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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.

29/11/2010 | By: Huw Evans

Back in 1993, Steve Saleen built a one-off Foxbody Ford Mustang for comedian and car guy Tim Allen. Dubbed the RRR ‘Casper’ it sported pearl white paint, MN12 Thunderbird front light assemblies, some trick wheels, a built driveline (including  a 576 horsepower 302 V8) and a six-point roll cage among other things.

Little has been seen or heard about the car since Allen took delivery, though now, it’s popped up for sale. The current vendor claims they’ve had the car since 1997, but it appears that this one-of-a-kind Mustang has been driven rather extensively (there’s notable wear on the steering wheel and upholstery) and wasn’t even cleaned before pictures were taken. Furthermore, it’s currently sporting standard 1993 Saleen wheels – what ever happened to the one-off phone dial style rims it originally came with?

The car is currently located in the Phoenix, Arizona area and the asking price is $85,000. That seems an awful lot for a Fox Mustang in this economic climate, even if is the RRR!

[Source: Hemmings Motor News]

09/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood


At last week’s SEMA Show, General Motors rolled out a selection of modified vehicles hinting at more than one direction the automaker may go when it comes to performance vehicles. In an article by Automotive News the suggestion was raised that GM may look to bring back performance brands – which it cut from its lineup during the recession in an effort to both reduce development costs and to brand itself as a greener automaker (not to mention one that doesn’t use taxpayer’s dollar to build 500-hp machines).

This rumor does have legs, especially with GM recently announcing a new performance vehicles and motorsports division.

However, in an interview, Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing, seemed to hint at another direction for GM, commenting that it, “might be initiatives around parts and accessories.” In other words, GM would look to leave the real performance parts business to the aftermarket (for now) while focusing on the highly profitable customization segment. At SEMA GM did introduce modified “Z-Spec” versions of its Cruze, Volt and Spark, all with bolt on parts. This would seem to hint at a more Scion-like method of offering extensive in-house customization options to buyers, especially those interested in models more attractive to the younger demographic.

[Source: Automotive News]

04/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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We’ve already brought you extensive coverage of Ford‘s official Mustang presence at the 2010 SEMA Show, including the RTR-X 1969 Fastback, but that’s only a small glimpse of the modified Mustangs at the world’s largest aftermarket expo.

A wander through the numerous halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center reveals a very long list of Mustangs (almost all of which are new 2011 GT models) from tuners like Saleen and Roush. Also of note are a few Mustangs built by the likes of Procharger and Vortech and showcasing their new supercharger systems for the new 5.0-liter V8. Not surprisingly, power gains are impressive with numbers as high as 600-hp – an almost 200-hp gain over the stock V8.

The big gains are a testament to the impressive engineering in the 5.0-liter block and we’re sure the numbers will only go up from here.

GALLERY: Modified Mustangs of the 2010 SEMA Show

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04/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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Having just officially announced the new 2011 Charger last week, Dodge has revealed a special RedLine version of the muscle sedan at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Built by Mopar’s “Underground” division the car is based on the 5.7-liter HEMI R/T model and gets a long list of upgrades.

Outside there’s a more aggressive front and rear, with a carbon fiber front splitter and rear spoiler that further add to the updated 2011 model’s new look. Plenty of black accenting is used on the roof as well as on the hood to keep the retro feel – which is really driven home by the car’s new taillight design. A set of carbon fiber mirror caps also help complete the look.

Compared to the stock car that will go on sale later this year, the suspension has been lowered by roughly one-inch, with a Mopar strut tower brace under the hood and a set of 22-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires. Several other Mopar parts improve overall performance with new headers, a cold air intake and complete exhaust system.

GALLERY: Redline Dodge Charger

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03/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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Having just officially announced the new 2011 Charger last week, Dodge has unveiled a special RedLine version of the car at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Built by Mopar’s “Underground” division the car is based on the 5.7-liter HEMI R/T model and gets a long list of upgrades.

Outside there’s a more aggressive front and rear, with a carbon fiber front splitter and rear spoiler while black accenting is used on the roof as well as on the hood. A set of carbon fiber mirror caps also help complete the look.

The suspension has been lowered by roughly one-inch, with a Mopar strut tower brace under the hood and a set of 22-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires. Several other Mopar parts improve overall performance with new headers, a cold air intake and complete exhaust system.

GALLERY: 2011 Dodge RedLine Charger

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See a brief very brief video of the Challenger Redline after the jump:

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02/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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One of several Camaros on display at the Chevy booth at SEMA, the Red Flash Camaro Show car is “the opposite of a sleeper.” Taking the already impressive lines of the fifth-gen Camaro to a new level, the best part about the Red Flash Camaro is that almost all of the accessories attached to the car can be ordered from the Chevrolet Accessory parts catalog.

Available parts include the aggressive aero kit as well as the large rear spoiler. Items like the Heritage hood stripes are already available, while those stunning 21-inch wheels can also be ordered. Chevy hasn’t yet said if the Red Jewel paint will be offered, but we have to think it will.

Inside, the Camaro gets Chevy Accessory pedals and floor mats, while custom touches include red LED lighting and special seats with red stitching. Also inside is a new flat-bottom steering wheel that Chevy says is a “prototype” for a future product. It’s also hard to miss the Hurst shifter.

Under the hood, the big 6.2L V8 gets a Chevy Accessory air intake and exhaust system, as well as a painted engine cover.

We can’t wait to see Camaros like this rolling the streets and await confirmation from Chevy on the Red Jewel paint.

GALLERY: Red Flash Chevy Camaro Show Car

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GALLERY: Red Flash Camaro at SEMA

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Official release after the jump:

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02/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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Ford crammed literally dozens of cars and trucks into its booth at the SEMA Show this year, but of the group there was one definitive showstopper. During the press conference, only one car remained under wraps and that was the Team Need for Speed 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X, built with input by Ford driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. and set to appear virtually in an upcoming Need for Speed game.

Based on the 1969 Dynacorn body Mustang (a recreation of the original fastback model using Ford tooling), the chassis is custom built, as is the suspension setup, to allow for an extra low ride height as well as some serious (50 to 60 degree) steering angle. After all, this is no trailer Queen. No, Gittin intends to drift the car like he would any other.

Under the hood is a new 5.0-liter V8 engine from the 2011 Mustang GT, pumped up to 440-hp at close to 8000 rpm. And who can miss the Kinsler individual throttle bodies?

Outside there’s plenty of custom bodywork including the massive fender flares. According to Gittin, he and his team took inspiration not just from race cars and classic American muscle, but also from old Japanese sports cars (we spy a little Datsun in the design). And speaking of old school Japanese cars, the RTR-X gets a set of Work Meister rims (designed after Gittin’s own drift car) wrapped in Falken RT615-K tires.

Other modern highlights for the RTR-X include an updated interior with digital gauges, as well as plenty of carbon fiber and Alcantara.

We can’t wait to see what this beauty is capable of.

GALLERY: Team Need for Speed 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X

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See after the jump for video of the car:

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01/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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With so many crimes against automotive design and general good taste set to be revealed at the SEMA Show this week, he no holds barred approach to car customization could use a little policing. And what better way to keep the peace than in Ford‘s Police Interceptor Stealth concept.

Set to debut tomorrow alongside a long list of Fiestas, Mustangs and F-Series trucks, this SEMA Show car takes inspiration from the SR-71 Stealth bomber and applies it to Ford’s Taurus SHO. Compared to Ford’s official Police Interceptor, this concept car is lowered by 1-inch and includes some massive 22-inch black wheels. It also gets the complete blacked-out treatment, with dark tint, smoke taillights and exterior brightwork that’s all been painted black.

We just have one question, is it OK to say that a police cruiser has been “murdered out?”

With the 2010 SEMA Show starting tomorrow, we’ll be sure to bring you more photos of the Ford Police Interceptor Stealth Concept soon. Until then, check out our SEMA Preview here.

GALLERY: Ford Police Interceptor Stealth Concept

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Official release after the jump:

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01/11/2010 | By: Jason Siu

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One of the major complaints about the latest-generation Chevy Camaro is regarding the interior. Exterior styling is spot-on, and there’s no arguing the powerplant is potent, but the cockpit is most certainly lacking in terms of material quality and design. Bulgarian tuner, Vilner, has gotten their hands on the first Chevy Camaro in Bulgaria and decided to build their vision of a perfect Camaro.

It’s hardly perfect, but it’s nice to see someone has addressed the Camaro’s interior issue(s). Vilner specializes in designing vehicle interiors, and their Camaro features a reupholstered cockpit using Nubuck, aged Nappa and chrome accents.

Their choice of color accents involves brown and black with top-notch attention to detail and craftsmanship. They also did a few performance and aesthetic changes, with an 8-piston brake kit and LEDs for the headlights. The stock wheels have been accented with Camaro and Vilner scripting.

If only the SEMA Show had more cars like this.

GALLERY: Vilner Chevrolet Camaro

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Official press release available after the jump:

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28/10/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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It looks like there might not be room for anyone but Ford at the SEMA Show this year. The Blue Oval has already announced a lineup of eight Fiestas, seven F-Series trucks and a selection of other vehicles that include everything from a Taurus to a Lincoln MKX; and now Ford has released info on nice 2011 Mustangs that are sure to attract a crowd at the world’s largest aftermarket expo.

While Ford will have their own Ford Custom Accessories Mustang on hand showing just how you can equip your ‘Stang straight from the dealer, some of the more impressive vehicles include the Mustang drag car build by Muscle Mustangs & Fast Ford, sporting a Ford Racing Performance Parts supercharger, Roush front-end and Cervini’s hood. Also of note is the Raceskinz Mustang with a ProCharger supercharger mated to the 5.0-liter V8 and a rear-seat delete. And let’s not forget the Mobsteel Mustang that’s all blacked-out and includes a turbocharged V6 under the hood.

And with Ford getting more progressive with the classic lines of the Mustang, let’s not forget the sport-compact themed Team Baurtwell car that includes a 3dCarbon aero kit or the Tjin Edition car. There’s also a solid chance the Street Scene Equipment Mustang Convertible could be a stunner in person.

And let’s not forget the Creations n’ Chrome Mustang that was built to raise awareness for breast cancer with a Vortech supercharger, HRE wheels, 3dCarbon aero kit and, of course, bright pink paint.

AutoGuide’s coverage of the 2010 SEMA Show starts November 2nd an we’ll be sure to bring you extensive photos of each car from the show floor. Until then, check out our SEMA Preview here.

GALLERY: 2010 SEMA Show Ford Mustangs

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Official release after the jump:

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