Welcome to the Hooniverse News! This is a weekly automotive news recap featuring the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or the bull. I just throw in a little opinion of mine, just because I can. This week:

•  The MB C63 AMG Edition 507 wants to be an SLS

• The Dodge Dart Mopar is here

• Dodge Challenger R/T is seeing red

• Audi prices the luxurious, efficient A8 L TDI

• Toyota teases a GT-86/FR-S convertible concept

2014 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Edition 507

For the 2014 model year, the power-hungry engineers at AMG are unleashing a new version of the C63 called the Edition 507. The 507 borrows some high-performance engine technology and hardware from the car’s big brother, the SLS AMG, which increases output from its 6.2-liter V8 to a convenient 507 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. 

The significant power increase over the standard C63 comes courtesy of the SLS’s forged aluminum pistons, connecting rods, lightweight crankshaft, and a new ECU. A new 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph are claimed. Fortunately, the horsepower isn’t the only thing that’s increased with the 507, as a new compound braking system featuring larger discs and improved performance are thrown into the mix. Those brakes are also lighter in weight which improves the response of the car’s spring/damping system.

Exterior updates include the hood from the C63 AMG Black Series, new 19″ forged alloy wheels, an AMG sports stripe, and high-gloss black trim pieces. The interior features 3 color options for the leather seats as well as typical AMG features like a flat-bottom steering wheel trimmed in Alcantara and special gauges.

The car will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March and will then go on sale in North America this Summer. The Edition 507 will replace the Development Pack available on previous C63s as a performance-boosting option and will be available as either a coupe or a sedan.

Source: Mercedes-Benz via Autoweek

2013 Dodge Dart Mopar

Dodge is announcing a special edition of the 2013 Dart enhanced with Mopar performance parts and accessories, named simply the Dart Mopar. This marks the 4th special edition Chrysler model since they partnered up with Fiat S.p.A. in 2009, and like all the others, it will be a limited-run production, this time limited to 500.

The powertrain of choice for the Dart Mopar is the standard 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged four-banger which sings through a performance exhaust system and is paired exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission. To improve handling, the steering mechanics are re-calibrated for improved steering response and the ride height is slightly lower. Shorter stops come courtesy of a Mopar premium braking system featuring slotted rotors and a complete ground effects kit is supposed to increase downforce (just in case you actually need it). Every Dart Mopar features glossy black paint and a blue body-length striping package. The interior features a bright Mopar blue driver’s seat while the rest of the seats are black with blue stitching.

More information and possibly even pricing info will be released sometime today. I’ll update this section as soon as that info comes out. 

Source: Chrysler

Dodge Challenger R/T Redline

Dodge is prepping a new edition of the Challenger R/T that brings Hemi V8 power and sinister looks to the masses. The appropriately named Challenger R/T Redline features red accents pretty much everywhere – all the way down to the wheels – and hopes to bring a little heat to the very cold Chicago Auto Show where it will be making its debut soon. 

Last year, Dodge gave us a Redline package for the V6-powered Challenger Rallye, but now they’ve bringing the red to a Challanger with some proper power – 375 horsepower, to be precise. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is paired with either a Tremec 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. All that is good for 0-60 runs in the low 5 second range. The Redline package adds a red and graphite stripe to the side that runs from the front wheel arch all the way to its business end, a body color grille surround, and shiny 20″ black chrome wheels with a red lip and inner backbone. Just four colors will be available on the Redline, those being white, silver(s), and black.

The Redline can be built on top of either the base R/T or the R/T Plus, both of which come loaded with standard features. The R/T Plus gives you Uconnect voice command and Bluetooth, a USB port with integrated MP3 controls, SiriusXM radio, premium Nappa leather seats with cheek warmers, rear parking assist, and a 6-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system.

The Challenger R/T Redline package is on sale now for $1,995, which translates to a total MSRP of $31,990 for the R/T and $33,990 for the R/T Plus (prices don’t include the $995 destination charge).

Audi A8 L TDI priced

Audi’s über luxurious and quite efficient A8 L TDI will be priced at $83,395 (including destination) when it goes on sale in the U.S. this Spring. As of now, diesel power is only available on the A8 L which has an extended wheelbase compared to the rest of the standard A8 models. 

The car utilizes an efficient 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel that produces 240 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft. of torque while sipping fuel at a very respectable rate of 24 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. Like a true Audi, the A8 L TDI features loads of tech features as standard, including collision avoidance systems, and world-class comfort from the multi-contour seats with a built-in massage function and ventilation. Hopefully for 83 grand you can get one without the TDI sticker along the side…

Source: Audi

Toyota teases GT-86 Convertible

Toyota will be at the Geneva Motor Show this March with the FT-86 Open, which is a drop-top concept of the production Toyota GT-86 (known as the Scion FR-S in America). The FT-86 (FT stands for Future Toyota) Open is a bit of a design preview of what we may actually be able to buy fairly soon as Toyota execs will be there gauging the public’s reaction. So if you’ve ever wanted a drop-top GT-86/FR-S, buy a ticket to Geneva and act excited, dammit! While the announcement didn’t mention a drop-top Subaru BRZ (which is nearly the exact same car with a different badge), we can only assume it’ll happen if Toyota builds this.

Of course, when the full car is revealed we’ll be sure to cover it here.

Source: Toyota