The sixth-generation Ford Mustang is already under development, but all we know up to this point is simple speculations. For a long time, we have talked about rumors that the 2015 Mustang will come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine for the first time since the 1986 Ford Mustang SVO.
At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Edmunds spoke with Ford insiders who let them know that a boosted four banger will be part of the lineup, but only for the European market.
According to the report, this four-cylinder gasoline engine will be offered as a low-emissions alternative to the V8 engine currently offered in the Mustang. The V-8 engine is highly-taxable in Europe, so the four-cylinder engine will help to boost sales.
The engine will be based on the current turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine featured in the 2013 Ford Focus ST. For the Mustang, the displacement will be increased to 2.3 liters through extending the stroke, widening the bore or maybe both. The output will be increased to about 300 horsepower up from the current 250 horsepower. It is expected to keep the fuel consumption at the current 23 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway.
These are, of course, unconfirmed rumors but they do come from a very reliable source. We’ll keep an eye out for some confirmation from Ford.
We all fancy ourselves to get involved in some wild car chase with a car as powerful as a Ford Mustang. The cars crashing into everything; fruits flying everywhere; and yes, the occasional smashing of a water hydrant that explodes with a jet of water.
Normally, we’d probably go to jail, or worse, die, if we dared pull off such a stunt. But that doesn’t mean some people can’t recreate a car chase scene like that with the help of some scaled-down Mustangs.
The fine folks of FinalCutKing did just that, and boy, did they do a terrific job at it. Two souped-up, albeit R/C-oriented Mustangs were the stars of the 90-second chase, giving new meaning to the phrase running roughshod through a city. In this case, the "city" is made up of cardboard, hot glue, and spray paint.
Even with the makeshift location, the car chase itself, which also has a cameo appearance by a military chopper, together with the fantastic editing and sound mixing, ended up being pretty remarkable.
One of the finest we’ve seen in its size, to say the least.
On most highways there is a speed limit of between 55 and 75 mph, but Texas SH130 toll road near Austin, TX is known as the “fastest highway in America,” thanks to its 85 mph speed limit. This is where Hennessey decided to push its ZL1 HPE700 package to the limits.
Of course, this means far above the speed limit imposed by Texas legislators. The ZL1 managed to hit an impressive top speed of 203 mph, 118 mph above the posted limit. The HPE700 package uses a supercharger, camshaft upgrade and high-flow cylinder heads that increases the 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine’s output to an impressive 700 horsepower at 6,300 rpm - up from the standard 580 horsepower.
Please remember that this test was made on closed roads and with a professional driver behind the wheel of the ZL1, so please do not try this yourself!
The 2013 Shelby GT500 is already the most powerful GT500 ever launched, thanks to its 662-horsepower powerplant. However, the guys over Lethal Performance also worked on making it the fastest GT500 out there.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Lethal Performance take to task on the GT500, as it did so in mid-2012. This is obviously an update, as the comparison between the launch of last year’s model and this model shows a dramatic difference.
The tuner updated the engine with new camshafts and connecting rods, a modified ECU, a new valvetrain, and new oil coolers. The tuner also installed a new exhaust system and a 4-liter Whipple supercharger kit priced at $5,047. The GT500 has also been equipped with a new set of drag-racing-ready wheels with skinnies up front and a fat pair of slick hanging on the back end.
However, the tuner did not reveal any specifications just yet, but the model already scored an astounding result on the quarter mile. The Shelby GT500 by Lethal Performance ran the straight-line track in just 9.3 seconds at a top speed of 147 mph.
we can’t wait to see the final specifications…
No doubt, the most impressive launch of the moment is the new Chevrolet SS and while most of you were pretty excited to get one, we have a bad news for all the Canadian residents: General Motors decided not to offer it to our friends up north. Why the company took such a drastic decision is still a mystery, but we are hoping to get an explanation pretty soon.
On the other hand, all the other recently announced models, like the ELR, Spark EV or Corvette Stingray will still be offered in there.
This news comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Israel won’t be importing the SS either. This is not a choice made by GM, but rather a choice made by the country itself. Their reasoning for banning the SS is because the “SS” logo reminds them of the Nazis…
This is good news to us, as it just means more SS models for the U.S.!
It’s been a while since the Camaro ZL1 was last brought to our attention, but today the guys over Superior Auto Design announced a pretty cool aesthetic kit for the most powerful retail-sold Camaro. Of course, no upgrades were made under the hood, but with 550 horsepower, who needs more, right?
The package includes a redesigned front fascia and a new aluminum hood with raised carbon-fiber inserts and a new front splitter with larger air intakes for better brake cooling. For the hood, the tuner is also offering new air extractors with the center section made in satin-black carbon fiber.
Once the exterior upgrades were done, the tuner continued onto painting the car. The tuner opted for an elegant white combined with Gloss Blue Metallic custom stripes with carbon-fiber inserts running the entire length of the body.
Now that the work is completely done, this Camaro Zl1 is set to be shipped overseas.
You would think that with Chevrolet’s release of its high-powered SS sports sedan, a lot of countries would be chomping at the bit to have the car come to their roads.
Apparently, that’s not the case in Israel.
According to the Hebrew daily Yedioth Ahronoth via the Times of Israel, the Chevrolet SS will not be imported to Israel because it’s "Super Sport" name, or at least the shortened "SS" version of it, is similar to the Schutzstaffel, a paramilitary unit headed by one Heinrich Himmler under Adolf Hitler’s long reign of terror in Nazi Germany.
The same Yedioth report quoted Baruch Shuv, manager of the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and chairman of the Organization of Partisans, Underground Fighters and Ghetto Rebels, saying that “the use of [the SS] name is very inappropriate."
"It is not a name that will bring them pride or success,” Shuv added.
Granted, we understand the position Israel is taking, and we’re not going to belittle the significance of the Jewish people’s plight during one of the most oppressive times in history, but c’mon guys… It’s an abbreviation for “Super Sport,” not some anti-Jewish conspiracy.
It’s also worth noting that this is the first time Chevrolet is branding the initials SS exclusively and not using the full Super Sport name on the model.
And if Israel has a big and justified problem with the use of the SS name and is taking the measure of keeping the car out of their country, then that’s their prerogative.
Dodge Challenger R/T and SRT8 models will enter the 2013 model year with the addition of two new exterior colors: Plum Crazy and HEMI Orange combined with full-length dual center stripes. Dodge also offers a series of updates for both the exterior and the interior.
The SRT8 392 version has been further enhanced by the addition of a series of new and improved high-tech performance features, including an expanded adaptive-damping suspension that allows for three-mode selectable suspension tuning. Unfortunately, no updates have been made under the hood, so both the R/T and SRT8 392 versions keep their usual HEMI V-8 engines.
What you will get for the 2013 model year are two new, well, new-old colors: Plum Crazy and HEMI Orange. And just as it should be, these iconic colors are only available in the R/T and SRT8 392 models, so purists won’t have to lose their minds at the sight of a Plum Crazy or HEMI Orange V-6 model…
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T and SRT8 392.
Full story
Over in Australia, the Holden Commodore is considered a national treasure, a model that has been around since the 1970’s and is considered as one of the most popular models down under.
So you can imagine why the recent debut of the 2013 VF Commodore, particularly the upscale Calais V trim, is a big deal in the land of the Aussies. Our mates over there love this car and everything it represents as a high-powered luxury sedan with some hints of muscle attached to it.
Unfortunately, it’s rumored to be headed to the trash can in a few years - unlike its American twin, the Chevrolet SS - so the debut of the 2013 VF Commodore is even more special than normal because, well, this could very well be the last version of the almighty Commodore to grace Australia before it’s discontinued.
Let’s all hope that the model has a life left in it, but for now, we’re here to rejoice in the present. And the present says, "Welcome to the world, 2013 Holden VF Commodore!"
Find out more after the jump
Full story
Dodge is expanding its lineup by offering a series of new "Core" models that have been inspired by models like Charger SRT8 Super Bee and SRT Viper. The first model announced is the new Challenger SRT8 "Core" priced at $38,995 - significantly lower than the SRT8 392 models, which are priced at $45,125.
This huge difference on price is given by the fact that the new Core edition has been "designed and built with the back-to-basics performance driving enthusiast in mind," meaning that it eliminates all those fancy features you have been used to in an attempt to keep the price as low as possible.
The new Challenger SRT8 "Core" Edition adds a standard premium "Ballistic" cloth interior from the new SRT Viper, SRT-tuned sport suspensions and distinctive exterior accents, like a black grille and black SRT rear spoiler, plus two new exterior colors: Orange Pearl Coat and Plum Crazy Pearl Coat.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 "Core".
Full story
