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Thursday, December 24, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Video: Michael Schumacher officially signs with Mercedes Formula 1 team
- Video: Latest Arabian pass time? Drifting the new BMW 7 Series
- Mercedes-Benz to release new CLS in standard plus shooting brake body style at 2010 Paris Motor Show
- Chrysler to bring many Fiat 500 variants including electric one at Detroit Auto Show
- Audi now says its e-Tron concept generates 501.5 lb-ft of torque
- BMW announced Z4 GT3 track car with M3 V8 engine
- Ford and Geely announce that a deal for Volvo has been reached
- Clearer leaked images of Honda CR-Z hybrid come from new brochure
- Future hybrid Nissan GT-R to borrow technology from Infiniti Essence concept
- Toyota to release cheaper, track-oriented version of the FT-86
| Video: Michael Schumacher officially signs with Mercedes Formula 1 team Posted: 24 Dec 2009 12:31 AM PST  It’s official Formula 1 fans, whether you loved him or hated him, Michael Schumacher is returning to F1, and will be a part of the all-German team of Mercedes GP Petronas (formerly known as Brawn GP, the current champion team). The contract, which reportedly will earn Schumacher around $9.9 million in 2010, will extend until 2013, and depending on how things will be going and how the 41-year-old pilot feels, might stretch out even further.
Frankly, I think this is great news and will certainly draw even more attention to a 2010 F1 season which promises to be the most heated one yet. Also, we’ll be getting a true UK versus Germany battle, with Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton driving for McLaren and Schumacher with Nico Rosberg for Mercedes GP. Until the season starts however, hit the jump to see an exclusive interview of Schumacher with the BBC. Source: BBC Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Latest Arabian pass time? Drifting the new BMW 7 Series Posted: 24 Dec 2009 12:09 AM PST  What do you get when you combine a luxury yet quite powerful limousine like the BMW 7 Series with the “craziness” of Arab thrill-seekers? A new video showcasing the powersliding/drifting capabilities of the Bavarian limousine of course! While you can’t actually call it drifting, as the drivers just jerk the steering wheel and hope everything turns out alright, it’s still an interesting sight to behold. Hit the jump to see just what rich Arabs do with the BMW 7 Series, which we also had a chance to test drive recently. Source: Automarket Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mercedes-Benz to release new CLS in standard plus shooting brake body style at 2010 Paris Motor Show Posted: 23 Dec 2009 11:52 PM PST  Rumors were already circulating about the next generation of Mercedes-Benz’s four-door coupe model, the CLS, which might appear at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, but now a new tidbit of information has appeared, concerning the body variants which will be available at the beginning. It seems that not only will we see an already typical four-door coupe look, but also a shooting brake variant, which basically is just a new way of saying that it will have an estate-like form, presumably borrowed from the older ConceptFASCINATION model which previewed the newly released E Class. Bot don’t go thinking it will go for the rather stylish two-door variant shown above on the concept, as four doors, plus the back liftgate will most likely be included in the production edition. What do you think? Should the new CLS sport such a body style? Leave your comments below. Source: AutoInternationaal via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Chrysler to bring many Fiat 500 variants including electric one at Detroit Auto Show Posted: 23 Dec 2009 11:36 PM PST  Chrysler and Fiat are definitely planning on hogging all the attention at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show next January, as rumors not only peg a rebadged Lancia Delta hatchback concept to appear, but also multiple versions of the hugely popular Fiat 500 city car, which will arrive soon enough in the US. Besides the Fiat 500C (that’s the convertible one) or the 500 Abarth high performance edition, the biggest surprise at the Chrysler booth will be an electric version of the Fiat 500. No word on what the electric concept will actually be, either just a mock-up or a fully-working model, but it will definitely grab the attention of many people. If all these new things won’t make you visit the Chrysler booth, then how about the fact that models like the Ferrari 458 Italia or the Maserati GranCabrio will be there, courtesy of Fiat? Either way, if you’re in the vicinity next January, the Detroit Auto Show can’t be missed. Source: Automotive News via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Audi now says its e-Tron concept generates 501.5 lb-ft of torque Posted: 23 Dec 2009 11:20 PM PST  The Audi e-Tron concept is quite impressive all alone, previewing a very powerful all-electric model. But more impressive were the torque figures the company announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show where it unveiled the concept: a whopping 3,319.03 lb-ft (4,500 Nm). Seeing as how even the newest supercars like the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG achieve just 738 lb-ft, quite a few eyebrows were raised. After a bit of detective work, it seems that the torque rating was measured at the wheel, and not at the drive shaft, as is the industry standard. It then seemed that the actual figure was around 252 lb-ft. Now, it seems that Audi released a statement in which it clarifies the use of the huge number and reveals a “classic” torque rating for its model. It seems that 3,319 was used in order to truly convey the acceleration of the e-Tron, as the four electric motors made the torque available right from 0 rpm. But in case you want to actually know the rating, it seems that the four motors put out a combined 501.5 lb-ft, more than enough to throw you in your seat every time you touch the gas pedal. Source: GreenCarAdvisor via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| BMW announced Z4 GT3 track car with M3 V8 engine Posted: 23 Dec 2009 11:05 PM PST  Great news for all the professional racing teams, as BMW has just announced that it will be releasing a special edition of its Z4 roadster, dubbed GT3, specifically targeted at racing competitions. What does this new model have that recommends it for such a goal? Why the massive 4.0-liter V8 engine from the M3, which can pump out around 480 HP, and, up until now, wasn’t even believed to fit into the smaller body of the Z4. The most powerful edition of the Z4 up until now was the sDrive35is model, which was recently unveiled and is pictured above. Teams which are interested in the new track car will find a wide array of systems which were already tested on the BMW M3 GT2 racing car, as well as a full set of customizations in compliance with competitions like the FIA GT3 or many 24-hour endurance racing championships. The price for such a model? A “measly” €298,000 (around $427,000). But while this prohibitive price does mean it is aimed at professional racing teams, this doesn’t stop fans of dreaming about a special, road-legal Z4 GTS edition, as the Bavarian company did release such a thing for the M3 model. Source: BMWBlog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Ford and Geely announce that a deal for Volvo has been reached Posted: 23 Dec 2009 07:42 AM PST  It seems Santa Claus has made one Swedish carmaker happy this holiday season, as Ford and Geely held a joint press conference and announced that a deal for Volvo has been reached, with the Chinese corporation, the largest privately owned carmaker in the Asian country, buying the company for an undisclosed amount from Ford. While the final paperwork is set to be signed in the first quarter of 2010, the two companies have revealed that there are no more hurdles to jump through, and assured everyone that the deal will take place as soon as legally possible, preventing anyone from thinking of what happened to the negotiations between GM and Koenigsegg for another Swedish brand, Saab. Geely might pay around $2 billion for Volvo, but no official word has been given. The sale, according to a Ford spokesman, “would ensure Volvo has the resources, including the capital investment, necessary to further strengthen the business and build its global franchise.” This is definitely great news for Volvo, which will continue its research in safety systems, but also for Geely which will access technology from both Volvo and Ford. What do you believe? Is it for the best? Share your thoughts below. Source: NYTimes Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Clearer leaked images of Honda CR-Z hybrid come from new brochure Posted: 23 Dec 2009 07:27 AM PST  Seriously, Honda needs to be more careful with its sales brochures, not that we mind, as these new, much clearer pics showcase the highly anticipated CR-Z hybrid hatchback coupe, which is set to appear next year on almost all worldwide markets. Not only does the exterior of the production model get previewed by these new scans, but also the interior, which was all but a mystery until now. It’s quite futuristic, but not as over the top as the concepts released up until now revealed. The last pre-production model will be presented at the Detroit Auto Show, and after that manufacturing will officially start.  For those of you who don’t know, the new CR-Z will be powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine developing 112 HP and 107 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 12 HP and 57 lb-ft electric motor. While its expected performance won’t blow anyone away, it will still be pretty good for a hybrid. With the possibility of a Mugen-tuned edition, or special versions like a Type-R, things might get even better for eco-conscious power enthusiasts. Source: Temple of VTEC via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Future hybrid Nissan GT-R to borrow technology from Infiniti Essence concept Posted: 23 Dec 2009 07:08 AM PST  We reported some time ago about the high possibility that the next generation Nissan GT-R (that’s R36) will be a hybrid, as its hungry gasoline engine will be mated to an electric motor which will boost the fuel efficiency. Now, the guys at InsideLine have reportedly dug up a few new tidbits of information. It seems that the 160 HP electric motor, showcased on the Infiniti Essence concept in Geneva, will be used together with the current 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, which is available on the R35 GT-R. It is also expected that Nissan engineers will throw in every weight saving tip they used on the current SpecV edition of the GT-R in order to balance the weight of the hybrid drivetrain. You should also know that this saved weight will come at a higher price than the current model, with rumors placing it over the $100,000 mark. Either way, a hybrid version of Nissan’s fabulous GT-R, with around 600 combined HP and a fuel efficiency of 25 to 30 mpg on the highway is quite attractive. What do you think? Drop a comment with your view on the possible hybrid Godzilla. Source: InsideLine Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota to release cheaper, track-oriented version of the FT-86 Posted: 23 Dec 2009 06:53 AM PST  Many Toyota fans were quite eager to see the new FT-86 concept at the Tokyo Motor Show this year, as it heralded the return of the Japanese automaker onto the rear-wheel drive coupe market which saw cars like the Celica, Supra or the famous Corolla AE86 coming from Toyota many years ago. Further proof that Japanese carmaker is betting big on the upcoming model, developed in partnership with Subaru, is a new report which states that the company will release a special edition of the FT-86, only for track use. This special edition, coming around 2011 with the standard one, will be much cheaper, around $22,000, as opposed to the speculated base price of the regular coupe of $27,000. According to British magazine EVO, this track-oriented model should see performance brakes and suspension as well as increased performance from the Subaru four-cylinder boxer engine, which powers it. No other details were given, but given tradition its former RWD coupe models had, the FT-86 will most certainly handle great in drifting competitions. Source: EVO via Jalopnik Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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