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See that above? It’s the Monroney for Tony Stark’s Acura in The Avengers. We saw the car on set last year, when most of what we had to say about it centered on its potential hints to the as-yet-unseen Acura NSX concept. Someone got a closer look at the roadster on display, and its details are nothing short of cartoonish but in the best way.

The $9,229,000 supercar uses a palladium-powered 80,000 TOHC 32-valve engine boosted by, get this, nitrous. As well as its nine-speed hyper-shift transmission, lithium dioxide-injecting shocks and reflex-response steering column with target guidance feedback, it is fitted with a device to create an enviro-clone projected hologram of its surroundings. You know, for defense. And because actual palladium use might vary among agents, the 234 city/302 highway mpg is for Tony Stark only.

Head over to Collider.com for more closeup images of Stark’s low-density-plasma-emitting Acura roadster and a closer read of that window sticker.

Monroney details on Tony Stark’s $9,229,000 Acura from The Avengers

The image above is a perfect example of potential energy. What we have is famed tuner John Hennessey’s own personal daily driver, a modified Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon called “Hammer Wagon,” about to run down the quarter mile. Its twin-turbo V8 is producing upwards of 1,000 horsepower, but with the Christmas tree still glowing red, it’s got nowhere to send that energy.

Watch the video to see the video’s subsequent frames in which the Hammer Wagon hooks up its ridiculously meaty rear tires and tears down the tarmac to the tune of 10.69 seconds at 134 miles per hour.

Hennessey is known for pushing his daily driver to its limits. Last month he maxed out its speedometer at 189.7 mph while participating in the annual Texas Mile.

UPDATE: Hennessey wrote us to offer a point of clarification. His Hammer Wagon is not, as we reported, twin turbocharged, but instead features the company’s V700 upgrade package plus a 75-hp dry nitrous shot. Together they’re good for about 782 horsepower at the engine.

Continue reading Watch Hennessey’s own CTS-V Sport Wagon pull a sub-11-second quarter mile [UPDATE]

Watch Hennessey’s own CTS-V Sport Wagon pull a sub-11-second quarter mile [UPDATE]

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is filled with a variety of machines all battling towards a singular goal. Every driver wants to be the cross the finish line in the least amount of time, and this year the winning car was a bit of a surprise. A bright orange Toyota Celica, piloted by rally champion Jonny Milner, blazed up the 1.16-mile Goodwood hillclimb course in 48.07 seconds. That time bested all of the supercars, and even the Formula 1 racers that participated.

How does a Toyota Celica make the run that quickly? By pumping out over 800 horsepower to all four wheels in a car that only weighs 2,318 pounds. The Celica’s stock engine was replaced with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit plucked from a WRC Toyota Corolla. That mill was then paired with both a Rotrex supercharger and Garrett turbocharger, and Iif that wasn’t enough, a nitrous oxide system was thrown in for good measure.

Video of the winning run hasn’t made its way to the Internet just yet, but we do have footage of the car throwing down a 48.99-second run. Click past the jump to watch the clip, and then fast forward to 1:48 for Jonny Milner’s run.

Continue reading This 800-hp Toyota Celica beat up Formula 1 cars at Goodwood [w/video]

This 800-hp Toyota Celica beat up Formula 1 cars at Goodwood [w/video]

Paul One and Paul Two each took a shot at marrying Cadillac’s edgy and modern Art and Science design philosophy for a recent series of episodes from the long-running American Chopper television program. While it’s generally accepted by motorcycle fans that the show is really all about the drama and hysterics of the extremely dysfunctional Teutul family, the automotive connection in this build piqued our auto-obsessive interest enough to check in with the custom bike creating family.

In case you’re behind in your American Chopper history, the Senior and Junior Pauls are no longer working together at Orange County Choppers. Paul Jr. is running his own shop and design firm (the imaginatively named Paul Junior Designs) and has been pitted against his own father in the last few seasons of the hit reality television show. So, as you might have figured, the father and son each designed and built (with the help of their respective crews, of course) their own takes on the Cadillac CTS-V.

Both builders went long and low with an emphasis on looking fast, and both painted their machines metallic black with plenty of chrome accents. But the details of each bike are unique, with the elder Teutul pushing the power angle with a monstrous V-twin engine and an extra shot of ponies courtesy of a hidden shot of nitrous. Paul the Younger differed in his approach by injecting as much of the actual CTS-V into his two-wheeled machine as possible.

Push come to shove, we think Junior’s design more accurately depicts the Cadillac design theme. In any case, neither motorcycle would be all that useful as actual transportation devices, and neither is likely to be ridden more than a few feet in any direction for loading, unloading and general “See, it does work!” showing off.

In any real competition, there must be a winner and a loser. Discovery Channel, Cadillac and the two Teutuls have teamed up to pit these two motorcycles up against one another to raise money for the Cure Duchenne charity. Judging from the total number of fans, views and current top bid, it appears Junior’s design holds the edge in the eyes of the public. Bidding on the two bikes will continue until July 31, 2011 at 5:59 PM EST.

Feel free to browse both bikes in our photo galleries, then pick your own winner in our included poll.

View Poll

American Chopper takes on Art and Science with Cadillac CTS-V build [w/poll]

The best thing about drag racing is that fast is never fast enough. After building a Chevrolet Camaro that comfortably waltzed down the quarter mile in under nine seconds, the crew at Lingenfelter are hell-bent on making the machine do the deed in even less time. As a result, the mad wrenches have worked up a 427-cubic-inch LSX engine with a pair of ported LS3 six-bolt heads. All projections have the mighty beating heart churning out somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,200 horsepower with the locomotive grunt getting channeled to the rear wheels via a TR6060 gearbox.

The company hasn’t taken its new quarter-mile king to the track just yet, but it has been so kind as to slip the internet a peek at the machine on the dyno. According to the video after the jump, what you’re seeing is a wide-open-throttle shift from third to fourth with both stages of nitrous in full glory. We’re nearly positive that eons ago, this is why man tamed fire. Hit the jump to check out the action for yourself.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Continue reading Lingenfelter at work on new World’s Fastest Camaro [w/video]

Lingenfelter at work on new World’s Fastest Camaro [w/video]

Prepare to have your concept of the laws of physics twisted by the guys and gals at Lingenfelter. The crew have turned their attention to building one of the meanest full-interior, fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro drag cars on the planet. In order to hustle 4,075 pounds of General Motors muscle down the track, Lingenfelter has dropped in a fully built LS9 V8 with an Eaton supercharger and all the guts to match. The heads were fully ported and loaded with titanium intake valves and hollow, sodium-filled exhaust valves for the easiest breathing possible. Throw in a set of long-tube headers, a two-stage nitrous system and twin fuel pumps and you’ve got a lump good for a mind-boggling 1,243 horsepower.

Lingenfelter has unsurprisingly ditched the stock clutch in favor of an RPS triple carbon piece, and a unique 9.5-inch billet rear differential with a 4.10 gear puts power to both rear wheels.

By some miracle of driving prowess, John Ebert was able to wrestle this machine down the quarter mile in 8.99 seconds at 158 mph. Hit the jump to watch it happen.

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading Video: 1,243-hp Lingenfelter Camaro runs eight-second quarter mile

Video: 1,243-hp Lingenfelter Camaro runs eight-second quarter mile

We were fortunate enough to be able to beat back the crowds around Fireball Tim Lawrence’s Redster just long enough to snap a few shots from the show floor. Auto Trader Classic rolled out both the 1951 Chevrolet 3100 and Fireball himself for the event. Throw in the five massive Sony touchscreens nestled in the pinstriped pickup’s bed and you’ve got a recipe for one very packed booth.

With a tasty small-block V8 nestled under the hood and a Nano Nitrous set up, this machine should have no trouble putting a dent in the space-time continuum should the driver decide to get familiar with the accelerator.

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

SEMA 2010: Fireball Tim’s Redster is a crowd favorite

Ten years ago, when Hyundai came to SEMA for the first time, it did so with Tucson and Veracruz models with wacky appliques. Now, like Jay Z, they’ve rolled up Big Pimpin’ with three Equus luxocruisers dressed and dropped by the likes of Rhys Millen, Mummbles, and DUB magazine.

The Mummbles Marketing steed, nicknamed the “Elegant Equus,” has had its outside, inside, wheels, brakes, suspension and engine reworked. Among the extensive changes are an SPA turbo for the V8 with an S-Max intercooler and wastegate, as well as a Nitrous Express kit blowing out through a Magnaflow system, an Air Lift digital air suspension, Wilwood brakes hiding behind 22-inch Equip E10 wheels, while inside there are gunmetal and burgundy custom leather interior, glowing gauges, and Junction Produce curtains all around.

Rhys Millen is offering an RMR take on the Equus, the third year he’s worked with Hyundai to show something off. A more subtle option than either of Hyundai’s other big horses, Millen’s gone for carbon fiber and blue satin outside on 21-inch HRE wheels with RMR brakes, thirty more ponies under the hood with the RMR air intake, while ostrich leather provides the… goosebumps… inside atop embroidered seats.

As for DUB – well, you know full well what they did: mesh, chrome, 24-inch TIS wheels, “D” logos, nine more speakers plus a couple more amps, blacklights, and DUB edition Monster energy drinks in iced coolers, all drenched in gloss black and matte charcoal. Be honest: you’d have been disappointed with anything else. Find them all in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL

SEMA 2010: Rhys Millen, Mummbles Marketing and DUB bow at the altar of Equus

Airhead Kustoms is going big for the 2010 SEMA show. Calling its creation the Pit Boss, Airhead Kustoms has teamed up with Cars by Kris to transform the rugged 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty into the ultimate tow and support truck. The already lofty power numbers of the stock pickup have been given a boost thanks to the addition of a Snow Performance water/methanol injection system, Nitrous Express diesel nitrous system and an AFE Power cold air intake.

Sorting out the ride and handling is a DJM Suspension setup that uses front lowering beams, a rear flip kit and beefy shock absorbers. Hellwig anti-roll bars and Firestone Ride-Rite air helper springs further aid in keeping this Pit Boss in check.

Inside, the Super Duty interior has been upgraded with a custom headliner and leather upholstery. A Rockford Fosgate sound system and a Dashboard Devices in-dash computer provide plenty of entertainment and information. The Pit Boss was built to get a race car to the track but the interior keeps things cozy once you are there. Have a look for yourself in our high-res gallery below.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

SEMA 2010: Airhead Kustoms Ford F-350 Super Duty lives life large

Hyundai has already shown us its GoGoGear Racing Genesis Coupe and a Rhys Millen Racing Equus. Now we get two more looks at what they’re bringing to SEMA this week. Hyundai has teamed up with DUB Magazine and Mummbles Marketing on a pair of Equus sedans.

The DUB Equus shows surprising restraint. While it wears 24-inch wheels, they blend in nicely with the body kit. Likewise, the grey-black paint scheme is sinister without being SEMA-shouty. Dare we say it? This is one SEMA ride we wouldn’t mind spending some seat time with.

Mummbles Marketing, a new custom shop of out Harrisburg, PA, has turned the standard Equus into a luxo-custom it calls the “Elegant Equus.” Mummbles didn’t just focus on looks, however; some wrenching was done on the Equus’ V8 engine, too. Thanks to a turbo kit from Legacy Innovations, a nitrous system and a Magnaflow exhaust, the Elegant Equus now produces 450 horsepower. Mummbles also adds an extra iPad (over the stock tablet the Equus comes with) that controls the air suspension, rear curtains, stereo and windows.

Check out all four of Hyundai’s 2010 SEMA vehicles in the gallery below. You can also read more about the DUB Equus and Mummbles Elegant Equus in the press releases posted after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai Equus Mummbles and Dubs its way to SEMA

Hyundai Equus Mummbles and Dubs its way to SEMA

Englishman Perry Watkins has already built the world’s smallest car, at just over 39 inches high, and the Flatmobile (pictured), that’s 30 inches high. Adding to that list of palmares, Watkins took the record for the fastest “piece of furniture,” placing a dinner table with settings for four – including chairs – on top of a nitrous-boosted Reliant Scimitar engine. Over two runs on a 500-meter track in Nottinghamshire, he averaged almost 114 miles per hour. The name of his record-setting dining table: Fast Food, natch. He displaces a sofa that only went 92 mph three years ago.

[Source: Telegraph]

New record set for world’s fastest furniture

Nitrous oxide – the preferred go-fast gas of many speed freaks – delivers its substantial power boost by cooling the surrounding air, which in turn becomes denser. The denser air’s higher oxygen volume feeds the hungry engine, which can now produce more power. Nitrous oxide is also widely used in the healthcare industry as an anesthetic and analgesic. You can find nitrous canisters in hospitals, dentists’ offices, Paul Walker’s local speed shop, and ambulance stations. British street racers have apparently been paying close attention to the last one.

A number of UK ambulance stations have reported missing giggle gas canisters, and they’re pointing the finger at local “boy racers.” The Daily Mail highlights the ways nitrous oxide is used by the enthusiast crowd, but fails to mention any specific proof that these recent crimes were committed by folks addicted to going faster. Perhaps a little more evidence is called for before conveniently condemning the English Fast and Furious set, no?

Image Copyright @2009 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL
[Source: The Daily Mail]

UK street racers boosting nitrous canisters from ambulance stations?

Ford is hosting a round-the-world trip in its new Fiesta, and somehow that led Motor Trend to visit Jay Leno’s Garage and have a look at his ’80s-era Ford Festiva Shogun. There’s no way a bog-standard 63-horsepower runabout could last longer than a fruit fly in Jay’s garage, so this one does its best impression of a Renault 5 Turbo down to the engine in the rear and the blistered arches and vents.

For those who don’t know what a Shogun is exactly, it’s the perfect marriage of a Taurus SHO’s original 3.0-liter Yamaha V6 and a Ford Festiva. You take the motor and drivetrain from the Taurus SHO and place it front-to-back in the Festiva, then season to taste with wheels and body kit. Leno’s Shogun is also boosted by nitrous oxide for a total of about 300 horsepower, which is pretty good for a Korean-built subcompact from 1989.

Leno cites two compelling reasons for the Shogun: “Because there are certain parts of the world where people are going to chase you,” and “I live in a hilly area.” Of course, Jay, of course. Follow the jump for the Shogun’s story.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Video: Who’s got a 300-horsepower Ford Festiva Shogun? Jay Leno, who else?

Video: Who’s got a 300-horsepower Ford Festiva Shogun? Jay Leno, who else?

Oh, eBay Motors, you never cease to astound us. Where else could we possibly dig up a Chevrolet Astro Van that’s been built for drag racing and converted to have a passing resemblance to a Lamborghini Gallardo? Yup, you’re looking at the Astroghini. If you’re thinking it looks a lot like a product of “Pimp My Ride” and an acid bender, you’re not far off. The, um, creation was built for a new show on The Discovery Channel called “Ultimate Car Build Off,” and aside from an overdose of Raging Bull influence, the van boasts a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6 with 200,000 miles that’s just waiting to go supernova.

If the prospect of a throttle-body fuel-injection V6 under boost isn’t enough to make you weary, the fact that the vehicle now wears an automatic wet nitrous system should. We’d give it about three full-throttle passes before chunks start flying.The show managed to lower the Astro’s roofline by a full eight inches, and as such, the rear doors don’t open, the side windows are plexiglass and there’s zero interior. That turbo? Yeah, it sits in the passenger floorboard.

The good news is that the Astroghini wears a laundry list of go fast parts, so if you’re looking to snag a deal on a boat load of aftermarket goodies, this may just be your chance. You can check out the auction here.

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Behold… it’s the Astroghini!

There’s no doubt that the 2011 Mustang GT is one of the most potent ponycars to ever come from Ford, but to the Mustang faithful, a big part of its legacy will be how it takes to the aftermarket. The new 5.0-liter V8 seems to be off to a good start, with at least two different modified 2011 Mustangs already achieving ten-second time slips at the dragstrip.

The first to achieve the feat was JPC Racing, who had their 2011 Mustang out at the track within 24 hours of receiving the car. Using 4.56 gears, beefier upper and lower control arms, racing slicks and a 100 shot of nitrous, JPC’s ‘Stang nailed a best time of 10.96 seconds @ 125.75 mph. A short time later, the boys at Evolution Performance nailed a 10.88 @ 126.66 run using just 3.73 gears, a prototype cold air intake, Eaton Trutrac differential, D.O.T. approved racing tires and a 100 shot of nitrous.

While the numbers themselves aren’t all that impressive, the simplicity of the modifications and the brief time in which they were developed surely are. We can’t wait to see what the various tuners around the country can do once they have time to develop more parts for the new Mustang. You can watch both of the runs in the videos posted after the jump.

[Sources: Evolution Performance, StangTV]

Continue reading Videos: Tuned 2011 Ford Mustangs already in the 10’s

Videos: Tuned 2011 Ford Mustangs already in the 10’s

Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 5 [w/video]

We hit up a track day at Mecaglisse to hone our Ice Racing skills and work on our shifting technique with varying degrees of success.

Want a 550-hp AWD Volkswagen Scirocco? Save up $150k and move to Canada

The Scirocco might not be available in North America, but HPA has a work-around involving a set of turbos and a steep price tag.

200-HP Citroen DS3 Racing confirmed for Geneva [w/video]

Citroën’s racing division takes a crack at the all-new DS3 to create a 200-hp hatch with a splash of rally pedigree.

Also of interest:

• Ford to merge U.S. and European performance lines; Focus RS coming to America?
• Report: House subcommittee petitions Toyota for secret documents
• No Laughing (Gas) Matter: Mississippi becomes 39th state to ban nitrous in street cars?
• EYE concept coming to Geneva has Tesla Motors connection
• New Volkswagen CrossPolo to join GTI in Geneva

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 2.19.10

Granted, we’re a little weird around here, but we’ve been dreaming of a multi-stage nitrous system since the sixth grade. We saw our friend’s big brother lay down some fat rubber marks all around the cul-de-sac in his primer’d and blown ‘72 El Camino and BAM!, we were sold on the idea that increasing the air part of the air/fuel equation was the smart, righteous thing to do.

Sadly, nitrous ain’t all that legal in most places. Mississippi was one of the dozen remaining hold outs until some idiots in a blown car decided to take some police on a high speed chase that ended in the death of Trooper Steve Hood. As such, NOS is now illegal in Mississippi street cars, and is the 39th state to pass such a law.

As far as the specifics go, no one’s sure exactly how the law is written. We know (for instance) that in California you can have a nitrous oxide system in your car and the bottle can even be hooked up, however said bottle must be 100% empty. In other states you’re not allowed to have the bottle screwed in. Still, in others, a NOS system is illegal period.

Our pals at Bangshift.com (who know a whole heck of a lot more about this subject than we do ) are telling Mississippi residents, “Seeing as though this is a law fresh in the minds of law enforcement and represents an emotional event for the Mississippi State Troopers, we’d stow our bottle well away from the mount when headed to the race track.” Sage advice, and much wiser than our hide-a-NOS-system in a fake battery ala Smokey Yunick suggestion.

[Source: Bangshift]

No Laughing (Gas) Matter: Mississippi becomes 39th state to ban nitrous in street cars?