Built by Time Machines in Hudson, Florida, this 1971 Plymouth Barracuda started its life at the shop by combining it with a chassis from a 2001 Dodge Viper complete with its 450-hp V10 powerplant and 6-speed manual transmission. From there, the entire body was refinished to stock form, using 100-percent Barracuda sheetmetal and no fiberglass. Giving the car new life, it was aptly painted Dodge Viper Red.

Subtle details on the outside of the restoration project include Viper logos and a forward-tilting hood, a tribute to the original Dodge Viper setup. Hardcore Barracuda fans will notice that all of the original chrome and trim remain intact while the stock hood sports a set of “Viper Powered” badges from an SRT-10 pickup donor. This gives the Barracuda a clean look similar to its factory form but clearly hints that it packs a real punch.

In order to accommodate the Viper’s chassis, the Barracuda got custom fabricated floors and the suspension was beefed up with a set of Aldan coilovers. To enhance the natural throaty note of the Viper’s V10, a custom dual exhaust was built for the Barracuda. To retain the whole factory-theme of the vehicle, stock Viper SRT 6-lug wheels can be seen on all four corners, wrapped with Michelin Pilot rubber in stock Viper sizing.

All the impressive custom fabrication didn’t stop with just the outside and the chassis, the interior received an impressive 5-passenger to 2-seater conversion. A custom all-steel dashboard was built housing original Viper gauges. Even the seats are factory Viper bucket seats.

The entire build is thoroughly remarkable and can be had for $199,900. The Barracuda only sports 40,319 miles on it.

GALLERY: Viper-Powered 1971 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible

[Source: RK Motors]

The eagerly anticipated 2012 Porsche 911 has been spied with almost no camouflage, which is a big change.

The new 911 will be a little longer than the last one, by 2.2 inches, but with 4 inches extra between the wheelbase. The growth of the car has been linked to accommodate a possible hybrid system. The base 911 while come with a 3.4-liter flat-six and 350-hp. The Carrera S will pack a 3.8-liter cranking out 400-hp. The car is also believed to be offered with a seven-speed manual transmission.

Performance numbers will be somewhat similar to the current model, with a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds for the base Carrera topping out at 186 mph. Impressively the 991 will be 12-15 percent more fuel efficient and weigh 55 pounds less. Porsche has stated the the Carrera completed the Nürburgring in 8:04, and the Carrera S in 7:50.

The Porsche 911 will makes it’s official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September.

GALLERY: Porsche 991

Check out the video after the jump!

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Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will invest more than $2 billion into its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant. The money will be put towards the new M-Class, the successor generations of the GL-Class, the C-Class and the expansion of production capacities.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, head of Mercedes-Benz cars, said ”We’re continuing to write new chapters of the Tuscaloosa plant’s success story with significant investments into the future.” Zetsche explained that the Tuscaloosa plant continues to serve as the blueprint for the automakers’ facilities outside of Germany.

In addition to the $2 billion investment, Mercedes also took the opportunity to announce that the company would donate an additional $100,000 to Alabama tornado relief and recovery efforts adding to the $1.1 million total contribution.

Everything is coming cartoon with ToyToyota’s Backseat Driver app, made just for kids. Designed to make any road trip go smoothly, Backseat Driver will keep kids occupied and let you keep your sanity.

A new brand from Toyota, ToyToyota’s first offering uses a GPS and accelerometer to match  the game play to what’s going on while you’re driving. Basically, your child is following your vehicle (called the Papa Car) in their own car. The idea is to pick up stuff along the way by driving over them. Let’s just say you pass a restaurant – your child is able to pull over in their virtual car, grab something to eat and get some points.

There’s a social aspect to the game as well – players can post their high scores on Twitter, and can compete with others via the game’s online ranking system. And as you collection more points, you’re able to use them towards pimping out your vitual ride.

If you’ve got an iPhone (3GS and 4), iPod Touch (3rd and 4th generation models), or iPad, you can download Backseat Driver for free at the iTunes store. If you want to see it in action before downloading, you can watch the video after the jump.

[Source: All Car Tech]

German luxury tuner DMC has refined the Maserati Gran Turismo, naming the project Sovrano 2011 and giving it an additional 150-hp and 60 lb-ft of torque. The extra power comes thanks to a supercharger mated to the 4.7L V8, bringing peak horsepower to 590-hp and torque to 348 lb-ft.

DMC didn’t stop there though, spicing up the exterior of the Maserati with a new aggressive front bumper, front lip, and additional air inlets and outlets on the hood to cool off the supercharged V8. The side skirts receive a Lambo-esque theme while the rear gets a sporty new rear diffuser and trunk spoiler. All of the body components are manufactured in high quality, lightweight carbon fiber.

DMC is also pushing their new line of wheels featuring a concave design in a staggered 20-inch pairing in the front and 21-inch pairing in the rear. DMC also lowered the Gran Turismo by 1.2-inch, giving it a slightly more aggressive stance.

Finishing off the project are interior modifications featuring high quality leather and contrasting stitching. Aluminum pedals and a sporty steering wheel are additional add-ons.

No pricing was announced from DMC.

GALLERY: DMC Sovrano 2011 Maserati GT

Seeing any car getting vandalized is an unfortunate sight. Seeing a Bugatti Veyron with a busted passenger-side window in Beverly Hills is tragic. Finding out that Veyron belonged to fashion designer Bijan Pakzad, who abruptly passed away in April, makes us question humanity.

Pakzad’s infamous black and yellow Veyron, which can be seen sitting outside his Rodeo Drive boutique, was recently vandalized with its passenger-side window smashed in, and of course video teams were ready to capture it all to share.

The motive behind the break-in isn’t clear, but we’re sure it’s safe to assume someone was looking for something to steal.

Check out the video after the break.

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As Lexus’ GS enters it’s fourth generation, the car has been redesigned to be sportier and more focused on the driving experience. The GS350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 producing 305-hp and 274 lb-ft of torque. It has a 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds and on a sad note for the V8 lovers, the GS460 has been discontinued.

The GS will not be any larger than the current car and Lexus claims, the new plaform is both more rigid and lighter than before. The GS has also gotten rid of the “waterfall” center console and replaced it with a massive 12.3-inch screen that displays navigation and audio information.

A high-performance GS F-Sport model will also be available using the same 3.5-liter V6 and will feature high spring rates, a thicker anti-roll bar, firmer adaptive shocks, larger two-piece front brake rotos, four-wheel steering, a variable-ratio rack and 19-inch wheels.

The GS will debut on August 18 but Lexus wouldn’t reveal the exact on-sale date. We expect it to be in showrooms sometime in early 2012. The F-Sport model will also go on sale in early 2012 and, an all-wheel drive version of the GS350 will be available sometime around the middle of next year.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Themed builds can often times be a disaster; sometimes attributed to having a bad concept, other times it’s just poor execution. The idea of taking a Lamborghini Murcielago and applying a themed build to it is could be scary, finding out that its inspiration comes from the Zero Fighter planes of the World War II era makes it interesting. Seeing the result though is proof that execution and taste is vital to building any project properly.

Liberty Walk is a tuner based out of Japan, known for their aggressive nature in customizing and this Murcielago is no different. But there’s a big difference between aggressive and gaudy and what this Murcielago is: aggressive and classy. The outside was outfitted with Liberty Walk’s own LB Performance Type 2 body kit and the formerly yellow Murcielago received a matte green treatment with some flat black mixed in to contrast. The color scheme alone already screams military, but the camouflage-patterned lips on the wheels is an awesome touch.

Subtle details include a similar camouflage finish on the brake calipers while the trend continues into the interior. The end product is a very aggressive Murcielago, sitting low on the ground and looking threatening from any angle. We love it!

GALLERY: Liberty Walk’s LB-R Zero Fighter Lamborghini Murcielago

[Source: Jon Sibal]

Chrysler head of design, CEO of motorsports and rad dude Ralph Gilles recently talked about the future of SRT and the next Dodge Viper, as well as confirming this: there will be no new Dodge Magnum.

Appearing on Fox Car Report, Gilles noted the popularity of the fast wagon and mentioned that he misses it; despite that, there’s no plan to revive it. Those looking to haul on both ends can get a Caravan “Man Van,” which was designed with heavy input from Chrysler’s European division.

As for the hairy-chested Viper, it will feature cruise control as well as some real Big Gulp holders—surely, to the ire of the car enthusiast “purists.” “Cruise control and cupholders have been the longest argument for about 17 years on the Viper,” said Gilles, but according to customers, including the two in the next Viper “might not be a bad idea.” With throttle-by-wire, adding cruise control would be an easy task.

The Viper is one of the most profitable arms of the Chrysler juggernaut, and SRT has been raking in dough by commanding a higher premium towards enthusiasts. SRT is looking to get into sports car and road course racing, especially with the Challenger and the Viper. And if they do, the purists can bet those two won’t have cruise control or cup holders.

[Source: Fox Car Report]

Prior Design is now giving owners of Mercedes-Benz‘s SL-class the option to convert their model to mimic that of an AMG SL Black Series body. The bold, widebody and aggressive design that has made the Black Series famous can now be had from Prior Design in the form of their Black Edition aerodynamic kit. Though no pricing was announced, the kit does come complete with everything required to do the transformation.

Doing the conversion will involve swapping out a majority of the factory body parts, outfitting the SL’s body with all new front fenders, front bumper, front lip spoiler, hood, side skirts, rear fender arches, rear bumper and diffuser and rear trunk spoiler. Lastly, a replacement windshield water tank is included to fit with the new front end.

GALLERY: Prior Design Mercedes-Benz SL R230FL PD Black Edition