Prior to this year’s LA Auto Show, there appeared to be a great deal of buzz surrounding the Dodge stand, after all the limited production Yellow Jacket Challenger and Charger Super Bee were due to make their debut here, most attendees expecting them to make a splash, finished in retina scorching yellow.

Instead things ended up quite different. The Yellow Jacket never made it out onto the show floor and Super Bee, instead of being officially unveiled, sneaked its way onto the Dodge stand virtually undetected, aided by being a Pitch Black model, instead of one finished in shocking Stinger Yellow.

Nonetheless the car, which will be limited to a production run of 1000 units, was quite well received, by those that were able to actually notice it. However, with matte black finished graphics, gloss black rear spoiler, even gloss black inserts on the rear wheels, the Pitch Black model is essentially devoid of color, that is, if you discount the charcoal hood stripes, 392 Hemi fender badges and Super Bee emblem on the grille.

However, with winter fast approaching for us Northern folk, the availability of this car and the Yellow Jacket will no doubt bring a few rays of sunshine to a dull January, even though from the time those North of the Mason-Dixon buy their new toys to the time they’ll really want to drive them might be several months.

GALLERY: 2012 Dodge Charger Super Bee

See AutoGuide’s complete LA Auto Show coverage here

We were teased with some pictures of it prior to the car’s official debut at the LA Auto Show, yet with the emphasis on the 650 hp Shelby GT500, it was perhaps understandable that the Boss 302, which has been hogging the limelight as of late, took a step back.

Nonetheless, it remains a serious piece of kit for 2013. The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 with its unique induction setup and calibration, cranking out a credible 444 horsepower 380 lb-ft of torque, while power is transmitted through a close-ratio six-speed to a solid axle with 3.73 gears.

Like other Ford Mustangs, the 2013 Boss adopts more of a Shelby esque front fascia for 2013, with HID headlights, plus a more aggressive front splitter and removable covers where the foglights are found on standard GTs. They are designed to provide extra cooling during track days and can be quickly removed and reinstalled with a screwdriver.

Other distinguishing features include a move to a reflective stripe package, with hockey stick graphics on the flanks (the spitting image of those found on the 1970 Boss 302), a new exterior color in the shape of shocking School Bus Yellow (chosen due to partnership with Bluebird), a gloss back panel between the LED taillight lenses.

Laguna Seca Boss models feature an even more aggressive front splitter, and new gray accents on the exterior mirrors, grille and rear deck spoiler. There’s also a Laguna Seca logo on the fake rear “gas cap”  as well as two-tone gray and silver 19-inch wheels. Laguna Seca models for 2013 will be offered in either School Bus Yellow or Black exterior colors and dispense with the roof stripes found on the 2012 version.

Another feature standard on all Boss 302s for ’13 is Ford’s SYNC in-car connectivity system, though one has to wonder if there’s a command that says “More Horsepower.”

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Carroll Shelby was on hand for the unveiling of the 2013 Shelby GT500 on the eve of the LA Auto Show, calling it “the greatest Mustang ever built.” He’s got good reason to say so too, with Ford billing the car as having the most powerful production V8 engine in the world. Exactly how much is that? And what else doe the new Shelby GT500 deliver? Watch the video after the jump to find out.

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500

Watch the video below:

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If you’re a Nurburgring lap video junkie then today is your lucky day. After first announcing the new 2012 Camaro ZL1‘s incredible 7:41.27 time around the Green Hell, Chevy has now released a video of the stunning feat.

The 580-hp supercharged V8 muscle car proves it can handle too, thanks in part to the Corvette ZR1′s Performance Traction Management system.

The lap time, while roughly 20 seconds off the ZR1 is just 1.5 seconds away from a Porsche GT3. The current production car record holder is the Dodge Viper ACR with a lap time of 7:12.

Enjoy the video, and the Camaro’s incredible sounds, after the jump:

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The Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang together outsold all hybrids in the U.S. market for the month of May. With fuel prices skyrocketing and the cost for a gallon of gas around $4, many would think this is absurd. However with advancements in technology, the fuel economy efforts by GM, Ford and Chrysler have made these models far more efficient than in the past. And besides, Spring is the perfect season to buy a summer toy.

The 2012 Camaro lead muscle car sales in May 2011, with the introduction of the convertible model, selling 9,451 units. This is a gain of 5% over May 2010, however 10,000 Camaros were sold in April, so there was a slight decline from the previous month. The 2012 Mustang came in second place selling 4,407 units which also suffered a 36% decrease over May 2010. The 2012 Dodge Challenger came in third place with 3,418 units sold in May. Even with the slump in sales for May, a total of 19,476 Challengers, Camaros and Mustangs were sold compared to 17,852 hybrids sold in the U.S.

The Earthquake in Japan prevented vehicles from coming into the US and this needs to be taken into consideration when looking at these numbers, but it is still amazing that with gas this high, many Americans are not ready to let go of their favorite muscle cars.

[Source: Mustang Forums]

Schools looking to improve the grades of their students should learn a lesson from Northwest ISD. The Texas high school holds an annual car giveaway with two other neighboring schools, and this year’s prize was a shiny new Chevy Camaro.

Deigned as a way to motivate students into improving their grades and attendance, students earned raffle tickets through their grades, with higher grades getting more tickets and, therefore, more chances to win.

This year’s winner was Kenzie Deaton, who will have to settle for being driven in (not driving) the American muscle car. Deaton, after all, is just 14.

The 24 runners up don’t walk away empty handed either, with each getting a Dell Streak 7 Touch Screen Tablet.

The school didn’t say if overall grades for the year had improved, but we have to think the prize is worth a few extra nights doing homework.

[Source: NBCDFW]

The introduction of the Camaro ZL1 didn’t bring balance to the muscle car wars, it has only reignited them. According to sources inside Ford, the 2013 version of the Shelby GT500 will up its output some more, this time laying down 600-hp.

In fact, it may be more than that, with a 620-hp number pegged. How Ford will get that number is through the use of a larger displacement engine, with the current 5.4-liter block being expanded to 5.8-liters. The current Eaton M112 supercharger will also be traded for a TVS unit – the very same one used in the Corvette ZR1.

With the added power, the 2013 GT500 should hit 60 mph in just about 4.0 seconds (not much change due to traction), while the quarter-mile time should drop by as much as half a second, possibly dipping the super Mustang into the 11 second range.

As for the rest of the vehicle, expect it to keep the solid rear axle – for now.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Saleen Performance Vehicles announced that it will end production of their Saleen Mustang vehicles in order to focus on aftermarket parts. The final vehicle, a 2011 Saleen S302, will end a lineage that stretches back to 1983. Production will end in the third quarter of 2011.

Saleen was recognized as the last word in high performance Mustangs, with products being sold through Ford dealers and backed by a warranty. Their legendary bright paintwork and supercharged engines were the stuff of dreams for Mustang enthusiasts and we’re sad to see this era come to an end. Saleen also produced a supercar, the S7, from 2000 to 2009.

[Source: Jalopnik]

At this year’s SEMA Show, Dodge boss Ralph Gilles hinted that he’s looking to bring back the Cuda, a car that just came another step closer to production with Chrysler having just registered the name.

Combined with the fact that the muscle car wars have been heating up for several years now, the introduction of the Barracuda (easily one of the most iconic names in the auto industry) is a certainty. What isn’t clear are the details, especially considering the Cuda was a Plymouth product – and Chrysler killed-off the Plymouth brand in 2001.

The car will most certainly be based on the Dodge Challenger underpinnings, and we sincerely hope that like the historic cars it will be slightly smaller overall – as doubtful as that may be.

[Source: AllPar]

If you’ve got a bit of cash burning a hole in your pocket and absolutely love the 1970 Dodge Charger then this is one example you should take a look at.

The 1970 Charger was the last of the classic ‘coke bottle’ examples and added a new grille and fenders among other things, plus the option of 15-inch wheels. It even came with high impact colors, like Panther Pink, Top Banana and this even more shocking hue called Sub Lime.

The R/T model shown here is documented to have originally been ordered in this retina scorching color and still has the original Chrysler build sheet. It’s also been fully restored; the 2-stage paint is far deeper and glossier than the old enamel originally applied at the Newark, Delaware assembly plant, plus the panel gaps are now linear and precise. Exterior trim has been restored and underneath this Charger looks just as good as it does from the outside. The black vinyl interior has been completely re-done, right down to the door panels and gauge cluster.

Under the hood, the car’s original 440 cubic inch (7.2-liter) Magnum V8 has been re-built and stroked, now displacing 492 cubic inches (8.1-liters). Although not originally ordered on this car, the optional (for ‘70) six-pack intake and triple carburetors have been fitted in the interests of greater appeal. Other neat options on this car include the A833 four-speed manual gearbox, stout Dana 60 rear end with 4.10 gears, power brakes with front discs, 26-inch radiator, black hood stripes, tie-down pins and a luggage rack.

Muscle era Mopars tend to attract a lot of attention and this Charger is certainly no exception. However, given the paint color and desirable options, the current asking price of $79,900 isn’t all that steep, especially in view of the workmanship on this beauty. If a car like this floats your boat and you’ve got the means with which to purchase it, then we’re exceedingly jealous.

GALLERY: 1970 Dodge Charger R/T

[Source: RK Motors]