William Maley

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 1, 2012 Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer of the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S said something very interesting to Germany's Autobild magazine. "The GT 86 was designed from the outset that we can build it as a convertible," said Tada. So what does that mean? We could be seeing a convertible version of Scion FR-S within a few years, most likely retaining the 2.0L boxer-four with 197 HP. Source: Autobild View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 1, 2012 Nissan is taking a page out of the Volkswagen playbook with their announcement of a new modular platform. Called the Common Module Family (CMF) architecture, Nissan says the platform will allow the company to share up to 80 percent of parts between all new Nissan vehicles. CMF is comprised of four distinct components to each vehicle: the engine compartment, front chassis/sub frame, the cabin, and the rear chassis. Each has its own options to build minivans, SUVs, sedans, or hatchbacks. Besides helping Nissan reduce costs and manufacturing complexities, the move will allow the company to launch new vehicles more quickly, and spread new technologies throughout its product line. Nissan says the platform will premiere in 2013. Press Release is on Page 2 Nissan Unveils ‘Nissan CMF’ Next-generation Vehicle Engineering - 4+1 Big Module Concept - YOKOHAMA, Japan - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the introduction of its next-generation vehicle engineering concept, named Nissan Common Module Family (CMF). Nissan vehicles developed under the CMF strategy are slated to enter the marketplace from 2013. In vehicle development, cost reductions are fundamental to maintaining product competitiveness amid the increasing calls for environmental and safety improvements that often increase costs. In response to the corresponding challenges, Nissan created CMF, which combines modular engineering with Nissan's own engineering technologies, in areas such as simulation and variation engineering (a way to enhance commonization) and the pursuit of simplicity. Through the introduction of CMF, Nissan expects to dramatically raise the appeal of its products and thereby significantly expand sales volume. Nissan has long been promoting vehicle platform commonization, with several vehicle variations derived from a single platform. This has become critical to achieving the rapid improvements in products demanded by today's competitive global marketplace. Each new vehicle that is developed requires distinctive characteristics, improved fuel economy, passenger safety and IT features, and the rapid application of the latest technologies into the development process. At the same time, volume efficiencies need to be achieved through the extensive use of common vehicle structures, components and parts. Up to now, these contrasting elements have been difficult to balance. To contend with these challenges, Nissan is implementing its next-generation "Nissan CMF" vehicle engineering strategy. The application of Nissan CMF entails the use of four modules - engine compartment, cockpit, front underbody and rear underbody - as well as the architecture for electronic components, with each module having appropriate variations. Vehicles are designed by combining these modules in different ways. Depending on the module configuration, a variety of vehicles - compacts, large-sized vehicles through to tall SUVs - can be efficiently designed. Nissan has committed to introducing 90 new technologies by 2016. The launch of Nissan CMF will enable commonization that transcends vehicle segments, lower costs, and facilitate the simultaneous application of attractive new technologies across several models that up to now had been clustered in higher-end segments. Nissan CMF will bring new technologies to a wider range of Nissan owners around the world faster than ever before. Nissan will introduce 51 new models over the course of its mid-term business plan, Nissan Power 88, to offer more attractive and competitive products to potential customers all over the world. View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 1, 2012 The Fisker Karma sports some sleek lines and daring proportions for an plug-in hybrid vehicle. The one it doesn’t sport is space. One only needs to see the Karma’s trunk to realize how much of a priority the design took over the space. However, at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Fisker showed off the Surf concept. The Surf takes a regular Karma and extends its roofline with a hatchback/wagon/shooting brake body style to give it more space. Word has it that Fisker has green lit the Surf for production and will be shown at the Paris Motor Show in September. Source: Autoweek View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 29, 2012 General Motors released a teaser picture of the new Buick Enclave which will make its official debut at the New York auto show in April. The picture which teases the interior of the new Enclave looks the same as the new Acadia, except for the different color lighting. So that means the Enclave will have Buick's Intellilink system, an extensive use of LED ambient lighting, and new switchgear. Also, expect the center airbag seen in the Acadia to appear as well. Source: GM View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 29, 2012 The rumor of GM and PSA Peugeot Citroën creating an alliance for the past couple of weeks is now true. Today, the two announced a new global alliance in which GM will buy a 7% stake in PSA. The alliance would have GM and PSA sharing vehicle platforms, components and modules. Plus, the alliance would give both stronger purchasing power for sourcing components, raw materials and other goods and services. The vehicle platforms in question are will be small and midsize passenger cars, MPVs and crossovers, with the first one arriving by 2016. GM says that results from the alliance will save approximately $2 billion annually within about five years. Still, analysts and investors are still wondering why GM & PSA are teaming up. Press Release is on Page 2 GM and PSA Peugeot Citroën Create Global Alliance Long-term strategic pairing to leverage combined scale and strengths NEW YORK – General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroën today announced the creation of a long-term and broad-scale global strategic alliance that will leverage the combined strengths and capabilities of the two companies, contribute to the profitability of both partners and strongly improve their competitiveness in Europe. The alliance is structured around two main pillars: the sharing of vehicle platforms, components and modules; and the creation of a global purchasing joint venture for the sourcing of commodities, components and other goods and services from suppliers with combined annual purchasing volumes of approximately $125 billion. Each company will continue to market and sell its vehicles independently and on a competitive basis. Beyond these pillars, the alliance creates a flexible foundation that allows the companies to pursue other areas of cooperation. In connection with the alliance, PSA Peugeot Citroën is expected to raise approximately €1 billion through a capital increase with preferential subscription rights for shareholders of PSA Peugeot Citroën, underwritten by a syndicate of banks and including an investment from the Peugeot Family Group, as a sign of its confidence in the success of the alliance. As part of the agreement, which includes no specific provision regarding the governance of PSA Peugeot Citroën, GM plans to acquire a 7 percent equity stake in PSA Peugeot Citroën, making it the second-largest shareholder behind the Peugeot Family Group. “This partnership brings tremendous opportunity for our two companies,” said Dan Akerson, GM chairman and CEO. “The alliance synergies, in addition to our independent plans, position GM for long-term sustainable profitability in Europe.” Philippe Varin, chairman of the managing board of PSA Peugeot Citroën, declared, “This alliance is a tremendously exciting moment for both groups and this partnership is rich in its development potential. With the strong support of our historical shareholder and the arrival of a new and prestigious shareholder, the whole group is mobilized to reap the full benefit of this agreement.” Under the terms of the agreement, GM and PSA Peugeot Citroën will share selected platforms, modules and components on a worldwide basis in order to achieve cost savings, gain efficiencies, leverage volumes and advanced technologies and reduce emissions. Sharing of platforms not only enables global applications, it also permits both companies to execute Europe-specific programs with scale and in a cost-effective manner. Initially, GM and PSA Peugeot Citroën intend to focus on small and midsize passenger cars, MPVs and crossovers. The companies will also consider developing a new common platform for low emission vehicles. The first vehicle on a common platform is expected to launch by 2016. This alliance enhances but does not replace either company’s ongoing independent efforts to return their European operations to sustainable profitability. The purchasing cooperation defined in the agreement allows the companies to act as one global purchasing organization when it comes to sourcing commodities, components and services from suppliers, taking full advantage of the joint expertise, volume, platforms and standardized parts. Combining GM’s robust global processes and organizational structure with best practices from PSA Peugeot Citroën will bring significant value and efficiencies to the purchasing operations at both companies. Additionally, the alliance is exploring areas for further cooperation, such as integrated logistics and transportation. To this end, GM intends to establish a strategic, commercial cooperation with Gefco, an integrated logistics services company and subsidiary of PSA Peugeot Citroën, whereby Gefco would provide logistics services to GM in Europe and Russia. The total synergies expected from the alliance are estimated at approximately $2 billion USD annually within about five years. The synergies will largely coincide with new vehicle programs, with limited benefit expected in the first two years. It is expected the synergies will be shared about evenly between the two companies. The alliance will be supervised by a global steering committee that includes an equal number of senior leader representatives from each company. Its implementation is subject to requisite regulatory approvals in certain jurisdictions as well as notification to the appropriate workers councils. View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 29, 2012 Ferrari has unveiled their most powerful vehicle, the F12 Berlinetta before its official showing at next week's Geneva Motor Show. Succeeding the current 599, the F12 Berlinetta comes with a brand new 6.3L V-12 engine, producing 740 HP and 509 lb-ft of torque. That gives the F12 Berlinetta figures of 0-60 MPH in 3.1 seconds, a top speed of 211 MPH, and a lap time of 1:23 around the Fiorano circuit. Despite the massive performance increase, Ferrari says the new 6.3L V12 engine will be 30% more fuel efficient than the outgoing 6.0-liter V12 in the 599. The F12 Berlinetta's aluminum chassis is 154 lbs lighter and 20% stiffer than the outgoing 599. The chassis is also shorter which allowed Ferrari to lower the engine, dashboard and seats further in the chassis. In addition, Ferrari engineers created a new layout for the rear suspension and gearbox. Those changes give the F12 Berlinetta a 46/54 weight distribution. Design of the F12 Berlinetta was done by the Ferrari Styling Center and Pininfarina. The front end is aggressive and pulls some cues from the 458 Italia and FF. The back end has a personality of its own with a air diffuser that is split up into three sections. The design gives the F12 Berlinetta a drag co-efficient of 0.299 and improved downforce. Press Release is on Page 2 Announcing the F12berlinetta: the fastest Ferrari ever built The first in a new generation of V12 cars unveiled exclusively on www.ferrari.com Maranello, 29th February 2012 – Today's on-line unveiling of the F12berlinetta ushers in a new generation of Ferrari 12-cylinders in the form of a car that delivers unprecedented performance from an exceptional new engine, combined with innovative design that redefines classic themes along with extreme aerodynamics. Revealed to the world for the first time on Ferrari.com in preparation for its official debut at the Geneva International Motor Show, the F12berlinetta, finished in an attractive new Rosso Berlinetta three-layer colour, represents the very cutting-edge of mid-front-engined sports cars. This is, in fact, the most powerful and high-performance Ferrari road car ever launched thanks to the incredibly efficient engine – in terms of mechanical, combustion and fluid-dynamics efficiency – which, together with advanced vehicle architecture, aerodynamics, components and electronic controls, guarantee unsurpassed driving involvement whatever the road or track. Ferrari's traditional transaxle layout has been revolutionised to match the more extreme performance of the car. The wheelbase has been shortened and the engine, dashboard and seats have been lowered in the chassis, while the new layout of the rear suspension and gearbox enabled Ferrari's engineers to make the rear volume of the car smaller. The overall result is a very compact car with a lower centre of gravity that is further back in the chassis, and a level of aerodynamic efficiency that sets new standards. Scaglietti, renowned for its expertise in aluminium materials and construction, designed an all-new spaceframe chassis and bodyshell using 12 different kinds of alloys, some of which have been used here for the first time in the automotive sector, and employing new assembly and joining techniques. This has resulted in a 20 per cent increase in structural rigidity while reducing weight to just 1525 kg (70 kg less than the previous V12 coupé) with an ideal distribution between the axles (54 per cent over the rear). The F12berlinetta's 6262cc 65° V12 engine delivers unprecedented performance and revs for a naturally-aspirated 12-cylinder. Its maximum power output is 740 CV which translates to a specific output of 118 CV/l. Torque reaches a peak of 690 Nm, 80 per cent of which is already available at just 2,500 rpm, and which provides an unrelenting surge of acceleration all the way to the 8,700 rpm limit. The engine is mated to the F1 dual-clutch transmission, which has closer gear ratios developed specifically for this car's performance. The F12berlinetta boasts a weight-to-power ratio of just 2.1 kg/CV . Fuel consumption has been reduced by 30%, with CO2 emissions of just 350 g/km – figures which put the F12berlinetta at the top of the high-performance league. These results have been obtained by extensive research and development which focused on efficiencies of the whole vehicle: engine, aerodynamics, tyres and weights. Similarly excellent results have been obtained with the car's aerodynamic development, thanks to the integration of the design process with extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and lengthy testing in the wind tunnel. Downforce has been boosted by 76 per cent (123 kg at 200 km/h) while drag has been significantly reduced (the Cd is just 0.299). These results come courtesy of two new solutions. The first of these is the Aero Bridge which uses the bonnet to generate downforce by channelling air away from the upper part of the car to its flanks where it interacts with the wake from the wheel wells to decrease drag. The second is Active Brake Cooling, a system that opens guide vanes to the brake cooling ducts only at high operating temperatures, again reducing drag. The F12berlinetta's impressive technical specifications are completed by Ferrari's latest generation carbon-ceramic brakes (CCM3) and the evolution of the magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM-E). As is now traditional with all Ferraris, its control systems (E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac, and high-performance ABS) are all fully integrated. The result is that the new Prancing Horse 12-cylinder accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.5 seconds. It also completes a lap of the Fiorano circuit in 1'23", faster than any other Ferrari road car. Benchmark performance and maximum driving involvement are guaranteed by immediate turn-in, with smaller steering wheel angles, and increased cornering speed. Stopping distances have also been drastically reduced. The design of the F12berlinetta is a result of the collaboration between the Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina and is a perfect balance of uncompromising aerodynamics with harmonious proportions interpreting the typical elements of Ferrari's front-engined V12 cars in an original and innovative way. A coupé with sleek, aggressive lines whose compact exterior dimensions conceal exceptional in-car space and comfort. The all-new Frau leather interior highlights the balance of advanced technology and sophisticated, handcrafted detailing. In the middle of the light and lean dashboard, there are new carbon fibre and aluminium air vents clearly inspired by the aeronautic field. The cabin has been optimised to ensure maximum usability of the interior space with additional luggage capacity behind the seats, which can also be easily reached thanks to the large aperture offered by the tail-gate. With the cockpit designed around the driver, typical of all Ferraris, the Human Machine Interface approach is emphasised, grouping all the major commands within immediate reach to guarantee maximum ergonomics for the most involving driving experience. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Engine Type 65-degree V12 Total displacement 6262 cc Maximum power output 740 CV at 8500 rpm Maximum torque 690 Nm at 6000 rpm Dimensions and weight Length 4618 mm Width 1942 mm Height 1273 mm Dry weight* 1525 kg Weight distribution 46% front, 58% rear Weight-power ratio 2,1 kg/CV Performance Maximum speed over 340 km/h 0-100 km/h 3.1 seconds View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 29, 2012 Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said on the sidelines of an industry event in Brussels that the company is looking for a partner to help share production and development costs. "We're on the move. We can be an active partner everywhere around the world," said Marchionne. When asked about possibly partnering up with a European automaker, Marchionne said he’s looking them, but there isn’t a lot of options open. When asked if they would be interested in a partnership with Mazda or Suzuki, Marchionne said, "there are many opportunities to look at, including those." Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article