Battle of the Beasts: Tuned Dodge Viper ACR vs Koenigsegg CCXR

The Dodge Viper ACR is one of the fastest production cars around packing an 8.4-liter V10 with 600HP and 560 lb/ft (760 Nm) of torque that allows it to accelerate from 0-60 mph (96km/h) in less than 4.0 seconds. It has also proved its mettle by breaking lap records in famous and difficult tracks such as Laguna Seca and the Nürburgring.

But it's one thing going against a Corvette and totally different story when you're challenged by the likes of Koenigsegg and its CCXR that boasts a twin-supercharged V8 delivering close to 1,100-horsepower.
The Dodge Viper ACR you're about to see, however, has one more trick under its sleeve as this snake had been enhanced with a Paxton supercharger that gives it another 150 horses.
But is that enough to even out the battle with the CCXR in a quarter-mile drag race? Watch the video past the jump to find out.

2012 Honda Civic Hits Rock Bottom

Usually new or redesigned models fare better in car reviews than their predecessors. Technology moves on during the lifespan of a model, automakers learn from their mistakes and improve their production methods, while the competition gets better forcing everyone else to improve etc.

However, that’s not the case with the redesigned 2012 Honda Civic LX, or at least that's what Consumer Reports states in its latest test of the Japanese model.

According to Consumer Reports (CR), the highest ranking small sedan for many years and a Top Pick in five of the last 10 years has in its latest iteration dropped too low to even earn a “Recommended” tag!

“While other models like the Hyundai Elantra have gotten better after being redesigned, the Civic has dropped so much that now it ranks near the bottom of its category,” wrote senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, David Champion.

The Civic LX’s score dropped from the previous model 78 to an abysmal 61, placing it in the second-to-last place just above the (also recently redesigned) VW Jetta, which finished last.

Consumer Reports’ testers found the new Honda Civic to feature a lower quality interior, high road noise, less agile handling, inferior brakes and a choppy ride compared to the car it replaced.

Audi A7 Sportback TDI by MTM

After Senner Tuning's recent take on the Audi A7 Sportback TDI, MTM is next in line to offer its services to the diesel-powered model.

In regular factory trim, the A7's 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged diesel engine churns out 245-horses and 500Nm (369 lb-ft) of peak torque. The German tuning firm offers buyers two different options, the first pushing output to 285HP and peak torque to 580Nm (427.8 lb-ft), and the second to 300-horsepower and 600Nm (442.5 lb-ft) respectively.

Whichever tune you choose, top speed is set at 263 km/h (163 mph). MTM said both systems are available for 1,392 Euros (US$2,000) including fitting.

For those with deeper pockets, MTM offers a sports exhaust system with quad tail pipes for 2,600 Euros (US$3,750) and 20-inch Bimoto alloy wheels, while the tuner is also working on a new sports suspension for the A7 V6 TDI.

Carjack Undercover Cop in Pittsburgh, Blames Batman Movie!

Apparently, Christian Bale as Batman and Tom Hardy as the Bane filming scenes for the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster "The Dark Knight Rises" (see the videos here) weren't the only protagonists at downtown Pittsburgh this past weekend. According to news reports from the local media, a young man tried to hijack an unmarked police vehicle near filming for the latest Batman movie, and when the officer arrested him, he claimed that it was part of the movie script for "The Dark Knight Rises"!

It all went down on Sunday when Officer Robert Digiacomo was sitting in his unmarked Chevrolet Impala looking for a suspect involved in an assault. Then all of a sudden, 21-year old Micah Calamosca jumped in the passenger side of the vehicle and ordered the undercover cop to abandon the car.

Police said the officer in the car pulled out his gun and arrested the young man, despite Calamosca's claims that he was involved in the movie and stealing the vehicle was just part of the script.

Calamosca was charged with felony robbery.

Carlos Ghosn Hints at a GT-R Based Infiniti

Nissan’s luxury offspring, Infiniti, already has a sports car, the G37 coupe. But lately there has been a lot of talk about cooperating with Red Bull now that the latter is considering entering the car-making business.

In addition, Nissan’s boss, Carlos Ghosn, is teasing us with a rather exciting prospect: an Infiniti version of the amazing Nissan GT-R. At least that’s what he hinted at during an interview in CAR magazine.

The two companies belong to the same group, so platform and parts sharing is common practice these days and Infiniti could definitely use a halo model to combat the M’s and AMG’s of this world. The Essence concept would be a great idea for coating the GT-R's hardware with a sexier outfit.

Like all CEOs, Ghosn was being coy: “If you ask me ‘are we going to do that’, I would say ‘no, I don’t think so’. But if your question is ‘could we do that, I would say ‘yes’. The idea of using existing technologies on the body of an Infiniti… All technologies developed for Nissan are available to Infiniti”.

So, he didn’t say they will do it, by he didn’t deny it either. Chances are they won’t, at least not now, as Infiniti has other priorities: “I think we need to go step by step” says Ghosn. “We have the FX, the M, the G. Then we have the high-end 4x4 QX in the US. We have the electric car and a sub-G smaller car coming”.

No GT-R Infiniti dreams, then? “The idea makes sense. The technology and platform are readily available. The GT-R is a great car. Is it a project now? No. But I don’t want to give you the impression we’ll never do that. But don’t think it’s coming in the next two or three years”.

It’s okay, Mr. Ghosn. We can wait a little longer…

MAN CRASHES AFTER 189KM/H HIGHWAY CHASE

A Chinese citizen crashed his BMW 335i onto a pavement near a high school in Lyttelton, Centurion yesterday following a high-speed chase with the cops after he was trapped driving at 189km/h on the R21 freeway. Traveling at 181km/h and over on Gauteng freeways is a lockable offence. A black plastic bag with full of R30 000 cash, was found inside the turbo Beemer.

The guy apparently was hailed down by traffic police who caught him flying at 189km/h. He then slowed down, but soon sped off again. The blue lights then gave chase into the suburb of Lyttelton where the man first crashed into a Hyundai, recovered and went off again. His meeting with the high school pavement was a final resting ground and the popping of airbags was a sure sign that his joyride was over. 

NISSAN LEAF, JUKE, TO APPEAR AT JIMS 2011

The groundbreaking Nissan LEAF, Nissan’s mass market zero emissions electric vehicle which has already been rolled out in Europe, Japan and North America, will be showcased at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show to be held at the Nasrec MTN Expo Centre between 06 and 16 October 2011. The first in a series of EV vehicles to be produced by the Japanese auto manufacturer, the LEAF has already won accolades as 2011 World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year.

Popularly known as the Joburg Motor Show, the event will also provide a platform to showcase Nissan’s wide range of vehicles, which feature advancements made in low emissions technology.  Said Mike Whitfield, Nissan SA’s managing director: “We are dedicated to lowering our carbon footprint to ensure a sustainable future. This is reflected in on-going technological development to reduce the impact of our vehicles on the environment.”

Leveraging on the biennial show that  attracts motor industry stakeholders, aficionados and the general public from South Africa and beyond, Nissan SA aims to appeal to a broad cross section through its ‘Innovation and excitement for everyone’ theme.

On display will be a selection of Nissan’s premier vehicles, including the sporty GT-R and 370Z, as well as its newly bolstered passenger vehicle line-up comprising the recently introduced new Nissan Micra and the much-anticipated Nissan Juke, which will enter the South African market at the end of the year. Focus will also be on Nissan’s extensive LCV and SUV range including the Murano, Navara, X-Gear and Qashqai. A special track is being built for test drives to demonstrate the capability of these high-performance 4X4 vehicles.

Bringing innovation and excitement to its products and services as well as cleaner more affordable cars for everyone around the world, are key elements of Nissan’s recently-announced six-year midterm business plan to accelerate the company’s growth across new markets and segments.  Whitfield will outline Nissan Power 88 at one of the show’s business sessions, while Pierre Loing, head of Nissan Europe’s zero emissions business unit and vice president of product strategy and planning, is a guest speaker at event highlight Car Conference 2011 (12 October), themed ‘Adapting for success in a changing automotive market’.

An estimated 275 000 visitors - many from Africa, Europe and the Far East - are expected to attend the Joburg Motor Show, which is open to the public from 08 to 16 October 2011.

STORY BY NISSAN