We know that many of you -well, at least those living on the other side of the pond- are quite excited about Renault's new 2010 Megane RenaultSport 250, so we got hold of this freshly released video that shows the French automaker's F1 pilot, Romain Grosjean, driving the car at the Nurburgring circuit. Building on the company's growing presence in the hot-hatch market, the Megane RS features a 250HP 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with power being delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Watch the RS at the Green Hell after the break.
VIDEO: Renault's F1 Pilot Romain Grosjean Hot-Laps the 'Ring in 2010 Megane RenaultSport 250
BREAKING: Ex-Ford Employee from China Arrested in Chicago for Stealing Trade Secrets from Ford
A Chinese man who worked for the Ford Motor Company until 2007 has been arrested in Chicago upon entering the U.S. and charged with stealing trade secrets, and unauthorized access to a protected computer, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Terrence Berg announced on Thursday. Xiang Dong Yu, aka Mike Yu, 47, from Beijing, China, was a Product Engineer for the Ford Motor Company from 1997 to 2007 and is said to have had access to important Ford trade secrets.
In December 2006, Yu accepted a job at the China branch of a U.S. company that has not been named. According to the indictment, on the eve of his departure from Ford and before he told the Detroit automaker of his new job, Yu allegedly copied some 4,000 Ford documents onto an external hard drive, including what are described as "sensitive design documents".
The FBI said that among others, those documents included system design specifications for the Engine/Transmission Mounting Subsystem, Electrical Distribution system, Electric Power Supply, Electrical Subsystem and Generic Body Module.
The indictment also claims that Yu used the stolen documents in an effort to lock a job with a yet unnamed Chinese automaker in 2008.
In an official statement, U.S. Attorney Terrence Berg said: "Protecting the competitive edge technology of our companies through vigorous enforcement of our federal trade secret laws is a top priority of this office. Both employees and employers should be aware that stealing proprietary trade secrets to gain an economic advantage is a serious federal offense that will be prosecuted aggressively."
Special agent Andrew G. Arena from the FBI's Detroit division stated: "Michigan, as well as the rest of the United States, is significantly impacted by the auto industry. Theft of trade secrets is a threat to national security and investigating allegations involving theft of trade secrets is a priority for the FBI. The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue these cases."
The United States Attorney's Office said that each of the theft and attempted theft of trade secrets counts carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine while unauthorized access to a protected computer carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to the FBI, Yu will remain in federal custody in Chicago where he is scheduled to have a detention hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
Mopar to Show Off Custom Dodge Ram Bianco at 2009 SEMA
Next month's SEMA show at Las Vegas will see the Mopar squad revealing several concept models including this custom Dodge Ram Bianco that's based on the HEMI V8-powered Ram 1500 Sport. Chrysler's in-house performance tuning arm said that the Ram Bianco has been modified to reflect a more upscale feel and appearance with the help of several Mopar performance parts and accessories.
Finished in a special Arctic Ice pearl paint, the truck is distinguished by a Mopar body kit that includes modified fender flares while the 22-inch alloy wheels in dark finish and lowering kit complete the upgraded looks.
Inside, Mopar said that the Ram Bianco gets black and white Katzkin seats with matching door trims and Piano Black and Arctic Ice accents. There's also a new For Kicker audio system consisting of an audio amplifier, a subwoofer and new speakers.
Performance upgrades are limited to a Mopar cold-air intake and a new exhaust system.
VIDEO: 9ff Porsche Panamera Prototype Sounds Something Like This
Up until now, we had only seen renderings of German tuning firm 9ff's custom made Porsche Panamera, but a Youtube user has uploaded a short video of what is believed to be a factory test car fitted with 22-inch alloys and a sport exhaust system. We don't know if the model seen here also features one of the three available performance kits that 9ff has announced for the Panamera Turbo and which boost the V8's output to 550PS / 760Nm, 600HP / 800Nm and to 650HP / 850Nm respectively, but it sure sounds promising...
Together with the engine kits, alloy wheel options and a special suspension module, 9ff's offerings for the Porsche sports saloon will also include a full bodykit with a newly designed front bumper and hood, side skirts and a rear diffuser plus an array of interior upgrades such as special leather treatments and decorative trims.
Hat tip to Nils!
Nissan Launches 2010 Fairlady Z with Minor Upgrades and 40th Ann. Model, Plus New Roadster in Japan
Together with the release of the 40th Anniversary Edition of the 370Z for North America, Nissan today announced the Japanese market launch of the 2010 model year Fairlady Z lineup that includes the introduction of the new Roadster model and minor upgrades for the coupe version of the JDM 370Z that also gains a "40th Anniversary" model to mark the first four decades of the sports car.
Beginning with the coupe, the 2010 model year brings a number of small enhancements that include the adoption of an HDD CARWINGS navigation system with a built-in digital TV receiver, an advanced map update system and iPod connection. Furthermore, an Intelligent Key with a Z metal emblem is offered, along with new body color variations, including a new Premium Deep Maroon color.
One year after the launch of the newest generation Fairlady Z, Nissan has added a canvas-top Roadster model to the sport car's Japanese line-up. The Fairlady Z Roadster features the same 3.7-liter V6 engine as the coupe model.
Also, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the birth of the original Fairlady Z in October 1969, Nissan has released a limited edition version of the coupe that entails the same styling traits as the commemorative 370Z that will go on sale in the States in Spring 2010.
Available at Nissan's Japanese dealers for one year after the release date, the Fairlady Z 40th Anniversary is based on the JDM Version ST and is offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed automatic transmission.
Highlights include a unique metal grey paint job, red leather seats and door panels, contrasting red stitching on the steering wheel, console and other parts of the interior, new alloy wheels, and an array of 40th anniversary emblems inside and out.
Prices for the Fairlady Z Roadster in Japan range from 4,357,500 yen to 5,092,500 yen, for the 2010 Fairlady Z Coupe from 3,643,500 yen to 4,588,500 yen and for the 40th Anniversary model, from 4,483,500 yen to 4,588,500 yen.
NISSAN FAIRLADY Z ROADSTER
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2010MY NISSAN FAIRLADY Z COUPE & 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Video Preview: Nat Geo Shows us How GM Builds the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
Tonight at 8pm eastern time (that's Thursday October 15), the National Geographic Channel's Ultimate Factories TV show will go behind the scenes with us to reveal the ins and outs that go into building the Chevrolet Camaro pony car at GM's Oshawa plant in Canada. In contrast to the mostly hand-built Lamborghini Murcielago and Rolls Royce Phantom cars that were shown in the two previous episodes, there's a lot of robot work going on with the Camaro. All in all, it takes around 18 hours to fully assemble Chevy's muscle car with a new Camaro rolling off the assembly line almost every minute. Hit the break to watch the two teaser videos from the show.
Link: National Geographic
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