AmCar Guide » Muscle cars

First official teaser of 2013 SRT Viper

Liquid — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:00:09 +0000

Finally, something official came out about the new 2013 SRT Viper. DriveSRT Facebook fan page, run by SRT themselves, unveiled the first official teaser image of the 2013 Snake for the fans. Gotta say we are a bit dissapointed about the image, but you can still see something very familiar to the old Viper like the GTS hood, roof and LED as something new. Let’s wait and see what the time brings later.

Here it is:

Image: drivesrt [@facebook]

Spied: C7 Corvette prototype

Liquid — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:21:20 +0000

Guys from “KGP Photography” brings some new spy shots again. This time its all about the C7 Corvette, which is expected to be brought to public in 2014. Until C7 arrives, Chevy is to bring us the special edition C6 Vette as a 60th Anniversary 427 Convertible.
After these photos got public Jalopnik.com shouted they were right about the design while Autoblog.com noticed that the C7 front wheels moved a bit forward [which increases the dash-to-axle ratio and likely the wheelbase], the rear end seems to be longer with a higher deck lid and longer overhang. They also noticed that side-mirrors are different form C6 [which makes no surprise, actually], and there are no evidence of split rear window too. The 4 exhaust pipes are obvious.
Our opinion: we are sure the C7 Corvette is gonna be awesome, but it is also quite obvious the car will probably be too far from Stingray concept design trend which we like a lot.

Photos: KGP Photography [spy], Jalopnik [renders]

Fresh official photos of Camaro ZL1

Liquid — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:24:25 +0000

GM knows how to satisfy Camaro fans. They dropped a few new photos of ZL1 Coupe and Convertible.
Both bodies houses the same 6.2 supercharged V8s that is rated at 580 HP – the most powerful Camaro ever made. So far… Expect to invest $54K for a coupe-bodied joy and about $60K for a wind-catching convertible.

Photos: General Motors

50th Anniversary Shelby Mustang package: GTS, GT350 and Super Snake

Liquid — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:25:55 +0000

That’s it. 50 years have passed since the first Shelby modified Mustang monster hit the roads back in 1962. Great Anniversary for both Ford and Shelby and also great opportunity to satisfy muscle car enthusiasts by producing limited run of Anniversary Shelbys – GTS, GT350 and Super Snake packages. Those, of course, will cost extra to the default price of 2012 GT [+ $20-25K] or Shelby GT500 [+$60K]. There will be only 100 units built for each model – both 50 in white and 50 in black, all combined with gold racing stripes.

The 5.4 liter supercharged V8 Super Snake has a fatal bite of 750 horses hiding under the unique body kit’s hood. The Snake will also feature upgraded interior and matte black wheels, Borla cat-back exhaust.

The GT350 Shelby will deliver 525 HP out of the 5.0 liter also supercharged V8 engine. It shares Borla exhaust with the Super Snake, so as the Ford Racing suspension and improved brakes.

The GTS package may run of both V6 or 5.0 liter Mustang with supercharging options to boost performance.

Photos: Ford [found at shelby50th.com]

Dodge Charger Redline

Liquid — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:10:13 +0000

Looks like Dodge’s Redline division is taking it seriously and future fuel and economy regulations are the last things they care. F(c)#k fuel economy…
Stage I Redline Charger will be available on T/T models with 5.7 Hemi. It features carbon fiber chin spoiler, Redline Tri-coat paint, 2-piece grille with a body-color grille surround with black insert. Mopar door scoops are from carbon fiber too. It pays homage to 1970 Chargers so as 3-piece rear spoiler, 20-inch rims.
Stage II Redline Charger adds cat-back performance exhaust, strut-tower brace, better brakes.
Stage III Redline Charger offers 590 horses via 3rd generation 426 Hemi. This engine is listed as race/off-road only beast which has no price tag yet.

Photos: Dodge, Vic Promero

A few guesses on 2015 Mustang

Liquid — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:24:25 +0000

2015 is going to be an important date for the Mustang family – 50th Anniversary puts it on crossroads where pony will definitely take new direction.

Hybrid probably…
That sounds awful to petrol heads, but while having ecology and fuel regulations in mind, hybrid V8 is better than petrol-only 2.0 liter 4-cyl or something familiar. Actually, extra miles does not bother too. Especially, if it is still “V” with “6″ or “8″ under the hood. The new engine is expected to be somewhere close to 5.0 – Ford would have not invested that much in development just to use it for a few years. The power should also remain somewhere in between of 400-440 HP. Europeans will probably be offered a 4-cylinder 2.3 liter 300 HP engine. 3.7 V6 is likely to survive the first few years of the next generation Mustang, but it should soon be converted to smaller displacement V6.

Independent suspension
2015 Mustang is being developed on an all-new global RWD platform. Mustang will have to be sold globally so the new platform is likely to be shared with other models. Due to this and such competition as BMW, Hyundai, Audi coupes, suspension will probably be independent. It will get both hand drives too, cause Mustang is going to aggressively expand to Australian, British and Japanese markets.

New design direction
Retro will die. Design will face major changes. Just like it did in 1974 – huge contrast. Due to CAFE regulations it will have to be lighter, smaller. Ford’s designer, J Mays, recently said of the 2015 Mustang: “We can’t lose the Mustang DNA, which is really important, but we’ve got to signal that Mustang has got another 50 years of life left in it. In order to do that we are going to have to take a bit more of a stretch with the car, bring all of our Mustang faithful along with us.” This means we will still recognize Mustang immediately, but it is going to be fully different too.

The 2015 Mustang will make its debut in 2014 at the N.Y. Auto Show for the 50th Anniversary.

Images: Sean Smith, NJstangers.org, unknown [please, ask for credits if needed], casey [@gminsidenews forums], jinx design, Doug Schramm, Rampant

Dodge forwards 2013 Viper to SRT

Liquid — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:41:54 +0000

According to latest Chrysler Group LLC press release “The Snake Returns to Chrysler Group’s Conner Avenue Assembly Plant” Dodge will no longer give its name to Viper – it is going to be forwarded to SRT division and will be called 2013 SRT Viper.
Conner Avenue will begin building the new 2013 Viper in late 2012, but employees began reporting for training and orientation this fall – nearly 150 jobs to return to Detroit.

Images: streetlegaltv.com

2013 Mustang California Special

Liquid — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:14:37 +0000

For those whom standard isn’t good enough Ford is preparing an other Special Edition – 2013 Mustang California Special which is already well know for many years.
Even though details are not yet clear, but 2013 Mustang California will include a unique front grille, side scoops, new pedestal rear wing and rear diffuser and special black decals. Powertrain remains standard – 412 HP 5.0 liter V6.

Photo: Ford

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible

Liquid — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:55:45 +0000

2012 ZL1 Convertible will probably be one of the most powerful droptops available at any price. It features supercharged 6.2 liter LSA engine which develops 580 HP – more than a few European exotics and even 2011 Shelby GT500 [550HP].
That much of power requires improved power-train and chassis in order to perform smoothly. Naturally, this muscle car will feature them. Actually, ZL1 was designed for both coupe and convertible bodies from the first development day – 4 strategic reinforcements were made to increase the already stiff body structure to extinguish the hood and steering wheel movement. Wise choice, Chevy.
Standard 2012 ZL1 droptop will also feature the performance traction management with Magnetic Ride Control, traction control, electronic stability first seen in the Corvette ZR1.

Photos: Chevrolet

2013 Mustang Boss 302

Liquid — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:36:30 +0000

The Boss is back. This is what Ford Mustang’s chief engineer said about the 2013 Mustang Boss 302: “Last year, we proved the car had what it takes to perform. This year, we focused on enhancing its eye-catching looks and celebrating its history.”

So, it is hotter but still keeps the same engine performance as the 2012 model – 5.0 liter V8 with 444 HP and 380 lb/ft of torque. Hockey stick graphics honors the original 1970 Boss 302. As for us, there’s to much of yellow for this season.

Photos: Ford