Chrysler to phase out Hemi and go green?

While the popularity of muscle cars is high, most people realize that we can't keep burning oil like it's 1970 again. Today's muscle is much more refined, and modern technologies have produced some seriously powerful engines that are more efficient than ever.

Chrysler's Hemi engines are a blast from the past, a reminder of the good old days when power was our only concern. But is Chrysler beginning to shy away from the legendary moniker in order to change its image? The Wall Street Journal thinks so.

WSJ is reporting that Chrysler will indeed try to change the way its Hemi brand is perceived, but not necessarily its presence in their vehicles. The mighty V8's Multi-Displacement System is certain to receive more press, and the company will begin pushing its new V6. In other words, you can still get a Hemi, but for how long?

RDP Motorsport Dodge Challenger - 1,000 hp and twin superchargers

Anything approaching 1,000hp is a sure recipe for tire roasting, sideways driving mayhem. If that type of maddeningly uncontrollable power quenches your appetite for destruction, there is a new member in the insane horsepower club.



The RDP Motorsports tuned Dodge Challenger features a stroked 6.1 liter HEMI that displaces 440 cubic inches. The block is topped off with not one, but two superchargers and offers up an astounding 1,000 horsepower. That's enough power to push the heavy Challenger down the quarter mile in the nine second range, if you can get traction.



This over the top pony car was revealed at the PRI Show in Florida. The Australian company will be happy to replicate this car for the right price, or will work with buyers to create their own custom combination.

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.

SMS releases images and details on Challenger 570 and 570X

Steve Saleen's shiny new company, SMS, is getting ready to officially debut it's first production car and has released a few photos and and some information regarding the 570 and 570X.



According to the press release, the two models are slated to start at $60,000 and $70,000 respectively. That's quite a chunk of change, but SMS is going to make it worth it with an extensive list of upgrades.



Starting with the powertrain, the SMS 296 supercharger pushes massive amounts of air to the 5.7L HEMI, and true enthusiasts will be glad to know that a proper 6-speed manual transmission will be doing the shifting.



Both models also get a high performance suspension, exhaust, 20-inch wheels, and 14-inch front and 12-inch rear brakes. For the exterior, SMS replaces the front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and hood, and adds a rear spoiler. The 570X model also receives carbon fiber front and rear splitters, a carbon fiber diffuser, and a rear wing that replaces the spoiler.



The interior receives upgrades as well, including two-tone leather sport seats, leather door inserts, a leather grip shifter, 200-mph gauge cluster, and auxiliary gauges for the supercharger. Each vehicle will also be personally signed by Steve Saleen.



[Source: SMS Supercars]





PRESS RELEASE:



Steve Saleen and his company SMS are well on the way to production with the first vehicle in the line of Signature Series ultra-high performance vehicles. The SMS 570 Challenger will be the first vehicle with a host of aesthetic and functional innovations including the patented SMS Red Butterfly Induction™ hood and a full compliment of SMS ultra-high performance components including: drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior.



The fully certified and street legal SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger will be based off the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T platform and will feature a SMS designed and engineered SMS 296 Supercharger atop the 5.7L Hemi, with power ratings from 500 to over 700 horsepower respectively.



The MSRP's for the 2009 SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger are targeted to start at $60,000 to $70,000 respectively with production commencing in 2008. Both models will carry a bumper-to-bumper factory warranty.



This is an exciting opportunity for the Mopar community to finally take part in the ultra-high performance niche production vehicle market! So act now to reserve yours.



Each of these limited edition vehicles will be personally signed by Steve Saleen as part of the Signature Series product line, complete with unique badges and graphics. Production numbers will be limited per year depending on the model, so the opportunity to be one of the few owners is limited to a first come first served basis. So act now, by placing your pre-production orders though any Dodge dealer in the US. Or call us directly for more details.



About SMS

We are a niche manufacturer of lifestyle ultra-high performance vehicles, technical performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. We design, engineer, test, certify, manufacture and assemble all our own products and vehicles.