Average U.S. Gas Prices Drop Below 3$ a Gallon

Fortunately for us, as crude oil prices tumble down so do gas prices - or at least in the States. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), for the first time since February 2008, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline fell under 3$ a gallon. In the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, the current average price of regular unleaded in the U.S. on 23 October, was $2.822 which is a far cry from the highest recorded price on July 17, 2008 when gas hit a nationwide average of $4.114 which sent everyone into despair.

The AAA's report notes that Oklahoma State continues to have the lowest average price in the States at $2.461 for a gallon of unleaded regular while Alaska has the highest at $3.844.

Dodge TriCharger: Two Door Charger

Force Performance answered the question no one asked: what would a two-door Dodge Charger look like? Despite this, the TriCharger does offer several useful modifications.

The engine was replaced with a new HEMI V8 engine featuring FAST XFI Engine Management Twin GT40 turbochargers and a Magna Charger Supercharger Custom EFI Blower Intake. Due to these components the car was named TriCharger. For better stability the car features a lowered suspension while in order to stop in time a new set of Brembo brakes were added. Although there is no official word about production or pricing, it may just be easier to put the engine in an established (similar-looking) Dodge product, like maybe the CHALLENGER.

2009 Dodge Charger Cop Car Gets More Power

The boys in blue will be happy to know that a new, more powerful interceptor has just hit the streets. Just like the civilian version, the 2009 Dodge Charger police car benefits from Chrysler's tweaked 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine that produces 368 HP and 395 lb.-ft. of torque, or 28HP and 5 pounds of torque more than the 2007 model. As before, departments with a lower budget have the option of the basic version that gets a 250 HP 3.5 V6 engine.

Compared to the civilian version, the cop-spec Dodge Charger's features include performance-tuned steering and suspension, heavy-duty seats to accommodate fully equipped (or...fully-sized) officers, a column-mounted shift lever Load-leveling, height-control shock absorbers and a severe-duty cooling system.

Dodge EV: All-Electric 268HP Coupe

At its World Headquarters in Auburn Hills today, Chrysler LLC revealed three all-electric prototype vehicles, the Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV, promising to have one of them available in the North American markets as soon as 2010 followed shortly after by Europe. Speaking at the presentation, Chrysler LLC’s CEO Bob Nardelli said: “The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provide a glimpse of the very near future, and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing EVs to market.”

Saleen to Make "Dark Horse" Mustang

With the 2010 Ford Mustang set to be unveiled in November, time is running out for tuners to put out special edition Mustangs. Saleen seems to have saved its best for last and will be unveiling a "Dark Horse" Mustang next week. The super-Stang will feature the 620 horsepower V8 from the S302 Extreme plus the SuperShaker system that combines a functional ram air system with Saleen's twin-screw supercharger system - a first for a Saleen production car. The "Dark Horse" will sport the Heritage body style and have additional features exclusive to the model. Production will begin in the Fall of 2008, and only 25 will be produced. Our best guess for the "Dark Horse" moniker is that the car will feature an all matte-black paint scheme. We'll bring you all the details of the car after its official debut next week.

Cadillac XLR-V by D3

D3, is a tuner from California that has unveiled to us a new masterpiece. The new customization kit for Cadillac XLR-V. The kit includes a new chrome grill, corsa muffler tips, a set of 19 inch alloy rims. The main boos is that of the new intake air system, modding of the ECU system which has boosted up the horsepower to 525 hp.
Even though it seems like enough, D3 also has an option of upgrading to stage 2, boosting up to 575 hp and also a stage 3 having a total horsepower of 600. Making it a true American sports car.

Total Price: $117,735

Coming to America: Street legal KTM X-Bow

Although KTM has been making motorcycles since 1934, it's new to the car business. Evidently, no one told them that if you're going to go back on something you said in the auto business, it's supposed to be really disappointing. Instead, KTM has announced its intention to bring the X-Bow track car to the United States and make it street-legal to boot, despite previously saying that the X-Bow would only be sold in Europe and Asia and that it would be confined to the track.

The announcement was made by KTM sales and marketing chief Hubert Trunkenpolz at the recent annual gathering of KTM bike dealers from across North America in Salt Lake City, Utah. Apparently the company has received some 600+ requests from American KTM dealers for the X-Bow to make the transatlantic trip. Trunkenpolz (now we just like saying Trunkenpolz) noted that they will need cooperation from Volkswagen/Audi, who supplies the running gear, and from local authorities, but that the company "will do whatever is possible to bring the car to the U.S. – that, I promise."

Source: DealerNews

The 2009 Dodge Hornet - Concept

This tiny yet tall new car will be Dodge's attempt at breaking into the subcompact segment. Currently, Dodge is trying to find a partner with whom to set up a joint venture. Dodge wants to pitch this car in Europe and Asia, so it is unclear whether it will come Staeside. The concept packs a 1.6L super-charged 4-cylinder with 170 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque.

2010 Chevrolet Cruze Threaten Cobalt

Although the 2010 Chevrolet Cruze isn’t scheduled to make its public debut until October’s Paris Motor Show, the Bowtie brand decided to show those gathered at its Lordstown, Ohio plant today a ‘foam’ version of the upcoming sedan.

Read the full article here ---> Left Lane

2008 Wolf Ford Kuga

With the Ford Kuga, the Cologne-based automobile manufacturer once again presents a car from a still booming vehicle class: a compact SUV. The Ford Kuga is an emotionally and technically perfected vehicle which can now even be further enhanced by the exclusive Wolf styling programme. The Ford specialist already devised a power enhancement which improves the serial performance from a standard 136 hp with 320 Nm to 158 hp with 375 Nm. The (German) retail price is 795 euros. The Wolf Race rims measuring 9 x 20“ ET40 in a silver design with high-grade steel lining of the outer rim are not only elegant, but also sportive. The set comes with 275/30 R20 Pirelli tyres. The overall price for the light alloy rim set by Wolf is 2,850 euros (Germany). The Wolf sport springs which lower the car by 40 mm render optimal road holding and can be obtained at any Ford dealer or directly at the company Wolf Racing Neuenstein GmbH & Co. KG for 199 euros (Germany).

The light alloy rim programme for the Ford Kuga is also available in the measures 8,5 x 18“ and 8,5 x 19“. The light alloy rims which were exclusively developed by Wolf stand out by their lower weight compared to the serial rims. This does not only reduce the unsprung masses and renders more comfort, it also minimises the fuel consumption, as every additional and unnecessary load leads to a higher total weight and therefore also to a higher fuel consumption. The light alloy rim programme by Wolf is available in various surface finishes. The complete Wolf styling programme can be directly ordered from Wolf Racing, Neuenstein or from your local Ford dealer.

2008 GeigerCars: Dodge Viper

The true elemental force of the New World, the very essence of power, the snake with the sharpest bite, are just some of the headlines attempting to sum up the unmatchable strength of the Dodge Viper. The crew at Karl Geiger’s Munich headquarters for US Car Imports has opened a new chapter in the history of Dodge Viper. The 2008 Version of this impressive seller has been newly granted the TÜV seal of approval. This snake has all the attributes needed to leave all others behind in the dust.

Read the rest of the article here ---> Tuning News

Gurt Geiger': Ford F-650

Not for sandal-wearing beardies, this Ford F-650 has received the GeigerCars treatment.

One of the less subtle tuning houses in Germany, GeigerCars modifies things that don't really need modifying. Like this.

To be honest, the F-650 hasn't received a huge amount of tweakage - at 21.3 feet long and 5.2 tons, the standard version is a bit of a bruiser.

However, for 9,800 Euros Geiger will fit chrome side tanks, and for another 2,800 Euros it will install chrome 'high pipes'.

Other mods available from the German nutjob include leather trip, entertainment and navigation systems and - get this - a gullwing door conversion.

Power comes from a 6.7-litre Cummins six-cylinder diesel producing 320bhp and a mighty 737.6 lb ft.

Chris Eubank, we presume, is already making arrangements to have one delivered...

Source: Top Gear

2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe at LA Show

Although General Motors added the word ‘concept’ to the end of the CTS Coupe’s nameplate at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, there was no question that the stylish two-door was headed to production. We’ve since learned that the CTS Coupe will begin rolling down the production line of May of next year, and we now have an official launch date for the two-door Caddy — November’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

Codenamed GMX226, the stylish couple will debut at the LA show — according to Edmunds – and will be built alongside the CTS sedan at the Lansing Grand River Plant. Production will start in May of 2009. The coupe will feature a backup camera which is not currently found on the sedan, and won’t have traditional door handles, but rather a touch-pad setup instead.

Thankfully, it appears that the majority of the CTS Coupe concept’s lines have been faithfully duplicated on this production model. Some feared that the concept’s radical fastback design might be watered down, revealing the Coupe’s sedan roots, but our profile view proves these fears as unfounded. It appears that the production version may have a slightly more pronounced rear deck, but if that’s so, it’s not enough to significantly alter the concept’s silhouette.

The CTS Coupe prototype further separates itself from its sedan donor thanks to the elimination of a conventional door handle, adopting instead the concept’s Corvette-style design which hides the door trigger behind the door’s aft cut-line. The concept and production similarities continue with the Coupe’s revised lower side sill, and the distinctively sculpted waistline, which begins at the A-pillar/fender vent, and narrows as it stretches rearward. The camouflage hides whether or not the line terminates into the concept’s razor-sharp point at the C-pillar, but it looks likely that that’s another design convergence between the show- and production cars. Earlier photos also confirmed that the concept’s bold central exhaust will also reach showrooms.

There are some visible differences between the Detroit Show Standout and the production model. Cost and feasibility studies have killed the concept’s glass-to-glass side windows, in favor of a visible B-pillar on the production model. The rest of the changes are found in front of the A-pillar. The concept coupe’s large, CTS-V-style hood bulge is gone on this prototype (although we’d love to see it return on the “V” coupe). And the show car’s reshaped front fenders — which sweep more voluptuously to a revised front bumper, tweaked front ground-effects, and more dynamic headlight and fog-light clusters — appear to have been replaced with stock items from the CTS sedan. It looks to us like the CTS Coupe and sedan will share identical front fenders and front fascia designs. From there back, however, the cars could scarcely be more different. The drama of the CTS Coupe concept is alive and well, and on its way to Cadillac showrooms.

Although the CTS Coupe will bow at November’s show, it remains unclear when GM will take the wraps off the CTS-V Coupe.

Source: Left Lane News

Pontiac G8 Sport Truck Name Just Pontiac G8 ST

Much to the misfortune of our Jalop friends and despite a huge online competition that saw more than 18,000 different names being entered, GM decided to stick with the totally bland “G8 ST” where ST stands for -you guessed it- Sport Truck. “Frankly, we were blown away by both the volume and quality of the names that were submitted,” said Craig Bierley, BPG product marketing director for cars and crossovers. “G8 ST was one of the most popular suggestions, plus we noticed a far broader trend toward simple, easy-to-remember names.”

And what about the “El Camino” nameplate given the G8 ST’s resemblance to the classic Chevy? “We actually thought very long about El Camino,” said Bierley. “In the end, we felt it was more appropriate to honour the El Camino’s unique place as part of Chevy’s heritage and not use that nameplate on a Pontiac.” What do you think about Pontiac’s decision to “keep it simple”?

Lincoln MKT Concept

Lincoln has given the MKT crossover the green-light, with the production version set to debut in Detroit this January and sales beginning sometime next year.

The MKT is built on the same platform as the Ford Flex, but Lincoln insists that the two models won't share a single body panel. Power will be provided by either a 3.7-liter V6 or a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, equipped with direct injection and a turbocharger, however a hybrid drivetrain will not be offered. A six-speed automatic gearbox, complete with paddle shifters, will be standard, along with seven-passenger seating, a power-folding third-row seat, heated and cooled, first- and second-row thrones and the SYNC in-car entertainment system. Options will include a new satelite navigation system, Sirius Travel Link, an auto-park feature (similar to that found on the Lexus LS460) and a Cross Traffic Alert system that alerts drivers to obstacles when backing out of a parking space(parking sensors?).

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Today General Motors unveiled the final production version of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, a true American sports car that has been anticipated by Chevrolet fans now for years, since the last generation Chevrolet Camaro was killed in 2000.

The production 2010 Camaro differs little from the preproduction versions that have been shown for several months now, but small details on the Camaro such as a new retro interior decked out in brushed metal (plastic brushed metal?) trim complete the package. Whetting appetites since 2006 with the Chevrolet Camaro concept, GM has remained remarkably faithful to the original concept car. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS tops the model range, and will be a true muscle car.

Ailing US-based GM is in need of a true sports car hit that is affordable to the masses, just as Chevrolet pulled off with the original Camaro pony car in 1967. Does the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro have the potential to turn around a Chevy brand that, save for the Corvette, has been mostly in the dumps for several years now? As the once-untouchable Chevrolet mark continues to bleed sales to Japanese, European and Korean automakers, the Camaro has the potential to bring excitement back into Chevrolet showrooms.

Look for elements of the Camaro's styling and especially the attractive retro-styled interior to filter their way into Chevrolet's other models. The 2010 Camaro is the American sports car the Holden-derived Pontiac GTO should have been.

Time will tell if the Camaro has the punch to turn Chevrolet's luck around, but having a well-styled and high performance true American sports car that is relatively affordable back in the lineup can't hurt things.

Source: RSportsCars

European hunting season cancelled: Cadillac CTS-V not crossing Atlantic

Cadillac's wicked new CTS-V may have the likes of the BMW M5 in its sights, but it appears that it won't be hunting down the best that Munich, Stuttgart and Ingolstadt have to offer on their Autobahn home turf. According to Top Gear, Caddy's U.S. minders don't think the V's blown V8 is good for Europe, so the car apparently won't be making the boat trip across the Atlantic. Unfortunate, as it would have been interesting to see how America's ultimate muscle sedan would have fared when euro journos pitted it against all the hometown favorites. Sure, we'll see comparos done Stateside, but it would have been fun to see Cadillac put on the "away" jersey to try and add some luster to that long-tarnished "Standard of the World" mantle against Europe's top performance machines -- including the ones we don't see here, like the new Audi RS6 .

Source: Top Gear

SMS Ford Mustang 25th Anniversary

Even though Steve Saleen and Saleen Inc. parted ways last year, the 59-year-old continues to work on Ford Mustang projects through his newly founded company SMS Limited. The Ford Mustang 25th Anniversary Concept, which was created by Saleen in celebration of his 25th anniversary in the niche manufacturing business, is the company’s first actual vehicle. Though SMS doesn’t intend to put the Mustang concept into production, it demonstrates the company’s capabilities.

The Mustang concept features a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that develops 720Hp at the crank and 612Hp at the rear wheels. Other mechanical upgrades include the cross-drilled brakes and the billet aluminium watts link suspension. Saleen enhanced the Mustang’s looks with an aggressive bodykit as well as with a few unique details like the LED taillight and the induction system on the hood scoop that allows the butterflies to crack open under throttle.

Source: Carscoop

Announcing Top Gear's - Team America

California, free refills and Megan Fox are no longer the only good things about America.

Because now, America has its own Top Gear television show.

And even though you will have no idea who any of them are, they've just announced their presenters...

First up there's Adam Carolla, who has a whole host of superlatives associated with his name, like 'comedian', 'radio personality', 'television presenter' and 'actor'.

He's best known over there for his radio program "The Adam Carolla Show", yet over here you might have seen him in Crank Yankers, the TV show he produced and starred in that features real crank calls by celebrity guests which are then re-enacted on screen by puppets.

Most importantly however, he owns two classic Lambos, Maseratis, Ferraris and an Audi S4.

Which is a better qualification than anything.

Then there's Tanner Foust - how good is that name?? - who's a high demand stunt guy, having driven in The Bourne Ultimatum, that Fast And The Furious set in Japan and, er, The Dukes Of Hazzard.

He's also won a load of different things for rallying, drifting, ice racing and time attack. But all you really need to know is this, and that he drives a 'tricked-out' M3.

Bringing up the rear is Eric Stromer, who's an American DIY legend - think Handy Andy with blonde hair and a guitar - who's also a regular on Carolla's radio show, advising listeners on their construction concerns.

And he drives a Toyota Camry hybrid... ahem.

It seems no one's told Clarkson that though, 'cos he's quite happy about it all.

Source: Top Gear

Chevy May Double Produce in Europe

Chevrolet's team in Europe is planning to double on model range and production in Europe. Speaking with UK’s Autocar Magazine, Chevrolet Europe’s Chief Executive Wayne Brannon said that the whole portfolio will be renewed by 2012 and that the company is particularly interested in creating an Opel Zafira-sized MPV along with a small SUV that would sit right under the larger Captiva SUV.

Some of the model's that will be added is the new Chevrolet Camaro coupe and convertible versions to improve Chevy's image and bring more customers to dealerships, along with the plug-in hybrid Volt.