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Genesis has been building itself up as a competitor to the likes of the German luxury brands, for much lower prices. But it is still missing a few items, like having some sort of crossover or SUV - something that will be launching in the coming year or so. The brand is lacking a performance variant to take on the likes of BMW's M and Mercedes' AMG. However, a comment made by Hyundai product planner Mike O’Brien hints they're looking into it. "A big effort with the G70 was thermal management, to make sure that this car will hold u. We're building for the future. I'll just say that," said O'Brien to Road & Track. Proper thermal management is something essential for new vehicles, but you don't normally hear an automaker talk about it except when it comes to high-performance models. This becomes more intriguing when you take into account that Albert Biermann, now the head of Hyundai's r&d division, worked previously at BMW's M division. More from Road & Track: The comment about possibly badging it as a N model is also interesting. We have reported previously that Genesis has no plans on doing a N, so it hints that Genesis may come up with its own branding for a performance model. Source: Road & Track View full article

Lebanon Ford is at again. Back in 2016, we introduced you to this Ohio dealership that was offering a 727 horsepower Mustang GT for $39,995. They have now upped the ante with a 2019 Mustang GT offering 800 horsepower. According to Motor Authority, this particular Mustang GT is known as the LFP Hellion - the second part of the name refers to the Hellion Power Systems turbocharger upgrade fitted to the engine. It is a twin-turbo setup that features dual bypass valves and a high-flow intercooler. Lebanon Ford makes some other upgrades upgraded fuel injectors and revised engine programming. When all is said and done, the LFP Hellion produces 800 horsepower at the crank. Those wanting even more power can swap the five-pound wastegate spring for a seven-pound spring that increases boost - thus increasing horsepower to 1,000. The price? $39,995. We would recommend setting aside some cash for some other upgrades like the brakes. Source: Motor Authority View full article

Next week, Volvo will unveil the next-generation S60 sedan at their new plant in South Carolina. To whet our appetite, Volvo has dropped some teaser photos and information on the new Polestar Engineered tuning pack that will debut on the S60. Only available on the T8 Twin Engine, the pack increases output from 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque to 415 and 494 respectively. Volvo says the changes to the ECU improves fuel consumption and "refines the automatic gear selection." For the chassis, the Polestar Engineered tuning pack introduces recalibrated multilink front and rear suspensions, adjustable front strut, adjustable Öhlins shock absorbers, and a set of Brembo brakes. S60 models equipped with the Polestar Engineered tuning pack will be easy to identify with brake calipers painted gold, a set of lightweight wheels, black chrome exhaust pipes, and gold seat belts. The Polestar Engineered tuning pack will be available on the V60 and XC60 when it launches early next year. Volvo is planning to build a small number of these models for the global market. Source: Volvo Volvo Cars and Polestar launch new Polestar Engineered electrified performance offer Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, is launching a new upgraded electrified performance offer called Polestar Engineered, specifically developed for its new 60 Series T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid cars. The announcement comes one week before the company will reveal its new S60 premium sports sedan at the inauguration of its first US manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina. The plant is the sole production site for the new S60, which is the first Volvo car made in the US. Polestar Engineered, developed by Volvo Cars’ electric performance arm Polestar, is a complete offer, applying Polestar’s performance engineering expertise to the car’s wheels, brakes, suspension and engine control unit. The offer reflects Volvo Cars’ and Polestar’s commitment to electrification. “Electric cars are our future,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO at Volvo Cars. “Today starts a new era of Volvo electrified models enhanced by Polestar’s performance engineering prowess. This strategy is firmly grounded in our shared belief in an electric future for the car industry.” Polestar Engineered debuts on the forthcoming new S60 premium sports sedan. The offer is exclusively available on the top-of-the-line T8 Twin Engine and is positioned above Volvo’s R-Design versions. Polestar Engineered will also be offered on the new V60 wagon and XC60 SUV from next year, available globally in limited numbers via Volvo dealerships and Care by Volvo, the company’s premium car subscription service. New lightweight wheels have an open design to show off the eye-catching gold-painted six-piston brake callipers, the new hallmark color for Polestar Engineered components. Polestar emblems, black chrome exhaust pipes and gold seat belts also identify Volvo cars equipped with Polestar Engineered enhancements. The Brembo mono-block six-piston brake callipers are cast in one piece and optimised for rigidity. The brake pads have increased heat tolerance while the brake discs’ slotted design further improves heat reduction. The Polestar Engineered multi-link front and rear suspension incorporates premium Öhlins shock absorbers with dual-flow valves that allow stiffening in the springs and dampeners while retaining comfort. The strut bar and adjustable shock absorber design are shared with the Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid performance car. Fine-tuning of the engine’s control unit increases the S60 electrified T8 Twin Engine output to 415hp* combined, with 494 lb./ft. (670Nm) of torque – the standard T8 Twin Engine delivers 400hp* and 472 lb./ft. (640Nm) combined. The software upgrades improve fuel consumption and emissions-neutral performance, and refines the automatic gear selection. “The new S60 T8 Polestar Engineered is an electrified car that does what you want it to,” said Henrik Green, senior vice president of research and development at Volvo Cars. “All components have been fine-tuned to work together, delivering a responsive and exciting driver’s car.” *US specification. View full article

For the 2018 Model Year, Chevy gave the Tahoe an RST package for some extra sporting pizzazz and more recently introduced the RST Performance package on the Suburban. The RST removed chrome, blacked out grilles, and added custom wheels. Upgrading to the performance package brought on the 6.2 liter V8, 10-Speed automatic transmission, and GM's Magnetic Ride Control. At GMC, the only way to get those performance upgrades was to first check the box on the order form that said "Denali". One of our intrepid readers lurking around the GM Fleet Order Guide (Hat-tip: @ocnblu) found that GMC is planning to offer a virtually identical set of packages on the Yukon for 2019. Named Graphite and Graphite Performance Package, these packages should add a bit bolder look to the otherwise conservative Yukon. Like the Tahoe/Suburban RST, the GMC Yukon Graphite Edition removes most, if not all, of the bright chrome accents typically found on a Yukon. In their place are a black chrome mesh grille insert, black chrome fog lamp surround, body color grille surround, gloss black belt line moldings, and the Z85 Suspension package with air leveling. Special, package specific 22" bright machined wheels with Carbon Flash Metallic pockets and gloss black side assist steps are added. The Graphite Performance Edition adds to that with the 6.2 liter V8, 10-speed automatic, 3.23 rear axle, Magnetic Ride Control, upgraded 8" driver information center, heads up display, 8" infotainment system with navigation, trailer brake controller, upgraded alternator, unique performance edition 22" 6-spoke wheels, and on four-wheel drive models a 2-speed active transfer case. Not mentioned in the GMC order guide is the sport suspension calibration mentioned in the Tahoe RST guide, but that could simply be an order guide oversight. Both Graphite Editions will come wearing P285/45R22 tires and will only be available for selection on SLT equipped Yukons. The Yukon Graphite will be available in only three colors - White Frost Tricoat, Onyx Black, or Dark Sky Metallic. No official picture or release of the 2019 GMC Yukon Graphite Edition has been made by GMC yet, but expect something in the coming weeks. (2016 GMC Yukon SLT Pictured) View full article

400 fired for Performance at Tesla or so they say. Seems Tesla fired approximately 400 employees from lowly sales associates to upper level executives all for performance. Yet with the bottleneck of production holding back the ability to actually produce and ship Tesla 3, it seems Tesla is more about laying off costs to stem the flow of cash till they can get the Tesla 3 shipping. Seems to me they will miss their production targets this year big time. Tesla Story on web

Toyota's European division wants to show there is another side to hybrid vehicles than fuel economy. Speaking with Automotive News Europe, Toyota Europe boss Johan van Zyl says they are planning to launch a lineup of hybrid vehicles that will boast more performance and be fun to drive. “One will provide the traditional benefits of efficiency and fuel economy, like in the current offer. The second will build on this, adding more power and a more dynamic driving character,” said van Zyl. Toyota previewed this with the C-HR Hy-Power concept this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The concept features a gloss black finish on various trim pieces, ‘Burning Orange’ finish on the front pillars, and the interior finished in black and orange. Oddly, Toyota doesn't provide any figures on the “higher powered” hybrid powertrain used in this concept. More details on the high-performance hybrids will be revealed 'early next-year' van Zyl explained. Hybrids currently make up 40 percent of Toyota's sales in Europe, with Western Europe being close to 50 percent. Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required) View full article

A fresh stack of spy photos of the upcoming Hyundai Veloster N have made their way on to the web this week. The photos show the mule losing some of the camo that we have seen in previous spy shots and are able to pull some new details. The most apparent item is a new rear wing mounted the roof. We can also make out a set of large tailpipes and the front grille extending towards the bottom of the bumper, possibly hinting that there is an intercooler hiding behind it. We also got an idea of what is in store for the standard Veloster. Hyundai has decided to drop the split-window liftgate of the current model and go for a regular hatchback. We also note there is coupe-like styling for the roofline. The Veloster N will be the second model from Hyundai's new N performance lineup and the first N model to arrive in the U.S. It is expected that the Veloster N will share the powertrain found in the i30 N - a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder 246 horsepower. A performance package bumps power to 270. Source: Automobile, Motor1 View full article

Volvo's performance arm, Polestar will be spun off into its own separate brand that will focus on high-performance electric vehicles. The announcement made today confirms a rumorpile report from last week about Polestar working on a lineup of high-performance electric vehicles. “Polestar will be a credible competitor in the emerging global market for high performance electrified cars. With Polestar, we are able to offer electrified cars to the world’s most demanding, progressive drivers in all market segments,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars. The brand will share “technological and engineering” efforts with Volvo. Polestar will continue to offer upgrades for Volvo cars, under the new Polestar Engineered label. Plans for future products will be announced sometime in the fall. Source: Volvo Press Release is on Page 2 Polestar announces new management team to develop electrified performance brand for Volvo Cars Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, has announced that Polestar, its performance car arm, is to become a new separately-branded electrified global high performance car company, marking the latest stage in Volvo’s ongoing transformation. In order to drive the development of the brand, Volvo Cars also announced today that Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design at Volvo, will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer at Polestar. Mr Ingenlath has been the inspiration behind Volvo’s award winning design renaissance in recent years. “Thomas heading up the Polestar organisation shows our commitment to establishing a truly differentiated stand-alone brand within the Volvo Car Group,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars. Mr Ingenlath will be joined at Polestar by Jonathan Goodman, who will become Chief Operating Officer. Mr Goodman moves from his position as Senior Vice President Corporate Communication at Volvo Cars. “With 25 years of commercial experience in the automotive industry, Jonathan is ideally placed to provide operational experience alongside Thomas’s vision, building on the experienced management team that will drive the Polestar brand forwards” said Mr Samuelsson. “Polestar will be a credible competitor in the emerging global market for high performance electrified cars. With Polestar, we are able to offer electrified cars to the world’s most demanding, progressive drivers in all market segments.” Volvo Cars acquired 100 per cent of Polestar Performance in July 2015, having worked together in motorsport since 1996. In the future, Polestar will offer Polestar branded cars that will no longer carry a Volvo logo, as well as optimisation packages for Volvo’s range of cars under the Polestar Engineered brand. Polestar will enjoy specific technological and engineering synergies with Volvo Cars and benefit from significant economies of scale as a result of its connection to Volvo. These synergies will allow it to design, develop and build world beating electrified high performance cars. Mr Ingenlath said: “I am really excited to take up the challenge of establishing this exciting brand, developing a fabulous portfolio of bespoke products and channelling the passion we have throughout the Polestar team. The next chapter in Polestar’s history is just beginning.” Polestar will make further announcements about its products, industrialization and commercial plans in the autumn. View full article

Hyundai has been busy teasing their N Performance brand for Europe with the upcoming i30 N (Elantra GT to us). But soon, they will begin to do the same for the U.S. Speaking with various outlets this week in South Korea, head of N Albert Biermann said the U.S. would get their first taste of an N product next year. For a time, we thought that it would be Elantra GT. But it seems Hyundai has another product in mind. While Hyundai and Biermann aren't saying what it could be, everyone thinks it will be the next-generation Veloster. Evidence for this comes from various spy shots from the past few months that show heavily camouflaged Velosters with various tweaks such as larger brakes and exhausts pushed out to the edges of the bumper. We know the i30 N will utilize a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder producing at least 250 horsepower and we would not be shocked if the Veloster N gets this engine as well. Stay tuned. Source: Autoblog, Motor Trend View full article

Even though Hyundai's N performance division hasn't launched their first vehicle yet, the i30 N (what we will know as the Elantra GT), they are already planning future models. Speaking with Australia's Drive, the Head of N Albert Biermann revealed there are plans for to build N variants of the next-generation Veloster, B-Segment car, and even a crossover. We started with the [i30] C segment and the Fastback [coupe] will follow and we are already working on some other concepts for the B segment [Accent] and SUV also. Right now we are open," said Biermann. "The fun-to-drive element is not limited to the size and segment of the car; you can create fun cars in every segment." The SUV in question is the Tucson which makes kind of sense as it is the smallest one in Hyundai's lineup. Biermann also hinted that the upcoming Kona subcompact crossover could get an N version. What will not happen is any N version of Genesis models according to Biermann. This is a surprising reversal from last year as Biermann said that Genesis vehicles were in the plans for N in the next five years. No reason was given as to why. Source: Drive.com.au View full article

We thought Dodge was insane when they debuted the Challenger and Charger Hellcats a few years ago. Boy how wrong we were as tonight in a blaze of smoky glory, Dodge introduced the Challenger Demon. Built with drag racing in mind, the Demon can lift its front wheels off the ground during hard acceleration. It is so fast that the Demon in its stock form has been banned from drag-racing competition by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) - we'll explain why shortly. Here are all of the juicy details about the Demon, 6.2L supercharged V8 capable of producing 840 horsepower and 770 pound-feet of torque* *That's with the optional Demon Crate with all of the parts and tools necessary to reach that power. Standard models will boast 808 hp and 717 pound-feet. Eight-Speed Automatic with an upgraded torque converter 0-60 MPH in 2.3 seconds 0-100 MPH in 5.1 seconds Quarter-Mile: 9.65 seconds at 140 mph Pulls 1.8Gs of force during launch Madness you might say. But to get these figures, Dodge put a lot of work into the Demon. It begins with the 6.2L V8 where a larger supercharger (2.7L up from the Hellcat's 2.4L) is plopped down and boost has been increased to 14.5 psi. Close to 50 percent of the engine's internals have been changed out to improve overall strength with the amount of power on tap and dual fuel pumps keep the fuel flowing. The SRT Power Chiller uses the vehicle's A/C system to cool down the air coming in from the large hood scoop. Next, Dodge put the Demon on a bit of a diet. Removing various trim, audio, and even the passenger and back seat, Dodge was able to drop more than 200 pounds. Those who want the passenger and back seat will be happy to know they are on the options list for a $1.00 each (no this isn't a misprint). For dragstrip duties, the Demon comes with a fair amount tech and parts to get the best results A set of Nitto NT05R 315/40 drag radials TransBrake: Locks the transmission output shaft to hold the vehicle in place during a standing start. Torque Reserve: Works in conjunction with TransBrake. The system closes a bypass valve in the engine, pre-fills the supercharger and building boost (even at just above idle). Once the vehicle is launched, the system adjusts fuel flow and spark to make sure the right amount of horsepower and torque is being sent to the rear wheels Drag Mode: Changes various parameters in the powertrain for drag duty. Helps reduce wheel hop by monitoring wheel slip and reducing torque. Demon Crate: An option that includes a set of skinny front tires, new engine ECU, air filter, a low-temperature thermostat, HVAC switch module with an extra button on it, and a set of Snap-On tools. Now we come to point in our story where we need to explain why the Demon has been banned from drag-racing competition. The NHRA has a rule how quick “stock” cars could run at quarter-mile tracks. Until 2012. that number was an 11.5-second pass. This was changed to a 9.99-second pass or 135 mph trap speed due to factory vehicles becoming much faster. Since the Demon can do a quarter-mile at 9.65 seconds at 140 mph in stock form, it is banned. You can drag race a Demon, but you'll need to get extra safety equipment (roll cage, helmet, and a fire suit) and a Competition License. At the moment, Dodge is only doing one year of Demon production with 3,000 for the U.S. and 300 for Canada. No word on pricing, but you'll be able to buy one this fall. Source: Dodge Press Release is on Page 2 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Pulls the Wheels Fastest quarter-mile car in the world; banned by the NHRA 840 horsepower and 770 pounds-feet of torque from supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Demon V-8 engine makes Dodge Challenger SRT Demon the most-powerful muscle car ever Highest horsepower V-8 production car engine ever produced First-ever front-wheel lift in production car (2.92 feet) as certified by Guinness World Records World’s fastest quarter-mile production car with an elapsed time (ET) of 9.65 seconds and 140 miles per hour (mph) as certified by National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Challenger SRT Demon is too fast for the drag strip – officially banned by NHRA World’s fastest 0-60 production car: 2.3 seconds 0-30 miles per hour: 1.0 second Highest g-force acceleration of any production car: 1.8 g Air-Grabber™ induction system includes the largest functional hood scoop (45.2 square inches) of any production car Significant upgrades to create the Demon engine include: Larger 2.7-liter per rev supercharger; increased boost pressure to 14.5 psi Higher rpm limit of 6,500 First-ever factory-production car with innovative SRT Power Chiller™ liquid-to-air intercooler chiller system First factory-production car with After-Run Chiller that keeps cooling the supercharger/charge air cooler after the engine is shut off First-ever, factory-production car designed to run on 100+ high-octane unleaded fuel or 91 octane on demand First-ever, factory-production car with TransBrake for more powerful and quicker launches First-ever, factory-production drag car with Torque Reserve, to deliver increased levels of power and torque at launch First-ever, factory-production car with front passenger seat delete Exclusive, serialized Demon Crate offers components that fully unleash the car’s potential at the drag strip Challenger SRT Demon is covered by FCA US LLC factory warranty, including three-year/36,000-mile limited vehicle warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage Production of limited-edition single model year (3,000 United States/300 Canada) Challenger SRT Demon begins later this summer; deliveries to Dodge//SRT dealers to begin this fall All customers who buy the new 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon receive one full-day session at Bob Bondurant School of High-performance Driving Dodge has named Hagerty as its official insurance provider of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon April 11, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Dodge rocked the high-performance car world in 2014 with the 707-horsepower Charger SRT Hellcat and Challenger SRT Hellcat, building supercar performance at affordable prices. They were the most powerful muscle cars ever – until now. Today, Dodge is shaking the foundation of the entire performance car industry, launching New York International Auto Show week with its wickedly fast new 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon – highly capable on the street, absolutely dominating at the drag strip. Powered by a 840-horsepower, supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Demon V-8, the limited-production Challenger SRT Demon is the world’s most powerful factory-production V-8 – bar none. NHRA-certified 9.65 seconds @ 140 mph makes the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon the fastest ¼-mile car in the world. Performance numbers: 0-30 mph: 1.0 second 0-60 mph: 2.3 seconds Quarter-mile: 9.65 seconds at 140 mph The Challenger SRT Demon also is the world’s first production car to lift the front wheels at launch and set the world record for longest wheelie from a standing start by a production car at 2.92 feet, certified by Guinness World Records. And hold onto your seat. The Challenger SRT Demon also registers the highest g-force (1.8 g) ever recorded at launch in a production car. “With Demon, our goal was to build a car that would tattoo the Dodge logo into the subconscious of the general market, beyond even our loyal enthusiasts, said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA North America. “To do so, we had to set records that have never been set before, do more than has ever been done before, go beyond even the legendary Hellcat. The result: an 840-horsepower, 9-second muscle car unlike anything that has ever come before it.” The Challenger SRT Demon’s record-setting performance is the result of collaboration among the Dodge//SRT, Design, Engineering, Powertrain and Manufacturing teams inside FCA US LLC, many of whom are experienced and active drag racers. While the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon remains a potent street car, every component was scrutinized and optimized for weight, capability and durability on the strip. The performance records flow from an impressive list of street-legal production car industry firsts. That list includes: Factory-installed wider, Nitto street-legal drag radials for improved grip, 40 percent more launch force compared with SRT Hellcat tires Available Direct Connection engine controller calibrated for 100+ unleaded high-octane fuel SRT Power Chiller™ redirects air conditioning refrigerant to chill the charger air cooler After-Run Chiller runs the cooling fan and the low-temperature circuit coolant pump after engine shutdown TransBrake locks the output shaft of the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission to hold the car before launch, allowing the driver to increase engine rpm for higher torque and quicker response Torque Reserve boosts engine air flow and supercharger rpm before launch, delivering wickedly fast acceleration Drag Mode suspension tuning maximizes weight transfer to the rear wheels for better traction Drag Mode Launch Assist uses wheel speed sensors to watch for driveline-damaging wheel hop at launch and in milliseconds modifies the engine torque to regain full grip and then continues accelerating the car down the track Available narrow “front runner” wheels for use at drag strips cuts front-end weight Wide-body exterior styling, with concealed wheel well attachments house Challenger SRT Demon’s massively wide 315/40R18 tires Front passenger seat and rear seat deleted to reduce weight (can be optioned back for $1 each) Production of the limited-edition single model year Challenger SRT Demon begins later this summer, with 3,000 vehicles for the United States and 300 vehicles for Canada. Deliveries to Dodge//SRT dealers will begin this fall. Dodge has named Hagerty as its official insurance provider of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon – Hagerty is a company for people who love cars and they already protect many of the rarest high performance cars in the world. Demon’s heart: Supercharged V-8 The heart of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Demon V-8, rated at 840 horsepower and 770 pounds-feet of torque. The red-painted Demon engine has been certified to the SAE J1349 industry standard for its horsepower and torque ratings. The engine also meets all applicable legal emissions regulations. While the Demon V-8 shares its architecture with the 707-hp 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI Hellcat V-8, it is not simply a Hellcat engine with more boost. The Demon V-8 engine has 25 major component upgrades from the Hellcat engine, including supercharger, pistons, rods, valve train and fuel injection system. Among the changes, compared with the Hellcat V-8, the Demon’s supercharged V-8 features: Larger supercharger: 2.7 liters versus 2.4 liters Increased boost pressure: 14.5 psi versus 11.6 psi Higher rpm limit: 6,500 rpm versus 6,200 rpm Fuel: Two dual-stage fuel pumps versus one Larger induction air box with three sources of intake air: Air-Grabber™ hood, driver-side Air-Catcher™ headlamp and an inlet near the wheel liner In addition, the HEMI Demon V-8 includes a high-speed valvetrain, strengthened connecting rods and pistons, and improved lubrication system. The upgrades enable the engine to sustain higher output and pressures while meeting FCA US LLC’s stringent durability requirements. One key to the Challenger SRT Demon’s best-ever power output is air – the supercharged Demon V-8 takes in plenty of it. The SRT Demon’s Air-Grabber™ hood includes the largest functional hood scoop (45.2 square inches) of any production car. The Air-Grabber™ hood is sealed to the air box, which is also fed from the driver-side Air-Catcher™ headlamp and an inlet near the wheel liner. Combined, those sources give the Demon V-8 an air-flow rate of 1,150 cubic feet per minute, 18 percent greater than the Hellcat V-8 and the largest air induction volume of any production car. The additional air inlets help reduce the temperature of the intake air by more than 30 degrees Fahrenheit compared with the Hellcat V-8, which improves overall throttle response. Heat is the enemy of speed at the drag strip, so Dodge//SRT engineers looked for more ways to keep the intake air as close to the optimum temperature as possible. The innovative SRT Power Chiller™ is a production car first. It diverts the air-conditioning refrigerant from the SRT Demon’s interior to a chiller unit mounted by the low-temperature circuit coolant pump. Charge air coolant, after being cooled by ambient air passing through a low-temperature radiator at the front of the vehicle, flows through the chiller unit, where it is further cooled. The chilled coolant then flows to the heat exchangers in the supercharger. Every run down the drag strip generates plenty of heat. The After-Run Chiller, a factory-production car first, helps the SRT Demon get ready for the next run as quickly as possible. When the engine is shut down, the After-Run Chiller keeps the engine cooling fan and low-temperature circuit coolant pump running to lower the supercharger/charge air cooler temperature, helping the Challenger SRT Demon minimize heat soak effects. The driver can track the supercharger coolant temperature on the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen in the instrument panel, and know in real time when the supercharger is at the optimum temperature for another run. The impact of the SRT Power Chiller™ and After-Run Chiller, combined, lowers intake air temperature by up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Fueling performance: 100+ unleaded high octane The Challenger SRT Demon is the first-ever, street-legal factory-production car designed to run on 100+ unleaded high-octane fuel. That fuel is readily available at select gas stations, specialty shops and drag strips. The keys to unleashing the SRT Demon’s full performance fury are in the Demon Crate: Direct Connection Performance Parts include a new powertrain control module calibrated for the high-octane unleaded fuel and a new switch bank for the center stack that includes a high-octane button. The SRT Demon leaves the factory with a powertrain control module configured for 91-octane premium unleaded pump gasoline, which delivers top level performance. The switch to the Direct Connection controller enables the supercharged HEMI engine to extract the maximum power from the knock-resistant fuel at high pressures and optimum spark timing. Drag racers can anticipate improvements in elapsed times (ETs) and trap speeds with the high-octane fuel. The Challenger SRT Demon is engineered to be able to run on a mix of 100+ octane and premium unleaded fuels without hurting the engine, but the high-octane function won’t activate if the combined fuel octane is too low. A message in the gauge display tells the driver the car will use the premium fuel calibration until the engine is shut off and restarted. How does the car know? The controller monitors the engine’s knock sensors. There will be plenty of fuel available: the SRT Demon carries dual fuel pumps (versus one pump in the Challenger SRT Hellcat), larger fuel injectors and fuel lines that handle higher pressures. Similar to the Challenger SRT Hellcat, the SRT Demon comes with two key fobs. The black fob limits engine output to 500 horsepower. The red key fob unlocks the engine’s full output of 808 horsepower and 717 pounds-feet torque. With either key fob, the driver can activate Eco and Valet Modes. Eco Mode revises the transmission shift schedule to include second-gear starts. Valet Mode limits the engine to 4,000 rpm and reduces torque output. The high-octane unleaded fuel capability with the optional Direct Connection powertrain controller boosts engine output to 840 horsepower and 770 pounds-feet of torque. TransBrake is a production car first Every Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is equipped with the standard TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission. Already a proven and robust gearbox used with the HEMI Hellcat V-8, the transmission gets some significant changes for duty in the Challenger SRT Demon. Internal changes include an upgraded torque converter that delivers an 18 percent increase in torque multiplication. Also, the stall speed is increased 11 percent and the lockup speed is increased. The Challenger SRT Demon is the first-ever, factory-production car with TransBrake, which locks the transmission output shaft to hold the car in place before a standing start. This lets the driver increase engine speed up to 2,350 rpm without overpowering the brakes, resulting in quicker power delivery and up to 15 percent more torque at launch. Driver-oriented step-by-step instructions are displayed on the instrument cluster to guide the driver through the staging process and help them keep their focus on the Christmas Tree. The TransBrake helps to improve driver reaction time and launch consistency by using the steering wheel paddle shifters as a launch trigger – a paddle launch improves reaction time by 30 percent compared with a foot-brake launch. In addition, the system enables delivery of initial torque to the flywheel as soon as 20 milliseconds after launch. TransBrake works in conjunction with another SRT Demon first-ever factory-production car feature, Torque Reserve, to deliver increased levels of power and torque at launch. Torque Reserve becomes active once engine speed passes 950 rpm. It does two things: Closes the bypass valve, “prefilling” the supercharger with boost Manages fuel flow to cylinders and manages spark advance or retard to balance engine rpm and torque With TransBrake and Torque Reserve active, the SRT Demon has more than 8 psi of boost at launch and up to 120 percent more engine torque than without Torque Reserve. TransBrake also preloads the driveline with torque, leading to full engine torque delivery at the rear wheels 150 milliseconds after the shift paddle is released. That results in faster acceleration at launch, faster 60-foot times and an improvement of more than a tenth of a second in quarter-mile times, which can be an entire car length. Driveline components have been upgraded to get all that power and torque to the rear wheels, on every run. Changes include: Upgraded prop shaft with a 15 percent increase in torque capacity. The prop shaft uses high-strength steel. Shaft tube thickness increases by 20 percent and the stub shafts are heat treated for enhanced durability The rear differential housing has 30 percent more torque capacity. The housing is made from heat-treated A383 aluminum alloy. New material for the gear set has higher fatigue strength, with a deeper case hardening depth and two-step shot-peening manufacturing process to increase compressive residual stress The rear half shafts are larger in diameter; use a high-strength, low-alloy steel; and have 41 splines (up from 38), delivering a 20 percent increase in torque capacity. Eight-ball joints handle more torque, while reducing operating temperatures by more than 86 degrees Fahrenheit Production car first: Drag-mode Launch Assist SRT engineers went digital to isolate and resolve one of the biggest challenges to clean launches and driveline integrity – wheel hop. In simple terms, wheel hop happens when tires quickly slip and regain traction at launch, rapidly storing up and releasing energy in the driveline. These high torque spikes can quickly and severely damage driveline components – and up until now, the only solution was to back out of the throttle. Not with the Challenger SRT Demon. In a first for a factory-production car, the SRT Demon’s Launch Assist uses the wheel speed sensors to watch for signs that the tires are slipping/sticking. If slip is detected, the SRT Demon’s control module momentarily reduces engine torque to maximize traction almost instantly – without the driver having to lift. Launch Assist reduces loads in the driveline from wheel hop by more than 15-20 percent, dramatically reducing component damage. Production car first: Street-legal drag tires The Challenger SRT Demon is equipped with a set of four standard Nitto NT05R street-legal, drag-race tires, a first for a factory-production car. The 315/40R18 tires were specifically designed and developed exclusively for the SRT Demon, with a new compound and specific tire sidewall construction. The drag radials give the SRT Demon a 15-percent larger tire contact patch and more than twice the grip of the Challenger SRT Hellcat. The sticky drag tires are mounted on lightweight 11x18-inch wheels, with each tire measuring 12.6 inches wide. Putting full-size tires at all four corners gives drag racers an extra set of rear tires when the front tires are replaced with narrow front-runners at the track. A unique rear knuckle reduces negative camber by 0.5 degrees, “standing up” the tire and increasing the size of the tire contact patch. Engineering: More traction, less weight The main mission of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is to cover the quarter mile as quickly as possible. To do this, it combines the best of both mechanical and electronic tuning to deliver maximum launch grip while still maintaining precision directional control. The Bilstein Adaptive Damping shocks have been tuned for drag racing, shifting as much weight as possible on the rear tires at launch for maximum traction. The weight transfer improves rear tire grip by 11 percent. Mechanically, weight shift in the Challenger SRT Demon is aided by softening up some key suspension components. Those changes, compared with the Challenger SRT Hellcat, include: Softer springs: 35 percent lower rate front/28 percent lower rate rear Softer, lighter, hollow sway bars: 75 percent lower rate front/44 percent lower rate rear When Drag Mode is activated, the front Bilstein shocks are set for firm compression and soft rebound damping, while the rear Bilstein shocks are set for firm compression and firm rebound damping. That configuration is maintained as long as the car runs at wide open throttle. When the driver backs off the gas pedal, the system switches to firm compression and firm rebound front and rear for improved handling. Also during Drag Mode, the traction control system is disabled to enable the rear wheels to spin for a burnout, but the electronic stability control system remains engaged to help the driver with straight-line performance. In pursuit for every tenth of a second, engineers looked to cut as much weight as possible. The result: Equipment removed from the Challenger SRT Demon weighs more than 200 pounds. How the weight was lost: 58 pounds: Removed front passenger seat and belt 55 pounds: Removed rear seat, restraints and floor mats 24 pounds: Removed 16 audio speakers, amplifier and associated wiring 20 pounds: Removed trunk deck cover trim, carpeting, spare tire cover 19 pounds: Used smaller, hollow sway bars 18 pounds: Removed mastic, body deadeners, insulators and foam 16 pounds: Used lightweight all-aluminum four-piston brake caliper and smaller, 360-mm two-piece rotor 16 pounds: Switched to lightweight wheels and open-end lug nuts 4 pounds: Switched to manual tilt/telescope steering column 2 pounds: Removed park sensors and module Buyers have the option to add back the front passenger seat, rear seats and trunk carpeting kit for $1 each. Other options include the Harman Kardon 19-speaker, 900-watt audio system, power sunroof, heated and ventilated leather front seats with heated steering wheel, painted Satin Black hood, or new painted Satin Black hood, roof and decklid package. Dual personalities: Performance Pages and Drive Modes The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon gives the driver the capability to set up the car for on-road precision, maximum drag strip performance or anything in between. The nerve center for those personalities is SRT Performance Pages and Drive Modes, displayed on the Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen. Performance Pages arm the driver with real-time data, including a graphic display of engine horsepower and torque with gear changes plotted; supercharger coolant temperature; timers for reaction time, 0-60 miles per hour (mph), 0-100 mph, eighth-mile and quarter-mile elapsed time and vehicle speed; instantaneous and peak longitudinal and lateral g-forces; and gauge readouts for engine oil temperature and pressure, coolant temperature, transmission fluid temperature, intake air temperature, air-fuel ratio; intercooler coolant temperature, boost pressure and battery voltage. The Drive Modes include the Challenger SRT Demon-exclusive Drag Mode. Drive Mode settings include Auto (Street) Mode, which sets the Bilstein Adaptive Damping Suspension (ADS) for comfortable ride with compliant handling, and Custom Mode, which lets the driver select between Auto and Drag Mode configurations for the transmission, paddle shifters, traction, suspension and steering. Auto (Street) Mode options: Engine output level is set based on which Demon key is in the vehicle If red key is present, the power level can be set per customer preference Transmission, suspension and steering default to Auto Mode (Street) Customers can set suspension and steering preference Electronic Stability Control defaults to full on Paddle shifters can be turned on or off per customer preference Eco mode is available only in Auto Mode Drag Mode options: TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission runs a calibration optimized for acceleration Electronic Stability Control is optimized for straight-line acceleration Suspension calibration changes to full firm in rear and firm compression/soft rebound in front Paddle shifters are turned on Steering is set to Drag Mode for high-speed stability Cabin cooling diverted to SRT Power Chiller™ Torque converter lockup point is raised in Drag Mode TransBrake is available in Drag Mode only Custom Mode options: Nearly every combination of options available in Auto (Street) or Drag can be configured in the Custom Mode. For example, a driver could select the elements of Drag Mode related to engine and transmission performance, but could select Sport Mode for the suspension and steering, providing the on-road driving dynamics of a Challenger SRT Hellcat When equipped with the Direction Connection Performance Parts powertrain control module, the driver can use 100+ high-octane unleaded fuel in any drive mode. Drivers can also select line lock, which engages the front brakes to hold the Challenger SRT Demon stationary but leaves the rear wheels free for a burnout to heat up and clean the rear tires. The system will also let the driver perform a controlled rolling burnout. The system engages for up to 400 rear wheel revolutions. Performance Pages also includes rpm-adjustable launch control and by-individual-gear-adjustable shift light displayed in the instrument cluster. A new data recorder feature lets the Challenger SRT Demon driver build an archive of data to help optimize the car for track and weather conditions, while helping to improve driving techniques. Eco and Valet Modes are accessed in the Performance Pages. When Valet Mode is activated, engine horsepower is reduced and rpm is limited to 4,000. Also, certain performance features, such as steering wheel paddle shifters and Launch Control, are disabled. The driver can activate and de-activate Valet Mode with a four-digit PIN code they create. Functional and Intimidating Design The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the widest Challenger ever and first-ever, factory-production muscle car with wide-body fender flares. The wide body flares are designed to amplify the Challenger SRT Demon’s menacing stance, while making room for wider tires with concealed attachments. The fender flares, which cover the lightweight 18x11-inch wheels with exclusive, specifically designed Demon-branded 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R drag radial tires front and rear; add 3.5 inches to the Challenger SRT Demon’s overall width. The front side marker lights are styled to flow with the shape of the fender flares. The entire chassis is e-coated for durability before final assembly. Additional defining exterior features include the wide Air-Grabber™ hood scoop – the largest functional hood scoop (45.2 square inches) of any production car – and new Demon logos flanking each fender. The driver is the focus in the interior of the Challenger SRT Demon, as it is for every model in the Challenger lineup. Both the front passenger seat and rear seat, along with their corresponding seat belts, are deleted in the standard configuration of the Challenger SRT Demon. Customers have the option of adding seats into the car, as well as adding leather coverings, when it is ordered. The front seat(s) have the Demon head logo stitched or embossed into the seat back. Seating configurations: Driver seat only, premium cloth covered Driver and front passenger seat, premium cloth covered Driver and front passenger seat, Laguna leather and Alcantara suede covered Driver, front passenger and rear seats, Laguna leather and Alcantara suede covered Facing the driver is a flat-bottom SRT Performance steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara with paddle shifters. The SRT white-face gauges include a 200-mph speedometer and flank the 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) cluster display screen. A custom carbon fiber instrument panel badge with “Demon” script is located on the outboard vent and signifies the build sequence number. A new four-point harness bar, available through Speedlogix, is available for use at the track. Mounting points for the bar are accessible, making it easy for customers to install without cutting or drilling anything. Standard cloth seats include Ballistic II inserts with silver embroidered Demon head logo in the seat backs. An optional Laguna Leather Package includes leather covered seats and trim with embossed Demon head logo. The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will be available 14 exterior colors: B5 Blue, Billet Silver, Destroyer Grey, F8 Green, Go Mango, Granite Crystal, Indigo Blue, Maximum Steel, Octane Red, Pitch Black, Plum Crazy, TorRed, White Knuckle and Yellow Jacket. All exterior colors are available with Satin Black hood, roof and decklid. Demon Crate Carrying Exclusive Components The Demon Crate, available to buyers of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, contains components that fully unleash the car’s potential at the drag strip and is fully customized with the buyer’s name, VIN and serial number. The Demon Crate contains: Direct Connection Performance Parts: Performance powertrain control module with high-octane engine calibration Replacement switch module containing high-octane button Conical performance air filter Passenger mirror block-off plate Narrow, front-runner drag wheels Demon-branded track tools: Hydraulic floor jack with carrying bag Cordless impact wrench with charger Torque wrench with extension and socket Tire pressure gauge Fender cover Tool bag Foam case that fits into the SRT Demon trunk and securely holds the front runner wheels and track tools The Demon Crate is further customized with the buyer’s name, VIN and serial number. Production of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon begins later this year at the Brampton (Ont.) Assembly plant. The Challenger SRT Demon is covered by FCA US LLC’s factory warranty, including three-year/36,000-mile limited vehicle warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage. View full article

You ever know someone that was trying to be the center of attention by doing anything that would get them notice? We have to wonder if Tesla is employing this as yesterday they announced a 100 kWh battery option for the Model S and X. Here are the key details you need to know, Model S P100D: 0-60 time of 2.5 seconds in Ludicrous mode, total range of 315 miles Model X P100D: 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds in Ludicrous mode, total range of 289 miles As for pricing, the Model S P100D will set you back $134,500. The Model X P100D starts at $135,500. If that is a bit too much for you, there is another option. If you have a P90D Ludicrous on order, you can upgrade the battery to the 100 kWh for only $10,000. If you have taken delivery of said vehicle, then be prepared to spend $20,000. Tesla says the increased cost is due to the 90 kWh battery needing to be recycled. Source: Tesla View full article

With Hyundai and Kia working on their own performance lineups, it should come as a no surprise that Genesis is planning a line of high-performance vehicles. But Car and Driver reports that Genesis isn't sure what model should get the treatment first. “On the Genesis lineup, the whole thing is still in discussion. Before [the lineup is] fixed, we’re not making any decisions on performance cars—the lineup needs to be clear, and it’s still moving and fluid,” said Albert Biermann, Hyundai-Kia’s head of performance development. One type of vehicle that has been thrown out are SUVs. Biermann explained that stricter fuel economy and emission standards have put the question as to whether these high-performance vehicles will stick around in the coming years. Also, he doesn't see a market for these vehicles. Not helping matters is trying to figure out what would power these high-performance models: a internal combustion engine or hybrid powertrain. “The road map for the next three or four years is clear, but at some point you have to make sure that, with future mobility and all the emissions targets, that you have the technology out there. A lot of discussion is going on about the timing of switching away from pure internal combustion to hybrid or plug-in hybrid. That’s the same for the high-performance applications,” said Biermann. Car and Driver doesn't have a guess as to what could be the first Genesis vehicle to get amped up, but we bet the upcoming G70 is a safe possibility. Source: Car and Driver View full article