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Friday, May 7, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Ferrari CEO teases next Enzo, talks about carbon fiber
- Volkswagen unveils two new versions of the Golf GTI: one hardcore, one sporty
- BMW Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia limited edition revealed
- 2011 Shelby GT350 gets naturally aspirated engine, automatic gearbox
- Buick to get three new model by 2012
- Audi A2 set to be revived in 2012
- Hardcore BMW fan gets M3-shaped headstone
- Customers pleased with Ford’s EcoBoost engines, survey says
- Rolls Royce Ghost configurator now available on the iPhone
- Techart takes 2010 Porsche 911 up to 620 HP
| Ferrari CEO teases next Enzo, talks about carbon fiber Posted: 07 May 2010 01:36 AM PDT  Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa recently talked with Autocar concerning a number of various subjects. We’ve already heard the Italian boss talk about the possibility of a four-door Ferrari (zero!) and now the comapny head talked about the next Enzo hypercar and the use of carbon fiber in future models. As you all know, Ferrari’s product plan has a replacement for the Enzo hypercar scheduled to appear around 2012, and become the new halo car for the rest of the lineup. According to Felisa, the new car will certainly use carbon fiber, given its limited number of scheduled models, but might also see its power come from a twin-turbo direct injection V8, a massive decrease in cylinders from the Enzo’s V12 engine. According to Felisa, the future Enzo will showcase what Ferrari can do. Smaller engines like V6 units for the rest of the models have been ruled out. The Italian CEO says customers directly associate the number of cylinders with the power output, so until that changes, Ferrari is sticking to V8, V10 and even V12 engines. In terms of carbon fiber, Felisa says his company won’t go the route of other carmakers, like BMW or Mercedes-Benz, which both announced partnerships with specialty companies in order to use the material on future models. Ferrari, on the other hand, will only use carbon fiber on limited editions, as the research on how the lightweight material handles in long term real life conditions is still insufficient. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Volkswagen unveils two new versions of the Golf GTI: one hardcore, one sporty Posted: 07 May 2010 01:16 AM PDT  Audi isn’t the only company set to bring multiple variants of its new models at the upcoming Worthersee Tour, held in Austria, as Volkswagen has also announced two special models, based on its popular Golf GTI. The first is the result of a partnership between the company and German apparel giant Adidas. The Golf GTI Adidas (pictured above) boasts just cosmetic improvements like 18-inch alloy wheels, LED rear lights, sports seats and, of course, Adidas-inspired trim. Only 4410 such models will be made available in Germany and a few other European coutries. For those with a hunger for a more hardcore GTI, but not interested in the Golf R, the German carmaker prepared the Golf GTI Excessive concept. While power levels are the same, a more aggressive body kit, 19-inch wheels, a revised suspension plus upgraded brakes and exhaust systems were added. Sadly the GTI Excessive is just a show car, for now. In the future the company might offer the parts used on the Excessive as options for the Golf GTI, but it’s not written in stone, as of yet. Source: Volkswagen Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| BMW Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia limited edition revealed Posted: 07 May 2010 01:02 AM PDT  BMW is really boasting its 70th anniversary from the famous win it recorded with the 328 model at the Mille Miglia endurance race. After revealing a restored 328 Kamm Coupe, the company has also announced a new limited edition: the Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia. Based on the recently revealed top-of-the-range Z4 sDrive35is, this special edition will boast unique features like a coat of matte Polaris Metallic paint, a blacked out front grille, a set of 19-inch wheels finished in Dark Chrome as well as an M aerodynamic kit. On the inside red contrast stitching is present, as well as a lot of Mille Miglia badges, both on the interior and exterior.  For those who forgot the impressive performance of the top Z4, it outputs 340 HP from the 3.0-liter inline six cylinder unit, which is coupled to a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. Only 99 models will be made, so you’d better hurry up if you want to own such a special Z4. Source: BMW Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Shelby GT350 gets naturally aspirated engine, automatic gearbox Posted: 07 May 2010 12:37 AM PDT  A few months ago, after the 2011 Ford Mustang was revealed, traditional Ford tuners Shelby decided to showcase the 2011 Shelby Mustang GT350 package at the Barrett-Jackson auction event. For those who forgot, the car used the same 5.0-liter V8 engine as the 2011 ‘Stang, but added a supercharger that took the output to 500 HP. Besides that, a plethora of performance and handling upgrades were also added, from Ford Racing suspension to the Baer brakes, Borla exhaust or the six-speed manual gearbox. Now, Shelby revealed that new versions of the GT350 will be made available, sporting a naturally aspirated version of the 5.0-liter V8, capable of 412 HP but also an automatic gearbox. Why the new options? Because the company wants to enter the car into the SCCA racing championship, where superchargers aren’t allowed. Another big reason, one would assume, is to reduce the price of the Shelby GT350 package. The supercharged one costs $33,995, while the naturally aspirated one around $26,995. As you could have guessed, you still need to buy your 2011 Ford Mustang and ship it to Shelby for the performance package install. Source: Shelby Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Buick to get three new model by 2012 Posted: 07 May 2010 12:19 AM PDT  It seems the Buick brand is going to receive a major overhaul, courtesy of GM, in order to make it more attractive to younger buyers and to increase its market share. How will it do that? First off, by launching three new cars by 2012. We already know one, the Regal (pictured above). The second will be the compact sedan that was leaked at the beginning of the week, while the third might be a small crossover, based on the future Chevrolet Aveo. That’s just the tip of the iceberg though, as the Detroit News reports that Buick officials have transmitted to dealerships that an overhaul of their buildings is necessary, in order to reveal a more modern image for the brand. Dealers themselves are going to need new training, in order to better highlight the new systems that are included the upcoming cars. Last but not least, a shift in the marketing efforts for the Tri-Shield brand will also take place. Instead of focusing on golf tournaments or things like that, Buick is going to put up ads near places like Starbucks or Ikea, in order to draw in the younger crowd. With such marketing changes and the promise of cars people would actually want to drive (how ’bout that Regal GS concept?) Buick might be on its way to a much brighter future. Source: Detroit News Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Audi A2 set to be revived in 2012 Posted: 06 May 2010 11:56 PM PDT  Even though Audi is pulling out all the stops to promote the A1 city car, rumors are also flying around about the revival of the other city model the Ingolstadt company had on the road, but quickly terminated its production: the A2. The guys at Autocar have now revealed that a 2012 release date for the new A2 is almost certain, and that it will contend with future front-wheel drive offers from rivals BMW or Mercedes-Benz. In order to not occupy the A3’s price segment, the future A2 will use conventional manufacturing processes, taken from the A1, and not the pricey spaceframe tech, as the first generation. In terms of style, nothing concrete is known, but expect a taller and boxier variant of the A1’s design. Given that BMW is planning its Megacity EV and Mercedes-Benz is pushing forward with electric versions in its Smart lineup, the new A2 might also receive this means of propulsion around its launch date, besides the internal combustion engines from the A1 lineup. Do you think that this new entry-level segment will be the ultimate decider between luxury carmakers? Share your thoughts below. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Hardcore BMW fan gets M3-shaped headstone Posted: 06 May 2010 11:41 PM PDT  Cars are loved by a lot of people. But while some usually express their love while they’re in their prime, some decide to show those strong feelings even after death. We’ve seen the Corvette-emblazoned tombstone last year but now a headstone for a BMW fan really took brand loyalty to a whole new level. It seems 51-year old Steve Marsh, a Ford engineer (irony!) loved the BMW M3 Convertible so much, that after his death, his family decided to commemorate his special connection with the German model. As such, they had this lifesize (!) replica of a M3 Cabriolet made out of a block of solid granite, and flew it in from China. The weight of the impressive headstone is around one ton and required a crane and several men to put it in place at the funeral. To make the whole picture complete, a personalized license plate, ‘Steve 1′ was also added, as well as a fake parking ticket,  The cost for this whole project? Over $75,000. To put it into context, a brand new 2011 BMW M3 Convertible starts at around $67,000. Still, as you can imagine, this unique headstone sparked a bit of controversy among workers and other people who had their loved ones burried at that cemetery. While some say they disapprove, most are still intrigued by the whole project. Gatekeepers warn that it might be targeted by vandals, but let’s just hope nothing bad will happen to this great expression of brand loyalty. Source: Daily Mail Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Customers pleased with Ford’s EcoBoost engines, survey says Posted: 06 May 2010 11:24 PM PDT  Ford is quite pleased with its EcoBoost engines, which, through forced induction and direct injection, deliver the same performance as bigger, naturally aspirated units, but with the same fuel economy as a smaller one. In order to see how customers are looking at the new technology, the Blue Oval decided to hold a survey, in which people shared their opinion of the 3.5-liter V6 unit, currently found in the Ford Flex and Taurus SHO as well as the Lincoln MKS and MKT. The results aren’t that surprising, as almost every new customer said he was pleased with the performance of the EcoBoost engine. According to the survey, the new technology has also drawn in a younger crowd, which favored import models over American ones, up until now. The future for the EcoBoost lineup is looking even more interesting, as a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit will arrive with the next generation Explorer SUV and Edge crossover. Also, in case you forgot, the Ford Start concept, unveiled a few weeks ago in Beijing, previews a small 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, capable of a power output similar to a 1.6-liter engine. Source: Ford Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Rolls Royce Ghost configurator now available on the iPhone Posted: 06 May 2010 10:55 PM PDT  Did you ever find yourself desperately wanting to configure your own Rolls Royce Ghost luxury limousine but didn’t have access to a computer, just your iPhone? Well, Rolls Royce seems to think you did, as it has just announced that a configurator for its flagship model is now available on the iPhone App Store, completely free of charge. Included, besides the opportunity to create your own specific Ghost, are things like videos with the Rolls Royce model and even various technical data, for you to drool over. You can head on over to the App Store and download the new Ghost configurator, so that you can carry a piece of that Rolls Royce luxury with you until you can actually afford such a limousine (a lottery ticket wouldn’t hurt, though). Source: Rolls Royce via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Techart takes 2010 Porsche 911 up to 620 HP Posted: 06 May 2010 10:45 PM PDT  When it’s not building high end racing prototypes based on Porsche models, tuning company Techart also takes care of the regular vehicles that are manufactured by the Stuttgart company. A recent example is Techart’s newest tuning package for the 2010 Porsche 911, which promises to take the power output from the ‘tame’ 500 HP to around 620 HP. How does it do that? Well, the 3.8-liter flat-six engine receives an ECU upgrade, a brand new exhaust system, complete with improved manifold, as well as a sports air filter. Of course, handling couldn’t have been left unimproved, so a coilover suspension has been added, as well as a new and improved braking system. Aerodynamic body kits are also available, coming in two flavors, both increasing down force and decreasing ride height. As an added bonus, for the right amount of cash of course, Techart also throws in a Nose Lift system, meaning you won’t run away from speedbumps when you take the tuned 911 around the city. Source: Techart Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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