Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Vs. SRT Viper

There are plenty of very fast muscle cars that would like to contend with these two, but when it comes to track-carving capability and sheer on-road prowess, the heavier, lazier muscle cars can't compete with these purpose-built super sports cars.

But how do you choose between them? The Corvette Stingray is brand-new, offers 455 horsepower, and brilliant handling, for starting price around $52,000. The SRT Viper is much more powerful at 640 horsepower, but it's also much more expensive, up to $101,309 for the 2014 model year.

The price and the power aren't the only differences between the Viper and the Stingray, however.

The Viper is bred from genes that fall much closer to the racing branch of the tree than the Corvette's. That comes across in its on-track performance, which is brilliant, but also tricky. With 640 horsepower on tap from its 8.4-liter V-10 engine, even the new advanced performance-oriented traction and stability controls can't always keep up. There's massive grip and stopping power, but there's also a tendency to twitch and squirm at the limit that can be unnerving at speeds well over 100 mph.

2014 SRT Viper TA2014 SRT Viper TAOn the street, the Viper's race-bred genes come through too, though in a more unwelcome way. The cockpit is immensely refined from previous versions of the Viper, with quality materials and attractive, modern design--but it's also loud, low, and riding on a stiffly sprung chassis. Viper GTS models get an adaptive suspension that helps balance the street ride quality, but still tends toward the firm over the

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray first drive2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray first drivePerformance is surprisingly similar in some regards, despite the 185-horsepower difference. The Viper hits 60 mph from a stop in the low-three-second range, while the Corvette gets there in 3.8 seconds. That's a few more ticks of the stop watch, but in the real world, both are blindingly quick. Top speed for the Stingray hasn't been established yet, while the Viper's is known, at 206 mph. The Stingray will likely be close behind, as previous Corvettes have nudged the 200-mph mark with similar power levels.

Gas mileage is one major point of contrast. The SRT Viper's monstrous horsepower output comes at a cost, with EPA ratings of just 12 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for a combined 15 mpg. The Chevy Corvette Stingray is much more efficient, at 17 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined with the seven-speed manual transmission. The automatic loses 1 mpg across the board.

2014 Toyota Corolla at $17,610

The 2014 Toyota Corolla sedan will carry a $17,610 base price when it enters dealerships in September, the automaker has revealed. Get the new LE Eco model with both available packages and Blizzard Pearl paint, and you’ll be driving a $23,665 2014 Corolla, including the $810 destination charge.

2014 Toyota Corolla L front three quarters in motion 300x199 image Most 2014 Toyota Corolla sedans will be equipped with a new CVT, but the $17,610 2014 Corolla L gets a standard six-speed manual transmission; add $600 for a four-speed automatic. All Corolla L sedans have LED headlights, Bluetooth, 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, a four-speaker sound system, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power windows with driver’s-side auto up/down, and body-colored side mirrors.

Most will probably start their 2014 Toyota Corolla search with the 2014 Corolla LE, which now has a $19,110 base price, a $135 increase over the equivalent 2013 model. The 2014 Corolla LE includes as standard the more efficient CVT as well as 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, keyless entry, a 6.1-inch touch-screen display with six speakers, a rearview camera, cruise control, Bluetooth phone voice-command controls, power door locks, and piano black interior trim. For $400 more ($19,510), a 2014 Corolla LE Plus adds 16-inch alloy wheels and fog lights. For another $700 ($20,210), the 2014 Corolla LE Premium also adds leather-like Softex seats.

2014 Toyota Corolla LE Eco side in motion 03 300x199 imageWhile most 2014 Corollas are powered by a 132-hp 1.8-liter I-4 with 128 lb-ft of torque, the LE Eco’s tweaked 1.8-liter I-4 has 140 hp and 126 lb-ft, plus better fuel economy than any other trim level. For $19,510, the 2014 Corolla LE Eco has LE-level equipment and adds 15-inch steel wheels and a rear spoiler. Again with the CVT, mileage for the LE Eco model is expected to hit a class-leading 30/42 mpg city/highway. If you want the LE Eco Plus for $700 more, you’ll gain 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, chrome exterior trim, and an Eco driving mode, but estimated fuel economy drops to 30/40 mpg. The price bumps up another $700 to $20,910 for an LE Eco Premium that includes Softex seats. The Blizzard Pearl exterior paint is unique to the LE Eco model, and costs $395.

The flashiest model is the 2014 Toyota Corolla S, which starts at $19,810 and unlike the L, LE, and LE Eco models, offers rear disc brakes. Standard 2014 Corolla S equipment includes fog lights, a revised front grille with piano black trim, side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators, a rear spoiler, 16-inch steel wheels with unique wheel covers, chrome-tipped exhaust, sport seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with paddle shifters and a unique instrument cluster design, piano black interior trim, and a Sport driving mode. The 2014 Corolla S may have a base price $45 lower than last year’s model (before incentives), but we’d go with the 2014 Corolla S Plus, at $20,510. Along with bold 17-inch wheels, you get a retuned suspension and rear disc brakes. The $21,210 Corolla S Premium adds Softex seats. 

2014 Toyota Corolla LE Eco push start 300x199 imagePackages

Two packages are available on every LE, LE Eco, and S model with the CVT in the Plus or Premium sub-trim. A moonroof costs $850 while a $1510 Driver’s Convenience package adds hands-free keyless entry, navigation on a 6.1-inch touch screen with the Entune app suite, and satellite radio.

Estimated EPA-Rated Mileage

Toyota claims the 2014 Corolla LE Eco model will get class-leading fuel economy. Mileage for that trim is expected to hit 30/42 mpg, or 30/40 mpg if you upgrade from the 15-inch steel wheels to 16-inch alloys. The four-speed automatic on the 2014 Corolla L helps the car get 27/36 mpg while trims with the six-speed manual are anticipated to receive a 28/37 mpg rating. With the CVT, mileage is 29/38 mpg — or 37 mpg with the S’ 17-inch wheels. 

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster MEC Design

Berlin aftermarket specialist MEC Design has revealed its latest SLS AMG program displayed here on this Roadster model.

The aero package consists of a sculpted front bumper with LED daytime running lights and carbon fibre splitter, side skirts, a carbon boot lid spoiler and Black Series-inspired rear bumper with a choice of Extreme, Formula or GT3 diffuser section. 

MEC can also supply its adjustable coilover suspension system allowing a drop of up to 70 mm and a set of its mecxtreme3 alloy wheels, which measure 10.5 × 20 and 11.5 x 21-inches and come wrapped in 275/30 ZR 20 and 295/25 ZR 21 tyres.

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR 2013

 LAMBORGHINI SUPERCARS / EXOTIC CARS NEW CARS CAR TUNING ROADSTER CONVERTIBLE LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR

SPECIFICATIONS:

Engine:

V12

Transmission:

7-Speed Automated Manual

Horsepower @ RPM:

730 (Est.)

Torque @ RPM:

520 (Est.)

Displacement:

6.5 L

0-60 Time:

2.9 sec. (Est.)

Top Speed:

217 mph

DMC Luxury has applied its wild Molto Veloce and LP900 upgrade kits to the Aventador Roadster to create the first modified example of this brand-new exotic from Lamborghini. Called the Aventador Roadster ‘Black’, the DMC upgrade includes a laundry list of exterior carbon fiber styling mods to go along with the frightening engine note and intimidating looks.

EXTERIOR

 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Black Molto Veloce by DMC 

Making an Aventador look like it has $200,000 in factory options is not easy, as evidenced by the 20-plus unique parts that go into every full Aventador Roadster ’Black’ conversion by DMC. The full aero kit is extremely low - which makes the Lambo’s original front-end lift system a critical option for people considering the DMC upgrade. Without it, curbs and speed bumps will be the end of the road for these bonded carbon-fiber additions.

Overall, the front splitter is at least 8 inches of exposed-weave carbon-fiber drama up front, while the SV-style rear wing looks amazing with the matching diffuser and exhaust air vanes.

The Aventador is no slouch: it explodes off the line, churning all four tires all the way through its 2.9-second 0-to-60 mph run. The DMC car will also match or exceed the LP720’s 217 top speed - with the top in place of course. 

The engine upgrade by DMC re-brands the engine the LP900, allowing DMC owners to one-up anyone else lucky enough to also have an Aventador.

Lamborghini Aventador Roadster - Black Molto Veloce By DMC - Mechanical Details:

Engine 6.5-Liter V-12 With Chain-Driven Quad Camshafts And Dry-Sump Lubrication

Power 730 Horsepower, Est

Torque 517 Pound-Feet, Est

0-60 Mph 2.9 Seconds

Top Speed 217 Mph

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Black Molto Veloce by DMC 

The DMC kit is for sale now, with pricing available on request. Local DMC dealers are able to install the cosmetic upgrades at DMC shops in North America, the Middle East and Asia.

The full engine and exhaust upgrade is more involved, and shipping the car to DMC’s engineering team in Germany is recommended.

FIRST REFINED AVENTADOR ROADSTER WORLD-WIDE, BY DMC LUXURY

 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Black Molto Veloce by DMC 

DMC Luxury is proud to announce that they are the first Refiner world-wide to modify an Aventador Roadster. Lamborghini owners that seek to strenghten their Bull from St’Agata, already have DMC on their wish-list, but this latest coup underlines the strong market position the Germans have built in the past 18 months. One of the most stunning packages this year, the MOLTO VELOCE Styling and Perfomance Kit for the LP700 Aventador, looks even better on a Lamborghini Roadster. The car of honour, a matte blue MV, flew all the way from Qatar to Marbella Spain, and made a surprising entrance that nobody expected.

Performance wise, DMC has a sporty modification in petto: While traditional Lamborghini design features combined overhead throttle valves per cylinder bank, DMC has decided to use 12 unique single intake throttle plates, one per each cylinder. Gasoline pumps and - lines, as well as pressure modulators and injection nozzles will be replaced by own new components. Optimized engine electronics, an electronic load pressure control system and a completely new wiring will be added. The engine will be rebranded as LP900. The power-mod is supported by a brand new Titanium Exhaust system, which weighs only a 1/10 of it’s original weight. Counting only 3.45 KG, compared with the 34 KG stock exhaust was only possibly by using the high-tech Titanium, a material also used in space-ships.

All body components can be installed by one of DMC ’s global dealers, located globally in North America, Asia and the Middle East. If you opt for the engine modification however, it would be highly suggested to fly your LP700 to the company‘s workshop in Germany or Switzerland.

Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC Sales on October

The Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC will arive in showrooms in October later this year, with prices starting at around £22,800 for the entry-level S trim and £26,880 for the range-topping SR trim.

• Honda CR-V review

The demand for economical, two-wheel drive SUVs is so great that Honda has fitted the 2013 CR-V range with the same economical 1.6-litre diesel found in the Civic. This frugal diesel engine returns 62.8mpg and has the potential to cover 800 miles on a single tank of fuel. What's more, the CR-V comes with one year's free road tax, which will cost just £30 a year thereafter, thanks to its low 119g/km CO2 emissions.

Three trim levels are available on the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC, with the entry-level S trim starting at £22,800. Standard kit includes DAB radio, dual zone climate control, cruise control, USB connectivity, steering wheel mounted controls, five-inch Mulit Info Display, 17-inch alloys and electrically adjustable and heated wing mirrors. An optional T Grade is also available on the S trim, which adds sat-nav and Bluetooth for £765. The mid-spec Honda CR-V SE trim adds front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, Bluetooth, leather steering wheel and gear shift and auto wipes and lights as standard. Priced at £24,660, SE models can also be fitted with the optional T Grade upgrade, which will add sat-nav.

All Honda CR-V models feature a huge 1669 litres of luggage capacity with a 60/40 split rear bench and come with two-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. Due to the increased weight of the SR model – thanks to the extra standard equipment – it does suffer slightly when it comes to economy, returning 60.1mpg and emitting 124g/km of CO2 compared to the S and SE models' 62.8mpg and 119g/km of CO2.

Both the CR-V and 1.6-litre diesel engine will be built at Honda’s assembly plant in Swindon before going on sale in October.

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage Starts at $13,770

When Mitsubishi's Mirage debuted at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, the automaker promised the tiny hatchback would have a similarly sized price — Mitsubishi kept its word. When the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage goes on sale this fall, it'll start at $13,770, including a $775 destination fee.

 Power comes from a 74-horsepower, 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine; versions equipped with a continuously variable transmission are EPA rated at 37/44/40 mph city/highway/combined. Models with the five-speed manual will get 34/42/37 mpg.

The base DE model with manual transmission is equipped with standards like seven air bags, a hill-start assist system, automatic climate control, keyless entry with panic alarm and auto-off halogen headlights; add $1,000 for the CVT. Manual-equipped ES trims start at $14,970 and add push-button start, Bluetooth phone streaming, steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, 14-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, fog lamps and silver interior accent trim; add $1,000 for the CVT. ES CVT-equipped models with navigation start at $16,870 (all prices include destination).  

Mitsubishi spokesman Roger Yasukawa told us that the 2014 Mirage will hit dealerships at the end of September or early October.