> Sorry, Patrick, but that thing looks like crap. Way overdone and over the
> top IMO.
> I just saw the new production Challenger in person at the Ft. Lauderdale
> International Auto Show, and it exudes class. Totally understated with
> its complete lack of flash and trash, it is as close to the perfect
> production custom as you'll get. Pictures don't do it justice.
>> > Looks pretty damn good to me!
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> These six photos (red Camaro SS) however are.. being nice... much less
> flattering.
That's an understatement IMO. ;) The red car is about as close to rice
you can come without it actually being rice.
> Dislikes:
> 1) That rear spoiler should be ground up and turned into a park bench.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Reserving final judgment until I see it in person. Photos don't
> always do a design justice.
It's interesting that there's a qualification with your first 'Like'.
:)
At the same show I saw the Challenger, Chevy had the Transformer Camaro
on display. Of course it was what amounted to a full-size plastic model
(even the 'mag wheels' were fake), and it looked garish at best. Simply
not classic enough.
>> I just saw the new production Challenger in person at the Ft.
>> Lauderdale International Auto Show, and it exudes class. Totally
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Final grade: A -
Unfortunately we didn't get to see the interior (the car was locked up
behind ropes on a rotating platform), and you're absolutely right - the
car is a pig. Then again, all cars are overweight these days, due at
least in part to safety stuff, electronics, and other crap. However,
you are also right in that it looks awesome, and from every angle as
well.
> Oh, and did you hear the standard Hemi gets 370 ponies this
> year?
>
> Patrick
According to Dodge's website, the 2008 5.7 Hemi MDS is rated at
340hp/390lb-ft; the 6.1 SRT Hemi is 425/420.
For '09, the numbers change as follows: 5.7 Hemi MDS - 380hp/404lb-ft
with VCT (Variable Cam Timing). Here's the link:
http://allpar.com/mopar/new-mopar-hemi.html
BTW, I also saw two other very interesting cars at the show - the
Pontiac G8 and the Hyndai Genesis. The G8 was roped off, but I did get
to sit in the Genesis.
By far, the Genesis was the most comfortable vehicle I've been in in
years. I sat in the back seat and could've easily fallen asleep, it was
so comfortable. The driver's cockpit is awesome. it even has
electrically-operated steering wheel positioning. Up, down, and
telescoping. 18-speaker Lexicon sound system with built-in XM, leather
all around, etc. They didn't have a price for it, but they said it was
supposed to go up against BMWs and MBs for 1/2 to 2/3 the price.
The G8 stickers at around 32k for the top of the line, with the 6-liter
motor, auto only. They said that the next year will bring a 6.2-liter
with a 6-speed, but they had no pricing info on that.
Finally, the coolest car we saw, believe it or not, was the smart
fortwo. 3-cylinder n/a, 70hp, 40mpg average. Top of the line
convertible with a/c & monster stereo was $17k. Base car was $11k+.
http://smartusa.com/
NoOption5L@aol.com - 30 Mar 2008 04:26 GMT
> >> >http://news.windingroad.com/category/spy-shots/
> >> Sorry, Patrick, but that thing looks like crap. Way overdone and
> >> over the top IMO.
> > That link, for some reason now, doesn't take me to the photo I first
> > saw. The photo I saw was a white Camaro SS with a black side stripe,
> > and view only showed the front clip. In that pic I first saw, the car
> > looked great.
> > These six photos (red Camaro SS) however are.. being nice... much less
> > flattering.
> That's an understatement IMO. ;) The red car is about as close to rice
> you can come without it actually being rice.
And then you see pics like this one.
http://www.madness-us-cars.com/actualite-vehicules-americains/camaro-transformer
s-1.jpg
And videos like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1sX14zRbk0&feature=related
Patrick
Frank ess - 30 Mar 2008 17:37 GMT
>>>>> http://news.windingroad.com/category/spy-shots/
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Patrick
I like the look of the one in the video; pretty clean, with the
glowering, lowered-eyebrow look of the headlights carried over to the
tail lamps. They did one thing better than Ford's S197: got the
godawful front and rear bumper shelves of the Mustang to conform to
the body shape; of course that probably triples the repair cost in a
5MPH bump ...
Other than the better bumper integration, I don't see any differences
beyond details between the Mustang and Camaro. There's just so much
you can do within a basic configuration without going over the top and
potentially alienating everyone, rather than just brand loyalists.

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Frank ess