Follow the jump for more information on Top Gear USA including a pic of the USA Stig.

Pepsi Has The Balls To Say What Coke Won’t: HFCS Doesn’t Taste Exactly The Same As Sugar

By Chris Morran on October 26, 2010 12:15 PM0 views

(Paxton Holley)

A few weeks back, Coca-Cola informed us that there is no distinguishable difference in taste between Coke made with High-Fructose Corn Syrup and Coke made with cane sugar. But when we asked the people at Pepsi the same question, they had a very different answer.

Says a rep for Pepsi to Consumerist:

“

We do believe there is a taste difference between HFCS and sucrose. While some consumers do not taste a difference, others express a preference for one or the other. Millions of consumers love Pepsi the way it is made today — with HFCS — and we know that products like Pepsi Throwback, Mountain Dew Throwback and, now Sierra Mist Natural, which are sweetened with sucrose have devoted followings.

”

Without getting into the hotly debated topic of whether or not HFCS is any worse for consumers than sucrose, the rep did say that people are buying the real-sugar products for a variety of reasons: “Some consumers prefer sucrose for taste reasons, others for nostalgia reasons or because they think of it as a more natural sweetener option,” she said.

As for the continued and future availability of the Throwback beverages, the rep tells Consumerist, “Both Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback have traditionally been ‘limited time offer’ products — available for only a few weeks at a time. Due to consumer demand we have extended their availability and brought them back a few times. For next year we’ve already made plans to bring them back, but availability may change due to a variety of factors including regional popularity and retail space.”

We also asked why, in places like New York City, it’s often easier to find Throwback drinks in small corner stores than it is at larger, chain groceries. The rep explained that it’s likely due to local bottlers and distributors finding these stores more willing to purchase and try out small quantities of the relatively new products.

SEMA Preview: Chrysler goes hog wild [w/video]

by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on Oct 25th 2010 at 9:59AM

2011 Dodge Charger Red Line – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has big plans for this year’s SEMA show. The company has worked up a muscle-bound pack of special edition models and concepts slated to be unveiled in Las Vegas. In a live webchat this morning, Ralph Guiles and Pietro Gorlier announced that Dodge and Mopar will be pulling the sheets off of the new Challenger 392, complete with a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. In addition, quarter-mile fans can get excited about the new Challenger Drag Pak V10. The car will come with all the goodies you’ll need to dominate the strip, including a V10 borrowed from the mighty Dodge Viper, a two-speed transmission, roll cage, fuel cell and unique gauge cluster. Even better, both Challengers are production models.

Of course, what would SEMA be without a few wild concepts thrown into the mix? In that vein, Chrysler will roll out the 2011 Red Line Dodge Charger shown above. The car will feature massive 22-inch wheels and a number of unique body treatments geared toward giving the redesigned sedan even more attitude. The company will also show off a different take on the new Durango called the Black and Tan. The truck features a custom interior and wheel package designed to be the most luxurious Durango out there.

Finally, Fiat is getting a taste of Mopar love with a new 500 concept. The pint-sized Italian will wear flared fenders, 18-inch wheels and special interior treatments designed with a sporty flare.

Chrysler says that it will have a total of 35 vehicles on hand for this year’s SEMA show. Hit the jump to take a look at a quick video detailing some of the stars of the company’s show fleet as well as a full press blast.

Gallery: Chrysler at SEMA 2010

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[Source: Chrysler]

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2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 is the crème de la Chrysler

by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on Oct 25th 2010 at 12:32PM

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler made waves earlier today when it announced the company would have an armada of 35 vehicles on display at this year’s SEMA show, but the star of the shindig is likely to be the new 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392.

While no one has ever accused the Challenger SRT8 of being light on grunt, Chrysler engineers have taken things up a notch or two with a new 6.4-liter V8 that produces 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, all while delivering 15-20 percent better fuel economy than the outgoing 6.1-liter V8 in the 2010 Challenger SRT8. The big V8 uses variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation to help keep consumption low.

The Challenger SRT8 392 also employs a reworked suspension with even firmer shocks, a quicker steering ratio and more negative camber than before, all of which are supposed to help the hefty muscle bruiser tackle the corners with a little more finesse.

Up front, there’s a unique chin spoiler that helps channel air to the vehicle’s radiator and provide additional downforce at higher speeds. It also just looks pretty dang sharp.

Chrysler says it will build just 1,492 inaugural editions of the Challenger SRT8 392, and that the cars will be available to buy right after Thanksgiving. Hit the jump for the full model-specific press release.

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

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[Source: Chrysler]

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Cult Motorsport’s Custom Challenger SRT8 Looks Evil

This Dodge Challenger built for Cult Energy drinks is set to debut in November at SEMA. Built with a one-off, hand-fabricated widebody kit, some Mopar forum fan-boys claim power output’s in the 1000 horsepower range. [Not Bland Photography]

Contact information for this author is not available.

Top Gear On 60 Minutes: What You Didn’t See

If you missed last night’s Top Gear segment on 60 Minutes — or jumped off something because of the unemployment segment — here’s an American news magazine finally covering the most popular television show… in the world. Plus bonus footage!

Here’s the full segment:

And here’s Jeremy Clarkson talking about cars he likes (Citroën!) and why no one listens to him when it comes to buying cars:

Here’s a longer recap of their visit to Alabama:

What did you think of the show? We’re just glad they didn’t send Morley Safer to go for a drive with The Stig.

Send an email to Matt Hardigree, the author of this post, at matt@jalopnik.com.

Videos: Top Gear USA goes live on November 21

by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on Oct 20th 2010 at 3:59PM

Top Gear America debuts on The History Channel on November 21 – Click above to watch video after the jump

We have a date. The History Channel has bombarded the web with a couple of quick teasers for the first season of Top Gear USA, and snugged between the epic visions of powersliding muscle is word that the show will debut on November 21st. Now, we know that saying this show has big shoes to fill is an understatement the size of Clarkson’s ego, but judging from what we’ve seen so far, TG USA looks well worth watching.

It may not have the same charm as the UK production, but we’re guessing it will have no problem flipping all of the right octane-laced switches. Hit the jump for a taste of what Rutledge Wood, Adam Ferrara and Tanner Foust have planned for the first season and let us know if we’re wrong.

Filed under: Videos, Celebrities, Humor

Das Burnout

A classic Dodge Charger R/T can burn its tires into smoke just as easily in Germany at the 2008 Mopar Nationals as it burns ‘em up here in the U.S. [Moparshop.de via CarPorn] Photo Credit: Siggi / Flickr

Send an email to Ray Wert, the author of this post, at ray@jalopnik.com.

Jesse James shutters West Coast Choppers?

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Oct 19th 2010 at 5:32PM

With the so-called Chopper Craze settling down to a dull hum and his sordid personal life in shambles, prompting a move to Texas, news that Jesse James is shutting down West Coast Choppers should hardly come as a shock. While we’ve yet to independently confirm reports, the news comes from reliable custom motorcycle source Cyril Huze.

For those who are still interested in making me-too custom choppers using off-the-shelf parts from catalogs, James’ West Coast Choppers parts and frames will reportedly be manufactured by Daytec and Belt Drives LTD and will be available for order through Custom Chrome.

[Source: Cyril Huze Blog | Image: SRV/bauergriffinonline.com/Getty]

Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack on ‘Weapon’ Set?

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By Monika Bartyzel (Subscribe to Monika Bartyzel’s posts)

Posted Oct 19th 2010 12:53PM

Filed under: Movie News, Hot Topic, Cinematical

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Yesterday, the iconic Muscles from Brussels — Jean-Claude Van Damme — celebrated his 50th birthday. Just one day later, reports have surfaced that the action star has suffered a heart attack while filming his latest action fest, ‘Weapon.’

Twitch reports that the Ernie Barbarash film was shooting in Romania before heading to New Orleans for three days of filming, but the production was quickly put on hold due to “complications.” The complication was that Van Damme suffered a minor heart attack before shooting his scenes. Everything halted, while his wife, Gladys Portugues, quickly joined him and, thankfully, it looks like the ’80s action star will make a full recovery.

‘Weapon’ focuses on rival assassins who form an “uneasy alliance” to take down a DEA-backed drug cartel. Just to make things more interesting, each assassin is a master of a certain weapon. We’d love to report that Van Damme is bringing down DEA goons with his thighs of steel, but he’s probably got a more traditional and boring weapon like a knife or bazooka.

Stay tuned to Cinematical for updates on Van Damme’s condition. We wish him a speedy recovery, and a very merry and healthy belated-birthday celebration when he mends