Buzz

"I've often said that there was never a Mustang built that I didn't like and that includes both the car and the airplane," said Jack Roush, an aviation enthusiast who currently owns two P-51 Mustang warbirds. "This is the type of product that ROUSH has wanted to produce for at least 10 years but the right platform, the right technology, and the right timing never intersected until now."

The ROUSH P-51A is easily the highest horsepower Mustang the company has ever produced and represents the first time internal engine components have been upgraded by ROUSH technicians in its Livonia, Michigan, facility. It was determined that the only way to give the P-51A moniker its due was to completely break into the 4.6-liter, 3V and rebuild several of the functional internal components, which include a forged steel eight-bolt crankshaft, forged aluminum pistons with increased dish to lower the compression from 9:8 to 8:6, and forged steel H-Beam connecting rods. These upgraded parts were necessary for the stock Ford engine (which comes with 300 horsepower from the factory) to be able to withstand the additional power generated from the newest iteration of the legendary ROUSHcharger supercharger system.

Additional alterations include a custom aluminum upper and lower intake manifold for the high-capacity air-to-water intercooler and ROUSHcharger. ROUSH installs a custom fuel rail and high-flow fuel injectors, a high-flow capacity fuel system, and dual electronic throttle body.

The changes to the ROUSH P-51A don't end under the hood. A ROUSH aerobody kit will be installed, which includes a front fascia, chin spoiler, hood scoop, and rear spoiler. The ROUSH black high-flow grill is added along with cooling side shields to give the car the aggressive look it needs while stalking the streets.

Internally, the car will come with ROUSH sport leather seating and custom floor mats, both with an embroidered P-51A emblem. The white face gauges and billet aluminum pedals will get a lot of use as the driver bangs through the gears with the ROUSH short throw shift lever and retro black ball.

For those who look behind the 18-inch ROUSH forged five-spoke wheels will see the vaunted Stage 3 suspension underneath this vehicle. Designed to handle even the tightest twists and turns, this suspension includes specially engineered and tuned front struts, rear shocks, front and rear springs, front and rear anti-roll bars, and jounce bumpers. The front brakes are also upgraded with 14-inch front two-piece rotors and four-piston calipers. Each component was specifically engineered so that ride comfort was not compromised at the expense of the tremendous gains in performance.

Pricing for the ROUSH P-51A Mustang has not been set, but will be announced shortly. The vehicle is slated to begin production in the first quarter of 2008 and will be limited to 100 vehicles.

PAMELA KREBS NAMED CAR CARE COUNCIL WOMEN'S BOARD "AFTERMARKET WOMAN OF THE YEAR"

The Car Care Council Women's Board has announced that Pamela Krebs, director, advertising and sales promotion, Robert Bosch Corporation, is the fourth annual "Aftermarket Woman of the Year." The announcement was made during the 2007 Women's Board reception, which took place last month during the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas.

Krebs was chosen by the Women's Board executive committee based on her longevity in the aftermarket, career accomplishments, leadership capabilities, and dedication to the automotive aftermarket industry.

Krebs has been with Bosch since 1984, working in various advertising positions. In her current position, she leads a team of 14 associates and directs brand management initiatives for the Automotive Aftermarket Division. She is involved in crafting brand strategy and positioning, plus all areas of marketing communications, including advertising, PR, sales support materials, product packaging, sports marketing, Web site development, and brand research.

Krebs is a member of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) Board of Directors and is the chair of the AAIA Marketing and Member Relations Committee. She is also a member of the Automotive Communication Council (ACC) and is a former officer.

Krebs is a graduate of Bradley University and has certification in the executive program from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

The Women's Board is comprised of professional women and men, including company executives, service shop owners, service writers, motor sports figures, association executives, and consultants who are dedicated to informing female audiences about proper vehicle maintenance and safety, while encouraging young people to investigate automotive career choices.

VOODOO RIDE WEB SITE LAUNCHED

"Our Web site reflects our brand personality: relevant, cutting-edge, and completely unlike what you'd expect to see," said Chris Ferraro, president, CEO and co-founder of Voodoo Ride. "We didn't want a typical Web site. We wanted to create something very unique, a place where people want to visit regularly to learn about our great products, new developments with the company, and other lifestyle components that resonate with the auto enthusiast. Going forward, we plan to expand our Web site into an informative, interactive community."

The Voodoo Ride Web site features information about Voodoo Ride's complete product line and information about the company and its latest news. In addition, a video featuring Earnhardt Jr. and Voodoo Ride products is streamed with music on the home page.

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NISSAN INTRODUCES ALL-NEW NISSAN GT-R SUPERCAR

Pricing of the 2009 Nissan GT-R is $69,850 for the base model and $71,900 for the premium model, which adds standard Bose audio system, heated seats, and side airbags.

GT-R is a multi-dimensional performance machine that lives up to the concept of "the ultimate supercar that can be driven by anyone, anytime, anywhere" and achieved a lap time of 7:38 around the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife, one of the fastest times achieved by a production-spec vehicle to date.

Under the hood, the Nissan GT-R features an all-new 3.8-liter twin turbo V-6 producing 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque (estimated), while meeting ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards. The engine is backed by an all- new, paddle-shifted GR6 sequential 6-speed dual clutch rear transaxle.

The new Nissan GT-R is built on an all-new premium midship platform, which enables the use of an independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system, which places the transmission, transfer case, and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing handling capability.

Suspension is a special multi-link Bilstein DampTronic system, and the braking system is made up of Brembo full-floating drilled rotors, low steel high stiffness brake pads, and Brembo mono block six-piston front and four- piston rear calipers. Tires are nitrogen-filled Bridgestone high-performance run flat or optional Dunlop high-performance all-season tires, on exclusive GT-R 20-inch wheels.

The Nissan GT-R's functional styling utilizes advanced aerodynamics. GT-R's hybrid body construction combines steel, carbon fiber, and die-cast aluminum, and features a low coefficient of drag of 0.27, while achieving high front and rear downforce.

GT-R's interior features sculpted performance bucket seats and a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and multi-function display.

Total vehicle adjustability is provided by a "set-up switch" located in the center of the instrument panel, enabling the driver to adjust transmission shifts, shock absorbers, and the Vehicle Dynamic Control in three settings—normal, comfort or "R," for ultimate handling. A specially designed 11-speaker Bose sound system is available.

MEGUIAR'S ADDS FINISHING TOUCH TO CALLAWAY SPEEDSTER

Meguiar's employees Darin Pereira and Chris Mills had the opportunity to work on the supercharged and intercooled 700-horsepower C16 Speedster that sports twin wind deflectors and extended headrests, exquisite bodywork, and a hand-tooled German leather interior.

Pereira tackled the exterior, which was freshly painted and needed minor finishing work. Flaws and swirls were removed with Meguiar's Unigrit Finishing Paper, followed by Solo Cut and Polish. The finish was taken to the next level using Speed Glaze, applied with a rotary buffer and by hand. A final application of Ultimate Quik Detailer gave the paint a mile-deep, wet-look shine.

Mills detailed the interior, which is loaded with leather, suede, and high-tech electronics, so Mills used Quik Interior Detailer to leave a natural finish on the dash, seat bolsters, and touch screens. Then he cleaned the Speedster's dual windscreens with Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Cleaner and Plastic Polish. Final Inspection was used to wipe down the carbon wheels, wheel wells, engine components, and door jambs to preserve the surface's matte finish. The supercharger and all other polished engine components were hand polished with Hot Rims Mag & Aluminum Polish.

Two months later, the car was on display at the Stoptech Brakes booth at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The Shine Award honors excellence in motor vehicle design and execution.

SALEEN INTRODUCES THE 2008 S302E

New for 2008, the "Extreme" boasts a "Saleen-built" 302-cubic-inch engine augmented by a patented Saleen twin-screw, intercooled supercharger. The combination delivers 620 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque.

The motor features a forged crank, forged connecting rods, individually blueprinted pistons, a 5-axis CNC aluminum cylinder head, high-flow fuel injectors, and high-performance forged camshafts. All of these components are coupled to the Saleen twin-screw supercharger. The "Extreme" can reach 60 mph in less than four seconds and clicks through the quarter-mile in just under 12 seconds.

To get that kind of performance, the team had to get S302E's power to the ground. This is accomplished with standard 20-inch, 5-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero 'Russo' tires. The "Extreme" also features a Saleen Racecraft suspension and an all-new, second-generation Watts Link system. The chassis system is rounded out by upgraded 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control.

The new S302 E is slated to begin production in early December. However, production will be limited to only a select number of enthusiasts and will retail for $79,995.

HELLA DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS NOW ON AUDI & CHRYSLER VEHICLES

Driver-assistance systems from Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., a global tier-one supplier of automotive lighting and electronic equipment, are now available on Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Audi vehicles sold in North America.

Hella's active driver assistance systems are based on camera and ultrasonic technology, as well as infrared LIDAR-based (Light Detection and Ranging) and 24 GHz radar.

The three optional driver assistance systems now available in North America—adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane-change assistant, and rear-view camera—are featured on the Chrysler 300, Audi Q7, and Jeep Commander. The rear camera is also available on seven other Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge vehicles.

The Chrysler 300 offers ACC technology. Using a LIDAR-based system, ACC uses infrared signals to detect a vehicle in the driver's path. It allows cruise control to remain engaged in light to moderate traffic conditions without the need for constant adjustments. Hella's ACC offers significant security advantages by helping keep vehicles at a specified distance and also provides drivers a warning by automatically triggering the brakes.

Audi's Q7 SUV contains Hella's new radar-based lane-change assistant system, also known as the Audi Side Assist. The Audi system determines if objects are in the Q7's blind spot and also recognizes objects not visible in the rear-view mirror. When a vehicle enters the Q7's range of vision, a yellow vertical light strip illuminates on the corresponding side-view mirror. The lane-change assistant has two 24 GHz radar sensors integrated into the vehicle's bumper with a range of 164 feet. The system functions in all weather conditions.

The Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee, Chrysler Pacifica, Town & Country, and Aspen, along with the Dodge Grand Caravan and Durango, feature Hella's rear-view camera. The system consists of a camera with an integrated CMOS image sensor. With an aperture angle of 130 degrees, the area behind the vehicle is visible. When the vehicle's driver engages reverse gear, a color image of what is behind the vehicle is shown on the display for the driver to view.