2008 Porsche GT2 Test Drive: L.A. Auto Show Preview

You’re looking at the first Porsche 911 that will top 200 mph right off the showroom floor. It goes 204 mph to be exact. That’s faster than the regular Turbo and much quicker than the GT3 version homologated for racing. And it bristles with some of Porsche’s best technology. It will go from 0 to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds and hit 100 mph in less than 7.5 seconds. We kept the hammer down on this bad boy all the way to 170 mph on a track. Yeah, this is one massively fun ride.The third generation GT2 ups the power of the Turbo’s twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter engine from 480 to 530 hp, with 505 ft.-lb. of torque from 2200 to 4500 rpm. The engine uses two variable-geometry turbochargers and Porsche’s VarioCam variable valve timing and lift hardware and...

2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR: L.A. Auto Show Preview

Track-day junkies can finally get their hands on a street-legal racing version of the Viper to drive to the course—because railering is just so unccool. The Viper SRT10 ACR’s prodigiously powerful 600-hp engine remains unchanged from the standard, but the suspension is hardened up to improve the Viper’s already impeccable racetrack manners. StopTech provides lightweight, two-piece vented rotors for sustained racetrack braking performance. The exterior package includes hinged front splitters, an adjustable rear wing and a sporty hood stripe. New wheels, featuring track-ready Michelin Sport Pilot tires, trim a good 40 pounds from the Viper. The Hard Core package replaces most of the upholstery in the interior with carbon fiber and substitutes...

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid: L.A. Auto Show Preview

LOS ANGELES — When it hits the market in late 2008, Chevy’s new Silverado Hybrid is expected to be the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup yet—an impressive distinction for the domestic workhorse. Working in conjunction with 300-volt nickel metal hydride batteries that sit beneath the rear seats, the 6.0-liter V8 powerplant is capable of operating on four cylinders for economy, or shutting off completely at speeds of up to 30 mph. The two-mode hybrid system uses regenerative braking for fuel economy, and will be capable of operation while towing up to 6100 pounds. An electrically variable transmission (EVT) rounds out the powertrain setup, enhancing seamless delivery of power for either 2WD or 4WD crew cab models.The Silverado Hybrid should...