2008 Dodge Challanger SRT8

Here's another great movie from Jay Leno's garage! When I first saw the auto magazine reviews on the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, I couldn't help thinking that Dodge may have let this retro-modern masterpiece hit the market at the wrong time. With gas prices so ridicules, people are more inclined to swap out their gas guzzler SUV's for hybrids rather than V8 American Muscle.

So who is going to want a V8 Hemi muscle car in the current state of fuel efficiency awareness? ...Well.... I do! I think this car is beautiful! This car makes you want to take that night job just to pay your gas bill, if only for that 10 minute drive from your day job to the night shift. Look at the rear end of this car... It's one of the sexiest backsides I've seen since... well I'll let you fill in the blank on that one..

It doesn't appear perfect, there are signs of Dodge cheapness in the interior.. and as Jay says, the car really needs a manual gearbox... but all said and done.. I take my hat off to Dodge for having the guts to give us a tried and true American made muscle car regardless of the current economic state... (hmm.. does anyone else feel deja vu from the early 1970's shift in the Automobile market?)

Who makes the highest-quality cars? - MSN Money

Good article from MSN ... Porsche comes in at #1... Funny to see the long time reliability Kings Toyota and Honda down on the list a bit.. and Mercedes-Benz finally creeping back up with their quality control....about time don't you think?

Who makes the highest-quality cars? - MSN Money

First Look: 2009 Audi Q5 - MSN Autos

Bellow is a link to a first look from MSN Autos of the 2009 Audi Q5. It was only a matter of time before Audi was to follow most Auto makers with the mid sized cross over SUV, and it looks like Audi is aiming right for the BMW X3 buyer. The Q5 actually looks more proportioned than it's larger brother Q7. Depending on pricing, Audi may really hit the mark with this SUV... The worlds best fit and finish, potent V6, Legendary Quattro... I can't think of any reason why I would choose an X3 over the Q5...


First Look: 2009 Audi Q5 - MSN Autos

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

As a follow up to my last post... Check out a pic of the amazing Mercedes-Benz SLR in it's new Roadster configuration. Love that color too! Usually only see the SLR in Silver & Black..

The Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR

Despite some controversy when first introduced, there is no denying the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an amazing piece of engineering. This car seemed so over the top when I first saw it, but the more I learned about how much of the flash and flair was actually function built, this car started to make sense. It's yet another example of Mercedes-Benz flexing their engineering muscle.

Below is a fantastic clip from Jay Leno's Garage on his SLR. Thanks for sharing the video's Jay! I'm going to try and feature Jay's new video each week... enjoy!

Road Test: 2009 Nissan GT-R - MSN Autos

Link to a road test review on the amazing new Nissan GT-R from MSN Autos!

Road Test: 2009 Nissan GT-R - MSN Autos

The still amazing Jaguar XJ220

Coming out of the ever excessive 1980's, the Car industry was in a strange state of transition in the early 1990's. Japan had come to the states with cars that were giving the Corvette quite a run for it's money. The Germans were tooling up for a horsepower race unseen since the Muscle Car era that is still being slugged out to this day. As for the British, Jaguars line up of cars was at a low point after troubled reliability throughout the 80's. Jaguar really needed something to shake up the car industry, something to return to it's glory of the 1960's. In 1989 Jaguar officially announced the concept of the XJ220 would actually go on sale. When shown to the world at the British Motor show, the XJ220 was like nothing the world had ever seen (and had plenty of Italian car makers shaking in their hand stitched leather shoes).

Although the concept XJ220 was slated to have a V12, emissions had prompted Jaguar to equip the production version with a 3.5 Liter twin-turbo V6. Despite not having a legendary Jaguar V12, the XJ220 produced a monster 550hp!! Combined with it's light weight, the XJ220 was uber fast! (Don't believe me? Check out the Top Gear drag race between a XJ220 and a Pagani Zonda!).

Ultimately the XJ220 never sat well with Jaguar purist. Despite it's massive performance, the lack of a tried and true V12 discouraged many potential buyers. It's short production run only lasted 2 years with very limited numbers produced. The XJ220 has now proven to bring huge money at auction, and despite the controversy at the time, I think the XJ220 will go down as one of the best cars Jaguar ever built!

(Once again, thanks Bryan for the great pics!!!!!!)