SEMA 07: More VW TDI Diesel madness

While the new Jetta SportWagen is still not available yet, Volkswagen is still making VW nuts drool by showing off a modified TDI version of the hot wagon. Powered by the all new 2.0 Clean Diesel TDI, sporting 140 horsepower and 235 ft lbs of torque. The SportWagen is also topped off by revised body styling components, 19 inch Sportec Wheels, and a H&R suspension.

Official Specs:

2009 Jetta TDI SportWagen
Powered by the 2.0L Clean Diesel TDI, delivering 140 horsepower and 235 ft.-lbs. of torque, the new Jetta SportWagen does not conform to old station wagon stereotypes.
Using readily available body components and finished in custom paint and graphics, this Jetta TDI SportWagen demonstrates what can be done to personalize a Jetta. To reinforce the sportin this wagon, the Jetta’s underpinnings were upgraded by H&R Springs to lower its ride height, and make its handling razor sharp.

The Jetta TDI SportWagen remains firmly planted with 19 inch Sportec Wheels and Yokohama Tires wrapped around an upgraded Brembo brake kit, providing high performance stopping power. Hella provides up-level lighting components that add a unique flair to the styling.

Source: Volkswagen.

In the dream garage: APR Audi R8

I fell in love with the R8 when I worked at Audi. A super car with crisp lines, awesome performance, and lastly was German. This R8 tuned by performance gurus APR was spotted at the SEMA show in the Michelin display. No info was given as to the cars specs and the Internet turns up very little, but this looks like one sweet ride that takes the R8's performance to the next level. Obvious upgrades would have to include computer reprogramming, and exhaust work. Then you find the upgraded 2 piece wheels, Brembo cross drilled rotors and calipers.

Even in stock form the R8 is worthy of being in my dream garage. After watching the latest Top Gear episode with the Stig and Jeremy Clarkson's hoonage of the R8 with Richard Hammond's 911 Carrera S, it makes me want one even more. But the APR edition would take it to a new level.

VW announces TDI Cup race series.

Volkswagen announced the Jetta TDI Cup racing series at the SEMA show today. VW is no stranger to motorsports, and neither are diesel powered race cars. What will be totally unique about the series is that the cars will be a clean diesel series, with the cars being carbon free.

The cars themselves will all be owned by VW, and will feature the all new 2.0 liter TDI motor. Each car will have 170 Horsepower, with 300 ft lbs of torque. Backed by a 6 speed DSG automatic transmission, 4 wheel ABS disc racing brakes, a mutli link 4 wheel independent racing suspension, and rack and pinion steering.

The races, sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) will have 8 events during the 2008 North American season. This follows after the 2006 GTI Cup series and the New Beetle Cup of 2000. VW also announced a partnership with the SCCA to use Volkswagens as pace cars during the 2008 season.

Official Press Release:

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it will bring TDI clean diesel technology to select North American race tracks starting in May 2008. The Jetta TDI Cup series will be sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing Inc., and will appear at up to eight major racing venues in North America during 2008.

"The Jetta TDI Cup racing series will celebrate Volkswagen's diesel technology and heritage in motorsports as good, clean fun," said Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "Not only will the young drivers gain real-life track experience in a factory-prepared race vehicle, it will allow them to develop their own mindset of today's clean diesel technology, and foster increased awareness of its advantages in this new era of environmental sensitivity."

The Jetta TDI Cup shifts gears from the previously announced GTI program, allowing Volkswagen to showcase the power and performance of its new clean diesel technology, available in the upcoming 2009 Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen. With up to 30 Jetta TDI's competing in the hands of aspiring, young drivers, this unique motorsport offering will highlight a new, exciting platform of racing that does not currently exist – a full field of clean diesel powered vehicles.

"With the Jetta TDI Cup, Volkswagen has created an amazing platform to develop young drivers and expand their knowledge about clean and quiet diesel technology," said Robert Wildberger, president and CEO, SCCA Pro Racing, Inc. "We look forward to the series in hopes that it will attract more attention to the drivers and advantages of diesel power."

The Jetta TDI Cup racecars will be optimized for track performance and safety. To focus on the skill of the young drivers and to ensure performance parity, proper maintenance and safety standards, all vehicles will be owned and maintained by Volkswagen. The heart of the Jetta TDI Cup racing vehicle will be the all-new, high-tech 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine rated at 170 horsepower and nearly 300 ft.-lbs. of torque in racing trim. The Jetta TDI race vehicles will be outfitted with a six-speed automatic DSG® transmission, electro-mechanical power rack-and-pinion steering system, and advanced multi-link fully independent race-tuned suspension, driver airbag supplemental restraint system, and four-wheel ABS racing brakes.

Signifying Volkswagen's environmental commitment, the Jetta TDI Cup series will be certified as CarbonFree by Carbonfund.org. Additional program details will be available at www.vwmotorsportusa.com by mid-November 2007.

Source: Volkswagen

SEMA 07: Big Bad Ford Super Duty.

The Ford Super Duty is the baddest truck to prowl the road. Especially when you combine it with a dually bed and a PowerStroke diesel. DeBerti brought along their low rider F450. Though it is just a bit different. This F450 is designed for hauling motorcysles. A Dallas Smith Axleless Lo-Floor front-wheel-drive chassis conversion puts the bed floor almost on the ground entirely. What more could a bike lover want? You get to ride right into the bed of your truck. No clamp on ramps or steep grades to ride up. What more could you look for in a truck?

SEMA 07: Cadillac CTS Sport Concept. A temp fix til the new CTS V?

With the new CTS-V set to arrive hopefully next year, and the new CTS already out and making car guys drool. We see the CTS Sport Concept making its debut at SEMA. Cadillac enhanced the already beautiful CTS, taking it to the next level.

Cadillac altered the front and rear fascias and added ample amounts of carbon fiber to things like the fender extensions. LEDs trim the headlights, a beautiful set of export taillights (and why don't we get those?), and LEDs in the brake ducts in the lower front fascia. And there are two words for the OnStar antenna: land shark. Engine power comes in a 3.6L engine producing 304 Horsepower, with a cat-back exhaust blowing out 3.5-inch square, chromed apertures. And check out the rear diffuser. Hotness. Sources at General Motors are saying that you're basically looking at the body of the upcoming CTS-V. One thing's for sure. The new V will be one hot car!

SEMA 07: Lots of cool Toyota trucks.

One thing about the SEMA show is all the cool trucks in attendance. This year Toyota is no exception with the concept trucks they brought to Las Vegas this week. Here are a few of them.

TRD Tundra concept. Very aggressive look with it's six and a half foot bed, five inch wide fenders, and redesigned front and rear fascias. Powered by a supercharged TRD 5.7 liter V8 that puts 500 horsepower to the ground and is 50 state legal. Underneath the body work is a beefed up long travel suspension set up for the front and rear. The Tundra also comes with 17 inch TRD off road wheels with giant 37 inch BF Goodrich tires.

Attached to the bed via a 5th wheel hitch is a 28 foot 10,200 lb Featherlite car hauler. The trailer, meanwhile, isn't carrying Toyota's latest racing Tundra, but rather is filled with some of TRD's current product catalogue that SEMA attendees can browse at the show. I'm sure they're more interested in the truck, but I sure could put that trailer to good use.

The Toyota FJ-Runner is a cross between the popular FJ Cruiser and the 4 Runner. Toyota describes this concept as "ruggedness personified", which we'll agree with here at AAM. Outside it is essentially a 4 Runner with a FJ front clip. Mechanicals are not mentioned in the press release so we can only assume that the engine and suspension are relatively stock. There are 20 inch off road style wheels with 33 inch Nitto Mud Grapplers for rubber. Stopping power is brought by Stoptech brakes. Inside the FJ Runner is all business. Rubber floors and water proof seats for ultimate durability, and a host of Alpine stereo, multimedia, and rear seat entertainment upgrades. I give this one a thumbs up since it pulls off the look quite well to give a bigger cruiser, without being a mammoth sized land stalker.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser Convertible also brings a unique twist to the Jeep Wrangler competitor. A removable roof had always been a part of the original Land Cruisers, though was lost in the 1980s when the cruiser grew in size. This time Toyota removed the roof and made a strong a durable, yet lightweight top frame.

Features to this truck include 17 inch KMC Endouro wheels with 35 inch Nitto Mud Grapplers(like the FJ Runner), ARB Old Man Emu suspension and ARB front and rear bumpers with high intensity driving lights. TRD exhaust system, Eclipse navigation, and lastly front and rear Warn bumper mounted winches.

Finally, after years of requests for some sort of diesel powered truck, we have the Tundra Dually Diesel concept. So not only did Toyota respond, they responded with gusto. The chassis is really nothing to write home about as 2 medium duty Tundras were utilized to make the frame. But under the hood you find a JO8E 8.0 liter in line six cylinder turbodiesel with a Magnaflow exhaust. Horsepower is right around 300 with 600 ft lbs of torque through an Eaton 5 speed manual trans. So it has no problems there. The body is a Crew Max cab with a 6.5 foot bed. And gives the look of a ready to work truck. Alcoa 22.5 inch wheels put the power to the road. The bed, and much of the exterior trim is covered with either raw diamond plate or brushed aluminum. Otherwise, the rest of the truck is mostly stock.

Source: Autoblog.com

SEMA 07: Chrysler SR-392 Hemi Roadster breaks cover early.

Thanks to the guys over at Jalopnik.com for this breaking news. The Chrysler SR-392 Hemi Roadster was spied in the open before it's unveiling at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The roadster is based on a reproduction 1927 Chrysler body, which has been heavily modified. The Custom SR-392 Roadster features a 392 Hemi crate motor from Mopar. The distinctively 'Detroit' roadster is a collaborative build project between Chrysler's Mopar Underground SEMA design team and Quality Metalcraft.

Rods seem to be the hot item at this years SEMA show. The Chrysler SR-392 is the second such vehicle to be unveiled. The first being the Chevrolet E85 rod from General Motors. Look for more info as the car becomes official. At cursory glance, the Chevrolet seems to be a bit more polished with it's look and overall finished product. But the Chrysler gains extra kudos in my book as it's a roadster, and it's got a Hemi..... Sweet!

Official Press Release:

Auburn Hills, Mich. -
What do you get when you combine the new 392 HEMI crate engine from Mopar with the world's first-ever steel reproduction of a 1927 street rod body and three car-crazy designers? The result is a custom SR 392 Roadster that will debut in the Mopar booth (#42427) at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The SEMA Show is the annual showcase of technology, trends and products representing the $36.7 billion automotive parts and accessories industry that will be held Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For nearly two years, Chrysler's Mark Allen and Ralph Gilles planned to build the SR 392 Roadster as a SEMA stunner with Michael Chetcuti of Livonia, Mich.-based auto supplier, Quality Metalcraft (QMC). Allen is chief designer, Jeep®/Dodge Truck Studios - Chrysler LLC and Gilles is Vice President of Jeep/Truck & CFM Design, Chrysler LLC. Gilles and Allen are members of Chrysler's Mopar Underground SEMA design team, a group of in-house automotive enthusiasts who donate their time to SEMA project vehicles.

Allen said, "It was important to convey the car's theme as an homage to Detroit - the cool Detroit with its unique artistic community, music and gritty vibe. We used durable materials and let the mechanicals show to reflect the industrial backbone of the city. We wrapped it all up in a high-gloss black-and-chrome wrapper to evoke Detroit's cool attitude."

Allen, Chetcuti and Gilles saw a challenge in proving that the 6.4-liter HEMI crate engine could apply to a vehicle other than traditional muscle cars or modified up fits. The team's idea was to redefine the classic hot rod with a more functional urban and industrial attitude to create a distinctly 'Detroit' roadster.

The project was assisted by Chetcuti's QMC since the company has tooled, designed and now stamps the first-ever steel reproduction of a '27 street rod body -- the Shadowrods XL-27 Roadster and Lakes Modified bodies developed by hot rod legend, Jon Hall.

"The core design elements of this roadster speak to the grit and industrial edge of our city," said Chetcuti. "Things like the mezzanine flooring detail and Eames-inspired seating -- these take an industrial cue but are by no means 'rat-rod.' It is a refined and organized design throughout."

After several design variations were discussed (California hot rod king Chip Foose even had a peek), Allen brought his full resources to the design's completion. QMC stamped and performed the initial assembly on the reworked Shadowrods body - and fabricated and fit the revised hood, hood side panels, lower rocker panels and doors to the body.

With the car's extremely low stance, Shadowrods was asked to build a custom frame using a unique staggered truss concept. For the final build of the SR 392 Roadster, QMC turned to longtime concept- and show-car builder Wheel to Wheel Powertrain of Madison Heights, Mich.

Overseen by Gilles, the Mopar Underground SEMA design team has been customizing Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge production vehicles for the SEMA show since its creation in 2002. The team creates tricked, tuned and customized vehicle concepts meant to develop performance parts, accessories and customization, vehicle concepts and keep the Mopar spirit and passion alive.

SEMA 07: More GM E85 performance madness

Following hot on the heels of the C6RS Corvette, is the 1934 Chevy Coupe E85 FlexFuel Hotrod. This time around it's a 2.0 liter Ecotec Turbo, with Stage III tuning from GM Performance Parts. In total the engine makes a very impressive 500 Horsepower! The body is a reproduction that has been channeled and chopped. The suspension has been custom fabricated with power hitting the ground through a 8 3/8 quick change rear end with 5.20 gears. The wheels are 18 & 20 inch Budnik wheels with 29 & 35 inch tall Excelsior tires front and rear respectively. Full press details available below.

FLEXFUEL CHEVY HOT ROD DEMONSTRATES VINTAGE STYLE AND MODERN ALTERNATIVE-FUEL PERFORMANCE

With a 500-horsepower engine, a channeled body and a chopped top, GM's custom street rod looks right at home on the salt flats of Bonneville. But instead of a traditional gasoline V-8, this '34 Chevy replica rod sports a turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec engine that runs on E85 ethanol. Appropriately, it has been dubbed the FlexFuel Chevy Hot Rod.

"Since the 1930's, hot rods have embodied American ingenuity, aesthetic flair and the quest for performance," said Bryan Nesbitt, vice-president of General Motors North American Design. "The ethanol Hot Rod is a modern statement that today's hot rodder can address energy concerns about the consumption of petroleum without sacrificing performance or style.

"The car's low-slung stance and stripped-down essence suggests track cars and speed racers of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Open hood sides reveal the high-powered Ecotec engine, which has been pumped up with the help of GM Performance Parts' Stage III performance kit and a larger turbo. The higher octane of E85 enabled engineers to tune the engine for more power. It is backed by a GM Powertrain 5L40 five-speed automatic transmission.

"The engine was built using the basic recipe that is available in the Ecotec performance book available from GM Performance Parts," said Al Oppenheiser, GM Performance Division director of concept and vehicle integration. "Also, the E85 conversion is based on a kit that GM is exploring for regular production engines."

True hot rod aesthetic:

Like hot rods built for the last 60 years, the FlexFuel Hot Rod is built from an assemblage of factory and aftermarket parts. The frame and body are based on the 1934 Chevy, but both were fabricated by the craftsmen at the GM Performance Division (GMPD). The body has been sectioned and channeled to give the car its true hot rod aesthetic, while the frame is a one-off piece designed, engineered and built by GMPD. The slanted grille – with a unique chrome mesh pattern – and hood are integrated for a smoother look, which includes a sun visor characteristic of period hot rod racers.

Like any good rod worth its salt, there are no fenders or running boards; the 10-inch headlamps are mounted to the core support. The front suspension is all custom-built, complete with period-perfect lightening holes drilled in it.

A sturdy 8-3/8-inch Winters Quick-change rearend is suspended by a parallel four-link suspension. It is filled with 5.20 gears, which are used to generate brisk acceleration with 35-inch-tall, racing-type Excelsior rear tires and 29-inch-tall front tires. The tires are mounted on custom 18-inch front and 20-inch rear "kidney bean"-style wheels from Budnik.

Steering comes from a custom-fabricated linkage that is connected to a reversed Corvair steering box. The linkage is mounted to the outside of the frame rail.

Hand-crafted cabin:

Inside, the FlexFuel Hot Rod maintains its racing-inspired minimalist theme, but with contemporary feel. Hand-formed sheet metal and earth-friendly materials were used to trim the cabin, as well as the racing-style aluminum seats. The dashboard was hand-finished, too, and filled with traditional-looking Stewart-Warner gauges.

One of the interior's central points of interest is the racing-style driveshaft tube, which covers the custom driveshaft. It is a prominent fixture in the cabin because the body has been lowered around the chassis to achieve the streamlined appearance that was characteristic of old-school hot rods.

Road ready:

More than just a conceptualized vision of an alternative-fuel street rod, the FlexFuel Hot Rod is a driver that GM Performance Division will press into service for a number of road events and tests.

"This thing is going to rack up a lot of miles," said Oppenheiser. "With the FlexFuel conversion, it can run purely on E85, gasoline or any combination of the two. That means it can be refueled anywhere the road takes it."

Sema 07 Update: Jay leno's E85 powered Corvette C6RS

There is no denying Jay Leno's love of cars, not to mention his involvement in the development of new technologies with General Motors. Meet the Corvette C6RS. The car that shows that green technology and performance can go hand in hand.

The C6RS started life as a Z06 that was restyled to resemble the C6.R race car. Performance is brought by a 8.2 liter (500 CID)aluminum small block V8 with 600 Horsepower and 585 ft lbs of torque. And it runs on E85 Ethanol rather than conventional gasoline. This is definitely a Corvette worth looking at. More info and pics below the jump.

Here is the official GM press release:

GREEN AND MEAN: JAY LENO'S E85-CAPABLE Z06-INSPIRED C6RS CORVETTE BOASTS 600 HP AND ALTERNATIVE-FUEL CAPABILITY

LAS VEGAS – "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno's predilection for performance cars is no secret, but many fellow enthusiasts may not know that he is keenly interested in alternative fuels. To prove that red-blooded power mixes easily with a touch of green, Leno partnered with Pratt & Miller – the engineering company that builds and campaigns C6.R Corvettes – to develop a modified Corvette Z06 that is capable of running on E85 ethanol. It was unveiled at the 2007 SEMA Show.

More than merely a conversion of the stock LS7 engine to E85 capability, Leno's alternative-fuel supercar is powered by a custom, 8.2L (500-cubic-inch) all-aluminum small-block V-8 that pumps out approximately 600 horsepower and 585 lb.-ft. of torque.

"The C6RS is the result of an idea we hatched to prove that high-performance cars and alternative fuel technology weren't diametrically opposed concepts," said Leno. "I love the idea of having 600 horsepower at my disposal, but using a homegrown alternative to gasoline.

"The engine is built around a custom aluminum cylinder block that was CNC-milled from a single block of billet aluminum. And while the cylinder heads, intake system and dry-sump oiling system are stock LS7 components, the engine – which has larger bore and stroke dimensions than the 7.0L (427-cubic-inch) LS7 – uses a one-off reciprocating assembly, including a forged steel crankshaft, forged rods and forged pistons. Katech Engines, the company that builds engines for the Corvette C6.R racing program, developed the engine.

The fuel system and engine control computer were modified to accommodate E85, and spent gases exit through a Corsa exhaust system. Supporting the 600-horse engine's power is a blueprinted and strengthened T-56 six-speed transmission and a high-performance Centerforce dual-friction clutch.

C6.R inspiration:

On the outside, Leno's bad and black C6RS emulates the styling of C6.R race cars, with wider front and rear fenders and a wider rear fascia with an integrated spoiler on top and a racing-style diffuser at the bottom (the diffuser incorporates an LED-lit backup lamp). A C6.R-style waterfall hood front fender louvers, rockers and lower grille opening further define this special Corvette – and all of the car's front-end panels are made of carbon-fiber, including custom brake air ducts routed through the front fenders. With all of its body modifications, Leno's C6RS is 1.6 inches wider than stock.

The C6.R's – and production Corvette's – aerodynamically styled bodywork is designed to slice efficiently through the wind, which helps enhance fuel mileage.

The race-ready look of the car is enhanced with a quartet of BBS wheels that feature racing-type locking center hubs. The forged aluminum 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels ride on Michelin P295/30ZR18 and P345/30ZR19 tires, respectively.

Adding authenticity to the car's custom bodywork was the involvement of Pratt & Miller. The company took on the task of crafting Leno's Corvette into a street-going replica of the race cars, which included installing or fabricating a host of unique components, including:
* A custom DeWitt high-capacity radiator with dual cooling fans.

* A carbon-fiber ram-air induction system.

* Carbon-fiber inner fender panels that vent hot air from the engine compartment.

* Brembo brakes with six-piston mono-block calipers in front and four-piston rear calipers.

* Dyna-Mat used throughout the cabin and chassis to reduce interior noise.

While the exterior and drivetrain were inspired by the racetrack, the C6RS's cabin exudes luxury, with premium touches and enhancements from Genuine Corvette Accessories that include a two-tone shift knob and boot; leather-covered console armrest, parking brake handle and boot; an interior trim kit, racing-style pedal covers and more.

With its 600 horses on tap and domestically produced E85 fuel in the tank, Jay Leno's alternative-fueled C6RS is an all-American supercar that proves high performance and environmental consciousness go together like the Corvette and checkered flags.

Sema Preview: Pontiac Solstice SD-290 Concept.

GM released only this single view of the Pontiac Solstice SD-290 Concept for SEMA. The Solstice features a cover over the passenger compartment that is reminiscent vintage single-seat club race cars and includes a new windscreen and separate review mirror mounted in the middle. It's likely powered by something that's green and mean. Look for further updates this week.