Two Chevy dealers offering special 700 hp Camaro models – just like Yenko and Berger

There was a time when dealers utilized General Motors’ Central Office Production Order to the fullest, giving us some truly terrific muscle car options. By judiciously picking hi-po OEM performance parts to augment some already formidable performers, COPO Chevrolet Camaros from the late ’60s put a few dealers on the national map, and today, we know about Berger, Nickey and, of course, Yenko. Well… the Camaro is certainly back, but where are the modern COPO versions? If you live near Albany, New York or Claxton and Jessup, Georgia then the cars are right down the street at your local dealerships.

DeNooyer Chevrolet of Albany has dipped into GM’s Performance Parts catalog and come out with an LSX454 engine. After stuffing it into a Camaro, they know have a 620-horsepower coupe prowling their lot. In Georgia, NeSmith Chevrolet also took a look into the catalog and put in an order for supercharged LS9 normally found in a Corvette ZR1. Their NeSmith Storm Camaro puts out nearly 700 horses. In other words, the COPO is back! Check out our gallery below and then hop the jump to see video clips of both cars.

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NAIAS debut for new Mini Cabriolet Sidewalk – and NO it’s not the MINI II…

Jeez, we got all red and excited when we first saw the press release, but I believe you’ll forgive us as it’s not as if one can easily distinguish the MINI I & II from each other. Anyway, the Sidewalk is a new addition to the MINI Convertible range which will make its premiere at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

The Sidewalk model offers a host of exclusive and additional options, and is available on the One, Cooper and Cooper S. It includes a choice of four paintwork colours, Malt Brown English Leather upholstery, 17” Night Spoke light alloy wheels, bi-colour leather steering wheel and gear knob and special ‘Sidewalk’ interior trim, floor mats, badges and door inserts.

Additional MINI options that are standard on Sidewalk models are Automatic Stability Control and Traction (ASC+T), multifunction leather steering wheel, mirror caps in body colour, chrome line interior, passenger seat height adjustment, sports seats, storage compartment pack, front fog lamps, manual air conditioning, on board computer, interior light pack and white indicators.

According to MINI, should a customer wish to specify these options on any other MINI Convertible, the cost of the extra kit would be approximately 25 per cent higher than if purchased as part of a standard package on the Sidewalk edition. Sales start in April 2007.

On the road prices (UK) are as follows:

MINI One Sidewalk – £16,910

MINI Cooper Sidewalk – £17,960

MINI Cooper S Sidewalk -£20,235

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Suzuki Kizashi Revealed – Hybrid Model to Follow Mega Gallery with 100 High Res Photos

The production version of the Suzuki Kizashi sedan was officially revealed today in a special launch event in Detroit. Built at Suzuki’s new manufacturing plant in Sagara, Japan, the Kizashi will serve as the company’s flagship model when it arrives in North American showrooms this winter. Available in both front- and all-wheel drive versions, Suzuki’s Mazda6 and VW Passat rival will initially be offered with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine linked to either a 6-speed manual transmission or optionally, a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

While the Japanese automaker did not disclose any output figures for the base four-cylinder engine, Suzuki did reveal that other powertrain options are also under development for the Kizashi including a fuel efficient hybrid version that will be added to the lineup in the very near future.

Built on a brand-new platform, the Kizashi features MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the back with Suzuki supporting that the sedan will offer drivers “a dynamic and exhilarating driving experience”.

An Electronic Stability Program and anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution as well as the Suzuki-developed synergetic vehicle dynamic control system that assists drivers control will be offered as standard on the Kizashi.

Measuring in at 183.1 in. (4,650 mm) long, 71.7 in. (1,820 mm) wide and 58.3 in. (1,480 mm) high with a wheelbase of 106.3 in. (2,700mm), the Kizashi is roughly the same size as the latest generation Audi A4 Sedan.

Despite the fact that the Kizashi originated from the Concept Kizashi series introduced over the last two years, the production model’s styling is far less dramatic, which is a shame as the concept study featured an extremely well executed design that received positive reactions from European and North American consumers alike.

As for the mid-size sedan’s interior, Suzuki’s designers crafted an elegant looking dashboard that features an Alfa Romeo-esque instrument panel with two deeply set gauges and an uncluttered center console.

More details as well as North American prices are expected to be released closer to the sedan’s sales launch in December. Suzuki has yet to announce when the Kizashi will arrive in other international markets.

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Peugeot 207 RC – 175Hp 0 100km h in 7 1 sec

PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s December webzine issue provides us a premature view of Peugeot’s upcoming 207 RC. To be presented officially at the Geneva Show in March, the 207 RC is fitted with the most powerful version yet of PSA-BMW’s 1.6-litre Twinscroll Turbo engine producing 175Hp & 240 Nm of torque (the same motor is also used on the 2007 MINI Cooper S). According to Peugeot, the RC needs 7,1 sec for the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint and it reaches a top speed of 220 km/h (137mph). 

While the 207 RC’s specs are among the best in its class, we’re kinda disappointed with its subtle exterior looks, especially when compared with Renault’s Clio RS and Opel’s Corsa OPC. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for the 207’s looks, but the RC in particular, is a GTi and in this category you’d expect something much more compelling. At least it gets a set of bucket seats in the interior to differentiate itself from its (much) less powerful siblings.

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Sport Car Audi TT – Car Modification » Audi TT Extreme Car

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2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 dyno’d – is the 392 underrated

Hemi. The mere mention of the word is enough to strike fear into the hearts of lesser powerplants… or at least images of a pair of scrubby-looking bottom-feeders that really love themselves some Ram Trucks. In any case, we’re keenly interested in the latest Hemi engine from the Dodge Boys, in this case displacing a heady 392 (or so) cubic inches and placed gently inside the engine bay of the 2011 Challenger SRT8.

Not only is this new Hemi larger than the already oversized version it replaces, it’s also considerably more potent. The Pentastar says that its new 392 kicks out 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque – substantial improvements over the outgoing SRT8′s 425 hp/420 lb-ft. But those are factory ratings, and we all know those don’t necessarily match what’s actually under the hood of production models.

Thankfully, the crew over at Inside Line managed to score enough time with a 2011 Challenger SRT8 to strap it down to a proper dyno. And the results? How about 452 horses at 6200 RPM and 443 lb-ft at 4400? Yep, that’ll do nicely, and it means that Dodge may actually be underrating its potent performer just a tad. Oh, and for what it’s worth, IL managed to record 370 horses and 343 lb-ft from its 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS on the same exact dyno. Chevy’s answer ought to be coming in the form of a Z28 with over 500 supercharged ponies… Stay tuned, the horsepower wars are clearly still in full swing.

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