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| Chevrolet Trailblazer SS |
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Chevrolet Trailblazer, Malibu and Maxx SS
"SS" is Chevrolet's performance brand for its mid-priced ranges, and the Trailblazer is the first SUV to wear the SS badge. Featuring the Corvette's 6.0 V8 - giving 0-60 mph acceleration of less than six seconds - the Trailblazer SS also has a lowered ride height and sports-tuned suspension, which was developed in a testing programme at the German Nurburgring circuit. It's unlikely to be offered for sale in Europe, however. We won't see the Malibu and Malibu Maxx SS in Europe, either; basically, they're affordable family saloons, boosted by the addition of the new GM 3.9-litre V6 (240 bhp) with variable-valve timing, complete with a four-speed auto 'box, ultra-firm suspension and suitably hot-rod style exterior styling mods.
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| Dodge Charger SRT8 |
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Dodge Charger SRT8
Chrysler is giving the SRT - Street & Racing Technology - treatment to its Dodge Charger. The reborn muscle saloon develops 425 bhp and 420 lb ft in SRT8 form, thanks to its 6.1-litre HEMI V8. Acceleration 0-60? A mere five seconds. Quarter-mile? 13 seconds. And Dodge claims class-leading braking performance, too: 60-0mph in around 110feet. All in, it reaches the SRT performance target of going 0-100-0 in around 16.5 seconds. Phew. It's had its dampers, spring rates and suspension bushings tweaked, and larger-diameter anti-roll bars fitted; it rides half an inch lower than the mainstream Charger and sits on 20-inch forged aluminium wheels. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard.
SRT styling details include a blacked-out grille with SRT badge, front fascia with air dam, a scoop-style air vent in the bonnet, twin rear exhaust tailpipes and a "dramatic" rear spoiler. It'll be offered in silver, black or pearlescent red paint. On the inside, there are suede-trimmed sculpted sports seats with red stitching, special instruments, an 180mph speedometer and dark-faced dials; options will include a sunroof, six-CD autochanger, DVD navigation, heated front seats and side airbags, plus Bluetooth telecomms kit.
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