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Wednesday, January 13, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Fiat’s Marchionne: “Alfa Romeo needs to improve before it is released in the USA”
- Detroit Auto Show: Cadillac XTS Platinum concept reveals itself
- Detroit Auto Show: The new Audi e-Tron concept revealed, less powerful, more production-ready
- Gemballa’s Ferrari Enzo-based Mig-U1 gets detailed
- Toyota to implement brake override systems in all of its cars by the end of 2010
- 2011 BMW 135i swaps twin-turbo engine with single-turbo N55 unit
- GM says it hasn’t received a good offer for Saab
- Gran Turismo 5 delayed in Japan, release date still unknown
- Ford might offer 3.7-liter V6 for its F-150 pick-up truck
- Audi A3 sedan coming to the US in 2012
| Fiat’s Marchionne: “Alfa Romeo needs to improve before it is released in the USA” Posted: 13 Jan 2010 05:23 AM PST  Italian carmaker Fiat, now led by Sergio Marchionne, is quite interested in the US market, and according to older rumors, it was preparing to launch quite a few of its vehicles in that territory soon. After the company took control of Chrysler, things became even more certain. Up until now, only two models have chances to appear: the Fiat 500 city car and the Lancia Delta, albeit rebadged as a Chrysler. Another brand which was rumored to be preparing models for the US was Alfa Romeo, but as we learned at the end of 2009, the company is being revised by Fiat, so that it can turn a greater profit. Speaking with Autocar at the Detroit Auto Show, Marchionne said that although the brand is struggling, he won’t give up, and even though it hasn’t reached US shores, Alfa models still have a chance.
So, until the Alfa Romeo Giulietta becomes a success in Europe, no other model will be preparing for a trip across the Atlantic. Let’s hope things will get better for the Italian company. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Detroit Auto Show: Cadillac XTS Platinum concept reveals itself Posted: 13 Jan 2010 05:04 AM PST  Cadillac prepared quite a few interesting things for the 2010 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS), as not only did it formally present the CTS-V Coupe, but it also brought a new concept, which was teased before the beginning of the year. That model is this: Cadillac XTS Platinum concept, which was revealed by GM’s luxury brand and aimed at setting a new benchmark for luxury in limousines, replacing the aging STS and DTS sedans and sitting right between them in terms of size.  What’s more interesting about the new concept is that it is a plug-in hybrid model, using both an electric motor which feeds off a pack of lithium-ion batteries, but also a conventional 3.6-liter V6, which develops 345 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. The motor will be used to help with the acceleration, and can even fully power the car up to speeds of 40 mph.
No other details were given, under the excuse that it is still a concept, but you can look forward to the new Cadillac XTS, a rival for the Mercedes-Benz S Class or BMW 7 Series in the following years. Source: Cadillac Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Detroit Auto Show: The new Audi e-Tron concept revealed, less powerful, more production-ready Posted: 13 Jan 2010 04:40 AM PST  Audi really surprised everyone at the Frankfurt Motor Show with its e-Tron electric concept, which even though hasn’t been officially revealed as a preview for a production model at that time, rumors were already proclaiming that it will become an R4 sportscar, rivaling Tesla’s Roadster. Now, for the Detroit Auto Show, the German company brought a new version of the concept, which is less powerful than the one shown at Frankfurt or Los Angeles, but much closer to a production model than its predecessor. The new model now outputs just 204 HP but, according to Audi, still generates a torque rating of 1,955 lb-ft (or 2,650 Nm), but do bear in mind that the company might have used the same clever workaround to offer the wheel-measured torque, instead of the drive shaft one, which is the industry standard. Plainly put, the true torque might still be around 200 lb-ft. The new concept has also gone on a serious diet, thanks to the aluminum space frame technology and the carbon fiber bodywork, and now weights 2,976 pounds (1,350 kg), with weight being distributed 40:60. Albeit slightly less powerful, the e-Tron can still go from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds, and keep going for around 155 miles, after which it needs an 11-hour recharge from a 230-volt socket. According to Audi, the e-Tron name might be turned into a brand (think quattro) and might be used with other models in the future, after this concept becomes a reality around 2012. Source: Audi Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Gemballa’s Ferrari Enzo-based Mig-U1 gets detailed Posted: 13 Jan 2010 02:33 AM PST  Quick, look outside the window! If you see a Ferrari Enzo in your driveway, then I’ve got some bad news for you: 399 people drive the same car as you these days. Luckily, the guys at Gemballa have got just the thing: the Mig-U1 performance and appearance package for your Italian hypercar. This special treatment for the Enzo takes it closer to the FXX track car, and adds things like a roof scoop, jet-thruster surrounds for the exhaust or black alloy wheel, alongside the widebody kit which boasts a revamped nose, a ducted hood, more vents and gills in the fenders, plus the huge rear wing. All of these changes on the outside do have a purpose, as the Mig-U1 now has an addition 77 pounds (35 kilograms) of downforce in the front and 187 pounds (85 kg) at the back. On the inside, you’ll be treated to black leather and red Alcantara, complete with rosso piping and stitching, as well as a revamped center console which houses a seven-inch touchscreen, conencting you to the navigation, DVD changer and the 950-watt sound amplifier. One of the most important packs of this package is the performance enhancements that Gembella added to the Enzo. The Mig-U1 now outputs, thanks to a few changes made to the ECU and a new exhaust system, around 700 HP, as opposed to the standard 651 HP. No pricing details were given, but until you can save up the money, enjoy the photo gallery with the Gemballa Mig-U1 below. Photo Gallery: Gemballa Mig-U1
Source: Gemballa Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota to implement brake override systems in all of its cars by the end of 2010 Posted: 13 Jan 2010 01:44 AM PST  Toyota hasn’t gone through the best of times at the end of 2009, when a major scandal concerning faulty floor mats, jammed accelerator pedals and bad brakes resulted in over 3.8 million vehicles being recalled so that a solution could be found. Now, the company’s US president, Yoshi Inaba, has revealed that a brake override system will be implemented in new models, which will force the engine into idle if it detects brakes being applied unsuccessfully. The first units to benefit from such an addition will be the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES250, but the Japanese company hopes to have it in all of its vehicles by the end of the year. While it is certainly applaudable, Toyota has received a major blow with this whole scandal. Hopefully this will be the first big step to win back the hearts and minds of its consumers. Source: Automotive News via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 BMW 135i swaps twin-turbo engine with single-turbo N55 unit Posted: 13 Jan 2010 01:15 AM PST  Even though it is hard at work developing an M-badged 1 Series model, BMW hasn’t neglected the current most powerful model in the lineup, the 135i, and has announced two big changes, which will arrive with the 2011 coupe. First off, the 3.0-liter inline-six twin-turbo engine will be swapped out with a twin-scroll turbocharged unit of the same size and cylinder number, codenamed N55, which will still keep power levels at 300 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque, but also deliver a better throttle response as well as improved fuel efficiency, according to BMW. Another big change is that the 2011 135i coupe will have the option of installing a 7-speed double-clutch transmission, which will add dedicated shift paddles behind the wheel, but also keep the original shift stick. Expect the improved 2011 BMW 135i in showroom starting this spring. Source: BMW Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GM says it hasn’t received a good offer for Saab Posted: 13 Jan 2010 12:46 AM PST  In between showing off to journalists at the Detroit Auto Show and sharing his insight on the Cadillac Converj, General Motors executive Bob Lutz talked about Saab, and how while the wind down process of the Swedish brand continues, his company is still analyzing offers.
While I’m sure GM is content with getting rid of a financially troubled brand, I do think that many Saab fans, workers and share holders aren’t that thrilled with GM’s decissions so far. While they may still cling to hope that another company will arrive to save it, things aren’t looking good. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Gran Turismo 5 delayed in Japan, release date still unknown Posted: 13 Jan 2010 12:32 AM PST  In terms of racing simulators, Gran Turismo is one of the most acclaimed video game franchises of all time. But seeing as how all this glory means you can take your time with developing a new title, perhaps we shouldn’t praise it anymore. After saying that Gran Turismo 5 will appear this March in Japan and this summer in the rest of the world, Polyphony Digital, the developer of the game, and Sony, the publisher, have just announced that the Japanese version has been pushed back to an unknown date. This means that we’ll have to wait even more to get our hands on the 1,000 cars and race them around 20 different locations. Until a concrete release date is established, you’re going to have to keep the dust from gathering on your PlayStation 3. Source: Kotaku Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Ford might offer 3.7-liter V6 for its F-150 pick-up truck Posted: 13 Jan 2010 12:20 AM PST  Great news for pick-up fans, as new rumors have started going around about the possibility of a 3.7-liter V6 engine coming to the Ford F-150, one of the Blue Oval’s most popular models and 2009 North American Truck of the Year. The new unit will be shared with the 2011 Mustang and the Lincoln MKX, and will appear under the hood of the pick-up truck as soon as the end of the year. The offering will be one of the cheapest in the lineup, and will certainly attract fleet customers, as well as people who want a more economical pick-up. The engine, which will likely be added to the XL and STX trim lines, although the XLT is still a possibility, outputs 305 HP and 280 lb-ft of torque in both the Mustang and the Lincoln, and while it won’t reach the economy figures of the Ford muscle car of 30 mpg, it will still be quite reasonable for a pick-up. Source: Pickuptrucks via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Audi A3 sedan coming to the US in 2012 Posted: 13 Jan 2010 12:05 AM PST  While we Europeans love our hatchbacks, with sales of models like the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus or Audi A3 going through the roof, US consumers aren’t really falling in love with models that don’t have big old trunks. That is why Audi is preparing to launch a sedan version of its A3 hatchback, which although selling pretty good in the USA, hasn’t reached the expectations the German company established. Reportedly, this new model will be arriving in 2012, and will be exclusive to the US market. In terms of size, it won’t differ that much, and will come close to the original A4 sedan. No word yet on pricing, or how much it will add to the hatchback’s starting price of $27,270, so until a concrete statement is released, just buy an extra car roof box for the A3. Source: InsideLine Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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