New Dodge marketing director has SRT roots

May 16, 2007

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When some us of think Dodge, we think performance. And that’s as it should be. In the past few years, the automaker has blessed us with rides that are wholly American, whether it’s the Charger, the Viper or any of the SRT-infused vehicles that roll of the line. So why not build off that image?

It seems that some of the heads of Dodge see their company in the same light, and have decided to make the director of marketing for the Chrysler group’s SRT offerings the main man in charge of promoting Dodge. Michael Accavitti has swapped titles and is now the brand manager for Dodge and the SRT wing. We think it’s a smart move, but we’ll reserve final judgment until we see how the Chrysler buyout affects the brand.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

 

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Rendered Speculation: Lexus GS-F

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F, now there’s a letter that says high performance, don’t it? Lexus must have figured that all the good ones were taken, so why not just go with the first letter of FAST. No doubt, the GS-F will be a rocket. It better be, if it wants to try kicking sand in the face of the M5. The artist’s rendering gives a credible estimation of what kind of styling *ahem* enhancements might accompany the increased athleticism in the GS’s chassis, and the increased power under the hood. We guess that the GS-F will need to call some attention to itself to help build street cred, but if the actual car looks anything like the rendering, there’ll be no stealth bombing for you.

[Source: Paultan.org]

 

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Porsche raising prices effective August 1st

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If it’s a new Porsche you have your eye on, you’ve got a new excuse to buy one now. The company says it’s raising prices on all but one of its models, effective August 1. The newly freshened Cayenne is the only nameplate exempt from the increase.

The Boxster price goes up .5%, Boxster S and Cayman S up .4%, but the base Cayman’s price will carry over unchanged. Porsche’s 911 Carrerra, GT3, GT3 RS increase 1.5% while buyers of 911 convertibles will pay another 1.4%.

Those craving a 911 Turbo will get hit the hardest after August 1, with a 2.3% larger bill. That’s at least $5,726 more than you’d pay on July 31.

[Source: Just-Auto.com, sub. req’d]

 

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Jon Bon Jovi, your helmet is ready

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For the butthead in your life, Nexx X60 has this open-face helmet available for purchase that only an aging rockstar from the ’80s could love. The denim version, complete with button and stud accents, is one of several helmet designs, though it’s the only one sporting the “ass in tight jeans” look.

The other helmets include bold solids, camouflage, racing stripes and chrome. Many are outfitted with detachable visors, and retail for $200 USD. An added bonus includes anti-sweat fabric inners, which can be removed and washed, as can the chin strap. We wish you could say the same about leather chaps.

[via Gizmodo]

 

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National average price of gas beats record levels after Hurrican Katrina

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We resist writing posts on how expensive gas is nowadays because if we made it a habit, that’s all we’d write. Every once in a while, however, there’s a news story about gas prices that we can’t ignore. This past week, the national average price of gas beat the previous record set in the first week of September 2005, the week following Hurricane Katrina’s devastating landfall. The national average price of gas peaked at $3.11 that week. Since last January, however, the national average has been increasing on an uninterrupted pace. At the end of the first week of May, the average stood at $309.70. On May 14th, it was reported by the government to have risen to $314.30, eclipsing the previous post-Katrnia record. (Click here to view the government’s archive of average fuel prices.)

We don’t claim to be analysts in this area, so we wouldn’t venture to guess what various factors are conspiring to push the price of gas ever higher. We don’t know if or when it will level off, or perhaps even decrease, though we imagine the retreat of summer and colder temperatures will bring some relief. Nevertheless, we though it prudent to point out that as of May 14th, the price of gas is truly at record levels.

[Source: DailyFuelEconomyTip, Energy Information Administration]

 

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Vintage Bentleys rally Europe right

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When Bentley wants to open a new showroom, they don’t do it by half measures. In honor of Istanbul, Turkey’s first Bentley dealer on the Bosporus, the marque is putting on a 2,500-mile rally from London to Turkey. Called the Bentley Calista Rally — because it ends at the Calista Luxury Resort in Belek — seven Bentley Speed Sixes and seven Bentley 4.5-liters will make the trek across The Continent.

The participants are invited members of the Benjafield’s Racing Club, which was founded by Bentley Boy Dudley Benjafield. Back when W.O. Bentley was making what Ettore Bugatti called “the world’s fastest lorries,” the group of men who were winning races like the 24 Hours of LeMans and beating trains from Calais to London were called the Bentley Boys. In that spirit and in their honor, the ten-country Calista Rally will combine some of the world’s most wonderful engines with some of Europe’s most wonderful destinations. We’re sure Walter Owen would be proud.

[Source: Winding Road]

 

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Holden reveals Special Edition Commodore SVZ Ute and Wagon

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Click image for Ute gallery. Click here for Wagon gallery.

GM’s Holden subsidiary has pulled the wraps off a pair of new Commodore special editions. The Commodore SVZ Ute has the General’s top-notch 3.6L VVT V6 underhood, pumping 255 horses through an optional 5-speed automatic, or slightly less if the driver is making the shifts through the standard 6-speed manual tranny. The SVZ package includes black leather, exclusive badging, 18″ alloys, performance brakes, a full spare and a range of paint colors that includes the color-shifting Morpheous finish seen in the enclosed photos.

Joining the Ute is the new Commodore SVZ Wagon, which gets a powered-down 3.6 making 234 horses. Shifts come courtesy of a 4-speed automatic, and the car’s list of features includes 17″ alloys, foglights, a sport/luxury suspension, black headlamp surrounds, body color roof rails, chrome exhaust tip, and SVZ badging. This makes us want a V8-powered Pontiac G8 wagon to go head-to-head with the Dodge Magnum. Come on, General…do it! (And send the Ute over already while you’re at it.)

Complete pricing and specs are in the press release after the jump.

[Source: GM Holden]

Gallery: Holden Commodore SVZ Ute

Gallery: Holden Commodore SVZ Wagon

Continue reading Holden reveals Special Edition Commodore SVZ Ute and Wagon

 

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Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione caught at the ‘Ring

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Alfa Romeo’s voluptuous 8C Competizione is currently undergoing the now obligatory rite of passage for any new performance car - hot-lapping the Nurburgring - and World Car Fans has spy shots of the event.

Artfully camouflaged with duct tape, the test mule carries larger wing mirrors and a front fascia with noticeably larger openings than the show car version.

The limited production coupe is slated to lead Alfa Romeo’s return to the U.S. market. Trivia types will recall that the Nurburgring holds a special place in the hearts of Alfa fans as the site of Tazio Nuvolari’s epic victory over Mercedes and Auto Union in the 1935 German Grand Prix. (Bonus points if you knew that Nuvolari’s Alfa Romeo P3 was campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari.)

More spy shots can be seen here.

[Source: World Car Fans]

 

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Even Stephen Colbert has to wait for a Ferrari

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It appears Ferrari may be facing a growing number of disgruntled owners who are not happy having to wait in line 24 months for a new Italian Stallion. You can count Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert among the disgruntled, as he revealed on The Colbert Report this week that he’ll have to wait months to replace his ratty 550 with 4,000 miles for a brand spanking new Lime Green 599 GTB Fiorano (with a platinum Jesush fish on the bumper, of course). Ever the schemer, Stephen announced he’s willing to trade his spot on the kidney donor list to anyone at the front of the line to buy a Ferrari. Only Ferrari faithful with potential renal failure need apply.

Check out the clip from The Colbert Report after the jump in case you missed it.

[Source: Colbert Nation]

Continue reading Even Stephen Colbert has to wait for a Ferrari

 

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EDAG develops amphibious vehicle for flood rescues

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Click the image above to view pictures of EDAG’s amphibious creation at work

Flooding has been a deadly problem since the dawn of civilization, and boats have traditionally been used as the main mode of transportation for rescue. The only problem is, flooded areas often have areas of shallow water and dry patches where a car or truck is often more effective. After a recent string of floods in Germany, EDAG has taken a swipe at this problem with its new amphibious rescue vehicle.

EDAG’s new car-boat utilizes a catamaran approach, with a split hull for better shallow-water patrols. At the press of a button, caterpillar tracks can be dropped, turning the rescue boat turns into a land vehicle in a matter of seconds. The amphibious vehicle can seat up to ten, and it will be unveiled at the “Rettmobil” exhibition in Fulda, Germany. The German Lifeguard Association is currently evaluating whether or not the amphibious vehicle will be used in the future.

Although this two for-one vehicle was designed for German needs, we have a feeling that it would work just as well in the hands of the US National Guard or Coast Guard. If you want a boat and car in one, however, we don’t think this thing would pass US crash-test regulations.

[Source: EDAG via World Car Fans]

Gallery: EDAG amphibious vehicle

 

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