Slideshow
These cars are an engine swap away from being factory hot rods
Nov 3, 2016
- Image Credit: Dodge
Ten factory hot rods we think manufacturers could and should build
Since about the time General Motors dropped a massive V8 into the Pontiac Tempest to make the GTO, manufacturers have been taking existing bits and pieces to make factory hot rods. That proven formula is a win-win solution for enthusiasts and automakers. We get fun new cars, and car companies don't have to spend much to create them.
That being said, sometimes it seems like manufacturers forget about this possibility, leaving some really great vehicles without performance variants, that to us seem really easy to bring to market. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of ten cars we like that would be even better if they got some love from the parts bin.
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Subaru BRZ with WRX flat-four
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Jeep Wrangler with EcoDiesel V6
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Mazda3 with CX-9 turbo inline-four
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Cadillac ATS with Camaro SS V8
Now we already know the Cadillac ATS has a high-performance variant in the ATS-V. However, as good as the twin-turbo V6 is in that car, the 455-horsepower V8 in the Camaro is such a fantastic engine. It sounds amazing at full tilt as well, without resorting to piping in fake noises from the speakers. And since the Camaro and ATS share the same platform and base powertrains, it should be an easy swap. As for how it could be marketed, perhaps GM could crank out some extra power from the ATS-V, and then sell a V8 version as the V-Sport model.- Image Credit: AOL
Honda Fit with Honda Accord Sport inline-four
The Honda Fit is, in many ways, the company's most amazing car. It combines a stunning amount of space in a manageable, efficient package, and even manages to be reasonably fun to drive. The newest one is a bit duller than previous versions, but imagine what it'd be like with the Honda Accord Sport's 189-horsepower four-cylinder. It might be a tight fit (no pun intended), but a version of the Accord's engine was in the Civic for the Si, and the old Civic's standard engine is in the current HR-V. The HR-V is based on the Fit platform, so in a roundabout way, this might work. A Honda Fit Type R would be pretty wild.- Image Credit: AOL
Chevrolet Cruze with Malibu 2.0-liter turbo inline-four
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Hyundai Elantra Sport with Sonata 2.0L turbo I4
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Chevrolet Colorado with Camaro SS V8
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Jaguar XE with F-Type R V8
The Jaguar XE is the company's lightest and smallest entry. It happens to be quite enjoyable to drive in its present forms, too. But in the same way we love the absurd, 707-horsepower Charger Hellcat, we'd love to see Jaguar stuff the F-Type R's beastly V8 into the little XE – call it a Hellkitten, if you will. It should be relatively straightforward as well, since the XE shares powertrains and a platform with the XF, and Jaguar told Australian publication Drive that the new chassis is capable of fitting a V8. Think of it as a good candidate for an XE-R model to go after the Germans in the high-performance realm. Of course the odds of it happening are slim, since the company hasn't even given the bigger, more prestigious XF an extra-fast version yet.- Image Credit: Julien Amado / Autoblog Quebec