Auto News | World Car Fans' Corner

[MyINFO]

China is now the world's largest auto market and it continues to grow even bigger. This year total passenger vehicle sales in China will be around 17 million units. For 2011, that number is expected to be 19 million and it is Audi, BWM and Mercedes-Benz who dominate the country's luxury car sector.



The three German premium brands currently hold 76 percent of the luxury car market in China. And according to Yang Jian, managing editor of Automotive News China, those automakers combined will only grow their market share in the future.

Audi, BMW and Mercedes dominate premium sector in China

[MyINFO]

 Dodge has confirmed the 2011 Challenger will feature the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 305 hp (227 kW / 309 PS) and 268 lb-ft (363 Nm) of torque.



While this is good news, it still puts the Challenger dead last in the V6 pony car race. The Chevrolet Camaro V6 has 312 hp (233 kW / 316 PS) and 278 lb-ft (377 Nm), while the Ford Mustang V6 churns out 305 hp (227 kW / 309 PS) and 280 lb-ft (379 Nm) of torque. Furthermore, the Challenger will likely be heavier and more expensive.

2011 Dodge Challenger V6 specs released

[MyINFO]

Earlier this week, a video of a Viper-powered Chrysler 300 mysteriously appeared on Dodge's YouTube channel. Was it bound for SEMA? Was it an engineer's toy? No one knew - until now.

http://www.youtube.com/v/rhPbz6yVU6I?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

The car in question is Derek Ekins' 2006 Chrysler 300 Touring. While it originally came with an anemic 3.5-liter V6, fate intervened. When Ekins was visiting a salvage yard, he spotted a wrecked Viper and came up with an idea: replace the V6 with the Viper's 8.3-liter V10.

The story behind the Viper-powered Chrysler 300 [video]

[MyINFO]

In a foggy qualifying session the Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber captured the starting grid front row for tomorrow's inaugural Korean grand prix.



Despite Ferrari's Fernando Alonso setting the pace on his first and second run at 1m 35.766s, Vettel managed to squeeze by with a pole setting time of 1m 35.585s only to be followed seconds later by Webber clocking 1m 35.659s on his third lap.

2010 Korean Grand Prix QUALIFYING - RESULTS

[MyINFO]

Ford has announced there will be seven F-Series pickups at the SEMA Motor Show.



The Godfather Customs F-150 features a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, a 2.5-inch cowl induction hood, a lowered suspension, a tonneau cover and "halo taillamps."

Ford F-Series lineup for SEMA

[MyINFO]

 Toyota FT-86 will be sold under the Scion brand in the United States market. The Subaru version will come with a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine producing 260 hp (194 kW / 264 PS). The FT-86 is expected to debut sometime in 2012.

Toyota/Subaru FT-86 Coupe mule spied in Germany

[MyINFO]

 Audi has released details about the process of building the e-Tron Spyder concept.


Audi e-tron Spyder: The making of

[MyINFO]

 Dodge has announced plans to introduce the 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 at the SEMA Motor Show.  It features a new 6.4-liter HEMI V8 with 470 hp (350 kW / 477 PS) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque.

http://www.youtube.com/v/Td4MJqHJfEA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

Chrysler announces SEMA lineup [video]

[MyINFO]

 The 2011 GT3 Cup racer comes with the same 3.8 liter flat six-cylinder engine that produces 450 bhp (331 kW) at 8,500 rpm of the 2010 edition.



Now, Porsche has issued a faulty press release on this. Probably because some lazy communications employee copy/pasted a few paragraphs from last year's announcement.

Next Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car announced for 2011

[MyINFO]

 If you are tired of waiting for the Bugatti Gibraltar to go into production, Brabus has the answer with the SV12 R Biturbo 800.


BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800