The Firehawk name is well known by GM performance buffs, having graced some of the highest performing Firebird models from 1991 until 2002. Built by New Jersey based SLP (Street Legal Performance), the Firehawk models received various levels of performance upgrades and could hang with the best of American muscle during its day: the later models could run 0 to 60 mph in around five seconds and passing the 1/4 mile in the mid 13’s. While the Firebird wasn’t revived along with the Camaro, SLP has decided to use the G8 to revive the Firehawk name with three special edition cars based on the V6 and V8 models as well as a supercharged version. The cars will be sold through Pontiac dealers and will carry a full warranty. Sound great, right? Current Firebird Firehawk owners don’t think so. After hearing the news on LS1Tech.com, many of the members were outraged that the Firehawk name would be watered down on something besides a Firebird, in particular a four door sedan. In all fairness, SLP owns the Firehawk name and can use it how it wants, so we’ll reserve judgment until the car is actually unveiled and we can see how it performs. Thanks for the tip, Russ!

More news on the 2010 Chevy Camaro has been revealed after the Camaro SS made its live debut at Indy Bash 2008. According to this thread on the Camaro5.com forums, dealers will begin taking orders for Chevy’s new sportscar on October 13th, though pricing may still not be available at that time. Also revealed are a list of performance and appearance accessories that includes a rear spoiler, rear diffuser, ground effects package, many different kinds of stripes, different engines covers for both the V6 and V8 models and performance parts like a cold air intake, catback exhaust, shorty headers and Hurst short throw shifter. Interior accessories include the obligatory carbon trim kit, a body-colored lighted trim kit, floormats and a nostalgic looking subwoofer, while a selection of chrome and painted wheels will also be offered. Check the link below for more images that reveal exactly how fast and furious you can make the new Camaro look.

Believe it or not, the Aston Martin you see above is really a previous generation Ford Mustang. Built by Canada-based Exclusive Motor Cars, the extensive conversion included stretching the wheelbase, widening the track, fitting a custom interior, and adding 34 composite body panels to convert the coupe into one of the most believable replicars we’ve ever seen.

Look familiar? You might remember seeing the car when we discovered it back in January, but it has since received some upgrades straight out of James Bond’s V12 Vanquish in “Die Another Day”. Of course, the hood-mounted machine guns and the rocket launcher in the grill won’t be blowing up Bond villains any time soon, but you have to admit they’re pretty cool. They even retract neatly into the bodywork with the simple touch of a button. The good news is that you can have one of your own through the car’s distributor, Hillbank Motorsports. The bad news? It will cost you somewhere north of $100,000. We were fortunate enough to see the car in person, and took plenty of photos and a video showing the trick hide-away weapons. Hit the jump to see it in action.

Hyundai’s trifecta of SEMA-bound Genesis Coupes is complete, and the latest tuned, rear-wheel-drive two-door comes courtesy of Street Concepts. Unlike the turbo’d models from RMR and HKS, the Street Concepts Coupe is packing the 3.8-liter V6 fitted with a custom cold-air intake and a Magnaflow exhaust. According to Street Concepts’ owner, Shawn Williams, their aim is to “maximize the driving capabilities of the Genesis Coupe while striving for a level of practicality…”

To that end, the only performance mods – outside of aiding the V6’s breathing – include a modified suspension, Brembo brakes and 19-inch Volk wheels shod in performance rubber. The exterior benefits from a black camo and “stealth fighter-inspired paint design,” along with tinted head and taillights, APR rear wing and custom grille. Inside, carbon fiber trim joins a pair of Cobra seats with black suede accents and an Infinity audio system.

With the Coupes covered, we’re waiting to see who Hyundai tapped to tune its three Genesis sedans. We’re sure they won’t be nearly as entertaining on the track, but a few VIP-styled sedans could do a lot to stoke the image of the Genesis.

We were totally buying Hamann’s line about “form follows function,” right up until the point we saw the roof scoop on the tuner’s Aston Martin V8 Vantage package. That aside, the kit from Hamann is one of the most comprehensive we’ve seen, implementing an array of aerodynamic, handing and engine mods to take the baby Aston to the next level.

On the aero side, Hamann festooned the Vantage with a new lower front fascia with two-piece spoilers, added a pair of sideskirts, a three-piece rear diffuser and a small, if not entirely stealthy, rear spoiler. You can get all these bits, or a different lip spoiler, in either carbon fiber or fiberglass, along with a roof scoop allowing you to channel your LeMans ambitions in poseurific style.

The engine benefits from a retuned ECU that can boost power of the outgoing Aston’s 4.3-liter V8 to 358 hp (23 hp more than stock) or the 2009 model’s 4.7-liter V8 to 426 hp (30 hp more than stock). A stainless steel exhaust is supposedly good for another 20 hp, but it’s unclear whether the same gains can be attained without tweaking the Vantage’s computer.

The handling has been shored up with a set of Hamann’s three-piece 21-inch wheels and new springs that drop the Vantage by 30 mm up front and 20 mm in the rear, while the interior receives a new aluminum pedal set, bespoke floor mats and optional custom leather trim.

When Chrysler gave its Plymouth brand the axe, many storied name-plates were orphaned — none of them more legendary than the Hemi ‘Cuda. As the Mopar brand began teasing the world with its pony car revival, otherwise known as the Dodge Challenger, a great many fans of the classic Barracuda were left wishing that their childhood dreams of driving off the showroom floor in a brand new Hemi-powered Plymouth muscle car could finally be fulfilled. And so they might. HXC Performance is currently hard at work designing a retrofit kit that would transform the Dodge Challenger into a proper Plymouth ‘Cuda. Many aficionado’s believe that the 1971 ‘Cuda was the best looking year, and it’s on this model that HXC chose to base its conversion. Included is a new grille, fender “gills” (which were only used in ‘71), Shaker hood, tail lights and a new rear valance.

To up the performance ante of the standard HEMI-powered R/T model, a Brembo brake package and suspension upgrade will also be included, as will a few engine option packages that can bump the power up to 475 horsepower. Mustang and Camaro owners may now have one more reason to keep an eye on their rear-view mirrors, mimicking countless scenes from the muscle car glory years of the early ’70s.

Athletic governing bodies are coming down hard on steroids and HGH, which has probably led to a glut on the market. Performance West Group appears to have bought up the entire surplus and injected it into a Ford F-350 dually in order to create the Striker. Part pickup and part Ford Mustang GT500KR, the Striker will be intimidating other vehicles at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas.

The greatest tuning minds of our generation are assisting PWG with the project. Gale Banks is tuning the PowerStroke V8 engine above its 350 hp and 650 lb-ft. Hulst Customs is fabricating the bodywork. American Lightweight will be providing the aluminum 24″ wheels. Katzkin Leather and Sony are doing duty inside to make sure you enjoy what will surely be a monster system in beauteous comfort.

PWG will then drape the entire thing in Striker Silver and Badass Blue and then probably let it loose to kill things. The rationalist in us wants to ask “What the…?” The auto junkie in us wants to stick it in the driveway and let it reek of testosterone. And then transform into a Decepticon. Which means we can’t wait for SEMA.

There’s not much we would change about the Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series. Its 6.2-liter V8 produces gobs of power and torque, and the F1-inspired design is a beautiful combination of form and function. Danish tuner Kleemann, however, thinks that it could use some tweaking and has introduced a tuning package that it considers to be a sophisticated optimization. Horsepower has been increased from 507 to 545 via a remapped ECU and an upgraded exhaust system that includes high-flow exhaust manifolds and downpipes with sport catalytic converters. The stock 19-inch AMG wheels have been replaced with 20-inch Kleemann TS-6 3-piece wheels. Finally, the Kleemann logo replaces the standard badges on the trunk. Sophisticated, yes, but whether it’s the limited production and possible collectability or the fact that we just like the car as is, we think we’d keep a CLK63 AMG Black Series stock if we had one in the garage and leave any upgrades to the standard CLK63 AMG.

Upon first inspection, MR2forum.de member LaroCroft’s second-generation (SW20) Toyota MR2 is simply a tastefully modded example of a cult favorite. However, peer inside and all preconceived notions are immediately thrown out the targa top.

Any “For Sale” thread that requires “Knowledge in electronics, skills in PC technology and knowledge of programming (especially Visual Basic)” is a clear indication that things inside have gotten thoroughly out of hand. Just check out the gallery and you’ll see what we’re talking about.

The entire instrument cluster and center console have been replaced with three screens displaying every conceivable function and parameter of the MR2’s systems. The trio of displays are controlled by either a touch screen interface or a center console-mounted knob (ala iDrive), and allows the drive to manipulate everything from fuel consumption to engine temp; climate control to GPS functions; mirrors, radar/laser, the wireless transfer of music from a home computer, lights, fog lights, and on and on and on.

It’s pure insanity and incredibly cool. And the best part: it’s for sale in Germany – assuming you’ve got the programming chops to actually leave your driveway.

Over a year ago we told you about the Indy-Cator, an LCD-equipped shift knob that displayed your gear selection. Now, the German tuning powerhouse AC Schnitzer has come up with its own version for BMWs and MINIs, and we’re still left wondering if it has any practical use.

According to AC, drivers have to rely solely on feel to know which gear they’re in at any given time (gasp), so the digital display takes all that pesky guesswork out of gear selection. The red LED on the shift knob has a light sensor which dims or brightens the display depending on conditions, matches the stock interior lighting, features a position sensor and can be installed in just a few minutes.

AC Schnitzer hasn’t released pricing, but just like the Indy-Cator, its worth is in the hand of the beholder.