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Wednesday, March 24, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Track-only Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 revealed
- Video: First pic of Ferrari 599 GTO leaked
- Next generation BMW 3 Series gets Gran Turismo model, no M3 sedan
- Mercedes-Benz planning AMG-tuned B Class?
- First US Ferrari 458 Italia auctioned off for Haiti relief
- Red Bull F1 cars are “ridiculously fast”, Lewis Hamilton admits
- Fifth Gear coming back in late April
- NYPD confirms NHTSA and Toyota findings, runaway Prius was caused by driver error
- Tata opening investigation into recent Nano fire case
- Peugeot working on 308 GTI hot hatch
| Track-only Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 revealed Posted: 24 Mar 2010 02:32 AM PDT  In what will definitely please private racing teams around the world, Mercedes-Benz has just presented a track-only racing version of its extremely popular SLS AMG supercar. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, as its name suggests, will soon be homologated by the FIA for GT3 events. While the engine remains the same: the stunning 6.3-liter V8, power levels will no doubt rise from the stock 563 HP, thanks to many upgrades.  As you can see above and below, the car has received new body parts, including a massive carbon-fiber front splitter, balanced out by a huge wing in the back. A big hood vent, plus multiple ones on the side of the track-only supercar hint at heavy duty brakes while the special wheels will make pit stops much easier.  Until the homologation process is completed, we won’t have any concrete power ratings, but until then, we can really admire the new track-only supercar. The company hopes to have it ready for the 2011 season, so racing teams, you’d better start lining up. Source: Mercedes-Benz Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: First pic of Ferrari 599 GTO leaked Posted: 24 Mar 2010 02:19 AM PDT  Christmas arrived a bit early for Ferrari fans, as the guys over at FastLane Daily have scored what looks like the first picture of the upcoming 599 GTO performance model. For those of you who don’t remember, the Italian carmaker aimed to commemorate the iconic 250 GTO, and combined the regular 599 GTB Fiorano with performance elements from the track-only 599XX concept, to result in a performance model worthy of the famous GTO badge. The pic definitely looks like it was snapped from a brochure, and judging from the performance elements like hood and rear side vents, it might be the real deal. Current word on the rumor mill peg this model to sport a modified 6.0-liter V12, borrowed from the Enzo, capable of over 700 HP. It won’t come cheap though, as the exclusive nature of the GTO badge takes the tag well over $400,000. Hit the jump to see the complete video report from FLD, including some rather interesting Photoshops of the new 599 GTO leaked photo. Source: Fast Lane Daily Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Next generation BMW 3 Series gets Gran Turismo model, no M3 sedan Posted: 24 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PDT  BMW is busy hyping up the new 5 Series sedan these days, but the guys at Automobile have got their hands on some juicy rumors about the next generation 3 Series model. It seems that the car (codenamed F30), which will debut in sedan form around 2012, will receive a multitude of body styles, including the aforementioned four-door, a touring wagon one, coupe, convertible and *shocker* Gran Turismo. The next generation will continue the tradition of downsizing the design, and essentially be a smaller 5 Series (while the 5 is a smaller 7 Series). Moving to the 3 GT, it seems it will adopt a single piece hatchback, instead of the two-piece 5 GT, and focus on attracting the younger crowd with a penchant for hauling more cargo. Most probably it will cater to the wagon needs of the North American customers, who won’t be seeing a Touring edition (similar to the new 5 Series offering). The coupe and convertible variants will have a more elegant design, while the latter will employ a folding hardtop system, as it is extremely popular in certain territories. Also, if demand increases enough, the M division might attempt a speedster variant, with a chopped windshield and folding cloth top. Speaking of the M department, it seems that the M3 will be arriving only in coupe and convertible formats, with the sedan being chopped from the plans (boo!). Also, the 420 HP V8 engine will likely be replaced by a twin-turbo straight-six, which might develop around 450 HP. Do bear in mind that these are just rumors and speculations, but considering BMW’s plan up until now, many of these things will come true sooner or later. Source: Automobile Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mercedes-Benz planning AMG-tuned B Class? Posted: 24 Mar 2010 01:41 AM PDT  It seems that Mercedes-Benz’s performance division, AMG, is getting a bit bored these days, and has started working with the next generation B Class compact model, set to arrive sometime next year. Don’t go thinking this will be just an accessories package or something like that, as Automotive News is reporting that a hot hatchback performance variant will be revealed after the regular model appears. The AMG-tuned compact hatch will take on the Audi S3 or Volkswagen Golf R. In its battle, the hot B model will use a bespoke four-cylinder unit, create especially by AMG. Besides the powerful engine, the suspension, brakes and overall handling will receive extreme makeovers, in order to make the city car worthy of the AMG badge. While the new B Class will arrive around 2011, AN reports that the hot hatch model will be seeing the light of day at the beginning of 2012. Do you think an AMG-prepped B Class is the right idea? Share your thoughts below. Source: Automotive News Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| First US Ferrari 458 Italia auctioned off for Haiti relief Posted: 24 Mar 2010 01:24 AM PDT  Ferrari wanted its new 458 Italia model to make a big entry onto the US market, and has recently organized a private gathering in South California, where celebrities and traditional clients were invited. This is where the first US-spec 458 Italia was presented to the public, and was also auctioned off, with 100% of the money going to relief efforts in Haiti. Guests were touched by the noble endeavor from the Italian carmaker, and the winning bid was an impressive $530,000. The money for the car, as well as the proceeds gathered from auctioning off Fernando Alonso’s F1 racing suit and two VIP Ferrari tickets to the upcoming Canadian GP (totaling $72,000), will all be donated to the Catholic Medical Mission Board and the William J. Clinton Foundation, both working towards helping Haiti residents. No word on when the official launch of the 458 will take place in the USA, so stay tuned for more details soon enough. Source: Ferrari Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Red Bull F1 cars are “ridiculously fast”, Lewis Hamilton admits Posted: 24 Mar 2010 12:58 AM PDT  In preparation for this weekend’s Australian Formula 1 GP, McLaren driver and former champion Lewis Hamilton talked about the main rivals his team has. But while many expected to hear about Ferrari or the new Mercedes GP team, Hamilton gave props to the Red Bull team, calling its cars “ridiculously faster than anyone else.”
He continued, saying that the Red Bull F1 cars have garnered the team an “insane” advantage over the rest of the competition. As you may remember, during the Bahrain GP, the opening round of the 2010 F1 season, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel dominated the race almost until the end, when a mechanical problem caused him to be overtaken by Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, as well as Hamilton. In terms of other competition, Hamilton said that the true battle is between McLaren and Mercedes GP. “We are kind of on the same level as Mercedes I would say,” Hamilton said. “We just did maybe a better job at the weekend but it’s a battle between us and Mercedes to see who can step up and improve faster and do a better job.” The Australian GP is coming up this weekend, and hopefully it will provide us with a bigger spectacle than the last Bahrain race. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Fifth Gear coming back in late April Posted: 24 Mar 2010 12:41 AM PDT  The Fifth Gear odyssey is coming to a successful end, as it has just been revealed that the popular TV show will be coming back to Five TV in the UK at the end of April. As you may remember, dwindling audience figures and the fact that many still prefer BBC’s Top Gear, made TV executives less confident in the format. But after a lot of fan support gathered on Twitter, Facebook and many other social networks, the show will be back, albeit in a more streamlined format. It won’t be a studio show anymore, as it will just focus on informative test drives. The team of presenters has also been trimmed down, with Tom Ford and Tim Shaw leaving the crew. This means the test drives will be taken care of by Vicki Butler-Henderson, Jonny Smith, Tiff Needell and Jason Plato. While we’re sad to see some crew members leave the show, the news that it will soon return to a TV near us more than makes up for it. Here’s to Fifth Gear’s return! Source: TimesOnline Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| NYPD confirms NHTSA and Toyota findings, runaway Prius was caused by driver error Posted: 24 Mar 2010 12:30 AM PDT  We revealed to you at the beginning of the week that NHTSA and Toyota investigations into the New York runaway Toyota Prius incident both point to driver error as being the cause of the crash. For those who don’t remember, a day after the runaway San Diego Prius, a New York woman was involved in an accident while trying to leave her driveway in a 2005 Prius. The hybrid model suddenly accelerated and crashed into a nearby wall. The results of the findings annoyed NYPD officials, who said that the investigation was still in progress. That inquiry is now over, and it seems that the police officials have arrived at the same conclusion: there was no evidence that brakes were applied before the crash, so it was just driver error. This is another win for Toyota, who received some heavy blows after recent unintended acceleration complaints and incidents. As you may remember, the San Diego report from both the NHTSA and the internal team of the Japanese carmaker pointed out that the statement of the driver, James Sikes, wasn’t accurate, and he didn’t really try to stop the runaway model. The war is still far from over though, as Toyota still has enough problems already, with a recent lawsuit from shareholders being the newest addition. Source: Washington Post via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Tata opening investigation into recent Nano fire case Posted: 24 Mar 2010 12:06 AM PDT  Indian car company Tata is selling the new Nano low-cost models like hot cakes. But as we revealed yesterday, some models are a bit too hot for their own good, as four cars have been involved in spontaneous combustion incidents while parked or on the road. As you can imagine, in order to gain back the confidence of the public, Tata has started investigations into all of the cases. The first three incidents were seemingly caused by a faulty switch near the steering wheel, but how that could result in the parked cars catching fire is still a mystery for us. Now, with the most recent incident happening while the car was driven on the road, Tata began a new investigation, and promised that it will showcase the results as soon as possible. At the same time, a spokesperson admitted that the recent case is pretty unique. Until the investigation is completed though, if you want to drive your Nano model, just pay extra attention to any smoke or excessive heat. Source: IndianAutosBlog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Peugeot working on 308 GTI hot hatch Posted: 23 Mar 2010 11:56 PM PDT  In what is a pretty surprising move, Peugeot is now rumored to be working on a hot hatchback variant of its 308 model, which might see the resurrection of the GTI badge. As you all know, the French company revealed some time ago that it will retire the badge, because hot hatches aren’t that profitable (we beg to differ though). Shortly thereafter, the carmaker returned and revealed that the badge is just going on a hiatus, and that it might return if market conditions are favorable. Now, it seems that the market has improved enough to warrant a hot French hatch. The presumed 308 GTI will be sporting the PSA Alliance’s 1.6-liter gasoline engine, good for around 200 HP. As you might remember, the same engine will grace the upcoming RCZ roadster model. The model is expected this fall at the Paris Motor Show. Another thing is for sure, Peugeot will be releasing it only in a five-door body style, as that is the most popular one for the regular 308. Would a Peugeot 308 GTI make you interested once more in the French carmaker? Share your thoughts below. Source: Autoblog.it via Automarket Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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