New Muscle Cars
Posted by admin on Oct 25, 2008
GM Executive Bob Lutz has made it absolutely clear, a new Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am resurrected along with the forthcoming Camaro is not on the way. Which hasn’t stopped people from speculating, conceptualizing and just generally HOPING, that it may still happen. At the same time, even before it has arrived, there are many others forecasting a short life for the New Camaro. Unfortunately, the latter is probably correct.
The
New Camaro
It could not be a worse time to launch a new muscle car. Adding to all of the economic and energy-related reasons that need not be repeated here, the Camaro is coming out with a price tag that analysts say is simply too high to meet targeted sales. Look back at the last GTO and its failure to meet sales goals by thousands of units and you can see where these predictions are coming from. Of course, the GTO suffered from a lack of aesthetic imagination, something that does not apply to the
new Camaro or the concept Firebird drawings. However, the new Camaro will have to contend with another issue that plagued the GTO; price. The SS version of the Camaro is at least going to be sold in the mid-30 grand range. And that isn’t even taking into account the additional price increases that are inevitably added at the dealerships. Once vehicles are sold to loyal Camaro fans, Chevy is going to struggle to find enough buyers with that amount of disposable income to plunk down on a fairly impractical car. With Mustangs selling in large numbers for the last several years, Chevy will likely be unable to price even the base model Camaro low enough to compete with Ford dealers who will practically give away a V6 Mustang to the High School crowd. Plus, the galloping pony is set to be freshened up in 2010 which will steal at least a little of the Camaro’s thunder. Realistically, those that do have the kind of money needed to get behind the wheel of the SS (the 40+ crowd) will probably look to buy something that projects more refined maturity and usability, even at the sacrifice of all of the performance that the Camaro has oozing out of its tailpipe.Although the Camaro is an attractive throwback to a happier time in Detroit, GM fails to grasp a reality that Ford, for all of the company’s faults, has successful achieved in the Mustang. Instead of appealing to an older set of buyers with the promise that they can drive a new car and relive their youth; they should focus on building an obtainable car for a new generation and maybe gain a new loyal following in the process
Tags: Camaro, gas prices, New Muscle Cars Predicted To Fail, pontiac, Trans Am, vintage
Hurst’s 560hp Challenger
Posted by admin on Oct 25, 2008
The Dodge Challenger SRT8 has been a welcome arrival for many muscle-car fans. Willing to overlook its hefty weight for the old-school looks and meaty Hemi power, they’ve already purchased just about every car scheduled to be made for the next year. But Hurst wasn’t content to leave well enough alone, and has decided to prep a high-powered version complete with a collection of Hurst accessories for the SEMA show in November - and the car will soon be available for purchase through Dodge Dealers.
Latest reports indicate the top-end supercharged model will be produce 560hp (417kW), though lower-specification models will be available. Participating dealers will get the cars early next year, available in a four-trim range, labeled as ’stages’. Some of the features that will be shared across the lineup include Hurst shifters and five-spok Alloy Wheels. The higher-end models will get a Vortech Supercharger, Magnaflow exhaust, Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, Katzkin leather interior and Kicker audio, reports AutoWeek.
Exactly what level of equipment each will feature will remain to be seen at SEMA, but the Stage 1 through Stage 3 vehicles will be targeted at a price range of about $10,000 to $20,000 above MSRP, reports Edmunds, putting the overall vehicle cost around $50,000 to $60,000 once added to the $37,995 base price of the SRT8. Initial production is due to start next January, though the Stage 4 cars will wait until later in 2009 and will be special-order only with a range of unique colors and options.
Hurst is also planning a range of other modified Chrylser vehicles, including a Viper, 300C, Charger and Ram pickup. Already Saleen has introduced its line of aftermarket superchargers for the Challenger, and Dodge itself has said the 2009 model will feature a blower to boost power. The factory-special drag race package car is an example of what can be done when the factory gets involved in making a truly intense modified Challenger, but the Hurst model aims at a streetable, somewhat more tame, design.
Tags: cars, hurst, Hurst’s 560hp Challenger, muscle