I’ll admit it: I’ve got it bad for Audi’s TT-RS. Sure, I know it’s just like a Golf (or worse, a New Beetle) with a big motor and a better suspension, but I don’t care. Jeremy Clarkson has argued the same point about the Porsche 911 for years, and it hasn’t seemed a negative impact on Porsche’s sales. Besides, the TT-RS is as close as we’re ever going to come to Audi’s Avus concept car, which is (in my mind, at least) the most stunning concept car ever built. Though a bit later to the social media scene than some, Audi deserves credit for bringing enthusiast’s questions to the source of all product knowledge; in this case, the TT-RS’s product manager, Mark Fruechtnicht. Video below.

Whatever the final price of the TT-RS turns out to be (low $60s, probably), it’s well above my current pay grade. Styling aside, what’s not to like about 340 horsepower and 332 ft lb of torque in an AWD coupe? I’m not sure I buy into Fruechtnicht’s claim that the TT-RS will be one of the fastest cars on the track, but I am sure that it will provide plenty of entertainment value on the road and on the race track. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, Mark, so just let me know where and when to show up for my test drive.

A 2011 Genesis Coupe R-Spec. Image: Hyundai Motor America

If you’re like me, the first thing that came to mind when Hyundai announced a new 429 horsepower V8 for the Genesis sedan was a hotter version of the Genesis Coupe. Who wouldn’t want an R-Spec Genesis Coupe with that much horsepower and a six speed manual gearbox? It would be the ultimate track day terror for those of us on a budget, but it looks like Hyundai isn’t thinking along the same lines. Even worse, the Genesis Coupe won’t be getting the same upgraded 3.8 liter V6 as the sedan, which now puts out 333 horsepower and 291 ft lb of torque. The Coupe stays the course with the 3.8 liter V6 putting out a mere 306 horsepower.

Autoblog broke the news on this, based on their conversation with Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor. When asked point blank if the Coupe would get the same 3.8 liter V6 as the sedan, Trainor replied, “you won’t see any difference to the Genesis Coupe powertrain for a little while.” A little while is more than vaguely ambiguous, so it probably means one of two things: either Hyundai wants to run down dealer inventory of the current V6 Genesis Coupes before announcing the upgraded engine, or Hyundai won’t make any changes at all to the Genesis Coupe until a facelift comes in 2012 or 2013. That’s a shame, because the Genesis Coupe could be very competitive in the segment with a few minor changes. Drop in the V8, and it could be more than competitive.

Source: Autoblog

Image: Shelby American, Inc.

The last time you could order a drop-top Mustang convertible with a Shelby GT350 badge was 1970, but Shelby American will change that for 2012. The company is building a limited run of Shelby GT350 Mustangs, and only 350 will be built in either the coupe or convertible body style. New color options for 2012 now include both red and blue, but the traditional white with blue stripe color scheme also remains available. The GT350s are “post title” cars, which means that you ship a brand new Mustang GT off to Shelby American for the conversion. How much it costs depends on how fast you want to go and how many option boxes you check off on the build sheet.

Image: Shelby American, Inc.

The base price (which is in addition to the cost of the Mustang GT donor) is $26,995, which gets you a normally aspirated GT350 good for 430 horsepower. Base model cars get a Shelby / Ford Racing suspension, a camber / caster plate, Shelby 6 piston front brakes by Baer, upgraded rear rotors, brake cooling ducts, a Borla center exit exhaust, Cragar 19” wheels with Goodyear tires, a unique front and rear fascia, embroidered headrests and mats and special badging and trim. Step up to the supercharged version, and the price increases to $33,995, which buys you 525 horsepower and an A-pillar mounted gauge package. If that’s still not fast enough for you, Shelby American offers a 624 horsepower option, as long as your willing to void your powertrain warranty.

Whether or not the GT350 package is worth the money depends on your perspective. You could build a high-performance Mustang for less money, but it wouldn’t carry the Shelby name and it certainly wouldn’t be a future collectible car. If I were in the market for a Shelby GT500, I’d give the GT350 a serious look; you’ll pay more for one now, but chances are good it’ll hold its value much better than the mass-produced Ford version.

Source: Shelby American, You Tube

The 2011 MX-5 Special Edition. Image: Mazda USA

Mazda missed launching a special edition to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the MX-5 in 2010. To make up for it, Mazda is launching a new special edition to celebrate the building of the 900,000th MX-5, which took place last month. If you were expecting a special edition on par with the 10th Anniversary Edition, released in 2000, you’ll likely be disappointed. The 2011 MX-5 Miata Special Edition is “special” in paint and interior trim only, and the cars come in your choice of Dolphin Gray Mica or Sparkling Black Mica with Bright Finish wheels. All Special Edition cars will be built as Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) versions, since the hard top now outsells the soft top by a margin of four to one.

Inside, the Special Edition cars get all the amenities found in the MX-5 Grand Touring models. The black leather seats feature contrasting gray stitching, as does the black leather steering wheel. The parking brake gets a leather wrap, air vents and instruments get chrome rings, the doors get gray trim and manual transmission cars get a set of aluminum pedals. The Premium Package, which includes Bluetooth phone integration, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, HID headlights, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), an alarm and keyless ignition is also included on Special Edition MX-5s.

Mazda didn’t make any changes to the MX-5’s engine, which is good for 167 horsepower when mated to a six speed manual or 158 horsepower when combined with their six speed automatic. They did include the Suspension Package on Special Edition cars, which gives you stiffer Bilstein shocks, a limited slip differential and a “sport tuned” suspension. Unfortunately, the package does nothing to reduce the MX-5’s ride height, which is necessary to meet crash testing requirements. Mazda can’t fix this, but you can easily enough; all it takes is a set of Mazdaspeed springs, and the MX-5 sits at a more sporting ride height.

The Special Edition cars are priced at $30,925 for the manual transmission version or $31,525 for the six speed auto. Mazda’s only building 750 copies, so if you want one you’d best get down to your Mazda dealer quickly. It’s not my style, and it still doesn’t absolve Mazda from missing the 20th anniversary, but it’s better than no special edition at all. Let’s hope they have something worth waiting for planned for the 25th anniversary.

Source: Mazda USA Media

Image: Audi

Audi is displaying the TT-RS in their Chicago Auto Show booth, and details on a U.S. sales date are forthcoming. Audi agreed to sell the hottest version of their TT Coupe on these shores after a Facebook petition gathered nearly 12,000 signatures in under a month, but we’re only getting a limited number of cars. How many Audi is importing, what they’ll cost and when you’ll be able to take delivery of one remain a mystery, but what I do know about the car leaves me wanting one in a bad way.

The TT-RS uses Audi’s 2.5 liter, turbocharged inline five motor, good for 360 horsepower and 332 ft lb of torque in TT-RS tune. Power goes to all four wheels via a quattro AWD system, and you can get any transmission you want, as long as it’s a six speed manual. Even Audi’s DSG gearbox is rumored to be absent from the option list, and I say that’s a good thing for those of us who still believe that a proper sports car should be shifted by the driver, not a computer. The TT-RS can get to sixty miles per hour from a standing start in about 4.5 seconds, and the car tops out at an electronically limited 155 miles per hour.

Image: Audi

Pricing remains the biggest unanswered question. Earlier, I speculated that it would begin around $58,000, based on the difference in price between base and TT-RS models in the EU. That’s still as good a guess as any, but if anything, I suspect it’s on the low side. That’s a shame, because a high price will keep the TT-RS out of the hands of many who could potentially help boost Audi’s performance image in the U.S. I doubt it’ll be in my price range, but I sure hope I get the opportunity to drive one.

Source: Autoevolution

Image: Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s new Jetta, launched last summer, didn’t have much appeal for driving enthusiasts. Cost cutting on interior materials aside, the new Jetta also eliminated the expensive independent rear suspension in favor of a cheaper semi-independent torsion beam setup, which didn’t do anything to endear the car to those who prefer twisty roads to straight ones. “Wait for the GLI”, we were told, and I’m happy to say that the new GLI is here. Not “here” as in “at the dealership”, but “here” as in “on display at the Chicago Auto Show”, which means the car is one step closer to U.S. sales.

As you’d expect from a Jetta GLI, the first thing you get is more power. Volkswagen’s 2.0 liter turbocharged four, good for 200 horsepower and 207 ft lb of torque, is the engine of choice. The standard transmission is a six speed manual, but buyers can also check the option box next to the DSG automatic gearbox. I still prefer a manual in anything with sporting intentions, but Volkswagen’s DSG gearbox, borrowed from Audi, is about as good as it gets for a shiftable automatic at a reasonable price point.

Image: Volkswagen

The independent suspension is back on all four corners for the GLI version, and VW tells us that the suspension is “performance tuned”. They don’t list details, but I’ll assume that includes higher spring rates (and possibly lower springs) and stiffer shocks, which will definitely improve handling at the cost of a little ride comfort. VW also uses something called “XDS”, or cross differential system, to prevent inside wheel spin during cornering. Unlike Ford’s new Focus, which uses brake-based torque vectoring, VW’s system appears to rely on the differential instead of the brakes. Speaking of brakes, the GLI comes with four wheel discs, with floating calipers painted in red.

Inside, the amenities depend on your choice of model. The base GLI comes with cloth seats (yes, please), a sport styled, flat bottom steering wheel, GLI logos, aluminum accents and alloy pedals. Step up to the GLI Autobahn, and you get a sunroof, dual zone climate control, heated V-Tex leatherette seats (nein, danke) and the Fender premium audio system. Opting for the top of the line GLI Autobahn with Navigation gets you a nav system, keyless entry and push button start, but you’re still stuck with the plastic seats. Why VW doesn’t offer leather seating as an option is beyond me.

Prices start at $23,495 for a base GLI with the six speed manual, go to $25,545 for a GLI Autobahn and jump to $26,445 for the GLI Autobahn with Nav and a six speed manual. Opting for the DSG gearbox should cost you another $1,100 or so, which puts the price of a well equipped Jetta GLI dangerously close to the $30,000 mark. I’ll reserve judgment until I get to see one up close and personal, but that price had better include higher quality interior materials than those used in base Jetta models. There’s no word on when the GLIs will hit dealerships, but I’ll take a wild guess and say by early summer.

Source: Volkswagen

Image: Chrysler Group LLC

Bummed because you missed your chance to buy a vintage “Sublime” Challenger? Did you consider buying a “Snakeskin Green” Viper, just to fuel you passion for neon green Mopars? Dodge has good news for those who love the new Challenger, but prefer their paint the color of radioactive waste: both the Challenger R/T Classic and the Challenger SRT8 392 will be available in “Green With Envy” for the 2011 model year. Like the “Snakeskin Green” Vipers, you’ll have absolutely no chance of ever losing your car in a parking lot, and you will most definitely not blend in with the rest of the muscle car crowd.

Image: Chrysler Group LLC

The 2011 Challenger R/T Classic comes with a newly upgraded, performance tuned suspension and a 5.7 liter Hemi V8 engine good for 375 horsepower. Limited edition Green With Envy models include body side striping, unique five spoke wheels and a Dark Slate leather interior with green accent stitching. All Challenger R/T Classic models get functional hood scoops, HID lights, heated front seats, a Boston Accoustics sound system and the Super Track Pack. The Track Pack gives you quick ratio steering, high friction brake pads, stiffer monotube shocks, 245/45R20 Goodyear Eagle F1 tires and three mode ESC with a “full off” setting. Sticker price for a Green With Envy R/T will be $35,785.

Image: Chrysler Group LLC

If that’s not fast enough for you, stepping up to the SRT8 will get you a 6.4 liter Hemi V8, good for 470 horsepower. It also gets you the SRT sport seats (also in Dark Slate with green stitching), unique five spoke wheels, SRT8 392 badging, body side striping and all the standard features of the R/T Classic. Sticker price for the Green With Envy SRT 8 Challengers will be $44,875.

Both limited edition models begin production in Brampton, Ontario later this month, with deliveries expected by the end of March. Quantities are limited, so if neon green is your thing, don’t put off a trip to your local Dodge dealer too much longer. If your tastes don’t run to extreme colors but you still have a thing for the Challenger, Dodge will sell you a more subdued R/T Classic starting at $34,790 or an SRT8 starting at $44,380.

Source: Dodge

The 2012 Camaro Zl 1. Image: © GM Corp.

When it comes to muscle cars, more power is always a good thing. Not content to rest on the Camaro outselling the Mustang in 2010, Chevrolet rolled out their answer to Ford’s Shelby GT500 at the Chicago Auto Show. Called the Camaro ZL1, the car represents the highest performing Camaro ever built, and Chevy is calling it the most technically advanced muscle car ever developed. Maybe the biggest surprise was the car’s name: Chevy opted for ZL1 in honor of a limited production, aluminum block racing engine available for 1969 Camaros. Only 69 were ever built, but the cars have achieved near mythical status. Chevy hopes the same will happen with the 2012 Camaro ZL1, and leaves the door open for future models between the Camaro SS and the ZL1. Camaro Z/28, anyone?

Image: © GM Corp.

The ZL1 is powered by a slightly detuned version of the Cadillac CTS-V’s supercharged 6.2 liter LSA V8. The Caddy is a flagship car, so it has to put out more horsepower than it’s lowly Chevy brethren (at least on paper); still, the Camaro is rated at 550 horsepower, just 6 horsepower less than the CTS-V. Torque for the Camaro ZL1 is rated at 550 ft lb, or just one less than the Cadillac CTS-V. The best news of all is that Chevy is pulling heavily from the Corvette and CTS-V parts bin, so the ZL1 gets GM’s superb Magnetic Ride Control suspension, dual-mode exhaust and Brembo brakes (developed especially for the Camaro). The ZL1 also gets an entirely new electronic steering system, which should provide better feedback and control than hydraulic systems.

Image: © GM Corp.

As you’d expect, virtually everything in the driveline and suspension has been beefed up to handle the additional power and capabilities of the car. The ZL1 gets a stronger driveshaft, a cast iron differential housing, stronger axles and a heavy duty limited slip differential. Stabilizer bars are increased in diameter, and the rear bar gets drop links repositioned to the outside of the control arms to further reduce body roll. The car rides on 20” forged aluminum wheels (lighter than those used on the Camaro SS) and gets Goodyear Eagle Supercar F2 tires developed specifically for the ZL1.

Image: © GM Corp.

On the outside, the ZL1 is distinguished by a unique front fascia and aluminum hood with carbon fiber insert, featuring air extractors to control airflow over the car. The front fascia includes vertical fog lamps and air intakes for brake cooling, and well as a front splitter for improved aerodynamics. Out back, the rear gets a spoiler and a diffuser equipped rear fascia.

Image: © GM Corp.

Inside, all ZL1s come with a black leather interior. The heated front seats feature suede microfiber inserts and ZL1 logos on the headrests. The cars get a revised steering wheel, unique instrument panel, ZL1 sill plates, alloy pedals, a heads-up display and “four pack” auxiliary gauges in the center console. Chevy hasn’t announced pricing yet, but I’d expect the car to be priced competitively against the Shelby GT500 Mustang. I’d call a starting price right around $50,000 when the car goes on sale in early 2012.

Source: Chevrolet

If you’re a fan of Chrysler’s SRT8 series then you’ve no doubt been waiting for their new line of vehicles to come out for 2012. We’ve seen the 2012 Challenger SRT8 and while it’s a beautiful machine, there are those of us who like the four-door look. Thankfully Dodge has answered the call with the newly redesigned 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 that is set to debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The Charger will be equipped with the same 465 HP / 465 lb.-ft. of torque 6.4-liter HEMI that sits between the frame rails of the Challenger SRT8. The new HEMI incorporates Chrysler’s fuel saver technology (four-cylinder mode), and a new active valve exhaust system that delivers better fuel efficiency. The transmission is the same W5A580 five-speed automatic that’s we’ve seen since 2005, but this go-round it’s been fitted with standard paddle-shifters on the steering wheel.

Aside from the engine the biggest and perhaps most needed feature on the Charger SRT8 is the addition of an adaptive damping suspension that automatically adjusts to changing road surfaces. Combine that with drivers now being able to manually select either “Auto” or “Sport” modes for the suspension and you’ve got a car that should be well balanced in all situations.

14.2 inch rotors up front and 13.8 inches in the rear combined with four-piston Brembo calipers help bring the Charger to a halt. This time however Chrysler has incorporated a “Ready Alert Braking” system that supposedly anticipates when the driver may initiate an emergency stop. When this happens the system automatically engages the electronic stability control pump to set the brake against the rotors in order to reduce braking time. Now while in theory this sounds like a good idea, I’m just not a big fan of my car “anticipating” anything I’m going to do, but that’s just me.

Other features include: Keyless Enter-N-Go, adaptive-cruise control with Forward Collision Warning and Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection, Standard front-row reactive head restraints, standard full-length side-curtain air bags, driver’s knee bag and standard front seat-mounted side-thorax air bags. The new 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 will debut this coming Friday, February 11th at the Chicago Auto Show.

Read the full press release on the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 over at: Media.chrysler.com

The 2011 Genesis V8. Image Hyundai Motor America

We speculated on this last year, but Left Lane News now says it’s official: Hyundai will show a Genesis sedan with an upgraded 5.0 liter V8 at the Chicago Auto Show. The new engine is said to be good for 429 horsepower, up from 378 horsepower in the outgoing 4.6 liter Tau V8. At a time when most automakers seem preoccupied only with fuel economy, Hyundai Motors America president John Krafcik had this to say about the new engine: “We like to have our cake and eat it too. We want to lead the industry in fuel economy. At the same time, we’re launching 429 horsepower V8 engine cars that get amazing fuel economy.”

The “amazing” fuel economy has yet to be clarified, but speculation is the new engine will be mated to an eight speed automatic transmission. The outgoing 4.6 liter V8 was rated at 18 MPG city and 27 MPG highway in the Genesis, so I’d expect equal or better numbers from the new motor. What’s more interesting is the other models that will likely get this new engine: the Equus is almost certainly a candidate, and a fifty one horsepower increase should boost the appeal of Hyundai’s luxury flagship against others in the segment. There’s speculation that the 5.0 liter V8 will also get dropped into the Genesis Coupe, something I’d love to see. Make an R-Spec version with a six speed manual transmission, price it below $35,000 and I’d seriously shop the car against a Mustang GT.

Source: Left Lane News