Muscle question - but also hot rods go green

PIERRE ANDRIEU / AFP - Getty ImagesThe new LaFerrari uses a hybrid propulsion system, or KERS, derived from the formula 1 race series on maximum performance and also fuel consumption come up during the quieter driving conditions.

Shows set to initial expectations of the manufacturer 455 Horsepower, that 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will not only but more muscle than any "base" deliver since she two-seat sports car was introduced for the first time 60 years ago 'Vette.

This news came on the same day that 200 mph Aston Martin ever revealed his fastest model V12 Vantage. In fact, if you like performance, there are many ways how received almost 1,000 HP LaFerrari, from 0 to 60 in less than 3 seconds.

During spotlight of media may be on green machines - the $20,000 Chevrolet spark EV and Tesla model S, topping out at over $100,000-muscular questions to pay.

Connector-based vehicles are are expected to only 0.5 percent of the entire U.S. market for new vehicle this year a figure, through the sales of the three classic Detroit muscle cars, the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford combined the Mustang, and Dodge Challenger matched.

There is no question that moved the market for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Given the need to save fuel when you are many motorists not to victims, size and comfort, trim their powertrain choices. A considerable number of mid-sized sedans such as the Hyundai Sonata, for example, no longer offer V-6 options.

Only in 2008, 26 percent of all new vehicles were sold in the United States with V 8s, above all in full size of trucks like the Ford F-series and performance cars such as the Camaro and the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG. Last year plunged, which however to 19.9 per cent, after consulting company AutoPacific Inc., who expected that the number will continue declining.

That doesn't mean that the performance with the V-8 (or even more muscular V 10s and V12er) disappear. AutoPacific chief analyst George Peterson did not expect the V-8 to disappear altogether. It maintains a strong presence in large trucks and performance vehicles - such as the Corvette. But today's latest "eight banger" is likely a very different machine from the powertrains are found vintage in muscles and power of yore.

Take the brand new LT1 engine found in the seventh generation Corvette, C7 fans called. He takes a variety of new features, which was to achieve, what were once impossible: to improve a better performance in terms of fuel consumption.

These include direct injection, which is sprayed fuel directly into the cylinder to burn faster and more efficiently. Then there are shifts in demand, where some of the motor cylinder when coasting or cruising off the, further reducing fuel consumption. Add you is done in an advanced transmission with more gears to make sure the module, the right pace--either to increase miles per hour or miles per gallon.

These functions to ensure that the new 2014 Chevrolet is Corvette of 26 miles per gallon on the highway - the art could be the number a Chevy Malibu owners over several years ago boasted have.

Although final figures have not been released, but it is expected that the new Porsche revealed better 918 economy - although his 884-HP drive can start it from 0 to 60 in a mere 2.8 seconds, with a top in the triple-digit speed.

Super car based on a hybrid-drive a 608 HP V-8 with two electric motors, to integrate one on each axle. If you search a driver for maximum performance is not, will she get an estimated 18 miles in electric-only mode of the 918-lithium ion battery pack.

The new LaFerrari and the supercar McLaren P1 - both at the Geneva Motor Show in March - use a slightly less complex hybrid drive system, or KERS, derived from the formula 1 race series on maximum performance and even fuel consumption abut themselves during the quieter driving conditions presented.

Acura will be the high-tech route, if it revives the NSX sports car next year. The two-seater is a V6 engine with three separate electric motors, pairs of those two drives the front wheels. By the ever so slightly change the speed of any front engine NSX are torque vector, with variations in performance for each front wheel to curves to improve.

Not all new muscle cars more environmentally friendly. But general improvements in engine and transmission designs not only performance but increase fuel consumption so that the latest model of the Mustang V6-the 300-HP barrier - provision of more muscle than the V8 Mustang GT - crowned during more than 30 mpg to achieve.

Copyright © 2009-2013, the Detroit Bureau

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950 horses! Mustang puts focus on muscle cars

The Detroit Bureau

The Shelby 1000 boasts 950 horsepower on the street, 1,100 hp in the track edition.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, msnbc.com contributor

Carroll Shelby has never shied away from a challenge – especially one he’s set for himself.  And ever since teaming up with one-time Ford President Lee Iacocca back in the mid-1960s, Shelby continually has found ways to pump more power out of the back wheels of a Mustang. 

His latest effort, on display at the NY Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, is the Shelby 1000, which makes a cool 950 horsepower on the street, 1,100 hp in the track edition.

Shelby isn’t alone. The halls of the Javits Center are filled with an array of high-performance models, including the new Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG, at 621 hp, and the 593 hp McLaren MP4-12C. Barely two decades ago, a top-line performer such as the Porsche 911 could barely squeeze out 200 ponies. Today, there are more than 70 models making at least 500, and a baker’s dozen top 600 hp.

While the spotlight is on high-mileage products, especially those using alternative propulsion systems, a sizable number of American buyers remain fixated on cars that can go fast, faster, fastest. And while many makers now offer high-mileage “eco” versions of their mainstream products, just as many are introducing performance variants, such as the 2013 Ford Focus ST.

But today’s high-performance cars have some significant differences from those of decades past. Significantly, they’re delivering not only more power but also substantially better mileage. And a new generation of advanced, battery-based propulsion systems could yield a line-up of cars that might best be described as mean and green.

“Even people who can afford today’s performance cars don’t like to admit they’re just getting 12 miles a gallon,” says Jess Toprak, the senior automotive analyst with TrueCar.com.

That’s driving luxury and performance automakers into a frantic search for ways to deliver more power, lower emissions and improved mileage all at the same time. 

The new Porsche 911 Carrera S, the seventh generation of the iconic German sports car, boosted its power from 385 to 400 horsepower – even while the new model delivers about 19 percent better fuel economy than the old 911.

Porsche has taken a number of steps to get there. Among other things, the new model is about 100 pounds lighter than the Gen-six 911. 

“Lightweighting” has become a mantra in today’s auto industry because it not only can yield better mileage but improved performance and handling, as well.

Of course, some of the biggest changes can be found under the hood, where manufacturers have discovered an assortment of ways to improve the time-tested internal combustion engine. That includes direct injection – where the air-fuel mixture is squirted right into each individual cylinder, resulting in a cleaner and more efficient ignition process. 

Then there’s turbocharging, a system that forces more of the air fuel mixture into the engine when the driver’s foot is pressing the floorboards but minimizes fuel consumption when cruising. That permits a maker to switch to a smaller displacement engine.

The old Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG used a 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V-8. The new model delivers substantially more power out of a 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that also makes about 30 percent better mileage.

The latest-generation Bentley Continental GT is delivering nearly the same level of performance as its classic V-12 out of a smaller, far more efficient V-8.

And then there are the diesels.  Porsche is pushing well into 30 mpg territory with the new Cayenne diesel also debuting at this month’s NY Auto Show.  Yet the “oil burner” has enough torque to launch the big SUV from 0 to 60 in just 7.4 seconds.

German manufacturers have been big proponents of diesel power. BMW introduced a line-up of high-performance models, including the M550d, which is only an eye-blink slower than the gas-powered 2013 M5, at about 4.5 seconds 0 to 60.  For the moment, unfortunately, there are no plans to bring the super-diesel to the U.S.

Vehicles like that, suggests analyst Toprak, “You don’t feel guilty about it.”

And the next generation of performance cars might make one feel downright proud. Among the most notable debuts in New York City this month, was the Infiniti LE Concept.  That’s “LE,” as in “Luxury Electric.” 

Based on the same underlying platform as the Nissan Leaf, the prototype features a decidedly more sleek body and its electric drive system has been re-tuned to deliver substantially better performance, declared Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Infiniti’s parent, Nissan Motor Co.

As a result, driving a car like the LE – which will go into production by early 2013, said Ghosn – “Will be both desirable and sustainable.”

Nissan is not alone.  Audi is developing a plug-in hybrid version of its R8 supercar, which will be the first in a line of battery-based performance models to go by the designation etron. BMW has a new brand-within-a-brand that will market products like the plug-in i9 sports car – which Tom Cruise drove in the most recent installment of the Mission Impossible movie franchise.  And Mercedes is finishing development of a battery-electric version of its gull-winged SLS supercar.

While performance cars might not rule the road the way they did in the days of the classic ‘60s muscle cars, there still are plenty of drivers with a need for speed. For them – and perhaps the rest of us – the good news is that today’s performance cars can deliver a lot more power while sucking down a lot less fuel.

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Muscle cars hit the road again

ALT: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Ford was not the only one with a track-centric Pony Car, which debuted in 1969. Chevrolet rolled out the Camaro ZL1 in the same year.

This car was more the result of ingenuity as a planned intention. In contrast to the boss, not the ZL1 someone was to do designed. Instead, it was the result of a creative Illinois Chevrolet dealers ordered, that 50 Camaros of the company's aluminum block 427 cubic inch racing engine ZL1 with the code name.

A few other retailers idea caught on and was 69 cars were rated then engine officially 430 PS, but more than 500 produce tested was built hp.

The $4,200 racing engine doubled the price of the Camaro, so that she are not terribly popular in regular customers, but drag racer car's ability to rocket down the Strip in just 11 seconds estimated.

ALT: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

In the early 1960s American automakers agreed not officially back racing with "Factory" team. But the company had customers who wanted to drive even their cars, and so wanted to win for this team.

Sports car racing team wanted the fastest Corvette, Ferrari and Carroll Sheby Cobras and Chevrolet commits, offers regular production option code Z06 Corvette challenge. Select this option to the ' Vette's order form gives the factory install a 360 hp 327 cubic-inch V8, M21 4-speed manual transmission, stiffer Springs, shocks and AMG, racing-grade drum brakes (the Corvette have nor have disc brakes), alloy wheels and a huge 36, 5-gallon gas tank for endurance racing.

At $5,975 Chevy 1963 found only 199 customers for the Z06.

New: 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

In 2001, Chevrolet was ready to defend a more powerful version of the Corvette of the car call roll-out, which March had claimed performance against the Dodge Viper. The company achieved in their archives and dusted off the Z06 moniker. This meant the usual steps of the installation of a more powerful engine and stiffening the suspension, track performance, while the base model with softer springs and available automatic for the Boulevard cruiser to update.

Today, Chevrolet offers even the Corvette Z06, but its position as the apex of the Corvette performance since replaced the supercharged Corvette ZR1. So the 2011 Z06 Corvette is model with a 427-cubic-inch V8 (7.0-liter) loads 505 HP, one driving the car the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine top speed of 198 mph. the Z06 carves widespread use of lightweight carbon fibre and magnesium mass 3.175 a sum, the outrageous in today's crop of Porky is lbs performance models. If that's not enough, one brings in available performance package wheels, tires, shocks and brakes the ZR1 for maximum handling and braking.

ALT: 1968 Dodge Charger R/T

Dodge debuted the fastback designed medium-sized charger 1966 with a design originally intended for Chrysler turbine car, which has reached not production. But an updated design in 1968 tripled charger sales, and together with the new sheetmetal, a new high performance option, the R/T came for road/track stand.

The R/T base engine was the 375 hp 440 Magnum but the optional 425 bhp 426 Hemi with two four barrel carburetor was the legendary pinnacle of the line, with a top speed of 156 mph, a test of the car magazine car and driver.

With modest changes in the following year the charger 1969 later fame won in garish citric acid as the street of running racecar "General Lee" in the popular weekly 1980s TV series "The Dukes of Hazard."

New: 2011 Dodge Charger R/T

Widespread dismay of enthusiasts return of the Dodge Charger to the company's lineup, was it not as a swoopy Coupe, but as Pug-faced 4-door sedan. Dodge soothes ruffled feathers with a model of R/T the charger fidelity to the original performance, if not look to confirm.

For 2011, the charger R/T powered a 370-hp 5, 7-litre Hemi V8 which in a nod to modern realities, in which a fuel-saving cylinder mode changes, when all these horses are not required. Another modern reality is customers lack of interest in manual transmissions, in a departure from the original so shocking as the new car block there are styling, so no manual transmission available.

But there are all-wheel drive, give their first realistic chance to have a normally rear-wheel drive American muscle car as the year of Snow plagued driver. And for those, the current R/T feel lack of power compared to the original, there is always the 425-hp 6.1-liter SRT-8 version.

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Electric cars? Americans want more muscle

This is the year of the electric car, or so one might think, based on the headlines of recent months, with new vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt plug - in hybrid and Nissan electric leaf racking up awards and roles in car dealerships.

So we should what this month Chicago Auto show, make where potential customers in the spotlight shining on the latest lithium-ion powered wonders, but also on some of the most powerful cars which roles are found from the Assembly line?

At the booth of Chevy, for example, the Volt made for the new Camaro ZL1 - a 550 PS version of the born again "pony car," way which General Motors design proclaimed chief Ed Welburn "technically advanced Camaro ever built."

A short walk through the huge McCormick Place Convention Center found Ralph Gilles, the Dodge brand's general manager, kneeling a kiss on the wing of the new, 465-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT8 to plants. Who serves as Chrysler corporate design Chief Gilles- - is one of the first in line for the high-performance sedan, traces its roots back to showcase shock era is all muscle cars.

"Performance is back," said Mark Reuss, GM's President of North American operations on numerous occasions.

For all the attention given the GM electric Volt Coupe has supplied more muscle car has the automaker models on the market last year, including an assortment of Camaros and several new versions Cadillac V series, including the CTS-V 550 HP.

The Chevy Camaro was actually (with an EPA fuel economy rating of 19 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway) one of the hottest cars 2010, the King of the Hill Pony Car, the Ford Mustang, knocking down for the first time in 25 years.

Ford used the Detroit Auto show, last month to several new battery-based vehicles, including an electric version new orientation to reveal and the C-Max Energi, a plug-in hybrid version of its new Microvan. But the automaker Burns rubber with the new Mustang GT500 from an impressive 500 pumps also hp.

Even Toyota used to reveal a new family of Prius-badged hybrids, the Detroit show is always in the action. Their Lexus is Luxury Division since short supplies of LF-A supercar and Japanese automakers ready next month Geneva Motor Show, in partnership with the smaller Japanese to show developed a new high performance sports car Subaru.

High performance models like the Camaro, Mustang, the charger and the Challenger (an another Dodge muscle car) collective hybrid electric vehicles restaurant such as the Toyota Prius and Ford Fusion hybrid - the ecological crowd favorites.

But there is a limit to this success. The highest horsepower offered, such as the Camaro ZL1 and Charger SRT8, form a relatively modest niche as the most car buyers more worldly versions of these cars such as such as Mustang V6-powered opt for.

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Ridiculed as a "secretary's car", the Mustang's base model has only minimal muscle, but it delivers a juicy 305 HP still surprising performance (approx. 50% more than the top line Mustang GT two decades ago). But the Mustang V6-powered get also an EPA fuel economy rating of 30 miles per gallon on the highway that highlights some of the major changes that have occurred since the days when muscle cars dominated the street.

New technologies like turbocharging and direct injection, make it possible for cars to churn out large quantities of makes on demand, but still maintain acceptable fuel consumption. The new Charger SRT8, can, for example, idle of half the cylinders when demand is low, to improve fuel economy shows.

And this is just the beginning. Mercedes-Benz is a pure battery electric version of Gull-winged SLS supercar, prepares the debut in 2013. And little Tesla, the Silicon Valley start-up, has already more than 1,000 sold his two-seater Roadster sports car.

Lotus develops British specialty automotive manufacturers a range of new models, the a special hybrid drive punch is used - originally designed for the formula 1 racing track - out some extra power when the car manufacturers to a smaller allow engine more economical to use.

Porsche takes a similar approach with its 918 sports car, a race version of it on the car was unveiled 2011 Detroit show.

And while official comment the company will not, there were numerous reports that Ford will bring back the legendary GT nameplate. But the new version is reportedly charging and hybrid power use to deliver it in hardly 2 seconds 0-60 acceleration.

Although it's hard these days to find a manufacturer which on a battery car, plug - in, or hybrid, functional conventional can be said the same performance and muscle cars.

Even Hyundai, a brand that known is traditionally low price and high-mileage, for his always to the law. While his Chicago preview show car this year which automaker said it would another 51 Add hp to its popular Genesis sedan, the numbers come up to 429 hp.

And with federal mileage standards set some big jumps in the years ahead, automakers are under pressure, squeeze - but the market also you more muscle, will as of this year's Chicago Auto Show underscores to deliver more miles from every gallon gas. The good news is that the Powertrain technology allow the industry to do both.

© 2011 msnbc.com.

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