Auto Trends

Just when you thought that a Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG was just about as good as German engineering could get, Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler build one of the world’s greatest hand-crafted two seat, open air, car designs around. It is called the Tramonto and it is built by Fisker Coachbuild.

Fisker and Koehler did not happen by this automotive wonder by accident. They are both design veterans to some of the most renowned car companies around, like BMW, Ford, and Aston Martin.

While the Tramonto keeps some of its finer Mercedes points, such as the power-retractable hardtop and Active Body Control (ABC), it receives just enough upgrades to give it a name all of its very own. One of its finest features of the Tramonto is its upgraded engine.

 Combining a potent supercharger from Kleeman (the world’s leader in supercharger technology) with a 5.5 liter V8; 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds becomes the obvious result. The performance goes beyond just the supercharger and includes a custom-made ECU program, redesigned pulley wheel, Super Sport Camshafts, stainless steel exhaust headers, down pipes, and a dual exhaust.

Just how much horsepower is this beast putting down you ask? -Try over 650 lb-ft of torque and 610 horsepower

But the Tremonto is so much more than performance; it is also style. Here is a list of some of its outstanding exterior features:

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  • Fog lights inset with carbon fiber bezels in the lower front spoiler

  • LED indicator integrated into the wire mesh grille design

  • 1,500-degree heat shield on the polished carbon fiber hood surface

  • 3-Dimensional milled aluminum hand painted badges

  • Existing door handles integrated into body design to retain the retractable hard top mechanism

  • Carbon fiber rear diffuser

Interior features:

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  • Hand-stitched leather four-spoke steering wheel

  • Fisker-enhanced shift paddle design

  • Enhanced graphics on instrument panels

  • Contoured sports seats covered in soft quality leather both front and seat back

  • Single piece milled aluminum center console with unique numbering sequence

What is all this going to cost you? -Let’s just say, I wouldn’t even bother to entertain the thoughts of such a car without at least $250,000 in the bank… and if you’re married, make that $500,000…

As we near the close of 2007, it is time to start thinking about the warmer weather; and with the warm weather always inevitably follows the convertibles. This year we have a nice selection of sure bets that will not only deliver the cool breeze on a warm Spring afternoon, but also deliver the sportiness and performance that the convertibles of yesteryear never dreamed possible.

First on our list is the 2008 Mustang Convertible. While not for everyone, many people have been surprised to find that the new 4.0 V-6 Mustang convertible is a whole other bread of animal compared to the 3.8. It boasts an entirely different convertible top set-up that is quieter, lighter, and offers less wind resistance and drag. All this adds up to a pure joy to drive for most lovers of the open air. Of course it is a mustang, so it may not be quite as refined as some would like, but if you are a fan of the original convertibles, the new mustang offers a unique compromise of refinement and just enough harshness to remind you of the old muscle car convertibles. Of course the GT or Shelby offers its patented brand of 300 to 500+ horsepower V-8 fun, but you certainly probably don’t need to be told that!

Next we come to the 2008 Mitsubishi Spyder, which made its debut last year after a one year vacation. The rest sure seems to have done it some good in the performance department, with the revised 260 horsepower V-6 that makes the Spyder capable of toting around its extra 200 pounds of weight without too much of a quarrel. The V-6 is a highly recommended option to take for the convertible spyder, as it is much more refined and smooth running that the 4 cylinder. The interior is relatively quiet and has an optional wind blocker that can be added in the mix to keep wind noise down to an even greater minimum. As any high powered front wheel drive vehicle, you can expect plenty of torque steer on those hard punched straight aways, but thanks to that good old Japanese suspension engineering, it will have little lean during brisk cornering.

For the best of the best however, you really couldn’t go wrong with the 2008 Mazda Miata Convertible. The Miata is once again one of the 10 best cars according to Car and Driver and with its list of features, it should come as no surprise that it is. Its relative lightweight exterior and respectable 166 horsepower make it as much fun to drive as a pumped up go-cart on steroids. Having been around for awhile, Mazda has had the chance to build upon its refinement to create one of the smoothest, quietest, and most usable roadsters available today.

Some of the highlights in the American realm of car manufacturing over the past two years… Part 2:

Dodge in Review- The word Dodge has stood for performance and power ever since the first Challenger was unleashed upon the American public. With a full line of performance oriented Dodge cars, performance Dodge parts, and an especially popular following of Dodge truck parts; the Dodge line of vehicles is a tried and true combination of pride and heritage.

When you hear Dodge, the first thing that always pops into my head is the Dodge Viper; but that 500 horsepower 8.3 liter V-10 couldn’t have anything to do with that. Of course I hear that one of their Dodge trucks is also packing the same engine; so the word Dodge just may soon bring the image of two vehicles. Of course the Viper has only been around so long, and you cannot ever forget the infamous Dodge Charger and the Dodge Challenger.

With the Dodge Charger’s impressive unveiling, many fans were sold on its new modified look, while others tremendously disappointed. Perhaps not quite as retro looking as they have liked. But the Dodge Challenger has more than made up for the slight Charger shortcomings. The 2008 Dodge Challenger looks everything like the original, only staged about forty years later in the future.

Need a little bit of family room with your performance? The Dodge Stratus is said to be the perfect balance between the two. The Stratus has been said in reviews to be the most practical car on the road today; and that may not be too far from the truth. Before the Stratus, the Dodge Intrepid was Dodge’s family sports sedan, and still makes a great used car buy if you can find one around with an owner willing to part with it.

And who can forget the creative ad campaign of a cute little car starring at you through the television set, greeting you with a hearty “Hi”. Today the Neon is pushing towards a more aggressive performance savvy Market. Cute and performance just do not ever go hand in hand, but if ever there was a car that had a chance to pull it off it would be the Dodge Neon.

Off of the city highway and onto a deserted country bypass we come across the all new concept of the Dodge Caliber. The Caliber is really nothing fancy in particular, but it does make a nice looking entry-level wagon. Add in the SRT-4 package, and you will be taking on Porsche 930’s after dropping the kids of to soccer practice. Speaking of taking on the Porsche, the Dodge Magnum would thus appear to be a worthy candidate of such a duty. Unfortunately this wagon rod has a lot more tooth and bark than bite; that is unless you spend the extra cash for the 5.7 liter Hemi V-8 version. The Magnum will none-the-less leave you grinning from ear to ear!

What does a Dodge owner do when they aren’t out on the streets? Well if they are in their Dodge Dakota ripping up a mountain side, they are probably in tie driveway washing it; dreaming of ripping up a mountainside. The Dodge Dakota unfortunately no longer comes as a standard-cab, so you will have to pickup the extended version these days. If that fact has got you down, you can always spring for the Dodge Ram SRT-10 mentioned earlier. Equipped with the Viper V-10, this Ram truck is one of the fastest production trucks ever. But don’t take our word for it; drive it and see for yourself!

Pontiac in Review- The Firebird has always been a midline affordable sports car with aggressive and breathtaking styling that would eventually make this car a legend in its time. Having ceased production in 2002, we can now only await what could possible be a comeback; that is if the all new retro Camaro, GTO, and Cuda achieve the success they are hyped to.

Speaking of the GTO; this is one sweet ride. The overall looks are lacking somewhat as far as the retro styling of the original; but if raw, untamed horsepower offers bonus points in your book, then I think you just might be able to over look the styling for the fun you will be having behind the wheel.

The Pontiac Solstice which took the place of the Pontiac Sunfire is obviously a whole new beast (literally), but on the other hand it’s actually a rather practical cruiser with enough clever design and features that appeal to families and singles alike; exactly what the Sunfire was supposed to do, but unfortunately failed. The Solstice offers plenty get-up-and-go and after market following to play with, but is also economical and affordable enough for any working family.

The Grand Am and Grand Prix are both quite similar luxury sport sedans/coupes, but the Grand Prix has always been considered the more luxurious model with all the bells and whistles; and by whistles I am referring to the whine of the supercharger that the Grand Prix boasted in the late 90’s. Today these vehicles are being phased out for the Pontiac G6 and G8; the G8 however have not be found on the lots until recently.

The Pontiac G6 is quite a sharp looking sport sedan/coupe, and has been designed to not only show off in the parking lot; but also toot its horn when you are out on a deserted mountain road with its 201 horsepower V6. Complete with stylish alloy wheels and a chrome exhaust tip, Pontiac is going all out on this one, and it is looking to pay off in the long run. Okay, now just as we can’t all have fashion magazine cover models for our spouses, neither can Pontiac just have sports cars for their customers.

This is where we drop off from the sport line-up and introduce the Pontiac Vibe which is yet another crossover SUV, that is fighting among all the other manufacturers to win over the hearts of every soccer mom across the US and Canada. With its five star safety rating, the Pontiac Vibe is definitely a good value for its asking $17,000 price tag.

As if one is not enough, you soccer moms will also have the choice of the Pontiac Torrent. The Torrent is a slight step up from the Vibe and has a little more traditional SUV feel. Complete with an available OnStar package and a price tag of just under $22,000 I would say that it really does not matter which one you choose; as long as you have that extra $5,000 to burn!