2007 L.A. Show Top Six

November 16, 2007  - By John LeBlanc

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Here in the City of Angels (and traffic jams, perennially awful hockey teams and throat-burning smog), being green is everything. Well, almost. Among the fuel-cell-this and dual-mode-hybrid-that, I was able to find six sets of wheels for those who love to drive:


Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR

Need-to-know: Chrysler’s SRT gang delivers the Viper in American Club Racer form as a purpose-built, street-legal track car offering aerodynamic improvements like a variable geometry "fanged" front splitter, an adjustable rear wing, front dive planes, racing suspension and weight savings. Oh yeah, don’t forget the new-for- 600 hp/560 lb-ft 8.4-litre vee-ten lump. All “for under $100,000.” What we say: A racecar version of one of our favourite rides that can be driven to the track. Nice. More Viper pics


Nissan GT-R

Need-to-know: Godzilla finally crosses the Pacific! Starting at $69,850, Americans will get three flavours of GT-R. Canucks will get only the all-singing and dancing version—yet to be priced. As you may already know: 480 hp/430 lb-ft 3.8L twin-turbo vee-six; AWD; 7.38 ‘Ring time. This Japanese bomb may just knock off the ‘Vette Z06 if bang-for-your buck is your thing. What we say: If Nissan Canada can bring this in around new BMW M3 money, can you say “dragon slayer?”  More GT-R pics


Subaru WRX STi

Need-to-know: Not the JDM 2.0L blown boxer iteration shown at Tokyo last month, this is the North American version with a 305 hp/290 lb-ft 2.5 mill that Subie suits say will be more tractable. The new Driver Control Center Differential offers three selectable automatic performance modes in addition to the six manual differential-locking settings. Priced at $34,995 in the U.S., the big question is what Subaru Canada can sell it here for. What we say: More torque and the lighter aluminum suspension should keep the third-generation STi a Targa Newfoundland fave. More STi pics


Ford Mustang Bullitt

Need-to-know: The current Mustang—even in Shelby form—is a pig to get around a corner. But early reports say tweaks to the Bullitt’s modified chassis and suspension, mainly from a front strut brace, seem to improve things. The subtle looks help too, as does the 315 hp/325 lb-ft 4.6L vee-eight. At $40,000, the Canadian Bullitt is about $10k more expensive than the U.S., but there’ll only be 700 copies here, which pretty much guarantees Ford Canada will sell every one. Still a bargain. What we say: If I have to explain where the Bullitt theme came from, you’re on the wrong Web site. More Bullitt pics


Lexus IS-F by FiveAxis

Need-to-know: Made over by the Southern California shop, FiveAxis, a custom six-inch wide body kit and lowered ride height provided by the Tein adjustable coilovers add visual punch to the IS-F’s already mean 416 hp/371 lb-ft 5.0L vee-eight underhood. But it’s the custom Satin Black Pearl Paint that makes this a killer. What we say: With the stealth metre pegged at 11, this is the first Lexus ever to tingle our cojones. More IS-F pics


Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Need-to-know: Based on the impending Genesis mid-size sedan, preliminary specs indicate a 300 hp 3.8L V6 in the 2+2 RWD coupe. To be sold as “the least expensive 300 hp car on the market”, the sporty Hyundai (yes, I know—Hyundai!) will have to be cheaper than the current $33,999 Ford Mustang GT V8 to back up that boast. What we say: I’m sure the vee-six will be nice. But this Korean Mustang needs a vee-eight baaad! More Genesis Coupe pics

- John LeBlanc, Publisher