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Friday, April 2, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan revealed
- Mercedes-Benz reportedly prepping shooting brake CLS concept for Beijing debut
- Chrysler makes everyone happy with eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010
- 2011 Kia Optima revealed, regular, turbo and hybrid versions confirmed
- 2011 Hyundai Equus revealed in NY, packs Apple iPad instead of manual
- Video: Kia Soul Hamsters ad wins Nielsen’s Top Auto Ad award
- Peugeot RCZ 200 Ans race car is ready for 24 hours of Nurburgring
- US Government reportedly buying first 100 Chevrolet Volts plus other hybrids
- Nissan recalls over 4,000 2010 Pathfinder and Xterra models over airbag problems
- Mazda announces innovative Sky-G and Sky-D engines, promises 43 MPG diesel Mazda6
| 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan revealed Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:08 AM PDT  Ever since Subaru showcased the new Impreza model, which sported a standard hatchback form, many fans have desperately pleaded for the return of the sedan body form, that made the car so popular in both rallying and on-road use. While a sedan body form was introduced for the regular and the STI versions, the top-of-the-range Impreza WRX STI was still only available in five-door form. That is, up until now, as for the 2011 model year, the Japanese carmaker has finally introduced a four-door WRX STI, which will balance out the five-door version. That’s right, for the first time ever, there are two available body styles for the Subaru Impreza WRX STI.  Under the bonnet, they both have the same engine, producing 305 HP and 290 lb-ft of torque, but seeing as how they have different weights, the performance times might be a bit different. Either way, for the 2011MY, both received a stiffer suspension, with overhauled shocks and anti-roll bars, and sit on lighter 18-inch wheels. For those who consider such things, the sedan WRX STI will have two mufflers (four pipes), while the hatch has just one muffler (but still four pipes). Overall, it’s extremely nice to see a sedan WRX STI joining the lineup alongside the pretty popular hatchback. Check out a gallery of the two models below, while we imagine slapping a yellow rally decal on the side and some gold wheels on the clear-blue sedan. Photo Gallery: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Source: Subaru Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mercedes-Benz reportedly prepping shooting brake CLS concept for Beijing debut Posted: 02 Apr 2010 01:31 AM PDT  New rumors are circulating about the next generation Mercedes-Benz CLS, as the guys at Autocar are speculating that a shooting brake variant of the F800 Style concept that was revealed in Detroit will be making an appearance at the Beijing Motor Show. For those of you with a sharp memory, you might remember the Fascination concept the German carmaker revealed a few years ago, which previewed the current generation E Class lineup. Also, a rumor already started about a shooting brake next generation CLS at the end of 2009, which dated the concept for a Paris Motor Show debut this fall. In the end, Mercedes-Benz will be extremely careful with the replacement of the CLS, seeing the popularity of the current model and the array of copy-cat four-door coupes it has spawned from other carmakers. You can be sure that the F800 Style will preview the next generation, but this new shooting brake concept might be onto the next big thing, as these works are always appreciated by the public (see Fascination). What do you think? Would such a CLS shooting brake concept attract you more than the F800 Style? Reveal your thoughts in the comment section below. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Chrysler makes everyone happy with eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010 Posted: 02 Apr 2010 01:13 AM PDT  In recent times Chrysler hasn’t been doing so well in the eyes of the mainstream market, with Fiat’s plans taking things slow for the Pentastar brand. In the eyes of the enthusiasts at this year’s traditional Easter Jeep Safari, the company is still doing fine. That’s why Chrysler, together with its performance division, Mopar, has revealed eight new concepts, built off of Jeep Wranglers, Patriots as well as Dodge Ram trucks. We previewed some of them a few weeks ago, but now they’re here in the living body work, and we have to say that the results are extremely impressive. Hit the jump to see all of the Chrysler Mopar concepts revealed at the 2010 Easter Jeep Safari.  First off, let’s start with the Jeep Wrangler J7. This concept is basically everything you need to to crawl around on even the toughest off road trails. You won’t find any luxuries, but you’ll get new steel bumpers, with helicopter hooks, a new rear gate and steel wheels with 35-inch tires. These sit on a car lifted by 2 inches, painted in Mustard Plug and powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine connected, rather sadly, to a four-speed automatic.  The Jeep Wrangler Trail Boss showcases the most important pieces in the Mopar and AEV catalog you can order for your own off-roading Wrangler. New off-road bumpers were added, with a Warn 9.5ti winch, half doors and a sun bonnet were also thrown in. The truck sits further from the ground by 3 inches, and touches it with 35-inch tires, wrapped aounrd the Hutchinson Rock Monster wheels.  The Jeep Nukizer 715 is definitely one of the oddest in the bunch of concepts, as it is built as a tribute to the famous Kaiser M-715. Starting life as a J8, it then saw the addition of a M-715 cab, as well as an AEV Brute bed. The front is made out of carbon fiber, while the frame was stretched to 124 inches. Powering the beast is a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine. Off road enthusiasts are glad to hear it will have special Dana axles, 44 in the front and 60 in the back.  The General concept began as a Jeep Wrangler and is custom-built for crawling on the biggest rocks imaginable. It was lifted by 4.5 inches, and has flat fenders, half doors and hard steel bumpers. Rock sliders were added to endure the abuse it will no doubt suffer, as well as underbody armor.  The Jeep ImMortal is the last of the Wrangler-based concepts, but packs some of the toughest equipment available. Special Portal axles provide 5 inches of lift, while a transfer case with 4:1 ratio improves the 1.5 gear reduction. A 5.7-liter HEMI engine will send its power through a final crawl drive ratio of 100:1.  The last of the Jeeps is a Patriot (cue laughter). Joking aside, it’s one pretty hardcore Patriot, with a 2 inch lift, a trail-rated package, custom rock rails and 16-inch TJ Moab wheels. Extra grille lights and a set of roof rails are also included.  Going to the pick-up truck segment of these concepts, the Ram PowerWagon was finally revealed. It uses a totally custom frame, sitting on a 120-inch wheelbase. The coil-suspension is now tuned to give this concept more flex, and a 4-inch lift was also added. The 40-inch tires getting power from the 5.7-liter V8 through a five-speed automatic round off the package.  Last but not least, a worthy competitor to the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor has been revealed: the Ram Runner. It’s custom built for desert rallying, with a custom long-travel suspension, complete with Fox Racing shocks measuring 3 inches in diameter. What does this mean? How about 14-inches worth of travel both front and rear. No details on power, but the fiberglass fenders and alluminum A-arms should definitely help the final output. These are all of the Chrysler Mopar concepts the Pentastar company revealed at the 2010 Easter Jeep Safari. Hopefully at some packages will arrive pre-built. If not, you can always custom-spec your own mdoel through the Mopar catalog. Source: Chrysler Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Kia Optima revealed, regular, turbo and hybrid versions confirmed Posted: 02 Apr 2010 12:30 AM PDT  We were pretty much flooded this year at the New York Auto Show with mid-size sedans, but by far one of the most attractive in terms of design is the new 2011 Kia Optima. It takes the new design line imagine by Peter Schreyer one step further and is definitely the car to own if you’re interested in the segment. As you can expect, its underpinnings are basically the same as the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, and in the same vein, will enjoy three versions: a regular 200 HP 2.4-liter naturally aspirated direct injection gasoline, a turbocharged 274 HP 2.0-liter gasoline and a hybrid model based on the 2.4-liter unit. Fuel averages will also be pretty impressive, with 22/35 MPG for the regular, 22/34 for the Turbo, and around 37/39 for the hybrid (all are based on the Hyundai Sonata specs). Just like its South Korean sibling, all of the engines will be available with six-speed gearboxes. The regular will have a manual options, while only automatics will be available for the other two. Three trim levels, LX, E and SX are available, with the latter two offering the new Uvo infotainment system, developed by Kia in partnership with Microsoft. The new 2011 Kia Optima (or Magentis as it is known elsewhere in the world) will debut this summer in dealerships in regular and Turbo variants. The Hybrid is expected to hit in early 2011. Until then, check out the photo gallery below of the very attractive Optima sedan. Photo Gallery: 2011 Kia Optima
Source: Kia Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Hyundai Equus revealed in NY, packs Apple iPad instead of manual Posted: 02 Apr 2010 12:04 AM PDT  While the announcements of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, in all its forms, normal, Turbo and Hybrid, have certainly pleased many Hyundai fans, those with a taste for luxury were eagerly awaiting this week, at the 2010 New York Auto Show, the announcement of the US-spec 2011 Hyundai Equus luxury saloon. Those of you who remember last year’s NY Show, know that the Equus was presented at that time in global market form. Now, after a few alterations, the US-spec version is ready to hit dealerships this fall. What was changed? Well, first off the Rolls-Royce-like emblem on the hood was replaced with a regular logo, while the grille received a new treatment. The rest of the styling is almost unchanged, and many Mercedes-Benz or Lexus fans won’t find anything to complain about it.  Under the bonnet you’ll find the same 4.6-liter Tau V8 engine as in the Genesis sedan, which will output a respectable 385 HP. Besides the adequate amounts of power and the attractive styling, you can be sure that Hyundai is throwing all sorts of luxury features and systems onto the new sedan. Besides them, in a rather novel way, the South Korean company promises that it will supply instead of an owner’s manual a “multimedia tablet”, in order to contain the manual and to make getting in touch with the dealership or company representatives that much easier. No word on just what that tablet might be, but a safe bet is the upcoming Apple iPad. While some of you may snub Hyundai because it isn’t a part of the luxury carmaker group, the mid-$50,000 base price of the Equus will certainly make you change your mind about the South Korean premium sedan. Source: Hyundai Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Kia Soul Hamsters ad wins Nielsen’s Top Auto Ad award Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:40 PM PDT  Quite a few awards were given at the 2010 New York Auto Show. Besides the World Car of the Year and many other such distinctions, Nielsen also gave out awards for the best car ads in the last year. Who was the winner of the Top Auto Ad award? Why the Kia Soul with its memorable Hamsters ad, which pushed viewers to find “A New Way to Roll.” This advert was found to be the most memorable by over 2.5 million viewers who shared their insight with Nielsen. Curious to see the best car ad of last year? Hit the jump and see Kia Soul’s Hamsters video. Source: Nielsen Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Peugeot RCZ 200 Ans race car is ready for 24 hours of Nurburgring Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:14 PM PDT  The 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race will definitely attract a lot of people this year. Not only through its long heritage, but also through the plethora of new and interesting cars that will line up on the grid. We already know about the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid model and about the special Lexus LFA race cars, but now, French carmaker Peugeot has also revealed the two models it will enter in the race. As you could have guessed, they are based on the upcoming RCZ roadster, being called RCZ 200 Ans (hint: that’s the anniversary the French company is celebrating this year).  The Peugeot RCZ 200 Ans will use the 2.0-liter HDi diesel engine, but instead of its stock 163 HP output, it will be boosted to a more race-worthy 200 HP. As you can see it has also received a new aerodynamic body kit, and you can certainly expect many alterations on the inside. The drivers of the two cars that will race haven’t been announced, but it’s safe to say that one will be French and the other German. Overall, you’d better clear up the days between 13 and 16 May, as the 24 Hours of Nurburgring are certainly going to offer a spectacle for any motorsport fan. Source: Automarket Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| US Government reportedly buying first 100 Chevrolet Volts plus other hybrids Posted: 01 Apr 2010 10:50 PM PDT  As with practically everyone around us, the US federal government wants to “green up” its fleet of vehicles, with the major focus being on decreasing petrol use by 30% until 2020. As such, you can be sure that it is looking into new plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrid models, which offer improved fuel efficiency. Now that’s not so bad, but several reports have popped up, saying that the Obama administration has already placed a down payment for the first 100 Chevrolet Volt models, which will roll off the assembly line late this year. Besides the Extended Range Electric Vehicle, several other reports are also indicating that several Dodge Ram PHEV prototypes are also going to be purchased by the government. While these actions, if they’ll come true, are certain to inspire a lot of other people to invest in such models, it’s pretty peculiar as to why a hybrid like the Ford Fusion or other such models aren’t being considered. What do you think? Is the Obama administration entitled to choose vehicles it has funded from carmakers it has bailed out? Share your thoughts below. Source: Wards Auto via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Nissan recalls over 4,000 2010 Pathfinder and Xterra models over airbag problems Posted: 01 Apr 2010 10:35 PM PDT  Even though it’s quite busy with the 2010 New York Auto Show and all, Nissan has taken the time to issue a new recall, affecting 2010 Pathfinder and Xterra models, manufactured between February 22 and March 13. The 4,038 vehicles suffer from two problems, affecting the driver-side airbag and the steering column. It seems that the fasteners attached to the airbag and the steering shaft weren’t torqued to the correct specification. What does this mean? In terms of the airbag, it might mean an improper activation during a crash, while the steering column might also become unresponsive. All of the affected models will be recalled starting this month, and you can contact Nissan for more information at 1-800-647-7261. Source: Nissan Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mazda announces innovative Sky-G and Sky-D engines, promises 43 MPG diesel Mazda6 Posted: 01 Apr 2010 10:24 PM PDT  Mazda is finally getting ready to bring its new engine and transmission technologies, codenamed SKY, to the USA. The Japanese company announced during the 2010 New York Auto Show that, in order to further improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, the Sky-G (gasoline) and Sky-D (diesel) engines, together with the Sky-Drive (transmission) will appear across the range.
The new engines are set to bring improvements of up to 15% for Sky-G and 20% for Sky-D in terms of fuel efficiency, while also increasing power output and torque levels for the new units. Couple them with the Sky-Drive, promising a five percent improvement through its six-speed automatic system, and you’ll be getting some very good averages. The first applications of these technologies will likely arrive with the next generation Mazda6 mid-size sedan, sometime around 2012. Even though it’s extremely early, some voices are already claiming that the Sky-D under the car’s bonnet will deliver a very impressive 43 MPG in highway conditions. We’re not crossing our fingers yet, but Mazda might come through with its promises. Source: Mazda Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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