Friday, October 29, 2010

2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Performance


While everyone expected great things from Lamborghini at the recent Paris Auto Show, the Italian company only brought the Sesto Elemento Concept leaving all of us a little disappointed in the Italian automaker. That disappointment, however, may be short lived as Lamborghini is rumored to be bringing out a Performance version of the Gallardo LP570-4 in March 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show. If you remember the LP570-4 Superleggera Spyder that was caught testing at Nurburgring, then you’ve already caught a glimpse of the future vehicle.
The LP570-4 Performance will be distinguished by two black stripes covering the entire body, with the Performance name on the side. There will also be a glass-made engine hood borrowed from the Concept S and wheels from the LP570-4 Gallardo Superleggera.
Regarding its numbers, this performance version will be 67 lbs lighter than the LP560-4 Spyder and it will deliver 570 HP with a top speed of 201 mph. Prices will start at € 182.900.
We don’t really know if we should buy into this rumor, though. Lamborghini is said to be debuting the "Jota", or whatever it’s name is going to be, at the same Geneva show and two huge cars at one show might be overkill in Lamborghini’s dollar sign eyes. What do you guys think? Hit us up in the comments section below.
UPDATE 10/29/2010: Well, turns out we might have been right about the Superleggera Spyder not debuting at the Geneva Motor Show. New rumors suggest that the Gallardo LP570-4 Performance will be making its grand appearance at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Good news? We think so.

source : Top Speed



Monday, October 25, 2010

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392


After Mopar announced its line-up for SEMA Show, Chrysler has also revealed the official detail on the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 that will also be presented in Las Vegas. it will be offered in two versions: standard and Inaugural Edition, last limited to 1,492 units.

For the exterior Dodge is offering two colors and new full-body stripe combination including Deep Water Blue with standard Stone White stripes or Bright White Clear Coat with standard Viper Blue stripes and 20-inch SRT-exclusive wheels. There will also be "392 HEMI" badges, Mopar quad exhaust tips, a larger front splitter and integrated front fender, a newly modified front fascia chin spoiler and rear decklid spoiler. The interior will offer standard Smooth Pearl White leather-trimmed seats and dual blue stripes accented by unique blue stitching and serialized “Inaugural Edition 392 HEMI” dash plaque.

Under the hood Dodge placed the legendary 392-cubic inch HEMI V8 powertrain with 470 HP and 470 lb.-ft. of torque.

Dodge’s ultimate modern American muscle coupe, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, receives a big boost in horsepower and torque with the introduction of the legendary 392-cubic inch HEMI V8 powertrain for the street.

And the product story goes beyond the power rumbling under the hood.

Dodge performance loyalists asked for more power off the line, and the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 answers the call with 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s 90 lb.-ft. more torque at 2,900 rpm compared with the previous 6.1-liter V-8 engine.

Building on its original mantra of a rear-drive coupe that delivers balance between form and function, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 also brings world-class ride and handling along with high-performance braking and the latest technology that delivers improved fuel efficiency.

New, highly damped shocks offer a firm ride that maintains the feel for everyday commuting while being fully capable for the more challenging situations. SRT engineers recalibrated the suspension geometry to improve Challenger’s balance, corning ability and steering responsiveness. Quicker steering ratios and new negative camber settings all around dramatically improve Challengers appetite for cornering.

The performance SRT-tuned, fully hydraulic steering system also has been improved with a new, heavy-duty pump and revised gearing to give drivers more direct feel and on-center response.

The result: the 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 is now more nimble and playfully "tossable" while still capable of an incredible .93g of lateral acceleration on the skid pad – the most of any production Challenger.

To kick off 2011-model year production, Dodge will build 1,492 Inaugural Edition models of the Challenger SRT8 392, all with exclusive content.

On the outside, Dodge is offering unique customization for those first 1,492 owners. Two colors and new full-body stripe combinations include Deep Water Blue with standard Stone White stripes or Bright White Clear Coat with standard Viper Blue stripes. All Inaugural Edition models will ride on standard 20-inch SRT-exclusive wheels that feature a polished face and satin black painted pockets.

Unique “392 HEMI” badges flank both fenders touting the historically significant V-8 engine. Mopar quad exhaust tips deliver the performance exhaust note while adding a serious muscle car styling cue. A larger front splitter and integrated front fender spats give this Challenger SRT8 392 better overall high-speed aerodynamics and balance.

A newly modified front fascia chin spoiler improves aerodynamics and is accent painted for a more aggressive look. The rear decklid spoiler also is completed in matching body color.

The race-inspired interior of the Challenger SRT8 392 Inaugural Edition features standard Smooth Pearl White leather-trimmed seats and dual blue stripes accented by unique blue stitching. Each of the front seats features an embroidered “392” just below the headrest. An exclusive, serialized “Inaugural Edition 392 HEMI” dash plaque, showing the sequential build number from 1 to 1,492, rounds out the exclusive interior content.

There’s a lot of history attached to the iconic 392 HEMI name.

The original 392 HEMI engine was introduced in 1957 model year Chrysler and Imperial products, replacing the 354 cubic-inch version of the original HEMI launched in 1951. The new and improved HEMI V-8 engine was quickly adopted by drag racers of all types, and following various historical speed runs on land and water, soon became affectionately referred to simply as the “92.”

After 1958, the 392 HEMI was gone as a production engine, but it still remains a legend. Collectors are now preserving many historic 392-powered race cars and hot rods and proudly displaying them on show car circuits.

In 2007, Mopar – Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand – helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original 392 by launching a modern, crate engine version of the 392 HEMI.

The 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 is built at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, and will arrive in U.S. dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2010.


by : Top Speed

 

Saturday, October 23, 2010

2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse


Apparently, Mitsubishi has decided to give the Eclipse one last chance before deciding if the sports coupe will be dropped or not. For 2011, the sports car gets a new black painted roof, new design elements, and expanded equipment. Customers will have to choose from three trim levels: GS, GT, and GS Sport.

The new black painted roof pays tribute to the highly-successful original first-generation Eclipse Coupe that possessed a similarly dark-colored dome. For 2011, it also gets a ride height that has been lowered by over half an inch (15 mm) and a 12V accessory power outlet.

The 2011 Eclipse is powered by a 2.4-liter SOHC 16-valve normally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine that delivers 162 HP at 6,000 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of torque at an even 4,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a crisp-shifting 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Standard equipment list includes: leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and side view mirrors, power driver seat, aluminum pedals, a strut tower brace, aluminum entrance sill and a tidy-looking clear lip spoiler.
Not only does the dynamically-styled and fun-to-drive 2011 Eclipse Coupe enter the new model year with enticing new design elements and expanded equipment for Mitsubishi’s outstanding sports car, but the Japanese auto manufacturer’s signature two-door model does so at the lowest price point ever for this generation of Eclipse.

Available in three trim levels - the 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission-equipped Eclipse GS, the well-appointed mid-grade Eclipse GS Sport with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and the top-of-the-line Eclipse GT and its enthusiast driver-oriented 5-speed Sportronic® automatic transmission with manual shifting capability - the Eclipse Coupe is produced right here in the United States alongside the company’s family-friendly Endeavor crossover SUV, the affordably-priced but remarkably well-equipped mid-size Galant luxury sports sedan, and the Eclipse Coupe’s top-down sibling, the Eclipse Spyder.

by: topspeed