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- Future Range Rover Sport hybrid to appear in 2012, emits just 100 g/km of CO2
- US government set to lose $30 billion on GM and Chrysler bailout
- Bentley Continental Supersports found to be 85% recyclable, one of the greenest cars
- Renault considering return to North America with low cost models like the Duster crossover
- Alfa Romeo reveals special Italia Independent Brera model
- Spyker reportedly even closer to purchasing Saab from GM
- Edo Competition tunes the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 to 600 HP
| Future Range Rover Sport hybrid to appear in 2012, emits just 100 g/km of CO2 Posted: 11 Dec 2009 01:57 AM PST  In a rather shocking move, Land Rover has announced that it is indeed working on a fully-hybrid version of the Range Rover Sport model, which will emit just 100 g/km of CO2 and can travel up to 20 miles on just the 25 kW electric motor, which will be running in tandem with a a new 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine. The model is set for a launch in 2012, but until then it will undergo heavy testing on the road next year. The targeted CO2 emissions are quite low, especially considering when its closest rival, the Lexus RX450h, outputs 148 g/km. To put it in perspective, a figure of 100 g/km of CO2 will put the Range Rover Sport in the same league of cars like the Citroen C1 or Ford Focus Econetic, which are much smaller than the big old SUV. Sadly, no further details were given by the UK brand, so we’ll just have to wait and see if this promise of efficient SUVs comes true. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| US government set to lose $30 billion on GM and Chrysler bailout Posted: 11 Dec 2009 01:41 AM PST  The year is coming to a close, and for US automakers General Motors and Chrysler, it’s been one heck of a ride. After paying a heavy toll to the recession, they were forced to seek out a whopping sum of $82 billion in bailout money from the US government so that they won’t be forced to close the doors of their factories. According to a recent report by the Detroit News, it seems that the government will get back around $52 billion from the original money it spent on the two automakers. Now I’m sure most of our US readers aren’t too happy, but it seems that at least according to Gene Sperling, the senior counsel to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, a $30 billion loss is much better than the estimated $44 billion the Obama administration estimated it would lose, and considering the fact that things are looking up, the loss might get even smaller. Don’t forget that GM is doing everything it can, including selling portions of its Asian subsidiaries, in order to pay out the bailout money as soon as possible. Chrysler is taking it slow and steady under Fiat’s plan, but will also scramble the money as soon as possible. Until then, US taxpayers still need to wait for their hard earned money to come back. Source: DetroitNews via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Bentley Continental Supersports found to be 85% recyclable, one of the greenest cars Posted: 11 Dec 2009 01:31 AM PST  Who says you can’t have a whopping W12 engine under the hood and not save the planet at the same time? Certainly not the engineers at Bentley, which after modifying the huge engine of the fastest model from the UK carmaker, the Continental Supersports, to run on E85 biofuel, has been rated by the German Motor Transport Authority as 85% recyclable. The rating is a tough one to get, and very few luxury or performance models have managed to attain it. As it was expected, Bentley hasn’t missed the occasion, and already released a statement highlighting the positive rating.
The Continental Supersports, as I've said, is powered by a massive W12 6.0-liter engine, which develops 630 HP and 800 Nm of torque, while running on petrol, E85 biofuel or any combination of the two liquids, which effectively reduces the CO2 emissions by a whopping 75%. Source: WorldCarFans Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Renault considering return to North America with low cost models like the Duster crossover Posted: 11 Dec 2009 01:26 AM PST  Many of you are certainly aware of the success Renault has been recently experiencing in developing markets, targeting the low-cost segment with models like the Logan sedan, the Sandero hatchback and the newly revealed Duster crossover, which are made under a variety of brands, from Renault, Nissan to Dacia. With the low-cost models already being refined and their manufacturing process streamlined, it seems that the French company might turn its head to the United States of America, considering a return to the territory it left in the late 1980s. But don’t go thinking that the French brand will just buy a plant and starting making a new name for itself anytime soon, as such a move, especially in these troubled times, will take some time to plan out. Are you confident that such a move would work? What models from Renault or its subsidiaries would you want in the US? Leave a comment with your view. Source: Wall Street Journal via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Alfa Romeo reveals special Italia Independent Brera model Posted: 11 Dec 2009 12:46 AM PST  Although many argue about the build quality of Alfa Romeo models, the beautiful exterior design more than makes up for it. One of the current gems in the lineup is the Alfa Romeo Brera hatchback, which has already seen multiple versions including a convertible model. Now, the Italian company decided to take the premium associated with the Brera even higher, and teamed up with local fashion house Italia Independent to bring this special edition, decked out in a special titanium paint, with 18-inch turbine-style dark wheels, behind which are a set of red brake calipers and an aluminum fuel cap. The fashion house’s influence is highlighted on the inside, where carbon fiber, black leather and red stiching blend together, integrating many logos of Italia Independent.  The Alfa Romeo Italia Independent Brera will be available with the two standard engines, the 2.2-liter four-cylinder unit and the 3.2-liter V6 one, in either front or all-wheel drive. You’d better move fast though, as only 900 units will be made for Europe, Japan and Australia, with prices starting at €29,700 ($41,000) for the 2.2-liter and €38,850 ($57,000) for the V6. Overall, a stylish model which will no doubt be added to the collection of many fashion lovers. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Spyker reportedly even closer to purchasing Saab from GM Posted: 11 Dec 2009 12:23 AM PST  As you all know, Swedish carmaker Saab isn’t in the best of positions right now, as its current owner, General Motors, wants to get rid of it as soon as possible. The deal was set to go down between GM and Koenigsegg, but the local supercar manufacturer backed down at the last moment. Now, GM is forced to continue negotiations with multiple parties, but gave an ultimatum: if Saab won’t see a potential buyer by the start of next year, it will be shut down. But according to recent reports, it seems that Dutch supercarmaker Spyker is now the preferred bidder for the Swedish brand, as GM revealed that it wants a company with experience in building cars on a small scale and which wants to keep the manufacturing plants in Sweden. As you might expect, Saab is currently checking all the correct boxes, and if negotiations won’t meet any sensitive issues, everything will go smoothly. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Edo Competition tunes the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 to 600 HP Posted: 11 Dec 2009 12:09 AM PST  Owning a Lamborghini is clearly considered an exclusive thing, but if you still can’t bear the thought of anyone else on the street having the same type of car as you, then tuning is a definite option. For those who still want more power from the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, the tuners at Edo Competition have devised a new performance package, which takes the power to an impressive 600 HP, thanks to a revamped ECU and a new stainless steel exhaust system which saw butterfly valves fitted, so that you can adjust the sound of the engine using a remote control.  The new power output propels the Gallardo from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, and up to a whopping 340 km/h (211 mph). A new suspension system was also added, complete with low-friction shock absorbers and spring rates, as well as a set of 19-inch three-piece racing wheels and, last but not least, a front spoiler lip. Source: Edo Competition Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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