Showing posts with label chrysler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chrysler. Show all posts

Sunday, December 3, 2023

My GT7 Log: Last Showdown

The Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger are set to be euthanized by year's end and here in Gran Turismo 7, it's time to have one last drive with these two soon-to-be-euthanized muscles.


The sixth-generation Camaro and the third-generation Challenger were proven to be worthy adversaries to the Ford Mustang. With their time almost up, it appears that the Ford Mustang will have no one to compete with until the future Dodge Charger. As the world prepares to say goodbye to these two, let's have a quick look at these two.


Beginning with the Camaro ZL1 1LE, this is basically a Republican response to Porsche's 911 GT3 because the 1LE Package transformed the Camaro ZL1 into a potent track toy built to tackle not just on drag strips but on racetracks like a proper sports car. Although it's banned on European roads, it lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 16.04 seconds. The secret to its track-honed performance is its large deflector, rear wing, diffuser, bespoke suspension setup, Michelin tires built for this car, and a 650HP 6.2L supercharged V8 engine mated to a 6-speed manual.


The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the biggest upset Dodge delivered when it made a world premiere in 2018. Limited to 3,300 units, the Dodge Challenger Demon's supercharged 6.2L V8 engine produces a monstrous 840HP of power on 100 or higher-octane fuel, capable of hitting 0-62mph in 2.3 seconds, faster than any supercar it faces against. It's so fast, that the NHRA banned this vehicle.



Having gotten to know these two muscle cars that are soon to be heading to the great junkyard of the sky, it's time to have one last drive with the Camaro and the Challenger around the Daytona road track and unleash the soon-to-be-legendary performance that made them stand out. I expect this to be close.

 (SPOILER ALERT: It is)

Let's roll the tape.


And now, the results...

Camaro ZL1 - 1m58.602s

Challenger Demon - 1m59.620s


From the track-honed performance of the Camaro ZL1 1LE to the "Run Like Hell" attitude of the Challenger SRT Demon, these two muscle cars proved their worth until the last drop, and now that they've served their purpose spectacularly, I can't think of a word to describe these two Mustang fighters who fought bravely to the end.

Still, I will credit the Challenger for being the biggest upset to the modern muscle era and the Demon is like the biggest comeback to Dodge. As for the Camaro, it's racing pedigree from NASCAR to Le Mans (thank you, Garage 56) will go down in history as one of the all-time greats.


The sun sets in the sky. Camaro and Challenger, say goodbye.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

Saturday, December 2, 2023

My FH5 Log: Junkyard Dogs

The Forza Horizon 5 American Automotive series update is littered with old-school American cars out from the junkyard and into the Horizon Mexico playground, a swarm of flies attracting a cesspool of vintage American cars.

As the American Automotive series update is wrapping up, let's check out the cesspool of old-school American cars that littered through the Horizon Mexico playpen.


The Wet Season playlist brought us the fifth-generation Plymouth Belvedere, the only model to come with the 426 Chrysler Hemi Engine and the one that scored Plymouth's podium sweep at the 1964 NASCAR race in Daytona, with one of them driven by the legendary Richard Petty.



The Storm Season playlist brought us the first-generation Pontiac Firebird, the first chapter of Pontiac's equivalent of the Chevrolet Camaro, as well as the second-generation Chevrolet Nova, in Super Sport trim with the Turbo-Fire 327 cu in V8 engine producing a power output of 350hp while mated exclusively with a 4-speed MT.


The Dry Season playlist brought us the Pontiac GTO "The Judge". Known for its funky logo and stripe decals, The Judge is powered by a 6.6L V8 Ram Air 3 engine that produces over 361HP of power output while mated to a Hurst shifter, heavy-duty suspension, wide tires, and a rear spoiler. It is the ultimate sports spec car made before the GTO was laid to rest.


Lastly, the Hot Season playlist brought us the fourth-generation Lincoln Continental luxury sedan, the first in the Continental lineage to feature suicide doors.







I've sent these junkyard dogs on a short trip through four new sprint races introduced in the American Automotive series update; the Línea Costera Sprint, the Aeródromo Sprint, the Marigold Sprint, and the Vista Del Mar Sprint. These four new sprint races will serve as the litmus test for these American vintage cars to flex their muscles as they scat through the competition in style. Want to see these dogs in action? Let's roll the tapes...






What do you think? Do these scavengers make you fall in love with old cars? I bet you are because your gut tells you to have fun with these junkyard dogs fresh from being junkyard scrap and into the Horizon Mexico sandbox but wait, there's more.

As it turns out, the vintage prize cars from the American Automotive update weren't the only stray dogs littering around the Mexican landscape. In fact, there's one junkyard dog to end them all...


What you're looking up here is the DeBerti Shop Rod, which is included in the game's American Automotive DLC Pack. Based on the 1961 Ford Econoline, it's been stripped off, lowered, made it right-hand-drive, and jammed with a Coyote engine paired to a Reid racing 4L80-E transmission with an ATD reverse manual valve body, producing 850hp of power output.


I got to sample it on an oval track to see if the Shop Rod from DeBerti is the hot rod in a van body. Let's roll the tape.


It's a hot rod, alright. A hot rod in a van's body.


This latest cesspool of old-school American cars proves that a game like Forza never stops jamming old cars to younger players who never heard of them. There are Gen Z players out there and showing them old cars is like slapping dog poo on their faces. In the end, this is how they roll.

When sleeping dogs lie, they'll come back to cause havoc another day and these junkyard dogs proved their point. We can expect more junkyard dogs littering around Horizon Mexico even before 2023 ends and 2024 begins and what a living nightmare our Gen Z players will experience.

The fun's just getting started...

Sunday, July 30, 2023

My FH5 Log: Hellcat's Paradise

The advent of the Hellcats proved that Dodge unleashed its gates of hell and devoured the competition alive with its fastest breed of monster machines on the road. In the world of horsepower wars, it seems that Dodge made it easy to win.


As the era of hell-raising V8 power is coming to an end, it's time to take a thrust back in time for a little quick dive on Dodge's monster machines that emerged from the circles of hell.


Beginning with the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, the muscle car that upset the competition alive. Powered by a supercharged Hellcat 6.2L HEMI V8 engine. It's the most powerful engine ever made by FCA (now Stellantis). Dodge claims it can produce over six hundred horsepower but it's been verified to produce 707HP, the most powerful V8 engine ever made in a production car.

With the red key fob engaged, all of the power output from its supercharged V8 engine is released. To survive the monstrous power output, a specially-made 8-speed automatic gearbox is developed to handle the extra power and torque.

Thanks to its powerful engine, the SRT Hellcat is capable of reaching 0-60mph in less than four seconds and onwards to 199mph.


The Charger SRT Hellcat inherits the same Hellcat 6.2L HEMI V8 engine as the Challenger, resulting in up to 707HP of power output with the red key fob at bay, making it the most powerful four-door saloon ever made when it was launched. With this power, the Hellcat-powered Charger is able to do an NHRA-verified quarter mile time of 11 seconds and 204mph of top speed.



The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is a special-edition Challenger SRT that made supercars cowered in fear because of the supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine producing up to 840HP of power and the fastest 0-60mph time of any production sportscar, 2.3 seconds to be precise. It was well known to break every world record in history, especially the fact that being the first production car in the world that can do the longest wheelie as verified by the Guinness Book of World Records.




With the trio of hell-raising Dodges getting their word, it's time to take them to one segment of the Badlands I like to refer to as "Hell's Paradise". Get it? This Hell's Paradise is called Devil's Pass and it's the perfect place to let these "super devils" rev their monstrous V8 engines to their "it's over 9000" strengths. See what I did? Anyway, with the gates of hell opened, these V8-powered knights of the apocalypse are ready to settle the score, figuring out which one is the real demon lord.

Let Battle Commence!



After our favorite V8-powered knights of the apocalypse survive Hell's Paradise, here are the results;


Challenger Hellcat - 3m56.553s
Charger Hellcat - 3m56.003s
Challenger Demon - 3m46.543s


No doubt about it, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon truly is the demon king of Dodge after all because of its unrivaled V8 power that butchered every single supercar it came across in a straight line. Although the NHRA banned the Demon from participating in sanctioned drag-racing events, this demon lord is feared and respected by speedo boys everywhere.


As the demon lord proved his strength, the time has come to showcase his...metamorphosis.



What you're looking at here is my version of what the world referred to as the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, the last of the Last Call special edition models made in honor of the Charger and Challenger's end of production at the end of 2023. Of course, I tried matching up to the most powerful Challenger Demon's specifications but I went over. Way over. Still, I am very pleased to re-enact the ultimate Challenger that can butcher the world's fastest supercars into red meat and then feed it to its hellcat minions.


With Hell's Paradise still with us, it's time to take my version of the ultimate Challenger Demon on a sprint run against the other muscle car convicts fighting their way to survive Hell's Paradise. Sorry, boys. There can be only one...


Hell's Paradise. You're right. It really is the hottest inferno in the world.


As the world braces for electrification, Dodge's days of unleashing hell on earth with their Hellcat monsters came to a hell-raising end. From the advent of the Challenger SRT Hellcat to the rise of the ultimate Challenger Demon, Dodge truly is the motoring industry's knight of the apocalypse and as it's set to enter the electrified era, rest assured that its devilish antics will never be forgotten because they are the ones that rewrote the rules of performance with their blood and race fuel.

Thanks for the hell-raising memories, Dodge. And with that...


See you in hell, Dodge.

That takes care of the cremation.

Thursday, June 22, 2023

My FH5 Log: Modern Warlords

What do the Jeep Wrangler JK and the GMC Hummer EV pickup have in common? They both starred in the Call of Duty games, specifically the Modern Warfare ones. Here at Forza Horizon 5, it's time to pay tribute to the offroaders that played an active role in one conflict zone after another.


The Jeep Wrangler JK and the GMC Hummer EV were proven to be warriors in their own right when they were given special roles in the Modern Warfare games and like most war veterans, let's give them the 21-gun salute they deserve. But first, let's get to know about these Modern Warfare rides.


Long before I took this car for a spin in Forza Motorsport 4 as a DLC car in 2012, the Jeep Wrangler JK popped up in 2011's Call of Duty MW3. In fact, there was a special version made in collaboration between Jeep and the Call of Duty games. Anyway, the updated version of the Jeep Wrangler JK is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that produces less than 290HP of power, making it capable of hitting a 0-60mph time of less than seven seconds.


It's a similar story for the GMC Hummer EV pickup, which I won from the Hot Season playlist of the Explore the Horizon series update in FH5. Before it made its appearance here, the GMC Hummer EV made a special appearance in 2022's Call of Duty Modern Warfare II. Anyway, the GMC Hummer EV features a three-motor powertrain generating 1,000hp of power and 15,591Nm of torque in its top-spec Edition 1 variant, capable of going from 0-60mph in three seconds. In addition, it features adaptive air suspension with available Extract Mode, a choice of 35 to 37-inch tires, underbody armor, Ultravision, removable Sky Panel roof sections, Watts to Freedom, MultiPro tailgate, and CrabWalk.



Having read the dossier on these offroaders, it's time to give these soldiers of Horizon the 21-gun salute they deserve and with that, it's off to the Badlands for a one-lap showdown between the two. However, as I'm conducting a duel between the two Modern Warfare machines, a sandstorm suddenly whipped in, giving the feeling of soldiers surviving through the sandstorm, raiding through enemy territory one after another.

As the sandstorm rages, both the Wrangler and the Hummer EV are locked and loaded for a one-lap showdown to determine which of these offroaders featured in the Modern Warfare games is the best. Live ammunition in 3...2...1...FIRE!


With their mission done, here are the results;

Wrangler - 3m06.303s

Hummer EV - 2m46.233s

If anyone said that Modern Warfare II is better than MW3, here's your answer. Anyway, it's a "winner-winner chicken dinner" for the GMC Hummer EV even when the weather's gone FUBAR. Get it?


Even outside the warzone, the Jeep Wrangler JK and the GMC Hummer EV pickup were proven to be warlords, especially in the Horizon Mexico after-hours. From the conflict zone to the racing stage, both battle-proven offroaders managed to flex their battle-scarred muscles and brave through the elements Mother Nature has thrown to the Horizon Mexico partygoers and that's how they roll, soldiers.

These offroaders really wish the mission never ends and you know what? Let them have it. They've earned their stars and stripes like real soldiers. This is their call of duty even outside the warzone.

Saturday, December 31, 2022

Jeep Grand Cherokee WL 4xe

Following the success of the first-ever Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the latest-generation Grand Cherokee is the latest Jeep to gain the 4xe PHEV variant. Looks like Jeep's electrification strategy is starting to pay off big dividends with the newest addition of the 4xe family.

2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

Starting at 60,360 US Dollars plus additional costs, the first-ever Grand Cherokee 4xe brings the legendary Grand Cherokee lineage to the electrification route, making it capable to tackle the challenges of the new normal.

Based on the short-wheelbase Grand Cherokee WL, it offers the same five-seater capabilities as its petrol-powered equivalent, meaning you still get the similar looks, the same twin touchscreens on the dashboard,  the same ambient lightning, and so on. The only way to differentiate it is by the 4xe badging on it and some special 4xe graphics for the Trailhawk variant.

The 4xe powertrain that serves as the beating heart of the PHEV Grand Cherokee comprises of a 2.0L l4 DOHC DI Turbo engine bolted to a 400v 17-kWh li-ion nickel manganese cobalt battery pack, two electric motors, engine-mounted motor generator unit, and ZF 8-speed AT. This powertrain delivers 375hp of power and 637Nm of torque, 56MPGe of combined fuel economy, and a combined range of 470 miles.

Those who wish to take it offroad like a proper Jeep should go for the one with the Quadra-Drive II system with rear eLSD but for those who want a more civilized driving experience should go for the one with the Quadra-Trac II 4x4 system with a two-speed low transfer case for better traction. Either way, the Grand Cherokee 4xe means business and pleasure behind the wheel while keeping Mother Nature happy.

Like most Grand Cherokees, it comes with a wide array of safety features such as the night vision camera, Interior Rear Monitoring Camera, Digital Rearview Mirror, and tons of familiar ADAS to play it safe.

From Death Valley to New York, the first-ever Grand Cherokee 4xe is classic Grand Cherokee with an electrified twist and it's worth driving one.

Photo: Jeep

Friday, December 30, 2022

My FH5 Log: An American Welcome

Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Holiday series update brought back four American-made machines in the stable; three classic muscle cars and a limousine. Let's get to know about these four American oddballs while we're at it.


Obtained from the Wet Season playlist is the AMC Javelin AMX. The variant is known to be "the closest thing you can buy to a Trans-Am champion". It's got a 401 cu in (6.6L) V8 engine producing 335HP of power while mated to a four-speed manual, which is not much by modern standards but in the era of muscle cars, it's downright glorious to get tempted at.


Obtained from the Storm Season playlist is the Plymouth Fury, the infamous car as seen in the Stephen King masterpiece, Christine. First launched in 1956, the Fury is a sub-series of the Belvedere and when improved for the 1958 model year, it sports a 350 cu in (5.7L) Golden Commando engine with two four-barrel carburetors producing 305hp of power with ten more for the fuel injection option, which was sadly recalled. There are various Plymouth models at that time aside from the Fury to use the Golden Commando engine.


Obtained from the Dry Season playlist is a Cadillac XTS that was converted into a limousine by Royale. Based on the XTS flagship sedan, the folks from Royale, a Cadillac Master Coachbuilder, spent countless hours converting it into a limousine fit for high-profile personalities. It comes in two different versions such as the normal 70-inch version and the five-door 70-inch version.


Lastly, it's the AMC Rebel "The Machine" that was obtained from the Hot Season Playlist. This car was originally introduced as a sub-model of the Rambler but AMC went ahead and call it The Machine. Built for the road and for the drag strip, The Machine is powered by a 6.4L V8 engine producing 340hp of power while mated to a 4-speed Borg-Warner manual gearbox and AMC Twin-Grip differential. 





Having obtained those four returning machines in the game, it's time to give these Horizon Holiday prize cars an American welcome. Roll the tapes.





This is what you call "an American welcome".

Enjoy your new rides, boys and girls, because as 2023 kicks in, be ready for January's FORDZATHON series update featuring Ford-related challenges, returning Renaults, and the arrival of an MG6 that Britain didn't get.

Until then, have a happy new year, and keep on driving.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

My FH5 Log: Who is the ultimate Horizon Hero?

As the Forza Horizon 10th Anniversary celebration came to its bittersweet end, it's time to find out which of the Horizon hero cars is the ultimate Horizon Hero. Will it be the SRT Viper GTS? The Lamborghini Huracan? The Lamborghini Centenario? The McLaren Senna? Or the Mercedes-AMG Project One?

Five Horizon heroes are gathered at the Volcan Sprint and all they have to do is to set the fastest time, ultimately deciding once and for all who is the ultimate Horizon Hero. It's all or nothing now. It's do-or-die for these machines as they are giving this Forza Horizon 10th anniversary celebration the ideal sendoff I've envisioned.






Without further ado, let the battle commence. GO!


With their bravery tests done, here are the results;

Viper - 3m18.665s

Huracan - 3m08.155s

Centenario - 3m00.864s

Senna - 2m51.905s

One - 2m52.890s


So, after ten years of enjoying the Forza Horizon series since the first one up to now, this is the ultimate Horizon Hero. The McLaren Senna, the hero car of Forza Horizon 4, is the ultimate Horizon Hero.

FOREVER KING.

And that's a wrap! This is the end of the Forza Horizon 10th Anniversary celebration. The celebration has ended but our journey on Forza Horizon 5 continues because there will be more surprises in store, starting with tomorrow's Donut Media collaboration series update as well as December's holiday series update. There will be more to come this 2023 so stick around!

Here's to ten more years of the Horizon Festival! 

The party never ends...