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Read This: Chrysler ‘at war’ with world’s largest Viper club?

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Chrysler, Dodge, SRT, Read This

Viper Club of America is alleged to be operating illegally as a for-profit business.

The situation was bound to boil over at some point. Grumblings from former and current members of the Viper Club of America, and letters sent from Chrysler to VCA president Lee Stubberfield, allege that the non-profit club is being run illegally as a for-profit business, Jalopnik reports.

The trouble reportedly started in 2007, when VCA member and former club national president Chris Marshall is alleged to have taken a paid position at the club courtesy of the acting board members at the time. By 2010, with the demise of the Dodge Viper looming, the VCA reportedly made a deal with Chrysler to to acquire a stash of old parts and tooling for the Viper. The stash would then be sold by the newly formed Viper Parts of America, a company that was supposed to be run by Marshall, Jalopnik reports.

This sounds like shady business to us – at the very least a conflict of interest. And it’s said that the VCA will not hesitate to suspend – for a year or more – the memberships of those who oppose it.

Read the article and the accompanying letters from Chrysler to find out how the drama unfolds. But it isn’t over yet; we’ll be staying tuned to this one.

Chrysler ‘at war’ with world’s largest Viper club? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Aug 2013 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus Elise Club Racer is stripped-out, Geneva-bound hotness

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Lotus

Lotus Elise Club Racer

Lotus Elise Club Racer – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus, the automaker that defines what it means to “add lightness,” has created an even more stripped-out version of its already flyweight Elise. Called the Club Racer, this lighter two-seater will make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month.

The Elise Club Racer is a full 52 pounds lighter than the standard car, and Lotus achieved this by removing the noise insulation and using a motorsport-derived lightweight battery. This might not seem like an enormous weight savings, but when you consider that the base Elise already weighs in under the 2,000-pound mark, even a small weight reduction is noticeable.

To make the Club Racer even more special, Lotus has fitted a sport setting for the car’s Dymanic Performance Management (DPM) system. This advanced driving aid allows less-experienced drivers to feel at the top of their game, and can be completely shut off for the more experienced enthusiasts.

Look for the Elise Club Racer to go on sale in the near future, priced from £27,500 ($44,590 based on current exchange rates). Currently, it’s unclear whether or not the Club Racer will be available in the United States, but we should have more details after the car’s official debut in Geneva in just a few weeks. For now, follow the jump to read the official press release.

Gallery: Lotus Elise Club Racer

Lotus Elise Club Racer

[Source: Lotus]

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Lotus Elise Club Racer is stripped-out, Geneva-bound hotness originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Nissan Quest minivan helps find the strip club after dropping off the kids

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Technology, Nissan, Humor

2011 Nissan Quest navigation menu

The 2011 model year represents an all-new generation of the Nissan Quest. It’s a stylish people hauler that should spice up the competition among industry heavyweights like the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Chrysler Town & Country.

It may also be popular with entertainment-seeking grown-ups. We’re not talking about concerts or sporting events, but rather the type of windowless entertainment facilities that require a trip to the ATM beforehand… and then another trip a few songs later. Yes, as you see above, an “Adult Entertainment” category is part of the Quest navigation system’s POI database. This functionality may, in fact, be included in other Nissan and/or Infiniti products – or GPS systems from other automakers – but this is the first time we’ve seen it anywhere.

In any case, this proves that the 2011 Nissan Quest isn’t just a capable kid-hauler – it’s equally qualified for bachelor party duty. Thanks for the tip, Keith!

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Quest

[Source: Family Car Review]

2011 Nissan Quest minivan helps find the strip club after dropping off the kids originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rossin-Bertin Vorax guns for entry into supercar club with BMW V10 power

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows, South America

Rossin-Bertin Vorax

Rossin-Bertin Vorax – Click above for image gallery

Wiesmann may have been forced to switch from V10 power to the new twin-turbo V8 for their top-of-the-line MF5, but a Brazilian upstart apparently thinks it can secure an adequate supply of ten-cylinder BMW engines even after they’re discontinued. That’s what’s powering the vehicle you see here.

The Rossin-Bertin Vorax is set to debut at the São Paulo Auto Show later this month. It features a carbon fiber body over an aluminum chassis, cradling the Bavarian ten-pot in two states of trim: naturally aspirated with 570 horsepower, or supercharged with 750. The former is said to be good for a 3.8-second 0-62 mph time and a 205 mph top end. The latter marginally improves the acceleration time to 3.6 despite its 180-horse boost, but supposedly raises the top end to 231 mph. Of course, those figures are likely theoretical, as the vehicle appears to exist only in renderings at the moment.

Bankrolled by meat industry scion Natolino Bertin, Jr. and realized by former General Motors designer Fharys Rossin, the Vorax coupe is targeted to hit the market late 2011 or early 2012. A convertible version is slated to follow a year later, with overall production targeted at 500-1000 units in all and prices hovering around $400k.

Gallery: Rossin-Bertin Vorax

[Sources: Argentina Auto Blog, Carscoop]

Rossin-Bertin Vorax guns for entry into supercar club with BMW V10 power originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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James Winner Jr., inventor of The Club, dead at 81

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Safety, Technology

The Club James Winner Jr. made a unique mark on the automotive world. He created a product that took the country by storm and ushered in a new age of aftermarket theft deterrents. And now he’s gone. Mr. Winner lost his life on September 14th, 2010 during a two-car crash in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

After having his Cadillac stolen a few decades back, Winner realized there had to be a more aggressive way of securing a vehicle than simply relying on the alarm that came with the car. He put his brain to work and came up with The Club and sold millions of units around the world.

Winner, 81 years old, was driving his Lexus when for unknown reasons he crossed the divider into oncoming traffic and hit another car. Mr. Winner, as well as the driver and passenger of the car he hit, were pronounced dead at the scene. Seat belts were reportedly worn by both drivers.

The Club sold well and Winner made some serious scratch, but he didn’t keep it all for himself, becoming a prominent philanthropist in his community and donating large sums of money to hospitals and other worthwhile foundations across the country. Our condolences go out to all the families of those involved. Thanks for the tip, Charlie!

[Source: WKBN | Image: Michael McCauslin/Wikipedia]

James Winner Jr., inventor of The Club, dead at 81 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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