Monday, September 20, 2010

RPMGO Car Blog

RPMGO Car Blog


Motorsport Weekend: MotoGP Aragon GP and Nascar New Hampshire race results

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 12:57 AM PDT

Motorsport Weekend: MotoGP Aragon GP and Nascar New Hampshire race results

Welcome to a brand new edition of Motorsport Weekend, our own feature where we talk about the results from the most exciting races in the last three days.

Things slowed down a bit this weekend, as we had the MotoGP Aragon GP in Spain, while the first race in the 2010 Chase counting for the Nascar Sprint Cup was the Sylvania 300, held on the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

So, curious to see how Casey Stone, Jorge Lorenzo, Denny Hamlin or Clint Bowyer faired in their respective events? Hit the jump and find out.

First off, the MotoGP Aragon GP once again saw the riders race in the lovely Spain. This time though, Australian Casey Stoner broke the winning streak of Spanish riders Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa, which started in the second race of the year and continued up until now.

Stoner had a great start from pole position, and even though Pedrosa wanted to catch him in the last laps, the Australian Ducati rider was too far ahead. Third place went to Stoner’s teammate, Nicky Hayden, who managed to overtake Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo in the last lap.

Overall standings still see Lorenzo in the lead, with 284 points, followed by Pedrosa, with 228, and Stoner, with 155.

Moving on, the Chase was finally on for the Nascar Sprint Cup, and the first race, the Sylvania 300 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, definitely offered some great excitement.

Chase leader Denny Hamlin was showcasing good form at the start of the race, but he was soon spun out by Carl Edwards, leaving him last. Hamlin then proved to everyone that his number one Chase seat was rightfully earned, as he weaved in and out of the pack, eventually finishing in second place.

The surprise winner of the New Hampshire race was none other than Clint Bowyer, who was the last driver to qualify for a Chase seat. He made a great and balanced race, and in the end that paid off in full.

Other favorites had bad luck, with Tony Stewart running out of gas in the last lap, and Jimmie Johnson spinning out of control and ending up finishing in the 25th spot.

Currently the overall standings are led by Hamlin, followed by Bowyer, trailing by 35 points, and Kevin Harvick, by 45.

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Motorsport Weekend: MotoGP Aragon GP and Nascar New Hampshire race results

Lamborghini might bring two new models to the Paris Motor Show

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 12:38 AM PDT

Lamborghini might bring two new models to the Paris Motor Show

By now, almost everybody knows Lamborghini is teasing a brand new model ahead of the Paris Motor Show‘s start, later this month.

But while almost everyone thought that it will present the new Murcielago replacement, the Jota, things might be a bit more complicated. A new report from 0-60 magazine reveals that the Italian supercar manufacturer will reveal not one but two new models in the French capital.

The second model is codenamed 83X, and might feature a V10 engine, as highlighted by the third teaser image released last week (featured above). According to previous rumors, the Jota will be powered by a direct injection V12, so there might be some fact to this speculation.

Currently though, Lamborghini is keeping a tight wrap on things, so we can only wait until the Paris show begins.

Source: 0-60 via Autoblog

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Lamborghini might bring two new models to the Paris Motor Show

Leaked brochure shows 2011 Dodge Challenger power ratings

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 12:21 AM PDT

Leaked brochure shows 2011 Dodge Challenger power ratings

While Dodge has yet to reveal anything about the 2011 model year versions of its two main muscle cars, the Charger and Challenger, we already know quite a bit about the powerful models.

Now, courtesy of a leaked brochure, the power ratings of the 2011 Dodge Challenger have been revealed.

There will be three versions of the Challenger available, each with specific features and accessories. The starting one is the Challenger with the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, capable of 305 HP and 268 lb-ft of torque. This is an increase of 50 HP and 18 lb-ft over the outgoing 3.5-liter model.

Next up we have the Challenger R/T, powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, capable of 379 HP and 410 lb-ft of torque. For those keeping score, a 7 HP and 10 lb-ft increase over the 2010 model year.

At the top of the range, the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 will use a 6.4-liter HEMI V8, with 475 HP and 460 lb-ft of torque, an upgrade of 50 HP and 40 lb-ft over the outgoing SRT8.

Overall, the refreshed Challenger is set to be a worthy opponent to the likes of the Camaro or Mustang. Look forward to more details in the following weeks.

Source: Ontario Street Car via Autoblog

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Leaked brochure shows 2011 Dodge Challenger power ratings

Citroen Lacoste concept showcased

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 12:01 AM PDT

Citroen Lacoste concept showcased

Citroen is continuing its long line of concepts this year, and has revealed a new one, much more radical than the anything we’ve seen from the French company.

The Citroen Lacoste concept, as its name suggests, has been revealed as a product of a partnership between the automaker and French apparel company Lacoste.

The model is presented as a ‘stylish, yet minimalist’ buggy, almost the size of the current C1 compact, and using the same three-cylinder engine. The windscreen has a greenish hue, but can be lowered at the press of a button. The dashboard uses a new type of display, with large pixels, similar to early video games like Pong.

There’s no traditional roof, as Citroen opted for a T-shaped design. If rain does appear, the driver can deploy an inflatable yellow soft top. The boot is also missing from the Lacoste concept, but the rear bench can slide towards the front, in order to provide room for small luggage.

Citroen Lacoste concept showcased

Expect the Citroen Lacoste concept to be formally revealed at the Paris Motor Show, and according to some rumors, it might preview styling cues for the next generation C1 model.

Source: Citroen

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Citroen Lacoste concept showcased

Videos: Chevrolet shows off the new Aveo, Captiva, Orlando and Cruze hatchback

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 11:43 PM PDT

Videos: Chevrolet shows off the new Aveo, Captiva, Orlando and Cruze hatchback

Chevrolet is packing quite an impressive lineup for the upcoming Paris Motor Show. At first, we saw the production version of the Chevrolet Orlando MPV, afterwards, the new Cruze hatchback, followed by the all-new Aveo compact and, last but not least, the refreshed Captiva SUV.

Now, the bowtie brand has decided to showcase these new models even more, and released four new videos. Each flick showcases the exterior and interior of the car in question, and you even get some driving footage of the Captiva and Orlando.

As you will be able to see, Chevrolet is stepping into a right direction with the new Aveo and Orlando models, while the Captiva and Cruze received some extra care and new options. With such models, we’re confident Chevrolet will see increased sales in the Old Continent.

Check out the new videos after the jump.

Source: Autoblog

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Videos: Chevrolet shows off the new Aveo, Captiva, Orlando and Cruze hatchback

Chrysler to reveal 9-speed automatic gearbox for front-wheel drive models

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 11:27 PM PDT

Chrysler to reveal 9-speed automatic gearboxes for front-wheel drive models

Last week, Chrysler opened the floodgates of information, and revealed an array of upgraded models and began teasing new and improved ones. We saw the 2011 Chrysler Town and Country, the 2011 Jeep Patriot, and caught brief glimpses of the new Chrysler 200.

Among the pieces of data that slipped through was a statement from Chrysler and Fiat overlord Sergio Marchionne, who revealed that alongside the new eight-speed automatic gearbox set to debut on next generation rear-wheel drive models, the Pentastar will launch an even bigger transmission.

According to the Italian boss, Chrysler will begin offering, in 2012, a nine-speed automatic gearbox for its front-wheel drive models. The new transmission will offer improved efficiency, according to the Italian CEO.

Marchionne also revealed that both those gearboxes were designed to be used on all-wheel drive models too, as well as on future hybrid vehicles. Expect both cog-swappers to arrive around 2012 on all new Chrysler cars.

Do you think these new transmissions will attract people or will the thought of nine gears confuse customers? Share your thoughts below.

Source: Chrysler

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Chrysler to reveal 9-speed automatic gearbox for front-wheel drive models

Volvo S60 R-Design to appear in Paris

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 11:09 PM PDT

Volvo S60 R-Design to appear in Paris

Volvo revealed its most important model of the year, the new S60 sedan, at the Geneva Motor Show. This doesn’t mean it will arrive at the upcoming Paris Motor Show empty handed, as the Swedish company confirmed that it will bring a hotter S60 R-Design version.

As seen before with other upgraded Volvo models, the R-Design version will definitely bring a range of new accessories for the S60. These include a body kit, special options, and might even add a retuned suspension or improved handling.

Until the Paris show starts, Volvo USA has officially revealed that the S60 will be making its way into dealerships next month. At first, it will pack a 300 HP 3.0-liter inline-six, with all-wheel drive, starting at $37,700. Next year, the range will also see the addition of a cheaper front-wheel drive five-cylinder model.

Source: Volvo via Autoblog

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Volvo S60 R-Design to appear in Paris

Saab ePower EV prototype revealed

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 10:58 PM PDT

Saab ePower EV prototype revealed

After confirming a few weeks ago that it will launch a private test fleet of electric vehicles, based on the 9-3 model, Swedish company Saab has officially revealed its EV prototype: the Saab ePower.

The model, as you can see above, is based on the 9-3 Combi (Wagon), and will see 70 units be deployed onto Swedish roads at the beginning of next year, part of the aforementioned test fleet.

The Saab ePower uses a 35.5 kWh lithium ion battery pack, which powers a 184 HP electric motor. The range is estimated at 124 miles, and the battery can be charged in around six hours. The performance of the ePower is pretty decent, with 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds, and a top speed of 93 mph.

Don’t expect to see a production ready Saab EV anytime soon though, as the technologies on the ePower will just be used to make the current models more fuel efficient.

Source: Saab

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Saab ePower EV prototype revealed

Chevrolet Camaro gets turned into a PC case

Posted: 19 Sep 2010 10:43 PM PDT

Chevrolet Camaro gets turned into a PC case

Muscle car fans and PC users rejoice, as the guys from ChevyMall have combined the two things, and revealed a very interesting PC case, in the form of a 20-inch Chevrolet Camaro replica.

As you can see above and below, what may look like just another scale Camaro is actually a fully working computer, with things like USB ports, a DVD slot and working headlights and taillights, which show you when the computer is busy.

Chevrolet Camaro gets turned into a PC case

The PC, like its real life car counterpart, is quite well equipped, packing a dual core Intel Atom chip, a choice of either 4 or 8 GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive. You’ll also be getting Windows 7 Home Premium operating system, but the package doesn’t include things like mouse, keyboard or monitor.

Still, if you want your PC to look like a Camaro, pricing starts at $1,239.

Source: ChevyMall via Autoblog

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Chevrolet Camaro gets turned into a PC case