Auto Trends

A few years ago when Camaro rumors started to surface, there were a number of Pontiac fans speculating that GM was going to pull out a version of the Pontiac Firebird, to go along with it. Well, that never happened…

The Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am are legends in their time. One of the more infamous would have to be the famed T/A 455 Super-Duty (made even more famous by the film, Smokey and the Bandit). Back in its glory days (early 70s), the Super-Duty featured a full fledge 455 cubic inch big block, and 4-speed Muncie “Rock Crusher” transmission. Even though it had a pile of government emissions restrictions nearly chocking it to death, it still managed to muster a tire squealing 290 horsepower and 395 ft-lbs of torque.

Imagine what a T/A 455 would be like in this day and age?

…Well, imagine no more!

The 2010 T/A 455 Concept

The famed performance guru, Lingenfelter, has taken it upon themselves to make a few altercations on the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro body shell, interior, and engine cavity, and come up with his best rendition of what a 2010 Pontiac Trans Am should have been. And they have done a darn fine job, if you ask most fans.

The Lingenfelter Trans Am 455 Concept has a number of notable modifications To begin with, they have custom fabricated a front fascia, which pays excellent homage to the original split grill design. They threw on a shaker hood, classic-style, “wrap around” rear spoiler, functional front fender air vents, modified rear quarter panels, and a nifty set of custom 20-inch honeycomb rims.

Next, they replaced the interior with some classic vinyl seats, vinyl trim, and a little chrome bling here and there, but the engine is where things would really get interesting.

Starting with an aluminum 455 cubic-inch (known as a 7.5-liter in today’s tech language) big block, Lingenfelter took a pair of their ported and polished heads (11.5:1 compression), a forged crank shaft, performance intake, and stainless Corsa exhaust, and tuned the old/new bird to the tune of about 655 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque.

Who would have guessed we’d have to wait nearly 40 years for that 455 to hum like it was meant to.

…But who cares, we like it!

[Photos via Car and Driver]

Lotus Exige Scura, all photos originally uploaded by www.Dream-car.tv

The newest special edition to the Lotus line-up is getting ready to be unveiled to the general public at this years 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. And when I say special edition, I mean a very special edition. Only 35 of these Exige’s are on tap for production, and according to sources, not a single one is headed for the states. So, what makes the Exige/Scura so darn special? Let me tell you…

The Matte Scura (Italian for “dark”) Paint
One of the most noticeable features of this edition is its unusual paint job. While it may look just like any other matte black finish you’ve ever seen, this one is unique. The process begins with several base coats of the gloss black. This color is what is represented in the center stripe. The stripe is then masked off, the remaining paint is properly sanded and prepped for maximum adhesion, and a rubberized flat black is then carefully applied.

This black coating is similar to the paint typically used on wheel wells, lower/underbody panels, and truck bed coatings. The difference is, unlike the lumpy texture rubberized paints normally exude, the Lotus has an ultra smooth sheen, that is also smooth to the touch. Even more surprising, Lotus claims this finish is up to 5-times more durable than the typical automotive grade paint. No word on how the finish is going to react to wax, and let’s face it, that center stripe is going to be awfully tempting to wax.

260 Horsepower Supercharged 4-Banger
You can’t have a Lotus without the performance to boot, and the Exige delivers. The Lotus philosophy has always been, moderate horsepower + lightweight frame + world class suspension = driver appeal. The high-winding (8,000 rpm), intercooled, supercharged engine pumps out a relatively moderate 260 horsepower (175 lb-ft of torque), but combine that to its featherlight curb weight, and it’s not hard to fathom it’s capable of 0-60 in 4-seconds, 0-100 in less than 10-seconds, and a top speed of 152 mph.

Additional highlights to the engine compartment, include VVTL-i variable cam, high capacity injectors, uprated fuel pump, and roof scoop air-charger feed. A relatively light flywheel connects the power to an efficient and sturdy C-64 six-speed, which also includes a high performance clutch. On top of this comes the standard traction control, adjustable dampers, and a nifty launch control for quick starts off the line. All this amounts to around $73,000 U.S. dollars.

Pricey, but worthy!

No doubt you have heard about some of the tragedies that succumbed the fate of the Cash For Clunkers program. Of course I am speaking from the point of view of a true car enthusiasts. Other folks would probably say good ridden to just about anything on the road that can achieve a 35 mpg rating with both tires tied behind its trunk. Never-the-less, the Cars.gov website has released its official list of cars that were destroyed during the program, and Auto Blog was right on it, leaving a trail of tears as they read.

For those who are more of a glass is half full type of individual, Auto Blog reminds us that many of the most surprising vehicles on this list, just may be a typing or clerical error. None-the-less, not all of these can be a mistake, so I can assure you that at least a few tears should be in order. So without further adieu, let’s start the Cash for Clunker Trade-in Tragedy pictorial…

1987 Buick ASC GNX

Photo via Travis Isaacs
With its turbocharged 3.8-liter V6, this vehicle has become one of the most renowned 6-bangers in history.

1992 GMC Typhoon

Photo via em0erk
A 4.3 liter turbocharged V-6 SUV that could punch out 0-60 in under 5-seconds.

2008 Foose Ford F-150

Photo via josedesomb66
There were only 500 of these 450 horsepower monsters made, and considering two got clunked, I guess we’re down to 498.

1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante

Photo via fly_on_the_wall
Too painful for me to even think about!

1987 Duntov GT

Photo via essichgurgn
Anything that is this exotic is bound to be worth more than $4,500… even with bullet holes in the trunk!

2005 Mazda RX-8

Photo via CarbonXRS
I kid you not!

2006 350Z Roadster

Photo via tadpole_x
Somebody must have really hated this car!

1985 TVR 280i Convertible

Photo via Matt-Hill
Ah, okay, well that’s enough tears for that one…

Here is the full list of surprises (Read ‘em and weep):

• 1987 Buick ASC GNX
• 1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante
• 1997 Bentley Continental R
• 1989 20th Anniversary Pontiac Trans Am
• 1992 GMC Typhoon
• 1985 Audi Quattro
• 1992 BMW 850i
• 2006 Audi A4 Convertible
• 2006 Cadillac STS
• 2008 Foose F-150
• 2007 GMC Acadias
• 2008 Hyundai Accent
• 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster
• 2006 Roush Stage 3 F-150
• 2006 Toyota Corolla
• 2005 Mazda RX-8
• 2002 Kia Spectra
• 1988 Aurora Cobra
• 1996 Buick Funeral Hearses
• 1987 Duntov GT
• 1987 Excalibur Autos Phaeton
• 1990 Honda CRX
• 1985 Maserati Quattroporte
• 1999 Mercedes C43 AMG
• 1985 TVR 280i Convertible

Source: AutoBlog