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Thursday, December 17, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- BMW introduces the 1 Series ActiveE electric concept
- Bugatti brings one special and two unique models to the Dubai Motor Show
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG goes for gold in Dubai
- 2011 BMW 740i brings the twin-turbo six-cylinder engine to North America
- 2011 Audi A8 to use Google Earth for navigation besides regular system
- Mercedes-Benz brings G55 AMG 79 Edition to Dubai, exclusive to the Middle East
- GM and SAIC preparing low-cost Tata Nano rival?
- Green technology gone bad: LED traffic lights can’t melt snow
- GM says it’s now or never for Saab, if Spyker doesn’t buy it, it will be shut down
- Techart Porsche Cayenne gets close to 200 mph (321 km/h), still claims it broke a speed record
| BMW introduces the 1 Series ActiveE electric concept Posted: 17 Dec 2009 03:47 AM PST  Electric vehicles are the future, at least according to many carmakers which are heavily investing in the technology. One such company is BMW, which has just presented its newest electric concept, the 1 Series ActiveE, which will join the electric push alongside the Mini E model, which is already being tested in Oxford, UK. The ActiveE will be the second part of BMW’s Project i, which aims at building a reliable electric fleet, which will be showcased at the 2012 London Olympics. The new model will use an electric motor, placed on the rear axle, which develops 170 HP and 184 lb-ft of torque, taking the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than nine seconds, and up to an electronically-limited 90 mph. The lithium-ion batteries will be grouped into two parts, one instead of the regular fuel tank, and the other instead of the engine, at the front of the car, and will provide a range of around 100 miles, plenty for the average urban citizen, according to BMW. Plenty of technologies will also be used to extend the range, including a system which recycles kinetic energy, which reportedly extends the distance the BMW ActiveE is capable by 20%. Other things like low-drag wheels which are wrapped in low-resistance tires will also be included in the model which is based on the 1 Series coupe version. The BMW ActiveE is set to being testing next year with regular customers and in fleets through a leasing contract. You will be able to catch a glimpse of it at the Detroit Auto Show in January, next year. Until then, check out the photo gallery below. Photo Gallery: BMW ActiveE Concept
Source: BMW Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Bugatti brings one special and two unique models to the Dubai Motor Show Posted: 17 Dec 2009 02:30 AM PST  Bugatti definitely knows where its faithful clientèle is, and has brought three big surprises at the Dubai Motor Show which is taking place these days in the Arabian emirate. Exclusive to the middle eastern market will be a special edition of the Veyron, and two unique models, based on the regular and the Grand Sport convertible edition. The Bugatti Veyron “Nocturne” special edition will consist of just five cars, which will see their side windows galvanized, thus continuin the line of the polished aluminum upper body parts to the rear of the supercar, contrasting with the black side and door-panels, as well as the roof. The hood is made out of polished aluminum and the wheels have also received the polishing treatment. On the inside, rich people will find a black nanocoated magnesium dashboard, whatever that means, thus a center console covered in galvanized Platinum, just for that extra touch.  Two one-off models are also shown in Dubai, the Sang d’Argent Veyron and the Soleil de Nuit Veyron Grand Sport. The first has a silver theme, as the metallic paint matches the polished aluminum parts like the doors and front wings. It also has silver-finished wheels, borrowed from the Grand Sport convertible version. Speaking of the Grand Sport, the Soleil de Nuit model will feature a horizontal split in the lower part of the car, which will be painted in a black blue metallic scheme, complete with mirror shine meshes. The upper body will be painted in a blue metallic one, which will also be used on the inner side of the rims, which were borrowed from the Sang Noir, and are diamond cut on the outside. The “burnt orange” interior will be seen by all when you drop the top down.  Interested in these models? Well prices start from €1.65 million for the Nocturne (around $2.4 million) while the Sang d’Argent costs €1.45 million ($2.11 million) and the Soleil de Nuit “just” €1.55 million ($2.25 mil). Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG goes for gold in Dubai Posted: 17 Dec 2009 01:59 AM PST  Given that the Middle East is one of the best luxury car markets in the world, you’ll certainly won’t find a Tata Nano at the Dubai Motor Show, unless it is covered with gold or something like that. But in case you love the precious metal, you will find a special Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar, decked out in a matte gold paint. The special edition is just for showcase though, but Mercedes officials did reveal that if demand is high, the “AMG Desert Gold” paint scheme will be available when the supercar enters production at the beginning of 2010. Hear that oil tycoons?  The special paint is in stark contrast with the rest of the accessories on the car, which are painted black, from the wheels to the Mercedes-Benz star in the grille. On the inside the same color is used, which also blends with carbon fiber, heavily used on the center console for example. If the 6.3-liter V8 supercar doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can opt for the G55 AMG 79 Edition, which is also on display at the Dubai Motor Show. Source: Mercedes-Benz Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 BMW 740i brings the twin-turbo six-cylinder engine to North America Posted: 17 Dec 2009 01:36 AM PST  North American fans of the BMW 7 Series will be happy to hear that the Bavarian company has just announced that it will be offering a new engine in its luxury limousine lineup: the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 unit, which will join the 4.4-liter V8 and the 6.0-liter V12 engines which were already available for the North American market. Set to follow in the steps of BMW’s new EfficientDynamics philosophy of replacing bigger, naturally-aspirated units with smaller, turbocharged engines, it will be featured on the 2011 740i and the 740Li, and will produce 315 HP with 330 lb-ft of torque. These models will also boast technologies like the brake energy regeneration one, which is a first for non-hybrid BMWs in the US, and will see the engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Expect the two new models to be showcased at the Detroit Auto Show, which will begin in January, 2010. Source: BMW Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Audi A8 to use Google Earth for navigation besides regular system Posted: 17 Dec 2009 01:19 AM PST  We’ve talked about navigation systems in cars before, but this time Audi wants to really strike capture the attention of technology fans, and has announced that its flagship 2011 A8 model, which will appear in spring, 2010, will be able to use Google Earth besides the regular navigation system. This will be possible through a GPRS/EDGE modem which can be installed in the car, and can use a regular SIM card to download data from the Internet, including pictures from Google Earth, thus accurately displaying your surroundings so that you can better orient yourself. You will also be able to use the new MMI interface with Google Earth, including the eight-inch touchscreen that the new limousine will posses. Don’t expect the service to be supported right from the start though, as it will likely be introduced in the summer of next year. Until then, you can survive with the regular navigation system. Source: Audi Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mercedes-Benz brings G55 AMG 79 Edition to Dubai, exclusive to the Middle East Posted: 17 Dec 2009 01:04 AM PST  For all our Middle Eastern readers: haven’t you felt the need for something much more exclusive while navigating the sand dunes in your back yard? Well you can now rest assured as Mercedes-Benz has revealed the closest thing to a jewel-incrusted camel, the G55 AMG 79 Edition. Named after the year the first G Class model entered production (1979, of course), the car will develop 507 HP and is exclusive to the Middle East region, given the big number of fans it has there, according to Mercedes. It will be painted in a custom “designo magno alanite grey” matte scheme, which will contrast with a big crash bar in the front, carbon-fiber-like side strips, a set of 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a titanium finish and the chrome grilles for the indicators, taillights and underguard. On the inside, you’ll find designo leather seats finished in a combination of black and sand, carbon-fiber trim and a special logo, detailing the number of the model from the 79 which will be made.  Overall, if I were a Middle Eastern oil tycoon, this would definitely be great for my huge garage. You can check it out at the Dubai Motor Show, which is going on these days in the sunny emirate. Source: Mercedes-Benz Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GM and SAIC preparing low-cost Tata Nano rival? Posted: 17 Dec 2009 12:49 AM PST  If you’re even remotely interested in cars, you’ve no doubt heard about India’s Tata Nano model which promises a cheap, albeit bare-bone means of transportation for emerging markets like its local country, and, with a few extra trinkets and “luxuries” will also reach European or North American shores. But even though it has only been out for a short amount of time, bigger companies are already preparing to fight fire with fire, and are busy creating their own low-cost models for emerging markets. Nissan is already making great progress, and it seems that General Motors, together with its Chinese partner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), are also planning a new model, to appear below the Chevrolet Spark / Daewoo Matiz model, which is selling in China through the 50:50 joint-venture the two corporations have going on. Of course no official statements were given, but it’s seems a pretty logical move, which might meant that in a few years, we’ll be assaulted with low-cost models such as the Tata Nano. Is this good or bad? You be the judge by leaving a comment below. Source: WheelsUnplugged via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Green technology gone bad: LED traffic lights can’t melt snow Posted: 17 Dec 2009 12:35 AM PST  It seems that taking your car out during the winter has transformed into something even more dangerous, as new incidents are happening all around the world due to new, much more efficient LED traffic lights, which are being pushed by environmentalists as a much greener alternative to normal traffic lights which use incandescent bulbs. But one thing the eco-conscious crowd failed to take into consideration is the snow, which sometimes gathers on the lights themselves. The snow would usually melt away soon enough due to the heat which is emitted by the regular bulbs, but seeing as how LED lights are more efficient in transforming the electric power into light instead of heat, the snow doesn’t melt away, rendering traffic lights useless. Already city officials from all around the US and even the world are trying various methods, from using compressed air to just sending people out to brush the traffic lights by hand, but overall, it seems this technology is a bit too efficient for its own sake. Also, drivers are recommended to approach intersections with more caution to avoid any mishaps. Source: AOL Autos Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GM says it’s now or never for Saab, if Spyker doesn’t buy it, it will be shut down Posted: 17 Dec 2009 12:19 AM PST  The Saab odyssey will soon come to an abrupt end, and, according to GM’s new CEO, Ed Whitacre, there will be two possible endings. Either Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker will buy the Swedish brand from General Motors, or the financially-struggling company will be shut down by the US corporation. It seems that the sale of technology used for the old 9-3 and 9-5 has just bought a short amount of time for Saab, and if an agreement with Spyker won’t be met until the end of December, the Swedish carmaker will be shut down, and all of the remaining technology will likely be sold to companies like China’s BAIC. At least we can still hope that everything will be alright for Saab, but until the end of the month, nothing is certain. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Techart Porsche Cayenne gets close to 200 mph (321 km/h), still claims it broke a speed record Posted: 16 Dec 2009 11:46 PM PST  After the tuner chest-beating which was the Brabus Mercedes-Benz GLK V12 model, which reportedly broke the fastest SUV speed record at the Nardo test track in Italy, reaching 322.3 km/h (or 200.2 mph), Porsche tuner Techart has revealed its own customized Cayenne SUV, which it claims is the fastest full-sized SUV on the market, managing to reach 321.2 km/h (199.5 mph). Although lacking in power, it has “just” 680 HP as opposed to the GLK which boasts 750 HP, and having more weight than the Merc, the Cayenne’s performance should still be applauded, as the engineers really worked to make it go faster than many sportscars currently available on the market. Too bad it still is pretty pointless, like many other performance SUVs. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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