Dodge‘s trademark cross-hair grille, the front end treatment that has been the hallmark of the brand’s styling for years, will become the sole domain of the Ram truck brand, as the Chrysler division moves toward a new look for future products.

“It takes time. We will evolve the products,” Ralph Gilles, CEO of Dodge and Chrysler’s design chief, told Automotive News. “We did as much as we could with the split cross-hair grille,” he said. “We had to be careful because the cooling work was pretty much done when we decided to rebrand the vehicles. That will continue evolving over time.”

No plans were divulged with regards to Dodge’s new look, but with cars like the new Charger leading the way, and attempting to target a different kind of buyer, perhaps a more mature look is in line for the brand as Chrysler moves upscale, and Dodge has been seperated from Ram Trucks, which understandably needs to project a macho image.

[Source: Automotive News]

Taking a page from the Ford Mustang playbook, GM is set to launch a torrent of Chevrolet Camaro special editions on a bi-annual basis. After the Camaro ZL1 will be a special edition Camaro based on the car set to appear in the newest Transformers movie, followed by a replica Indy 500 pace car, and then a Camaro Synergy model, which will give V6 buyers all of the V8s performance upgrades sans the small-block mill – sort of like the previous Camaro RS models.

Those new models should carry the car through to 2014, but after that, it’s anyones guess. While so many variants may prove to be distracting, it’s also a cost effective way to keep the Camaro fresh long after the novelty of the car has worn off, and “early adopters” have snapped up the car during the initial excitement.

[Source: Automotive News]

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, is expected to have a base price of $47,000 when it launches in February, 2012. While it undercuts its chief rival, the Ford Shelby GT500 by about $2,495, a base Corvette, which has a 0-60 time of under 4 seconds, but only 430 horsepower, retails for $48,950. The Corvette also avoids the gas guzzler tax, which will likely plague the Camaro ZL1 and bring the effective price up to $48,500.

Of course, this begs the question as to why one would buy a ZL1. Obviously, the potential customer is heavily invested in the idea of a Camaro, and the Magnetic Ride Control and 550-horsepower supercharged V8 are a big draw. But with the Corvette being significantly lighter than the Camaro, and designed from the ground up as a sports car, the two are effectively within spitting distance of one another, and we can’t wait for the inevitable performance shootout.

[Source: Car and Driver]

It’s pretty hard to make the Dodge Challenger even more eye-catching, but a new color, dubbed “Green With Envy”, should help it attract the attention of bystanders and the ire of other motorists.

Available on the R/T Classic (white black or white stripes) or the SRT8 392 (black stripes only), the new getup is supposed to recall the glory days of Mopar muscle, when V8 bruisers were available in every hue of the Hi-Liter rainbow. For our money, it’s hard to beat the all-American white/blue stripes combo, but someone suffering from a bad mid-life crisis is bound to go for the green.

With only 352 days to go before the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 goes into production, you still have ample time to take up chewing tobacco and get acquainted with the music of Whitesnake.

The information comes from a dealer who just attended a national dealer meeting where Chevrolet officials described the product in detail. The name “Z28″ was never officially mentioned, and the car was instead called the “HP Edition”. Equipment for the car in question includes a supercharged 6.2L V8, magnetic shock absorbers, massive tires front and rear (285 width up front and 330 in the rear) and some cosmetic alterations to the bodywork.

[Source: Camaro5]

For the first time in 25 years, the Chevrolet Camaro has outsold the Ford Mustang, beating the Blue Oval’s pony car by roughly 8,000 units, with 81,371 Camaros sold.

More surprising is that the Camaro managed to unseat the Mustang despite the lack of a convertible version. A droptop Camaro won’t bow untill mid-2011. Despite Ford’s far superior driving dynamics, build quality, and well…everything…the Camaro has somehow captured the hearts and minds of Americans, and the upcoming ragtop, not to mention the Z28 range-topper will only help keep the streak going. Now if only they would stoop to the 1980′s nostalgia of the 5.0 and introduce an IROC package.

[Source: Left Lane News]

In the glory days of the muscle car, Chevrolet dealers would sometimes manipulate GM’s centralized ordering system to whip up some crazy concoctions with performance parts not normally available on regular production cars from the Bowtie brand. Nowadays, the COPO cars (as they’re known, in honor of GM’s Central Office Production Order system) can bring in huge bucks, as collectors strive to snap up the remaining cars built by Yenko and other notable dealerships.

Fast forward a few decades, and two dealerships, DeNooyer Chevrolet in Albany N.Y, and NeSmith Chevrolet, which has two location Georgia, are reviving this trend by using parts from GM’s Performance Parts catalog. NeSmith’s car puts down 700 horsepower from an LS9 V8 (the same type used in the Corvette ZR1) but will run you $125,000. The DeNooyer car uses a GM crate engine, known as the LSX454, that puts down 620 horsepower.

More information can be found at www.nesmithnow.com, www.denooyerperformancedivision.com as well as www.gmperformanceparts.com

[Source: GM Inside News]

Ford‘s Mustang FR500S died a quiet death recently, but the race-ready pony car is back in the form of the Boss 302S. While the Boss 302R is widely campaigned in Grand-Am sports car racing, the 302S is designed for club racers with deep pockets who want something they can take to an SCCA or NASA race, and be sure that they will walk away with a $5 plastic trophy.

At $80,000, the Boss 302S is probably a good deal, considering the parts and labor that would be required to prep a standard Boss 302 Laguna Seca edition, which starts at $47,990. The 302S gives you all that, plus a roll cage, a Recaro seat that’s compatible with a HANS device, an adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes and the massive front splitter/rear spoiler package. We’re also assuming that Ford has not only stripped the car entirely, but taken the time to make sure there’s no exposed wiring or sharp edges, unlike your local race shop’s foreman, who isn’t always thinking about quality control.

Only 50 will be available from Ford Racing, but if our home equity loan comes through, there may only be 49 by the time you read this.

[Source: Ford]

Technically, the above headline isn’t true. You can buy a Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, but this pony car isn’t road legal, and is meant strictly for drag racing.

Specs on the 2012 Cobra Jet haven’t been announced yet, but they have been leaked by a Ford dealer in Puerto Rico. Big changes include a standard aluminum block for the 5.4L V8 engine, forged connected rods, beefed up braking components, revised spring rates and new Weld drag racing wheels with Goodyear drag tires. The full details are below for those who like to go fast in a straight line.

[Source: Autoblog]

Hit the jump for the official specs

Continue Reading…

Chevrolet’s Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition will retail for $90,960 when it goes on sale in early 2011. Pricing hasn’t been officially announced, but Harlan Charles, GM’s Corvette product marketing manager let pricing numbers slip during an interview with Corvette Blogger, a leading Vette enthusiast site.

While the Carbon Edition shares the Z06s 7.0L LS7 V8, it gets some exclusive parts, namely carbon fiber body panels, Brembo ceramic brakes and Magnetic Selective Ride Control. Fully optioned, the Z06 Carbon should come it at just under $100,000, making it a nice bridge between a Z06 and a ZR1.

[Source: Corvette Blogger]

The Ford Mustang Boss 302 will start at a base price of $40,995, placing it between the already excellent Ford Mustang 5.0 and the over-the-top Ford Shelby GT500.

Buyers will be able to choose from options like a Torsen limited slip differential, Recaro seats and special paintwork. The Laguna Seca, package, which eliminates the rear seats and adds a number of track-ready modifications, will retail for $47,990.

While the Boss 302 is a lot of money for a Mustang, the sheer competence of the new pony cars leads us to believe that this one will be worth every penny.

[Source: Autoblog]

Ford has announced that their upcoming Mustang Boss 302 will feature a special key that allows owners to change the engine mapping parameters and enable a launch control system to be activated via the steering wheel.

Dubbed the TracKey, one ford exec claimed that “From an engine management standpoint, we’ve done just about everything possible to give TracKey users a full race car experience.” Considering that most race cars have an systemic inability to idle at anything approaching low rpms, we wonder if we’ll be treated to a horde of TracKey using douchebags who must incessantly rev their Boss 302s at stoplights to keep the cars from stalling. More likely, the TracKey will provide a reasonable facsimile of the racecar experience.

Also of note is Ford’s offer of an advanced driving course at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah for Boss owners. Customers must make their own travel arrangements, but everything else will be comped by Ford. Again, we expect the take rate to be inversely proportional to the (high) amount of poseurs who purchase the seemingly capable Boss.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

[Source: Ford]

Continue Reading…

Pardon the bad Spanish puns, but the Ford Fiesta isn’t the only game in town at the Blue Oval’s stand at this year’s SEMA Show. Ford’s pony car came galloping into Vegas with 6 variations of the Mustang, including V6 and V8 versions.

While most of the cars were packing the 5.0 V8, the V6 still made an appearance in the form of the Mobsteel Mustang, which features a very trick remote-mounted turbo system and an exterior treatment that was more import tuner than American muscle.

The other cars range from atrocious to badass, but we won’t tell you which – you’ll have to make up your own mind.

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Custom Accessories

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Boss 302 Street

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Boss 302R

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Street Scene

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Race Skinz

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Team Baurtwell

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Predator

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Mobsteel

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Dub/Roush

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

GALLERY: Ford Mustang RTRX

Although images of the Dodge Mopar ’10 Challenger have previous surfaced, we managed to get some live shots of the first special edition Challenger.

The Mopar ’10 Challenger is actually based on the Challenger R/T rather than the SRT-8, giving customers the choice of an automatic or manual transmission. Upgrades include a cold-air intake, front and rear strut tower braces, 20″ forged wheels, hood pins, unique badging.

The Mopar ’10 Challenger will only be available in a run of 500, and will be offered only in Brilliant Black. Check out the gallery below for more pictures.

Gallery: Mopar ’10 Challenger

For the first time ever, SEMA awarded three vehicles the distinction of “Hottest Car”, “Hottest Truck” and “Hottest SUV”. Not surprisingly, the winners were all domestics, with the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford F-Series and Jeep Wrangler winning their respective categories.

The vote is something of a popularity contest, as organizers used the “influence” of the cars, to judge the winners. Since these three cars are everywhere at SEMA, their victories make sense.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

Continue Reading…

Aside from the Challenger 392, Chrysler has a whole other lineup, including special editions of the 2011 Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Fiat 500 and and special, competition only Dodge Challenger V10.

Here’s a breakdown of Mopar’s big releases at the 2010 SEMA Show

2011 Dodge Charger Red Line: The Charger Red Line will be the first glimpse that the public will get of the 2011 Dodge Charger. The Red Line will get a 20″ wheel package, a blacked out roof, a unique red leather interior and a Mopar intake, exhaust and header kit.

2011 Dodge Durango Citadel “Black and Tan”: The Durango Citadel is basically the same car as the 2011 Dodge Durango, but with 22″ wheels and a Black and Tan exterior/interior color scheme inspired by “some of the finest super cars in the world”.

2010 Fiat 500: A concept version of the Fiat 500 that will be sold here, this car gets 18″ wheels, fender flares reminiscent of a widebody kit, red interior accents for the driver’s side and a special “liquid grey” paint scheme.’

Dodge Challenger V10 Drag Pack: Dodge touts this car as the world’s first V10 factory drag car. No, it’s not street legal (with Mopar stating it’s for “competition use only) but comes with a V10, a 2-speed transmission, roll cage, fuel cell and a striped out interior with a full racing gauge package.

Hit the jump to read the official press release and Mopar video

Gallery: Chrysler SEMA Cars

[Source: Chrysler]

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With the heaviest 2011 Ford Mustang nudging 4000lbs in curb weight, Ford knows that things have to change if their iconic pony car wants to meet upcoming fuel economy regulations.

Cutting weight and overall size will be the most expedient route, with lightweight materials coming into use throughout the vehicle. The Mustang is also a huge vehicle, and expected to shrink in size as well.

The Mustang is also rumored to get an independent rear suspension, after nearly 50 years of using an antiquated live-axle suspension. While the live-axle setup works well (as you’ll see in our upcoming GT500 review), the Mustang will likely move to an integrated rear-drive platform shared with the more advanced Ford Falcon, which utilizes an independent rear suspension. Finally, the legions of haters will be forced into silence about the Mustang’s rear suspension setup, and Ford will be able to continue the muscle car legacy well into the 21st century.

[Source: The Mustang News]

Sorry, V10 fans. Turns out that the Chrysler 300 SRT10 that we all thought would be a SEMA debut is actually a one-off car created by a Dodge dealership near Salt Lake City.

With a new 300 around the corner, it seemed strange for Chrysler to release an “old” look car than a brand-spanking new design. Furthermore, the 300 in question looks more like a standard 300 than a real SRT-8, with the more aggressive fascia and integrated dual exhaust. It turns out that the car was originally a V6 powered “Touring” model before it got the big V10 swap.

The good news is that the car is privately owned, and it’s conceivable that the car may one day be for sale.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Ford hasn’t even announced production numbers for the Boss 302 Mustang, but word is that the Blue Oval will tightly control the supply of the baddest Mustang by basing allocation on sales numbers and a special lottery held for dealers.

Dealers that sell large volumes (though the term itself wasn’t defined) will get 75 percent of Boss 302 units, while the rest will have to fight for scraps via the lottery. Dealers will automatically get one ticket, with extra chips given out for every Mustang sold. These dealers will be granted no more than one Boss 302, while the “volume” dealers are guaranteed one of the cars as well.

Just like the Ford GT and Shelby GT500, you will likely have to obtain your Boss 302 by way of brute force and deception. Of course, paying outrageous mark-up also helps.

[Source: Autoblog via Boss302Forum]

The 2011 Ford Mustang has upped the game with its superior driving dynamics, and the Dodge Challenger is getting more power this year to go along with its ultra-faithful retro styling. Not willing to be left behind, Chevrolet is readying the most extreme Camaro yet, the 2012 Z28.

Powered by the 6.2L Supercharged V8 used in the Cadillac CTS-V and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. GM somehow felt it wise to affix a label to the dash stating that this engine, along with a six-speed automatic, was present in the test car, giving us good reason to suspect the Z28 features the 556-horsepower LSA engine rather than the 620 horsepower LS9 engine, but you won’t hear us complaining. The LSA is available with either the automatic or a 6-speed manual, whereas the Mustang Shelby  GT500 offers only a stick.

Expect the appropriate chassis upgrades, as well as the visible big brakes, 20″ wheels and quad exhaust pipes as standard on the Z28. Chevy knows their competition well, and has to make sure that the Z28 will eat the GT500 and SRT-8 Challenger alive if they want to compete in this ultra-competitive segment.

[Source: Camaro5]

After selling 3,300 units of the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, the company announced that the total production run for 2011 would be limited to 5,500 units in total.

Ford apparently wants to ensure that the Shelby GT500 is an exclusive model, and with sales having “exceeded expectations”, this is likely a wise move for Ford’s performance flagship. Ford also said that 68 percent have been ordered with the Performance Package, which included an upgraded suspension, limited slip differential and rear spoiler, and that the glass roof option has been three times as popular on the GT500 than the regular Mustang.

Despite having a base price just under $50,000, the Shelby GT500 seems to have no trouble finding homes. Better act fast.

[Source: Autoblog]

Read our 2011 Shelby GT500 Review by Clicking Here

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is investigating Classic Recreations LLC for allegedly engaging in fraudulent activity relating to swapping VIN numbers on their rebuilt G.T.500CR Mustangs, which were endorsed by Shelby American.

According to local media reports, the company took VINs from junked Mustangs and applied them to their GT.500CRs, and sold them as new cars for between $150,000 and $200,000.

“They were presenting them as original Mustangs, when in fact, they were not,” said OSBI agent Gary Perkinson. “We’re looking at removing VIN numbers from vehicles, which is a crime. Then you’re looking at potential fraud.”

Anyone who has purchased a car from Classic Recreations should contact the OSBI immediately.

[Source: KOCO]

Following the footsteps of the Ford Mustang (which seems to have countless special editions), Dodge unveiled their first special edition Challenger, dubbed the “Mopar ’10 Challenger”.

Based on the Challenger R/T, the Mopar version gets a cold-air intake, front and rear strut tower braces, 20″ forged wheels, hood pins, unique badging. The car will only be available in Brilliant Black with Red, Blue or Silver striping. Only 500 units will be built, so act fast.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

Continue Reading…

It’s crazy to think that only five years ago, the Ford Mustang V8 put out 300 horsepower and put up 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. This year’s Mustang (technically a 2011) V6 will put out 307 horsepower and deliver 19 mpg in town and 30 mpg on the highway – not bad progress for half a decade.

Ford wanted to see just how far they could push the fuel efficiency of their new six-cylinder Mustang, and they set out to Bristol Speedway in Tennessee, and let the Mustang lap the oval circuit for as long as was possible on one tank of gas. After completing 1,457 laps (776.5 miles) at an average speed of 43.9 mph, the Mustang returned 48.5 mpg.

Keep in mind that the dreadfully slow speeds and controlled nature of the stunt means that these numbers have absolutely no bearing on the real world, but it’s a cool stunt nonetheless, and a sign of the times when the focus is on the fuel economy, rather than acceleration numbers of Ford’s pony car.