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Monday, March 1, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Motorsport Weekend 26-28 February: 100 Acre Wood Rally, NASCAR Shelby American and Sam’s Town 300 results
- Koenigsegg to present 910 HP Agera in Geneva
- BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid revealed
- Video: BMW subtly mocks Audi in new ad
- Lotus unveils Evora 414E Hybrid model before Geneva debut
- Lexus formally unveils CT 200h hybrid hatchback
- Volskwagen announces CrossGolf debut in Geneva
- Video: Naughty Volvos are coming to Geneva
- Chevrolet Camaro SS-based Firebreather movie car revealed
- Novitec Rosso reveals Ferrari 599-based 848 Race tuning project
| Posted: 01 Mar 2010 02:47 AM PST  Hello and welcome to another edition of our weekly feature Motorsport Weekend, where we gather the results from the most important races and rallies which took place in the last three days. After last week we reported only on the Nascar races in Los Angeles, now we’re tackling the Las Vegas ones, as well as the 100 Acre Wood Rally, counting for the Rally of America competition. Without further ado, hit the jump to see how Ken Block, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick or Danica Patrick faired in their respective competitions.  First off, let’s start with one of the most impressive feat recorded this past weekend: Ken Block’s fifth consecutive win in the 100 Acre Wood Rally. The American driver and his copilot, Alex Gelsomino, managed to prove that the new Ford Fiesta race car is reliable and dominated the competition. Runner up was the crew formed by Antoine L’Estage / Nathalie Richard, in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, while third place was snatched by William Bacon / Peter Watt, in an older, 2006 Lancer Evo IX. Next up for Block and Gelsomino’s Monster World Rally Team is the Rally of Mexico, counting for the World Rally Championship. In it, he will be taking a Ford Focus RS on the course. Between Block, Sebastien Loeb, Mikko Hirvonen and the other important racers, it’s going to be one heck of a rally. Next up we have NASCAR, with the Sam’s Town 300 event, counting for the Nationwide Series and the Shelby American race, counting for the Sprint Cup. The first even was won by Kevin Harvick, who managed to pass runner up Denny Hamlim with 25 laps to go in the race. Carl Edwards rounded off the podium for this event. Danica Patrick, at her third NASCAR race, crashed once more, but she wasn’t so much to blame, as Michael McDowell cut her off just after Patrick was leaving the pit area and entering the circuit once more. The crash hurt for the female driver, as after starting the race on the 37th spot, she managed to climb up to the mid 20s, before entering for a pit stop. The most important event however was the Shelby American race, counting for the Sprint Cup. It was won by Jimmie Johnson once more, demonstrating that his talent is immense, after winning four consecutive Sprint Cups. While he showed quite a lot of luck in the Auto Club 500 race last week by exiting the pit stop area just before the safety car entered, this time Johnson stayed true to the race. The second spot was nabbed by Kevin Harvick, showing true form, while Johnson’s teammate, Jeff Gordon, finished third. Overall, a pretty important race, which adds more points to Johnson, who is still 63 behind Kevin Harvick. Photo credit: Neil McDaid/MWRT Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Koenigsegg to present 910 HP Agera in Geneva Posted: 01 Mar 2010 01:57 AM PST  We haven’t really heard all that much about Koenigsegg ever since its talks with GM concerning the sale of Saab fell through. But the Swedish supercar manufacturer is back, and will reveal its newest product at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show which starts this week. From the details released, the wait was more than worth it. The new car is called the Agera, and symbolizes an evolution of the design used with the CCX models. The front and rear fascias have been slightly restyled, and LED daytime running lights were added.  The biggest changes though arrive from under the bonnet, where the same 4.7-liter V8 engine now develops a whopping 910 HP and 811 lb-ft of torque. The resulting performance figures, 0 to 62 mph in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of over 242 mph, are mind boggling. Only 20 units will be produced each year, but they will arrive with high end options like a special sequential gearbox, carbon ceramic brakes, an exhaust system made out of Inconel alloy, and a body kit made out of carbon fiber and kevlar. Also, in case you want to travel long distances with the new Koenigsegg Agera, a special luggage set is also included. Source: Koenigsegg Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid revealed Posted: 01 Mar 2010 01:31 AM PST  Just before the Geneva Motor Show will open its doors, BMW unleashed the first pictures of the new Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid model it will be hosting at its booth. Based on the 2011 5 Series, the new concept previews the newest addition to the ActiveHybrid lineup, which is already composed out of the 7 Series and the X6. Set to bear an upgraded take on the system used on the larger 7 Series, the 5 Concept will see a 40kW electric motor coupled with the twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six cylinder engine found on the 535i. The electric motor will be able to power the 5 Series ActiveHybrid at city speeds, while the conventional engine is destined for higher speeds, being separated by a clutch from the motor when it isn’t used. No word on what type of battery pack will be used, but it might be a lithium-ion one, like the 7 Series, and not a nickel metal hydride like the X6. Do bear in mind that this is just a concept, and that BMW will formally unveil the production 5 Series ActiveHybrid sometime in 2011. Until then, check out the concept filled with stickers at the Geneva Motor Show. Source: BMW Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: BMW subtly mocks Audi in new ad Posted: 01 Mar 2010 01:15 AM PST  I’m sure most Audi and BMW fans remember the two ads the Ingolstadt manufacturer released a few weeks ago, in which it mocks its main competitors, with BMW being picked on the most. The Bavarian company has now released its response through a much classier ad, highlighting its EfficientDynamics philosophy of combining both performance cars and efficiency. At the end you’ll also find a more subtle remark targeted at Audi models, delivered in a pretty interesting way. Hit the jump to see the new “Physics Lesson” ad from BMW. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Lotus unveils Evora 414E Hybrid model before Geneva debut Posted: 01 Mar 2010 12:53 AM PST  Hybrids will be a big part of the Geneva Motor Show this year, but one unlikely stand to feature such a model is the Lotus one, as the British sportscar manufacturer announced the Evora 414E plug-in hybrid concept. But don’t go thinking this is just any regular hybrid car, as Lotus ensured it will deliver adequate performance, thanks to its two 204 HP electric motors, powering the rear wheels. They are coupled through a single-speed reduction transmission, which can vector the 295 lb-ft of torque generated by each motor. The aforementioned units will be powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, which can sustain them for 35 miles. At that point, a range-extending 47 HP 1.2-liter engine kicks in, taking the autonomy of the model to an impressive 300 miles (483 km). As an added taste of what’s to come, even though the transmission has just one gear, Lotus added an “artificial” seven-speed gearbox, which enables drivers to change fictional gears through the paddles behind the steering wheel. What’s even more interesting is that HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis technologies from Lotus and Harman International have been added, which enable the car to emit sounds from either a V6 or V12 sportscar, as well as a futuristic movement sound, to alert pedestrians about its presence. Only the teaser image above has been revealed, so you’ll have to wait until the Geneva Motor Show to see the complete Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept. Source: Lotus Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Lexus formally unveils CT 200h hybrid hatchback Posted: 01 Mar 2010 12:33 AM PST  After a brochure leak last week, Lexus finally decided to showcase its newest model, the CT 200h hybrid hatchback. The car will be shown off at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, and will be launched globally later this year. As you can see, its design is inspired from the LF-Ch concept model the company revealed last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but the appearance has been toned down. In terms of interior design, the same Lexus quality is present, while the dash was split into two zones, the upper one, dominated by the 8-inch LCD screen, and the lower one, dedicated to all of the other functions. As much as the leaked brochure promised a new type of performance, the inner workings of the CT 200h are basically the same as with the Toyota Prius, using the 1.8-liter VVT-i gasoline engine coupled with an electric motor through the Hybrid Synergy Drive system and a continuously variable transmission. This setup allows the CT 200h to run for 1.2 miles in pure EV mode and up to 28 mph. Dedicated Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes are offered. Expect more details and perhaps a price and a concrete release date at the Geneva Motor Show or in the next few months. Until then, check out the photo gallery below. Photo Gallery: Lexus CT 200h
Source: Lexus Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Volskwagen announces CrossGolf debut in Geneva Posted: 01 Mar 2010 12:00 AM PST  Adding even more variety to its Golf lineup, Volkswagen revealed the newest edition of the CrossGolf model. Extremely similar to the smaller, already-revealed CrossPolo, this bigger car is based on the Golf Plus variant, and will boast “rugged” accessories. Among them will be the traditional plastic cladding for the wheel arches and side skirts, as well as the silver-themed lower front grille guard and rear diffuser guard. Roof rails are also included in this higher-riding edition, which sits 20mm further from the ground than the regular Golf Plus.  As usual Volkswagen will be offering its wide array of gasoline and diesel engines, with outputs from 105 HP to even 160 HP. They will be mated with either the six or the seven-speed DSG gearboxes already available across the Golf lineup. For those of you just waiting to get your hands on the new Volkswagen CrossGolf, sales will begin in April, and the official reveal will be arriving tomorrow from the Geneva Motor Show. Source: Volkswagen Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Naughty Volvos are coming to Geneva Posted: 28 Feb 2010 11:43 PM PST  In what is definitely something out of the ordinary for a carmaker like Volvo, the Swedish company released a teaser video in which it promises that “Naughty Volvos” are coming to the Geneva Motor Show. The footage commences with an Asian (more Japanese-inspired than Chinese, for those of you who’ll start to argue about Geely’s influence) cat figurine, but quickly jumps to what looks like a 2011 Volso S60. We might be in for the announcement of a Volvo S60 R in Geneva, but the video does say naughty Volvos, meaning a few other R-badged models might be arriving. This might confirm the revival of Volvo’s R performance division, which was rumored around the end of 2009. Either way, check out the video after the jump and eagerly await tomorrow for the official announcements. For what it’s worth, the website address it is advertising leads back to the presentation page of the 2011 Volvo S60. UPDATE: Second video added after the jump! Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Chevrolet Camaro SS-based Firebreather movie car revealed Posted: 28 Feb 2010 11:30 PM PST  Exodus Pictures is preparing to release sci-fi flick Jinn onto the movie-going masses. Written and directed by Ajmal Ahmad, the movie is set to attract quite a big audience. But how is this related to cars? Well a very special Chevrolet Camaro SS will be predominantly featured in the flick, boasting a completely bespoke design and quite a catchy name: the Firebreather. The car was designed by Ahmad, and created by Exodus Pictures in collaboration with fellow Michigan-based Classic Design Concepts. Despite the car looking pretty bad due to the lighting conditions at the Detroit Autorama convention, you can still see that this was once a Camaro SS, but has now received a fresh body kit, very reminiscent of the classic Trans-Am design. In case you’re interested, Exodus and CDC will be marketing 50 of them to the public, each costing aroudn $60,000. For that money you won’t be getting a power upgrade, but handling will be improved thanks to the Elbach Pro-Plus Performance package and the new Pirelli racing tires. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Novitec Rosso reveals Ferrari 599-based 848 Race tuning project Posted: 28 Feb 2010 11:11 PM PST  The Geneva Motor Show is nearly upon us, and traditional Ferrari tuners Novitec Rosso revealed the center piece of their booth at the prestigious convention: the 848 Race. Based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, as you can tell by the name, the 848 Race squeezes 848 HP and 621 lb-ft of torque from the stock 6.0-liter V12 engine. How did it achieve such a thing? By adding in two turbochargers, a set of water-to-air intercoolers, a new exhaust system and, last but not least, an optimized ECU. The performance figures are quite impressive: 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, and a top speed of 214 mph.  Other enhancements made by the guys at Novitec Rosso include a set of 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch ones at the back, performance Brembo brakes, a fully-adjustable sports suspension capable of lifting the 599’s front by up to 40mm (handy for those speed bumps) and a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber accents on the inside of the car. No other details were given about this extremely powerful model, but you can wait until the Geneva Show opens its doors to the press tomorrow and to the general public on March 4th. Source: Novitec Rosso Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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