You Had Your Chance: Chrysler says Viper program is no longer for sale

The future of the Dodge Viper has been in question since the summer of 2008, when it was reported Chrysler was considering selling the rights to their halo sports car instead of killing it all together. Initially, there seemed to be plenty of interested parties, including Roush and Saleen, but the dwindling economy led to just one lowball offer from Michigan-based Devon Motor Works. Even after the Viper's production facility re-opened last month, it was still assumed that the 600 horsepower sports car would up for grabs. Not anymore.


Today, Chrysler announced that the Viper program is no longer for sale and that it will be continued to be produced past the end of the year at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant. There was no mention as to why the decision was made or what will happen beyond 2010, but for now, the Viper is safe. The official press release doesn't offer much information, but you check it out after the jump, along with a video from Chrysler discussing the decision and giving brief history of the Viper.


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leaked: Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing

Public unveiling in Frankfurt is only two months away. Judging by all of the recent leaks and releases, an official media release could happen very soon.

WCF sources state the images are genuine. Judging from the generic studio background and lack of computer touch-up work, they could be preview images for dealers or existing clientele. Additionally, the type of low resolution picture quality, even visible on the magazine cover version, suggests the source images are from a printed brochure or magazine and then captured using a mobile phone camera.


The leaks are starting to flow. Just within the past week we saw the latest spy photos of an SLS Gullwing in grey, more official "teaser" images were published, and today rumours of an SLS Gullwing electric vehicle is slated for 2015. But the day isn't over yet and another very legitimate looking image revealing the front and rear design details has surfaced.

Here we have two very different versions of the same grainy image. The first of which is clearly a magazine cover from Autobild with a bonus rear shot, and the second version from Autowerald.com in The Netherlands is the source image without the clutter.
via:worldcarfans

Videos:Top Gear slams Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series

On paper the SL Black looks promising, it features a beefy 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 engine with an impressive 670 hp (493 kW) and 1,000 Nm of torque. During a race with the pricey Mercedes-McLaren SLR, the SL lagged behind as it couldn't keep up in the straights but made up for it in the corners.


After endlessly praising the Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series, you'd expect Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson to be completely enamored with the more powerful SL 65 AMG Black Series. You'd be wrong; in last weekend's episode, he thoroughly slammed it.


Just when you think the S L65 AMG Black Series is sounding pretty good, Clarkson decides to point out a few foibles. Despite being "mind boggling" fast with a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h), Clarkson says the traction control "comes down like an anvil" and the only way you can realistically drive it, is slowly. Even the luxury features fail to improve things as Jezza explains the SL Black is the "most uncomfortable car in all of human history" thanks to one-piece carbon fiber seats from Mercedes' "agony" range.


He finally sums things up by saying the Black represents a decent alternative to the SLR, but it's not worth the price premium over the standard SL.
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Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 full body prototype

Some of the first details to catch the eye are the LED daytime running lights which appear to be flowing upwards into the fenders as headlight extensions. They will prove to be a provocative talking point if they make it into production.


These are the very first spy pictures of the upcoming Ferrari F450 prototype testing on the road and track. The F450 replaces the current F430. Previously spies have only been able to snap test mules using an F430 body but this time it is the car itself hiding underneath all the black garments.


The F450 will have a V8 engine worth over 500hp (368kW) and is likely to be shown for the first time at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.


At the rear we can see three tailpipes in a horizontal formation sticking out. Because they are not exactly fitted properly they may not be the final layout. What is likely to stay are the two round rear lights sitting almost on the car's shoulder. Overall the F450 seems to be lower and shorter than before. Spy photographers reported that during in town driving the engine sounded very quiet but when the throttle was tickled it blurted out the familiar Ferrari roar.
Source:worldcarfans

Pagani Cinque Roadster Revealed

　
New limited production Pagani Cinque Roadster takes advantage of the incredibly light carbon-titanium fibre body used in the previous Cinque to keep weight down at only 1 210 kg, that’s exactly the same as the Coupe.


We already know how rigid the Zonda is from the Zonda F Roadster, so Pagani haven’t had to add half a ton of iron girders to the Cinque to compensate for chopping the top off. So you will still have a car that can deliver 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds from its 678bhp V12 Mercedes-sourced engine, and on up to almost 220mph.


The specifications mark the Zonda Cinque Roadster as the most exotic of exotics: an AMG engine making 678 horsepower and 780 Nm torque, ceramic-coated titanium exhaust, traction control and a six-speed sequential transmission by Cima. The nineteen- and twenty-inch aluminum/magnesium wheels are forged by APP and wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero rubber, and of course Brembo provides carbo-ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers. The Zonda Cinque Roadster's 1210kg curb weight is the same as that of the hardtop, as is the reported 3.4-second 0-100km/h run.


Pagani offers a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds and a zero to 200 km/h time of 9.6 seconds, again exactly the same as the coupe. No top speed was offered but it’s a good bet that it’ll be about 347 km/h (I think you know why by now).

The price? €1.3 million, plus taxes. That said, with a production run of just five vehicles, it's a fair bet that the Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster has already sold out.
via:sacarfan

Geneva preview: Gumpert Apollo Speed prototype spotted at the 'Ring

German sports car manufacturer Gumpert unveiled a faster version of its Apollo supercar back at March’s Geneva Motor Show named the Apollo Speed. Building on previous versions like the Apollo Sport and Apollo Race, the new Speed had been further engineered to tackle high speed runs.


Gumpert was founded in 2004 by Roland Gumpert, a proponent of street-legal, track-ready cars. After returning to Germany from China, where he had worked as an executive for Volkswagen, he recruited two universities and a small staff to build the first Apollo prototype. Known for their abilitity to quickly develop their vehicles, the Apollo made its race debut at the 2005 Divinol Cup, where it took third. Since, they have released other versions for public sale, including the Gumpert Apollo Race, Gumpert Apollo Speed, and Gumpert Apollo Sport. A hybrid model was also built for the 2008 24 Hours Nurburgring.


Not to be shown up by its brother, the Apollo Speed also crushes the 0-100 km/h time with a 3.0 second time, arriving at 200 km/h in under nine seconds. It was introduced at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show with a more aggressive look, due in part to its shortened height of 1.1 meters. The car has visual modifications, and an underbody built from a composite of carbon and aluminum.


Power comes from an Audi-sourced twin-turbo 4.2L V8 developing up to 800hp (597kW) and 664lb-ft (900Nm) of torque in the range topping model. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a sequential six-speed gearbox, and according to Gumpert the new Speed will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds flat, pass 200km/h in 8.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 360km/h.


We always like to see the Gumpert Apollo setup at the Geneva Motor Show, and we're sure they will bring something interesting in 2010. However, we want to know if they will be bringing a new introduction to Frankfurt in September.
Source:worldcarfans

Australia's Joss supercar will officially unveil

Australia's Joss Developments Limited has announced they will officially unveil their new supercar in August.


The Joss Supercar has been five years in the making, but now its creator Matt Thomas should soon see his project come to fruition and give Australia its first real competitor to the likes of the Ferrari Enzo and Lamborghini Murcielago.


Although little is known about the car, it will feature a V8 engine with at least 500 horsepower (373kW). This will enable the lightweight Joss to rocket from 0-100 km/h in just 2.98 seconds before hitting a top speed in excess of 340 km/h (211 mph).


Joss expects to build 25 of the supercars at its Victorian facility in its first year, and anticipates all of these will be sold in very short order. The asking price is estimated to be around $600,000, but considering the rarity - and sheer speed - of the Joss Supercar, it should make an enticing buy for super-wealthy car buffs.


With 10 orders already on the books, the company appears to have a bright future ahead of itself. According to Joss' creator, Matt Thomas, "This is now not just about producing an Australian first and world-class supercar, but ensuring the business is resourced adequately to meet pent-up production demand." He added that, "We have been refining the mechanics of the business model and the car and are now satisfied that we have the right product and systems in place to move forward."


Joss also plans on taking its Supercar racing, with the eventual goal being a place on the grid at Le Mans.
Source:themotorreportvia worldcarfans

GTbyCITROEN supercar concept video driving in London

A new promotional video was released last week showing the GTbyCITROEN concept cruising around the streets of London. You may recall that Citroen executive Vincent Besson told members of the media attending the Geneva Motor Show that the car will be produced in a limited edition of no more than 20 units.


In this video, we see the proposed supercar just as much as we see stupified onlookers. Needless to say, you do not often get the chance to see a production version of a car specifically designed for a videogame. Takumi Yamamoto, of Style Citroen, created the 4.96 meter long exterior of the car while working with his friend, Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi. The car will be featured in Gran Turismo 5, a videogame that may be released for the Sony Playstation this winter.


We would not be surprised to see Ford win the bid for these engines, as PSA Peugeot Citroen already has a cooperative agreement on four different sets of common rail diesel engines. Using Ford engines could keep relations positive between the two companies.


Those details have changed a bit since March. Autocar is reporting that Besson officially gave the car a greenlight. Production will initially be limited to just six, with an expected retail price in the £1.1 million range. Expect the car to keep it's carbon fiber body and less-than-common interior. While we don't mind the copper trim, we get much more excited about the driver-side switches, and the F1-inspired steering wheel. Expect the car to recieve a 500+ horsepower V8 engine provided by an American automaker.


Instead of looking for the car virtually, you can check out the actual GTbyCITROEN at Goodwood from July 3rd to the 5th. The current version of the car will attempt the 1.16 mile-long Goodwood Hill six times during the weekend. Meanwhile, the first look at the final production model will take place at September's Frankfurt Motor Show.




via:worldcarfans

1997 McLaren F1 GTR race car for sale in Japan

For those whose cash reserves have not been completely depleted by the current global recession, a very special car is currently up for sale in Japan via Wintel. This racer is one of ten long-tail McLaren F1 GTRs built especially for the 1997 FIA GT season.


The F1 GTR first hit the track in 1995 when a model barely removed from the roadgoing version raced to victory at Le Mans. By 1997, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche had seen the writing on the wall, and combined with the series' updated rules, had created their own competitors, including the CLK-GTR and the 911 GT1.


McLaren's 97 F1 GTR had all-new bodywork with a longer nose and tail that reduced drag and dramatically increased downforce. By this time, the new purpose-built Mercedes and Porsche cars were regularly outrunning the McLaren, although the latter did manage 197 mph on the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans. There is no indication of a price tag, although if you have to ask...


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Leaked: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Images

The Lamborghini Diablo was the last rear-wheel drive car to come from the factory at Sant'Agata. That may change soon, however, if the car depicted in these images that have surfaced on the Web are to be believed. This orange beast is rumored to be called the Gallardo LP550-2, and given Lamborghini's very descriptive naming scheme, all of this Gallardo's 550-hp are supposedly sent only to the two rear super-wide Pirellis.


Given the stripe package and contrasty black-on-white interior, it’s clearly some kind of upcoming special edition; but determining its drivetrain layout from these images alone is near on impossible. There aren’t any noticable differences in bodywork between this and the current LP560-4, but the 19-inch wheels are reminiscent of the old Superleggera.


Power comes from the 5.2-litre normally aspirated V10 engine but has been detuned to make 550hp (405kW) and not 560hp (412kW) like the LP560-4. A 6-speed manual gearbox comes standard. Don't let that minor power cut dissuade you from forming high opinions of the car though; it has shed 30kg (66 lbs) and dispatches the 0 - 100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds.


An AWD Italian bull rushing over 500 stallions from under the bonnet is no child's play at full glory. One with no AWD safety net is something only a few should attempt to play with.
via:motortrend

Video: Veritas RS III confirmed for world debut at London’s Salon Prive

The Veritas RS III will be appearing at the London Salon Prive in July, a rather fancy event that will also play host to a new Morgan Aero Super Sport, the ultra-rare Aston Martin One-77, as well as the V12 Vantage and DBS Volante. Also appearing will be the Maybach Zeppelin in all of its big-boned glory, and considering the exclusive cars on show it’s not surprising to hear that tickets to the event will come in at a heady $190.





The car is most notable for its eschewing of any driver aids, something that we expect will see several of these kinds of stories popping up as overconfident owners forget about the lack of ABS and traction control. Additionally, Vermot will be offering a more tame version with a 480hp (358kW) M3 V8 engine if you feel the V10 might be a little too much.





With the range-topping V10 in place, the car will hit 60mph from rest in just 3.2 seconds and go on to a top speed of 216mph - if you can find a section of road long enough. Priced at $375,000, the car is no cheap proposition, but its performance and exclusive run of just 50 units should see enough people willing to part with their cash for the supercar.





The striking Veritas RS III from German niche sports car company Vermot is finally set to make its world debut, which will take place this year at an exclusive supercar show held at the Hurlingham country club in the UK. For those of you that don't quite remember, the Veritas RS III is a one-seater speedster that packs a 600hp (448kW) V10 taken from an M5 and a tiny 1,070kg kerb weight.





Source:motorauthority

Sidecar Motorcycling: Laverada Supercar

Here's someone who has made from a Laverda motorcycle a sidecar. Not just any sidecar, but a supercar sidecar, including gulfwing doors. The sidecar part looks amazing, a true work of art. It's almost like it came straight out of the factory.work of art. It's almost like it came straight out of the factory.


Take François Knorreck of Italy. After some 10,000 hours of work over a ten-year period and at a cost of 15,000 euros, Knorreck created a unique sidecar motorcycle called the Snaefell – likely named after the tallest peak on the famed Isle of Man. Half the machine is based on the guts of a Laverda motorcycle, while the other half uses bits from a Volkswagen GTI, Audi 80 and a Citroen Xantia.


Equally as interesting is this mashup that combines what appears to be an older British motorcycle with a cut-down Citroen 2CV sidecar. It seems both machines are in fully working order with the older 2CV still sporting what we assume is an inoperative a steering wheel.


Parts were used from other vehicles, like a Kawasaki 1000, VW Golf GTI, Audi 80 and a Citroen Xantia car. Further gear was found on BMW and Renault cars.


Source:Bikes in the Fast Lane via:autoblog