Mustang V6’s

Highlights include an improved version of its standard 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine, a new FE4 performance suspension package for SS coupes and several interior and technology improvements, such as a revised instrument panel design, new steering wheel and rear camera system.The enhancements arrive in time for Camaro’s 45th birthday, which will be celebrated with this summer’s release of the 45th Anniversary Special Edition Camaro. Continuing the tradition of Camaro anniversary models, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition carries all the upgrades for 2012, with additional unique design elements, inside and out.“The appeal of Camaro design and performance has powered it to the top of its segment,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “For 2012, we’re capitalizing on that momentum with enhancements to Camaro’s performance and comfort.”

GM, Chrysler sue Allied shippers over cars

A situation has developed between Allied trucking and automakers General Motors and Chrysler that has deteriorated to the point of hostage-taking. The Detroit News reports that GM has filed a lawsuit against the car-hauling company that alleges it's holding 1,700 of the automaker's valuable Chevy Silverado and Camaro models that should be on their way to dealers. The vehicles in question are worth $47 million, and many of them are reportedly already bought and paid for by customers. The suit also claims that the inventory will depreciate in value if dealers don't receive the vehicles, while at the same time dissatisfying customers.

The problems between Allied, GM and Chrysler started when the car hauler asked for a 15-percent raise. Allied had previously tried to cut the pay of Teamster union members by 20 percent, but was unable to do so due to a provision in the company's labor contract. GM then severed ties with Allied on March 16.

Tuner ‘Tangos' the 612bhp Porsche GT

Hold on to your breakfast - the latest Auto Trader hall-of-shamer is this modified Porsche Carrera GT.

The cataract-inducing bright-orange Porsche Carrera GT has been fettled by Austrian tuner Konigseder.

They’ve fitted a new front end with a redesigned front bumper, fat side skirts, extra air vents at the back and a spoiler any Max Power fan would be proud of.

But get this – the Porsche Carrera GT was discontinued three years ago, and we’re pretty sure the majority of people who bought one aren’t going to splash out on a Halfords-special bodykit.

Still, if you like your supercars loud, lairy – and orange – this is the car for you.

Konigseder have helpfully left the engine and power output alone. The ‘standard’ Porsche Carrera GT churns out 612bhp and enough pulling power to reverse the earth’s gravitational pull (435lb/ft).

This means the GT accelerates from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds and will comfortably top 200mph, making it the most powerful production Porsche ever built.

But seriously…orange?

Anyway, think of the Carrera GT and thoughts of the Riviera, multi-million pound yachts, glamorous supermodels and fine dining spring to mind.

So kudos to the photographer on the Konigseder shoot – who decided to shoot the lairy GT next to a rainbow coloured bi-plane.

Dealer unleashes limited-edition Viper roadster

Before production of the Viper ended earlier this month, Dodge made sure to send out the current generation of the V10 supercar with numerous limited-editions. Versions such as the 1:33, the Voodoo Viper, the ACR-X and dealer-exclusive models all trickled out of Chrysler's Conner Avenue assembly plant in Detroit.

Arguably, the track-only ACR-X is the most extreme iteration, but hidden within the group of dealer-exclusive models is another noteworthy special model: the SRT10 Convertible ACR built specifically for Woodhouse Dodge in Blair, Neb. Located in a town of approximately 7,500 people, Woodhouse Dodge has sold more Vipers than any other dealer since 1999. Its in-house tuning arm, Woodhouse Motorsports, also modifies roughly 75 percent of the Vipers the dealer sells.

Being the highest-volume Viper dealer, a limited edition with nothing more than an exclusive paint job and badges wouldn't do like most of the other special models. Instead, Woodhouse proposed the idea of combining all of the go-fast parts from the ACR with a convertible body--and Dodge obliged.

However, doing an ACR roadster correctly took a bit of work by the SRT engineering staff. Parts such as the adjustable KW suspension, Stoptech rotors, lighter wheels, short shifter and new fifth and sixth gears were easy, but the aerodynamic improvements required attention. With the aero differences between the coupe and convertible, a new, lower wing and light revisions to the front splitter had to be developed and undergo many hours of wind-tunnel testing.

The result is a true, bona fide ACR model right down to the 21B Chrysler build code given to all Viper ACR coupes. And with only 20 produced, the Viper SRT10 Convertible ACR Woodhouse limited edition could be one of the more sought-after Viper models down the road.

Available colors include white, yellow, red and black and all are available with dual or driver's striping. Pricing begins at $107,310 and, of course, it's only available at Woodhouse Dodge.

Efficient urban driving – the Audi travolution project

Efficient urban driving – the Audi travolution project

Audi has announced plans to expand their Travolution project which studies how cars and traffic lights can communicate to reduce emissions.

The new phase will include 15 test vehicles and 25 traffic lights, in Danube, which can communicate using wireless LAN and UMTS links. When a test vehicle approaches a traffic light, a signal is sent to the car telling the driver what speed to travel "so that the next traffic light changes to green before the car reaches it."

If the car is coming to a red or yellow light, the driver is warned visually and audibly. When a car is stopped at a red light, the signal tells the driver how long they have to wait before the light changes green.

According to Audi, "When the car is part of a network in this way, the driver can reduce the amount of time spent at a standstill and cut fuel consumption by 0.02 of a liter for every traffic-light stop and subsequent acceleration phase that can be avoided." This means that, if this new technology were applied throughout Germany, CO2 emissions would be cut by two million tonnes annually.

The system also allows drivers to make payments (for gas / parking) without leaving their vehicle. When the car is at a device (parking meter / gas pump) which supports this feature, the driver is prompted with payment instructions on the MMI screen. All they have to do is confirm their data and drive away.

2011 Volkswagen Touareg

2011 Volkswagen Touareg – Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumor has it Volkswagen is mulling a two-wheel drive version of the Touareg. Whispers are buzzing around the francophone site L'Automobile that the company is considering dropping power to the front wheels in order to create a Touareg 2Motion. Why? If our Google translator is to be believed, Volkswagen is hoping to trim some weight and cost from its SUV while upping the vehicle's fuel efficiency at the same time.

The site quotes an unnamed member of the truck's development team as saying it would be relatively easy to make the Touareg a rear-wheel drive vehicle. What's more, a less-expensive VW SUV would likely appeal to the American masses. The Touareg currently carries a base MSRP of around $40,850, so some reduction in price for the two-wheel drive variant is all but assured.

L'Automobile doesn't make mention of when the Touareg 2Motion will come to market, though the current feeling is that it won't be until well past 2012, if at all. It would make sense to see VW offer a RWD version, though, especially when equipped with the upcoming hybrid drivetrain.

2011 Volkswagen Touareg

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Camaro Coupe and Convertible in Europe next year

Gentlemen, General Motors has heard the prayers of the European petrolheads.
In an unexpected statement, Chevrolet has announced that the upcoming Geneva Motor Show will disclose to consumers its future commercial launches in the Union. Those chosen to appear in the Swiss sample are none other than the Aveo RS “show car” (as shown in Detroit), the Spark,Chevrolet Orlando (do not know whether concept or model of production) and as big news, the Chevrolet Camaro . The latter two models will hit dealerships in 2012, where even the Camaro convertible body, still unpublished.
Remains to see and know all the details regarding the launch of General Motors muscle car, but some will sleep easier knowing that you have the green light.

The fifth generation Camaro, an icon of American automobile, sold in the United States with engines 3.6 V6 and 6.2 V8, giving 304 and choose from up to 426 HP at a price extremely greedy, as part of $ 22,680 excluding tax. In Europe is understandably more expensive but has the obvious advantage of exploiting a segment that has almost all to himself, and likely will remain so for long unless Ford decides to do so and to give its approval to a global Mustang.
More next month from the exhibition center of Geneva.