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Barracuda's Dodge branding no biggie, but what about engines?

Rumors about a revival of the Barracuda nameplate have been circulating for years now, though which brand it might fall under has been a bit of a mystery. Initial speculation had the car labeled an SRT product, but that acronym has since returned to its former role as a sub-brand for top-performance Mopars. Thanks to leaks from a recent FCA dealership event, we know the Barracuda is back on the table but will be sold under the Dodge umbrella, a move that has been generating a bit of ire from Pentastar fanatics, as the car was originally part of the defunct Plymouth brand. Given what's known about the new model, however, the badge is the least of my concerns about the new car. Let's start with the re-branding itself. This isn't the first time Chrysler has shuffled models around to different brands. The current-generation Viper spent two years as the flagship model under the SRT banner, only to return to Dodge for 2015 when SRT resumed its former role as a sub-brand. Years ago, the Neon was sold as a Plymouth, a Dodge, and a Chrysler model, depending on where you shopped for one. When Plymouth ceased to exist, the last few years of Prowler production got Chrysler badges instead. Then there's the new Jeep Renegade, a model whose name was born out of a trim level. The Barracuda might not turn out to be a muscle car in the way we currently define them. Further examples of naming liberties taken throughout automotive history could fill a book, but suffice it to say that these days a model's name has very little to do with the vehicle itself or any legacy it might have. The Barracuda name might be a particularly sacred cow with enthusiasts, but to me, a much bigger concern is the fact that the car might not turn out to be a muscle car in the way we currently define them. News from the Fiat Chrysler dealer briefing earlier this week indicates that when the next Charger debuts it will share its platform with the Barracuda, much the way the Charger and Challenger are twinned now. One difference is that the Barracuda is tipped to be offered as a convertible, while the modern Challenger is tintop-only. The Charger and Barracuda will use the rear-drive platform developed for Alfa Romeo's new Giulia, itself designed as a BMW M3 fighter both from a dimensional and dynamic standpoint; the Barracuda is expected to be slightly smaller than the current Challenger.

Before Jay Leno, this 1970 Dodge Charger was a SEMA star

When Jay Leno drives an awesome car, enthusiasts take note, and this week the internet blew up over the 1970 Dodge Charger resto-mod that starred in a recent Garage episode. But you might not remember: this strapping Charger, called "Tantrum," was one of the highlights of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas last fall. Here's another look at a true Mopar monster. The power: Yep, Tantrum has 1,650 horsepower. That's more than two Hellcats worth of power under the hood. It's a twin-turbo 9.0-liter Mercury Racing engine with a quad-cam four-valve setup. Basically, it's a V8 boat motor developed for cars. Mercury Marine is the crew that developed the V8 for the 1990s Chevy Corvette ZR-1. That all-aluminum LT-5 under the hood cranked out 405 hp – an astronomical figure for the time – and helped make the ZR-1 an icon. Take a listen to Tantrum's 9.0-liter Mercury mill below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Who's behind all of this? SpeedKore, a Wisconsin-based performance shop that does one-off pro touring builds. It specializes in remaking Detroit muscle with modern features like carbon fiber, bespoke interiors, and powerful engines. SpeedKore is pretty good at it. Before it threw a Tantrum, it did the "Cudinator" used in some of the Fast and the Furious movies. You might not know: Tantrum won the Best Domestic category of the GT Awards at SEMA – chosen by your author. The sinister looks were the hook, and the crazy engine solidified its performance cred. Related Video: Image Credit: SpeedKore Design/Style Dodge Coupe Performance Videos Jay Lenos Garage 1970 dodge charger resto mod

Brits recreate iconic Bullitt chase scene

Recreating the famous chase scene from Bullitt has become almost an art form in its own right. We've seen it done in a music video, with scale models and even in commercials. There are few films that are as defined by a single scene as the 1968 classic. Even if you don't know a single beat of the plot, the Highland Green Ford Mustang racing a Dodge Charger through the hilly streets of San Francisco is famous. It's so well known that the Silverstone Classic has created a homage to promote its celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Mustang at this year's event in July.
Filmed around the famous UK circuit, the short film generally gets the key points of the scene right. It even has a green Volkswagen Beetle that keeps reappearing, as in the movie. Unfortunately, its Steve McQueen stand-in looks a little too old for the role. While the video shortens the chase considerably, it's still great to see these '60s behemoths leaning and sliding around the track. Scroll down for a touch of nostalgia thanks to one of the greatest scenes ever in cinema - we've got both the recreation and the original chase seen from the movie waiting for you.