RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Top Gear Season 14 Episode 6 review
- New Mazda RX-7 to replace RX-8 in 2012
- 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0-liter V8 officially detailed
- GM will organize test drives at Detroit Auto Show
- Bugatti trademarks 16C Galibier design, a production decission might be made soon
- Fiat 500 to feature new 0.9-liter two-cylinder engine
- Lotus unveils Exige S Type 72, celebrates Formula 1 return
- The $191,000 Cruden Hexatech racing game rig Santa forgot to bring us
- Share technology or get out, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez warns automakers
- BMW 535i GT also arriving to Detroit with its twin-turbo six-cylinder engine
| Top Gear Season 14 Episode 6 review Posted: 28 Dec 2009 03:49 AM PST  A lot of people started to complain after the start of the season that things on Top Gear just weren’t the same and that laughs weren’t generated like they used to. This was talked about by the show’s producer, which said that the sixth episode, the South American Special, would fix everything. After seeing it, I’d say he is spot on, all those who complained will be proven wrong, as the episode is great by all measures. Hit the jump to read the review. After some tough adventures which went on for another day, they finally managed to get them off the barge. Jeremy opted for a Range Rover, while James went for a Suzuki and Richard for a Toyota Land Cruiser. After which, a quick “American-style” montage of them traversing the Amazonian jungle, covering a few meters at most, was shown. Things went bit smoothly, but it would soon take a turn for the worse. It’s hard to explain what happened, as this is an episode which needs to be seen, involving condoms, Viagra and river traversing. The guys traveled on one of the most dangerous roads in the world, with Jeremy coming quite close to the edge of a huge cliff, and reached altitudes of around 16,000 feet (4,800 meters), where the limits of both the cars and the presenters were pushed well beyond the comfort zone. If you need to watch one episode of this current season of Top Gear, it’s this one, as it comes close, and in some places even surpasses the Polar special, aired a couple of season ago. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| New Mazda RX-7 to replace RX-8 in 2012 Posted: 28 Dec 2009 01:35 AM PST  We’ve been hearing about the presumed revival of the iconic Mazda RX-7 from as far back as when the model was discontinued and replaced with the RX-8. But now it seems that the roles will be reversed, and the four-door, four-seater will be switched with the 2-seater coupe by the Japanese company. We’ve heard that its executives haven’t given the go-ahead just yet, but it seems that 2012 might be a reasonable date for a switch. Don’t go expecting a high performance, Rotary-engined masterpiesce though, as Mazda will follow the more efficient route, with an engine which develops around 200 to 250 HP. It is also expected of the new RX-7 that it will rival, both in performance and price with competitors like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe or the upcoming Toyota FT-86 rear-wheel drive coupe and the Subaru version of the project. Source: InsideLine Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0-liter V8 officially detailed Posted: 28 Dec 2009 01:10 AM PST  Even though the embargo was broken last week, Ford wasn’t swayed and waited until things were right to officially announce the 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0-liter V8, which, if you haven’t guessed, is powered by the bigger engine, placing it on equal footing, and some would say over its competition like the Camaro SS or the Hemi Challenger. The new 5.0-liter Mustang, which will be noticeable by the many badges added by Ford, will develop 412 HP with 390 lb-ft of torque. Performance figures weren’t available, but it’s safe to say that it will be quite fast. It will also boast 32-valves and Timed Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT), which coupled with the EPAS (Ford’s own power steering), and the new six-speed automatic transmission, will generate a highway mileage of 25 mpg, while the city number will be 17. Those who opt for the manual will be getting 24 on the highway and 16 mpg in the city.  Other details will also be given at the Detroit Auto Show next month, but Ford did offer an interesting hint, saying that with the standard Mustang increasing in power, the GT500 will also need a revamp soon. Source: Ford Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GM will organize test drives at Detroit Auto Show Posted: 28 Dec 2009 12:46 AM PST  For many auto show goers, the best thing that can happen to them, short of charming one of the booth babes, is driving the cars on display. For General Motors fans (the few which remain) that dream will come true at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show (North American International Auto Show), as the company plans to let people drive some of its newest vehicles right there. GM is currently working to settle the final details with COBO and the city of Detroit, but there is a high possibility that you’ll be able to get behind the wheel of new models like the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain or the Cadillac SRX. This will all be a part of the GM exhibition space, which reportedly covers 85,000 square feet in Detroit, and will span much of it, considering booths for brands like Saab, Saturn or Pontiac won’t be needed. Source: The Detroit News via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Bugatti trademarks 16C Galibier design, a production decission might be made soon Posted: 28 Dec 2009 12:33 AM PST  As soon as Bugatti formally unveiled the 16C Galibier concept, the whole automotive press deemed it the replacement of the aging Veyron, which will see its production terminated in 2012. But a short time after, Bugatti released a statement saying that the Galibier super sedan is just one of the concepts it is considering to manufacture after the end of the Veyron era. Now, judging by a new trademark filed at the World Intellectual Property Organization, it might be the winning idea, as Bugatti now owns the design rights for the 16C Galibier. Whether or not this means we’ll be getting a concrete announcement from the luxury supercarmaker saying that the new model will replace the Veyron is still up in the air. Given the good press and the great performance the 8.0-liter W16 engine might output, it is definitely a winner in the eyes of fans. Source: CarScoop Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Fiat 500 to feature new 0.9-liter two-cylinder engine Posted: 28 Dec 2009 12:17 AM PST  After presenting the 5-year plan for its newest subsidiary, Chrysler, Fiat’s Sergio Marchionne has just revealed the 2-year plan for its own operations. One of the most important things will be the new 0.9-liter gasoline engine, which is set to see its two-cylinder technology implemented in the 2010 Fiat 500 city car. But even though its displacement can’t be flaunted, the new unit will offer around 65 HP in the naturally-aspirated variant, and 80 or 105 HP in the turbocharged flavors, courtesy of Fiat’s MultiAir technology. But while this engine won’t specifically cater to performance enthusiasts (which can get an Abarth), it will please eco-conscious motorists, as its small form and weight means that it will have an even better fuel economy and CO2 outputs. The engine has been confirmed for Europe on the 500, but we might also see it on other small cars like the Panda or Punto Evo. Is this a good move for Fiat? Leave your thoughts in a comment below. Source: CarScoop Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Lotus unveils Exige S Type 72, celebrates Formula 1 return Posted: 28 Dec 2009 12:00 AM PST  Lotus was one of the best Formula 1 teams of yesteryears, dominating its opposition with the fabulous Type 72 in the 1970s. As it will return to Formula 1 next year, the company decided to reveal a special edition model, dubbed the Exige S Type 72. The new car, hasn’t suffered any major power increases or anything like that, as it will still output 220 HP from the 1.8-liter in-line four cylinder unit, which will take the lightweight Exige from 0 to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds and up to 145 mph. The Exige S Type 72 will sport a set of carbon fiber ProBax sport seats, which will be wrapped in black microfiber adorned with contrast stitching, sporting the same gold tone as the wheels and emblems on the outside. Other new options include the twin oil coolers and a new adjustable front anti-roll bar. The price for this retro-inspired Exige? £35,995 (around €39,900 or $57,400). Only 40 models will be made, 20 for the UK and 20 for other countries. Source: Lotus Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| The $191,000 Cruden Hexatech racing game rig Santa forgot to bring us Posted: 27 Dec 2009 11:44 PM PST  Snow is bad for almost every type of transportation, but you’d think that Santa Claus, with quite a few years of traveling during the winter season under his belt would find it easy. Sadly, it seems he had a few problems, as he just let us know that one of RPMGO’s presents, the fabulous $191,000 Cruden Hexatech racing game simulator fell off the sleigh during his ride to our headquarters. And it’s quite a shame, as the new simulator is fully suspended, features three LCD screens, and will offer the most realistic experience short of actually getting into a car and driving it. It is completely customizable and can offer various feedback depending on the chassis setup, the suspension, brakes or the aerodynamics of the car you’ll be driving, in competitions like Formula 1, Nascar, WRC or 24-hour races. Well, it seems we’ll have to wait until next year to get one of these from Santa as our expense budget was already blown on games to play with the simulator. Source: F1 Fanatic via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Share technology or get out, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez warns automakers Posted: 27 Dec 2009 11:30 PM PST  Venezuela isn’t such a bad country, too bad its dicta … I mean president, Hugo Chavez, stains its reputation time and time again with its wild claims and threats to other countries. But this time, it seems that Chavez has a new target in his sight: the automakers which “defile” his great country and don’t bring anything in exchange. Quite a few carmakers have factories in Venezuela, like General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota or Ford, which, according to Chavez, will need to share their technology with his own country in order to be permitted to continue their operations. If they don’t comply, Chavez said that a nationalization of the factories would be in order, even though he won’t have the know-how to operate them. Chavez backed up his claims by saying that other carmakers, from countries much closer to his heart, like China or Russia, would immediately replace the current ones. Frankly, I don’t know if this is another publicity stunt as Chavez got bored or if he will take it seriously. The automakers involved declined to comment, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Source: Yahoo! News Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| BMW 535i GT also arriving to Detroit with its twin-turbo six-cylinder engine Posted: 27 Dec 2009 11:12 PM PST  The Detroit Auto Show will be host to quite a lot of interesting cars, concepts and announcements. For North American BMW fans, it will also bring new and more efficient six-cylinder engines for the 5 and 7 Series. While we already covered the one for the flagship limousine, the Bavarian company has now revealed more details about the new 535i Gran Turismo. The odd cross between a hatchback and a sedan will benefit, besides the standard 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 which is already available on the market, from a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo in-line six unit, which is capable of 300 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque. The new engine is also fitted with an array of technologies to make it more efficient, like the Valvetronic, and will also be coupled with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, the same one used on the 550i or the ActiveHybrid 7 Series. Source: BMW Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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