Dodge Challenger LeMans

Swedish design firm Vizualtech has some impressive 3D composition capabilities, as is evident in looking at Dodge Challenger. The Challenger has been transformed into a LeMans ready touring car, complete with GT-style wings, massive splitters, blistered fenders and carbon fiber diffusers.

SUV mayhem: 1,000 HP Nissan Patrol

Nissan is currently getting ready to release it's next generation Patrol, an overseas sensation that may indeed be coming to the United States. There have been rampant rumors about a possible V8 powertrain, but the big news is a diesel engine developed in conjunction with Renault that pumps out 405 lbft of torque.

A certain Dubai business man apparently wasn't impressed enough with the new SUV to wait for it, so he turned his Patrol over to HKS and had them up the ante a little.

A little means an all wheel drive SUV that pumps out around 1,000hp, or 1,000 PS. The mostly stock exterior makes this ride a major sleeper, with the exception of the large squarish hood scoop. Just imagine the look on that guys face next to you when you embarrass him in his fancy pants sports car.

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP priced at $39,995, ST dead?

Nothing like a little good news offset by some bad news in the same day. On a positive note, Pontiac has announced that it's BMW-like G8 GXP will start out at a very reasonable $39,995.

That price includes a $1700 gas guzzler tax and $685 destination fee in the base automatic equipped sedan. The six speed manual will cost an additional $695, and seriously, who wouldn't opt to row their own?

Fuel economy is of course not stellar, coming in at 13mpg city and 20mpg on the highway. But of course there is a price to pay for all that pavement scorching fun, especially as you repeatedly outrun more expensive and exotic cars in stoplight mayhem. All with three passengers comfortably in tow.

And, now for the bad news. Much to the chagrin of El Camino lovers everywhere, the G8 ST will likely live a short life. There have been several rumors coming out of Detroit, along with hints that GM would kill Pontiac altogether. There has also been speculation that it would indeed live on, but only with around half of it's current lineup.

Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, has stated that the G8 sport trucks lifespan could be short, saying "We would be foolish if we didn't take a second look at whether or not that is the right thing to do."

In a separate article, Docherty goes even further and suggests Pontiac's lineup could be pared down from six vehicles to a single nameplate. According to Docherty, "We are not going to spend tons of money on product development" for Pontiac and that the Pontiac Torrent will be dropped for 2009.

So what will Pontiac be selling? According to Docherty, the G8 is the most likely candidate for GM's performance brand, and that the ideal future for Pontiac would be "very focused, very specialty or niche."

First retail 2010 Chevrolet Camaro to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson

The first retail production 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is set to be auctioned off during prime time on Saturday, January 17th at the Barrett-Jackson action in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Lot number 1316 will go on the block to the highest bidder, and all the proceeds will go to charity (so it's tax deductible!). We're still waiting on official details, like whether the car is a V6, V8, SS, etc.

It will also be interesting to see just how much the car will bring, as the first Corvette ZR1 sold at auction last year for a million dollars. We'd be willing to bet that the Camaro will come close to that. But since the proceeds are going to the American Heart Association, it's all for a good cause.