RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Alfa Romeo Giulietta officially detailed, photo gallery included
- Video: How naughty do you want your Volvo S60?
- 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible teased on Facebook
- Porsche CEO: 2011 Cayenne orders are exceeding expectations
- JAC IV Concept is China’s answer to Smart ForTwo
- Chrysler and NASA anounce new partnership
- Mazda RX-8 gets banned in Europe due to engine regulations
- New details on future Peugeot 208 and its GTI hot hatch version appear
- Video: Track-ready Mini E takes on the Nurburgring
- BMW introduces roadside assistance app for smartphones
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta officially detailed, photo gallery included Posted: 15 Apr 2010 04:33 AM PDT  After revealing just a few details in the last few months, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback has finally been detailed completely by the Italian carmaker. Set to hit the European market soon enough, the new hatch will take the fight to rivals like the Volkswagen Golf or the Ford Focus by combining entry-level C segment price with quality found on the premium models like the Audi A3 or the BMW 1 Series. The car is going to be the centerpiece of Alfa’s resurrection, which began with the MiTo compact some time ago. The Giulietta, as you can clearly see, sports the new design line premiered on the 8C Competizione supercar and will use a new platform that will be shared among the Fiat and Chrysler group. If it will become popular, the Italian hatch might even make it stateside in the future. If not, at least its platform will be put to good use by Chrysler. The engines are also going to be swapped around the Fiat group, with the Giulietta using two 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engines, one developing 120 HP while the other, with the help of Fiat’s MultiAir variable valve technology, will develop 170 HP. Two turbodiesel units are also going to appear, a 105 HP 1.6-liter and a 170 HP 2.0-liter unit. Performance fans are going to get a Quadrifoglio Verde (Cloverleaf) edition packing a direct injection turbocharged 1.8-liter gasoline engine capable of 235 HP and coupled to a dual-clutch gearbox. The regular engines will only be available with six-speed manuals. Overall, the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta is extremely impressive. In case you want to admire it, check out the photo gallery below. Photo Gallery: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Source: Alfa Romeo Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: How naughty do you want your Volvo S60? Posted: 15 Apr 2010 02:23 AM PDT  Right before the Geneva Motor Show kicked off, Volvo released a viral video warning us that ‘Naughty Volvos’ were coming. Now, the company is finally showing us just what it meant and how we, the fans, can help it get even naughtier. First off, the naughty 2011 S60 is equipped with a T6 engine capable of 304 HP and 440 Nm (324 lb-ft) of torque. Throw in an all-wheel drive system and you’ve got yourself a pretty powerful combo. But instead of just showing off the numbers and having us believe it, Volvo will devise a test involving one of its trucks, and asks just how do you want the Volvo S60 to prove its naughtiness. Hit the jump to check out the video demonstration and then head on over to the YouTube page and submit your own suggestions. Source: Volvo Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible teased on Facebook Posted: 15 Apr 2010 02:02 AM PDT  Chevrolet is trying to gather the hype around its newest muscle car variant, the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, by releasing two teaser photos of the new open-top car on its Facebook page. The Camaro has been fiercely fighting with the Ford Mustang, but it couldn’t compete, up until now, with the convertible edition of the ‘Stang. That will change at the beginning of 2011, when the Oshawa plant will begin producing the convertible Camaro.  No other concrete details are known, but you can expect all the regular things that will appear on the 2011 Camaro to also grace this folding cloth top variant. Enjoy the two photos and while you’re still on Facebook, don’t forget to become a fan of our website. Source: Chevrolet Camaro’s Facebook Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Porsche CEO: 2011 Cayenne orders are exceeding expectations Posted: 15 Apr 2010 01:38 AM PDT  When Porsche first introduced the Cayenne SUV, hardcore fans complained that it’s going to ruin everything good about the Stuttgart carmaker. That wasn’t so, quite the opposite in fact, as the Cayenne became the best selling model for the performance carmaker. Now, with the 2011 Cayenne generation, things are even clearer, with Porsche CEO Michael Macht revealing to Business Week that pre-orders for the luxury SUV are exceeding company expectations. He didn’t reveal concrete numbers, but judging by the last generation’s impressive sales, the pre-orders must be through the roof. This couldn’t have come at a better time, as Porsche was seeing sales slide due to the economy and because of its failed attempt at taking over Volkswagen. Macht now says that thanks to the new Cayenne and the Panamera, the company is back on its feet and will successfully merge with the Volkswagen group by next year. Hate or love it, quite a lot of people are still buying the Cayenne, so if you want Porsche to continue making 911 models, you should encourage those customers. Source: BusinessWeek Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| JAC IV Concept is China’s answer to Smart ForTwo Posted: 15 Apr 2010 01:17 AM PDT  As the Beijing Motor Show is nearing its start date, we’re being assaulted with new concepts that will be showcased by local carmakers at that event. Among them is the small model you see above, the JAC IV, which likely previews a rival for the Smart ForTwo and other two-seater compacts. It was designed at the company’s Italian bureau, and, at least at first glace, combines quite a lot of styling cues from the Toyota iQ, the Mazda “smiling” grille and other such elements.  Not a lot of details were revealed by the Chinese company, but it seems tat a hybrid powertrain lies beneath the bonnet, combining a small gasoline engine and an electric motor, resulting in great fuel efficiency and low emissions. The jury’s out on whether or not this Chinese concept is actually going to be any good, so we’ll wait until the Beijing Motor Show. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Chrysler and NASA anounce new partnership Posted: 15 Apr 2010 01:02 AM PDT  We’re seeing new partnerships being developed in the automotive industry left and right these days, but by far the most awkward one is between Chrysler and NASA, who both announced a new three-year agreement to share technologies and insight.
The two companies don’t really say what they will actually research in joint partnership, just saying that topics like “materials engineering, robotics, radar, battery systems and other energy storage mediums,” are going to be discussed by mixed teams. Research into many of these subjects might give Chrysler a big help in returning to the glory of yesteryear and might also help its new corporate overlord, Fiat, in the long haul. But, there’s still the question of what the Pentastar will be bringing to the table. Free Sebrings? A space-capable Fiat 500? Lunar Jeeps? We may never know. Source: Chrysler Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mazda RX-8 gets banned in Europe due to engine regulations Posted: 15 Apr 2010 12:39 AM PDT  Sad news for Mazda fans in Europe, as the company won’t be bringing back its RX-8 model due to tougher Euro 5 regulations that can’t be met by its Wankel engine. As you all know, Mazda made a name for itself by using rotary engines in its supercars, famous for being rev-happy although not that efficient in terms of fuel or maintenance. Now, because the new Euro 5 regulation is standard in all European countries, it just isn’t worth marketing the Euro 4-spec Mazda RX-8. While research is being made, a completely new rotary engine is needed in order to make the Mazda comply with regulations. That model, judging by some speculations, will appear sometime in 2013. There are prototypes of Wankel units running on E85 ethanol and being flex-fuel capable, but they most likely won’t appear in Europe. Sadly, it seems the only remaining sportscar in the Mazda lineup will be the MX-5 Miata roadster, but I’m sure many will mourn the (temporary) disappearance of the RX-8. Hopefully some progress is still being made with the RX-7. Source: Auto Motor & Sport via TTAC Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| New details on future Peugeot 208 and its GTI hot hatch version appear Posted: 15 Apr 2010 12:19 AM PDT  New details about Peugeot’s future compact hatchback model, the 208, have been revealed by the guys at Autocar. The replacement for the 207 will likely receive new features, including a hot hatch GTI variant. It seems that Peugeot is keen on resurrecting its brand image and plans to spearhead this offensive with cars like the recently revealed RCZ roadster and the future 208 GTI. As you may remember, the company is still fondly remembered for the iconic 205 GTI. For the next generation of its compact hatchback, the company is likely to use the new design line found on the SR1 sportscar concept, and for the GTI in particular, the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine will definitely be used. The 208 is expected to appear sometime around 2012, with regular variants sporting reduced weight and more efficient engines, while the GTI will appear further down the road, with increased power, exclusive features but also fuel-saving systems. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Track-ready Mini E takes on the Nurburgring Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:44 PM PDT  The Nurburgring Nordschleife is the ultimate decider when it comes to performance cars, as the 13-mile long circuit can squeezes every amount of potential from the cars and their test drivers. So, among the Nissan GT-Rs, the Ferraris or Porsches that usually lap the famous track, what car did BMW decided test out? Why an electric Mini E model, of course! But while you may laugh, it seems the team was quite serious with this endeavor. The engineers stripped out the interior, fitted special race features like a roll cage, safety harness or special brakes and tires. Besides that, they also modified the running parameters of the Mini E prototype, to make it more track focused and less frugal. After the prep work, they gave the keys to former DTM pilot Thomas Jäger, who lapped the Nurburgring in a respectable, but still unimpressive 9 minutes 51.45 seconds, reaching a top speed of 116.2 mph. Hit the jump to check out a video montage of the electric Mini E taking on the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| BMW introduces roadside assistance app for smartphones Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:25 PM PDT  BMW really loves to take care of its customers and has just revealed that a new roadside assistance smartphone application has been released for devices like the iPhone, Blackberry or handsets running the Android operating system. The app is available for free to those who opted for the BMW Ultimate Service option when ordering their new or certified pre-owned car. Those who own a car that wasn’t available with this option can purchase a yearly subscription to it. Basically, the app will help you on the roadside by sending stored information about your BMW model (only works with those registered in the US since 1975) to the closest BMW dealership or service station. For GPS-enabled handsets, it will even send out the precise coordinates, which could come in handy if you’re in the middle of nowhere. Source: BMW Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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