Drive Wire: November 6, 2015

Hey guys, it’s Christina Thompson, and this is drive wire for Friday, November 6.                                                                                                    

Big news today about the new, undisputed top dog in sports-car performance. The 2016 Dodge Viper A-C-R set the lap production car record at Laguna Seca with ace Randy Pobst at the wheel, lapping in one minute and 28.65 seconds. That’s 1.24 seconds faster than the eight times more expensive Porsche 918 that previously held the record. This ends the viper’s tour of 13 North American race tracks—and it now holds the production car lap record on every one, from Laguna to Buttonwillow to Road Atlanta. The viper may leave the stage in 2017, but if it does, it’s dropping the mic on its way out.

Going off-road for a moment— Jeep chose this year’s SEMA show to reveal the Jeep-iest jeep yet for off-road maniacs. The Wrangler Unlimited Red Rock Edition has solid axles, locking differentials, a 2-inch suspension lift, as well as no doors or roof - just a roll cage and the open sky.  This Jeep comes equipped with the essential winch, tow hooks and 17-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch tires. And while it’s just a show truck for now, Jeep has hinted that it could see production in time for the company’s 50th anniversary in 2016.

Now, we know diesel has had a bad few months, but this is potentially awesome. Cummins and Nissan are collaborating on a diesel Titan pickup that will attempt to break a land speed record. The titan has been coined the triple nickel for its horsepower rating of five-hundred fifty-five. The truck, which is also on display at SEMA, is a work in progress by teams from both companies, and so far features salt-flat-style wheel covers, various aero tricks including a streamlined bed cover, and safety equipment including the requisite parachute. The current class record is 191 mph. Go get ‘em, folks.

Turning to gear …and maybe beer news: check out the Yeti Hopper a super-portable cooler you can and should bring anywhere. It’s a soft-side cooler, but made with the stuff they use for hazmat suits and whitewater rafts. The cooler features closed-cell insulation that will keep your cans cold for days. Get yours at yeticoolers.com.

If you dig jetpacks, you’ll love today’s ridiculous video. Yes, these are two guys flying in formation at 4000 feet with an airbus 380. Flying at close to 200 miles per hour, these daredevils take personal transportation to all new heights.

That’s it for today’s edition of drive wire. For more, be sure to come back to thedrive.com, and follow us @thedrive on all your favorite social media platforms.