The Viper was an instant jaw dropper when it first came out during the North American Auto Show in 1989 which was a clear go signal from the market to hit the production line. The carmaker though did not go thru the process without any challenge, starting with the V10 engine made in cast-iron that was really heavy. The powerplant was later re-engineered by Lamborghini using aluminum alloy.

The Viper collected a ton of wins in the racing circuits like several top podiums in Le Mans. It struggled thru four generations before the the vehicle was almost killed or before the brand was sold off. The end of production for the fourth gen Viper came to an end in July 2010.

Sergio Marchionne worked hard to keep the Viper in the Chrysler family and so after all the hurdles, a new Viper was unveiled during this year’s auto show in New York. The video below talks about the history of the Viper and all the seven minutes is worth it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

And we throw in more videos below which were released just recently. The first video was shot in the assembly plant for the SRT Viper at the factory in Connor Avenue. Just to emphasize, who will miss work when all you do all day is spin wrenches building a Viper, THE Viper.

The second video is all about the design of the Viper as narrated by Ralph Gilles. The SRT head sounds so excited and obviously gives his seal of approval for the new Viper, and who we are to disagree?

Click here to view the embedded video.

The VW hatch will be launched with more engine options than its current model. There will be a plug-in hybrid variant that is said to give out 243bhp and over 50 miles per gallon, super-clean variant running on natural gas, and an electric version. The covers of this ride will be pulled off by September in Paris and hit dealerships early 2013.

The mainstream versions will come with a new family of smaller petrol engines and super efficient diesel powertrains. The top of the line 2.0 diesel non GTD engine produces 181 bhp with a torque of 280 lb-ft while there is also a more potent 220 bhp undergoing tests for the GTD. The petrol engine lineup has a 1.4L range topper which gives out 138 bhp with cylinder deactivation for better economy. Consumers may also opt for the bigger 2.0L and 1.8: petrol powerplants.

The Golf GTI will have a 2.0L engine that can deliver 260 bhp and also promises more agility in terms of steering behavior and precision. These characteristics are attributed to the VAQ controlled differentials in front which went around the Nurburgring about eight seconds faster that the Golf models with the conventional setup.

There is an all AWD opton for the MQB platform of the VW Golf and active dampers with its updated chassis control.

The German car manufacturer promises to release a lighter version of the Mk7 that makes use of aluminum flooring and base for the windscreen. VW would not say which of the models will get the hybrid structure of steel and alloy, but it is most likely the GTI and the EV.

The new VW Golf will be among the first vehicles of the brand to use the MQB platform. This platform can actually be made available for the supermini Polo thru the longer and bigger Passat. The ride also features a dashboard touchscreen, cruise control that adapts to the driver’s needs, detection of driver fatigue, parking sensors and parking assist.

If all goes well, the Chinese company will own the Sweden car marque Koenigsegg since Volvo was bought by Geely two years ago for a higher price of about $2 billion which is more a lot more compared to the initially planned $141.7 million to purchase the whole of Saab Automobile and get the Saab GB Shares.

The CEO of Saab was pushed against the wall to go for the offer to sell the brand since the administrator of Saab appointed by the court has pushed to declare for bankruptcy. Victor Muler had to crossed out the July deal and nod to the Chinese firm’s offers.

The two sides have sealed a memorandum of understanding which will be good through November 15 while the company continues to go thru restructuring. The final agreement which proposes for the payment to be made in several installments is still for review by Saab shareholders and the Chinese authorities.

The administrator Guy Lofalk has withdrew his recommendation for bankruptcy and termination of reorganization of the company after the deal was signed.

The car manufacturer has been thru some turbulent times and everyone is hoping that the deal may end the rough ride especially for the workers of Saab. The carmaker has had several close calls with bankruptcy in the last few months.

According to Victor Muller, the deal gives light and hope for the future of the company. He sees the move to pave the way for a new CEO to take over. This will allow the company to move forward, attract investors, and restart with some stability.

He also sees the deal to be the best solution to the problem so the company can pay its creditors and also push for their plans to move into the Chinese market, which is the current largest automotive market at the moment. Muller will be CEO until the new top executive is hired.

The standard Renault Samsung SM7 luxury car is heavily patterned after the Nissan Teana, which made its first appearance last April during the 2011 Seoul Auto Show. The Nissan Teana was built from the Renault Samsung SM5 model and utilized the shared platforms and engine designs of the global alliance between Nissan and Renault.

The Renault Samsung SM7 luxury car was built in an assembly plant located in Pusan, South Korea. Its development cost lands in an estimated figure of about $300 million. The Renault Samsung SM7 luxury car’s direct competitors are the upcoming Kia K9 model and the Hyundai Grandeur.

The Renault Samsung SM7 luxury car two engine options: the 2.5-liter engine unit with 185 horsepower and the 3.5-liter power plant with 254 horsepower. Each of these power trains are attached to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The luxury car’s overall design is sleek and powerful with bi-Xenon headlights, chrome trimmings, spacious cabin with lush interior features, and the impressive twin exhaust tail-pipers for quality performance engines. Other interior and engine specifications have yet to be revealed in future press releases from Renault.

This year is monumental for the carmaker because it’s the year when the Dodge Charger SRT8 and the Chrysler 300 SRT8 make their comeback as it failed to show up in the 2011 product line. The basic price tag for the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 will kick off at around $46,620 (inclusive of shifting cost) while the price tag for the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 will start somewhere near $47,995 (inclusive of shifting cost).

The 2012 Challenger SRT8 392 will carry a massive 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine with 470 horsepower, plus a cold-package heated steering wheel, and an impressive Harman Kardon audio system as an add-on. Moreover, the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 gets the same engine power plus the a newly designed aluminum wheels.

In the same press conference last Friday, the carmaker mentioned their plan to upgrade their Street and Racing Technology by creating a separate company for it while still being under the umbrella company. This move will obviously make the SRT name a big heavyweight within the Chrysler brand.

The carmaker expressed that its new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is their best Jeep yet while it carries the same engine power as the rest of the above mentioned car models and the same Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque will roll out onto the display rooms by September 2011 and will come in a 5-door and coupe versions.

Both models of the Range Rover Evoque will have an option for a gasoline or diesel engine. Buyers can choose from a turbodiesel 2.2L powerplant that gives out 148 horsepower or 187hp, or the turbocharged 2.0L direct-injected gasoline engine that can produce 236 horsepower. The latter can bring the Evoque from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a matter of 7.1 seconds.

Instead of trim hierarchy, Land Rover gives consumers three design themes to pick from with common standard features. The car manufacturer also allows personalisation of the vehicle so every detail of the Evoque will satisfy your requirements and taste. You will have a choice between PURE which is the closest to the concept LRX; Prestige which defines a luxury ride; or Dynamic which gives you a genuine sporting experience.

The Range Rover Evoque can fit the style the consumers want by giving you the option to choose from twelve exterior colors, 7 alloy rim designs, 3 roof treatments, 16 interior design options, and a panaromic roof glass.

The new features for the 2011 Tacoma will include a new grille design for the X-Runner, TRD Sport, TRD, Off-Road, the SR5, and the Base. The Regular Cab units will come with air conditioning as standard while the 4×2 versions will be getting 15-inch steel rims.

The Tacoma models enjoying the 6-disc CD changer will not come with a satellite radio that will be on a subscription basis. The Double Cab will get cruise control, keyless entry, audio controls on the steering wheel, and sliding rear privacy glass.

The pickup will be coming out with two engine options. There will be the 159 horsepower 2.7L engine that also has a peak torque of 180 lb-ft, and the V6 4.0L that gives out 236 hp and torque of 266 lb-ft.

Exclusive of shipping and handling, the base price for the 2011 Tacoma will be at $16,365 for the 4×2 Regular Cab with a 2.7L 4-cylinder engine with 5-speed manual transmission. The 4×4 Double Cab that runs with a V6 4.0L has a sticker price of $27, 525.

The new Tacomas will be hitting the US shore before the end of July.

For one, a navigation system is a fantastic way to ensure that if you do get into an accident that the police are notified so that they can get you help.  OnStar is a fantastic navigation system that can truly do anything that you need it to do.

You also want to make sure that whatever car you are considering tests high in the crash test scores.

When you think about it, spring and summer are right around the corner and just like in fashion, car colors change up and I can promise that there are very spring colors out there for your car.  Purple is one color that you certainly need to make sure that you look into whenever you are looking to deck your car out in spring colors.

Now, there are many different colors of purple out there too and you want to make sure that you get one that is bright, brilliant and looks fantastic in the sunlight.  Think about it, driving around in a car that is not only very spring-like but also looks awesome?  You can not beat it!

Pretty soon you will be able to drive around in the nice and warm weather – so make sure you get yourself a purple car!

And I love to see the things automakers come up with, like the Istituto Europeo di Design, out of Turin, which is responsible for this, the IED Eye concept.

This is sleek, modern, the product of students who are part of one of the best transportation design programs in Italy (they created it) and Jorge Andres Pinilla Fonseca (who initially came up with the idea).