MT gets better numbers from ZR1 than C&D

Most automotive journalists have already experienced the raw, unbridled power of the new Corvette ZR1. Motor Trend has joined the party, and they brought their own extensive list of testing equipment with them.

Motor Trend tested the ZR1 at the Chrysler Proving Grounds because its 5-mile loop is one of the few places that has the space to test the ZR1's top speed. The mag was able to crest 200 wind-adjusted mph, and MT computers showed that the ZR1 was still pulling when that magical number was achieved.

Hitting 200 mph puts anything on four wheels in the supercar club, and a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds ranks the ZR1 near the top of any exclusive car club. MT testers also needed only 11.2 seconds to travel a quarter mile and crossed the magic line at 130.5 mph, which they point out is 6.1 mph faster than the Dodge Viper.

Car and Driver was the first to test the ZR1 and posted slightly slower 0-60 and quarter mile times of 3.4 and 11.5 seconds, respectively. Other impressive stats from MT, however, include a 60-0 brake distance of just 97 feet and max lateral acceleration of 1.1 g, which easily bests the Viper's .99.

Bottom line is, the ZR1 is fast.

Hotchkis Dodge Challenger(s) to debut at SEMA

Ok, it's a bad photoshop. But the picture above gives you an idea of one of two Dodge Challengers that Hotchkis will be bringing to SEMA.

The two matching Challengers will bring focus to the company's blend of old and new. The two matching Challengers – a 1970 T/A 340 Six-Pack and a 2009 SRT8 – will share yellow paint schemes, graphics and wheels, along with a host of parts that should make the T/A stick as well as – if not better – than the 2009 model.

The 1970 Challenger, known as E-MAX, was originally converted to 340 Six-Pack trim by the previous owner, and now features new fabricated steel upper A-arms bolted into relocated pickup points, strut rods with Heim joints, aluminum steering rods and a set of front and rear sway bars, along with a new set of springs that lower the Granddaddy Challenger by two inches. In addition to replacing the aging front suspension, Hotchkis set out to create a well-rounded classic, equipping the T/A with Stoptech brakes, a Flowmaster exhaust and Forgeline wheels wrapped in Yokohama tires.

Hotchkis likes to point out that all its suspension parts can be removed and replaced with the factory units, allowing owners to keep things traditional for shows and swapped out when the time comes to drive.