Shelby GT500 Super Snake snagged in the wild

The massively-powerful Shelby GT500 Super Snake isn't going to officially debut until later this weekend at the Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet, but that hasn't stopped Mustang Evolution from snagging and posting the first real shots of the ride ahead of its big reveal. Its GT500KR looks are further augmented with Super Snake badging and blacked-out head and taillamps -- the whole package looks just menacing. Appropriate, when you consider it'll be available with up to 725 supercharged horses underhood. Daddy wants a pony for Father's Day...

Ripsaw MS1: Fastest two-track vehicle on terra firma?

This is the Ripsaw MS1, a scratch-built tracked vehicle created by Howe & Howe productions. It's very fast -- its 650-horsepower blown 427 CID V8 rockets it from 0-50 in 3.5 seconds and lets it run up to 80 mph. It's also very agile, sporting a suspension with fourteen inches of travel that lets it handle bumpy terrain with aplomb. In fact, the Howe & Howe guys say it's the fastest tracked vehicle anywhere. We can't verify that, but based on the video embedded after the jump, it's clear that the Ripsaw does indeed have some serious giddyup. Lastly, based on the photo above, it can probably be made to look like a Cobra H.I.S.S. tank with a some extra effort, increasing its awesome factor by an order of magnitude. Who do we write the check out to?

Follow the jump to see it in action!

Slimy red car found oozing on Russian city street

We've seen badly-painted cars before, some with store-bought spray cans and even some painted with brushes. But we've never, EVER, seen one painted with, um, what is that? Stucco? Bondo applied with a shovel-wielding 6-year-old? And, possibly more important, what WAS that? A Renault?

Going to the source (careful, link NSFW for some) of these photos didn't really help much, either. Not only was there little accompanying text, but it's all in (surprise!) Russian.

We look forward to hearing our readers' comments on this one, and would be very interested to hear from anyone who might have insight into this lumpy car's slimy background. And, yes, we know some of the other off-color things it might resemble, but let's keep things family-friendly.

Officially Official: 2008 Ford Shelby GT

Click image for photo gallery

Last week, the info leaked onto the web. Today, Ford made it official, announcing the 2008 Shelby GT, which will indeed me available as a convertible. Also, as reported previously, the only color available will be Vista Blue with GT Silver stripes. Convertibles get a light bar with supplemental bracing, and on all cars, the 18" polished Bullitt wheels complement things nicely.

A coupe will also be available, and total Shelby GT production for 2008 will be capped at 2,300 cars (over 6,000 '07s were produced). Everything else having to do with the car is a known commodity. The lower bumper is grabbed from the California Special, and the Shelby also gets an aluminum grille, hood pins, a (non-functional) scoop, Shelby badging outside, a number plate inside, and a cue-ball-topped Hurst shifter for cars with the 5-speed manual transmission. A 5-speed auto is also available. Horsepower is raised to 319 ponies and 330 lb-ft of torque thanks to the Ford Racing Performance Upgrade Package plus a revised exhaust, and the Ford Racing Handling Pack delivers a more sporting ride.

The Shelby GT will be formally introduced today at the Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet in Tulsa. Production at Carroll Shelby's Las Vegas facility begins in August, and pricing won't be announced until they begin showing up at dealers, who will gleefully slap a surcharge on them. Hang on to your wallets, kids.

Monroe Truck offers production version of Transformers' Ironhide

Of all the GM rides playing Autobots in Transformers, one of the favorites around here is Ironhide (above), who rolls as a completely tricked GMC TopKick 6500 pickup truck when he's not kicking ass, taking names, and intimidating Chihuahuas as the Autobots' weapons specialist. Monroe Truck Equipment, which modifies rides like the TopKick for business owners, has partnered up with Hasbro to offer the ultimate adult Transformers toy: a near-exact Ironhide replica (minus the giant transforming robot element, of course).

Ironhide buyers get twin big-rig-style smokestacks, 20" black wheels wearing massive tires in lieu of the TopKick's standard dualies, custom, powder-coated front and rear bumpers, and a monster winch up front. The only real differences we see on the Monroe Truck version are the amber running lights (Ironhide's are blue) and the non-aero (but more useful) mirrors. As for the look of horror on Prius drivers' faces when you thunder by in this thing, well, that's an intangible that you can't put a value on. Ironhide effing rules!

Former Chrysler design god Tom Gale joins Cerberus advisory team

Looks like Cerberus is getting the Chrysler band back together. Automotive News reports (sub. required) that the latest former Chrysler exec to come back is Tom Gale. You probably remember Gale as the force behind Chrysler's design revival in the 90s. Motor Trend recently called Gale "The man who helped Motown find its Mojo," which is hard to argue with when Gale is credited with bringing to life the Viper, Prowler, PT Cruiser and 300M.

This should be big news for anyone doubting the buyout by Cerberus. Gale is no bean counter brought in to cut the company to the bone. Gale is one of us. He's a car guy and hot rodder who started at Chrysler in 1968 as an engineer then moved into design. This is a very good sign for the new Chrysler and points to the possibility of amazing products in its future.

In fact, in Motor Trend's article (which is definitely worth a read, btw), Gale has a seemingly prescient quote.

"When you get the opportunity to be head of design, you should always try to get your company to the point where you're being proactive and the others have to react to what you're doing. That gets you design leadership. It's not something you can just proclaim; it's something you have to earn."

Welcome back, Tom. We can't wait to see what's up your sleeve.

It runs. It moves. The VW GTI W12 650 in motion

Click image for high-res gallery

Now, don't get too excited. This isn't some VW-produced promo video depicting the twin-turbocharged GTI W12 650 show car pushing ludicrous speeds on the Nürburgring or anything. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Here, we see it doing a run-through for a show presentation at low speed. It definitely sounds mean, though, with an exhaust note that we'd gladly listen to all day. Those aggressive looks haven't gotten old to anyone here yet, either. Come on, VW -- put it on a track with a professional camera crew and give us some real eye candy already. Let's see how it looks and sounds at something better than parade speed (assuming it's capable).

The Joker's in trouble: Batman's Batpod bike revealed

Most fans of the Dark Knight appreciated the overall tone of the latest film to feature Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Batman. The emphasis on Wayne's transformation into the Caped Crusader gave Batman Begins a psychological edge and complexity that... oh, who am I kidding? It was the Tumbler that we all loved. Typically outrageous without being overly cartoonish, it was a reconfigurable warship on wheels. With a follow-up film on its way, it was inevitable that rumors about the newest Batmobile would eventually surface.

BB 2 will take the series further back to its roots by featuring one of Batman's greatest archenemies, The Joker (here's his pretty pathetic set of wheels). It will also, apparently, bring back another iconic Bat vehicle: the Batcycle. Actually it is called the Batpod and, thanks to Gizmodo, we have a couple of pics of this new Batride to share. Our first reaction was that it looks like half of the Tumbler, minus the bodywork with the same chunky tires and mutating layout. The Batpod also features huge cannons up front and no immediately identifiable engine. Speculation suggests wheel-mounted electric motors. It's definitely intimidating, although we're not sure how those wheels will affect its driveability. Some have also noted its resemblance to the Tomahawk, minus the Viper V10. Where that Chrysler show bike is pure muscle, this thing looks more military.

We'll get to see more of the Batpod when The Dark Knight rolls into theaters next summer. Or as soon as more pics surface.

New Ferrari Dino tipped to be at Frankfurt Auto Show

The on again off again entry-level Ferrari is back in the headlines, this time rumored to be making a showing at September's Frankfurt Auto Show, which is shaping up to be one of the hottest shows for sports car fans. German magazine AutoZeitung is betting that a new model to be called the Dino will be on display, a car designed to rival the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

The Dino will likely feature a 400-hp mid-mounted V8 engine fed with cold air via two large inlets on the rear fenders. Top speed should be in excess of 185 mph with the 0-62 mph taking roughly four seconds. Additional features would be an F1-style gearbox, carbon-fiber brakes and a lightweight composite body. Adding to the speculation, Ferrari could also reveal the upcoming F430 Challenge Stradale in Frankfurt, as hinted by its Chairman Luca di Montezemolo earlier in the year.

In response, arch rival Lamborghini may unveil its own entry-level model with a new Gallardo V8 that was spotted recently by spy photographers circling the Nurburgring, as well as a Murciélago Superleggera seen in recent spy shots. In all, there's reported to be up to 22 different sports cars at the Frankfurt show, so if you're a car nut you better start saving those euros and taking German classes.

Autoblog Drives the Dodge Demon Concept

Click the image above to see our high-res Demon gallery with new pics

It's easy to be impressed by the sharp looks of the Dodge Demon concept, and the words "no-brainer" are often uttered when enthusiasts discuss whether the vehicle will actually hit the market. Even though it seems every other automaker is making a two-seater right now, we can't help but think there's room for Dodge's stunning mini-Viper. For now, however, all we have is the concept.

When we had the chance to pick from six Chrysler concepts, we didn't hesitate to single out the Demon first. A roadster on a beautiful summer morning always seems like a good choice, and considering the critical praise the Demon has received, we wanted to see just how close this baby feels to production. Well, the bad news is that it has a very, very long way to go. The gauges don't work, the chassis is go-kart jarring, and the doors feel like they're made of lead. In other words, it's a concept that wasn't ever meant to be driven, but given the chance we'd get behind the wheel every time.