Collection Gift Guide: Supercharged Screamers
December 1, 2004
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DYNO-PROVEN PRODUCTS, INC.
It took me a while to warm up to SUVs. I never
fully understood why anyone would willingly give up acceleration and handling
for off-road capabilities that were rarely, if ever, used, and I marveled as the
segment exploded in popularity. And then, while charging up a winding canyon
road at the wheel of the new Range Rover after its introduction, I noticed that
I was driving far more aggressively than I ever would have thought possible. It
wasn’t a Ferrari, certainly, but it was fun. It opened my eyes to the reality
that my prejudices hadn’t kept up with the evolution of SUVs, and that they were
much better road cars than the plodding trucks I imagined them to be. Lately I
have spent a lot of time with luxury SUVs of every stripe–Porsche, Lincoln,
Cadillac, Hummer, Lexus, Infiniti, Volvo, and Land Rover–and have come to appreciate each and every one. None, except
perhaps the Cayenne and the FX45, can challenge sport sedans head-to-head, but
all provide what I consider a reasonable trade-off between performance and
utility. I was just in Scotland to drive the all-new Land Rover LR3–the
Discovery’s replacement–and was so impressed by its on- and off-road performance
that I had half a mind to place an order as soon as the plane touched down in
Los Angeles. (Click image to enlarge); function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
But modifications from Dyno-Proven Products, Inc. (DPPI), prove there is
little need even for a trade-off. The company provides supercharging, suspension
modifications, and more, primarily for GM SUVs–the Escalade, the Tahoe, and the
H2. The latest package from DPPI, the XS-425 for the Tahoe and Suburban, claims
425 hp, a zero-to-60 time of 6.6 seconds, .88 g on a skid pad, and stopping
power on par with a BMW 5 Series. DPPI says the numbers are similar for its
XS-450, producing 450 hp for the Denali, and the XS-500 package for Escalades
puts out 500 hp. Despite its name, the .450 Nitro Express package for the Hummer
H2 does not actually use nitrous oxide to achieve its 450 hp, but DPPI says that
with its supercharger, the Hummer’s fuel consumption at cruising speed improves
by 10 percent and towing capacity increases by 20 percent. (Click image to enlarge); function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
These massive performance bumps come courtesy of a CoolCharger supercharger
which, according to DPPI, boosts horsepower by 50—55 percent and raises torque
by 40—44 percent. The company also says that CoolCharger systems are quiet, do
not require intercoolers or major modifications to the engine, and are
maintenance-free; when installed by an authorized dealer, the systems come with
a supplemental warranty that mirrors factory coverage on General Motors SUVs.
DPPI-modified cars are sold through authorized dealerships, and their warranty
is honored at dealerships nationwide. “While performance sells the XS-425, it’s
the warranty that closes the deal,” says Tom Houck, director of sales and
marketing for DePaula Chevrolet in Albany, N.Y. (Click image to enlarge)
And though DPPI has focused on improving the performance of SUVs, it has also
developed enhancements for the Cadillac CTS and the Chevrolet Corvette.
Additionally, it is devising a system for Pontiac’s new GTO, saying that it
plans to increase the GTO’s already healthy horsepower rating by 50
percent–making it one fast and stealthy sports coupe.
Dyno-Proven Products, Inc.
888.781.6968
www.dyno-proven.com
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