Most Popular Used Cars in USA

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Time Warp, Tuners, Coupes, Dodge

Click above image for high-res photos of the V10 Challenge

I’m a sucker for restomods as well as anything with the Viper V10, so this two-tone 1970 Challenger in the Dodge display was right up my Mopar alley. Built by Delaney Auto Designs of Shreveport, LA, this modified Mopar features a Mopar Performance V10 crate engine pumping out 585 horsepower mated to a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission. An independent rear suspension is also sourced from the Viper, and brakes have been upgraded to Wilwood front and rear discs. Paint was done by PPG and is a mix of Dodge SRT8 black and Lamborghini yellow. Click on the gallery link to view high resolution shots from the show floor.

Filed under: Hirings/Firings, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler

Chrysler has killed the PT Convertible, Pacifica, Crossfire, and Dodge Magnum

If you were wondering how quickly Chrysler would be able to move as a privately-held entity in its efforts to turn the business around, wonder no more. It can move quickly. Today, the automaker officially announced a number of cuts to both its workforce and product lineup into 2008 that are intended to help get Chrysler back in the black. (more…)

Filed under: SEMA, Tuners, Supercars, Audi, Chevrolet, Porsche

Click image for a high-res gallery of Michelin booth pics by Drew Phillips

At last year’s SEMA show, one of our favorite booths by far was the one from Michelin, which brought together the world’s fastest supercars for one massive display of speed. We eagerly anticipated what they had in store for us this year, and we headed straight for it. It would have been virtually impossible for Michelin to top itself, but they sure made a stab at it. While last year focused on production cars, the display this year was broadened to feature tuner cars as well as race cars. Taking the unique approach of having a production model, tuner version and race car from three prominent manufacturers, Michelin showed us that they build a tire for all sectors of the automotive kingdom. While we were particularly fond of the Audi R8 by APR, there was also a Champion Motorsport F77 Turbo and out back a Lingenfelter Corvette sporting 1,100 HP. Race cars included the R10 from Audi, an RS Spyder from Porsche, and a Corvette C6.R as well. While a production R8 and GT3 RS represented the stock crowd for the German marques, the Corvette slot was left suspiciously vacant, perhaps giving us a preview of what shoes the ZR1 might be donning for its debut. Nice follow-up, Michelin.

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Convertibles, Videos, GM, Pontiac

The Pontiac Solstice has plenty of performance potential, and the SD-290 concept at SEMA uses a soon-to-be launched Stage II aftermarket kit for extra power and pizazz. 290 horsepower and 310 ft-lbs. are only part of the story, as light weight materials, a deleted passenger compartment and no windows help propel the SD 290 to 60 MPH in under 5 seconds. We interviewed GM Marketing Product Manager Jim Hunter to get you details, and you can view it by clicking play above. (more…)

Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA, Etc., Toys, Lifestyle

Click image for live gallery from the Hot Wheels SEMA press conference

To celebrate its 40th anniversary of scale dream fulfillment, Hot Wheels decided to do something it has never done before. The company allowed designers from outside itself to develop concepts that will be turned into actual Hot Wheels offerings. But they didn’t open the doors to just anyone, they chose designers from some of the leading auto manufacturers. The results were unveiled today at SEMA. While all had some cool elements that made them fun and toy-like, we really liked the Lotus Concept and the Mitsubishi Double Shotz, pictured above. It had TWO Evo engines for goodness sakes! Other entries shown were the Dodge XP-07, Gangster Grin from Ford, Chevroletor (GM), Honda Racer (that happens to look like the “H” logo from above), and Hot Wheels’ own HW-40. Each of the cars will also be built as a 1:64 model for the Hot Wheels lineup. (more…)

Filed under: LA Auto Show, SUVs, Toyota

We’re only a couple of weeks away from the LA Auto Show and the news floodgates are opening up. The latest comes from Toyota, which announced that it will officially debut the new second generation Sequoia SUV in Los Angeles. We aren’t expecting any big surprises from the Sequoia since it’s expected to be derived from the new Tundra pickup. Aside from the enclosed rear body and three rows of seats, the SUV will probably have an independent rear suspension. This will allow the floor to be lowered and for extra space out in the back forty. Unfortunately, we have no official images of the new Sequoia yet, but expect a big SUV with a Tundra nose. (more…)

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Coupes, Chrysler

click image above for more high-res pics of the Chrysler Cuda Concept

Unless you’ve got an uncle on the verge of buying the farm or Grand Canyon deep pockets, you won’t be able to pick up an actual ‘Cuda anytime soon. According to a Chrysler exec on hand at SEMA, the Barracuda concept is a one-off production car built for one of those overtly wealthy gearhead. We don’t have any details on who this mystery magnate is, but with a 6.1-liter HEMI, a body entirely molded in carbon fiber, six piston Brembo brakes and a set of 22-inch Zenetti five-spoke wheels wrapped in Pirelli PZeros, it’s guaranteed that he (or she) will be enjoying laying rubber around his private estate. (more…)

Filed under: Aftermarket, Garage, SEMA, Tuners, Chevrolet, GM

With 19 magazine covers and a starring role in Hollywood Nights, Popular Hotrodding’s Project X is the classic hotrod. Since 1965 it’s been modified constantly, but GM wanted to take a shot at the vehicle it had created 50 years ago. The General started with a 427 crate engine, and added parts from production models like the C6 Corvette and even the Chevy Colorado. Seats come from the Cadillac STS, a new center cluster was added, and the giant steering wheel from a 1963 Impala SS rounds out the interior. We were there for the live unveil of the updated four-wheeled legend, and you can view some of the action by clicking play on the video above.

Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA, Crossovers/CUVs, Kia

Click for some live shots of the latest version of Kia’s Soul concept

Today in Las Vegas, Kia COO Len Hunt told us that the production Kia Soul we’ll be getting before too long will look almost exactly like the updated concept they showed us here today at SEMA. It also happens to look a lot like the spy shots we showed you last month. In case you forgot, Kia introduced the Soul crossover at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. The camo-covered production version has been spotted in the Detroit area not far from the Hyundai-Kia Tech Center. The production version looks like it sticks pretty close to the concept on the outside. The main visual differences are the rear suicide doors being replaced with conventional types and frames around the side glass. The shape of the vehicle with the slight downward sloping roof-line and the boxy front remains true to form. We’ll probably see this one make its public debut during the coming auto show season, perhaps as soon as the Detroit Auto Show in January. (more…)

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Tuners, Coupes, Mercedes Benz

click above pic to view more images of the Kleeman GTK Concept

Well-known Mercedes tuner Kleemann has released the first official rendering of its own car, an in-house production called the Kleemann GTK. The carbon fiber skin is wrapped around an SLK body, and the design language is “based on the unique Kleemann design code of elegance and simplicity acknowledging the Nordic design traditions of simple and organic shapes.” That apparently means a Reventon (again with the Reventon) snout, a Castagna Aznom front fender treatment, and sharper SLK lines from the A-pillar back.

The GTK is actually based on the SLK 55, and gets a Kleemann Kompressor system, 20-inch Kleeman wheels and 8-piston Kleemann brakes in front and 4-piston out back. That “kompressor” means the little roadster puts 540 HP and 516 lb-ft through its 7-speed auto box. Twenty-inch Kleeman rims ride rubber slivers called Toyo T1-R tires designed specifically for the car. According to Kleemann, it gets to six-oh in 3.7 seconds and runs up to 180+ MPH. Kleemann isn’t going to do mass production, so for those of you with the means (lots), place your call now.

[Source: Kleemann]

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