Tesla Roadster runs an "electric" 12.7 second quarter mile

Now that the Tesla Roadster has been released with version 1.5 of it's drivetrain, it was time to run her down the ol' quarter mile. The electric sports car responded with an impressive 12.7 second time slip.

The first powertrain that was installed in the electric car used a two-speed transmission, while the latest v1.5 needs just one speed for seamless power delivery from zero to the car's top speed. That should make the Roadster an excellent bracket car, especially considering it was able to put down such impressive numbers with a novice racer behind the wheel who posted a relatively poor .764 reaction time. Its terminal velocity was nearly 105 miles per hour.

Holden Commodore conversion for Pontiac G8

General Motors has been the perpetrator of several fortunate and unfortunate badge engineering jobs over the years, and the G8 -- based off the Holden Commodore -- is the most recent example. The Aussie sedan was partially developed with American sales in mind and because of that, it doesn't take much to give your spiffy new G8 a nose job inspired by the Land Down Under. Australian firm JHP Vehicle Enhancements will sell you an entire body kit to change your G8 into a Holden for a mere, um, $4,000 if you choose to go all out in an attempt to replicate the HSV model. That's a sizable chunk of change, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Since we're less concerned with appearances, we'd just put the extra scratch towards upgrading to the GXP.

Mopar Alley

One of the coolest features at SEMA is the famed Mopar Alley, where Chrysler brings out some of its more historically significant vehicles. The Challenger was highlighted and everything from a 1971 Prostock Hemi to the current 2009 R/T were on display. There was even a 1970 Dodge Challenger that was one of five used in the movie Vanishing Point and this particular one was used as the main stunt vehicle. There were some pretty cool Mopar trucks as well, including a 1946 Dodge Power Wagon, the 1979 Dodge Lil Red Express, and a 1989 Jeep Cherokee Sport. We especially loved the 1986 Dodge Ram Baja that was raced in Mexico in 1987.