Zenvo ST1, a Danish 1,104 horsepower twin charged machine

In spite of the dwindling economy and rising gas prices, supercar upstarts are seemingly coming out of the woodwork. Lamborghini posted record sales and profit this past year, so those wealthy executives must be compelled to spend nonetheless.



The latest company to trot out a 1000+ horsepower super ride is Danish based Zenvo Automotive, with it's new ST1. The car features a mid-mounted turbocharged and supercharged 7.0 liter V8, pumping out an amazing 1,104 horsepower complete with a six speed transmission.



The project was started back in 2004, with the first cars being planned for sale in 2009. The initial performance tests were completed in October and the car ran from 0-60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds (with no traction, we can imagine). The run to 120 mph was done in under nine seconds and top speed is an electronically limited 233 miles per hour.



The Zenvo ST1 is a unique looking ride that is sure to separate you from the run of the mill average supercar. After all, who wants to drive a boring old Lambo or Ferrari?

Video of the Week - Twin Turbo LS1 Volvo wagon!

That's how you pick up the groceries....


Twin Turbo LS1 Volvo 740 Wagon! 500+ hp @ only 7 l

Shelby celebrates Terlingua Racing Team with Texas "Bullrun"

A little known story among Mustang fans is that of Carroll Shelby and his Terlingua Racing Team. Shelby automotives plans to celebrate Shelby's racing lineage next month with it's first annual Shelby "Bullrun" Challenge deep in the heart of Texas.

The tale first unfolds in the 1960's in the town of Terlingua, Texas. A group of gearheads were approached by Ford to build Mustang racers. The group consisted of Carroll Shelby, Bill Neale, Dave Witts, Tom Tierney and David E. Davis, Jr, who willingly accepted the offer and ended up building the now famous GT350 and GT500 Mustangs. The group was famous for it's wild parties and fast paced lifestyles in between races.

The distinguishing mark of this crazy bunch was a yellow and black logo penned by co-founder Bill Neale. At the center of the badge was a rabbit with one paw raised into the air. With the bunny leading the charge on each team member's hood, the Terlingua's wreaked havoc on the Trans Am Series and quickly became notorious both in paddocks and on the streets.

After multiple wins and a lot of cars being built, the race team was all but forgotten until last year when Shelby rolled out its Terlingua Racing Team V-6 Mustang. According to Shelby officials, the main focus in building the car was to create an affordable, genuine Shelby Mustang capable of competing in all sorts of racing situations with ample power and handling prowess. From drifting and drag racing, to circuit and autocross racing, the Terlingua Racing Team Shelby Mustang aims to have everything covered.

In celebration of the team's past successes and future growth, Shelby Automobiles is hosting the Texas-style Shelby "Bullrun" Challenge at Terlingua this September 25 to 28. For three days, anyone that comes to the festivities in a Shelby vehicle (Mustang, Cobra, etc.), factory Mustang, or Ford GT will be able to participate in the variety of planned drives and events.

"We created the Shelby Terlingua Racing Team so our small group of rebels could have some real fun," stated Carroll Shelby in a press release. "Now, I'm inviting a new generation to return with me for a weekend they'll always remember."

Organizers have mapped out a 350 mile rally run, a 12 mile time trial course, airstrip track and half mile dragstrip for enthusiast wanting to burn a little rubber over the weekend. Other fun to be had at the "Bullrun" includes the mandatory car show, hole-in-one golf tournament, Texas "shootout", chili cook-off contest and autograph session with Carroll Shelby.

Come take a peak at AmericanMuscle's line of Carroll Shelby Mustang Wheels.

The $39,623 Oil Change

Image via WikipediaFor most of us, changing the oil in our car is as simple as buying a few quarts or taking our car to the local quik lube. When you live in Qatar and you're a Sheikh, things so simple can be a little more complex.

While I'm sure there probrably aren't too many quik lubes in Qatar, surely there is a better way to change the oil in your 2008 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 than to ship it to England, isn't there?

Apparently not. An owner of said car recently did just that. And it cost him a cool $39,623 for the service. The car took a 6500 mile round trip to get it done. Wouldn't it be cheaper to fly the technicians to the car instead of the other way around?

I guess such petty things don't matter when you have millions of dollars. So I have one message for sir Sheikh. Next time you need an oil change, fly me over to Qatar and I'll throw in a free car wash. Maybe even vacuum it for you.

Honeywell to provide turbo power for Ford's EcoBoost

With Ford's plans to provide more European offerings in it's lineups in the coming years, it is quickly moving to implement it's EcoBoost offerings in it's models.

EcoBoost relies on direct injection and turbocharging to develop similar power to a larger displacement engine with much improved fuel economy. The concept is actually an old one, and quite refreshing and cost effective compared to the other alternatives.

Ford has now announced that the turbos will be provided by Honeywell, the world's largest manufacturer of turbos. Offered as a premium engine option, the first EcoBoost will be a 3.5 liter direct injected twin turbo V-6. The engine will offer around 340 lb ft of torque, a minimum 30 lb ft increase over the current 4.6 liter V-8. It also represents a full 90 lb ft increase over the current 3.5.

The technology will debut in the new Lincoln MKS, which is a beautiful but underpowered entry level luxury car. Ford is proclaiming the MKS to be one of the most powerful and fuel efficient luxury cars on the market.

Ford's committment to EcoBoost will spread quickly, showing up in the Flex CUV in 2009 and the F-150 18 months later. It will eventually be spread across 23 nameplates by 2012.

Ford will continue to offer V-8 engines, and the EcoBoost offerings will fall in price below the V-8 and above standard V-6 offferings.

Does Mercury matter anymore?

Image via Wikipedia's Mercury brand, long the lucky recipient of models identical to Ford with a different grille, has been rumored to be on it's way to the Oldsmobile/Plymouth graveyard. It's been a very long time since the brand had anything that caused any kind of excitement (with the possible exception of the Marauder). Mercury was originally designed by Ford to compete with Buick and Cadillac. But since Ford already has Lincoln, is this really a necessity? And competing with Buick is pretty pointless anyway unless you want to get in good with Grandma. The whole purpose of the brand seems to have lost it's way. What's the point of buying a Mariner when you can get an Escape? To have an Escape with fake wood accents? In spite of all of this, Ford announced last week that it would have new product for Mercury, including a small car in 2010. It appears that they finally have a goal in mind for the brand, which is to become a destination for importing European Ford models. Ford says it will build the European Mondeo sedan in North America beginning in 2010. The Mondeo is slightly smaller than the Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan/Lincoln MKZ. Ford has also said that it will build an all new Taurus in 2010, but has not made any mention of a new Sable. In Europe, the Ford Mondeo is a relatively upscale small-midsize sedan designed for a market that will pay a premium price for such a car. Giving it a Mercury badge gives Ford room to charge a bit more for it than Fusion sticker prices, and of course North American production will be much cheaper than European production. The other new Mercury will a version of the crossover of the Ford Kuga. The Kuga is a small Escape-ish style SUV that looks distinctly different from the current Mariner. This is all well and good, I suppose. But if you want to get people more excited in the Mercury brand, why not bring back the Cougar? I'm not talking about the Probe like previous model either. I'm talking about the late 60's/early 70's one. With the current retro styling of the Mustang, it would make perfect sense. I think it would be a great shot in the arm for the brand and would bring people into the showrooms. But please Mercury, no more fake wood grain dashes.

Saleen introduces the new Racecraft brand at Mustang Week 2008!

Today at Mustang Week 2008 in sunny, tourist laden Myrtle Beach, Saleen introduced it's newest brand to the general public. Dubbed Racecraft, it's premise is affordable performance packages for Mustangs. "The Racecraft moniker has been synonymous with Saleen performance since the first Saleen Mustang, "said Saleen Automotive General Manager, Marques McCammon. "Racecraft is a brand that our enthusiasts know as the secret sauce in Saleen suspensions, now that brand name will grow to encompass a full line of exciting performance vehicles." The Racecraft brand will prove not only great value for it's customers, but also an easy canvas for customization and business first styling that puts go before show. Sounds like they're talking my language! "This formula is one of legitimate performance that you can see, hear, and feel. It just seemed a natural for us to say that Racecraft will `Power Your Senses` ", said McCammon. Racecraft model names will correspond with the horsepower package that is offered with each model. For instance the first model in the lineup, the 420S, will feature a 420 horsepower supercharged V8. Each Racecraft vehicle will also feature the signature Racecraft suspension, Bridgestone performance tires, light weight aluminum alloy wheels, race inspired graphics and signature interior accents. Each vehicle is backed by a 3 year 36,000 mile warranty. Consumers will be able to purchase an array of performance additions that can boost power to 475 hp without voiding their factory warranty. Pricing for the 420S will be in the sub $40,000 range, which will include transportation and applicable federal taxes. Typical parts for the car will run below $1000. "There are many customers out there who want to experience extreme performance reasonably priced; we designed the Racecraft brand with this buyer in mind, says McCammon. There was a lot of speculation at first that Racecraft would replace the Saleen moniker, but this is false. The brand is intended to be an entry level model for Saleen, much like a Ford compared to a Lincoln. The 420S is just the first in a entire line of future products. "Consumers should expect to see the next Racecraft model as early as the fall", said Product Planning Director, Julie Zona. I'm pretty surprised that it took this long for someone to have such a great idea come to fruitation. With the announcement of the Challenger drag package, let's hope that more companies follow suit and build some affordable bare bones muscle cars, just like the old days! RaceCraft 420S Mustang features: · Racecraft 4.6L SOHC Supercharged V-8 · Horsepower: 420 @ 5800 RPM · Torque: 400 ft.-lbs. @ 4000 RPM · 39 lb. fuel injectors · 98 mm mass airflow sensor · hi-flow inlet tube and air box cover · Performance air filter · Racecraft specific rate front and rear coil springs · Racecraft front struts (N2) · Racecraft rear shocks (N2) · Racecraft front sway bar and pivot bushings · Bridgestone Potenza All-Season Performance Radial Tires · 18"x9" Front and 18"x10" Rear Aluminum Alloy `Torque Blade` wheels · Racecraft exterior badging · Racecraft logo side rocker graphics · Racecraft `420S` performance vinyl hood graphics · Racecraft rear decklid graphics · Racecraft 180 MPH silver faced speedometer with MyColor feature · Satin aluminum instrument panel upgrade · Racecraft steering wheel badge · Leather-wrapped steering wheel · Leather wrapped billet aluminum shift knob · Leather shift boot · Performance cloth seats with Racecraft embroidered headrest · $38,995 MSRP

Mustang Week 2008

Just got back from the car show at Mustang Week 2008! Lots of nice cars out there. Not the nicest of days as it's been overcast all day long but that didn't stop the hundreds of spectators that showed up to check out the 200+ stangs in attendance. The great thing about the show is that there were numerous cars in the parking lot that were just as nice as the ones entered in the show. I was also surprised to see all the big name vendors that were in attendance. Lots of great stuff indeed. The only thing that dissapointed me is that there were only a few four eyes inattendance. My goal is to get mine finished by next year so that I can take the week off and attend all of the festivites. On to the pictures! Click on any of them to view the larger image.