Driven
MORE HORSEPOWER DRIVEN TO YOU
There are times when enough is just not enough. To that end, four vehicles bulk up with added muscle for 2008.
Despite a booming interest among car buyers in high-mileage and alternative-fuel vehicles, sometimes there’s still no substitute for the pure, unadulterated power that only a hefty V8 (or V10) gasoline engine can provide. Here’s a quick look at a few models that unashamedly register the largest horsepower gains for 2008. Although adding that extra authority means you’ll visit a gas station more often, it also means you’ll be seeing those hybrids and subcompacts shrinking that much faster in your rearview mirror as you rocket past them on the highway. — Jim Gorzelany
Dodge Viper SRT10
While cosmetic changes to the ferocious Dodge Viper SRT10 roadster and coupe are minimal for 2008, its 8.4-liter V-10 engine is infused with an extra 90 horsepower and now generates a raging 600 horses. It’s enough to launch this rocket to 60 mph in less than four seconds. Other upgrades include a new six-speed manual gearbox, upgraded brakes and a speed-sensing limited-slip differential that works with a race-bred, fully independent suspension to help the Viper hold the corners. MSRP: $83,145
BMW M3
BMW’s compact M3 is the high-performance coupe version of its acclaimed 3 Series. Among the M3’s many improvements, a new 414-hp, 4.0-liter V8 registers 81 more horsepower than the previous iteration’s six-cylinder powerplant, and delivers truly exhilarating acceleration. An MDrive system allows motorists to tailor various performance configurations to their individual driving styles.
MSRP: $62,500 (est.)
Hummer H3 Alpha
One of the major complaints about the beefy midsize H3 SUV has been that its standard five-cylinder engine lacks sufficient muscle. That changes with the new-for-2008 H3 Alpha version, which packs a strong 295-hp, 5.3-liter V8. Mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox, the engine affords a 6,000-pound towing capacity. And the H3 is able to scramble over virtually anything via a sophisticated 4WD system and rugged off-road-oriented suspension. MSRP: $38,645
Chevrolet Corvette
The current version of the quintessential American sports car is arguably the best ever. A new
6.2-liter powerplant channels 430 hp to the rear wheels, which is 30 additional horses than last year’s V8 could muster. Adding the optional performance exhaust system brings the total up to 436. It’s offered as either a two-seat, removable-roof coupe or a cloth-top convertible, and a fixed-roof, 505-hp Z06 Corvette is also available. MSRP: $45,170