RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Peugeot 308 GTI revealed, packs 200 HP
- Video: 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is nine seconds faster than previous model
- 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets detailed, images and video included
- Buick Regal GS performance model arrives next year, GM says
- Volkswagen close to buying Italdesign Giugiaro
- Video: Geely Panda compact shows off its wild side
- Mini Countryman gets official details, engine lineup
- Nissan to recall over 48,000 2010 SUVs and pick-up trucks over suspension issues
- Lexus might recall 11,500 LS models globally over steering problems
- Quiet electric vehicles or hybrids will be required to make noise if new bill gets passed
| Peugeot 308 GTI revealed, packs 200 HP Posted: 20 May 2010 03:49 AM PDT  Peugeot caused a lot of unrest late last year when it announced that it is going to retire its GTI brand. Seeing the public disapproval of the move, the French carmaker then revealed that it will continue to honor its sporting pedigree and teased about the future. Now, French hot hatch fans will definitely be pleased as the Peugeot 308 GTI has been officially revealed. The new performance compact will pack the same 1.6-liter THP engine as found on the recent RCZ roadster, and develop 200 HP alongside 202 lb-ft of torque. The engine will propel the hot hatch from 0 to 62 mph in 7.7 seconds and up to 147 mph. While that may not seem like a lot, the French company promises a fuel average of just 34 mpg (US) on the combined EU cycle and just 159 g/km of CO2. In terms of styling, the 308 GTI will differentiate itself with a new rear spoiler, taken from the 308 CC, a rear wing, chromed twin exhaust pipes and a carbon fiber front lip. As usual, expect GTI badges to adorn both the outside and the inside of the car. On the interior you will also find aluminum pedals and gear shifter, as well as a sports steering wheel and a piano black finish on the dash. To give it that extra dose of quality, Peugeot has installed the Sound System Technology, which upgrades the quality of the sound system. No word yet on when we can expect this new French hot hatch, but a fall release date might not be too far off. Until then, check out the photo gallery below. Photo Gallery: Peugeot 308 GTI
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| Video: 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is nine seconds faster than previous model Posted: 20 May 2010 02:13 AM PDT  Ford unleashed a plethora of upgrades, new technologies and, most importantly, improved engines onto its 2011 Mustang muscle car. As such, a drastic improvement in performance times and even in fuel economy was recorded. With the 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, the improvement is even more noticeable. Thanks to the new, aluminum-block 550 HP supercharged 5.4-liter V8, which is 120 lbs lighter than the last engine, the new GT500 is extremely fast. In order to see how much faster the 2011 Shelby GT500 is over the outgoing 2010 model, Ford engineers took the car to he Virginia International Speedway. Before the test laps, insiders figured a 3 second difference would be achieved. After the laps, they were definitely surprised, as the newer and lighter GT500 was a full nine seconds faster than the older model. Curious to see the amazing run? Then hit the jump and check it out. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets detailed, images and video included Posted: 20 May 2010 01:51 AM PDT  One month ahead of the launch of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the off-road brand decided to shed some more light on the model that promises to relaunch sales. The 2011 Grand Cherokee will use the new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine, capable of achieving 23 mpg with a range of 500 miles. Besides the more efficient powerplant under the bonnet, the 2011 Grand Cherokee will boast a choice of three 4×4 systems, as well as offer the Jeep Quadra-Lift Air Suspension and Selec-Terrain technologies. The new SUV will use independent front and rear suspension but will still be able to tow around 7,400 lbs. Throw in the greatly improved exterior design as well as the promise of a best in class interior and the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is looking extremely good. Prices are set to start from $30,995 for the base 4×2 version and $32,995 for the 4×4 edition. Expect the new Jeep Grand Cherokee to hit dealerships next month. Until then, check out the photo gallery below and then hit the jump for a video of the new SUV in action. Photo Gallery: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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| Buick Regal GS performance model arrives next year, GM says Posted: 20 May 2010 01:19 AM PDT  Buick is on its way to a brighter future, as after the launch of the very successful LaCrosse, it is already shipping the new Regal into dealerships across the USA. Now, another step towards the rejuvenation of the Tri-Shield brand has been taken, as GM’s vice chairman of global product development, Tom Stephens, confirmed to the Detroit News that a Regal GS performance model will be arriving next year. The new Regal received a lot of positive feedback for its design (even though it was a rebadged Opel Insignia) but the Regal GS concept we saw at the beginning of the year at the Detroit Auto Show really blew everyone away. The concept, based on the performance Opel Insignia OPC, sported a more aggressive look and, according to some voices, a 255 HP turbocharged 2.0-liter engine coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive. Hints that it might be making its way to production were dropped, but now we have the official word. So, will the Regal or Regal GS make you change your opinion about Buick? Share your thoughts below. Source: Detroit News Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Volkswagen close to buying Italdesign Giugiaro Posted: 20 May 2010 12:55 AM PDT  Volkswagen, even though it said it will refrain from buying off any other car companies after striking its partnership with Suzuki, is close to engulf another entity, Italdesign Giugiaro. For those not in the know, the Italian group is one of the biggest privately-owned design and engineering companies in the world. Since it was founded by Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1968, the company was responsible for a huge amount of popular models, including the recent Alfa Romeo 159 or the Brera, as well as first generation Scirocco or Golf models for Volkswagen. Besides its design component, Italdesign Giugiaro also does engineering work for large carmakers. Most of its work is a trade secret, but the last acknowledge piece of engineering was on the second generation Mini models for BMW. No official word has been revealed, but voices say a formal announcement will be made next week. The fate of the company isn’t set in stone, as it will be either absorbed into the VW group or will continue to do freelance work for other carmakers, while being controlled by the German company. Source: Automotive News Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Geely Panda compact shows off its wild side Posted: 20 May 2010 12:36 AM PDT  Chinese car company Geely hasn’t really made a big deal of its models. When it did appear in the media, usually it was because it had copied designs from Rolls Royce or some other shameful thing. Now, a new video presentation of its Panda compact (no relation to the Fiat Panda, we think) will definitely make up for all the bad things said about its cars. In the video, a fleet of these tiny cars are shown doing some extreme stunt work, from going on two wheels, to backwards donuts, J turns and even popping a stoppie, just like with motorcycles. If you really want to see how much fun a Chinese car can be, then hit the jump and find out. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mini Countryman gets official details, engine lineup Posted: 20 May 2010 12:14 AM PDT  BMW is preparing to implement a major change in its Mini brand, as the Countryman crossover will make its debut late this summer in Europe. After formally revealing the model, the Bavarian company has now presented the first technical details of the future Mini Countryman. It seems that the model will be offered, in Europe at least, with five engines: two diesels and three gasoline ones. The diesels will be sported by the Mini One D Countryman, with 90 HP, and the Mini Cooper D Countryman, with 112 HP. The gasoline units will develop 98 HP on the One configuration, 122 HP on the Cooper and 184 on the Cooper S. Judging by the US Mini lineup, we can expect just the gasoline engines to make their way across the Atlantic with the Countryman. No word yet on a performance JCW version of the Countryman, but it will arrive sooner or later. All engines are built to meet the Euro 5 and the US emissions regulations. They will be paired up with either a manual or an automatic six-speed transmission, that will send power through the ALL4 all-wheel drive system, which uses a center differential to figure out which wheels that need it the most power. Overall, the Mini Countryman is set to take things into a whole new direction for the brand. We’ll still have to wait and see if that direction leads to anywhere good. Source: Mini Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Nissan to recall over 48,000 2010 SUVs and pick-up trucks over suspension issues Posted: 19 May 2010 11:53 PM PDT  The recalls are continuing today, with Nissan revealing to the Associated Press that it is talking with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about a new recall, set to affect around 48,700 SUVs and pick-up trucks. The vehicles affected include the 2010 Nissan Titan, Pathfinder, Armada and Xterra, as well as the Infiniti QX56. The reasoning behind the call back is a suspension link that might not have been welded properly. As such, it could crack and affect the whole suspension system. Nissan is currently working with the NHTSA to make the recall public as soon as possible. Owners of the affected models will soon be invited into dealerships where a fix will be implemented to resolve all suspension problems. Source: Associated Press via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Lexus might recall 11,500 LS models globally over steering problems Posted: 19 May 2010 11:43 PM PDT  A new report has just appeared, detailing a future recall from Lexus. It seems that the luxury Japanese carmaker is preparing to do a global recall of over 11,500 LS models over potential steering problems and a lack of response from the whole mechanism. Among the models affected are the LS 460, LS 460L, LS 600h and LS 600h L. 11,500 vehicles are set to be recalled globally, with 3,800 in the USA. It seems that there is a lack of response with the steering system, as the wheels don’t return to their original position as fast as they should after executing a turn. As you know, Lexus recently issued another vehicle recall for the 2010 GX460 SUV. As of yet, the recall isn’t confirmed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but Lexus LS owners should be better off safe than sorry. Source: Bloomberg via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Quiet electric vehicles or hybrids will be required to make noise if new bill gets passed Posted: 19 May 2010 11:33 PM PDT  Hybrid or electric vehicles are becoming more and more frequent on the road these days. With it, the seemingly age-old question of whether or not these cars are too quiet has once again emerged. It seems that a coalition of carmakers and groups representing the blind have proposed a new bill to the US congress that would force future hybrid or EV models to make a specific noise, in order to alert pedestrians and the visually challenged. The bill, if it will be voted, will require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to draft a set of regulations in one and a half years, and to enforce them in at most three years. As you can imagine, feedback from both the actual carmakers and the ordinary people will be taken into consideration. Such a regulation is also being talked about in Japan, where EVs and quiet hybrids are even more popular. Some manufacturers have said that they will offer exterior speakers on their silent models and we’ve even seen the Chevrolet Volt’s ‘chirping’ system in action. Source: The Detroit News via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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