More cars from US shows
Just some of the week's new cars -- more later
Chrysler Firepower
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Though a concept, the Firepower could appear by 2007 according to designer Trevor Creed. Performance from its 6-litre Hemi V8 is reckoned to be 4.5 seconds for 0-60mph, a standing quarter mile in 12.7 seconds and a top speed to of 174mph. The UK price if it appears is likely to be in the region
of £50,000, putting it head to head with the new Porsche coupe, the C7S.
Specification
Engine: 6.1-litre Hemi V8
RWD 5-speed automatic
Weight: 1,536Kg
Length: 172.6" (4,383 mm)
Wheelbase: 98.8" (2,510 mm)
Front overhang: 34.1" (867 mm) 
Rear overhang: 39.6" (1,006 mm)
Width: 73.2" (1,859 mm)
Height: 47.7" (1,211 mm)
Track: (61.6"/60.6")
Ground Clearance: 5.1" (130 mm)
Front and rear suspension: SLA Viper suspension
Front tyre size: 275/35R19
Rear tyre size: 335/30R20
Shelby GR-1
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Ford's spritual replacement for the Cobra, this prototype looks like being likely to reach production, accoridng to Autocar this week. It's said to be "a fully engineered, production-feasible car". Aluminium bodied, it is being shown paintless. The chassis is based on that of the GT despite being two feet shorter.
It's front-engined and powered by a 6.4-litre V10 generating 600bhp and 500lb-ft of torque -- which should power it along quite nicely. Performance is reckoned to be 0-60mph in under 4.0 seconds with a top speed of 200mph.
Ford Synus
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Based on the Ford Fiesta's underpinnings, this odd-looking device is supposed to look like an armoured truck, emanating urban toughness. Features for the concept only include a 42-inch plasma TV screen, fold-away steering wheel so you have more room inside (for what, one might ask 
), and a rear bench that folds flat to accommodate luggage or people watching a DVD -- or whatever. Performance is not that interesting, coming from Ford's 2.0-litre Duratorq diesel engine with 134bhp and 236lb-ft of torque.
Jeep
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The Jeep uses not one, but two 5.7-litre Hemi engines, producing a mouth watering, Enzo-busting 670bhp in total and 740 lb-ft of torque. It also has many steering option, like crab steer and turning on its radius. Very impressive, but no production possibility with this one.
Maserati MC12
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Although Maserati did show the stunning MC12 in Detroit, unfortunately none of these limited edition cars will make it to the US market. All the 25 cars have been spoken for in Europe, and the Middle East.
Thanks to Nauman Farooq and Michael Banovsky for photos and words. Still to come -- Mustang Convertible and more -- coming soon.
That Firepower looks like a regular Vette buster, and that's good. Look at that rear . . . luvly but USA . . . Interior looks to Spyker to me . . .
The Shelby (Renault Alpine meets 607 meets Ford GT meets Bill thomas' Cheetah) has a great agressive look. Like it.
The Synus is a vault on wheels . . . maybe a cameo in the next Bond?
The Jeep is showy, I can't imagine it'll hit the streets ever.
Were there little cars?
That Chrysler Firepower looks absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful, fluid lines, a car with real presence and real performance too. I want one - now!
Shelby GR-1 - Grrr! This looks very exciting too. I'd love to see this one in production and on the road. I await reviews of its performance with bated breath!
The Maserati MC12 would not look of place in a Luc Besson film. This is a very futuristic design for Maserati. That back end is incredible.
The Jeep certainly looks more than capable of doing the weekly run to Tesco
Ford Synus? Hmm...Less said the better. Rather brought to mind a Securicor van
The Shelby is also quite nice, back looks interesting and I'll wait till I've seen it in the flesh before I pass criticism.
That Fiesta thingy - It'd be a nice Combo/Berlingo competitor, but rear vision looks predictably horrendous. Also seems a bit like the Ford Bronco concept of a few shows back, which some reckoned was a Landrover ripoff.
Not a fan of twin engined cars in general, so sorry Jeep. Peugeot Hoggar did it better.
In the end of the program the Ford marketing people organised a photo session to which they invited the great man itself together with the car designer, a bloke called George Saridakis. The conversation went something like this:
Shelby: You did this?
Saridakis: Yes.
Shelby: It's great!
Just imagine receiving a compliment like that!
FestivAli said:
The chrysler firepower is the best looking car I have seen in years, and I mean that wholeheartedly. Shame its only an auto.
I thought that too. Why did they make the concept an auto? Will manual transmission be available if it goes into production? You would certainly think so wouldn't you?
What happened to the Cobra concept?
www.rsportscars.com/slo/avto/shelby_cobrac.asp
And how about the latest Corvette Z06? 6-litre V8? 500bhp? You'll grow more chest hair just looking at it. Porsches and Ferraris are lovely, but the world definitely needs a dose of this Yank muscle. I'd love to see Chrysler and Shelby go GT racing with these.
>> Edited by ubergreg on Thursday 13th January 10:19
http://autotelegraaf.nl/vanonzeredactie/?id=31562
....................
They say it's a Ford GT beater . . .
Some Bill Thomas' Cheetah in there . . .
ubergreg said:
Oh yes - US sports cars haven't looked this good in _years_; Shelby GR-1? Sweet mother of mercy...
And how about the latest Corvette Z06? 6-litre V8? 500bhp? You'll grow more chest hair just looking at it. Porsches and Ferraris are lovely, but the world definitely needs a dose of this Yank muscle. I'd love to see Chrysler and Shelby go GT racing with these.
>> Edited by ubergreg on Thursday 13th January 10:19
I think the new Z06 is actually 7 litre. It is a 427 cubic inch engine. 0-60 estimated "well under 4 seconds"...
ErnestM
Still think its quite nice, but gosh, that Shelby is fantastic. Cars not bad either...
Ali.
http://motortrend.com/autoshows/coverage/112_05_detas_shelbygr1/
www.autoweek.nl/newsimages.php?ID=3113&p=1&ref=
Any new pics of that one?
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