Thursday, July 1, 2010

RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed)

RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed)


Pagani Zonda R reportedly sets new Nurburgring record with 6:47 lap time

Posted: 01 Jul 2010 04:52 AM PDT

Pagani Zonda R reportedly sets new Nurburgring record with 6:47 lap time

The Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit is definitely one of the most iconic tracks today, seeing both many motorsport competitions, but being also the premiere testing ground for high performance models.

Given the prestige of the track, you can be sure that many carmakers want to boast their impressive lap times as a testament to their model’s worth.

A few months ago, we were absolutely amazed by the Ferrari 599XX’s impressive lap time of 6 minutes 58 seconds, which became the first production model to break the 7 minute barrier.

Now, it seems that the record was supposedly broken, by the stunning Pagani Zonda R. According to a report, the Italian supercar managed an even more impressive time of 6 minutes 47 seconds.

While it’s not official just yet, considering the immense power of the Zonda R, 740 HP and 524 lb-ft of torque, coupled with its track-ready systems and its weight of just 2,358 pounds, such a Nurburgring record wouldn’t be too surprising.

Source: PistonHeads via Autoblog

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Pagani Zonda R reportedly sets new Nurburgring record with 6:47 lap time

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Fate of GMC Granite concept still up in the air

Posted: 01 Jul 2010 12:38 AM PDT

Fate of GMC Granite concept still up in the air

At the beginning of the year, GM really surprised a lot of people when it revealed the GMC Granite concept.

The premium boxy concept was something completely different for GM’s ‘Professional Grade’ brand, looking more like a youth-oriented Scion xB than the other rough-looking vehicles from the GMC range. It was a hit though, as the Granite won the Best Concept award.

Still, GM isn’t decided on whether or not the Granite will actually make it to production.

The guys at MotorTrend published a report a few days ago, saying that the urban concept was cleared for production. Yesterday though, GM refuted the rumor, saying that, at least for the moment, the Granite is still a concept, and hasn’t been cleared for production.

It seems that even though GM is on the upswing, financially speaking, things still need to get much better before a risky concept like the Granite will see time and money invested in it.

Would you be pleased with a production-ready GMC Granite? Share your thoughts below.

Source: MotorTrend

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Fate of GMC Granite concept still up in the air

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Need For Speed Hot Pursuit goes on US tour

Posted: 01 Jul 2010 12:13 AM PDT

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit goes on US tour

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit, the latest title in the long running racing video game franchise, has definitely impressed a lot of people when it was announced a few weeks ago at E3.

Now, in order to really get the hype going, the game’s developer, Criterion Games, and its publisher, EA, are taking it on a tour of the USA, stopping by 7 major cities in the US, culminating with its November 16 launch.

As you can see above, the tour will start in New York, on July 14, at the Manhattan Classic Car Club. It will then move to Chicago, on August 5, Seattle, September 4, San Francisco, September 11, Austin, October 7, Miami, October 21, and last, but not least, Los Angeles, on November 16.

Besides getting your hands on the actual racing game, Criterion Games promises a wide assortment of entertainment, as well as real life sportscars. If you’re a true Need For Speed fan and want to check out the new Hot Pursuit, then make your way to these cities.

Source: Need For Speed

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Need For Speed Hot Pursuit goes on US tour

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2010 Suzuki Kizashi recalled over dashboard problem

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 11:59 PM PDT

2010 Suzuki Kizashi recalled over dashboard problem

The Suzuki Kizashi has been around for a pretty brief amount of time, but a recall has already been issued by the Japanese company for its sedan model.

It seems that one of the doors from a lower center box on the dashboard has a faulty mechanism which, in the case of an accident, may cause it to swing open. As you can imagine, given the right (or actually wrong) circumstances, this can cause some serious injuries.

As such, all 2010 Kizashi models, manufactured between October 13, 2009 and May 31, 2010, will be called back to dealerships, where a new door mechanism will be installed, free of charge.

For more details, you can contact Suzuki at 714-996-7040.

Source: NHTSA via KickingTires

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2010 Suzuki Kizashi recalled over dashboard problem

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Nowack Motors presents 708 HP BMW M5

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 11:46 PM PDT

Nowack Motors presents 708 HP BMW M5

The current BMW M5 has definitely won over a lot of people, thanks to its massive naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 engine, capable of a stock 509 HP.

Seeing as how the car is soon set to be retired, being replaced by a new M5, based on the 2011 BMW 5 Series, tuning company Nowack Motors decided to give it a fond farewell.

The result is the BMW M5 N635S 5.8 Hans Nowack Edition (that’s a mouth full), capable of a whopping 708 HP, without the use of any methods of forced induction, be it a turbocharger or a supercharger.

Nowack Motors presents 708 HP BMW M5

Instead, a simple ECU reflash plus the addition of two upgraded air collectors, custom made by Nowack, are responsible for the power increase of the V10 engine.

Better yet, especially for bargain hunters, the engine upgrade package from Nowack comes with a 12-month warranty, without any distance restriction, so you can hoon it all you want, or at least until the F10 BMW M5 appears.

Source: Nowack Motors

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Nowack Motors presents 708 HP BMW M5

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264 HP Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition revealed by Pogea Racing

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 11:33 PM PDT

264 HP Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition revealed by Pogea Racing

The Fiat 500 is one mighty impressive city car and equipped with a lot of tuning potential, at least judging from the plethora of various projects we’ve seen since the tiny compact was launched.

Now, German company Pogea Racing decided to kick things up in a rather large way, and went to work on modifying the already powerful 168 HP Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition.

The result of their engineering? A ’slight’ increase of 264 HP and a torque rating of 243 lb-ft for this modified Fiat 500.

264 HP Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition revealed by Pogea Racing

How did Pogea Racing achieve such an impressive feat? A larger, stainless steel exhaust system was added, as was a modified downpipe and a catalytic converter. In order to keep all those horses under control, a bespoke four-piston brake system was added to the car.

Sadly, no price was given, as of yet, but you can be sure that this powerful Fiat 500 will fetch a pretty penny.

Source: Pogea Racing

Post published on Rpmgo.com

264 HP Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition revealed by Pogea Racing

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Original Mini gets 3,500 HP 78-liter V18 diesel engine with 12 turbochargers

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 09:19 AM PDT

Original Mini gets 3,500 HP 78-liter V18 diesel engine with 12 turbochargers

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is in full swing these days, but besides classic Ferrari or Alfa Romeo models, not to mention a plethora of British sportscars, like the Jaguar XKR 75, people are treated with something a bit more special this year.

The ‘bit more special’ model we’re talking about is the … thing you see above, a classic Austin Mini, fitted with a massive 78-liter V18 diesel engine, complete with 12 turbochargers and capable of a whopping 3,500 HP at 1,900 rpm and 10,157 lb-ft of torque at just 1,500 rpm.

Who would be able to engineer such madness? Independent diesel engine manufacturer Cummins, which decided to take one of its spare engines, regularly used in huge dump trucks which operate in the mining industry, and add it to a classic Mini model.

“We never like to let a challenge go by unanswered so we got to thinking maybe we could fit the QSK78 into an original Austin Mini. It proved to be a bit tricky to fit under the bonnet but our engineers came up with a more creative solution. We’re certain that the Goodwood crowd will have difficulty believing what they are seeing,” said Steve Nendick, Cummins’ Communications Director.

Just in case you’re wondering, that huge engine weighs 24,912 lbs, and as you can see above, more than dwarfs the original Mini.

Sadly, the company didn’t reveal if the car is actually operational, but don’t get your hopes up.

Source: CarScoop

Post published on Rpmgo.com

Original Mini gets 3,500 HP 78-liter V18 diesel engine with 12 turbochargers

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Next generation Chevrolet Corvette to get 440 HP 5.5-liter V8?

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 08:46 AM PDT

Next generation Chevrolet Corvette to get 440 HP 5.5-liter V8?

After hearing some speculation about the 2011 Dodge Challenger yesterday, the guys at MotorTrend have now revealed some rumors about the next generation Chevrolet Corvette.

According to the magazine, GM plans to really downsize the engines, as the 6.2 and 7.0-liter units the Corvette C6 models use are just too harmful to the environment and don’t provide adequate amounts of power, when compared to their size.

Instead of those big units, the C7 Corvette is scheduled, according to the report, to benefit from a 5.5-liter small-block V8 engine, capable of a respectable 440 HP, as opposed to the current generation’s 430 HP.

Even though it will decrease in displacement, the C7’s engine will benefit from all the new technologies GM will implement in its new small-block family. These include direct injection, E85 flex-fuel capability, a new combustion system plus the older overhead valve design, which guarantees smaller size and lower manufacturing cost.

You’ll have to wait for this improved Chevrolet Corvette C7 though, as reports peg it appearing around 2012, if we’re lucky. Besides the new and improved engine, a new Corvette design was also rumored to appear with the next generation.

Source: MotorTrend

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Next generation Chevrolet Corvette to get 440 HP 5.5-liter V8?

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Shelby might celebrate Ford Mustang’s 50th anniversary with something much more special

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 08:27 AM PDT

Shelby might celebrate Ford Mustang's 50th anniversary with something much more special

One of the most iconic muscle cars in America, the Ford Mustang, is getting ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014, so for traditional Mustang tuner Shelby, it’s never too early to start thinking about that special occasion.

In a recent interview with MotorTrend, Shelby American’s current CEO, John Luft, said that the company is working closely with the Blue Oval to release something extremely special, not just a Mustang with a few badges on it.

According to the exec, tuning legend and founder of the company, Caroll Shelby, has been spending some time at the Dearborn, Michigan, headquarters of Ford, in order to really straighten out the celebrations for the ‘Stang’s half century birthday.

Until then though, Luft also hinted that track-ready ‘R’ models might be resurrected, seeing as how the 2011 Mustang is moving beyond its muscle car, drag-ready image, to a more balanced, racing persona. If you want to celebrate the Mustang’s birthday early, don’t forget that the 2011 Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500 are already up for sale.

Source: MotorTrend

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Shelby might celebrate Ford Mustang’s 50th anniversary with something much more special

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BMW M3 owners can order carbon fiber components

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 07:49 AM PDT

BMW M3 owners can order carbon fiber components

The BMW M3 is one might impressive sportscar and easily one of the company’s best sellers.

Now, after offering the M3 Competition Package and the limited M3 Frozen Gray edition, BMW of North America has just announced a brad new offer for existing customers.

Current BMW M3 owners, no matter the body type, sedan, coupe or convertible, will be able to order specific carbon fiber accessories. All M3 versions can receive a special carbon fiber reinforced plastic front splitter and exterior mirror caps, while the sedan and coupe versions will enjoy a rear decklid spoiler.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but the parts, which can be installed at any authorized BMW dealership, are covered by a 2-year warranty.

Source: BMW

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BMW M3 owners can order carbon fiber components

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