Friday, June 25, 2010

RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed)

RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed)


Video: 2011 Ford Mustang V6 gets 48.5 mpg in endurance test

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 04:36 AM PDT

Video: 2011 Ford Mustang V6 gets 48.5 mpg in endurance test

Ford scored a major win a few months ago, when the EPA clocked the fuel average on the new 2011 Mustang V6 version at 31 mpg. This made the muscle car be the first 300+ HP (305 HP to be exact) model to achieve such an average.

Now, a team of Ford engineers took the 3.7-liter V6-powered ‘Stang at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, to see if it can do 1,000 laps on the 0.533-mile course with just one tank of gas.

The Mustang didn’t disappoint, and actually managed, at an average speed of 43.9 mph, to do 1,457 laps in 17 hours and 40 minutes. The end figures were: 776.5 miles driven with a fantastic average of 48.5 mpg.

*ahem*Hybrid Prius says what?*ahem*

Hit the jump to see two videos of the 1,000 lap challenge achieved by the 2011 Ford Mustang V6.

Source: Ford

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Video: 2011 Ford Mustang V6 gets 48.5 mpg in endurance test

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Volkswagen’s 1.4-liter TSI is the 2010 International Engine of the Year

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 04:09 AM PDT

Volkswagen's 1.4-liter TSI is the 2010 International Engine of the Year

In the car industry, awards are pretty important, as they showcase the best vehicles or technologies developed by a company and, hopefully, help buying a car that much simpler.

Now, after seeing a plethora of competitions like the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year, the 2010 European Car of the Year and, most importantly, the 2010 World Car of the Year, another contest has named its winners.

The 2010 International Engine of the Year competition has named Volkswagen’s 1.4-liter TSI as the best engine of the year. The twincharged unit, which is used on everything from the Volkswagen Polo GTI to the Seat Ibiza Cupra or Volkswagen Tiguan, has also won the award in 2009. This year, as expected, it has also secured victory in the 1 to 1.4 liter category.

In 2010 though, Toyota’s new 1.8-liter engine, used with the hybrid synergy drive technology in cars like the Prius or the Auris hybrid, has earned the Green engine of the Year award, beating Volkswagen.

The best new engine of the year was handed to Fiat, with its new 1.4-liter MultiAir, which is used on the new Alfa Romeo MiTo and the Giulietta.

Starting from smallest to biggest, here are the rest of the winners.

The under 1 liter category was won by Toyota’s 1-liter engine, which sees action with the Aygo, iQ, Yaris but also the Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1.

The 1.4 to 1.8-liter category was won by the fabulous 1.6-liter turbocharged unit, developed by BMW with Peugeot Citroen, which is used by the Mini Cooper S, as well as the Peugeot 207 or 308.

The 1.8 to 2.0-liter category was won by BMW itself, thanks to the twin-turbo 2.0-liter diesel, which sees service in cars like the 123d or the X1 xDrive23d.

The 2 to 2.5-liter category saw the award go to Audi and its turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, which can be see under the bonnet of the TT RS.

The 2.5 to 3.0-liter award went to BMW’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter engine, currently found in any model with the 35i name, from the 1 Series to the X6.

The 3.0 to 4-liter category also went to BMW, this time for the stunning 4.0-liter engine that powers the M3.

The above 4.0-liter category and, at the same time, the best performance engine was Mercedes-Benz’s massive 6.2-liter AMG unit, currently serving the best of the best of what MB can offer.

Source: International Engine of the Year

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Volkswagen’s 1.4-liter TSI is the 2010 International Engine of the Year

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Video: Hyundai builds the world’s largest vuvuzela to annoy South Africans

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 03:33 AM PDT

Video: Hyundai builds the world's largest vuvuzela to annoy South Africans

In case you’ve been living under a rock in the last few weeks, you might have watched at least a few minutes of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Also, in case you didn’t watch the halftime show or anything like that, you were subjected to the sound of thousands of vuvuzelas, traditional African … trumpets of some sort, that made the football/soccer match sound like it’s going on inside a bee hive.

In an effort to score some free publicity (and hopefully get some payback on South Africa) Hyundai has just reveled the world’s largest vuvuzela horn. The horn is fully functional, sounding off every time a match starts during the World Cup.

Check out the huge vuvuzela sounding off in a video after the jump.

Source: Gizmodo

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Video: Hyundai builds the world’s largest vuvuzela to annoy South Africans

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2011 BMW 5 Series sold out worldwide

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 02:29 AM PDT

2011 BMW 5 Series sold out worldwide

At the end of 2009, BMW revealed the 2011 5 Series sedan, a model which it hoped would guarantee big sales in the mid-size premium segment.

We’re pretty sure though that no one at the Bavarian HQ had any idea just how popular the new model would be, as it has just been revealed that the 2011 BMW 5 Series has been sold out worldwide. Those who still want to get their hands on a new car need to join four-month waitings lists.

"The 5-series is at the core of the BMW brand and we knew it was going to be a very strong vehicle for us,” said BMW’s sales and marketing director, Ian Robertson.

With the 5 Series Touring also revealed in Europe, plus the M Sport package incoming, not to mention the next M5 which has seen a lot of rumors, you can be sure that new 5 Series models will continue to sell like hot cakes for quite some time.

Source: Autocar

Post published on Rpmgo.com

2011 BMW 5 Series sold out worldwide

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Bentley planning a five-door Continental to rival the Panamera?

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 01:56 AM PDT

Bentley planning a five-door Continental to rival the Panamera?

Luxury carmakers are all about niches and filling them if the demand is high enough. The newest fad has been started by the Porsche Panamera, and is already followed by the likes of Aston Martin, with the Rapide.

But Bentley isn’t too far behind either, as a source has confirmed to Autocar that other body styles, besides the sedan, coupe and convertible, are being planned for the next generation Continental model.

According to the source, a five-door fastback, in the vein of the Panamera, has the biggest chances to achieve production status, seeing as how more and more people want an extra dose of practicality with their luxury.

Also, seeing as how coachbuilder Touring Superleggera experienced a great deal of popularity with the Flying Star shooting brake model (pictured above), based on the Continental, Bentley might fancy having a go at this other niche by itself. Considering that the next Mercedes-Benz CLS will also have such a version, previewed by the adequately named Shooting Break concept, Bentley might want to hurry.

Expect the next Continental to arrive around 2012, starting with a replacement for the GT coupe. It will no doubt borrow elements from the performance Supersports edition, as well as keep its four-wheel drive/12 cylinder engine combo.

Source: Autocar

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Bentley planning a five-door Continental to rival the Panamera?

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Hyundai Veracruz to be replaced with long wheelbase Santa Fe in the future

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 01:25 AM PDT

Hyundai Veracruz to be replaced with long wheelbase Santa Fe in the future

Hyundai is doing extremely well lately, pushing out new, redesigned models and achieving great sales in both the US and abroad.

Still, it seems that there are models from the South Korean company which aren’t really runaway hits. One such example is the Veracruz SUV.

It seems that because people aren’t that interested in the three rows of seats the Veracruz offers, Hyundai has some different plans for the next few years. According to the guys at Autoblog, the range-topping SUV will continue to live on for a couple years, but after that it will be replaced by a long wheelbase version of the Santa Fe.

Seeing as how the smaller Tucson (or ix35 in Europe) has already received a fresh design, the next generation Santa Fe isn’t that far away. Those with a sharp memory will also remember that the current Santa Fe was available with three rows of seats up until recently. The option was discontinued with the 2010 Santa Fe, due to low sales.

A long wheelbase version would make the option much more attractive, so there is some reason behind replacing the Veracruz.

Still, until we hear it from the South Korean company, take it with a grain of salt.

Source: Autoblog

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Hyundai Veracruz to be replaced with long wheelbase Santa Fe in the future

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Refreshed 2011 Honda Accord sedan and coupe detailed

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 12:17 AM PDT

Refreshed 2011 Honda Accord sedan and coupe detailed

The Honda Accord is still one of the company’s best selling models. As such, in order to keep the momentum going, Honda has just implemented a mid-cycle refresh across the Accord range, specifically the sedan and coupe.

The 2011 Honda Accord now boasts a slightly revised front fascia, with cues taken from the recent Accord Crosstour. The rear has also seen a bit of work, while V6 models have new wheel designs in their options list. Those who opt for the Coupe will be able to order optional paddle shifters. Those who opt for the navigation system will also receive a rear view camera.

Refreshed 2011 Honda Accord sedan and coupe detailed

Most importantly, engineers have tweaked the fuel economy of the four-cylinder equipped models, as with the automatic transmission, the Accord reaches 23 mpg US in the city and 34 on the highway, a bump of two and three mpg, respectively.

Last but not least, even though the rest of the range keeps the automatic and manual five-speed transmissions, the EX-L V6 Coupe model does have the option of a six-speed manual.

The 2011 Honda Accord is set to go on sale mid-August, in both sedan and coupe body styles.

Source: Honda

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Refreshed 2011 Honda Accord sedan and coupe detailed

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Special Jaguar XKR 75 celebrates brand’s 75th birthday

Posted: 24 Jun 2010 11:59 PM PDT

Special Jaguar XKR 75 celebrates brand's 75th birthday

A lot of car companies have been celebrating anniversaries this year. Jaguar is no exception, as the British sportscar manufacturer has reached the ripe age of 75.

In order to really celebrate the three quarters of a century since its birth, a limited series Jaguar XKR 75 has been revealed, boasting improved power and unique options.

The XKR 75 uses an upgraded version of the supercharged 5.0-liter V8, now capable of 530 HP (20 HP more than the stock XKR) and 483 lb-ft of torque. Performance figures now show a 0 to 62 mph sprint in 4.4 seconds and a limited top speed of 174 mph.

As you can see above, a special Stratus Grey finish decorates the XKR 75, with an optional body graphic also present. Red brake calipers clash with the 20-inch Vortex wheels, decorated in a dark finish and diamond turn. Charcoal leather with contrast ivory stitching is present on the inside, while a piano black finish decorates the center console.

Only 75 units of the Jaguar XKR 75 will be made, each retailing in the UK for £85,500. You will be able to examine and drool over this special Jag at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Source: Jaguar

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Special Jaguar XKR 75 celebrates brand’s 75th birthday

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Rhys Millen presents his Hyundai PM580 Pikes Peak challenger

Posted: 24 Jun 2010 11:38 PM PDT

Rhys Millen presents his Hyundai PM580 Pikes Peak challenger

The 2010 edition of the Pikes Peak race is set to take place on June 27, and Rhys Millen is one of the main contenders for this year’s event.

We’ve seen his Hyundai PM580 race car rendered a few months ago, but now, with a few days before the actual race takes place, the Rhys Millen Racing team provided the actual photos. As you can see, the aggressive model still keeps its Le Mans prototype looks, and is decorated with a Red Bull livery.

For those who forgot, powering this race car is a turbocharged 4.1-liter V6, capable of sending 750 HP to all four wheels. The aerodynamics, including the adjustable rear wing, are also specially tuned for the Pikes Peak race.

With such a model and even the promise of autonomous vehicles entering this year’s Pikes Peak challenge, we’re in for one pretty exciting race.

Source: Hyundai

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Rhys Millen presents his Hyundai PM580 Pikes Peak challenger

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2011 Kia Forte 5-Door gets detailed on the web

Posted: 24 Jun 2010 11:21 PM PDT

2011 Kia Forte 5-Door gets detailed on the web

The Kia Forte lineup is set to expand this fall with the introduction of the 2011 Forte 5-Door model. We’ve already seen this hatchback take on the traditional Forte design at the New York Auto Show a few months ago, but now the Kia website has a small preview of the upcoming model.

The fall release date is confirmed by the South Korean company, which says that the versatile hatchback will have support for bluetooth, MP3 connectivity as well as Sirius satellite radio capability. Other options already available for the Forte Koup are also expected to make their way onto the hatch.

Most importantly, the 5-Door will have two versions, the lower priced EX and the more feature-rich SX. The EX will be standard with a 156 HP 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, as well as 16-inch wheels, while the SX will come with a 173 HP 2.4-liter engine, and 17-inch wheels. Both units can be coupled with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic.

Expect pricing and other details to be revealed at the end of summer.

Source: Kia via Autoblog

Post published on Rpmgo.com

2011 Kia Forte 5-Door gets detailed on the web

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