Autoblog

Number of 500+HP vehicles on sale tops 70

Zach Bowman — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:44:00 EST

We've long maintained that we live in the best era of automotive history to date. Today's vehicles are safer, more efficient, faster, more powerful and more controllable than ever before.

Need proof? In an age dominated by talk of ever tighter fuel economy regulations, buyers now have access to a staggering number of vehicles with more than 500 horsepower. Just 10 years ago, if you wanted to bring home a showroom stock vehicle with that kind of power, your options were limited to either the Ferrari 575M or the Lamborghini Murcielago. Now there are over 70 models with that kind of grunt on tap.

All told, there are over eighteen brands with at least one 500+hp model for sale in their ranks right now. Even better, those dyno numbers are being accomplished with smaller, more fuel-efficient engines. While most of the big-power vehicles come from European brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, General Motors and Ford have also entered the fray lately. Chrysler will do the same with the company's soon-to-be-unveiled SRT Viper.

Interestingly enough, buyers have an even loftier horsepower goal to look toward these days. Of every car sold in the U.S., just 13 produce more than 600 horsepower.

Number of 500+HP vehicles on sale tops 70 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AFVTech working on CNG-powered, 600-hp 1933 Ford Roadster

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Ford, Specialty, Electric

Take something old - in this case, a 1933 Ford Roadster body - and make it into something new - a CNG-powered, 600-horsepower beast, perhaps. That's what's happening over at AFVTech, which is prepping the fenderless hot rod for the upcoming Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Institute expo that's coming in May.

AFVTech is using what President Kevin Fern calls the "Natural Drive dedicated EPA-certified CNG retrofit systems" for 600 clean-burning horsepower. The conversion uses a modified General Motors LS7 seven-liter V8 engine (as used in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06), a six-speed transmission, drive-by-wire controls and ABS disc brakes.

The company is also working with the Arizona Fountain Hills High School's research club on turning a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria into a hydrogen-powered vehicle.

[Source: Green Car Advisor, Green Car Congress]

AFVTech working on CNG-powered, 600-hp 1933 Ford Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Tuned Nissan GT-R grenades tranny at the drag strip

Chris Shunk — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Nissan

Click above to watch video after the jump

The Samurai Speed Nissan GT-R you see above (the one on the right) is a total bad ass. With over 600 horsepower and several other performance-enhancing tweaks, it can do a 10.5-second quarter mile run at a ridiculous 128.42 mph. Samurai Speed has obviously tested Nissan's notoriously finicky Launch Control over 100 times without a single hiccup... until now. The $20,000 tranny recently took a dirt nap on the drag strip with the cameras rolling, and we have video of the carnage after the jump.

You can't hear the tranny fail on account of the other GT-R at the line, but onlookers said the nuclear transmission sounded like a "bunch of metal dominoes in a line and Tiger Woods came by and hit them with his driver." Ouch. It's pretty obvious that Nissan won't be picking up the warranty tab for this GT-R, so Samurai Speed plans to beef up the transmission on its own dime in an effort to continue cranking out incredible times.

[Source: Drag Times]

Continue reading VIDEO: Tuned Nissan GT-R grenades tranny at the drag strip

VIDEO: Tuned Nissan GT-R grenades tranny at the drag strip originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Dodge Viper -- with extra bite!

Alex Nunez — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:18:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Performance, Daimler, Dodge

Click the image for the full-sized gallery.

In their final press conference of the Detroit show, the Chrysler Group focused exclusively on the Dodge brand, and the highlight was the official unveiling of the 2008 Dodge Viper. Driven onstage by NEXTEL Cup driver Kurt Busch, the new Viper SRT-10 dons the brass knuckles to throw down with the Corvette Z06, over which it now holds a 100-horsepower advantage because, you know, 500 horsepower is so passé. The new snake improves upon itself with a revised 8.4L V10 that now dishes out 600 horsepower and 560 lbs of torque. That, in turn, facilitates 0-60 time of under four seconds and a 0-100-0 time that comes in at under twelve ticks. Let the horsepower wars continue! This is fun to watch.

For our comprehensive listing of everything from Detroit, click here.

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Dodge Viper -- with extra bite!

Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Dodge Viper -- with extra bite! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TechArt Magnum: 600HP Cayenne Turbo to appear at MPH '06

Alex Nunez — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Europe, Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows

TechArt knows its way around a Porsche, so we aren't the least bit surprised to learn that they've coaxed 600 horsepower out of the Cayenne Turbo.

The TechArt Magnum is in the news today because it's been announced that it'll be appearing at MPH '06. In addition to the expected static displays, MPH '06 ups the motor show ante by incorporating a Jeremy Clarkson-hosted live demonstration of supercars like the Magnum in a theatrical setting (see video). This gives showgoers the opportunity to see the cars in all their tire-smoking powersliding glory.

To rewind a bit: the Magnum made its official debut at last year's Frankfurt show, and benefits from the fitment of larger turbos, a new intercooler, TechArt intake and exhaust, new air filter and a reprogrammed ECU. Complementing the SUV's 600 horses is a healthy 638 lb ft of torque. 62 mph arrives in a scant 4.5 seconds and the top speed is a ridiculous 181 mph.

Equally ridiculous, unfortunately, is the TechArt body kit that turns the Magnum's front end into a busy mess. We know that the Cayenne is not exactly an easy starting point, but a look that works for the Cayman does not fare nearly as well here. Too bad, because from the rear and sides, the Magnum looks sharp. Hopefully, the refreshed Cayenne will give tuners more to work with up front.

All that said, we'd gladly pay the price of admission to see the Magnum shriek across the stage as Clarkson dishes out the one-liners. 600 horses is a lot, and like we said, TechArt knows what it's doing. Should be a helluva show.

(Rear view shot, press releases after the jump)

[Sources: MPH '06 / TechArt]

Continue reading TechArt Magnum: 600HP Cayenne Turbo to appear at MPH '06

TechArt Magnum: 600HP Cayenne Turbo to appear at MPH '06 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Aug 2006 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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