While many of us spend years bumbling our way through the build of our dream car, making mistake after costly mistake along the way, there are others out there who take the smart approach from the get-go. Stu Trinnaman is one of those ‘other’ guys. He’s the first to admit that he’s got very specific tastes, but has neither the mechanical aptitude nor the time to spend toiling away on building a car himself.

So when he sold the family boat a few years back and decided that finally the time had come to own the car he’d been dreaming about since his teenage years, he set about formulating an impressive plan.

Spending hour after hour researching on the internet, discussing with local car owners and workshops, his plan developed into one in which he had a very good overview of everything that would be involved.

The dream was to own a (more…)

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Surround yourself with comfort and sophistication

♣ 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8® is the ultimate factory-built performance muscle coupe
♣ Boasts a 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 engine that produces 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque
♣ Derived from successful Dodge Charger platform
♣ World-class ride and handling characteristics make the all-new Dodge Challenger potent on the track and a pleasure on the street
♣ Benchmark braking performance from 60—0 mph in approximately 110 feet

The all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is the ultimate performance muscle coupe. The two-door, rear-wheel drive coupe is based on the successful Dodge Charger sedan platform. Sporting a 116-inch wheelbase, the Challenger coupe is four inches shorter than the Charger sedan.

Consumers will enjoy outstanding performance on the street or on the track. With a low ride height, a brake-lock differential, SRT-tailored spring rates and shock rates, sway bars and a uniquely-tuned Electronic Stability Program (ESP), the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 offers world-class ride and handling characteristics across a dynamic range.

“The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is the ultimate modern muscle car — built by gearheads for gearheads,” said Kipp Owen — Director, Street and Racing Technology Engineering. “SRT understands what customers want in a performance car, and with the Challenger SRT8, we will exceed their expectations.”

Suspension
Built on a unibody construction, the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 features a multilink short and long arm (SLA) front suspension. The front suspension cradle combines hydroformed steel tube side rails with a stamped box section lateral member to provide the appropriate level of stiffness. The stiffness is tuned to avoid the transmission of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) into the passenger compartment. The multilink SLA suspension also provided SRT engineers the opportunity to tune bushing compliances for reduction in road noise, while maintaining vehicle dynamic handling performance.

The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 sports a five-link Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). IRS offers a better ride by allowing for independent tuning of the ride and handling characteristics. Multiple links maintain independent control of camber and toe during suspension movement. Lower unsprung mass offers a better ride and the decoupling of left and right wheels over road imperfections maintains better tire contact with the ground and results in better ride comfort. Multiple bushings in the IRS offer the flexibility to tune for ride and comfort. In addition, stabilizer bar attachments to the knuckles provide maximum response to vehicle lean.

“The original Dodge Challenger was best known for its straight-line prowess at the drag strip,” said Owen. “The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 not only lives up to that heritage, but was engineered to offer world-class ride and handling characteristics when on the street, at a drag strip or at a road course.”

SRT-exclusive fully-forged 20-inch Alcoa aluminum wheels with 4-season Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires are standard for 2008. Three-season Goodyear F1 Supercar tires are available.

Powertrain
The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8’s 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque is a result of SRT’s exclusive, proven 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 engine, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick®.

The normally aspirated 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine is the highest naturally aspirated specific-output V-8 engine ever offered by Chrysler. Its 69.8 horsepower-per-liter rating exceeds even that of the legendary 1966 “Street HEMI.”

Challenger SRT8’s transmission is an electronically controlled five-speed automatic, with a lock up torque converter and AutoStick.

Three sets of planetary gears provide the individual transmission ratios, while six friction clutches and two overrunning clutches select them. An aggressive first gear ratio provides outstanding launch performance. AutoStick gives the driver the ability to select a higher or lower gear while the transmission controller calibration prevents fuel shutoff during power shifts.

Fully adaptive electronic control of all shifting makes the powertrain feel responsive without harshness. Electronically controlled engine torque management provides smooth full-throttle launches, quick wide-open-throttle up shifts and quick two-step, kick-down shifts that are smoother. Extensive use of an electronically modulated converter clutch (EMCC) improves fuel economy while maintaining smooth operation.

Benchmark Braking
Benchmark braking, one of the pillars of SRT, is delivered via a specially designed system for the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 that will slow and stop the car quickly, safely and predictably.

All four wheels are equipped with red, painted Brembo calipers that feature four pistons for even clamping performance. 360 x 32mm vented rotors are found up front and 350 x 26mm vented rotors are in the rear. With a 60—0 mph stopping distance of approximately 110 feet, the all-new Dodge Challenger SRT8 offers customers benchmark braking.

Performance Targets
0—60 mph: Low 5 seconds
0—100-0 mph: Under 17 seconds
¼-mile: Under 14 seconds
Skid pad: 0.88 g
60—0 mph: Approximately 110 feet

The old and the new; 1970 Dodger Charger with the 2008 Dodge Challenger

Source: Chrysler Media

An official event of the V8 Supercar Hamilton Street Race, Motorshow NZ, at Hamilton’s Claudelands Event Centre creates yet another reason to be in Hamilton to enjoy V8 racing next April. The event will be held for four days, Wednesday to Saturday, during Hamilton’s V8 Supercar event in April 2008.

The venue, Claudelands Event Centre, is central and a quick stroll from accommodation, Hamilton’s CBD and racing action.  There is a huge amount of off street parking provided to cater to out of town visitors.

Motorshow NZ will be a true expo style event that is defined by the wider market rather than a small specialist or niche event.

Classic Events spokesperson, Shane Noyes says “ This will be an exciting time for the motoring industry. The creation of the Motorshow NZ event is logical given the timing. Hamilton will definitely be the place “where cars are the stars” in 2008”

“Most New Zealand households have an interest or reliance on motor transport.  A Motorshow should deliver on just that and provide for the majority.” “Whether it is motor vehicles, motorcycles, accessories or motoring product, this is an event about how we interact with motor transport, how it has influenced us and how we can enjoy it more and planning and enhancing our future lifestyle.”
Some Expo Features to watch out for

The New Zealand realease of the Murtaya, .Introducing UK based Adrenaline Motorsports Murtaya component car. Based on Subarus WRX as a donor vehicle, the Murtaya boasts supercar performance and style ( 0 to 100km/hr in 3.5 seconds) and has just been awarded Best Specialist car of the year 2007 by Japanese Performance Magazine.

Lotus NZ To Present The “Rossion” American Supercar at Motorshow NZ
The Rossion Q1 is based on the legendary chassis designed in the United Kingdom by automotive genius Lee Noble, the new Rossion Q1 rewards drivers with flawless handling by remaining committed to the traditional methods of achieving automotive performance.

Rossion is committed to bringing a new brand of car that allows drivers no need for compromise in their search for unbridled performance in an ultra lightweight vehicle. Their inaugural model, the Rossion Q1 offers an exhilarating driving lesson by demonstrating how a lightweight, brilliantly engineered chassis carefully paired with an extraordinarily powerful engine can shatter all previous conceptions of supercar physics.

Motorhome Village For 1,000′s Planned Adjacent To Motorshow NZ Site!
Accommodation in Hamilton will be in high demand during the Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar Street Race and Motorshow NZ.
Hamilton City will build a fenced, secure village setting at Claudelands Park. This accommodation option will provide berth options for those who own a self contained motor home or provide a quality rental unit waiting on site for you.

The village is accessible via the Motorshow NZ event centre during expo trading hours. All accommodation options are coordinated and booked through Hamilton I-site.

Source: NZ Motorshow (Check out the Website)

Quinn Hamill had his lens firmly strapped to his face and did us proud once again with some prime shots from this years Kumeu Classic Car Show. This is just a few of the shots taken during the event.

Check out the next issue of NZV8 for a full blurb and a deluge of great shots of the rides of pride that were on show. Awesome turn-out and all participants should be well stoked with the quality of their vehicles. Oh and don’t forget…you can buy these pics and get ‘em printed up the side of your house if you want…just click on them.