William Maley

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 23, 2012 Kia hasn't had a flagship since the unloved Amanti left years ago. Since that time, Kia has been looking what could take the place of it. The answer could be the new Cadenza which has been caught in spy pictures undergoing some hot weather testing. Looking the past the camouflage Kia has used on this mule, the Cadenza looks to be a slightly larger Optima sedan, with a similar shape in the windows, profile, and nose. Also, there are some pictures of the interior which include stitched dash cover, central clock, chrome accents, and a large screen for the infotainment system. The Cadenza will be mechanically similar to the Hyundai Azera, so that means a 3.3L V6 producing 293 HP and a six-speed automatic. The Cadenza will likely carry a base price somewhere in the mid to high $30s and come out sometime next summer as a 2014 model. Source: Automotive.com William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 23, 2012 Volkswagen has released some details about the next Golf, which will have its official debut in Berlin next month. The new Golf will be larger than the outgoing model. The overall length will now be 167.5 inches, and it will be 57.2 inches tall and 70.8 inches wide. Volkswagen says the Golf is larger due to increased safety and giving passengers more space. Despite the added size, Volkwagen cut close to 220 lbs out of the new Golf thanks to high-strength steel, aluminum suspension components, new electronics, and lighter seats. The Golf will be riding on Volkswagen's new MQB FWD platform, which can be sized to fit subcompact cars to full-size sedans while using the same engine, front axle, and pedal positioning. When launched in Europe, the Golf will come with a range of gasoline and diesel powertrain options. For the U.S., expect a 1.8L turbo-four and a diesel. A six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch will be your transmission choices. At the moment, Volkwagen hasn't said when the next Golf will be arriving to the U.S. Sometime next year is a safe bet. Source: Autocar William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

The Kizashi should be doing a lot better. I left the AWD system off for most of the time and haven't stuck my foot into it. And, the Kizashi is lighter than a lot of vehicles, weighing somewhere around 3000 lbs..

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 22, 2012 Chevrolet has announced pricing for the performance' trim Sonic, the RS. For $20,995 (includes destination), the Sonic RS sticks with the 1.4L turbo-four from the regular Sonic. The performance bits lie elsewhere. Starting with the transmission, the standard six-speed manual gets a set of of unique gear ratios. The optional six-speed automatic (starts at $22,280 with destination) gets a unique final drive ratio. Other performance bits for the Sonic RS include a lowered and stiffened suspension, and a set of four-wheel disc brakes. Exterior modifications for the Sonic RS include a revised front fascia, new rear spoiler, new rocker panels, special 17-inch wheels and RS badges. Inside, the Sonic RS adds leather trimmed seating with red contrast stitching, aluminum sport pedals, specific instrument cluster graphics, and Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system. The Sonic RS goes on sale later in fall. William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 Chevrolet Sonic RS Priced From $20,995 Performance-inspired five-door arrives this fall with Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine DETROIT – The suggested retail price of the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS with a six-speed manual transmission begins at $20,995, including destination. Sonic RS with the available six-speed automatic transmission starts at $22,280. The performance-inspired RS amplifies the Sonic’s youthful style and driving experience, with unique exterior and interior features. It is offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback that delivers generous rear-seat roominess and cargo space – up to 47.7 cubic feet (1,351 liters) with the rear seat folded. Sonic RS is powered by an Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. (200 Nm) of torque. Unique transmission gearing in the six-speed manual, or a 3.53 final drive ratio for automatic-equipped models, enhances the car’s sporty feel. Production begins in October at General Motors’ Orion (Mich.) Assembly Center, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling, helping create or retain approximately 1,800 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area. Sonic is the only subcompact built in the United States. Sonic RS exterior features The front fascia of the Sonic RS has a deep air dam design that enhances the car’s road-hugging stance. Vertical intakes at the edges of the fascia reinforce the wide, low proportion and house the fog lamps. Other features include: New RS-specific grille New rear fascia New rear spoiler New rocker moldings Bright exhaust outlet Unique 17-inch five-spoke wheel design Lowered and stiffened suspension with performance-tuned dampers RS badging A power, tilt-sliding sunroof with express-open and wind deflector feature is available. Exterior colors include Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and Black Granite Metallic – a new, premium exterior color for 2013. Sonic RS interior features The performance theme continues into the cabin with a Jet Black interior exclusive to RS. Features include: Leather-appointed front bucket seats with sueded microfiber inserts and red RS accents New sport three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting stitching and racing-inspired flat-bottom design New, leather-wrapped shifter knob with red stitching (manual transmission) New aluminum sport pedals Specific instrument panel cluster graphics Standard Chevrolet MyLink. MyLink is standard on Sonic RS and an AM/FM/SiriusXM Satellite Radio (with three months of service) stereo with seek-and-scan, digital clock, Bluetooth streaming audio for music and select phones, voice recognition for compatible phones and six-speakers. On Sonic, MyLink operates by integrating the owner’s compatible smartphone and stored media – via Bluetooth, plug-in outlet or USB – with the radio. This lets owners enjoy simple, safe and personalized connectivity while their smartphone is safely stowed. MyLink is simple to use. The owner selects from options projected onto the touch screen: Audio, Pictures & Movies, Telephone, Smartphone Link and Settings. Each menu selection takes the user though a list of easy-to-select functions. MyLink-equipped Sonic models will launch with compatibility for Pandora internet radio and Stitcher Smart Radio. When owners with these services connect their compatible smartphones, they can access these and other functions: Personal playlists of stored music Hands-free calling with Bluetooth-enabled voice activation from the customer’s smartphone when the steering wheel button is depressed. (Visit gm.com/Bluetooth for a list of compatible smartphones) Ability to project video via USB while the vehicle is parked Ability to project a photo album in “slideshow” mode via USB while the vehicle is parked, with the last music selection playing in the background. Once the vehicle is moving, a single photo is viewable. Later, BringGo, an embedded smartphone application for MyLink that delivers full-function navigation – including live traffic updates – will be available for an extra charge. It includes: Emergency information such as police, fire and the nearest hospital Thousands of points of interest Local Search via Google Where am I? locator Live traffic functionality with crash reports, lane closures, and alternative routes; 3-D maps Ability to store native maps to the customer’s smartphone, giving them access to locations and turn-by-turn directions even when phone signal quality is poor - many GPS-enabled apps do not do this. Sonic RS performance Sonic RS peak torque occurs at low rpm, providing an immediate feeling of power that is sustained across the rpm band. The engine is matched with a standard six-speed manual transmission or available six-speed automatic. Unique gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission and unique final drive ratio for the automatic give the Sonic RS a sportier feel than non-RS models. Complementing the segment-exclusive turbocharged powertrain is MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, and a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension – featuring a tubular V-shape beam – with gas-charged shocks. The front and rear tracks are identical at 59.4 inches (1,509 mm), designed for well-planted stability and balance, and the suspension is lowered by 10 mm (.39 inches) from the standard non-RS model. RS is the only Sonic model offered with four-wheel disc brakes, which are partnered with a four-channel anti-lock braking system. The four-sensor system – one at each wheel – incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo. Electric power steering is standard and features a wear compensator that continually adjusts the system interaction with the steering gear to ensure precise steering action over the life of the system. Standard hill start assist makes it easier to pull away from a stopped position when the vehicle is on a steep uphill or downhill slope. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 22, 2012 Kia is considering a new four-door coupe to compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLS. According to Auto Express, the new vehicle will likely be a more conservative version of the GT Concept that was shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The vehicle is expected to keep the GT Concept's silhouette, but the sucide doors and fins next to the headlights are gone. Power will likely come from a range of gasoline, diesel and hybrid engines that will send power to the rear wheels. At the moment, the only rear-wheel-drive platform Kia has access to is the one used on the Hyundai Genesis. Unless Kia is developing their own RWD platform, expect the Genesis platform to be used. “We’ll have to wait until at least 2016 before the four-door coupé arrives, but when it does it will mark Kia out as a genuine cut-price rival to the German premium brands, and be the crowning glory of Schreyer’s revamped line-up,” a source told the magazine. Source: Auto Express William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 22, 2012 The dream of the Holden Ute coming to the states has made a resurgence when General Motors announced the Holden Commodore would be coming as the Chevrolet SS. Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news to the small group who cling onto this dream, but the Ute will not be coming. A report from the Herald Sun states that if Holden was to export the Ute to the U.S., the vehicle would fall under a light commercial tariff rate of 35%, three times higher than the tariff for passenger vehicles. "We were hopeful at one stage, we thought we might be able to duck in under it, but it was ruled out. With the dollar where it is, exports can only be pursued that are niche ... and profitable in this environment," said Richard Phillips, Holden's executive director of manufacturing. Source: Herald Sun William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 21, 2012 Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk recently gave an interview with Automobile Magazine talking about the company and what lies ahead. Musk also took the opportunity to rip into Fisker. “It’s a mediocre product at a high price. The car looks very big, and yet it has no trunk space and is very cramped inside, particularly in the rear seats.” Musk also spoke out against Fisker founder, Henrik Fisker. “The fundamental problem with Henrik Fisker — he is a designer or stylist…he thinks the reason we don’t have electric cars is for lack of styling. This is not the reason. It’s fundamentally a technology problem. At the same time, you need to make it look good and feel good, because otherwise you’re going to have an impaired product. But just making something look like an electric car does not make it an electric car.” Musk went onto to say, “[Fisker] thinks the most important thing in the world — or the only important thing in the world — is design, so he outsourced the engineering and manufacturing. But the fact is…that’s the crux of the problem. And he’s outsourcing to people who don’t know how to solve the problem.” So why does Elon Musk have so much hatred for Fisker. Well, Musk alleges that when Fisker was tasked to design the Model S, he took specifications of the vehicle and used them for the Karma. “We were paying someone to do styling for his own car,” Musk said. Tesla sued Fisker over this, but was unsuccessful. Automobile Magazine asked Henrik Fisker for comment. This was his response. "Obviously, Tesla and Fisker are appealing to two different customer bases with two totally different technologies. Tesla has pure EV and Fisker has a range-extended offering with no compromise on range. We are proud to have delivered over 1000 Karmas to customers in the U.S. and Europe and are now moving into the [Gulf Cooperation Council countries] and Chinese global markets. We wish Tesla all the best with their latest model and hope that both companies go from strength to strength as they challenge the automotive rulebook." Source: Automobile Magazine William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 21, 2012 One nameplate that has seen its share of ups and downs in Nissan’s lineup is the Quest. Introduced back in 1993 as a contender in the Minivan marketplace, the Quest came out of partnership between Nissan and Ford. For nine years, the Quest enjoyed success as being an alternative to the stalwarts of the class; the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. When it came time to introduce the next Quest, Nissan went down a very different path. Arriving in 2003, the second generation Quest did ‘shift’ what a minivan could be. The styling was out there for a van, looking like Nissan asked a group of art school students to design a production-ready van. Even more surprising was how much fun the Quest was to drive. Hampered by its unusual looks, the second-generation Quest didn’t do well in sales and Nissan pulled it off the market in 2009. So that brings us to the third-generation Quest. Introduced last year, the new Nissan Quest takes another try with an unconventional look. The question is, will it work? Next: Step Outside Exterior The Nissan Quest’s design is very distinctive from its contemporaries, looking like Nissan imported one of its vans from Japan. Well, that is what Nissan is doing with the Quest; an Americanized version of the Japanese market Elgrand van. Starting with the front end, Nissan wisely decided to remove the chromed-out front end on the Elgrand and go for a pentagonal grille, with chrome trim running around the perimeter. Nissan also swapped out the huge stacked headlights and went for a set of projector headlights. The side profile of Quest features wrap-around glass running from the front door all the way to the tailgate. The glass helps disguise the B, C, and D-Pillars. There are also two character lines; one starting from where the hood and front end meet to the front door and other starting from the taillights and running along the sliding door. Finally, Nissan fitted ground effects and a set of seventeen-inch alloy wheels. The back end of Quest drops Elgrand’s full length taillights. Instead, Nissan goes for a regular pair of taillights which are separated by a chrome bar that hides the release for the power tailgate. Next: Come On In Interior The seating arrangement is the Quest’s strongest and weakest point. Up front, driver and passenger are seated in leather-wrapped, heated, and powered seats. (Driver gets eight-way with memory, passenger gets four-way). For the second row, it’s a set of captain chairs that can recline and move forward and back to make yourself comfortable. The third row is a bench seat which can fit three kids or two adults. Headroom is very generous due to high roof. Legroom is very good for the first two rows. In the third row, legroom can vary due to how far the second row seats are set back. Adults can sit back here comfortably if the seats are set all the way forward or have been pushed back slightly. If the seats are pushed all the way back, then it’s really only comfortable for kids. Nissan has also outfitted the backseat area with some surprising luxuries. For starters, passengers sitting back have their own control for the HVAC system, power windows for the second row, and pull-up shades for the second and third-row windows. However, the seating arrangement also highlights the Quest’s biggest weakness, cargo space. *Underfloor Luggage area is included in the Quest’s measurement With all of the seats up, the Quest is right behind the Odyssey and Sienna in cargo space. But when it comes time to load up more cargo, the Quest loses big time. The reason is due to the second and third row seats being permanently locked in, meaning you can’t take the seats out of the Quest or fold them into the floor. The only thing you can do to the seats is to fold them down. Materials used throughout ranged from leather on the door pulls, soft touch materials on the dash, and hard plastics on the non-touch point. All of the materials look like they belong on a $43,000 minivan. Build quality is very high with no gaps nor pieces coming apart. One item that drove me crazy during the week I had the Quest was the placement of the shifter. Nissan places the right next to the controls for the HVAC and Radio. Put the Quest into drive, and the shifter blocks your view of the controls and forces you to reach around to get to them. For your entertainment, the Quest LE comes equipped with a 4.3-inch touchscreen that provides navigation, car information, and AM/FM/SiriusXM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3/USB/Bluetooth. All of that audio comes out a 13-speaker Bose system which fills the car with very good sound quality. Back seat passengers can watch a movie on a DVD entertainment system which includes an 11-inch screen and wireless headphones. Next: Vroom, Vroom Engine The Quest comes with only one powertrain; a 3.5L VQ V6 producing 260 HP and 240 lb-ft of torque. That power is sent to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT transmission which is then routed to the front wheels. For a van that tips the scales at 4,568 lbs, the 3.5L V6 had no problem of getting up to speed at all. Whenever you needed the power to leave a stop or make a pass, the 3.5L was always at the ready. As for the CVT, it was a good partner to the 3.5L. The CVT made sure you are always in the power and provided a nice smoothness. Fuel economy for the 3.5L is 19 City/24 Highway/21 combined. Our average for the week was 21.3 MPG, mostly on highway and rural roads. Next: Time to Drive Ride & Drive The Quest’s ride is comfortable and confident, thanks in part to the Quest’s independent four-wheel suspension made up of MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup in the back. Even driving on some back roads which haven’t been paved in a while, the Quest’s suspension isolated the bumps and ruts very well. As for sound insulation, the Quest does a good job of minimizing the amount of road and wind noise. Engine noise is also kept to a minimum. Steering comes in the form of a speed-sensitive, power-assisted rack and pinion setup. The setup provides the right amount of weight for the situation and good road feel. Visibility is very good for the front and side of the Quest. Rear visibility is tricky due to large D-Pillars. Thankfully, Nissan fits a rear-view camera as standard equipment on the Quest ranging from the top of the line LE to the mid-level SV. One item I wish Nissan would fit on to the Quest is its around-view system, which provides views of the sides and back. Not only would the system make it easier to backup, but also would add a measure a safety when backing out of certain situations, like a family gathering. Next: The Verdict Verdict The Nissan Quest dares to be different in the minivan class and it mostly pays off. The interior and the appointments place the Quest at the top of the class. Plus, the 3.5L V6 and Xtronic CVT make the Quest a pleasure to drive. But the Quest does have a big flaw. Due to the seats being permanently locked in place, the cargo capacity is severely limited. This could be a deal breaker for most buyers since you lose out on a good amount of cargo space because you cannot take them out of the vehicle. Other competitors offer much more space because you can either remove or fold the seats into the floor. The Quest is the best in class if your primary concern is to have the most luxuries in a minivan. If luxury isn’t your primary concern, look to another van. Cheers Interior Interior Features Powertrain Ride Jeers Cargo Space Placement of the shifter Disclaimer: Nissan provided the vehicle, insurance, and one tank of gas Year - 2012 Make – Nissan Model – Quest Trim – LE Engine – 3.5L VQ V6 Driveline – Front Wheel Drive, Xtronic CVT Horsepower @ RPM - 260 @ 6000 Torque @ RPM – 240 @ 4400 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 19/24/21 Curb Weight – 4568 lbs Location of Manufacture – Kyushu, Japan Base Price - $41,350.00 As Tested Price - $43,715.00 (Includes $810.00 Destination Charge) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears and a connoisseur of minivans. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 21, 2012 Since February of this year, Bentley has said they're looking into the plug-in hybrid powertrain for their upcoming SUV. But the SUV isn't the only vehicle that Bentley is considering for a hybrid. Car and Driver learned from former Bentley CEO, Wolfgang Dürheimer that future Bentley models, including the SUV, will be available with a plug-in hybrid option. Also being worked on for future Bentley model are diesel engines. Dürheimer reveals that prototype vehicles with diesel engines are up and running. Dürheimer didn't reveal any details, but Car and Driver speculates that Bentley will use Audi’s next-generation V8 diesel engine producing more than 400 HP. There is some bad news with Bentley's powertrains. The venerable 6.75L (or 6 3/4) twin-turbo V8 used in the Mulsanne will be retired. “I believe the 6.75-liter V-8 can retire,” said Dürheimer. The reason? Bentley is setting itself to be VW's center for 12-cylinder engines. Having your flagship model using a V8 is a no-no. However, the change won't be happening until the next generation Mulsanne is released, and no one knows when that will be happening. Source: Car and Driver William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article