RPMGO Car Blog |
- Fisker Automotive Gets Another $100 Million In Funding
- Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition Revealed
- Rolls-Royce Celebrating Beauty for the Spirit of Ecstasy Emblem
- VW Beetle Previously Owned By Paul Newman, Up For Sale
- Car Navigation System using Augmented Reality
- Ford Freestyle, Under NHTSA Investigation
| Fisker Automotive Gets Another $100 Million In Funding Posted: 16 May 2011 05:00 AM PDT  Fisker Karma Fisker Automotive is a company known for producing luxury plug-in electric cars, including the 2011 Fisker Karma. The company announced last week that they have managed to raise another $100 million in funding for the plug-in hybrid sports sedan, along with a second, more affordable EV, targeted to the mainstream hybrid electric car customers.  Fisker Karma The aforementioned Karma model is a plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan and has a 22.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, making the car more fuel efficient and extending its driving range. The company says that the Karma will do about 100 mpg and has a driving range of up to 300 miles. The conventional combustion engine of the car is activated after 50 miles of driving with the battery pack, much like the Chevrolet Volt, a car that can travel from 25 to 50 miles on electric mode.  Fisker Karma Taking into consideration the price tag of about $96,000 for the entry level model and $109,000 for the high-end one, Fisker's Karma model will not compete with the Volt, but it will do rival Tesla's Roadster model ($109,000).  Fisker Karma One of the reasons why the car is so expensive is due to the solar panel which is installed on the roof, generating about 1/2 kWh of energy every day for charging the battery pack and extending the driving range.  Fisker Karma As we mentioned in the first paragraph, Fisker Automotive is also developing a more affordable EV, dubbed "Nina". This car should have a retail price tag of about $35,000-$50,000. Source: Fisker Automotive via GreenCarReports Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition Revealed Posted: 16 May 2011 04:30 AM PDT  Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition If you live in South Africa, you should know that Dodge has a special edition of its unpopular Caliber model. Dubbed "Mopar Edition", it was created in order to "satisfy the boy racer in all of us" and comes with a new design for the bonnet, 18-inch alloy rims and a lowered suspension.  Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition The car is powered by a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter engine that features a cold-air induction system, along with a dual exhaust. No word about the performances of the car, but we do know that in its standard configuration, the power unit generates 154 hp (156 PS / 115 kW) and has a peak torque of 140 lb.-ft (190 Nm).  Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition The South Africa-only Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition will be available in a couple of weeks at a base price of R259,990 ($37,130). Source: Dodge via WCF Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| Rolls-Royce Celebrating Beauty for the Spirit of Ecstasy Emblem Posted: 16 May 2011 04:28 AM PDT
During this period, the British automaker celebrates women’s beauty with the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its "Spirit of Ecstasy" emblem. The emblem was first crafted by Charles Robinson Sykes and adorns the hood of all Rolls-Royce models since then. So, Rolls-Royce has chosen to commission Rankin, a photographer, to create a collection of 100 individual images inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy. In this way, he continued the tradition of inspiring Rolls-Royce's work by the beauty of a woman, as it is said that lady Eleanor Velasco Thornton inspired the creation of the original emblem. The collection of images "Rankin: Spirit of Ecstasy" will be exhibited in 2011 on a world tour at different art events, but also in dealer showrooms. What is your opinion about this idea: does it capture the essence of women’s beauty and the entire symbolic meanings of Rolls-Royce's emblem? [Source: Worldcarfans] Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| VW Beetle Previously Owned By Paul Newman, Up For Sale Posted: 16 May 2011 03:57 AM PDT  1963 VW Beetle If you are a big fan of Paul Newman and you have enough money in your bank account, you could go in Temecula, California where you can buy this 1963 Volkswagen Beetle, previously owned by the famous actor and racer.  1963 VW Beetle This is not an ordinary Beetle as it has been modified by Jerry Eisert, an Indycar builder. He installed a mid-mounted V8 Ford Windsor engine that produces about 300 hp (304 PS / 224 kW), along with a sport-tuned suspension kit.  1963 VW Beetle After driving the car for several years, Paul Newman decided to donate the Beetle to the Automotive Technology Department at Chaffey College so that they would use it for their racing program. After the school discontinued this program, Sam Contino purchased the vehicle and restored it to its current condition.  1963 VW Beetle Source: Oldbug.com via Inside Line via WCF Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| Car Navigation System using Augmented Reality Posted: 16 May 2011 03:30 AM PDT
Car navigation systems are continuously developed. Pioneer in Japan has recently announced the first in-dash navigation system using Augmented Reality. It's called AVIC-VH09CS and it guides you through traffic using the "augmenting reality" system, which identifies vehicles, traffic lights, streets and other things from traffic.
All that it uses is a 7-inch LCD, a DVD/CD player, USB/SD car slots, Bluetooth connectivity and an AR scouter mode. The camera installed on the windshield sends wirelessly signals to the AVIC-VH09CS, creating 3D representations of destinations where you want to go; so, for example, it allows you to augment the car in front of you, making it easier to spot. For the moment, Pioneer plans to sell the car navigation system using augmented reality only in Japan, starting the end of May, on a $3,700 price. What do you think: would like to use such a system while driving? [Source: Crunchgear, Photos] Post published on Rpmgo.com |
| Ford Freestyle, Under NHTSA Investigation Posted: 16 May 2011 02:30 AM PDT  2006 Ford Freestyle It seems that Ford's Freestyle crossover is under the investigation by the NHTSA, after 238 complaints regarding unintended "lunging" at slow speeds when the foot of the driver is not on the car's accelerator pedal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating approximately 170,000 units, representing the model years 2005 through 2007. 18 crashed resulted from this defect, and one of them caused a minor injury to a pedestrian in a residential driveway. NHTSA said that his knee was bruised and they also said that this problem is more severe when the Freestyle's AC system is on or when the driver turns the steering wheel sharply. Source: NHTSA via Automotive News | Photo: Edmunds Post published on Rpmgo.com |
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