4 posts tagged “car”
Jalopnik broke their transcription of Dodge's release of the 2008 Viper SRT-10 ACR version yesterday. This made me curious... I felt that the previous generation Viper was one of the more hardcore GT cars. Minimal insulation, a spartan design, just pure hardcore American heritage and power that has long left the stage when the current generation is arrived. I loved the Dodge Viper GTS of circa 2002 spawned as a machine that finally matured very well, like a fine vintage liquor in an oaken cask. The earlier iterations had one issue or another that either was from faulty design or from national organizations making a spectacle of the lack of some safety features. Sure, the new design had the "lake pipe" exhaust design, the body was more modernized for the new age, and safety improved... but the car just lacked soul that it used to have. True, the engine roared just as bad as the older model... but to me, lack of a GTS version made my heart sink.
When I read the press release from Dodge to be published by automotive journals, my heart felt sweet vindication. A "balls-to-the-wall", doped up, hardcore version of the Viper that returns to the roots of feats of American muscle car history was exactly what the doctor ordered. Let's check out the specs from the press release from Jalopnik:
Even More Viper Venom! Dodge introduces street-legal 2008 Viper SRT10® ACR
• Dodge delivers ultimate purpose-built, street-legal track car
• 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10® ACR offers reduced weight, race-ready hardware and competition tuning for optimal on-track performance
• Aerodynamic improvements, racing suspension and weight savings equal unmatched performance for under $100,000Auburn Hills, Mich. - Dodge announced today that the all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10® ACR - short for American Club Racer - will make its public debut at next week's Los Angeles Auto Show.
The latest addition to Chrysler LLC's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) family of performance vehicles, the all-new, 600-horsepower 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is a street-legal Viper engineered to dominate on the race track. Because it is street legal, diehard Viper and track enthusiasts can drive their car to the race track, run it at speed on the track, and then drive it home.
"With the all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, SRT has taken the ultimate American sports car and injected it with an extra dose of racing DNA," said Mike Accavitti, Director - Dodge Brand and SRT Marketing and Communications, Chrysler LLC. "With the Viper SRT10 as the starting point, SRT engineered a combination of reduced weight, race-tuned suspension and aerodynamic improvements to create the ultimate Viper for the street and track."
Derived from the all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10, the heart and soul of the all-new 2008 Viper SRT10 ACR is SRT's new 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR stays true to the five key aspects of SRT: standout powertrain, bold exterior styling, race-inspired interior, benchmark braking, and world-class ride and handling characteristics across a dynamic range.
Bold Exterior Styling
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR exterior styling cues offer not only bold aesthetics but functional benefits on the track. These include a variable geometry "fanged" front splitter, an adjustable rear wing sculpted by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), and optimized front dive planes. These new aerodynamic devices are formed in high-performance autoclaved carbonfiber. By using both unidirectional and woven laminates, the aero equipment is optimized for the minimum possible weight.The splitter and dive planes feature a clear coated carbonfiber weave on all Viper SRT10 ACR models.
The front splitter includes three removable rub strips that provide protection and wear resistance. Supported by stainless steel tension cables, the splitter is designed to absorb the energy from minor upward deflections.
The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR aerodynamics are tuned and balanced to maximize downforce and provide increased levels of lateral grip. Each Viper SRT10 ACR also includes a track extension that replaces the center splitter rub strip and fills out the fanged splitter scallop for closed-circuit events. The aerodynamic effect of the track extension is a reduction in overall drag and an increase in front downforce of nearly one third.
The front fog lamps have been deleted and replaced with lightweight filler panels.
The 2008 Viper SRT10 ACR features a signature two-tone paint scheme with a black center section. An optional driver's stripe is available on a two-tone Viper Red or a Viper Black ACR. The driver's stripe also features a sewn leather accent on the steering wheel. A clearcoated exposed weave is featured on the rear carbonfiber wing of all two-tone and driver's stripe Viper SRT10 ACR models.
A standard Viper SRT10 monotone paint scheme is also available featuring a body color rear wing and dual painted Viper stripes.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is available in five colors: Viper Red, Viper Black, Viper Violet, Viper Bright Blue Metallic, and Viper Very Orange.
Lightweight forged aluminum Sidewinder wheels are painted gloss black to complete the one-of-a-kind exterior styling.
Race-inspired Interior
Based on the 2008 Viper SRT10 interior, the Viper SRT10 ACR goes a step further to satisfy what racers want: the least weight possible. An optional "Hard Core" package offers maximum weight savings by deleting the audio system, underhood silencer pad, trunk carpet and tire inflator. The radio is replaced by a lightweight cover that can be configured to mount the included lap timer. The door speakers are replaced by lightweight carbonfiber panels. The Hard Core package offers a 40 lb. weight savings and provides ultimate street legal race-ready performance.World-class Ride and Handling
The all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is specifically modified and tuned for track performance. The ACR suspension includes coil-over racing dampers from KW Suspensions that are adjustable for damping and ride height. The shocks are two-way adjustable without removing the wheels - a timesaver on the track - and they include a large range for compression and rebound. The KW dampers and forks are machined from solid aluminum billet, feature spherical bearing mounts, and are optimized to minimize weight and maximize performance.The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR features a new front stabilizer bar for increased roll-stiffness.
Lightweight forged aluminum Sidewinder wheels are optimized by using Finite Element Analysis to achieve a lower rotating unsprung mass. Finished in gloss black paint, they wear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup DOT-approved (street legal) race tires, providing enhanced grip on the track.
Track performance is maximized in the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR via several weight-savings initiatives. The savings were achieved with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Tires, Sidewinder lightweight wheels, and StopTech brake rotors. With the aerodynamic and suspension elements, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is 40 pounds lighter than the Viper SRT10 coupe. The optional Hard Core package further reduces the weight by another 40 pounds, for a total weight savings of 80 pounds.
Benchmark Braking
The Viper SRT10 benchmark brakes are taken to the next level in the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR. StopTech two-piece, slotted, lightweight rotors combine with the Viper SRT10's Brembo calipers to reduce rotating inertia and unsprung mass, improve brake cooling, and significantly reduce fade even under extreme conditions. The StopTech rotors feature a patented curved-fin design, a key element in improving brake cooling. The StopTech brake rotors combined with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Tires and Sidewinder lightweight wheels combine to reduce 60 pounds of unsprung, rotating mass. The 2008 Dodge SRT10 Viper ACR stops from 60 mph in less than 100 feet.Standout Powertrain
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR utilizes the Viper SRT10's new 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces a ground-shaking 600 horsepower and tire-smoking 560 lb.-ft. of torque. It features a deep-skirted V10 aluminum engine block, cylinder heads equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)-shaped combustion chambers, large valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). VVT Electronically adjusts when the exhaust valves are open and closed according to engine speed and load, allowing the engine to "breathe" cleaner and more efficiently.The two-piece intake manifold combines cast aluminum lower with smooth runners for better air flow, bolted to a die-cast aluminum upper plenum. A revised air-cleaner box with a low-restriction filter sends air through a dual electronic throttle control into the intake module.
The air-fuel mixture in the cylinders is ignited by platinum-tip spark plugs fired by individual plug coils mounted on the cylinder-head covers.
Within the cylinders, pistons are equipped with large-diameter floating pins with bronze bushings for high-load capability. Forged powder-metal connecting rods are secured with aircraft-quality fasteners for increased fatigue strength.
Engine lubrication is managed by the large oil pump and a swinging oil pickup adapted from Viper competition engines, to ensure proper oil pressure in high-rpm and hard cornering conditions.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR sports the latest evolution of the Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission known as the TR6060. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a GKN ViscoLok speed-sensing limited-slip differential.
Manufacturing
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR will be hand built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit.The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR will arrive in showrooms in the second quarter of 2008 at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of less than $100,000. Complete pricing information will be released at a later date.
Street and Racing Technology
SRT creates some of Chrysler LLC's boldest, most distinctive products by single-mindedly following its core vision: Deliver benchmark performance at the lowest price, and deliver it with absolute integrity and credibility.Every SRT vehicle showcases five key aspects: Exterior styling that resonates with the brand image; race-inspired interiors; world-class ride and handling characteristics across a dynamic range; benchmark braking and standout powertrain.
" According to Chrysler, the ACR generates 1,000 pounds of downforce at 150 mph and can generate 1.5g while cornering."Insane power at a price that is competitive to the GT car market gives the option of choice, indeed! Especially at a price under $100,000 to boot! Choice is a good thing, because it breeds another thing: competition. With that said, I look forward to the next few years... Especially with regard to Honda's GT offering in the form of the HSC.
Let's face it... the time period from circa 2000 to mid 2007 has not been great for performance cars. Many of the great cars went off of the stage and faded from the limelight. Cars had to be more energy and emissions efficient. Crash regulations in Europe changed due to pedestrian safety. I hate to say it, but cars got bland and dull... Here's my list of picks of what I felt were the "iconic" cars (all around the world) from the "Golden Era" of 1990 - 1999:
Honda/Acura Integra (all versions)
Honda Prelude
Honda Civic Si/Type-R
Mazda RX-7
Nissan Fairlady Z/300ZX (Z32 style)
Nissan Silvia/240SX
Toyota MR2/MR-S(pyder)
Toyota Celica
Toyota Supra
Audi RS6
BMW //M3
BMW //M5
Volkswagen Rabbit
Volkswagen Sirocco
GM F-Body Cars (Trans-Am/Camaro/Firebird)
Most of these cars were either dropped completely off of the product line or just plain crippled in other nations that just quickly killed their popularity... At the same right, there were some cars that continued to be "hardcore" to the bone since their inception within the 90's. A great example being the Mazda MX-5/Miata/Roadster, which got even more hardcore with the later years with a turbo charged one for the world and even a special coupe version for Australia and Asia.
With the recent months, the gears finally began to churn. Manufacturers are finally able to extract power from newer engine technologies while still meeting or even exceeding emission requirements of global organizations. Designs are coming out with more classical shapes and designs. Some manufacturers are even going with a more retro approach and trying to revive the classic legends of the 50's and 60's. Some manufacturers are simply retiring models that simply cannot compete in a market that it inadvertently walked into. Some manufacturers are even making models to throw down and fight some of the biggest names in history. Some models have "ascended" to the status of another model. Here's my list of the "soldiers of the revolution" as well as the memorial of the fallen:
Acura TSX/Honda Accord Euro-R - Seen now as the successor of the Integra model line, not a "doped Accord"
Acura RSX/Honda Integra - Died as of 2005, but a speculated Acura TSX coupe with all-wheel drive and turbo is in the works.
Honda/Acura NSX - Died as of 2006, HSC (High Speed Concept) to replace it in 2009 from various sources
Honda S2000 - Dies this year (2007), XGA to be successor with a focus on low power to come out in 2009 to fight the MX-5 (per Jalopnik)
Mazda RX-8 - Based on the chassis of the Miata, but still nimble in body while containing the heart of a new Renesis motor, 20th anniversary edition due out soon.
MazdaSpeed 3 and 6 - The MS3 continues on, but the MS6 dies this year unfortunately.
Mazda MX-5/Roadster - Rumors of a supercharged version (think MazdaSpeed) are in the works from various forums
Nissan Fairlady Z/350Z - Rebirth of the Z with a non-turbo V6 and a sharp 6-speed, a Nismo serial numbered edition will be shipping soon.
Nissan Skyline/Infiniti G35 - Personally, I feel it is becoming the modern day Silvia... unless Nissan decides to make a more compact coupe with a great motor.
Nissan GT-R - The official rebirth of the late R34 Skyline GT-R to do battle with the new //M3, Corvette Z06, et al
Scion tC - Think about what "tC" could mean... My thoughts are on "Toyota Celica"
Lexus LF-A concept - Think a luxury reborn Supra to set its crosshairs on cars like the new //M3, Corvette Z06, and the others. It needs to loose the ugly before the release to seriously sell to the masses, in my opinion.
Audi RS6 - It has returned with a very beefy V10 that came straight off of Lamborghini and a sleek new body.
BMW //M3 - Finally powered by a V8 rather than an inline 6 cylinder for the first time with an aggressive set-up.
BMW Z4 //M Roadster and //M Coupe - Ante up for pure driving with a 6-speed and no SMG options bolted to the venerable //M3's previous inline 6 cylinder to really feel a hardcore experience.
Dodge Challenger - A modern day revival of the Dodge Charger coupe from the 60's (think Dukes of Hazard)
Chevy Camaro - Invoking the body lines of the classic Camaro of the 60's with the new technologies of today
GM Kappa Platform - Saturn/Vauxhall Sky and Pontiac Solstice finally enter the arena as challengers to the MX-5's throne of "Best Selling Sports Car in the World"
This makes for quite the interesting next few years... Manufacturers finally recognize that enthusiast owners love to push their cars to the edge. Also, people are into customizing how their car looks to stand out from the crowds and manufacturers are finally launching their "performance" divisions around the globe to feed the desires of end users. Feeding the end users gives way to more expensive items that the manufacturers can make a killer profit. If anything, they should have jumped on board with the idea sooner. The desire to have a "textbook sports car" with rear wheel drive is becoming more and more present with some of the new "rebirths" and challengers having that as a criteria.
Sports cars are finally getting fun and not only that... their entry price is much cheaper. That's definitely something to get excited about.
Show us your first car.
Submitted by The Greenhows.
Ah... My first car. It's been almost 2 years since I parted hands with the machine, yet still... I somewhat miss it. I would take ownership of my Integra back in 1999. This was a time when all of the "greatest" sports cars were nearing extinction. While friends and classmates of mine were buying Integra Type-R's, Civic Si coupes, 240SX coupes, or even used sports cars that would soon have cult status like the Supra or RX-7... I was passed this car. My family didn't believe in me at the age of 17 and to be dropped into a sports car with a manual transmission. They believed that the sedan format was the way to go and that an automatic transmission was a "safe choice". Well, they couldn't have been wrong on that as I found later with my ownership of my current car. The cool thing was that many of the second generation Integra coupe drivers liked how clean the car was stock. I had big dreams for the car. Unfortunately, one fateful day would cut things short as a high school kid would t-bone my car and proceed to hide in his web of lies before his insurance company sent a private investigator and get the real story from him vehemently denying that he had even hit my car.
The day that I got hit by that kid was a day of change... The arrogant confidence that was in me as a Honda/Acura driver was finally knocked out of me. I saw the error of my ways as a driver. I was overconfident in a machine I had no control over. A machine where I had not even pushed it to the extremes and get bit back for saying I was not ready. I got into a few accidents and even a traffic offense because I put too much faith in my car. I realized that for me to become a stronger driver and one more confident in my own skills as a driver, I needed a car to have barely any of the technological toys that are taken for granted by your average driver. I needed a car that was as spartan as they came to put me in my place and say "You are not my master, I am your master." The car would meet its maker in Automotive Heaven when it would become a "sacrifice" to the car I drive now.
From the "ashes" of my Integra's life, I bought a MX-5 Miata in, ironically, the polar anti-thesis color of my Integra (Black). The first month was the hardest as the car flogged me especially when I got overconfident with myself. The real benchmarks of my progress wouldn't show until my sixth month and first year with the car would show the merits of my time in with my car. I had improved by a large margin but the question does remain: "How much could the driving potential be if I was put back into a sport sedan with a manual transmission?" I wonder what the reality would be like if my Integra was a manual transmission. Would I have gotten into the same accidents? Would I have been able to slow my car down enough to avoid that fateful accident? I will never know the alternate reality.
The question, however, is a little bit relevant to the situation I am soon to arrive into. With my family aiding my escape from debt, they are asking me to repay them for their loan. I have been asked to look into alternative cars as family wants me to get a family car for the sake of versatility. The said "family car" is under the requirement that it must be new, if I wish to have my family to help with their credit record to assist me with an interest rate much lower than what I could get at my credit score. From seeking to integrate the driving experience that the Miata has taught me with the memories of my Integra, I have only found one car to integrate the best of both worlds.
I hope by late next year or early spring of 2009 to be in an Infiniti G35 Sport sedan to merge both the convenience of digital automotive advances with the true sense "If you want to play on the bleeding edge, you best prepared to get hurt or learn quick" driving. The choice of white will be more in honor of my driving roots and to honor the memory of my first car. As much as I hated the memories of my first car, I will never forget that it was the car that opened the door to so much more.
Where do you go to get away from it all?
Submitted by Hops.
An escape from the world around is a precious thing sometimes. As humans, the mortal thing we know as stress can fracture us and our minds from "reasonable" thought. The escape is not really one saying that we concede to the thing(s) that oppress us, but more like a "pause" button on life. To some, their "safe haven" is a physical place. For me, that "place" is my car. Sure the concept of my car is simple enough... a portable safe haven. The thing that makes it more meaningful is that when I drop the soft-top down and just drive aimlessly, there's a metaphorical aspect of my stresses just float away from me. The feeling is like having a hat being pulled off of your head by the wind and just seeing it float away in the rear view mirror. It feels therapeutic but yet second nature... Almost like an instinct that we were born with, but lost when we became "mature" adults. With my car as my "escape pod", the environment constantly shifts. This feeds my burned nerves with an explosion of sight and sound. The best part, I can enjoy this "escape" daily! Believe me, it makes for a good way to escape a stress filled day of work with a calm relaxing drive home.
