My GT7 Log: 10-cylinder Salute

The Dodge Viper is the first road car powered by a V10 engine, but the Lamborghini Huracan is the last to have one. With the V10 engine officially laid to rest, it's time for a ten-cylinder salute with the first and the last to have the glorious engine that made such a glorious noise.

Here they are, the first-generation Dodge Viper and the Lamborghini Huracan on Gran Turismo 7, two sports cars that made their mark in the history of the ten-cylinder engine. Before having our last words with these ten-cylinder marvels, let's get to know them first.

Let's begin with the first-generation Dodge Viper, the SR model. The Dodge Viper was first conceived as a concept car in 1989. It was intended to be a modern interpretation of the legendary Shelby Cobra. The first-generation Viper was introduced in 1991 as the RT/10 roadster and was later joined by the hardtop GTS variant.

Now, let's get to know the Lamborghini Huracan, the last V10-powered road car. Launched in 2014, the Lamborghini Huracan is the successor of the Gallardo. It was named after a Mayan god. It was powered by a 5.2L V10 engine developing 602HP of power and when mated to a double-clutch gearbox derived from the Audi R8 as well as its 4WD system, it has a top speed of 202mph. The Lamborghini Huracan has gone through numerous updates over its near-decade lifespan and the STJ is in its final form with only 10 built and sold.

With their quick introduction done, it's time to drive these V10-powered road cars around Tsukuba Circuit just like the good old days. Obviously, the Viper came at a time when cars were fitted with ABS and Traction Control but being an all-American sports car, it eschews such driving aids in favor of total control from the driver. The Huracan, meanwhile, is all about relying on 2010s technology derived from its big brother, the V12-powered Aventador, but with a double-clutch gearbox to match its V10 performance.

Anyway, no time to mince more words. It's time to have a quick time attack with these two ten-cylinder legends. Roll the tape.

And now, the results...

Viper GTS '02 - 1m06.025s

Huracan - 1m02.212s

Even though the Huracan trumped the Viper by around four seconds, the results didn't matter because what mattered was that they'd fulfilled the V10 engine's dying wish, giving these two the biggest send-off to the greatest high-performance engine of all time.

From the Dodge Viper to the Lamborghini Huracan, the V10 engine powered some of the most iconic cars of our time. Now that it's permanently gone, nothing will ever be the same.

GOODBYE FOREVER, V10 ENGINE. You made us proud and loud.

My FH5 Log: HEMIxSTORY

The third-generation Dodge Durango is the last Dodge powered by the HEMI V8 engine. Stellantis' scorched earth policy has led to the extinction of the V8 engine from its stable. 

The Dodge Durango Hellcat that I won from the High-Performance Dailies Hot Season Playlist reminds me that it ain't over until it's fully over.

So, what's it all about the most powerful Durango that ever existed?

The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is the most powerful production seven-seater SUV ever. It was unveiled during the COVID lockdown. It has the same 6.2L HEMI V8 engine as the Challenger and Charger Hellcats, which produces 710 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque. This enables it to go from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 180 mph.

The Durango SRT Hellcat is available only for the 2021 model year but demand prompted to return it for the 2023 model year. As Dodge ended production of the third-generation Challenger and the upcoming Charger not having a V8 engine, the third-generation Durango is the last in the Dodge lineup to have a V8 engine.

Let's give the last V8-powered Dodge a proper send-off by tackling the last of the four new sprint races added to the update; the Cloverleaf Sprint. Roll the tape.

Statement, made.

The third-generation Dodge Durango proved that the "Sports" word in the Sports Utility Vehicle term means a lot, delivering sportscar-like performance with multipurpose capability. With the Hellcat, this is literally the king of high-performance SUVs. Europeans can fudge themselves whenever they see one.

Because of Stellantis' scorched earth policy to get rid of V8 engines from its stable, it really is the Last Call for Dodge's last V8-powered vehicle. Sad to see Dodge removing the V8 engine that made them a force to be reckoned with as demonstrated by the Charger Hellcat Redeye and the Challenger Demon but the Brotherhood of Muscle will be forever remembered.

See you in hell, Dodge Durango.

My GT7 Log: Last Showdown

The Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger are set to be euthanized by year's end and here in Gran Turismo 7, it's time to have one last drive with these two soon-to-be-euthanized muscles.

The sixth-generation Camaro and the third-generation Challenger were proven to be worthy adversaries to the Ford Mustang. With their time almost up, it appears that the Ford Mustang will have no one to compete with until the future Dodge Charger. As the world prepares to say goodbye to these two, let's have a quick look at these two.

Beginning with the Camaro ZL1 1LE, this is basically a Republican response to Porsche's 911 GT3 because the 1LE Package transformed the Camaro ZL1 into a potent track toy built to tackle not just on drag strips but on racetracks like a proper sports car. Although it's banned on European roads, it lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 16.04 seconds. The secret to its track-honed performance is its large deflector, rear wing, diffuser, bespoke suspension setup, Michelin tires built for this car, and a 650HP 6.2L supercharged V8 engine mated to a 6-speed manual.

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the biggest upset Dodge delivered when it made a world premiere in 2018. Limited to 3,300 units, the Dodge Challenger Demon's supercharged 6.2L V8 engine produces a monstrous 840HP of power on 100 or higher-octane fuel, capable of hitting 0-62mph in 2.3 seconds, faster than any supercar it faces against. It's so fast, that the NHRA banned this vehicle.

Having gotten to know these two muscle cars that are soon to be heading to the great junkyard of the sky, it's time to have one last drive with the Camaro and the Challenger around the Daytona road track and unleash the soon-to-be-legendary performance that made them stand out. I expect this to be close.

 (SPOILER ALERT: It is)

Let's roll the tape.

And now, the results...

Camaro ZL1 - 1m58.602s

Challenger Demon - 1m59.620s

From the track-honed performance of the Camaro ZL1 1LE to the "Run Like Hell" attitude of the Challenger SRT Demon, these two muscle cars proved their worth until the last drop, and now that they've served their purpose spectacularly, I can't think of a word to describe these two Mustang fighters who fought bravely to the end.

Still, I will credit the Challenger for being the biggest upset to the modern muscle era and the Demon is like the biggest comeback to Dodge. As for the Camaro, it's racing pedigree from NASCAR to Le Mans (thank you, Garage 56) will go down in history as one of the all-time greats.

The sun sets in the sky. Camaro and Challenger, say goodbye.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

My FH5 Log: Hellcat's Paradise

The advent of the Hellcats proved that Dodge unleashed its gates of hell and devoured the competition alive with its fastest breed of monster machines on the road. In the world of horsepower wars, it seems that Dodge made it easy to win.

As the era of hell-raising V8 power is coming to an end, it's time to take a thrust back in time for a little quick dive on Dodge's monster machines that emerged from the circles of hell.

Beginning with the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, the muscle car that upset the competition alive. Powered by a supercharged Hellcat 6.2L HEMI V8 engine. It's the most powerful engine ever made by FCA (now Stellantis). Dodge claims it can produce over six hundred horsepower but it's been verified to produce 707HP, the most powerful V8 engine ever made in a production car.

With the red key fob engaged, all of the power output from its supercharged V8 engine is released. To survive the monstrous power output, a specially-made 8-speed automatic gearbox is developed to handle the extra power and torque.

Thanks to its powerful engine, the SRT Hellcat is capable of reaching 0-60mph in less than four seconds and onwards to 199mph.

The Charger SRT Hellcat inherits the same Hellcat 6.2L HEMI V8 engine as the Challenger, resulting in up to 707HP of power output with the red key fob at bay, making it the most powerful four-door saloon ever made when it was launched. With this power, the Hellcat-powered Charger is able to do an NHRA-verified quarter mile time of 11 seconds and 204mph of top speed.

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is a special-edition Challenger SRT that made supercars cowered in fear because of the supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine producing up to 840HP of power and the fastest 0-60mph time of any production sportscar, 2.3 seconds to be precise. It was well known to break every world record in history, especially the fact that being the first production car in the world that can do the longest wheelie as verified by the Guinness Book of World Records.

With the trio of hell-raising Dodges getting their word, it's time to take them to the one segment of the Badlands I like to refer to as "Hell's Paradise". Get it? This Hell's Paradise is called Devil's Pass and it's the perfect place to let these "super devils" rev their monstrous V8 engines to their "it's over 9000" strengths. See what I did? Anyway, with the gates of hell opened, these V8-powered knights of the apocalypse are ready to settle the score, figuring out which one is the real demon lord.

Let Battle Commence!

After our favorite V8-powered knights of the apocalypse survive Hell's Paradise, here are the results;

Challenger Hellcat - 3m56.553s

Charger Hellcat - 3m56.003s

Challenger Demon - 3m46.543s

No doubt about it, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon truly is the demon king of Dodge after all because of its unrivaled V8 power that butchered every single supercar it came across in a straight line. Although the NHRA banned the Demon from participating in sanctioned drag-racing events, this demon lord is feared and respected by speedo boys everywhere.

As the demon lord proved his strength, the time has come to showcase his...metamorphosis.

What you're looking at here is my version of what the world referred to as the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, the last of the Last Call special edition models made in honor of the Charger and Challenger's end of production at the end of 2023. Of course, I tried matching up to the most powerful Challenger Demon's specifications but I went over. Way over. Still, I am very pleased to re-enact the ultimate Challenger that can butcher the world's fastest supercars into red meat and then feed it to its hellcat minions.

With Hell's Paradise still with us, it's time to take my version of the ultimate Challenger Demon on a sprint run against the other muscle car convicts fighting their way to survive Hell's Paradise. Sorry, boys. There can be only one...

Hell's Paradise. You're right. It really is the hottest inferno in the world.

As the world braces for electrification, Dodge's days of unleashing hell on earth with their Hellcat monsters came to a hell-raising end. From the advent of the Challenger SRT Hellcat to the rise of the ultimate Challenger Demon, Dodge truly is the motoring industry's knight of the apocalypse and as it's set to enter the electrified era, rest assured that its devilish antics will never be forgotten because they are the ones that rewrote the rules of performance with their blood and race fuel.

Thanks for the hell-raising memories, Dodge. And with that...

See you in hell, Dodge.

That takes care of the cremation.

Dodge Hornet

Remember the time when Dodge made the Caliber and the Nitro? They were rehashes of the Jeep Compass and Patriot that ended up on the wrong turn at Albuquerque. With them behind the rearview mirror several years ago, it looks like Dodge is getting a second shot at making a compact crossover, this time with Alfa Romeo's help again.

2023 Dodge Hornet

2023 Dodge Hornet interior

Starting at 31,590 US Dollars plus additional costs, the first-ever Dodge Hornet crossover is an Alfa Romeo Tonale that does things that the Tonale can't. Although built in the same factory in Italy, the Hornet's got more character, power, and beef than the Tonale it was based on because this crossover wants to do Dodge things rather than Alfa Romeo things, akin to the Giulietta-based Dart.

Beginning with the design, the Hornet's silhouette is reminiscent of the Alfa Romeo Tonale it was based on as well as the sides but when you check its front and rear, you will notice that they are inspired by the Dodge Charger. The same goes for the interior as well because it has the same driver-focused minimalist approach as the Tonale until you check the vents and the dashboard to prove its point.

At launch, the Dodge Hornet is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that produces 265hp of power while mated to a 9-speed AT. With the AWD system in play, the GT model is capable of going from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds, more than enough to kiss the Alfa Romeo Tonale goodbye on the road and track. Later on, Dodge will offer the R/T model with the Dodge-first PHEV powertrain that bolts the turbocharged 1.3L engine to an electric motor and a 6-speed AT. With the PowerShot fired, it unleashes 285hp of power, sprinting from 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds. Now that's fast for a baby Dodge SUV.

Because of the power output that upsets the Tonale by a long shot, the Hornet feels somewhat addictive to drive with the AWD system armed. Although it feels bulky to drive compared to the Tonale, it still behaves like it in an exciting way and you can really spend lots of time getting to know the Tonale that was dubbed in American English.

In terms of safety, the Hornet, like the Tonale, is classified as Level 2 autonomy thanks to its front camera, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering, and Traffic Jam Assist systems. Combined with Blind Spot Detection, Emergency Braking, Attention Assist, and a 360-degree view monitor, among many others, it is all about getting concerned on the road, although speedo boys may end up running scared when autonomy kicks in.

The Dodge Hornet may be an Alfa Romeo Tonale that was Americanized straight to the core but because of the Dodge mantra, the Hornet is the faster, more powerful alternative to the Tonale. Although it doesn't have the credentials of Dodge's First Family, it's more than enough to become part of the Dodge family. Welcome to the family, son.

Photo: Dodge

My FH5 Log: Who is the ultimate Horizon Hero?

As the Forza Horizon 10th Anniversary celebration came to its bittersweet end, it's time to find out which of the Horizon hero cars is the ultimate Horizon Hero. Will it be the SRT Viper GTS? The Lamborghini Huracan? The Lamborghini Centenario? The McLaren Senna? Or the Mercedes-AMG Project One?

Five Horizon heroes are gathered at the Volcan Sprint and all they have to do is to set the fastest time, ultimately deciding once and for all who is the ultimate Horizon Hero. It's all or nothing now. It's do-or-die for these machines as they are giving this Forza Horizon 10th anniversary celebration the ideal sendoff I've envisioned.

Without further ado, let the battle commence. GO!

With their bravery tests done, here are the results;

Viper - 3m18.665s

Huracan - 3m08.155s

Centenario - 3m00.864s

Senna - 2m51.905s

One - 2m52.890s

So, after ten years of enjoying the Forza Horizon series since the first one up to now, this is the ultimate Horizon Hero. The McLaren Senna, the hero car of Forza Horizon 4, is the ultimate Horizon Hero.

FOREVER KING.

And that's a wrap! This is the end of the Forza Horizon 10th Anniversary celebration. The celebration has ended but our journey on Forza Horizon 5 continues because there will be more surprises in store, starting with tomorrow's Donut Media collaboration series update as well as December's holiday series update. There will be more to come this 2023 so stick around!

Here's to ten more years of the Horizon Festival! 

The party never ends...

My FH5 Log: Horizon Heroes - SRT Viper GTS

The Forza Horizon series is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. From the streets of the US state of Colorado to Mexico, from dusk to dawn, from summer to spring, it's a never-ending odyssey for speedo boys who enjoy the greatest things that made Forza Horizon, well, Forza Horizon. Fast cars, cool music, epic scenery, dramatic stories, fierce rivals, and endless imagination, these things truly shaped the meaning of Forza Horizon to the world and this is how Horizon rolls, spectacularly.

To celebrate ten years of Forza Horizon, let's kick off with the one that started it all; the hero car of the original Forza Horizon known as the Dodge SRT Viper GTS.

Known to be the spin-off of the Forza Motorsport series, Forza Horizon is the first-ever open-world action racing game that uses the same tried-and-tested formula from the Forza Motorsport series in a way never attempted before. In the original Forza Horizon, players start themselves with a VW Corrado and then work their way to unlock new wristbands, and new races, and battle against the top superstars in a one-on-one duel to snag the cars they drove. From racing on sanctioned events to street racing at nighttime, searching for barn finds, smashing bonus boards, exploring the scenery, experiencing rally racing, and completing a thousand challenges, the original Horizon has it all.

The SRT Viper GTS is the hero car of the original Horizon. Unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show, the SRT Viper GTS comes with the same 8.4L V10 OHV engine from the previous Dodge Viper SRT-10 but now it churns out 640HP of power and 600lb-ft of torque. It is mated with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission with a shorter throw shifter, close gear ratio, and shorter final drive ratio of 3.07. With a triple-digit weight loss, the power-to-weight ratio is better than the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1.

Production ended after the 2017 model year and Dodge offered customers a 1-of-1 customization program that allows them to create a bespoke Viper for themselves.

Now that we get to know about the SRT Viper GTS, the hero of the Horizon Colorado festival, it's time to give the Viper a little exhibition run on Horizon Mexico festival grounds against seasoned drivers, just to find out if it's still the hero we know and loved ten years ago. Roll the tape.

The original Horizon hero still got the moves after ten years.

With the SRT Viper GTS spearheading Forza Horizon's 10th-anniversary celebration, next time, let's get to know the hero of Horizon Europe, the Lamborghini Huracan.

See you again.

My FH5 Log: The Coronet Super Bee

Obtained from the FH5 Series 9 Dry Season Playlist, the ancient Dodge Coronet Super Bee is one of the standout cars from the golden age of muscle cars.

Unveiled in 1968, the Coronet Super Bee is basically a Dodge version of the Plymouth Roadrunner which is priced at the lower end of its class. Under the hood, the Coronet Super Bee is powered by a choice of either a 6.8L V8, a 7.2L V8, or the range-topping 425HP 7.0L HEMI V8 engine mated to a Mopar 4-speed manual gearbox.

With a quick introduction done, let's give this ancient Coronet Super Bee a driving experience it will never forget and with that, I bravely decided to drive it on a dirt track with the other muscle cars. It won't be easy but this should be fairly exciting for me. Roll the tape.

Mud, sweat, and gears, ladies and gentlemen. Looks like the Coronet barely survived the muddy torture of the dirt track and left home with scars and bruises to show.

Enjoy your new ride!