Forza Horizon 2: The Last Barn Find!

Horizon intellectuals told that the final barn find is located at the heart of Southern Europe and what heart of Southern Europe I was talking about? Nope. You're wrong because the heart of Southern Europe and everything in Forza Horizon 2 is the Horizon Festival of course!

Upon my investigation, my witness instincts told me that the final barn find in the game is located less than two miles to the Festival, depending on your navigational skills, and this final barn find is none other than the mythical Lamborghini Miura, the car that gave birth to the supercar craze.

This is it! The last barn find and I'm on my way to complete my barn find collections in FH2! Isn't it awesome! I've finally got ten out of ten barn finds scattered all over the Southern European landscape! It sure is one heck of a ride out there.

There's no need to tell me what in the world is the Lamborghini Miura because this is the mythical sportscar from Lamborghini first introduced the supercar trend. It's styled by the now-bankrupt Bertone and it's powered by a 4.0L V12 engine mounted sideways to keep it compact just like a Mini. When production ended in 1972, over 760 units were made and such numbers is what you called "exclusive".

With the final barn find unearthed and now in my hands, I decided to drive this one for a road trip back to where it all started: Castelletto! Remember, in a road trip, you have a lot of decisions; follow the path from your GPS or take chances by yourself. Since I'm more of a risk-taker in FH2, I decided to take my chances as I cross my way to Castelletto.




Now that we arrived back to where it all started, our journey to the Horizon Finale continues.

Forza Horizon 2: Driving the Grand Cherokee SRT

Two years ago in the original Forza Horizon on the XBOX 360, I've driven the current-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and this muscle car in SUV's clothing makes me feel like I'm donning a stetson and imagining the Colorado location as my Wild West where the Grand Cherokee loves to have a duel with the other cars. It may have sacrificed its mobility for the sake of added speed, this car has some cowboy's honor on it.

With the arrival of its facelifted ego, every Forza Faithful in the world were wandering when will the folks from T10 be featuring the facelifted Grand Cherokee SRT, even last year's FM5 didn't made the cut because they've just featured a previous-generation SRT8 with the 6.1L HEMI V8 in it. Until now...



Here it is, folks. The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. It's part of FH2's Mobil 1 Pack and although it looks the same as the pre-facelifted model that I drove in the original Horizon two years ago, some big changes have been occurred on the inside. Of course, it has some updated interior design in it but the biggest change of all is its gearbox. The pre-facelifted model has a 5-speed automatic gearbox but the 2014 model added three more gears so it's now an 8-speed automatic. 8 gears overall! That's about how many legs an octopus have or so I thought.



For a high-performance version of Jeep's flagship SUV, it's still behaves like a normal Grand Cherokee and all that beef jerky that I just ate for recess, this car still tastes like that old-timey Texan treat. That glorious HEMI 6.4L V8 engine sound, now that's beef jerky stuff and this sound can't get even more delicious. Yes. I just said that but since we're in FH2 and this is Southern Europe, there's no jerky but driving the facelifted Grand Cherokee SRT on FH2 tastes like fried calamari and nougat for lunch. Geez, why am I saying that? Is it because my mouth's full of chewy stuff?! Anyway, never mind about that but this hi-po SUV loves to chew through any road it crosses, be it tarmac, gravel, or dirt alike.



Although it feels the same as the pre-facelifted GC SRT8 that I drove two years ago, the latest Grand Cherokee SRT still has some cowboy's honor even in the world where beef jerkies aren't existed in Europe. Now that I spent several hours evaluating this car, I have a road trip back to the festival and I'll be using this car for the ride. Be advised: This SUV doesn't wait to go and...you guessed it...the Grand Cherokee SRT needs to go like Nina Needs To Go. Anyone knows where the nearest restroom is? I really need to go.

Forza Motorsport 4: HIJACKED

No no no no... Not the GTA kind of hijacking cars, Hijack. You know, it's Ridge Racer stuff. Hijack. It's a pickup truck that first appeared in Rage Racer at the end of 1996 and then resurfaced again on RR6 in late 2005 when the XBOX 360 first went on sale. Anyway, enough of that analogy because that Hijack pickup only comes into your imagination but what if you want a true-to-life pickup that behaves just like the Hijack pickup?

What we have here in FM4 are three potential sport trucks that have blown away their "pickup" images to become one of the most performance-oriented sport trucks on the market in the not-too-distant past. Those sports trucks might lose their ability to go offroad but they sure are quite a handful when they start to misbehave themselves. Putting big power in a big pickup truck might sound ridiculous but with all that added brute force, it can be as punishing as The Punisher himself.

Take a look at those three sports trucks I had lined up...

GMC Syclone

Based on the GMC Sonoma pickup truck, the Syclone is GMC's high-performance sport truck that was launched in 1991 and then it spawned a Jimmy-based Typhoon a year later. Some critics say that the Syclone pickup has specifications that had more in common with a Porsche rather than pickups even though the Syclone has a turbocharged 4.3L V6 engine equipped with Mitsubishi TD06-17C 8 cm² turbocharger and Garrett water/air intercooler. It develops 280HP of power and 475Nm of torque while mated with a 4-speed automatic. 0-60mph takes about 5.3 seconds and based on a Car & Driver test, it does a quarter-mile run in 14.1 seconds at 93 mph.



Dodge Ram SRT-10


What happens when you drop a big Viper V10 engine under the hood of the Dodge Ram pickup? The answer was the Ram SRT-10 and unlike any other Ram Trucks, which were focused on utilitarian purposes, it was made for the purpose of speed.

It features an 8.3L Viper V10 engine which develops 510HP of power and 712Nm of torque. The regular cab model of the Ram SRT-10 with such an engine has a top speed of 153 mph (246 km/h), and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.9 seconds.

During its tenure, Dodge released several special models for the Ram SRT-10 such as the Viper Club of America Edition, the Yellow Fever, the Commemorative Edition, and the Night Runner. Right when the SRT-10 Ram stopped production after the 2006 model year, about 9,527 Dodge Ram SRT-10s were manufactured.

In 2004, the Ram SRT-10 was hailed as the fastest production truck in the world with an average speed of 154.587 mph (248.784 km/h). This record was beaten by an Australian-made HSV Maloo with a speed of 168.668 mph (271.445 km/h).



Saleen S331


While essentially a tuned version of the Ford F-150 SuperCab FX2, the S331 is Saleen's first-ever pickup truck since 2001 and it was priced at $54,000 for the supercharged model while non-supercharged models priced at $44,000.

The supercharged 5.4L V8 engine that powers it generates about 450HP of power and 500lb-ft of torque while being mated with a 4R75-E 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The S331 Sport Truck featured specially tuned front and rear springs and new shock absorbers specifically designed to withstand the bulk of the 23-inch forged, one-piece aluminum wheels holding 305/40R23 BFG high-performance tires, thus giving it a lower center of gravity.

While high-performance trucks sacrificed their utilitarian traits for performance purposes, the S331 keeps its traits while maintaining its performance quo. The base model has a full payload rating of 1300lbs and it's capable to tow a 5-ton trailer.



Okay, now that we finally get to know more about those sport trucks, let's find out which of these three is the best round the Top Gear Track and that means handing them over to the tamed racing driver...



I had the time! Let's see...

Syclone - 1:33.411
S331 - 1:38.145
Ram SRT-10 - 1:31.274

So based on the times, the V10-powered Dodge Ram is the quickest around the track so by sneaking suspicion, maybe the Ram SRT-10 is quite a sport truck that blown away its pickup image and sacrificed its utilitarian and offroad capabilities to become a muscle truck with a big engine that powers it. The Syclone though, that's just right for sport truck enthusiasts because even though it's not quite as fast as the V10 Ram, it's lighter and I think both of these sports trucks are instant classics because it's going to be very rare to find one of those for grabs. These are definitely future classics because of such rarity and value.

What about the S331? Meh, that's just a tuned Ford F-150 but who cares about it?

Special edition Charger 392 revealed at Spring Fest

2014 Dodge Charger 392

The Spring Festival of LX's is a gathering of owners of cars which utilizes Chrysler's LX platform such as the Dodge Charger or the Chrysler 300. This year, SRT will reveal two new models; one is the Chrysler 300 SRT concept (which previews an updated version of the high-performance version of the Chrysler 300, which in in my opinion, will have the same 8-speed AT as the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8) and this, a special edition Charger 392. Using the Dodge Charger SRT8 as its basis, the special edition model features black accents on the hood and roof and sporting the iconic ‘392’ badge on the front fender. It even comes with the "392 HEMI" badge which came from the Challenger SRT8 392.

It is limited to 392 units and sales start soon this year with available exterior colors are Bright White, Billet Silver, Plum Crazy, HEMI® Orange and TorRed.

Story: http://www.drivesrt.com/news/2013/03/srt-charger-392-appearance-package-debuts-at-spring-fest.html

SRT Viper

I've already toying around with the all new 2013 SRT Viper in most games such as Car Town, Forza Motorsport 4, Forza Horizon, and Need For Speed Most Wanted (ahem, the 2012 one, not the 2005 kind of Most Wanted you've remember). I've already told you that new Viper sports a new look, new V10 engine, and a new level of Viper-ness that some Viper loyalists believe that they're better than the undisputed king of American cars, the Chevrolet Corvette. As for me, I was in a bit of a shock that I thought that this new 2013 SRT Viper is a much better alternative to the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1. I'll report this kind of story...now...

2013 SRT Viper

Before that, here's a bit of a history lesson about the Viper heritage. You see, the Viper project began in the late 80's when the people behind the legendary Viper wanted to create a modern day version of the legendary Shelby Cobra. When Bob Lutz once ruled Chrysler with an iron fist, he enlisted help to Tom Gale at Chrysler Design to make a modern-day Cobra into fruition and the pre-production mule appeared at the 1989 NAIAS, which such feedback propelled to a wildly successful 1992 debut. The elite few behind this project is called Team Viper. These guys were also responsible for making high-performance versions of other Chrysler models, thus better known as the Street and Racing Technology or SRT for that matter. With several years passed, the Viper recipe really is a poisonous redemption that rules the performance benchmark with an iron fist and right until the death of the Viper in 2010 due to the economic climate.

However, even when the Viper stopped in 2010, when Fiat's Sergio Marchionne took over ever since Fiat took over Chrysler during the financial crisis, he said that the Viper will rise again like a phoenix rose from the ashes and a couple of years later...here it is. The Viper returns with a indefinite vengeance to claim back what it took during its two year hibernation.

2013 SRT Viper interior

Former boss of Dodge, now boss of the SRT brand, Ralph Gilles, told that for its rebirth, it should not be based on anything, has a very rearward cabin and a long hood, and most importantly, a more forgiving car to drive and accessible to more people. In the past, most Vipers don't have a host of safety features such as traction control and stability control, therefore most Vipers are made to be almost challenging for beginners. I wouldn't believe that those who once owned a Viper must have been braved enough to master the venom within. Anyway, now onto this new model, the promises that the SRT CEO told were fulfilled...nearly. It's not based on anything because the body and the platform are all new as well as its components, the interior cabin is very rearward, the hood is very long to accommodate its extra-large 8.4L V10 engine, and also more forgiving to drive and accessible to more people because for the first time in Viper history, the all new SRT Viper now comes with a host of safety equipment, especially traction control and stability control.

Thankfully though, it still retains the proper 6-speed manual transmission but it was developed to survive the massive and unforgiving torque coming from the V10 engine that powers it.

2013 SRT Viper

When I drive one of these in such video games, I was gonna say that the all new SRT Viper is going to be as unforgiving as the past Vipers but for me, it's almost unforgiving as other Vipers of yesteryears. It feels more civilized, it feels like a European exotic in terms of handling. Seems that the Americans finally made something that the Americans would be proud of but one thing though...could the SRT Viper be more enough to rattle down against the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1? General fact though that the all new Viper's 8.4L V10 engine produces much more power than the ZR1 and thanks to the SRT Viper's weight loss diet, it produces a power-to-weight ratio of 4.91, which means that's more power to weight than the ZR1 and also a Lamborghini Aventador, but we're not into that because you know that the V12 Lambo can crush an SRT Viper easily on the straights. Mind you, we did put both the SRT Viper and the Corvette ZR1 in the straights and the results are by such luck.

Instead of putting such differences, the producers told me to take part of a week-long Car Town challenge, which is known to be as Who Rules? In the first installment, there was a comparison between the Chevy Camaro and the Ford Mustang. I voted Mustang but the results picking up that there are more Camaro supporters than Mustang supporters. Anyway, forget about that and I was on the second chapter and this time it's the war between America's finest sports cars such as the Corvette and the Viper. I was in a bit of discussion about the odds between the Viper and the Vette, then some agreed that the Corvette has more of the heritage than the Viper, but then I protested (like a Doctor Who scene where The Doctor pushed the PROTEST button), saying that Vipers will always be the king of American sports cars because their big, heavy, V10 engine, can't be beaten by such a loser car from a loser American car brand that is Chevrolet. The discussion went on and on and on right until the fateful day that...if I'm honest...I'm with the Viper supporters because I'm doing this for the honor of the new 2013 SRT Viper. As I joined with fellow Viper enthusiasts in a game of Who Rules, it seems that the results shown that there are more and more enthusiasts saying that Corvettes are better than Vipers but it's too early to declare the winner so what I do is to convince more and more Car Town noobs, amateurs, and vets asking that Vipers are better than Vettes. I've tried so hard right until the final day of the Who Rules event, which is now. In the end, it seems that there are more Corvette supporters than Viper supporters, proving that Corvettes are better than Vipers. End of discussion.

Even when the all new SRT Viper suffered a humiliating loss in a game of popularity, it still beats the Corvette in every intangible way. On the city streets, the Viper tries to be more of a show-off and tries to attract more fans than the Corvette. On the road however, it started to become more of a civilized but deadly road warrior rather than being a crazed gladiator. A big powerful engine with a mix of spartan driving manners is what made the all new SRT Viper a different kind of spartan in the west. The base model starts at $97,395 while the GTS model, which is loaded with more gizmos than the standard model, costs $120,395 (both excluding $1,995 destination).

Photo: Chrysler Group LLC.

Forza Horizon: The star of the show!

The Star of Horizon is here!

Allons-y! As I knew, the all new 2013 SRT Viper GTS is the hero car of Forza Horizon. Reason why this is the hero car of Horizon? It's in the cover, get it? In the front cover!

Anyway, the reason why they picked the SRT Viper GTS is because the producers said that this car's a fitting take to the roads of Colorado. With legendary Forza DNA in free roam driving and incredibly fluidic graphics, it seems that this car never felt so alive. It really has the soul in motion within.

It's also BAD TO THE BONE because with the 8.4L V10 engine that generates 640HP, 0-60 in 3.3 seconds, and 220 mph top speed, the SRT Viper is one heck of a brutal sportscar which is great for show-offs. 

Overpowered, great on straight lines, dynamic and challenging handling, that's how I like most about the SRT Viper and this hero car is all about being the hero of the Horizon Festival.

Forza Horizon: Cowboys and Grand Cherokees...

This ranch sure knows how to tame this!

By the moment I drive the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, I feel like I'm the sort of idiot who wears a stetson and some racing overalls, ready for some bullriding at the bar. Better yet, this is like an Irish bar fight! Wait, am I saying that loud, am I? Never mind...

Gotcha my little beauty!

...but still, I'm more than happy to take the wheel of the all new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. It maybe the heaviest of the SRT family, probably because this is a crossover made for those who are living in a western ranch and wearing stetsons for everyday lives but with the 6.4L HEMI V8 you get from the Charger SRT8, it packs a punch. It would be perfect enough to make some trouble in Colorado, if you are engaging in a playground game in Horizon. With the added weight, that makes it perfect to ram your rivals while you're shouting "get out of the way!" and makes you want to play dirty thanks to its 4WD layout.

Grand Cherokees are made for tackling any type of terrain whether if its asphalt or dirt and this, the SRT8, does really want to pull everything it got to have the massive V8 engine do the work for itself. This was made for the hairy-chested drivers, those who are brave enough to get down and dirty with this one and if you are noob for this one, well I'm sorry. You'd better off with an everyday car.

The out-of-towner

I drove the previous model in FM3 and FM4 and I gotta say that the SRT8 version of Jeep's flagship Grand Cherokee kinda sacrificed its handling for the sake of added acceleration and power. This is somewhat a muscle car in a SUV's clothing, if you know what I mean. Now, with this new version I'm driving, I'm getting a totally new difference. This is "riding cowboy" to a whole new level. Better get my stetsons on because this new Jeep SRT8 is a bulky high-performance crossover that sure loves to wrestle anyone that stands on its way.

Forza Motorsport 4 - 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Heavyweight contender

Debuted at the 2005 New York International Auto Show as a 2006 model, the SRT8 version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee transformed the SUV into a sport utility muscle car, combining the thrills of a muscle sports car and the versatility of a sport utility vehicle into one clever package.

It was powered by a 6.1L HEMI V8 engine that generates about 420 hp (310 kW) of power. It comes with upgraded Brembo brakes, a special transfer case, an electronic all-wheel-drive system and interior and exterior updates. It is the fastest naturally-aspirated production SUV when it was launched.

The SRT Viper GTS-R on FM4

Le Mans Viper reporting for duty!

It was in one of these. Well, not exactly one of these. Yes, this is the SRT Viper GTS-R, the race-spec version of the SRT Viper and part of Forza Motorsport 4's September Pennzoil Car Pack, the final DLC car pack to be ever offered on this game.

Final DLC car pack on this game? Hmmm....Very convincing. Never thought of it that this is the last car pack we will ever get on Forza 4. Anyway, the car...

Another SRT Viper GTS-R!

It's like the SRT Viper GTS in terms of its looks but the 8.4L V10 engine was been toned down to 8.0L and the power output's reduced from 640HP to 455HP in order to meet the regulations of the GT-class for the American Le Mans. For the GT class, it is required that a GT-class racer to have the maximum engine size of 5.5L but the 8-litre GTS-R was exempted, requiring a restrictor in the engine’s intake tract. Also, the luxuries on the interior has been stripped and replaced it with racing peripherals and they made it lighter than the normal SRT Viper. It weighs almost about three tons.

Here in Forza 4, they featured not one but two SRT Viper GTS-R racers. One is the #91, which made it on 10th place for the GT-class, and the #93 Viper. Little known fact that major sponsors for the SRT Viper GTS-R includes Forza Motorsport, TWS Forged, Michelin, Magneti Marelli, Sabelt, Pennzoil, and Mopar. Something bothered me that a couple of months ago, Car Town did featured a Forza Motorsport-sponsored #91 Viper GTS-R. Isn't that too timey-wimey? Never mind that. I will be driving the #91 Viper and I am going to survive the assault at Road America until my uploaded YouTube video regarding Viper GTS-R's at the Top Gear Test Track and when uploading starts, I shall set off....

And because it's starting to upload, the Viper assault begins...

Viper Assault

Ooh, it's getting a bit too dynamic...

Okay, 0-60 takes over three seconds and top speed...not as fast as the road car. SRT claims that it's about 182MPH. Gearbox's mounted at the back for better weight distribution, carbon fiber body, aircon on the racing cockpit as a regulation to keep racers well-ventilated, I am starting to think about this is my new office. My new cubicle for the race track perhaps. But rather than being a cubicle, the SRT Viper GTS-R tends to be even more dynamic so you have to watch out for that because the slightest mistake may cost you dearly. It may not about as amazing as the Corvette Racing ZR1 I drove last June but I'm managing...

SEVERAL MINUTES LATER...

Okay, I think my upload's about 70% done and let's not mess around shall we? Let's be serious...

Nearly hit the cone...

Mmmmm....toasty!

I now have 90% complete on my upload and I'm starting to get serious about the SRT Viper GTS-R's hidden talent, something that will give the judges a BIG YES. And if I mean BIG YES, I wanna refer to an Amy Pond-kind of BIG YES. I am unable to contain excitement to this...

BIG YES!

UNABLE TO CONTAIN EXCITEMENT

..because it's a BIG YES and I am UNABLE TO CONTAIN EXCITEMENT, I'm starting to like this stripped-out race-spec version of the SRT Viper but then someone said that the upload is complete so...my excitement's over...

Excitement's end...

It was quite a thrill for me to drive the SRT Viper GTS-R and for that Community Rivals event set on Road Atlanta course using nothing but Viper GTS-R's, here's how I stacked up...

Here's how I stacked up...

To mark the occasion, let's watch the YouTube video I've uploaded...

Outtakes: 2013 Viper GTS vs. Corvette C6 ZR1?

OUTTAKE:

You were saying that the 2013 Viper GTS is faster than the Corvette ZR1?

Maybe...When I checked out the stats of the car's power-to-weight ratio;

"DRY" HORSEPOWER TO WEIGHT RATIO:

Bugatti Veyron : 4.10

Ferrari F12berlinetta : 4.70

SRT Viper* : 4.91

Lamborghini Aventador : 4.96

Corvette ZR1 : 5.01

Porsche 911 Turbo : 6.22

* Dry Weight 3,143 lbs.

...that's what matters.

Uh...I think you've got terribly confused. You know, we pushed the 2013 SRT Viper against the Lamborghini Aventador round the Top Gear Mile for some experiment and you said that despite the SRT Viper's power to weight ratio is better than the Lamborghini Aventador, it's not quicker on the straights.

Yeah, you're right. Not as quicker as the Lamborghini Aventador as I tried.

Yeah and how about the thing against the Corvette ZR1?

ZR1 vs. 2013 Viper

You said that the Viper stacked up against the Vette ZR1. You said that the Viper is better than the Vette ZR1 because of the power to weight ratio.

Uh....uh...uh....

Well, moments later, you've conducted another series of experiments proving that the 2013 Viper is better than the Corvette ZR1. You did the old split screen experiment and what's the result?

Didn't realize that in stock terms, the Corvette ZR1 bested the new 2013 Viper...

Yep, but that's just a beginning. Later on, you started some kind of public lobby to further conducting this kind of experiment. What you did is stock only, only the C6 ZR1 and the 2013 Viper. Have a ZR1 driven by yours while the 2013 Viper will be driven by an online buddy. How was it?

It's kinda the same thing. Even in the Top Gear Mile, it seems that the Corvette stacks up against the Viper.

Uh-huh, then you decided to change locations. Then, you drove the all new 2013 Viper while an online buddy is driving the Corvette ZR1. How was the result of your TOP SECRET experiment?

ZR1 vs. 2013 Viper

It's still the same thing! The Corvette ZR1 stacked up against the all new Viper!

Ha ha ha! I believe that it was a mistake to make that claim. It seems that the Corvette ZR1 is still the king!

Yeah yeah but we can't do that claim. This debate of whole Corvette ZR1 vs. Viper '13 is just like the controversial Pacquiao-Bradley fight. Why don't we leave this to the experts? MOTOR TREND, perhaps?

Yeah! Motor Trend makes the best car reviews and the best drag races.

OUTTAKE END

The Majestic Tale of the Mad Viper

Viper GTS ACR

Viper SRT10

Viper Competition Coupe

Viper SRT10 ACR

This whole Viper Week reminded me to look back at the history of the Dodge Viper and I have been given a week to sample the old Vipers right before I have the chance to try out the all new 2013 Viper GTS on Forza Motorsport 4. Well, I just did, I drove everything from Viper GTS ACR to Viper SRT-10 ACR. I have different tastes on those different generations and it appears I have learned a lot about the Viper legacy so now....

What machine is this?

It's coming!

...Now it's here. It's ready to go to work and show everyone who's the big boss. Venomous, slithering, and now ready for action. Everybody please welcome, 2013 SRT VIPER GTS!

Meet the 2013 SRT Viper GTS

The all new 2013 SRT Viper is yours to collect, race, customize, or explore in Autovista as a free DLC.

2013 SRT Viper GTS at the Top Gear Test Track

2013 SRT Viper GTS at the Top Gear Test Track

After hiatus, the return of the Viper no longer bears the Dodge Viper name but it was called SRT Viper when it was premiered at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. It was evolved to incorporate superior craftsmanship, a host of new technologies and ergonimic improvements while respecting its visceral legacy of performance.

8.4L V10 OHV engne

The new SRT Viper comes with the same 8.4L V10 OHV engine from the previous Dodge Viper SRT-10 but now it churns out 640HP of power and 600lb-ft of torque. It is mated with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission with a shorter throw shifter, close gear ratio, and shorter final drive ratio of 3.07. With a triple-digit weight loss, the power-to-weight ratio is better than the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

Stryker

1992-2003 Vipers have the logo called the "Sneaky Pete". 2003-2010 Vipers have the logo called "Fangs". For the new SRT Viper, it introduces a new Viper logo that looks intimidating to many and they called it "Stryker". What's it all about the new Stryker logo on the 2013 SRT Viper?

Designed by Vince Galante, the new "Stryker" logo is the third since Viper was launched in 1991 as a 1992 model, following earlier logos "Sneaky Pete" and "Fangs." This new logo provides a venomous detail that makes it a befitting take on a sports car that packs aggression and anger. Sadly however, this new Stryker logo took the idea from the logo of FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS.

Excuse me but, you got our logo! Give it back!

Oops...Looks like we're facing an issue here. Despite that, there's something wicked about the Stryker logo. If the speedo reached through the red line, the Stryker logo shows up, and trust me on this, this is a warning sign that you have to change gear.

Stryker at the instrumental panel!

How cool was that? If you're scared about this Stryker logo coming out on your speedo, your best bet is to change gear before this shows up. My gosh, that logo was a complete nightmare, scaring kids of all ages. If you're not brave, then don't drive this car. We know that you're getting scared on this...scary looking Stryker logo.

2013 SRT Viper GTS' interior

Did I say scary? That new Viper emblem was in that steering wheel. If you're scared, then best to cover it with duct tape. He he he he.... But no, I'm brave enough to see that new Viper logo so it's fine for me. I like this new logo because it has some character on it. Anyway, on the interior, what you expect is handcrafted with some artisan spirit. For the Viper GTS model, all surfaces are fully leather skinned, and standard accent colors are applied to the seats, doors, center console and stitching. As for the seating, high-performance racing seats from Sabelt feature a lightweight Kevlar/fiberglass shell created by a state-of-the-art resin transfer molding technology for mass reduction and long-term durability.

The question of power to weight ratio is too inevitable. SRT says that 2013 Viper GTS has better power to weight ratio than the Lamborghini Aventador and the Corvette ZR1 but when you put the 2013 Viper against the Aventador, that's hopeless. However, we'll be focusing on the ZR1. As always, the rivalry between Viper and Corvette is a civil war that proves which of these two deserved to be "king of American sports cars". When the Viper was gone, the Corvette shines through as the undisputed king of American sports cars. Now that the Viper is back, this would be what happened when the ZR1 is pitted against the 2013 Viper...

See who stacks up now?

See who stacks up now? Does the Corvette stacks up against the new Viper? Nope! The Viper stacks up! Meet your new king! The 2013 Viper is now the KING OF AMERICAN SPORTS CARS! What SRT made is a masterpiece, not only it made a car that has better power to weight ratio than the ZR1, they made a car that promises nothing but humiliation against General Motors! Once again, General Motors will always be the losers. Anyway, enough bragging rights and for a bit of a downfall....

Now that the new Viper ditches the Dodge name, it appears that the 2013 Viper won't be in Dodge dealerships so what dealerships will carry on the new 2013 SRT Viper for its late 2012 sale? Some say, Chrysler Group LLC will challenge all dealerships with a series of tests. Those series of tests will prove that a certain dealership will be declared an SRT specialist dealership and that specialist dealership will feature the 2013 SRT Viper in their showrooms.

Which reminds me, I checked around Forza Motorsport 4 about the 2013 SRT Viper and there could only be one thing...That's all it could happen! Viper is now a stand-alone brand of Chrysler Group LLC! Even though this is SRT's first halo car, the fate can't be changed! Anyway, enough about that and figuring out how fast the 2013 Viper round the track and of course, hand it over to our tamed racing driver...

Our SRT Viper did it in 1:19.129, which means that this American sports car is a hypercar! It's a hypercar. If an exotic did below the 1:20 mark at the Top Gear Test Track, it's declared a hypercar and this SRT Viper just did! I'm amazed that this new SRT Viper really works. It's faster than the previous Dodge Viper SRT-10 but it's a few seconds slower than the old SRT-10 ACR. What an improvement. Triple-digit weight loss, improved V10 OHV engine, improved aerodynamics, this new Viper is just an astonishing masterpiece and this is surely became the KING of American sport cars, not the Corvette!

Challenger SRT8 now in the Philippines

2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8

In response to Chevy selling the Camaro modern muscle car to the Philippines, it seems that CATS Motors is joining the muscle car war with the launch of the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8. The Challenger SRT8 is a Dodge Challenger powered by Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT). It comes with a powerful 6.4L HEMI V8 engine that produces 470HP of power and 637Nm of torque. Available transmission types were a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed paddle shift transmission. Also, it promises 9.8km/L of fuel economy thanks to the engine's Fuel Saver technology, available only on the AT variants. Prices start at 3,950,000 Philippine Pesos so better get this American sports car that was built by people who love cars for people who really love cars. WE LOVE CARS!

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/cats-motors-brings-in-dodge-challenger-srt8

Hennessey HPE800

Hennessey HPE800

Texas-based tuner, Hennessey, famous for their Ford Raptor-based Velociraptor and the all-original, Exige-based Venom GT, revealed their modified version of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, called the HPE800.

Despite the naming, the HPE800 improves the V8 engine to have 7.0L and 805HP of power output. It is capable of doing 0-60 in 3.1 seconds and top speed of 130mph. The transmission system's been tuned as well and it comes with 15.1-inch Brembo brakes that you can see it behind its monstrous 20-inch mags.

It is limited to 24 units available with the starting price of a hefty 235,000 US Dollars.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/santa-you-ride-has-arrived-hennessey.html

This all new Dodge Charger SRT8 is all about being itself

The Stig tries out the new Charger SRT8

Impressed that this car was part of Forza Motorsport 4's November Speed Pack DLC, the all new 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 is one angry monster that you don't want to see this landing on the Playground modes, especially the Tag Infection, Keep The It, or Cat & Mouse. When I get inside the all new Charger SRT8, this car is freaking mental in the corners and it turns out that this car is too difficult to handle, even with the Traction Control off. It's hard to master the new Charger SRT8 but with practice, I'm sure that this is a brute force to be reckoned with.

A pure embodiment of evil

I like the sound of the new 6.4L HEMI V8. It kinda like...the stuff of nightmare. A very embodiment of evil... Despite looking like a muscle car, this car loves corners but it gets a bit carried away. In partial terms of tuning, there are some surprises awaiting at the Aero & Appearance section...

Disguised as a regular Charger

For example, you can disguise this as a regular Dodge Charger by putting up some Dodge Street Front Bumper ,Dodge Street Rear Bumper, Dodge Street Side Skirts, and a Dodge Street Hood. This disguise turns the Charger SRT8 into a regular Charger but still hides the HEMI V8 engine. For me, I want my Charger SRT8 looking like the Charger Rallye Plus just by placing some of the aero parts I have mention and slam it with some MOMO GTR rims.

The Dodge Charger Cop Car from Fast Five!

Surprisingly, you can attach it with a front bullbar and if you select the right combination on the 2012 Charger SRT8 (and if you have sharp painting/designing skills), you can recreate the Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicle and for the fun of it, you could recreate the cop car you seen on Fast Five. How about a quarter mile drag race at The Top Gear Test Track? Oh well. This 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 is all about surprises in every corner.

Things I like; the aggressive design, it has the combinations to replicate the original Charger and the Charger Pursuit, and the sound of the new 6.4L HEMI V8 engine is very crispy and its the embodiment of evil. Things I don't like; the handling is too vulgar, and the 5-speed paddle shit transmission is too unresponsive.