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- Spy Shots: Lamborghini testing Murcielago replacement, the Jota, in the snow
- Toyota also unveils Prius G Sports Concept
- New details about future Mitsubishi Lancer Evo XI hint at hybrid setup
- Mini revamps entire engine range, offers Mini One Convertible
- Toyota, Ford and Honda top Consumer Reports brand perception study, Hummer, Saab and Mazda last
- BMW reveals 2011 3 Series facelift, details included
- Toyota unleashes FT-86 G Sports Concept in Gran Turismo 5, video and photo gallery included
| Spy Shots: Lamborghini testing Murcielago replacement, the Jota, in the snow Posted: 17 Jan 2010 03:21 AM PST  A set of new spy shots have appeared at the end of the working week showcasing a new Lamborghini model being tested in the snow. Even though it is completely covered up, voices claim this is the prototype for the replacement of the Murcielago, the so-called Jota. The new model is set to take performance to the extreme, and will be powered by a V12 engine, capable of over 700 HP, much more than the current Murcielago. Other details include an all-wheel drive system, which might not come from Audi, but for Haldex, plus a unique blend of aluminum and carbon fiber in its chassis, making it extremely light and … you guessed it, extremely fast. Styling cues are expected to come from jet fighters, and some elements will be recycled from the Reventon hypercar. Rest assured that this next model will look like a Lamborghini, with the Italian company saying that it will reinforce its design line in the future. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota also unveils Prius G Sports Concept Posted: 17 Jan 2010 02:46 AM PST  At the beginning of the weekend when Toyota unveiled the impressive FT-86 G Sports Concept, it also announced that such versions will also appear for other models in its lineup. Well, you’ve had your fun with the FT-86, but now, “feast” your eyes on a true tuner phenomenon: the Prius G Sports Concept. And yeah, it looks like a fish, but a very aerodynamic fish nonetheless, as Toyota and its tuning partner Gazoo fitted a new body kit with a variety of features and components. The restyled bumpers, the LED daytime lights, the dual-exhaust system and the 18-inch wheels all make for a pretty aggressive cosmetic package.  Too bad the power of the 1.8-liter engine is unchanged, at 98 HP. The inside also houses a sports steering wheel, Recaro performance seats, aluminum pedals and a new information display. Chassis reinforcements were also installed to cope with the go-fast look. Source: Toyota Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| New details about future Mitsubishi Lancer Evo XI hint at hybrid setup Posted: 17 Jan 2010 02:14 AM PST  What started out as a bit of a far fetched rumor last year is getting more and more momentum behind it, as MotorTrend reports that the future Mitsubishi Lancer Evo XI will most surely have a hybrid setup. The website says that the next Japanese sports car will use the platform of the recently revealed PX-MiEV hybrid crossover, on which the 2.0-liter MIVEC gasoline engine from the Japanese Galant will be mated with an upgraded version of the 63 HP electric motor on the i-MiEV. Final power output is speculated to be around 350 HP, a big improvement from the 291 of the current Evo X. It is expected that the electric motor will power the front wheels, and be able to power the car for a certain amount of time. The conventional engine will be sending its power to the back wheels, and use the electric one as a smoother turbocharger. Other high-tech systems like Active Steering, Roll Control Suspension or the electronically-controlled active yaw control (E-AYC) will also be implemented, adding to the performance of the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO XI. What do you think about this hybrid prospect? Don’t forget that another Japanese sportscar, the Nissan GT-R is also being rumored to receive a hybrid setup with its next generation. Good or bad? Leave a comment below. Source: MotorTrend Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mini revamps entire engine range, offers Mini One Convertible Posted: 17 Jan 2010 01:48 AM PST  Even though the whole Mini lineup is set to receive a facelift at the end of 2010, this hasn’t stopped the UK company from implementing a complete engine revamp, which will now offer more power with greater efficiency. A new model, the Mini One Convertible and a new trim level, Minimalism, are also included. First off, many fans will be pleased to hear that the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine on the Cooper S version has received a new twin-scroll turbo, with an overboost function, and now generates 9 HP more, totalling 181 HP, with a torque of 177 lb-ft. CO2 emissions are just 136 g/km, and fuel economy is a sensitive 48.7 mpg on the EU combined cycle. A new 1.6-liter engine was also implemented in the Mini One, replacing the old 1.4, and now delivers 98 HP, with 127 g/km of CO2 and 51.4 mpg. As I’ve said, a Mini One Convertible is now also available, with the same engine, which emits 133 g/km of CO2 and 49.6 mpg. Last but not least, only for the One models, a new trim line called Minimalism will be offered for the 1.6-liter unit combined with the six-speed manual gearbox, delivering either 75 or 98 HP, with just 119 g/km and 46 mpg. Source: BMW Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota, Ford and Honda top Consumer Reports brand perception study, Hummer, Saab and Mazda last Posted: 17 Jan 2010 01:16 AM PST  Carmakers invest a huge amount of money in their brand perception, as depending on how the majority of people think about the whole lineup affects sales more than just how they think about a certain model. That’s why studies like the most recent one from Consumer Reports are extremely valuable to manufacturers. This new brand perception study averaged the way people thought about the automakers in seven categories: safety, quality, value, performance, design/style, technology/innovation, and environmentally friendly/green. The final results are an average of the individual scores. Coming up at the top of the list was, a bit surprising, Toyota, which apparently got away without tarnishing its reputation from the big scandal from the end of last year. Next up was Ford, scoring a pretty big increase in perception, largely due to its non-bailed out status. Completing the podium was Honda, which came ahead of another interesting surprise: Chevrolet. A worthy mention in the good category was Subaru, which registered the biggest growth in perception during 2009. The lower segment didn’t have many surprises, as Hummer ranked lowest, seeing as how GM completely abandoned it, hoping to sell it to the Chinese at Sichuan Tengzhong. Next up, another GM brand which went through many troubled times last year, Saab, which was actually tied to Mercury, a brand Ford forgot last year. Next up was Mazda, which saw quite a loss in popularity in the US. Other brands which took a free fall were Porsche, Lexus and, a bit surprisingly, Cadillac. You can find the complete report here. Share your thoughts about the new standings below. Source: Consumer Reports via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| BMW reveals 2011 3 Series facelift, details included Posted: 16 Jan 2010 12:23 PM PST  As we revealed a few weeks ago, BMW has prepared a new facelift for the Coupe and Cabriolet (convertible) editions of its 3 Series model, or for true fans, the E92 and E93 editions. We heard a few leaked details about the improvements that the Bavarian company will implement, but now the official announcement has been made. So, what’s new? Well the 3 Series now boasts a slightly restyled front end, with the biggest changes being made to the “kidney” grille, which takes some cues from the new 5 Series, and the head lamps were also tweaked, now holding a LED “eyelid” strip. The whole front bumper was also slightly revamped, to give off a more aggressive look. For the rear, BMW opted for a few subtle touches, especially on the taillights, which now have a new pattern when they turn on. Engine-wise, the new facelift brings a a few welcomed changes. A new 318i version will now be present, outputting 143 HP, while the 335i will now meet EURO 5 regulations. For diesel fans, a new 320d version will arrive, which develops 184 HP, and another 325d edition, which has 204 HP. Both of these engines will also meet EURO 5 emissions standards. For US consumers, BMW will be offering the facelifted Coupe and Cabriolet 3 Series in either the 328i, boasting a new and more powerful 230 HP engine, and the 335i, which houses the new N55 300 HP unit. Both power plants offer improved efficiency and lower emissions, while still packing a performance punch. Until the models premiere in showrooms this spring, you can check out a few of the changes in the photo gallery below, enjoy! Photo Gallery: 2011 BMW 3 Series Facelift
Source: BMW Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota unleashes FT-86 G Sports Concept in Gran Turismo 5, video and photo gallery included Posted: 16 Jan 2010 05:20 AM PST  Toyota unveiled yesterday at the Tokyo Auto Salon a tuned version of its recently released FT-86 rear-wheel drive compact coupe concept. The new model, dubbed the FT-86 G Sports Concept, has certainly impressed many people with its looks, as no performance figures were given by Toyota about the performance of the car. But what it did reveal was a couple of screenshots and a video of the high end sports car in the upcoming but recently delayed racing video game Gran Turismo 5. Check out the gallery below and hit the jump for the video: Photo Gallery: Toyota FT-86 G Sports Concept in Gran Turismo 5
Source: Kotaku Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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