A few months ago, rumors started flying around the web concerning a Ferrari 599 Roadster, a convertible version of the popular 599 GTB Fiorano. At that time, it was rumored that it will be publicly showcased at the Pebble Beach concours, which took place in August.

Sadly, that wasn’t the case, at least in terms of the public seeing the newest Ferrari. According to anonymous sources, Ferrari did showcase the 599 Roadster, but only to a select public, which were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements and had their cell phones and cameras confiscated during the viewing.

Details are trickling out though, which say that this isn’t a full pledged 599 convertible, instead boasting a fabric roof, which can be mounted manually. The car will be using the tuned engine of the recent 599 GTO performance model, but will keep its weight around the same mark as the regular 599 GTB.

The official name has yet to be revealed, but there’s a big chance we might get to see it revealed during the Paris Motor Show at the end of September. Until then, stay tuned for more details.

Source: Autoblog

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Ferrari 599 Roadster confirmed, was privately previewed in Pebble Beach

At the beginning of the year, Ford showcased its brand new, Taurus-based Police Interceptor cop car. Now, a utility-inclined version has also been revealed, based on the recent 2011 Ford Explorer and titled, what else, the Police Interceptor Utility.

The new model is available with the 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine, capable of 280 HP and paired up with a six-speed automatic. Police departments can order it in either front or all-wheel drive, and will get a lot of upgrades as opposed to the civilian Explorer.

Things like bigger brakes, improved suspension, 18-inch wheels, as well as options like the Curve Control or the AdvanceTrac Roll Stability Control are also included. Strangely, the new Terrain Management System won’t be a part of the police SUV.

On the inside, the front seats have been modified so that officers won’t have any problems with their extra equipment, while the center console has been cleaned up so that police computers can be added. The rear seats aren’t exactly as luxurious as the front ones, but they do have a separate climate control system, ideal for K9 units, according to the Blue Oval. The SYNC system has been upgraded with voice commands, while the steering wheel buttons can be reprogrammed to various other functions.

Don’t expect the Ford Police Interceptor Utility to be patrolling the streets anytime soon, as it will enter production alongside the sedan version around the end of 2011. Until then, check it out in the photo gallery below.

Photo Gallery: Ford Police Interceptor Utility

Source: Ford

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility revealed

Despite previous rumors and speculations, it seems that the Maybach luxury limousine brand won’t be axed by its corporate overlords from Daimler.

Instead, the brand will take full advantage of the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class new generation, and will borrow the revised platform, as well as new systems and much more.

According to Automobile, the whole existing Maybach range, including the 57 and 62, will benefit from a restyled exterior, a new interior and many new technologies that will make it worthy of the large price associated with Maybach models.

Also, it seems that the four-door coupe trend will spread to the luxury brand, as a CLS-like model might be added, but with a completely convertible roof, not like the current 62 Laundaulet.

The cherry on top is that Mercedes-Benz is considering adding a small electric motor to the inside of the Maybach, which will turn the limousine into a hybrid, and even allow it to travel a certain distance on just electric power. This would not only help the Maybach become more popular, but also improve its fuel average.

What do you think? With all these presumed changes, would the Maybach range become more profitable? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Source: Automobile via Autoblog

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Maybach brand to survive, will get new models and even hybrid power

Infiniti is set to expand its hybrid efforts onto US soil, and has just announced that it will debut the 2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid at the 2010 LA Auto Show at the end of the year.

The M35 Hybrid is basically just a rebadged Nissan Fuga hybrid, which is set to be launched in the following weeks on the Japanese market.

The new model is set to use a retuned version of the 3.5-liter VQ V6, running on the Atkinson cycle, combined with a 50 kW electric motor, running off a lithium ion battery pack. The motor will sit between the engine and the six-speed automatic gearbox.

The 2012 Infiniti M35 hybrid claims that it will offer V8 power with four-cylinder efficiency, so we’ll just have to wait until the 2010 LA Auto Show to find out if it can deliver.

Source: Infiniti

Post published on Rpmgo.com

2012 Infiniti M35 hybrid to debut at the LA Auto Show

After the launch of the refreshed 2011 Nissan Murano, the Japanese company decided that the crossover needed something a bit more strange added to the lineup.

As such, it has now confirmed that the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet convertible will be added to the crossover range.

The new model is billed as the world’s first four-seat, all-wheel drive convertible crossover. It will have two doors, with a folding cloth top, judging from initial rumors.

No other details are known as of yet, but we will get to see the open-top convertible at the upcoming 2010 LA Auto Show, taking place at the end of the year in California.

Source: InsideLine

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet convertible to appear at the LA Auto Show

Toyota knows that compact MPVs are becoming increasingly popular in Europe, and has decided that now would be the best time to expand the Verso name.

Enter the Toyota Verso-S, an all new compact family carrier which will debut at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September.

The Verso-S, as you can see above, combines the capabilities of an MPV with a very compact design, making it the shortest model in its segment. If you think you’ve seen it before, then give yourself a cookie, as plenty of its front styling cues were taken from the iQ compact city car.

No other details were revealed as of yet, but you can expect the full spec sheet to be revealed as we approach the start of the Paris show.

Source: Toyota

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Toyota Verso-S compact MPV gets ready for its Paris debut

Fiat has some huge plans for the USA later this year, when it will officially launch the diminutive 500 city car onto US soil.

According to a report from the Associated Press, the Italian company wants to sell around 50,000 500 models in 2011, matching the sales of its nearest rival, Mini.

How will it do that? First it will use the capacity of Chrysler’s Toluca plant in Mexico to the fullest, in order to ensure a steady stream of models coming into US dealerships.

Speaking of dealers, Fiat has already announced that it has secured over 165 locations all over the USA, most of them already having Chrysler franchises.

Without a doubt the Fiat 500 will be a best seller, especially in urban environments, but we’re not so sure it can match up to Mini sales in its first full year. What do you think? Is the 500 going to be welcomed with open arms by Americans?

Source: Associated Press via Autoblog

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Fiat plans on selling 50,000 500 city cars in 165 dealerships across the USA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is not resting, and has announced another investigation concerning the 2011 Hyundai Sonata.

It seems that after the faulty door latches recall from the beginning of the year, the Sonata might be plagued with a new problem, this time concerning the steering column. More specifically, 16,300 Sonata sedans might have a faulty upper universal joint, located in the intermediate steering column.

Under stress, the joint has been reported to break, leading to a loss of steering capabilities. No accidents have been reported as of yet, but Hyundai has already declared that it is cooperating fully with the federal agency.

Source: Detroit News

Post published on Rpmgo.com

NHTSA to investigate the 2011 Hyundai Sonata over steering issues

It seems that not even Volkswagen can escape the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s watchful eye, as the agency has just announced that it will investigate 37,889 2009 Volkswagen Jetta sedans over engine stalling issues.

Even though just seven complaints were filed with the NHTSA, it seems that the number of affected models is much larger, as many VW forums are filled with such complaints, all concerning the Jetta TDI diesel version.

According to the complaints, at first there was a lack of power, and then the engine just stalled. The NHTSA will begin investigating the German models in order to see just what is responsible for all these incidents. Stay tuned for official results in the following months.

Source: Detroit News

Post published on Rpmgo.com

NHTSA investigates Volkswagen Jetta over engine stalling issues