Category Archives: performance

Federal Regs Work as Airlines Cut Delays and Cancellations

Posted on 14 February 2012 by Ken Zino

It is a clear example of the effectiveness and the need for government regulation of industry since airline passengers were not treated fairly or getting reliable transportation until DOT put in place regulations with stiff fines to stop all too common abuses. Continue reading →

Posted in aviation, customer satisfaction, news, performance, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mopar Debuts Third Factory Built Hot Rod off Chrysler 300

Posted on 31 January 2012 by Ken Zino

Still working its muscle car roots, the Mopar 300 has a 363 horsepower (hum the Charger was 370?) 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine and a now dated five-speed automatic transmission. A change from a 3.06:1 to a 3.91:1 final-drive means zero-to-60 mph times in the low 5-second range, according to Chrysler, same as the Charger. Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, marketing, new vehicle, performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New 1967 Mustang Convertible Body for $15,995

Posted on 21 December 2011 by Ken Zino

While purists will scoff, the chances of finding a rust-free, undamaged sixties era Mustang suitable for restoration are slight, given the popularity of the Mustang among car enthusiasts. Some panel adjustment and alignment has to be done, but the new-old Mustang body comes rust proofed and primed, ready for painting and assembly. Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, news, performance | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New 2.0-Liter Turbo Engine Debuts in the Cadillac ATS

Posted on 15 December 2011 by Ken Zino

The Cadillac version of GM’s new powerplant will be one of highest specific output automotive engines, bar none, and more than 20% higher than the next closest competitor, the Mercedes-Benz C250 1.8-liter turbo at 111.6 hp/L. The turbo four will be joined in the ATS with a normally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a 3.6-Liter V6 engine when production begins next summer. Frankly, it’s the price of entry in a segment where Cadillac has failed several times with inferior offerings. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, engineering, new vehicle, news, performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chrysler to Build 2013 SRT Viper at Conner Avenue Plant

Posted on 13 December 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group announced today that it will reopen its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit for the production of the next generation 2013 SRT Viper. The closed Viper plant was the victim of the Chrysler bankruptcy in 2009 and was originally listed as an asset to be sold. However, there were no takers for the sale of the Viper and its entire Conner Avenue plant for only $10 million. The Viper business earned $16 million in 2008 by building 1,545 cars and engines, according to a bankruptcy filing. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, new vehicle, news, news analysis, performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Drag Racing 2013 Cobra Jet Mustang Revealed

Posted on 5 December 2011 by Ken Zino

The 2013 Cobra Jet Mustang has two 5.0-liter Ti-VCT engine options – a naturally aspirated engine with Cobra Jet induction system, CNC ported heads, high-lift cams and low-drag accessory drive; or a Whipple supercharged version with CNC port-matched manifold and heads, and what’s said to be a proprietary 10-rib supercharger drive system for high-rpm use without belt slip. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, new vehicle, news, performance, racing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Shelby GT500 to Offer 650 Horsepower Production V8

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is boasting that the ultimate Ford Mustang – Shelby GT500 – will offer the highest horsepower production V8 when the new 2013 model goes on sale next year. The 5.8-liter V8 aluminum-block supercharged engine is claimed to be rated at 650 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful production V8 in the world. The 3,850-pound car also will be exempt from the gas-guzzler tax, a claim that awaits EPA certification. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions, marketing, new vehicle, news, performance, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Camaro ZL1 Coupe Priced at $54,995 for 2012 Model

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Camaro pony car is capable of speeds up to 184 mph and can traverse the pavement from a rolling start to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, according to Chevrolet. As such, the Camaro ZL1 coupe presents strong competition not only for the performance versions of the Shelby Mustang, GT 500, but also the Cadillac CTS-V coupe (rated at 556 horsepower or 415 kW), which makes the coupe just as fast, arguably roomier and starts at $64,090. For the record, Camaro has consistently outsold the Mustang since its introduction Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, marketing, new vehicle, news, performance, prices | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Build Your Own LS7, LS9 Chevrolet V8 Crate Engine

Posted on 4 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet Performance is now offering customers the chance to build your own LS7 V8 or LS9 V8 crate engine – a unique program that combines a factory-engineered aftermarket engine with hands on experience for custom car builders and hot rodders. Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, marketing, news, performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Runs a 7:41.27 lap at Nürburgring

Posted on 11 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The Camaro joins a production Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR (American Club Racer) that posted a 7:12.13 lap time on the12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife last month, that was faster than a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, which posted a lap time of 7:19.63 back in June. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, performance, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Household Income Continues to Fall Significantly as Federal Government Claims the Great Recession is Officially Over

Posted on 10 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Real median annual household income has fallen significantly more during the so called economic recovery period from June 2009 to June 2011 than during the recession lasting from December 2007 to June 2009. That’s right, not only do we a jobless recovery, but we have one where incomes are dropping. Since when are politicians in the business of making people poorer in a grim reversal of the American Dream?

The report is bad news for the auto industry, which remains in a severe slump caused in part by record high new car prices – now averaging more than $30,000 a vehicle, and projections of even higher prices to come because of new emissions and safety regulations. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, performance, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dodge Viper Bests Chevrolet Corvette Lap Time at Nürburgring

Posted on 27 September 2011 by Ken Zino

A Porsche 997 GT2 RS posted a 7:18 lap time last year, but the Porsche at $350,000 in Germany is roughly three times more expensive than the ZR1, which begins at with an asking price of more than $110,000 in the U.S. No current production 2011Viper exists so Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division used a 2010 model. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, news analysis, performance, prices, racing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Now Rated at 580 Horsepower

Posted on 9 September 2011 by Ken Zino

Earlier, less powerful 2011 production Camaro models faced about a 300 pound weight disadvantage against the Mustang because of a larger size and more sophisticated independent rear suspension. Nonetheless, Camaro has been easily outselling the Mustang since production reached normal line speeds. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mini Shows $52,000 Goodwood Version at Pebble Beach

Posted on 18 August 2011 by Ken Zino

The Mini “Inspired by Goodwood” – how about MIBG? – has luxury accouterments at a luxury price of $52,000 (but that includes $700 in handling and delivery fees), when advanced orders begin later this month. MIBG will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units – 140 of which will be available to U.S. punters – and is said to combine driving fun with the same craftsmanship, select materials, styling and all-round ‘typical British understatement’ that are hallmarks of Rolls-Royce.
Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, new vehicle, performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Milestones: 100 Millionth Chevy Small Block to be Built in 2011

Posted on 18 August 2011 by Ken Zino

From 1929 and 1955, Chevrolet only offered six-cylinder engines – in spite of Ford Motor’s runaway success with the Flathead V8 introduced in 1932, and Oldsmobile’s Rocket V8 of 1949. Chevrolet chief engineer Ed Cole set out to design a V8 that was powerful, lightweight and affordable. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, engineering, performance, racing, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment