Cars in the Fast Lane

“Saleen announced the new S281 RF last Friday at its retail store in Southern California. The RF, which stands for Red Flag, focuses on overall value and is priced between Saleen’s 3-valve and supercharged models with an MSRP of $49,995.

Performance upgrades include Saleen’s Series VI supercharger that helps the V8 put out 465 horsepower, and the suspension has been upgraded to Saleen-spec, as well. Visual differences include Saleen’s front and rear fascia, side skirts, 20-inch chrome wheels, and RF graphics and badging. Inside are reupholstered leather seats with red stitching, S281 floor mats and door sills, and a 200 mph gauge cluster. Production is limited to 100, and only two colors will be available: black and alloy.”

ENGINE
281 CID (4.6L) 3-Valve SOHC V8
465 HP @ 5800 RPM
425 lb-ft TQ @ 4000 RPM

DRIVETRAIN
5-Speed Manual Transmission
with 8.8″ Differential, 3.31:1 Final Drive
RACECRAFT SUSPENSION
Linear-Rate, Coil Springs (F/R)
Sway Bars, 1.38″ with HD Bushings (F), 0.79″ (R)
Front Struts (N2), Rear Shocks (N2)
Three-Link, Live Rear Axle with Panhard Rod

BRAKING SYSTEM
Power Assisted 4-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS
12.4″ Vented Front Disc Brake System
11.8″ Vented Rear Disc Brake

WHEELS & TIRES
20″ Chrome Finished Alloy, 7-Spoke Wheels
High Performance Dunlop Tires

GENERAL DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES (COUPE)
Vehicle Weight: 3620 lbs
Weight Distribution: 53/47 (F/R)
Wheelbase: 107.10 in
Track: 62.8 in/63.9 in (F/R)
Width: 74.0 in
Length: 189.1 in
Height: 56.0 in
Trunk Space: 13.1 cu ft
Fuel Capacity: 15.7 gal

Source: Saleen, MustangEvolution, Autoblog

This video shows the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1’s test run at Laguna Seca ahead of it’s debut.

It’ll have a supercharged 6.2 liter V8 engine called the “LS9″ and is expected to put out more than 600 hp giving it a 0-60 mph time of under 3.5 seconds!

It’ll be priced around $100,000 and will be entering showrooms as a 2009 model next year, with annual production expected to be between 1500 and 1750 units — making this beast a rare commodity.

It’s got the same 2.0 liter TFSI engine from the Audi S3, but has been improved to 280hp. THe TT-S will be available as a Roadster or Coupe. It’ll have a new front bumper, 4 exhaust pipes, and new LED headlamps like the new RS6 Avant.

Sources say that it’ll debut in Geneva sometime March 2008 and expected a year later is the Audi TT-RS which will have a twin-turbo 3.6L V6 which will produce approx. 350hp!

Source: World Car Fans

Other than the really long names, these two cars share a lot in common: They’re both turbocharged, all wheel drive rally inspired cars with a very high horsepower per liter rating.

The Evo is powered by a 2.0 L 4G63 MIVEC (variable valve timing) engine that pumps out 286 hp and 289 ft-lbs of torque.

The Subaru WRX STi pumps out 300 hp from it’s 2.5 liter boxer engine.

Check out this Top Gear video on their rivalry:

The Ferrari F430 Scuderia is a stripped down supercar. It comes with a 4.3 liter V8 engine that can go from 0-62 in 3.6 seconds, has 510 bhp and 347 ft-lbs of torque and a top speed of 200 mph. The very name alone is something that tells you that the car is worth over 6 figures. The F430 will cost about £172,500 which is about $351,779 USD.  Since they produce only about 6,000 a year, they know they can afford to charge that much. The F430 will cost about £172,500 which is about $351,779 USD.

Source:  MSN Autos