Volkswagen XL1

Remember that a few years ago Volkswagen promised us that it will launch a car capable of having a fuel consumption of only 1l / 100 km? Well, it seems that they will keep their promise as with the introduction of the XL1 concept (that consumes 0.9 l / 100 km), the 1-liter car dream might become a reality in the years to come.

This rather odd-looking car measures 3,888 mm in length, 1,665 mm in width and 1,156 mm in height. The XL1 has a 2,224 mm wheelbase and features a plug-in hybrid powertrain which is connected to the rear-wheel drive system that packs an 800 cm3, two-cylinder TDI power unit that develops 48 PS / 35 kW and a torque level of 120 Nm.  The electric motor offers an additional 27 PS / 20 kW and 100 Nm of torque.

Volkswagen XL1

The VW XL1's engine is linked to the proprietary seven-speed DSG gearbox and has a lithium-ion battery pack, making the car Euro VI compliant.

With these hardware features, the car is capable of doing the 0-60 mph sprint in 11.9 seconds, onto a top speed of 160 km/h (electronically limited) – remember that this is a hybrid so these figures are not bad at all. As mentioned in the first paragraph, the VW XL1 has a very low fuel consumption of only 0.9 l / 100 km and also a very nature-friendly level of CO2 emissions – 24 g/km.

Volkswagen XL1

The German automaker affirmed that the car has an electric range of 34 km and a combined range of 550 km.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Volkswagen XL1 Revealed

Aston Martin Vantage S

The British automaker Aston Martin recently published new info and images regarding their latest model, the Vantage S which is based on the V8 version of the model. The "S" is powered by a 4735 cc V8 32-valve engine that features an all-alloy quad overhead camshaft that churns 430 hp (321 kW / 436 PS) @ 7,300 rpm and 361 lb.-ft (321 kW) @ 5,000 rpm. The new model carries the same rear-wheel drive / mid-mounted engine architecture. The power unit of the car will be linked to Aston's all-new 7-speed Sportshift II gearbox.

Aston Martin Vantage S

According to the official performance figures published by the company, the Vantage S will have a top speed of 189 mph (305 km/h). The car will be available in both coupe and roadster configurations and will feature a design inspired from its bigger brother, the V12 Vantage. The new "S" model will benefit from a quicker steering ratio of 15:1 as well as more generous front brake discs with new 6-piston calipers. In addition, the car will make use of new dampers and springs plus wider rear wheels.

Aston Martin Vantage S

The Aston Martin Vantage S will be offered with a carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser and an aluminum, magnesium alloy, composite and steel body. The Vantage S will pack LED rear lamps, HID lamps and clear rear lamps. The S will be the first Aston Martin to be equipped with the HSA – Hill Start Assist function and according to the official press release, the suspension of the car has been reworked to the more driver-focused nature of the vehicle.

Inside, you will find full grain leather interior, weave alloy facia trim, leather-trimmed sports steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth support, tire-pressuring monitoring, powerfold exterior heated mirrors and a whole bunch of other goodies.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Aston Martin Vantage S Unleashed

1:4-Scale Clay Design Model (Possible The New A-Class)

Here is something that I never thought would happen, Mercedes will launch an AMG version of the A-Class. The A22 AMG will be based on the upcoming generation of the A-Class which should be launched later on this year. According to some sources, the car will feature a new engine that will output approximately 270 hp and will be linked to the proprietary all-new 7-speed DSG gearbox as standard. This gearbox was first used on the impressive SLS AMG and the A-Class is the second model to get, a long way from the SLS but it doesn't really matter, does it?

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class upon launch will be available in both 3-door and 5-door configurations, but we don't know which one will get the AMG treatment, maybe both of them. The new generation of the A-Class along with its powerful brother, the A22 AMG, has been designed to target a younger audience. The car will benefit from LED daytime running lights and will feature a more hatchback-like body stile in comparison to the outgoing generation which is more MPV-ish (I personally like the current model).

The standard model will be available with many engine choices, both petrol and diesel units, including a 1.2-litre and a 1.4-litre petrol engine as well as a more powerful 1.8-litre direct injection gasoline unit. The diesel array will offer a 1.6-liter and a more muscular 2.1-liter.

The Mercedes A22 AMG will certainly be an interesting car although I personally doubt that it will be successful among youngsters when there are more cars that have a fresher look.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Preliminary Info – Mercedes A22 AMG

Audi R8 Sport Wheels

A new tuning program has been developed for the beautiful Audi R8, this time by the German engineers from Sport Wheels. This package offers a new set of wheels along with performance upgrades and other visual updates. The performance pack of the program includes a level 2 software optimization, along with a customized muffle with throttle system and center tube outlet. With this modification, the Audi R8 can develop 600 hp and 580 Nm of torque.

The car rides on Jofiel X black/red wheels that measure 9×20 and are covered by the Dunlop Sport Maxx GT 235/30-20er tires for the R8's front axle and 11×21 rims wrapped in 295/25-21er tires for the rear. In addition, the car packs a Variant 3 KW HLS 4 aluminum coil-over suspension.

As far as the aerodynamics are concerned, the Audi R8 is made out of high-strength uberlight carbon steel which can be found on the rear spoiler (with the integrated diffuser), rear apron and the front bumper (with the grill).

Audi R8 Sport Wheels

The price for the front bumper (with the grill), the cooling ducts and the ribs made in carbon will set you back 7,799 Euros. The rear diffuser costs 3,799 Euros while the rear spoiler is 1,990 Euros. The aforementioned level 2 software optimization can be purchased only along with the customized muffler and has a list price of 4,599 Euros. Those wheels cost an additional 4,599 Euros. For those of you that really want the ultimate Audi R8, you have to say goodbye to 21,990 Euros for the MOV'IT-CER ceramic brake calipers. The aluminum coil-over suspension costs another 7,349 Euros.

Audi R8 Sport Wheels

We will let you do the math.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Audi R8 Sport Wheels Unveiled

Lamborghini will use an F1-inspired pushrod suspension for the upcoming successor of the Murcielago which will be most likely called Aventador (700-4). As you might have already heard, the new car will benefit from a new lightweight engineering concept with a double wishbone suspension and carbon-ceramic disc brakes.

The V12-powered Aventador will output 700 hp which means that it will need a very solid suspension. This new pushrod suspension was inspired by F1 racing and will feature spring/damper elements that will be connected inboard to the bodyshell structure. They are transversely installed under the windscreen in front and close to the power unit at the back. The pushrods and the relay levers / rockers will transmit the forces from the rim mounts to the spring/damper elements.

The 700-4 will feature a hydraulic steering, making it a very maneuverable car. This Lamborghini supercar will ride on 19-inch rims covered by 255/35 tires in the front and 20-inch wheels with 335/30 tires in the back.

The front axle of the Aventador will feature shock absorbers that have a hydraulic lifting system which will allow the front end to be lifted by 40 mm by simply pressing a button. Thanks to the clever combination of the pushrod and double wishbone arrangement, the wheel control and damper will remain independent from one another. As a consequence, handling will be way better and the car will be easily maneuvered even at high speeds. At the same time, the very rigid connection to the car's chassis also improves the spontaneous and precise reaction of the dampers and springs.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Lamborghini Introduces F1-Inspired Pushrod Suspension

Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari

If you didn't know, Vertu is Nokia's upmarket division that produces a limited series of luxury mobile phones for people that are willing to part a couple of thousands of dollars for a mobile phone. A few years ago Vertu was launching what seemed to be an endless stream of special models that were connected in some ways to cars. Some had an automotive-grade construction while others had a specific branding – the most popular one was the Ascent.

However, it has been quite a while since Vertu launched a car-themed phone and for this year they are back with yet another Ferrari-branded special edition phone. The Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari is more lower-key in comparison to its predecessors as far as the color scheme is concerned and features a very durable matte black PVD-coated titanium construction and some subtle yet effective hints of red on the keypad, the leather trim which is hand-stitched by the way, as well as on the back and the crackle-finish side grip which its style is inspired after Maranello's trademark cam covers.

The phone itself features a 2-inch QVGA crystal sapphire display and 3G quad-band connectivity which means that you can use it all over the globe. We almost forgot about the Prancing Horse logos, they're there of course.

Vertu will be making only 2,011 units of the Ascent Ti Ferrari special edition.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari Announced

2011 Smart ForTwo NightOrange

We haven't heard anything lately about Smart so this comes as a nice surprise – the 2011 Smart ForTwo NightOrange special edition which will be available for both coupe and convertible versions. This Halloween-inspired edition comes with a very lively and cheerful orange metallic paint, black 15-inch alloy rims and a black tridion safety cell.

2011 Smart ForTwo NightOrange

Inside its tiny but spacious cabin, the ForTwo will benefit from black fabric/leather seats, a sport steering wheel along with a bunch of orange accents. This NightOrange model is based on the Passion trim level of the Smart ForTwo which means that it packs a lot of nice features, like the panoramic sunroof (obviously for the coupe version), air conditioning and electric windows.

2011 Smart ForTwo NightOrange

In addition, as optional features you could choose from GPS navigation, premium audio system, lockable glove compartment, heated seats and electric power steering.

The ForTwo NightOrange special edition can be ordered with a 71 hp (52 kW) petrol power unit that features the micro hybrid drive technology, the 84 hp (62 kW) petrol engine or with a diesel unit that offers 54 hp (40 kW).

This special edition has a starting price of 13,995 Euros for the German market and it will be available starting with February 22th.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

2011 Smart ForTwo NightOrange Announced

MINI Cooper Matt Edition

Another Mini Copper special edition is set to debut soon, but this time it will only be available for the French market. Dubbed the Matt Edition, this funky car will come with a – you've guessed it – matt black exterior wrap along with special side vents, checked mirror covers and individually-numbered key ring.

The most interesting aspect of this limited edition is without any doubt the special matt black paint job which will be made up of a series of film sheets that can be removed to reveal the car's real body color.

Under its tiny hood, the Mini Cooper Matt Edition will be available with many engine choices, like the naturally aspirated 1.6-liter unit that can produce 118 hp (120 PS / 88 kW), the more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged that can churn 208 hp (211 PS / 155 kW) and the 1.6-liter diesel unit that offers 110 hp (112 PS / 82 kW) and a 199 lb-ft (270 Nm) of torque.

Being a special limited edition, Mini will be making only 250 units of the Cooper Matt Edition and the price for this package will cost from 2,800 Euros. The package will be available to order for the Mini Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and the John Cooper Works.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

MINI Cooper Matt Edition Revealed

2007 Lexus GS 350

Although Toyota remains the biggest manufacturer in the world, the Japanese automaker still has some serious problems with many of the cars they sold. The company recently announced that it will begin recalling 1.7 million vehicles from all over the world, cars that have various issues that may cause dangerous fuel leaks.

For the United States market, the automotive giant announced a voluntary Safety Recall that involves about 245,000 units of the Lexus GS300/350 made between 2006 and 2007, Lexus IS250 manufactured between 2006 and early 2009 and the Lexus IS350 made between 2006 through early 2008. All of the cars will get a checkup of the fuel pressure sensor installation.

The Lexus dealers will inspect the recalled cars for fuel leakage and if they will not find any leakage, they will tighten the fuel pressure sensor. If they do detect a leakage problem, the gasket located between the sensor and the delivery pipe will be replaced and the sensor will be further tightened.

Despite all of the problems that Toyota had with many of their cars, they still managed to remain the world's biggest automaker, outclassing General Motors and Volkswagen. I wonder how many cars Toyota would had sold in the last few years if they hadn't had recalled any of their vehicles, probably a lot more.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Déjà Vu – Toyota Recalls 1.7 Million Cars

Speed Box Chevrolet Camaro SS

If the original Chevrolet Camaro SS isn't powerful enough for you, check out Speed Box, a German tuner that can add a new compressor kit as well as other goodies to the most iconic American muscle car.

Dubbed the "Black Cat", the Chevrolet Camaro SS Speed Box offers a power rating of 625 PS for the 6.2-liter V8 engine, which is way more in comparison with the standard engine that can offer 432 PS. The kit will set you back 8,999 Euros.

Speed Box Chevrolet Camaro SS

The overall performance of the car is improved also with the addition of a BORLA stainless steel exhaust system that costs 999 Euros without the tailpipes. For 1,272 Euros, customers have the possibility to get the H&R coilovers and for $530, Speed Box will throw in H&R stabilizers that will improve the Camaro's handling.

Speed Box Chevrolet Camaro SS

The Black Cat rolls on massive "Rhino" 22-inch wheels borrowed from retailer Schmidt Revolution. The rims measure 10×22 in the front and 11×22 in the back, covered by 265/30-R22 and 295/25-R22 tires. The cost for this wheels package is 4,000 Euros and Speed Box also offers a set that measure 20-inches.

Speed Box Chevrolet Camaro SS

Besides these hardware improvements brought to the Chevrolet Camaro SS, Speed Box can give the car a "Black Cat" matte bodywork but it will cost you another 3,500 Euros.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Speed Box Chevrolet Camaro SS