Rumormill: Porsche planning road-going RS Spyder?

L'Automobile, our new favorite purveyors of outlandish stories and Photoshopped
speculation, is reporting that Porsche is considering building a road-going
version of the RS Spyder to fill the vacuum created by the dearly departed
Carrera GT.


According to the French rumormongers, the RS Spyder's road-legal progeny will
measure in at 183 inches (about eight inches longer than a 911) and will consist
of a carbon fiber monocoque to keep weight to a minimum. A version of the
Spyder's 3.4-liter V8 would be mounted amidships, but will be de-tuned from its
current 503 hp (at 10,000 rpm) to around 400 hp.


Naturally, we're suitable skeptical about the report, particularly since it's
lacking some basic information about the powerplant (is this the new
direct-injected engine?) and there's no word on the transmission, running gear
or even a possible debut date. Regardless, we can dream, and as far as fantasies
go, an LMP2 car for the road is good starting point.

via:

autoblog

Rumormill: Porsche planning road-going RS Spyder?

L'Automobile, our new favorite purveyors of outlandish stories and Photoshopped
speculation, is reporting that Porsche is considering building a road-going
version of the RS Spyder to fill the vacuum created by the dearly departed
Carrera GT.


According to the French rumormongers, the RS Spyder's road-legal progeny will
measure in at 183 inches (about eight inches longer than a 911) and will consist
of a carbon fiber monocoque to keep weight to a minimum. A version of the
Spyder's 3.4-liter V8 would be mounted amidships, but will be de-tuned from its
current 503 hp (at 10,000 rpm) to around 400 hp.


Naturally, we're suitable skeptical about the report, particularly since it's
lacking some basic information about the powerplant (is this the new
direct-injected engine?) and there's no word on the transmission, running gear
or even a possible debut date. Regardless, we can dream, and as far as fantasies
go, an LMP2 car for the road is good starting point.

via:

autoblog

Rumormill: Next Dodge Ram HD to get 6.4-liter V8?

Based on the current 6.1-liter version of the HEMI, an engine that appears in any number of SRT-branded cars, the new engine would feature both a larger bore and a longer stroke, with resulting power figures estimated to fall somewhere between 450 and 500 galloping ponies.


An engine with that much power would need a beefy transmission bolted up to its crankshaft, something Dodge already offers with its diesel engines. Levine suggests ChryCo could use the latest six-speed gearbox from German specialist ZF.


If you think there's nothing wrong with Chrysler's 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine that an extra dollop of horsepower can't fix, we have some great news for you. Our friend and knower-of-all-things with a pickem-up-bed Mike Levine at PickupTrucks.com is reporting that Dodge's next Heavy Duty Ram will be offered with a big 'ol 6.4-liter version of the OHV V8.


Of course, all of this assumes that Chrysler emerges from bankruptcy with these projects intact. Bug assuming that, we're being told that in addition to its spot in the Ram HD lineup, the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 is also likely to make an appearance under the hood of Jeep's next Grand Cherokee SRT8. The next obvious question, then, is how much money will the powerplant add to the cost of the vehicle and what kind of fuel mileage will it be able to muster?
More Photos



Other article:
2009 Dodge Ram Prototype
Leaked: 2009 Dodge Ram on Mopar site
Dodge Ram BFT
Dodge Avenger Tuner Stormtrooper at SEMA

Rumormill: Next Dodge Ram HD to get 6.4-liter V8?

Based on the current 6.1-liter version of the HEMI, an engine that appears in any number of SRT-branded cars, the new engine would feature both a larger bore and a longer stroke, with resulting power figures estimated to fall somewhere between 450 and 500 galloping ponies.


An engine with that much power would need a beefy transmission bolted up to its crankshaft, something Dodge already offers with its diesel engines. Levine suggests ChryCo could use the latest six-speed gearbox from German specialist ZF.


If you think there's nothing wrong with Chrysler's 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine that an extra dollop of horsepower can't fix, we have some great news for you. Our friend and knower-of-all-things with a pickem-up-bed Mike Levine at PickupTrucks.com is reporting that Dodge's next Heavy Duty Ram will be offered with a big 'ol 6.4-liter version of the OHV V8.


Of course, all of this assumes that Chrysler emerges from bankruptcy with these projects intact. Bug assuming that, we're being told that in addition to its spot in the Ram HD lineup, the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 is also likely to make an appearance under the hood of Jeep's next Grand Cherokee SRT8. The next obvious question, then, is how much money will the powerplant add to the cost of the vehicle and what kind of fuel mileage will it be able to muster?
More Photos



Other article:
2009 Dodge Ram Prototype
Leaked: 2009 Dodge Ram on Mopar site
Dodge Ram BFT
Dodge Avenger Tuner Stormtrooper at SEMA

2011 Nissan Murano Convertible is Still a Go

Much of the information we published last August is still right on. The 2011 Murano convertible will be produced in limited numbers, and will be targeted at empty-nesters who need room to carry the grandkids, but still want something fun. And like the new 370Z convertible, it will stick with a more traditional soft top to keep weight and cost down.

According to IL, the 2011 Murano convertible will be produced in limited numbers, come equipped with a retractable soft-top and will be packing the same 265-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and CVT to send power to either the front wheels or all four.

However, we did get one thing wrong. Unlike the image above, the 2011 Nissan Murano Convertible will be a two-door. That's right, sort of like a higher riding PT Cruiser convertible.
Source: InsideLine

2011 Nissan Murano Convertible is Still a Go

Much of the information we published last August is still right on. The 2011 Murano convertible will be produced in limited numbers, and will be targeted at empty-nesters who need room to carry the grandkids, but still want something fun. And like the new 370Z convertible, it will stick with a more traditional soft top to keep weight and cost down.

According to IL, the 2011 Murano convertible will be produced in limited numbers, come equipped with a retractable soft-top and will be packing the same 265-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and CVT to send power to either the front wheels or all four.

However, we did get one thing wrong. Unlike the image above, the 2011 Nissan Murano Convertible will be a two-door. That's right, sort of like a higher riding PT Cruiser convertible.
Source: InsideLine

Rumormill: MINI GTI-fighter based on Crossover?

With the release of the Clubman, bigger MINIs have arrived and the MINI Crossover concept signals more are on the way. Lest you think that BMW's little guys have gone truckin' crazy, there's supposedly a sporty variant of the five-door MINI 'ute in the works.

The butch wagon will have 180 hp on tap to fend off Volkswagen GTIs (Autocar's confusing assessment, not ours), and if that's not enough, a Works version will deliver around 220 hp.

You can't have a high-performance version without high-zoot duds, and there's bound to be a distinctive body-kit to go along with the engine's fortitude. Interior upgrades will be aimed at keeping the driver planted and looking fancier, too. Expect the first Crossover to bow sometime next year, with the slightly hotter version coming towards the end of 2010, followed by the JCW variant in 2011.
Source:Autocar via:autoblog




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2008 Mini Ball- Agent Provocateur Pimped Mini Clubman Unveiled
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Rumormill: MINI GTI-fighter based on Crossover?

With the release of the Clubman, bigger MINIs have arrived and the MINI Crossover concept signals more are on the way. Lest you think that BMW's little guys have gone truckin' crazy, there's supposedly a sporty variant of the five-door MINI 'ute in the works.

The butch wagon will have 180 hp on tap to fend off Volkswagen GTIs (Autocar's confusing assessment, not ours), and if that's not enough, a Works version will deliver around 220 hp.

You can't have a high-performance version without high-zoot duds, and there's bound to be a distinctive body-kit to go along with the engine's fortitude. Interior upgrades will be aimed at keeping the driver planted and looking fancier, too. Expect the first Crossover to bow sometime next year, with the slightly hotter version coming towards the end of 2010, followed by the JCW variant in 2011.
Source:Autocar via:autoblog




Other article:
New 2009 MINI Cabrio Revealed with Video
All New Electric Mini E in Detail
2009 MINI Cooper Convertible
Paris Motor Show:Mini Crossover Concept Unveiling at Next Month
Hamann promotes MINI Cooper Performance Upgrades
2008 Mini Ball- Agent Provocateur Pimped Mini Clubman Unveiled
AC Schnitzer MINI Clubman
2008 Mini and Agent Provocateur revealed an initial rendering
MINI Clubman: In Depth