Wednesday, September 8, 2010

RPMGO Car Blog

RPMGO Car Blog


Ken Block’s Gymkhana Three Part 2 to debut on September 14

Posted: 08 Sep 2010 01:28 AM PDT

Ken Block's Gymkhana Three Part 2 to debut on September 14

After the pretty disappointing Gymkhana Three Part 1: The Music Video, Ken Block promised that the real drifting craziness which is the Gymkhana will return with a proper Part 2.

Now, thanks to the guys at Jalopnik, we have a date to circle in our calendar, plus a few new details about the upcoming video.

It seems that the Gymkhana Three Part 2 will be making its Internet debut on September 14. Also, the new video was shot on location in France, as Block is seemingly bored with drifting in the USA.

Still, expect plenty of tire shredding stunts and that same Gymkhana madness that made Block such a popular driver all over the world. He’s gonna have to work extra hard though, in order to erase the memory of the recent music video.

Source: Jalopnik

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Ken Block’s Gymkhana Three Part 2 to debut on September 14

2011 Bentley Continental GT officially revealed

Posted: 08 Sep 2010 01:14 AM PDT

2011 Bentley Continental GT officially revealed

After a bit of teasing and a lot of waiting, the 2011 Bentley Continental GT has finally been revealed by the British luxury carmaker.

Even though its looks may not seem all that changed, as opposed to the outgoing model, the new Continental GT is a very different beast. It boasts special tweaks to the exterior, a revised interior with new options and features, as well as the option of a V8 engine, for those that don’t want the big W12 unit up front.

First off, the exterior has been slightly retouched. The front gets a new grille finish, while the headlights have built-in LED daytime running tech. The lower intake has also been reshaped, while the rear borrows heavily from the new Mulsanne.

On the inside, Bentley has fitted new systems to the Continental GT. You can now have an 8-inch touchscreen, a new navigation system with Google Maps capability, new seats and increased space in the back.

Without a doubt the biggest changes for the 2011 Bentley Continental GT is the upgraded 6.0-liter W12 engine. It now outputs 567 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque, enough to send the luxury model from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds and up to 198 mph. A new six-speed Quickshift transmission is present, sending power through the all-wheel drive system in a 40/60 rear bias.

Those that want to save the planet can opt for a more efficient 4.0-liter V8 engine, though its performance or efficiency figures have yet to be revealed. This option will be available starting with the end of 2011.

Expect the 2011 Bentley Continental GT to be revealed to the public at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Until then, have a gander at the photo gallery below.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Bentley Continental GT

2011 Bentley Continental GT2011 Bentley Continental GT2011 Bentley Continental GT2011 Bentley Continental GT

2011 Bentley Continental GT2011 Bentley Continental GT2011 Bentley Continental GT2011 Bentley Continental GT

Source: Bentley

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2011 Bentley Continental GT officially revealed

Ferrari California might get fuel-efficient prototype at the Paris Motor Show

Posted: 08 Sep 2010 12:51 AM PDT

Ferrari California might get fuel-efficient prototype at the Paris Motor Show

Ferrari is definitely keeping busy in the last few months, and according to the four-year launch plan, it will stay that way for quite some time.

But in between the talks of a Ferrari 599 Roadster and the recent fire recall for the 458 Italia, a report from Italy says that the supercar manufacturer has something special planned for the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

In the French capital, Ferrari will present another fuel-efficient supercar prototype, like the 599 HY-KERS we saw in Geneva at the beginning of the year.

This time though, things will be different. The prototype will be based on the California roadster, and instead of KERS hybrid technology, other things like cylinder deactivation, reduced internal engine friction or improved aerodynamics will be showcased.

All of these technologies are then expected to be used on future Ferrari models, in order to make them a bit more fuel efficient and eco-friendly.

No other details are known, so we’ll have to wait until the end of the month, when the Paris show starts.

Source: OmniAuto via Autoblog

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Ferrari California might get fuel-efficient prototype at the Paris Motor Show

Video: Dodge Charger Pursuit police vehicle showcased in leaked footage

Posted: 08 Sep 2010 12:37 AM PDT

Video: Dodge Charger Pursuit police vehicle showcased in leaked footage

While the 2011 Dodge Charger still hasn’t been officially revealed, the police-spec version, the 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit, was already detailed a few weeks ago.

Now, a video of the police-ready Charger has been leaked onto the web, showcasing the new exterior of the 2011 Charger, even though it’s wrapped underneath the police equipment and black and white livery.

Among the biggest changes to the mean looking sedan is the new rear, taken from the bigger Dodge Challenger. Take a look for yourself at the new model, in police form, in the leaked video below.

Source: Autoblog

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Video: Dodge Charger Pursuit police vehicle showcased in leaked footage

Opel/Vauxhall showcases GTC Paris concept, previews future Astra GTC three-door

Posted: 08 Sep 2010 12:25 AM PDT

Opel/Vauxhall showcases GTC Paris concept, previews future Astra GTC three-door

Even though the start of the Paris Motor Show is a few weeks away, Opel and Vauxhall have decided to showcase the first sketches of the GTC Paris Concept.

The model, as you can see above, is basically a teaser of the upcoming three-door version of the new Astra hatchback. The Opel/Vauxhall Astra GTC will be making an appearance in showrooms at the beginning of next year.

As you can see, the GTC Paris concept showcases some extremely aggressive lines, especially on the side, where big creases create the illusion of side skirts. The arched rear inspires performance, but Opel insists that it will offer ample space for the people inside.

Expect the production Astra GTC, whether it’s badged as an Opel or a Vauxhall, to borrow plenty of styling cues from this concept, but tone some of them down, including the 21-inch wheels.

Expect more details about this new concept when the Paris Motor Show will open its doors. Until then, check it out in the photo gallery below.

Photo Gallery: Opel GTC Paris Concept

Opel GTC Paris ConceptOpel GTC Paris ConceptOpel GTC Paris ConceptOpel GTC Paris Concept

Source: Opel

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Opel/Vauxhall showcases GTC Paris concept, previews future Astra GTC three-door

Scion tC might get TRD performance version next year

Posted: 08 Sep 2010 12:02 AM PDT

Scion tC might get TRD performance version next year

The 2011 Scion tC is a pretty interesting model, delivering adequate performance in a coupe style with a pretty low price.

Toyota has some bigger plans for the tC coupe though, as according to a recent report coming from Japan, a special high performance TRD version might be in the works.

The report says that the powerful coupe might be outfitted with improved suspension, a sports exhaust system and a new body kit for better aerodynamics.

No other details were revealed, but it’s expected that the more performance-oriented Scion tC won’t really require a big financial effort, as the price is rumored to be around $18,000. For what it’s worth, the regular 2011 Scion tC starts at $17,000.

Expect more details in the future, as the car is reported to arrive as a 2012 model year.

Source: 7Tune via Autoblog

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Scion tC might get TRD performance version next year

Mitsubishi i-MiEV will get upgraded before it reaches the US in late 2011

Posted: 07 Sep 2010 11:51 PM PDT

Mitsubishi i-MiEV will get upgraded before it reaches the US in late 2011

The head of marketing and product planning for Mitsubishi North America, Gregory Adams, has revealed that when the i-MiEV electric city car will arrive on US shores, it will be thoroughly overhauled and enlarged to cater to American regulations and preferences.

The executive revealed that the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the Japanese carmaker’s big bet in terms of electric vehicles, will be in for quite a lot of changes before it will reach North America, in late 2011.

The US-spec i-MiEV will be larger, in order to accommodate more safety features, and have a revised interior with more options to make people see what they will spend more money on. According to previous reports, Mitsubishi wants a price of under $30,000, without the $7,500 federal tax credit. This will make it one of the cheapest all-electric models on the market, undercutting the upcoming Nissan Leaf.

Until the Mitsubishi i-MiEV hits the US market, the Japanese carmaker is focused on successfully launching it in Europe at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

Source: Automotive News

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV will get upgraded before it reaches the US in late 2011

Kia chairman resigns over recent recalls

Posted: 07 Sep 2010 11:36 PM PDT

Kia chairman resigns over recent recalls

It seems honor is quite important in South Korea, as after a few recent recalls, Kia Motors boss and Hyundai-Kia vice chairman Jeong Sung Eun has resigned from his position.

The South Korean carmaker was recently forced to recall several models, including the new Sorento and the Soul over wiring issues. In total, around 85,900 vehicles were recalled worldwide, with almost half from the USA.

The move of the Kia executive is pretty strange, as the recall wasn’t all that big, at least in comparison to other ones (see Toyota or Chrysler), and it wasn’t that severe (see Toyota’s unintended acceleration).

Still, it seems that the executive wanted to send a clear message to customers, and has stepped down from his position. A replacement will be found soon enough by acting president Lee Hyoung Keun.

Source: Automotive News

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Kia chairman resigns over recent recalls

Geely brand to be dissolved by 2012, will shift focus to other brands including Volvo

Posted: 07 Sep 2010 11:16 PM PDT

Geely brand to be dissolved by 2012, will shift focus to other brands including Volvo

Chinese car company Geely Automotive Holding, one of the country’s four large carmakers, has just announced that it will be shutting down the Geely brand in order to focus on its other divisions.

The other brands from under the Geely corporate umbrella are the mainstream Gleagle, the slightly more upmarket Emgrand, the Englon, and, as of last month, Volvo.

According to the company, the strength of the Geely brand was slowing down growth for the other divisions, so it decided to dissolve the name. Existing models like the Freedom Ship and the Yuan Jing will be sold under the Gleagle brand, while the King Kong and Golden Eagle will become Englons.

While this may sound a bit confusing, the most important part is that Geely will be fencing its bets, and it’s safe to say that Volvo will become its biggest brand.

Source: China Car Times via Autoblog

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Geely brand to be dissolved by 2012, will shift focus to other brands including Volvo