Group 2 Dodge Challenger echoes past SCCA racers

Among muscle cars--even among Dodge Challengers, new or old--the Classic Design Concepts Group 2 Challenger stands out. Winner of the Chrysler Design Excellence Award at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas last November, the Group 2 Challenger moves from concept to production this month as Michigan-based Classic Design Concepts begins building its version of the Dodge performance coupe. The Group 2 appearance package, inspired by the wide-body SCCA Trans-Am Group 2 race cars of the 1960s and '70s, includes custom carbon-composite lightweight front fenders and billboard-style rear fenders, aerodynamic front spoiler wings, Group 2 badging and mongo 20-inch wheels and tires.

Alfa Romeo 159 (2009): new engines and trims

By Tim Swietochowski First Official Pictures 28 August 2009 10:52 Alfa Romeo has announced two new additions to the Alfa Romeo 159 engine range, which will also find their way into the Alfa Brera and Spider later in 2009. New trim options for the 159 have also been revealed.The first new powerplant is a 16-valve, turbocharged 1.7-litre petrol, which features variable valve timing and direct injection, developing 200bhp and 236lb ft of torque. The new 1750 TBi, which takes its name from the Alfa 1750 Berlina, propels the 159 to 62mph from rest in 7.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 147mph.Joining the petrol motor is a new common-rail 2.0-litre diesel, the JTDM, which produces 170bhp and 265lb ft of torque to give the derv 159 a 0-62mph time of 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 136mph.Are these new Alfa Romeo engines economical?The new petrol motor produces CO2 emissions of 189g/km (lowering the 159’s UK company car benefit-in-kind tax by six bands in comparison with the old 2.2-litre JTS engine) with the diesel pumping out 142g/km.

VW Boss Martin Winterkorn on the new Hyundai i30: Nothing Rattles!

VW's Martin Winterkorn prods and pokes the new Hyundai i30 If you’re looking for a benchmark in quality mainstream cars, you can’t do a great deal better than cars from the VW group. From VW to Audi, Skoda to SEAT, VW knows how to bolt a car together so everything has a pleasing tactility. So a visit by VW boss Martin Winterkorn to the Hyundai stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show could have been to see just how far the competition from Korea still has to go.