Fate has a way of turning the tables. What used to be Chrysler helping out Lamborghini in times of financial trouble, it’s now the Italians coming to the rescue of what was once Chrysler’s.

The Dodge Viper, now owned by Fiat, is set to get an engine upgrade. The burden of developing its new engine, however, won’t be on Chrysler’s shoulders anymore. Fiat has taken responsibility for its promising sub-brand.

According to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne himself, the Viper will be sporting a new engine which has roots from Ferrari and Maserati.

Reports reveal that the new 90-degree engine will have a modular design all throughout. Ferrari’s V8 version of it will have a flat-plane crank while Maserati will instead feature the usual cross-plane crank. The Viper, sticking to its American roots, will have pushrods in its V10 version.

The exact specifications of the Italian-sourced engine are still unknown, but one thing’s for sure – the new Viper will serve as Dodge’s flagship model in line with Marchionne’s plans. The CEO says Viper will be like what Miate is to Mazda.

Take note, however, that although Lamborghini was once under Chrysler, the Italians already played a big role in the Viper’s development. It was them who helped create the Viper’s former aluminum V10 engine. Thus, the Viper truly has Italian roots.

Its latest version is probably going to be a lot easier to drive than the old models, which were as tricky and peaky as the old Ferrari’s. It sure as hell, though, won’t lack in sheer muscle. All seems well and good.

With the 2009 Dodge Viper ACR holding the unofficial production car record of the Nurburgring race track in Germany, beating the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1’s 7:26.4 run with 7:22, this latest incarnation has a lot of expectations to meet.

One question still remains though. Will the new Viper be able to defend its predecessor’s Green Hell record, especially with Nissan’s R35 Skyline GT-R coming ever closer to shattering it?

Stay tuned folks. Dodge may be back lapping the ‘Ring sooner than everyone expected, with Nissan and Porsche hot on its heels.

Source: Car and Driver, Jalopnik

What can a BMW 7-Series vehicle offer you that other vehicles can’t?

The answer lies in one of the options the 7-Series Bimmer’s iDrive directory offers: the Gentleman function.

“Gentleman function” under the “Front seats” directory

Despite its dubious moniker, the “Gentleman function” is relatively harmless. The option merely allows the driver to control the passenger seat’s position. With the “Gentleman function” activated, the driver can move the seat forward and backward using a memory panel on the driver’s side door panel.

instructions under the “Gentleman function” option

BMW explains that the said option would help front-seat passengers get into the 7-Series vehicle’s cabin, and would make it easier for drivers or chauffeurs to adjust the passenger seat for backseat passengers who need more legroom.

Apparently, the option’s name makes more sense in German, from which the option’s name was directly translated. Perhaps BMW can do better than the could-be-misconstrued-as-sexist “Gentleman function”.

Source: Jalopnik, Edmunds

Having trouble keeping track of your car’s keys? Losing precious time looking all over the house for the keys that would let you get in your vehicle and start it up? Well, those problems may very well soon be dilemmas of a low-tech past.

Auto makers such as Rinspeed and Chrysler (through its division Global Electric Motors) have equipped their concept cars with iPhone sync-ing capabilities. The ignition systems of both the Rinspeed iChange and the Chrysler Global Electric Motorcars Peapod can be activated through the said handheld smartphone.

Chrysler Global Electric Motorcars Peapod

Rinspeed iChange

Both electric concept cars use a similar technology to enable keyless ignition: an infotainment system incorporates an iPhone dock and, once the iPhone is docked properly, the iPhone authenticates the driver and starts up the ignition system.

“Such concept cars are there to show what is possible,” Hans Roth,director of business development and marketing for Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH, said. But for production vehicles used by real drivers in traffic, “usability is more important than feasibility.” Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH provided the iPhone interface and infotainment system in the iChange concept car.

Some auto makers, however, are already planning to develop more smartphone functions into their driving technologies. Ford, for example, has developed its Sync technology to make many smartphone functions available to drivers. According to Joseph Berry, Sync’s chief architect, Ford is also planing more ways to integrate phone functions into cars.

The Ford 2010 Taurus even offers a “MyKey” peace of mind option. This option allows the parents to limit the car’s top speed, the ability to use the phone while driving, and even the stereo’s volume. How’s that for safe driving?

Source: msnbc.com, Jalopnik, Rinspeed

Yes, you read that right. London-based scientists have revealed a one-of-a-kind creation earlier this month: a racecar made partly from plant fibers, and powered by a biofuel processed from chocolate waste and vegetable oil.

Scientists at the University of Warwick used a mix of vegetable oil and waste from chocolate factories to develop a new kind of biofuel, one that will enable the racecar to accelerate to over 145 miles per hour. The car’s makers are hopeful about the racecar’s capacities on the track.

Aside from running on chocolate, the racecar also has other quirky features. The car’s steering wheel is made of fibers from carrots and other root vegetables, while the car’s seat is built from flax fiber and soybean oil foam.

The car, named the “WorldFirst Formula 3 racing car,” will go on display at several races including the European Grand Prix and Britain’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

 Source: msnbc.com

When it comes to exclusivity, the 2009 Novitec TuLesto has even Aston Martin’s One-77 beat. Built for Novitec’s 20th anniversary as the foremost supercar tuner and also the tuner’s first proprietary car, the two-seater TuLesto is facing a production total of just eleven vehicles. How’s that for exclusive?

 The 2009 TuLesto has more than its limited-edition badge to brag about, too. The coupe’s exterior is made from carbon power and aluminum, giving the TuLesto a lightweight yet rigid body. The supercar’s smooth, sleek curves, which are computer-designed, improve its aerodynamic balance. The interior features carbon-fiber finishes and climate control and sound systems.

Under the TuLesto’s hood sits a 4-4-liter V8 engine, whose twin superchargers are capable of powering the vehicle from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 3.4 seconds. The TuLesto’s top speed is at a nimble 350 kilometers per hour. The engine, with its maximum power output of 777 horsepower, is installed behind the cockpit for ideal weight distribution.

As mentioned, Novitec plans to produce only eleven of these Ferrari-ish beauties. (Novitec is one of Ferrari’s long-time tuners.) And all eleven, according to Edmunds.com are earmarked and spoken for by Novitec’s long-term customers.

Tsk. Some people just have all the luck.

Source:  BusinessWeek, Australian Car Advice

Thanks to Raser Technologies, Inc., the aforementioned seems highly likely.

One year ago at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress in Detroit, Raser Technologies, Inc. announced that the company’s plans of developing a powertrain for an extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) were well underway. Once fully functional, the E-REV powertrain would allow a four-wheel drive SUV to achieve very low emission rates and a fuel efficiency of 100 miles per gallon.

And to demonstrate the E-REV powertrain’s capacities, Raser decided to put it in a notorious gas guzzler: the Hummer H3 SUV. Raser’s plug-in hybrid version of the Hummer H3 indeed achieves the 100 mpg goal, and can go for 40 miles on electricity alone. Once the electric power runs out, the battery can be charged using a 110 or 220-volt household outlet.

“We are excited to be able to demonstrate an electric powertrain for larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs,” said James Spellman, Vice President, of Transportation for Raser Technologies. “These are the best selling vehicles in America and can benefit the most from increased fuel economy and reduced emissions.”

The Raser Hummer H3 prototype will be making its debut at this year’s SAE World Congress, on April 20 - 23, 2009.

Sources: Automobile Mag, Raser Technologies, Inc., Jalopnik

 A dashboard instrument as attractive and savvy-looking as the Ford SmartGauge with EcoGuide practically forces a driver to pay attention to the numbers it displays - numbers that reflect various levels of information concerning the engine and its fuel efficiency.

Drivers of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid probably already know about the Ford SmartGauge with EcoGuide, one of Ford’s latest attempts to up driving awareness for hybrid vehicle owners. Jeff Greenberg, Ford senior technical leader, says that Ford “needed to create a system that better communicates with drivers and gives them the tools to maximize fuel efficiency.”

Once activated, this instrument cluster allows drivers to choose among four data screens: Inform, Enlighten, Engage, and Empower. Each screen displays different real-time information levels, which include fuel level, battery charge status, engine coolant temperature, and various trip data.

The Ford SmartGauge with EcoGuide also tracks long-term fuel efficiency. You can even choose the way you see the information: a no-frills chart, or a depiction of ‘growing leaves and vines’. The more fuel you save, the more leaves and vines you see displayed.

Through customer research, the folks at Ford made the instrument cluster extremely driver-friendly and road-safe. A tutorial mode built into the display helps first-time SmartGauge users get the hang of things. The instrument cluster’s display is designed to be non-distracting, allowing the vehicle to drive safely while consulting the SmartGauge.

Source: Jalopnik

So, how would the Benz Patent Motorwagen look if it was revamped to keep up with today’s auto-aesthetics trends?

Just feast your eyes on the following photos:

Interesting design, huh? Trainees at Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz plant were responsible for this creation. Tagged as the “Mercedes-Benz F-Cell Roadster”, the vehicle was a year-long project that involved collaboration among various fields like automotive mechatronics, product design, and model-building.

As a nod to the Benz Patent Motorwagen, the first automobile designed to be powered by a motor, the F-Cell Roadster features, large, hard-to-miss spoked wheels. The exterior’s front section is sculpted out of fiberglass. The vehicle’s interior is replete with modernistic touches, like carbon-fiber bucket seats and hand-stitched leather seat covers.

And just to make things more interesting, would-be drivers of the F-Cell Roadster will be controlling its movement with a joystick. No boring steering wheels for this Benz.

An emission-free fuel cell system powers this Roadster, with the batteries located at the vehicle’s rear. Driving this Benz, you can reach a top speed of 25 kilometers per hour.

Not bad, considering that you have to use a joystick to “steer”.

Source: Jalopnik

Not one to be left out of the hybrid automotive trend, Asian auto make Hyundai also has a green (environment-friendly) vehicle in the works.

Dubbed as the Blue-Will, Hyundai’s latest offering is set to debut at next month’s Seoul Motor Show. The concept vehicle’s 134-hp electric motor will be powered by a lithium ion polymer battery pack mounted under the rear seats. Dye-sensitized solar cells on the Blue-Will’s roof provide energy for the battery pack. The Blue-Will will be equipped with a gas-powered, direct-injection 1.6-liter engine.

To show that Hyundai cares for the environment, some parts of the Blue-Will’s body are fashioned from biodegradable and recycled materials. The headlight bezels are made out of the same plastic used to make soda bottles. Bio-degradable bio-plastics from plant extracts are used in the vehicle’s  interior.

That’s all we know for now, though. We’ll have to wait until the Seoul Motor Show on April 2 to know more about the Hyundai Blue-Will.

The vehicle sure doesn’t look bad, though. That fascia’s definitely gonna make a few heads turn.

Source: AutomobileMag

I’m betting that you wouldn’t mind driving this beauty down the road. I don’t think anyone would, actually.

But if you can’t shell out for the 2009 Aston Martin One-77’s cool $1.9 million pricetag, your chances of ever getting behind this beauty’s wheel are slim. And if you do have the big bucks, your chances aren’t looking to improve either - there are very believable rumors floating around that all 77 hand-assembled One-77’s are spoken for. (Yes, the One-77 is so named because Aston Martin plans to produce only 77 units of this luxury supercar.) Plus, details on this vehicle’s release date in the US are still a little unclear.

It’s a shame, really. With a body that’s all-aluminum and an engine capable of boosting the vehicle from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds, the 2009 Aston Martin is definitely a superb feat for Aston Martin’s designers and engineers. Sleek, shiny curves on the exterior and powerful acceleration under the hood - this supercar makes many a driver’s dreams come true.

If only Aston Martin would relent and produce more One-77’s..