2015 Subaru Outback

With previous models receiving a steller performance rating in safety, the all new 2015 Subaru Outback is announced bringing with it all-road capabilities and refinement. 

                                            

Looking past the 2015 Outbacks upgraded front fascia, raked windshield, and the light weight aluminum hood, Subaru has upped the safety features as well. All Outback models will receive side curtain airbags that will be set off by rollover sensors and seat-cushion airbags to help keep occupants in place during a frontal collision. Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection System, standard on the Limited trims and optional on the 2.5i Premium, offers several functions including blind spot detection through the side view mirror mounted LED's. Best of all, the 2015 Outback offers EyeSight driver assist system, which is the highest rated front crash prevention system ranked by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

The 2015 Outback will be offered with a 175 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 256 hp 3.6-liter six-cylinder BOXER engine. All the Outback models will feature Subaru's Lineartronic CVT transmission, with the six-cyliner receiving a high-torque version. The CVT transmission does not shift gears, which in return gives the driver smoother performance, but also has a "manual mode" for those sportier driving days. Upgraded McPherson front struts and double wishbone rear suspension keep the car firmly planted in the turns, while the All-Wheel drive keeps the car on the road. 

The Outback premium will bring 10-way power driver's seat, dual climate controls, All-Weather Package, leather wrapped steering wheel, fog lights, and dark-tint privacy glass.

 

The Outback Limited trim brings the highest level of luxury for an Outback by adding perforated leather upholstery, memory 10-way power driver's seat, 4-way power front passenger seat, dual-mode heated rear seats, and a power rear gate with memory height. 

With a quieter ride, more safety features and interior space, the 2015 Subaru Outback is a winner in Subaru's line-up.

Source: Subaru

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible

When most car manufacturers design a convertible model, weight has to be added to help create a more structurally rigid frame. That is not the case with the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z06 Convertible. Thanks to recent technological advancements created over the last five year, Chevrolet was able to create a car that is exactly identical to the hardtop Z06, except you can drive with the top down.

"We wanted a frame that was lighter than the steel frame of the previous Corvette, yet strong enough for both a 600-horsepower convertible and a 24-hour endurance racer," said Ed Moss, engineering group manager for Corvette structures. "That would not have been possible without improvements in computer-aided engineering software, which allowed us to model more than 17,000 frame iterations, with each iteration improving strength and stiffness, while reducing mass."

Both the Z06 hardtop and convertible will feature the supercharged LT4 V8 pushing a whopping 625-horsepower and 635-lb-ft of torque. The power passes through a 7-speed manual transmission, or an 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, before planting the power down with 285/30ZR19 front and 335/25ZR20 rear Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. Two options are available for brakes, with the Z06's Z07 package offering the better 15.5x1.4-inch front and 15.3x1.3-inch carbon ceramic brake rotors to assist with the brake heat known to occur during track days.

The Z06 convertible will feature an electric soft-top that can not only be lowered with the car's key fob, but also has the ability to lower the top while driving up to 30 mph. The tops fabric is made thick with added padding to keep road noise low while driving with the top up.

Being the first Z06 to offer a convertible option since 1963, this will be one car to keep an eye out for.



Source: Chevrolet

Dodge Scat Pack Pricing and Details

Back in November 2013, Dodge announce they would be bringing back the Scat Pack name onto its Challenger, Charger, and Dart line-up. No further details were given at the time, but Dodge has released pricing and power details for the Challenger and Charger. The best news of it all- performance packages all retain the factory warranty. A big plus for anyone wanting to get more power, but hesitant about voiding their warranty. The Scat Pack will comprise of three different stages that offer its own power gains to the 5.7-liter Hemi V8.

 "The new Scat Pack kits reinforce our commitment to the performance arena," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "By maintaining the vehicle warranty, we are demonstrating to customers our confidence in the kits, which were built to exactly complement the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger by working hand-in-hand with the engineers who use factory specs to create these vehicles - exclusive knowledge available only to Mopar."

The Scat Pack 1 will have a gain of up to 18 horsepower and 18 lb.-ft of torque. The power gains will come from a Mopar cold-air intake, Mopar cat-back exhaust, and a re-calibrated engine controller to optimize these modifications to the Hemi engine.

Scat Pack 2 adds up to 30 horsepower and will be the "first stage" geared towards the performance enthusiast (maybe Scat Pack 1 is a tease?). The modifications added to this pack is a Mopar camshaft to take advantage of the components of the Scat Pack 1's intake, exhaust, and engine controller. 

Scat Pack 3, probably the better, yet more expensive option, will gain up to 58 horsepower and 47 lb.-ft torque thanks to the addition of Mopar CNC ported heads and hi-flow headers. 

With the additional cost of the car, the packs are priced as followed:
Scat Pack 1- $2,195

Scat Pack 2- $1,895

Scat Pack 3- $4,995

While the performance gains might not agree with your wallet, remember that the performance parts will be fully covered by the warranty.

Source: Dodge