CarZi » American Cars

SEMA 2009 Preview – Chevy Camaro Convertible

Anthony Carbone — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:29:42 +0000

UPDATE: 2009 SEMA SHOW PICTURES!!!!!

Because most of you hardcore Chevy Camaro die hards can’t wait until the official production 2011 Chevy Camaro convertible, Drop Top Customs is offering an $18,000 conversion option which will debut at the 2009 SEMA SHOW in Las Vegas!

Checkout the spy photo below that was recently taken outside GM’s Holden plant in Australia of 8 pre-production drop tops! I wonder if the drop top’s will make this car look any better, as I am not a huge fan of them anymore.

Related Chevy Camaro Posts
2009 Chevy Camaro SS Media Pics

2009 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible Concept PHOTOS

[Source: DropTopCustoms.com, Camaro5.com]

Brad Pitt’s Chevy Camaro SS

Anthony Carbone — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:36:43 +0000

Brad Pitt was recently spotted getting into his new black Chevy Camaro SS.

[Source: CelebrityCarsBlog.com]

SEMA SHOW 2009 Details – Girls & Cars Pictures

Anthony Carbone — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:05:40 +0000

UPDATE: 2009 SEMA SHOW PICTURES!!!!!

CarZi.com is going to the 2009 SEMA Show this NOV 3,4,5,6 in LAS VEGAS, NV.

Check back regularly during the 1st week of November for exclusive photos, and videos, as well as hang time updates with the talented Jason Thorgalsen!

Carzi and MadWhips extensively covered the 2008 SEMA Show Photos last year and walked away with 581 Photo Albums (about 90% of the vehicles) for your viewing pleasure!

2009 SEMA Show Exhibit Hours
Tuesday, November 3: 9am – 5pm
Wednesday, November 4: 9am – 5pm
Thursday, November 5: 9am – 5pm
Friday, November 6: 9am – 4pm

Here is a refresher of the 2008 SEMA Show Girls, taken by yours truly

CLICK HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Girls Pictures I

CLICK HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Girls Pictures II

CLICK HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Girls Pictures III

CLICK HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Girls Pictures IV

The SEMA SHOW is more than just about the girls… here is a refresher of the 2008 SEMA Show Cars!

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Lamborghini Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Rolls Royce Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Ferrari Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show BMW Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Porsche Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Bentley Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Nissan Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Mercedes-Benz Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Lexus Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Toyota Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Ford Mustang Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Range Rover Photo Albums

Click HERE: 2008 SEMA Show Hummer Photo Albums

The SEMA SHOW is the premier automotive specialty performance products trade event in the world featuring performance, accessories, restoration and motorsports products in the following 12 categories:

Business Services – Services specific to the automotive industry—hardware, software, computers, store fixtures, warehouse equipment, financial services, fleet services, personnel and human resources services and systems, CAD systems, consultants.

Hot Rod Alley – Street rod/hot rod custom and specialty parts, tires and accessories, including bodies, chassis parts, gauges, aluminum radiators, alternators, catalytic converters, disc brakes, electrical systems and components, exhaust systems, sheet metal, shocks, valve covers and wiring kits.

Mobile Electronics & Technology – Sound systems, LCD video systems, MP3, DVD, CD, satellite radio, telematics, security systems, CB, GPS, on-board technology, antennas, cellular telephones and accessories, computer chips and PROMs and radar detectors.

Paint, Body & Equipment – Vehicle paint, prep stations, paint booths, body work, frame machines, spray guns and safety/filtration/breathing apparatus. Related accessories, equipment, systems, coating/refinishing products, services and publications.

Powersports & Utility Vehicles – Manufacturers of power-driven equipment, such as personal transporters; motorcycles; motor scooters; two-, three- and four-wheel ATVs; pocket bikes; specialty golf carts; mini-bikes; dirt bikes; and accessories and services.

Performance Tires & Wheels (Sponsored by TIA) – Racing, performance, street, track and off-road tires and wheels for passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs. Single and multi-piece wheels, aluminum alloy, steel, forged and cast. Tire and wheel accessories, including lug nuts, wheel studs, hubcaps and spinners. Tires for agricultural, industrial, medium-duty, heavy-duty and OTR vehicles. Alignment equipment, balancers, changers and tire changing tools.

Racing & Performance – Performance and racing products, including engine parts, carburetors, shifters, fuel injection, gears, nitrous oxide systems, racing fuels, racing safety equipment, sport compact enhancements, superchargers, turbochargers, gears, performance brakes, performance enhancements, racing accessories, lighting, racing suits, car haulers and engine building equipment.

Restoration Marketplace – Replacement parts, tires and accessories for muscle cars, classics and restored vehicles 20 years of age or older.

Restyling & Accessories – Paint, striping and graphics, ground effects, interior enhancements, lenses, headliners and door panels, louvers, sun visors, shades, power windows and door accessories, headlight/taillight covers, light bars, dashboards and covers, floor mats, seat covers and sheepskins, steering wheels and steering wheel covers, sun-roofs, window film, ground effects, racks and spoilers.

Tools & Equipment – Lathes, grinders, hand tools, dynamometers, air conditioning, body shop, hoists and lifts, jacks, power tools, paint booths, containers, electrical, testers.

Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road – Caps, bedliners, camper shells, tonneau covers, carriers, bed rails, grilles, towing accessories, bumpers, brush guards, roll bars, tool boxes, nerf bars, roof racks, off-road lighting and light bars, fender flares, running boards, suspension components, shocks and struts, springs and boosters, tie downs, tow ropes, straps, van accessories, off-road accessories and winches.

OEM – The SEMA Show continues to serve as a business-to-business lesson in the benefits of sharing, as SEMA continues to expand its symbiotic relationship between its member companies and OEMs.

[Source: SemaShow.com, MadWhips.com ]

John Mayer Ferrari 599, Audi R8, Ford GT Photos

Anthony Carbone — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:35:03 +0000

Not only does John Mayer have an appetite for hot Hollywood celebs (Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Simpson, Minka Kelly, Jennifer Aniston, Katy Perry to name a few), but he also has an appetite for luxurious exotic super cars!

Back in June 2009 John was originally spotted putting some high grade octane in his black Ferrari 599 GTB at a gas station in Calabasas, then just a couple weeks ago he was spotted getting out of a white Audi R8, and just recently again at a gas station with his Ferrari 599. In 2008 John Mayer was also spotted at a gas station with his Gulf Blue and Orange Ford GT and also with a Land Rover Defender!

[Source: Celebrity-Gossip.net, CelebrityCarsBlog.com]

2010 Hennessey HPE650 Camaro SS

Anthony Carbone — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:26:54 +0000

Checkout the 2010 HPE650 Chevy Camaro SS by Hennessey Performance. It lays down 592 rear wheel hp on the chassis dyno with a 91 octane. Checkout the dyno video below.

[Source: HennesseyPerformance.com]

Spada Codatronca Pictures Specs Review

Anthony Carbone — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:48:49 +0000

Here are the first live pictures, specs and a detailed review of the Corvette C6 Z06 based Spada Codatronca Prototype that delivers 505 hp via it’s Corvette LS7. I am not going to sugar coat my initial thoughts; I think this pseudo-exotic is absolutely hideous! I really hope that when I get a chance to see this monster in person (designed by legendary Italian designer Ercole Spada, known for his work with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Zagato, and Aston Martin) that I will change my point of view.

The price tag is more expensive than a Corvette ZR1 or Corvette C6RS and despite it sporting a hidden high tech roll cage that uses a special coating to bond to the frame (like on a Ferrari) this beast weighs just under 3000 lbs (1350 kgs).

The interior is somewhat bearable, handcrafted in Turin using alcantara, leather, and aluminum as you can see in the photo above. The seats are apparently stylish and supportive despite their fixed back (I wonder how tall a human would fit in here?). Furthermore the aluminum accented dials and LCD gauges are matched in the styling and design of a wrist watch that comes with the car. The F1 inspired dash has 80 input logging channels with 40 GB to log the data which includes inputs for steering angle, G meter, speedo, gear selection.

Moton Suspension Technology helped develop and engineer the Spada Codatronca’s unique suspension which features electronically controlled sway bars with a cockpit dial for: rain, soft, medium, or hard ride modes. Further adjustable sway bars, coil overs, and fully independent suspension yield what some call a telepathic road feel.

The rear end is a real piece of work (straight out of high school shop class imho) which integrates handmade aluminum exhaust tips and bi-xenon headlamps and LED F1 inspired brake lights. It’s airplane like rear end helps it surpass the Z06 drag coefficient and ultimately its top speed. For the normally aspirated version the top speed is said to be 211 mph (340 km/h) and 220mph (355 km/h) when supercharged.

The Codatronca has 8 piston front and 4 piston Brembo calipers coupled with lightweight 15 inch front and 14 inch rear rotors. Lightweight 19 inch racing OZ allow wheels covered in Pirelli Pzero Corsa tires (285/35/19 front, 345/35/19 rear) keep this ugly duckling glued to the road.

Spada also plans to sell a TS version (Turismo Sportivo) with a naturally aspirated modified LS7 which will output 630hp and 670 lb-ft of torque.

Another engine package called the TSV (Turismo Super Veloce) will sport a twin screw C38 Rotrex supercharger with intercooler rumored to produce 750hp and 950 lb-ft of torque!

[Source: GMHighTechPerformance.com]

Hennessey ZR1 Corvette Z700 Pictures & Details

Anthony Carbone — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:42:53 +0000

Hennessey just announced a Limited Edition 705 hp Z700 Nürburgring-Tested Track Upgrade for the 2010 Corvette ZR1. Total Cost (including 2010 ZR1) $207,150 USD.

Hennessey’s Z700 performance package upgrades the LS9’s supercharger, exhaust and air induction systems, which is then dyno tuned to 705 bhp.

Additional upgrades include ultra lightweight carbon fiber wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires that further reduce rotating weight 60 lbs. Hennessey’s Z-Aero carbon fiber front splitter, canards and rear spoiler which add 300+ lbs of down force.

Full Press Release from Hennessey Performance Engineering:

(SEALY, TX) The world’s fastest and most powerful production Corvette, the 638 bhp ZR1 has become the pinnacle of American sports cars. For most ZR1 owners, having a car capable of Nurburgring times of 7:26 is more than enough performance to satisfy their need for speed. However, for the select few who subscribe to the mantra of “Too much horsepower is never enough” Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) has something special in store for them in 2010. HPE is happy to introduce the company’s 705 bhp Z700 upgrade package for the 2010 Corvette ZR1. Porsche 911 owners wanting the uber Porsche can order the GT3 RS. Dodge Viper enthusiasts wanting the ultimate road race Viper have the ACR. Now ZR1 owners can opt for the Hennessey Z700 upgrade for their Corvettes.

Hennessey’s Z700 performance package starts by upgrading the LS9’s supercharger, exhaust and air induction systems, which is then dyno tuned to 705 bhp. But this is just the beginning. Additional upgrades include lightweight carbon fiber wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, which reduces rotating weight by nearly 60 lbs. Hennessey’s Z-Aero carbon fiber front splitter, canards and rear spoiler also add over 300 lbs of downforce, helping plant the added power to the road or track. Rounding out the Z700 upgrade package is a revised interior with lightweight carbon fiber seats, Alcantara steering wheel and shift knob.

HPE will be throwing its hat into the Ring – literally – with plans to begin testing the Z700 at the famed Nurburgring in Germany later in 2009. The company plans to build just 24 of these limited-edition Corvette ZR1’s for the 2010 model year. Each customer also gets a full day of performance driving instruction in his or her new Z700 at Hennessey’s own private test track, Lonestar Motorsports Park. Lonestar, which is next to the company’s facility, is located just west of Houston, Texas and has a full quarter-mile dragstrip as well as the addition of a 1.1-mile road course which will soon be under construction.

Power:
705 hp @ 6,400 rpm
717 lb-ft Torque @ 3,200 rpm

Performance:
0-60 mph: 2.9 seconds
0-100 mph: 6.4 seconds
1/4 mile: 10.6 @ 134 mph
Skid pad: 1.08 lateral G
Note: HPE VBox preliminary test data.

Z700 Package Includes:
Supercharger Modifications (15 psi boost)
Intercooler System Upgrade
Air Induction System Upgrade
Stainless Steel Exhaust Upgrades
Hennessey Light Weight Carbon Fiber Wheels
Front: 19 x 10.5 inches; Rear: 19 x 12.5 inches
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Tires
Front: 265/35-YR19; Rear: 325/35-YR19
Sparco Carbon Fiber Seats in Alcantara (Driver & Passenger)
5-Point Harnesses with Harness Bar
Alcantara Steering wheel & Shift Knob
Lowered Factory Suspension
Corner Weighted with 4-wheel Alignment
Z-Aero Carbon Fiber Body Parts: Front Splitter, Canards, Rear Spoiler, Vented Factory Hood
Hennessey & ZR700 Interior & Exterior Badges
Limited Edition Serial Numbered Plaque
1-Day Driving Instruction at Lonestar Motorsports Park
3 Year / 36,000 Mile Limited Warranty
Total Cost Including New 2010 ZR1: $207,150 US Dollars

Optional Upgrades
Z750 – 755 bhp Upgrade
Z1000 – 1,000 bhp Twin Turbo / Supercharged Upgrade
Custom Exterior Colors
Custom Interior Upgrades & Colors
German Delivery – Nurburgring Delivery & Driving Instruction

[Source: Hennessey.com]

Hennessey LS9 Camaro SS Video

Anthony Carbone — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:26:50 +0000

Back in April 2009 we presented some Hennessey Camaro SS Pictures & Details. Here is a video of the World’s First LS9 Powered 2010 Camaro SS by Hennessey Performance Engineering.

Only 24 will be produced and will be priced at $110,000 and includes a 1-day track performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park. Watch this short video and listen to the LS9 fire up and rev a couple times. This is the engine found in the new Corvette ZR1.

Related Hennessey Camaro Posts
Hennessey Camaro SS Pictures & Details

[Source: YouTube.com]

2010 Shelby GT500 Super Snake

Anthony Carbone — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:08:59 +0000

Ford Mustang Photo Galleries HERE: Ford Mustang Photos

The 2010 Shelby GT500 Super Snake package is just around the corner. The upgrade will offer several performance options in excess of 700+ hp. Checkout the pictures and details for all options the package has to offer.

Package Price: $29, 495 (630 HP), $33, 495 (700+ HP)

Standard Features:
• Shelby/Ford Racing Whipple 630 HP supercharger
• Shelby/Super Snake hood with pins
• Carbon fiber body components
• SHELBY deck lid letter kit
• Super Snake badging (front grille and front fenders)
• Sequential tail lights
• Shelby Super Snake striping
• Front and rear brake duct kit
• Quarter window scoops or block-offs
• CSM consecutively numbered dash plaque and engine plate
• Shelby Super Snake door sill plates
• Light bar with third brake light (convertible)
• Shelby/Baer 6-piston caliper front brake system and rear rotors
• Borla cat-back exhaust system
• Shelby/Ford Racing suspension w/ adjustable damper
• Short-throw shifter
• Cold air intake system
• Custom drive shaft (700+ horsepower package)
• 3.73:1 differential
• 20″ Shelby/Alcoa Super Snake wheels and Pirelli P-Zero tires
• Shelby three piece floor mat set
• Aesthetic engine kit with billet fluid caps and dip stick handle
• Center gauge cluster with Autometer Carroll Shelby signature carbon fiber faced gauges
• Aluminum Shelby map light accent and satin door lock knobs
• Shelby embroidered headrest
• Center console with Shelby logo

Options:
• Shelby/Ford Racing Whipple 700+ HP supercharger
• Shelby/Kenne Bell 725 HP supercharger (black or polished)
• Shelby/Baer 6-piston caliper rear brake system
• Shelby/Eibach adjustable coilover suspension
• Shelby/Eibach sway bars
• White ball billet short-throw shifter
• Shelby/Kicker stereo upgrade
• Shelby performance cooling package
• Two-tone leather interior upgrade
• Two-tone leather console cover
• Perforated leather seat inserts
• Shelby Super Snake faux rear gas cap

[Source: AutoBlog.com]

Air Force Challenger & Mustang Photos

Harish Kumar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:53:00 +0000

The USA Air Force has got 2 new recruitments. They are the Air Force spec Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang. This is an innovative move by the Air Force as a part of the 2009 Supercar tour, a recruiting initiative will hit high schools across the country to highlight career opportunities in the US Air Force. These two are sure to have the students’ eyeballs all over them. Who wouldn’t want to drive one of these?? The best bit? Wait till you see the interiors!

The Mustang gets done in white matte-pearlescent paint and is named the ‘X-1′. So got the connection? It reminds us of the BELL X-1, the first ever aircraft to exceed the speed of sound. The Mustang? Well, with some 500 bhp on tap, it can provide the on-road excitement, if you can control it with a joystick that is. Yup, you read it right. The interiors seem to have been lifted straight out of a fighter jet. Apart from the joystick, you get night and thermal vision systems, single ejection seat and GPS. Finishing touch is provided by the LSD doors.

The Challenger is called ‘Vapor’. It was designed to mimic the Stealth Bomber. It uses the same RADAR absorbing paint as the original and even uses a Stealth mode exhaust that makes it run silently! How fair is that? The characteristic V-8 rumble that can start earthquakes has been muted!

The Stealth Challenger gets biometric latches on the Scissor doors, proximity sensors and roof-mounted camera (1/4th mile range). Carbon fibre trim and custom body kits adorne the Dodge. while the Mustang is a single seater, the Dodge can seat two and has aircraft style throttle lever and twin carbon fibre wheels. It sports the same features as that of the Mustang but nothing has been mentioned about the powertrain.

Hats off to Galpin who modified and tuned these fighter style marketing toys! Galpin were the tuners responsible for the SCYTHE which Anthony saw at the 2008 SEMA Show (596 Photo Galleries).

Beau Boeckman’s boys at Galpin collaborated with technical and mechanical airmen to ensure the cars have an authentic Air Force aesthetic. “For Galpin Auto Sports to be commissioned by the most technologically advanced organization on earth is truly an honor” Boeckmann said in a statement. “This is one of the most extraordinary and important projects that we have ever done.”

Build your own Mustang supercar with Mustang performance parts from American Muscle.

It is hard to estimate how much the most technologically advanced organization on Earth paid for these two.

Mustang For Sale
LemonFree Californa Auto Insurance

[Source: Wired.com]

2010 Chevy Corvette Grandsport

Harish Kumar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:24:58 +0000

Chevrolet is bringing the Grandsport Corvette back as a 2010 model, after a break of 15 years. The Corvette Grandsports have held their own position in the market and you can catch a bit of their history by going through these pictures of the 1964 Chevy Gransport that Anthony recently captured.

The Grandsport gets wider, grippier tires and rims (18 in-19 in front-rear), revised shocks, a new stabilizer bar and spring specifications. This should go a long way in improving the handling characteristics. The result of these modifications – cornering forces of 1.0g! better have that neck restraint ready. The engine remains the same LS3 V8 with 430 bhp (321kW) and 424lb-ft (575Nm) of torque but get the additional two mode exhaust system and you can get 436hp (325kW) and 428lb-ft (580Nm). As a result of all these, the Grandsport reaches 62 mph a whole 0.2 seconds faster than the standard model.

With the advent of the Grandsport, Chevy has ditched the Z51 package. The body kit includes front splitter, rear spoiler and brake ventilation ducts behind the doors. The Grandsport is available in either a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters or a no-nonsense manual to enjoy the driving experience. the manual version also comes with dry-sump lubrication, differential cooler and rear-mounted battery that gives better weight distribution and low centre of gravity.

The Grandsport is available in coupe and convertible body styles. Don’t let that Coupe name fool you – even the coupe models come with removable roof. It is available in 4 trim levels (1LT, 2LT, 3LT, 4LT). All of the Corvette’s exterior colors are offered on the Grand Sport and an available ‘Heritage’ package adds iconic front fender hash marks offered in four colors, as well as two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. The new Grand Sport is being announced at the 12th annual C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky as we speak. Pricing has not been announced yet but it should be a small price to pay for what you get.

PRESS RELEASE
CHEVROLET ANNOUNCES NEW 2010 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Grand Sport. It’s one of the most storied monikers in Corvette’s illustrious racing heritage and it is returning the lineup. Chevrolet announced the new, 2010 Corvette Grand Sport at the 12th annunal C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash, held at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky.

The new Grand Sport model combines the Corvette’s LS3-based powertrain with unique, wide-body styling and a racetrack-bred suspension for a distinctive, starting grid-ready performer. It is offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The LS3 6.2L engine is rated at 430 horsepower (321 kW)* and 424 lb.-ft. of torque (575 Nm)* with the standard exhaust system. An optional two-mode exhaust system elevates the power ratings to 436 horses (325 kW) and 428 lb.-ft. (580 Nm).

The Grand Sport replaces the Corvette’s previous Z51 package and brings a greater degree of handling performance, with wider wheels and tires; revised shock, stabilizer bar and spring specifications and specific gearing. The equipment enables cornering capability of 1.0 g, as well as a 0.2-second improvement in 0-60 acceleration vs. standard LS3-powered models.

Grand Sport coupe models equipped with the manual transmission are uniquely outfitted for racetrack competition, too, with a dry-sump oiling system, differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery.

The complete list of content and special features for the Grand Sport includes

* Wider front and rear fenders – including specific front fenders with integrated Grand Sport badges
* Z06-style front splitter and tall rear spoiler
* Functional brake ducts and extra cooling
* Unique 18-inch front and 19-inch wheels; painted finish standard and chrome finish optional
* Large 275/35ZR18 tires in front and 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear
* Z06-size brakes, including 14-inch (355 mm) front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch (340 mm) rear rotors with four-piston calipers
* Specific manual transmission gear ratios
* Specific rear axle ratio on automatic-equipped modles

With its special equipment, the Grand Sport offers a unique blend of performance and amenities. Its suspension package approaches that of the Z06, but includes a removable roof on coupes (Z06 has a fixed roof) and, of course, the availability of a convertible body style. Also, the paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission is offered, while a manual transmission is the only choice with the Z06.

All of Corvette’s exterior colors are offered on the Grand Sport and an available Heritage package adds iconic front fender hash marks offered in four colors, as well as two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. The Grand Sport can be ordered with 1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim packages, too.

Grand Sport history
Envisioned by legendary Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov as a factory-built, lightweight and race-ready production model that would trump domestic and foreign road-racing competitors, the original Corvette Grand Sport was a promising idea stymied by GM’s agreement to stay out of manufacturer-backed motorsports.

The planned 125 production models required for racing-class homologation were never built, but five prototypes based on the styling of the 1963 Corvette were hand-assembled under Duntov’s watchful eye. And while they looked like production models, the prototypes were purpose-built racecars that shared little with their assembly-line cousins. Duntov also oversaw the Grand Sport engine program that featured a special, 377-cubic-inch small-block V-8 and used side-draft carburetors.

Although never officially sanctioned by General Motors, the five Grand Sport prototypes saw extensive racing experience throughout the 1960s in the hands of “private” racers who had strong contacts within Duntov’s engineering circle. All five original cars are accounted for today and are among the most valuable in the collector market.

Chevrolet offered a limited-edition Grand Sport production model in 1996, commemorating the original racing cars and marking the end of the C4 era in Corvette production. All of the 1,000 examples were painted Admiral Blue and featured a white center stripe and red “hash mark” graphics on the left front fender, a graphic scheme that mimicked the look of some of the original racecars.

[Source: MotorAuthority.com]

Knight XV Armored SUV SPIED on Movie Set

Anthony Carbone — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:13:36 +0000

Thanks to my friend Tim for providing this picture while out at lunch in Liberty Village (Toronto, Ontario) yesterday. Tim spotted the behemoth Knight XV filming on set for an upcoming movie!

When I spoke with the Knight XV owners at Performance World 2009, they hinted that the monstrous armored vehicle would be in an upcoming movie but would not comment on which one. Two separate industry sources have indicated that it was most likely the Scott Pilgrim Vs The World movie

[Source: Tim @ HeroFund.ca]

Widebody Dodge Challenger by WCC

Harish Kumar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:44:48 +0000

The Dodge Challenger R/T that you see in this article is pure eye-candy…. just look at it! The recent and regular stock Dodge Challenger is such a handsome and mature looking muscle car it’s hard to think of further body modifications that would further accentuate its shape and still look good. This version seems to accomplish just that.

You would have seen this Challenger if you recently watched the latest episode of West Coast Customs ‘Street Customs’ TV show that aired on TLC on March 26th, 2009. This one-off creation belongs to Joshua ‘Chop’ Tobin aka the “King of Cars”, who is the owner of Las Vegas based car dealership, Towbin Dodge. The entire pimp job was done by the guys at West Coast Customs (WCC) and we must say that they have come up with something really good.

When money is not an issue, the number of things that can be done are, well infinite. The real show stoppers on this car are those oversized wide rear fenders, white paint with black striping, a new spoiler at the rear and blacked out rear lights. The star of the show however are the magnificent Asanti deep dish rims. The car is fitted with 24 inches up front and 26 inches at the rear. They seem truly special and the white-black matte finish combination along with their design and the depth of the rear rims are quite stunning. The only sad part are the disc brakes which look like milk bottle tops inside these huge rims and fail to fill out the space inside.

The interior receives special treatment in the form of matching while & black leather trim. The 5 seater layout of this coupe has been retained and there is also a super cool high end Polk Audio system with two amps and 4 visible subs and when coupled with no roof you can keep the entire motorway entertained! The top is all black and doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the car’s styling. However, this is one car to be seen in with the top down.

With all those prying eyes, the owner would have felt that it would be better to auction off this car. The auction on ebay lasted three days. It was later withdrawn after the highest bid was just $50,200 which did not meet the reserve price (which is the minimum price a seller is willing to accept for the item).

Well, we do not know what the owner might have expected but, but as a consequence he retains the Challenger. This might even be his trick to pull in prying eyes to take notice of his creation. Cheers!

[Source: Carscoop]

2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Pictures & Details

Harish Kumar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:53:24 +0000

While the 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 had a supercharged V8 with 500 hp and the Shelby GT500 Super Snake with 605 hp, the 2010 model receives a re-tuned 5.4L Supercharged V8 that now makes a whopping 540 hp at 6200 rpm and 510 ft-lb of torque at 5200 rpm! The 2010 Shelby GT500, along with the 2010 Mustang has been completely restyled giving it a sleek appearance. The car even made the feature car in the Knight Rider series as KITT.

The changes to the 2010 model are both visually visible and can be felt when you put the pedal to the metal. While the body has undergone changes with the inclusion of exterior design features such as the hood extractor to remove heat from the engine and “Gurney Flap” spoiler to tune rear down force. One more point to note is that the hood is made of aluminum to save weight.

The car has been specially developed by Ford SVT (Special vehicles Team) that was also responsible for the earlier generation GT500 and cars like the SVT Mustang Cobra R. There are revisions to the 6-speed manual gearbox, which coupled along with a 3.55:1 differential ratio means that the GT500 should accelerate like stink. These are further confirmed by the acceleration figures – 60mph in 4.1 seconds, which is faster than the BMW M5 and puts the GT500 in the supercar territory.

While the power might have increased by 40bhp, so has the fuel economy. Ford quotes that the GT500 will return 2 mpg more on the highway run and that is not much for somebody who is gonna use up all of those 540 horses but still goes a long way indicating Ford’s commitment to making its cars more efficient and environment friendly.

Shelby is a very powerful name. Don’t believe us? Then you better check out the lineup of cars that come under the Shelby brand. Starting from 1965, Ford brought in Carrol Shelby to be the in-house tuner for their Mustang to compete with the Corvette. The line-up includes the Shelby GT350, the Shelby Mustang GT500 and the ultimate Ford Shelby GT500KR (which means King of the Road, in case you didn’t know) and in 1970 came the last of the Shelby brand of cars. Ford and Shelby joined hands again in 2007 and the beast has come back from the dead.

Add an aggressive look to your Mustang with GT500 wheels from American Muscle

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms this spring and pricing has not been announced yet, but better stack your bank balance if you want one.

The Ford Press release:

2010 FORD SHELBY GT500 PACKS MORE POWERFUL PUNCH, INCREASES HIGHWAY FUEL MILEAGE BY 2 MPG

* Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) delivers a more powerful 2010 Shelby GT500 with horsepower increased 540, torque increased to 510 ft.-lb., downforce increased and drag reduced
* New gearbox enhancements, plus a standard 3.55:1 rear axle ratio, mean the 2010 Shelby GT500 will deliver improved acceleration performance, while providing better highway fuel efficiency – up 2 mpg compared with the outgoing model
* Aggressive new exterior design features new functional details, such as the hood extractor to remove heat from the engine and “Gurney Flap” spoiler to tune rear downforce; world-class materials and craftsmanship create the most unique GT500 interior yet
* 2010 Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms this spring

SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2009 – The new 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 delivers the most power and refinement ever for a Ford SVT-tuned performance Mustang – and a few surprises, too.

“The new Shelby GT500 demonstrates Ford’s continuing commitment to high-performance vehicles,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “In addition to the numerous performance and refinement improvements inside and out, it’s also two miles per gallon more fuel efficient on the highway.”

“We’re proud of the many enhancements jointly developed by the Ford and Shelby Automobiles team that we’ve incorporated into the new model,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. “Building on what we learned to create the Shelby GT500KR, this new car offers a great combination of power, handling and braking. It is truly a special car that is a great deal of fun to drive.”

Ford’s Special Vehicle Team used the gains made on the Shelby GT500KR “King of the Road” Mustang as the performance starting point and built from there. The design team, with a nod to the original Shelby Cobra from the 1960s, takes those design cues even further with nuanced improvements in both the coupe and convertible, each of which boasts a more-refined interior.

“Working together on the KR, the Ford and Shelby teams developed new systems to continually improve the iconic Mustang,” stated Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. “Those lessons learned are incorporated into the 2010 Shelby GT500. This approach will help maintain Mustang’s leadership position and make the ownership experience even more enjoyable.”

“The muscle car segment is becoming even more competitive,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief nameplate engineer for SVT. “We need to uphold the Mustang badge with honor, the Shelby badge with honor and most importantly the Ford badge with honor. This is the car that will do all of that.”

More horsepower, more refinement, more functionality
The combination of added horsepower, refinement and functionality makes the 2010 Shelby GT500 a unique high-performance car. It delivers more horsepower and more torque than the outgoing model, thanks in part to advancements pioneered on the GT500KR.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 is powered by a supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V-8 engine that produces 540 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 510 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,500 rpm. The redline is 6,250 rpm. The car’s aluminum power dome hood not only adds to the Shelby’s appearance, it helps cool the engine through a hood extractor.
The Shelby’s open-element air induction system features a conical air filter instead of a flat-panel closed system to reduce air restriction. This approach allows more air to be pumped through the engine, producing more power and increasing the engine’s efficiency. A cold-air intake feeds the coolest air possible directly into the air box, helping further increase horsepower. The intake necessitated moving the Cobra snake badge to the other side of the grille to enable maximum airflow.

The twin-disc clutch on the six-speed manual transmission has been significantly upgraded, improving drivability and NVH. The discs on the 2010 Shelby GT500 are larger – 250 mm in diameter compared with 215 mm in diameter on the outgoing model – and made of copper and fiberglass to make them more robust. A unique component of the twin-disc system is the control of the intermediate disc. Rather than floating, it instead has six straps that control the engagement of the clutch, improving drivability.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 offers customers improved straight-line acceleration, plus fuel savings when cruising on the highway in the top gears. Gears 1-4 remain the same, but fifth gear changes from .80 to .74 while sixth gear goes from .63 to .50, meaning that the 2010 Shelby GT500 will turn lower engine RPMs in those gears and deliver improved fuel efficiency. The new final drive ratio, moving from 3.31 to 3.55, enables the improved acceleration in lower gears while complementing the revised fifth and sixth gear ratios.

The Shelby’s distinct sounds will be apparent as always, though with new refinements, thanks to the work of the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) team. A patented resonator placed between the air filter and engine throttle body helps keep unwanted noise in check.

“You still hear the supercharger but not so that it’s intrusive,” said Kerry Baldori, chief functional engineer for SVT. “It’s the same with the exhaust. You want people to know you’re driving something special, but you don’t want an exhaust note that overpowers the whole interior.

“We spent a lot of time getting the right sound quality out of the exhaust so you get that nice, crisp Shelby sound outside and a pleasant sound inside the cabin. It’s a nice balance; one isn’t overpowering the other,” said Baldori.

Driving dynamics also are improved, thanks to SVT’s signature chassis tuning as well as new 19-inch Goodyear F1 Supercar tires and forged aluminum wheels on the 2010 Shelby GT500 coupe and 18s on the convertible.

Springs and dampers have been optimized for better roll control, giving customers more confidence when braking, accelerating or turning. The new chassis tuning takes its philosophy from the KR program, with a greater emphasis placed on primary body control. The team also stiffened the steering shaft.

“All our changes were about making the car respond as fast and as predictable as possible,” Hameedi said. “The 2010 Shelby GT500 conveys an athletic, confident feel. The shifter, clutch pedal, brake-pedal efforts and overall steering efforts are easier now. We wanted to make sure we had a nice, crisp short-throw shifter that was easy to go from gear to gear.”

The Goodyear F1 Supercar 19-inch tires have been upgraded, too. SVT members developed a “recipe” for the attributes and characteristics they wanted in the tire, which Goodyear’s team of engineers, designers and manufacturers brought to life. The result is better grip, better handling and better NVH properties, leading to a better customer experience.

The wheels themselves complement the high-performance nature of the 2010 Shelby GT500. The 19-inch wheels are forged aluminum wheels milled on both sides. The extra machining process creates “blade” spokes with very thin, yet strong, cross-sections. The spokes have a specific curve from the rim to the hub, not only for strength, but also to accentuate the offset and width of the tires.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 features AdvanceTrac®, Ford’s stability control system, with several options for performance. The default “on” mode accommodates every-day driving, and a Sport mode delivers for those wanting to put the Shelby GT500 through its paces on the track. The system also can be turned completely off, although the anti-lock brake system and other active safety systems remain in place. Standard safety equipment includes dual stage front air bags, side-impact air bags and Ford’s Personal Safety System®.

Numerous aerodynamic upgrades, including a redesigned splitter, were made to the front end of the 2010 Shelby GT500.

The team worked hard to get as much downforce with as little drag as possible, said Baldori. They worked to seal off the air that comes in the front so it can’t go under the car. A lot of time also was spent sealing components such as the radiator and intercooler to get rid of all leak paths. The result is an increased downforce, reduced drag and improved overall efficiency of the vehicle.

Directing the air so it’s used most efficiently was a painstaking process that ultimately will be rewarding to customers. The design of the front fascia and the car’s “flush” hood helps focus air flow. The top grille focuses air into the radiator, with a rubber flap inside the engine compartment helping to seal the system. The lower grille helps cool the intercooler.
SVT engineers also went as far to block off specific diamonds in the front of the 2010 Shelby GT500’s distinctive grille to help maintain the correct cooling and aerodynamic balance.

A meaner, reskinned snake ready to take to the streets
The 2010 Shelby GT500 is the most-robust design and most-distinctive model of the new Mustang lineup. “The design we chose was a ‘flush’ hood where the fascia defines the entire front of the vehicle,” said Hameedi. “That’s very hard to execute from an engineering standpoint, but it really sets the Shelby off as very different from the base Mustang.”

“This epitomizes the ultimate Mustang,” added George Saridakis, exterior design manager of the Mustang and Shelby GT500. “It’s all about power and expressing power.”

Saridakis said his team took a cue from the Shelby AC Cobra 427 with respect to the front grilles, which are gaping and appear ready to swallow the road.

Another obvious difference for the Shelby is the addition of racing stripes, which also will now be available on the convertible. “Racing stripes made their mark on 1960s-era Ford performance vehicles,” Hameedi noted. “That’s something we feel is a key part of the Shelby performance DNA – maybe more so than some of our competition.”

Rounding out the Shelby’s exterior modifications are the unique signature coiled Cobra badges on the front grille and front fenders, a more aggressive front splitter and lower-drag rear spoiler, which added to improved aerodynamic features. The spoiler is raked back aggressively to minimize drag, while an integrated Gurney Flap provides the downforce.

What’s inside counts with the 2010 Shelby GT500
The base 2010 Mustang received a powerful new interior design. For the GT500, the interior design team members challenged themselves to raise the bar even higher to create the ultimate Shelby Mustang interior.

Using genuine materials such as real leather in all seats, real aluminum on the instrument panel and Alcantara® suede inserts on the seats and steering wheel gave the appearance a precisely crafted, jewel-like yet functional feel. Customers can select racing stripes on the seats that match the exterior stripes.

The genuine aluminum finish panels have a unique-to-GT500 three-dimensional dimpled texture pattern inspired by racing clutch plates, braided hoses and cross-drilled racing brake rotors.
The pattern has been painstakingly tuned to compensate for the compound curvature of the instrument panels. In addition, the “GT500” logo has been discretely engraved into the aluminum in front of the passenger as a nod to classic Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s.

This unique aluminum finish panel is fully encapsulated by an exquisite soft seamless TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) instrument panel with a shape that resonates with Mustang’s powerful heritage. The center stack flows into the console and features a sub-flush shifter trim ring, flush cup holder door and lockable console stowage featuring the word “SHELBY” engraved in its Satin Liquid Chrome release button.

All 2010 Mustangs and Shelbys feature bright 360-degree rings surrounding the gauge cluster, uninterrupted by the steering column. These rings will come in chrome for the Mustang and a Satin Liquid Chrome finish for the GT500. This finish is featured throughout the interior. An intricate cobra is etched into the center of the aluminum steering wheel badge. The Shelby Cobra appears at startup on the navigation screen, and the familiar red “SVT” logo utilizes new ambient lighting to illuminate the door scuffplate.

“When customers drive this car, they’re not only going to be impressed by the performance and the Shelby heritage, but they’re going to see all these carefully designed details and know they’ve bought a well-crafted car,” Saridakis said.

Even the classic white shift knob – an icon of Shelby Mustang DNA from years past – received special attention. First, it had to be the traditional white. It also had to be specific to the Shelby. The answer was to combine the racing-stripes theme with the traditional “H” pattern found on shifters to create a one-of-a-kind knob. Like the exterior, the racing stripes wrap from end to end, encircling the knob.

Wide suite of standard features on the 2010 Shelby GT500
The 2010 Shelby GT500 includes several Ford innovations and industry-exclusive standard features, including:

* SYNC: The voice-activated hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players, providing customers hands-free cell phone and music selection capabilities – plus new 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report provided with no monthly fees.
* 911 Assist: When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC, the system is ready to assist in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an air bag-deploying accident. The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators.
* Vehicle Health Report (VHR): SYNC gathers relevant information from the major vehicle control modules and packages diagnostic data into a usable format in a matter of minutes. That data packet is sent to Ford via an 800-number automatically dialed using the customer’s paired and operable mobile phone.
* Ambient Lighting System with MyColor™ allows drivers to customize the interior lighting of the vehicle to suit their mood. The enhanced MyColor system features seven base colors – ice blue, purple, blue, orange, red, white and green. Customers also can create 125 custom colors by mixing the red-green-blue palette.

Available options:

* Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link™ is an industry-leading technology that provides users a unique, information-rich in-car experience. The suite of data services includes up-to-the-minute real-time traffic data with accident and incident information for 78 markets, coast-to-coast weather data including current conditions and five-day forecasts and fuel price information for more than 120,000 gas stations. SIRIUS Travel Link also offers sports scores and schedules and a listing of more than 4,500 movie theaters with movie times, theater addresses, movie synopses and more.

This combination of outstanding performance coupled with a fresh, exciting, well-crafted interior intensely focused on improving the entire experience will make the 2010 Shelby GT500 even more sought after, and a fitting addition to a long and proud history.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms in spring. The cars will be built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

[Source: AutomoBlog.net, Wikipedia, AutoBlog.com]

Hennessey Camaro SS Pictures & Details

Anthony Carbone — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:54:11 +0000

With the recent release of the Chevrolet Camaro, the Z28 performance version doesn’t appear willing to make it’s debut anytime soon, especially with the state of the economy and more importantly the gloomy and stalled auto industry.

Leave it to Hennessey Performance to create the Hennessey Camaro HPE550 which pumps out 562hp and 557 ft-lbs of torque! Hennessey claims this tuning package will deliver a 0-60mph clocking of 3.9 seconds and a quarter mile run at 11.9 seconds at 119mph.

Hennessey achieves this by taking a stock 2010 Camaro SS and adding a Magnuson supercharger, Corsa exhaust system, high flow fuel injectors, aero package, aluminum forged 1 piece wheels and a touch of the Hennessey spirit. The upgrade package alone costs $24,000 for pickup or $31,000 USD installed.

For those who really want to blow out their Camaro SS and be the baddest kids on the block, Hennessey provides a HPE700 ($54,000 USD = 705hp & 717 ft-lb torque, 0-60 in 3.7 seconds top speed 201mph) and HPE1000 ($59,000 USD=1000hp) packages which are twin turbo setups.

PRESS RELEASE

HENNESSEY PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING ANNOUNCES LIMITED EDITION 562 HP HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGE FOR THE 2010 CAMARO

SEALY, (TX) – Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE), well known for their extreme performance sports cars and muscle cars, announces their Limited Edition 2010 HPE550 Camaro.

At the heart of the beast is a supercharger system added atop the LS3 V8 making 6 psi boost combined with a Corsa stainless steel exhaust system and custom engine management calibration from HPE. This upgrade system results in 562 bhp and 557 lb-ft torque. Rounding out the package, HPE adds a set of light weight 20 inch wheels, Hennessey’s Cam-Aero ™ body upgrades include: Rear lip spoiler, carbon side rocker panels and front splitter, Hennessey graphics package and premium floor mats.

Hennessey plans to offer up to 500 units for the 2010 model year. Each HPE550 will come with its own unique serial number which will be displayed on a plaque located on the dash and under the hood. Other options available from HPE include: Larger brakes, suspension upgrades, upgraded interiors along with larger wheels and tires. HPE will also be offering more powerful engine upgrades including twin turbo systems producing up to 1000 hp.

HPE is also offering a modified version of the LS9 motor which currently powers the 638 bhp Corvette ZR1. The company has been testing their 705 bhp variant of the LS9 since February using retired GM engineer and racer, John Heinricy as their development engineer and test driver. Heinricy recently drove Hennessey’s ZR1 at the Texas Mile to a record setting speed of 196.7 mph in the standing mile.

“The HPE550 upgrade package gives 2010 Camaro owners the kind of power they are going to want, especially when they roll up on a Shelby GT500 Mustang”, said John Hennessey, President and CEO of Hennessey Performance Engineering. “We will also be offering an extensive list of aftermarket performance parts and accessories for the 2010 Camaro. From mild to wild, new Camaro owners will be able to order air induction systems, exhaust and header systems as well as supercharger systems, suspension kits and more.

HPE550 buyers will also receive a 1/2-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park – a ¼ mile dragstrip facility located adjacent to Hennessey’s 24,000 square foot production facility and showroom. The HPE550 Camaro is available from select Chevrolet dealers as well as directly from Hennessey Performance Engineering. Production will begin in May, 2009 and orders are now being taken.

Located just west of Houston Texas at the Lonestar Motorsports Park complex, HPE has been building American supercars for nearly two decades with its Veyron-beating Venom Vipers, Ford GT’s and recently released Dodge Challengers.

[Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/01/562-hp-hennessey-camaro-hpe550-is-the-z28-that-never-was/">HennesseyPerformance.com]