William Maley

Yeah. I'm worried the Outlander will fall into the same problem as the Malibu Eco; leaving me with more questions than answers. So far, there are a few things I have a problem with. Otherwise, I'm finding to be a very capable vehicle.. but for $33K?

You're thinking of XFE.. and yes that was on the Silverado as well

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 11, 2012 As I teased in the Mitsubishi Outlander GT S-AWC interactive review, there are two vehicles in the Cheers & Gears Detroit garage this week. The second vehicle is this, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5 SE. Its a midrange model and comes equipped with a 2.5L five-cylinder engine producing 170 HP and 177 lb-ft of torque. You have the choice between a six-speed manual or as in this Passat, an automatic. First impressions so far: Exterior is a bit plain. 2.5L is a bit of odd engine with acceleration. Starting off, there seems to be no power. Get a little higher in the RPMs and boom, there's power and rapid acceleration. Like the touchscreen radio, now if they would do a large navigation and not a three inch deal. How is Volkswagen getting away calling this a midsize? The large back seat alone makes you think this. I'll have more updates as the week goes on. Until then, drop your questions about the Passat off. Update #1: Sorry for not updating this till today. Unfornately, I've been busy with a few other items that took up my time. Anyways, the Passat is impressing me.. Mostly. The 2.5L is not the best engine for the Passat or any Volkswagen vehicle. Not the most powerful, nor the smoothest engine in its class. I wonder if it would rather be doing something else, like knitting. However, the 2.5L has been delivering some impressive fuel economy. My average so far is 28.2 MPG, which happens to be an MPG higher than the Kia Optima from last week. Also, I was able to match the Passat's highway fuel economy number of 31 MPG over the weekend. The Optima does beat it by 2 MPG though on that same loop. The exterior and interior are growing on me. It's clean and simple. For most buyers in the midsize market, thats what they really want. I'll have another update before the Passat heads back with some more thoughts. Drop off your questions in the meantime. 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 July 11, 2012 As the Kia Optima drives off into the horizon, the Cheers & Gears Detroit garage welcomes not one, but two vehicles this week. The first vehicle is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander GT S-AWC. A bit of mouthful, but let me break it down. Outlander: Mitsubishi's largest crossover on sale, can seat up to seven people GT: Top of the line model: comes with a 3.0L MIVEC V6 producing 230 HP and 215 lb-ft of torque and a six-speed automatic transmission S-AWC: Mitsubishi's advance AWD system which uses an dynamic front differential and Mitsubishi's AWC to provide added safety and performance. First impressions so far are mixed: Outlander's front end is directly related to Lancer Evolution; I like For $33,605 (as tested price), how come there isn't a USB or Aux jack? Only jacks for video. Not sure if the Outlander has Bluetooth or not. Has been prewired.. Ride is a bit firm, but actually kind of fun I'll be updating throughout the week with more thoughts and fuel economy numbers. In the meantime, post your questions and I'll do my best to answer them. As for vehicle number #2, see the next post. Update #1: I've been driving around in the Outlander GT for past couple of days, and I've found some things I like and some I don't. I'll start with the the items I don't like: First, I figured out this Outlander hasn't been fully wired for Bluetooth. It does comes prewired with it, but considering its 2012, don't you think it would be fully wired? Also, I'm finding the ride to a bit too firm. While it does keep the Outlander steady while going through turns or off the beaten path, the Outlander will communicate every bump while in the city or on the highway. The good items about the Outlander: Like the steering on the Outlander, very firm and gives you a very good feel of the road. The six-speed automatic does a very good job of smooth shifts and keeping you in the right gear. Average fuel economy so far is about 24.1 MPG. I'll have another update over the weekend with highway numbers and some more thoughts. Keep those questions coming in the meantime. 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 July 11, 2012 Earlier this week, we reported on a filing from the U.S. Patent and Trademark office about a possible branding for the new diesel engine in the 2014 Grand Cherokee. Apparently this wasn't the only filing Chrysler did. Car & Driver found a trademark application filled by the company to register “HFE High Fuel Efficiency”. The possible descriptor would most likely come on models that have small-displacement engines, and come with low rolling resistance tires and enhanced aerodynamics Currently, Chrysler uses the name of Aero to refer to its most fuel-efficient models. Only one model wears the Aero name and that is the Dart. Whether we see Chrysler drop the Aero for the HFE is something we'll be keeping a close eye on. Source: Car & 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

Here are the numbers: 2012 BMW 535i: 4090 lbs 2012 Cadillac CTS 3.6: 3920 lbs Difference: 170 lbs 2012 BMW 535i xDrive: 4233 lbs 2012 Cadillac CTS 3.6 AWD: 4118 lbs Difference: 115 lbs

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 10, 2012 In 1939, Oldsmobile introduced the first automatic transmission dubbed Hydra-Matic. Hydra-Matic came four forward gears and a reverse gear. Fast forward 73 years and we have vehicles with six, seven, and even eight-speed automatics. And then there is the talk about vehicles getting nine and even ten speed transmission. This of course has the peanut gallery making comments of when we're going to see an eighteen-speed transmission. "We are coming close to the limit," said ZF North American president Julio Caspari. Caspari believes automakers are adding more gears for marketing and not for fuel efficiency gains, citing that there is only an 11% gap between the best transmissions today and a perfect transmission. "Can we produce a perfect transmission, and what would it cost? We would need to look at things like ceramic ball bearings to reduce friction, which would be expensive," Caspari went onto say. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) 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 July 10, 2012 If you have been thinking about buying a Chevrolet, General Motors has sweeten the deal. Starting today, the automaker is offering consumers its new "Chevy Confidence" program. The program allows consumers who buy a 2012 or 2013 Chevrolet model to return it within 30 or 60 days with less than 4,000 miles on the clock and no damage. GM calls it the "Love It Or Return It" program. Also, GM has applied special pricing on all of its 2012 models on top of all current incentives under the banner of "Total Confidence Pricing." Each 2012 model has a clearly-marked no-haggle price. "We have transformed the Chevrolet lineup, so there is no better time than now to reach out to new customers with the love it or return it guarantee and very attractive, bottom line pricing. We think customers who have been driving competitive makes or even older Chevrolets will be very pleased by today's Chevrolet designs, easy-to-use technologies, comprehensive safety and the quality built into all of our cars, trucks and crossovers," said Chris Perry, Chevrolet global vice president of marketing. 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 Backs New Vehicle Lineup with Guarantee DETROIT – Chevrolet is building on the momentum of record breaking global sales and the total transformation of its product lineup by making consumers a bold new guarantee – if you don't love it, return it. Starting today participating U.S. retailers will offer the Chevy Confidence program which includes: "Love it or Return it" – a vehicle return program on every new 2012 or 2013 model year vehicle purchase. Customers can return vehicles bought during the program, with less than 4,000 miles driven and no damage, 30 to 60 days from the purchase date. It's simple – if you don't love it, return it. "Total Confidence Pricing" – all 2012 model year Chevrolets will be offered at special preferred prices in addition to all current vehicle-specific incentives. No mystery about it – the price you see is the price you pay. For full program details and limitations go to chevyconfidence.com. "We have transformed the Chevrolet lineup, so there is no better time than now to reach out to new customers with the love it or return it guarantee and very attractive, bottom line pricing," said Chris Perry, Chevrolet global vice president of marketing. "We think customers who have been driving competitive makes or even older Chevrolets will be very pleased by today's Chevrolet designs, easy-to-use technologies, comprehensive safety and the quality built into all of our cars, trucks and crossovers." "Research has shown customers respond positively to the confidence companies demonstrate with programs like this and appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have the option of being able to return their vehicle," said Perry. With a solid new lineup of vehicles to sell, Chevrolet's U.S. dealers have worked to elevate the retail experience by undergoing a transformation of their own. The results are new showrooms that better showcase the brand, and more highly trained staffs delivering a greater level of customer service. "Chevy Confidence adds another element of convenience to the retail experience that is sure to attract consumers to our showrooms, and we know through first-hand experience that once they get behind the wheel of one of our new products, they are more likely to take one home," said Steve Hurley, co-chair of the Chevrolet Dealer Council. Chevrolet sold 4.76 million vehicles around the world in 2011, setting a global sales record, and is on track to build on that success in 2012 with its best-ever first quarter global sales of 1.18 million vehicles. The U.S. was the brand's leading market and was the leader in both passenger car and performance car sales in 2011. During the past two calendar years, Chevrolet has grown faster than other high-volume global brands, bringing its global market share to 6.28 percent. Chevrolet vehicles are consistently recognized for delivering the quality, features and fuel economy that consumers want. For example, the Malibu was recently recognized as the highest-performing midsize car in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality StudySM. The Silverado HD, Avalanche and Tahoe were also among the top three in their respective segments and the Chevrolet brand turned in its best-ever performance in the study with an overall improvement of 8 percent. Edmunds.com and Parents magazine have also recognized the Cruze Eco and Sonic as two of the Best Family Cars for 2012. Both the Cruze Eco and Sonic deliver fuel economy of 40 mpg or more on the highway and offer consumers the comfort, safety and advanced technology they expect at a value. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 10, 2012 Lexus is in the middle of refreshing their entire lineup, giving them a bold look and some sport. So far, Lexus has unveiled the new GS and ES, and a refreshed RX. Coming up is the LS and following behind is the next IS. ''When you're a challenger brand and you're No.4 [in sales], you can't afford to be evolutionary,'' said Lexus Australia corporate marketing manager, Peter Evans to Drive.com.au. So what are we expecting with the new IS? Exterior design will have Lexus’ now trademark spindle grille wrapped in a coupe-like sedan.The interior will have a richer and more upmarket feel. As for the next IS' base, speculation points towards a modified version of the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S platform. This would help spread development costs for Toyota. Source: Drive.com.au, Motor Authority 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 July 10, 2012 Cadillac has sent mules of the next-generation Cadillac CTS off to Europe for testing and some new spy photos show them in action. Apparently in Europe, its ok to have less camouflage on your test car and that gives us some big hints as to what designers have in mind for the CTS. The large front grille bears a striking resemblance to the Ciel concept. The front headlights, currently prototype assemblies at this time, appear to have a set of LED running lights. The side profile of this mule reveals the rear window is more raked than the current model, almost mimicking the CTS coupe. Most likely, this is to improve aerodynamics and help boost fuel economy. Speaking of which, the CTS powertrain lineup is still under a lot of speculation. Currently, the base engine will be the 2.0T from the ATS, followed by the 3.6L DI V6, and a twin-turbo V6 will be the top engine. Those wondering where an eight-cylinder CTS is need to wait for the V model. 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

See Update #2 for my highway fuel economy. Average fuel economy is back up to 27.2 MPG

You're not the only person who is thinking that

I believe this is a BMW system..

Let me check then.. I thought when Diamler and Chrysler separated, the CRD and CDI went with Diamler.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 9, 2012 Automakers try their best to keep their upcoming cars under wraps - literally and psychically. However, with a click of a shutter or a mouse, the secret they were try to keep is now out in the world. Such could the case with the next generation Corvette. Omega Tool Corp., a Tier One supplier for GM recently put out a video on how they mold the plastic bumper cover for the Corvette. This video normally wouldn't be making everyone go crazy, except this bumper cover isn't for a C6. The one shown in the video carries many of the cues shown on the Stingray concept in 2009. This has caused people to speculate that happens to be for the C7. Since then, the video has been pulled by Omega, which has only added fuel to fire of it being for the C7. We're not quite ready to jump on that bandwagon, but it does leave us with some questions of whats in store for the next Corvette. Source: Corvette Online 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

CDI & CRD are trademarked by Diamler

Any more questions before the Optima heads back tomorrow?