Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. There’s also just a little opinion of mine because I can. This week:
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Ford reveals new Mustang Cobra Jet 50 years after the original
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Infiniti is bringing another EV concept to Pebble Beach
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Volkswagen is adding 40 special colors to the Golf R’s option list
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Subaru prices the 2019 Forester from $24,295
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What’s your automotive news?
50th Anniversary Mustang Cobra Jet
Ford has released a few more details and real images of the all-new Mustang Cobra Jet and it’s as much of a beast as we were expecting. As the Cobra Jet name enters its 50th year, it gets more powerful and faster than ever – fast enough to require a parachute. Only 68 are being built and each will carry an MSRP of $130,000. What kind of factory turnkey drag racer does 911 GT3 money get you?
It gets you a Mustang that can run the quarter mile in the mid-eight-second range and trap at speeds up to 150 mph. The forces required for that crazy of a run come courtesy of a special 5.2-liter V8 (based on the 5.0-liter Coyote from the road car) that’s been strengthened to handle a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger. For various reasons, Ford has not divulged power figures for the Cobra Jet’s unrestricted engine but the previous Cobra Jet was expected to produce around 1,000 horsepower. If people are getting those kinds of numbers on their own Mustang builds, that’s not an unreasonable assumption.
Ford be like: “oh, you wanna see the engine? Here fam, have the serpentine belt”.
Backing that up is a 9-inch solid rear axle, two-way coil-over shocks with adjustable ride height, a low-drag disc brake system from Strange Engineering, and a four-link rear suspension with antiroll and panhard bars. It of course comes with all the necessary safety equipment including a full NHRA-certified roll cage.
But we have a picture of the whole engine, too. [-Ed.]
http://hooniverse.info/2018/08/16/is-this-the-mustang-shelby-gt-500-engine/
The 50th Anniversary Mustang Cobra Jet is only available in Race Red or Oxford White and is shown with the optional commemorative livery. It also comes with special badges that are good for a couple HP at least. Those interested in buying but never racing a car made specifically for drag racing, contact your local Ford dealer.
[Source: Ford]
Infiniti Confirms Prototype 10 Debut for Pebble Beach
Like everyone else, Infiniti has signaled their intentions of developing more electrified vehicles but so far has only done so through one-off concepts. Next week at Pebble Beach though…. that trend will continue with Infiniti’s debut of another one-off concept car.
Infiniti will be showing off the Prototype 10, another single seat EV that can’t possibly be as cool as last year’s EV concept. Last year’s Prototype 9 was a modern interpretation of an old Grand Prix racer, but this year they’ve turned to the classic 50’s speedster look for inspiration. They say it’ll have a “cool, clean, and forward-looking design” which you can sort of see for yourself with this concept sketch. It’ll be revealed in full on August 23rd.
Speaking more in its design (because that’s all we can go off of for now), I’ll let Infiniti’s Executive Design Director, Karim Habib, explain:
The INFINITI Prototype 10 echoes the layout and design of some of the most evocative car designs of all time, where power was celebrated through high-powered single-seat competition cars. Our new concept speaks of an electrified future, something which is reflected in its form and details. It is appropriate that we found inspiration in an optimistic bygone era in which cars were characterized by the simple love of driving.
It’s certainly gonna look cool and it will be another hit that tugs at the heartstrings of enthusiasts who yearn for more interesting EVs, but at some point a concept will have to turn into a real car. Next year they should have the Prototype 11 be inspired by a contemporary sports car that can actually be built.
[Source: Infiniti]
Volkswagen Spektrum Program Adds Color to Golf R
Oh look at you, Volkswagen, being all German and stuff by using the German spelling of that one word in the title there. I know this brilliant play on words is super subtle, but Volkswagen used a word in the title of this new program that was in their native German language – a feat that would normally confuse and bewilder – but it pays off because it sounds similar to its English counterpart. Don’t know if anyone else caught that.
The Spektrum Program, which would be pronounced Spectrum Program by uncultured swines, will be an option for future Golf R buyers which presents them with a diverse range of 40 new paint colors. This is separate from their standard paint colors and is an additional $2,500 option. These colors range from bright and flashy to deep and beautiful while others are even borrowed from older models.
Some of the noteworthy options in this spektrum include Viper Green Metallic, originally found on the European Mk 3 Scirocco and later featured on the Lamborghini Huracán, Deep Blue Pearl from the Mk 4 and Mk 5 R32, Ginster Yellow from the 1997 Driver’s Edition GTI, and Mars Red from the Mk 1 GT.
The SPEKTRUM will soon be added to the Golf R configurator on www.vw.com and color sample kit is on its way to dealers. The ordering books should be open soon if not already and deliveries may take up to four months to complete.
Which color in this GROSSES SCHÖNES UND SEHR DEUTSCHES SPEKTRUM DER FARBEN is your favorite?
[Source: Volkswagen]
Subaru prices 2019 Forester
Subaru’s all-new fifth-generation Forester, which offers the most space, capability, and features in its 22-year history, will have an MSRP between $24,295 and $34,295 when it goes on sale this fall. The base prices increase by $500 over last year’s version, but that all goes into some big improvements.
The 2019 Forester is re-engineered on the new Subaru Global Platform and delivers major improvements in safety, ride, handling, and occupant comfort. It now comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, and full LED headlights. Higher trim models introduce features ranging from heated seats and a panoramic roof to Hill Descent Control and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
The powertrain also sees some improvement, starting with the revised 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder. It now produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb.-ft. of torque and is paired with a CVT. The EPA estimates 33 mpg highway with this setup. For those who like doing Forester things with their Forester, all versions now come with Active Torque Vectoring to supplement the Symmetrical AWD they’re known for.
The basic convenience and performance features covered here only scratch the surface of what all is upgraded in the new Forester. There are plenty of other quality of life improvements and tech features that are new for this year’s model. You can see this for yourself sometime this fall when they start rolling out.
[Source: Subaru]
What’s Your Automotive News?
That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
[Image © 2018 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]
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