After building up a reputation as a top level Corvette tuner, Lingenfelter engineering is taking what they know about the Chevy sports car and adapting it to the bowtie brand’s newest performance machine, the Camaro. Set to be unveiled at the 2009 SEMA Show in just a few weeks, Lingenfelter has taken a Camaro SS and tossed the car’s factory 426-hp 6.2-liter V8 in favor of the Corvette Z06′s 505-hp 7.0-liter LS7 engine. And that’s not all. Known for their expertise in forced induction, the boys at Lingenfelter have then gone and strapped a supercharger to the big 427 to make no less than 750-hp.

The engine has even been built up to take all the extra boost with JE Pistons, titanium intake valves and Iconel exhaust valves – the same material used for making Formula One exhaust systems.

For the build Lingenfelter teamed up wit the suspension experts at Hotchkis for what they call a, “Total Vehicle System,” complete with springs, sway bars and a subframe brace – which is sure to be needed with 750-hp and (we imagine) an equal amount of torque. The shocks are a Lingenfelter/Sachs combo. On to of these addition, there’s a big set of Brembo bakes, big 20-inch Pirelli tires on LPE wheels and a pretty wild aero kit complete wit carbon fiber additions.

“Over the years we have been involved in dozens of OEM and racing development programs, but this one is special,” said Hotchkis Performance president John Hotchkis. “Lingenfelter builds some of the fastest, coolest and most refined domestic supercars in the world, and the fact that they asked us to help develop the suspension for a 200 mph Camaro and then offered to debut the car in our booth is very exciting. Everyone in attendance will certainly be impressed with this stunning piece of high-performance engineering.”

We’ll be sure to bring you plenty of photos of the Lingenfelter Camaro with live coverage of the 2009 SEMA Show starting November 3rd.

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

GALLERY: Lingenfelter/Hotchkis Camaro

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Chrysler has announced it will be bringing four specially-made Mopar vehicles representing each of the company’s brands to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, including one very special 556-horsepower Challenger designed as a street-legal version of the company’s Drag Pak 1/4 mile racer. Named the Dodge Challenger 1320, after how many feet there are in a 1/4 mile, the car boasts a Mopar 426 cubic-inch, all-aluminum, HEMI V-8 crate engine with the aforementioned 556 horsepower and 540 ft-lbs of torque and uses the stripped-down, race-only chassis that Dodge sells to competitive drag racers.

Other highlights include Mopar police wheels with street-legal Mickey Thompson drag radials, an adjustable coilover kit, six-speed manual transmission with a custom Dynatrac rear housing with Mopar Dana 60 internals, an ARB locking differential and an exhaust bypass system that keeps the car emissions legal on the street but re-routes the exhaust gases past the mufflers for the drag strip.

The car is painted in a non-metallic yellow paint (called Acidic Hue) with matte black graphics. There’s also a new hood, front splitter and new grille panel and headlight surround. As for the inside, there’s all sorts of good stuff, including Dodge Viper seats, a sport steering wheel and Hurst shifter. Much of the other interior amenities, like the center console and radio have been removed to reduce weight and help the Dodge Challenger 1320 deliver maximum performance.

We’ll be sure to bring you more on the car with live coverage of the SEMA Show starting on November 3rd.

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

Read more on the Dodge Challenger 1320 and the rest of Chrysler’s SEMA vehicles after the jump:

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Mustang-tuner Steeda has just released one photo of its upcoming 2010 Q-Series Mustang, which will get a full unveiling at the SEMA Show in early November.

Other than the look of this pony car (which we very much like), not much else is known. The bodywork was designed using CAD and then wind tunnel tested for optimal aerodynamics.

Once unveiled we do expect to find a full suspension upgrade, along with a serious supercharger under the hood.

“In all of our Q-Series of high performance Mustangs, we never compromise or take shortcuts,” said Dario Orlando, the founder of Steeda Autosports, “our customers who demand maximum performance, bullet-proof reliability, and class leading race honed styling wouldn’t have it any other way!”

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

Official release after the jump:

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A special pre-production Hurst-modified Camaro will be put to auction ahead of the car’s official unveiling at the 2009 SEMA Show. Proceeds from the car’s sale will benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Hurst is also expected to announce a new performance series of Camaros (a first for Hurst) at the SEMA Show.

General Motors donated the one-off car to support the fund which helps students pursue a future in the automotive aftermarket industry.

“We are thrilled to be able to support the SEMA Scholarship Fund by contributing this very special Camaro,” said Bob Kern, General Motors SEMA Relations Manager. “GM is very committed to growing this industry and we are certainly dedicated to be part of a program that helps enrich the lives of so many young, aspiring automotive scholars.”

The Brilliant Black Camaro with silver and red striping is equipped with 20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels, a rear deck spoiler, Eibach suspension, a Magnaflow exhaust system and Hurst Competition Plus short-throw shifter with a red anodized Hard-Drive Billet pistol grip handle. Other touches include metal exterior badges, a Hurst/Camaro dash plaque and logos embroidered floor mats. And to guarantee the car’s uniqueness, the Hurst executive team has signed the trunk lid.

“This is hands-down the coolest Hurst Camaro ever…in fact, it’s the first one!” said Hurst Performance CEO and 25 year SEMA Scholarship Committee member, Chris Phillips. “At Hurst Performance, we are committed making a difference with our cars and that includes helping young people get started in their careers in this industry. We are honored to join SEMA and GM in donating this car to this very worthy cause.”

The car will be auctioned on eBay Motors two weeks before the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where it will be on display from Nov. 3rd to 6th.

Official release after the jump:

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I Legacy, the company responsible for the Lee Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang has just announced pricing o the completely custom pony car and it’s not easy to swallow. The coachbuilt creation, named after the man who first introduced the world to the Mustang 45 years ago, will start at $89,950 – more than even the Mustang GT500KR. And for the record, that price does not include the Ford Racing supercharger, which pums up the power to 400hp.

What the Iacocca Mustang offers is exclusivity, not just through its design but due to its rarity, with just 45 of the cars being built.

“The Iacocca Mustang embodies all the elements of a car that will be a future collectible,” said Keith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market magazine. “It is stunning in appearance, will be built in limited numbers and has top-flight performance. Further, given its true custom-built nature, it is being offered at a very reasonable price.”

The car sits lower than stock and has a completely redesigned front end with a slanted grille and recessed headlights. The wheels are 20-inch Iacocca Design models with center caps that feature a bold “I” in the middle. Other markings, including an Iacocca Design hood badge and Iacocca lettering on the rear, will help distinguish this car as a rarity – as will the special Iacocca silver paint.

Inside the choachwork continues with special leather seats, a new leather wrapped steering wheel with an “I” badge, Iacocca-lettering on the door sills and a numbered dash plaque.

As for performance, the 45 cars will be outfitted with a Ford Racing handling package and optional 14-inch Ford Racing brakes.

The Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang is offered exclusively through Galpin Ford.

GALLERY: Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang

Official release after the jump:

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Chevy’s on-again, off-again plans to build an ultra high-performance Z28 version of the all-new Camaro are back on again. Ed Welburn, GMs VP of global design, told the folks at Inside Line, that it will see production and that the new body design has already been completed.

The new Z28 would get a version of the Cadillac CTS-V’s supercharged 6.2-liter V8, which makes 556-hp in that application. The V also comes with both a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, so we should expect both versions to be offered on the high-powered Camaro.

Plans for a Z28 model were canned when the economy took a nose dive and General Motors declared bankruptcy. But during that entire process the Camaro was a bright light, as sales soared. Now GM is hoing to capitalize on the new Camaro and ride its wave of success for as long as possible.

This new Z28 would in many ways be a direct competitor for Ford’s 540-hp Shelby GT500. That being said, expect more than just aesthetic modifications, with bigger brakes and some suspension tuning.

At the earliest the Camaro Z28 would be a 2011 model, with the possibility of sales some time later in 2010.

[Source: Edmunds]

Roush has just released its new top-level “Stage 3″ tuning package for the 2010 Mustang. With an R2300 ROUSHcharger blower and a modified 4.6-liter Ford V8 (with new pistons, con rods and a forged steel crankshaft) the motor now makes 540hp and 510 ft-lbs of torque.

Outside, the car gets a full aero kit as well as a new billet upper grille, which deletes he fog lights and gives the car a meaner look, while improving cooling. A set of 18-inch chrome wheels is included with 20-inchers optional. The suspension includes new shocks and struts, as well as tighter and lower springs and stiffer sway bars.

Numerous interior upgrades are also included.

“The ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang has traditionally been among the halo vehicles of our lineup and I’m really proud that it sits atop the pecking order once again,” said Jack Roush. “This new iteration of the Stage 3 represents our highest horsepower and most sophisticated Roush Mustang yet, and is sure to resonate among our fans.”

In addition to this model, Roush has also released a new 540HR package. Designed as a sleeper, it comes with all the power and performance upgrades but with a mostly stock exterior. In testing the HR model ran an 11.8 at 121 mph.

“The new ROUSH 540RH is really intended to be a ‘sleeper’ car,” Roush explained. “It will be purposely built with minimal content as it was designed for the buyer who wanted the ROUSH horsepower but with a blank canvas that can be customized into their own personal one-of-a-kind ride.”

Roush is pricing the 2010 Stage 3 car from $59,945 and the HR model from $46,145. Only 103 Stage 3 models will be produced.

GALLERY: 2010 Roush Stage 3 and 540HR Mustangs

Official release after the jump:

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With the debut of its Series 4 Supercharged Challenger at the Woodward Dream Cruise, Hurst Performance decided to bring back the company’s classic silver and black color combo. The limited edition silver and black cars come with a metallic red Hard-Drive pistol grip Hurst shifter, 20-inch one-piece Hurst wheels and a custom Hurst/Katzkin interior with red inserts, red stitching and red logos. In addition each car will get Hurst red and black logos on the dash and grille with badging on the wheel center caps and embroidered logos on the floor mats.

All Performance Series cars get Hurst’s Air-Speed rear spoiler, an Eibach suspension as well as new shocks and sway bars, a Magnaflow catback exhaust, BF Goodrich KDW tires and K&N air filters. Series 3 through 5 get Vortech superchargers, with the Series 4 model shown here making 572hp and 528 ft-lbs of torque.

“We are honored to be here in Flint today to introduce the newest Hurst Executive Hot Rod,” said Hurst chairman Nate Shelton, who was joined by Hurst legend Doc Watson and Ron Flint of Hurst Performance Vheicle to unveil that car at the “Back to the Bricks” event in Flint, Michigan. “The Back to the Bricks celebration is the perfect place for us to join Doc and introduce this stunning car as a tribute to Hurst’s legacy.”

“I am proud to be part of the continuation of a great Hurst tradition.” said Watson. “These wonderful vehicles should prove to be some of the most collectible Hurst cars in the future.”

GALLERY: Series 4 Supercharged 2010 Hurst/HEMI Challenger

Official release after the jump:

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Autobots: roll out, and now you can too with the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Transformers Special Edition. The Bumblebee inspired creation was officially introduced yesterday at a fitting venue, Comic-Con in San Diego.

“When the first Transformers movie was setting box office records, we had countless customers asking to purchase the ‘Bumblebee’ Camaro,” said Karen Rafferty, product marketing director, Chevrolet. “Now, they can buy one with the new Camaro Transformers Special Edition. Streets all over North America will be buzzing in no time.”

The Transformers kit can be ordered on either the 304hp V6 model or the 426hp V8-powered SS at an additional cost of $995.

It includes Autobot shields on both front fenders and on the wheel center caps. The Autobot logo will also be embroidered on the center console. Additionally, the kit includes Transformers logos on the driver and passenger door sills as well as a Transformers logo on the rally stripes (included) that run up the hood.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Camaro Transformers Special Edition

Official release after the jump:

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Steve Saleen’s new company SMS Supercars is just about ready to unleash its version of the 2010 Mustang and has released a complete ordering guide for both versions of the Pony Car, as well as a few images of a near-completion prototype.

The images show a significantly more aggressive design with a new front fascia, side skirts, rear end and decklid spoiler. Other highlights include an SMS grille and fog lamp design, as well as a new Red Butterfly Air Induction Hood and signature 20-inch wheels.

Earlier this year SMS announced that it would create two models, the SMS 460 and 460X. The 460X is the big power option with an SMS 296 Supercharger bolted to a completely reworked 4.6-liter engine that will boast a displacement of 5.0-liters. As well as the displacement increase, the new 5.0-liter motor will also get significantly revised heads. The result of all these modifications will be 655hp and 600 ft-lbs of torque!

A less outrageous option is also offered, the 460, which includes the SMS 296 blower but not the added engine work. Power is rated at a still-impressive 470hp and 427 ft-lbs of torque

Both models are expected to hit 60 mph in the low 4 second range.

Of course, the SMS 460 Mustangs won’t just be straight -line performers and will include a revised suspension setup and  powerful new brakes. Also look for impressive interior work with plenty of leather and Alcantara.

“The SMS 460 Mustang embodies everything I stand for,” said Steve Saleen. “It reflects my unrivaled tenure in the Mustang business, my passion and love for the Mustang brand.”

Pricing has also been released with the base 460 model starting at $64,990 and the ultra high-performance 460X at $85,961. SMS will release convertible versions of both models as well with pricing set at $5,000 more than the coupe models.

Those who can’t wait can already spec out their new SMS Mustang here:

http://www.smssupercars.com/460-mustang-order-guide.html

GALLERY: SMS 460 Mustang

[Source: MotorTrend]

Decades from now versions of the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 will sell at auctions like Barrett-Jackson for significantly more than their ’09 counterparts. The reason? Sure, they sport a revised body and even more power – 540hp and 510 ft-lbs of torque to be exact – but the real reason will be because of their exclusivity.

Ford has reportedly decided to limit production of the 2010 Shelby GT500 to just 2,000 units. In comparison the automaker built 22,989 versions of the past GT500 from 2007-09.

The news comes from TeamShelby.com member 06VistaBlueGT, who posted a pdf on the forum sent from the Ford Motor Company to dealers outlining the limited production and letting them know that if they already signed an order form that their dealership would receive one Shelby GT500.

So far 1,700 of the 2,000 are still available and so Ford is no doubt giving its dealers the opportunity to order more of the high-powered pony cars if they feel there is a demand for them in their market. We have to think a smart dealer would order as many as possible, as with the limited production the 2010 Shelby GT500 will likely sell above MSRP.

[Source: TeamShelby via Autoblog]

General Motors can barely keep up with demand for the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, but that won’t stop the American automaker from bringing the car to less traditional markets. According to German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport, which cites and executive at Chevrolet Germany, the Camaro will go on sale in Europe in the near future

We don’t know how soon Europeans will be able to buy a Camaro, which models will be offered or what pricing will be.

Currently the Camaro is priced at $23,040 for the 306hp V6 model and $35,425 for th3 425hp SS. This works out to roughly 16,400 and 25,215 Euros, but due to shipping and importing costs (as well as numerous other factors), we expect pricing to be above that.

Presumably the European Camaro will be available as a 2011 model as some changes will be required to meet European regulations.

Currently GM has the Camaro’s Oshawa, Canada assembly plant running overtime to try and keep up with demand on this side of the Atlantic.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via WorldCarFans]

The Camaro Convertible is back on track say the latest industry reports. While several media outlets (including Motor Trend) recently reported the indefinite future of the drop-top muscle car, MotorTrend is now reporting an about-face by General Motors.

The apparent reason for putting the model on hold was that the German supplier of the convertible top had gone bankrupt. Presumably GM needed to take some time to find a new parts supplier – something which could have eventually lead to the cancelation of the model.

The latest report, however, is that the supplier is still in business (maybe GM is paying them up front for the parts?) and that the Camaro Convertible will go into production. As a result of these shenanigans, the Camaro Convertible will see a production delay with the wind-in-your-hair sportscar going on sale in 2011 as a 2012 model.

Unfortunately this little incident is the extend of the good news, with plans for the Z28 (a high performance model using the supercharger 6.2-liter V8 found in the Cadillac CTS-V and Corvette ZR1) still slated for the recycle box.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept

[Source: MotorTrend]