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Tuesday, February 2, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- RPMGO answers: What’s the difference between four-wheel drive (4WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) ?
- Video: Toyota president explains gas pedal fix for unintended acceleration recall
- BMW preparing two new models, smaller and cheaper than the 1 Series
- Renault Wind presents itself, the convertible Twingo you’ve been waiting for
- Cadillac ATS still on track for 2012, will arrive as sedan, coupe, wagon and convertible
- Ferrari boss: “Valentino Rossi can become a Formula 1 champion”
- Mazda to unveil 20th Anniversary MX-5 special edition in Geneva
- Man drives Toyota truck into dealership, woman drives Camry into laundromat, both blame unintended acceleration
- GM and Tengzhong push negotiation deadline for Hummer sale to the end of February
- Infiniti presents FX Limited Edition for Europe
| RPMGO answers: What’s the difference between four-wheel drive (4WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) ? Posted: 02 Feb 2010 03:39 AM PST Hello and welcome to another edition of RPMGO answers, where we take a stab at explaining in more layman’s terms various automotive debates or technologies. We’ve already covered a few basic things, and now we’re treating something a bit more in depth: What’s the difference between four-wheel drive (4WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles? Now you may be inclined to say that there isn’t any difference, but this is due to marketing terms and various PR work from carmakers, as there are quite a few things setting the two systems apart. If you want to find out what they are, hit the jump. Let’s start with four-wheel drive systems, commonly highlighted by the 4×4 badge, even though most AWD cars have the same number of wheels, 4, and the power of the engine is directed to them, hence the second 4. This type of system is split up in two segments: part time 4×4 and full 4×4. The part time 4WD is aimed at people who want a good two-wheel drive car on the road, for everyday use, but also want something that can be used for off-road conditions, when all of the wheels need to receive power from the engine. Such vehicles have a special switch, or transfer case highlighted by a second gear shifter, with settings like 4WD Hi or 4WD Lo. This, like I’ve said, basically sends the power of the engine to all of the wheels, without any other intervention, making it ideal for extreme conditions like snow, mud or rocks. This however makes the vehicle extremely bad for on-road use, as it won’t go around corners very well, and the transfer case will be subjected to extreme stress in non-off-road use. This system is used on specific off-road vehicles, which are preferred by enthusiasts. Full-time 4WD means that there is no switch, and that all four wheels are receiving power from the engine all the time, no matter the conditions. The transfer case in such models is specifically changed, meaning that it will resist on the road and off it, and also features the Hi and Lo settings, depending on the speed you’ll want to reach. This system increases safety and the handling of the vehicle in tricky conditions, but also impacts the fuel consumption. It is used commonly in many SUVs these days, combining the best of both worlds for drivers. That was the 4WD system, now onto the AWD, which also has two variants: full and automatic, depending on the aim of the carmaker. Overall, AWD is also the most common these days. The Full AWD system basically acts like the full-time 4WD, but lacks the Hi or Lo settings for the transfer case, essentially taking away any control the driver may have on the way the wheels receive power from the engine. Everything is done thanks to the many electronic systems, and is specifically configured to offer the safest ride, although it will hardly be able to do any type of serious off-roading. This type of system is commonly used in all sorts of vehicles, including sedans from Audi or Subaru. Automatic AWD is basically a 2WD car, most commonly FWD, which only sends power to the other set of wheels when the computer decides it has to, most commonly in tough conditions, or when the other wheels are slipping. When the car is in such a situation, the rest of the wheels will add that extra stability, and get it out of the predicament, basically like a last safety measure. Improved fuel efficiency is also an added bonus for such a setup. Automatic AWD is mostly used in crossovers and so-called “soft-roaders”. The basic difference between 4×4 and AWD vehicles is their target audience. The 4×4 models are basically made for people who want to be in control, and know what they’ll use the car for. AWD cars, on the other hand, offer a much safer alternative as the on-board computer controls all of the wheels, keeping the car in check, without affecting the driver all that much. In the end, it depends on what type of consumer you are. Don’t forget though that no matter how many wheels are receiving power, it isn’t an excuse to push the car above its limits. We’ve seen big, tough SUVs get stuck in the snow or mud as easily as FWD sedans or RWD sportscars. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Toyota president explains gas pedal fix for unintended acceleration recall Posted: 02 Feb 2010 03:25 AM PST  As you all know, Toyota has issued a huge recall affecting a big number of its vehicles due to unintended acceleration worries, as the gas pedal, after being subjected to extensive wear, would stop responding and remain in an open state. Now, Toyota has revealed the fix for this problem, which is a “precision-cut steel reinforcement bar”, that will be installed into the pedal assembly and prevent the friction between a shoe and the adjoining surface where the defect occurred. According to the Japanese company, the fix has already been tested and will be installed in around 30 minutes at any service. The company, through the voice of its USA president, Jim Lentz, revealed that letters will be sent out to all owners affected by this recall, with instructions to visit their local dealership and schedule the maintenance on their vehicle. In order to facilitate all of the customers coming in, many dealerships will be open for extended hours, even working non-stop, until everyone is safe. For those of you which are also affected by the floor mat recall, Toyota says it will coordinate with dealers in order to solve that problem too in one trip. Hit the jump to see the video posted by Toyota’s executive Jim Lentz, which details the solutions and apologizes to existing customers affected by these problems. Source: Toyota Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| BMW preparing two new models, smaller and cheaper than the 1 Series Posted: 02 Feb 2010 02:45 AM PST  BMW is quite happy with its market status as a luxury and performance carmaker, but that doesn’t mean it won’t expand its lineup to include other vehicles. According to a report from Auto Motor und Sport, it seems that the Bavarian manufacturer is working on two new models, which will sit below the current 1 Series, both in terms of size and price, and will arrive around 2014. The first one is a small electric city car, presumably the oft-rumored Megacity model, and will use the electric drivetrain from the current 1 Series ActiveE concept, which has already been presented at the Detroit Auto Show at the beginning of the year. The second one has also been rumored for quite some time, being named the 0 Series, and will rival cars like the upcoming Audi A1, in the premium B segment. BMW will either choose the Mini platform, or use a new front-wheel drive one, developed in-house, or in partnership with another carmaker, with more experience in the field. What do you think about these new BMW projects? Will they develop the brand in a new direction or just spoil the current robust lineup? Source: AutoMotorUndSport via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Renault Wind presents itself, the convertible Twingo you’ve been waiting for Posted: 02 Feb 2010 01:58 AM PST  Last week Renault’s convertible edition of the Twingo city car was spoiled by a scale model, which betrayed the overall lines of the new car, that we believed would be badged as the Twingo CC, just like its bigger brother, the Megane CC, which was set to join it at the Geneva Motor Show. But it seems Renault wants to depart from that nomenclature, and revealed the Wind today. No, not the meteorological phenomenon but the new convertible Twingo-like model, which according to the French carmaker, will be a hit with young people who want to feel the wind (pun not intended) in their hair. Many details weren’t given, but Renault was quick to boast the innovative pivot folding hard top, which not only can be activated in 12 seconds, but also doesn’t impact the size of the boot, which is constant at a respectable 270 liters. Until we will see the Renault Wind at the Geneva Motor Show this March, you can check out the photo gallery below. Photo Gallery: Renault Wind
Source: Renault Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Cadillac ATS still on track for 2012, will arrive as sedan, coupe, wagon and convertible Posted: 02 Feb 2010 01:28 AM PST  Cadillac is experiencing a big revival these days, as not only did it impress many fans and won over a lot of other people with the CTS (and it’s performance editions, the CTS-V and the Coupe) but it is also thinking into the future with the XTS Platinum concept it showed off in Detroit, and is still working on the rumored ATS. The new entry-level executive model will be aimed at competitors like the Mercedes-Benz C Class, BMW 5 Series or the Audi A4, replacing the unpopular BLS in Europe while it will slot in below the CTS in North America. In order to take on its European and Japanese rivals, Cadillac will offer the ATS in all types of body styles, including a sedan, which will be premiered possibly at the end of the year, and also a wagon, a coupe and a convertible. In terms of the latter, according to InsideLine, opinions are divided as to whether a soft or a hard top will be used. Either way, with the ascending trend in popularity it has been experiencing, Cadillac definitely needs to carefully plan the ATS so that it will be a hit with the new fans. Source: InsideLine Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Ferrari boss: “Valentino Rossi can become a Formula 1 champion” Posted: 02 Feb 2010 01:09 AM PST  Valentino Rossi, the famous and successful MotoGP rider took advantage of the recent vacation between the seasons of the bike competition, and went to the Ferrari Formula 1 team and asked them to take their car on the circuit. His performance impressed everyone, and even prompted the boss of the Yamaha team, for which Rossi rides in MotoGP, to say that he feels threatened by Ferrari. Now, the boss of the Italian sportscar manufacturer, Luca di Montezemolo, revealed that the team would welcome Rossi, and said that he has the potential to become an F1 champion. "He’s a friend and an undisputed champion, from Emilia-Romagna, a great fan of Formula 1 and engines, and also a potential Formula 1 champion,” he said. “If there was the possibility in 2011 and he wanted to do it and had the possibility for testing and adapting to F1, then why not?” Montezemolo also talked about the much debated third car issue in F1, which would allow teams to have more drivers in the competition. This debate currently has two sides, the big teams which can afford putting a third car on the track, and the smaller ones, which can’t really invest in maintaining a third racer. But Montezemolo believes a compromise can be reached, as the cars would be given to independent racers, which would only need to take care of the maintenance, and be spared of spending a huge amount of money developing the car from scratch. Now though, the third car for F1 teams is still just in the idea phase, and might take some time before it is really up for discussion at FIA, which supervises the motorsport competition. Source: Autocar Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mazda to unveil 20th Anniversary MX-5 special edition in Geneva Posted: 02 Feb 2010 12:47 AM PST  The Mazda stand at the Geneva Motor Show will be a pretty busy one, as the Japanese carmaker will not only unveil the facelifted Mazda6 and the new Mazda5, but also a special edition of the MX-5 roadster, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the model. The limited run of just 2,000 models, as highlighted by a numbered plate, will feature unique options, and will be based on the 1.8-liter SE version of the popular roadster. Available paint options, as you can see above, are True Red, Crystal White Pearl or Aurora Blue, and will match the chrome accents on the grille, door handles and headlamp surrounds, as well as the 17-inch alloy wheels. Expect 20th Anniversary badges to adorn the limited edition, and a slight improvement in handling, as a front suspension bracing bar will be added to the 2,000 models. Pricing and other details will be offered at the Geneva Motor Show this March. Source: Mazda Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Posted: 02 Feb 2010 12:34 AM PST  Toyota is in a lot of trouble these days as it has recalled a huge number of vehicles, from almost everywhere around the world either due to faulty gas pedals, which get stuck, or because of floor mats which wind up pushing on the accelerator pedal. But while this gave the Japanese company a lot of problems, it also seems that it has given some people a great thing to blame for accidents, as two recent crashes involving Toyota vehicles have happened in the span of just a few days. The first one involved a woman from Pennsylvania, which allegedly tried to park her 2007 Camry in the lot of a laundromat, but, according to her own statement plus one from a laundromat worker, the car started accelerating on its own, and ended up crashing into the building itself. According to the police, the floor mat of the vehicle was found on top of the gas pedal, which could’ve caused the whole crash. Another incident happened at a Toyota dealership in Louisiana, where a truck owner went to allegedly service his truck and receive the fix to the unintended acceleration problems. But, according to him, he was told to wait a long time, which he refused, and attempted to leave the dealer. This is when the truck started accelerating out of control, and like the Camry above, crashed into the building. But while the Camry story might have some true facts, this last one is a bit fishy, as some reports indicate that the man was extremely furious, and demanded that the dealer take back the truck and give him his money back. When the representatives declined and tried to explain that the problems will be fixed, he refused, and was quite upset. Do note that we’re not really pointing fingers, as the investigations are ongoing, but it’s interesting that these accidents happened immediately after the whole recall went public. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Source: Autoblog, The Advocate Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GM and Tengzhong push negotiation deadline for Hummer sale to the end of February Posted: 02 Feb 2010 12:14 AM PST  General Motors desperately wants to get rid of its bleeding brands, and not only did it close down a few of them, like Saturn or Pontiac, but it is carrying tough negotiations for other brands as well. Seemingly, the Saab deal between it and Spyker is done, but the other negotiation process, between it and China’s Sichuan Tengzhong, for the sale of Hummer, has now captured the spotlight. As you may remember, when the two companies announced that the negotiations are underway, they also said that a conclusion will be reached at the end of January. But as you clearly know, the month has ended, and no concrete announcement was given. According to a new report, it seems that the two corporations have pushed the deadline to the end of the month, as the deal still has to be regulated by a few Chinese government organizations. While it is expected that all the necessary paperwork will be completed until then, one of the main Chinese entrepreneurs behind this deal, Suo Lang Duo Ji, has gone on the record saying that he hopes the process will be completed by this spring, so we might be in for another delay after February ends. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Infiniti presents FX Limited Edition for Europe Posted: 01 Feb 2010 11:32 PM PST  A few months ago we presented the Infiniti FX Millionaire Edition, which was basically a full option SUV with even more exclusive features added, in order to justify an even larger price, which couldn’t be afforded by someone unless he was a … well millionaire. Now, the European division of the Japanese luxury brand is at it again, and released the Limited Edition FX, for all the non-millionaires who couldn’t get one of the aforementioned 100 special models. It will be available for both versions, the FX37 and FX50, and, much like the Millionaire, will boast a scratch-resistant Obsidian Black or White Moonlight paint, and a lot of other special features. These include things like the dark graphite trim, the 21-inch turbine-like wheels, a mix of Alcantara and carbon fiber on the inside, alongside the Connectiviti+ package, which includes satellite navigation or a high end 11-speaker Bose audio system with 10GB hard drive.  In terms of pricing, the Limited Edition FX model will be cheaper than the Millionaire one, coming in at around $88,000 (£55,855) for the FX37S, and just a bit over $100,000 (£62,035) for the FX50S. Just 100 models will be made, so if you want your SUV to be truly exclusive, you’ll need to hurry. Source: Infiniti Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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Monday, February 1, 2010
RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- Motorsport Weekend 29-31 January: Finnish Arctic Rally and Rally America’s Sno*Drift results
- BMW to enter Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid sportscar into production in 2013
- Video: Ken Block shows off his Ford Fiesta’s drifting abilities in the snow
- Toyota problems forces Peugeot and Citroen to recall 107 and C1 models
- Dutch group raises questions over Spyker-Saab deal, wants answers from CEO Victor Muller
- Toyota to attend House of Representatives hearing, gets hit with class action lawsuit
- Video: Rolls Royce Phantom goes drifting in the snow
- Chrysler and Hyundai also offer incentives and discounts to existing Toyota owners
- McLaren presents the MP4-25 Formula 1 race car
- Honda issues recall for 646,000 Fit/Jazz models all over the world
| Motorsport Weekend 29-31 January: Finnish Arctic Rally and Rally America’s Sno*Drift results Posted: 01 Feb 2010 04:15 AM PST  Hello and welcome to another edition of Motorsport Weekend, where we roundup the most interesting results from the last three days. Although winter is still in full swing, that hasn’t stopped two competitions from taking place and providing some great thrills on the snow or ice filled rally stages: the Arctic Rally Lapland from the Finnish local championship, and the Sno*Drift competition, which is the first stage of the Rally America Championship. Hit the jump to find out results from Travis Pastrana, Kimi Raikkonen or Ken Block. Luckily, a few helpful spectators decided to do the patriotic thing and help out their fellow Finn. After losing almost 30 minutes, the rest of the rally was smooth sailing for Raikkonen. His other teammate, Dani Sordo, also racing in a special Citroen C4 WRC, managed to dominate the competition by winning all 12 stages. In the USA, more specifically around Northern Lower Michigan, the 2010 edition of the Sno*Drift event, counting for the Rally America Championship, took place, and was won by Travis Pastrana, in his Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Thanks to a sudden heat wave followed by freezing temperatures, the whole competition took place on ice-ridden stages, which caused some accidents, including Pastrana’s teammate, Dave Mirra, which managed to complete the event. Ken Block, another big name, wasn’t so fortunate, as the suspension on his Ford Fiesta broke after seven stages. Pastrana, which marks his fourth victory in a row at Sno*Drift, was followed by Antoine L’Estage, in his Mitsubishi Evo X, while the third spot was occupied by Bill Bacon, in his Mitsubishi Evo IX. Overall, some pretty exciting results on the snow. Hopefully this will be just an appetizer, and we’ll be treated to some more interesting results as more and more competitions will begin. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| BMW to enter Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid sportscar into production in 2013 Posted: 01 Feb 2010 02:22 AM PST  Out of all the recent concepts to arrive from BMW, the Vision EfficientDynamics one it showed off at the Frankfurt Motor Show was definitely the most impressive, shocking people with an aggressive sportscar design coupled with a hybrid powertrain setup. Needless to say it light up a huge rumor fire, but the company has yet to reveal anything concrete about the concept going into production. Luckily though, InsideLine managed to find out some big details from one of its respected sources, according to which the Vision EfficientDynamics will enter production as soon as 2013. The model will be a limited edition one, but there will be plenty to go around, as BMW is thinking of building somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 of such hybrids, which will use a diesel engine mounted in the middle and two electric motors to develop, at least in the concept, 356 HP and 590 lb-ft of torque. Combine that with the goal of making the production model weigh less than 3,000 pounds, and you’ll be getting one heck of a sportscar. Also, according to the same source, it seems that while the aggressive design will be tamed down a bit, fans mustn’t worry, as it will look the part. Last but not least, it seems that the name will be changed, in order to reflect something with a bit more attitude. Overall, this is great news for BMW fans which have been salivating over the Vision EfficientDynamics for quite some time. Source: InsideLine Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Ken Block shows off his Ford Fiesta’s drifting abilities in the snow Posted: 01 Feb 2010 01:47 AM PST  We showed you earlier today a video of a Rolls Royce Phantom drifting in the snow, but now we have some footage of professional rally driver Ken Block during the shakedown session of the Sno*Drift, where he shows off the abilities of the new Monster Ford Fiesta rally car. Block also proves his skills in wrangling the car, which was fitted with stud-less tires in the snowy conditions, and also pushes the engine’s power by topping out the sixth gear in one extremely lengthy straight line. Hit the jump to see the video. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota problems forces Peugeot and Citroen to recall 107 and C1 models Posted: 01 Feb 2010 01:30 AM PST  As you all know, Toyota has recently expanded its unintended acceleration due to faulty gas pedal recall to Europe, affecting eight models, totaling 1.8 million vehicles. But not only did it harm its own vehicles, but also the Peugeot 107 and the Citroen C1, as the PSA Group held a joint venture manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic, where the aforementioned models and the Toyota Aygo were made. It seems that the French models shared some of the technological underpinnings with the Asian one, including the gas pedal mechanism, which forced the recall of the Aygo. As such, Peugeot and Citroen will also call back over 90,000 models, so that they will be fixed. Source: The Guardian via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Dutch group raises questions over Spyker-Saab deal, wants answers from CEO Victor Muller Posted: 01 Feb 2010 12:50 AM PST  Just when you thought that Saab and its new owner Spyker would withdraw from the media spotlight, after a lengthy negotiation with GM, which finally resulted in the Swedish brand be sold to the Dutch supercar manufacturer, new problems arise. According to VEB, a Dutch securities association, it’s quite curious how a company which failed to turn a profit for quite some time, Spyker, has managed to get hold of enough money to buy another company which hasn’t seen a profit, Saab. According to it, the CEO of Spyker, Victor Muller, has a lot of explaining to do, especially as the last amount of money was gained a week before the negotiation process was over, as a result of a rather shady deal. Let’s explain. It seems that GM insisted throughout the talks, that Spyker’s chairman, Russian banker Vladimir Antonov, would back down from his position, so that Saab technology would be safe. In order to facilitate such a move, the 4.6 million shares owned by Antonov were bought by a recently founded company, Tenaci Capital, which was owned by Muller (it even had his home address). The company then contributed with €50 million in cash to GM and also loaned Spyker €82 million, which translates to a lot of money on such a short notice. What’s even more peculiar, according to VEB, is that Muller refuses to disclose the backers of his company, which might include either Antonov, or his father, Alexander, who is also a very rich man. All these questions might be answered on February 12th, when a Spyker shareholder meeting will take place. Source: DutchNews via WorldCarFans Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota to attend House of Representatives hearing, gets hit with class action lawsuit Posted: 01 Feb 2010 12:29 AM PST  With Toyota issuing some huge recalls these days, it was just a matter time before politicians and lawyers would show up to the “party” and start defending the average consumer which bought cars from the Japanese company. As such, the USA House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce committee will hold a hearing on February 25th, where executives from Toyota will be answering questions regarding “the persistent consumer complaints of sudden unintended acceleration in vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation,” according to Henry Waxman, the committee chairman. Not only will representatives be forced to attend such a hearing, but it seems Toyota’s legal department will also have some explaining to do, as two law firms, Parker Waichman Alonso and the Becnel Law Firm, have filed a class action lawsuit against the Japanese carmaker over the huge recalls it has made. According to representatives from the two companies, all Toyota drivers which bought cars from 2005 to 2010, have “lost the use of their vehicles, and sustained, among things, economic losses and severe emotional distress.” As such, Toyota, besides fixing the vehicles in question during the recall, needs to pay “compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages for the Class, as well as equitable and declaratory relief.” Toyota still has a lot of things to take care of these days so it’s still too early to tell where these new actions will lead. What do you think? Will Toyota escape this legal and political problem? Source: The Detroit News, Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Rolls Royce Phantom goes drifting in the snow Posted: 01 Feb 2010 12:09 AM PST  As with any winter season, the snow provides not only worries and problems for drivers, but also the opportunity to have some serious fun. But according to this recent video, this fun isn’t limited to normal car owners, as a Rolls Royce Phantom proves it can hold its own by drifting in the snow alongside performance cars like a Porsche Cayenne or a 911. At least this is done in an open field and not on the streets. Hit the jump to see the luxury limousine go sideways. Source: Jalopnik Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Chrysler and Hyundai also offer incentives and discounts to existing Toyota owners Posted: 31 Jan 2010 11:48 PM PST  The auto market is a fierce one, and when a big dog like Toyota is having troubles, it’s time for other companies to exploit them, and grab customers by any means necessary. We’ve already revealed to you that General Motors and Ford are offering discounts and incentives of up to $1,000 to existing Toyota owners who are fed up with the huge recalls implemented by the Japanese company, but now two other corporations have announced that they will host some great offers for Toyota owners. First off, Hyundai is ready to give any current Toyota driver a $1,000 discount if they will trade in their vehicle for any of these three models: Sonata, Elantra and Elantra Touring. If you’re more of a Chrysler fan, the company is also implementing a $1,000 discount for any of car in its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram brands, offer which also extends to those who have a lease on their Toyota. Overall, these are some pretty interesting offers, which will surely awake the interest of certain customers. Source: The Detroit News Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| McLaren presents the MP4-25 Formula 1 race car Posted: 31 Jan 2010 11:27 PM PST  After coming in third overall during the 2009 Formula 1 season, McLaren is hungry for more victories, and has presented its newest race car, the MP4-25, which will prove its worth in the hands of reigning world champion Jenson Button, and former champion Lewis Hamilton. The new car is powered by a tweaked version of a Mercedes V8 engine, the same one used by Mercedes GP, and in the new car, will provide a great experience, according to McLaren. The company was also quick to highlight that this is the first time since 1989, when two back-to-back champions raced for the same team, when Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna also teamed up under the McLaren logo.  With the promise of a great car and huge amount of talent from both Button and Hamilton, the team has a lot to prove. It will begin with pre-season testing in Valencia this week. Source: McLaren Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Honda issues recall for 646,000 Fit/Jazz models all over the world Posted: 31 Jan 2010 11:11 PM PST  It seems that Toyota isn’t the only Japanese carmaker to issue global recalls these days, as Honda has recently announced the recall of 646,000 units of its compact city car, the Fit, or the Jazz, as it is known in other parts of the world. But while Toyota has been plagued with unintended acceleration issues, it seems Honda’s problems are fire-related, as the electric power window mechanism isn’t completely sealed, and might see rain enter its housing, which can cause a fire to erupt. The recall affects all the major markets where the Fit/Jazz is sold, including North and South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia. Only three incidents were reported so far, but it’s better to be safe than on fire. Source: Reuters Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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