More and more automakers are either launching or announcing EV models. Kia is also working on an electric vehicle, based on the funky Venga model. Rumors say that the car will be launched sometime in 2013 and will be the first electric vehicle launched by Kia.

According to our colleges from Autoblog Spanish, the production version will be based on the Venga EV Concept that we saw last year at the Geneva Motor Show. Most likely, the car will get a lithium-ion battery that will send the power to an electric motor that develops 80 hp (82 PS / 60 kW).

The Venga EV will have a range of about 87 miles (140 km) and it will take approximately 6 hours to fill up the battery from a regular household outlet.

To promote the model, Kia plans on building 2,000 test vehicles before launching the car in 2013.

Source: Autoblog Spanish via WCF

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Kia Venga Goes Green

Pagani Huayra

Horacio Pagani has announced this week that the automaker is working on a roadster version of the exquisite Pagani Huayra, which should be launched in 2013 as a 2014MY. We don't have any details about the car, except for the fact that it will be powered by a 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 engine borrowed from AMG, which will be able to provide more than 690 hp (700 PS / 515 kW) and 1000 lb.-ft (737 Nm).

Pagani also mentioned that he wanted to name the car "Da Vinci" but it seems that that name was already registered and they went with "Huayra" after it was proposed by a marketing company. Regardless of its name, the automaker already received 60 orders for its new supercar. The company is taking into consideration launching an entry-level model but nothing is certain at the moment. I hope that they don't make the same mistake as Aston Martin did with the Cygnet, or better said, will do.

Source: Autoblog Argentina via WCF

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Pagani Huayra Roadster In The Works

Click here to view the embedded video.

According to the Dutch paper De Telegraaf, the German automaker Audi will launch the next-gen RS6 in 2012, as a 2013 model, which is sooner than they used to launch the RS versions. If you remember, the new generation of the Audi A6 was launched last December, and it seems that the company wants to roll out the RS6 version quickly in order to compete with the new BMW M5 which will be launched later on this year. Normally, the new RS6 was slated for a 2013 launch, as a 2014MY.

Aside from the BMW M5, Audi will have to face up some serious competition coming from the Mercedes E63 AMG.

Rumors say that the new RS6 will get either a V10 TFSI 5.0-liter engine that produces 572 hp (580 PS / 427 kW) or a more powerful twin-turbo V8 4.0-liter that cranks out 592 hp (600 PS / 441 kW).

PS: The renderings in the video are from EDL Design

Source: De Telegraaf via Autogespot via WCF

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Audi RS6, Arriving Next Year?

2012 Mercedes C-Class

According to sources inside Mercedes, the next generation of the C-Class will have hybrid technology on every single mode, in order to reduce the fuel consumption figures to supermini levels. The new model will be launched sometime in 2013 and is being developed to demanding CO2 emission targets. Rumors say that the most economical diesel engine will emit only 100 g/km, while the most frugal gasoline-powered plant will emit between 110 g/km and 120 g/km.

Autocar.co.uk says that Mercedes is still thinking whether to use 3-cylinder engines or to install 4-cylinder power plants fitted with the cylinder deactivation technology, allowing the engines to run on just two cylinders when there isn't the need for more power (Jeremy Clarkson would disagree, right?)

Besides smaller engines and electrical assistance from hybrid transmissions, the next generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class will benefit from significantly reduced friction in the gearbox, engine and the wheel bearings. The overall curb weight of the car will be reduced by 10%, despite the fact that it will pack a small battery, electric motor and power electronics, just like all hybrids do.

Source: autocar.co.uk

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Next-gen C-Class Will Get Hybrid Powertrain

Creativity of marketers in communication strategies for car brands is continually diversifying and is taking everyone by surprise, even if it is about technology and new devices created to improve customers experience with the car, or just new concepts of special events that try to develop a personal relationship between the cars and brand's consumers. So, as an example, this year Citroen Romania has decided to organize the first edition of Divas' Rally, a lifestyle event dedicated exclusively to women, which tries to combine driving pleasure with adventure.

The first edition happened on 19 and 20 of March and gathered nine women, Romanian VIPs – Dana Rogoz, Maria Dinulescu, Simona Gheorghe, Mihaela Radulescu, Daiana Anghel, Roxana Ionescu, Paraschiv Oana, Andreea Patrascu, and Laura Cosoi -, nine journalists as co-pilots, and nine Citroën DS3 cars. The nine crews drove on a 156 kilometers route, even if this wasn't a rally in the true sense of the word, but more a regularity rally, held on public roads and in normal traffic conditions. So, even if the event missed the spectacular of the world competitions in which Citroen has already won seven world championship titles at pilots' category, with Sebastien Loeb, the initiative could be useful as a marketing exercise.

Even if on this edition have participated only Citroen DS3 cars, according to the organizers, the next edition will allow in competition any Citroen models, including historic vehicles.

In addition, dear ladies, if you are upset and worried about that fact that you could not participate to the rally unless you're VIP's, you should stay calm: Divas' Rally 2011 edition with VIPs was actually only the prologue to the event dedicated to ALL Citroen owners that will take place every year from now on.

"The idea of this event is to find new routes to explore in Romania, by driving Citroen cars. Divas' Rally will be from now on the perfect opportunity for every woman who owns a Citroen to discover her passion for driving, to test her limits and to visit the most chic places in Romania"

said Didier Gerard, Director of Citroen Romania.

So, what do you think about that? Would you be interested to participate to such "ladies" rally in your country if possible?

[Source: C-vedete, Photos: Facebook Citroen]

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Citroen Divas' Rally

BMW is the kind of car maker that always strives for perfection and we love that about them. Testing is vital for BMW, in order to see how their vehicles perform under extreme weather conditions. They even have teams specialized in various environmental conditions.

In order to check the endurance and resistance of their cars, the BMW heat testing team took the models for a spin in the very hot, very unwelcoming Death Valley. As they say, the team wanted to make sure that you can drive a BMW anywhere in the world.

Check out the results below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

We especially liked the test driver who admitted that having this job is the best thing in the world.

Via BMW USA.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

BMW heat testing in the Death Valley

2012 Ford Focus ST

In the last few months we've seen plenty of videos with the forthcoming Focus ST and following this recipe, Ford released this week yet another clip with its sport hatch. Revealed last year at the Paris Motor Show, the ST version of the Focus will hit the dealerships early next year.

The ST will be the most powerful version of the Focus, but my guess is that the Blue Oval will resurrect the RS designation after they launch this version. Anyway, the ST will be fitted with a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter engine that will develop 250 hp and 265 lb.-ft (360 Nm) of torque. When it had its official debut, the engine was mated to a traditional 6-speed manual gearbox, but most likely Ford will also offer a dual clutch transmission.

Enjoy the clip.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

New Video Of The Focus ST Released

Jaguar XK Spring Edition

The British automaker Jaguar is celebrating this year the 50^th anniversary of one of its iconic models, the beautiful E-Type. In order to commemorate this special occasion, they have decide to roll out a special edition of the XK, but it will be available only for the Spanish market. This limited series XK "Spring Edition" will feature plenty of exterior and interior upgrades, without any extra oomph under the hood.

The car is going to be available in two trim levels – Sport Pack and Bright Pack. The first one comes with a choice of four exterior colors: Black Cherry Metallic, Liquid Silver, Polaris and Lunar Grey. In addition, the car will be offered with updated grilles, front upper and lower air intakes, as well as window outlines painted in glossy black, while the trunk has a bezel color body.

Jaguar XK Spring Edition

The second variant is offered in five color choices: Black Cherry, Botanical, Lunar Grey, Stratus Grey and Crystal Blue. Aside from these paintwork choices, a chrome finish was applied for the front air intakes, the mirror caps, the trim of the luggage compartment and the front grille. Lastly, the XK SE Bright Pack comes with new side gills.

Both of the trim levels offer the same cabin configuration, which was inspired by the interior of the legendary E-Type, while at the same time keeping the pace with modern trends and necessities. The XK comes with heated leather seats that have been perforated with Bondgrain with a choice of two designs in the center of the seats, featuring a contrasting trim of Ivory and Charcoal.

Customers have the possibility to choose an Engine Spin Aluminum or a Piano Black finish for the dashboard. Other goodies include an air quality sensor, keyless entry, active headlights, sensor low tire pressure and a heated front windscreen.

As we mentioned previously, it doesn't come with any modifications in the engine compartment, but this isn't really a bad idea if we look at the V8 5.0-liter engine. Producing 385 hp and 380 lb.-ft of torque, the XK can do the 0-60 mph sprint in 5.2 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 155 mph. The fuel consumption is rated at 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

The coupe version has a base price of $149,600 (converted from official Euro price), regardless of the chosen package, while the convertible is more expensive, having a starting price of $162,434.

Source: Jaguar

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Jaguar Reveals Spain-only XK Spring Edition

Whoever was skeptical about how is even possible to do business without an office, only by being in a car, has to review his opinion: nowadays, technology makes everything possible, even to have a some kind of a "rolling" office, a.k.a. a Mercedes Benz S-Class equipped with all the devices a businessman should need while being on the road. The conversion result: a Brabus “iBusiness 2.0″.

The entire multimedia system is based on the new Apple iPad 2. The tablet computer, integrated into the rear compartment of the Mercedes S-Class, controls on-board entertainment and the high-speed Internet connection. In addition, Brabus have developed an application that integrates the iPad2 into the on-board electronics system and enables it to control all functions of the S-Class comand system from the rear seats. The car has also cameras integrated, which make the “iBusiness 2.0″ system suited for video conferencing too.

Well, a Mac Mini is mounted inside the trunk, connected with a 15.2-inch TFT display that can be used too as auxiliary display for the two iPad 2s mounted in the tables from behind the two front seats. Apple Bluetooths keyboard, WiFi network, a 64-gig Apple iPod Touch in the rear center console, Sennheiser Noise Gard headphones and hundred of channels provided by the wireless DVBT television receiver – are just some of the options available on the standard Mercedes S-Class.

To get the perfect business car in your mind, to all those technological features you should add a 800 horsepower and 1,047 pound-feet of torque pulled from the twin-turbocharged V12, shuttling the S to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 219 mph.

We think this car is likely to leave any businessman speechless with its features and technical devices that offer a solution to any professional necessity, which is absolutely great.

Do you think there are some others necessary options that this car is missing? Is it really totally useful to businessmen?

[Source: Autoblog]

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Brabus "iBusiness 2.0"