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Friday, June 5, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Angry Range Rover owner finds a creative way to get back at dealer
- MINI Cooper R57 Convertible by AC Schnitzer
- Top Gear destroys Mitsubishi Evo VII
- GM to get rid of its jet fleet
- New Volkswagen pickup to be called ‘Amarok’
- Jaguar C-Type renderings unveils amazing roadster
- Video: Rare $2 million McLaren F1 goes out in flames
- Magna won’t be able to sell cars in the U.S. and China
- Lamborghini Murcielago successor delayed until 2012
| Angry Range Rover owner finds a creative way to get back at dealer Posted: 04 Jun 2009 05:54 PM PDT  I’m sure employees from the Lookers Land Rover in Colchester, Essex weren’t very happy when they saw this Range Rover Sport in front of their showroom one morning. The owner was probably very angrey when the dealership failed to deal with his complaints about his £50,000 Range Rover and decided to list all the car’s flaws with large yellow vinyl letters. He wrote “If you want trouble free motoring do not buy one of these!!! Don’t take my word for it, look on the net” and then listed everything that went wrong with his car. Because the vehicle is parked on public property, the dealership couldn’t do anything about it, instead offerd to change this guy’s cars with a new one. Don’t know why, but I don’t think that made him happier.  [Source: Daily Mail / Via Jalopnik] Post published on Rpmgo.com Angry Range Rover owner finds a creative way to get back at dealer Related posts:
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| MINI Cooper R57 Convertible by AC Schnitzer Posted: 04 Jun 2009 05:29 PM PDT  German tuner AC Schnitzer though that with the summer already here it would probably be a good idea to release a tuning program for the MINI Cooper R57 Convertible. And you gotta give it to them, the little fellow looks pretty good. The pacakge features a body kit with new front spoiler, sporty rear skirt, sport exhaust system with chrome accents, plus a set of decal packages and, of course, several wheel packages. The interior didn’t remain untouched, AC Schnitzer offering a whole range of accessories including aluminium gear knob and pedals or velour floor mats. Under the bonnet, the German engineers worked on a power upgrade kit which increases the Cooper S’ power output from 175 to 208 hp (226 hp for export models). Other performance upgrades include limited slip differential, height adjustable sports suspension and aluminum strut brace for the front axle. Full Photo Gallery: MINI Cooper R57 Cabriolet by AC Schnitzer
[Source: AC Schnitzer] Post published on Rpmgo.com MINI Cooper R57 Convertible by AC Schnitzer Related posts:
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| Top Gear destroys Mitsubishi Evo VII Posted: 04 Jun 2009 04:59 PM PDT  And they’re back! We really don’t have many details on this, except for the photos, but we have Jeremy Clarkson, a wrecked Mitsubishi Evo VII and military personnel. This was probably one of those crazy challenges Top Gear brings every season, only this time something went completely wrong. Or who knows, maybe the challenge was to create a convertible Evo VII in a more ‘creative’ way. Anyway, here are the photos: Full Photo Gallery: Top Gear wrecks Mitsubishi Evo VII
[Source: Lancer Register / Via Autoblog] Post published on Rpmgo.com Top Gear destroys Mitsubishi Evo VII Related posts:
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| GM to get rid of its jet fleet Posted: 04 Jun 2009 04:28 PM PDT  As part of the restructuring process the ‘new GM’ is going through, the company has decided to get rid of its private jet fleet, including the hangar used to house them at the Detroit Metropolitan Area. The fleet includes two Gulfstream V jets leased from Suntrust Leasing Corp since 2001 and five Gulfstream G350 jets leased from AVN Air LLC since 2007. A new G350 starts at $30 million, while the Gulfstream V is no longer in production but its pricing started at $50 million, so GM’s fleet is valued somewhere at around $250 million. Also, GM will save $488,000 a year just by giving up on the hangar rent. Good news for the company, but bad news for its execs, who’ll have to use commercial flights from now on. [Source: The Wall Street Journal] Post published on Rpmgo.com GM to get rid of its jet fleet Related posts:
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| New Volkswagen pickup to be called ‘Amarok’ Posted: 04 Jun 2009 04:05 PM PDT  Last year at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show Volkswagen unveiled the Pickup Concept which previewed the company’s upcoming pickup truck. Back then we heard rumors about the vehicle being called the Robust or the Taro, but it seems these rumors were wrong, because today VW announced that their new pickup will be called the Volkswagen Amarok. So, what does this stand for? Amarok means “wolf” in the Inuit language (one of the Eskimo people who live in northern Canada and Greenland). Also, the name translates ‘he loves stones’ in South America. Either way, the point is that VW tries to tell us that their pickup will love off-road. The VW Amarok will be launched as a double-cab pickup with four-wheel drive, while a single-cab version will be introduced later. It will be powered by Volkswagen’s next generation common rail turbo diesel engines and will be produced at the company’s Pacheco plant near Buenos Aires in Argentina. It will be launched first in South America in early 2010, followed by Central America in Spring 2010, then Russia and Europe in the summer, as well as Africa and Australia. Prices, specifications and on-sale dates will be announced next year. Full Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Pickup Concept
[Source: Volkswagen] Post published on Rpmgo.com New Volkswagen pickup to be called ‘Amarok’ Related posts:
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| Jaguar C-Type renderings unveils amazing roadster Posted: 04 Jun 2009 03:51 PM PDT  My God, does this look amazing or what? According to Auto Express, Jaguar is looking to revive the C-Type and create a new roadster which will compete roadsters like the Porsche Boxster, BMW ZZ4 or Mercedes Benz SLK. Jaguar’s new owner, Tata Motors, through the voice of it’s chairman Ratan Tata has expressed many times plans to expand the Jaguar range and with the roadster market growing, it looks like the C-Type might come true. From these renderings we can see the car will probably follow the XF’s styling, with the bold mesh grille, sharpened LED headlights, bonnet power bulge, slim tail-lights and chrome strip. Auto Express sources unveiled that a wide range of engines will be available, including an entry-level 235 hp 3.0 liter V6 and a top of the range 380 hp 5.0 liters V8. Jaguar’s six-speed automatic transmission with wheel-mounter paddles will also be available. Considering the starting price which will be under £40,000 ($65,000), we can say the other roadsters should be really, really afraid of the new Jaguar. So, when will we see a production version of the new C-Type? Well, like all carmakers, Jaguar’s also going through some not so good times, so we won’t probably see it eariler than 2012. [Source: Auto Express] Post published on Rpmgo.com Jaguar C-Type renderings unveils amazing roadster Related posts:
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| Video: Rare $2 million McLaren F1 goes out in flames Posted: 04 Jun 2009 03:24 PM PDT  When you own a beautiful and rare car like the McLaren F1 valued at more than $2 million you can consider yourself one lucky man, right? Well, not if you’re name’s Irv Kessler and you have to watch your F1 going out in flames. Apparently, the 53 year old man was driving on Airport Boulevard in Santa Rosa California when he saw smoke coming out of the engine bay. He pulled over and when he was about to look closer to see what happened, the car burst into flames and firefighters had to come and put out the fire. As you can see from the video below, the car’s almost completely ruined but fortunately for his owner it was insured. [Source: The Press Democrat / Via Jalopnik] Post published on Rpmgo.com Video: Rare $2 million McLaren F1 goes out in flames Related posts:
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| Magna won’t be able to sell cars in the U.S. and China Posted: 04 Jun 2009 03:02 PM PDT  Frank Stronach, Magna International’s chairman, recently told reporters present at a news conference in Ottawa that the agreement they signed with GM prevents Opel’s new owner from selling vehicles in the United States. When reporters asked, he said that applies to China too, he said yes but added that the situation in China might change in the upcoming years. “Yes, for the moment, but keep in mind that General Motors — we’ve been working together for 50 years, we’ve been great partners, and they still own 35 percent (of Opel).” Stronach added that he expects Opel to break even in three years, and to turn a profit in four, also announcing that Magna won’t probably buy Saturn and Saab too (GM looking to sell these two brands too). “We have to digest Opel now, and we have got a mouthful, so we’ll see how quickly that will take place,” he said. [Source: Reuters] Post published on Rpmgo.com Magna won’t be able to sell cars in the U.S. and China Related posts:
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| Lamborghini Murcielago successor delayed until 2012 Posted: 04 Jun 2009 02:44 PM PDT  Though everybody was expecting to see a successor for the Lamborghini Murcielago soon, German magazine Auto Moto und Sport revealed that the Italian carmaker has pushed back the launch date for the new car. Nothing’s official so far, but it seems that we won’t see a new Lambo earlier than 2012. Lamborghini cars are known to have a quite long lifespan, models like the Countach or the Diablo being produced for sixteen, respectively eleven years. And while the Sant’Agata company managed to keep the car quite fresh, by launching the LP640, the Reventon, the LP650-4, the LP670-4 SuperVeloce and several limited editions, the Murcielago has aged and a successor is more than welcome, but we’ll have to wait for that. As for the new Lambo, there aren’t many details available but there are a lot of rumors. Some expect Lamborghini to replace the steel chassis with an aluminium one, based on the Audi R8’s. What’s almost sure is that the Murcielago successor will have all-wheel-drive and a revised version of the current V12 will probably be under the hood. According to other rumors, the car will feature a shorter front overhang and a wheelbase similar to the Murcielago’s. We’ll let you know once we have more details. [Source: Auto Moto und Sport / Via Autoblog] Post published on Rpmgo.com Lamborghini Murcielago successor delayed until 2012 Related posts:
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Wednesday, June 3, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
| GM announces preliminary agreement to sell HUMMER Posted: 02 Jun 2009 02:34 PM PDT  Today GM has announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a buyer for HUMMER and if everything goes according to plan the sale will be closed by the end of third quarter of this year. Though GM hasn’t released any details on the potential buyer, Associated Press and The New York Times report that this could be Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., a Chinese company that has not built passenger vehicles before. According to the press release, the new owner has plans to aggressively fund future HUMMER products, which means more than 3,000 jobs in manufacturing, engineering and dealerships will be saved. “HUMMER is a strong brand,” said Troy Clarke, President of GM North America. “I’m confident that HUMMER will thrive globally under its new ownership. And for GM, this sale continues to accelerate the reinvention of GM into a leaner, more focused, and more cost-competitive automaker.” [Source: GM] Post published on Rpmgo.com GM announces preliminary agreement to sell HUMMER Related posts:
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Video: Volvo S60 Concept driving footage
- Video: BMW X5 stuck on the beach
- New 2010 MINI crossover spy shots
- It’s over! GM files for bankruptcy
- Rolls Royce Phantom and Drophead Coupe tuning packages by Hamann leaked on the web
- Video: Ken Block’s Gymkhana TWO
- FBI agent crashed seized Ferrari F50
- Video: German police pulls over a 2010 BMW 5 Series prototype
- Exclusive BMW M3 Edition Models announced
- Magna International to acquire Opel
| Video: Volvo S60 Concept driving footage Posted: 01 Jun 2009 05:04 PM PDT The Volvo S60 Concept was unveiled earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show and, with the market launch scheduled for next year, we’re waiting for a production version of the four-door coupe soon. Until then, here’s a video made by some dudes from the Swedish magazine Teknikens Varld, which were lucky enough to take the concept for a drive. Unfortunately, we have no idea what the heck they’re saying, but we assume it was really fun. Enjoy! [Source: Teknikens Varld / Via Carscoop] Post published on Rpmgo.com Video: Volvo S60 Concept driving footage Related posts:
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| Video: BMW X5 stuck on the beach Posted: 01 Jun 2009 04:44 PM PDT So, what happens when you put a retard behind the steering wheel of a BMW X5? Well, he’ll take it to the beach and do what the Turkish guy in this video did. Get stuck. I’m sure ordinary people have the impression the X5 looks like a car that can go anywhere, but if you know a little about cars you know that while the X5 is good off-road, it’s not THAT good. We’re only hoping this was a lesson to the dude and next time he’ll think twice before confusing his X5 with a beach buggy.
Post published on Rpmgo.com Video: BMW X5 stuck on the beach Related posts:
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| New 2010 MINI crossover spy shots Posted: 01 Jun 2009 04:38 PM PDT  It looks like MINI is really busy working on their highly anticipated crossover (could be called Crossman, could be called Crossover, no one knows for sure) and here is a set of the latest spy shots. According to Carscoop, there will be some changes from the Crossover Concept which we really loved back at the Paris Motor Show last year. Among these changes are the conventional doors (the cool asymmetric doors from the concept will go away) and the also conventional liftgate. Some rumors say that the car could share its platform with the upcoming X1, including BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The Crossman, which will be MINI’s first car to measure more than 4 meters (13.1 feet) in length, will probably be powered by some of the engines from the Cooper and it will also get new four-cylinder engines, both in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. Another premiere the Crossover brings is the fact that it’ll be the first MINI to be built outside UK at the Magna Steyr plant in Austria. MINI reached this decision because the company’s plant n Cowley doesn’t have enough capacity to handle production. So, when are we going to see the new crossover from MINI. Well, we’re probably looking at a debut scheduled for this fall’s Frankfurt Motor Show ro, who knows, maybe next year’s Geneva show. And if you’re really anxious about getting one, rumor has it that market launch is scheduled for the sacond half of 2010. [Source: Carscoop] Post published on Rpmgo.com New 2010 MINI crossover spy shots Related posts:
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| It’s over! GM files for bankruptcy Posted: 01 Jun 2009 04:10 PM PDT  Yes, it’s sad, but true…GM is history! This morning the Detroit giant has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, allowing it to continue trading while it restructures. Chapter 11 is designed to provide a “breathing spell” during which a company can reorganize its operations to emerge as a potentially successful firm. In a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a company does not go out of business, and its management is not necessarily replaced. How did it happen? GM, which was the world’s largest carmaker for 77 years until Toyota took its place in 2007, lost about $88 billion since 2005 and even though in the past months it received more than $20 billion in loans from the US government, nothing could be done to save the giant who filed for bankruptcy today, June 1, 2009 at 8:00 am. This is the third largest bankruptcy in US history after Lehman Brothers bank (2008) and Worldcom (2002). So, what next? A restructuring process will start with the company splitting in two. Profitable business like Cadillac, Chevrolet and some plants will form a ‘new GM’, while poorly performing ones, like Saturn or Hummer will either be discontinued or sold. The ‘new GM’ (we’re really curious how it’s going to look like) will be owned by the U.S. Treasury (60%), governments of Canada and Ontario (12%), bondholders (10%) and the Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) with 17.5 percent. However, the Obama administration has clearly stated they intend to sell its GM holding as soon as that is practical. Like we reported earlier today, Opel was saved, the German government helping Magna International acquire GM’s European arm (including Vauxhall). So far, we don’t know what’s going to happen to Saab, which was refused governmental aid earlier this year. What will happen to GM workers? This is where it’s going to be really tough. As an important part of GM’s restructuring, around 21,000 factory jobs are scheduled to be cut by the end of 2010. Also, GM has already worked out a cost-saving deal with the UAW, including concessions on retiree health care. So, that’s it, it’s over, GM is gone. Without doubt, this is a sad day, because when a company that ruled the auto industry for all these years goes bankrupt, you can’t help wondering what went wrong. However, we must hope the future will also bring good news for the reborn ‘new GM’.
Post published on Rpmgo.com It’s over! GM files for bankruptcy Related posts:
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| Rolls Royce Phantom and Drophead Coupe tuning packages by Hamann leaked on the web Posted: 01 Jun 2009 03:17 PM PDT  It looks like the German tuner Hamann is preparing a surprise for Rolls Royce owners, because two packages for the Phantom and the Drophead Coupe are almost ready. These photos, published by Autoblog.nl, were leaked on the web and we can see new 23 inch wheels available in several designs and some other minor styling elements, while at the interior we notice a new three spoke steering wheel. There’s no official confirmation, but rumor has it that power upgrades will also be available, Hamann engineers boosting the cars’ V12 output from 460 to 535 hp and max torque from 720 to 835 Nm (615 lb-ft). Like we said, official details are unknown so far, but stay tuned because we’ll let you know once we have more info. Meanwhile, enjoy the photos: Full Photo Gallery: Rolls Royce Phantom and Drophead Coupe Tuning by Hamann
[Source: Autoblog.nl / Via Carscoop] Post published on Rpmgo.com Rolls Royce Phantom and Drophead Coupe tuning packages by Hamann leaked on the web Related posts:
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| Video: Ken Block’s Gymkhana TWO Posted: 01 Jun 2009 02:27 PM PDT After the first video of Ken Block’s Gymkhana practice was really popular on video sites like YouTube, DC Shoes decided to produce the Gymkhana TWO infommercial, which features the same Block, this time in a 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STi doing some crazy driving stunts at the Los Angeles Harbor. Amazing driving, don’t you think? Enjoy!
Post published on Rpmgo.com Video: Ken Block’s Gymkhana TWO Related posts:
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| FBI agent crashed seized Ferrari F50 Posted: 01 Jun 2009 02:16 PM PDT  According to the folks from Wrecked Exotics, the Ferrari F50 you see in this photo was crashed by an FBI agent in Lexington, Kentucky. The car was seized during a drug raid and the agent was driving it to a police warehouse when he lost control and ended up into some bushes, probably making the drug dealer really pissed. The official report says the accident was caused by possible bald tires but for some reason we don’t buy that. More likely the FBI should teach the agents not to fool around in a $500,000 supercar. More photos on Wrecked Exotics. [Source: Wrecked Exotics / Via CarDomain] Post published on Rpmgo.com FBI agent crashed seized Ferrari F50 Related posts:
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| Video: German police pulls over a 2010 BMW 5 Series prototype Posted: 01 Jun 2009 01:45 PM PDT  A 2010 BMW 5 Series prototype was pulled over last week by the German police, who thought all that camouflage looked very suspicious. Fortunately, a camera woman from TVnews-Hessen was passing by and managed to record some images with the car’s interior and exterior, while the helpless driver was being questioned by the policemen. Unfortunately, the car was heavily camouflaged, both on the exterior and interior, so not many details are revealed. [Source: Carscoop] Post published on Rpmgo.com Video: German police pulls over a 2010 BMW 5 Series prototype Related posts:
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| Exclusive BMW M3 Edition Models announced Posted: 01 Jun 2009 01:17 PM PDT  BMW has announced that in July 2009 the BMW M3 Edition Models will be entering the market worldwide. The cars will boast new exterior and interior features, a 10 millimetres (0.4″) lowered chassis and new 19-inch forged M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, available in black or classic rim color. The Edition Models production will be limited to only six months. On the exterior, the special M3 will be available in Alpine White, Black, Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo paint finish, combined with BMW Individual High-Gloss Satin Chrome. The openings on the engine compartment lid on all models are finished in black, while the kidney grille, side gills and the dual tailpipes will come dark eloxy-plated chrome. Also, the caps on the special BMW M exterior mirrors are finished in black. On the interior, the surfaces on the centre armrest, the centre console and the armrests on the door panels are finished in White on the Alpine White and Black models. At the same time these Edition Models come with interior trim in Carbon Structure Leather with white contrasting seams. The seats in Black Novillo Leather feature bespoke contrasting seams as well as vertical trim stripes on the upper section of the backrest and at the front of the legrest. On the Alpine White and Black models, these features come in white, on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue models they are in the appropriate exterior colour. As a further feature the armrests and door closing handles at the inside on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue models come with yellow and, respectively, blue contrasting seams. And last but certainly not least, entry trim bars in Checkered Flag Design bearing the “M3″ model designation give all Edition Models yet another highlight. Full Photo Gallery: BMW M3 Edition Models
[Source: BMW] Post published on Rpmgo.com Exclusive BMW M3 Edition Models announced Related posts:
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| Magna International to acquire Opel Posted: 01 Jun 2009 12:13 PM PDT  With GM’s future surrounded by mistery, it looks like its European arm, Opel, is safe, Canadian autoparts giant Magna International reaching an agreement to take majority in Opel. The move was made possible with the financial help of Sberbank, the largest bank in Russia and Eastern Europe, who backed the Canadian company. Another very important decision was the $2.11 billion bridge loan for Opel, approved by the German government and four state governments, Thuringia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. After the deal is closed, Magna will own a 20$ stake in Opel, Sberbank will take 35% (giving their group a majority), GM will retain a 35% stake and the remaining 10% will go to Opel employees. “The time of uncertainty is over,” North Rhine-Westphalia governor Juergen Ruettgers said of the deal. “The main components of Opel’s future remain in Europe.” “We’ve decided that there is to be a new European company,” Hesse governor Roland Koch said. “I think that for Opel and its employees, it is an unbelievable chance.” [Source: Detroit Free Press] Post published on Rpmgo.com Magna International to acquire Opel Related posts:
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