Car Craft Automotive News - 'Straight Scoop

Not robots.>

'08 Viper SRT10 In Production
Did you know that the workers who handbuild the Dodge Viper and its engine are called craftspersons? Well, those crafty types are kicking the '08 model up a notch. The 8.4L V-10 now makes 90 more horsepower (bringing the total to 600).

The view for spectators will look a lot like this, only less green.>

F1 Loves The Night Life, May Love To Boogie
Next September, Formula 1 will hold its first night race-F1 Grand Prix racing hasn't done this in its entire 57 years. It'll be on a street course in Singapore.

So lifelike. The lizard, too.>

Calling All Artists
For 20 years running, Geico has held the Safety Belt Poster Contest, but this will be the first time it's being opened up to 16-18-year-old high school students, making four eligible age groups. The contest is about helping to spread safety and seatbelt awareness, be it an expression of paint, drawing, cutting, or whatever ("whatever" excludes interpretive dance). In fact, for the first time this year, computer-generated art will have its own category. The winning posters will get reprinted and circulated throughout the country, but what you'll probably care most about is the cash reward that goes with it. The contest ends January 19; learn more at geico.com/about/poster.

Panel SS, coming soon.>

Chevy HHR Panel SS Concept
What happens when you take a race suspension, a turbocharged 2.0L, and a panel body style? You get the HHR Panel SS concept, which Chevrolet says is a peek at a future limited-production model. The 260hp Panel will be at dealers in 2009. The '08 Cobalt will also sport two S's; the turbocharged coupe will make 55 more horsepower than the previous SS (for 260 ponies) and feature a tuned sport suspension, Brembo brakes, and a short-throw shifter. It'll be on sale in mid-2008.

Back-seat driver.>

7-Second Reads
* "Kurumarukun"-it's a portable toilet for inside the car, developed by Kaneko Sangyo Co. There's a curtain to draw around the "occupant." We guess it's like having a Port-A-Potty in the back seat.
* Tulsa World reports that a woman got a $120 ticket for driving with her small dog on her lap. There's a law in Tulsa that prohibits lap dogs. Everywhere, please.
* If motels can do it, why not cars? Thrifty Car Rental is now offering hourly rentals at two New York locations. It's $19 for two hours, in case you were wondering.
* Busch Beer will be replaced by Nationwide as a title sponsor for the NASCAR second-tier series that Busch has sponsored for 26 years.
* Cherry Bomb Glasspack is turning 40.
* Verizon and AAA are teaming up for AAA Mobile, which will cough up AAA-rated points of interest and quick roadside assistance through GPS-enabled Verizon phones.
* GM is building a proving ground in China.
* D.C. taxis will likely switch from the zone fare system to meters.

By Tori Tellem

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