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Thursday, June 3, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Ford officially axes Mercury brand to focus on Lincoln
- Video: Lexus LFA supercar shatters glass with exhaust sound, too bad it’s all sold out
- McLaren might be preparing 2+2 version of the MP4-12C
- NHTSA opens investigation into 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan floor mat issues
- Video: Coke Zero and Mentos powered car is real and ridiculous
- Saab planning performance upgrades in dealerships with Hirsch Performance
- Tata planning to open Jaguar and Land Rover plant in China
- James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 going up for auction, $5 million price expected
- 2011 Volkswagen Polo Sedan revealed in Russia, coming to the US soon
- Coupe Porsche Cayenne Turbo revealed by Merdad
| Ford officially axes Mercury brand to focus on Lincoln Posted: 03 Jun 2010 01:55 AM PDT  Another car brand goes the way of the dodo, following companies like Saturn, Pontiac or Hummer. This time, it seems the rumors were true, as Ford has officially announced that it will be shutting down its Mercury brand, in order to focus on the upmarket Lincoln. While the news shocked some people, many car fans were expecting it, seeing as how Mercury was left to die with few new models, and all of them being rebadged Ford ones. Existing warranties and repairs will be upheld by Ford representatives. Current Lincoln Mercury dealerships will be helped to transition into selling the single remaining brand. According to the Blue Oval, the production of existing Mercury models, like the Milan, Mountaineer, Grand Marquis or the Mariner will end in the last quarter of 2010. The company will now focus on building its Lincoln range, in order to really go against luxury brands like Cadillac or Lexus in the US market. In doing so, it will release seven all-new or refreshed models in the next four years, including the first C segment vehicle (probably based on the 2012 Ford Focus). The popular EcoBoost lineup of turbocharged engines will also be offered across the Lincoln range, in order to highlight its greener credentials, as opposed to its rivals. Overall, this is a sad time for the remaining Mercury fans, but we’re pretty sure not a lot of tears will be shed over the demise of the brand. Do you think the company still had a shot or did Ford do the right thing? Share your thoughts below. Source: Ford Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Lexus LFA supercar shatters glass with exhaust sound, too bad it’s all sold out Posted: 03 Jun 2010 01:29 AM PDT  The Lexus LFA supercar burst onto the scene late last year, with its 552 HP V10 engine and its $375,000 asking price. Now, the Japanese luxury carmaker decided to showcase the LFA’s power through a more different type of ad than the previous one. As such, it has hired a special physicist to figure out what type of glass would shatter from the exhaust note of the LFA. The company then put a champagne glass from that material in the same room as the LFA. The result? It was pretty … shattering (pardon the pun). Still, don’t get to excited about zipping around Monte Carlo and breaking store displays with the LFA, as the car is already all sold old. According to Automotive News, all 500 LFA models have been reserved by many people with deep pockets. That shouldn’t stop you from hitting the jump and checking out the video of the Lexus LFA shattering a champagne glass, so get to it. Source: Automotive News Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| McLaren might be preparing 2+2 version of the MP4-12C Posted: 03 Jun 2010 01:13 AM PDT  McLaren’s latest foray into the supercar segment, the upcoming MP4-12C, has been at the center of quite a lot of rumors. From before its initial unveiling, to afterwards when a convertible or a track-only race car versions were rumored, speculation has been a given when talking about the new British supercar. Now, we chalk another one up for the McLaren MP4-12C, as a report indicates that the company is preparing a special 2+2 version of the supercar. Currently, the model is scheduled to appear with just two seats. According to the report, the longer version would house a second row of seats, perfect for when you’re going out with your mates around the block/track. This would make the MP4-12C the first four-seater in the history of McLaren, as it only got close to the number with the unique 1+2 McLaren F1. Still, don’t go making reservations just yet, as McLaren hasn’t commented on this new rumor. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| NHTSA opens investigation into 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan floor mat issues Posted: 03 Jun 2010 12:56 AM PDT  It seems floor mats are not only responsible for one of the huge recalls that affected Toyota models at the beginning of the year, but also cause some issues for 2010 Ford Fusion and 2010 Mercury Milan models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just opened an investigation, after three cases were reported of pedal entrapment due to floor mats. Specifically, the gas pedal was stuck behind the floor mats, in the same way as Toyota models experienced unintended acceleration. According to Ford though, these cases appeared when owners stacked the all-weather floor mats on top of the factory-installed carpets, something that isn’t advised and not a lot of people would do voluntarily. At the same time, the Blue Oval revealed that it will cooperate with the NHTSA to find uncover the truth behind the reported incidents. Source: NHTSA via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Coke Zero and Mentos powered car is real and ridiculous Posted: 03 Jun 2010 12:34 AM PDT  A few years ago, the Internet was taken by storm by a pair of guys throwing Mentos candy into Diet Coke bottles, the result being a spectacular explosion of the sugar-filled beverage. Now, some guys decided that the power of the reaction can be used for good things, like replacing fossil fuels and powering a car (more like tricycle) prototype. So, they got to it, using 108 Coca Cola Zero (no more Diet) two-liter bottles, and 648 Mentos candies to power their ‘rocket car‘. The result is mighty impressive, with the device managing to travel 221 feet. It’s not going to replace fossil fuels anytime soon, but perhaps with more experimentation, we might be onto something. Of course, it’s best you not try this at home, unless you live in an abandoned aircraft hanger. Hit the jump to check out this impressive video. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Saab planning performance upgrades in dealerships with Hirsch Performance Posted: 03 Jun 2010 12:13 AM PDT  Saab, right after it was saved by Spyker, was forced to sign a non-compete agreement, meaning it couldn’t produce faster or more powerful models than current GM cars until 2012. But seeing as how Spyker, a supercar manufacturer, and its devoted fans are eagerly something a big more potent in their 9-3 or the 2011 9-5, the Swedish company is planning a work around for the non-compete agreement. Reports indicate that Saab is working with European tuner Hirsch Performance, a traditional customizer for the Swedish brand, to offer dealer-installed performance upgrades. Currently things like ECU upgrades, suspension or braking systems as well as new body kits are being discussed. It’s not that clear how the relationship between Saab and Hirsche will continue, as some even say that the company will be bought, similar to how Mercedes-Benz did with AMG. Still, the top priority at this moment is to offer performance upgrades for hardcore fans. No word on how these new enhancements will be offer, either under the Hirsch Performance name, Saab Performance Group (SPG) or even Viggen, an older moniker that graced models with increased power. Still, voices are claiming that the 220 HP 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the 2011 9-5 can easily reach 260 HP, while the 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 can easily overpass the 300 HP it developed in the 2010 9-5 Aero. So, combine the potent engines with Saab’s top-of-the-line Trollhatten plant plus Hirsch Performance’s know-how, and the combo might be quite awesome. What do you think? Would performance-oriented Saabs help the company reach a more stable financial situation? How about after the 2012 non-compete agreement terminates? Share your thoughts below. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Tata planning to open Jaguar and Land Rover plant in China Posted: 02 Jun 2010 11:50 PM PDT  Indian carmaker Tata has some pretty big plans for its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries, which were bought from Ford some time ago. After getting the brands out of their economic problems, Tata now plans to further increase profitability by targeting the biggest expending market in the world, China. How will it do that? By building a new factory in the Asian country, capable of building at least 40,000 Jaguar and Land Rover models for that specific market. No word on when or where the plant will be opened, but the Land Rover models will gain top priority, seeing as how the brand moved 208,197 SUVs in China last year. Sadly, this means some bad news for the two British plants currently producing JLR models, as one of them will need to be shut down. No word on which exactly, so until the China plant goes operational, it’s still business as usual. Source: Automotive News via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 going up for auction, $5 million price expected Posted: 02 Jun 2010 11:34 PM PDT  Movies made a lot of cars famous over the years, but one model in particular complemented the on-screen action perfectly: the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 that renown international British spy James Bond used in the 007 films Goldeneye and Thunderball. In case you don’t remember, only two DB5s were made, but only one is known to still exist. In case you really fancy the spy car, then you’re in luck, as the RM and Sotheby’s auction houses have announced that the car, now owned by radio host and philanthropist Jerry Lee, will be auctioned off. The projected price for the famous Aston? Somewhere around $5 million. Do bear in mind that this is a fully functional spy car, complete with revolving plates, tracking device plus a smoke screen and oil slick dispenser. In case the price hasn’t swayed your judgment, the auction is set to take place on October 27, in London. Source: RM Auctions Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Volkswagen Polo Sedan revealed in Russia, coming to the US soon Posted: 02 Jun 2010 11:20 PM PDT  Hatchbacks are extremely popular in certain territories, like Europe. But other countries always bear a remarkable grudge against these shorter models. As such, carmakers are forced to derive sedans out of hatchbacks, resulting in the so-called notchbacks. The latest model to join the group is the Volkswagen Polo, recently named both the European and the World Car of the Year. The attractive compact hatch has now been revealed as the 2011 Volkswagen Polo Sedan in Russia. While it is being billed as a model specifically made for the Russian market, it won’t stay there for long, as it will definitely make its way onto US shores in the near future. Why? Because Americans don’t want to touch hatchbacks even with a ten foot pole, but also because VW wants to increase sales. The Russian Polo Sedan has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, capable of 103 HP. We can expect the same engine, or a smaller but turbocharged TSI unit to appear on the US version. Source: Volkswagen Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Coupe Porsche Cayenne Turbo revealed by Merdad Posted: 02 Jun 2010 10:58 PM PDT  A lot of Porsche purists disapproved of the Cayenne SUV when it was first revealed, largely because it went against everything the Stuttgart company stood for. From its SUV status to the front-mounted engine or the big number of doors (as opposed to the 911 which has just two doors). Now, British tuning company Merdad wants to fix one of those problems, and has released a special customization program for the last and current generation Porsche Cayenne Turbo model. Don’t go thinking this is an ordinary tuning kit with a slight power increase, as Merdad offers to turn the big SUV into a coupe. For a price, the company will chop off two doors, and add a body kit in order to complement the new coupe status of the SUV. A power increase was also made, as the twin-turbo 4.8-liter engine is now capable of 740 HP, from the stock 493 HP. No performance or pricing details were given, but still, you have to admire the imagination of this tuning company. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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