms of price, under the Passat CC. It will retain a five-seater configuration but see the new MQB platform stretched to allow more leg room and the addition of the boot. While this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I’m sure that a Golf 7 CC will definitely attract many people who can’t afford a Passat, but still want a more luxurious sedan model. What do you believe? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment. Source: Autoblog.it via Automarket Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mazda thinking about new compact crossover CX-3 Posted: 25 Nov 2009 11:10 PM PST  While Mazda’s SUVs, the CX-7 and CX-9, haven’t really blown everyone away, it seems that the Japanese carmaker is confident that the market is ripe and is preparing, reportedly, to unveil a brand new compact crossover, dubbed the CX-3. The new model, which might be basing itself on the Mazda 3, will take full advantage of the new technologies developed by the carmaker, and use the SKY-G and SKY-D engines, coupled to the SKY-Drive automated gearbox. Expect front-wheel and all-wheel drive to appear in this new crossover, which according to rumors, will see the light of day around 2011 and will be sold on a global market, including Japan, Europe or North America. While Mazda does make some great cars, I can’t help thinking that the SUV market might be a lost cause for the company. What do you believe? Leave a comment with your view. Source: Autoblog.it via Automarket Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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