2014 Chevrolet Impala gallops into the New York auto show

NEW YORK--The 2014 Impala debuts with a new, muscular design that calls on equal parts Malibu and Camaro to create a look that Chevrolet says "looks much more expensive than it is." Classic Impala design cues, such as the leaping Impala emblem on the C pillar and the raised Impala lettering on a rear chrome bar, blend with the more modern Chevrolet design language to create a large sedan that, while a bit visually busy from certain angles, is athletic and muscular.
Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system will grace the Impala's dashboard with its large 8-inch color touch screen, keeping the driver and passenger informed and entertained. Skip the MyLink system and you'll still find yourself looking at a smaller 4.2-inch display. And keeping the passengers safe are a selection of new safety features, including full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, forward collision alert, lane-departure warning, side blind-zone alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. There's also an industry first front-center side airbag that, aside from being a mouthful, inflates between the front seats in a side collision to keep the front passengers from re-enacting an episode of the Three Stooges and knocking heads together.
The new Impala will be available with the driver's choice of three engines, all of which featuring direct injection technology. The most powerful option is a 303-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine. A new 2.5-liter Ecotec four-cylinder is the middle-of-the-road option, outputting 195 horsepower while delivering an estimated 30 mpg on the highway. At the most fuel efficient end of the scale is a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with the e-Assist mild hybrid system, which nets an estimated 35 highway mpg. Regardless of which engine you chose, the front wheel-drive Impala will feature a single-option six-speed automatic transmission delivering the power to the front wheels.
The 2014 Chevrolet Impala will go on sale in early 2013 in LS, LT, and LTZ trim levels. No word on whether we're ever going to see another Impala SS model, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

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Viper comes back, teeth sharpened

At the 2012 New York International Auto Show, Chrysler's SRT division, a new breakout group, showed off its latest work in the form of the 2013 Viper.

NEW YORK--Fans of the old Dodge Viper may be disappointed in its rebirth. While still driven by a ridiculously powerful engine, and maintaining its cabin far to the back of the car, the 2013 SRT Viper comes with unforeseen refinement.
Instead of strict power to the wheels with no electronic interference, the new Viper comes with traction and stability control. An active suspension system lets the driver choose between street and track modes. Body work around its side pipe should even protect the legs of passengers getting out of the cabin.

But it would be foolish to lament the previously unfettered Viper, as technology has proven itself again and again in performance cars. The traction system on the new Viper enables launch control, making it possible to actually use all of the car's massive torque. The suspension system's street mode should also make possible to enjoy a Sunday drive, rather than seeking out a chiropractor the next Monday.
With the 2013 Viper, it looks like the new SRT group was challenged to build a world-class super car, able to hold its own against the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the world. And it may have well succeeded
The new Viper gets many refinements over the old model. While retaining the same basic body design, new aerodynamic touches reduce drag. The hood and rear deck are made of carbon fiber, while the doors are made of aluminum, all helping to shave 100 pounds of weight off the car.
Even the badge got a new design, suggested by Viper fans.

The seat shells are molded from carbon fiber and Kevlar, also helping to hold down weight. SRT raised the roof over the driver and passenger seats to accommodate helmets. But the cabin is also more spacious than on the previous version of the car.
What might really bother old Viper fans are the electronics used in the cabin. The LCD instrument cluster is more GT-R than Barney Oldfield, letting the driver configure the information display using steering wheel buttons. SRT even makes Chrysler's UConnect navigation head units available for the car.

Despite all the niceties, SRT still throws big displacement under the hood with an 8.4-liter V-10. Made of aluminum, it generates 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, the most torque of any naturally aspirated production engine, according to SRT.
Throwing any notion of fuel economy to the wind, SRT shortened the ratios of the Viper's six-speed manual transmission. As the car hits its top speed in its top gear, every gear is given its full potential, occupying its own distinct place in the powerband. SRT has not yet said what sort of fuel economy the Viper will get, and it's probably best not to ask.
The new Viper comes out in base and GTS models late this year.

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Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is the world’s fastest Ferrari so far

Top Italian car manufacturer Ferrari have just unleashed a beast from the 2012 Geneva Motor Show showcasing the mighty F12 Berlinetta. Under the hood, this monster boasts a 740 horsepower V12 that’s capable of launching the vehicle to 62 mph in 3.1 seconds.

Moreover, Ferrari let loose of the 12-cylinder Berlinetta for few laps in Fiorano, where it “completes a lap of the Fiorano test circuit in 1’23″, faster than any other Ferrari road car. The previous record for a Ferrari road car was 1’24.00 by a 599 GTO in 2010, preceded by an Enzo which went around in 1’24.90 in 2002 and a 458 Italia 1’25.00 in 2010.” There’s no question for its raw power, but there are notable technologies and engineering prowess propelling the Berlinetta, “such as Aero Bridge, Active Brake Cooling, a new generation of carbon-ceramic brakes (CCM3), a further evolution of the magneto rheological suspension control system (SCM-E) plus the usual E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac, and high-performance ABS control systems.”

Now if you’re asking for the price, we’ll be 1-second faster on answering that this car will not be that affordable (unfortunately, there’s no word on its official price}.

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