News! First White 2012 BMW M5 spotted! Road Test TV

As the 2012  BMW M5 is now in its final evaluation phase (FEP), we expect to see more pre-production versions being tested that look similar to what will be in the showrooms at the end of 2011 in Europe.  Recently, Bimmerpost captured photos of a barely camouflaged white 2012 BMW M5.  This is the first new generation (F10)  M5 that we have seen that wasn’t painted black.  Its our understanding that the wheels on this vehicle are the final production units for the new M5.

2012 BMW M5 (source:BimmerPost/5post)

2012 BMW M5 rear (source:BimmerPost/5post)

The 2012 BMW M5 (F10) will be on display as a concept at the Geneva auto show in March 2011. A production ready 2012 M5 is expected at the Frankfurt auto show in September 2011. We have been advised that lucky European customers will take delivery beginning in November 2011; however, Americans will have to wait until spring of 2012.

To read more about this M5 sighting go to: http://www.bimmerpost.com/m5/

Wow! 2011 Challenger V10 Drag Pak – 512 cubic inches! Road Test TV

FIVE HUNDRED and TWELVE (512) Cubic inches of  V10!  Sound good.  We think so too.  That’s what will be under the hood of the 2011 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak.  Mopar is really flexing some muscle these days and we hope it is a sign of things to come. The 2011 Challenger Drag Pak’s  MSRP is said to be $85,512.

2011 Challenger Drag Pak Rear

2011 Challenger Drag Pak Front

2011 Challenger Drag Pak interior

2011 Challenger Drag Pak engine

2011 Challenger Drag Pak emblem

2011 Challenger Drag Pak

News: World’s Fastest Nissan GTR with Stock Turbos! 10.06 @ 135.67 – Road Test TV

Road Test TV – A 2010 Nissan GTR owned and driven by Sleepdoc of NAGTROC fame, became the fastest GT-R in the quarter mile with stock turbos.  This bad Nissan GT-R, catapulted off the line with a 1.45 60′ foot time and devoured the quarter mile in 10.06 @ 135.67 mph.

A complete list of Sleepdoc’s mods can be seen after the jump.

2011 392 Challenger SRT8 on the dyno – 531 Horsepower (452 RWHP)! – Road Test TV

Road Test TV – Looks like the horsepower war continues and the Dodge boys have a trick up their sleeve.   According to dyno numbers gathered by Inside Line, the 2011 Challenger SRT8 with its 392 cubic inch (6.4 Liter) Hemi V8 is going to be a handful for the Camaro SS and Ford Mustang.

Even though the 392 Challenger is rated at 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque at the crank,  it put down an impressive 452 horses at 6200 RPM and 443 lb-ft at 4400 to the WHEELS! Taking into consideration a conservative 15% reduction for parasitic losses from the accessories and driveline, the 2011 392 Challenger is actually making  531 horsepower and 521 pound-feet of torque at the crank.  This is a big improvement over the outgoing 6.1 Liter Hemi.  Hopefully, all production models will be as strong.

To give prospective as to how strong these numbers are, the Inside Line dynoed a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS on the exact same dyno.  The result: 370 horses and 343 lb-ft of torque at the wheels (about 435 hp/403 lb-ft of tq at the crank).   The verdict: the new 2011 392 Hemi Challenger is making over 80 horsepower  and 120 lb-ft MORE than the 2010 Camaro SS to the WHEELS!  Hopefully, the upcoming Supercharged Camaro Z28 will more than even the score.

News! 2011 Challenger SRT8 Hemi grows to 6.4 Liters and 470 Horsepower – Road Test TV

For 2011, Dodge has revived the 392-cubic-inch (6.4 liter) Hemi.    It’s about time, as it has been more than 50 years since the 392 Hemi was in production.  The original 392-cubic-inch Hemi V8 first appeared in 1957 and was short-lived as it was dropped as a production engine after the 1958 model year.

The new 392 Hemi is impressive and will power the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 .  The new 6.4-liter Hemi produces a stout 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.  Compared to last year’s  6.1-liter Hemi  in the Challenger SRT8, that is an increase of 45 hp and 50 lb-ft (425 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque).  According to Dodge, the 2011  Challenger SRT8  should cover the quarter-mile in the high-12-second range.

Spotted! High Performance 2011 Camaro SS @ Muscle Car Nationals – Road Test TV

We just returned from the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) in Chicago, and based upon what we saw, American Muscle is going to be strong in 2011.   Several  dealerships are adding lots of horsepower to the 2011 Camaro SS the way it was done back in the 60’s and 70’s.   In the good ole days, if a customer wanted a car that had more grunt than the factory offered, several dealerships would get it done by teaming up with a tuner or doing it in house.  Back in the day, those dealerships included Yenko Chevrolet, Nickey Chevrolet – Chicago, Berger Chevrolet, Mr. Norm of Grand Spaudling Dodge and Joel Rosen of Motion Performance who teamed up with Baldwin Chevrolet to create Baldwin Motion Camaros, Corvettes, Novas and Chevelles to name a few.

2011 Berger Camaro

2011 Nickey Camaro

The good news is that high performance dealerships are alive and well today.   Most notable at the the 2010 MCACN were the offerings from Nickey Chicago and Berger Chevrolet.

Muscle Cars: 1970 – 1974 Dodge Challenger Vin Decoder – Road Test TV

1970 Hemi Challenger

1970 – 1974 Dodge Challenger Vin Decoder Data

First digit = Car line

For a Challenger this is the letter “J”

Second digit = The price class.

This is the price class. The 1970-71 Challenger R/T and 1972 Rallye have the letter “S” (for Special). All others (including the 1973-4 Rallye) have the letter “H” (for High). The Challenger Deputy (see below for explanation) is reported to have been “L” (for Low) but examples seen seem to have the “H” instead.

Breaking News! 2012 AMG Mercedes CLS63 BiTurbo @ Los Angeles Auto Show – Road Test TV

2012 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG

(Source: Mercedes) Its official – the 2012 CLS63 AMG will be powered by a twin turbo V8 (“BiTurbo” in Mercedes speak) and will be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

According to Ola Källenius, General Manager of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “The CLS63 AMG is a unique, high-performance automobile – it sets new benchmarks in design, performance and efficiency.”  Ola’s not kidding.  For 2012 Mercedes has dropped CLS63’s naturally aspirated 6.2 liter engine (507 hp and 465 lb-ft) that debuted in 2007.  It is replaced with a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8.   When this powerplant is finessed by the engineers from Alfalterbach, Germany (AMG’s home) this force inducted predator is good for 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque for starters.  Want more?  AMG will deliver.  You can order the “AMG Performance Package” and the boost on the twin turbos is turned up from 14.5 psi to 18.8 psi.  The extra boost raises horsepower to 550 hp and torque 590 lb-ft.  Mercedes is generally conservative with its performance figures and states that the 2012 CLS63 when equipped with AMG’s seven-speed  “Speedshift” MCT transmission will rip from 0 – 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the lower boost motor.  The big daddy will cut a tenth to 4.3 seconds.   Top speed also goes up from 155 to 186 mph with the AMG Performance Package.

2012 CLS63 Biturbo engine (source: Mercedes)

Despite a substantial increase in output compared with the preceding model that had AMG’s 6.2-liter V8 naturally aspirated V8 (rated @ 507 hp and 465 lb-ft) the new CLS63 AMG gets better mileage. Nearly 4 miles per gallon better in the city, making it 33 percent more fuel-efficient.  The estimated fuel economy for the 2012 Mercedes Benz CLS63 is 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.  No too shabby.

On top of the new looks and Bi Turbo V8, the front track of 2012 CLS63 has been widened by nearly an inch.  A special “Launch Edition” will be available when the CLS63 goes on sale.  The launch edition will include matte grey paint with carbon fiber and piano black interior trim, alcantara headliner and AMG sports seats wrapped in “Corteccia Pearl” leather.

2012 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG

The 2012 AMG CLS63 should reach a showroom near you by summer 2011.  To get more information regarding the 2012 Mercedes CLS63 and read the Official Mercedes Press Release click here…..

2011 Corvette Z06X and Jake Concepts at SEMA! Road Test TV

At the 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegas this  year,  Chevrolet showed off two new Corvette concepts – the 2011 Corvette Jake Edition and 2011 Corvette Z06X.

2011 Corvette Jake Edition Concept

The 2011 ” Jake Edition” Corvette is  based on the Corvette Grand Sport platform and gets some of its design cues from Corvette Racing’s mascot, “Jake”.   The “Jake” skull mascot first began being used by Corvette Racing’s Team in 2005 to symbolized its competitive attitude.  Since then,  the symbol has grown to represent the determination and victories of the team.

The 2011 Corvette Jake concept is powered by a LS3, 6.2-liter V8 with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission.

The exterior includes Z06 wheels and rear spoiler.  Jake logos can be found throughout the car, including the hood, wheel center caps and fenders.

The black interior is highlighted with yellow stitching and is upgraded with a number of parts from the Chevrolet accessory catalog, including a trim kit, a racing pedals, Jake floor mats and a Jake console lid.

Underground Racing – Twin Turbo Lamborghini Gallardo spins out, almost crashes at Texas Mile – Road Test TV

Road Test TV – Shortly after the violent crash of Richard Holt driving his Underground Racing Superleggera, another Underground Racing Gallardo lost control at the the Texas mile.  This time, it was an orange Twin Turbo Gallardo LP560.  From the video, it is apparent that even all wheel drive can’t keep the nearly 2000 horsepower monsters planted.

To see more car video go to Road Test TV.