Are you a muscle car enthusiast? What would you give for a modern-day version of a classic? I asked Jody Victor  to give us the details on Chrysler's newest vehicle from this year's Chicago Auto Show.

Jody Victor: Back in 1974, amid new safety regulations and the dawn of unleaded fuel in the US, Dodge ended production of its V8-powered Challenger. Thirty-four years later, Dodge has brought back the Challenger with a vehicle worthy of the name.

With little change from the concept car introduced in Detroit two years ago, the new Challenger SRT8 carries through many of the styling cues found on that original 1970s model. And just like that original, the new Challenger SRT8 boasts V8 power and rear-wheel drive.

The 1974 Challenger's V8 produced 245 horsepower; in comparison the 2009 Challenger SRT8 touts a 6.1-liter V8 that commands 425 horses. This big V8 has the highest output of any normally aspirated V8 engine ever offered by Chrysler. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission.

Unlike that original Challenger, the new model is designed to do more than just go fast in a straight line. With a tuned suspension, stabilizer bars and high-performance Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires, the new Challenger achieves a skid pad number of .9 gs. Brakes are four-piston Brembos at all four wheels, with large vented rotors front and back, which Dodge claims will bring the Challenger to a stop from 60 mph in just 110 feet.

Of course, this modern-day muscle car has the latest amenities and safety equipment. Three colors will be available for Challenger: HEMI Orange, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic. Get one of the first 6,300 Challengers and you'll have a limited-edition numbered plaque displayed on the dashboard. They'll be in the showrooms this spring with a starting price of $37,995.00.

Thanks, Jody! Sounds like a fabulous car - we'll be watching for them in the showrooms and on the road!

Joe Victor

As we all know, car manufacturers sometimes score and sometimes not when it comes to brand new vehicles. But the only way they can really know if a new model will fly is to build it and let it go. Well, the 2007s have gone through more than a year's worth of sales and comments. I asked Jody Victor  to let us in on the real story behind the hits and misses for 2007.

Jody Victor: According to Consumer Reports, there are some cars that make the grade and some that don't. Most of these choices may not surprise you - but here's the list anyway.

Most Impressive

Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan - As expected, these replacements for the Taurus and Sable are practical and roomy. But people were unexpectedly impressed with their nimble handling and comfortable ride, which make them feel more like expensive European cars. Unlike many new cars in their first year, their reliability has been excellent.

Hyundai Santa Fe - With much better ride and handling than its predecessor, the new Santa Fe might be the best Hyundai we've tested. It also has a smooth powertrain, quiet interior, and impressive fit and finish, giving it a No. 2 ranking among small SUVs, behind the Toyota RAV4 V6.

Infiniti G35 - With its 2007 update, the G35 has been transformed into a very capable sports sedan. Quick and agile, with well-balanced handling and a controlled ride, it is a joy to drive, Handling, interior fit and finish, and controls are all markedly improved over the previous model.

Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona - The redesigned Sedona and new Entourage - minivan twins - are a big improvement over the small, clumsy, and fuel-thirsty first-generation Sedona. They are quiet, roomy, comfortable, and powerful, and offer a wide array of features at a competitive price.

Most Disappointing

Dodge Caliber/Jeep Compass - These new wagon-like models scored worse in Consumer Reports testing thant the Chrysler PT Cruiser, which hasn't been redesigned in five years. They share a platform, engine, and transmission, as well as multiple faults. Both have sluggish acceleration, lots of engine and road noise, and hampered visibility. Their poorly finished interiors reflects an unfortunate trend seen in other recent Chrysler vehicles.

Toyota Yaris - The Yaris offers excellent fuel economy and reliability. But the good news ends there. Emergency handling is sloppy, there's a lot of noise, the driving position is uncomfortable, and stops are very long without the optional (but hard to find) antilock brakes.

Dodge Nitro - Based on the Jeep Liberty, the bold, distinctive styling of this SUV will undoubtedly win over some buyers. But with vague steering, ungainly handling, unsettled ride, limited visibility, and a cheap-looking interior, the Nitro falls short of the Liberty. Both lack the refinement of most carbased SUVs.

Chrysler Sebring - While improved somewhat over the old Sebring, the all-new version still trails the competition. Conspiring against it are noisy engines, unimpressive braking and handling, uncomfortable seats, a cheap-looking interior, and only adequate performance and fuel economy.

Thanks, Jody!

Joe Victor

All-terrain vehicles - a subset of recreational four-wheeled off-road vehicles sometimes called "quads" - have become increasingly popular with farmers, ranchers, firefighters, land management specialists and forest rangers. According to the Speciality Vehicle Institute of America, there are over 7 million ATVs in the U.S., with 856,000 of them sold in 2006 alone. But with high gas prices, a changing world climate, and rising complaints from conservation groups, the ATV may be ripe for reinvention. I asked Jody Victor to give us the latest.

Jody Victor: In late 2007, a group of ATV riders discovered an unusual set of footprints near the Arizona border in Kane County, Utah. The tracks, numbering in the thousands, were the fossilized imprints of 190-million-year-old dinosaurs, ranging from bird-sized raptors to 35-foot vegetarians. Local ATV clubs and natural resource committees agreed to cordon off the area, and the dinosaur experts were brought in.

Sadly, most ATV riders are better known for the environmental damage their vehicles cause than scientific discoveries. And while environmental groups have made ATVs their enemy for years, a new breed of cleaner and greener ATV is emerging that may change the four-wheeler's reputation.

Sportsmen, farmers and off-road enthusiasts all love their ATVs, but diesels have been hard items to find over the years. As the U.S. auto market starts to see more cars and light trucks with efficient and tough diesel engines under the hood, the ATV market could and should follow suit.

Kubota and Kawasaki now both make diesel four-wheelers geared toward utility applications such as farms and commercial fleets. Arctic Cat, one of the leading American makers of all-terrain vehicles, also makes its700 model with a twin-cylinder diesel. Arctic Cat distinguished itself by running factory tests with biodiesel, a renewable diesel substitute made from vegetable oil.

Out in California, an upstart called Barefoot Motors is trying to push the boundaries of what clean ATVs are all about. Taking its cues from electric car companies, Barefoot Motors is building the world's first "earth utility vehicle." They call it simply the Model One. An electrical outlet is all that's needed to fuel up the Model One's lithium-ion battery pack.

Based on preliminary tests, the Model One can put in about two hours of heavy use per charge. It is also about 100 pounds lighter than a comparable gasoline model, is more evenly balanced, and does away with vibration and heat issues. It's also virtually silent - a feature that could appeal to farmers, nature enthusiasts, or hunters on the prowl.

Biodiesel fuel and lithium batteries can cut back on greenhouse gasses and fossil fuel dependence, but they won't get rid of rutted trails, soil erosion, and disrupted habitats. We can only be cautiously optimistic that cleaner technologies will perhaps, encourage responsible behavior.

Thanks, Jody! A lot to think about!

Joe Victor

While most of us are not about how fast we can go in our vehicles - but it's kind of cool to know there are those vehicles out there that can go fast - really fast. I'm sure you, like myself, are thinking of race cars. But what if a street-legal car could go 250 mph or more? Now that's a car! I asked Jody Victor  to tell us about such a vehicle.

Jody Victor: Let me tell you a story - no, not a bedtime story. It's a dream come true kind of story. On Sept. 13, 2007, the Shelby SuperCars Ultimate Aero became the fastest production car in the world. The event took place on a temporarily closed, two-lane stretch of public highway in Washington State. In accordance with Guinness World Records' strict policies, the car had to drive down the highway, turn around, and make a second pass in the opposite direction within one hour.

The Ultimate Aero posted 257.41 mph on the first pass and 254.88 mph on the second for an average of 256.18 mph. Official data were collected via a GPS tracking system from Austrian data acquisition company Dewetron. Guinness World Records later verified data for an official top-speed announcement on Oct. 9, 2007. At that speed the Ultimate Aero broke the official record held by the Koeningsegg CRR (242 mph) and the unofficial record (253 mph) held by Volkswagen's $1.6 million Bugatti.

And the car could go even faster! NASA's wind tunnel testing facility in Langley, Va., found the Ultimate Aero to be aerodynamically stable at speeds up to 273 mph. It just ran out of road.

Achieving the record wasn't just a matter of bragging rights, though. For company founder Jerod Shelby it was a business decision. From early on Shelby, who stared the West Richland, Wash. company in 2000, decided that he had to break the productin car top-speed record in order to establish credibility for his infant company. He felt no one would buy a $600,000 car they  never heard of - he's probably right.

Before he was able to realize his dream, Shelby, 39, a former go-kart champ and an engineer by trade, spent 13 years developing patents for medical-device company Advance Imaging Technology in nearby Richland, Wash. One of his patents is for a radiation-free medical device that uses sound waves to scan for breast cancer.

After more than a decade developing breakthrough medical technology, Shelby - who is no relation to legendary auto designer Carroll Shelby - realized that his financial success would afford him the opportunity to pursue his lifelong automotive ambitions. Years of dreaming about designing his own car came true. His first drawing for the car was done on a napkin while eating at an Italian restaurant. Amazingly, the final product looks very similar to the early sketches.

Thanks, Jody! A dream come true!

Joe Victor

Even if you drive a big SUV or truck like I do, you can still drive in ways that will save you money and reduce gas usage/reduce global warming. I asked Jody Victor to give us some more driving tips.

Jody Victor: Of course, starting with a small car, a hybrid, or a fuel efficient car will reduce your consumption of fuel to begin with. But even in a larger vehicle you can drive carefully. Here are some tips to try.

Plan Ahead - Combine your errands into one trip, rather than taking multiple trips from home. Organize your stops so they're near each other and so you don't retrace your path. You may even be able to park in one central spot and walk between some of your stops rather that driving and parking at each one. For large gatherings like family reunions and church picnics, organize a carpool. If the distance to these events is long, renting a 15-person van to maximize fuel savings vs. driving a number of separate vehicles is recommended. In this case, your large vehicle with extra seating could be used, too. 

Also, plan your trips so you go out during less-congested times of day. When there's less traffic, you're more apt to be able to drive smoothly. Use navigation aids on the Internet or in your vehicle to keep from getting lost - which could waste fuel - when you're headed to a new, unknown destination.

Weather Effects - Note that road and weather conditions have a role, too, in the fuel economy of your vehicle. Driving into a 20-mph headwind can reduce fuel economy by as much as 6 percent. Driving up a mountain road with a 7 percent grade can cut fuel economy by as much as 25 percent. Driving on gravel and in slush and snow requires a bit more fuel, too.

Other Modes of Transport - Look at alternative transportation options - even if it's just for one or two days a week. Walk, bicycle, carpool or take public transportation and leave your vehicle at home. Cycling to work not only saves on gas, it is an excellent cardiovascular workout. And in some cases, you could actually arrive at your destination quicker on a bicycle than you would on congested auto roadways.

When you shop for a new vehicle, compare fuel economy. Bear in mind how bigger vehicles, bigger engines, four-wheel drive and lots of optional equipment can add to a vehicle's weight and, as a result, reduce its fuel effiiciency. Even larger tires can have an effect. A tire with a larger "footprint" on the road that doesn't have a special rubber compound designed to improve fuel economy has more rolling resistance than a comparable smaller tire, and this can lower fuel economy.

You don't always have to avoid popular vehicles in order to save money at the gas pump. Some smaller trucks and sport-utility vehicles rank better in fuel economy than do some cars. For example, the Ford Ranger 2WD with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and manual transmission is the "most efficient standard pickup truck," according to the EPA. It gets an estimated 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, says the EPA.

Watch for New, High-Tech Solutions - Check out the newest automotive technology. It's getting more mainstream with each passing year. Look for more hybrid vehicles such as the Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight gas-electric car, and the Toyota Prius Hybrid. There is also the Honda Accord Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the Ford Escape Hybrid (first gas-electric SUV).

New technology efforts don't end there. Virtually all automakers are researching ways to build a commercially viable fuel-cell vehicle. Even if you don't decide on a new-technology vehicle, you should carfully consider whether you really need a V6 or a V8 in your next car or truck.

Thanks, Jody! Some great tips and important things to think about!

Joe Victor