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Unofficial: Dodge Viper ACR laps ‘Ring in record 7:22.1 [w/VIDEO]
By admin at 28 August, 2008, 7:42 am
We’re not terribly surprised that the Dodge Viper ACR has apparently made it around the famed German racing circuit faster than pretty much anything else you’ll find on a dealer’s lot. After all, the ACR is a race car, as evidenced by the video that Motor Trend has posted. The most venomous Viper has done the deed in 7:22, fast enough to make grown men cry. To this blogger, the Viper is dead gorgeous, even with that yucky-but-functional rear wing on the ACR, and it definitely carries the spirit of hairy-chested cars of yore. The shifter wobbles around horrendously when the driver kisses the rev limiter a few times, and there even appears to be a flubbed shift near the end, so the ACR may have faster laps left in it. We’re waiting on confirmation on whether or not this is an official lap, but it’s certainly creating a stir, and the Viper wants to know, V-Spec who? Thanks for the tip, Rob. video of run at MotorTrend
[Source: Viper Alley]
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Popularity: 3% [?]
I Always Wanted Me a Porsche
By admin at 28 August, 2008, 7:24 am
Porsche is now offering online tools to photoshop your favorite model in front of your home. Just hit the link and click on “picture it.” As you can see, a $100,000 sports car really classes up the joint. [Porsche via AB]
Popularity: 3% [?]
Is this the Futuremark 3D OpenGL-Powered Car Dashboard of the Future?
By admin at 28 August, 2008, 7:21 am
We’ve seen all-digital concept dashboards before, but none seem as impressive 3D (or close to reality) as Futuremark’s. It scraps everything behind and to the right of the wheel in favor of a smooth, uninterrupted display onto which an OpenGL powered 3D engine renders everything you might need—instrumentation, navigation, entertainment system controls, climate controls, everything.
Dashboard UIs have been getting a lot of geek attention lately, especially in the Gran Turismo-inspired Nissan GT-R. For now it’s still just a concept, but it’s reported that it, or something like it, will soon find its way into Audi SUVs. Can we call it KITT? [TG Daily via Crunch Gear] Read the rest of this entry »
Popularity: 4% [?]
SEMA Preview: Hurst/HEMI Challenger packed with 500+hp for Vegas trip
By admin at 28 August, 2008, 2:01 am
Hurst is no stranger to offering up special edition Mopars. The 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst packed a 440ci “TNT” V8 with 375 horsepower, as well as a fiberglass hood and trunk, Satin Tan leather interior, and a Spinnaker-White paint scheme with gold trim. Ok, that was nearly 40 years ago, but Hurst is still going strong and planning to renew its Mopar connection with a limited edition Dodge Challenger that will make its debut at SEMA this year. The Hurst Challenger will be available in four trim levels and include features like a supercharger system good for 500 horsepower, 5-spoke Hurst alloy wheels, and a “Pistol-Grip” Hurst shifter. Pricing will start at a $10,000 premium over the stock Challenger and could go as high as $20,000 for the top level model. Follow the jump for the press release from Hurst.
[Source: Hurst via Edmunds.com]
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Popularity: 4% [?]
Ford to meet with dealers about future products, try to close stores
By admin at 28 August, 2008, 1:59 am
2008 has been a historically woeful year for the auto market, but Ford dealers have been in the crosshairs of a sales decline for over a decade. That brutal reality, along with financial incentives of up to $700,000 or more from the Blue Oval, has lead to the closure of over 500 dealers since mid-2006, and over 150 so far in 2008. To close still more dealers while giving remaining stores a heads-up of future happenings, Ford is embarking on a series of meetings with Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers. Among the topics of discussion will be future products, product volume and market conditions.
Though Ford isn’t stating publicly how many dealerships it wishes to close, the Blue Oval is hoping to have enough departures to make the remaining dealerships healthy. Ford would like to see Ford brand dealers with 1,500 sales per month and Lincoln Mercury dealers with 600 sales per month, which is far higher than what Ford’s 3,900 stores are averaging now. To help entice dealers to hang up their plaid sport coats, Ford will be offering cash incentives, but Ford Market Representation Director David Kelleher is hinting that those deals won’t last long.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd, Photo by Scott Olson/Getty]
Popularity: 4% [?]
