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Thursday, February 18, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Three Tesla employees die in plane crash
- Opel Flextreme GT/E plug-in hybrid concept presents itself
- Volkswagen Polo GTI officially revealed before its Geneva debut
- Bentley presents 2011 Continental Supersports Convertible
- Videos: Subaru unveils new “Dog Tested” ads
- Jaguar presents XKR Special Edition in Geneva
- Alfa Romeo coming back to North America by 2012, Marchionne says
- Buick planning coupe model to attract young people
- Marchionne confirms Chrysler Sebring name change with upcoming facelift
- Video: Nissan teases its new Global Compact Car, will replace Micra model
| Three Tesla employees die in plane crash Posted: 18 Feb 2010 03:53 AM PST  It has been confirmed that a small Cessna twin-engine airplane has crashed in East Palo Alto near San Francisco yesterday, carrying three high ranking employees from Tesla Motors, the manufacturer of the popular electric roadster. It seems that due to dense fog, the plane, owned by senior electric engineer Doug Bourn, crashed in the neighborhood after hitting a couple of power lines. The hulk of the plane damaged a number of homes, but there were no other casualties besides the Tesla employees in the plane. Tesla CEO Elon Musk released a statement about the events:
The news is quite tragic indeed, as Tesla is quickly becoming a major player in the new electric sportscar market. The Roadster is quite popular, and with the plans for the Model S sedan coming to fruition in the near future, growth was guaranteed. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Opel Flextreme GT/E plug-in hybrid concept presents itself Posted: 18 Feb 2010 03:24 AM PST  Opel has just unveiled the new Flextreme GT/E plug-in hybrid concept, which previews its future design line while also betraying the eco-friendly nature that new models from under the Opel/Vauxhall brands will have. Set to be presented at the Geneva Motor Show, the Flextreme GT/E is promoted as a “new kind of GT car”, with an aggressive design, all built with a function though, as the concept has 0.22 drag coefficient. This is largely due to its low height, with the roof line being 19cm lower than the Insignia’s, and to the “blades” coming out of the rear end, which keep airflow as smooth as possible (just don’t ask us how).  The concept car is just a design study, according to Opel, and uses basically the same drivetrain as the upcoming Ampera plug-in hybrid, the Voltec, courtesy of the Chevrolet Volt. Power comes from 158 HP electric motor, capable of 270 lb-ft of torque, which uses for recharging a 1.4-liter 70 HP internal combustion engine. While it is capable of going for 35 miles on a single charge, the extended range, which uses the aforementioned engine, is 300 miles. The Opel concept can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in around 9 seconds, and up to 125 mph. Overall, if the Opel Flextreme GT/E concept is a shape of things to come from Russelsheim, then we can look forward to future models. Source: Opel Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Volkswagen Polo GTI officially revealed before its Geneva debut Posted: 18 Feb 2010 02:08 AM PST  After much speculation and rumors, Volkswagen decided to reveal the high performance variant of its compact hatchback, the Polo GTI. The new car will share a lot of things with the Seat Ibiza Cupra, including the 1.4-liter turbo and supercharged four-cylinder engine, capable of 177 HP and 184 lb-ft of torque. This power will be sent by the seven-speed DSG dual clutch gearbox through an XDS differential to the wheels. 0 to 62 mph is achieved in 6.9 seconds, and the pocket rocket can go up to 163 mph.  In terms of style, you can clearly see the influence from the bigger Golf GTI, especially in terms of body kit and aggressive touches. The interior also received a sportier tone, complete with the three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel. No price has been revealed for Europe, and it’s not that likely this hot hatch will make it to North America anytime soon. Europeans however will get a chance to see it at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Diesel fans, at least according to other rumors, might wait a bit for a GTD performance model. Source: Volkswagen Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Bentley presents 2011 Continental Supersports Convertible Posted: 18 Feb 2010 01:38 AM PST  Bentley has just announced the 2011 Continental Supersports Convertible model, which will be formally presented at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. The car is the company’s fastest four-seat convertible and the most powerful open top model it has ever made. Power comes from the 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbo engine, which generates 621 HP and 590 lb-ft of torque, when running on either gasoline of E85 bio-fuel. You and three of your friends will be able to sprint from 0 to 62 mpg in 3.9 seconds, and reach 202 mph while feeling the wind in your hair in this new car. Another feature from the regular Continental Supersports included in the convertible is the ZF six-speed automatic transmission, which feeds all four wheels on a 60:40 bias to the rear ones. Said wheels are use 20-inch, 10-spoke rims, shod in performance Pirelli tires.  Expect all of the usual luxuries on the inside, including leather or Alcantara, as well as carbon fiber bucket seats. Prices haven’t been announced, but until autumn when it will be launched on the market, you can enjoy it in Geneva. Source: Bentley Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Videos: Subaru unveils new “Dog Tested” ads Posted: 18 Feb 2010 01:17 AM PST  Subaru is keen to prove that not only Mini can think outside the box when it comes to ingenious ads, and has revealed a new series of commercials entitled “Dog Tested.” As you can imagine, the ads feature dogs, but not as just companions, but as the beings actually driving the Subaru models around the city, at a drive thru, parking the cars or highlighting various elements like the radio system. While some of the seven ads are pretty funny, especially the one about the stolen car space, the other are just plain weird. Hit the jump to see all of the seven ads in Subaru’s “Dog Tested” campaign. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Jaguar presents XKR Special Edition in Geneva Posted: 18 Feb 2010 12:51 AM PST  Jaguar will show off a very aggressive special edition of its XKR model at the Geneva Motor Show. It combines two already available equipment and performance packages that were available for order with the standard XKR. The first one is the Speed Pack, which does just what it says, increasing the electronically limited top speed of the Jag from 155 to 174 mph. But besides recalibrating the engine and transmission to cope with the extra speed, this pack also brings body-colored side sills, a rear diffuser, chrome-finished window surrounds and mesh grilles for the upper and lower part of the fascia.  The second one is the Black Pack, which is available for black (duh!) white or red paint jobs, and brings with it 20-inch alloy wheels, window surrounds and grilles all finished in gloss black. Also feature is new stitching colors for the interior. Overall, if you fancy a more aggressive and individual Jag, these new options for the XKR will make it happen. Source: Jaguar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Alfa Romeo coming back to North America by 2012, Marchionne says Posted: 18 Feb 2010 12:21 AM PST  Alfa Romeo isn’t doing so well in Europe, but with new models due to refresh the entire lineup, like the Giulietta or the 159 replacement which will see designs from all the major design houses in Italy, things will turn around. Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne counts on that, and recently revealed that the Alfa will be coming back to North America by 2012, relying heavily on Chrysler dealership connections and, according to some voices, on platforms from the US company. According to rumors, the Giulietta, which is arguably the most expected model, won’t be coming to US or Canadian shores, but the replacements for the 159 mid-size sedan and the 166 saloon will be making that trip. These new models will be built specifically on Chrysler platforms, to make manufacturing in the US much easier. Considering that the new Giulietta platform might even be used on Jeep models, the lack of the very attractive hatchback from a North American launch is surprising. Do you think that the new models from Alfa, powered by Chrysler technology, will become popular in the USA or Canada? Source: Automotive News via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Buick planning coupe model to attract young people Posted: 18 Feb 2010 12:03 AM PST  Buick wasn’t going through the best of times until 2009, but even though its parent company GM saw a very bad year, the Tri-Shield brand managed to come out winning, with the new LaCrosse and the promise of a very interesting Regal model. These new cars are slowly but surely shifting the image of the brand from your grandfather’s favorite, to something younger people would actually consider (how ’bout that Regal GS?). Now, it seems that the company’s director of design, John Cafaro, wants to hurry up this process, and is thinking about a coupe model, to really score some points with the “cool kids”. He revealed this in an interview with Automotive News, where he says that new Buick models need to have more personality, as to strike a chord with newer audiences. Even though he declined to say that such a model is in development, the fact that the new Oshawa plant, where the Regal will be made will also manufacture convertible Chevrolet Camaro models, makes a Buick coupe feasible at least in terms of production. What do you think about such a new model? Would it further attract new people to the Tri-Shield brand? Leave your thoughts below. Source: Automotive News via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Marchionne confirms Chrysler Sebring name change with upcoming facelift Posted: 17 Feb 2010 11:42 PM PST  Chrysler hasn’t been doing so well in recent times, but with Fiat recently partnering up with the American company, things might turn around soon enough. The new leader of the two companies, Sergio Marchionne, has some big plans for the Pentastar manufacturer, which includes a plethora of facelifts made to its main models, until it can get some completely new cars onto the market, presumably using more Fiat technology. Among the models due for a facelift are the mid-size sedans: the Chrysler Sebring and the Dodge Avenger, which haven’t really gathered a huge amount of fans. Among them, the Sebring is rather worse for wear, with sales plummeting and public appreciation being extremely low. That’s why a rumor started a few months ago that with the new facelift, the Sebring name will disappear, in order to help erase the bad feelings customers get when they see it. Now, according to Marchionne, it seems that such a thing is a certainty, as he recently talked about how the mechanical underpinnings of the two sedans have been refreshed.
It is expected that just the Chrysler model will be renamed, as the Dodge Avenger is still doing pretty well in sales and public appreciation. Don’t expect the upcoming facelifts (early 2011 most probably) to break the mold, but enhancements in handling, comfort and perhaps a few new engines from Fiat, might be included. Source: Detroit Free Press Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Nissan teases its new Global Compact Car, will replace Micra model Posted: 17 Feb 2010 11:09 PM PST  Nissan is preparing quite a few interesting offerings for the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, which will start on March 2 in the Swiss city. Besides things like the new Juke, the Japanese company will also present its new Global Compact Car, which has been confirmed to replace the Micra city model. The new car, teased with the sketch above, will feature an array of new technologies, including a new three-cylinder 1.2-liter engine, which will be coupled with a new CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), that allows for a very wide gear ration. The Global Compact Car will be based on the all new V platform, which has been optimized for improved fuel efficiency and low emissions, but can also support slightly larger engines than the 1.2, leaving the door open for performance editions if the new small car becomes popular. You’ll need to wait for the Geneva Motor Show to get the first real look at the new model, but you can find out some interesting things about its development in the video we have prepared right after the jump. Source: WorldCarFans Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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