Buyers who shell out $40,095 (plus what’s likely to be a staggering dealer surcharge) for the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 can at least rest in the knowledge that the cars they’re getting are loaded to the gills with standard features. In fact, there are only three options. For $50, you can upgrade to summer tires (all-season performance rubber is standard). $890 replaces the base head unit with the MyGig infotainment/navigation system, and $950 adds a power sunroof. Everything else is part of the standard equipment list — even a stint at the SRT Track Experience. Head on over to Allpar to see the complete rundown, which includes the minutiae like “6.1L badge.” More info on the Challenger is coming very soon, so keep your eyes peeled as Chrysler gets into full ramp-up-the-excitement mode.

[Source: AutoBlog]

The panel of experts at Germany’s Autobild Sportscars has chosen its annual car of the year, and unsurprisingly, the SportsCar 2007 award goes to the Audi R8. When you consider that everyone from Jeremy Clarkson on down has been reduced to a puddle of drool by Ingolstadt’s take on what a supercar should be, it comes as zero surprise that a group of German motoring writer/experts would deem it fit for coronation. The total competition featured twelve cars including the Porsche 911 GT3 and the BMW M3. We’d tell you the other candidates, but we don’t read German and our search attempts on the Autobild website have yet to unearth the complete nominee list. The two competitors we mention are hot machines, nonetheless, but neither they nor any others were hot enough to knock this year’s unquestionable “it” car from its perch. Chalk up one more reason to get your name on the waiting list at your Audi dealer.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Let’s be clear right off the bat. This Toyota 2000 SR Concept by SURE DESIGN is not an official Toyota concept and in no way suggests that the Japanese automaker is considering a model inspired by the legendary 2000 GT. That said, it’s still a cool concept that combines styling cues from arguably the greatest Toyota design of all time with a modern hybrid drivetrain. The motor is a turbocharged 3.5L V6 mounted in the front-mid position under the car’s extra long hood. The deets put the turbo V6 at an impressive and quite unbelievable 610 horsepower sent to the rear wheels without the hybrid assist. An electric motor up front, meanwhile, would power the front wheels only for cruising around town. While the design is inspired by the original 2000 GT, it comes no where near that classic in terms of aesthetic appeal. We do, however, like the simplicity of its lines. Unique features also include doors that flow around the back, giving the car a split cockpit-like canopy.

Should Toyota be thinking about rekindling the fire first sparked by the 2000 GT? Absolutely, especially if it truly wishes to be a full-line automaker like General Motors. Should the 2000 SR Concept be charged with this responsibility? No. Let’s wait and see if rumors of a new AE86 or a production version of the FT-HS Concept are true first.

Thanks for the tip, Kai!

[Source: AutoBlog]

According to Sport Compact Car Magazine, the 2007 Ultimate Street Car is a 2001 Audi S4. For those not in the know, the Ultimate Street Car Challenge is an annual two day event hosted by the editors of Sport Compact Car Magazine. Competitors from all over the country are hand selected to battle it out in every aspect of custom street car engineering. These are not trailer queens, people. They are real, street driven monsters. Performance and appearance are not the only deciding factors; emissions, fuel economy and ride comfort make up a significant portion of the score, as well.

This year’s winning 2001 Audi S4 belongs to Brent Mattraw and was tuned by Torque Factory in Venice, California. The Audi’s winning combination did not come from intensive custom fabricated modifications or all out engine blueprinting, but rather attention to the Audi’s weak points. The S4 kept its sophisticated European luxury style but received stronger connecting rods, a better sealing head gasket, higher flowing turbochargers and a reworked differential along with a few other bolt-on performance bits. However, the car was not completely devoid of potential deal breaking modifications. It uses a little bit of nitrous to help get the job done.

The Audi beat out a handful of other well qualified vehicles to be crowned champion. They include a C5 Corvette Z06, Infiniti G35, Subaru WRX STI, R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R, Nissan 300ZX, Toyota Supra, Acura Integra, BMW 2002 and even an Ariel Atom. Check out the Nov. and Dec. 2007 issues of Sport Compact Car Magazine to learn the gory details of the competitors and results.

[Source: AutoBlog]