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Monday, December 21, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Top Gear Season 14 Episode 5 review
- 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year final finalists are revealed
- Ferrari boss confirms Schumacher might race in Formula 1 for Mercedes
- Audi R8 gets impaled by guard rail, driver miraculously escapes
- New Alfa Romeo Giulietta photos appear, gallery included
- Spyker makes one last bid to save Saab
- More details appear on electric Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, will appear in 2013
- 2011 Ford Mustang gets 5.0-liter V8 with 412 HP
- New Opel/Vauxhall CEO says Corsa-based crossover and Mini-rivaling city car will soon arrive
- Performance version of Mini Countryman crossover might race in WRC
| Top Gear Season 14 Episode 5 review Posted: 21 Dec 2009 05:08 AM PST  After one week of hiatus, Top Gear has finally returned with a very impressive episode, in more ways than one. From testing out the new Noble to inviting the reigning world Formula 1 champion, Jenson Button, episode 5 of season 14 was filled with unexpected twists and also contained a heavy dose of culture. Hit the jump to read our review. The news segment was next, and following the tradition, the episode before Christmas examined various car-related gifts. From a perfume made by the RAC to a useless Land Rover whistle, nothing was spared, especially an awkward Mercedes-Benz shirt which was improved by Jeremy thanks to a lighter. What followed was pretty much a cultural endeavor, as the guys decided to fill an art exhibition in Middlesbrough with car-related works and try to get as many people to visit it as a modern art exhibition in London. What followed was an impressive effort, in classic Top Gear style, which although didn’t reach the benchmark of visitors, was pure ecstasy for car fans around the world as some of those works were very impressive. Last but not least, the Star in a Reasonably Priced car was none other than reigning world champion Jenson Button, which took the Suzuki Liana, the old reasonable car, on the track. As you may remember, the show has a separate list for professional drivers. Jenson, even though the track was covered in melting snow, managed an extremely fast lap and came quite close to Lewis Hamilton, his new teammate at McLaren, which had a dry track. Overall, an impressive episode. Look forward to the South America special next week, right after Christmas. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year final finalists are revealed Posted: 21 Dec 2009 04:50 AM PST  At the beginning of October we announced the finalists for the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. Now, from that shortlist only three vehicles in each category have remained, with the winners to be announced in January at the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS). In terms of cars, the battle will be between the Buick LaCrosse, Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Volkswagen Golf. The trucks which will be fighting for their own prestigious award will be the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Transit Connect and the Subaru Outback. It’s quite a feat for Ford to have a finalist in each category, and considering it won the 2009 Truck of the Year with its F-150, hopes are quite high in their camp. What are your predictions? Sound off in the comments section below. Source: North American Car & Truck of the Year Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Ferrari boss confirms Schumacher might race in Formula 1 for Mercedes Posted: 21 Dec 2009 04:33 AM PST  Michael Schumacher’s name is, thanks to 7 world Formula 1 titles, linked to Ferrari. But lately more and more rumors are saying that the German racer might make a comeback into F1, even though he retired a few years ago. But the shocking part about these rumors is that he will race for Mercedes-Benz’s new F1 team, which was formed after the carmaker bought reigning world champion team Brawn GP. Left without a start driver, as the current champion Jensen Button will race for McLaren, Mercedes is keen on signing Schumacher, reportedly giving him a huge amount of money. Speaking to the press, Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo has revealed that he has in fact talked with Schumacher, and that he told him there is a strong possibility to make a comeback for Ferrari.
As you may have heard, Schumacher was in the cards of returning to Ferrari in the middle of the 2009 season, but an old neck injury prevented him. Now, considering his neck is fully healed, we might see him race under Mercedes. Montezemolo also added that given the long time collaboration between the Italian company and the German driver, they will still remain close friends, no matter what his decision will be. What do you believe? Should Schumacher return to Formula 1? Share your thoughts with a comment. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Audi R8 gets impaled by guard rail, driver miraculously escapes Posted: 21 Dec 2009 04:17 AM PST  Guard rails are used in order to protect cars and their drivers but given the wrong circumstances, they can turn things from bad to worse. Such is the case with a Greek driver of this Audi R8, which supposedly fell asleep behind the wheel. As a result, the car veered off the road and went straight into a guard rail, which impaled the R8 right through the steering column and went out the rear window. Miraculously though, he driver escaped, although he did have some serious leg injuries.  Judging by the pictures dug up by the guys at WreckedExotics, he should definitely thanks his lucky stars he made it out alive. Source: WreckedExotics Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| New Alfa Romeo Giulietta photos appear, gallery included Posted: 21 Dec 2009 01:55 AM PST  Alfa Romeo isn’t in the best of situations right now, as its parent company, Fiat, ordered a financial review to see if the brand is profitable enough to justify its existence. But given the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback model, I say money doesn’t matter. The car is gorgeous and exemplifies the essence of Alfa Romeo. Hopefully the audit will allow the brand to be kept alive, and continue to release cars which break the norm in terms of design. Until we hear the concrete details early next year, you can visit the dedicated website Alfa has launched and enjoy this new photo gallery of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Photo Gallery: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Source: Autoblog.it via Automarket Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Spyker makes one last bid to save Saab Posted: 21 Dec 2009 01:17 AM PST  Don’t count Swedish carmaker Saab out just yet, as Spyker has revealed that it has made one last bid on the company, which is scheduled to be terminated by its current owner, General Motors. The 11-point proposal was given yesterday and GM is expect to reveal an answer later today concerning the definitive fate of its Swedish brand. According to the CEO of Spyker, Victor R. Muller, the new proposal is in compliance with all the requests GM made, and might get approved by the US company.
Hopefully this new offer will be the one GM’s been looking for, and will guarantee the revamp of the Swedish brand. All we can do now is wait until GM makes an official statement. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| More details appear on electric Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, will appear in 2013 Posted: 21 Dec 2009 01:09 AM PST  There have been plenty of rumors regarding the electric model Mercedes-Benz is preparing, based on its latest SLS AMG supercar. Now, the boss of the AMG division, Volker Mornhinweg, revealed many interesting details, including the fact that it is scheduled to appear in 2013. First off, he said that the electric SLS will be a proper sportscar, with a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) time of around 4 seconds and with a battery range of around 110 miles (177 km). Its estimated power outputs will be around 525 HP with 649 lb-ft of torque, but given the added weight of the batteries, its performance won’t be on par with the gasoline-powered SLS AMG, but according to Mornhinweg, it will still offer a great experience.
How do you feel about the electric Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG? Leave a comment with your thoughts. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Ford Mustang gets 5.0-liter V8 with 412 HP Posted: 21 Dec 2009 12:53 AM PST  Great news for Mustang lovers, as thanks to some essential leaks, we have found out that the 2011 Ford muscle car will be getting a 5.0-liter V8 engine, developing 412 HP. The new power unit will essentially put the Mustang on equal ground with its much beefier opponents like the Chevrolet Camaro SS, with its 6.2-liter V8 and 422 HP, or the Dodge Challenger SRT8, with its own 6.1-liter HEMI that develops 425 HP. For the true muscle car fan, the decission is quite simple. No other details were spilled though, meaning that we’ll have to wait for the Detroit Auto Show in January to find out. Source: Inside Line via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| New Opel/Vauxhall CEO says Corsa-based crossover and Mini-rivaling city car will soon arrive Posted: 21 Dec 2009 12:30 AM PST  Nick Reilly, the man recently placed in charge of the destiny of GM’s Opel/Vauxhall brands has revealed a few projects that his company is currently working on, and which will mark the entrance of the two brands on a new market segment, while establishing itself on other ones. The first new model, which might arrive in 2013, is a new crossover, based on the current Corsa platform, and will mark the entrance of Opel in that new mini-crossover market. And speaking of small models, Reilly also revealed that a new city car will also appear, which will sit alongside the Agila, and rival the Mini. The new CEO didn’t confirm nor deny that the new car might be the new Allegra. He also axed any rumors about the termination of the Agila, as the car was developed in partnership with Suzuki, who is now collaborating with Volkswagen.
Hybrid and electric cars were also revealed by Reilly, which said that the push will be led by the Ampera hybrid, which he hopes will sell around 15,000 units in 2011, when it will be launched. "We will have hybrid engines in our program in the next five years,” he said. "We expect [to sell] 10,000 to 15,000 vehicles [Amperas] a year at the start. Later it could quickly become substantially more." Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Performance version of Mini Countryman crossover might race in WRC Posted: 21 Dec 2009 12:02 AM PST  We’ve already talked about UK-based rally Prodrive and its possible plans to introduce the upcoming Mini Countryman crossover into the WRC competition, but after the presentation of the Beachcomber concept, last week, new details have appeared. It seems that after the Countryman will be officially presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, in March, two mode variants of that platform will arrive. A lower-riding five-door model, which will evoke an estate model, and a performance edition of the Countryman, likened to a GTI edition, which might use the BMW’s 2.0-liter diesel engine. It is this special Countryman GTI which will receive the rally treatment, new rumors say, with the team at Prodrive aiming to throw it against Citroen’s upcoming DS3 WRC special edition, which is due to replace the C4 WRC in 2011. Mini did have an impressive rallying history, culminating with the 1964 Monte Carlo rally where it showed bigger models like the Ford Falcon or Citroen DS who’s boss, so BMW might have plenty of things to gain from entering the UK brand into such competitions. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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