VIDEO: ECO + Dodge Challenger R/T Hybrid with Separate Electric Drive

You'd think that the Dodge Challenger R/T with its 376HP 5.7-liter V8 Hemi would be one of the least obvious candidates for an electric drivetrain. We mean, it's a damn muscle car - if you want economy, go fiddle around with a Prius or a 20 year old Honda Civic. Nonetheless, there is some logic behind this project that is featured on a type of advertising microsite for Popular Mechanics. See, the ECO + Challenger R/T uses a separate electric drivetrain for everyday driving and a modified V8 Hemi that's equipped with a nitrous system when the driver calls for performance.

"With inexpensive aerodynamic aids, a state-of-the-art electric drive system and some other helpful bits, we'll turn our potent Challenger into a parallel hybrid plug-in/solar/electric that burns no fuel at all in everyday driving," say the creators of the ECO + Challenger R/T. "We think this is a spectacular way to please both environmentalists and enthusiasts. Eco+Muscle. What's not to like?"

Before the addition of the electric drivetrain, the modified Challenger R/T ran the 0 to 60mph (96km/h) sprint in 3.95 seconds and the quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds at 114 mph. That's compared to the stock Challenger R/T's 5.5 seconds and 13.9 seconds at 103 mph respectively. Other upgrades include a sport suspension, Brembo brakes and 20-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin rubber.

The electric drivetrain consists of an 125HP and 176 lb-ft of torque electric motor, 28 batteries that replace the rear seat bench, a fuel cell system and a separate, aircraft-like hand throttle to control the electric motor. The Hemi V8 is controlled by the stock foot pedal.

The creators haven't disclosed acceleration numbers for the electric drivetrain, but they say it can provide a top speed of up to 100mph (160km/h) and a range of around 40miles (60km). In theory, the driver could use both drivetrains to accelerate but that of course would mean he'd have to handle both throttles.

The dual-powered Eco + Challenger R/T will be on display at the NASCAR Pocono 500 race in June, at the San Bernardino Route 66 Rendezvous in September and at the Las Vegas SEMA Show in November. According to the site, it will be auctioned off in Scottsdale next January.

Source: ECO , Via: Insideline

Audi A3, A4 and A5 to get New Start & Stop System this Summer

Pressing forward with its efforts to improve average fuel economy by 20 percent by 2012, Audi has announced that it will introduce a start and stop system along with a new efficiency program built into the onboard computer to some of its models this summer. Of course, other carmakers like BMW have been offering similar systems on their cars for quite some time now, but better late than never. The start and stop system promises to lower fuel consumption on Audi models by about 0.2lt per 100 km and CO2 emissions by around 5 g/km.

Audi said that the system will make its debut in the A3 1.4 TFSI with manual transmission and in the A4 and A5 with 2.0-litre engines and manual gearshift with other models scheduled to follow by the end of the year.

The start-stop system reduces consumption by shutting down the engine once the car has come to a stop, the gear lever is in neutral and the driver has released the clutch pedal. Once the driver engages the clutch, the engine starts up again.

The second new feature that Audi has developed is the on-board computer with the efficiency program, an addition to the Audi Driver Information System. Anything that has to do with consumption appears in the center display, with the computer giving the driver tips for saving fuel, depending on the driving situation and driving style.

Furthermore, there's a newly designed gearshift indicator that signals to the driver when to shift for optimal fuel economy while another display in the efficiency program identifies the extra energy consumed by comfort features like air conditioning and seat heating and indicates their share in fuel consumption.

Porsche Gears Up with New Motor Sports Summer Collection

Feeling like a Porsche sort of person even if you don't actually own one of Stuttgart's pricey sportscars? Then you may take a liking to the firm's new motor sports summer collection created by the folk's over at Porsche Design. The limited edition collection that's inspired by Porsche's motorsport activities includes jackets, ladies' casual tops, polo shirts, fabric belts and T-shirts. However, just like the maker's cars, prices are spicy as a board short for example will cost you a hefty $124. If you're still interested, hit the jump for more photos plus a link to Porsche's online shop.

Link: Porsche Shop

VW's Limited Edition Golf VI GTI Child Seat: For Boys that Want to be Men

Actually, Volkswagen's new Golf GTI child safety seat is unisex but we're sure you get our drift. To be produced in a limited series, VW's new toddler seat blends in perfectly with the Golf GTI's traditional plaid interior theme that's offered as standard equipment. Volkswagen says that the seat has been designed to accommodate children between the ages of three and twelve, just as long as they weigh in between 15 and 36kg (or 33 to 79lbs).

VW Creates Virtual Golf GTI VI Slot Car Race Game

Once in a while, automakers and their marketing teams come up with up an idea that's actually quite cool. Such is the case with Volkswagen's "GTI Project", a new virtual slot car game that you can play online from the comfort of your office chair -just don't get caught. The Scalectric track that was constructed by a team of 60 modelers and features some 200 scale buildings is truly massive measuring 30ft by 25ft (9.1meters x 7.6meters) while the Golf GTI slot car itself is a 1:43 scale replica. Give it a try and remember to have a little perseverance around the corners...

Play the Game Here: GTI Project

MINI Convertible Dresses Up for "I Kissed a Girl" singer, Kate Perry

You may not know her by her name, but we're pretty sure that you've heard Kate Perry's 2008 pop song, "I Kissed a Girl". So what has MINI got to do with Kate Perry, we hear you ask? Well, the British automaker decided to create a "Kate Perry" style Convertible for this year's Life Ball event, Europe's largest annual HIV/AIDS charity gathering. At last year's event, MINI came up with an erotic themed Clubman styled by lingerie firm, "Agent Provocateur". The Kate Perry-style Life Ball MINI Convertible 2009 is the work of "The Blonds", aka Puerto Rican Phillipe and US designer David Blond.

Aside from a design mock-up that shows a pink leopard-skinned MINI Convertible, we don't have any specific information on the car so we have no idea what it means to be styled for Kate Perry. Of course we could use our grimy imagination and the lyrics of her only well-known song to come up with an idea or two, but we'll behave - this time...

1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase 3: Giga 1/8th Scale Die-Cast Model

Being somewhat of die-cast model collectors ourselves, we couldn't bypass the chance to tell you about this giga-sized, 1/8th scale replica of the 1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III from 'Icon Models' that will be produced in a limited run of 1,000 units each priced at a hefty $1,295 AUD - that's about €700 or US$925. For non-Australian readers, the GTHO Phase II Falcon is one of the most iconic muscle cars from the land 'Down Under' reputed at its time to be the fastest production saloon in the world.

The actual '71 Falcon XY GTHO Phase III was powered by a modified 351 Cleveland V8 engine that produced somewhere around 380HP. Mated to a 4 speed manual-gearbox, the rear-wheel drive Falcon was said to reach 60mph (96km/h) in 6.4 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.2 seconds while its top speed was close to 230km/h (143mph). Only a mere 300 examples of the GTHO Phase III were built and fewer than 100 survive today. The past few years, prices for the much sought after Ford have skyrocketed to as high as AUD$800,000.

As for the die-cast version of the Aussie muscle car, the 60cm or 23.6-in. long 1/8th scale replica looks the part from the photos featuring many realistic details, but we'd like to see one up close before spending a grand on a die-cast model. According to the maker, the Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase 3 will be available during the thrid quarter of the year.

Link: Icon Models

AC Schnitzer's Kitschy BMW i-Drive Cover has us Driving Away

At first we thought that BMW tuning specialist AC Schnizter had released one of those tacky car vent fresheners that imitate the looks of an alloy wheel design. Well, we got the second part right as the German tuner has come up with a new, black anodized aluminium cover for the BMW i-Drive, u-Get Confused, infotainment system with an embossed image of an AC Schnitzer Type IV alloy wheel. No word on prices, but do you really want to accessorize your bimmer with one of these?

BMW DesignworksUSA Pens BAVARIA's Biggest Yacht to Date

Leaving no (product) stone unturned, BMW Group owned studio DesignworksUSA has presented its latest work in the form of the Cruiser 55, created for German yacht maker, BAVARIA. The Cruiser 55 was penned at the Munich studio of DesignworksUSA and it's the biggest BAVARIA yacht to date. According to the company, the BAVARIA Cruiser 55 will be shown for the very first time at the Saló Nàutic Internacional de Palma in Majorca, Spain in the end of April and it can be ordered immediately in a three, four or five-cabin version.

MINI Clubman with Airstream Trailer Concept: First Official Photos

These are the first official photos of a one-off concept of a specially modified MINI Cooper S Clubman and a 6.80-meter or 22-foot Airstream trailer that was created in collaboration with Danish furniture producers, Republic of Fritz Hansen. The design study will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the INTERNI Design Energies exhibition that takes place in Milan on 22 – 27 April 2009.

The concept behind the project is the creation of a mobile base for surfers and beachgoers alike. As such, the designers of Republic of Fritz Hansen kitted out both the American travel trailer and the MINI Clubman with unique features.

Design details include the use of what MINI describes as "surfer-dude wetsuit" neoprene, fresh colors and flower prints which are common on both the Clubman and the Aistream trailer.

The trailer comes with a waterproof interior that is outfitted with numerous chairs, a table and even two surfboards halves, which double up as shelving. A special feature of the trailer is that it fully opens on one side revealing a built-in sun-bathing bed.

In the Clubman, the designers of the Copenhagen-based Republic of Fritz Hansen removed the rear seat bench and stripped out the boot to fit four specially made securing shells with purpose-built mounts that can accommodate diving gear equipment, including flippers, a mask, wetsuit and oxygen tanks.