New Details on the Lotus Evora Dodge Viper

Brad Pitt shows up in Siberia, Koenigsegg angles to Buy Saab, new details leak on the the Lotus Evora Dodge Viper and FLDetours tests the latest Mazda MX-5.

New Details on the Lotus Evora Dodge Viper Derek DeAngelis: What happens to the maker of—super cars, buys a line of mild entry luxury sedans? It’s the odd couple, sweetest tale. We’ll have more. Also, we’ve got specs on the U.S. edition of the car keeping the Porsche 911 up at night. Is there a new life in store for the Dodge Viper and is that Brad Pitt directing traffic in Siberia, all that plus commenter of the week and our two minute in change car view FLDetours. What's up everybody,? I'm Derek D. and you’re watching Fast Lane Daily. It’s Friday! You know super cars, you know the name Keonigsegg even if you can’t spell it. We’re talking about cars like the Keonigsegg CCR, holder of the production car speed record for about 10 minutes in 2005 and the alleged perpetrator of the fastest speeding ticket ever handed out in the U.S. at 242 miles per hour. But Keonigsegg may soon be known for a feet that’s every bit as wild and extreme, new owner of Saab. Wall Street Journal reports today a deal to sell General Motors Saab Automobile could come as soon as today. The sale has finalized a critical lose into the gym bankruptcy restructuring, what would rely on a $700 million loan from the Swedish government. Saab had to hit it hard by the global economic downturn ultimately contributing to only one percent of GM sales. No word on what Keonigsegg’s plans for the Saab might be, but putting the company’s 4.8 leader twin super charged V8 into the Saab Aero X concept likely and hunger and bring about world peace. It’s just a suggestion. And is the U.S. bound Lotus Evora a contender for the Porsche 911 sports car crown or just another V6 powered wannabe? According to new documents that leak this week, the mid engine Toyota powered Evora could be as serious as kidney failure. Spec sheets published on fan sight Lotus enthusiast reveals the latest from the house of Collin Chatman could be the slipper hit of the year. Horsepower from the Evora is 3.5 liter V6 is modest at 276 but at just over 3000 pounds, it’s enough to get the Evora from zero to 60 in 4.9 seconds and up to a top speed of 162 miles per hour. That’s not quite enough to top the 911’s crown but the Evora does manage over 30 miles per gallon making it a sports car even the national highway traffic safety administration will love. Damn right! And with Fiat taking control of Chrysler’s toys this week, some were wondering what would happen to that sports car named after a snake, you know the one, that one. Edwin in sidelines says the Dodge Viper survived Chrysler’s bankruptcy. Now it’s brand factory and other bits are under Fiat’s command. While the company had field that offers up to $35 million per Viper, none of them reportedly passed the smell test. There’s no word yet from Fiat boss’s on the Viper’s future but it’s clear Michigan entrepreneur Scott Devin likely need a new donor car for his Devin GTX. That’s the formerly Viper based sports car Devin plans to unveil at the Pebble Beach conquers the elegance later this year. And there’s the new traffic cop, eyeballing dangerous drivers in the Siberian City of Omsk, it’s Brad Pitt! No, it’s the sequel to Seven Years in Tibet and it’s not really even Pitt at all. It’s just a cardboard cutout. It’s just a lazy attempt by Siberian officials in what’s becoming an endless battle against speeding in that region. Traffic accidents in Russia are among the highest in Europe. Authorities say the full size cutouts are not only cutting down on speeding but some drives are slowing down to shake hands with the star. Apparently, the next campaign will target drunk drivers. You can follow all the latest FLD shenanigans on Twitter. That’s Twitter.com/fastlanedaily. Twitter’s bouncy, all right and don’t forget to subscribe to Fast Lane Daily on the YouTubes. Also, brand us on, nope, not Friendster, Facebook, but close. Next up, commenter of the week at FLDetours coming up right after this. You know that means? It’s the time of the week where we highlight a commenter of the week time! Comments! This week’s comment comes from juukyou7666 in regard to this week’s story on the most expensive cars to insure. He said, “Hey FLD, I just looked at my insurance today, $1800.00 with good student discount, do I need to move to Candy Land and ride a — tricycle to get cheap insurance?” Well, juukyou, yeah, you’re insurance is kind of high. I’m not sure what you drive but I’m guessing you’re not 25 yet. When you turn 25, you have another pretty solid discount as long as you have a clean driving record but I would not recommend moving to Candy Land dude. The road are full of gum drops, street signs are made of Mike and Ikes, no cell phone reception and of course, to all the sneak tax from the hostile neighbor, Diabetes Land. Plus honestly dude, King Candy’s just a dick. Look at him. Keep those comments flowing, we read them, and we rock them. Now, it’s time for our weekly car view FLDetours. This week, J.F. Musial takes the new Mazda Miata MX5 out for a spin. J. F., do what you do. J. F. Musial: Summer is here and we’ve got a convertible, how great? Today on FLDetours we’re driving this, the Mazda Miata MX5, quite possibly one of the best entry level sport cars in the world in my opinion. I can’t wait to drive it. Oh god, I wish I wasn’t so tall. So, what I’m driving today is the top of the line MX5. You’ve got the power retractable hard top. You’ve got the limited sub- differential. It’s got the sport package and everything else that comes with a base model. The new MX5 produces about 170 horsepower which is not quite different than any of these previous two generations. Not like other cars where you add more weight and the car gets heavier and that 170 horsepower really means less. They’ve actually kept the weight on this car relatively the same as previous generations. Point, turn, —accelerate a little sideways and the smile just — like that. It’s all about performance. It’s all about getting the job done and everything in this car gets the job done. There is no unnecessary buttons or tools, no unnecessary instruments that tell you things you will never need to know, it’s all the basics. And visibility is clear. You can see everything around me. The stirring wheel feels great. Pedals are perfect, perfect for your driving. The gear shift is the best part. It’s naughty. Quick shifts, gets the job done and this handling is phenomenal. I’ve never had so much fun on a car before. Everything you do, it just feels right. You turn the traction control and you are right at the essence of driving. It feels like you are driving something that is connected by rails to the road. So if you go on right now, it’ll give you the specs of this car and everything else. You don’t need to know that. You just need to know that this is the perfect entry level sports car in the market today. This is FLDetours, I’m J. F. Musial, go look at the stats at the end and we’ve been driving the Mazda Miata MX5. Derek DeAngelis: Oh J. F., how did you fit yourself in that car? If you love that car so much, why don’t you marry it? Well, that about does it for Fast Lane Daily for this week. I’m Derek D. Many of you guys are about belling at jerseys. We can holler at your boy, I’ll buy you a beer if you’re 21. Have a good weekend. I’m out of here.