2010 Dodge Viper ACR to Debut at LA Show, Breaks Lap Record at Laguna Seca

The subtly revised 2010 Dodge Viper ACR, which is set to make its world premiere at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show, has set a new lap record at the Laguna Seca with a time of 1:33.915 as recorded by Motech in-vehicle data recorder (1:33.944'' as unofficially recorded by trackside clock) breaking the previous lap record of 1.35.117 set by a Devon GTX this past August. The 2010 Dodge Viper ACR was piloted by SRT vehicle dynamics engineer, Chris Winkler.

"It was definitely exciting but a somewhat uneventful lap overall from behind the steering wheel," said Winkler. "The Dodge Viper ACR has amazing power and handles like a dream, so following my first practice here last month, I came away pretty confident that we'd be able to set a new record."

In the final year of the Viper's production, the hardcore ACR, (first introduced in 2008), receives a series of upgrades including a shorter fifth gear ratio that changes from 0.74 to 0.80 for improved high-speed acceleration and higher straightaway speed, a new short-throw shifter and a redesigned rear wing to further optimize aerodynamics and improve rear yaw downforce.

Dodge says that these improvements result in an increase in top speed of 4 mph, to 184 mph (296 km/h) for the 2010 model.

There are no other changes for the Viper ACR that is powered by an 8.4-liter V10 engine with 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque, for a 0-60 mph (96km/h) acceleration in under 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat.

Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand and Senior Vice President, Product Design Office, Chrysler Group LLC, said that the company plans to release several special edition models during the last year of the Viper including a Laguna Seca edition to commemorate the record lap. All in all, around 500 Vipers will be produced in 2010.

Toyota FT-86 Sports Coupe: Video and Live Images from the Tokyo Motor Show

Toyota FT-86 Sports Coupe: Video and Live Images from the Tokyo Motor Show

http://supercars-nextgen.blogspot.com/The Lexus LFA may be the ultimate sports coupe at this year's Tokyo Motor Show but unless you or your 'daddy' have a wealthy bank account and at the same feel comfortable in spending $375k on non-exotic brand name (not that we'd have a problem if the car's worth it, but just saying...), the one to watch out for is the Toyota FT-86 Concept coupe. Jointly developed with Subaru, the sleek looking FT-86 can seat up to four people and has a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.

Under the bonnet of the 4,160mm long sports coupe is a 2.0-liter boxer engine sourced from Subaru that is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox. Toyota has not released any performance figures yet but it is believed that the naturally aspirated four-pot may be tweaked to produce close to 200 horsepower.

Toyota and Subaru's parent company Fuji Heavy Ind. plan to release a production version of the FT-86 concept onto the market in late 2011. According to an earlier statement from Toyota chief engineer Tetsuya Tada, the production model's sticker price will be in the $20,000 range.

VIDEO: Ferrari 458 Italia Stars in New Gran Turismo 5 Trailer

VIDEO: Ferrari 458 Italia Stars in New Gran Turismo 5 Trailer

The makers of the yet-to-be-released Sony Playstation Gran Turismo 5 video game have published a new dedicated trailer featuring the Ferrari 458 Italia that made its world debut at this month's Frankfurt motor show. The long-anticipated fifth installment of the Gran Turismo, which is expected to go on sale in mid-2010, will boast many new cars including the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing and the GTbyCitroen concept that was initially developed for the game but may very well go into a limited production. Hit the break to watch the video.

Ferrari's One-Off 599 GTB Fiorano China Limited Edition, Video and Full Gallery with High-Res Photos

Ferrari's One-Off 599 GTB Fiorano China Limited Edition
Video and Full Gallery with High-Res Photos

Usually, you'd expect to see something like this happening to a Fiat 500 and not to high-end supercar like the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, but there are always exceptions to the rule. This one-off creation, which is based on a small series of specially-designed 599 GTB Fiorano China Limited Edition models, is signed by Chinese artist Lu Hao and it will be auctioned the 3rd of November at a special Gala Auction Event hosted by Ferrari in Beijing.

The special 599 GTB Fiorano incorporates a number of the features of the China Limited Edition cars that will be produced in a very limited series of less than a dozen examples finished in two-tone Rosso Fuoco with silver roof and distinguished by unique design elements such as the Chinese characters on the starter button and the tachometer, and the unique luggage set.

The one-off model is further distinguished by the special exterior finish that draws inspiration from the famous Ge Kiln porcelain of the Song Dynasty. The artist used a "cracked" glaze pattern with clearly defined cracks etched at different depths to achieve the porcelain look.

"The 599 China Limited Edition model is a true masterpiece, combining rich Chinese artistic heritage with Italian design in a most spectacular way," said Marco Mattiacci, CEO of Ferrari Asia Pacific.

We'd say that while it may look cool from an artistic perspective, we find it a little too gaudy for our automotive tastes.