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Monday, June 21, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Mini reveals the track for its Porsche challenge, wants someone to drive a 911
- Audi R4 rumored to launch in 2014, slots below TT
- Porsche prepping hardcore Cayman Clubsport model?
- Video: Hyundai challenges Mini to a race between Genesis Coupe and Cooper S
- 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee configurator now available
- Video: Volkswagen sets up slide at a subway station, fun times ensue
- Chrysler Sebring convertible to survive, might get new engine and upgrades
- Blind advocates upset that the Nissan Leaf’s warning sound can be turned off
- Lincoln offers free maintenance for all new vehicles bought this summer
- Edo Competition transforms Aston Marting DB9 into DBS
| Mini reveals the track for its Porsche challenge, wants someone to drive a 911 Posted: 21 Jun 2010 01:35 AM PDT  Today, June 21, Mini USA wants to race Porsche USA in a Cooper S versus 911 race at the Road Atlanta circuit. Sadly, as you all know, Porsche has politely declined the challenge, calling out Mini to enter formal races, not ones ‘just for show’. Still, that hasn’t swayed Mini, which has just revealed two interesting pieces of information ahead of the race set to be held today. First is the actual track on which the cars will race. As you can see, the actual Road Atlanta circuit isn’t used, as a make-shift autocross track was erected in the ‘School Course and Training Area’. Even though Mini says it balances out the tight and twisty corners made for the Cooper S’ go-kart handling with straights that put the 911’s power to an advantage, it does seem like the track was tailored more for the Mini. Secondly, seeing as how Porsche doesn’t want to formally attend the challenge, even after being tempted with Justin Bieber tickets or other such things, Mini offers a 911 Carrera S to anyone willing to race it against the Cooper S. The race is set to take place today, and over 400 seats are guaranteed by Mini to those who want to watch. No word yet on how things are going with the recent challenge Hyundai has issued to Mini, but we’ll keep you up to date. Source: Mini USA Facebook Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Audi R4 rumored to launch in 2014, slots below TT Posted: 21 Jun 2010 01:11 AM PDT  The rumor mill has started spinning once more, churning out information about the future Audi R4 sportscar. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the Ingolstadt company, after selling the production version of the e-tron electric sportscar concept around 2012, will develop its chassis for a compact, mid-engined model, presumably called the R4. The report also says that the R4 will slot in below the TT when it will arrive in 2014. Instead of the electric motors reserved for the e-tron, the new model will use regular internal combustion engines, like a 180 HP 1.4-liter TSI or a 170 HP 2.0-liter TDI unit, currently used on the TT or Golf GTD. Last but not least, this presumed Audi R4 will be priced at around $27,000, way under the $37,800 starting price of the TT. Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Porsche prepping hardcore Cayman Clubsport model? Posted: 21 Jun 2010 12:53 AM PDT  Seeing as how the Porsche Boxster has just received its Spyder performance model at the beginning of the year, it seems that the German engineers are now turning their eyes to the Cayman coupe. According to a new report, a performance-oriented Porsche Cayman Clubsport model might soon be revealed, boasting increased power, lower weight and improved performance figures. First off, the 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine will be upgraded from the 300 HP it develops now to a more potent 320-330 HP. Weight will be shaved wherever possible, in order to lower the center of gravity and improve the handling of the sports coupe. The suspension and braking systems will also receive an overhaul, while the PDK gearbox will be standard on the Cayman Clubsport. This will allow the performance model to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in less than five seconds and well over the current one’s 155 mph speed limit. Improved aerodynamics and new options might also be making an appearance, but until we hear it from Porsche, the Cayman Clubsport is still just speculation. Source: ZerCustoms via Automarket Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Hyundai challenges Mini to a race between Genesis Coupe and Cooper S Posted: 21 Jun 2010 12:40 AM PDT  Seeing as how Mini is bent on racing today at the Road Atlanta circuit against Porsche, even if the German company might not be present officially, Hyundai has jumped in and released a formal challenge to the British brand. According to Hyundai, it offers to pit the Genesis Coupe against the Cooper S. Sadly, seeing as how Rhys Millen is busy getting ready for the Pikes Peak rally, the South Korean company wants to race in July. Either way, the prospect of such an event is quite awesome. Hit the jump and check out the official challenge video from Hyundai and let’s hope Mini will be pleased to race against the Genesis Coupe. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee configurator now available Posted: 21 Jun 2010 12:23 AM PDT  A lot of people have been eagerly awaiting the launch of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee model. But seeing as how the new SUV will arrive in dealerships a few weeks from now, Chrysler has decided to make the wait a bit more manageable. As such, after revealing the patriotic ad for the SUV and the new iPhone app with full vehicle information about the new model, the company has now presented the online configurator for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. As you will be able to see on the website, the starting price, in the rear-wheel drive Laredo trim line, is $30,995. Still, if you add on the options and opt for the beefier 5.7-liter Hemi V8 instead of the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, the price will increase up to $50,000. Until you’ll be able to configure one at your local Jeep dealership though, the new Grand Cherokee configurator is the next big thing. Check it out at this address. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Volkswagen sets up slide at a subway station, fun times ensue Posted: 21 Jun 2010 12:06 AM PDT  Remember the Fun Theory videos Volkswagen published last year, where it aimed at encouraging the right behavior by making things more fun? Well, the German carmaker is at it again, this time with the ‘Fast Lane’ campaign, promoting the new Volkswagen Polo GTI model. The video below shows how the company set up a slide at a subway station, in order to make going down the stairs much more fun and much faster experience. Needless to say, the whole thing looks extremely fun, so hit the jump and check out the video. Source: Volkswagen via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Chrysler Sebring convertible to survive, might get new engine and upgrades Posted: 20 Jun 2010 11:52 PM PDT  Chrysler’s new corporate overlord, Fiat, wants to make some big changes in the lineup as soon as possible. The biggest ones target the current Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger mid-size sedans. As most of you know, a thorough refresh is expected at the end of the year, as well as all-new, possibly renamed replacements around 2012. Still, even with these changes, a piece of the old Sebring will survive, more specifically the convertible edition. It seems that according to AllPar, the Sebring open top model is still a hit with rental companies, thanks to its very cheap price and seating for four. According to the report, the Sebring convertible might get a revised suspension system, as well as the new Pentastar V6 engine. Combine that with some of the upgrades the sedan is set to receive, and the convertible model might become, once more, a popular choice for those in the market for a cheap open-top car, even if its legacy isn’t all that bright. What say you? With the right upgrades and a new engine, would the Chrysler Sebring Convertible attract you? Make your voice be heard in the comments below. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Blind advocates upset that the Nissan Leaf’s warning sound can be turned off Posted: 20 Jun 2010 11:29 PM PDT  Last week, the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle showcased its pedestrian alert system, which emits a specific sound when going down a road. This will help the car make itself noticed by pedestrians and other drivers on the road, especially those with a handicap, like being blind. Still, it seems that even though blind advocate groups helped in developing the Leaf’s warning sound system, the National Federation for the Blind isn’t pleased with the fact that you can turn off the alert. Even though Nissan says that the warning sound is barely heard inside the cabin of the EV, the driver can opt to switch it off. The system can be turned off only for the current drive cycle, as when you start up the car once more, the alert is once again emitted. Because the driver has such an option, according to the blind representatives, many people will opt to turn it off, making the quiet cars a real danger to pedestrians, blind or not. Both sides have valid view points, but in lack of a legislation which mandates alert sounds for electric or hybrid vehicles, plus the lack of in-the-field analysis, we can’t say for sure who is right. Do you think such alert systems need to be able to be turned off, in certain conditions, or do they need to stay on all the time? Share your thoughts below. Source: New York Times via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Lincoln offers free maintenance for all new vehicles bought this summer Posted: 20 Jun 2010 10:57 PM PDT  With the Mercury brand set to die a slow death, Ford is taking measures to make sure people still visit Lincoln dealerships, even without the more affordable brand sharing the same building. As such, the Blue Oval has announced that its Lincoln brand will be offering free scheduled maintenance on all new vehicles bought this summer, starting from today and until September 7. This maintenance will be completely free during the first three years or up until 45,000 miles. The deal spans all 2010 and 2011 model year vehicles, and is also available to those who opt to lease a new Lincoln model. Through this offer, as we mentioned above, Ford wants to push its Lincoln division into the media spotlight. There are a couple of big changes headed towards the Blue Oval’s premium brand, including new EcoBoost engines and a C segment compact set to debut around the end of 2011. Source: Lincoln Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Edo Competition transforms Aston Marting DB9 into DBS Posted: 20 Jun 2010 10:41 PM PDT  Imagine you own a glorious Aston Martin DB9 model, but over the last five years, you’ve grown a bit bored of the British sportscar. Why not buy a DBS, for example, and satisfy your desire for a shiny new car? Neah, that’s too simple, at least according to a Russian customer. Instead, he went to tuning company Edo Competition and asked it to convert his five year old DB9 into a DBS model. After a bit of a shock, the crew went to work and replaced all of the body panels from the DB9 with the carbon fiber parts used on the S model. The interior was also upgraded, with a mix of leather and Alcantara now present in the Aston.  In terms of performance, the Edo Competition team also tweaked the 5.9-liter V12 engine, which now develops 550 HP, even more than the DBS’ stock 510 HP. The brakes were also upgraded, as was the suspension system. The price for the conversion wasn’t revealed, but you can pretty much guess that it came quite close to the price of a completely new DBS. Source: Edo Competition Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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