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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Scion hosts Battle of the Builds competition, military members design their own xB
- No, the Chevrolet Volt won’t use gasoline engine for high speed driving
- Video: 2011 Ford Explorer showcases the Curve Control system
- 2012 Maserati Quattroporte to get all-wheel drive plus start-stop technology
- 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 might get 480 HP and eight-speed automatic
- Abarth to launch Esseesse versions for Punto Evo and 500C, might tune Alfa Romeo models
- McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray presents the T.25 city car
- Kia may use numbers instead of names for future models
- Motorsport Weekend: Formula 1 European GP, Moto GP Netherlands GP and Nascar New Hampshire race results
| Scion hosts Battle of the Builds competition, military members design their own xB Posted: 29 Jun 2010 04:29 AM PDT  Seeing as how the 4th of July is rapidly approaching, Scion has revealed a new type of competition. Entitled the Battle of the Builds, the contest tasked military servicemen and women with designing their own special xB model. The entries were submitted to the youth-oriented Japanese brand, and can now be voted at the special Battle of the Builds website. From the 25 semi-finalists now up for vote, only three designs will be chosen. The winning teams will be given a budget of $15,000, and tasked with turning their initial drawing into a reality on a brand new 2011 xB. The ultimate winner will be featured by Scion at the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Interested in showing your support for military creativity? Then go and share your votes at the Battle of the Builds website. Voting ends tomorrow, June 30. Source: Scion Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| No, the Chevrolet Volt won’t use gasoline engine for high speed driving Posted: 29 Jun 2010 04:12 AM PDT  Yesterday, a rather huge bomb was dropped by a report from British newspaper The Telegraph, which claimed that the Chevrolet Volt, at least in its European version, the Opel Ampera, will directly use the 1.4-liter gasoline engine in order to attain highway speeds. As you know, the Volt uses an electric motor as means of propulsion, with the gasoline engine used just for charging up the batteries which power the aforementioned motor. This makes the Volt become an extended range electric vehicle, not a hybrid. The Telegraph’s report said that in order to attain speeds worthy of a highway or autobahn, the powertrain of the Volt/Ampera would be re-engineered, in order to directly connect the engine to the wheels. As you can imagine, this sparked a lot of debate on the Internet. Luckily, GM quickly settled all these rumors. Talking to The Car Connection, GM electric vehicles, batteries, and hybrids communications executive, Rob Peterson, revealed that such a dramatic re-engineering of the Volt/Ampera won’t happen. He said that the Voltec powertrain is more than capable of taking the car to adequate speeds, great for traveling around the city but also on highways. He revealed that the report from The Telegraph was wrong, and based on an older prototype Volt, which wasn’t using up-to-date software to calibrate its speed. As such, you can forget about the Chevrolet Volt (or Opel Ampera or whatever name the extended range electric vehicle will get depending on the market) using its internal combustion engine for anything else except charging the batteries of the car. Source: The Telegraph, The Car Connection Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: 2011 Ford Explorer showcases the Curve Control system Posted: 29 Jun 2010 02:29 AM PDT  Most drivers know that when approaching a sharp corner, it’s best to brake in order to maintain control over your car and trajectory. According to a recent statistic revealed by Ford, however, things aren’t like that. It seems that over 50,000 accidents that happened in the USA last year were caused by drivers who didn’t brake before entering curves, eventually going off road or in the opposite way. As such, in the 2011 Ford Explorer SUV, the Blue Oval will be premiering a new technology called Curve Control. The system, as its name implies, will help the car go around curves more accurately and safer. It will sit atop the existing electronic and roll stability control systems, and actively apply the brakes on all four wheels, preventing the car from going off road. In order to really highlight the tech, a new video was revealed by the guys at Autoblog, who experienced first hand the Curve Control system on a camouflaged prototype of the 2011 Explorer. Check it out after the jump. Source: Ford via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2012 Maserati Quattroporte to get all-wheel drive plus start-stop technology Posted: 29 Jun 2010 02:06 AM PDT  Fiat’s high end divisions, Maserati and Ferrari, are researching a lot of ways to make their performance and luxury models more eco-friendly, in order to comply with harsher fuel average or emission regulations. As such, while Ferrari is busy fiddling with KERS and might share that with Maserati in the future, the less sporty company will do the next best thing with the 2012 Quattroporte model: use a new platform with smaller engines and eco-friendly technologies. As such, the future Italian luxury sedan will be sitting on a new joint platform, set to be used by flagship Fiat and Chrysler products in the future. Smaller and lighter V6 and V8 engines will sit on top of the new platform, and power all the wheels, even though that might lead to an increase in fuel average. Thankfully, technologies like Start-Stop, which turns off the engine when standing still and powers it back on when moving, might be used. A more efficient eight-speed gearbox will also be used. The goal, according to Maserati CEO Harald Wester, is to cut 15% of the weight of the car and make it 25% more efficient. Seeing as how Ferrari won’t dabble in the super sedan segment, Maserati’s Quattroporte will be the only offer from the Fiat group. As you can imagine, a lot of effort will be put into making it the best offer on the market. Source: Automotive News Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 might get 480 HP and eight-speed automatic Posted: 29 Jun 2010 01:37 AM PDT  With the 2011 model year fast approaching Dodge, the Chrysler subsidiary will be left with just one proper performance model, the Challenger, as the Viper’s life cycle will end. As such, the guys at AllPar have got their hands on some juicy rumors. It seems that the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 will see its 6.4-liter HEMI V8 develop around 480 HP and 460 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 55 HP and 40 lb-ft. That’s not all, as Dodge will be partnering up with ZF to equip an eight-speed automatic gearbox into the 2011 Challenger SRT8. The more tamed Challenger R/T will see its power levels remain the same, while the SE version will benefit from an upgraded Pentastar V6 unit, capable of 290 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque. Changes will also be made across the lineup, as elements from the Charger, will make their way onto the Challenger, as well as an upgraded interior and an electronic power steering pump. Bear in mind that none of these changes are confirmed, as of yet, by Chrysler, so we still need to wait a few months until the official unveil of the 2011 Dodge Challenger. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Abarth to launch Esseesse versions for Punto Evo and 500C, might tune Alfa Romeo models Posted: 29 Jun 2010 01:21 AM PDT  Fiat’s performance division, Abarth, is definitely riding high in terms of popularity, as its upgraded versions for the 500 city car, as well as for the Punto, are selling like hot cakes. This has prompted Antonino Labate, the company’s sales and marketing boss, to say that a dedicated Abarth coupe will arrive in the next two years. Until then though, Abarth won’t sit idly. Instead, the company will be launching even more hardcore Esseesse versions for the Punto Evo Abarth and the Abarth 500C, which will arrive this November in Europe. The Punto Evo’s MultiAir engine will see its output raised even further, to over 180 HP. Stiffer suspension plus a tuned braking system will also be added to the Esseesse. The Abarth 500C Esseesse will see the output from the turbocharged 1.4-liter, currently at 137 HP, raised to around 157 HP, just liked in the regular Abarth 500 Esseesse. The faster, five-speed MTA automatic gearbox will also be added. Most importantly though is the fact that Abarth might soon start making performance packages for Alfa Romeo models. The new MiTo or Giulietta are excluded, however, due to the already powerful Cloverleaf editions. Seeing as how Alfa Romeo models are heading to the USA in the future, Abarth performance options might not be a bad thing. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray presents the T.25 city car Posted: 29 Jun 2010 12:55 AM PDT  Gordon Murray is one of the most popular designers in the automotive world, penning the iconic McLaren F1 hypercar. Now, after splitting with the British sportscar manufacturer and opening his own design studio, Murray has finally revealed a big project: the T.25 city car. As you can see, this ultra compact model is definitely something else. It weighs just 1,212 pounds and is just four feet wide. Believe it or not, it has seating for three people on the inside, retaining the F1’s 1+2 arrangement, with the driver in front and passengers in the back. In case you’re wondering how you can get into the T.25, it has a hinged front end, similar to BMW’s iconic Isetta model.  Power for the compact model comes from a 51 HP three-cylinder engine, capable of pushing the T.25 to 62 mph in 16.2 seconds. The projected fuel average is a mighty impressive 61.9 mpg US. As you can imagine, its diminutive size makes it perfect for city environments. You will be able to park the T.25 perpendicular to the curb, and three such models can occupy one regular parking space. No word yet on when or if we will see the T.25 on the market, but you can be sure that competitors like Smart are going to face a tough challenge with this British car. Source: Gordon Murray Design Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Kia may use numbers instead of names for future models Posted: 29 Jun 2010 12:33 AM PDT  Kia is a pretty successful global automaker. This has a downside though, as due to different markets, its products are usually marketed under various names, even though they’re the same thing. One example is the US Optima, which is called Magentis in Europe or Canada, and K5 in Kia’s native South Korea. As you can imagine, this is a problem from a marketing standpoint. That’s why a new report indicates that Kia USA executives are mulling over the possibility of switching to an alfanumeric name strategy. As such, instead of Optima or Forte you might see the Kia K5 or K3, respectively. Hyundai, Kia’s parent company, has also started such a switch, as the Tucson crossover is called the ix35 in other territories. What’s more, other companies are already making a habit of such a naming strategy. Considering this, perhaps Kia might also follow, in the near future. Our two cents? We think Kia’s current naming structure shows personality and, coupled with the new, more aggressive design, is just what the company needs to stand out from the rest. Source: Automotive News Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Posted: 28 Jun 2010 07:16 AM PDT  Welcome to a new edition of Motorsport Weekend, our own feature where we talk about the best motorsport events in the last three days. This weekend we were treated to some hot action in the ‘old continent’, as Formula 1 held its European GP in Valencia, Spain, while Moto GP featured some two-wheeled action at Assen, in the Netherlands GP. Meanwhile, in the USA, Nascar saw the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 take place at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Interested to see how Sebastian Vettel, Jorge Lorenzo or Jimmie Johnson faired in their respective races? Then hit the jump and read all about it. This threw the whole race to shambles, as everyone raced to pit during the presence of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG on the track. A few infractions were committed, at least according to race officials, by the likes of Lewis Hamilton and many more. This didn’t affect a dominant Sebastian Vettel, who led almost from start to finish, except when he entered the pit lane. The RB06 performed beautifully, as McLaren’s Hamilton was forced to settle with second place. Third came Hamilton’s teammate and reigning champ, Jenson Button. Props should definitely go to Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi, who, thanks to a pretty courageous pit strategy, was in third spot for the majority of the race. The Japanese pilot visited the pit lane for the first time with just five laps to go. After re-entering the race in number nine, he managed to end up in seventh, thanks to an overtake in the last corner of the race. Overall standings still show Hamilton in the lead, with 127 points, followed by Button, 121, and Vettel, with 115. Teams’ standings show McLaren in the lead with 248 points, followed by Red Bull, with 218, and Ferrari, with 165. Moving onto the Moto GP Netherlands GP in Assen, we were treated once more with another show of force by Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, who, thanks to a great strategy, managed to stay in the lead for the whole race. His harder rear tire gave him some problems, as soft-tire-riding Dani Pedrosa was pressuring the Yamaha rider, but towards the end of the race, Lorenzo had built up a four-second gap between them. The podium was rounded off by Ducati’s Casey Stoner. Overall standings show Lorenzo in the lead with 143 points, followed by Pedrosa, with 93 points, and Andrea Dovizioso, with 89 points. Nascar traveled this weekend to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301, counting for the Sprint Cup. This was one heck of a race for reigning champ Jimmie Johnson. The driver was pushed by Kurt Busch with seven laps to go. Johnson plotted his return to first place, and with just one lap to go, made his move. This allowed both Johnson and Tony Stewart to overtake Busch and finish in front of him. Standings still show Kevin Harvick in the lead, while Johnson is 105 points behind, followed by Kyle Busch, 161 points behind. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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