William Maley

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 13, 2012 The Lamborghini Gallardo has been an important car for the Italian automaker - more than 12,000 Gallardos have been sold; the next bestseller is the discontinued Murciélago, at 4099 vehicles. So the next one has a lot to live up for. Car & Driver spoke with Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann to find out what to expect with the Gallardo’s Replacement. Winkelmann said the car will make “a clear cut” from the Gallardo, especially in the looks. “We always say that design is not an evolution but a revolution, and this will be the philosophy of the follow-up to the Gallardo.” Expect the replacement to have a somewhat family resemblance with the Aventador. Don’t expect the carbon-fiber-intensive construction used in the Aventador to make its way to the new car. As for the platform, the Gallardo’s Replacement will utilize VW Group’s modular sports-car architecture (a.k.a. MSS). MSS will also appear in the next Audi R8 and future Porsches. Stephan Reil, head of development at Audi’s Quattro performance division told Car & Driver the next R8 and the new Lamborghini will share 15 to 20% more parts than the current cars. Power will likely stay a V10 and the only transmission will be a dual-clutch automatic. Source: Car & Driver View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 12, 2012 Mazda will be shrinking its U.S. workforce as a way to stay afloat financially. Mazda is "in the midst of an extremely challenging business environment. It has become necessary for us to reexamine our business to accelerate further cost improvement," said Jim O'Sullivan, CEO of Mazda North American Operations in a memo sent to employees. The plan, slated to start this month and last for five months will begin with the company offering voluntary buyouts to employees. Then, Mazda will layoff employees who didn't take part in the buyouts and then begin a restructuring process. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 12, 2012 Well, this is different. Car Magazine is reporting that Audi has signed an agreement with Italian motorcycle maker, Ducati to possibly buy them. The deal would cost of 850 million euros (about $1.1 billion) The 850 million includes a 800 million euro debt. Sources at Audi tell Car the company will most likely offer between 50 to 100 million euros and take on the large debt load. So, why is Audi interested in Ducati? Well there are three reasons. One: Audi has a bit of motorcycle history with former brands DKW and NSU. Two: Ducati chairman Andrea Bonomi has said he views "'Ducati as the two-wheel equivalent of Audi". Three: Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piëch has been wanting Ducati for the longest time. Back in 2008, Piëch said it was mistake not buying Ducati at the time. However, Audi isn't the only wanting Ducati. Mercedes-Benz, who's own AMG performance division is a partner with the brand and India's Mahindra are also in the running. Source: Car Magazine View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 12, 2012 Bentley’s SUV concept, the EXP 9 F was the most polarizing and controversial vehicle shown at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. After hearing reactions, Bentley has decided to back to the drawing board on their SUV. What Car? has learned from a Bentley source the EXP 9 F will be getting some changes. Those changes could include “more traditional SUV proportions”, “less retro surfacing”, and smaller headlights. Source: What Car? View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 12, 2012 We’ve been hearing for the past couple of months of a new Maserati Quattroporte coming sometime next year and now we got our hands on the first spy shots. You have to give Maserati’s engineers credit for plastering all of the camouflage on this mule. The only way you could tell it was a Maserati was an opening in the front for cooling; this is where the trident grill would be placed. So what do we know about the new Quattroporte? Well, we know that it will grow in size to make space for a new smaller sedan. We also know that the new Quattroporte could be using some bits from the Chrysler 300 in its new platform. And we’re expecting the current V8 to have some changes before it arrives sometime in 2013. Source: Autoblog View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 10, 2012 If you were to take a look at Hyundai's current lineup, you would notice a lot of fresh/new vehicles (Sonata, Accent, Elantra). But you also notice the two oldest vehicles; the Santa Fe and the long-forgotten Veracruz. We know Hyundai has a new Santa Fe on the way due to some leaked photos back in January. Now, Hyundai has released some renderings of the new Santa Fe that will be shown at the New York Auto Show next month. Hyundai calls the crossover's new styling language "Storm Edge," stating it's an evolution of the "Fluidic Sculpture" language that it's has been using over the last few years. The front end gets a new a new trapezoidal grille and what look like to be tapered-back headlights, confirming the pictures that came out in January. The profile shot of the Santa Fe reveals that it will likely , continue to be a two-row crossover to do battle with the Ford Edge and Toyota Venza. Source: Twitter, 2 View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 9, 2012 Honda is currently the only automaker to sell a passenger vehicle that can run on Natural Gas, the Civic Natural Gas. There's one problem; to buy a Civic Natural Gas, a dealer has to be within a twenty-mile radius of a Natural Gas station. Currently, 270 Honda dealers in the U.S. sell it. Honda wants to change that. The company is currently looking at installing Natural Gas pumps at its dealers to help increase sales of the Civic Natural Gas. “If the dealer had a fueling station, it would really reduce some of that concern for the customer,” said Steve Center, U.S. vice president for environmental business development at Honda. Honda is currently in negotiations with regulators in California to have pumps placed at two or more Honda dealerships this year. "It's not our place to create infrastructure, but it's a chicken-and-egg situation and we're going to have to nurse that egg along," said Center. However, its still an idea. Center said details like the cost of a CNG station at a dealership, how many vehicles it could serve a day, and how many can be established are being looked at. Honda will work with the dealers to gain the necessary permits, provide financing, and will apply for public incentives. “Something like this helps fill in holes. We want to select a couple of test cases and walk through it,” Center said. Source: Bloomberg View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 9, 2012 Last week, Ford released a teaser picture of their new F-Series Super Duty hiding under a bed sheet. Ford didn't say much except there would be another model added to the lineup and it would be revealed on March 9th. Well its March 9th and the internet didn't pull a surprise reveal during the run up. So, ladies and gentlemen, the new 2013 Ford F-Series Super Duty. So aside from the front grill that seems to grow larger every year, what is the big news? Well it isn't with the powertrains. It happens to be the new model, the Platinum. The Platinum will will offer a slew of new standard features including SYNC, MyFord Touch, navigation, rear view camera, Remote Start System, power-telescoping mirrors and power-adjustable pedals. Speaking of MyFord Touch, the F-Series Super Duty will get a version of SYNC with MyFord Touch that offers tactile button controls and large rotating knobs to accommodate truck users who may be wearing work gloves. SYNC with MyFord Touch will be standard on the Platinum and optional on the Lariat and above models. The 2013 Ford F-Series Super Duty arrives at your local Ford dealer later this year. Press Release is on Page 2 More Luxurious Than Ever: 2013 Ford F-Series Super Duty to Offer Platinum Series, SYNC with MyFord Touch 2013 Ford F-Series Super Duty brings no-compromise truck luxury to the market with the first-ever Platinum heavy-duty pickup, complete with unique design cues inside and out Super Duty Platinum will offer a wealth of standard features including SYNC®, MyFord Touch®, navigation, rear view camera, Remote Start System, power-telescoping mirrors and power-adjustable pedals For the first time, the 2013 F-Series Super Duty will also be available with a truck-specific version of SYNC with MyFord Touch, offering tactile button controls and large rotating knobs to accommodate truck users who may be wearing work gloves DEARBORN, Mich., March 9, 2012 – Ford F-Series Super Duty customers demand a truck with toughness and capability, yet they still appreciate the amenities that make their driving experience more enjoyable. The 2013 F-Series Super Duty offers both, with a first-ever Platinum series model and the addition of SYNC® with MyFord Touch®. “The F-Series Super Duty Platinum is the latest expression of Built Ford Tough truck luxury,” said Brian Rathsburg, F-Series Super Duty Marketing manager. “It has a distinct appearance and a long list of features to deliver a superior experience. Along with that, it has all of the capability F-Series trucks are famous for.” Building on the success of the F-150 Platinum light-duty series that debuted in 2009, the F-Series Super Duty Platinum offers customers the ultimate in truck luxury. Ford pioneered the high-end luxury truck segment in 1999 when it introduced the special-edition 2000 Harley-Davidson F-150. In 2003 the first King Ranch Super Duty arrived, followed by the 2004 Harley-Davidson Super Duty. Today, Ford sells a rich mix of high-end Lariat and King Ranch Super Duty models; the new Platinum will further meet the growing luxury needs of customers and dealers. Available only in the Super Duty crew cab, it can be ordered as an F-250, F-350 or F-450 pickup and with the Ford-designed and Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine or the 6.2-liter V8 gas engine. The Platinum series makes a bold statement with a grille that features a satin chrome surround highlighted by perforated mesh inside. The updated grille is enhanced by a monochromatic bumper and chrome tow hooks. The exterior of the Super Duty Platinum is lavished in chrome, including the door handles, mirror caps, running boards and exhaust tip. The boxside on both sides of the truck sports the “Platinum” name in chrome letters and the tailgate is trimmed with a satin chrome appliqué, similar to the one used on the F-150 Platinum. Twenty-inch polished-aluminum wheels with painted black inserts round out the stunning exterior design of the Super Duty Platinum. The interior showcases luxury in the form of unique wood grain appliqués. The steering wheel is heated and leather-wrapped, with genuine wood accents. The instrument panel, center stack and door trims are wrapped in premium wood grain. A new storage area on top of the dash includes two USB ports, audio-video connections, SD card slot and a 12-volt charging port for cell phones and other digital devices. The driver’s seat has 10-way power-adjustable seating and both captain’s chairs are upholstered with softer, premium leather, which is also used on the armrests and console. Other evidence of fine craftsmanship includes the seats and floor mats, which feature the embroidered “Platinum” logo. Other standard features include: SYNC with MyFord Touch Navigation System Power-adjustable pedals Rear view camera Remote Start System Universal garage door opener Power-telescoping mirrors Super Duty Platinum is available in Ruby Red, Kodiak Brown, Tuxedo Black, Ingot Silver and White Platinum. Interior color offerings include Pecan and Midnight Black. Another new exterior color, Blue Jean Metallic, will be available for Super Duty models other than Platinum. Working harder and smarter Unlike the past when a truck was often little more than a spartan work vehicle, today’s truck customers won’t compromise, and they expect capability, efficiency and refinement. The 2013 F-Series Super Duty eliminates any thought of compromise. Standard Ford SYNCbrings award-winning voice-controlled connectivity into the cab of the most capable heavy-duty trucks available. With SYNC, Super Duty drivers can connect compatible mobile phones and media players via Bluetooth® or USB to make calls and play back music using voice control. In addition, drivers will get access to Vehicle Health Report and 911 Assist®, both no-charge lifetime features, and SYNC Services including traffic alerts, business search and more – all while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. The 2013 F-Series Super Duty builds on the foundation of SYNC with MyFord Touch, which is available for the first time. A new 8-inch, high-resolution touch screen display gives drivers easy access to phone, climate control, entertainment and navigation features along with a dramatically expanded voice control vocabulary. The 8-inch display screen also provides a large, clear view behind the truck when in reverse to help drivers maneuver in tight spaces or line up conventional trailers with the truck’s hitch. Unique to Ford F-Series, designers have optimized the physical interface for MyFord Touch to accommodate truck users who may be wearing work gloves by providing easy access to climate controls and audio presets on the center stack. For video of MyFord Touch in Super Duty, click .The latest example of F-Series leadership in truck design, innovation and technology can be found in the 2013 Super Duty Platinum, available later this year. View full article