Auto Trends

2008 is just around the corner and it is time to begin the schmoozing to see if we can talk our significant others into a new car for 2008. If you are a particularly good schmoozer, perhaps you will be able to talk your partner into one of the 2008 dream cars coming out this year. Whether you can or you can’t, it is always nice to dream. Here are a few of the top cars that are currently (or soon to be) unleashed on us suburban daydreamers:

Ford Shelby GT 500 KR-  Keeping our feet planted on American soil, we will have to walk no further than your nearest Ford Shelby dealer… the one right outside of Las Vegas Nevada should do rather nicely. So, we already have the GT 500, so what’s so special about the letters “KR”. The first letter, “K”, stands for “King” and is worth about 20 horsepower, while the “R”, “Road” (King of the Road) is worth another 20, which gives the 500 KR a whopping total of 540 horsepower. If you’ve ever has the pleasure of cruising the open highway in an older model Viper SRT-10, you still have no idea the definition of power compared to the “King of the Road” Shelby. Included in the package is a short throw shifter, carbon fiber hood, 3.73:1 gearing (for ultra quick launches), new suspension, 20” wheels, and 40^th Anniversary badging. But to get this dream past fruition, you are going to have to fight another 1,000 people for the rights, because that is all that is going to be produced for 2008.

Dodge Viper SRT-10-  The above comparison to an SRT-10 did mention “older model” and that is because the old paltry 400 horsepower the SRT used to heave through its massive V-10 has been increased a bit. More than a bit. A whole lot more than a bit to be quite honest. The 2008 Viper SRT-10 will feature no less than 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque. This translates to getting your groceries home in just over 12- seconds if your speed limit is above 100. Yes, the new Viper van push through the gears to 100 mph in around 12 seconds and to 60 mph in under 4. Not much else will be changed, but nor does it need to be. The Viper body is gorgeous, sleek and very refined.

Nissan Nismo 350Z-  Compared to the latter two, this dream is actually conceivable with a reasonable price tag of just over $37,000. It is not going to burn a hole in your driveway with its 306 horsepower, but neither is it going to be stuck behind every Volkswagen Van on the way up to sky territory this season. What it will lack in sheer horsepower, it most certainly makes up for in response and handling. It is actually tuned to be on the track more than on the street, which means it will deliver slurpy spilling G’s at the corner of every Quickie Mart. In other words, the ride will be rather rigid and harsh, but what else could you expect from one of the world’s best urban sports cars. The exterior receives a bit of bling, with a slick front bumper/ aero splitter, rocker extensions, and an exotic rear bumper that screams “you’ve just been owned”!

Audi R8-  It seems like everybody has a model sports car with an R or a T somewhere in its lettering and the R8 is Audi’s answer to kicking their own TT right out of the sandbox. The R8’s new styling is reminiscent of the TT, but on a much grander scale. But underneath is where the real magic is taking place, as the R8 is basically considered a re-skinned Lamborghini Gallardo. You can expect world class power and stability with its classic Quattro all-wheel drive… but don’t expect the run of the mill V-6 as this this car features no less than a direct injected V-8 borrowed from the RS 4. And you will not need to have the likes of Jessica Alba in the passenger seat to turn heads, as this R8’s engine is carefully sculptured behind glass in the rear with LED lighting effects to set off its highlights. A show car or a track car? It could actually be either… and for $109,000, it could be what ever you tell it to be!

BMW M3-  And no dream list would be complete without the ultra sexy M3 by BMW. Inspired by Formula 1… the 420 horsepower 4.0 liter V-8, sprints from 0-60 mph in just a hair past 4 seconds. And by Formula inspired, that is referring to the high revving engine that does not even get warmed up until you hit 8,000 rpm. Catering towards the sophisticated businessman who likes to look rather classy while driving like a bat out of ___ (the underworld), the M3 has been a staple, as one of the fastest coupes available today. The most unique aspect of the M3, is while it would not be afraid to get a little rowdy with any of the above mentioned super cars, it can also take to the inner city and drive around as docile as a sloth sleeping in a tree. The best characteristic of the M3 is still its handling however, but a nifty new features that “tuners” will appreciate, it a few buttons on the console that allow the individual driver to choose between throttle sensitivity, shock rates, and “sport” or “normal” mode.