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The Growing Trend Of Longer New Car Loans

While car sales are down, the number of people opting for loan lengths from 73 to 84 months is going up.
 Karl Kruppa, senior automotive solutions consultant for Experian said at a conference last week that the share of 73 to 84 months car loans has been rising over the past eight years. Through February of this year, 33.8 percent of loans were for terms longer than 73 months.
Other numbers to take into consideration,
In the fourth quarter of 2010, three-fourths of new-car loans were between 73 to 75 months. Only 17.1 percent of loans were 84 months. Fast forward to the fourth quarter of 2016 and 28.7 percent of new car loans reached 84 months. Why the sudden increase? It might be due to buyers seeing the small payments on an expensive vehicle, without taking into consideration fully about the length of the loan.
More worrying however is the growing popularity of long-term loans on used vehicles. Most of these loans are being used on late-model vehicles - about 30 percent of 2016 model year vehicles are being financed with 73 to 84-month terms. But long-term loans are being used on vehicles that are five years or older.
"You know what's kind of startling? There's actually 10 percent of [2010 model-year] used vehicles being financed at a term between 73 and 84 months. Longer terms are here, and more and more lenders are willing to do that," said Kruppa.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • Long-term loans for new and used cars are increasing

William Maley

Two Reasons As To Why the Civic Si Only Produces 205 HP

The echo of a sad trombone could be heard when Honda announced that the new Civic Si would only produce 205 horsepower from a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder. Fans were hoping for a bit more power and Honda's engineers say there is more power on tap. But there are two key reasons as to why the Japanese automaker did this.
The engineers said "you can tune more power into it, but all of that takes away from the durability of the engine," said Rob Keough, senior product planner on the Civic to Automotive News.
"Honda likes to build their engines to last hundreds of thousands of miles, so they're working toward that target."
The other reason comes down to price. Honda wanted to keep the Si affordable while adding some impressive performance parts such as a limited-slip differential and adaptive suspension.
"The Si has always been in the [price] range that it's in. We wanted it to be attainable and affordable, so our target for Si was really to come in at this price point with this performance level," said Keough.
For example, if Honda was to use a detuned version of the turbo 2.0L found in the Civic Type R, that would push the price to nearly $30,000.
Keough didn't rule out the possibility of there being a variant between the Si and Type R that would offer a bit more power. He also didn't rule out using a detuned Type R motor for this model.
"There's maybe other configurations and things that they can do with this motor," said Keough.
We have a possible name for this possible model, Civic SiR.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • Honda explains why the new Civic Si only produces 205 horsepower

William Maley

As the Diesel Emits: Audi Faces Accusations On A7 and A8 TDIs Cheating

The diesel emission scandal has once again flared up as Audi stands accused of using illegal software on certain A7 and A8 TDI models. 
Yesterday, German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced that Audi employed illegal software to cheat emission tests on certain A7 and A8 models built between 2009 to 2013. The affected models are said to emit twice the legal limit of nitrogen oxides when the steering wheel is turned more than 15 degrees - a condition that would happen in the real world and not in the lab.
German tabloid Bild reported that Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Mueller was summoned to the transport ministry. A ministry spokesman confirmed Muller's visit to Reuters.
The ministry has requested the company to issue a recall on the two models - 24,000 in total with 14,000 of those registered in Germany - and set a deadline for June 12 for a plan to retrofit the vehicles with legal software. Audi did issue the recall last night and said it has a fix coming in July. 
According to a source, the issue deals with the interaction between transmission and engine control units and that a fix has been submitted to Germany's transportation watchdog, the KBA.
Source: Deutsche Welle, Reuters

  • More diesel problems for Audi

William Maley

Hyundai Mostly Reveals Their New Subcompact Crossover

Later this summer, Hyundai will be revealing a new subcompact crossover called the Kona. To prepare us, the company has released some teasers. But thanks to some magic from Photoshop, we have a good idea of what it will look like.
The front end comes with Hyundai's new grille that made its debut on the Sonata and a similar headlight arrangement like the Jeep Cherokee. There is also a little slit above the grille. Other design details on the Kona include black body cladding, significant sculpting on the doors, and a partly blacked-out rear pillar.
We don't any mechanical details, but we're assuming it will be based on the redesigned Accent.
Source: Hyundai
Press Release is on Page 2


KONA by Hyundai: a true SUV with a progressive character
The All-New KONA features a progressive appearance and latest technologies A Hyundai first is the new head-up display with class-leading luminance, supporting safe driving by projecting information directly into the driver’s line of sight The KONA is an important milestone in Hyundai Motor’s journey to become the leading Asian automotive brand in Europe by 2021 30 May 2017 - Ahead of the official unveiling, Hyundai Motor has launched a new video showing further design details of the All-New KONA, the youngest SUV in Hyundai’s European range.
The KONA continues Hyundai’s new design identity, and offers a progressive character and latest technologies to create a unique proposition in the sub-compact SUV segment.

The All-New KONA’s silhouette emphasises the voluminous, aggressive body styling featuring sleek and sharp shapes. Its strong and confident visual presence is characterised by its wide stance and the twin headlamp design. The KONA also features the Cascading Grille, Hyundai’s new family identity.
Besides its progressive design, the All-New KONA offers the latest technology, making premium features more accessible for a convenient and safe driving experience. A new feature - and a Hyundai first - is the head-up display which projects key driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight. The eight-inch projected image with a class-leading luminance of 10,000 candela per square metre guarantees daytime visibility and supports safe driving.

Further information about the All-New Hyundai KONA will be released in the near future, with the official unveiling scheduled for the summer of 2017.

  • Hyundai readies its first subcompact crossover

William Maley

Spying: This Is the Next Volkswagen Touareg, Not Tiguan

You might think the vehicle caught by a spy photographer is a Volkswagen Tiguan mule. But you would be incorrect. What you're looking at is the next-generation Volkswagen Touareg.
While Volkswagen has been clever with applying camouflage strategic points, the longer length and taller body give away its true identity. Is it expected that the Touareg will be similar in design to the Tiguan. Car and Driver reports the next Touareg will transition to the MLB Evo platform that currently underpins the Audi Q7. Unlike the Q7, the Touareg will cut a few inches out of the wheelbase as it will only come with two rows of seating.
V6 power is expected, though it is unclear whether it will be the 3.6L VR6 found in the Atlas or Audi's 3.0L supercharged V6. An eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive will come standard. Expect a plug-in hybrid down the road.
Expect to see the Touareg to debut sometime later this year in Europe, followed by the U.S. next year. 
Source: Car and Driver

  • Took long enough for you to work on a new one!

William Maley

Sales Figure Ticker: May 2017

Maserati North America, Inc. - Up 33.9% (1,265 Vehicles Sold This Month, 5,818 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Jaguar Land Rover North America - Up 14% (8,106 Vehicles Sold This Month, 47,798 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 12.08% (56,135 Vehicles Sold This Month, 252,753 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC - Up 12% (6,202 Vehicles Sold This Month, 26,802 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. - Up 5% (4,805 Vehicles Sold This Month, 23,052 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mitsubishi Motors North America - Up 4.5% (9,429 Vehicles Sold This Month, 46,951 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Volkswagen of America - Up 4.29% (30,014 Vehicles Sold This Month, 133,861 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Nissan North America - Up 3% (13,939 Vehicles Sold This Month, 59,833 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Audi of America - Up 2.5% (19,197 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,555 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Ford Motor Company - Up 2.2% (241,126 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,073,123 Vehicles Sold This Year)
American Honda Motor Co. - Up 0.9% (148,414 Vehicles Sold This Month, 652,093 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Toyota Motor Sales - Down 0.5% (218,248 Vehicles Sold This Month, 952,785 Vehicles Sold This Year)
FCA US LLC - Down 1% (193,040 Vehicles Sold This Month, 880,014 Vehicles Sold This Year)
General Motors Co. - Down 1.3% (237,364 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,171,291 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Kia Motors America - Down 7% (58,507 Vehicles Sold This Month, 239,593 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mazda North American Operations - Down 7.9% (26,047 Vehicles Sold This Month, 119,282 Vehicles Sold This Year)
BMW Group U.S. - Down 11.1% (29,878 Vehicles Sold This Month, 130,916 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Hyundai Motor America - Down 15% (60,011 Vehicles Sold This Month, 291,853 Vehicles Sold This Year)

Mercedes-Benz USA - 

Brands:
Acura - Up 2.8% (13,939 Vehicles Sold This Month, 59,833 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Alfa Romeo - Up 1,989% (919 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,702 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Audi - Up 2.5% (19,197 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,555 Vehicles Sold This Year)
BMW - Down 11% (25,818 Vehicles Sold This Month, 120,124 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Buick - Up 28.5% (20,077 Vehicles Sold This Month, 91,017 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Cadillac - Up 9.2% (13,211 Vehicles Sold This Month, 59,493 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Chevrolet - Down 3.8% (162,950 Vehicles Sold This Month, 799,040 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Chrysler - Down 2% (17,969 Vehicles Sold This Month, 82,354 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Dodge - Up 8% (42,922 Vehicles Sold This Month, 218,430 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Fiat - Down 16% (2,670 Vehicles Sold This Month, 12,440 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Ford - Up 2.1% (230,838 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,026,061 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Genesis - N/A (1,752 Vehicles Sold This Month, 8,306 Vehicles Sold This Year)
GMC - Down 5.2% (41,126 Vehicles Sold This Month, 221,741 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Honda - Up 0.7% (134,475 Vehicles Sold This Month, 592,260 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Hyundai - Down 18% (58,259 Vehicles Sold This Month, 283,547 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Infiniti - Up 15.6% (12,514 Vehicles Sold This Month, 66,872 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Jaguar - Up 43.9% (3,113 Vehicles Sold This Month, 17,719 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Jeep - Down 15% (75,516 Vehicles Sold This Month, 333,138 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Kia - Down 7% (58,507 Vehicles Sold This Month, 239,593 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Land Rover - Up 0.9% (4,993 Vehicles Sold This Month, 30,079 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Lexus - Down 4.8% (25,401 Vehicles Sold This Month, 109,362 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Lincoln - Up 4.9% (10,288 Vehicles Sold This Month, 47,062 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Maserati - Up 33.9% (1,265 Vehicles Sold This Month, 5,818 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mazda - Down 7.9% (26,047 Vehicles Sold This Month, 119,282 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mercedes-Benz - 
Mercedes-Benz Vans - 
MINI - Down 11.6% (4,060 Vehicles Sold This Month, 17,792 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mitsubishi - Up 4.5% (9,429 Vehicles Sold This Month, 46,951 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Nissan - Up 1.9% (124,957 Vehicles Sold This Month, 609,488 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Porsche - Up 5% (4,805 Vehicles Sold This Month, 23,052 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Ram Trucks - Up 18% (51,044 Vehicles Sold This Month, 230,950 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Smart -
Subaru - Up 12.08% (56,135 Vehicles Sold This Month, 252,753 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Toyota - Up 0.1% (192,847 Vehicles Sold This Month, 843,423 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Volkswagen - Up 4.29% (30,014 Vehicles Sold This Month, 133,861 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Volvo - Up 12% (6,202 Vehicles Sold This Month, 26,802 Vehicles Sold This Year)

  • Did any flowers bloom for automakers in May sales?

William Maley

Picture of Window Sticker Gives Us An Idea On Civic Type R Pricing

It will not be too long before the Civic Type R begins hitting Honda dealers in the U.S. and we now have some idea on pricing.
A member on the CivicX.com forums came across a lot full of new Civic Type Rs nearby a port. The member was able to get some pictures of the vehicles sitting there along with one showing the window sticker. According to the sticker, the Civic Type R Touring will carry a base price of $33,900 - add $875.00 for destination and you'll end up with a final price of $34,775.
We don't know if Honda will be doing a lower-trim version of the Type R - Touring at Honda is their designation for the top trim level. If they do, we expect it to be around $30,000 to $32,000.
Source: CivicX.com
Pic Credit: Newspress USA

  • We have a clue as to how much the Civic Type R will set you back

William Maley

Volvo Open To Having Lotus Tune Suspensions

Last week, Chinese automaker and owner of Volvo, Geely announced that it would be acquiring just under 50 percent of shares into Malaysian automaker Proton and a majority stake in Lotus. For those who don't know, Proton is the current owner of Lotus since 1996. Final terms of this are still being worked on and are expected to be announced towards the end of July, but that isn't stopping many from wondering what Lotus could bring to the table.
Lotus has a well-known reputation for building sharp handling vehicles along with providing engineering expertise to various automakers on fine-tuning suspensions. Examples include the Lotus Carlton (during GM's ownership), Isuzu Impulse, and Aston Martin DB9. Could they help out Volvo with their suspensions?
"Why not," said Roger Wallgren, principal engineer of vehicle dynamics for the new XC60 to Australian outlet Drive.
"I don't see any problem using their knowledge. I think it is pretty applicable all over the board. You need to have a dialogue - you can exchange knowledge back and forth."
Wallgren was quick to clarify that no specific plans have been laid out between Volvo and Lotus at the moment.
But the idea is out there and pairing Lotus up with Volvo's performance arm, Polestar could mean some interesting products could roll out.
Source: Drive

  • The recent announcement of Volvo's parent company taking a large stake in Lotus' parent has many wondering what it could bring

William Maley

Ford Sends Off Focus RS With A Limited Edition

2018 will mark the final year of the Focus RS and Ford is planning a proper send-off to their hyper hatchback with the RS Limited Edition.
The most significant change for the RS Limited Edtion is a Quaife mechanical-slip differential for the front axle. This will help the car corner better and accelerate with little traction loss. Other changes include the choice of Race Red for the exterior paint, various trim pieces finished in black, and 19-inch painted forged alloy wheels. The RS2 package which features Recaro bucket seats, eight-way power driver's seat, heated seats, and navigation will come standard.
“Our new limited-edition Focus RS represents accessible performance at its finest. Improving on the thrilling driving dynamics of the Focus RS is no small task – but our Ford Performance engineers have delivered a drivetrain capable of wringing every drop of performance from the engine,” said Jamal Hameedi, Ford Performance chief engineer in a statement.
Ford will only be building 1,500 Focus RS Limited Edition models - 1,000 for the U.S. and 500 for Canada. Deliveries are expected to begin this fall, so it might be a good idea to place an order now if you are interested.
Source: Ford
Press Release is on Page 2


FOCUS RS PERFORMANCE CAR FANS INSPIRE NEW LIMITED-EDITION THAT'S EVEN MORE FUN TO DRIVE
Ford followed Focus RS enthusiast conversations on blogs, forums and Facebook groups, which helped inspire the new 2018 limited-edition Focus RS Limited-edition Focus RS to deliver enhanced driving experience with new standard mechanical limited-slip differential to improve performance, unique interior and exterior styling, and new color combinations 1,500 Focus RS vehicles for United States and Canada offer customers last chance to get their hands on this generation of Ford’s critically acclaimed performance hatchback DEARBORN, Mich., May 31, 2017 – Ford Performance fans talking to each other and posting comments online about the Ford Focus RS hot hatch performance car have led to a special 1,500 unit limited-edition celebrating the end of run of this generation hot hatch. 
Passion from the enthusiast community led Ford to introduce an exclusive new version of its critically acclaimed Focus RS for North America. Ford was listening.The new 2018 Focus RS limited-edition hot hatch adds a few commonly requested features that unique interior and exterior styling, and a new mechanical limited-slip differential.
Available in new Race Red or signature Nitrous Blue body color – both featuring striking new gloss black roof and mirror caps. The rear roof spoiler also features gloss black finish, with blue RS logos on the side wings. Now standard are 19-inch premium painted forged alloy wheels with blue RS center caps.
From the cockpit, the door handles, handbrake lever and turbo boost gauge surround are wrapped in carbon fiber skin, while equipment from the RS2 Package is standard, offering black leather-trimmed RECARO® seats with Miko-Dinamica eco-friendly suede microfiber inserts and RS logo, heated front seats with eight-way power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors and voice-activated navigation system.
To really excite driving enthusiasts, the global Ford Performance team developed a standard mechanical Quaife® limited-slip differential for the front axle that further improves Focus RS performance. This limited-edition Focus RS will more easily carry speed through a corner on the track, and allow for maximum acceleration on the way out.
“To satisfy strong demand for the ever-popular Focus RS, I’m very excited that we’re bringing this limited-edition vehicle to North America,” said Henry Ford, Ford Performance marketing manager. “We have spent a great deal of time listening to our customers, speaking to owners’ club members, reading comments and suggestions on enthusiast websites, and even studying various forum Photoshop renderings.”
A tight grip on performance
By controlling the torque delivered to each front wheel, the Quaife limited-slip differential enables 2018 Focus RS drivers to fully tap the 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine’s 350 horsepower. The limited-slip differential limits engine torque delivered to a particular front wheel that has reduced traction on the road surface, redistributing torque to the wheel with more traction to reduce differences in wheel spin that can hamper acceleration and stability.
“Our new limited-edition Focus RS represents accessible performance at its finest,” said Jamal Hameedi, Ford Performance chief engineer. “Improving on the thrilling driving dynamics of the Focus RS is no small task – but our Ford Performance engineers have delivered a drivetrain capable of wringing every drop of performance from the engine.”
The new system seamlessly integrates with standard Focus RS driving technologies, including:
Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive, which varies front-to-rear torque distribution to suit a given driving situation – monitoring inputs from vehicle sensors 100 times per second and sending an average of 70 percent of drive torque to the rear axle Dynamic Torque Vectoring, which uses electronically controlled clutch packs on the rear axle to send 100 percent of an average 70 percent available torque to either rear wheel, and can switch drive from one side to the other in as little as 0.06 second – or about the time it takes a humming bird to flap its wings 4 times. Torque Vectoring Control, which automatically applies small amounts of brake force to limit wheel spin at the front axle, further enhancing the tractive force available Focus RS Drive Modes, which include Ford-first drift mode for controlled oversteer drifts under circuit conditions, and launch control for ultimate performance off the start line and 4.7-second 0‑62 mph acceleration Coming to a track near you
Only one thousand limited-edition 2018 Focus RS performance cars will be available in the United States and 500 in Canada, with deliveries beginning in late 2017, marking the last opportunity to order the current generation Focus RS in North America.
The limited-edition Focus RS joins Ford’s iconic Ford Performance vehicle range in North America, alongside the recently launched Ford GT supercar, F-150 Raptor, and much-loved Shelby GT350 Mustang, Focus ST and Fiesta ST.
Note: Vehicle horsepower ratings achieved with 93-octane fuel.

  • The best stuff comes last

William Maley

Quick Drive: 2017 Kia Cadenza Limited

Kia’s second attempt at a full-size sedan, the Cadenza wasn’t a big success for the company. Over the course of four years, less than 30,000 Cadenzas were sold. This might make you think Kia would get out of this segment. Not so. Last year, Kia introduced an all-new Cadenza with various improvements to try and improve the fortunes of it. Let us see if they make a difference.
The previous-generation Cadenza didn’t really stand out in terms of design. The only distinctive item you could point out was the tiger nose grille. Otherwise, it was 195.7-inches of car. This has been addressed with the redesign of the Cadenza and it looks quite sharp. Up front, Kia has widened and added a concave shape to the tiger nose grille The front LED headlights feature a unique Z-strand to provide some eye candy. Move towards the side and it looks like an Audi A7 in profile with the hatchback-esq sloping roofline. Kia has made some noticeable improvements to the Cadenza to look and feel more premium. There is abundance of soft-touch materials used on the dashboard and door panels, along with surprising touches such as the dark wood trim and quilted leather on the seat bolsters. The center stack has been slightly tweaked with a revised layout that makes it easier to find the various functions. In terms of tech, the Cadenza Limited features an 8-inch touchscreen with Kia’s UVO infotainment system. We like UVO as its interface is simple to understand and is quite fast in terms of performance. The addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto add another plus point for this system. The Limited also comes with a heads-up display which can display speed, navigation, and other details. In our test car, the display was quite blurry and you had to really focus on it to make out what it was showing. Hopefully, this issue was only limited to this particular vehicle. Those sitting the back will appreciate the large amount of legroom available. Headroom is quite tight for taller passengers due to the roofline and optional panoramic sunroof.  Power comes from a 3.3L V6 offering up 290 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. This is hooked up to an eight-speed automatic. Compared to the last Cadenza we drove back in 2013, the new model feels slightly quicker. Part of that can be attributed to the new automatic that helps keep the engine in the sweet spot of power. However, the Cadenza does lose out to competitors in terms of acceleration. Those who timed the Cadenza to 60 mph said it takes between 6.5 to 6.8 seconds, which puts it on the slow end of the full-size sedan class. Fuel economy also falls behind competitors with EPA figures of 20 City/28 Highway/23 Combined. I saw an average of 22.1 mpg for the week with mostly city driving. Kia has done a great job of giving the Cadenza one of the smoothest rides in the class. Even roads ladened with potholes are mostly ironed out. Road and wind noises are kept to very acceptable levels. This does mean the Cadenza shows a fair amount of body roll when cornering. Passengers will be bracing themselves if you decide to take a corner a bit too fast. For most buyers, this isn’t a huge deal. Our test Cadenza Limited rung in at $45,290 with destination, which is a lot of cash to drop on a big sedan. It is a nice sedan and can justify the large price tag, but will people be willing to spend that much for a Kia? Personally, I would get the Technology as that gets you everything you need and comes in under $39,000. It seems odd that Kia is competing in a class where their previous attempts didn’t really make a dent. But the second-generation Cadenza shows Kia isn’t willing to give up in a certain class. While the full-size sedan class is venturing into the sunset, it is nice to see automakers give it their all to produce models that stand out. The Cadenza is a prime example of this. Disclaimer: Kia Provided the Cadenza, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas
Year: 2017
Make: Kia
Model: Cadenza
Trim: Limited
Engine: 3.3L DOHC 24-Valve GDI V6
Driveline: Eight-Speed Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive
Horsepower @ RPM: 290 @ 6,400 
Torque @ RPM: 253 @ 5,200 
Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 20/28/23
Curb Weight: 3,770 lbs
Location of Manufacture: Hwaseong, South Korea
Base Price: $44,390.00
As Tested Price: $45,290.00 (Includes $900.00 Destination Charge)
Options: N/A

  • Take Three for Kia's Big Sedan

William Maley

Spying: Jeep Cherokee Refresh May Drop Split Headlights

The current Jeep Cherokee is either a love it or hate it vehicle due to its design. A key point of contention is the split headlights that cause the front end to look somewhat alien. But new spy shots possibly hint that the split headlights are heading out.
Autoblog obtained a set of spy photos showing off two Cherokee mules. The first one has heavy camouflage on the front and rear ends, hinting that Jeep designers are planning to make significant changes. We can't tell much in the pictures except the hint of the seven-slot grille. The second Cherokee isn't camouflaged but features a different colored bumper with what appears to be radar sensors sitting where the square-shaped main headlights sit. Autoblog thinks it could mean the main headlights could move up, likely merging with the top DRLs. We're not fully sure as we cannot figure what these sensors could be used for - possibly a frontal collision mitigation system?
But it is clear a refresh for the Cherokee is on the horizon. When that will be is up in the air.
Source: Autoblog
Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears

  • A refresh is incoming for the Cherokee and a major change could take place

William Maley

Opel Sale Hits A Roadblock Due to Development Center Issue

If General Motors and PSA Group were hoping to have a smooth sale of Opel, they were dashed this week.
Both Automobilwoche and German newspaper Allgemeine Zeitung report Opel's work council and German labor union IG Metall have some specific demands for workers at Opel's development center in Rüsselsheim. The two parties want a guarantee that 7,700 workers will keep their jobs at the center and that continue performing work for GM until 2020 - which could account for 30 percent of the development center's output. 
There are also some disagreements on vehicle development. PSA Group wants the next-generation Corsa subcompact to use one their platforms, while Opel wants to keep the current platform and also wants to develop an SUV based on the Insignia platform. 
Until this issue can get resolved, GM and PSA Group cannot move forward with the Opel sale. Originally, GM was planning to move their European assets into a new company titled Opel Automobile GmbH. But plans for this have been postponed.
"Only when these service contracts are signed and the new ITEZ contract is signed can the business transition come," an insider told Allgemeine Zeitung.
A spokeswoman for the works council told Automobilwoche that there was no disagreement between the various parties on this issue. But the complexity of this matter has pushed back plans for workers to ratify the agreement.
Information sessions about the agreement that were supposed to take place this week have been reportedly canceled.
Source: Automobilwoche, Allgemeine Zeitung

  • And the process of selling Opel has hit a roadblock

William Maley

Rumorpile: Diamler Decides Its Time To Get Lawyers Due to Diesel Investigation

Daimler finds itself under investigation by both German and American authorities into whether or not they cheated emission tests with their diesel vehicles. As we reported last week, German prosecutors raided various Daimler buildings to find evidence. Now, the company is beginning to search out search criminal defense lawyers in the U.S. for various executives in the investigation being conducted by the Justice Department.
Bloomberg has learned from two sources about the lawyer search as the Justice Department plans on interviewing various executives from the company. It is unclear whether the executives are based in Germany, U.S., or both.
Spokespeople for both Daimler and the Justice Department declined to comment.
Last year, Daimler disclosed in a filing that various authorities in the Europe and the U.S. were investigating the emission control systems and test results on various Mercedes-Benz diesel models.
“It is possible that further civil and criminal investigative and enforcement actions and measures relating to Daimler and/or its employees will be taken,” the company wrote in a filing last month. 
Mercedes-Benz announced earlier this month that it would be stopping efforts on trying to certify 2017 model year diesel vehicles.
Source: Bloomberg

  • Time to call the lawyers

William Maley

Rumorpile: Good-Bye Juke, Hello Kicks?

The quirky Nissan Juke could be on its way out of the North America. The Truth About Cars has learned from two sources that Nissan could kill the Juke after the 2017 or 2018 model year. Its replacement is the Brazilan Nissan Kicks crossover which was introduced last year. Not surprisingly, Nissan declined to comment.
The Juke received a mixed reception when it launched in 2010 mostly down to its looks. But soon, the model would begin to find buyers. Its best year was back in 2014 with 38,184. Now, the Juke has been in freefall with sales of 19,577 in 2016. 2017 isn't faring any better with only 5,047 Jukes leaving dealer lots.
The Kicks isn't as polarizing as the Juke in terms of looks. It is also slightly bigger than the Juke - 3.2 inches longer wheelbase. TTAC says the Kicks is likely to get the turbocharged 1.6L from the Juke. Sources say it could just be front-wheel drive only.
Source: The Truth About Cars

  • Nissan considers Kicking out the Juke

William Maley

Lexus CT 200h is No More After 2017

The CT 200h, the sole hybrid-only model in Lexus' lineup will be disappearing from the U.S. after 2017. The company told Car and Driver the hatchback will not be returning to the U.S. for 2018 model year. It will still be sold in other markets for the foreseeable future.
The move isn't that surprising considering how the model hasn't changed significantly since its launch in 2011 and slow sales - 8,903 models sold in 2016. Not helping matters is the sister model, the Toyota Prius has been updated and beats the CT 200h in fuel economy - 52 mpg combined vs. 42 mpg combined.
A subcompact crossover known as the UX is coming and a hybrid variant could act as the de-facto replacement for the CT.
Source: Car and Driver
Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers and Gears

  • Wait, they were still selling it?

William Maley

Holden Wraps Up Chevrolet SS Production

Today, Holden built the last Chevrolet SS that is currently en-route to the U.S. This marks the end of Holden's export program for the Commodore for the U.S.
The model in question was finished in black and comes paired with a six-speed manual. A Holden spokesperson told Motor and Motoring that the buyer of the SS had a special request for the vehicle.
“Just as the vehicle was being produced, the Holden manufacturing team received a request from a US customer, asking the manufacturing employees to sign their Chevrolet SS.”
The employees at Holden's Elizabeth manufacturing plant were happy to oblige, putting their signatures under the hood and on the deck lid carpets.
Since 2014, Holden exported 12,953 SS sedans to the U.S. under the export program. The Caprice PPV which has been available since 2011 only saw 7,305 models exported.
Source: Motor, Motoring.com.au

  • Thanks Holden for letting us have the chance to experience the Commodore

William Maley

Class-Action Lawsuit Alleges GM's Heavy Duty Trucks Cheated in Emission Tests

If you thought the pain and suffering against diesel would end anytime soon, think again. 
Today in Federal Court in Detroit, a class-action lawsuit was filed against General Motors by 705,000 owners of the 2011 to 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HDs equipped with the Duramax V8 diesel claiming the engine has illegal software to skirt emission tests. The 190-page suit says GM equipped the Duramax V8 with various software programs to pass regulatory emission tests, while spewing two to five times the legal limit when driven under regular conditions. Bloomberg notes the suit has 83 references to Volkswagen and alleges environmental damage caused by these trucks could surpass Volkswagen.
“GM claimed its engineers had accomplished a remarkable reduction of diesel emissions,” said Steve Berman, a managing partner at Hagens Berman.
“These GM trucks likely dumped as much excess poisonous emissions into our air as did the cheating Volkswagen passenger cars.”
It should be noted that Berman has also represented drivers and dealerships against Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler Automobile for their diesel issues.
"These claims are baseless and we will vigorously defend ourselves.  The Duramax Diesel Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra comply with all U.S. EPA and CARB emissions regulations," General Motors said in a statement today.
For those keeping score, this is the sixth automaker either being sued or under investigation for claims of cheating emission tests. Aside from Volkswagen and FCA, Diamler is currently under investigation in Germany for possible fraud charges relating to possible manipulation of emissions. In France, both PSA Group and Renault face their own investigation.
Source: Bloomberg

  • General Motors now finds itself in the diesel crosshairs

William Maley

Infographic Reveals Key Details for Model 3

Thanks to a poster on the Model 3 Owners Club forum, we have some new and juicy information concerning the Model 3. The images posted come from an infographic being handed out to Tesla employees as "talking points" to try and sway people away from Model 3. A Tesla spokesperson confirmed to Road and Track the infographic is real and accurate.
Some information listed on the infographic is already known such as a 215+ mile range and having to pay to use Tesla's Superchargers. There is also new information such as a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds (though it is unclear what is the powertrain layout is being quoted), and a total of 14 cubic feet between the front and rear cargo holds.
The infographic also mentions something interesting about delivery timing - "As we continue to build out our production capacity to meet the higher number of advanced reservations, deliveries for Model 3 orders placed today are not expected until mid 2018."
Source: Model 3 Owners Club, Road & Track
Pic Credit: Model 3 Owners Club
 

  • A Tesla Spokesperson confirms the legitimacy of this document

William Maley

German Prosecutors Raid Various Diamler Offices In Emission Investigation

Volkswagen isn't the only automaker that has the attention of German prosecutors. Yesterday, prosecutors carried out raids at various Daimler (parent company of Mercedes-Benz) buildings. This is part of an investigation into fraud related to false advertising and the possible manipulation of emissions with diesel powered vehicles.
The Stuttgart public prosecutor's office told Reuters the raids were carried out "against known and unknown employees at Daimler, who are suspected of fraud and misleading advertising connected to manipulated emissions treatment of diesel passenger cars."
23 prosecutors and around 230 staff, including police and state criminal authorities, searched 11 sites to look for evidence to help build a case.
Diamler confirmed the raids to Reuters and said it was "cooperating with authorities."
The company is also under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for emission discrepancies with diesel vehicles.
Source: Reuters

  • More diesel problems, this time for Daimler

William Maley

GMC Adds More Gears, New Grille for 2018 Yukon Denali

Here is some food for thought: over 50 percent of Yukon/Yukon XL models sold are Denalis. A pretty nice number and one that makes a fair amount of profit for GMC. But that also means GMC needs to keep Denali models up to date to keep those sales up.
For 2018, GMC is making some updates to the Denali trim for the Yukon family. First up is a new multidimensional chrome grille featuring grille shutters to improve fuel economy.
"The new grille, which is flanked by HID headlamps and LED Signature Lighting, advances the design legacy established with the very first Yukon Denali in 1999. It’s a more exciting and sophisticated design, while remaining instantly recognizable as part of the GMC Denali family,"  said GMC Global Exterior Design Director Matt Noone.
Under the skin is a new 10-speed automatic transmission featuring wider, 7.39 overall gear ratio spread that will help make the Yukon/XL Denali more efficient. A 6.2L V8 engine offering up 420 horsepower is standard.
The updated Yukon/XL Denali arrives at dealers this fall.
Source: GMC
Press Release is on Page 2


2018 GMC Yukon Denali Elevates Style, Refinement
The ultimate expression of Professional Grade gets bold refresh on GMC Yukon models DETROIT – GMC is elevating the 2018 Yukon Denali lineup with styling and trim enhancements, as well as a new, advanced 10-speed automatic transmission.
A new, sculpted grille design distinguishes the Yukon Denali, while new Mastique Ash real wood trim adds depth and richness to the interior.
The new Hydra-Matic 10-speed transmission — paired with Yukon Denali’s 6.2L V-8 engine — enhances refinement with world-class shift smoothness, responsiveness and quietness.  
“Yukon Denali has always matched style with substance, and the enhancements for 2018 advance that legacy,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global GMC. “The foundational elements of exclusive design, premium touches and uncompromising capability have made Yukon Denali an icon for nearly 20 years.”
Multi-Dimensional Grille Design
GMC designers evolved the iconic Denali grille with a multidimensional, sculpted interpretation that, like other contemporary GMC elements, was designed in a layered manner. It’s a theme seen in other new GMC models such as the Acadia and Terrain.
“The new grille, which is flanked by HID headlamps and LED Signature Lighting, advances the design legacy established with the very first Yukon Denali in 1999,” said Matt Noone, director, Global GMC Exterior Design. “It’s a more exciting and sophisticated design, while remaining instantly recognizable as part of the GMC Denali family.”
In addition to a more sophisticated appearance, the new grille offers greater airflow to the radiator. Active aero shutters behind the grille close in certain conditions on the highway to reduce aerodynamic drag and enhance efficiency.
10 Speeds, Refined Performance
The Yukon Denali’s new 10-speed automatic leverages the engineering experience of General Motors’ multispeed transmissions to deliver improved performance.
A wider, 7.39 overall gear ratio spread, compared to the Yukon Denali’s previous eight-speed automatic, enables a lower numerical top gear ratio and contributes to greater efficiency.
The transmission’s optimized gearing and proprietary controls allow the 6.2L V-8 engine to deliver a winning combination smooth operation and precise response.
Standard and available features include:
420-hp 6.2L V-8 engine with direct injection and Active Fuel Management StabiliTrak electronic stability control, tow/haul mode, trailer sway control, auto grade braking and hill start assist Magnetic Ride Control for improved body motion control Standard 20-inch wheels and available 22-inch wheels Automatic locking rear differential Four-wheel-disc brakes with Duralife™ brake rotors Active Noise Cancellation for a quieter interior 8-inch diagonal GMC Infotainment system with Navigation includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability Standard 8-inch diagonal customizable driver display with head-up display Multiple USB ports and accessory power outlets, including a 110-volt three-prong outlet, to support electronic devices OnStar Basic Plan1 is standard for five years and includes access to an in-vehicle 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot2 and select features via the myGMC mobile app3 Wireless phone charging Heated and ventilated driver and passenger seats, heated second-row seats Hands-free programmable power liftgate The Denali trim accounts for well more than half of all Yukon sales. It is offered in Yukon and Yukon XL models, with the XL featuring a 14-inch-longer wheelbase (20 inches longer overall), for increased third-row legroom and more than double the cargo room behind the third-row seat.
The 2018 Yukon Denali goes on sale this fall.

  • Some changes arrive for the Yukon Denali for 2018

William Maley

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Gets Served By the Justice Department

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles finds itself in hot water once again. Today, the U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the company in Federal Court for using a “defeat device” on 104,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 from the 2014 to 2016 model years. This follows news from last week that FCA applied for certification the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 EcoDiesel as they feature new emission software.
"The complaint alleges that FCA equipped nearly 104,000 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles (Model Years 2014-2016) sold in the United States with at least eight software-based features that were not disclosed in FCA’s applications for certificates of conformity and that affect the vehicles’ emission control systems.  The undisclosed software features lessen the effectiveness of the vehicles’ emissions control systems during certain normal driving situations.  This results in cars that meet emission standards in the laboratory and during standard EPA testing, but during certain normal on-road driving emit oxides of nitrogen (NOx) that are much higher than the EPA-compliant level," the Justice Department wrote in a statement today.
As we reported last Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department was preparing a suit against FCA if an agreement couldn't be reached with the EPA. The two parties have been in discussions since the EPA first alleged the cheating back in January.
"FCA US is currently reviewing the complaint, but is disappointed that the DOJ-ENRD has chosen to file this lawsuit. The Company intends to defend itself vigorously, particularly against any claims that the Company engaged in any deliberate scheme to install defeat devices to cheat U.S. emissions tests," FCA said in a statement.
Source: Detroit Free Press, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, U.S. Justice Department
Press Release is on Page 2
United States Files Complaint Against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations
The Department of Justice, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today filed a civil complaint in federal court in Detroit, Michigan, against FCA US LLC, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., V.M. Motori S.p.A., and V.M. North America, Inc. (collectively referred to as FCA).  The complaint alleges that nearly 104,000 light duty diesel vehicles containing 3.0 liter EcoDiesel engines are equipped with software functions that were not disclosed to regulators during the certification application process, and that the vehicles contain defeat devices.  The complaint alleges that the undisclosed software functions cause the vehicles’ emission control systems to perform differently, and less effectively, during certain normal driving conditions than on federal emission tests, resulting in increased emissions of harmful air pollutants.
The Clean Air Act requires vehicle manufacturers to obtain a certificate of conformity before introducing a vehicle into commerce, by demonstrating to EPA that the vehicle will meet applicable federal emission standards to control air pollution.  Manufacturers must disclose in their certification applications all auxiliary emission control devices (e.g. computer software that affects the performance of emission controls based upon operating parameters of the vehicle), justify the presence of any such devices, and explain why those that reduce the effectiveness of emission controls are not “defeat devices.”  Motor vehicles equipped with defeat devices cannot be certified.
The complaint alleges that FCA equipped nearly 104,000 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles (Model Years 2014-2016) sold in the United States with at least eight software-based features that were not disclosed in FCA’s applications for certificates of conformity and that affect the vehicles’ emission control systems.  The undisclosed software features lessen the effectiveness of the vehicles’ emissions control systems during certain normal driving situations.  This results in cars that meet emission standards in the laboratory and during standard EPA testing, but during certain normal on-road driving emit oxides of nitrogen (NOx) that are much higher than the EPA-compliant level.  The complaint alleges that each of these vehicles differs materially from the specifications provided to EPA in the certification applications, and thus the cars are uncertified, in violation of the Clean Air Act.  These allegations are consistent with those set forth in notice of violation (“NOV”) that EPA issued to FCA US LLC and FCA NV on Jan. 12, 2017.
Following the issuance of the NOV, EPA continued its investigation into the operation of the undisclosed software-based features.  Based upon this investigation, the complaint alleges that one or more of these undisclosed software features, alone or in combination with the others, renders inoperative, bypasses and/or defeats the vehicles’ emission control systems, which were installed to make the vehicles comply with Clean Air Act emission standards.  In short, the complaint now alleges that the vehicles contain defeat devices.
NOx pollution contributes to the formation of harmful smog and soot, exposure to which is linked to a number of respiratory- and cardiovascular-related health effects as well as premature death. Children, older adults, people who are active outdoors (including outdoor workers), and people with heart or lung disease are particularly at risk for health effects related to smog or soot exposure. Nitrogen dioxide formed by NOx emissions can aggravate respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, and may also contribute to asthma development in children.
The civil complaint filed today seeks injunctive relief and the assessment of civil penalties.   The United States also filed a notice that it will request to transfer its case and fully participate in the pretrial proceedings now initiated in the related multi-district litigation in the Northern District of California. 
EPA and the California Air Resources Board are continuing in their discussions with FCA to bring the subject vehicles into compliance with the Clean Air Act and California law.  The nature and timing of any resolution of this issue are uncertain.
Response: Filing by DOJ-ENRD
May 23, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US today issued the following statement in response to a civil lawsuit filed against the company by the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ-ENRD”):
FCA US has been working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for many months, including extensive testing of the vehicles, to clarify issues related to the Company’s emissions control technology in model-year (MY) 2014-2016 Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel vehicles.
 
FCA US is currently reviewing the complaint, but is disappointed that the DOJ-ENRD has chosen to file this lawsuit. The Company intends to defend itself vigorously, particularly against any claims that the Company engaged in any deliberate scheme to install defeat devices to cheat U.S. emissions tests.
 
As FCA US announced last week, it has developed updated emissions software calibrations that it believes address the concerns of EPA and CARB, and has now formally filed for diesel vehicle emissions certification with the regulators for its 2017 model year (MY) Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel vehicles. Subject to the permission of EPA and CARB, FCA US intends to install the same modified emissions software in 2014-2016 MY Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel vehicles. FCA US believes this will address the agencies’ concerns regarding the emissions software calibrations in those vehicles.
FCA expects that the installation of these updated software calibrations will improve the 2014-2016 MY vehicles’ emissions performance and does not anticipate any impact on performance or fuel efficiency.
Notwithstanding this lawsuit, the Company remains committed to working cooperatively with EPA and CARB to resolve the agencies’ concerns quickly and amicably.

  • More diesel problems for FCA

William Maley

2018 Dodge Challenger Demon Begins At $86,090

The madness that is the 2018 Dodge Challenger Demon has been priced. It will set you back $86,090 - includes $1,700 gas guzzler tax and $1,095 destination charge. That will get you 808 horsepower and 717 pound-feet of torque from the 6.2L supercharged V8. If you want the full monty - 840 horsepower and 770 pound-feet of torque, you'll need the optional Demon Crate which will only set you back a $1.00. (FCA says the Demon Crate's true is $6,140). Other $1.00 options include,
Cloth rear seat Leather rear seat Front passenger cloth seat Demon trunk carpet kit There are other options available for the Demon that will push the pricetag up,
Red Seat Belts - $195 Comfort Audio Group: Cloth Seats, includes front passenger cloth seat, 18-speaker Harman Kardon Audio, including two subwoofers and 900W amplifier, premium floor mats and bright pedals - $995 Leather Front Seat Group: Laguna leather and Alcantara suede covered seats with embossed Demon head logo, front passenger seat, heated and ventilated leather front seats with heated steering wheel, premium floor mats, power tilt/telescoping column and bright pedals - $1,595 Painted Black Satin Hood - $1,995 Comfort Group, Leather Seats: Laguna leather and Alcantara suede covered seats with embossed Demon head logo, front passenger seat, heated and ventilated leather front seats with heated steering wheel, premium floor mats, power tilt/telescoping column, bright pedals, 18-speaker Harman Kardon Audio, including two subwoofers and 900W amplifier - $2,495 Painted Black Satin Graphics Package: satin black painted hood, roof and decklid $3,495 "For buyers who must have a sunroof – Power sunroof" - $4,995 All Challenger Demons will also come with a one-day session at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Chandler, Arizona - hopefully reducing the number of accidents involving Demons within the first few months.
Dodge is planning on building 3,000 Demons for the U.S. and 300 for Canada. Deliveries are expected to begin this fall.
Source: Dodge
Press Release is on Page 2
Dodge Announces Pricing for 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon — Owners Can Unleash Full Power for $1
New Dodge Challenger SRT Demon starts at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $84,995 (including $1,700 gas guzzler tax, excluding $1,095 destination); Demon Crate and options available to owners for $1 Exclusive, personalized and serialized Demon Crate offers components that unleash the Challenger SRT Demon’s 840 horsepower, 770 lb.-ft. of torque and full potential at the drag strip; available to owners for $1 First-ever, factory-production car with driver’s seat only; front passenger seat, available for $1 Rear seat available in leather or cloth for $1 Demon trunk carpet kit available for $1 Highest horsepower V-8 production car engine ever produced First-ever front-wheel lift in production car as certified by Guinness World Records World’s fastest quarter-mile production car with an elapsed time (ET) of 9.65 seconds and 140 miles per hour (mph) as certified by National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) World’s fastest 0-60 production car: 2.3 seconds 0-30 miles per hour: 1.0 second Highest g-force acceleration of any production car: 1.8 g Challenger SRT Demon is covered by FCA US LLC factory warranty, including three-year/36,000-mile limited vehicle warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage Production of limited-edition, serialized, single model-year (3,000 United States/300 Canada) Challenger SRT Demon begins later this summer; deliveries to Dodge//SRT dealers to begin this fall All customers who buy the new 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon receive one full-day session at Bob Bondurant School of High-performance Driving May 23, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, the most powerful muscle car ever with 808 horsepower, starts at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $84,995 (including $1,700 gas guzzler tax, excluding $1,095 destination). Challenger SRT Demon owners who want to unleash its full potential at the drag strip – and its full 840 horsepower and 770 lb.-ft. of torque – can do so for $1 (MSRP).
 
“Eighty-five thousand dollars is not just a number in a business case to Dodge; we know it's a lot of money and a significant up-charge over a Challenger Hellcat,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA North America. “We worked very hard to build as much value into the Challenger SRT Demon as possible – features, performance and exclusivity that simply can't be duplicated with a goal of maintaining, and possibly even growing, as much future value as possible.”
                                      
The limited-production Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the first-ever production car to do a front-wheel lift, as certified by Guinness World Records, and it’s the world’s fastest quarter-mile production car with an elapsed time (ET) of 9.65 seconds at 140 miles per hour (mph), as certified by National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). It also registers the highest g-force (1.8 g) ever recorded at launch in a production car.

While the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon remains a livable street car, every component was scrutinized and optimized for weight, capability and durability on the strip. The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon includes key standard features unique to Dodge’s ultimate performance halo, including: Supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Demon V-8 with 808 horsepower and 717 lb.-ft. of torque TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission with factory-production car exclusive TransBrake Standard with one seat, a premium cloth-covered driver seat Standard cloth seat includes Ballistic II inserts with silver embroidered Demon head logo Standard line lock engages the front brakes to hold the Challenger SRT Demon stationary but leaves the rear wheels free for a burnout to heat up and clean the rear tires Brembo lightweight high-performance brake system with two-piece rotors 3.09 rear axle ratio for improved off-the-line acceleration After-Run Cooler, a factory-production car first, helps the Challenger SRT Demon get ready for the next run as quickly as possible by running the cooling fan and the low-temperature circuit coolant pump after engine shutdown First-ever factory-production car with innovative SRT Power Chiller™ liquid-to-air intercooler chiller system Air-Grabber™ induction system includes the largest functional hood scoop (45.2 square inches) of any production car Torque Reserve delivers increased levels of power and torque at launch A flat-bottom SRT Performance steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara with paddle shifters Demon head logo fender badges Two-speaker audio system SRT Demon-tuned three-mode Adaptive Damping Suspension (ADS) 315/40R18 street-legal drag radial tires specifically designed and developed exclusively for the Challenger SRT Demon, with a new compound and specific tire sidewall construction 18 in. x 11 in. lightweight aluminum wheels Remote start Manual tilt/telescoping column Serialized dash plaque Dark Brushed II interior accents  
For owners who want to make their Challenger SRT Demon even more capable on the strip or more comfortable for the street, available options include (all options are set at U.S. MSRP): Demon Crate ($1): Exclusive Demon Crate offers components that unleash the car’s 840 horsepower, 770 lb.-ft. of torque and full potential at the drag strip and is personalized with the buyer’s name, VIN and serial number. The Demon Crate and the performance parts it holds are valued at $6,140, but Challenger SRT Demon owners can buy the entire package for $1. Contents of the Demon Crate include: Direct Connection Performance Parts: Two narrow, front-runner drag wheels Performance powertrain control module with high-octane engine calibration Replacement instrument panel switch module with high-octane button Personalized ID badge Conical performance air filter Two valve stems Passenger mirror block-off plate Demon-branded track tools: Hydraulic floor jack with carrying bag Cordless impact wrench with charger Torque wrench with extension and socket Tire pressure gauge Fender cover Tool bag Foam case that fits into the Challenger SRT Demon trunk and securely holds the front runner wheels and track tools Cloth rear seat ($1) Leather rear seat ($1) Front passenger cloth seat ($1) Demon trunk carpet kit ($1) Red seat belts ($195) Leather Front Seat Group includes Laguna leather and Alcantara suede covered seats with embossed Demon head logo, front passenger seat, heated and ventilated leather front seats with heated steering wheel, premium floor mats, power tilt/telescoping column and bright pedals ($1,595) Comfort Audio Group, Cloth Seats, includes front passenger cloth seat, 18-speaker Harman Kardon Audio, including two subwoofers and 900W amplifier, premium floor mats and bright pedals ($995) Painted Black Satin Hood ($1,995) Comfort Group, Leather Seats, includes Laguna leather and Alcantara suede covered seats with embossed Demon head logo, front passenger seat, heated and ventilated leather front seats with heated steering wheel, premium floor mats, power tilt/telescoping column, bright pedals, 18-speaker Harman Kardon Audio, including two subwoofers and 900W amplifier ($2,495) Painted Black Satin Graphics Package, available with all 15 exterior colors, includes satin black painted hood, roof and decklid ($3,495) For buyers who must have a sunroof – Power sunroof ($4,995)
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will be available 15 exterior colors: B5 Blue (late availability), Billet Silver, Destroyer Grey, F8 Green (late availability), Go Mango, Granite Crystal, Indigo Blue (late availability), Maximum Steel, Octane Red, Pitch Black, Plum Crazy (late availability), Redline, TorRed, White Knuckle and Yellow Jacket.
  
Production of the limited-edition single model year 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon begins later this summer at the Brampton (Ont.) Assembly plant, with 3,000 vehicles for the United States and 300 vehicles for Canada. Deliveries to Dodge//SRT dealers will begin this fall.
 
The Challenger SRT Demon is covered by FCA US LLC’s factory warranty, including three-year/36,000-mile limited vehicle warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage.

  • Absurd has a pricetag

William Maley

Review: 2017 Cadillac CT6 Platinum 3.0TT

There has been a common theme for most of the Cadillac vehicles I have reviewed over the past few years. They are always so close to being up there with the best, but there is one thing or trait that knocks them down. Such examples include interior appointments that don’t match up with the price being asked, confusing infotainment systems, and engines that don’t quite match up with the image being portrayed. This was floating around in the back of my head when a 2017 Cadillac CT6 Platinum rolled up onto my driveway. This is an important model for Cadillac as it is taking on the likes of the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The little things can make or break a sedan in the class.
Seeing the Cadillac CT6 for the first time at Detroit Auto Show a few years ago, I wasn’t too impressed. The toned-down Art & Science design made me feel that the CT6 blended in with other luxury sedans. But after spending a bit of time with this CT6, I grew to like the design. Yes, the design language has lost some edge found on other Cadillacs, but there is still some sharpness with hard angles and bold lines. The Platinum adds some touches that really bring out the CT6’s shape. A chrome grille helps give the model a more imposing front end and a set of optional 20-inch wheels finished in ‘Midnight Silver’ do an excellent job of filling in the wheel wells. 
If there has been a consistent weak point to Cadillac’s recent models, it has to be interior. On first glance, it seems they have it nailed down with a modern design and quality materials. But when you sit inside and begin to take a closer look, that illusion begins to go away. A fair amount of the materials used doesn't quite match up the luxury aura being presented such as the sheet piano black trim used for touch-sensitive controls on a number of Cadillac models. But the brand is improving as we noted in our XT5 review, and the CT6 is much the same. There is a noticeable step-up in terms of materials such as fine leather, carbon fiber accents, and wood trim. This comes wrapped in a handsomely-designed dashboard. There are some areas Cadillac still needs to do some work on such as the plasticity controls for the climate control system. 
The front seats are a treat to sit in thanks to the right amount of cushioning and support. The Platinum trim gets 20-way power seats for both the driver and passenger to help dial in the right position. Those sitting in the back will be pleased to find generous head and legroom. As added bonus, you can order heated and ventilated seats, power adjustments, and a rear entertainment system to make the back more luxurious. The only downside to sitting in the back is that the CT6 isn’t long enough to take full advantage of the power adjustments. I felt somewhat cramped when I had the back seat fully reclined and my legs touching the back of the front seat. A few more inches in the wheelbase would fix this issue.
Cadillac’s CUE system has undergone some changes for the CT6. Most of the touch-sensitive buttons have either been dropped or replaced with actual, physical buttons. Being able to press a button or flick a switch to change a setting is a welcome change and less frustrating than the touch-sensitive controls. It would have been nice if Cadillac swapped the touch-sensitive volume strip for an actual knob, but at least you can adjust it via the steering wheel controls. Cadillac also added a touchpad controller (think Lexus’ Remote Touch system) for CUE. It is a nice idea on paper, but the execution shows Cadillac needs to do a bit more work. The touchpad is hypersensitive and tends to overshoot from where you want the cursor. You’re better off using the touchscreen. As for CUE itself, the system comes with a faster processor, some tweaks to the interface, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. These changes make CUE less frustrating to use on a daily basis.
There are three engines on offer for the CT6. The base is a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, followed by a 3.6L V6. Our Platinum tester featured the big dog; a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 offering 404 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque (@ 2,500 - 5,100 rpm)  Power goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic. Performance for the twin-turbo six may not have same exuberance as V8s found in competitors, but it isn’t a slouch. This engine rockets the CT6 at a surprising rate of speed. Those who have timed the vehicle say it will hit 60 mph in around five seconds and we would believe it. Torque is abundant throughout rev range, meaning you should have no issue trying to merge on the freeway or make a pass. The eight-speed automatic has the right characteristics you want in a flagship sedan, smooth and unobtrusive shifts.
EPA fuel economy figures for the CT6 3.0TT stand at 18 City/26 Highway/21 Combined. Our average for the week landed around 22 mpg in mostly city driving.
Describing a sedan that measures 204 inches in overall length as ‘agile’ seems very disingenuous. But the CT6 is that. Drive it around a turn and the CT6 feels like a smaller sedan with nimble manners and well-controlled body motions. Some credit has to go Active Chassis package that comes standard on the Platinum and comes with the excellent Magnetic Ride Control system and rear-wheel steering. 
But most buyers who tend to buy a sedan of this caliber don’t really care about handling. Ride quality is king here and that’s where the CT6 begins to falter. When equipped with the Magnetic Ride Control system, the ride is just a touch too firm. You will feel more bumps in this than some of the CT6’s competition. It would be nice if Cadillac could offer an air suspension for those who want comfort. On the upside, road and wind noise are kept to near silent levels.
It seems somewhat surprising to call the CT6 Platinum a great value, but it actually is. The Platinum 3.0TT begins at $87,495 and our test car with a few options (20-inch wheels, white paint, and spoiler) comes in at $91,580. Considering you have to spend a fair amount more on competitors to match the level of equipment on offer, the CT6 Platinum is quite the steal.
Most of Cadillac’s vehicles have fallen into the cliche of ‘being so close, yet so far’ due to some odd or boneheaded decision. But the CT6 is the first Cadillac that has avoided this. It feels like Cadillac is starting to feel comfortable in this new identity that it has been putting out there since the mid-2000s, a legitimate competitor to the Germans. The CT6 stands out for a number of reasons; excellent driving dynamics, impressive interior, punchy V6, and being quite the value. There are some niggling issues such as a firm ride and questionable materials, but these can and should be addressed down the road. Whether the CT6 can draw people away from the usual suspects remains to be seen. 
If Cadillac can take what they have learned from the CT6 and implement them into future models, then we can say something that hasn’t been used in a long time, ‘Standard of the World’.
Disclaimer: Cadillac Provided the CT6, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas
Year: 2017
Make: Cadillac
Model: CT6
Trim: Platinum
Engine: Twin-Turbo 3.0L DI DOHC with VVT V6
Driveline: Eight-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive
Horsepower @ RPM: 404 @ 5,700
Torque @ RPM: 400 @ 2,500 - 5,100
Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 18/26/21
Curb Weight: 4,085 lbs
Location of Manufacture: Detroit, MI
Base Price: $87,495
As Tested Price: $91,580 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge)
Options:
20" Midnight Silver Wheels - $2,095.00
Crystal White Tricoat - $500.00
Spoiler Kit - $495.00

  • A Cinderella story for Cadillac's flagship sedan

William Maley

Subaru Considers Building Electric Versions of Existing Models

Subaru is one the few automakers that hasn't jumped on the electric vehicle bandwagon. But that could be changing as the company is considering building electric versions of their current models.
Subaru CEO Yasuyuki Yoshinaga told Bloomberg in an interview said the automaker is looking into installing electric powertrains in current models instead of building an all-new model. Yoshinaga said this would allow Subaru not to partner with another automaker and allow the electric versions to capitalize on the recognition of a model's name.
“If there’s already an attractive Subaru model, for example the XV crossover, and if a customer in Beijing wants one but is only allowed to buy an electric vehicle, if there’s no electric version then he can’t buy it. Providing the choice of an EV means the customer can still desire the same Subaru,” said Yoshinaga. 
Subaru has set aside $1.2 billion for R&D for the coming fiscal year, with the priority focusing on electric vehicles. The company is hoping to launch a plug-in hybrid next year with an electric vehicle to follow in 2021. It doesn't hurt that Subaru's new modular platform was engineered to handle various powertrains, including all-electric.
Source: Bloomberg

  • Electric Outback or Forester anyone?

William Maley

Hyundai's N Division Plans A Fast Crossover, Genesis Models Off the Table

Even though Hyundai's N performance division hasn't launched their first vehicle yet, the i30 N (what we will know as the Elantra GT), they are already planning future models.
Speaking with Australia's Drive, the Head of N Albert Biermann revealed there are plans for to build N variants of the next-generation Veloster, B-Segment car, and even a crossover.
We started with the [i30] C segment and the Fastback [coupe] will follow and we are already working on some other concepts for the B segment [Accent] and SUV also. Right now we are open," said Biermann.
"The fun-to-drive element is not limited to the size and segment of the car; you can create fun cars in every segment."
The SUV in question is the Tucson which makes kind of sense as it is the smallest one in Hyundai's lineup. Biermann also hinted that the upcoming Kona subcompact crossover could get an N version.
What will not happen is any N version of Genesis models according to Biermann. This is a surprising reversal from last year as Biermann said that Genesis vehicles were in the plans for N in the next five years. No reason was given as to why.
Source: Drive.com.au

  • What's in store for Hyundai's performance division?

William Maley

My Experience With Apple CarPlay

When I was looking for a new vehicle last year, there was one option I wanted to have: Apple CarPlay. Being able to integrate the screen from my iPhone to my Volkswagen’s infotainment system sounded like a brilliant idea! Now living with both my car and Apple CarPlay on a daily basis, I can give some of my opinions on how it has been.
Initiating CarPlay is quite easy. All you have to do is plug in your iPhone into your USB and it will show you the standard screen. Once you see the screen, you’ll have some useful features at your fingertips. Choosing your music and interacting with both text messaging and phone calls all go through Siri. You can manually choose your songs, choose the person you want to send a phone call or message to or respond to a phone call or message. This makes the vehicle a true hands-free car. Text messages are read to you via Siri and when you respond to a text message, she checks what you said is what you want to send before you send the text message. This all sounds good, right? Well, it’s not a bad piece of software. But there is one massive problem.
Siri. There have been times when someone would text me and Siri would decide not to have a connection when I would try to respond. Although I had full connection with my phone, CarPlay would think there was no connection available. Clicking on the text message a few times would finally let me listen and respond to the text message. Other times, I would connect my iPhone with my designated Apple cable and CarPlay would not initiate at all. At one point, I had to pull over and turn off the car to have it work again. One word of advice when you are using CarPlay and texting: keep Siri to American English. I had her in Australian English when I first bought my car and she would constantly send out a text message with the wrong words. Certain words and phrases also can’t get picked up with the speech-to-text so I would redo my entire sentence.
Going back to apps, there are a few that you can get outside of Maps, Phone, Message, and Music. If you have subscriptions or downloaded apps such as Audible, Pandora, and Amazon Music, you can listen to various podcasts and music. The downside about the stock apps you have is there is no way of using third-party apps for maps, so you have to use Apple's Maps. For Maps, I found that typing in the destination in my phone then letting CarPlay launch Maps to start route guidance. For a list of all the apps you can download, visit the official Apple CarPlay page here: https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/.
So is Apple CarPlay what I was expecting? In terms of reliability, no. Even if I’m driving through a location with good signal, Siri may not work. The design is sleek and familiar to anyone that uses an iPhone. I do recommend anyone to at least try Apple CarPlay before deciding if they want to have it in their vehicle.
 

  • What is Apple CarPlay like to live with on a daily basis?

Anthony Fongaro

Mark Fields Is Out As Ford CEO

This morning, Ford announced that current CEO Mark Fields will be stepping down as CEO. Taking his place is Jim Hackett, former CEO of Steelcase (an office furniture manufacturer) and chairman of Ford's self-driving unit.
“Mark Fields has been an outstanding leader and deserves a lot of credit for all he has accomplished in his many roles around the globe at Ford. His strong leadership was critical to our North American restructuring, our turnaround at the end of the last decade, and our record profits in the past two years," said Bill Ford in a statement.
The news was first broke by Forbes last night and later corroborated by the New York Times last night. According to unnamed sources, Ford's Executive Chairman Bill Ford and the board of directors lost confidence in Fields' ability to lead the company as he was unable to rally employees around a common theme or make fast decisions. His predecessor, Alan Mullaly was very good at those things.
“Without Alan, it’s back to the inmates running the asylum,” a source told Forbes.
Not helping matters is Ford's stock price dropping 40 percent during Fields' three-year tenure. 
The New York Times reports that the decision to remove Fields as CEO took place on Friday with The Detroit News reporting that Bill Ford delivering the news to Fields after a board meeting.
“We need to re-energize our business and sharpen our execution. The good news is we have the financial resources and the talent to get it done. But what we needed is a transformative leader who has done it before. And who not only has the vision, but also knows how to get the organization to move toward that vision," Ford said in an interview with The Detroit News.
“Jim has done this before. And he’s done it at an industrial company. And he’s done it at a company where he redefined it from what it was to what it could become. Jim will bring speed of decision-making. The world in which we are operating in today is very different from even three years ago.”
Hackett was the CEO of Steelcase for over 20 years. He joined Ford's board of directors in 2013 and became the chairman of its Smart Mobility division in 2016. Hackett also worked as the interim athletic director of the University of Michigan from 2014-2016.
“I am so excited to work with Bill Ford and the entire team to create an even more dynamic and vibrant Ford that improves people’s lives around the world, and creates value for all of our stakeholders. I have developed a deep appreciation for Ford’s people, values and heritage during the past four years as part of the company and look forward to working together with everyone tied to Ford during this transformative period,” said Hackett in a statement.
Ford has also announced other management changes,
Jim Farley, currently executive vice president and president, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa since January 2015 will become Ford's executive vice president and president, Global Markets. Joe Hinrichs, Ford's executive vice president and president for the Americas will move up to executive vice president and president, Global Operations. Marcy Klevorn, Ford's CTO will become executive vice president and president, Mobility. Source: Forbes, New York Times, (2), The Detroit News
Press Release is on Page 2


FORD APPOINTS JIM HACKETT AS CEO TO STRENGTHEN OPERATIONS, TRANSFORM FOR FUTURE; FARLEY, HINRICHS, KLEVORN TAKE ON NEW ROLES
Jim Hackett named as Ford Motor Company president and CEO, succeeding Mark Fields, who is retiring. Hackett, who will report to Executive Chairman Bill Ford, is recognized as a transformational business leader   Hackett led Steelcase Inc.’s turnaround to become the world’s No. 1 office furniture maker, served as interim Athletic Director at University of Michigan and has led Ford Smart Mobility LLC since March 2016. He served on Ford’s board from 2013 to 2016 Hackett, together with Bill Ford, will focus on three priorities: Sharpening operational execution, modernizing Ford’s present business and transforming the company to meet tomorrow’s challenges Ford also named leaders to three new roles under Hackett. Jim Farley is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Markets, Joe Hinrichs is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Operations, and Marcy Klevorn is appointed executive vice president and president, Mobility Mark Truby is appointed vice president, Communications, and elected a company officer.  He succeeds Ray Day, who plans to retire from the company next year and will provide consulting services until then Paul Ballew is appointed vice president and Chief Data and Analytics Officer DEARBORN, May 22, 2017 – Ford Motor Company today named Jim Hackett as its new president and CEO and announced key global leadership changes designed to further strengthen its core automotive business and accelerate a strategic shift to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Hackett, 62, has a long track record of innovation and business success as CEO of Steelcase, Interim Athletic Director at the University of Michigan and executive chairman of Ford Smart Mobility LLC since March 2016.
Reporting to Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Hackett will lead Ford’s worldwide operations and 202,000 employees globally. He succeeds Mark Fields, 56, who has elected to retire from Ford after a successful 28-year career with the company.
“We’re moving from a position of strength to transform Ford for the future,” Bill Ford said. “Jim Hackett is the right CEO to lead Ford during this transformative period for the auto industry and the broader mobility space. He’s a true visionary who brings a unique, human-centered leadership approach to our culture, products and services that will unlock the potential of our people and our business.”
Added Hackett: “I am so excited to work with Bill Ford and the entire team to create an even more dynamic and vibrant Ford that improves people’s lives around the world, and creates value for all of our stakeholders. I have developed a deep appreciation for Ford’s people, values and heritage during the past four years as part of the company and look forward to working together with everyone tied to Ford during this transformative period.”
Hackett, together with Bill Ford, will focus on three priorities:
Sharpening operational execution across the global business to further enhance quality, go-to-market strategy; product launch, while decisively addressing underperforming parts of the business Modernizing Ford’s business, using new tools and techniques to unleash innovation, speed decision making and improve efficiency. This includes increasingly leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, 3D printing and more Transforming the company to meet future challenges, ensuring the company has the right culture, talent, strategic processes and nimbleness to succeed as society’s needs and consumer behavior change over time Bill Ford and Ford’s Board of Directors thanked Fields for his significant contributions to the company.
“Mark Fields has been an outstanding leader and deserves a lot of credit for all he has accomplished in his many roles around the globe at Ford," Bill Ford said. “His strong leadership was critical to our North American restructuring, our turnaround at the end of the last decade, and our record profits in the past two years."
Also today, Ford announced a new structure for its operations and named three new leaders reporting to Hackett:
Jim Farley, 54, is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Markets. In this role, Farley will oversee Ford’s business units, The Americas; Europe, Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific. In addition, Farley will oversee Lincoln Motor Company and global Marketing Sales & Service. Farley has served as executive vice president and president, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa since January 2015.  Farley will also oversee the strategy and business model development for electrified vehicles and autonomous vehicles.
Joe Hinrichs, 50, is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Operations. In this role, Hinrichs will oversee Ford’s global Product Development; Manufacturing and Labor Affairs; Quality; Purchasing; and Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering; Hinrichs has been serving as Ford executive vice president and president, The Americas, since December 2012.
Marcy Klevorn, 57, is appointed executive vice president and president, Mobility. In this role, Klevorn will oversee Ford Smart Mobility LLC, which was formed last year to accelerate the company’s plans to design, build, grow and invest in emerging mobility services, as well as Information Technology and Global Data, Insight and Analytics. Klevorn has served as group vice president, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer since January 2017.
All three appointments are effective June 1. New leaders to succeed Hinrichs, Farley and Klevorn will be the subject of a future announcement.
“We are fortunate to have three dynamic and talented leaders in Jim Farley, Joe Hinrichs and Marcy Klevorn taking on greater responsibility,” Bill Ford said. “Each has a track record of driving innovation, cost efficiency and delivering results around the world. They will work closely with Jim Hackett to lead Ford’s day-to-day operations, build our brand and capitalize on emerging opportunities.”
In addition, Ford appointed Mark Truby, 47, vice president, Communications, effective immediately, reporting to Bill Ford. He was elected a company officer. Truby has previously led Ford’s Communications teams in Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East & Africa. Truby succeeds Ray Day, who plans to retire from the company next year and will provide consulting services until then.
Ford also elected Paul Ballew, 52, as Global Chief Data and Analytics Officer, reporting to Klevorn. Ballew has been leading Ford’s global data and analytics teams since December 2014, including development of new capabilities supporting connectivity and smart mobility.

  • Ford makes a drastic change in terms of their leadership

William Maley

FCA Submits Application To Certify 2017 MY Diesels, Features Updated Software

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is hoping to get back in the good graces of the EPA after it was alleged the company violated diesel emission standards by failing to disclose eight different software programs used on the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6.
On Friday, FCA announced that it had submitted a diesel emissions certification application for the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500. These models feature new emissions control software that should hopefully get them approved. FCA says if the 2017 models get the green light, it will update 2014-2016 models with the updated software.
"The filing is the result of many months of close collaboration between FCA US and EPA and CARB, including extensive testing of the vehicles, to clarify issues related to the Company’s emissions control technology. With the permission of EPA and CARB, FCA US intends to install the same modified emissions software in 2014-2016 MY Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel vehicles. FCA US believes this will address the agencies’ concerns regarding the emissions software calibrations in those vehicles," the company said in a statement.
"FCA US also believes that these actions should help facilitate a prompt resolution to ongoing discussions with the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and other governmental agencies."
FCA better hope so as there is the possibility of a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department over the alleged emission violations.
Source: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Press Release is on Page 2


FCA US Files for Diesel Vehicle Certification

May 19, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US announced today it has formally filed an application for diesel vehicle emissions certification with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its 2017 model-year (MY) Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel vehicles. These vehicles feature updated emissions software calibrations.
The filing is the result of many months of close collaboration between FCA US and EPA and CARB, including extensive testing of the vehicles, to clarify issues related to the Company’s emissions control technology. With the permission of EPA and CARB, FCA US intends to install the same modified emissions software in 2014-2016 MY Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel vehicles. FCA US believes this will address the agencies’ concerns regarding the emissions software calibrations in those vehicles.
FCA US also believes that these actions should help facilitate a prompt resolution to ongoing discussions with the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and other governmental agencies.
FCA US expects that following EPA and CARB approval, owners of the 2014-2016 MY vehicles will be able to receive the software updates at their dealerships. FCA expects that the installation of these updated software calibrations will improve the 2014-2016 MY vehicles’ emissions performance and does not anticipate any impact on performance or fuel efficiency.

  • FCA has an update for their diesel models to hopefully get them passed by the EPA

William Maley

Spying: Chrysler 300 SRT Sporting A Hellcat Motor

The internet went mad yesterday when spy shots of a unique 300 SRT mule was caught.
The pictures - caught at an apartment complex and on the highway - show a 300 SRT sporting some wider fenders and a set of drag radials. The spy photographer notes the wheels fitted to the 300 are the same ones that Dodge was using for the early Demon mules. Behind the wheels are a set of four-piston Brembo brakes. Also, the spy photographer says the mule was making engine noises similar to the Charger/Challenger Hellcat.
What could this be? It might just be an engineering mule that will likely not go into production. Another possibility is Chrysler building a Hellcat version of 300 for certain markets. While Chrysler hasn't sold the 300 SRT in the U.S. for a few years, it is sold in other markets such as the Middle East and Australia. 
Source: Autoblog, Car and Driver

  • What is up with this 300 SRT?

William Maley

Rumorpile: U.S. Justice Department Readies A Lawsuit Against FCA Over Diesel Emissions

As if Fiat Chrysler Automobiles didn't have enough things on its plate, there is talk about the U.S. Justice Department readying a lawsuit over alleged violations of U.S. clean-air rules with their diesel vehicles
Bloomberg learned from two sources that the Justice Department is preparing a lawsuit against FCA alleging the company used illegal defeat devices on models equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6. The defeat devices in question disable emission controls to improve performance. Sources go on to say the lawsuit could be filed this week if negotiations between FCA and the U.S. Government fail to resolve the differences.
Back in January, the EPA accused FCA of violating diesel emission standards on 104,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel from 2014 to 2016 model years. The company did not disclose eight different software programs installed on the 3.0L EcoDiesel, which is a violation of the Clean Air Act.
Since then, the two have been in negotiations to try and resolve these issues according to a source.
“In the case of any litigation, FCA US will defend itself vigorously, particularly against any claims that the company deliberately installed defeat devices to cheat U.S. emissions tests. The company believes that any litigation would be counterproductive to ongoing discussions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board,” FCA said in a emailed statement.
Spokespeople for the EPA and Justice Department declined to comment.
Source: Bloomberg

  • There could more trouble on the horizon for FCA

William Maley

General Motors To Stop Selling In India, Cease Operations In South Africa

General Motors will soon be exiting two more global marketplaces. This morning, the company announced that it would be cease selling vehicles in India and end its operations in South Africa by the end of this year.
“As the industry continues to change, we are transforming our business, establishing GM as a more focused and disciplined company. We are committed to deploying capital to higher return initiatives that will enable us to lead in our core business and in the future of personal mobility," GM CEO Mary Barra said in a statement.
As we reported back in March, GM said it was "considering reducing investments in North American cars and "select" international markets" during a call with analysts. At the time, GM was keeping quiet what markets could see cuts.
“Recent actions by General Motors demonstrate clearly it is not the GM of old. Today's GM management is correctly focused on profits, not sales volume and market share. It has shown a willingness to cut its losses if there's no clear path to profitability and market dominance,"  said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst for Autotrader to the Detroit Free Press.
India
In India, the decision to end sales doesn't come as a surprise. Despite being one of the first automakers to enter the market, sales of Chevrolet vehicles (only GM brand to be sold) never made a dent. Autocar India reports that sales from March-April 2017 dropped 6,717 units to 25,823. Market share also saw a sharp drop from 1.17 percent to 0.85 percent. Analysts tell Reuters the part of the reason GM wasn't able to make any inroads into India was failing "to launch low-cost yet feature-rich vehicles that Indian buyers prefer." Also the high servicing costs drew many people away.
“We determined that the increased investment required for an extensive and flexible product portfolio would not deliver a leadership position or long-term profitability in the domestic market,” said Stefan Jacoby, executive vice president and president for GM International.
General Motors isn't leaving India entirely. The company will still operate its tech center in Bangalore and transition of its two assembly plants to building vehicles for export. The other assembly plant will be sold to their joint venture partner in China, SAIC.
"We are not giving up benefits India offers as a local cost manufacturing hub with an excellent supplier base which is extremely competitive," said Jacoby.
South Africa
In South Africa, General Motors will cease selling Chevrolet vehicles and transition their operations to Isuzu. This includes the purchase of GM's light commercial vehicle assembly plant in Port Elizabeth, along with control of GM's Parts Distribution Centre and Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre.
"After a thorough assessment of our South African operations, we believe it is best for Isuzu to integrate our light commercial vehicle manufacturing operations into its African business. We determined that continued or increased investment in manufacturing in South Africa would not provide GM the expected returns of other global investment opportunities," said Jacoby.
“These decisions were not made lightly. We appreciate the support that our employees, customers, dealers, suppliers, the government and other key stakeholders have given us over the many years that we have operated in this country. We will manage the transition as smoothly as possible,” said GM South Africa president and managing director, Ian Nicholls.
General Motors says servicing and support will continue in both markets for owners.
Source: Reuters , Autocar India , Detroit Free Press , Car Magazine SA, Wheels24
Press Release is on Page 2


General Motors Restructures International Markets to Strengthen Global Business Performance
GM India to focus on export manufacturing Isuzu Motors to purchase GM South Africa light commercial vehicle manufacturing operations Chevrolet to be phased out of Indian and South African markets SINGAPORE – General Motors (NYSE: GM) today announced key restructuring actions in its GM International operations to drive stronger financial performance and focus its capital and resources on business opportunities expected to deliver higher returns.
The company will focus its GM India manufacturing operations on producing vehicles for export only and will transition GM South Africa manufacturing to Isuzu Motors. GM’s Chevrolet brand will be phased out of both markets by the end of 2017.
“As the industry continues to change, we are transforming our business, establishing GM as a more focused and disciplined company,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “We are committed to deploying capital to higher return initiatives that will enable us to lead in our core business and in the future of personal mobility.
“Globally, we are now in the right markets to drive profitability, strengthen our business performance and capitalize on growth opportunities for the long term. We will continue to optimize our operations market by market to further improve our competitiveness and cost base.”
These decisions were made following an extensive review of operations in GM International markets and reflect a series of actions taken to improve global business performance that began in late 2013.
"These actions will further allow us to focus our resources on winning in the markets where we have strong franchises and see greater opportunity," said GM President Dan Ammann. “We have compelling plans for growth in both the top line and the bottom line as we invest for the future."
GM Executive Vice President and President, GM International, Stefan Jacoby said the company is running its GM International markets with an enterprise approach and making decisions that are best for the global business.
“In India, our exports have tripled over the past year, and this will remain our focus going forward,” he said. “We determined that the increased investment required for an extensive and flexible product portfolio would not deliver a leadership position or long-term profitability in the domestic market.”
In South Africa, Isuzu will acquire GM’s light commercial vehicle manufacturing and GM will cease manufacturing and sales of Chevrolet in the domestic market, subject to local regulatory requirements.
“After a thorough assessment of our South African operations, we believe it is best for Isuzu to integrate our light commercial vehicle manufacturing operations into its African business,” said Jacoby. “We determined that continued or increased investment in manufacturing in South Africa would not provide GM the expected returns of other global investment opportunities.”
Under the improvement actions announced:
India: GM’s manufacturing facility at Talegaon will continue as an export hub for Mexico and Central and South American markets. GM will cease sales of Chevrolet vehicles in the domestic market by the end of 2017. Existing Chevrolet customers will continue to be supported in the market.
South Africa: Isuzu will purchase GM’s Struandale plant and GM’s remaining 30 percent shareholding in the Isuzu Truck South Africa joint venture, with sales through a national dealer network. Isuzu will also purchase GM’s Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre and assume control of the Parts Distribution Centre. The company will phase out the Chevrolet brand in South Africa by the end of 2017. GM continues to work with PSA Group to evaluate future opportunity for the Opel brand in South Africa. Importantly, existing Chevrolet and Opel customers will continue to be supported in the market.
East Africa: As announced on February 28, Isuzu has agreed to purchase GM’s 57.7 percent shareholding in GM East Africa, assuming management control. GM will withdraw sales of the Chevrolet brand from the market.
Singapore: GM International will streamline its regional headquarters office in Singapore, which will retain responsibility for strategic oversight of the remaining regional business and markets, including Australia and New Zealand, India, Korea and Southeast Asia. This will deliver greater organizational efficiencies while leveraging global resources and in-market expertise.
Across affected markets, GM is working with employees, their union representatives and local authorities to provide transition support.
As a result of these actions, GM expects to realize annual savings of approximately $100 million and plans to take a charge of approximately $500 million in the second quarter of 2017. The charge will be treated as special and excluded from the company’s EBIT-adjusted results. About $200 million of the special charge will be cash expenses. 

  • Two more international markets go on the chopping block

William Maley

Some Dodge Dealers Are Taking Deposits On Demon, Even Though They Might Not Get One

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is generating a lot of excitement and some Dodge dealers are beginning to take deposits for it. One issue though, dealers don't have information on pricing or instructions on how to order one which could mean that you might not end up with one.
"Technically, no one should be taking any deposits. They can't physically take an order, and they shouldn't be taking any deposits," said Tim Kuniskis, head of passenger car brands at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to Roadshow.
The reason why? Kuniskis says  "we haven't given the dealers the allocation methodology, the allocation numbers or opened up the order banks yet."
There is also precedent for Kuniskis' warning. When Dodge was readying to launch the Challenger Hellcar, many dealers took deposits on the model without knowing how many they would receive. The end result was some people not getting a Hellcat.
"They're much more careful because of what we went through on Hellcat. Because we had dealers take deposits on Hellcats, they would take 10, 15, 20 deposits, and then they would only ultimately get allocated 5 cars. And then they would have upset customers. So they're being much more -- or at least it appears -- that they're being much more careful this time."
 Dodge plans on pricing and ordering information out to dealers by next month.
Source: Roadshow

  • You might want to pass on putting a deposit for Challenger Demon for the time-being

William Maley

Ford Plans On Cutting 1,400 Salaried Jobs in North America, Asia

A day after reports saying Ford was planning a significant layoff of its global workforce, the company has cleared the air on the cuts.
In a statement issued today, Ford announced that it would be cutting 10 percent of its salaried employees in North America and Asia - roughly 1,400 employees. Ford says the cuts are needed to reduce costs as the company readies for a slowdown in sales and investing more into new technologies.
"We remain focused on the three strategic priorities that will create value and drive profitable growth, which include fortifying the profit pillars in our core business, transforming traditionally underperforming areas of our core business and investing aggressively, but prudently, in emerging opportunities," the company said in a statement.
According to Automotive News, Ford will offer workers voluntary early retirement and special separation packages to reach their goal. Two-thirds of the cuts will come from the North America region.
As we reported yesterday, the job cuts are part of Ford's plans to cut costs by $3 billion.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • Those job cuts aren't as bad as we first thought

William Maley

Lamborghini Urus SUV To Pack 650 Horsepower

Lamborghini has been somewhat quiet on their upcoming SUV, the Urus. But a recent report from Automotive News begins to reveal some interesting details.
Speaking with Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali, the Urus will pack a twin-turbo V8 engine producing 650 horsepower. There will also be plug-in hybrid version that will use the twin-turbo V8. The model is expected to be shown towards the end of this year at Lamborghini's factory in Sant'agata Bolognese, Italy.
Sales will begin in the second quarter next year for Europe, with the U.S. following in the third quarter.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • We get some details on Lamborghini's upcoming SUV

William Maley

Rumorpile: Ford Could Cut 10 Percent of Global Workforce

Ford isn't doing so well at the moment as profits and stock prices are tumbling downward. To try and reverse this trend, the blue oval is considering cutting 10 percent of its global workforce.
Both the Wall Street Journal and Reuters have learned from their respective sources the cuts are part of a previously announced plan to slash costs by $3 billion. The cuts will mostly affect salaried employees, with Reuters reporting Ford will offer generous early retirement incentives. To give you an idea of how jobs are on the chopping block, Ford currently 200,000 employees. A cut of 10 percent means 20,000 people are out of a job.
"Reducing costs and becoming as lean and efficient as possible also remain part of that work. We have not announced any new people efficiency actions, nor do we comment on speculation," Ford said in a statement.
Source: Reuters, Wall Street Journal  (Subscription Required)

  • To try and stem losses, along with improving the stock price

William Maley

Cadillac XTS Refresh Surfaces In China

It seems Cadillac has some updates in store for the XTS if some leaked pictures from Chinese website Autohome are the real deal.
The pictures show the XTS taking some ideas from the CT6 and XT5. Up front is a broader, more upright grille with new headlights. Around back is a more sculpted trunk lid and L-shaped taillights.
Powertrains are expected to carry over, meaning the U.S. will stick with the 3.6L V6 and twin-turbo 3.6L. Over in China, the XTS will stick with the 2.0L turbo-four. We wouldn't be surprised if there is an update for the CUE system.
Source: Autohome

  • It looks somewhat CT6-ese

William Maley

Mazda's Big Ambitions For CX-5 Diesel

While some automakers are running away from diesel power, others such as Mazda are jumping into it. Later this year, Mazda will launch a diesel engine for the redesigned CX-5. The company has set an ambitious goal having the diesel engine make up at least 10 percent of U.S. sales of the CX-5.
“CX-5 will be a very good indicator for us to understand where we have the opportunity and what kind of people come to buy those new technologies,” said Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Masahiro Moro.
When it goes on sale, the diesel engine will only be available on the top-line Grand Touring trim. Moro said the diesel engine could trickle down to other CX-5 trims down the road.
But Mazda finds itself entering a marketplace that has become some hostile to diesel vehicles after it was found out that Volkswagen was using illegal software to pass emission tests. Diesel cars has also not been big sellers for most automakers. Moro said the company isn't aiming to  “change” consumers’ minds about diesels, but give those who are interested another option.
“I don’t intend to change American consumer mindset to diesel. We would like to provide a choice for customers who really appreciate those technologies.”
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • Mazda has a big goal set for the upcoming CX-5 Diesel

William Maley

Rumorpile: BMW To Move 3-Series GT Over To 4-Series Lineup, Electric Variant Planned

BMW is working on a number of electric vehicles that will be coming out in the coming years, including a replacement for the 3-Series GT.
We reported back in January that the 3-Series GT would be cut from BMW's lineup possibly due to poor sales (we didn't fully buy the reason of 3-Series GT overlapping the 4-Series Gran Coupe and causing confusion for buyers). But a new report from Autocar says the 3-Series GT will live on as a 4-Series model. 
Due in 2019, the 4-Series GT will replace both 3-Series GT and 4-Series Gran Coupe - the latter according to report has been a slow-selling model. There is a dispute to this claim as Motor1 reported last month the Gran Coupe was the most popular variant of the 4-Series, making up 54 percent of global sales. Gas and diesel models will be available at launch, with an electric version aimed at Tesla's Model 3 following a year later.
BMW has some ambitious targets for the 4-Series GT EV. Performance is expected to be similar to the quickest 3-Series GT, the 335d - 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. Range is reportedly is said to be around 311 miles.
There is debate on the powertrain layout for the 4-Series GT EV. BMW could go with either a single electric motor or a dual-motor setup that would provide all-wheel drive capability. To meet the 311 mile range, BMW is estimating needing a 90-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. But as the report says, it could drop to 70-kWh battery due to advances in cell performance and energy density.
Source: Autocar

  • The 3-Series GT lives? An EV?!

William Maley

Quick Drive: 2017 Genesis G80 3.8 HTRAC

Over two years ago, I spent some time in then redesigned Hyundai Genesis. Unlike most of the test vehicles that come with everything minus the kitchen sink, the Genesis 3.8 I had was a base model with no options. It would prove to be “a damn fine automobile” as it offered many of items and driving experience you would expect in a luxury vehicle, minus the price tag. Since then, Hyundai has spun off Genesis into its own brand and the vehicle wearing this name has gotten a new one, G80. When it was dropped off for a week’s long evaluation, I had to do a double take since it looked exactly the same as the model I drove back in late 2014. It was only when I looked around and saw changes to the interior and the HTRAC badge on the trunk lid did I realize the wool wasn’t being pulled over my eyes.
The name might be the only significant change anyone will be able to point out with the G80, as the rest of it is still much the same as the 2015 Genesis. The only real changes between the two are new a grille insert featuring a radar module and HID headlights. At least the interior is slightly different. Some new trim materials such as matte wood and higher quality leather upholstery help make the G80 become a special place to sit in. That higher quality leather is only available when you order the Ultimate package. One other item the Ultimate package brings is a larger 9.2-inch HD touchscreen with a revamped infotainment system. A handsome, yet simple interface provides one of most user-friendly systems we have ever come across. It doesn’t hurt there are multiple ways of controlling the system such as using the touchscreen, a control knob in the center console, or the redundant buttons on the center stack. A big downside to this system is there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. If you really want that, you’ll need to skip the Ultimate package and stick with the smaller 8-inch screen. I’m hoping this gets addressed with the 2018 model. Also, would it kill anyone at Genesis to add more USB ports?! There is only one in the entire vehicle which will cause arguments to happen on long trips. Otherwise, a lot of the traits that I liked in the previous Genesis remain in the G80 such as supportive front seats, roomy back seat, and high build quality. Power in my tester comes from a 3.8L V6 engine delivering 311 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic routes power to either the rear-wheels or in my case, an optional HTRAC all-wheel drive system. A 5.0L V8 offering up 420 horsepower is available as an option. Despite what the numbers say, the 3.8 doesn’t feel quick. A curb weight of 4,453 lbs for our test vehicle robs a fair amount of the V6’s performance. On the upside, the V6 is very refined with low levels of NVH. The engine also never feels like that it is running out of breath under acceleration. Fuel economy is disappointing with EPA figures of 16 City/25 Highway/19 Combined for the V6 HTRAC model. I saw an average of 20.4 mpg for the week. Genesis didn’t mess with the G80’s suspension tuning which is a very good thing. It still excels at smoothing over bumps and road imperfections. One improvement I would make is adding a little bit noise isolation. There was a fair amount of road noise that came into the cabin. If you’re looking for something exciting to drive in the class, I would say skip the G80. The soft suspension tuning leads to a fair amount of body roll when entering a corner a bit too enthusiastically. The price has crept up since the Genesis became the G80. Compared to the 2015 model I drove with a base price of $38,000, the 2017 G80 starts at $41,400. Add HTRAC and price creeps up to $43,900. Our test G80 3.8 HTRAC with the Premium and Ultimate packages came to an as-tested price of $53,800. Before you have a heart attack on the price, this is quite the value when you take into consideration what you get and the impressive build quality. But I think the best flavor of the G80 is with the Premium package. Skip the HTRAC AWD and you’ll end with a well-equipped luxury model for just a hair over $46,000. While Genesis is still trying to find its place in the luxury class market, the G80 shows that the brand is going in the right direction. Start with a good base and make some slight improvements to it. Yes, the G80 needs to lose some weight to help with the performance of the V6 and fuel economy. But if there anything I have learned with Hyundai and Kia, they are fast learners and make the necessary improvements. I wouldn’t be shocked if Genesis goes the same way.  
Disclaimer: Genesis Provided the G80, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas
Year: 2017
Make: Genesis
Model: G80
Trim: 3.8 HTRAC
Engine: 3.8L DOHC 24-valve V6 with CVVT
Driveline: Eight-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive
Horsepower @ RPM: 311 @ 6,000
Torque @ RPM: 293 @ 5,000
Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 16/25/19
Curb Weight: 4,453 lbs
Location of Manufacture: Ulsan, South Korea
Base Price: $43,900
As Tested Price: $53,800 (Includes $960.00 Destination Charge)
Options:
Premium Package - $4,750.00
Ultimate Package - $4,200.00

  • Same Car, Different Name

William Maley

1 Million Ram Trucks Being Recalled For Software Issue

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced today that it would be recalling a million Ram Trucks for a computer glitch that could prevent the airbags and seat-belt tensioners from engaging in the event of a crash.
The issue comes from the software used in a module that controls the deployment of restraint systems in rollover situations. Underbody impacts could cause the module to think a sensor has failed and will disable the side airbags and seat-belt tensioners for that ignition cycle. This means in the event of a rollover, the key safety systems will not go into action. The good news is that if you turn the truck off and then on, the system should revert back to normal. You can tell this if the airbag warning light goes off when you restart the truck.
FCA says it is aware of a fatality, two injuries, and two accidents possibly related to this problem.
The models involved in this recall include,
2013-2016 Ram 1500 2013-2016 Ram 2500 2014-2016 Ram 3500 FCA says they will begin notifying owners about this issue next month along with they schedule to bring their truck to get repaired. Dealers will reprogram the occupant restraint control modules used throughout the truck.
Source: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Press Release is on Page 2


Statement: Software update
May 12, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 1 million trucks in the U.S. to reprogram computer modules that help control restraint-system deployment in rollover situations.

An FCA US investigation identified a population of vehicles equipped with modules featuring certain types of sensors. If such a vehicle were subjected to a significant underbody impact, its module may erroneously conclude the sensor has failed and then activate an instrument-cluster warning light.

The error code associated with the warning may temporarily disable side air bag and seat belt pretensioner** deployment for that ignition cycle, which would then be unavailable in the event of a vehicle rollover. (Deployment suppression is a feature of restraint systems. It serves as a potential safeguard against inadvertent system activation, should a sensor failure actually occur.)

If the warning light is illuminated, normal restraint-system function may be restored by turning the vehicle’s ignition to “off,” and then to “on/run.” Function restoration may be verified by the absence of a warning light.

However, FCA US urges affected customers to follow the instructions on their recall notices. The Company is aware of one fatality, two injuries and two accidents that may be related.

Affected vehicles are certain 2013-16 Ram 1500 and 2500 pickups, and 2014-2016 Ram 3500 pickups. Their occupant restraint control modules will be reprogramed with software that affords more robust sensor performance.

The recall also affects an estimated 216,007 vehicles in Canada; 21,668 in Mexico; and 21,530 outside the NAFTA region.

Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service. As always, the Company urges all customers to use seat belts when operating or riding in any motor vehicle.

Customers with questions may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at (800) 853-1403.

  • Side airbags and seat-belt tensioners will not deploy in the event of a rollover

William Maley

Afterthoughts: All Eyes On (Model) 3

In the coming months, one of the most anticipated and important vehicles will begin rolling off the production line. The Tesla Model 3 has a lot riding on it as there are over 370,000 pre-orders for the upcoming entry-level model. This is the vehicle that can either make or break the company.
So it seems quite interesting that Tesla is trying to pull attention away from this important model. During Tesla’s first-quarter earnings call, CEO Elon Musk expressed dismay at the lack of attention given to their flagship sedan, the Model S. 
"We have seen some impact of Model S orders as a function of people being confused" that Model 3 is the upgrade to Model S, Musk said on a conference call.
"We want to be super clear that Model 3 is not version 3 of our car. Model 3 is essentially a smaller, more affordable version of the Model S with fewer features,” Musk went on to say.
But why is Musk trying to put the spotlight back on the Model S? One only needs to look at the customer deposits for the Model S and X. In the first quarter, deposits on both models dropped 7 percent. The Model S is also getting up there in age. Let us not forget that Model S was first shown back in 2009 and didn’t enter production till 2012. Despite the numerous over-the-air updates with new technology features such as Autopilot and upgrades to the powertrain, it is still the same vehicle we saw many moons ago. Considering the types of models the Model S competes against, this isn’t a good thing.
Still, the Model 3 is the current sweetheart of Tesla whether they want it to be not. Unknowingly at the time when the world to the Model 3 back in 2015, Elon Musk had opened a Pandora’s Box. Many people like Tesla because they are not like your standard automaker and this has garnered the company a cult of personality that is more common with Apple or Google, not an automaker. When the Model 3 was shown and price tag revealed to be $35,000 (without federal and state tax incentives), everyone went crazy. People who envied those with either a Model S or X would now be able to join the cool kids and enjoy the perks of owning a Tesla.
With all of these pre-orders, Tesla has to get these models out quickly or face the wrath of angry buyers. But there are some serious concerns as to whether or not Tesla can meet it. For one, the company has a long track record of missing production dates. Remember how the Model X was supposed to come out in early-2014? Thanks to a number of delays, Model X production didn’t begin until the fall of 2015. But Tesla believes they have a solution to get the Model 3 in production on time.
Tesla’s reasoning for skipping this step is that it brought a number of problems for the launch of the Model X. According to a source speaking to Reuters, “Tesla was unable to take any of the lessons learned from this before ordering the final production tooling,” due to a tight production deadline.
"Soft tooling did very little for the program and arguably hurt things," said the source.
One only needs to do a quick Google search on Model X issues to see a long list that includes massive gaps with the body panels and the futuristic Falcon Doors malfunctioning. But this is nothing new. Tesla’s build quality issues have been around for awhile and they still haven’t gotten them fully ironed out on either model. This isn’t a good sign when you’re getting to launch a model that will be produced in large quantities.
If there is one thing that Tesla has proven time and time again, it has been their resilience. Despite the bad news or fault, they have always seemed to find a way out. The Model 3 will be the ultimate test of their resilience. If they can pull off the launch of the Model 3 with only a few hiccups, then it would propel the company towards a higher place. But one massive screw-up or miscalculation could put Tesla in a difficult spot, one they might not be able to get out.
It makes sense that Elon Musk is trying to draw the attention away from the Model 3, but it is too late. The pandora's box has been opened and there is no way it can be shut. All eyes on are the Model 3 and Tesla just needs to ride it out.

  • Why is Musk trying to pull away the spotlight from the Model 3?

William Maley

911 Plug-In Hybrid Has Been Shelved

Porsche was planning to do a plug-in hybrid variant of the next-generation 911, but it seems those plans have been scrapped.
August Achleitner, head of 718 and 911 development revealed to Car and Driver revealed that plug-in 911 project was canceled last year. Two issues ultimately brought the downfall to this project. First was the plug-in hybrid 911 wouldn't have the same driving dynamics as the standard 911 due to additional weight brought on by the hybrid components. Second is Porsche would not be able to make the same profit margins as they do on other 911 models.
“In the end, the disadvantages outweighed the advantages,” said Achleitner.
Source: Car and Driver

  • File this in the not happening folder

William Maley

As the Diesel Emits: Volkswagen Decides Not To Publish Final Report On Diesel Emission Scandal

Volkswagen was planning to publish the final report on the external investigation done by U.S. law firm Jones Day. But in a move that surprised no one, Volkswagen has decided not to publish it.
"I’m aware that some of you wish for greater transparency. Often the publishing of a full report is demanded. To be clear: there is no written final report from Jones Day, nor will there be. I ask for your understanding that for legal reasons Volkswagen is prevented from publishing any such report," said VW Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch at the company's annual general meeting.
Poetsch said Volkswagen would risk “massive fines" if the report was published. While Volkswagen has settled with the U.S. over the scandal, there are a number of civil cases against the company and other investigations ongoing.
It should be noted Volkswagen used this same excuse last April when it announced that it would not publish the preliminary findings of its internal investigation.
Unsurprisingly, this move has gotten a lot of heat from investors and government officials. 
Christian Strenger, a shareholder rights advocate, and German corporate governance expert said Volkswagen's management and directors need to "put all their cards on the table," as there is a legal back door that allows the company to publish new information.
"Under the plea agreement, the U.S. has a right to see any findings and agree to them in advance," said Strenger.
"Your reference to the statement of facts agreed in the U.S. is completely insufficient and almost insulting to all those who are interested in complete clarification of responsibilities."
Louise Ellman, who led the UK Transport Select Committee in the investigation of the diesel emission scandal called Poetsch's comments "not credible".
“We were told very clearly by VW  that the report would be published in due course. Saying there is no report is not credible, it stretches the imagination too far and lets down consumers,” said Ellman to British paper, The Telegraph.
But there might be more to Volkswagen's decision as to not wanting to publish this report. Yesterday, Bloomberg reported that Poetsch and Volkswagen CEO Matthias Müller are under investigation by Stuttgart prosecutors for market manipulation relating to the diesel emission mess. Then today, a source revealed to Bloomberg that Müller is under investigation for possibly withholding information about the scandal to Porsche SE shareholders. German weekly WirtschaftsWoche says the investigation stems from a complaint filed last July by BaFin, Germany’s Financial Supervisory Authority that linked several Porsche SE executives to possible market manipulation. 
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Telegraph, Bloomberg, WirtschaftsWoche

  • Volkswagen: Yeah, we're not publishing the final report on the diesel emission scandal investigation

William Maley

Spying: Our First Look At The Next Wrangler's Interior

We know a fair amount of what's in store for the next-generation Jeep Wrangler,
Use aluminum for various body panels Turbocharged four-cylinder Eight-Speed Automatic Pickup Variant Another piece of the Wrangler puzzle has been revealed thanks to a spy photographer who got pictures of the interior, minus the camouflage.
The pictures reveal that next-generation Wrangler will retain the shallow, vertical dashboard that has been a key part of the model since the early days of Jeep. FCA's UConnect system is here, along with a dual-zone climate control system - leading us to believe this mule is one of the higher trim models. Other details to take note is a “sway bar” button (most likely for a disconnecting sway bar system seen on the Ram 2500 Power Wagon), window switches on the center stack (removable doors are still a go), and a manual transmission.
Source: Autoblog, Road & Track

  • Would you look at that interior?

William Maley

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Arriving This Summer With $42,990 Starting Price

Alfa Romeo will soon be joining the crossover craze with the launch of the Stelvio this summer. It will begin at $42,990 (includes a $995 destination charge) for the base model and $44,990 for the Ti.
What do you get for the money? The Stelvio comes with 18-inch aluminum wheels, leather, rear parking sensors, backup camera, power liftgate, and push-button start. Opt for the Ti to get 19-inch wheels, heated front seats and steering wheel; larger infotainment display, and wood trim. An optional Sport package brings larger wheels (19-inch for the Stelvio, 20- for Ti), retuned suspension, and other sporty touches. Ti models can also get a Lusso package that brings higher-quality leather, power seats, and a different design for the 19-inch wheels.
Both models feature the same 2.0L turbo-four offering up 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic. 0-60 mph takes only 5.4 seconds.
One model that will not be available at launch is the fire-breathing Stelvio Quadrifoglio with its 505 horsepower twin-turbo V6. Pricing and a release timeframe will be announced at a later date.
Source: Alfa Romeo
Press Release is on Page 2


Alfa Romeo Announces Pricing for All-New Stelvio and Stelvio Ti
Premium Mid-size SUV Named Cars.com’s First-ever “Best in Show” Starts at $41,995 MSRP An SUV for the S-curves, Stelvio’s iconic Alfa Romeo design and genuine Italian craftsmanship combine to create a premium mid-size SUV that truly stands apart All Stelvio models feature a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, class-leading power and performance and an eight-speed automatic transmission with available steering column-mounted aluminum paddle shifters with gear shifts in less than 100 milliseconds Stelvio comes very well-equipped with many standard premium features, including a direct-injection 280-hp turbocharged and intercooled 2.0L engine delivering 0-60 mph in an estimated 5.4 seconds, DNA drive mode selector, genuine leather interior, remote start with passive entry, bi-xenon headlamps, dual exhaust, class-exclusive carbon-fiber driveshaft, flat-bottom Formula One-inspired steering wheel, 7-inch TFT and much more Stelvio Ti (Turismo Internazionale) adds 19-inch wheels, genuine wood interior accents, an 8.8-inch widescreen entertainment and information display, heated seats, heated steering wheel and much more The innovative Q4 all-wheel-drive (AWD) system – standard on all Stelvio models, including the Quadrifoglio – provides additional driving confidence and superior control Stelvio also offers innovative safety and security features and leverages advanced driver-assist features, including available Full-speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus Stelvio and Stelvio Ti go on sale later this summer with an MSRP of $41,995 and $43,995, respectively Stelvio Quadrifoglio pricing and timing will be announced later this year May 10, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Alfa Romeo today announced pricing for the highly anticipated 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Stelvio Ti. The Stelvio lineup brings world-class performance, state-of-the-art technologies, seductive Italian style and an exhilarating driving experience to the premium mid-size SUV segment.
“The all-new Stelvio further highlights and expands Alfa Romeo’s return to North America with a premium mid-size SUV that truly stands apart in the segment,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Alfa Romeo. “As an SUV that could only be born in Italy, the entire Stelvio lineup delivers class-leading power, exceptional driving dynamics, standard all-wheel drive, advanced technologies, gorgeous Italian design and a race-inspired driving experience, available starting from $41,995 MSRP.”
 
Three exhilarating, capable Stelvio models showcase Alfa Romeo’s captivating mix of Italian performance, style and technology
Crafted by Alfa Romeo artisans at the Cassino plant in Italy, the all-new 2018 Stelvio lineup is a testament to Alfa Romeo’s perfect balance of engineering and emotion, creating a premium mid-size SUV for driving enthusiasts that stands out in one of the largest and fastest growing segments in the United States.
2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is $41,995 (excluding $995 destination) Alfa Romeo Stelvio features an all-aluminum, 2.0-liter, direct-injection turbocharged engine that generates a class-leading, standard 280 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, Stelvio launches from 0-60 mph in an estimated 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 144 mph The all-new, well-equipped Alfa Romeo Stelvio comes standard with Alfa DNA drive mode selector, class-exclusive carbon fiber driveshaft, dual exhaust with bright tips, 18-inch aluminum wheels (19- and 20-inch wheels available), leather seating, bi-xenon headlamps with signature LED daytime running lights and LED tail lamps, backup camera with rear park sensors, remote start, passive entry with Keyless Go, power liftgate, Formula One-inspired flat-bottom steering wheel with integrated push button start Available Sport Package ($1,800 MSRP) adds 19-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, steering column-mounted aluminum paddle shifters, sport steering wheel, genuine aluminum accents, gloss-black window trim surround, black roof rails, aluminum sport pedals and footrest, colored brake calipers and much more Available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offer easy access to vital technologies 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti
Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti model is $43,995 (excluding $995 destination) In addition to the expansive list of standard features in the all-new Stelvio, Stelvio Ti adds even more premium content and convenience offerings, including standard 19-inch wheels, genuine wood interior accents, an 8.8-inch widescreen entertainment and information display, SiriusXM, front park sensors, heated steering wheel, heated front seats and much more Available Ti Sport and Ti Lusso packages (priced at $2,500 MSRP each) provide drivers with two unique offerings that further accentuate the bold characteristics of Stelvio Ti Ti Sport adds 20-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, 12-way power high-performance sport leather seats including 4-way lumbar and power bolsters with thigh extenders, steering column-mounted aluminum paddle shifters, sport steering wheel, gloss-black window trim surround, black roof rails, aluminum sport pedals and footrest, colored brake calipers and much more Ti Lusso (late availability) includes 19-inch wheels, Luxury Pieno Fiore Italian leather seats with Cannelloni inserts, 12-way power front seats including 4-way lumbar, leather-wrapped dash and upper door trim with accent stitching, genuine wood trim in dark gray oak or Lusso-exclusive light walnut, luxury steering wheel, aluminum pedals footrest and much more All three Stelvio models offer:
The intelligent Q4 all-wheel-drive system – standard on all Stelvio models, including Quadrifoglio – delivers even more all-season traction and performance capability, thanks to the system’s ability to transfer up to 60 percent of the engine’s torque to the front axle Near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, segment-leading torsional rigidity and the most direct steering ratio in the segment, thanks to Stelvio’s Alfa Romeo-exclusive Giorgio architecture Unique Italian style and craftsmanship to the premium mid-size SUV segment More than 105 years of brand history, carving its legend on road courses around the globe Innovative Alfa DNA Drive Mode Selector modifies the dynamic behavior of the Stelvio, according to the driver’s selection: Dynamic: Delivers sharper brake and steering feel with more aggressive engine, transmission and throttle tip-in calibrations Natural: Comfort setting for balanced daily driving Advanced Efficiency: Eco-friendly mode to achieve the lowest fuel consumption Peace of mind: safety and security
The all-new Alfa Romeo Stelvio offers innovative safety and security features and leverages advanced driver-assist features, including: Full-speed Forward Collision Warning – Plus: Provides autonomous braking and, under certain circumstances, slows or brings the vehicle to a full stop when frontal collision appears imminent Adaptive Cruise Control – Plus with Full Stop: Helps maintain distance from the vehicle ahead and, under certain traffic conditions, the system can bring the Stelvio to a full stop without driver intervention Lane Departure Warning: Alerts the driver of inadvertent lane departure To help rear visibility both on the road and in parking situations, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection and front- and rear-park assist sensors are available. In addition, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio features advanced multistage driver and front-passenger air bags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side air bags; front and rear side curtain air bags; and driver and front passenger inflatable knee air bags.

  • How much will the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio set you back?

William Maley

Mercedes-Benz Decides To Stop Efforts On Certifying 2017 Diesel Vehicles

Those hoping to purchase a 2017 diesel vehicle from Mercedes-Benz will be disappointed by this news. Reuters has learned Mercedes' parent company, Diamler has dropped plans on trying to get 2017 model year diesel vehicles certified.
"We constantly review our portfolio offerings and make adjustments to meet immediate customer need. Combined with the increased effort to certify diesel engines in the U.S., we have put the certification process for diesel passenger cars on hold," said Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman Rob Moran.
Diesel only accounted for 1 percent of Mercedes-Benz's total sales in the U.S. for 2016.
This doesn't mean Mercedes is getting out of selling diesel vehicles in the U.S. Moran said the automaker is "leaving the door open to offer diesels as a potential option in our passenger cars and SUVs."
Source: Reuters

  • Bad news for those wanting A 2017 Mercedes-Benz Diesel

William Maley

GM To Lay Off More Than 600 Workers At Delta Twp Plant

With sales of new vehicles slowing down, automakers find themselves making tough decisions in terms of production and jobs. Later this week, General Motors will temporally shut down their Delta Twp, MI plant (home to Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse) for a month to retool to make way for the next-generation models. When production begins back up on June 12th, there could be more than 600 workers without a job due to the third shift being cut.
The Lansing State Journal reports that back in March, close to 1,100 workers were possibly going to be laid off. Workers were notified about this via a WARN notice (an advisory that is required to be sent out to workers under Michigan law). 
"At this point, we anticipate approximately half the number of people reported in the WARN notice to be impacted by the shift reduction," said Erin Davis, GM's Lansing spokeswoman.
Davis didn't give an explanation as to why GM cut down on the number of layoffs. 
Of the 600-plus workers being laid off, 500 could be brought back in the first-quarter of 2018 when production of the Enclave and Traverse is expected to be fully running explained Davis.
Source: Lansing State Journal via Detroit Free Press

  • GM finds itself making some tough decisions

William Maley

BMW Quietly Ended Production of 6-Series Coupe, Doesn't Tell Anyone

Usually, an automaker will announce they are ending production of a certain model. BMW didn't do that when it stopped production of the 6-Series coupe back in February.
Road & Track got confirmation about this change from a BMW spokesperson. No reason was given as to why production of the coupe ended, but it is a safe bet that low sales played a role in this decision.
This only adds fuel to the fire about reports that BMW is working on an 8-Series coupe. Our last report back in October said the company was planning to launch the 8-Series in late 2018 with the coupe. A convertible and V12 would follow sometime thereafter. Because of this, the 6-Series coupe and convertible would not be replaced. 
Source: Road & Track

  • How come BMW didn't tell anyone about this?!

William Maley

Is Ducati Up For Sale?

Volkswagen, still under steep financial pressure from their diesel emissions scandal, is apparently looking to put some of its many assets on the auction block.  Up first looks to be famed Italian motorcycle builder Ducati. In July of 2012, Volkswagen originally acquired Ducati for $909 million through a complicated transaction involving subsidiary Audi which in turn owns Lamborghini which is the current holder of Ducati. The purchase was the brainchild of then VW Chairman Ferdinand Piëch, a long time motorcycle enthusiast.  Analysts at the time felt that it was more a trophy purchase for Chariman Piëch than one that made financial sense for VW.
Sources have reported that VW has enlisted Evercore, an investment bank, to investigate the possible sale options for Ducati. Estimates currently peg Ducati with a value of around $1.63 billion (1.5b €).  Speculation is that Indian automaker Eicher, maker of motorcycle brand Royal Enfield is interested and exploring possibly acquiring the brand. While not as well known in the US, Royal Enfield sells more motorcycles globally than famed maker Harley Davidson. Eicher, which also partners with Polaris and Volvo Trucks for production in India is aggressively looking to grow its global portfolio. Eicher Motors recent growth means it has over $540 million* in cash reserves to put towards that global expansion goal. 
Ducati sold 55,451 units in 2016. Other possible buyers of Ducati could include Harley Davidson, Polaris, and Suzuki.
Source: Times of India
Pictures courtesy of Ducati and Royal Enfield
*In an earlier version of this article we converted Indian Rupee to US Dollars incorrectly. -DD
 

  • Beleaguered Volkswagen may put the famed Italian motorcycle maker up for sale.

Drew Dowdell

Catch-22: More Safety Technologies Causing Insurance Companies To Total Vehicles

Here is a paradox for you: Automakers have been increasing the number of safety features in their vehicles to help protect or avoid a crash. But this has also brought an unforeseen consquence; crash your vehicle and it is more likely that your insurance company will total it.
That's according to a story from Automotive News who spoke with Bob Tschippert, senior vice president of Dallas-based underwriter Risk Theory. Tschippert explained that all of these new features has increased the costs of repairing a vehicle, thus causing the chance of an insurance company totaling vehicle to rise.
"In the past, if you had a front-end collision, you had damage to the engine or the front end. But now, with the number of airbags that can run from $1,000 up to $4,000 and all the sensors up front, you're seeing more totals," said Tschippert.
Throwing a wrench into this is the gargantuan Takata airbag recall. The backlog of vehicles needing replacement airbags might make it more likely for an insurance company to total a vehicle with Takata airbags in an effort to reduce the backlog.
Other factors include an increase in the amount people drive and the issue of distracted driving.
If there is a winner with this increased trend in totaling, it has to be salvage auctions. Insurance Auto Auctions Inc., announced back in March that it would be expanding some of their largest auctions in seven states.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • How new safety features are causing more vehicles to be totaled

William Maley

Jaguar Land Rover's Boss Attacks the Demonization of Diesel

Ever since the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal broke, the fuel has been demonized by the media. governments, and even automakers. But someone is standing up for diesel.
Speaking with Autocar, Jaguar Land Rover boss Ralf Speth said the company would be ramping up efforts on promoting modern diesel vehicles. 
“The latest diesel technology is really such a step in emissions, performance, particulates; it’s better for the environment when compared to [an equivalent] petrol.  Diesel has to – needs to – have a future,” said Speth.
Speth tells the publication that the issue of diesel isn't just for the automotive industry, but the entire transport industry. Diesel is the primary fuel for commercial fleets such as buses and semi-trucks, which contribute more to the overall pollution problem. He said, "the complete automotive industry needs diesel to fulfill legislative requirements”.
Not helping matters is the public perception of diesel vehicles has taken a huge hit. Speth said some of this can be laid at the hands of the media as they have exacerbated certain misconceptions by combining images of old diesel vehicles with sooty black smoke coming out of the tailpipe with modern vehicles.
“Anyone can see the black smoke coming out of old diesels is bad. We need to replace them with newer ones.”
Speth also lays blame at Volkswagen for kicking off this current mess.
“This kind of manipulation software is not acceptable. Unfortunately, the whole automotive industry suffers, not just Volkswagen,” said Speth.
“Nobody believes the automotive industry anymore. They see us as offenders and not giving the right information. We have to show our technology is the best you can buy, to reduce the damage to health and the environment.”
Source: Autocar

  • LEAVE DIESEL ALONE!

William Maley

As the Diesel Emits: Volkswagen's Fixed TDIs Are Hot Sellers

You would think the stigma of the diesel emission scandal would keep people away from picking up a fixed Volkswagen TDI model, but you would be wrong.
Reuters notes that in April, 12 percent of Volkswagen's sales were for TDI models (about 3,196 vehicles). This is quite impressive when you take into consideration that Volkswagen was only given the go-ahead to sell TDI models with the fix back in mid-April.
But we have to wonder if this percentage would be the same if Volkswagen didn't put some enticing incentives on TDI vehicles. As we reported last month, Volkswagen is offering either 0% APR for up to 72 months and $5,000 cash bonus if you decide to buy or an $8,500 cash bonus if you lease. 
Source: Reuters

  • It was a good month for Volkswagen's TDI vehicles (the first in a long time)

William Maley

Tesla Revenue Grows but So Do Losses

In their recent shareholder update for 2017, Tesla reported strong Q1 revenues of $2.7 billion dollars, more than doubling performance of the same quarter last year and an improvement of $411m over the final quarter of 2016. However, losses also grew from $282m last year to $330m in 2017, or a per-share loss of $2.04.
Tesla reports that most of the loss comes from capital expenditures for the Model-3 development, Gigafactory development, and acquisition related activity surrounding SolarCity. 
Subtracting SolarCity revenues, Automotive related revenue is reported at $2.289 billion, up 123% year over year.  Vehicle margins excluding ZEV credits are at 27.8%. 
Energy generation revenue is up significantly over Q4 2016 to $214m. 
Currently, Tesla is sticking with an outlook of 61% to 71% growth in annual vehicle deliveries, however Tesla indicated they will revise this guidance in Q3 after Model-3 production begins in July. 
Photo courtesy of Tesla Motors
Tesla Q1 2017 Shareholder Update (*PDF Warning*)

  • Telsa's revenue doubled in the first quarter of 2017, but net losses grew to $330m.

Drew Dowdell

Bentley CEO Wants More Bentayga Variants

It is no secret that Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer has his eye on adding a few more Bentayga variants. As we reported back in December, Bentley is considering a coupe-styled variant, long-wheelbase model, and even a high-performance version. If approved, these models could arrive in 2019 - the time when Bentley is planning to do a facelift for Bentayga.
But why is Durheimer so interested in adding more variants? Speaking with Autocar, he explained the reason was to stay one step ahead of competitors.
“Derivatives are important to us because you have to be the newest kid in town for customers,” said Durheimer.
“We will see a large number of competitors [in this segment] in the future. They are all working on their luxury SUVs. The customers that are buying in this market are keen to have the latest design out there.”
The competitors include Rolls-Royce's upcoming Cullinan, Lamborghini Urus, and Audi Q8.
It should be noted that a decision on adding more variants to the Bentayga lineup has still not been made.
Source: Autocar

  • There's a key reason why Bentley's CEO wants more Bentayga variants

William Maley

No, The Model 3 Isn't An Upgrade To the Model S

Tesla held their first quarter earnings call yesterday. The company reported revenue in the quarter that more than doubled and that they are on track on getting the Model 3 in production in July. But this was overshadowed by some comments made by CEO Elon Musk.
"We have seen some impact of Model S orders as a function of people being confused" that Model 3 is the upgrade to Model S, Musk said on a conference call.
Yes, it seems some of Tesla's prospective buyers believe the new Model 3 - the upcoming entry-level model - is the replacement for the Model S. This misconception has likely risen as Tesla has been promoting this vehicle since last July. Tesla's worry is that this misconception will draw people away from the Model S.
"We want to be super clear that Model 3 is not version three of our car. Model 3 is essentially a smaller, more affordable version of the Model S with fewer features," said Musk.
"The Model S will be better than Model 3. As it should be, as it's a more expensive car."
Sadly, customer deposits in the first quarter don't reflect that. Deposits on the Model S and X dropped 7 percent.
Source: Reuters

  • Why do buyers believe the Model 3 is the successor the Model S?

William Maley

2018 GMC Terrain To Begin At $25,970

Before the 2018 GMC Terrain hits dealers this summer, the brand has announced pricing for their small crossover.
The base Terrain SL FWD will set you back $25,970 (includes a $975 destination charge), or about $1,900 more than the equivalent 2017 model. SL models come with a proximity key with push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and LED taillights. If you want all-wheel drive, you'll need to step up to the SLE which starts at $30,545. Opting for front-wheel drive on the SLE drops the price to $28,795. Moving up to the SLE also brings the 1.6L turbodiesel as an option. This will set you back $32,565 (FWD) and $34,315 (AWD).
SLT models which add heated front seats and an upgraded 8-inch infotainment screen begin at $32,295 (FWD) and $34,045 (AWD).
The Terrain Denali kicks off at $38,495 (FWD) and $40,245 (AWD). For the price, it comes with a 2.0L turbo-four offering 252 horsepower, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, navigation, 7-speaker Bose sound system, heated steering wheel, and a hands-free power tailgate.
Source: GMC
Press Release is on Page 2


2018 GMC Terrain Starts at $25,970
Premium compact SUV offers more value with new design, more premium features DETROIT — Pricing for the all-new 2018 Terrain will start at an MSRP of $25,970[1] when it goes on sale this summer, GMC announced today.
The all-new Terrain offers greater refinement and versatility to adapt to customers’ unique needs, and it’s packed with more available features and advanced safety technologies than ever before. Three all-new turbocharged engines, leading with a 2.0L at launch — followed later with a 1.5L and an available 1.6L turbo-diesel — provide more choices when it comes to performance, efficiency and capability.
“Terrain helped define the premium compact SUV segment and the all-new 2018 model elevates it with a stronger roster of standard and available features,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global GMC. “GMC’s proven SUV experience makes it a more compelling choice than ever, with a strong blend of design, functionality and engineering excellence.”
The all-new GMC Terrain provides great value in packaging with a host of standard premium features, including a new 170-hp, 1.5L turbo engine paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission; driver-controllable Traction Select system; signature LED daytime running lamps and taillamps; leather-wrapped steering wheel; flat-folding front passenger seat; and keyless open and start.
The Terrain Denali raises the bar even further to add a standard 252-hp, 2.0L turbo engine; 19-inch ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels; LED headlamps; heated leather-wrapped steering wheel; hands-free power programmable liftgate; an 8-inch diagonal infotainment system with navigation; Bose premium seven-speaker audio system; and a suite of standard safety features that includes:
Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert Rear Cross Traffic Alert Rear Park Assist Safety Alert Seat Terrain SL and SLE Starting MSRPs
Terrain SL FWD — $25,970 Terrain SLE FWD — $28,795 Terrain SLE Diesel FWD — $32,565 Terrain SLE AWD — $30,545 Terrain SLE Diesel AWD — $34,315 Terrain SLT Starting MSRPs
Terrain SLT FWD — $32,295 Terrain SLT Diesel FWD — $35,140 Terrain SLT AWD — $34,045 Terrain SLT Diesel AWD — $36,890 Terrain Denali Starting MSRPs
Terrain Denali FWD — $38,495 Terrain Denali AWD — $40,245

  • How much will the 2018 GMC Terrain set you back?

William Maley

Small Sports Cars Cast A Light in Bleak April Sales

April's auto sales are one most automakers would like to pretend never happen due to big declines. But if there is a silver lining to April sales, it has to go to small sports cars.
Automotive News ran the numbers and found that sales of small sports cars rose 3.4 percent so far this year. Contrast this with 12 percent drop in overall demand for cars. The big winner in this group was the Mazda MX-5 Miata with sales up 35 percent so far this year. Sales in April declined slightly from March (1,319 vs. 1,345 units), but rose sharply when compared to January (929) and February (1,108). 
Other models saw noticeable increases:
Fiat 124 Spider saw its sales rise from 240 in January to 465 in April BMW's Z4 rose 42 percent so far this year (though it should be noted this model went out of production last August) Toyota 86 saw a small rise in overall sales Jaguar F-Type posted its best monthly sales of 406 units Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • There is a slight silver lining to April's sales figures

William Maley

Corvette Plant Closes Their Doors To the Public for 18 Months

Whenever the Corvette plant closes it doors for public tours for a certain amount of time, it usually means some big change is coming to the model. 
The Bowling Green Daily News reports that starting next month, GM will suspend plant tours for 18 months. National Corvette Museum Marketing and Communications Manager, Katie Frassinelli tells the paper the suspension is for a reconfiguration of the assembly line and a new paint shop.
“The new paint shop at the plant has to be tied into the existing assembly line. The old paint shop is on the opposite side of the plant,” said Frassinelli.
It should be noted this is the longest time that the plant tour has been suspended.
Unsurprisingly, this announcement has caused many to wonder if the change is somehow related to the long-rumored mid-engined Corvette. Speculation has it that the model will debut at next year's Detroit Auto Show.
Source: Bowling Green Daily News

  • Let the speculation begin!

William Maley

Sales Figure Ticker: April 2017

Jaguar Land Rover North America - Up 34.5% (8,441 Vehicles Sold This Month, 39,692 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Maserati North America, Inc. - Up 19% (1,265 Vehicles Sold This Month, 4,553 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Volvo Car USA, LLC - Up 15.4% (7,121 Vehicles Sold This Month, 22,530 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Audi of America - Up 7.7% (18,711 Vehicles Sold This Month, 64,358 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 4% (52,368 Vehicles Sold This Month, 196,618 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. - Up 2.2% (5,529 Vehicles Sold This Month, 18,247 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Volkswagen of America - Up 1.64% (27,557 Vehicles Sold This Month, 103,847 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Hyundai Motor America - Up 1.3% (63,050 Vehicles Sold This Month, 231,842 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Nissan Group USA - Down 1.5% (121,998 Vehicles Sold This Month, 538,889 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Toyota Motor North America - Down 4.4% (201,926 Vehicles Sold This Month, 734,537 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Kia Motors America - Down 5.6% (53,358 Vehicles Sold This Month, 181,086 Vehicles Sold This Year)
General Motors Co. - Down 5.8% (244,406 Vehicles Sold This Month, 933,927 Vehicles Sold This Year)
American Honda Motor Co. - Down 7% (138,386 Vehicles Sold This Month, 503,679 Vehicles Sold This Year)
FCA US LLC - Down 7% (176,176 Vehicles Sold This Month, 686,974 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Ford Motor Company - Down 7.2% (214,695 Vehicles Sold This Month, 831,997 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mazda North American Operations - Down 7.8% (24,164 Vehicles Sold This Month, 93,235 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mercedes-Benz USA - Down 8.7% (29,490 Vehicles Sold This Month,117,125 Vehicles Sold This Year)
BMW Group U.S. - Down 12.2% (26,105 Vehicles Sold This Month, 108,038 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mitsubishi Motors North America - Down 13.4% (8,375 Vehicles Sold This Month, 37,522 Vehicles Sold This Year)

Brands:
Acura - Down 12.8% (14,132 Vehicles Sold This Month, 48,894 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Alfa Romeo - Up 1,047% (677 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,783 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Audi - Up 7.7% (18,711 Vehicles Sold This Month, 64,358 Vehicles Sold This Year)
BMW - Down 9.3% (22,624 Vehicles Sold This Month, 94,306 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Buick - Up 17% (20,735 Vehicles Sold This Month, 70,940 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Cadillac - Up 9.5% (12,300 Vehicles Sold This Month, 46,282 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Chevrolet - Down 10.4% (164,367 Vehicles Sold This Month, 636,090 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Chrysler - Down 3% (17,309 Vehicles Sold This Month, 64,385 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Dodge - Down 3% (39,445 Vehicles Sold This Month, 173,508 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Fiat - Down 18% (2,539 Vehicles Sold This Month, 9,770 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Ford - Down 7.5% (205,004 Vehicles Sold This Month, 795,223 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Genesis - N/A (1,399 Vehicles Sold This Month, 6,554 Vehicles Sold This Year)
GMC -  Down 0.3% (47,004 Vehicles Sold This Month, 180,615 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Honda - Down 6.3% (124,254 Vehicles Sold This Month, 457,785 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Hyundai - Down 0.9% (61,651 Vehicles Sold This Month, 225,288 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Infiniti - Up 3.5% (10,797 Vehicles Sold This Month, 54,358 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Jaguar - Up 197.1% (3,230 Vehicles Sold This Month, 14,606 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Jeep - Down 17% (68,879 Vehicles Sold This Month, 257,622 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Kia - Down 5.6% (53,358 Vehicles Sold This Month, 181,086 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Land Rover - Up 0.4% (5,211 Vehicles Sold This Month, 25,086 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Lexus - Down 11.1% (22,116 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,961 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Lincoln - Down 0.9% (9,691 Vehicles Sold This Month, 36,774 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Maserati - Up 19% (1,265 Vehicles Sold This Month, 4,553 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mazda - Down 7.8% (24,164 Vehicles Sold This Month, 93,235 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mercedes-Benz - Down 7.9% (26,932 Vehicles Sold This Month, 106,073 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mercedes-Benz Vans - 
MINI - Down 27.4% (3,481 Vehicles Sold This Month, 13,732 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Mitsubishi - Down 13.4% (8,375 Vehicles Sold This Month, 37,522 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Nissan - Down 2% (111,201 Vehicles Sold This Month, 484,531 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Porsche - Up 2.2% (5,529 Vehicles Sold This Month, 18,247 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Ram Trucks - Up 5% (47,327 Vehicles Sold This Month, 179,906 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Smart - Down 21.7% (365 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,426 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Subaru - Up 4% (52,368 Vehicles Sold This Month, 196,618 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Toyota - Down 3.5% (179,810 Vehicles Sold This Month, 650,576 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Volkswagen - Up 1.64% (27,557 Vehicles Sold This Month, 103,847 Vehicles Sold This Year)
Volvo - Up 15.4% (7,121 Vehicles Sold This Month, 22,530 Vehicles Sold This Year)

  • April Showers Bring Decreases in Sales

William Maley

Mitsubishi Begins To Spill Details About U.S. Strategy

Mitsubishi is planning to announce a blueprint on how it plans to rebuild itself in September, but the company's Chief Operating Officer Trevor Mann dropped some breadcrumbs of what could be included.
Speaking with Automotive News, Mann explained that the United States, China and Southeast Asia would play key roles in Mitsubishi's recovery. For the U.S., Mann hinted that Mitsubishi could tap help from Nissan or Renault on a new sedan (our guess would be compact or midsize). There is also talk about a pickup using a platform from Nissan. 
"It's something that we should look at. As we go forward and start to have common platforms, an alliance pickup platform would be quite an appropriate thing for us to do," said Mann.
Mitsubishi may also consider building vehicles in the U.S., possibly piggybacking off a Nissan plant. Last year, Mitsubishi closed down their Normal, Illinois plant as it was unable to find a buyer for it.
But these ideas are for the future. In the near future, Mann said Mitsubishi will focus on their lineup of crossovers in an effort to take advantage of growing demand for these vehicles.
"The answer to your prayers is not just adding nameplates. You've got to make sure the nameplates you've got are working for you. And we've got scope for improvement."
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • Time to slow drip some information

William Maley

Why Are New Car Sales Falling? Higher Prices

Sales of new cars in the U.S. have been dropping in the past three months and analysts believe April's sales results will be much the same. But why are sales falling? It comes down to prices of new cars going up and up.
According to data from ALG True Car, the average new-car price rose two percent when compared to last year. Kelly Blue Book reports that the average transaction price in March increased 1.7 percent to $34,342 when compared to the same time last year. There are a number of factors as to why consumers are balking at larger prices; credit not being as easy to attain, younger buyers being saddled with debt, and inflation.
“It’s not just the price of the cars -- it’s the price of everything else. The price of things like health care, shelter -- all of that is fighting for the budget,” said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst with Cox Automotive.
Automakers are trying to stem this decline by increasing the amount of incentives available. J.D. Power reports incentive spending reached a new high in the first half of April with an average of $3,499. 
Source: Bloomberg

  • It's the prices stupid

William Maley

Toyota Exec Admits Lexus' Sedans Need to Step Up

It has been the ongoing story for a couple of years; buyers flocking to crossovers and sales of sedans falling down. While some automakers it seems are giving up on sedans, others are trying to figure out ways to make them more appealing.
Tokuo Fukuichi, Toyota Motor Corp.'s global branding chief tells Automotive News the brand will be employing two strategies to help keep their sedans relevant -  improve the driving dynamics and be more daring in terms of design.
"Unless we can really offer a sedan experience you cannot have with an SUV or crossover, I think the sedan may not be able to survive if it does not evolve," said Fukuichi.
"At a certain point of time, the traditional, square, three-box sedan will go away."
The LC coupe is the first model that is taking these ideas and running with it. It features a low ride height, the highest torsional stiffness of any Lexus model in history (partly due to the new GA-L platform), and a design that stands out. The all-new LS is following its footsteps as it features more of a fastback look than the standard three-box silhouette.
Intriguingly, Fukuichi dropped the idea of there being a station wagon in Lexus' lineup. It could take some ideas found on Porsche's Panamera Sport Turismo in terms of design. Before you get your hopes, there are no plans for a wagon at this time.
"Personally, I would like to have a Lexus wagon if we had enough resources. Maybe not as tall as an SUV but not as short as a wagon. There could be some optimized packaging," said Fukuichi.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • Evolve or wither away!

William Maley

BMW Still Believes In Diesel, Sends 540d to U.S.

Despite the mess and tepid reception given to diesel models in the U.S. due to Volkswagen emission scandal, there are still some automakers who believe in it. 
A BMW spokesperson has confirmed to Car and Driver that diesel variant of the new 5-Series would be arriving in the U.S., although no timeframe was given. The model will be named the 540d. Car and Driver believe the model will be powered by the 3.0L inline-six turbodiesel found in the European-market 530d producing 262 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. The 540d possibly means our version will produce slightly more power.
Source: Car and Driver

  • BMW still believes in diesel for the U.S.

William Maley

Acura Investigating CDX Crossover For U.S.

The appetite Americans have for crossovers is quite large and automakers are trying their best to appease this. Acura for its part is looking at whether it should bring the subcompact CDX crossover to the U.S.
Introduced for Chinese market last year, the CDX is underpinned by the same platform as the Honda HR-V. Power comes from a 1.5L turbo-four from the Civic and an eight-speed DCT. 
“It’s a model that interests a lot of our people, so we have our R&D guys looking into the possibility,” said Jon Ikeda, group vice president for Acura to Wards Auto.
For Acura to bring the CDX over to the U.S., they would need to make a number of changes for the vehicle to meet the various regulations here.
Ikeda also revealed the brand is looking into derivatives of existing models to build up its crossover lineup. A possibility is a larger CUV with a more spacious third-row. But Ikeda does say Acura "needs to be mindful of its performance and luxury direction."
“There are many, many things we could do with derivatives of our vehicles. I’m never going to say never…(but) we have to be smart with how we approach it.”
Source: Wards Auto

  • A crossover being sold in China could be arriving in the U.S.

William Maley

SAIC Puts Their U.S. Plans On Hold

Chinese automakers see the U.S. as a land opportunity and have been making promises to start selling vehicles in the near future. None so far have made it. Now one Chinese brand is reconsidering their plans.
SAIC Motor Corp., China's largest automaker and partner with GM, has put their U.S. ambitions on hold. Michael Yang, executive director of SAIC Motor’s international department said at a briefing that they have uncertainties about the trade policy between China and the U.S. due to the election of Donald Trump. Yang went on to say that the company would implement their U.S. strategy once it has gotten clarity. For the time being, SAIC has moved up plans to start selling vehicles in the European Union.
“Eventually we aim to have all, but at the moment we are focusing on” China and then Europe, Yang said. “The reason is the ‘climate change’ after the new presidency.”
This contrasts with another Chinese automaker, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., (GAC) which plans on entering the U.S. by 2019 with their Trumpchi brand. Although there is talk that GAC is considering changing the name of the brand before arriving in the U.S.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • SAIC: You know on second thought, we're going to put our plans entering the U.S. on hold

William Maley

Marchionne Considers Spinning Off Jeep and Ram

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' CEO Sergio Marchionne has a track record of saying things that make jaws drop everywhere. Case in point comes to us from The Detroit Free Press. During the company's first-quarter earnings call, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas asked Marchionne if there was a possibility of spinning off Jeep and/or Ram Trucks into a separate, standalone company.
"Yes," said Marchionne.
The Free Press notes that Jonas dropped this subject and moved on to another question. It needs to be noted that this isn't the first time that Jonas has brought this idea up. Back in January, Jonas estimated Jeep's value on a standalone basis would be $22 billion. Ram Trucks isn't far behind with an estimated value of $11.2 billion.
There is also precedent for this idea. Marchionne has a history of spinning off brands while keeping them under the FCA corporate umbrella. Last year, Ferrari was spun off to its own standalone company and now trades on the New York Stock Exchange. It currently generates more than $3.4 billion in annual revenue and close to $435 million in net income. Marchionne serves as the chairman and CEO of the company.
But if such a move was to happen, it would take a fair amount of time for this changeover to take place. 
Source: Detroit Free Press

  • Sergio Marchionne opens his mouth again and we're all stunned at we he said

William Maley

Tesla's Big Gamble With Model 3 Production

The Model 3 is Tesla's most anticipated vehicle and biggest gamble the company has undertaken. But this gamble has become more risky thanks to a decision concerning the production line.
Reuters reports that Tesla is skipping a step most automakers undertake when producing a new vehicle. Prototype tools are bought in on the production line to help determine issues in terms of fit and finish. Once these issues are worked out, the prototype tools are scrapped and automakers place orders for permanent and expensive tools. But Musk told investors last month, Tesla was jumping into the permanent and expensive part first so they can meet their self-imposed volume production deadline of September.
"He's pushing the envelope to see how much time and cost he can take out of the process," said Ron Harbour, a manufacturing consultant at Oliver Wyman.
According to a source, this 'soft tooling' caused problems for Model X. Due to a tight timeline to get the vehicle into production, Tesla was unable to take any of the lessons learned from this before ordering the final production tooling.
"Soft tooling did very little for the program and arguably hurt things," said the source.
Musk said computer simulations has helped with skipping the prototype tooling stage.
This move fits Elon Musk's tendency to take big gambles and do things a bit different than what is expected in the industry. Most of the time, it has paid off. 
The problem is if this equipment proves to be flawed in some way, it could cost Tesla millions to fix the issue and introduce production delays. 
"It's an experiment, certainly," said Jake Fisher from Consumer Reports. Tesla could possibly fix these errors quickly, "or it could be they have unsuspected problems they'll have a hard time dealing with."
Source: Reuters

  • There are risks and then there are Elon Musk's risks

William Maley

Quick Drive: 2017 Acura MDX

When I last reviewed the Acura MDX back in 2014, I mentioned that it and the RDX crossover made up a majority of the brand’s sales. That’s still true in 2017 as both models currently make up 63.8 percent of Acura’s sales through the end of March. In closing my review, I said Acura focused on fixing the issues that hurt the MDX before and left other things well alone, creating a balanced luxury crossover. But does that still hold up in a field that has become very competitive in the past couple of years? It seemed a revisit was in order.
Acura did a significant refresh for the 2017 MDX with the biggest change being the design. Up front, Acura has swapped the shield grille for a larger pentagonal grille from the 2016 Precision Concept. While the shield was considered by many to a bit polarizing and a turn-off, I find the new grille to be a bit cartoonish. It doesn’t really work with the rest of the MDX’s design. At least certain traits such as the ‘Jewel Eye’ headlights and sloping roofline are still here and still work. The interior hasn’t changed much since our last test and that’s both a good and bad thing. The good is the MDX’s material quality is towards the top of the class with a fair amount of leather and wood trim used throughout. Although considering the price tag of just over $59,000, it would have been nice if Acura added some more luxury touches. Those sitting up front or in the second-row will find plenty of room and a set of supportive seats. The MDX is one of the few models in the class that offers a third-row as standard, but it is best reserved for small kids or being folded into the floor to increase cargo space. The bad mostly deals with the AcuraLink infotainment system. This dual screen setup brings more headaches than any other system I have used. A perfect example is when you want to switch from music to a podcast on your USB device. You need to use the top screen and a control knob to go through the various menus to find the show you want to listen to. Not only is this pain, but it also creates a distraction when driving as your eyes are taken off from the road. I wish Acura would scrap this system and start back from square one. Power still comes from a 3.5L V6 offering 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic routes power to either the front-wheels or all four-wheels via Acura’s super-handling all-wheel drive (SH-AWD). Advanced models like ours come standard with a stop-start system.  The V6 in the MDX is such an impressive motor. Power delivery is quite strong throughout the rev band and the engine doesn’t make much noise during acceleration. However, the stop-start is a bit of a mess. It takes a few seconds for the system to realize that you took your foot off the brake before it restarts the engine. The system can be turned off which we recommend doing. The nine-speed automatic needs a bit work as well as we found shifts to be somewhat clunky at low speeds. Also, the transmission is slow to downshift when you need to make a pass. At least paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel solves this issue somewhat as you can do it yourself. EPA fuel economy figures stand at 19 City/26 Highway/22 Combined when the MDX is equipped with SH-AWD. I got none too shabby 23 MPG average for the week. One area we’re glad to see Acura not messing with the MDX refresh is the suspension tuning. The MDX has stuck the right balance of comfort and handling. Some of this is credited to the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) that alters various settings for the suspension, steering, and a few other items. This means the MDX can be tailored to deliver a sporty ride when driving down a curvy road and ironing out road imperfections when commuting. There is one big issue for the MDX, price. Our MDX Advance & Entertainment tester came with an as-tested price of $59,475 with destination. Considering what you get for the price and compare against other models, the MDX is a bit of a poor value. Stick with one of the lower trims. The Acura MDX stands in a bit of an odd middle ground, where it is above the mainstream, but below luxury competitors. It remains a very competent crossover that seems to do most things right. But we can’t help but wonder if Acura was given a bit more time to mess with the stop-start system and automatic transmission, along with making it slightly more luxurious, it could take it a bit further from the middle ground the MDX currently sits in. Disclaimer: Acura Provided the MDX, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas
Year: 2017
Make: Acura
Model: MDX
Trim: Advanced Entertainment SH-AWD
Engine: 3.5L 24-Valve SOHC i-VTEC V6
Driveline: Nine-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive
Horsepower @ RPM: 290 @ 6,200
Torque @ RPM: 267 @ 4,700
Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 19/26/22
Curb Weight: 4,292 lbs
Location of Manufacture: Lincoln, AL
Base Price: $58,500
As Tested Price: $59,475 (Includes $975.00 Destination Charge)
Options: N/A

  • Revisiting one of Acura's most popular models

William Maley

Nissan Plans On Expanding Their NISMO Lineup

The past few years has seen Nissan expanding their lineup of NISMO performance models around the world. But that isn't enough as Nissan plans on expanding NISMO into more markets.
To that end, the company announced a new unit called the NISMO Cars Business Unit. This will be part of Autech Japan, Inc - a Nissan group company that convert vehicles for disabled drivers and tunes performance vehicles. Nissan hopes that the new unit combined with the efforts Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. and other group companies can deliver more NISMO products in a shorter timeframe.
"As a Nissan sub-brand, NISMO further builds upon the core values of Nissan cars. With the combined expertise of Nissan group companies, NISMO road cars will make customers enjoy Nissan cars more than ever," said Takao Katagiri, president and CEO of both Autech Japan and Nissan Motorsports International.
Nissan doesn't make any mention of what models are under consideration for the NISMO treatment. Currently, Nissan sells NISMO versions of the 370Z, GT-R, Juke, and Sentra in the U.S.
Source: Nissan 
Press Release is on Page 2


Nissan sets up new unit to boost NISMO road car business
More high-performance models to be rolled out globally YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has set up a new unit to expand its NISMO road car business by making a greater range of models available to customers in more markets.
The NISMO Cars Business Department is part of Autech Japan, Inc., a Nissan group company that makes converted vehicles. Using talent from Nissan, Autech, Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. and other group companies, it will plan and develop more appealing products in a shorter time.
Nissan plans to expand the range of NISMO road cars to new segments, market them more globally and boost the lineup in existing markets, including Japan, North America, Europe and the Middle East. This will help increase sales of NISMO cars, which are now about 15,000 units a year.
Nissan introduced the NISMO brand to its mainstream model lineup in 2013 to bring customers more innovations and excitement. Featuring performance and styling developed through NISMO's motorsports activities, the cars offer a sporty driving experience combined with Nissan's quality, reliability and durability.
NISMO road cars introduced so far include the GT-R, 370Z, JUKE and Sentra in the U.S. – plus the Note and Patrol in markets outside the U.S.
"As a Nissan sub-brand, NISMO further builds upon the core values of Nissan cars," said Takao Katagiri, president and CEO of both Autech Japan and Nissan Motorsports International. "With the combined expertise of Nissan group companies, NISMO road cars will make customers enjoy Nissan cars more than ever."
The new business unit will also work with Nissan Motorsports International on marketing. This includes showing NISMO road cars at Nissan dealerships and showrooms and holding events and activities for NISMO car owners.

  • More NISMO models are incoming!

William Maley

BMW's M Division Believes Manual and Dual-Clutch Transmissions Are Coming To An End

BMW's vice-president of sales and marketing for the M division, Peter Quintus believes that manual and dual-clutch transmissions will be going the way of the dodo bird performance vehicles.
According to Drive, Qunitus has been banging the drum on the demise of manual transmissions for a bit. The reason isn't due to emissions but comes down them not being able to handle engines with loads of torque - saying 600Nm of torque (about 442 lb-ft). When asked about using a manual transmission from the U.S. that is able to handle all of this torque, Qunitus said the company found them to be "heavy and the shift quality was awful."
The admission of Dual-clutch transmissions not long for this world is bit surprising as more manufacturers are beginning to install them into their performance vehicles as they would deliver fast shifts. That is changing with automatics as new technologies help them shift as fast as DCTs.
"We are now seeing automatic transmissions with nine and even 10 speeds, so there's a lot of technology in modern automatics," said Quintus.
"The DCT once had two advantages: it was light and its shift speeds were higher. Now, a lot of that shift-time advantage has disappeared as automatics get better and smarter."
Source: Drive

  • Time is ticking for manual and dual-clutch transmissions

William Maley

Muscle Car Wars Find A New Battleground In China

The rivalry of the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang has been going for ages in the U.S. But now this fight has expanded into China.
Automotive News reports that a growing group of Chinese buyers are being drawn towards to these models as the exude the no-apologies Americana attitude.
"We're seeing the beginning of a muscle car culture here. Something that is uniquely American appeals to the Chinese consumer. The image that it relays to the automotive public is very positive," said James Chao, a China market auto analyst with IHS Markit.
Sales of both models are small with Chevrolet only moving 2,000 Camaros since its launch 2011. Ford is doing slightly better with 6,200 Mustangs sold since its launch in 2015. In the first quarter, Mustang sales saw a 90 percent increase to 963 vehicles. Part of the reason for the slow sales comes down to the price. The Camaro starts about 399,900 yuan (about $58,000) - more than double of the base price of $26,900 in the U.S. The Mustang isn't that far behind, costing about $15 dollars less. Prices are increased due to a 25 percent import tariff on U.S. made vehicles, homologation and shipping fees, and Chinese buyers trending to splurge on higher-time models.
But despite the low sales, the Camaro and Mustang are bringing buyers to dealers. These models act as eye candy to help draw shoppers into showrooms with the hope they'll purchase a vehicle, where it be the eye candy or something a little less exciting.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • The Camaro and Mustang fights expands into China

William Maley

As the Diesel Emits: Who Blew the Whistle on Volkswagen's Cheating?

One question that we have found ourselves wondering is who blew the whistle on the software cheat Volkswagen was using on their TDI models. A new book says it was someone at Volkswagen of America.
Automotive News got their hands on Faster, Higher, Farther: The Volkswagen Scandal by New York Times reporter Jack Ewing. In the book, Ewing reveals that the head of VW’s Engineering and Environmental Office in the U.S., Stuart Johnson revealed the existence of the cheat to federal authorities. Johnson was the primary contact for the various regulation agencies in the U.S. and would be one of the people on the front lines when the scandal unfolded.
In the book, CARB deputy executive director Alberto Ayala named Johnson as the person who revealed the existence of Volkswagen's illegal software. This revelation took place prior to a key meeting between CARB and Volkswagen on August 19, 2015. By revealing this information, Johnson was violating orders given by VW's higher ups. This meeting is mentioned in the federal indictment of Oliver Schmidt, a former VW executive who is facing 11 federal charges dealing with the scandal. Johnson is mentioned in the indictment as “Cooperating Witness 1.”
The indictment also states the witness “has agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation in exchange for an agreement that the government will not prosecute CW1 in the United States.”
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • One of Volkswagen's employees brought to light the illegal software being used on TDI models

William Maley

Honda CR-V Hybrid Might Be Coming to the U.S.

At the Shanghai auto show, Honda introduced a hybrid version of the CR-V crossover. Not many details were released about it aside from it featuring the company's Sport Hybrid i-MMD two-motor hybrid system and would go on sale in China in the second half of this year. This got a few outlets wondering if Honda might bring the CR-V hybrid to the U.S. as the automaker has said they plan on electrify core models.
Green Car Reports reached out Honda's U.S. office to ask about this and here is Honda responded,
"We have already announced our intent to electrify core volume models, including light trucks.  CR-V will logically be a part of that, and we'll announce timing for the U.S. at a later date."
In other words, we're are planning to sell CR-V hybrid in the U.S. When it does arrive, it will face off between the Nissan Rogue Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
Source: Green Car Reports

  • Can Honda interest you in a hybrid CR-V?

William Maley

Porsche Ponders More Electric Vehicles

The production version of Porsche's Mission E will be arriving in 2019 and has the company wondering about expanding their electric lineup.
Porsche division chief Oliver Blume told Bloomberg at the Shanghai auto show that the Mission E brought a shift in thinking for the company.
“It’s more than just the need to comply with rules. We find the technology as such interesting, as electric cars allow a very sporty driving experience, which fits well with the core value of our brand,” said Blume.
The acceleration capabilities of electric motors has Porsche thinking about how they could integrate them into their lineup. One is by building out a group of EVs and the other is expanding their lineup of plug-in hybrids - currently comprised of the Cayenne and Panamera.
Vehicles like the Mission E will play a key role in markets such as China where restrictions on emissions are expected to become the world's toughest in the coming years.
Source: Bloomberg via Automotive News (Subscription Required)

  • The production version of the Mission E could mean more electric vehicles from Porsche

William Maley

Brand New 2015 Volkswagen TDI Models Back On Sale

If the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal hasn't swayed you from wanting one, then you'll be happy to hear Volkswagen will once again be able to sell brand-new 2015 model year TDI models. Green Car Reports says near 11,000 TDI models will soon be back up for sale once they are updated with new software, making them legal.
Volkswagen does caution those interested in picking up a new TDI to call their nearest dealership to see if they have any in stock.
But that's not all. Volkswagen is offering some massive discounts on these models. CarsDirect reports that Volkswagen is offering 0% APR for up to 72 months and $5,000 cash bonus if you decide to buy. Interested in leasing one? Volkswagen will offer a cash bonus of $8,500. 
There are a couple of caveats to this offer. First, you need to have an excellent credit history to qualify for either offer. Second is that Volkswagen isn't advertising this offer.
"We will not be advertising the available incentives from our financing arm as they [sic] vehicle availability will vary per dealership," said Volkswagen spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan.
Source: Green Car Reports, CarsDirect

  • Want a brand new 2015 Volkswagen TDI?

William Maley

Lynk & Co Pushes Back Launch For Europe and U.S.

Last October, Chinese automaker Geely unveiled a new global brand called Lynk & Co. This brand stood out in a few ways,
Vehicles will be sold online Owners will be able to share their Lynk & Co vehicles to make some money An open application programming interface to develop in-car applications Recently announcing all of their vehicles would come with lifetime warranties The plan was for the brand to launch in China this year, with Europe and U.S. following in late 2018. But a new report from Automotive News says the launch for Europe and U.S. has been pushed back to 2019.
“We think we will start in Europe between the first quarter and the first half of 2019 and enter the U.S. some months later,” said Alain Visser, Lynk & Co's senior vice president of marketing and sales.
The reason for pushback comes down to Lynk & Co needing more time to establish a company-owned dealership network as it is taking slightly longer to find the locations. Visser said the company wants to build up a network of 500 dealers comprising of flagship and temporary pop-up stores. Despite having stores, vehicles will be sold online and delivered to the owner's house or office.
Visser said plans for the Chinese launch is still on schedule with the 01 crossover launching towards the end of the year.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
Pic Credit: Newspress

  • Lynk & Co's plan to go into Europe and U.S. has been pushed back

William Maley

Current Volkswagen Tiguan To Live On As Tiguan Limited

The new Volkswagen Tiguan looks to solve some of the pressing issues of the current model such as its size that puts it between subcompact and compact crossovers. But that doesn't mean the current Tiguan is leaving anytime soon.
Hendrik Muth, VW’s senior vice president for product marketing tells Car and Driver that the current Tiguan will stick around for 2018 and 2019, wearing the Tiguan Limited nameplate. Muth explained this model will be aimed at more budget-minded buyers and those who don't want the bigger footprint of the new Tiguan. Another reason mentioned in Car and Driver's story is the current Tiguan saw its best sales in 2015 and 2016.
One item that could put some people off from buying the Tiguan Limited is will not get the  6-year/72,000-mile warranty announced for the 2018 Atlas and Tiguan crossovers. Expect pricing to be announced sometime in the fall.
Source: Car and Driver
Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears

  • Why you'll find two Volkswagen Tiguans at your dealer very soon

William Maley

Volvo's First Electric Vehicle to Come From China

Volvo announced today at the Shanghai Auto Show that it would be building its first electric vehicle in China beginning in 2019. The model will use the CMA platform that is being jointly developed by Volvo and its parent company Geely. According to Volvo Cars CEO Hakan Samuelsson, it will be an all-new model but declined to say what type of vehicle it would be - crossover, sedan, or hatchback.
"It will be a body style that we expect will have global acceptance and we will start production with the battery-only version only, with internal combustion variants that could follow later," Samuelsson told Automotive News.
As for why Volvo has decided on China to build the EV, it comes down to the Chinese government working on reducing vehicle emissions.
“Volvo Cars fully supports the Chinese government’s call for cleaner air as outlined in the latest five-year plan. It is fully in-line with our own core values of environmental care, quality and safety,” said Samuelsson in a statement.
The statement also reveals that Volvo is working on an electric vehicle using their SPA platform.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Volvo
Press Release is on Page 2
Volvo’s first all electric car will be made in China
Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, will build its first fully electric car in China, the company announced today at Auto Shanghai in China.
 
The all new model will be based on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) for smaller cars, and will be available for sale in 2019 and exported globally from China, Volvo said.
 
The decision to make its first electric car in China highlights the central role China will play in Volvo’s electrified future and underlines China’s growing sophistication as a manufacturing centre for the automotive industry.
 
“Volvo Cars fully supports the Chinese government’s call for cleaner air as outlined in the latest five-year plan. It is fully in-line with our own core values of environmental care, quality and safety,” said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars. “We believe that electrification is the answer to sustainable mobility.”
 
China is the world’s largest sales market for electrified cars and has ambitious targets to expand sales of fully electric and hybrid cars in order to address congestion and air quality issues in its cities.
 
Volvo has a commitment to sell a total of 1m electrified cars – including fully electric cars and hybrids – by 2025. It is also developing a fully electric car on its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). The Swedish company also plans to offer plug-in hybrid versions of every model.
 
Volvo has three manufacturing facilities in China in Daqing, which makes its 90 series cars, Chengdu, which makes its 60 series cars, and Luqiao, which will make its 40 series cars.

  • Where will Volvo build their new EV?

William Maley

Genesis To Focus On Credibility, Not Volume

As Genesis begins to find its feet and start building out its lineup, its focus will be building up credibility as a competitor to the likes of Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. Worrying about volume and sales expectations will not be a high priority. 
“It’s about establishing a brand, establishing a credible brand,” said Genesis boss Manfred Fitzgerald to CarAdvice.
“We are in here definitely not to lose money, but I couldn’t tell you [about volume expectations] because it’s not our priority, because if I was thinking about that it would be something distracting and what might have caused the wrong answers to some of the questions here. So we are focused on showing our competence in design and also what we can deliver to the customer in terms of service and experience.”
Currently, Genesis' lineup is comprised of the G80 midsize sedan and G90 flagship. In the coming years, the brand will launch the G70 compact sedan, two crossovers, and a GT coupe.
One vehicle you will not see coming from Genesis is a supercar or a high-end performance car.
“I might not be your typical marketing guy, I don’t believe in target groups, I believe in doing great models and creating great products – and hopefully there will be many people that love them and fall in love with them and that’s it. If you need a halo vehicle? That’s not our spiel.”
Source: CarAdvice
Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears

  • Volume? We're not going to focus on that -Head of Genesis

William Maley

A Tale of Two Mercedes-Benz Sedans: A-Class Sedan Concept and 2018 S-Class Refresh

Before the Shanghai auto show opens its doors, Mercedes-Benz has revealed two sedans; the A-Class sedan concept and the refreshed 2018 S-Class.
We'll begin with the A-Class sedan concept. Mercedes says this is a preview for their next-generation compact lineup which is expected to include a production version of this concept. 
“Our concept A Sedan shows that the time of creases is over,” Mercedes-Benz design boss Gorden Wagener said in a statement. “With its perfect proportions and a sensual treatment of surfaces with reduced lines, it is the next milestone of Sensual Purity and has the potential to introduce a new design era.”
Wagener isn't kidding about the "time of creases is over," as the A-Class sedan concept doesn't feature any. Instead, the concept features short overhangs, a larger glass area, “Panamericana” grille, and unique headlights that have a grid structure to provide some contrast from the smooth body. In terms of size, the A-Class sedan concept is about 2.4-inches shorter than the CLA-Class. 
Moving on to the refreshed 2018 S-Class, Mercedes has made some small tweaks to the exterior such as new bumpers, revised grille, updated headlights and taillights, and new 20-inch wheels. The interior is mostly the same aside from a new three-spoke steering wheel, updated infotainment display, and three new upholstery choices. 
The big news is under the S-Class' hood as Mercedes has revamped most of the engine lineup.
S450: 3.0L biturbo V6 - 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque S560/Maybach S560: 4.0L biturbo V8 - 463 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque Maybach S600: 6.0L biturbo V12 - 523 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque S63 AMG: 4.0L biturbo  V8 - 603 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque S65 AMG: 6.0L biturbo V12 - 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque The V6 and V8 engines come paired with a nine-speed automatic, and the choice of rear- or 4Matic all-wheel drive. The S63 will get a AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed transmission and 4MATIC+ AWD. The V12s come paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission and RWD.
The refreshed S-Class also boasts a new Driving Assistance package that includes DISTRONIC Active Proximity Assist that can adjust the speed ahead of corners and Active Emergency Stop Assist which brings the vehicle to a complete stop if it detects driver isn't responding when the Active Steer Assist system is turned on.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class lineup arrives at dealers this fall.
Source: Mercedes-Benz 
Press Release is on Page 2
Mercedes-Benz Concept A Sedan: Herald of a new generation
Stuttgart/Shanghai. With the Concept A Sedan at Auto Shanghai Mercedes-Benz is providing an outlook of the next generation of compact vehicles and a potential, new body type. 
The Concept A Sedan show car specifies the evolved Mercedes-Benz design language. Thanks to its purist, surface-focused design featuring reduced lines and gaps, the show car is hot and cool at the same time. The "Aesthetics A" sculpture already demonstrated that the upcoming compact class generation marks the dawn of an even more rigorous implementation of the design idiom of "sensual purity".
"Our Concept A Sedan shows, that the time of creases is over”, say Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG. “With its perfect proportions and a sensual treatment of surfaces with reduced lines, it is the next milestone of Sensual Purity and has the potential to introduce a new design era."
The current compact vehicle generation is crucially contributing to Mercedes‑Benz's most successful and rejuvenated appearance ever to make 2016 the sixth year of records in succession. More than two million compact vehicles have been sold around the globe since 2012. In addition to the contemporary design language, innovative assistance systems, connectivity, and driving pleasure, model variety is a crucial factor for success: with the A and B‑Class, CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, as well as the SUV crossover GLA five differently positioned variants are available on the market.
"Their success shows that our customers are absolutely delighted with the current generation of Mercedes-Benz compact cars", says Britta Seeger, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes‑Benz Cars Marketing & Sales. "We are therefore extremely confident that the planned expansion will lead to a continuation of this success story."
The Concept A Sedan: study of a compact premium sedan
The Concept A Sedan (length/width/height: 4570/1870/1462 mm) has been designed with the proportions of a dynamic, coupé-like and simultaneously compact, premium sedan. This aim is emphasized by the traditional three-box design featuring short overhangs, especially at the rear, as well as the slim greenhouse that has been offset towards the rear. Additional sedan characteristics are the relatively vertical C‑pillar, larger side windows and the higher beltline.
The muscular-seeming wheel arch design featuring a reduced arch dimension emphasize the exclusive 20‑inch wheels. The light alloy wheels radiate technical precision with their sporty aerowheel look featuring a structured surface between the spokes. The door handles of the show car are flush with the body, while the outside mirrors, in a contemporary reinterpretation, stand proud of the beltlines.
The striking front expresses self-confidence: this is crucially highlighted by the deep Panamericana grille tilted towards the front, featuring vertical chrome inserts and a star in the centre, as well as the stretched bonnet with Powerdomes. The large, lower air inlet featuring a diamond grid structure and a striking trim strip in dark chrome is also amongst the most eye-catching features.
The headlamps with their eyebrows as a typical feature of the brand as well as the striking grid structure on the inside guarantee a confident look – and a simultaneously high recognition value. The structural sculpture that has been broken down in detail represents a technically based counterpole to the sensual exterior - "stimulating contrast" is one of the six guiding principles of Mercedes-Benz design. The grid structure in the lamps has been coated with a UV paint and it is exposed to ultraviolet light. As a result, the headlamps "glow" in different colours, depending on the light medium – the daytime running lamps, for instance, are white.
This unusual lighting technology is also used at the rear: The striking tail light image has also been designed as a structural sculpture. In line with the evolved design philosophy the lines and gaps at the rear have been reduced. As a contrast to the paintwork the rear bumper features a diffuser-look lower part trimmed in black and a chrome trim strip that emphasises the width and underlines the car's premium appeal. The integrated exhaust deflectors are finished in dark chrome. Additional features of the roadworthy show car are dark privacy windows all-round as well as a large, panoramic glass roof.
The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class: The automotive benchmark in efficiency and comfort
Stuttgart/Shanghai. The new S-Class celebrates its world première with extensive innovations at the Auto Shanghai. Among the highlights is an all-new and highly efficient engine range with a series of new technologies for electrification of the powertrain. Intelligent Drive takes another step towards autonomous driving. And the undisputed leader in the premium segment with regard to comfort and wellness sets new standards in the interior. The market launch of the new S-Class starts in the European markets in July.
Several new engines are planned for the new S-Class: in-line six cylinders as diesel and petrol engines as well as a new V-8 biturbo petrol engine. In addition, Mercedes-Benz plans a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of about 50 kilometres. At the same time, ground-breaking technologies such as the 48-volt Integrated Starter Alternator and the electric booster compressor celebrate their world première.
The top-of-the-range model of Mercedes-Benz takes another big step towards autonomous driving and elevates Intelligent Drive to the next level. DISTRONIC Active Proximity Control and Active Steer Assist now provide even more comfortable support for the driver to keep a safe distance and steer. The speed is now adjusted automatically ahead of curves or junctions.
MULTIBEAM LED headlamps and ULTRA RANGE High Beam turn night into day. ROAD SURFACE SCAN, the forward-looking detection of bumps, and the curve-tilting function CURVE are further unique features of the S-Class in the segment of luxury saloons.
The ENERGIZING comfort control is a world-first entering series production: This optional feature links various comfort systems in the vehicle together, such as climate control, ambience lighting, massage and fragrancing functions, and allows customers to configure a specific wellness set-up to suit their mood or need. This enhances the physical comfort and performance on the road.
"The development of the new S-Class was extremely extensive. With a whole series of new features and functions the S-Class remains the technological pioneer", says Ola Källenius, responsible on the Board of Daimler AG for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.
The flagship from Mercedes-Benz was the best-selling luxury saloon in the world in 2016. Since 2013, the company sold well over 300,000 saloons. Today there are six different S-Class body variants.
Three torches of light as an exclusive exterior design feature
Modern luxury in the new S-Class is manifest in maximum quality of materials and workmanship. Status and technological competence are now even more tangible. All models are fitted with a new radiator grille: The versions with six and eight-cylinder engines sport three twin louvres as well as vertical strips with a high-gloss black finish in the radiator grille. The saloon with long wheelbase and V-12 engine is fitted with additional chrome-finish vertical strips in the radiator grille.
The upgraded front with extensive chrome trim underscores the exceptional status of the Mercedes-Maybach. Also new is the Maybach logotype between the louvres of the radiator grille.
In conjunction with the new MULTIBEAM LED headlamps (optional feature, details below), the S-Class features three distinctive torches of light as an exclusive design element. The front bumper with pronounced air intakes and sporty looks is also new.
The new LED lamps with crystal-look tail lamps stand out at the rear. They look like jewels and ensure a characteristic design day and night. A tail lamp light show that plays when the vehicle is unlocked and locked, as well as three horizontal pairs of fibre optics are also new.
All models are fitted with a redesigned lower bumper section with integrated visible tailpipe trim. The tailpipes are framed by a chrome trim element, which spans the entire width of the vehicle. Seven new light-alloy wheels with diameters between 17 and 20 inches are available as standard or options.
Control and display concept with wide-screen cockpit and new generation of steering wheels
The interior of the new S-Class is characterised by the two new high-resolution displays, each with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches. Visually, the two displays under one shared glass cover blend into a wide-screen cockpit and as a central element consequently emphasise the horizontal orientation of the interior design.
Like the instrument cluster, this wide-screen cockpit contains a large display with virtual instruments in the direct field of vision of the driver as well as a central display above the centre console. Because the cockpit is fully digital, the driver can choose from three different display styles ("Classic", "Sporty" and "Progressive“) and also configure the information and views relevant to them at will.
The new S-Class has touch-sensitive controls in the steering wheel. They respond to swiping motions like the screen of a smartphone and enable the driver to control the entire infotainment system without having to take their hands off the steering wheel.
The infotainment system can also be operated via the touchpad with controller in the centre console and by LINGUATRONIC voice control. The operation of DISTRONIC and cruise control with control elements directly on the steering wheel is another new feature.
Authentic materials and meticulous detail design
High-quality materials define the interior of the S-Class. These include, for example, open-pore woods as well as leather-trimmed doors and upper body edges, dependent on the trim level. Another Mercedes hallmark clearly in evidence is the high-quality look and feel created through meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship.
The material and colour concept has also been carefully composed, and features a wide range of brown tones, including new colour combinations such as magma grey/espresso brown or mahogany brown/silk beige.
Lighting atmosphere with 64 colours
As before, the interior lighting uses only long-lasting, energy-saving LED technology. With 64 colours, the optionally extended ambience lighting offers a wealth of individual settings. It adds lighting highlights, for example, on the trim elements, the central display, the stowage facility at the front of the centre console, the handle recesses, the door pockets, in the front and rear footwells, on the overhead control panel, and on the tweeters when the vehicle is equipped with the Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound System.
All S-Class models are fitted as standard with the KEYLESS start function. This also marks the introduction of the new attractive generation of keys, with a high-gloss black or high-gloss white design and different ornamental frames.
World-first: wellness while driving
The ENERGIZING comfort control is a world-first entering series production: This optional feature links various comfort systems in the vehicle together. It systematically uses the functions of the climate control system (including fragrancing) and the seats (heater, ventilation, massage), the wall heating as well as lighting and musical atmospheres, and enables a specific wellness set-up tailored to the mood and need of the customer. This enhances the physical comfort and performance while driving and during a break. ENERGIZING comfort can be experienced in all seats, dependent on the equipment.
These six programmes can be selected:
Freshness Warmth Vitality Joy Comfort Training (three trainings – muscle relaxation, muscle activation and balance - each with several exercises) The programmes all run for ten minutes. They are visualised on the head unit with colour graphics, and backed by suitable music. Five songs are already stored in the programme. The key function in the "Vitality“ programme, for example, is fast music with many beats per minute. The S-Class repertoire therefore features "Feelin' Good" by Leon Riskin, for instance. If personal music selections are available, e.g. via the Media Interface, the system analyses them in the background and assigns them to a programme based on the beats per minute (bpm). Individual functions of the programmes can be deactivated.
ENERGIZING Comfort Control also incorporates the ambience lighting, which is harmoniously tailored to each of the individual screen designs. The light stages the interior like a work of art by composing colour worlds from different colours.
The colour worlds can be temporarily replaced with special effects – for example, a special lighting atmosphere welcomes the driver. In addition, the climate control system indicates whether the temperature is adjusted up or down through the colour of the ambience lighting. The brightness of the LEDs adapts equally variably and can be set in five levels and four zones: wide-screen cockpit, area of front seats, rear compartment, and all. As a result, the ambience lighting harnesses the positive effects of light on the well-being while on the road. This makes this equipment feature a key part of ENERGIZING Comfort Control with its tailor-made programmes.
In addition, the ambience lighting creates emotionally appealing contrasts and structures the interior into levels. 64 colours, ten colour worlds and three different lighting zones (footwells, trim element level and wide-screen cockpit) enable an avant-garde lighting scene with spectacular colour changes.
Powertrain: new engines with landmark technology
Mercedes-Benz S 560 4MATIC (fuel consumption combined: 8.5 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 195 g/km) and Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC (fuel consumption combined: 9.3 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 209 g/km): The new V-8 comes to the starting line with 345 kW (469 hp) and 700 Nm. The new biturbo engine is among the most economical V-8 petrol engines in the world, and consumes about ten percent less fuel than the predecessor. To lower the fuel consumption, four cylinders of the new V-8 are deactivated simultaneously under partial load with the help of the CAMTRONIC valve-lift adjustment system. This reduces gas-cycle losses and enhances the overall efficiency of the four firing cylinders by shifting the operating point towards higher loads. The turbochargers positioned in the V of the cylinder banks represent another special feature.
Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC+ (fuel consumption combined: 8.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 203 g/km): For superior performance with significantly reduced fuel consumption, the AMG 4.0-litre V-8 Biturbo engine with cylinder deactivation replaces the previous 5.5-litre V-8 Biturbo. Despite less displacement, the new engine produces 450 kW (612 hp).
Further hi-tech engines in the pipeline
In addition to the aforementioned engines, further new power units are planned for the new S-Class: in-line six-cylinder petrol engines as well as a plug-in hybrid with about 50 kilometres of electric range. At the same time, ground-breaking technologies such as the 48-volt Integrated Starter Alternator and the electric booster compressor celebrate their world première.
New in-line six-cylinder petrol engine (M 256): The new in-line six-cylinder petrol engine exemplifies the electrification process and incorporates a 48-volt on-board power supply.
New intelligent forced induction that includes an electric booster compressor, as well as an Integrated Starter Alternator provide outstanding power delivery without turbo lag. The Integrated Starter Alternator is responsible for hybrid functions, such as boost or energy recovery, while allowing fuel savings that were previously reserved for high-voltage hybrid technology. All things considered, the new R-6 engine delivers the performance of an eight-cylinder with significantly lower consumption.
Systematic electrification dispenses with the need for a belt drive for ancillary components at the front of the engine, which reduces its overall length. The slim design, together with the physical separation of intake/exhaust, creates space for near-engine exhaust aftertreatment. The 48-volt on-board power supply serves not only high power consumers, such as the water pump and air-conditioning compressor, but also the Integrated Starter Alternator, which also supplies energy to the battery by means of highly efficient energy recovery. The new in-line six-cylinder comes to the starting line in two output levels.
Upgraded plug-in hybrid powertrain: Thanks to the significantly increased battery capacity of 13.3 kWh, it is intended that the range for all-electric driving will increase to about 50 km. In conjunction with the new Mercedes-Benz Wallbox, the on-board 7.2-kW charger allows much faster charging of the battery.
Intelligent Drive: the next step in driving assistance systems
The new S-Class takes another major step towards autonomous driving, elevating Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive to the next level. DISTRONIC Active Proximity Control and Active Steer Assist now provide even more comfortable support for the driver to keep a safe distance and steer. The speed is now adjusted automatically ahead of curves or junctions. This is complemented by a considerably improved Active Lane Change Assist and additional functions of the Active Emergency Stop Assist.
Thanks to enhanced camera and radar systems, the new S-Class has an even better view of the surrounding traffic: In addition, for the first time it makes use of map and navigation data to calculate driving behaviour.
This means that DISTRONIC Active Proximity Assist is able to assist the driver in many situations based on the route, and conveniently adjust the vehicle speed.
The "Assistance Graphics" menu of the instrument panel shows the driver at one glance which assistance functions he selected and to what situations the systems are currently responding. Unmistakable icons provide him with information on the screen as well in the head-up display. All functions are now controlled from the steering wheel. The new Driving Assistance package includes but is not limited to the following functions:
DISTRONIC Active Proximity Assist uses substantially more map and navigation data, can support the driver based on the route, and conveniently adjusts the vehicle speed. Active Steer Assist has been noticeably improved across its entire performance range, resulting in markedly enhanced customer benefits. Active Lane Change Assist was considerably upgraded. Now tapping the indicator stalk is all it takes to initiate a lane change. This lane change is executed within the next ten seconds and indicated in the instrument cluster with the appropriate visual display, if the vehicle sensor system does not detect any vehicles in the relevant safety zone the driver might have missed. Active Emergency Stop Assist brakes the vehicle to a stop when Active Steer Assist is engaged and the system recognises that the driver is not intervening in the driving process on a sustained basis. Following vehicles in a tailback: In stop & go traffic on motorways and similar roads, stops of up to 30 seconds are now possible, during which time the S-Class starts moving again automatically and follows the traffic ahead (in conjunction Active Parking Assist). Traffic Sign Assist: Posted speed limits and any potential no-overtaking signs are displayed for the current section of the route through image recognition and information from the digital road map of the navigation system. The vehicle speed is compared with the speed limit. When the driver selects the appropriate settings, a visual/visual-audible warning signal is issued any time the speed limit is exceeded. No-entry restrictions are also recognised. Furthermore, the system warns of detected persons in the area of pedestrian crossings. Depending on the respective applicable national road traffic regulations, Remote Parking Assist enables the driver to manoeuvre the vehicle into tight parking spaces or garages by smartphone, so as to facilitate getting in and out. The vehicle can be manoeuvred into parallel and end-on parking spaces in both forward and reverse direction. Manoeuvring out of end-on parking spaces is also possible, e.g. if the driver returns to their vehicle to find that it has been blocked in. In Explore mode, the vehicle can be manoeuvred forward and back for up to 15 metres and can avoid detected obstacles with small steering corrections in the process.
Ride quality: MAGIC BODY CONTROL improved and now with CURVE function
The S-Class made a technological statement of superiority in 2013 with ROAD SURFACE SCAN. The system detects bumps ahead of the vehicle and adjusts the ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension accordingly. In the new S-Class this suspension control is further improved: The stereo camera of the system now scans the road even more thoroughly, even in dusk and at speeds up to 180 km/h. Another comfort enhancement is the CURVE curve-tilting function, available in the S-Class Saloon for the first time. The body tilts to the inside of the turn by up to 2.65 degrees and thereby reduces the centrifugal forces perceived by the passengers.
Long-distance vision: MULTIBEAM LED headlamps with ULTRA RANGE main beams
In 2013, the S-Class became the first automobile to use exclusively LEDs as light sources. The Intelligent Light System is now optionally available with MULTIBEAM LED headlamps and ULTRA RANGE main beams. The ULTRA RANGE main beams produce the maximum light intensity permitted by law, which results in the brightness of the main beams remaining above the reference value of 1 lux over a distance of more than 650 metres. For the driver, this means a clear improvement of the already very good lighting performance of current MULTIBEAM LED systems. Adaptive High-Beam Assist Plus is part of the Intelligent Light System. It allows drivers to drive with activated main beams permanently without dazzling other road users. When there are oncoming vehicles or vehicles in front, the LEDs of the MULTIBEAM LED main-beam modules are partially switched off, masking out a u-shaped area of the light beam. The other areas of the road continue to be illuminated with the high beam (partial high beam).
Wireless charging of smartphones and new Concierge Service
The new infotainment generation also expands the telephony options: With the help of near-field communication, the smartphone transforms into the digital vehicle key and the controller for parking (see above).
Mobile phones can be charged as standard wirelessly and without a telephone holder. In addition, Multifunction Telephony (optional feature) allows connecting mobile phones with the vehicle's exterior aerial. Wireless charging works with all mobile devices that support or can be retrofitted to support the Qi standard. The charging pad is integrated into the stowage compartment at the front of the centre console. Wireless charging is optionally also available in the centre console in the rear.
The "Business Telephony in the Rear" equipment feature was expanded with additional functions such as connecting a second mobile phone and transferring calls between front and rear passengers. The Bluetooth handset was also redesigned.
Front and rear passengers now have more text messaging options. They can now receive, send, forward and use voice-to-text to dictate text messages. Telephone numbers from text messages and embedded URLs can be used for further actions. The messages are also displayed as pop-ups on the right half of the wide-screen cockpit. Another new feature is the notification by text message if the vehicle is involved in a parking dent. The sensors of the vehicle detect such a situation and trigger a text message being sent to a preset mobile number.
The Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound system with a system output of 1520 watts was expanded with a speaker in the overhead control panel and two speakers in the sides.
The new Concierge Service puts a host of individual services at the disposal of Mercedes me connect customers: from making restaurant reservations and obtaining tips about tourist routes, to gathering information on cultural or sporting events and sending navigation destinations directly to the vehicle. Registered users can establish a telephone connection to the Concierge Service in the preset language in 20 countries throughout Europe by pressing the 'Info' button on the overhead control panel or via the Mercedes me App. The personal concierge takes care of everything else.
The new Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC+ and S 65: Update for the performance luxury saloon
Affalterbach. New engine, new transmission, new all-wheel drive, new exterior and interior design: On the S 63 4MATIC+ (fuel consumption combined: 8.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 203 g/km), Mercedes-AMG has dramatically honed the driving dynamics and looks further. For improved performance with significantly reduced fuel consumption, the AMG 4.0-litre V-8 Biturbo engine with cylinder deactivation replaces the previous 5.5-litre V-8 Biturbo. Despite the smaller displacement, the new engine puts out 450 kW (612 hp) and thus exactly 20 kW (27 hp) more than the preceding model. With a sprint time of 3.5 seconds from zero to 100 km/h, the performance luxury saloon is on par with full-blooded sports cars. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9‑speed sports transmission replaces the previous 7-speed gearbox. This has enabled more agile response times to be achieved. The fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system provides optimal traction.
At the same time as the S 63 4MATIC+, the top-of-the-range model S 65 (fuel consumption combined: 11.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 279 g/km) receives a visual update that underscores the superiority of the high-end 12-cylinder model. Its 6.0-litre V-12 Biturbo engine retains its output of 463 kW (630 hp) and peak torque of 1000 Newton metres. Thanks to the highest stage of development of the V-8 and V-12 biturbo engine, both new models deliver more output and torque than the competitors.
New MULTIBEAM LED headlamps and the updated front apron with jet wing underscore the more expressive appearance of both S-Class models. At the rear, the new apron and modified tailpipe trim add distinctive design focuses.
"Impressive power, torque and performance on the road, as well as the expressive design distinguish the new Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC+ and the new S 65. With the S 63, we additionally took a major development step that supports our leadership claim in the areas of driving dynamics, performance, traction, equipment and demonstrative comfort. The S 65 with its high-torque 6.0-litre V-12 Biturbo engine remains the spearhead of the S-Class models“, says Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Managing Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
4.0-litre V-8 biturbo engine with twin-scroll turbochargers
The AMG 4.0-litre V-8 Biturbo engine in the S 63 4MATIC+ comes exclusively in the highest performance stage to date rated at 450 kW (612 hp). The peak torque of 900 Nm also represents a new maximum. It is available across a wide rev range between 2750 and 4500 rpm, and thereby provides a sense of superior poise. The sprint from standstill to 100 km/h takes just 3.5 seconds, faster than in any other performance luxury saloon, and the dynamic push in the back does not end before reaching the electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (with AMG Driver's Package: 300 km/h).
The further advanced AMG 4.0-litre V-8 Biturbo engine utilises well-proven twin-turbo forced induction, with the two chargers not located outside on the cylinder banks, but rather between them in the V of the cylinders. The advantages of the "hot inner V" are a compact engine design, an immediate response from the turbochargers and low exhaust emissions thanks to optimum airflow to the close-coupled catalytic converters.
Two twin-scroll turbochargers provide even better fresh-mixture cylinder charge. The results are a higher output, more torque already at low engine speeds, and a very spontaneous throttle response.
'AMG Cylinder Management' cylinder deactivation system
For maximum efficiency, Mercedes-AMG equipped the V-8 engine in the S 63 4MATIC+ with the AMG Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation system. In the partial-load range, cylinders two, three, five and eight are deactivated, which significantly lowers the fuel consumption. With a combined fuel consumption of 8.9 litres and combined CO2 emissions of 203 grams per kilometre, the new S 63 4MATIC+ is among the leaders in its competitive segment.
When the driver has selected the "Comfort" transmission driving mode, the cylinder deactivation system is available in the wide engine speed range from 1000 to 3250 rpm. The AMG main menu on the instrument cluster informs the driver whether the cylinder deactivation system is in use and whether the engine is presently operating in the partial or full-load range. The transition from four to eight-cylinder operation is immediate, fast and imperceptible, so that the passengers do not experience any loss of comfort whatsoever.
Short shift times, high efficiency: the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed sports transmission
For the first time, the S 63 is fitted with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed sports transmission, which impresses with extremely short shift times, fast multiple downshifts and a rev-matching function. A wet start-off clutch replaces the torque converter of the production model. This saves weight and improves the response to the driver's accelerator pedal input, particularly during acceleration and load changes.
The extremely high torque of the S 65 is transferred by the proven AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission. It delivers convincing tailor-made dynamics and high variability. Whether automatic or initiated by the driver using the steering wheel paddle shifters, upshifts or downshifts are affected quickly and instantly. Especially in the "Sport+“ and in manual driving modes, the transmission is very fast and responsive.
AMG Performance 4MATIC+ variable all-wheel drive
The LHD version of the S 63 4MATIC+ comes as standard with the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system. This intelligent system combines the advantages of different drive concepts: The fully variable torque split between front and rear axle, another first, ensures not optimal traction. What is more: The driver is also able to rely on high handling stability and a high level of safety under all conditions, in the dry, in the wet or in snow. The transition from rear-wheel to all-wheel drive and vice versa is seamless, because the intelligent control is integrated into the overall vehicle system architecture.
An electro-mechanically controlled clutch connects the permanently driven rear axle variably to the front axle. The best possible torque split is continuously computed according to the driving conditions and driver's input. The performance saloon can thus be driven in a continuously variable way from traction-oriented all-wheel drive to purely rear-wheel drive. Transitions are seamless and based on a sophisticated matrix. Alongside traction and lateral dynamics, the all-wheel drive also improves the longitudinal dynamics for even more powerful acceleration.
The RHD version of the S 63 is equipped with the new engine and the new transmission. It is available solely with rear-wheel drive. The same applies to the S 65.
For a personalised experience: AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes
The four AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes, "Comfort“, "Sport“, "Sport+“ and "Individual“, allow the driver to influence the characteristics of the S 63 4MATIC+ and the S 65 extensively. Each driving mode modifies key parameters such as the response of engine, transmission, suspension, steering, ESP®, and all-wheel drive (in the S 63 4MATIC+). Independently of the DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes, the driver has the option of pressing the "M" button to switch directly to manual mode, in which gearshifts are executed exclusively using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. If required, the suspension settings can be specially selected as well. The 3-stage ESP® and the exhaust flap can also be switched with a special AMG button.
"Comfort" is the well-balanced driving mode with a comfort-oriented suspension and steering set-up, as well as a consumption-oriented powertrain configuration and early upshifts – including smooth gear changes and a discreet engine sound. Cylinder deactivation (in the S 63 4MATIC+), ECO start/stop function and sailing function (in the S 63 4MATIC+) are active: When the driver releases the accelerator in a speed range between 60 and 160 km/h, the clutch of the MCT transmission disengages and the engine is decoupled from the powertrain. The electronics lower the engine speed to idle and driving resistance is reduced by the compression and friction forces of the engine on overrun.
The DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes "Sport“ and "Sport+“ are designed for high driving dynamics. This is provided by the agile accelerator pedal characteristics with direct set-up and the emotionally appealing gearshifts with shortened shift times and rev-matching function on downshifts. The increased idle speed in "Sport+“ furthermore makes particularly fast start-offs and even better acceleration from standstill possible.
In addition, the S 65 features the "Curve“ driving mode, active in the speed range between 15 km/h and 180 km/h. A curve-tilting function is integrated into the MAGIC BODY CONTROL suspension of the S 65. As a result, the vehicle tilts to the inside of the turn by up to 2.65 degrees, similar to a motorcycle rider. This reduces the perceived lateral forces and increases the ride quality.
RACE START now even easier
The RACE START function is now also available in the S 63 4MATIC+. It now has a new and simplified operating logic: In the "Sport“ or "Sport+“ driving modes, the driver only has to press hard on the brake pedal with their left foot while fully depressing the accelerator pedal with their right foot at the same time.
The on-board electronics will then set the optimum engine speed. Depending on the requirements or the road surface conditions, the engine speed can be increased or lowered in a certain range by operating the paddle shifters. As soon as the driver releases the brake pedal, the S 63 4MATIC+ storms forward with optimal traction. The saloon then completes the sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.
Pure sound: the controllable AMG Performance exhaust system
The S 63 4MATIC+ is fitted as standard with the controllable AMG Performance exhaust system to achieve an even more emotionally appealing sound experience. The infinitely adjustable flaps modulate the exhaust note authentically and directly. The flaps open or close dependent on the selected AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving mode, but can also be controlled individually with a separate button in the AMG DRIVE UNIT on the centre console. In the "Comfort" and "Sport" modes, the low-frequency sound typical of a V-8 emphasises comfort. In "Sport+“ it is of a much more emotionally appealing nature.
Systematic lightweight design: AMG Lightweight Performance
The stringent implementation of the AMG Lightweight Performance strategy also contributes to the high driving dynamics and low fuel consumption. The lightweight construction measures include the use of a lightweight lithium-ion starter battery, AMG forged light-alloy wheels as well as the weight-optimised AMG high-performance compound braking system. Furthermore, the entire outer skin of the S-Class including the roof and the front end of the body are made of aluminium. Installing a spare wheel recess made of carbon fibre, a material used in Formula 1 racing, reduces the weight by a further four kilograms.
Specially developed suspension for maximum lateral and longitudinal dynamics
The S 63 4MATIC+ is equipped with the AMG sports suspensions based on AIRMATIC with adaptive damping. Customers can preset the damping to the stages "Comfort“ or "Sport“ ‑ from relaxed long-distance comfort to dynamic sportiness. Rebound and compression are set independently of each other, which optimises the adaptation to the driving status and the quality of the road. The freely programmable mapping furthermore allows a wide spread between minimum and maximum damper forces. The difference between the comfortable and sporty suspension setting is thus more refined and is subjectively even more perceptible – depending on the particular driving situation.
Mercedes-AMG developed special front axle kinematics including a higher wheel camber, bigger stabiliser bar and more rigid subframe mount at the rear axle exclusively for the S 63 4MATIC+. These measures optimise the vehicle's agility when employing a spirited driving style. In conjunction with the newly developed front axle and the specially tuned all-wheel-drive system, the S 63 4MATIC+ represents a new dimension in driving dynamics in its segment.
S 65: AMG sports suspension based on MAGIC BODY CONTROL with curve-tilting function
The MAGIC BODY CONTROL suspension of the S 65 is focused on driving dynamics and prepares for bumps before the vehicle runs over them. To this end, MAGIC BODY CONTROL combines the active springs of the suspension with continuously adjustable dampers and ROAD SURFACE SCAN. The system precisely scans the condition of the road ahead with the help of a stereo camera to adjust the damping of each individual wheel optimally to the upcoming bumps already ahead of time.
The standard curve-tilting function causes the body of the vehicle to tilt to the inside of a turn by up to 2.65 degrees. This significantly reduces the perceived lateral forces and enhances the driving fun in particular on secondary roads.
Depending on the driving mode, the springing behaviour can be set to comfortable or sporty to suit personal preferences and/or the curve-tilting function can be activated. The active suspension effectively compensates body roll, squat and dive when moving off the line, in curves and during braking. The continuously adjustable dampers enable comfortable basic damping and a speed-dependent firm setting.
The ride height of the vehicle can be raised by 40 mm to increase the ground clearance. At high speeds, it is lowered by up to 15 mm and thereby reduces aerodynamic drag and increases the handling stability.
Direct and with clear feedback: the AMG speed-sensitive steering
The electro-mechanical speed-sensitive sports steering in the S 63 4MATIC+ and in the S 65 has a variable steering ratio. It stands out thanks to the AMG-specific rack-and-pinion ratio with its precise, highly authentic feedback. Power assist varies between the stages "Comfort“, "Sport“ and "Sport+“. The relevant characteristics are automatically activated depending on the selected DYNAMIC SELECT driving mode or can be personalised in "Individual" mode. At low speeds, the driver only needs to provide minimal steering input. At high speeds, he or she is able to rely on solid straight-line stability. The clearly defined steering centre and the authentic feedback likewise contribute to the optimum steering feel.
Good control and fade-resistant: the AMG high-performance compound braking system
The large high-performance compound braking system decelerates the performance saloon reliably and quickly, and is fade-resistant even under high stress. The S 63 4MATIC+ and S 65 are fitted with compound brake rotors of size 390 x 36 mm with 6-piston aluminium fixed callipers on the front axle, and of size 360 x 24 mm with single-piston floating callipers on the rear axle.
The AMG ceramic high-performance compound braking system is optionally available. The weight savings of more than 20 percent reduce unsprung masses and increase driving dynamics, agility and ride quality. Furthermore, the ceramic brakes are distinguished by a longer service life, higher corrosion resistance and higher thermal stability. It features brake discs of size 420 x 40 mm at the front and of size 360 x 32 mm at the rear. It can be identified visually by the "AMG Carbon Ceramic" lettering on the specially painted brake callipers.
The 3-stage ESP® offers more safety or more fun as desired:
ESP® ON: for a high level of safety by adaptation to the sporty character of the car ESP® Sport Handling Mode: allows wider yaw angles before system intervention for a sporty driving style ESP® OFF: system deactivated for a sporty driving style on closed circuits. During hard braking, ESP® is switched back on temporarily. Front apron with new jet wing: the exterior design
The new S 63 4MATIC+ and the new S 65 can be identified from the front by the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps and the redesigned front apron with expressive jet wing. The large side air intakes provide an improved airflow to the cooling modules – their functional form is familiar from motorsport. The three-dimensional front splitter reduces lift at the front axle.
The door sill panelling with three-dimensional high-gloss chrome inlays lower the S-Class visually closer to the road and create even more tension in the side. Typical for the AMG S-Class models are the large forged light-alloy wheels with a diameter of 19 inches as standard on the S 63 4MATIC+, and of 20 inches as standard on the S 65. The exclusive forged wheels of the V-12 saloon fascinate with their unusual design: each of the 16 spokes twists in a special way so that the light-catching contours radiate to the centre of the wheel hub. The effect: The wheel appears larger than its actual dimensions of 8.5 J x 20 at the front and 9.5 J x 20 at the rear. In addition, the ceramic mirror polishing ensure an exclusive look.
As standard, the forged wheels feature a high-quality, bolted and fully integrated wheel bolt cover made of forged aluminium. Its shape is reminiscent of a centre lock as seen in motorsport. The AMG logotype is incorporated into the rim as a design element. Three other forged wheels of the same size are optionally available – two design variants also painted matt black with a high-sheen rim flange.
The powerful rear end of the S 63 4MATIC+ and S 65 is formed by the updated rear apron with diffuser insert and the redesigned model-specific dual tailpipes of the AMG sport exhaust system. Additional stand-out features are the many high-gloss chrome design elements at the front, side and rear, which develop their radiant effect especially in combination with dark paint finishes.
Interior: beguiling appointments, design and quality
The stylish character of the new S-Class models from Mercedes-AMG is also evident in the interior: Both models welcome their passengers with an exclusive ambience. The AMG power sports seats with memory function and seat heating offer the driver and front passenger more lateral support. Nappa leather in AMG V-8 design with AMG badges in the front and rear backrests creates a luxurious atmosphere on board. Special touches include the embossed emblem on the armrest of the front centre console and the analogue clock in exclusive IWC design, which features three-dimensional, milled metal hands and genuine metal appliqués on the face.
The three-spoke Performance steering wheel features paddle shifters, a distinctly contoured rim trimmed with perforated leather in the grip area, and a metal insert with AMG logotype. It is optionally available made of black nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre.
Another hallmark AMG speciality are the displays: The 31.2-centimetre TFT wide-screen colour display reproduces round dials that provide information about engine speed, vehicle speed and lots of additional data. The driver can choose from three display designs, Classic, Sport and Progressive. In addition, the AMG menu was expanded considerably. Among other things, it can display the engine and transmission oil temperature, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, engine output and torque, boost pressure, tyre temperatures and pressures as well as the current vehicle set-up.
Numerous options from the AMG Performance Studio
Anyone looking to customise the S 63 4MATIC+ and S 65 even further, can order a host of options from the AMG Performance Studio. The exterior can be tailored to personal preferences with the Night package, attractive alternative wheels and a Carbon package. In the interior, the black nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre Performance steering wheel boosts the sporty character. Carbon or carbon/piano lacquer trim elements round off the possibilities.
AMG TRACK PACE App
Motorsport enthusiasts can record numerous vehicle data and lap times on the race track with AMG Track Pace in the S 63 4MATIC+. All values are shown on the COMAND display, and in the Widescreen Cockpit the current times can also be read off in the instrument cluster. Based on the data, drivers are able to analyse their driving style with precision and can use the insights gained to improve their lap times.

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William Maley

CARB Documents Confirm V6 For Regal GS

Over a week ago, we brought you news that the upcoming Buick Regal GS would be powered by a V6 engine. We now have confirmation about this thanks to a document from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). 
The Truth About Cars obtained a CARB Emissions document for the 3.6L V6. On the last page, the document lists all of the models that will be equipped with this engine for the 2018 model year. One of them listed was a Buick Regal and it is believed to be the GS. The document also reveals the GS will only come with an automatic (a nine-speed). We still don't know how much horsepower the Regal GS will be packing. The 3.6L V6 offers between 305 to 335 horsepower depending on the model.
We also learned what the Regal GS could look like. China Car News got their hands on photos showing off the Chinese-spec Regal GS that will be debuting this week at the Shanghai Auto Show. It looks to be featuring a more aggressive body kit, uniquely styled five-spoke wheels, and GS badging. It should be noted the Regal in the pictures is the sedan variant and that it will come powered by a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder.
Source: The Truth About Cars, Car News China

  • V6? V6.

William Maley

There Is A New Nissan Frontier Coming

The midsize truck class has been seeing a bit of resurgence over the past couple of years thanks to GM's all-new midsizers (Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon) and Toyota doing a refresh to the Tacoma. Even the Nissan Frontier, a truck that hasn't changed since its redesign back in 2005 saw its sales increased by 47 percent last year. But when compared to the current crop of trucks, the Frontier lacks many of the features and touches other models have.
But that could be changing.
“The Frontier has a future. Trucks are in our DNA, we’ve been doing them for a long time,” said Christian Meunier, senior vice president at Nissan North America during a roundtable discussion with reporters.
A possible candidate is the Nissan Navara, sold elsewhere in the world. But Meunier put a stop to this idea.
“We’ll do something better than the Navara,” he said, adding that the Navara is a bit more of a lifestyle vehicle, “like a Honda Ridgeline.”
“We like real trucks.”
(Author's Note: We're wondering if anyone at Nissan North America has driven the Navara as many of the reviews we have been reading about say it is a real truck in terms of ride and capability. -WM)
Meunier also said that with the recent acquisition of Mitsubishi could play a role with the new Frontier. Like Nissan, Mitsubishi has a fair amount of expertise with midsize trucks and the two could collaborate with developing a new model.
One item still up in the air is when we could see a new Frontier. Meunier didn't give a timeframe during the discussion.
Source: AutoGuide

  • Although we don't know when it will arrive

William Maley

Subaru Executive Admits Impreza and XV (Crosstrek) Could Use Some More Power

If you have read any review of the all-new Subaru Impreza, then you'll know there is one issue that many have pointed out - the anemic 2.0L four-cylinder. Masahiko Inoue, Subaru project general manager product and portfolio division told CarAdvice that he has been getting a lot of complaints with this engine.
“Everybody is requesting from me a more powerful engine. Everybody thinks it needs more power. They are satisfied, they understand the Subaru Global Platform and the new 2.0-litre engine – but needing more power is a common complaint from everybody,” said Inoue.
Inoue said the brand is looking at various options to solve this issue such as using a larger displacement engine (possibly the 2.5L from the Forester), turbocharging, or even a hybrid. But the final decision ultimately rests on how well the Impreza and sister model, the XV (Crosstrek for North America) sells. 
“Of course, we are studying, and we are now studying one of the options: a 2.4- or 2.5-litre engine, downsized and turbocharged, and power supported by motor, a hybrid. Every way we are studying for the next model, or the future model," said Inoue.
“But we cannot spend money on this vehicle, because this is an entry vehicle for Subaru. We have to keep competitive with the cost for the entry vehicles, so if the turbocharged model is requested, maybe it will go to the Forester, or the Levorg, or another vehicle.”
Source: CarAdvice

  • A Subaru executive says there is the possibility of more power coming for the Impreza (PLEASE!)

William Maley

Quick Drive: 2017 Volkswagen Golf Wolfsburg Edition

In the past two years, I have driven three variations of the Volkswagen Golf; the GTI, SportWagen, and R. But I never had the chance to drive the standard Golf. That is until a couple of months ago when a Golf Wolfsburg Edition rolled up. For 2017, the Wolfsburg is one of the two trims on offer (the base S being the other) and comes with lots of equipment for a surprising price. But this is only the cherry on top of an impressive compact hatchback as I would find out.
Let’s begin with that surprising price. Our Golf Wolfsburg tester came with an as-tested price of $23,515 and that includes a sunroof, push-button start, heated seats, backup camera, pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rain-sensing wipers. Considering the amount of equipment on offer, this might be one of the best values in the compact class. I know that I’m beating a dead horse here, but I wished the Golf was just a little bit more exciting to look at. The clean lines and minimal brightwork make the Golf have a handsome profile. But park it next to something like a Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback, and you kind of wish that Volkswagen did something to make it standout. You could level the same complaint at the Golf’s interior as doesn’t have the same panache or sharpness as some competitors. But I can overlook it as the Golf has one the most functional and well-built interiors in the class. Controls are within easy reach and have a solid feel that is lacking in other compact models. It doesn’t hurt the Golf has a spacious interior for passengers and cargo. I’m 5’8” and found to have plenty of head and legroom sitting in the back. For cargo, the Golf offers up 22.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 52.7 cubic feet with them folded, putting it at the top of the class. Like the larger SportWagen and Alltrack, the regular Golf sports a turbocharged 1.8L four-cylinder producing 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. My tester came with the optional six-speed automatic. A five-speed manual comes standard. This engine is such a sweetheart as it punches well above its weight. Power comes on a quick and smooth rate, meaning you’ll not be wanting for power when trying to make a pass. The automatic transmission is smart, knowing when it needs to up or downshift and doing so at a quick rate. One item that I gave the Golf SportWagen a lot of praise was the pleasant balance between a smooth ride and sharp handling. The regular Golf is much the same. Taking a corner, the vehicle shows little body roll and the steering provides a linear and quick response. It would be nice if the steering had some more weight, but otherwise, it is a fun car to hustle around. For the daily commute, the Golf offers up a comfortable ride where potholes and other imperfections are ironed out. Road and wind noise are kept to very acceptable levels. If I do have one complaint, it has to deal with the lack of adaptive cruise control. There is already a radar module up front for the pre-collision braking that can monitor vehicles ahead and bring the vehicle to a stop. So why isn’t there the ability to use that module to provide adaptive cruise control? Is it a technical issue or something dealing with the cost? (I'm thinking its the latter). That issue aside, I’m really impressed with the regular Golf. This is one of the vehicles that can deliver on being an all arounder without falling on its face due to one or many things. Plus, the Wolfsburg Edition might be the steal for the 2017 Golf lineup considering what you get. Disclaimer: Volkswagen Provided the Golf, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas
Year: 2017
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Golf
Trim: Wolfsburg Edition
Engine: 1.8L TSI Turbocharged Four-Cylinder
Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive
Horsepower @ RPM: 170 @ 4,500
Torque @ RPM: 199 @ 1,600
Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 25/35/29
Curb Weight: 3,023 lbs
Location of Manufacture: Wolfsburg, Germany
Base Price: $22,695
As Tested Price: $23,515 (Includes $820.00 Destination Charge)
Options: N/A

  • A Golf that won't break the bank

William Maley

What's the Future of the Jaguar XJ?

Most of Jaguar's lineup are either all new or recently been redesigned. The only exception is the flagship XJ sedan. While it has been refreshed, there hasn't been any indication from Jaguar about what will happen next. Judging from comments by their North American product manager, it seems the fate of the XJ is very uncertain.
“We had a facelift with 2016, so it is approaching the end of its lifecycle,” Larsen said of the flagship XJ. “We’re looking at, you know, future opportunities of where that could possibly go,” said David Larsen to Motor1.
When asked if there was a next-generation XJ in the pipeline, Larsen said, “I can’t confirm or deny” anything related to that.
Sales of the XJ have been stagnant for the past few years. In 2016, Jaguar only moved 3,834 XJs. This put it ahead of the Genesis G90 (782) and Maserati Quattroporte (2,268), but way behind the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (18,803) and BMW 7-Series (12,918).
Jaguar might have decided to let the XJ follow in the footsteps of the XK coupe of slowly drifting away, putting their efforts into other models such as the F-Pace and other upcoming crossovers.
Source: Motor1

  • Jaguar, about the XJ...?

William Maley

NYIAS Closeup: 2018 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai has been trying hard with the Sonata in the crowded mid-size segment for at least 2 decades. When the 2015 Sonata debuted at the 2014 New York Auto Show, it was largely received with a yawn.  Despite being a competent vehicle (read our review of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T), it just wasn’t enough to fully challenge the Accord, Camry, and Fusion for love from the automotive press. As early as the following year, Hyundai had already announced a redesign for Sonata.
Here we are back at the 2017 New York Auto Show with the redesigned 2018 Sonata.  A quick shake of the magic 8-ball says… “Outlook Not So Good”.  You can read the press release for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata here.
The first and biggest sin in the mid-size segment is not having a Honda or Toyota badge on the hood.  The Sonata, like Optima, Malibu, and Altima, suffers from that sin.   Any car without that badge must then seriously overcome the sin in other ways.  The Subaru Legacy does it with its AWD system. The Malibu tries with a more stylish interior and useful infotainment systems.  The Fusion offers a large variety of powertrain options including a powerful turbo-charged V6 in the Fusion Sport or the more fuel sipping hybrid.
The refreshed 2018 Sonata does not bring much new to the table. The engines are carry-over from the current model, though a new 8-speed auto is available on the top turbo model.  The interior is largely carry-over as well except for new gauges and center stack. The exterior gets a freshening with a new trapezoidal grille and new rear end treatment.  Neither of those updates feel strong enough to give the 2018 Sonata the visual distinction it needs to move the needle in the marketplace.
For comparison sake, I spent some time poking around the 2018 Sonata and then immediately went to the Toyota, Honda, Chevy, and Kia stands.  The interior of the new Sonata just isn’t up to the task of taking on the big guns and still feels as dated as the Optima.
In the end, the Sonata will still sell for people who want the warranty, but it’s not going to be to anyone who actually wants a Sonata… they’ll just be buying it for the deal. Is it better than the 2017 model?  Shake the Magic 8-Ball and see if you come up with a different answer. 
 

  • Trying to freshen stale white bread.

Drew Dowdell

NYIAS Closeup: 2018 Lincoln Navigator

Another big reveal at the 2017 New York Auto Show this year… and we do mean BIG… is the 2018 Lincoln Navigator.  While it technically shares its platform with the new 2018 Ford Expedition that was released at the Chicago Auto Show, the Navigator somehow manages to look bigger.   Up front is a bold and impressive grille that moves the Navigator to the new family face shared by the Lincoln Continental and Lincoln MKZ.  Everything about the exterior is brash. It has giant turbine-look wheels, large fender vents, and full-width LED lights. This is not subtle luxury, yet it pulls off the look without being tacky. This is the new American version of “I’ve Made It”. Cadillac, you have some work cut out for you. 
The interior is nothing short of stunning. All the materials feel high quality. There may be an excess of buttons (I count 27 on the driver’s door alone), but it’s a Navigator… excess is the whole point. There are available 30 way power seats, be prepared to take a couple hours to get them exactly right, but once you’re there, you won’t want to leave.  If you elect the rear bucket seats, rear seat passengers will have a comfortable ride and have some control over the entertainment system from their own center console. One flaw I found was that in models equipped with rear seat video entertainment, the second row can flip forward and hit the screens when laying the second-row flat…. Not something I expect to happen too often.
The new Navigator is powered by a 450 horsepower Ecoboost V6 passing power through a new 10 speed automatic to either the rear wheels or an available AWD system. 
Pricing on the 2018 Navigator hasn’t been released yet, however we expect an appropriate increase over the discount pricing on the 2017 model.
You can read the full press release information on our 2018 Lincoln Navigator press release page.
 

  • Big, Bold, Brash

Drew Dowdell

NYIAS Closeup: 2018 Volvo XC60

At the 2017 New York Auto Show, Volvo finally showed in the US what is likely to be one of its biggest sellers over the next few years. In spite of the rapid growth of the brand due to the public's fantastic response to the Volvo XC90 and Volvo S90 (read our review), the XC60 seems poised to eclipse even that. The current XC60 is one of the oldest models in Volvo’s lineup though it still makes up 30% of its sales. That fact really drives home how important this car is to Volvo.
You can read about the technical details of the Geneva release of the 2018 Volvo XC60 on our press release page.
The XC60 is rated as a compact crossover, however it feels like it pushes the boundary into a mid-size vehicle. In the two Inscription level models I examined in New York, Volvo’s recently developing reputation for their sumptuous interiors shows.  The seats are of a very soft leather, and very well bolstered. Inscription models get an open pore wood trim called drift wood.  Momentum models come with aluminum or another open pore wood trim available as an option. Much of the hardware on the dash carries down from the larger full luxury models, somewhat of a rarity in the industry.  Volvo’s entertainment system is one of the easiest I’ve had the pleasure to use. Volvo really nails a lot of the small details on the interior, right down to the Flag of Sweden tags on the seats.
Engines will range from 250 horsepower to 407 horsepower and at launch all XC60s will come equipped with AWD.
Volvo’s current trend in pricing has been to undercut competitors on base pricing and then load up quickly on options with the top models.  It appears to be working as most new Volvos leave the factory as top-end Inscription trim.
The XC60 is built on the same SPA platform as S90 and XC90, both solid and strong entrants into their respective segments. I expect the trend should continue with the XC60 as Volvo enters its 90th year on a strong upswing.
 

  • You've seen the press release, now see our thoughts on the 2018 Volvo XC60.

Drew Dowdell

Mercedes-Benz USA CEO: We're Undecided on Diesel for U.S.

Mercedes-Benz is still waiting on the EPA to give the ok for them sell 2017 model year diesel vehicles. This is causing them to rethink their diesel strategy in the U.S.
Speaking with reporters at the New York Auto Show this week, Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Dietmar Exler said engineers are still in talks with the EPA over their diesel vehicles. Exler admitted that he isn't aware of the current status of those talks. When asked about the future of diesel sales for the U.S., Exler said,
"No decision made one way or the other."
Before the EPA put all 2017 model year diesel vehicles under an intense review process, only 2 to 3 percent of Mercedes' total U.S. sales were made up of diesels.
It should be noted that Mercedes-Benz has also canned plans on bringing over diesel version of the C-Class sedan last year.
Exler said the focus going forward would be electric vehicles, with 10 new EVs being launch by 2025.
Source: Reuters

  • Mercedes USA's CEO admits the future of diesel vehicles in the U.S. is unknown

William Maley

2018 Hyundai Sonata Tries To Right The Wrongs of the Current Model

When Hyundai unveiled the current Sonata at 2014 New York Auto Show, it landed with a bit of thud. Compared to the previous-generation model that stood out from the crowd with a sharp design, the new model was a bit dull. Hyundai is addressing this with a heavily refreshed Sonata that made its debut today in New York.
The 2018 Sonata has a bit more personality thanks to new pentagonal grille (Sport and 2.0T models get a mesh insert), reshaped hood, smaller headlights, new trunk lid, and LED taillights. For the interior, Hyundai has redesigned the center stack, updated the instrument cluster, and added a USB port for rear seat passengers.
Engines are the same as the current Sonata - 2.4L four-cylinder, 1.6L turbo-four, and 2.0L turbo-four. However, the 2.0L turbo gets a new eight-speed automatic transmission that is said to improve acceleration and fuel economy. Hyundai has also worked on improving ride and handling with thicker trailing arms, new rear bushings, and a revamped steering system. 
As for safety, all Sonatas will now come with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard.
The 2018 Sonata hits dealers later this year.
 
Source: Hyundai
Press Release is on Page 2


2018 SONATA: DEFINING THE BENCHMARK FOR MID-SIZED SEDANS
New Features, Technology and Hardware  Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert Now Standard Equipment NEW YORK, April 12, 2017 –The redesigned 2018 Sonata enters the market with a new look from the front, side and rear thanks to a “cascading grill,” a more assertive profile and an entirely new rear; showcasing a clean and handsome approach with reimagined, slim taillights. 
“It’s all about making an impact,” said Chris Chapman, chief designer, Hyundai North American Design Center. “We wanted to deliver an exciting expressive car to our customers and show the world how passionate Hyundai is about design and craftsmanship. The objective was to make an impact, this design provides the visual excitement and unique identity our customers associate with Sonata.”
Created at Hyundai’s California Design Studio with American aesthetic tastes in mind, the new Sonata is bold, daring and beautiful. The 2018 Sonata made its North American debut today at the New York International Auto Show.
ELEVATED ELEGANCE
Supplementing the bodywork, the 2018 Sonata now lights the way with LED daytime running lights. When night falls, available LED headlamps with dynamic bending light illuminate the path and add to Sonata’s already radiant posture. The same standout style continues in the rear with sharp taillight design and enlarged Hyundai badge, which now cleverly houses the trunk release button. Chrome accents surround the daylight opening (DLO) and fresh wheel designs cap off its new look.
Inside, the renewed center stack and instrument panel echo the exterior’s catching new looks. The trend carries down to gauge dial design and a strong three-spoke steering wheel. Piano key buttons for audio and HVAC controls give a premium look and touch.
“The moment the pen left the drafting paper I knew we had something special in this re-imagined Sonata,” says Chapman, “Dynamic lines, strong graphics, and our new signature cascading grille come together in an athletic way.”
BEAUTY BENEATH THE SKIN
The new Sonata has a refined chassis with improved ride and handling. To achieve this feat, talented engineers increased the torsion bar stiffness within the steering system by 12 percent, which improves steering response and feel in all conditions. They then enhanced that improvement further with new steering calibration, focusing on responsiveness and on-center steering feel. Previous ratings for ride, handling and NVH showed customers were quite satisfied, so engineers just reset an already high bar.
In addition to these steering changes, the Sonata received an updated rear suspension. The trailing arms are 21 percent thicker, making them stiffer and better able to manage heavy suspension loads. New bushings work with the new suspension arms to allow for more ride compliance and yet quicken response time to control all other wheel motions. The result is a communicative, nimble and comfortable sedan. 
For the top-of-the-line powertrain, there’s even more. The 245 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine now includes an eight-speed automatic transmission, which adds ratio range at both the top and bottom of output speeds. The eight-speed allows for extra thrust off-the-line and a quieter, more fuel-efficient dash down the interstate. The 2.0-liter turbo models roll on 18-inch wheels, now with Michelin tires.
COMPELLING COMFORT AND SAFETY
The 2018 Sonata features a standard seven-inch color display audio touchscreen with both Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® integration. Speaking of smartphones, driver and passenger alike can keep them charged without a plug using the available Qi standard wireless charging pad. Sonata now adds a second row USB charge port, a nod to today’s connected rear-seat passengers. Available navigation systems now come with a bird’s eye view feature as well as traffic flow and incident data, without ever having to pay a subscription for the service.
The Sonata offers more safety features in 2018. In addition to seven standard airbags (dual front, side, and curtain, as well as driver’s knee) and a battery of safety systems (VSM, ESC, TCS, ABS, EBD, BA, and TPMS) comes Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). The Sonata is the only Midsize car sold with this safety technology as standard equipment. Despite drivers spending a tiny amount of time in reverse, one-quarter of all accidents happen when someone is backing up. BSD with RCTA gives drivers peace of mind that the road behind them is clear. Furthermore, there’s also a new Lane Departure Warning system with an enhanced Lane Keep Assist function available. 
BETTER BLUE LINK
As our cars become a mobile extension of the connected world, Blue Link continues to add more features to integrate your life. Blue Link now talks to Amazon Echo™, allowing you to control your car inside your home, or wherever the Amazon device is located.

  • It finally has style!

William Maley

Honda Clarity Now Available In Electric and Plug-In Hybrid

Up until now, the Honda Clarity has only been able as a hydrogen fuel cell only sold in California since they have the infrastructure. But today at the New York Auto Show has expanded the Clarity lineup with the introduction of electric and plug-in hybrid variants.
We'll begin with the Clarity Electric which comes with 120-kW electric motor delivering 161 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. A 25.5-kWh battery pack provides the juice and can be recharged within three hours when plugged into a 240V outlet. As we reported previously and has since been confirmed by Honda, the Clarity EV will have a range of around 80 miles.
Next is the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid that uses a more powerful electric motor (181 horsepower electric motor producing 232 pound-feet of torque) and a 17-kilowatt hour (kWh) battery pack. A 1.5L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder acts a range extender and direct power source (under certain conditions). Honda says the Plug-In can travel 42 miles on EV power alone. With the 1.5L engine, total range stands at 330 miles.
Both Clarity models will be available later this year. The electric variant will only be available in California and Oregon as a lease-only program.
Source: Honda
Press Release is on Page 2


Honda Electrified! Clarity Plug-in Hybrid and Clarity Electric Unveiled at 2017 New York International Auto Show

Apr 12, 2017 - NEW YORK CITY
"3-in-1" Clarity series provides unparalleled electric drive choice with premium midsize sedan capability and three advanced electrified powertrain options Plug-in Hybrid anticipated to earn 42-mile EV driving range rating and 330-mile extended range rating Honda targets five-fold increase in sales of electrified vehicles in next four years Honda today revealed its all-new Clarity Plug-in Hybrid and Clarity Electric alongside the already available Clarity Fuel Cell, saying it will target U.S. sales of 75,000 Clarity vehicles in the first four model years. The Clarity series will contribute to an anticipated five-fold increase in Honda's U.S. sales of electrified vehicles over the next four years as the company works toward its target that two-thirds of its global automobile sales will come from electrified vehicles by 2030.
The two all-new electrified Honda vehicles will join the Clarity Fuel Cell, launched in December 2016, to make Clarity the first ever vehicle series offering customers an expanded array of electrified vehicle choices with fuel cell, battery electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains wrapped in a sophisticated, spacious and comprehensively equipped five-passenger sedan.
"The Honda Clarity is aimed at accelerating the deployment of advanced electrified powertrain technology and bringing electrified vehicles further into the mainstream," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., at the company's auto show press conference. "The Clarity series also heralds the advancement of our Honda Electrification Initiative, representing our investment in the full spectrum of electric-vehicle technologies."
"Electrification is the future of mobility and the future of Honda, and it all starts now with this new Clarity series," added Steve Center, vice president of the Connected and Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda.
Honda Clarity Series
As the next progression of Honda's dynamic styling for electrified products, each Clarity variant has a low, wide aerodynamic body with unique design elements, including its own special hero color, and differentiated front styling, headlights, tail lamps and 18-inch alloy wheel designs. Combined with elegant and advanced exterior styling, each Clarity series vehicle has a spacious interior with comfortable seating for five adults, outfitted with premium, environmentally responsible materials.
Offering Honda's "fun-to-drive" DNA, each Clarity variant provides a smooth, quiet and highly refined driving experience, aided by the smooth and seamless character of electric drive torque and acceleration. The Clarity series also features advanced technologies, including Display Audio with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™, and the full suite of HONDA SENSING™ safety and driver-assistive technologies.
With three different powertrains and luxury packaging, the Clarity series has wide appeal. This shared "3-in-1" platform strategy will enable Honda to respond to infrastructure and market developments, provide customers nationwide with an ultra-low carbon vehicle that meets their lifestyle needs, and takes Honda toward higher volume sales of advanced powertrain products that will help reduce CO2 emissions.
The Clarity series is at the vanguard of Honda's commitment to address society's energy and environmental concerns as the company expects significant growth in sales of efficient, lower CO2 electrified vehicles. Honda has previously announced plans to introduce a dedicated new hybrid car to the U.S. market in 2018. The new Honda hybrid car will be made in America.
Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, launching at dealerships nationwide later this year, is anticipated to earn an all-electric driving range rating of 42 miles1, the longest of any midsize plug-in hybrid. For longer trips, the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid can utilize its hyper-efficient 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine to generate electricity and, under certain conditions, to act as a direct power source, resulting in an anticipated overall driving range rating in excess of 330 miles1.
The vehicle's electromotive power comes from a 181-horsepower electric motor producing 232 lb.-ft. of torque and drawing power from both the gasoline engine and a 17-kilowatt hour (kWh) battery pack with a recharge time of 2.5 hours at 240 volts. The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is anticipated to earn an EPA fuel economy rating of 105 MPGe1  (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent) combined, at the top of its class. The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid features three selectable modes – Normal, Econ and Sport – allowing drivers to customize their experience, maximizing efficiency or driving performance. A fourth mode – HV mode – is provided to maintain the battery's state of charge and can be selected in conjunction with Normal, Econ and Sport driving modes.
As the sales volume leader in the Clarity lineup, the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid will be offered in two premium-contented trims, standard and Touring.
Honda Clarity Electric
The 2017 Honda Clarity Electric is geared toward consumers who desire a spacious, comfortable and affordable sedan that suits their daily driving needs. The Clarity Electric is powered by a 161-horsepower (120-kilowatt) electric motor producing 221 lb.-ft. of torque and drawing power from a 25.5-kWh battery pack. The vehicle can by fully charged in just over three hours at 240 volts, and when using DC fast charging with the SAE Combined Charging System can achieve an 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes.
The model is anticipated to have an anticipated EPA fuel economy rating of 120/102/111 MPGe (city/highway/combined)2. Like the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, the Clarity Electric features three selectable driving modes – Normal, Econ and Sport. The Clarity Electric will launch later this year, starting with an attractive lease program in California and Oregon.
Honda Clarity Fuel Cell
Honda views fuel cells as the ultimate zero-emissions vehicle technology and the Clarity Fuel Cell offers green early adopters the latest technology to be on the forefront of "what's next." Honda began deliveries of the 2017 Clarity Fuel Cell in December 2016 in select California markets, where a consumer friendly network of hydrogen stations continues to grow, and has already delivered more than 100 vehicles.
Technological innovations to the Clarity Fuel Cell have created a fuel cell stack that is 33 percent more compact with a 60 percent increase in power density compared to its predecessor, the Honda FCX Clarity. The more compact fuel cell and integrated powertrain, now comparable in size to a V-6 engine, fits entirely under the hood of the car, allowing for a more spacious cabin with seating for five passengers.
At 366 miles, the Clarity Fuel Cell has the highest EPA driving range rating of any zero-emission vehicle in America, including fuel cell and battery electric vehicles, and an EPA fuel economy rating of 68 MPGe3 combined. The Clarity Fuel Cell is available for the competitive introductory lease price of $369 a month for 36 months with $2,868 due at signing4. The lease terms include an attractive mileage allowance of 20,000 miles per year, up to $15,000 of hydrogen fuel, up to 21 days of an Avis Luxury Rental in California, 24/7 roadside assistance, and eligibility for California "White Sticker" single occupant HOV access. Lessees can also apply for the State of California $5,000 rebate5. The Clarity Fuel Cell is available in three colors: Bordeaux Red Metallic, White Orchid Pearl and Crystal Black Pearl.

  • The Clarity adds two new members

William Maley

Subaru Ascent Concept is A Thinly Veiled Preview

Subaru is taking a page out of Honda's playbook with previewing new models via thinly disguised concepts. This morning at the New York Auto Show, the Japanese automaker unveiled the Ascent Concept.
To our eyes, the Ascent looks like a bigger Forester. Yes, it does have a more muscular look with a large grille and sculpting along the doors. The back end reminds us of the Levorg sold elsewhere in the world as it features similar styling. Move inside and the Ascent offers seating for up to seven people. The dashboard is concept-esq with touch-sensitive controls for the infotainment system, locks, and windows.
One interesting tidbit Subaru dropped was the Ascent would be powered by new turbocharged boxer-four engine. Specifics on horsepower and torque were not revealed. 
The Ascent will go on sale in 2018. Expect to see the production version sometime later this or early next year.
Source: Subaru 
Press Release is on Page 2
SUBARU ASCENT SUV CONCEPT MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT THE 2017 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
Subaru confirms future 3-row SUV will be named Subaru Ascent The Ascent will be powered by an all-new turbocharged DI Boxer Engine Ascent SUV Concept showcases 7 passenger interior  NEW YORK -  Subaru of America, Inc., which this month posted its 64th consecutive month of record-breaking sales, today made the world debut of the Subaru Ascent SUV Concept. The styling concept also confirms the name Ascent for the upcoming Subaru 3-row SUV. Both the design concept and the production Ascent will feature an all-new turbocharged direct injection boxer engine.
The exterior design of the concept follows Subaru’s “Dynamic x Solid” theme with powerful fender flares representing Subaru’s all-wheel drive system and a large, bluff grille denoting a true SUV look. The interior of the concept features a flowing dashboard design and a 7-passenger configuration with center captain’s chairs.
The Ascent production model will be based on a modified version of the Subaru Global Platform that debuted last year. The model will be built at Subaru of Indiana, Inc. in Lafayette, Indiana and will be sold exclusively in the North American market starting in 2018.
Specifications:
Body size: (Length x Width x Height) 198.8 x 78.3 x 72.4 inches
Wheelbase: 117 inches
Tire Size: 275/50 R21
Seating Capacity: 7

  • We see what you're trying to pull off Subaru

William Maley

2018 Lincoln Navigator Becomes More Posh and Powerful

It may be hard to remember, but Lincoln was one of the first automakers to introduce us all to highly-posh large SUV with the Navigator. But it was quickly overshadowed by the likes of the Cadillac Escalade and others. Last Night in New York, Lincoln introduced an all-new Navigator that will hopefully put it and the Lincoln brand as a whole back in the spotlight.
We're glad to see Lincoln keeping most of the design of the Navigator concept shown last year. That includes the large, intricate chrome grille; turbine-style wheels, side vents on the fenders, and a slightly rounded shape. Like its sister model, the Ford Expedition, the 2018 Navigator uses aluminum body panels to drop 200 pounds.
The interior shares nothing with the Expedition. Instead, Lincoln is borrowing some pieces from the Continental sedan. The dashboard is low and features plenty of wood and leather. There is a lot of tech on offer with a floating touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility; a reconfigurable 12-inch instrument cluster, 20-speaker Revel II sound system, WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, four 12-volt outlets, and a 120-volt outlet.
The 30-way-adjustable Perfect Position Seats with heating, cooling, and massage functions is available for the front seats. A bench seat or a set of captain chairs is available for the second row.
Power comes from a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 producing an estimated 450 horsepower. This is paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission and the choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Lincoln is keeping quiet on pricing for the 2018 Navigator, but you will be able to check one out later this year.
Source: Lincoln
Press Release is on Page 2


NEW NAVIGATOR: SPACIOUS INTERIOR, PERSONALIZED TECHNOLOGY ELEVATE FAMILY TRAVEL TO FIRST CLASS
NEW YORK, April 12, 2017 – Lincoln today introduces the 2018 Navigator, an all-new full-size SUV that combines modern luxury with advanced technology – elevating family travel to first class.
Wireless charging and standard Wi-Fi keep everyone connected. Advanced technology allows the driver to effortlessly adjust the vehicle to make driving easier or more enjoyable – in any weather or terrain. With more space for your belongings than any other large SUV*, the all-new Navigator assures almost nothing is left behind.
“Quiet luxury is both a look and a feeling,” says Kumar Galhotra, president, The Lincoln Motor Company. “The all-new Navigator embodies both. The sleek styling, spacious interior and technology are all designed to make each trip effortless.”
MODERN ELEGANCE
Navigator’s elegance is on display before the doors even open. Upon approach, the chrome Lincoln star logo on the grille softly illuminates**. Then, LED lighting in the lower front body and taillamps subtly engages, and a luminous Lincoln welcome mat appears beneath the front doors.
At night, interior ambient lights sequentially illuminate each of the SUV’s three rows. During the day, a panoramic roof fills the cabin with natural light.
A twin-turbo V6 engine projected to produce 450 horsepower provides smooth power whenever you need it, delivered through a 10-speed transmission. Navigator’s lighter, high-strength aluminum-alloy body removes nearly 200 pounds, helping create a more refined ride.
Additional weight savings have been reinvested in features such as towing capability and quietness. For example, laminated front and side glass contributes to the quietest Navigator cabin ever.
The all-new Navigator offers speed-dependent adaptive lighting, a new Lincoln technology that provides a wider spread of light at lower speeds for increased visibility – helpful when driving through residential areas. As the vehicle accelerates, the beam of light narrows to help eliminate the glare off signs or other distractions.
Beneath the sleek interior are inclination and intrusion sensors, which trigger an alarm if someone attempts to move or enter the vehicle.
SPACIOUS, LUXURIOUS INTERIOR
Inside, spaciousness comes in all three rows, including storage in each to keep the cabin clean and organized. The all-new Navigator’s advanced cargo management system offers an adjustable shelf behind the rear seats that allows clients to create storage customized to their needs. Even with the vehicle parked on an incline, the feature ensures groceries won’t roll out when the liftgate is opened.
The interior layout is clean and uncluttered, with a simple, soothing ambience.
“When designing the Navigator, we put an emphasis on ultra-luxury touch points,” says David Woodhouse, Lincoln design director. “We took everything the client would see and touch, and made sure it would look and feel a little more exuberant, a little more indulgent and incredibly beautiful.”
Staying connected is easy in the all-new Navigator with six USB ports, four 12-volt power outlets and a 110-volt plug. An available wireless phone charger in the first-row center console media bin eliminates tangled cords.
The client experience is further elevated through Lincoln’s new Personal Profile. It uses the key fob to recall individual driver preferences for adapting seat, mirror and pedal positions, as well as climate control and entertainment settings.
For owners desiring a more personalized look, Navigator comes with three Lincoln Black Label options – an exclusive collection of interior design themes and materials, plus a host of membership privileges.
FIRST-CLASS SEATING FOR ALL
Even when the all-new Navigator is fully packed, each occupant can sit in comfort. The driver and front-seat passenger enjoy Perfect Position Seats, which offer massage, heating and cooling functionality, and can be adjusted up to 30 different ways.
Standard SYNC® 3 with both Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility enables clients to manage audio, phone, navigation and more from the vehicle touch screen or steering wheel-mounted controls. Second-row passengers have their own audio and climate control, while third-row seats feature power recline capability.
An available rear-seat entertainment system allows passengers to stream content wirelessly with an Android device to one of the 10-inch adjustable screens mounted on the rear of the front seats. Content also can be accessed through more traditional devices like an SD card, an HDMI cord or a USB, as well as through SYNC AppLink™, which permits the front-seat passenger to monitor and select viewing content.
Each screen can display different content, allowing a personalized entertainment experience for every passenger. Through Lincoln’s agreement with Sling Media, those who own a Slingbox can access their TV channels on the go. The standard Wi-Fi allows for up to 10 mobile devices at a time to be connected.

Clients can enjoy available Revel® Ultima audio with 20 speakers that work in concert with Navigator’s interior design and acoustics. This transforms the cabin into a personal theater with three distinct listening modes – stereo, audience and on-stage.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY
Navigator is designed to be intuitive and easy to use. A 12-inch configurable instrument cluster allows drivers to choose the information they want displayed. An available Head-Up Display can show selected information on the windshield instead of the instrument cluster. This helps drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
It’s also easy to adjust to changing conditions. With the turn of a dial, the driver can adapt the Navigator to changing road or weather, and enjoy a smooth, confident ride.
Additional available technology includes:
Trailer Backup Assist, which automatically steers the vehicle to turn a trailer the desired amount – meaning less time required to perform the task. Navigator is expected to deliver more towing capability than any other premium full-size SUV 360-degree camera and enhanced park assist, which reduce stress from parallel and perpendicular parking. The system integrates views from four cameras to create an overhead image so the driver can see all around the vehicle Adaptive cruise control, which automatically slows Navigator in stop-and-go traffic – resuming speed when traffic allows *Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and weight distribution.
**Lincoln star illuminates on Reserve and Black Label models only.

  • No gullwing doors though 

William Maley

2018 Dodge Challenger Demon Provides Brutal Performance

We thought Dodge was insane when they debuted the Challenger and Charger Hellcats a few years ago. Boy how wrong we were as tonight in a blaze of smoky glory, Dodge introduced the Challenger Demon. Built with drag racing in mind, the Demon can lift its front wheels off the ground during hard acceleration. It is so fast that the Demon in its stock form has been banned from drag-racing competition by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) - we'll explain why shortly.
Here are all of the juicy details about the Demon,
6.2L supercharged V8 capable of producing 840 horsepower and 770 pound-feet of torque* *That's with the optional Demon Crate with all of the parts and tools necessary to reach that power. Standard models will boast 808 hp and 717 pound-feet. Eight-Speed Automatic with an upgraded torque converter 0-60 MPH in 2.3 seconds 0-100 MPH in 5.1 seconds Quarter-Mile: 9.65 seconds at 140 mph Pulls 1.8Gs of force during launch Madness you might say. But to get these figures, Dodge put a lot of work into the Demon.
It begins with the 6.2L V8 where a larger supercharger (2.7L up from the Hellcat's 2.4L) is plopped down and boost has been increased to 14.5 psi. Close to 50 percent of the engine's internals have been changed out to improve overall strength with the amount of power on tap and dual fuel pumps keep the fuel flowing. The SRT Power Chiller uses the vehicle's A/C system to cool down the air coming in from the large hood scoop.
Next, Dodge put the Demon on a bit of a diet. Removing various trim, audio, and even the passenger and back seat, Dodge was able to drop more than 200 pounds. Those who want the passenger and back seat will be happy to know they are on the options list for a $1.00 each (no this isn't a misprint).
For dragstrip duties, the Demon comes with a fair amount tech and parts to get the best results
A set of Nitto NT05R 315/40 drag radials TransBrake: Locks the transmission output shaft to hold the vehicle in place during a standing start.  Torque Reserve: Works in conjunction with TransBrake. The system closes a bypass valve in the engine, pre-fills the supercharger and building boost (even at just above idle). Once the vehicle is launched, the system adjusts fuel flow and spark to make sure the right amount of horsepower and torque is being sent to the rear wheels Drag Mode: Changes various parameters in the powertrain for drag duty. Helps reduce wheel hop by monitoring wheel slip and reducing torque. Demon Crate: An option that includes a set of skinny front tires, new engine ECU, air filter, a low-temperature thermostat, HVAC switch module with an extra button on it, and a set of Snap-On tools. Now we come to point in our story where we need to explain why the Demon has been banned from drag-racing competition. The NHRA has a rule how quick “stock” cars could run at quarter-mile tracks. Until 2012. that number was an 11.5-second pass. This was changed to a 9.99-second pass or 135 mph trap speed due to factory vehicles becoming much faster. Since the Demon can do a quarter-mile at 9.65 seconds at 140 mph in stock form, it is banned. You can drag race a Demon, but you'll need to get extra safety equipment (roll cage, helmet, and a fire suit) and a Competition License.
At the moment, Dodge is only doing one year of Demon production with 3,000 for the U.S. and 300 for Canada. No word on pricing, but you'll be able to buy one this fall.
Source: Dodge
Press Release is on Page 2
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Pulls the Wheels
Fastest quarter-mile car in the world; banned by the NHRA 840 horsepower and 770 pounds-feet of torque from supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Demon V-8 engine makes Dodge Challenger SRT Demon the most-powerful muscle car ever Highest horsepower V-8 production car engine ever produced First-ever front-wheel lift in production car (2.92 feet) as certified by Guinness World Records World’s fastest quarter-mile production car with an elapsed time (ET) of 9.65 seconds and 140 miles per hour (mph) as certified by National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Challenger SRT Demon is too fast for the drag strip – officially banned by NHRA World’s fastest 0-60 production car: 2.3 seconds 0-30 miles per hour: 1.0 second Highest g-force acceleration of any production car: 1.8 g Air-Grabber™ induction system includes the largest functional hood scoop (45.2 square inches) of any production car Significant upgrades to create the Demon engine include: Larger 2.7-liter per rev supercharger; increased boost pressure to 14.5 psi Higher rpm limit of 6,500 First-ever factory-production car with innovative SRT Power Chiller™ liquid-to-air intercooler chiller system First factory-production car with After-Run Chiller that keeps cooling the supercharger/charge air cooler after the engine is shut off First-ever, factory-production car designed to run on 100+ high-octane unleaded fuel or 91 octane on demand First-ever, factory-production car with TransBrake for more powerful and quicker launches First-ever, factory-production drag car with Torque Reserve, to deliver increased levels of power and torque at launch First-ever, factory-production car with front passenger seat delete Exclusive, serialized Demon Crate offers components that fully unleash the car’s potential at the drag strip Challenger SRT Demon is covered by FCA US LLC factory warranty, including three-year/36,000-mile limited vehicle warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage Production of limited-edition single model year (3,000 United States/300 Canada) Challenger SRT Demon begins later this summer; deliveries to Dodge//SRT dealers to begin this fall All customers who buy the new 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon receive one full-day session at Bob Bondurant School of High-performance Driving Dodge has named Hagerty as its official insurance provider of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon April 11, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Dodge rocked the high-performance car world in 2014 with the 707-horsepower Charger SRT Hellcat and Challenger SRT Hellcat, building supercar performance at affordable prices. They were the most powerful muscle cars ever – until now.
Today, Dodge is shaking the foundation of the entire performance car industry, launching New York International Auto Show week with its wickedly fast new 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon – highly capable on the street, absolutely dominating at the drag strip.
 
Powered by a 840-horsepower, supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Demon V-8, the limited-production Challenger SRT Demon is the world’s most powerful factory-production V-8 – bar none.  NHRA-certified 9.65 seconds @ 140 mph makes the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon the fastest ¼-mile car in the world.
 
Performance numbers:
0-30 mph: 1.0 second  0-60 mph: 2.3 seconds Quarter-mile: 9.65 seconds at 140 mph  
The Challenger SRT Demon also is the world’s first production car to lift the front wheels at launch and set the world record for longest wheelie from a standing start by a production car at 2.92 feet, certified by Guinness World Records. And hold onto your seat. The Challenger SRT Demon also registers the highest g-force (1.8 g) ever recorded at launch in a production car.
 
“With Demon, our goal was to build a car that would tattoo the Dodge logo into the subconscious of the general market, beyond even our loyal enthusiasts, said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA North America. “To do so, we had to set records that have never been set before, do more than has ever been done before, go beyond even the legendary Hellcat. The result: an 840-horsepower, 9-second muscle car unlike anything that has ever come before it.”

The Challenger SRT Demon’s record-setting performance is the result of collaboration among the Dodge//SRT, Design, Engineering, Powertrain and Manufacturing teams inside FCA US LLC, many of whom are experienced and active drag racers. While the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon remains a potent street car, every component was scrutinized and optimized for weight, capability and durability on the strip.
 
The performance records flow from an impressive list of street-legal production car industry firsts. That list includes:
Factory-installed wider, Nitto street-legal drag radials for improved grip, 40 percent more launch force compared with SRT Hellcat tires Available Direct Connection engine controller calibrated for 100+ unleaded high-octane fuel SRT Power Chiller™ redirects air conditioning refrigerant to chill the charger air cooler After-Run Chiller runs the cooling fan and the low-temperature circuit coolant pump after engine shutdown TransBrake locks the output shaft of the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission to hold the car before launch, allowing the driver to increase engine rpm for higher torque and quicker response Torque Reserve boosts engine air flow and supercharger rpm before launch, delivering wickedly fast acceleration Drag Mode suspension tuning maximizes weight transfer to the rear wheels for better traction Drag Mode Launch Assist uses wheel speed sensors to watch for driveline-damaging wheel hop at launch and in milliseconds modifies the engine torque to regain full grip and then continues accelerating the car down the track Available narrow “front runner” wheels for use at drag strips cuts front-end weight Wide-body exterior styling, with concealed wheel well attachments house Challenger SRT Demon’s massively wide 315/40R18 tires Front passenger seat and rear seat deleted to reduce weight (can be optioned back for $1 each) Production of the limited-edition single model year Challenger SRT Demon begins later this summer, with 3,000 vehicles for the United States and 300 vehicles for Canada. Deliveries to Dodge//SRT dealers will begin this fall.
 
Dodge has named Hagerty as its official insurance provider of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon – Hagerty is a company for people who love cars and they already protect many of the rarest high performance cars in the world.
Demon’s heart: Supercharged V-8
The heart of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Demon V-8, rated at 840 horsepower and 770 pounds-feet of torque. The red-painted Demon engine has been certified to the SAE J1349 industry standard for its horsepower and torque ratings. The engine also meets all applicable legal emissions regulations.
 
While the Demon V-8 shares its architecture with the 707-hp 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI Hellcat V-8, it is not simply a Hellcat engine with more boost. The Demon V-8 engine has 25 major component upgrades from the Hellcat engine, including supercharger, pistons, rods, valve train and fuel injection system.
Among the changes, compared with the Hellcat V-8, the Demon’s supercharged V-8 features:
Larger supercharger: 2.7 liters versus 2.4 liters Increased boost pressure: 14.5 psi versus 11.6 psi Higher rpm limit: 6,500 rpm versus 6,200 rpm Fuel: Two dual-stage fuel pumps versus one Larger induction air box with three sources of intake air: Air-Grabber™ hood, driver-side Air-Catcher™ headlamp and an inlet near the wheel liner In addition, the HEMI Demon V-8 includes a high-speed valvetrain, strengthened connecting rods and pistons, and improved lubrication system. The upgrades enable the engine to sustain higher output and pressures while meeting FCA US LLC’s stringent durability requirements.
 
One key to the Challenger SRT Demon’s best-ever power output is air – the supercharged Demon V-8 takes in plenty of it. The SRT Demon’s Air-Grabber™ hood includes the largest functional hood scoop (45.2 square inches) of any production car.
 
The Air-Grabber™ hood is sealed to the air box, which is also fed from the driver-side Air-Catcher™ headlamp and an inlet near the wheel liner. Combined, those sources give the Demon V-8 an air-flow rate of 1,150 cubic feet per minute, 18 percent greater than the Hellcat V-8 and the largest air induction volume of any production car.
 
The additional air inlets help reduce the temperature of the intake air by more than 30 degrees Fahrenheit compared with the Hellcat V-8, which improves overall throttle response.
 
Heat is the enemy of speed at the drag strip, so Dodge//SRT engineers looked for more ways to keep the intake air as close to the optimum temperature as possible.
 
The innovative SRT Power Chiller™ is a production car first. It diverts the air-conditioning refrigerant from the SRT Demon’s interior to a chiller unit mounted by the low-temperature circuit coolant pump. Charge air coolant, after being cooled by ambient air passing through a low-temperature radiator at the front of the vehicle, flows through the chiller unit, where it is further cooled. The chilled coolant then flows to the heat exchangers in the supercharger.
 
Every run down the drag strip generates plenty of heat. The After-Run Chiller, a factory-production car first, helps the SRT Demon get ready for the next run as quickly as possible.
 
When the engine is shut down, the After-Run Chiller keeps the engine cooling fan and low-temperature circuit coolant pump running to lower the supercharger/charge air cooler temperature, helping the Challenger SRT Demon minimize heat soak effects. The driver can track the supercharger coolant temperature on the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen in the instrument panel, and know in real time when the supercharger is at the optimum temperature for another run.
 
The impact of the SRT Power Chiller™ and After-Run Chiller, combined, lowers intake air temperature by up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fueling performance: 100+ unleaded high octane
The Challenger SRT Demon is the first-ever, street-legal factory-production car designed to run on 100+ unleaded high-octane fuel. That fuel is readily available at select gas stations, specialty shops and drag strips.
 
The keys to unleashing the SRT Demon’s full performance fury are in the Demon Crate: Direct Connection Performance Parts include a new powertrain control module calibrated for the high-octane unleaded fuel and a new switch bank for the center stack that includes a high-octane button.
 
The SRT Demon leaves the factory with a powertrain control module configured for 91-octane premium unleaded pump gasoline, which delivers top level performance.
 
The switch to the Direct Connection controller enables the supercharged HEMI engine to extract the maximum power from the knock-resistant fuel at high pressures and optimum spark timing. Drag racers can anticipate improvements in elapsed times (ETs) and trap speeds with the high-octane fuel.
 
The Challenger SRT Demon is engineered to be able to run on a mix of 100+ octane and premium unleaded fuels without hurting the engine, but the high-octane function won’t activate if the combined fuel octane is too low. A message in the gauge display tells the driver the car will use the premium fuel calibration until the engine is shut off and restarted. How does the car know? The controller monitors the engine’s knock sensors.
 
There will be plenty of fuel available: the SRT Demon carries dual fuel pumps (versus one pump in the Challenger SRT Hellcat), larger fuel injectors and fuel lines that handle higher pressures.
 
Similar to the Challenger SRT Hellcat, the SRT Demon comes with two key fobs. The black fob limits engine output to 500 horsepower. The red key fob unlocks the engine’s full output of 808 horsepower and 717 pounds-feet torque. With either key fob, the driver can activate Eco and Valet Modes. Eco Mode revises the transmission shift schedule to include second-gear starts. Valet Mode limits the engine to 4,000 rpm and reduces torque output.
 
The high-octane unleaded fuel capability with the optional Direct Connection powertrain controller boosts engine output to 840 horsepower and 770 pounds-feet of torque.
TransBrake is a production car first
Every Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is equipped with the standard TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission. Already a proven and robust gearbox used with the HEMI Hellcat V-8, the transmission gets some significant changes for duty in the Challenger SRT Demon.
 
Internal changes include an upgraded torque converter that delivers an 18 percent increase in torque multiplication. Also, the stall speed is increased 11 percent and the lockup speed is increased.
 
The Challenger SRT Demon is the first-ever, factory-production car with TransBrake, which locks the transmission output shaft to hold the car in place before a standing start. This lets the driver increase engine speed up to 2,350 rpm without overpowering the brakes, resulting in quicker power delivery and up to 15 percent more torque at launch.
 
Driver-oriented step-by-step instructions are displayed on the instrument cluster to guide the driver through the staging process and help them keep their focus on the Christmas Tree.
 
The TransBrake helps to improve driver reaction time and launch consistency by using the steering wheel paddle shifters as a launch trigger – a paddle launch improves reaction time by 30 percent compared with a foot-brake launch. In addition, the system enables delivery of initial torque to the flywheel as soon as 20 milliseconds after launch.
 
TransBrake works in conjunction with another SRT Demon first-ever factory-production car feature, Torque Reserve, to deliver increased levels of power and torque at launch.
 
Torque Reserve becomes active once engine speed passes 950 rpm. It does two things:
Closes the bypass valve, “prefilling” the supercharger with boost Manages fuel flow to cylinders and manages spark advance or retard to balance engine rpm and torque With TransBrake and Torque Reserve active, the SRT Demon has more than 8 psi of boost at launch and up to 120 percent more engine torque than without Torque Reserve. TransBrake also preloads the driveline with torque, leading to full engine torque delivery at the rear wheels 150 milliseconds after the shift paddle is released. That results in faster acceleration at launch, faster 60-foot times and an improvement of more than a tenth of a second in quarter-mile times, which can be an entire car length.
 
Driveline components have been upgraded to get all that power and torque to the rear wheels, on every run.
 
Changes include:
Upgraded prop shaft with a 15 percent increase in torque capacity. The prop shaft uses high-strength steel. Shaft tube thickness increases by 20 percent and the stub shafts are heat treated for enhanced durability The rear differential housing has 30 percent more torque capacity. The housing is made from heat-treated A383 aluminum alloy. New material for the gear set has higher fatigue strength, with a deeper case hardening depth and two-step shot-peening manufacturing process to increase compressive residual stress The rear half shafts are larger in diameter; use a high-strength, low-alloy steel; and have 41 splines (up from 38), delivering a 20 percent increase in torque capacity. Eight-ball joints handle more torque, while reducing operating temperatures by more than 86 degrees Fahrenheit Production car first: Drag-mode Launch Assist
SRT engineers went digital to isolate and resolve one of the biggest challenges to clean launches and driveline integrity – wheel hop.
In simple terms, wheel hop happens when tires quickly slip and regain traction at launch, rapidly storing up and releasing energy in the driveline. These high torque spikes can quickly and severely damage driveline components – and up until now, the only solution was to back out of the throttle.
 
Not with the Challenger SRT Demon. In a first for a factory-production car, the SRT Demon’s Launch Assist uses the wheel speed sensors to watch for signs that the tires are slipping/sticking. If slip is detected, the SRT Demon’s control module momentarily reduces engine torque to maximize traction almost instantly – without the driver having to lift. Launch Assist reduces loads in the driveline from wheel hop by more than 15-20 percent, dramatically reducing component damage.
Production car first: Street-legal drag tires
The Challenger SRT Demon is equipped with a set of four standard Nitto NT05R street-legal, drag-race tires, a first for a factory-production car.
 
The 315/40R18 tires were specifically designed and developed exclusively for the SRT Demon, with a new compound and specific tire sidewall construction. The drag radials give the SRT Demon a 15-percent larger tire contact patch and more than twice the grip of the Challenger SRT Hellcat.
 
The sticky drag tires are mounted on lightweight 11x18-inch wheels, with each tire measuring 12.6 inches wide. Putting full-size tires at all four corners gives drag racers an extra set of rear tires when the front tires are replaced with narrow front-runners at the track.
 
A unique rear knuckle reduces negative camber by 0.5 degrees, “standing up” the tire and increasing the size of the tire contact patch.
Engineering: More traction, less weight
The main mission of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is to cover the quarter mile as quickly as possible. To do this, it combines the best of both mechanical and electronic tuning to deliver maximum launch grip while still maintaining precision directional control.
 
The Bilstein Adaptive Damping shocks have been tuned for drag racing, shifting as much weight as possible on the rear tires at launch for maximum traction. The weight transfer improves rear tire grip by 11 percent.
 
Mechanically, weight shift in the Challenger SRT Demon is aided by softening up some key suspension components. Those changes, compared with the Challenger SRT Hellcat, include:
Softer springs: 35 percent lower rate front/28 percent lower rate rear Softer, lighter, hollow sway bars: 75 percent lower rate front/44 percent lower rate rear When Drag Mode is activated, the front Bilstein shocks are set for firm compression and soft rebound damping, while the rear Bilstein shocks are set for firm compression and firm rebound damping.
 
That configuration is maintained as long as the car runs at wide open throttle. When the driver backs off the gas pedal, the system switches to firm compression and firm rebound front and rear for improved handling. 
 
Also during Drag Mode, the traction control system is disabled to enable the rear wheels to spin for a burnout, but the electronic stability control system remains engaged to help the driver with straight-line performance.
 
In pursuit for every tenth of a second, engineers looked to cut as much weight as possible. The result: Equipment removed from the Challenger SRT Demon weighs more than 200 pounds.
 
How the weight was lost:
58 pounds: Removed front passenger seat and belt 55 pounds: Removed rear seat, restraints and floor mats 24 pounds: Removed 16 audio speakers, amplifier and associated wiring 20 pounds: Removed trunk deck cover trim, carpeting, spare tire cover 19 pounds: Used smaller, hollow sway bars 18 pounds: Removed mastic, body deadeners, insulators and foam 16 pounds: Used lightweight all-aluminum four-piston brake caliper and smaller, 360-mm two-piece rotor 16 pounds: Switched to lightweight wheels and open-end lug nuts 4 pounds: Switched to manual tilt/telescope steering column 2 pounds: Removed park sensors and module Buyers have the option to add back the front passenger seat, rear seats and trunk carpeting kit for $1 each. Other options include the Harman Kardon 19-speaker, 900-watt audio system, power sunroof, heated and ventilated leather front seats with heated steering wheel, painted Satin Black hood, or new painted Satin Black hood, roof and decklid package.
Dual personalities: Performance Pages and Drive Modes
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon gives the driver the capability to set up the car for on-road precision, maximum drag strip performance or anything in between.
 
The nerve center for those personalities is SRT Performance Pages and Drive Modes, displayed on the Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen.
 
Performance Pages arm the driver with real-time data, including a graphic display of engine horsepower and torque with gear changes plotted; supercharger coolant temperature; timers for reaction time, 0-60 miles per hour (mph), 0-100 mph, eighth-mile and quarter-mile elapsed time and vehicle speed; instantaneous and peak longitudinal and lateral g-forces; and gauge readouts for engine oil temperature and pressure, coolant temperature, transmission fluid temperature, intake air temperature, air-fuel ratio; intercooler coolant temperature, boost pressure and battery voltage.
 
The Drive Modes include the Challenger SRT Demon-exclusive Drag Mode. Drive Mode settings include Auto (Street) Mode, which sets the Bilstein Adaptive Damping Suspension (ADS) for comfortable ride with compliant handling, and Custom Mode, which lets the driver select between Auto and Drag Mode configurations for the transmission, paddle shifters, traction, suspension and steering.

Auto (Street) Mode options:
Engine output level is set based on which Demon key is in the vehicle   If red key is present, the power level can be set per customer preference Transmission, suspension and steering default to Auto Mode (Street) Customers can set suspension and steering preference Electronic Stability Control defaults to full on Paddle shifters can be turned on or off per customer preference Eco mode is available only in Auto Mode Drag Mode options:
TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission runs a calibration optimized for acceleration Electronic Stability Control is optimized for straight-line acceleration Suspension calibration changes to full firm in rear and firm compression/soft rebound in front Paddle shifters are turned on Steering is set to Drag Mode for high-speed stability Cabin cooling diverted to SRT Power Chiller™ Torque converter lockup point is raised in Drag Mode TransBrake is available in Drag Mode only Custom Mode options:
Nearly every combination of options available in Auto (Street) or Drag can be configured in the Custom Mode. For example, a driver could select the elements of Drag Mode related to engine and transmission performance, but could select Sport Mode for the suspension and steering, providing the on-road driving dynamics of a Challenger SRT Hellcat When equipped with the Direction Connection Performance Parts powertrain control module, the driver can use 100+ high-octane unleaded fuel in any drive mode.
Drivers can also select line lock, which engages the front brakes to hold the Challenger SRT Demon stationary but leaves the rear wheels free for a burnout to heat up and clean the rear tires. The system will also let the driver perform a controlled rolling burnout. The system engages for up to 400 rear wheel revolutions.
 
Performance Pages also includes rpm-adjustable launch control and by-individual-gear-adjustable shift light displayed in the instrument cluster.  A new data recorder feature lets the Challenger SRT Demon driver build an archive of data to help optimize the car for track and weather conditions, while helping to improve driving techniques.
 
Eco and Valet Modes are accessed in the Performance Pages. When Valet Mode is activated, engine horsepower is reduced and rpm is limited to 4,000. Also, certain performance features, such as steering wheel paddle shifters and Launch Control, are disabled. The driver can activate and de-activate Valet Mode with a four-digit PIN code they create.
Functional and Intimidating Design
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the widest Challenger ever and first-ever, factory-production muscle car with wide-body fender flares.
 
The wide body flares are designed to amplify the Challenger SRT Demon’s menacing stance, while making room for wider tires with concealed attachments. The fender flares, which cover the lightweight 18x11-inch wheels with exclusive, specifically designed Demon-branded 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R drag radial tires front and rear; add 3.5 inches to the Challenger SRT Demon’s overall width. The front side marker lights are styled to flow with the shape of the fender flares.
 
The entire chassis is e-coated for durability before final assembly.
 
Additional defining exterior features include the wide Air-Grabber™ hood scoop – the largest functional hood scoop (45.2 square inches) of any production car – and new Demon logos flanking each fender.
 
The driver is the focus in the interior of the Challenger SRT Demon, as it is for every model in the Challenger lineup.
 
Both the front passenger seat and rear seat, along with their corresponding seat belts, are deleted in the standard configuration of the Challenger SRT Demon.
 
Customers have the option of adding seats into the car, as well as adding leather coverings, when it is ordered. The front seat(s) have the Demon head logo stitched or embossed into the seat back.
 
Seating configurations:
Driver seat only, premium cloth covered Driver and front passenger seat, premium cloth covered Driver and front passenger seat, Laguna leather and Alcantara suede covered Driver, front passenger and rear seats, Laguna leather and Alcantara suede covered Facing the driver is a flat-bottom SRT Performance steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara with paddle shifters. The SRT white-face gauges include a 200-mph speedometer and flank the 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) cluster display screen. A custom carbon fiber instrument panel badge with “Demon” script is located on the outboard vent and signifies the build sequence number.
 
A new four-point harness bar, available through Speedlogix, is available for use at the track. Mounting points for the bar are accessible, making it easy for customers to install without cutting or drilling anything.
 
Standard cloth seats include Ballistic II inserts with silver embroidered Demon head logo in the seat backs. An optional Laguna Leather Package includes leather covered seats and trim with embossed Demon head logo. 
 
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will be available 14 exterior colors: B5 Blue, Billet Silver, Destroyer Grey, F8 Green, Go Mango, Granite Crystal, Indigo Blue, Maximum Steel, Octane Red, Pitch Black, Plum Crazy, TorRed, White Knuckle and Yellow Jacket. 
 
All exterior colors are available with Satin Black hood, roof and decklid.
Demon Crate Carrying Exclusive Components
The Demon Crate, available to buyers of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, contains components that fully unleash the car’s potential at the drag strip and is fully customized with the buyer’s name, VIN and serial number.
The Demon Crate contains:
Direct Connection Performance Parts: Performance powertrain control module with high-octane engine calibration Replacement switch module containing high-octane button Conical performance air filter Passenger mirror block-off plate Narrow, front-runner drag wheels Demon-branded track tools: Hydraulic floor jack with carrying bag Cordless impact wrench with charger Torque wrench with extension and socket Tire pressure gauge Fender cover Tool bag Foam case that fits into the SRT Demon trunk and securely holds the front runner wheels and track tools The Demon Crate is further customized with the buyer’s name, VIN and serial number.
 
Production of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon begins later this year at the Brampton (Ont.) Assembly plant.  
 
The Challenger SRT Demon is covered by FCA US LLC’s factory warranty, including three-year/36,000-mile limited vehicle warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage.
 

  • So fast that it has been banned from drag-racing competition (Plus seats are a $1 option)

William Maley

2018 Buick Enclave Debuts In Avenir Trim

To say the Buick Enclave was well past its sell-by-date would be an understatement. But to be fair, the Enclave was one of Buick's best-sellers. The 2018 Enclave that debuted tonight in New York has some big shoes to fill.
The basic shape of the 2018 Enclave is the same as the outgoing model. What has changed are the front and rear ends. Buick's designers took the front off the Avista concept and put it onto the Enclave. The distinct grille with the Buick emblem floating and slim headlights are here. Around back is a restyled tailgate with a large chrome bar and narrow taillights.
Buick borrowed the dash from LaCrosse for the Enclave's interior with flowing curves, high-quality materials, and an 8-inch screen featuring the latest version of the Intelllink infotainment system. In terms of seating, Enclave can seat up to seven people. Buick says overall space has increased by 10 percent and with the 3rd-row up, offers up 23.6 cubic feet of space.
Power still comes from a 3.6L V6 offering up 302 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic and the choice of either front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Buick also used this event to launch the Avenir subbrand with the Enclave being the first model. Avenir models feature special badging, 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, contrast stitching and piping on the seats, dual moonroofs, navigation, and the rearview mirror/camera that has debuted on the Cadillac CT6 and XT5.
The 2018 Buick Enclave hits dealers this fall.
Source: Buick
Press Release is on Page 2


First-Ever Enclave Avenir Offers Progressive, Family-Oriented Luxury
Enclave ushers in the arrival of Buick’s new luxury sub-brand NEW YORK — Debuting with the 2018 Buick Enclave, the new Avenir sub-brand represents the highest expression of Buick luxury. Avenir offers unique styling cues and an extensive set of standard features and premium materials throughout the vehicle. New and versatile functionality, interior spaciousness, and intuitive technologies build on the Enclave’s established popularity.
Smart innovation and style come standard on the 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir. Buick-first Evonik Acrylite exterior lighting illuminates the road ahead with the power of more than 100 LEDs across the vehicle. A Rear Camera Mirror provides a clearer, broader view of what’s behind. And in-vehicle ionization leaves the air cleaner and fresher. It’s all packaged within an elegant design that combines concept car inspiration with improved interior luxury amenities and roominess for up to seven passengers.
“The Enclave has been a successful formula for the Buick brand, with sales results that have defied traditional product cycles, and 90 percent of customers purchasing in the top two trim levels,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick and GMC. “It’s a beacon for the modern, attainable luxury Buick stands for and is a natural place to launch Avenir.”
Enclave Avenir highlights
Avenir model comes standard with extensive active safety, connectivity and luxury features for a simple and convenient buying experience. It has an all-new body structure for safety, strength and mass efficiency, plus 17 radar, camera and ultrasonic sensors when fully equipped. It accommodates seven passengers comfortably and offers more cargo volume behind the first row than the Acura MDX, Audi Q7 and Infiniti QX60. Standard hands-free power-programmable liftgate with a Buick tri-shield logo illuminates the ground below the hidden sensor and power-folding third row. Avenir-exclusive 3-dimensional mesh grille, badging, pearl nickel 20-inch aluminum wheels and luxurious interior materials are standard. Buick-first Rear Camera Mirror is standard on Avenir. Buick-first Evonik Acrylite lighting technology provides a distinctive light signature. Tow capacity of up to 5,000 pounds is more than enough to tow a typical 21-foot sport boat. A standard 3.6L V-6 engine with stop/start technology, Buick-estimated 302 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Standard five-link rear suspension and available continuously variable real-time damping (CDC) offer a refined, isolated ride. Available intelligent AWD with active twin-clutch rear differential and Buick-first switchable AWD help improve control and efficiency. Avenir: Buick’s highest expression of exclusive style, inclusive luxury
All Avenir models will feature an exclusive 3-dimensional mesh grille paired with chrome wings inspired by Buick concept cars. Additional Enclave Avenir notable styling cues include 20-inch, six-spoke wheels with a pearl nickel finish; five premium exterior colors; an Avenir Chestnut and Ebony interior with piping on the seats and contrasting stitching; embroidered first-row headrests; Avenir floor-mats; a wood-accented steering wheel; and bold Avenir-scripted sill plates on all four doors.
A wide array of advanced technologies and interior features emphasizing premium comfort and inclusive luxury comes standard in the Enclave Avenir, including heated and ventilated front seats; heated second-row seats; navigation; wireless charging; a dual moonroof; an 8-inch diagonal reconfigurable cluster display; a 360-degree surround vision camera system for easier parking; and a rear camera mirror that can function as a traditional mirror or as a camera, eliminating obstructions such as heads and headrests while expanding the rear field of vision by an estimated 300 percent.
Available adaptive cruise control and full speed Forward Automatic Braking offer customers even more safety feature options, and a premium suspension with continuously variable real-time damping (CDC) provides a smooth, comfortable ride, with enhanced body control and handling in Sport mode.
“This is a vehicle intended for Buick customers who demand the best and the latest our brand has to offer,” said Aldred.
Elegant design and functionality define the all-new Buick Enclave
The Enclave’s new design architecture enables a balanced, athletic appearance. New proportions give it a sleeker look with aerodynamic benefits for efficiency. The roofline is lower, the windshield is sharper and the wheelbase is extended, giving the vehicle a more dramatic stance. Its sculpted body creates a windswept appearance. Its interior is inviting and harmonious.
Extensive use of LEDs is integrated into Buick’s first application of Evonik Acrylite technology and bi-functional LED projector headlamps and LED tail lamps. The technology’s compound curvature application creates a smooth, uniform and recognizable appearance that will make the Enclave stand out on the road. IntelliBeam headlamps also allow drivers to experience better road illumination and improved visibility without having to manually switch the high beams on and off.
A significantly enhanced suite of available advanced safety technologies is engineered to help drivers monitor their surroundings and feel confident when behind the wheel. Standard safety equipment on all 2018 Enclaves includes a rear vision camera, rear park assist and seven air bags, including a front center side airbag. Among the available crash-avoidance technologies are rear cross traffic alert, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, safety alert seat and surround vision.
Having leveraged the first-generation Enclave as a benchmark for quietness, the 2018 Enclave cabin is engineered to further minimize unwanted interior noise through its honed exterior shapes, sealing and sound-deadening acoustics and strategic use of materials throughout. QuietTuning and active noise cancellation enhancements help to reduce, block and absorb noise, keeping it from entering the cabin. A 10-speaker Bose Premium sound system with new components, new tuning and a redesigned bass enclosure further enhances the sound experience.
Another lifestyle-enhancing feature in the Enclave interior is an air ionizer that eliminates odors and provides higher air quality. It works by producing negatively charged particles that attract air-borne contaminants and break down their structure, cleaning the cabin air. The ionizer can help address external and internal odors and reduce bacteria, viruses, dust, debris and pollen, while also helping improve driver alertness. It requires no maintenance or filter replacement.
Enclave’s interior has flexible cargo solutions for large and small items. The vehicle has 10 percent more cubic feet of overall interior space when including the hidden underfloor storage, and 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Other space enhancements include a 10-inch-deep dry underfloor storage with 3.1 cubic feet of space.
Second- and third-row seating fold flat to create a wide, nearly-flat load floor. A power-folding third row makes reconfiguring more convenient, while second-row SmartSlide Seats provide easy access to the third row. On the passenger side, the SmartSlide seat provides pitch slide functionality to allow access even with an empty forward-facing child seat installed (using the LATCH system).
Additional standard equipment on every 2018 Enclave includes keyless entry and push-button start, a hands-free power-programmable liftgate with a Buick tri-shield logo illuminating the ground below the hidden sensor, tri-zone automatic climate control, universal home remote and more.
Every Enclave also comes equipped with an OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot (AT&T data plan purchase required after limited data trial period) and five years of the OnStar Basic Plan[1] at no additional cost. Among other benefits like an industry-leading myBuick app, this connectivity plan features OnStar Smart Driver, an opt-in service designed to help Buick owners maximize their vehicle’s overall performance and become better drivers.
A frameless 8-inch diagonal infotainment system with Teen Driver, Rear Seat Reminder[2], and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard. Every Enclave features Rear Seat Reminder2, an industry-first feature designed to remind drivers to check the back seat as they exit their vehicles under certain circumstances.
The Enclave will continue to be manufactured in Lansing, Michigan, and goes on sale in the fall of 2017. Pricing and other details will be announced later this year.

  • It's kind of a big deal

William Maley

Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept Is A Possible Preview for the Next QX80

The Infiniti QX80 SUV is already a brazen SUV in terms of its looks. If the QX80 Monograph concept that debuted on the eve of the New York Auto Show is any indication, it seems that next-generation will become more brazen.
With measurements of 16 feet long and 6.5 feet tall, the QX80 Monograph is an imposing vehicle. The girth is further accentuated by the gold paint and chrome accents. A set of 24-inch wheels feature a design that overlaps the tires, making them look larger than they really are.
The front end is reminiscent of the QX50 Concept shown this year at Detroit with a tall and wide version of Infiniti's double-arch grille and a prominent bumper with deep chiseling. The slim headlights extend into thin light bars along the front fenders. Along the side is some sculpting for the doors and handles pop out whenever you want to get in. At the rear, thin taillights and extended exhaust outlets help underline the width of the concept.
“The QX80 Monograph is an exploration of how we plan to take a step forward in the large SUV segment. This is an important initiative for INFINITI, as the QX80 is popular with buyers in a number of markets — particularly in North America and the Middle East,” said Francois Bancon, Infiniti Vice President of Global Product Strategy.
Source: Infiniti
Press Release is on Page 2


INFINITI QX80 Monograph: a design study exploring 'upscale luxury' with commanding presence
QX80 Monograph is the ultimate expression of futuristic luxury SUV design New design study signals INFINITI's intention to evolve its presence in the large SUV segment "Monograph" – a detailed study into a single area of expertise NEW YORK – INFINITI has unveiled the QX80 Monograph, a new design study exploring upscale luxury and signaling INFINITI's intention to further develop its standing in the large SUV segment.
The QX80 Monograph combines luxury with a commanding presence, and demonstrates the high levels of space and utility for which the QX80 production car is renowned. It illustrates how the design of INFINITI's large SUV could evolve in future. Originating at INFINITI's design studio in Atsugi, Japan, and unveiled for the first time in New York, the QX80 Monograph is the ultimate expression of futuristic luxury SUV design.
"The QX80 Monograph represents a detailed study into our expertise of exterior design. QX80 Monograph shows our concept of luxury and style on the road, and is an exploration into how we could enhance our future INFINITI offering in the luxury SUV segment."
Roland Krueger, President, INFINITI
The ultimate expression of futuristic luxury SUV design
Hints at a forward-looking new design for INFINITI's large SUV Applies INFINITI's latest signature design cues on a new scale "The QX80 Monograph provides the opportunity to reimagine INFINITI's signature design DNA on a totally different scale. We sculpted our body pure, straight and horizontal, the muscularity both brute and sensual; part Rodin's Thinker, part Michelangelo. INFINITI 'carrozzeria' used svelte satin copper skin, set off by an ultra-powerful double arch grille with abstract structural mesh, distinctive and focused human eye signature headlamp, and iconic fender vent. Our designers continue to impress by finding new avenues for INFINITI artistry."
Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President, Global Design
The QX80 Monograph hints at a forward-looking new design for INFINITI's flagship large SUV. The concept applies the brand's latest design language in a sculptural and artistic way, incorporating a mix of geometric and organic shapes to combine power with elegance, creating a commanding and sophisticated presence.
The QX80 Monograph is over five meters long, almost two meters tall (including roof rails), and more than two meters wide (door mirrors folded). It appears longer thanks to defined character lines, in particular the strong, straight shoulder line that runs from the grille all the way to the rear of the car.
The headlamps extend into thin lights that wrap around the front corners of the hood and run along the wings, for a unique light signature from the front and in profile. The light bars running along the front wings end in sculptured rear-view cameras at the leading edge of the two front doors.
The face of the QX80 Monograph appears more powerful and purposeful, with large, functional fender vents delivering more air to the engine, flanking an aluminum chin guard. Enhancing its SUV credentials, an underbody cover runs the length of the floor, protecting the car's undersides and aiding aerodynamic performance.
A thin strip of aluminum below the grille emphasizes the car's width and incorporates razor-sharp LED fog-lamps at each end for a modern, high-tech appearance. At the rear, defined horizontal lines highlight the car's wide and powerful aura. The appearance of the sharper, thinner tail-lamps are mirrored in the wide twin exhausts, which feature a gloss-black aerofoil in between to encourage smoother air flow off the back of the car.
The doors open to reveal an integrated, brushed aluminum sill step to ease ingress and egress, while vents aft of the front and rear wheels provide a further distinctive metallic accent to the design. These vents could also perform a valuable aerodynamic function, evacuating turbulent and drag-inducing air from the wheel arches.
The QX80 Monograph's design details express INFINITI's approach to high quality, high precision car manufacturing. Notably, the QX80 Monograph's blacked-out A-pillar sits flush with the side windows and windscreen, while the pop-out door handles are also flush with the bodywork. These elements give a cleaner appearance and help to minimize drag and wind noise.
Unmistakable INFINITI signature design elements are taken from the company's latest concept and production vehicles. QX80 Monograph features the latest incarnation of INFINITI's hallmark "human-eye" headlamps, raised high up in the front of the car, as well as slimmer, sharper rear combination lamps. The unique piano key design of the head- and tail-lamps enables individual LED elements to light up independently, providing an artistic application of the latest adaptive lighting technology.
The new interpretation of INFINITI's double-arch grille is taller and wider, giving it a powerful new face, while a new grille mesh suggests a highly sculptural and technical form. The new mesh adds greater visual depth with a series of individual sculptures that appear linked together in a lattice. The crescent-cut D-pillar has been reshaped, its sharper and higher trailing edge enhancing the horizontal aspect of the QX80 Monograph's upper body.
The QX80 Monograph features a frosted-effect paint finish, following positive feedback from recent INFINITI concepts completed with a similar effect. The desaturated color and satin-like surface each suggest an unusual treatment of the metal beneath, providing a textured contrast to the gloss chrome and brushed aluminum elements around the concept.
Straight-spoke, two-tone wheels – 24 inches in diameter – are finished in chromium black with contrasting brushed copper elements. The outer edges of the wheels overlap the tires, presenting the appearance of a 26-inch wheel and low profile tires to complement the scale of the QX80 Monograph.
"Earlier INFINITI show cars have started conversations with our customers, which gives us the chance to talk about the brand's future direction. We have listened to our customers to discover their expectations for a large SUV from INFINITI in 2017 and beyond. The QX80 Monograph illustrates how INFINITI's 'powerful elegance' design language could be used to develop our luxury SUVs in future."
Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President, Global Design
Evolving INFINITI's presence in the luxury SUV segment
INFINITI QX80 Monograph: a modern interpretation of luxury SUV design "The QX80 Monograph is an exploration of how we plan to take a step forward in the large SUV segment. This is an important initiative for INFINITI, as the QX80 is popular with buyers in a number of markets – particularly in North America and the Middle East."
Francois Bancon, Vice President, Global Product Strategy, INFINITI
The INFINITI QX80 Monograph is a forward-looking interpretation of the QX80's exterior design, offering the size, utility and luxury appeal expected of cars in this segment.
As the brand's largest SUV, the QX80 makes an important statement for INFINITI, combining supreme space and utility with luxury and sophistication. INFINITI's full-size SUV serves as a private jet for the road; it meets the uncompromising needs of a target buyer who wants for nothing.
"Monograph" – a focused and detailed study
QX80 Monograph represents a focused examination of a singular theme – exterior design in the luxury SUV segment INFINITI defines a "monograph" as a detailed study into a single area of expertise. In this context, the INFINITI QX80 Monograph is a detailed examination of how the exterior design of the QX80 may evolve in the future.
The QX80 Monograph is the first model from the brand to bear the "Monograph" nomenclature. Monograph studies explore ways INFINITI can develop specific elements of its cars. 

  • Large and proud of it

William Maley

2018 Acura TLX Shows Off A New Face

Three years on from its original launch, Acura has given the TLX a substantial refresh and revealed it on the eve of the New York Auto Show.
Being of no surprise to anyone, the TLX is sporting a new face that was first shown on the Precision concept from last year's Detroit Auto Show. A huge pentagonal grille is flanked by a set of Acura's jewel-eye headlights. Some people will like this new look, while others (like myself) will be missing the shield/beak grille. Other design changes include a more sculpted hood and new fenders. The interior doesn't change much except the infotainment system has been overhauled to improve overall performance and add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The downside is it still retains the dual-screens setup that we have been complaining about in many Acura models.
The base TLX gets a 2.4L four-cylinder with 206 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. Next up is the TLX V6 that comes with a 3.5L V6 boasting 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Topping off the TLX family is the all-new A-Spec. It sports a more aggressive exterior treatment with a new front bumper, side skirts, dual exhaust outlets, rear spoiler finished in black, and a faux rear diffuser. The 3.5L V6 is the only engine available for the A-Spec. FWD variants come with firmer shocks and revised steering, while AWD adds firmer springs and a stiffer rear anti-roll bar.
Acura hasn't revealed pricing for the 2018 TLX. But we won't be waiting too long as the updated model will arrive in June.
Source: Acura
Press Release is on Page 2
2018 Acura TLX Makes World Debut with Aggressive, Sporty Design, and New Technology Features

Apr 11, 2017 - NEW YORK
2018 Acura TLX sports sedan debuts with three distinct variants, Acura Precision Concept-inspired design language and robust tech features All-new TLX V6 A-Spec adds emotional styling and sport-tuning Standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and AcuraWatch™, and a host of premium features make TLX among most technologically advanced and well-equipped vehicles in its segment Acura has unveiled a refreshed and significantly enhanced 2018 TLX performance luxury sedan, delivering the brand's Precision Crafted Performance design direction to its core sedan. The all-new TLX A-Spec takes the sedan's design in an even more emotional direction, further broadening the brand's appeal to younger buyers. The Acura TLX also will be one of the most technologically advanced and well-equipped vehicles in the segment with new technology features including Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and AcuraWatch™ standard on all grades. The 2018 TLX is slated to go on sale at Acura dealerships nationwide in June.
The 2018 TLX boasts a more aggressive and sporty look inspired by the Acura Precision Concept that debuted last year, a design direction that has successfully influenced the styling of the 2017 MDX luxury SUV. Acura's signature diamond pentagon grille, paired with changes to the sedan's stance, proportion, wheels and sheet metal boosts its presence on the road.
"We've really upped the ante in terms of styling, emotion and road presence, more effectively communicating the TLX's dynamic capabilities," said Jon Ikeda, Acura vice president and general manager.        
The 2018 TLX design illustrates its three variants with distinct characteristics. The 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline-4 cylinder TLX receives a sporty new front fascia featuring the diamond pentagon grille, a new bumper, more sculpted hood, fenders, redesigned Jewel Eye™ headlight design with LED turn signal and a new standard 17-inch wheel and tire package.
The V6 TLX models add an aggressive, refreshed rear fascia with exposed, rectangular dual-exhaust finishers, rear diffuser and standard 18-inch wheels. The V6 TLX with Technology Package adds a new chrome side sill garnish, all-new seats with contrast piping and stitching, and a power-operated thigh extension on the driver's seat. The Advance Package gains additional technology including trapezoidal LED fog lights, Surround View Camera system, built-in wireless charging pad, white LED ambient light piping in 10 locations throughout the cabin, a heated steering wheel and heated rear outboard seats, a body-colored decklid spoiler, and power-folding side mirrors.
Acura's acclaimed torque vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive® (SH-AWD™), the best handling all-wheel drive system in the industry, is available for the first time on all V6 TLX models, previously available only with V6 models equipped with Technology or Advance Packages
New TLX A-Spec
Reflecting Acura's Precision Crafted Performance DNA, the new TLX V6 A-Spec is available in two-wheel drive and SH-AWD™ configurations, adding character and performance inside and out. An exclusive front fascia, round LED fog lights, aggressive side sills, rear diffuser accented by large, round dual-exhaust finishers and gloss black decklid spoiler creates an even bolder character. Exclusive, dark finish 19-inch wheels paired with wide 245-series tires complement a sport-tuned suspension with more aggressive damper settings and retuned electric power steering for a sharper, more precise handling experience. TLX A-Spec models with SH-AWD also receive a stiffer spring rate and rear stabilizer bar for improved body control. Gloss black trim and A-Spec badging on the rear decklid, fenders, side sill garnish and steering wheel completes the look.
On the inside, a host of sport-oriented refinements and premium features include exclusive leather seats with increased bolstering, red driver's meter highlights, brushed aluminum-look interior trim, and a thick-rimmed sport steering wheel. Two A-Spec exclusive interior color choices are offered: Red leather or Black leather with Alcantara™ seat and door inserts. Premium enhancements borrowed from the top trim Advance Package include wireless charging pad, ventilated front seats and red LED ambient light piping (white on the Advance Package). 
 
Technology Enhancements
The 2018 TLX is the first Acura to feature a refreshed dual-screen user On Demand Multi-Use Display™ (ODMD 2.0) interface that supports Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and Sirius XM 2.0. New software improves the system response time and offers more intuitive menus and command structures for a seamless and quicker user experience – approximately 30 percent faster. An enhanced 7-inch touchscreen has a capacitive display that is more responsive to the touch and is positioned within easy reach of the driver and front passenger.
With its unique AcuraWatch™ suite of technologies, the 2018 Acura TLX is the only vehicle in its class with standard crash avoidance and active driving-assistive features. AcuraWatch™ includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with automatic emergency braking, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). AcuraWatch uses a millimeter wave radar and monocular camera sensing technology to detect other vehicles as well as lane markings and can help intervene to prevent or mitigate the severity of a collision. With Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist, AcuraWatch can significantly decrease the driver's workload during freeway cruising by maintaining a set speed and following interval, initiating both braking and throttle inputs, and adding steering input to help the driver maintain their position in the detected lane.

  • The new face isn't the only change

William Maley

2018 Lexus LS 500, Now In F-Sport Flavor

Following the LS 500 at Detroit and the LS 500h at Geneva, New York will be the home for the 2018 LS 500 F-Sport debut.
Before we get any further, we need to temper expectations. This isn't a fully fledged F model like the GS F or RC F where they get noticeable power increases. Instead, the F-Sport is more of an aesthetic and handling package.
From the outside, the F-Sport adds a mesh grille, larger air vents, side skirts, 20-inch wheels, and special shade of white that is exclusive to the LS F-Sport. The interior comes with new sport seats, an F-Sport steering wheel, brushed aluminum trim, and a revised instrument cluster.
A handling package that brings variable-ratio steering, rear-wheel steering, sport-tuned air suspension, and the Lexus' Active Stabilizer anti-roll-bar system is only available on the rear-drive LS 500. All F-Sport models do get larger brakes (6-piston calipers at the front and 4-piston at the rear).
The LS F-Sport arrives in early 2018.
Source: Lexus
Press Release is on Page 2


Having debuted its reinvented flagship sedan earlier this year—the all-new 2018 LS 500—Lexus is putting an exclamation point on this signature model with the new F SPORT model. The LS 500 F SPORT, unveiled today and on display this week at the New York International Auto Show, moves the driving emotion needle even farther with handling enhancements and a performance-infused design outside and in.
The original luxury disruptor when it debuted to launch the brand, the Lexus LS has for nearly three decades set benchmarks for powertrain smoothness, ride quietness, craftsmanship, attention to detail, and long-term quality. The 2018 LS 500 will offer the most dynamic driving experience in the model’s history; now it has the possibility of being enhanced further with the new F SPORT model.
Within the Lexus lineup, the F models, including GS F and RC F, are the track-tuned maximum performance machines. The F SPORT versions, meanwhile, imbue the standard models with a more engaging driving spirit through carefully applied chassis tuning and enhancements, while still emphasizing exceptional comfort. On the new LS, the F SPORT model will be available with gas and hybrid powertrains, and those choosing the RWD V6TT model will have the option of adding the F SPORT Handling Package to bring a level of liveliness never before seen on the flagship sedan.
F SPORT Look
Lexus designers didn’t hold back when giving the LS 500 its coupe-like silhouette and dramatic rendition of the Lexus signature spindle grille that shows even greater intricacy in the design. Developing the F SPORT grille took computer-aided design (CAD) operators some five months to achieve the desired texture and interaction with light. Even then, they adjusted 7,100 individual surfaces to achieve the desired look and texture (compared to 5,000 for the standard model’s grille). And when combined with the sporty enlarged side grille, it is functional as well, helping to maintain the vehicle’s cooling performance.
The special F SPORT front grille, rocker panel, and trunk moldings accentuate the sedan’s rakish profile, while F SPORT badging on fenders and exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels complete the exterior transformation. For those looking to really stand out, Ultra White is offered as an F SPORT-exclusive exterior color.
F SPORT Inside
As it did with the exterior, Lexus shifted the LS 500 cabin into F SPORT spec by applying trim and features exclusive to this version. A common thread through all LS models remains: Omotenashi, the concept of Japanese hospitality. Applied to the LS 500, it means taking care of the driver and passengers, anticipating their needs, attending to their comfort and helping to protect them from hazards. The F SPORT adds a performance attitude to the mix.
The F SPORT persona shines throughout the cabin, starting with the F SPORT-exclusive front seat, which provides enhanced support for dynamic driving. A perforated-grill pattern on seating surfaces and unique scored aluminum trim elements add additional sporty flair.
The driver faces a special F SPORT steering wheel as well as a speedometer and tachometer in a movable meter with a ring that slides to display information—a design adapted from the limited-production Lexus LFA supercar and a further expression of the car’s dynamic intentions. Attention to detail shows in the aluminum accelerator, brake and footrest pedals, as well as the F SPORT perforated shift handle and footrest. Ultrasuede in the seats and headliner is the crowning touch. For those desiring the ultimate sporty look, a new Circuit Red interior is available exclusively on F SPORT models.
LS 500 Chassis Details
2018 LS F SPORT models feature the latest generation of the brand’s advanced chassis control technology, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), which has been refined since its debut more than a decade ago.
In 2004, Lexus introduced the first integrated control system that combined the previously independent ABS, traction control, vehicle stability control, and EPS, as well as other functions, into a single system. In 2012, the brand adopted the four-wheel active steering integrated control system—known as Lexus Dynamic Handling, or LDH—from the GS for enhanced safety and driving performance that responds to the driver’s intention.
The new VDIM system implements cooperative control of all vehicle subsystems – braking, steering, powertrain, and suspension – to control basic longitudinal, lateral and vertical motion as well as yaw, roll and pitch. Optimal control of these motions helps to enable exceptional ride comfort, enhanced traction and safety and handling agility, and allows for enriched flat vehicle posture during cornering as well as a more comfortable and stable ride overall.
Sporting Genes
The LS 500 is based on an extended version of the brand’s premium global architecture for luxury vehicles (GA–L) platform from the new Lexus LC 500 coupe. The stiffest platform that Lexus has ever developed, GA-L sets the stage for enhanced handling, ride smoothness and cabin quietness. The LS F SPORT capitalizes on the platform’s responsiveness and agility.
Equipping the LS 500 F SPORT with standard 20-inch wheels and 245/45RF20+ 275/40RF20 tires, (summer tires for RWD) along with larger front and rear brakes (6-piston calipers on front and 4 pistons on rear), unlocks more of the platform’s intrinsic performance capability. Opting for the available F SPORT Handling Package (RWD gas model) equips the LS 500 F SPORT with Lexus Dynamic Handling (Variable Gear Ratio Steering and Active Rear Steering), Active Stabilizer, and sport-tuned air suspension with rapid height function. The result is a full-size premium luxury sedan that responds more like a sports coupe through curves, helping to underline what F SPORT stands for.
415-Horsepower Heart with a 10-Speed Partner
Lexus designed an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine specifically for the new 2018 LS 500, using twin turbochargers developed through the company’s F1 technology. This new twin-turbo V6 offers V8-level performance – 415 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque – paired with the first-ever 10-speed automatic transmission in luxury sedan.
The engine yields a broad torque curve and, perfectly in tune with the F SPORT spirit, the new engine and transmission deliver instant acceleration and a constant buildup of torque toward the vehicle’s redline. The LS 500 is undeniably quick, with a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds (gas RWD). An electric wastegate is among the features that contribute to the engine’s rapid responses. The driver can tailor powertrain response and feel by choosing from Normal, Sport S or Sport S+ modes, and just enough of the exhaust note is heard to enhance the sporty feel.
F SPORT Performance, Hybrid Efficiency
The LS 500h F SPORT infuses high efficiency into the sporting formula. The new Multi Stage Hybrid System combines a naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with two electric motor/generators and uses a compact, lightweight lithium-ion battery. The V6 engine uses D-4S direct fuel injection, and lightweight valvetrain components, with Dual VVT-i ensuring ample torque across the engine speed range. Combined system output is 354 hp.
The new system adapts the planetary-type continuously variable transmission from Lexus Hybrid Drive and also adds a unique four-speed automatic transmission. Working in concert, the two gearsets alter output in four stages to utilize the V6 engine across the entire speed range. In manual mode, the two gearsets act together to provide the effect of 10 ratios, giving the LS 500h F SPORT an enhanced dynamic feel on the road and allowing the driver to shift through the ratios with paddle shifters. The Multi Stage Hybrid System allows for more electric assist at lower vehicle speeds.
What’s more, this system allows the RWD LS 500h to propel from 0-60 in 5.2 seconds – which is on par with the previous-generation V8-powered LS 460 and 3 /10th of a second faster than the AWD LS 600h.

  • Lexus LS gets F-Sport-ifed

William Maley

Cadillac's Super Cruise Finally Arrives for 2018 CT6

The long-delayed Cadillac Super Cruise system will be arriving as an option for the 2018 CT6 this fall. Described as "the industry’s first true hands-free driving technology for the highway,"(Tesla would argue otherwise) Super Cruise combines the driver assistance features currently on the CT6, along with a driver attention system and LiDAR-based mapping data.
Unlike other systems that monitor forces on the steering wheel to see if the driver is paying attention, Super Cruise uses a camera mounted on the steering column to monitor a driver's head position and movement. If it detects the driver has turned their head away from the road, the system will issue an alert to have the driver bring their eyes back to the road via a light bar on the steering wheel and then the safety alert system. If the driver fails to do this, Super Cruise will bring the car to a stop and call OnStar “if necessary.”
As for the "LiDAR-based mapping data", this scan of limited-access highways in the U.S. and Canada is paired with an improved GPS system, real-time cameras, and sensors to determine whether or not the system can come on, along with keeping the vehicle on the road.
“American drivers travel twice as many miles on urban and suburban highways as they do on rural roads. Super Cruise™ allows hands-free driving and operates only within the environment where it has the most benefit. While it is technically possible for the technology to drive hands-free on other kinds of streets and roads, we feel strongly that this targeted approach is the best to build consumer and regulatory confidence and enthusiasm for advanced mobility,” said Barry Walkup, chief engineer for the system.
Source: Cadillac
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  • The long-awaited Super Cruise system arrives later this fall

William Maley

Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan is the First Pursuit Rated Hybrid Vehicle

Ford has introduced another member of their police interceptor fleet with the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan (catchy name). The automaker claims this is pursuit-rated hybrid police car.
Based on the Fusion Hybrid sedan, Ford has done a bit of work to make it ready for the various hardships that police vehicles go through - prolong periods of idling, stop-and-go driving, traveling at high speed over long distances, and driving over obstacles. 
Under the hood is an Atkinson-cycle, 2.0L four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery. The powertrain has been calibrated to allow the vehicle to run in battery-only mode up to 60 mph and provide maximum performance when needed. The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan will also get a combined 38 mpg, which is more than double the combined figure for the Police Interceptor sedan. Ford estimates police forces will save $3,900 in fuel costs per year (assuming gas prices hang around $2.50 per gallon).
The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan will be making their debuts in Los Angeles and New York (we're guessing they have placed some orders for the model). Ford says the order books will open this spring, with deliveries following next summer.
Source: Ford
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FORD CONTINUES DRIVE TO BE GLOBAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE LEADER, REVEALS INDUSTRY'S FIRST PURSUIT-RATED HYBRID POLICE CAR
Ford investing $4.5 billion and introducing 13 new electric vehicles globally in the next five years, including F-150 Hybrid, Mustang Hybrid, Transit Custom plug-in hybrid, self-driving hybrid, and fully electric small SUV with projected EPA-estimated range of at least 300 miles Ford reveals industry’s first pursuit-rated hybrid police car in New York and Los Angeles – all-new Police Responder Hybrid Sedan will potentially save customers thousands in fuel costs 50 percent of U.S. millennials say they are interested in buying an electric car; Ford predicts auto industry will offer customers more hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles than gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, April 10, 2017 – Ford continues its drive to be a global electric vehicle leader – today revealing the second of 13 new electrified vehicles the company plans to introduce in the next five years.
The industry’s first pursuit-rated hybrid police car, the all-new Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan, is part of a $4.5 billion Ford investment to make electric vehicles that give customers greater capability, productivity and performance – plus better fuel economy. The plans are part of Ford’s expansion to be an auto and a mobility company, including leading in electric and self-driving vehicles, and new mobility solutions.
“Electrifying our next generation of vehicles is core to our unwavering commitment to sustainability,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “By being a leader in electrified vehicles, we remain committed to delivering cars, trucks and SUVs that are better not only for our customers, but for the environment and society as well.”
The all-new Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan – making its debut in Los Angeles and New York – is the industry’s first pursuit-rated hybrid police car. In addition, Ford is delivering:
Another new hybrid police vehicle for North America All-new fully electric small SUV, coming by 2020, engineered to deliver an EPA-estimated range of at least 300 miles, to be sold in North America, Europe and Asia. Actual range will vary. Final EPA numbers not yet available. Hybrid-powered self-driving vehicle designed for commercial mobility services, starting in North America in 2021 Hybrid version of best-selling F-150 pickup, available by 2020, and sold in North America and the Middle East. F-150 Hybrid will offer powerful towing and payload capacity, and will operate as a mobile generator tough enough to power a job site Hybrid version of iconic Mustang that will deliver V8 power and even more low-end torque. Mustang Hybrid debuts in 2020 in North America, to start Transit Custom plug-in hybrid available in 2019 in Europe, engineered to help reduce operating costs in even the most congested streets Growing global demand
As growing urban populations are overwhelming transportation systems and compromising air quality, first-time car buyers – including 50 percent of U.S. millennials – say they are interested in purchasing an electric car, according to a poll conducted by the Consumer Federation of America.
Ford is at the forefront of driving electric vehicle technology and improving costs on batteries and motors for hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles. As the company focuses on vehicles that deliver improved performance – such as the F-150 Hybrid with powerful towing and payload capacity plus the ability to operate as an on-board generator – Ford expects sales of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles to dramatically increase during the next decade.
In fact, Ford predicts the auto industry will offer customers more hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles than gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years.  
Ford partners with cities
Ford sells the most police vehicles in the United States, with 63 percent market share. The company has been partnering with cities on custom law enforcement vehicles since the days of the Model T.
The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan will help cities decrease emissions and offers the potential for significant fuel savings, both while driving and while idling. While driving, Ford’s patented hybrid technology is projected to provide EPA-estimated combined gas mileage of 38 miles per gallon – more than twice that of today’s Police Interceptor with 3.7-liter V6 with EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined. Actual mileage will vary. Final EPA-estimated ratings are not yet available. 
While idling, the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan’s lithium-ion battery helps power the high electrical loads of a police vehicle, reducing engine run time and saving an estimated 0.27 gallons of fuel per hour. Police Responder Hybrid Sedan customers could see nearly $3,900 a year in potential fuel savings per vehicle relative to the Police Interceptor, if a police vehicle is driven 20,000 miles per year, runs two shifts per day, 365 days per year, idles 4.9 hours per 8-hour shift, and is fueled at an average gas price of $2.50/gallon. The Ford Police Responder online fuel calculator enables customers to determine how much they may potentially save.
The new vehicle will be the first hybrid sedan with full pursuit capabilities. That means the car is certified by police agencies to be tough enough to handle police pursuits for longer periods at different speeds and over obstacles such as curbs and flooded intersections.
The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan uses an efficient Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor fed by an advanced lithium-ion battery. The hybrid is calibrated for law enforcement’s unique duty cycle and will run in battery-only mode up to 60 mph. The car automatically switches to maximum performance – with the engine and battery working at peak acceleration levels – when needed.
“Our mission to create safe and healthy communities in Los Angeles is achieved through sustainable approaches in community policing, and that includes embracing new technologies,” said Charlie Beck, Los Angeles Police Department Chief. “Patrol vehicles are a police officer’s office, and we expect them to not only be economically and environmentally efficient, but also an effective tool for fighting crime in major metropolitan areas.”
The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan can be ordered this spring and will be delivered to police departments nationwide next summer.
This year, Ford also is testing a fleet of 20 Transit Connect hybrid taxi and van prototypes in demanding traffic conditions in New York and several other major U.S. cities.

  • This is not an April Fools joke. I repeat, not an April Fools joke.

William Maley