The Detroit Auto Show is traditionally a place where manufacturers showcase their newest and most hotly anticipated new cars for the automotive world. While there are certainly some stunners at this year’s auto show, there are a group of manufacturers that, while not offering anything to eclipse the release of the new NSX concept, nonetheless are exciting in their own right.
Falcon Motorsports F7 Supercar
The F7 Supercar is positioned to be the most affordable supercar produced on American shores. Falcon motorsports, known for their aftermarket parts for the Dodge Viper, produced this 7-liter wonder to have the sophisticated styling of European supercars while eclipsing the performance of the best limited-production cars in the world. The F7 features a 620 horsepower engine that flings the car from zero to sixty miles per hour in just 3.3 seconds. The top speed is claimed to be nearly 200 miles per hour.
If the F7 is your cup of tea, plan to spend between $150,000 and $250,000 to get your hands on one. Affordable? Sure, when you consider that rival American supercars Saleen S7 and SCC Ultimate Aero are priced at $585,000 and $650,000 respectively.
Shelby American 50th Anniversary GT500 Mustang “Super Snake”
Shelby American has had a good hold on the muscle car pulse of the world for fifty years, and to celebrate their 50th, Carroll Shelby and team have created the new GT500 Mustang “Super Snake.” Only 100 of these phenomenal muscle cars will be produced, 50 in black with gold striping and 50 in white with gold stripes. Plan to spend just over $100,000 for this special edition car, as the package from Shelby American will set you back $59,000, not including the price of the Mustang itself. With 750 or 800 horsepower on tap, depending on which forced induction system you choose, this is set to be the meanest Mustang ever built.
Reservations are currently being taken for the anniversary edition Super Snake, so if you’ve got your eye on one, it would be best to act quickly.
Via Motors Hybrid Silverado
General Motors’ hybrid Silverado hasn’t fared very well in the current marketplace. With less-than optimal fuel economy and an astronomical price tag, it isn’t the sort of truck that enthusiasts buy on a whim. Via motors, however, hopes to change that by partnering with GM to produce full-size vehicles for fleet and government use, and then spread from there. Pricing is still high, with the base price of about $79,000. This is higher by far than even the most extravagantly equipped diesel heavy-duty 3500 edition Silverado. Still, the 400 horsepower electric assist motor is a promising addition to the GM truck arsenal. Whether corporate and consumer buyers are willing to pony up for such extravagance is questionable, but the truck could just be the answer to fleet managers’ prayers.
Sources:
Shelby American: 50th Anniversary Mustang Super Snake: www.shelby50th.com
The New York Times: Detroit Auto Show: Via Motors: blogs.nytimes.com
Motor Trend: 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage: www.motortrend.com