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- Video: BMW takes X5 M and X6 M on the ice skating rink
- Lamborghini will decrease weight rather than increase power in its future models
- Saab negotiations are still underway, Spyker reveals
- Video: Mercedes GP Formula 1 team presents itself
- Citroen considering DS3 hot hatch to rival Mini Cooper S
- New details on Porsche Cayenne S hybrid appear
- GM says it has no new Saab announcements, names Ed Whitacre permanent CEO
- Mini Countryman presents itself in two new videos
- Mercedes GP unveils its 2010 Formula 1 livery
- Yamaha fears it might lose Valentino Rossi to Ferrari
| Video: BMW takes X5 M and X6 M on the ice skating rink Posted: 26 Jan 2010 03:19 AM PST  BMW is still quite confident in its X5 M and X6 M performance models, and has just released the third part of its Snow Action web series, in which the cars are thrown around various winter challenges, like drifting, going up and down a hill and now, in the latest video, gaining traction in slippery conditions like ice. To do this, the company took the two cars on an ice skating rink. The same recipe is also used, with the BMW drivers showcasing the electronic systems of the X5 and X6 M models, which can get traction even on the ice from the skating rink, and then those systems are turned off, and the guys unleash the power of the big SUVs. Hit the jump and see the BMW X5 M and X6 M pirouette on the ice like big, heavy, mechanized figure skaters. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Lamborghini will decrease weight rather than increase power in its future models Posted: 26 Jan 2010 01:49 AM PST  The horse power race has been going on for as long as we can remember, but during recent times, when fuel consumption and emissions regulations are becoming stricter and stricter, not only do we see engines getting smaller and adopting turbo or superchargers, but also a certain point for the HP of new supercars. For Lamborghini, such a point is around 700 HP, according to its CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, which has revealed to AutoWeek that the company will begin researching weight saving techniques and material for future cars, instead of increasing the engine size, the output or the top speed. He goes on to say that after a certain point, an increase in HP, like Lambo did with the new LP670-4 SV (pictured above) from the LP640, is hardly felt, but the loss of weight the new car experienced, around 220 pounds, was immediately experienced by drivers. As such, Lamborghini will begin using composite materials, with anything from carbon fiber to titanium or aluminum and anything in between, in order to shave the pounds and improve acceleration times. Winkelmann also revealed that Start-Stop technology is being researched, but it’s not that easy to adapt it to big engines like the V10 or V12 units Lamborghini uses on the Gallardo or Murcielago. I tend to agree with the Lambo CEO, while it’s nice to brag about how your car has x amount of HP or it can reach x mph, it’s how it gets there and how you feel in it that makes a difference. What do you think? Source: Autoweek Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Saab negotiations are still underway, Spyker reveals Posted: 26 Jan 2010 01:20 AM PST  Saab is once again thrown into the spotlight of the automotive media during these last few days, as reports were coming in yesterday about how GM and Spyker may have reached an understanding in regards to the Swedish brand. But those rumors were quickly debunked by GM’s new permanent CEO, Ed Whitacre, which revealed that there are no big news to announce in regards to Saab. Now, Spyker has also released a statement in which it revealed that talks with GM are still ongoing and no outcome has been reached as of yet. New rumors have also appeared about Spyker changing the investor group behind it, the Russian Convers Group, which wasn’t approved by GM, with that of Dutch billionaire Marcel Boekhoorn, in order to please the American company which didn’t want any of its technology from Saab to fall under Russian influence (somebody might want to tell them that the cold war is over). While yesterday an end to the Saab odyssey might have been in sight, things are once again quite blurry. Stay tuned for more details as they will be revealed. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Mercedes GP Formula 1 team presents itself Posted: 26 Jan 2010 12:53 AM PST  Besides unveiling the new livery which will be featured by its race cars during the 2010 season of Formula 1, Mercedes GP has also presented a video with its drivers, cars and a brief history of what happened during recent months, after Mercedes-Benz bought the Brawn GP team and brought in famous driver Michael Schumacher. In it, both Schumacher and his teammate, Nico Rosberg, share their feelings about the new team and the upcoming season, with Schumacher saying that the goal is to win the championship, something which is easier said than done. Hit the jump to enjoy the footage with Mercedes GP. Source: Mercedes Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Citroen considering DS3 hot hatch to rival Mini Cooper S Posted: 26 Jan 2010 12:41 AM PST  Citroen is very busy promoting the upcoming DS3 premium hatchback model, which not only will revive the DS moniker, but also mark the brand’s entry into a more premium segment, in order to take the fight to rivals like Mini or the upcoming Audi A1. But according to some new reports, Citroen is also considering a hot hatch version of the DS3, in order to rival the Mini Cooper S. And what’s more interesting is that it will do it with the same 1.6-liter BMW engine, as the company is currently sharing units with the German brand. The current top-of-the-range DS3 will extract 154 HP from the 1.6-liter four-cylinder, meaning the hot hatch will output much more, with some voices pegging it at around a whopping 200 HP, although it might just have around 170-180. Overall, with this new hot DS3, the current Mini Cooper S, the upcoming Audi S1 and quite a few other compact hatches, things are definitely heating up. Source: PistonHeads Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| New details on Porsche Cayenne S hybrid appear Posted: 26 Jan 2010 12:13 AM PST  Porsche has always been associated with powerful sportscars, and in recent times with heavy SUVs and powerful albeit controversially-designed sedans. But with the new generation of the Cayenne, it will also be associated with hybrids, as the model will boast a petrol-electric hybrid version based on the Cayenne S edition. Not much was known up until now, but the guys at Autocar had a recent go in it, and have revealed some very interesting things. First off, the car will use an Audi-sourced supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, capable of 325 HP and 324 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an electric motor capable of 38 kW and 184 lb-ft, which generate a combined output of 375 HP, 20 HP short of the regular Cayenne S which uses a 4.8-liter V8. The battery powering the electric motor is located under the boot floor, and can allow the car to use the electric motor for just 1.2 miles and under 31 mph. A few other fuel saving systems were added, like a lighter Torsen four-wheel drive system, similar with the one used by the Audi Q7, and the eight-speed automatic gearbox will be decoupled from the engine, at speeds up to 98 mph, enabling the heavy SUV to “sail” according to Porsche. All of these tricks will enable the Cayenne S hybrid to be the most fuel efficient vehicle in the whole Porsche lineup, averaging 34.5 mpg and emitting just 193 g/km of CO2. Performance won’t be sacrificed, with the German company promising a 0 to 62 mph time of 6.5 seconds and a towing capacity of 7,700 lb (3,500 kg). Its drivers will be able to constantly monitor the hybrid drivetrain through a touchscreen monitor which displays the percentage of electric drive used while driving. Overall, the Porsche Cayenne S hybrid sounds pretty good. What do you think? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GM says it has no new Saab announcements, names Ed Whitacre permanent CEO Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:50 PM PST  Even though yesterday it was speculated that GM and Spyker might have reached an understanding in regards to the Swedish brand Saab, during today’s press conference, the company’s former interim CEO, now permanent CEO Ed Whitacre revealed that there is nothing to announce.
He also commented on his new status of permanent CEO, saying that his company needs stability. “I don’t think going permanent will change much going forward, I am just trying to do the right thing for this company and its people. What this place needs now is stability.” Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mini Countryman presents itself in two new videos Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:36 PM PST  The Mini Countryman is certainly a welcomed change in the current Mini lineup according to many of its fans. After it was teased by a couple of concepts and even some funky camouflage footage, we now have two new videos of the recent addition to the Mini family. In case the new car got you really excited, then you can just hit the jump and indulge yourselves in these two new videos. Enjoy! Source: CarScoop and MotorTrend Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mercedes GP unveils its 2010 Formula 1 livery Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:21 PM PST  It’s been almost 55 years since Mercedes-Benz had its own Formula 1 racing team, as up until recently it has just partnered up with other teams, like McLaren, now, after it has bought reigning F1 champion team Brawn GP, you can be sure it will definitely promote the new team, Mercedes GP Petronas. The first step was yesterday’s unveiling of the 2010 season livery, which will be featured by the cars the team will race, piloted by Nico Rosberg and an older guy, going by the name of Michael Schumacher. As you can see, it brings back the classic silver theme, which earned Mercedes and Auto Union Formula 1 cars the name Silver Arrows during the 1950s.  The MGP W01 2010 race car is set to be unveiled next week during the tests scheduled to take place in Valencia, when we will see if Schumacher, Rosberg or Mercedes can perform as expected. Until then, we can enjoy the new livery. Source: Mercedes-Benz Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Yamaha fears it might lose Valentino Rossi to Ferrari Posted: 25 Jan 2010 11:06 PM PST  Without a doubt one of the greatest riders in recent history is Valentino Rossi, managing to win an astounding six MotoGP titles and will be targeting a seventh one during the 2010 season. But while he isn’t busy riding on two wheels for Yamaha in MotoGP, the Italian has also honed his skills with four-wheel vehicles. And don’t think any regular car, as the bike rider went straight to Ferrari and asked to borrow its Formula 1 race car and take for a few laps on the Jerez circuit. The performance of the Italian impressed everyone, as he managed to constantly improve his lap times. This has really given its Yamaha manager Davide Brivio something to worry about, as he has just declared that such performance in another sport might make him change his profession. “I have to be worried about these excellent times because Valentino really could get the desire to change sport. The greatest danger is Ferrari (not MotoGP rivals Ducati),” said the team boss. Ferrari has expressed interest in Rossi, but according to the team manager, Stefano Domenicali, such a possibility would exist only if a third car was eligible to race in future Formula 1 seasons. Source: Reuters via Eurosport Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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