And that is just the rear of it.

There are more things to get excited about in the SMS 570X Dodge Challenger, which, after being announced May last year, has been finally made public.

Patterned after its elder brother, the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, the SMS 570X Dodge Challenger features the same sleek contours but is further enhanced by unique features like the SMS Red Butterfly Induction hood, upgraded drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels, and interior.

This novel creation from SMS is energized by a 5.7L Hemi engine complemented with a 296 Supercharger, which allows it to surpass the 500-hp output of its alter-ego, the SMS 570, by more than 200 hp.

The production of the SMS 570X Dodge Challenger will be limited to just a number each year, so if you are interested—I know many a jaw dropped upon beholding the picture posted above—better prepare now as the production will commence next month.

According to a source, in its opening salvo, each SMS 570X Dodge Challenger offered will be signed by Steve Saleen, the man behind SMS, as part of the Signature Series and will feature unique badges and graphics.

The SMS 570X Dodge Challenger price starts at 70,000 USD, while the 570 model at 60,000 USD.

For more photos of the SMS 570X Dodge Challenger, click here: http://www.zercustoms.com/photos/SMS-570X-Dodge-Challenger-unveiled.html

The country’s biggest, baddest hotrodders are at it again.

The people from HOT ROD magazine are revving up the engines of the 2009 HOT ROD Power Tour (TM), which is celebrating its 15^th anniversary this year. The event, presented by GM Performance Division, will feature HOT ROD’s project cars cruising across the country and will start its weeklong run on June 6.

From its start-off point in Madison, Wisconsin, the cross-country road trip will be touring six other cities: Racine, Wisconsin; South Bend, Indiana; Warren, Michigan; Dayton, Ohio; Somerset, Kentucky; and Bristol, Tennessee.

The event will be highlighted by a drag race scheduled at Thunder Mountain and a visit to the Bristol Motor Speedway, said to be the greatest bullring racetrack of all time. Too, there will be a stopover in the Michigan-based GM Technical Center.

Organizers said they will announce further updates on the affair in the coming days. In the meantime, interested participants are enticed to pre-register by calling 877/413-6515 or by logging on to the event’s website

For more details, rush to: http://www.hotrod.com/2009powertour/index.html

So maybe we can all agree that the most renowned and highly anticipated pimped car in the entire history of man is…the Batmobile. C’mon, even back when I was a kid, that I could tell. OK, so perhaps the DeLorean DMC-12 in “Back to the Future” is worth mentioning, but Bruce Wayne’s car, which had been a kick-ass product of mind-blowing evolution (search the Web for its detailed history), has got more umph and sophistication than Doc’s car-cum-time machine invention.

And so I thought this could only live in the glossy pages of comics and the digital reality of video games and movies, and could be marveled upon in some museum or car exhibit or what-have-you. Guess what? I was wrong.

No, I am not speaking of the Batmobile soon doing its daily rounds in the highways of Washington, or say, more specifically Pennsylvania Avenue. But something close to it actually had and will continue to roll wherever its owner roams. Presenting The Obamamobile!

(Click for larger resolution)

I know. Wow, right?

With its bodywork fortified by a sturdy compound of steel, aluminum and titanium; armor-plated, eight-inch thick doors; shred- and puncture-resistant wheels; bomb-protected chassis; built-in night vision cameras and action shotguns and tear-gas cannons, even The Joker will have a hard time twisting and bending his maniacal thoughts cutting this car on the highway and barging his way in it.

Now that is top-class customization!

It is interesting to note, too, that, unlike Batman, Mr. Obama is spared of the rigidity of driving as The Obamamobile has a designated chauffer, which is, take note, trained by the CIA. So in case there are some hostilities out there, you know, homing missiles from Iraq or even laser blasters courtesy of Martians, Mr. Obama can diss the troubles of driving through or away from them and just sit back and (somehow) relax to the tune of Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder (said to be among his musical preference), which he can play in the car’s remote-controlled ten-CD changer. Cool.

If the President can have a car like this (thanks, General Motors), perhaps some generations from now, the common man—me, me, me, I want one—can also enjoy the overwhelming luxury of this ride. After all, we are all for democracy.

And of course, customization.

Nissan’s latest concept vehicle, the Nissan NV2500 has just been unveiled today. The Nissan NV2500 is classified as a multi-task commercial vehicle–and it’s one of the biggest concept vehicles that the company has ever created. It’s specifically developed for the North American automobile market (as if buying new cars is of prime season nowadays). It’ll also be the company’s spearhead in its entry to the CV market as well.

The Nissan NV2500 features a 147.6-inch wheelbase and it measures around 19.5 feet in length. It’s about 8 feet tall and 6.6 feet wide. Nissan is yet to disclose any information regarding the NV2500’s powertrains, engine specs, etc. After all, it’s still a concept.

Yes, it’s Christmas season. And everybody’s about to get some new blankets, coffee mugs, and other gifts that are more or less worth than 50 dollars. Some have already started decorating their houses with pine tress, small flashing lights, and the occassional reindeer or two. And not only that, some people even have time to decorate their car. Yes, their car.  Apart from sprucing up their houses, some of them even bothered to brighten up their automobiles with christmas decorations. Interesting as they look, let’s just hope that their car batteries won’t die when they left all those christmas lights open the whole night.

So here they are, some pics from drivers who wanted to give their ride the yuletide spirit.

For more pics and info, click here

Auto Express has just published the first few shots of what would probably be the 2010 Jaguar XF Coupe. It’ll most probably feature LED headlights, a power bulge on its bonnet, and a more assertive look than Jaguar’s current Sedan. Anyway, buyers could also choose between a 3.0 liter turbodiesel engine, or a petrol-pumped 5.0 liter supercharged V8 engine. For other specs, we’ll just have to wait.

Mazda, known recently for its success with the Mazda 3, has announced today that it would be releasing a new 5-door hatchback version of the same vehicle. It features a new engine for the European market, pumping a diesel-powered 2.2 liter engine. Not bad, for hatchback that you could use as a family car.

Okay, we kinda liked the previous M3s that were produced. After all, they’re relatively cheap and easy to customize whether it be for style or performance. But then again, it’s quite hard to customize your hatchback to pimpin’ status. You know why? because they’re hatchbacks. Nuff said. But then, if you’ve got the cash to make that college-life hatchback of yours, then we’re not stopping you.

Here comes Porsche’s first sedan, the Porsche Panamera. It’s set for release in 2009.

Anyway, you might’ve heard of this new car before. After numerous leaks and unofficial clips two years back, this Panamera has been an under-the-table thing until Porsche has decided recently to provide to the world real photos and info on what the Panamera would truly be like. In any case, and if you still haven’t heard, the Panamera would either have a V6 or a V8 engine with a horsepower ranging from 300 to 500.  S

Well, there are other things too add as well. Some Panameras would allegedly have a turbocharger to go along with it. And all of them would have a direct-injection feature too. This baby could also be available either with a rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive. But most of these specs (and prices) are yet to be confirmed by the company–so we’ll just have to wait.

When it comes to style, well, it looks like a sleeker version of a regular sedan. But hey, it’s a Porsche. So if ever we get our hands on this baby, we might be customizing it in terms of making it look a bit more stylish than your usual Sedan. We wouldn’t really have to touch the car’s performance since after all, it’s a Porsche. It’s good as it is. After all, it’s a Porsche.

So that’s the Panamera. We’ll just have to wait till spring 2009 for further details. After all, with the economic slump our country is in, we wouldn’t mind waiting till we get our markets flowing back again.

Yup. There’s a new baby in town.

It’s the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder. And it’s totally awesome. The Spyder still has got 560 horsepower 5.3 liter V10 engine, an all-wheel drive. It also features an automatic transmission that’s 40% faster. Giving it about 4 seconds to go from 0 to 100 kilometers in just 4 seconds! And oh, this car’s got its top shaved-off. And hell, we like it. We mean, it’s already beautiful as it is. It’s beauty in its purest sense.

We wonder how it would look like if some rich guy buys one and customizes it for further style. Can’t wait to see that. Personally, I wouldn’t opt to change its performance, but with this baby, I’d add more style to it (assuming it isn’t beautiful enough) (and assuming I’ve got the cash). In any case, It’ll be available in markets soon. So watch out!

It’s called Unique Whips.

Well, it’s kind of like Xzibit’s MTV Pimp My Ride sessions. The only difference is that they wouldn’t be customizing your car. Hahaha, too bad. Because here, they’d probably be customizing another celebrity’s “whip”. As if these guys aren’t already rich enough. Hahahaha.

In any case, it’s a good place to get new ideas should you wish to customize your car to its upmost level. After all, it’s got your favorite celebrities in it. So might as well catch it on your television. It’s been on air since 2005, so we guess you’ve already heard of it being shown on the Speed Channel. And what’s good about it is they’ve got a new season airing just this November.

So if you really want to customize your car, here’s where you could start knowing some parts and accessories. That is if you’ve got the cash too. Hahaha.

Anyway, here’s a promo clip that we got from Youtube: