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Monday, January 11, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Next generation Porsche Cayenne details leaked, new engines and hybrid included
- Next generation Ford Focus revealed before Detroit debut
- Lamborghini Gallardo also picks on Saab, crashes into a 9-5 wagon
- GM shifts Saab 9-5 production to China, another nail in Saab’s coffin
- New 2011 BMW M5 details revealed, no touring variant planned
- Michael Schumacher is confident in Mercedes GP: “the team is hungry for more success”
- What do you get when you combine a Caterham Se7en and a yacht? Pure awesomeness
- GMC Granite concept takes brand in a new direction
- Video: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG drives upside down in a tunnel. Real or not?
- High performance Ferrari 599 GTO reportedly packs 700 HP, arriving soon
| Next generation Porsche Cayenne details leaked, new engines and hybrid included Posted: 11 Jan 2010 05:03 AM PST  Even though it was the first model to break the mold for Porsche, the Cayenne has gathered quite a lot of fans during its lifecycle. Now, the Stuttgart company is preparing to improve the breed and will launch the next generation luxury SUV in a few months. But before then, it seems that the official details about the new generation have already been leaked, and reported on by the guys at Autocar. These pieces of information cover everything from the new engines, to the hybrid and the weight shedding process through which the Cayenne has gone through. First off, the Porsche SUV will come in a choice of three petrol engines: the entry-level 300 HP 3.6-liter V6, the 400 HP naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V8 (which will be in the Cayenne S) and the 500 HP turbocharged 4.8-liter V8, for the Cayenne Turbo. Of course, a diesel model will also appear, using the Volkswagen’s 240 HP 3.0-liter V6. Arguably one of the most important things about this new generation Cayenne will be the fact that you can choose a hybrid model, which will use an Audi-developed 333 HP 3.0-liter V6 running in tandem with a 47 HP electric motor which draws its juice from a pack of lithium-ion batteries. The setup used will also appear on the Panamera hybrid, and will allow the electric motor to power the Cayenne completely, albeit for a short amount of time. The new Cayenne generation will be more efficient, according to Porsche, as fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 23%, and three out of the five SUVs will register a figure above 28 mpg on the combined European cycle. The hybrid, of course, will be the most efficient one, boasting 34.5 mpg and under 200 g/km of CO2. Porsche managed to shave a lot of weight from its chunky SUV, which although boasts a slimmer figure, will offer even more space inside, especially for the rear passengers, which despite the big size of the last generation, were a bit cramped. The boot also saw its capacity increased to a standard 670 liters, but with the folded rear seats, it will easily fit 1780 liters. Last but not least, Porsche will use a new eight-speed automatic gearbox, complete with auto start stop functionality and brake energy regeneration. Even though the separate transfer case for the low range gearing has been eliminated, the German engineers claim that the Cayenne will hold its own in off road conditions, and on the road will easily beat the BMW X6, which they considered their main rival. Overall, the new Cayenne definitely sounds good. Until a final unveiling though, which will happen at the Geneva Motor Show, we still need to wait. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Next generation Ford Focus revealed before Detroit debut Posted: 11 Jan 2010 01:37 AM PST  Ford is increasingly more confident in its C segment cars, primarily the Focus model, which has been selling extremely well in Europe, largely due to its great design and handling. Sadly, US customers were treated with a older models which just didn’t do the name any justice. Now, under the company’s “One Ford” strategy, the next generation Focus has been revealed to a global market, just before its unveiling later today at the Detroit Auto Show. The new model promises to be a turning point for the US company, which says that over 80% of its equipment will be common to all areas of the world.  Sporting the next iteration of the Kinetic design direction, which has been extremely successful in Europe, the new Focus will arrive in both five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan versions, and is set to be sold in over 122 countries around the world. After the premiere of two models next year, expect over 10 more variants based on the same platform to appear by the end of 2012. The interior will be focused (pun not intended) on the driver, and offer a variety of new technologies, including a new six-speed dual-clutch transmission, which will be more efficient by 9% than the previous automatic gearbox.  Europeans will be getting their hands on a 1.6-liter Ecoboost engine, alongside a few other petrol ones, but also new Duratorq diesel units, that promise better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 output. Americans will receive a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter engine, double variable valve timing, also more efficient than the older power plants. Overall, Ford is extremely confident in the new Focus, and hopes to sell over 2 million cars by 2012. Until the model will appear on the market, you can check out the photo below with both the hatchback and sedan editions of the 2012 Ford Focus. Photo Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus
Source: Ford Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Lamborghini Gallardo also picks on Saab, crashes into a 9-5 wagon Posted: 11 Jan 2010 01:00 AM PST  Saab can’t catch a break these days with all the termination rumors floating dangerously around the Internet. Now, a Lamborghini Gallardo driver decided to punish a few of its neighbors in Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles, starting with a Saab 9-5 Wagon.  Hard to say just how the car crash happened, but the result is the Gallardo right under Saab’s sturdy station wagon. By the looks of it, the Lambo driver wasn’t hurt, except maybe his pride. Hopefully this wasn’t another mechanic like the recent incident in Australia. Source: Jalopnik Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GM shifts Saab 9-5 production to China, another nail in Saab’s coffin Posted: 11 Jan 2010 12:38 AM PST  Autocar has brought forward a new report, from one of its sources, claiming that General Motors is preparing to shift the Saab 9-5 production equipment from Opel’s factory in Russelsheim to the Buick factory in China. This pretty much contradicts the announcement GM made before the weekend, in which it said that although the wind down process of the struggling Swedish brand will continue, new offers will be analyzed and the brand might sold. For those of you who don’t know, GM intended to increase the profitability of the Russelsheim plant by building both the new Opel Insignia and the Saab 9-5 in the facility. GM’s European CEO, Nick Reilly has also revealed a few days ago that the plant will see its capacity reduced, which also hints that Saabs will no longer be built, at least at that facility. True or not, it’s getting pretty apparent that Saab won’t be coming back. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| New 2011 BMW M5 details revealed, no touring variant planned Posted: 11 Jan 2010 12:16 AM PST  Many people eagerly awaited BMW’s announcement of the new F10 5 Series sedan (pictured above), which occurred at the end of November, last year. But once that generation was announcement, focus immediately shifted to the high performance M5 model of the new generation, which will appear in 2011. Even though quite a few details were floating around the Internet, CAR magazine has brought forward a pretty believable list of attributes that the F10 M5 might have. The current M5’s V10 engine will be swapped with a smaller 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, which is already employed in the X5 M, and will develop 578 HP, with 531 lb-ft of torque. This translates in a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) time of 4.4 seconds, faster by 0.3 than the current generation, CAR also says that the new M5 will be 30% more efficient, with fuel average expecting to hit around 24 mpg, partly thanks to a lighter weight but also to the Efficient Dynamics systems employed. Rumors also peg a KERS (brake energy recovery system) to be employed on the new M5. Sadly for performance-loving family men, the new M5 won’t come in a wagon variant, as the Touring edition was reportedly axed from the product plant. Do bear in mind that these are still rumors, and until the end of 2010, we won’t know anything concrete about the 2011 F10 BMW M5. Source: CAR Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Michael Schumacher is confident in Mercedes GP: “the team is hungry for more success” Posted: 10 Jan 2010 11:57 PM PST  As you all know, the biggest surprise for the upcoming 2010 Formula 1 season is that 7-time champion Michael Schumacher is coming back from retirement and will race once more, this time for Mercedes GP, formerly known as Brawn GP, which snagged both championship titles in 2009, one for its team, and the other with its former pilot, Jenson Button. The German pilot is proud to be a part of the new team, and has just paid a visit to its headquarters in Brackley and the engine plant in Brixworth. He revealed on his personal website that things are looking extremely good and the team is hungry for more success after winning the championship last year.
As you might know, Schumacher entered Formula 1 with Benneton, then made history with the Italians at Ferrari. Let’s see if the pilot still has what it takes in the next season of Formula 1. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| What do you get when you combine a Caterham Se7en and a yacht? Pure awesomeness Posted: 10 Jan 2010 11:40 PM PST  In case the recession hasn’t stopped your appetite for spending big money, you’ll be thrilled to hear that the London Boat Show is in full swing these days in the British capital. And here you will find not only some huge yachts and various other means of traveling on sea, but also a car. And not just any car, as yacht-maker Sunseeker has decided to showcase the special garage-like storage space on its 108-foot Predator motor yacht with a Caterham Se7en model. That’s right, a Caterham on a high speed yacht, allowing you to not only get as fast as possible at your Saint Tropez villa, but also run around the city at blistering speeds, in the lightweight racing car.  Sadly, while the Caterham might be what you would call reasonably priced, at £12,995 ($20,900), the yacht is just a *bit* pricier, at £7.1 million ($11.42 million). Still, the combination is nothing short of awesome. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GMC Granite concept takes brand in a new direction Posted: 10 Jan 2010 11:26 PM PST  GMC, as a brand, has always been about big, heavy SUVs and various vans which were made famous by cult TV shows. But seeing a show parent company General Motors isn’t in the best of financial times, it is trying to expand and cover other areas of the market. The first effort towards this goal is the new GMC Granite concept, which will tackle Japanese models like the Scion xB or the Nissan Cube, and will be showcased at this week’s Detroit Auto Show. Its shape and dimensions are certainly made to content with the aforementioned vehicles, and it still retains that big heavy feeling of any GMC on the road, despite it is 2 feet shorter than the current smallest SUV in the lineup, the Terrain.  Of course this model was specifically designed for the city, and will be marketed as an Urban Utility Vehicle, with its interior being more than capable to fit anything from passengers to a lot of luggage, if you fold down seats. Speaking of the interior, it looks quite high end, and will definitely attract through its interesting color and material combinations. The side doors are rear hinged (aka suicide), allowing for an easier access, and according to one of the Granite’s lead designers, Dave Lyon, they will make it to the production model, when it will be released during 2011.  The GMC Granite will be powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, the same on which on the Chevrolet Cruze develops 138 HP and 148 lb-ft of torque. The concept features a six-speed automatic transmission, but a manual option for the production edition wasn’t ruled out. What do you think about GMC’s latest creation? Does it have what it takes to rival the Scion and the Nissan? Choose your winner by leaving a comment below. Source: GMC Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG drives upside down in a tunnel. Real or not? Posted: 10 Jan 2010 07:20 AM PST  I’m not really sure where I heard this concept first, maybe in terms of Formula 1 cars which need to produce a lot of downforce, but ever since, driving a car upside down in a tunnel has always been rumored when talking about some truly special supercars. But up until now, nobody actually tried to do such a thing. Sure, Jeremy Clarkson achieved it in a Renault Twingo RS, but that was in a sewer tunnel, and it was a small car. Luckily, this new little video popped up yesterday, showcasing what seems to be a professional Mercedes-Benz team (MB hasn’t acknowledged the video yet), prepping the newly revealed SLS AMG supercar for such an attempt. While I do have a few doubts, the video makes it look a bit too easy. Hit the jump to witness a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG drive upside down a tunnel, and then share your thoughts. Real or fake? You be the judge! Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| High performance Ferrari 599 GTO reportedly packs 700 HP, arriving soon Posted: 10 Jan 2010 07:04 AM PST  Ferrari is one sports car manufacturer with a big heritage behind it, and among them, no models shine as bright as the GTO-badged ones, the 250 and the 288, which dominated both the professional racetrack and the road. Now, it seems the Maranello company will be developing another car worthy of the GTO badge, based on the current 599 GTB Fiorano. Essentially a blend between the regular GTB and the track-only 599XX concept which was shown at the beginning of last year, this new 599 GTO will reportedly pack a whopping 700 HP. All those horses are set to arrive from a massive 6.0-liter V12 engine, and will take the new performance car from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.2 seconds, and up to an Enzo-like 217 mph. Other changes will be included, but as of yet, it’s still in the rumor stage, with Ferrari keeping its next GTO-badged monster in a shroud of mystery. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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