Richard L. Shaver Blog

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Steven Tyler's Hennessey Venom GT Spyder Fetches A Load In Auction

Steven Tyler has finally found a buyer for his Hennessey Venom GT Spyder. The front man of Aerosmith, who bought the first production Venom GT Spyder back in 2012, is now parting with his history-making supercar after the Venom GT Spyder fetched a cool $800,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scotsdale, Arizona over the weekend.

In addition to taking ownership of the 1,200-horsepower supercar, the winning bidder also gets a guitar signed by Tyler and his Aerosmith bandmates to go with a week’s vacation at the rock icon’s beach house in Maui. Not a bad deal, all things considered.

The guitar and the vacation are nice dressings, but the real highlight here is the Venom GT Spyder, which Tyler paid $1.1 million for back in 2012. It’s one of only five models that Hennessey built for the 2013 model year and it’s the very first convertible version of the American company’s supercar-slaying Venom GT supercar. Beyond the fact that it can spit out 1,200 horsepower and 1,155 pound-feet of torque, the Venom GT Spyder is capable of hitting 0 to 60 mph in just 2.7 before peaking at an insane top speed of 270 mph. Record or not, that’s speed that’s going to make the new owner’s teeth melt.

All things considered, the $800,000 winning bid is going to a worthy cause as all proceeds from the auction of the Venom GT Spyder is going to Tyler’s own charity, Janie’s Fund, which helps support abused and neglected women. The final amount may not have approached the $1.1 million that Tyler was looking to get from the sale, but the amount is still significant enough to help out the beneficiaries of the auction.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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We're Driving the 2017 Ram Power Wagon! What Do You Want To Know?

Come Wednesday afternoon, I should be looking at nothing but blue sky through the windshield of a Ram 2500 Power Wagon as I scale up rock walls in 4WD Low Range with both differentials locked and the front sway bar disconnected. Yep, I’m at a media event for the slightly refreshed 2017 Ram Power Wagon. Though Ram has me put me up in some swanky hotel along the Las Vegas strip, it’s the inhospitable Nevada deserts that are the real attraction.

The Ram Power Wagon isn’t exactly a new truck, per se. Rather, it now wears the updated grille borrowed from the Ram 1500 Rebel – that blacked out, macho face with the R-A-M logo spelled out in ultra bold lettering. It’s as if the truck as a perpetual five O’clock shadow, Chuck Norris style.

It’s the grille, graphics package, wheels, and Rebel-like interior that constitute the major changes for 2017. That doesn’t really matter though, as the truck’s bones are what it’s all about. The Power Wagon’s key features are its 12,000-pound Warn winch, electronically disconnecting front sway bar, electronic locking front and rear differentials, Articulink front suspension components, manual-shifting transfer case, and aggressive Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires.

And being based of the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty, it gets the 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 with 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Power Wagon can even haul 1,510 pounds of cargo in the bed or tow 10,030 pounds of its trailer hitch, despite its off-road tuned suspension. Needless to say, this truck isn’t afraid of work or dirt.

So, that leads me here: what do you want to know about it? Leave your questions below and I’ll make sure to answer while spending the day with the truck. Also, be on the lookout on TopSpeed.com’s Facebook page for Live streams and photos.

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Thinking of Buying a Challenger SRT Demon? You'll Have to Pay More for Less Car

We’ve known that the Challenger SRT Demon was going to shed some weight, but up until now, we weren’t really sure how much or how that weight would come off. But, word from Motor Authority, who is citing “Dodge Officials,” is that it will actually shed 232 pounds. It won’t happen by the usual weight-reduction techniques were accustomed to like the introduction of carbon fiber body components or lighter materials throughout. Instead, Dodge decided to go with the old-fashioned method of removing things piece by piece, and that means you’re going to be missing out a few amenities and will be forced to ride solo.

See, the Demon will lose 55 pounds thanks to the removal of the rear seats and another 58 pounds thanks to the removal of the front passenger seat. All speakers but the front door speakers are gone, cutting out another 24 pounds, while the removal of the parking sensors and the use of a manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel accounts for another six pounds lost. Smaller aluminum brakes and aluminum wheels cut out another 32 pounds. Dodge also removed components that cut down on noise and vibration, including the trunk liner and spare tire, and replaced the solid sway bars with hollow sway bars to cut off another 55 pounds. It loses a total of 232 pounds but gains an extra 17 somewhere along the way, which can be attributed to, at least in part, the wide body kit.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though, as the Demon is being designed to tackle the straight track. But, that in itself also means that the option of AWD will be non-existent, and there may not be as many upgrades to the engine or computers that control it. It’s also quite possible that part of the extra 17 pounds could come from the addition of new performance tracking tools, but for now, that extra 17 pounds remains largely a mystery.

Keep reading for the rest of the story

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Porsche 911

It hasn’t been long since the 991-generation 911 received its mid-cycle facelift, and it appears that Porsche is already working on the next-generation sports car. Our paparazzi spotted a 911 prototype being tested on public roads, and even though the model looks similar to the current-gen 911, we’re quite sure the Germans are actually testing underpinnings for the upcoming model, due to arrive sometime in 2018.

Very little is known about the next-generation 911, but word has it that the biggest changes will occur under the skin. Besides the all-turbo lineup — the Carrera gained forced induction with the 991.2 facelift — the 911 is also set to receive a hybrid drivetrain for the very first time. Although this rumor has yet to be confirmed by Stuttgart, a hybridization is a natural step for the 911 — given Porsche is already offering hybrid version of the Panamera and Cayenne, as well as the 918 supercar and the 919, Le Mans-winning race car. Of course, the gasoline powerplants will get their fair share of updates as well.

The 911 will also gain a new modular platform with more flexibility as far as drivetrains go. Word has it the new architecture will also be used in the next-generation 718 Boxster and Cayman, as well as in the next-gen Audi R8 and upcoming Lamborghini models. Keep reading to find out more about the next-generation 911 and stay tuned for more updates.

Updated 02/01/2016: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Porsche 911 out for a new testing session, this time during cold winter conditions.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2019 Porsche 911.

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Ford Launches FordHub Just In Time For Super Bowl LI

Ready the wings, fire up the nachos, and prepare yourself for some daytime drinking. Super Bowl LI is upon us, and whether you’re rooting for the Patriots or the Falcons, this great American pastime is sure to bring plenty of entertaining advertisements during the commercial breaks. As such, just before kickoff, Ford will lead the charge with a new 90-second ad that spotlights a few mobility solutions the brand has in the oven to help make our lives easier. Coinciding with the ad is a new interactive brand experience studio that’s opening up in New York City, which promises a more in-depth look at what Ford imagines the future of transportation will look like.

The studio is called FordHub, and it’s located in the Westfield World Trade Center. Ford hopes the new hub will help it connect with consumers and inspire “imagination and dialogue” about the future of mobility through a variety of activities, exhibits, and interactive displays.

Included is a glimpse at what Ford imagines to be the “City of Tomorrow,” highlighting some of the technologies people might use to get around. There’s also a real-time look at New York’s current transportation status, including traffic info, trains, ferries, and more.

Then there are games like the Last Mile Challenge, which pits attendees against the clock in a virtual race to get from A to B using multiple transportation solutions, and Mustang over Manhattan, wherein participants must virtually build Ford’s famous muscle car on top of the Empire State Building.

Finally, Ford is also announcing the Mobilize New York Challenge, which invites proposals to solve NYC’s transportation problems, with more than $30,000 in cash prizes offered as motivation.

Continue reading for the full story.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2017

2017 BMW 5 Series Touring Unveiled

BMW just revealed the 2017 5 Series Touring model, giving the recently debuted seventh-gen mid-size 5 Series line an extra dose of usability and practicality. The new model gets the same styling outside as the updated 5 Series sedan, plus new interior technology, the latest driver’s assists and safety features, and enhanced infotainment.

Four engine options are on the table at launch, all of which are turbocharged. On the gasoline front, there’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 252 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and posting a 0-to-62 mph time of 6.5 seconds. There’s also a 3.0-liter six-cylinder and eight-speed auto combo, plus AWD, which lays down 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque for a 0-to-62 mph time of 5.1 seconds.

It you prefer oil burners, you can get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel with 190 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which mates to a six-speed manual transmission as standard (the eight-speed is optional), and gives a 0-to-62 mph time of 8 seconds. Finally, there’s a 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel with 265 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque, offered with either RWD or AWD, plus an eight-speed automatic. All that twist yields a 0-to-62 mph time of around 5.6 seconds with AWD grip added.

BMW says it’ll add further engine and drivetrain options, including both RWD and AWD models, throughout the year.

Additional aluminum was used to reduce overall weight, including in the side members and the tailgate, cutting up to 100 kg (220 pounds) compared to the outgoing model. The suspension incorporates a rear air ride system as standard, while Dynamic Damper Control, an Adaptive Drive system, Integral Active Steering, and M Sport suspension are all optional.

Outside, you’ll find active grille shutters in the nose, plus standard LED headlights.

In the cabin is a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a color heads-up display, gesture control, voice control, and wireless phone charging. The seats also get eight massage programs, while the rear cargo space is up to 570 – 1,700 liters (20 – 60 cubic feet). Safety features include steering assist, lane keep assist, lane change assist, cross traffic warning, and wrong-way warning.

Look for the new 5 Series Touring in the metal at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show this coming March. Sales will commence in June. No word on whether or not BMW is planning on bringing this thing stateside, but odds are against it. And that’s a shame, because the U.S. could absolutely use more wagon hotness, don’tcha think?

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Hyundai Sonata

The current-gen Sonata hit the market in 2015 with Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, which resulted in a more conservative look to help generate interest in Hyundai’s home market, South Korea. The new generation featured a large amount of DNA from the HCD-14 concept but also got some cues from the Hyundai Genesis. Whether or not the new design was successful in South Korea remains to be seen, as figures aren’t readily available, but here in the U.S. and over in Canada, sales actually dropped in 2015 compared to 2014. Currently three years into its life cycle, Hyundai is planning a mid-cycle facelift for its resident mid-size that should bring some slight tweaking to the grille, exterior lamps, and fascias, while the interior should get some fresh materials and, at the very least, an upgrade to the infotainment system as well. I wouldn’t expect any changes under the hood as a result of this update, but that’s not why you’re interested in the Sonata anyway, so no big deal there.

We’re getting our first early look at the updated Sonata, which was caught playing in the snow and well covered with camo and padding to help conceal the changes that lie underneath. That means we don’t have a whole lot to go by, but there are a few things that we can make out on this tester. And, it’s set to make its official debut later on in 2017, so let’s hurry up and talk more about it before Hyundai beats us to the punch and spills the beans.

Expect a debut during the latter half of 2017.

Continue reading to learn more about the facelift Hyundai Sonata.

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