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	<title>RankTheRide.com Automotive News And Ratings &#187; Minicars</title>
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	<link>http://ranktheride.com</link>
	<description>Automotive News And Ratings</description>
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		<title>2012 Volvo C30 T5 R-Design Polestar Review &amp; Test Drive</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/2012-volvo-c30-t5-r-design-polestar-review-test-drive-2/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/2012-volvo-c30-t5-r-design-polestar-review-test-drive-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 22:15:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Test Drives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[volvo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[volvo c30]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[volvo c30 r-design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/2012-volvo-c30-t5-r-design-polestar-review-test-drive-2/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ ‘ADDING THRILLS TO ITS SAFETY HERITAGE’ When you think of Volvo you think of its great safety record-solid and strong. With the new Volvo C30 T5 R-Design ‘Polestar’ edition you can add a thrilling and exciting ride with great sport coupe aggressive looks and a comfortable, sports car inspired cabin.  The new C30 T5 R-Design &#8216;Polestar&#8217; is now about attitude and it comes with the looks and performance to back it up. Last year Volvo designers gave the C30 an all-new front with a radically altered  fascia, fenders, trapezoidal headlights and honeycomb grille wearing an enlarged Volvo iron mark.  Along with the angled lines from the front bumper, the headlight style reinforces the impression of speed and sport.  The contours of the muscular rear bumper were made curvier, more dynamic with a spoiler mounted to the top of the glass liftgate and uniquely styled diffuser with wide, dual chrome-tipped exhaust tips.  The ten piece aero kit gives the overall look an even more aggressive stance and further lowers the center of gravity increasing its already great handling capabilities. Moving the new C30 T5 R-Design ‘Polestar’ is Volvo’s 2.5 liter, all-aluminum, continuous variable valve time with variable intake timing, turbocharged, 5-cylinder engine that generates 227hp at 5,000rpm and 236lb.ft. of torque at 1,500-5,000rpm.  The potent engine is mated to a standard, smooth shifting short throw six-speed manual or an optional five-speed ‘Geartronic’ automatic with Auto-Stick sequential gearbox turning the front wheels.  I tested the six-speed and found it to be fun and easy to change gears, up or down, making the ride even more fun, easy and exciting to drive. Thanks to its compact size and clever aero design, the Volvo C30 T5 R-Design ‘Polestar’ is as fun to drive as it is to admire.  I couldn’t believe how many people came over to me when getting out of or into the car when parked to ask who the automaker was and when I told them it was a Volvo they couldn’t believe me until they noticed the Volvo marque on the front grille.  Its generous front and rear tracks and a relatively long wheelbase contribute to inspiring and stable driving characteristics.  The chassis, with MacPherson front suspension and a multi-link rear axle, is optimized to provide outstanding control and precise response to my inputs, and it really does.  The tubular strut tower brace only adds to the road hugging capabilities. It wants to go faster and to drive harder, a true mark of a performance sporty coupe.  A sport chassis, standard on the C30 T5 R-design ‘Pole Star’, provides enhanced chassis dynamics and steering reflexes.  Compared to the T5, spring stiffness for the R-Design is increased by 30% while the dampers feature a mono-tube design that builds-up pressure quicker for 20% increased low-speed damping.  Steering is more precise thanks to stiffer bushings and a 10% quicker steering ratio]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>2012 Volvo C30 T5 R-Design Polestar Review &amp; Test Drive</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/2012-volvo-c30-t5-r-design-polestar-review-test-drive/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/2012-volvo-c30-t5-r-design-polestar-review-test-drive/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 22:15:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Auto Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Test Drives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[volvo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[volvo c30]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[volvo c30 r-design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/2012-volvo-c30-t5-r-design-polestar-review-test-drive/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ ‘ADDING THRILLS TO ITS SAFETY HERITAGE’ When you think of Volvo you think of its great safety record-solid and strong. With the new Volvo C30 T5 R-Design ‘Polestar’ edition you can add a thrilling and exciting ride with great sport coupe aggressive looks and a comfortable, sports car inspired cabin.  The new C30 T5 R-Design &#8216;Polestar&#8217; is now about attitude and it comes with the looks and performance to back it up. Last year Volvo designers gave the C30 an all-new front with a radically altered  fascia, fenders, trapezoidal headlights and honeycomb grille wearing an enlarged Volvo iron mark.  Along with the angled lines from the front bumper, the headlight style reinforces the impression of speed and sport.  The contours of the muscular rear bumper were made curvier, more dynamic with a spoiler mounted to the top of the glass liftgate and uniquely styled diffuser with wide, dual chrome-tipped exhaust tips.  The ten piece aero kit gives the overall look an even more aggressive stance and further lowers the center of gravity increasing its already great handling capabilities. Moving the new C30 T5 R-Design ‘Polestar’ is Volvo’s 2.5 liter, all-aluminum, continuous variable valve time with variable intake timing, turbocharged, 5-cylinder engine that generates 227hp at 5,000rpm and 236lb.ft. of torque at 1,500-5,000rpm.  The potent engine is mated to a standard, smooth shifting short throw six-speed manual or an optional five-speed ‘Geartronic’ automatic with Auto-Stick sequential gearbox turning the front wheels.  I tested the six-speed and found it to be fun and easy to change gears, up or down, making the ride even more fun, easy and exciting to drive. Thanks to its compact size and clever aero design, the Volvo C30 T5 R-Design ‘Polestar’ is as fun to drive as it is to admire.  I couldn’t believe how many people came over to me when getting out of or into the car when parked to ask who the automaker was and when I told them it was a Volvo they couldn’t believe me until they noticed the Volvo marque on the front grille.  Its generous front and rear tracks and a relatively long wheelbase contribute to inspiring and stable driving characteristics.  The chassis, with MacPherson front suspension and a multi-link rear axle, is optimized to provide outstanding control and precise response to my inputs, and it really does.  The tubular strut tower brace only adds to the road hugging capabilities]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Dismal Sales Kill The Lexus HS 250h Hybrid</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/dismal-sales-kill-the-lexus-hs-250h-hybrid/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/dismal-sales-kill-the-lexus-hs-250h-hybrid/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 May 2012 02:30:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hybrid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hybrids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kurt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lexus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lexus hs 250h]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sedan]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[ The 2012 Lexus HS 250h. Image: Lexus Lexus launched the HS 250h hybrid in the U.S. in the summer of 2009, as a 2010 model. Meant as a fuel-efficient bookend to Lexus’ other entry-level offering, the rear-drive IS sedan, the HS 250h never really took off in the U.S. market. As Inside Line reports, sales in the 2010 model year were acceptable, hitting 10,663 units, but plummeted to just 2,864 units for 2011]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>BMW Announces 2013 135is Coupe And Convertible</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/bmw-announces-2013-135is-coupe-and-convertible/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/bmw-announces-2013-135is-coupe-and-convertible/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 20:30:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2013 bmw 135is]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kurt]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[ The 2013 BMW 135is coupe. Image: BMW AG BMW’s 1 Series M is heading out of production, and (as far as we know) all inventory has already been spoken for. If you missed your chance to buy one, BMW will soon offer you the next best thing: the 2013 135is. Available in both coupe and convertible flavors, the 135is comes with a TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, good for 320 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. A performance exhaust system ensures that the car sounds good, too, and a larger capacity radiator should be able to handle the stress of summer track days. Buyers can choose from a six-speed manual transmission or BMW’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, ensuring that the 135is has broader appeal than the 1 Series M. The 2013 BMW 135is convertible. Image: BMW AG Underneath, the 135is gets a sport suspension, although we’re pretty sure it won’t allow the same cornering speeds as the M-designed suspension on the 1 Series M. ]]></description>
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		<title>Bentley Boss Dürheimer Reassigned To Audi: Report</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/bentley-boss-durheimer-reassigned-to-audi-report/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/bentley-boss-durheimer-reassigned-to-audi-report/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 02:30:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Motors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Audi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bentley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bugatti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Commercial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kurt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Porsche]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/bentley-boss-durheimer-reassigned-to-audi-report/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Bentley&#39;s Continental GT V8. Image: Bentley Motors The Volkswagen Group currently encompasses an impressive number of automobile brands, including (off the top of our head) Audi, VW, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti and to some degree, Porsche. Given that broad a family lineup, you’d expect see the occasional management shakeup between brands. That’s allegedly the case with Bentley and Bugatti head Wolfgang Dürheimer, who Autoblog (via Automotive News Europe , subscription required) reports will soon be moving to Audi. Dürheimer will be replacing Audi’s development chief, Michael Dick, who is expected to retire later this year. Joining Dürheimer in the shuffle is Volkswagen’s marketing head, Luca de Meo, who will replace Peter Schwarzenbauer as head of Audi’s sales. Also out at Audi are head of procurement Ulf Berkenhagen and production head Frank Dreves. Berkenhagen will move to Volkswagen&#8217;s commercial vehicle division as head of purchasing, while Dreves will join Dick in retiring later this year. ]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>A Tribute to Carroll Shelby – Legendary Entrepreneur and Automotive Icon</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/a-tribute-to-carroll-shelby-%e2%80%93-legendary-entrepreneur-and-automotive-icon/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/a-tribute-to-carroll-shelby-%e2%80%93-legendary-entrepreneur-and-automotive-icon/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 00:10:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Auto Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Motors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ac cobra]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aston Martin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[ On May 10, 2012 heaven received an Angel and the World lost an automotive legend, Carroll Hall Shelby. Carroll Shelby was much more than just an automotive pioneer, he was an overcomer. During his childhood years, doctors took note of a heart valve leakage issue that would place Shelby in a bed for many years. Doctors even speculated that he would not get to see his teenage years. As time passed, a higher calling was upon Shelby as his health started to improve and by the age of 14 he was given a clean bill of health. Starting off his working career as a chicken farmer, Shelby quickly made a change by joining the US Army Air Corps serving as a test pilot and instructor. As endearing as he was, Shelby became a racing driver for Allard, Aston Martin and even Maserati in the early 1950’s. Winning his first race in 1952 set-forth a motion in the Automotive world that could not be reckoned with. His love for cars stirred up a passion that would bring about a forward moving momentum that will live on in the automotive world forever. ]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Big Muscle Shows Us The Ultimate Sleeper: Video</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/big-muscle-shows-us-the-ultimate-sleeper-video/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/big-muscle-shows-us-the-ultimate-sleeper-video/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 May 2012 02:30:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1972 chevrolet nova]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[big muscle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chevrolet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chevy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kurt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[q ships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sleepers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[ Dru Diesner&#39;s 1972 Nova At first glance, Dru Diesner’s 1972 Chevy Nova isn’t a car you want to be seen in. It’s time-faded paint has gone from simply ugly to hideous, and its flanks are marred by dents and dings. The wheels are steelies with dog-dish hubcaps, sporting 1970’s chic whitewall tires that look as if they’ve come from the “any tire $5” pile. It’s so ugly that we wouldn’t even call it a rat rod; instead, it’s just plain ratty. Don’t think of the outside appearance as anything but camouflage, since under the hood lurks a twin supercharged LS2 V-8 that produces some 1,160 horsepower &#8211; at the rear wheels. We’re fairly certain that’s more than a Bugatti Veyron Supersport, which makes 1,184 horsepower at that crank, but significantly less to the wheels. Wheel to Wheel Powertrain’s Kurt Urban (now owner of Kurt Urban Performance ) built the car to be the ultimate sleeper]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>At Lotus, It’s Back To Business As Usual</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/at-lotus-it%e2%80%99s-back-to-business-as-usual/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/at-lotus-it%e2%80%99s-back-to-business-as-usual/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 20:30:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Auto Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vehicle Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kurt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lotus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[ The Lotus Evora S at the Geneva Motor Show. Image: Lotus When Lotus’ former owner, Proton, was sold to industrial conglomerate DRB-Hicom, rumors of a pending Lotus sales jumped from simmer to full boil. After all, Lotus had never returned a profit for Proton, and the boutique sports car brand’s future plans would take serious money to see through. Throw in an aging and pinpoint-focused product mix, and it looked like the future for Lotus was anything but certain. Earlier this month Lotus received funding from DRB-Hicom to resume operations, and now Autocar (via Left Lane News ) is reporting that a Lotus sale is off the table. In the words of DRB-Hicom’s managing director Dato’ Sri Haji Hohd Khamil Bin Jamil, the company is “not thinking about a sale” of the Hethel-based brand. That’s for now, anyway, since the DRB-Hicomm head was quick to qualify that one should “never say never” in regards to spinning off the halo brand. The company’s full review of Lotus is currently underway, so it may still be months before the ultimate fate of the automaker is decided. ]]></description>
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		<title>2013 Audi S6 Scores Big Performance Numbers (0-60 in 3.7 seconds)</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/2013-audi-s6-scores-big-performance-numbers-0-60-in-3-7-seconds/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/2013-audi-s6-scores-big-performance-numbers-0-60-in-3-7-seconds/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 19:58:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Auto Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assembly Line]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Audi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[audi s6]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cadillac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sedan]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[ The highly anticipated Audi S6 does not look much different from its A6 foundation but it proves to be quite the contrast when it comes to performance numbers. The looks should not fool you at all because the new 2013 Audi S6 is nothing close to a pushover when you consider it’s astonishing and eyebrow raising performance numbers scored by Car and Driver . The guys at Car and Driver were among the first to get their hands on a new 2013 Audi S6 and ring it out to lay down some test figures. Among those test figures, the 420 horsepower twin-turbocharged V8-powered 7-speed dual-clutch all-wheel-drive S6 rocketed its way to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and burned up the quarter mile in 12.1 seconds at 115 mph. By the numbers, enthusiasts would not first guess that these specifications belong to a mid-sized Audi. After-all, Audi conservatively rates the S6 0-60 mph time at 4.8 seconds. If you ask me, that’s a pretty damn reserved figure considering Car and Driver’s test numbers. For years, the Audi S line of vehicles has been the ultimate luxury sleeper but still an underdog when it came to the numbers when pitted against other direct German competitors. This time, the tables have turned while Audi takes advantage of their lightweight aluminum construction and efficient, yet powerful, powertrains. ]]></description>
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		<title>Can You Be Held Liable For A Crash, Even If You Weren’t In The Car?</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/can-you-be-held-liable-for-a-crash-even-if-you-weren%e2%80%99t-in-the-car/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/can-you-be-held-liable-for-a-crash-even-if-you-weren%e2%80%99t-in-the-car/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 02:30:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kurt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legal]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[ This much is established as fact: Kyle Best, 19 years old at the time of the accident, struck an unnamed couple on a motorcycle behind the wheel of his pickup truck. The impact was severe enough that both rider and passenger lost their left legs, but were lucky enough to survive that accident. The root cause? Distracted driving, as Best was exchanging text messages with Shannon Colonna at the time of the accident. Best has already pled guilty to multiple violations of New Jersey law, including careless driving, failure to maintain lane position and use of a mobile phone while driving]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Chris Harris Drives The Bipolar Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG: Video</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/chris-harris-drives-the-bipolar-mercedes-benz-sl63-amg-video/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/chris-harris-drives-the-bipolar-mercedes-benz-sl63-amg-video/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 20:30:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Motors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/chris-harris-drives-the-bipolar-mercedes-benz-sl63-amg-video/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ The problem with being a Jack-of-all-trades, the cliche tells us, is that you end up being a master of none. Take the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG for example: it needs to provide a ride soft enough to coddle buyers of an advanced age, while delivering a ride entertaining enough to attract younger buyers. It needs to function as a roadster with the top retracted, but needs to work equally well as a coupe with the top up in bad weather. Building a grand touring sports hardtop roadster is a tall order on its own, but attempting to build the best example in the world makes the task that much harder. Harris calls the new SL63 AMG a “far, far better car than the one it replaces.” It’s 275 pounds lighter than the previous model and blessed with a stiffer structure, which means fewer squeaks and rattles over uneven pavement. ]]></description>
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		<title>Cadillac Pulls A Page From Hyundai’s Playbook</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/cadillac-pulls-a-page-from-hyundai%e2%80%99s-playbook/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/cadillac-pulls-a-page-from-hyundai%e2%80%99s-playbook/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 02:30:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vehicle Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Auto Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cadillac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[infotainment systems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kurt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/cadillac-pulls-a-page-from-hyundai%e2%80%99s-playbook/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Cadillac&#39;s CUE iPad app. Image: © GM Corp. When Hyundai launched its upscale Equus sedan in the United States, it did so with an innovative marketing move: rather than include a paper version of the owners manual, it loaded the full document onto an Apple iPad, which was included with the purchase of the car. That lasted exactly one model year, and Equus models now come with an abbreviated owners manual and a a DVD packed with the full version. To mark the launch of its CUE (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment system in the upcoming Cadillac XTS, the luxury automaker is doing something very similar. XTS buyers will get a free iPad, but it won’t come loaded with just the car’s owner’s manual. Instead, it will contain an app that mirrors the CUE interface, allowing XTS buyers to learn the system when and where they choose. The iPad will also contain the MyCadillac app, which allows owners to locate a dealer, schedule service, read the owners manual, get reminders on parking or summon roadside assistance, and the OnStar RemoteLink app, which allows remote locking and unlocking of doors and displays the status of various vehicle systems. ]]></description>
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		<title>BMW And Hyundai Consider Sharing Engine Development Costs: Report</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/bmw-and-hyundai-consider-sharing-engine-development-costs-report/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/bmw-and-hyundai-consider-sharing-engine-development-costs-report/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 20:30:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Motors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hyundai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kurt]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[rumors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toyota]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/bmw-and-hyundai-consider-sharing-engine-development-costs-report/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ BMW&#39;s headquarters in Munich, Germany. Image: BMW New engines are needed to meet ever-tightening global fuel economy and emission standards, and engines are incredibly expensive to develop, test and put into production. The cost to develop a new engine family can range between $1.3 and $2.6 billion dollars, and no automaker wants to pay that tab alone if they can split the cost with another partner. BMW already has cooperative relationships in place with PSA/Peugeot/Citroen, Toyota and Daimler, and is allegedly in discussion with General Motors as well. Now comes word from Automotive News , citing German source Automobil Produktion , that BMW may also be in talks with Hyundai over future engine development. Speculation surfaced after Hyundai Chairman Chung Mong-koo’s son, Chung Eui-sun, allegedly met with top BMW managers in Munich, although the purpose of the meeting (if it actually took place) wasn’t clear. While both BMW and Hyundai could benefit from sharing powertrain development costs, Hyundai could have been in Munich to pitch other business opportunities (like the use of its high strength steel) as well. In typical German fashion, BMW denied comment on the report, saying only that “further co-operation partners are currently not foreseen.” ]]></description>
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		<title>Rumor Mill Stirs Up More Chevrolet SS Performance Sedan Details</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/rumor-mill-stirs-up-more-chevrolet-ss-performance-sedan-details/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/rumor-mill-stirs-up-more-chevrolet-ss-performance-sedan-details/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 19:41:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[chevrolet ss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pontiac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rumor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sedan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/rumor-mill-stirs-up-more-chevrolet-ss-performance-sedan-details/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Chevrolet Caprice Police Interceptor - GM Zeta Platform From recent reports, it seems Chevrolet has something up their sleeves hinting towards a new “SS” branded name potentially for an upcoming rear-wheel-drive performance sedan. We already know of a new Holden Commodore being the basis for Chevrolet’s new Caprice police interceptor , but what about a consumer version of what may be a new Chevy SS model? New repots have surfaced about the a trademark application made for the “SS” name , in addition to OnStar accidently confirming a “SS Performance” name on their Mobile App RemoteLink site. Now, the rumor mill is spinning faster than ever with new speculations from Car and Driver stating that a new Chevrolet SuperSport Sedan will have the underpinnings of the Zeta platform powered by the 6.2-liter V8 from the Camaro. Moreover, GM’s new 3.6-liter V6 engine found in the new 2012 Buick LaCrosse is rumored to be part of this new Chevy SuperSport Sedan’s lower trim levels with 320 horsepower]]></description>
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		<title>Forget The Escalade, Give Me An MRAP</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/forget-the-escalade-give-me-an-mrap/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/forget-the-escalade-give-me-an-mrap/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 02:30:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[military surplus]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/forget-the-escalade-give-me-an-mrap/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ International MaxxPro MRAPs in Iraq As the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan began to ramp up, one thing became clear to the U.S. military: the venerable HMMWV (or Humvee, for short), wasn’t safe for troops facing roadside bombs. Development of a “Mine Resistant Ambush Protected” vehicle, or MRAP for short, became priority number one to protect troops in combat zones. In 2007, a total of $1.1 billion was budgeted for the purchase of MRAP vehicles for deployment. The move had a huge impact on troop safety, and by June of 2008 roadside attacks and U.S. troop fatalities had decreased by some 90-percent. ]]></description>
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		<title>Nissan Juke R Will See ‘Very Limited’ Production Run</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/nissan-juke-r-will-see-%e2%80%98very-limited%e2%80%99-production-run/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/nissan-juke-r-will-see-%e2%80%98very-limited%e2%80%99-production-run/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 20:30:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Motors]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Nissan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nissan juke r]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tuned]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/nissan-juke-r-will-see-%e2%80%98very-limited%e2%80%99-production-run/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ The Nissan Juke R concept. Image: Nissan It’s 9:57 at night when you realize that you’re out of coffee for the morning’s brew. The closest grocery store is four miles away, and they close at 10:00 PM. It’s raining outside, and you wonder, momentarily, if you can pull it off in your Range Rover Sport. If you had a Nissan Juke R in the driveway, you probably wouldn’t even give it a second thought, but (until now, anyway) the Juke R was forbidden fruit, meant only as a “what if” exercise by Nissan U.K. to demonstrate the potential of the Nissan Juke. ]]></description>
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		<title>Report: Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Outsells Chevy Volt &amp; Nissan Leaf in April</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/report-toyota-prius-plug-in-hybrid-outsells-chevy-volt-nissan-leaf-in-april/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/report-toyota-prius-plug-in-hybrid-outsells-chevy-volt-nissan-leaf-in-april/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 20:12:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Motors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Minivan]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Nissan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Volt]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/report-toyota-prius-plug-in-hybrid-outsells-chevy-volt-nissan-leaf-in-april/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Major kudos to the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, a newer iteration of the Hybrid that started the Eco craze in the states, for outselling the new Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf for the month of April. The Toyota Prius is basically the epitome of hybrid vehicles. When you think hybrid, you think Prius. Having such an impact on today’s society among common folk and even the 1-percenters (including movie stars), the Toyota Prius continues to be a dominating driver for all-things fuel efficient. To keep things sailing smoothly with the Prius line, Toyota introduced many new variations of the Prius including a plug-in hybrid version, which takes the traditional Prius and adds an electric-only range of 13 miles and the ability to charge the larger battery capacity via standardized plug-in stations or wall charger units. In addition to the 13-mile electric only range, the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid still manages to get an estimated 50 mpg in the city and highway]]></description>
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		<title>Maserati Considering Chasing Down Porsche 911 Turbo with Mid-Engine Competitor</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/maserati-considering-chasing-down-porsche-911-turbo-with-mid-engine-competitor/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/maserati-considering-chasing-down-porsche-911-turbo-with-mid-engine-competitor/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 23:36:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Minicars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[maserati]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Porsche]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/maserati-considering-chasing-down-porsche-911-turbo-with-mid-engine-competitor/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ With every ambitious automotive company, comes stiff competition. With that said, Maserati’s CEO has revealed that the company is considering the development of a mid-engined coupe ready to be launched as early as 2015 to compete with the likings of the Porsche 911 Turbo. Currently, Maserati isn’t spilling any beans on the find details or official introduction of a new mid-engined coupe. Right now sources speculate that Maserati could be using the Alfa Romeo 4C platform as well as a 4.7-liter V8 engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission. Maserati has slated to increase their annual sales to about 50,000 units and we think that an Alfa 4C mid-engine platform and big V8 engine could very well help reach this foreseeable goal. If plans for a mid-engine Maserati come to fruition, we could expect about 1500 to 2000 units built each year with a price tag safely under $200,000. Would you take a liking to a mid-engine Maserati over any Porsche 911 or other mid-engine vehicle? ]]></description>
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		<title>Ford Focus ST Configurator Is (Finally) Live</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/ford-focus-st-configurator-is-finally-live/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/ford-focus-st-configurator-is-finally-live/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 20:30:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Audi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Automotive]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/ford-focus-st-configurator-is-finally-live/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ The 2013 Ford Focus ST. Image: Ford Motor Company After nearly two years of waiting, Ford has finally teed up a configurator site for the eagerly anticipated Focus ST hot hatch. There’s still no word on when you’ll be able to take delivery (aside from “late 2012”), but at least you can calculate how much it will cost to buy one built to your exact specs. You can even place a reservation (or “nonbinding order,” in Ford’s words) to ensure that you’re the first on your block to take delivery. A base price of $24,495 (including a $795 destination fee) gets you a surprising amount of standard content, including keyless entry and pushbutton start; Ford’s SYNC infotainment system; trip computer; unique ST sport suspension; 18-inch wheels with Y-rated tires and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine rated at 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque (or 247 hp and 250 lb-ft, depending upon which Ford source is correct). You’ll want to bin the stock seats and upgrade to the optional Recaros, which come as part of a package. If you want partial-leather seats, select Equipment Group ST2, which prices at $2,385 but also gives you an upgraded audio system. If you want full-leather Recaro seats, you’ll need Equipment Group ST3, which includes the other bits from ST2 and adds HID lighting and ambient lighting, for a price of $4,435. ]]></description>
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		<title>Video: Big Muscle Drives A 1968 Camaro… CTS-V?</title>
		<link>http://ranktheride.com/video-big-muscle-drives-a-1968-camaro%e2%80%a6-cts-v/</link>
		<comments>http://ranktheride.com/video-big-muscle-drives-a-1968-camaro%e2%80%a6-cts-v/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:18:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RTR</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto Industry News]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ranktheride.com/video-big-muscle-drives-a-1968-camaro%e2%80%a6-cts-v/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ There are only a finite number of 1968 Camaros, in coupe or convertible form, left on the planet. Owning one generally requires careful stewardship, to preserve the car for future generations. If you want to keep it original, that means there’s very little you can do to improve the car or make it safer. If that’s the purist school of thought, there’s also the pro-touring school of thought, which says, “the old cars were the coolest, so why not do everything you can to improve performance and handling?” Enter Bob Hall, the owner of what may well be the coolest 1968 Camaro convertible on planet earth. First, that’s no stock 327 V-8 beneath the hood. Instead, Hall’s ride uses an LSA V-8 pulled from a wrecked Cadillac CTS-V. Thanks to an overdrive pulley on the stock supercharger and a custom tune, the car makes some 800 horsepower at the crank, which translates to 648 horsepower at the rear wheels. The suspension and brakes have been updated to handle the additional power, and Hall regularly drives the car in autocross competition]]></description>
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