About a week ago, we brought you the first photos of the new 2010 ROUSH STAGE 3 and what little details we could scrounge together. Now, we’ve got the full scoop:

ROUSH unveiled two new models recently, the aforementioned STAGE 3, and a new model dubbed the 540RH.

Now, the STAGE 3 makes use of the same hand-built 4.6L V8 used in the P-51B, except this one finds an additional 30HP by way of a massive Roush-Eaton TVS intercooled supercharger, forged aluminum pistons with an increased dish to lower the compression ratio from 9.8 to 8.6, forged steel H-Beam connecting rods and a forged steel crankshaft, new fuel rails, fuel injectors, and a remapped ECU program for a grand total of 540 ground-pounding horses. And thanks to the forged bottom end, ROUSH can offer an impressive 3 year/36,000 mile warranty to owners.

As in time’s past, this model also gets jumbo brakes, a full suspension package, and interior overhaul, 18” wheels wrapped in high performance rubber, and all the other visual accoutrements as well, the most notable feature being the blacked-out billet grill which deletes the stock fog lights in favor of a more menacing mug that provides better air flow to the engine and radiator. Only 103 units will be produced, with an MSRP of $59,945.

And now for the new kid on the block, the 540RH, codenamed “Hammer”. This model is essentially a sleeper, a no-nonsense plain brown bag concealing the same supercharged engine as above. For those that don’t want all the visual drama of the STAGE 3, the 540RH’s subtle (if you could call any hot-rodded Mustang subtle) tone-on-tone hood scoop stripe and rear spoiler are the only hints of a thinly veiled agression. Buyers also get the same sharp suspension set-up, as well as the wheels and tires, a short throw shifter, and nearly $15,000 extra loot in their pockets compared to STAGE 3 buyers, since the MSRP is set for $46,145.

All those interested should consult their local ROUSH dealers immediately, since both cars should be arriving in 2-3 weeks.

SOURCE: ROUSH via The Mustang News

These photos of the upcoming 2010 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang are brought to you courtesy of Brad Barnett at TheMustangSource. What is immediately apparent is the much more menacing mug at the front. Deleting the fog lights in favor of a blacked-out billet grille really turns up the Clint Eastwood stare factor on the new Mustang, and we are big big fans. But the real news is waiting behind that black snout.

Historically, The Stage 3 is the top dog in a lineup which includes the “all-bark-and-no-bite” Stage 1, the “light-on-its-feet” Stage 2, and the ferocious 427R which includes as optional parts which come standard on the preeminent Stage 3. As in times past, these parts include a full aerodynamic package complete with front splitter, louvers, and rear spoiler, a complete suspension package, a big brake kit, and a power boost compliments of a Roots style supercharger.

Since the 2010 Mustang GT uses the same 4.6L modular V8 as the older model, ROUSH has a Supercharger handy for new Mustangs which boosts horsepower past the 400 mark. However, the word from ROUSH dealers is that this new Stage 3 will actually get the 510HP 4.6L TVS supercharged engine used in the 2009 P-51B, a hand-built engine featuring a larger Eaton/ROUSH blower and a forged bottom end. And like all ROUSH Mustangs, this one will come complete with an impressive 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

Check the jump for the hi-res photos.

SOURCE: TMN via TheMustangNews

Geiger, the long time tuning firm of German persuasion which specializes in refining coarse American cars for sophisticated European palettes, has offered up their G-treatment for the latest and greatest slice of pure Americana–the Corvette ZR-1. But all is not beer and skittles (if you didn’t know already). Geiger subjected the Corvette to some “diverse tuning measures” to the tune of some 72 additional horsepower, bringing the grand total to 710HP at the crank, meaning–in their own words–that “propulsion only ends at a speed of 342 kilometres per hour.” That’s 212 mph to us chili-doggers here in the colonies. But don’t go thinking all this tuning has resulted in some stellar sub 3-second 0-60 time. The Geiger GTS is actually .2 seconds slower to that mark than the stock version. And we’ll give you two tortured rubber reasons why.

The fact is, performance wise, Geiger is intruding into Brabus territory by producing an obscenely powerful version of a car that is already too strong for its own good. Most cars simply cannot apply 677 ft-lb of torque in a productive manner, unless your intent is to produce half a mile of gooey rubber stripes.

So then, what about that svelte Euro-styling? Meh we say. Out back, it’s all Modena. And up front, it’s sort of like a Sabertooth Tiger–intimidating up close, maybe, but from a distance it just looks silly. And a bit pretentious. Geiger says the styling is “reminiscent of the large Gran Turismos of the 60′s and 70′s,” but we’d rather they not turn quite possibly the world’s biggest supercar bargain buy into a Ferrari Daytona knock-off.

But tell me: Would you replace Daisy Duke’s cut-offs with a floor length evening gown so your out of town relatives would approve?

Those GT’s had style, but so does the ZR-1, oodles and oodles of it. And all the GTS does is steal that brawny American charm we all know, and sometimes even love.

For more info, a full hi-res gallery, and a taste of German-to-English translation goodies, check the press release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE:

Geiger GTS: Extreme sportsman with retro elements

Of course GeigerCars extensively modified the look of the Corvette, lending it a styling, which is reminiscent of the large Gran Turismos of the 60′s and 70′s. The front and back were extensively modified; a wide air vent dominates the nose, while a massive diffuser attracts attention at the back. Both the fog and rear lights are based on modern LED semi conductive technology. The three layer mother of pearl varnish of the Corvette ZRI “Geiger GTS” with changing colour play is also a real eye catcher.

SOURCE: Geiger Cars via Jalopnik

Ascribing poetic hyperbole and terms of endearment to Audi’s R8 is pure cliche at this point. We know it’s good. The only thing that wasn’t just as spectacular as everything else about the car was the engine, a 4.2 liter V8 packing a diminutive 420hp, chicken feed compared with the likes of Ferrari’s 600 plus horsepower 599.

And then came the 5.2 FSI V10. “Oh, snap!” we thought. 525hp. The R8 is perfect.

Well, not to the likes of ABT Sportsline, who never listened to Lynyrd Skynyrd about being a simple kind of man.

Enter: the ABT RR8 5.2 FSI V10. Tuner alphabet soup at its finest. ABT treats the 5.2 V10 to the predictable buffet of carbon fiber cosmetic upgrades, as well as a 75hp boost in output. This means the new R8 can blast to 62mph in 3.8 seconds and hit a top speed is 322 km/h (that’s 200mph for non-metrics users).

Personally, we’re fans of the red accents on the aerodynamic accouterments. Because, when you’re not satisfied with the stock R8, any attempt at subtlety is pure pretense on your part.

For a hi-res gallery, a full list of parts, and the rhetoric from ABT too biased to be listed on Wikipedia, click the jump.

The specifics go something like this:

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

Engine: 5.2 FSI, V10, 5.204 ccm capacity
Performance tuning: ABT POWER
Performance: 600 HP/441 kW (standard: 525 HP/386 kW)

ABT AERODYNAMICS
ABT front grille
ABT front skirt
ABT side skirts
ABT rear skirt
ABT rear wing

ABT WHEEL TECHNOLOGY
ABT AR and BR; 20 inch; diamond-cut or high-gloss polished
Available also as complete set of wheels with high performance tyres

ABT EXHAUST TECHNOLOGY
ABT rear skirt set, consisting of the ABT rear skirt and the ABT rear pipes

HI-RES GALLERY:

PRESS RELEASE:

CW 35
Ten cylinders. 600 HP. The Abt R8 5.2 FSI

The super sports car is presented on BR-type 20-inch wheels which suit the classic design. The ABT R8 5.2 FSI is a design milestone and is of course very, very fast. This is because the 600 ABT horsepower contain, what the dynamic design of the car promises.

SOURCE: ABT via Jalopnik and FastestCar

The above clip features the most redeeming 90 seconds from “Lethal Ninja,” a golden oldie Japanese flick featuring ninjas with all the killing power of Nerf darts pursuing what is presumably the hero of this epic film in a pimped out BMW Isetta.

The baddies show up at 00:14 donning red roller skates, and really, it’s all down hill from there, which really is fortunate for the ninjas. The Isetta wages a war of attrition against the black-garbed baddies, managing only one “kill” of its own at 1:10.

Stay until the end, and be treated to possibly the best bit of lip syncing in Japanese film-dubbing history, made possible by the convenient full face wraps covering the ninjas’ mouths.

Check the video after the jump.

SOURCE: YouTube via Gunpla-Inochi

There is simply no way to properly introduce Bullitt.

For those who have seen it, you already understand why it’s so good: the gritty depiction of San Fransisco’s underbelly, the mystery, the drama, and quite possibly the greatest car chase scene of all time between a ’68 fastback Mustang and a menacing black Charger. For the rest of you, you indeed have my sympathies.

Following the jump, there is a brilliant, albeit short, 10 minute video giving you a behind the scenes look at how Bullitt was brought to life in Steve McQueen’s image. The thing to remember about this movie is the fact that it was made in the pursuit of portraying reality–the dark, dirty, uncanny truth within the story. The chase scenes were real, having predated CGI and special effects technology. The locations were real, such as the architect studio where McQueen’s on screen girlfriend worked, and even some of the “actors” weren’t actors at all–such as the hospital scene, portrayed by real surgeons and nurses.

If you’ve already seen the movie, you’ll probably get more out of the video than those who haven’t. But who knows, this just might whet your palette enough to get you off your ass and into Blockbuster.

There’s also the epic car chase scene included for your enjoyment and drooling purposes.

Making of Bullitt

SOURCE: AutoBlog

Okay, some of us are actually a bit bummed that Pontiac is dead. But we feel a lot better after hearing this news: Trans Am Depot will premier their conversion kit inspired by Kevin Morgan’s sultry concept sketches at this year’s Trans Am Nationals. The final car will be based on the current Camaro platform (much like the original Firebird, no?) and will be offered as dealer-installed conversion only.

There’s no word yet on official performance specs nor on pricing, but rest assured, it will be very Camaro under there (whatever that means).

There’s a Press Release after the jump detailing the extent of the exterior and interior modifications thus far, as well as a photo gallery of the inspirational sketches for this retro beauty.

Oh, and lest I forget, a completely worthless teaser video, as well!

The Gallery is here, full of a few awesome color combinations. There is also what looks to be a real car in there, and I must say, I’m a big fan of the real flames look on the hood chickens.

That worthless teaser video is here. But don’t get your hopes up.

Finally, the Press Release is here:

Embroded Head Rest and Console Lid – KM Graphic Punch
Turned Aluminum Door Panel
Turned Aluminum Dash Inserts
Turned Aluminum Instrument Cluster
Door Panel Badges
T/A SN Badge and Designation

SOURCE: Trans Am Depot and Kevin Morgan Designs via Camaro5 and Autoblog

You ever seen this tacky car in the parking lot? You know, the one with an ad for some casino joint on the side of it? And you think, “Damn, that’s a brand new Suburban, I bet they got it for free just for driving it around.”

Well, Free Car Media is just such a company that offers those mythical “paid to drive” programs (You can visit them at their site www.myfreecar.com). But before you do, there are a few things you should know:

1) There’s a reason you probably haven’t done this by now: there just aren’t that many opportunities out there. In a country of 300 million people, Free Car Media only has 800 to 1,000 cars out at any given time.

2) Yeah, it’s no longer true that you get a “free” car for simply bearing the shame of wearing some cheesy decal. The business model for that simply isn’t feasible anymore. Instead, you buy a new car, and apply for the privilege of advertising Preparation H on your Chevy HHR.

Four more things you should know after the jump.

3) “Paid to drive” doesn’t mean “paid to run errands and take trips to Maui.” The advertiser will want you to spend a certain number of hours in certain places, and have no problem calling Big Brother on you with GPS monitoring to make sure you’re making your appointed rounds.

4) As we said, Free Car Media and other companies will not provide you the car for free, but will instead compensate you $400 to $800 per month for the duration of the paid to drive program, which is enough to cover most car payments and maintenance costs.

5) It’s not that easy to get into one of these programs. Not only are they scarce, but advertisers are looking for specific demographics in specific areas, and they don’t want their products attacting negative connotations on your 18 year old Blazer. New vehicles are your best bet, in which case, you’re not so much earning money as delaying new car payments for a few months.

And finally, for the sweet and gullible ones out there–

6. You should NEVER have to pay money to get information on one of these programs. Legitimate companies make money off the advertisers, not prospective drivers applying for a position.

You’ve been warned. Now go out and make Pizza Hut proud!

SOURCE: Examiner

Ever wonder who draws all those kick-ass skulls used on Icon’s jackets?

Well, I, and a few thousand other happy unique non-conformists who choose to celebrate our individuality through the purchase of Icon products en mass, certainly have. And now Icon has done a video devoted to unmasking the man behind their badass images.

Check the video after the jump.

SOURCE: Icon via HellForLeather

On a Webcast Tuesday morning, GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson announced that the upcoming Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle is expected to achieve at least 230 mpg in the city.

“Are we overpromising?” Henderson said in response to a question from a skeptical reporter in the audience. “No. That’s what the customer will see in the city.”

At the moment, GM is unable to give an accurate highway fuel economy estimate, but rest assured, “it will be triple digit…But we don’t have it yet,” said Henderson.

This means that the Volt will be the first mass-produced vehicle to claim a combined fuel-economy rating of more than 100 mpg. And as it looks now, using EPA methodology, GM says the Volt will “consume as little as 25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles in city driving.”

For all us layman out there, that means that it will cost the average consumer in Detroit “40 cents for a full charge” after recharging the Volt overnight.

GM has already begun pre-production of the Volt since June, producing 10 units per week for testing and development. Already, though, engineers have begun tweaking the platform for future Generation 2 and 3 models, with the primary aim of bringing the cost down from the estimated $40,000 sticker price for the 2011 Volt.

Henderson also charted the course of future models when he commented that GM plans to shun diesel technology in favor of electrics and hybrids.

The New Face Of GM?

“We’re putting our bets in the U.S. on electrics and hybrids,” he said. “Electric does diversify away from petroleum.”

GM provided more details on the Volt’s modes of operation, and for your convenience, we’ve included the tasty tid-bits you may actually care about here:

The Chevrolet Volt uses grid electricity as its primary source of energy to propel the car. There are two modes of operation: Electric and Extended-Range. In electric mode, the Volt will not use gasoline or produce tailpipe emissions when driving. During this primary mode of operation, the Volt is powered by electrical energy stored in its 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

“The 230 city mpg number is a great indication of the capabilities of the Volt’s electric propulsion system and its ability to displace gasoline,” said Frank Weber, global vehicle line executive for the Volt. “Actual testing with production vehicles will occur next year closer to vehicle launch. However, we are very encouraged by this development, and we also think that it is important to continue to share our findings in real time, as we have with other aspects of the Volt’s development.”

Now, it’s no secret that the Volt is still miles away from being production ready, and certain little everyday details haven’t been worked out yet, such as providing a way for owners who don’t own a garage and intend to park their cars out on the street a way to charge their vehicles. Henderson assured the press that innovation is coming.

We’re thinking extra-long extension cords, electrified to keep somebody from siphoning your ‘tricity.

Regardless of brand loyalty, GM is part of the American Soul, and their success is integral to the longevity of every domestic automaker. And we have our finger’s crossed that come next year, the Volt will be everything we’ve all hyped it to be.

SOURCE: GM