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The 2010 Ford Mustang teasers continue, with a darkened shot of the new ‘Stang’s seats and center console. The new thrones look mighty inviting, with a nice amount of padding and some American-friendly bolsters. The center console appears to be a little taller than the current Mustang, but we’ll have to wait until we get a chance to sit inside at this year’s LA Auto Show.

The crew from Camaro5 were on hand to capture the first live unveiling of the Chevrolet Camaro SS at Indy Bash 2008, and although we’ve seen the silver-hued coupe on numerous occasions, this is the first time we’ve gotten a glimpse inside.

As you’re undoubtedly already aware, the Camaro SS is powered by a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 putting out 422 hp and 408 lb.-ft. of torque, and in this case power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The most striking element of the SS’ interior is the shiny plastic door panels and dash trim that matches the two-tone black and leather seats, with contrast stitching. It’s very racy, and should tie in nicely with the SS badges fore and aft.

We’ll be able to see the Camaro SS up close at the Paris Motor Show next month, so stay tuned for our impressions from the floor.

Here we go again. Late last month we brought you a bevy of beautiful 2010 Chevy Camaro SS shots, and today General Motors has released a big batch of its own. These new images include studio shots of the 422-hp Camaro SS from various angles, as well as a few detail shots of the front and rear ends. Eh, it was about time for a new desktop wallpaper anyway.

The lure of the flying car is just too great for Moller International, a company best known for its SkyCar prototype and not actually producing a real flying vehicle for sale despite being around for some 25 years. Its latest tease is adapting the body shell of a Ferrari 599 GTB for use as a flying vehicle. Called the Autovolanter, this 599 GTB that’s freed from the shackles of Earth is capable of vertical take-offs and landings thanks to a hybrid powertrain comprised of rotary engines and electric motors. The vehicle, proposed by a wealthy Russian businessman who’d apparently like to bypass Moscow’s busy traffic with style, has already gone through small-scale testing and Moller seems rather pleased with the results.

Initial goals for the Autovolanter are a 150-mile range on the ground, with 40 of those coming from battery power alone, and 75 miles of airborne flight at high speeds. So the Autovolanter is basically a flying Chevy Volt based on a Ferrari. To make it a reality, the vehicle would need 800 horsepower… no problem, right? Oh yeah, and Moller needs around $5 million for continued development. Word is they’re currently seeking more wealthy Russian businessmen who apparently have no sense.

CAR has gotten its hands on the Porsche Cayman spy shots we featured earlier, along with a few new snaps of the next 911 undergoing testing. While the Boxster facelift – due to be unveiled at the LA Auto Show this November – and the tweaked Cayman – coming out early next year – won’t be anything revolutionary, CAR has revealed speculated that big changes are underfoot for the 911, taking technology, power delivery and driver comfort to levels never thought possible in the iconic coupe. Check out what we’re talking about after the jump.

The next 911, internally code-named the 991, is due out in late 2011 and will share several components with the 981 Boxster and Cayman. According to CAR’s Porsche source, Mr. Durheimer, “The design can of course be evolutionary, but beneath the skin, almost anything is possible.”

To the first point, Durheimer says that “there is no need for old-fashioned protruding door mirrors” and that the newly adopted pedestrian crash standards will cause Porsche to make obvious alterations to the front of the car. The rear will be reshaped to further enhance aerodynamics, along with a new active rear spoiler, adjustable front splitter, integrated “jet vents” in the wheel arches to keep the 911 planted at speed and a new floor pan design.

On the engineering front, the new dual-clutch PDK transmission will be around until 2018, when Porsche may implement a seven-speed CVT (!) into it’s range-topping coupe. New materials are also part of the package, and with the knowledge gleaned from the Carrera GT, Porsche hopes to reduce the 911’s curb weight by 10 percent through the use of composite materials replacing aluminum.

Within the next decade, Porsche plans to use more active steering and torque vectoring on its new models, along with next-generation PSM stability management, a water-level sensor to combat hydroplaning and, of all things, a parking system with a rear-mounted camera similar to that found on the Lexus LS range and some new Volkswagen products.

Big things are obviously on the way; too bad we’ll have to wait 10 years to see if any of it comes to fruition.

Rumors of a new four cylinder engine from BMW have been confirmed by BMW’s North American leader Jim O’Donnell. Questions on whether it will be offered in the United States, though, are still very much in the air. “We can’t really confirm or deny when it is going to come into the US, or if it is going to come into the US, until after the election and the government makes it clear what is going to be the platform that manufacturers have got to work to,” says O’Donnell. It really seems so simple to us. If an automaker has a new engine that offers both good performance and good fuel economy, it should be offered in the U.S. market.

Granted, the last effort to sell four-cylinder Bimmers in the States didn’t go over so well. But BMW’s reputation was earned first by cars like the 2002, which was motivated by a sprightly little four-banger. Considering the fact that BMW owns the MINI brand, the automaker should know better than anyone else that Americans are now willing to spend a good deal of money on small cars with small engines. We’ll gladly support a revival of the tii badge on a lightweight 1 Series platform powered by a nice turbo four.

Factory Five currently sells the most popular Shelby Cobra kit by far. One of the reasons that more people build the FFR Cobra than all other Shelby kits combined is that it’s the easiest one to finish, as it comes with everything needed minus a donor Mustang. That same philosophy is behind the new ‘33 Hot Rod kit from FFR. Any small block Ford V8 engine will fit, along with the buyers choice of transmission and a Ford rear end. The benefits to starting with a completely new foundation rather than an existing Ford product from the ’30s are apparent when you take a look at that triangulated tube chassis and its in-board coil-over front suspension. Plus, with just 2110 pounds. to push around with its fiberglass body, this is one ‘33 that will have no problem getting out of its own way.

Want one? The kits are currently priced at just under $20K and are shipping now. A short wait ’till December will ensure that no parts are on back-order. That should give you plenty of time to source an appropriate engine, transmission and rear axle and rolling stock. Now, all you need to do is pick a color.

Lotus is celebrating its 60th birthday this Sunday at its Hethel headquarters in England, and the British sportscar maker has put together a special edition of the Europa to celebrate. This one is specially configured for the diamond anniversary just to appeal to the likes of Paris Hilton. The special custom gear shift lever and other switches are in-set with diamonds in black metal so they will be all sparkly! On the outside, the high-gloss black paint has tiny bits of glass in it similar to the tuxedo black finish on the Lincoln MKS. The glass adds even more sparkle to the paint in sunlight than a conventional metallic finish. All kidding aside, if the paint is anything like the Lincoln finish it will look great. The Europa also gets some unspecified performance upgrades to give it a sub 5-second 0-60 dash and 146 mph top end.

Chrysler pays the bills with big sellers like the Dodge Ram and Caravan, but when it comes to passion and excitement, the 2009 Dodge Challenger sits with the Viper atop the Pentastar throne. The new Dodge Challenger is retro done right, with the wide stance and long hood of the original mixed with the clean lines and aggressive dimensions of a modern pony car. For the 2008 model year, Chrysler introduced only the SRT version of the Challenger. The first production model sold for $400,000 at auction, and the entire stock of HEMI-packing, Mopar goodness was history faster than it takes to hit 125 mph on a barren back road.

The reality of today’s high gas prices combined with strict new fuel economy standards means that, unfortunately, it’s unreasonable for every Challenger to pack a fire-breathing, neck snapping 425-hp, 6.1L V8. So for 2009, Chrysler added the R/T Challenger with an extremely competitive 375-hp 5.7L Hemi and a less expensive Challenger SE with a corporate 3.5L V6 engine pumping out 250 ponies. We wanted to see if the SE model could satisfy our hunger for rear drive performance and classic muscle car looks, so we took in the entry level Challenger for a stay in the Autoblog Garage.
Our Dark Titanium Metallic Clear Coat Challenger SE review vehicle came only with the $2,795 group G package, which includes stability control, Sirius satellite radio, anti-lock brakes, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. This gave the SE an MSRP of $25,140, which puts it in line with similarly equipped competition from the Ford Mustang.

When an automaker introduces a vehicle with sporty pretenses, there is usually a vast difference in the appearance of the base model and the snorty, rip-roaring high performance model. This isn’t the case with the Challenger. While the SE didn’t have 20-inch rims or stick-on stripes, its basic shape is still very much a head turner. Carried over from the $40,000 SRT model are the front chin spoiler and aggressive-looking but non-functional hood vents. Those attributes and the Challenger’s classic muscle car dimensions make Chrysler’s bargain basement muscle car look more expensive than it really is.

The Challenger is a big vehicle, sharing its platform and powertrain with the full-sized Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. But when you’re standing next to it, the Challenger appears relatively compact. The larger than expected 18-inch rims fill the wheel wells, which gives the sheet metal around them better proportions. Having only two doors also helps, as the coupe shape allowed Chrysler designers to create a compact greenhouse with an abrupt C-Pillar. The front chin spoiler also gives the Challenger a nice ground-hugging look.

We had the Challenger SE during this year’s Woodward Dream Cruise, and when we drove it down the famous four-lane avenue, we received thumbs-up from several onlookers. With the windows down, we heard one young man turn to his father and say “Hey Dad, it’s the SRT Challenger”. What the kid don’t know won’t hurt him. At one point we were taking pictures of the Challenger next to the Mustang Bullitt, and a passing spectator ogled the base Challenger while completely ignoring Ford’s coolest Mustang. If anything, the reactions of others proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Challenger SE looks the part of muscle car, but how does it drive?

In a word, slow. We got the the impression we were driving a Chrysler 300 Touring instead of anything from the era of modern muscle. We expected a bass-filled growl when turning the key, but instead were treated to the whimper of a V6. After slapping the truly retro four-speed automatic into Drive, we experienced a smooth yet unsatisfying engine; long, infrequent shifts; and family sedan acceleration.

Don’t get us wrong, the engine is just fine. The transmission, while only sporting four cogs, is perfectly average and acceleration is acceptable – just not for something that looks as fast as the Challenger. We noticed plenty of body roll and steering calibrated for minimal feedback when we hit the twisties. This definitely isn’t the ass-kicking SRT8 Challenger we drove at Chrysler’s proving grounds over the summer, but then again this model doesn’t cost $40,000. The SE model, with options, falls some $15,000 short of that amount. There is no gas guzzler tax we actually averaged a respectable 24 mpg.

We certainly didn’t feel like stunt drivers for a Vanishing Point sequel behind the wheel of the Challenger SE, but at least we were comfortable. Clearly the budget ran out before Chrysler designers were able to fit the Challenger with a retro interior, but the familiar layout works well just like it does in the Charger. The seats were large and comfy, the buttons well laid out and easy to reach, and the materials were of a higher quality than we’ve experienced in recent Chrysler products. Our only major gripe is that Chrysler insists on using an antiquated cruise control stalk instead of more modern and easier to use steering wheel button controls. The cruise stalk is unlit and in the dark we had absolutely no idea how to set speed, no matter how many times we used it.

The Dodge Challenger is our favorite vehicle in Chrysler’s lineup right now. It looks terrific in any trim and you can get one that fits most any need, desire or budget. The SE model is a sheep in wolf’s clothing, but if you want the muscle car look without the gas guzzling, performance and sheer driving joy of the SRT8 or R/T models, it’s worth considering. And that’s not a knock on the Challenger SE. As Ford has proven with its V6 Mustang, there are a lot more people who want a car that looks cool than there are those who want a fast car that’s fun to drive. Just don’t think you can blow away that Nissan Altima 3.5 sitting next to you at the stop light, because you’ll get your ass kicked.

Mercedes-Benz may decide to call a coupe a coupe starting next year. If you want a CLK after 2009, you might have to settle for an E-Class Coupe or E-Class Convertible. Want a 2-door S-Class around the same time? Then you’re after the S-Class Coupe. We don’t know the reason for the potential name changes, especially since the cars have such great equity — and taking eight minutes to say E-Class Coupe Black Series doesn’t have nearly the to-the-point hotness of CLK Black Series, even though it’s the same number of “syllables”. The CL change might make more sense as the car wasn’t a huge sales success, but drop those letters in conversation and you still get a forceful point across. We can only hope that the bard was right, and that a rose by any other name…