ZZ Top de PT Cruiser no Brasil

O trio de blues rock ZZ Top estará no Brasil no dia 19 (amanhã) para uma turnê.

Ficaram conhecidos por usarem um Hot Rod Ford Coupé de 1933 pelidado de The Eliminator no disco Eliminator de 1983.

E no Brasil utilizarão o PT Cruiser customizado pelo restaurador Sandro Marcasso com apoio de Emerson Fittipaldi. O carro depois irá para os Estados Unidos fazer parte da coleção do guitarrista e vocalista da banda Billy Gibbons.

A turnê se encerra dia 23 em Porto Alegre.





Veja abaixo o vídeo de La Grange uma das musicas do ZZ Top que mais gosto.


Fonte

Dodge to end Viper production in July 2010, new car in 2012?

At a recent Chrysler business plan meeting, CEO of the Dodge car brand Ralph Gilles dropped some big news. After going back and forth on what to do with the Viper brand, Chrysler has decided to end production of the car in July 2010. 500 final cars will be built, that according to Gilles, will be the most special Vipers built to date. The explanation given was that Chyrsler wants to preserve the value of current Vipers by not continuing the current generation indefinitely.

It's not time to mourn the loss of the American supercar just yet, however, as Gilles also announced that an all new car is in development with a target release date of 2012. And this new Viper will be getting a little input from Chrysler's Italian colleagues (see: Fiat, Ferrari). All we can hope is that they retain the Viper's distinct American personality.

Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger reportedly heading to NASCAR in 2010

Admittedly, I'm just not much of a NASCAR fan. Maybe it's because they drive around endlessly in circles. More likely, it's because I don't find Impalas and Camrys all that interesting racing around a track.

So finally, someone seems to be waking up in the stock car world and smelling the proverbial coffee. In an attempt to boost the series' viewers and souvenir sales, Fox Sports is reporting that Ford and Chrysler plan to introduce Mustang- and Challenger -bodied racers into the Nationwide series next year.

The new deigns are due to be submitted for approval on June 26th, and reportedly the new stock cars are going to look a whole lot more like real cars than the ones we see today. Unfortunately, GM is opting to stick with the Impala instead of going with the Camaro. Bummer.

Along with the success of the recently reintroduced Cobra Jet Mustang, might we see a return to the old adage "race on Sunday, sell on Monday?"

ASC-McLaren Dodge Viper NAIAS showcar for sale

Yes, it's a McLaren tuned Dodge Viper. The American Specialty Cars (ASC) built Viper made it's debut at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006. At the time the car made sense, since Chrysler was still owned by Daimler, which had ties with McLaren. The Diamondback Viper Concept sported a McLaren tuned V-10.



The concept featured a host of carbon fiber body panels and an "OmniCarbon" hood to show off the car's 650 hp V-10 tuned by McLaren Performance Technologies. The American outfit based near Indianapolis was started by the same Bruce McLaren behind the F1 team, but with a focus on preparing his Can-Am racers for competition in North America.



Whatever the association with the legendary Kiwi, the Diamondback was a real show-stopper. Unfortunately, only the one example was made, but that show car is now available for a lucky buyer to take home. It cost ASC about $750,000 to build the Viper back in 2006, but only 55 miles later, it's up for grabs for $295k. Follow the link for more information on this one of a kind snake.

GM suing supplier to keep Camaro production going

Image via WikipediaGM seems to be facing all sorts of trouble these days, from begging for bailout money to public criticism to rumors of bankruptcy. The latest problem concerns supplier Cadence, LLC, which produces interior parts for the next generation Camaro. Cadence declared bankruptcy in in August, and is currently in liquidation proceedings. Joining Cadence in it's decent are the machines that GM needs to make parts for the Camaro.



If GM can't get it's hands on the tooling there will certainly be delays at the assembly plants. The General would then have to pay again to get the same tooling made, which would obviously be substantial. GM would like to have a new supplier in place by January 12, 2009 because Camaro production is slated to begin on February 16, with deliveries in mid-March.



So far, it's unclear as to who actually owns the machines in question - Cadence or GM - and Cadence has had nothing to say on the matter. Regardless, if GM doesn't get its way, then it has to spend a chunk of the money it just fought for to recover old ground. The most recent precedent isn't promising: Chrysler tried to get the tooling from bankrupt parts supplier Plastech, and was denied.

Hurst announces 50th anniversary Dodge Viper

Hurst is going all out for it's 50th anniversary. First it brings a new version of the Challenger, and now it's rolling out a special edition Viper. Hurst will build fifty of the Vipers (get it?), all with similar features as the Challenger.



Upgrades will include a pistol grip shifter and Hurst wheels. The interior will be stitched up by Katzkin leather, and sound effects will come via a Corsa exhaust. As for colors, you will be offered the usual two: black with gold stripes, and white with gold stripes.



The car you see in the picture is a one of a kind that will be auctioned at next month's Barret-Jackson. It features matte gold paint with a matte black racing stripe and black gold wheels. Check the press release blow for more details.



PRESS RELEASE



LIMITED EDITION HURST/VIPER CELEBRATES THE ICONIC BRAND'S GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY



The 50TH Anniversary HURST/Viper is the latest in a long line of highly-collectible performance cars to feature the famous Hurst "H" logo.



Irvine, Calif. (December 16, 2008) - To celebrate the company's 50th anniversary, Hurst Performance Vehicles announced today that it will build a limited edition series Hurst/Viper. Featuring an impressive list of performance enhancements and classic Hurst color combinations, only 50 of these unique supercars will be built beginning in December, 2008.



The Hurst/Viper will feature the new Hurst HARD-DRIVE® gold pistol-grip shifter, Hurst forged aluminum wheels, Katzkin leather interior, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, Corsa exhaust and Moton Club Sport adjustable coil-over suspension with Eibach springs. In honor of the Golden Anniversary the vehicle will be available exclusively in Hurst's legendary color combinations of Black with Gold stripes and White with Gold stripes. The interior features a special Katzkin charcoal leather with Hurst embroidered logos, gold thread detailing and perforated leather inserts.



"We are extremely proud to offer another milestone Hurst vehicle," states Nate Shelton, Chairman of Hurst Performance Vehicles. "The 50 year legacy of Hurst is matched by very few companies; it is truly something to celebrate. We are looking forward to 50 more years of delivering Hurst performance and value to our fans and enthusiasts."



Hurst Performance Vehicles has partnered with the Woodhouse Auto Family of Blair, Nebraska to build a very special Hurst/Viper for charity. HURST/Viper #01 features a unique flat-finish Hurst Gold exterior paint, black racing stripes and black-chrome Hurst wheels. This vehicle will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on January 17th, 2009 with a portion of the proceeds donated by Woodhouse to Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility for children for chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. The new camp will be built in Kansas City, Kansas.



Lance Pittack, Owner/Principal of Woodhouse Automotive Family states "We are thrilled to partner with Hurst to help Victory Junction to provide a life-changing experience for these very deserving children and their families. We are donating the profits from the sale of this very special #01 HURST/Viper to help build the newest Victory Junction camp here in the Midwest".



Joining Woodhouse and Hurst with donations for this vehicle are suppliers Moton Suspension Technology, Corsa Performance Exhaust, Hurst Shifters and Katzkin Leather. HURST/Vipers are available for individual order though Hurst Performance Vehicles and Woodhouse Dodge.



About Hurst Performance

Founded in 1958, Hurst Performance is one of the most recognized and revered names in the automotive performance arena. The Hurst brand has long been synonymous with speed, performance and quality, with an impressive track-record of pioneering high performance products and vehicles for all forms of motorsports and hot-rodding. Hurst was one of the first specialty companies to partner with the OEMs and bring enthusiasts limited edition performance vehicles like the legendary Hurst/Olds 442. For more information please visit www.Hurst-Performance.com.





About The Woodhouse Auto Family

Woodhouse Auto Family is a successful family-owned business which has sold vehicles in all 50 states. The Woodhouse Auto Family consists of 7 dealership franchises in the Omaha, Nebraska metro area. Woodhouse Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep have consistently been in the top 10 sales position for the Pentastar Corporation. In addition, Woodhouse has been a leader in new Dodge Viper sales for the past 8 years. With an extensive background in racing and performance Woodhouse also leads in performance modifications of the Dodge Viper SRT10.



About Victory Junction

Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages 6 to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C. with a second location opening soon in Kansas City, Kan. Victory Junction offers programs for 24 disease groups and maintains strong relationships with 22 partner hospitals. Victory Junction's mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous donors to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. For more information, visit www.victoryjunction.org.

Next generation Chrysler 300/Charger to get 8 speed auto

Image by khalid almasoud via FlickrIt's pretty obvious at this point that Cerberus doesn't want to keep Chrysler, and economic realities have scuttled any potential suitors that might have been interested in buying the company. All of this has led to speculation that there may not even be any plans for any future vehicles in Chrysler's future. Product development VP Frank Klegon insists that new Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models are on their way, and he points to the next 300/Charger as proof.



Klegon told Automotive News at the LA Auto Show that the 2011 redesign of these two large, rear-wheel-drive sedans will beat projected 2011 CAFE standards. That feat will be accomplished with improvements to aerodynamics, axle ratios and upgraded engines. Klegon mentioned that the upcoming Phoenix engines, the development of which has not been cancelled, would motivate the Charger and 300.



The new Phoenix family of V6 engines will have variable valve timing, cylinder deactivation and direct injection among its many efficiency increasing technologies. Automotive News also mentioned that Chrysler may employ an eight-speed automatic transmission to further improve performance and fuel economy. We don't know of any Chrysler transmission projects that are this ambitious, and Daimler currently utilizes only seven cogs in its Mercedes lineup, but suppliers like Aisin and ZF already have 8 speeds on the market.

And it's official...the 2010 Ford Mustang

When the 2005 Mustang arrived, it reinvigorated the pony car. After 25 years of being built on the fox platform, the Mustang had an all new platform and some nifty retro styling. Known as the S197, this Mustang appeared at a time when it was in fact the only surviving member of the muscle car class. The Camaro and Firebird had been cancelled two years earlier and Chrysler had been out of the rear-wheel-drive sport coupe market since the 1970s. The Mustang's enormous success inspired Chevrolet and Dodge to create their own retro-styled muscle cars in the form of the new Camaro and Challenger. Fortunately for Mustang fans, Ford has not been sitting idle, and even while it was creating all those special edition Mustangs over the past few years, it was also working on thoroughly revamping its core pony. For the 2010 Mustang, Ford has taken the best parts of the S197 and fixed most of what was broken.



The 2010 'Stang is at once the same and different. Like the 2005-09 model, it's immediately recognizable as Ford famous pony car. If anything, it looks even more like a late '60s Mustang thanks to some additional curvature in its lines, especially along the belt-line. At the same time, it also looks more contemporary. The designers have improved the aerodynamics and reworked many of the design details. What may be even more important for drivers of the Mustang is an all-new interior that finally dispenses with cheap, hard plastics and looks like it was designed in this century, but more on that in a bit.



Starting at the front, the basic theme of the current 'Stang is retained with the forward-canted grille and inset headlamps. The turn signals have been moved into the pocket with the headlamps, which themselves appear smaller than before. The whole hood has been re-contoured with a "power-dome" in the center, which should provide plenty of clearance for performance hardware when tuners and owners begin modding their cars. Out toward the edges, the fender and hood are slightly concave leaving a ridge that runs back to the A-pillar. The whole leading edge of the hood now curves down smoothly to ease the airflow around the nose and over the top of the car. The old school antenna mast has finally been banished from the front fender and the windshield washer nozzles now sit under the trailing edge of the hood instead of on top.



At the outer ends of the lower front fascia are black plastic air deflectors to further enhance the airflow, directing it around the sides instead of underneath the car. All of this contributes to drag reductions of seven percent on the V8-powered GT model and four percent on the base V6. Better management of the air-flow around the front of the car also reduces lift by 23 percent.



Around the sides, the transition from the fenders to the wheel arches has been smoothed out, which eliminates the crease on the current cars. The longitudinal crease that starts at the trailing edge of the front wheels has been sharpened and now has a slight under-cut that makes it more prominent, while the "hockey stick" side scoop contour has been subtly re-shaped. The lower edge of each side window has been moved down and now intersects with the newly curved contour of the rear fender at the trailing edge of the door.



Exterior designer George Saridakis describes the rear haunches and other changes as giving the Mustang a more voluptuous look. At the very back, the outer ends of the rear fascia are now angled forward, which helps to reduce the visual impression of the rear overhang. Also contributing to that revised impression is a rear bumper with a reduced offset.



Around the back of the car, Ford designers have taken advantage of the illusion that results from using contrasting colors. The lower part of the rear fascia is now a contrasting black with a molded-in diffuser. The darker color reduces the visual height of the rear deck. The tail-lamps, which still feature the traditional three bar look, have been re-shaped and now feature sequential turn signals. When the turn signals are on, the three lamps light in sequence from the innermost to the outer. The rear badge has also been reshaped and the keyhole has been removed as the Mustang finally gets an interior trunk release.



When the 2005 Mustang debuted, one of the biggest and most justified criticisms was its interior, specifically the cheap materials and hard plastics. Those criticisms are completely banished in the 2010 Mustang. All the plastic surfaces on the dash are now soft to the touch and pleasant to look at. Even the trim across the dashboard is aluminum rather than metallic-finished plastic. The same goes for the spokes on the steering wheel. The dual-brow look across the top of the dashboard that dates back to the early Mustangs is now also reflected across the lower edge.



The center console of the current model has elements at a variety of heights and many drivers complain about hitting their knees on the parking brake lever when bracing themselves during cornering. The brake lever on the '10 Mustang has been shortened and moved back, well clear of driver's right knees. The arm rest is now flush mounted and there is a retractable cover over the cup holders. The entire surface of the center stack and console now mirrors the arm-rests on the door panels with everything at the same height and matching contours.



The designers have also taken elements that previously stuck up above the dash surface like the A/C registers and gauges and made them flush or even set them below the surface. The sub-flush gauge mounting reduces the impression of looking down a tunnel at the instruments. The back-lit gauges also now have a translucent arc where the numbers are. The numbers normally appear in black against a white background unless you go for the MyColor option. In that case, the background will appear in whatever color the driver chooses. MyColor also brings a back-lit "Mustang" kick plate that is kind of gimmicky but looks cool when you open the door.



The designers have also added a couple of nice detail touches. The standard icon that normally appears on traction control disable switches has been reworked to look like a Mustang including the tri-bar taillights. The basic shape of the steering wheel is carried over but the spokes have been chamfered allowing for a more comfortable grip. The overall impression of the Mustang's new interior is that Ford has improved its execution in making the cockpit both look more appealing and feel better to the touch.



When Ford redesigned the Escape CUV for 2008, the body and interior were also completely redone but the mechanical components were largely carried over. Similarly, the drivetrains and suspension components of the 2010 Mustang are mostly carried over, although some improvements have been made on the V8 GT model. According to chief engineer Paul Randle, the current Bullitt has been considered the best Mustang ever in many respects thanks to its wonderful balance of handling and power, so it was chosen as the baseline for the new GT.



The 2010 GT retains its 4.6L three-valve V8, which has now been bumped up to 315 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. The air intake has been reworked so that fresh air is drawn from behind the grille rather than from the wheel well. The duct from the air filter box to the throttle body has been straightened and smoothed out to reduce flow restriction. The whole car has also been stiffened and new sound insulation has been added for a quieter driving experience.



Since Mustang drivers still like to hear the roar of a big V8, the engineers have compensated. A small tube coming off the side of the duct runs to the passenger compartment giving occupants some of that V8 induction sound directly. GT models with the new 19-inch wheel-and-tire package also get an aluminum strut tower brace to stiffen the car's structure further. The base 4.0L V6 remains unchanged for 2010, although 2011 or soon after will probably see the Mustang follow the Escape's path with more significant powertrain upgrades. That's when we're likely to see Ford's smaller displacement, turbocharged, direct-inject EcoBoost engines added to the pony.



The Mustang's suspension architecture has also been carried over from the S197, meaning struts with lower control arms up front and a live axle trailing links and a panhard rod out back. The engineers have re-tuned the springs and added new dampers that should improve wheel control and ride. New wheel-and-tire packages are now available across the board with a one-inch increase in diameter. The V6 Mustangs now have 17-inch wheels standard with optional 18-inchers, while the GT has 18-inch or 19-inch packages.



One feature that is new to the 2010 Mustangs is electronic stability control which will be standard on all models. The ESC always defaults to on when you start the car. On the V6 Mustangs the driver will have the option to turn the system off. On the GT, the system can be turned off, or switched to a performance mode that allows more slip before intervening to limit the fun.



One important thing that hasn't changed much is weight. The 2010 V6 Mustang only picks up 15 lbs compared to the 2009 model, while the GT climbs just 35 lbs. That means Mustangs still have an advantage of about 400-500 lbs over the new Camaro and even more compared to the larger Challenger.



We'll be allowed behind the wheel of the new 2010 Ford Mustang in mid-December, at which time we'll let you know how it behaves compared to its predecessor. From what we've seen already, the new interior is far beyond both its new competitors and its predecessor in the areas of design, ergonomics and materials. Assuming Ford doesn't significantly increase the price, the Mustang should continue to offer the affordable performance it always has with a new measure of refinement.

ProCharger adds 150 horsepower to Hemi

One thing that was evident at this year's SEMA is that performance parts for Challenger are being produced at an alarming rate. The Camaro may have been the official car of the show, but the Charger was the darling of most of the tuners in attendance.



One of the pair of Chargers that Classic Design Concepts brought out featured a ProCharger intercooled supercharger. The blower wasn't unique to the car, however, and we found that ProCharger is offering two separate kits for Challenger owners, both of which boost horsepower by at least 150. Both feature ProCharger's P-1SC-1 centrifugal supercharger pushing 6 psi of boost, a 3-core air-to-air intercooler, upgraded fuel system and all necessary tubing and brackets. The Stage II kit pushes the bar further with a dedicated drive system for the supercharger and an upgrade air intake.



[Source: ProCharger]





PRESS RELEASE:



Accessible Technologies, Inc. / ProCharger announces the immediate availability of two, 100 percent complete intercooled supercharger systems and two tuner kits for the hot new Dodge Challengers equipped with the 6.1L HEMI® engine: the HO Intercooled System and Stage II Intercooled System; and HO Intercooled and Stage II Intercooled Tuner Kits. Both the ProCharger Systems and Tuner Kits can add 150 or more horsepower to the Challenger's potent 6.1L HEMI engine while still running high-quality pump gas.



Both the ProCharger HO and Stage II Systems utilize the proven and patented self-contained

P-1SC-1 ProCharger supercharger, a 3-core air-to-air intercooler, OEM-quality mounting brackets and all necessary supercharger and intercooler tubes for installation onto the new Challengers. ProCharger systems for the 6.1L HEMI Challengers utilize Diablosport® flash tuning to apply the ProCharger-developed tune for both applications.



HO Intercooled System

The ProCharger HO Intercooled Supercharger System utilizes a "shared-drive" for the supercharger, and features the industry-leading self-contained ProCharger P-1SC-1 Supercharger, a large, 3-core air-to-air intercooler, upgraded fuel system and all necessary tubing and brackets. The 100 percent complete HO Intercooled system provides a standard 6 psi of intercooled boost when installed on otherwise stock SRT-8 Challengers.



Stage II Intercooled System

Utilizing a proven and durable "dedicated-drive" system, the Stage II System also makes use of the proven and self-contained P-1SC-1 ProCharger Supercharger, while adding a unique, highly-efficient air intake and large, 3-core air-to-air intercooler and all necessary brackets and tubing. The Stage II Intercooled System provides outstanding power gains on both stock and modified engines with its standard 6 psi of intercooled boost and is best suited for future engine, fuel and exhaust system upgrades.



ProCharger Systems for the 2008 and newer HEMI Challengers feature easy installation, minimal relocation of components, no need to punch a hole in the oil pan, and avoids having to deal with the complexity and installation time and maintenance required for an air-to-water-to-air intercooler arrangement.



ProCharger 6.1L HEMI Tuner Kits

In addition to the two 100 percent complete systems, ProCharger also offers two intercooled Tuner Kits for the 6.1L HEMI Challengers – an HO Intercooled Tuner Kit and a Stage II Intercooled Tuner Kit. ProCharger Tuner Kits are essentially identical to the complete systems, but exclude fuel system upgrades and tuning. Both the HO and Stage II Tuner Kits are ideal for modified engines and are available with higher boost levels.



ProCharger HEMI Advantages

With reliability, quality and power far superior to other forced-air induction systems, ProCharger Systems and Tuner Kits are excellent ways to add even more power to these modern HEMI powerhouses. ProCharger supercharger systems for the EFI HEMI engines feature easy installation, minimal relocation of components, no need to punch a hole in the engine oil pan, and avoid having to deal with all the complexity and maintenance issues of an air-to-water-to-air intercooler configuration.



ProCharger-equipped Challenger owners will enjoy outstanding, day-to-day driveability, and consistent, reliable power gains while still running high-quality pump gas. And thanks to the industry's coolest charge air temperatures and largest power gains, no other supercharger system for the awesome new Dodge Challenger even comes close.



Industry-exclusive features include a patented, self-contained supercharger with an available 3-year warranty and a 3-core, air-to-air intercooler with a standard 3-year warranty.



For more information about all ProCharger Supercharger Systems and Tuner Kits, call 913-338-2886 or visit www.procharger.com.



ProCharger HEMI R&D

Over the past three years ProCharger has established itself as the leader in Dodge/Chrysler HEMI forced induction systems. When Dodge introduced the modern EFI HEMI engines, the engineers at ProCharger knew they would be faced with some tuning challenges on this new platform. Thus began a grueling, 18+ month ProCharger HEMI R&D program that consisted of more than 200 ProCharged-HEMI engine dyno sessions, followed by another 200+ chassis dyno sessions with ProCharged HEMI-powered Chargers and Ram trucks. As a result, ProCharger is widely recognized as the industry-leader when it comes to powerful, reliable and proven intercooled supercharger solutions for today's HEMI-equipped vehicles.



Please visit the ProCharger HEMI R&D web page for more information:

http://www.procharger.com/hemi_rd.shtml



About ProCharger:

ProCharger is the industry-leader with respect to innovative, reliable, powerful and proven intercooled supercharger systems for Chrysler, Ford and GM cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, marine and racing applications.



15 Years of Supercharging Experience

2009 marks ProCharger's 15th year of providing enthusiasts with real-world power that only a ProCharger Supercharger System can deliver. From the beginning, the goal has been the same: provide a reliable, powerful and efficient supercharger system that can be applied to a wide range of vehicle and engine combinations.

Chevrolet Camaro convertible on hold

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeIt wasn't a big surprise when Chrysler announced that it had nixed the idea to produce a Challenger convertible. The LX based coupe wasn't developed with a soft top in mind and it would have taken too much cash to beef up the chassis in order to remove the roof. And cash is in short supply for the big three nowadays.



Now Motor Trend is reporting that GM is delaying the release of the Camaro convertible for the same reasons. They will be delaying it's release for a year as the automaker tries to keep it's head above water. Spending money on a niche vehicle is a hard sell for GM when they're trying to get their hands on some federal bailout money, after all.

Mopar Alley

One of the coolest features at SEMA is the famed Mopar Alley, where Chrysler brings out some of its more historically significant vehicles. The Challenger was highlighted and everything from a 1971 Prostock Hemi to the current 2009 R/T were on display. There was even a 1970 Dodge Challenger that was one of five used in the movie Vanishing Point and this particular one was used as the main stunt vehicle. There were some pretty cool Mopar trucks as well, including a 1946 Dodge Power Wagon, the 1979 Dodge Lil Red Express, and a 1989 Jeep Cherokee Sport. We especially loved the 1986 Dodge Ram Baja that was raced in Mexico in 1987.

Dodge Viper now available for employee pricing

Chrysler may be trying to unload the Viper brand to the highest bidder, but first it's going to give millions of Americans the opportunity to buy their own supercar at a discounted price.



Until now the Viper remained outside Chrysler's Employee Purchase and Certain Designated Individuals discount program, but that's about to change as the supercar joins the list of eligible vehicles.



While Chrysler employs over 130,000 people, we doubt many of them, especially in this economic climate, will have the means or motivation to pick up the gas-guzzling V10 muscle car. However, an arrangement between Chrysler and Wal-Mart extends the benefits program to employees of the mega-retail chain, and with over 1.2 million employees, we're sure there are a few who'll take Chrysler up on its offer. Don't go rushing to pick up an ACR, however, as the track-focused model remains outside the program.

Viper powered Challenger SRT-10

The Challenger has been on sale all year, giving tuners plenty of time to spruce up the new/old musclecar and bring the fruits of their labor to SEMA. Dodge is no exception to this, as it plans to bring it's newest concept, the Challenger SRT-10.



Sporting an 8.4L V10 graciously donated by a Viper, it pumps out a gratuitous 600hp and 560 lbft of torque. As you can see in the pictures, traction is hard to come by. Other mods include a functional carbon fiber shaker hood that feeds air to the voluminous V10, a carbon fiber front splitter and rear deck lid, a new rear spoiler, BILSTEIN shocks at all four corners, larger wheels, bigger brakes and quad exhaust tips out back. More carbon fiber trim can be found in the cockpit along with new sports seats and a red engine start push-button just like in the Viper.



How serious is Dodge about building this car? The engine appears to fit nicely in the Challenger's bay. Could this be an answer to Ford's GT500KR? Time will only tell.



PRESS RELEASE



Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept



Auburn Hills, Mich., Oct 14, 2008 - The opportunity for SRT engineering to "one-up" itself comes to fruition with the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept. Power for the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept comes from the Dodge Viper 8.4-liter, all-aluminum V-10 engine with 600 horsepower and 560 lb. ft. of torque. It's a vehicle that delivers the well-known SRT credo of benchmark performance. The Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept includes a fresh coat of Tornado Red paint with a carbon-fiber deck lid and hood. The "shaker hood" is a nostalgic representation of the 1970 HEMI Cuda, giving the 600-hp Viper V-10 engine room to breathe. Brakes have been upgraded and BILSTEIN® shocks at all four corners improve handling balance. The interior boasts sport seats and carbon-fiber accents throughout and, of course, true to the Viper-powered vehicle lineage, a red engine start push-button in the dash.

900 Horsepower Super Challenger and Super 'Cuda to debut at SEMA

The new Challenger is a tasty new templet for tuners, being that it is fairly fresh off showroom floors and still turning heads on the highway. There will no doubt be plenty of variations of the new/old musclecar on the floors of SEMA, but the ones we'll be most looking forward to are the two being built by Mr. Norm's garage.



Who's Mr. Norm, you ask? He's the legendary owner of Grand Spaulding Dodge that was famous for building some of the fastest Mopars in the country. Mr. Norm is now working his magic on the current Dodge lineup, and will be be showcasing the two Challengers you see here. The Super Challenger features a supercharged version of the 6.1L Hemi putting out 900 tire-shredding horsepower plus Rodtana forged wheels, Hotchkis suspension upgrades, massive SSBC brakes, and a custom front spoiler and side scoops. The other Challenger features similar performance upgrades but has been converted to replicate the legendary AAR Cuda.



PRESS RELEASE:



Holy horsepower! It's Mr. Norm and his Super Challenger.



Armed with a pavement pounding 900 horsepower Kenne Bell supercharged and intercooled 6.1 Hemi engine, the Super Challenger is the new Sheriff in town. The neon lit streets and shadowy alleys are rife with pimped out sedans, wicked coupes, and other automotive scum. Life is over for these creatures of the night, 'cause Mr. Norm and the Super Challenger are here to run 'em out of Dodge.



Just the sight of the Super Challenger strikes fear into the hearts of carminals everywhere. With its Jet Black body and Blazing Red stripe, punctuated with the legendary Mark of Mr. Norm on the front fenders, they'll know that they've more than met their match when they face off against the Super Challenger.



And no super heroes ride would be complete without a Katzkin custom leather interior. The guts of the Super Challenger exudes Mr. Norm's take no prisoners attitude, with its black leather and contrasting red accents. Our hero grabs gears with a Hurst Pistol Grip Shifter, the most powerful shifter in the world. Do 'ya feel lucky, punk?



Mr. Norm's Super Challenger forged wheels by Rodtana wear Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires that grip the asphalt with cat woman like claws. Hotchkis Performance created the lowered suspension that provides the crouching, ready to strike stance, while SSBC 8 Piston Disc Brakes are ready to take a Big Bite out of crime.



The bellicose sound produced by the Corsa Performance exhaust on the Super Challenger may wake up the dead in its attempt to muffle the 900 horsepower raging elephant that resides just beneath the Mopar Six Pack hood, but it's music to Mr. Norm's ears. And the Super Challenger's front spoiler and side scoops by Hulst Customs provide the finishing touch to the exterior, providing proof positive that badass really is beautiful.



Introducing the Mr. Norm's Super Cuda.



Drawing inspiration from its race bred relative, the legendary 1970 AAR Cuda, the Super Cuda features a dramatic restyling package that matches heart stopping good looks with heart pounding performance.



Amplifying its presence, the Super Cuda features a modern interpretation of the classic Cuda grille and tail panel, coupled with an aggressive front spoiler that infuses it with undeniable character. Reinforcing the theme, the sides of the Hemi Orange Super Cuda are boldly accented with satin black strobe stripes by Sharpline Converting that match the sinister Sherwin-Williams Planet Color Badass Black that covers the hood and adjacent surfaces, much like its storied ancestor. Inside, the cockpit features a Hurst Shifter for precise shifting of the five speed transmission, a Katzkin "Barracuda" custom leather interior with Hemi Orange perforated inserts and Super Cuda monogrammed carpet mats by Designer Mat.



And if all that's not enough, just wait 'til you push the start button and awaken the wild 900 horsepower Kenne Bell supercharged 16 plug HEMI engine. Singing its siren song through a low restriction Corsa Performance cat back dual exhaust system, the Super Cuda balances tire smoking power with a tuned suspension engineered by Hotchkis Performance. Insuring fade free stops from high speed are massive Stainless Steel Brakes V8 8-Piston calipers. Rolling stock consists of Rodtana 22" modular wheels matched with Pirelli Scorpion Zero Assimetrico ultra high performance tires.



Add it all up and you've got the new Mr. Norm's Super Cuda, the street lethal sport coupe. Armed with nothing less than a ground pounding 6.1 Hemi engine, it's complemented by a chassis with just the right mix of components to harness its power. The Super Cuda looks like a wolf in wolfs clothing, because it is. This is one vehicle that speaks loudly and carries a very big stick.

Force Performance to build two door TriCharger

Fans of the original B body Charger from the 60's and 70's have no doubt been disappointed that Chrysler reintroduced the classic musclecar with no less than four doors. And while the car has been a sales success, there are still die hard Mopar fans that will tell you that selling the car with four doors is a big mistake and an insult to the car's lineage. Not to mention the 80's Charger with front wheel drive and a four cylinder, but we won't go there.



A company by the name of Force Performance is currently working to rectify the situation at hand by chopping up an LX based Charger and making it a proper coupe. The scalloped doors from the 68-70 Charger have made the conversion along with a twin-nostril split grille reminiscent of the classic '69. We can also see a well-domed hood, which is necessary for clearance over the insane HEMI V8 engine that's both twin turbocharged and supercharged. Three blowers, hence the TriCharger name. That's a lot of boost.