For more information on the 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid, read a preview.
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/articles/2009-Dodge-Durango-Hybrid-Video
Thursday, December 20, 2007
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 | Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick |
Hennessey adds 78 horsepower to the 2008 Viper SRT10
Chevrolet will unveil at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show the Corvette ZR1. So, the Viper was left behind considering power. So Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) announced that it is introducing the company’s first high-performance upgrade system for the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10. Known as the Venom 650R, the engine modifications increase by 78 horsepower giving the Viper the ability to accelerate from 0 to 150 mph 1.5 seconds quicker (15.5 sec. versus 17.0 sec.) than the already factory-fast 2008 Viper that offers a stout 600 horsepower.
The Venom 650R package consists of custom fabricated long tube stainless-steel exhaust headers with 1 7/8-inch primary tubes flowing into 5-to-1 merge collectors. From there, the spent exhaust gases flow through aftermarket catalytic converters before traveling through a full 3-inch stainless-steel exhaust system fit with high-flow stainless-steel mufflers.
Other performance upgrades include: K&N high-flow air filter element, 2-piece light-weight cross-drilled brake rotors (saving 8 lbs per corner), professional installation, dyno testing, Hennessey Venom Power floor mats and exclusive Hennessey Venom 650R exterior badges. Each Venom 650R has a serial numbered plaque located in the cockpit and under the hood. Rounding out the package, the Venom 650R will carry a full 3 year / 36,000 mile Hennessey warranty that will cover the modifications performed to the vehicle.
HPE plans to build 200 units for the 2008 model year. Many of these cars will be available through an exclusive Hennessey dealer network comprised of high-performance minded Dodge dealers.
The Hennessey Venom 650R upgrade package gives 2008 Viper owners the option to fend off any Corvette Blue Devil ZR-1s that they might encounter in the coming New Year.
2008 Hennessey Venom 650R Specifications:
Available for all 2008 Viper SRT10 models including Coupe, Convertible and ACR.
- Power:
- 678 bhp @ 6,200 rpm
- 645 lb-ft torque @ 5,200 rpm
- Performance:
- 0 - 60 mph: 3.3 sec.
- 0 - 150 mph: 15.5 sec. (stock 2008 Viper = 17.0 sec.)
- 1/4 mile (street): 11.3 @ 131 mph (factory Michelin PS2 tires)
- 1/4 mile (track): 10.7 @ 132 mph (BFG 345/18 drag radial tires)
- Top Speed: 211 mph (estimated for the hardtop coupe)
- Includes:
- 1 7/8 inch Stainless Steel Long Tube Headers
- Full 3 inch Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- High Flow Catalytic Converters
- K&N Airfilter Element
- Light-weight 2-piece Cross-drilled Brake Rotor Upgrade (front & rear)
- Powered by Hennessey Valve Cover Badges
- Exterior Hennessey & Venom 650R Badges
- Hennessey Windshield Banner
- Hennessey Venom Power Floor Mats
- Serial Numbered Dash Plaque & Engine Compartment Plaque
- Limited Production - Only 200 units will be offered for sale for the 2008 Viper model year.
- Limited Warranty - 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Lifetime Headers & Exhaust Warranty for Original Owner
- Available from Hennessey / Dodge dealers or installed at the Hennessey Performance factory located at Lonestar Motorsports Park in Sealy, Texas.
- Professional installation at HPE includes all necessary gaskets and fluids plus before and after chassis dyno testing plus up to 100 miles of road testing.
- Mail Order kit also available.
Source: Internal
CAFE Standards to Improve 300C Aerodynamics
At Chrysler, insiders say the company is studying how best to redesign the big Chrysler 300 sedan, with one proposal said to involve a move away from the current upright, boxy silhouette to a sleeker, more aerodynamic profile in order to enhance fuel economy.
I think that changing the shape of the 300C for "aerodynamic" reasons of fuel economy is at the most,shall I say dubious. I mean unless one is traveling at high speeds, are the aerodymamics involved that subtle ? A better way to improve fuel economy would be for people to not floor the gas petal.
Things to come?
2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 Stroker 1/4 mile Drag Racing timeslip specs 0-60
| 1/4 Mile ET: | 11.525 |
| 1/4 Mile MPH: | 118.740 |
| 1/8 Mile ET: | 7.407 |
| 1/8 Mile MPH: | 94.740 |
| 0-60 Foot ET: | 1.695 |
| Temperature F: | 77.0 |
| Timeslip Scan: |  |
| Car Make: | Dodge |
| Car Model: | Magnum |
| Car Type: | SRT8 Stroker |
| Car Year: | 2006 |
| Driver: | Lou |
| E-Mail: | Click HERE |
| Videos: | Click HERE for a Video |
| Web Site: |
Hard times on way at Johnson Controls
A source close to Johnson Controls Inc. says layoffs may be imminent for the Orangeville automotive parts manufacturer, and employees have posted on an Internet blog that they've been told the plant may close in July, 2009.
The news comes in the wake of the Daimler-Chrysler assembly plant in Brampton, Johnson's only customer, laying off an entire shift.
Gerry Fedchun, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association, says the company has no choice but to go along with whatever the Brampton assembly plant does because the type of parts Johnson builds are usually ordered on very short notice prior to actually being used.
He pointed out that this is the worst time in more than two decades for the automotive industry, and companies like Johnson Controls really have no choice but to hunt for new business or face failure.
"The (strong Canadian) dollar and the slowness of the US economy are the main factors here," he said.
"I saw the projections for sales in 2008 in the U.S. and they're down from 2007. What that means is you can make enough vehicles in two shifts to supply the demand where before you had to run three shifts. This is really a supply and demand change at this point."
Mr. Fedchun said it's not only the high dollar, but high commodity prices and the fact it is difficult for suppliers to borrow from banks. There are also high energy costs, with oil prices highest they've ever been. "It's pretty grim out there right now."
Johnson Controls now employs 400 people.09 Dodge Viper SRT10 HO versus 09 Chevy Vette ZR1
Corvette moves into new era of high performance
Supercar to come with $100,000 price tag
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
December 20, 2007
The fastest, most powerful and most expensive Chevrolet Corvette ever will roar to life at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.
Boasting a 620-plus horsepower V8 and a price expected around $100,000, the 2009 Corvette ZR1 is the result of General Motors Corp. chairman Rick Wagoner's challenge to build the ultimate Corvette.
The ZR1 aims to match the performance of supercars like the 612-horsepower $273,845 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano F1 coupe, which accelerates to 62 m.p.h. in 3.7 seconds."Our goal with the ZR1 is to show that an American supercar can deliver performance that beats exotics that cost two, three or four times as much," Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper said.
Chevrolet hasn't announced the exact price for the 2009 ZR1, but the supercar was born when Wagoner asked the Corvette team to show him what it could accomplish with a $100,000 Corvette.
Within GM, the secret project was referred to as the Blue Devil, a reference to the mascot for athletic teams at Wagoner's alma mater, Duke University. The super-Vette features a supercharged 6.2-liter version of GM's legendary small-block V8 engine, extensive use of lightweight carbon-fiber body panels and a host of other performance upgrades.
Chevrolet hasn't revealed performance figures yet, but the ZR1 will have a top speed in excess of 200 m.p.h. and will be able to race from zero to 60 m.p.h. in first gear.
"The Corvette is really a brand unto itself," said Michelle Krebs, editor of AutoObserver.com. "The ZR1 is a logical extension of that."
The hand-built engines will come from GM's performance-build center in Wixom. The Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Ky., will build the car.
The ZR1 will be recognizable on the street thanks to a clear panel in the hood that provides a view of the engine, a unique, clear-coated carbon-fiber roof and other changes that include massive disc brakes with a unique shade of blue used only on the ZR1.
It took years to develop the clearcoat for the carbon-fiber because sunlight degrades the material over time. The coating, which only the ZR1 has, uses a special additive to prevent that. The additive alone costs $60,000 a gallon, while the mixture of clearcoat and additive applied to the roof costs $2,200 a gallon.
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