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Lingenfelter at work on new World’s Fastest Camaro [w/video]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet

Lingenfelter Black Chevrolet Camaro

Lingenfelter Chevrolet Camaro – Click above to watch video after the jump

The best thing about drag racing is that fast is never fast enough. After building a Chevrolet Camaro that comfortably waltzed down the quarter mile in under nine seconds, the crew at Lingenfelter are hell-bent on making the machine do the deed in even less time. As a result, the mad wrenches have worked up a 427-cubic-inch LSX engine with a pair of ported LS3 six-bolt heads. All projections have the mighty beating heart churning out somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,200 horsepower with the locomotive grunt getting channeled to the rear wheels via a TR6060 gearbox.

The company hasn’t taken its new quarter-mile king to the track just yet, but it has been so kind as to slip the internet a peek at the machine on the dyno. According to the video after the jump, what you’re seeing is a wide-open-throttle shift from third to fourth with both stages of nitrous in full glory. We’re nearly positive that eons ago, this is why man tamed fire. Hit the jump to check out the action for yourself.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Continue reading Lingenfelter at work on new World’s Fastest Camaro [w/video]

Lingenfelter at work on new World’s Fastest Camaro [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Dexter Work Sled is one neat creeper

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Design/Style

Dexter Work Sled – Click above to watch the video after the break

Anyone who’s tried a creeper when working under a car knows that it’s far from a perfect solution. Designer Stéphan Angoulvant saw an opportunity to improve upon the status quo for casual users and car enthusiasts alike. After testing an inexpensive, commonly bought creeper, it became clear to Angoulvant just how much these units hinder, rather than help.

The thought process that brought the Dexter Work Sled to fruition pondered how to develop an emotional tie (other than anger and frustration) to our creepers. From there, the “what ifs” included a wearable vest with tank treads, and finally settled on a hammerhead shark-inspired shape rendered in molded plywood like the famous Eames chairs.

The result is a creeper that’s beautiful and functional, with integrated magnets and LED work lights. The wheels have been pushed out to the sled’s edges, allowing them to be larger, and an easy-to-use brake lets users really crank down on stubborn fasteners without having their work platform slip out from under them. Of course, it’s a nice-looking piece on its own, and it’d be a shame to stain it with oil spills. Check out a video of the sled in action (with a slick mid-’60s Lincoln) after the jump.

[Source: Core77]

Continue reading Video: Dexter Work Sled is one neat creeper

Video: Dexter Work Sled is one neat creeper originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2011: 2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman is built to work

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Work, Chrysler

2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman

2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ram Truck has just dropped a low-buck bombshell on the 2011 Chicago Auto Show with the 1500 Tradesman. The pickup comes standard with the company’s 5.7-liter V8 with 390 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque mounted to a five-speed automatic transmission, and Chrysler says that the drivetrain is good for 20 mpg on the highway. Specifically set up for small businesses, contractors and fleet service, the Tradesman is also loaded with a Class IV hitch and a handy transmission cooler. That kit helps crank up the truck’s tow rating to a lofty 10,450 pounds.

The best part? Prices for this sucker start at a slim $22,780 with destination. Buyers will be able to pick between 4×2 and 4×4 trim, and a long-bed option is also available. Look for the Tradesman to land on dealer lots in the second quarter of this year. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Gallery: 2011 Ram Truck 1500 Tradesman

Gallery: 2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman

2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chicago 2011: 2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman is built to work

Chicago 2011: 2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman is built to work originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Porsche confirms work on four-cylinder

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Porsche, Rumormill

Porsche Badge

Autocar reports that Porsche is hard at work on whipping up a new four-cylinder to power everything from the oft-rumored small Porsche as well as the Boxster, Cayman and potentially even the 911. While speaking at the Detroit Auto Show, Wolfgang Durheimer, the head of research and development for the automaker, said that Porsche was already slaving over the four-pot and that it could potentially be applied to models outside of the upcoming sub-Boxster model.

There was some indication that the smaller Porsche would borrow bits from a sister car built by Volkswagen and Audi, and while that route would certainly cut down on development costs for all three cars, Porsche seems to be bent on powering its version with a beating heart designed and developed in house.

If you’re still reeling from the thought of a four-cylinder 911, breathe easy. Durheimer said that for the time being, Porsche plans to keep to the flat-six for its bread-and-butter sports machine, though there’s no telling what the far-off future could bring.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Porsche confirms work on four-cylinder originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Nissan, Mitsubishi will work together on small, possibly electric, cars

Filed under: Mitsubishi, Nissan, Electric

Following reports that Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will open a new, efficient global small car plant in Thailand, rumors that MMC and Nissan are talking about a 50-50 joint company in 2011 are a lot more interesting. Automotive News is reporting that the two Japanese automakers could bring a small car to market together in 2012 and – here’s where it gets good – they might also work together on electric vehicles. Mitsubishi has been making the Mitsubishi iMiEV for years and Nissan just delivered its first Leaf. The two automakers also participate in a joint car-sharing program in Kyoto, Japan.

According to a statement from Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, no details have been decided, but an analyst at a consulting company in Tokyo told AN, “The alliance of the two automakers seems to be a good one as we can expect more cooperation in electric vehicles going forward.” Ghosn’s statement said the partnership, “is important for Nissan as it supports our expansion in emerging markets, meets immediate capacity needs overseas and enables us to grow our minicar business in Japan.”

Mitsubishi and Nissan already work together on some vehicles, like the Mitsubishi Lancer Cargo (made by Nissan) and the Minicab, Town Box, eKWagon and Pajero Mini models (built by Mitsubishi for Nissan).

[Sources: Automotive News – sub. req., Green Car Reports]

Report: Nissan, Mitsubishi will work together on small, possibly electric, cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mazda rotary reportedly at least a year behind schedule, but work continues

Filed under: Technology, Mazda

Mazda Renesis rotary engine

Renesis rotary engine in 2009 Mazda RX-8 – Click above for high-res image gallery

“We will never give up,” says Mitsuo Hitomi, general manager of Mazda’s powertrain division, referring to the automaker’s long-running investment into the rotary engine. This vote of confidence in Felix Wankel’s replacement for displacement will surely come as welcome news to rotor-heads the world over, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t problems in World of Wankel.

Apparently, the so-called 16X engine, which is the latest take on the pony-keg-sized engine that spins into the stratosphere, is failing to meet emissions requirements set by the engineering team at Mazda, despite the fact that it is 30 percent more fuel efficient than the previous Renesis rotary. Impressively, Hitomi stated that the 1.6-liter 16X is slightly more fuel efficient than the automaker’s standard 2.0-liter gas engine.

It would seem that the rotary’s well-known thirst for fuel has at least partly been quenched, but until the 16X is tuned to hit its emissions targets we can expect it to stay in the engineering department and off the showroom floor. So, when might we see a new rotary-powered machine from Mazda? “Maybe within two years we can tell you when we will introduce it to the market,” responds Hitomi.

Now, let the debate continue as to what kind of body and platform that engine will be featured in…

Gallery: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req’d]

Report: Mazda rotary reportedly at least a year behind schedule, but work continues originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM high performance division put back to work, focus on small cars

Filed under: Performance, GM

Chevrolet Aveo RS concept

Chevrolet Aveo RS concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

In early 2009, General Motors announced it would be putting all high-performance vehicle projects on indefinite hold, citing that the engineering team responsible for these power-happy cars would be moved to different areas within the company. Since then, the only new performance models to come out of GM have been the CTS-V Coupe and Sport Wagon, leaving a huge void in the General’s affordable small performance portfolio. The Chevrolet Cobalt SS and HHR SS were discontinued, and the demise of Pontiac and Saturn did away with any GXP and Red Line products.

However, all of this may change in the not-too-distant future. Automotive News reports that Jim Campbell, GM’s vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports, has said his company has a tremendous opportunity for new performance entries in the small and compact car markets. This means we should expect higher-output versions of the new Chevrolet Cruze, as well as the upcoming redesigned Aveo – and not just trims that look quick, but go quick too.

We already got a taste of a hotter Aveo in concept form (pictured), and we certainly wouldn’t mind a more enthusiastic Cruze, especially since GM still has that 260-horsepower 2.0-liter Ecotec turbocharged four-cylinder engine laying around. We certainly didn’t hate the Cobalt SS (far from it), and we think this mill could do wonders in the larger Cruze. What’s your vision of the next small performance car from GM? Let us know in the comments.

Gallery: Chevrolet Aveo RS concept

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: GM high performance division put back to work, focus on small cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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