M Bike Carbon Racer

BMW's M division was originally created in order to facilitate the automaker's racing program, but over the years they've expanded their activities to include the development and manufacturing of BMW's sportiest production models, and lately they've launched "M" versions of crossover and SUV models. They've entered a new territory this week with the introduction of a racing bicycle, dubbed M Bike Carbon Racer.

Probably the most interesting feature of this bicycle is its lightweight carbon frame that has been fully developed in-house by the M division. They've said that the frame is very light and stiff, absorbs shocks and is 100% corrosion-free. It comes with Shimano Ultegra gears and has a curb weight of only 16.3 pounds (7.4 kg).

M Bike Carbon Racer

As you can see, the frame has been finished in an anthracite carbon look, while the colored accents on the wheels, saddle inlay and handlebar grips are painted in the traditional BMW M red color.

They didn't say how much the M Bike Carbon Racer will cost, but we do know that it will be available at selected dealers and online on the company's website starting with this June.

Here are the bike's full specifications:

Frame height: 52 cm, 54 cm, 56 cm, 58 cm, and 60 cm
Frame: Full carbon with BMW M logo
Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra RD-6700
Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra FD-6700
Cassette: Shimano CS6700, 11–28 sprockets, ten-speed
Weight: 7.4 kg

Anyone care to venture how much will it cost? I think that it will be more than $5,000, even $10k.

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BMW's M Division Reveals The Carbon Racer Bicycle

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We've seen the Jaguar XKR-S last week in Geneva where it made its first official appearance and now the automaker has launched a promo with this beauty. Just like I was saying a couple of days ago, I never was a big fan of Jaguar, but I'm starting to change my opinion as this new model looks beautiful from every single angle.

The XKR-S is part of the company's 50^th anniversary celebration of the iconic E-type, and comes with a brand new front bumper; mesh grilles, updated side skirts, along with LED-infused headlights. It also benefits from new front fenders, a sportier rear diffuser and a huge rear wing.

Beauty aside, it is the most powerful Jaguar ever made, featuring a supercharged V8 5.0-liter engine that cranks out a whopping 542 hp (550 PS / 405 kW) and 501 lb.-ft (680 Nm) of torque. It needs only 4.2 seconds to do the 0-60 mph sprint, before hitting a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).

We've forgot to mention that the XKR-S will be available with a revised suspension along with a retuned Adaptive Dynamic system which "allows the enthusiastic driver to explore the edges of the handling envelope."

Impressed? I sure am.

Source: Jaguar

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Jaguar XKR-S Promo Revealed

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

Last year McLaren revealed a teaser with the MP4-12C GT3 and this week they've unveiled the orange beast. The car was developed in close collaboration with CRS Racing and comes with a composite body that has a new front splitter, updated side skirts and a more aggressive rear diffuser. It also got carbon fiber canards, wider front fenders and a fixed rear wing.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

The MP4-12C GT3 is powered by a V8 3.8-liter twin-turbo engine that has been "tuned to race specification." Although no further information was revealed about the power unit, we know that it will be mated to an all-new Ricardo paddle-shift transmission that promises to deliver almost instantaneous gear changes.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

As far as the handling is concerned, the engineers have fitted the car with a bespoke suspension that eschews the ProActive Chassis Control System for race-specific dampers and anti-roll bars. The braking system has been revised with Akebono calipers, while the electronics package has been updated.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The McLaren MP4-12C GT3 will have to undergo a series of tests at FIA-approved tracks across Europe, before being offered to private racing teams next year.

Source: McLaren

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McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Unleashed

1987 BMW M3 Group A DTM

The German automaker BMW has announced this week that they will return to DTM next year with three teams who will be racing in an M3 DTM. BMW Motorsport will not be racing the car themselves, but they will team up with BMW Team RBM, BMW Team Schnitzer and Reinhold Motorsport GmbH.

In the past, BMW Motorsport has worked with the Schnitzer and RBM teams and now they have welcomed Reinhold Motorsport to join forces. Each of these three teams will race two M3 DTMs. The development of this car is still in process for the 2012 DTM season. This year, BMW Team Schnitzer will use two BMW M3 GT cars in several important endurance races in Europe and Asia.

Source: BMW

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BMW Rejoins DTM In 2012

2013 Cadillac ATS

The guys over at WCF have managed to take a couple of spy shots with the 2013 Cadillac ATS, a car that promises to rival the Mercedes C-Class and the BMW 3-Series. The new model will replace the BLS and will be slotted just beneath the CTS which will most likely grow in size for the 2014 model.

2013 Cadillac ATS

Although we can't really see anything because of that camouflage that the ATS is wearing, the new model will have an "Art & Science" design with a dual exhaust system and vertical lightning units. The car will be manufactured at the Lansing Grand River plant and will benefit from the new rear-wheel drive Alpha platform which can be outfitted with an all-wheel drive system.

2013 Cadillac ATS

As far as the engines are concerned, the ATS will probably be available with a 4-cylinder turbocharged plant and a V6 power unit, along with the ATS-V version that will get a twin-turbo configuration.

2013 Cadillac ATS

The model will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2012 and will be followed by an estate, coupe and convertible version.

Source: WCF

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Spy Shots: 2013 Cadillac ATS

Porsche 911 Classic by Singer Design

For those of you that love a pre-1994 Porsche but want one to have the latest technologies, Singer Design has the right thing for you. They've set out to restore/re-create classic 911s, based on the 911 models made before 1994. The car you see in these pictures if from the late 70s/early 80s era, but has been fitted with the latest technologies.

Porsche 911 Classic by Singer Design

These cars are for those automotive fans that love classic cars but can do without the original components, with other words, can do without the outdated technology and very bad mileage. What Singer Design does is they purchase pre-1994 911s and bring them up to the 2011 standards. Do not expect that this so-called "restoration" / tuning or whatever label you want to put on it to be authentic, as the company stated that these cars are "reborn" or "re-imagined".

Porsche 911 Classic by Singer Design

The Los Angeles-based firm uses modern tech like carbon fiber panels in order to update the classic 911s. The engines are also updated to the modern standards; the most powerful one is a 3.8-liter that cranks out more than 400 ponies. In addition, they will also install a Bilstein coilover kit for the suspension and Brembo brakes to stop the car efficiently.

Porsche 911 Classic by Singer Design

As far as the interior of these 911s are concerned, Singer Design can install an RSR steering wheel, leather seats along with other new materials in a variation-copy on the classic 911 interior.

Porsche 911 Classic by Singer Design

Source: Singer Vehicle Design via WCF

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Old Porsche, New Technology, By Singer Design

2011 Chevrolet Volt

We've talked about the Chevrolet Volt plenty of times here on rpmGO and although we do agree that it is a very important car for the automotive industry, its $41,000 price tag makes it quite expensive for a four-seater. The good news is that according to some rumors, General Motors is working on a "baby" Volt that will come with a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery, making the car cheaper and smaller.

Although nothing is certain at the moment, the entry-level model will have a price tag of about $31,000 (before the government incentives) and it will be able to travel on electricity mode only 20 miles (31 km), in comparison to the current model that will do from 25 to 50 miles (40 to 80 km).

2011 Chevrolet Volt

This new more affordable model would compete with the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid that can do 12.5 miles / 20 km and with the Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid that can do 15 miles / 24 km, both cars that have a similar price tag with the baby Volt.

Source: Favstocks via Autoblog via WCF

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Chevrolet Is Working On “Baby” Volt

Opel Antara

It shouldn't comes as a surprise that Chevrolet will be brining the Captiva Sport in the United States if we take into consideration that the Saturn Vue is dead and the Vuick has been canceled. The Captiva Sport is nothing more than a rebadged Opel Antara, a Mexican-built crossover that will be targeted at buyers who demand "a contemporary five-seat crossover with a comprehensive range of features and amenities." This means that the SUV will come with plenty of standard features, like air conditioning, a 6-speaker audio system, power locks & windows and 17-inch aluminum rims.

Opel Antara

As far as the engines are concerned, the Chevrolet Captiva Sport will be available with two engines. The first one is a 2.4-liter Ecotec that develops 182 hp (185 PS / 136 kW) and 172 lb.-ft (233 Nm) of torque. The other one is a more powerful V6 3.0-liter that cranks out 264 hp (268 PS / 197 kW) and 222 lb.-ft (301 Nm) of torque. These engines are going to be mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, while the all-wheel drive system will be an optional feature.

The car will hit the dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year.

Source: General Motors

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Chevrolet Captiva Sport, Heading Stateside

According to our colleges from Autoblog, the 2012 Lexus GS and the Scion FT-86 concept will be making an appearance at the 2011 New York Auto Show that will take place in April. The redesigned GS will come with a sportier appearance and a brand new platform that will be shared with the next-gen IS model. Other info is not available at the moment, but most likely it will get the same engines as the current model, with maybe a few minor upgrades for added performance and efficiency.

The Scion FT-86 will be nothing more than a rebadged version of the Toyota FT-86 II concept that we just saw in Geneva last week. The only difference will probably be the use of a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter Boxer power unit that can develop about 200 hp (203 PS / 149 kW).

Source: Autoblog

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Lexus GS, Scion FT-86, Heading To The New York Auto Show

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In February, the first twenty Porsche GT2 RS customers had the chance to take their new 612 hp (620 PS / 456 kW) at the El Toro Air Station in Irvine, California. With this event, customers had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new beasts alongside Porsche Driving Instructors on the open airfield. Also present at the event was Andreas Preuninger who is the Manager of High Performance Cars for Porsche and he disclosed some juicy details regarding the development of the 911 GT2 RS.

As a reminder, this is the most powerful 911 ever made, with a curb weight of only 3,020 lb (1,370 kg), it has a power to weight ratio of 4.9 lbs (2.21 kg) / hp. The car rolls on 245/35 ZR 19 tires for the front wheels and 325/30 ZR 19 for the ones in the back. It features anti-roll bars and PASM – Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management.

A good driver will finish a lap in Nurburgring in only 7 minutes and 18 seconds. 0-100 km/h is done in 3.4 seconds; 0-200 km/h in only 9.8 seconds, and 0-300 km/h in 28.9 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 330 km/h.

Source: WCF

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Porsche 911 GT2 RS Arrives In The US