2007 Dodge Nitro Hemi 5.7-liter
By Jason Cammisa
The Dodge Nitro is the kind of entry-level car that would have had fourteen-inch wheels not too long ago. This one has fourteen inch brake rotors. Red Brembos, in fact, hiding behind the (are you sitting?) twenty-two inch wheels.
Why on Earth would it need that much stopping power? Well, because this little Nitro has a Hemi. You read correctly - a 5.7-liter, 360-hp and 360 lb-ft V-8 connected to a 5-speed Tremec with a Hurst shifter. Passengers are held in place with four Viper bucket seats dressed up with Katzkin carbon-fiber leather.
To butch up the Nitro's looks even more, this 2006 SEMA concept has a carbon fiber hood and wears custom front and rear fascias. The concept is overwhelmingly purple, using unique Blackberry Pearl paint and purple-tinted windows. How unnecessary - one ride in this hot V-8 monster would likely turn all its passengers purple anyway.