Detroit Premiere: Revenge Designs Verde Supercar Teased Ahead

This year a multiple powertrain option will be announced, although the optional HP2ge hybrid engine will not be displayed due to time constraints. It is said to return 110mpg through its V8/ electric motor combination. The system makes 678Nm (500 lb-ft) of torque. Power is a respectable 294kW (400hp). But the Revenge Verde super car itself, which has apparently garnered so much interest, is set for a public display regardless.


Revenge, the manufacturer-turned-tuner based in Indiana, Ohio, is poised for its second appearance at the North American International Auto Show. Last year the company showcased the Revenge GTMR at the same event.

According to the company website the Verde will launch at a price of US$180,000 which is quite less than the Gallardo's US$250,000. Sales are scheduled to begin in July.


"That Gallardo's clutch will run US$16,800 to repair," says Peter Collorafi, President and CEO. "Ours will be done with domestic vendors and labour and run US$3,200. That's a niche we want to fill."
Tom Dupont from the Dupont Registry will speak regarding the kind of international interest the super car has had when the Detroit curtains drop.
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BENTLEY CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS ADDS RECYCLABILITY TO ITS GREEN CREDENTIALS

The new Continental Supersports, the first Bentley to use FlexFuel technology which enables it to run on E85 biofuel, gasoline or any combination of these two fuels, has further underlined its green credentials by meeting the 85% recyclability standard (95% for recoverability) demanded of all the Bentley Continental range.
In May 2009 Bentley received the official recycling pre-certification (in accordance with the EU Directive 2005/64/EG) from the German Motor Transport Authority (KBA) - thereby becoming one of the first luxury car manufacturers to attain this standard.


Type approval then followed from TÜV, the independent testing and certification service supplier, and now, with the addition of the Continental Supersports to this certification, the entire Bentley Continental range meets this exacting standard. The certificate, which is only awarded after detailed independent scrutiny of the car, assures the fact that virtually all the Continental's materials can be reused or reprocessed by other industries.
The Crewe-built Supercar, which is now arriving in Bentley showrooms, is the most extreme production car in the company's 90-year history. Capable of reaching 204 mph (329km/h), it is also the lightest road-going Bentley having shed some 110kg through a broad programme of weight reduction involving the innovative use of new materials such as carbon ceramics and carbon fibre.


The achievement of this certification is testament to the endeavours of the Bentley engineering team as Dr. Arno Homburg, Head of Whole vehicle Development at Bentley Motors said:
"Producing the fastest Bentley was a challenge in itself. However, we were equally determined not to sacrifice any environmental aspect in pursuit of this goal. The result is the paradox that the most extreme Bentley ever, is also the greenest".
The Supersports is the first iteration of the environmental strategy Bentley launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008. Powered by gasoline, E85 biofuel or any combination of these two fuels, the Supersports can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70% on a well-to-wheel basis.


It is one element of a broader Bentley strategy which will see by 2012 the company's average fleet CO2 emissions reduced by 15% and the introduction of a new powertrain that will by itself deliver a 40% reduction in fuel consumption. This programme is also supported at the Bentley factory where the use of gas, electricity and water have all been reduced significantly despite Bentley achieving record levels of production in recent years.


A genuine two-seater, the Supersports takes Bentley into new market sectors. It has received an overwhelmingly positive media reaction and is now attracting keen customer interest. Its Flexfuel capability ensures that is fuelled for the future and, with this latest recyclability certification, customers can be assured that every effort has been taken to consider the environmental impact of all components over the entire life of the car. As Dr Homburg adds:
"It is part of our responsibility as a car maker to contribute to environmental improvements and with Supersports you can see an evolution of this thinking. Even though Bentleys last a very long time - nearly 70% of all cars ever made are still on the road or in collections - we have still sought to ensure any environmental impact is minimised. The wide use of natural materials such as wood and leather and the craftsmanship inherent in their use naturally favours us here."
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Alfa Romeo Not Planning Multiair V-8 Engine

The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, despite its extremely limited production, certainly counts as both rear-wheel drive and V-8-powered. But rumors of an Alfa based on the Chrysler LX platform have been stirring for some time now, opening the door to a more mass-market top-level sedan.


According to the report, an Alfa source told Autocar that, "No front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive Alfa Romeo will use a engine larger than a V6." That is rather conclusive on the point, but it also infers two things: first, that there are more rear-wheel drive Alfa Romeos in the works; and second, that V-8s might find homes under their hoods.


News emerging from Europe this week says new Chrysler corporate cousin Alfa Romeo won't be developing a V-8 engine anytime soon, though a quick read in between the lines may shed some light on the issue. Tapping into the corporate parts bin to bring Fiat Multiair technology to Chrysler engines, including the Pentastar V-6, may be a real possibility, as well.


Likewise, the limitation to the V-6 engine for the front- and all-wheel-drive models means that tapping into the Multiair variable intake valve programming system found on the MiTo hatchback's four-cylinder unit could improve efficiency and output to levels that would make a V-8 unnecessary in those applications.


Fiat does, however, have access to Chrysler's forthcoming 3.6-litre Pentastar V6, which it could equip with its new Multiair valve train to improve efficiency. Chrysler's powertrain division is now being run by Fiat's product engineering boss Paolo Ferrero.
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Lexus Updates 2010 GS Sedan Tech, Gives Hybrid GS 450h New Look

With winter rapidly approaching, the 2010 model year cars that haven't already
been released are quickly breaking cover. The 2010 Lexus GS sedan range gets a
new technology treatment and the hybrid GS 450h gets a new look, but otherwise
they carry over much of what made the 2009 models so good.

Both the 2010 Lexus GS 350 and GS 460 get new iPod and USB connectivity with
Bluetooth streaming audio and active front headrests, plus an integrated XM
satellite radio receiver with the standard Lexus Premium Sound System. The
navigation system has been updated with casual-language voice control and can
also now grab your phone's phonebook via Bluetooth. Standard XM NavTraffic/Weather
capability is also built in, though it only comes with a 90-day subscription.
Safety Connect is also standard on non-navigation equipped vehicles, while the
Enform telematics system is added when navigation is equipped.

Power for the standard GS sedans carries forward the 303-horsepower 3.5-liter
V-6 in the GS 350 and the 4.6-liter, 342-horsepower V-8 of the GS 460. The GS
450h nearly matches the V-8's output at 340 horsepower from its combination of
electric drive and a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, and though it's a hybrid, it actually
out-accelerates the V-8 GS 460 by 0.2 seconds to 60 mph (5.2 seconds vs 5.4
seconds).

The Hybrid GS 450h gets all that plus a few more updates, including new 18-inch
alloy wheels, a revised grille and clear taillight covers. Blue-colored hybrid
badging like other Lexus hybrids also features prominently, making it clear the
GS 450h isn't a normal gas-powered luxury sedan.

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Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen L1 Concept

The L1 name refers to the European concept of a "1-Liter" car, meaning one so efficient it uses no more than 1.0 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. If you're not particularly metric, that translates to 235 miles per gallon.

VW didn't quite make its mark; the L1 actually uses 1.38 L/100 km, meaning its gas mileage is "only" 170 miles per gallon.


The rear-mounted engine, a 0.8-liter two-cylinder turbocharged diesel, is essentially half of VW's current 1.6-liter TDI turbodiesel engine. It puts out 27 horsepower in Eco mode, which rises to 39 hp in Sport mode, and drives through a 7-speed direct-shift gearbox (DSG) paired with a 14-hp hybrid electric system that switches off the engine as the car comes to a stop.
more detail. ...

Frankfurt preview: New 2010 Saab 9-5 _ With Video

Saab is already working on a hybrid version of the new 9-5 sedan. The hybrid version will use a small petrol engine backed up by an electric motor in an effort to increase fuel-economy and cut emissions.


Saab is working on a new 120-hp turbocharged 1.4L gasoline engine that will be assisted during periods of acceleration by an electric motor fitted in between it and the transmission. AutoCar says that the electric motor will offer high levels of torque and will come on when the driver is accelerating.


The big advantage of an electric motor is that it offers high levels of torque from idle. In the Saab the electric motor will come on stream when the driver is pulling away or accelerating.


The new 2010 Saab 9-5 will make its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next week. It will go on sale in early 2010. Pricing and availability details will be announced closer to launch date.
via:egmcartech