William Maley

From the press release:

Agreed. Had the chance to take the SRX with the 3.0, now I understand why that engine gets a lot crap. It's not powerful enough.

Cadillac Announces 3.6L DI V6 For The 2012 SRX (Finally!) William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 12, 2011 If there is an Achilles's Heel for the Cadillac SRX, it would be the engine lineup. Either the engine didn't have enough power (3.0L V6) or problems with the type fuel put in and abysmal fuel economy (2.8T V6). Now, Cadillac is rectifying that by offering a 3.6L DI V6 for the 2012 SRX. The 3.6 is projected to produce 300 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque and will be able to run on E85. Other changes for the 2012 SRX include Bluetooth becoming standard on all models, door lock switches on the driver and passenger doors, and heated steering wheel on the luxury, performance and premium trim levels. The SRX with the 3.6 arrives onto dealer lots in the summer. Press Release Is Below 2012 Cadillac SRX Offers More Powerful 3.6L Engine New engine delivers improved acceleration, E85 ethanol FlexFuel capability 2011-04-12 * Bluetooth becomes standard on all models * Heated steering wheel for luxury, performance and premium versions * New 20-inch machined-face wheel finish DETROIT – Cadillac will offer a new, more powerful engine for the 2012 SRX, providing buyers of the luxury crossover with improved acceleration both from a standstill and when passing. The SRX will receive a 3.6L direct-injected V-6 engine projected to deliver 300 horsepower (224 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque, according to preliminary tests by Cadillac. The SRX’s current 3.0L direct-injected V-6 engine provides 265 horsepower (198 kW) and 223 lb.-ft (302 Nm) of torque. SRX models with the new engine are expected to arrive at dealerships in late summer. Pricing will be announced closer to the start of production. Dramatically redesigned for the 2010 model year, the SRX has quickly climbed the luxury crossover ranks. SRX total U.S. sales rose 153 percent last year to 51,094, outselling the Acura MDX, Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK350, and second only to the Lexus RX350 in sales among midsize luxury crossovers. With the new engine, the SRX is projected to top the Lexus RX350 in horsepower and torque. Lexus rates the RX350’s 3.5L V-6 engine at 275 horsepower (205 kW) and 257 lb.-ft. (348 Nm) of torque. “SRX is resonating with luxury buyers by offering the function of a crossover and the distinctive style of a Cadillac,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing. “Now, we’re raising the standards even higher by providing the SRX with enhanced performance. The new engine will make the SRX more responsive for passing on the highway, entering freeways from on-ramps and climbing hills.” In addition to more horsepower and torque, the new engine has a wider rpm range for its maximum torque, which gives the driver more power across a wider range of speeds and driving conditions. The new engine also is FlexFuel capable, meaning it can use either gasoline, E85 ethanol or any combination of the two. EPA fuel economy ratings have not been finalized, but Cadillac expects the SRX to provide customers with comparable real-world fuel efficiency. The current engine has an EPA rating of 18 city/25 highway mpg. Other enhancements on the 2012 SRX include standard Bluetooth phone connectivity on all models, a heated steering wheel on the luxury, performance and premium trim levels and door lock switches on the driver and passenger door panels. The new model will continue to have door lock switches on the center console. Also for 2012, SRX will offer a new machined-face finish on the 20-inch wheels, which are standard on performance and premium trim levels. “Every detail counts,” Butler said. “The SRX has been a phenomenal success, but at Cadillac, we’re always looking for ways to make our automobiles better.” Popular features already offered on the SRX include a moveable cargo fence and large under-floor storage space in the rear, a liftgate that can be programmed to stop at different heights and an UltraView sunroof that covers 70 percent of the vehicle roof. The SRX also is available in an all-wheel-drive version that incorporates an electronic limited slip rear differential. This system not only improves traction in slippery road conditions but provides side-to-side torque transfer along the rear axle to enhance control during hard cornering.

Black Mercury Capri XR2 with the top down

Alfa Romeo's Return To US Is Delayed William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 10, 2011 If you have dreaming about you're new Alfa Romeo in 2012, you will have to keep that dream alive. According to sources in Alfa Romeo, the introduction of the brand to North America and Canada has been pushed back to 2013. The delay is due to manufacturing and styling issues with the Giulia, the replacement for the 159. Also, CEO Sergio Marchionne is unhappy with Chrysler & Dodge designers with their designs for the 200 and Avenger which share the same platform as the Giulia. This puts Alfa Romeo a tight spot not only in North America, but in Europe. Alfa has cut down their European lineup to three models; the MiTo, 159 and Guilietta. They will have to make do for now until a small SUV arrives in 2012 and the Giulia a year after. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

I think you have a curse that's causing all your tire problems

Jeep Considers Diesels For Their Lineup William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 9, 2011 With the price of gas on the rise, Jeep's management is toying with the idea of offering diesels in the US market again. Their hope is to improve Jeep's fuel economy and to avoid a collapse in SUV sales due to rising gas prices. “Diesel in some of our models makes absolute sense. But I still have to make sure there is a sufficient marketplace here to make it make sense from a business perspective,” said Mike Manley, Jeep's president and CEO. Jeep has offered diesels before with the Liberty from 2005-2006 and the Grand Cherokee from 2005-2008. The mostly likely vehicle to get a diesel will be the new Grand Cherokee. Those hoping for a diesel Wrangler will have to keep on dreaming for now. “When you look at the U.S. market, diesel applications in the larger vehicles probably make more sense then they do in the smaller ones, purely because of the cost of the powertrains and the treatments that are required,” to meet emission standards, Manley said. Source: Detroit Free Press

But you're thinking rationally. Any lane on a interstate is go as fast or slow as you like

You did very well Viper, Congrats on the new car

Texas House Approves Plan To Raise Speed Limits William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 8, 2011 Texas is becoming the Fastest State in America. On Wednesday, the Texas House approved a bill that will raise the speed limit on interstates to 85 MPH. Right now, Texas has a speed limit of 80 MPH on 520 miles of interstate. The bill also states the speed limit can be raised by the Texas Department of Transportation once engineering and traffic studies are done on the interstates. "They have high-speed roadways in Europe, and there could be some merit in having some of those highways in Texas. Given the right engineering, we should consider it," said Rep. Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham, who introduced the bill. However, safety advocates and insurance companies loathe the idea of a raised speed limit. "Obviously, the two things that kill most people on our highways are speed and alcohol. Increasing it to 85, or even 75, will have a dramatic impact on the death and injury rate on those highways where it's implemented," said Jerry Johns, a spokesman for the Southwestern Insurance Information Service. The Texas Senate is considering a similar bill. Source: Houston Chronicle

Begins drooling..

And That's Two: Ram Shows Off The Express Pickup William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 7, 2011 Ram Express Gallery Ram is pulling a one two punch with their low cost, high value pickup trucks. At the Chicago Auto Show back in February, Ram pulled the covers off the Ram Tradesman. The Tradesman, aimed at small businesses offers a 390-HP 5.7-L Hemi V8 and best in class towing of 10,450 pounds for a low price tag of $22,780. Now, Ram is taking the same formula and aiming it at sport truck buyers. At the Dallas Auto Show today, Ram pulled the cloak off the Express. The Express packs a 390-HP 5.7-L Hemi V8 and six speed automatic. Two-wheel drive is standard while four-wheel drive is optional. The Express' exterior features a monochromatic paint scheme, body color grill with black honeycomb inserts, body-colored front fascia and body-colored rear fascia with chrome-tipped dual exhausts. The Ram Express starts at $23,830 and goes on sale in the second quarter of 2011. Press Release Is Below Ram Truck Unveils New 1500 Express HEMI® performance and sport-truck appearance target younger customers and first-time buyers Dallas , Apr 7, 2011 - Ram Truck today unveiled the new 2011 Ram 1500 Express. The Ram 1500 Express -- originally announced Feb. 15, 2011 under the code name Adventurer -- is a new Ram Truck model aimed squarely at first-time buyers and owners who are looking for a vehicle with performance and style that they can customize and make their own. “We’re excited about the addition of this new model to the Ram 1500 lineup,” said Fred Diaz, Ram Truck President and CEO and Head of National Sales – Chrysler Group LLC. “There’s nothing that compares to the high-performance value represented by the Ram 1500 Express. Ram 1500 Express combines great looks and MPG along with HEMI horsepower, torque, towing and payload, all at a fantastic price. It gives the youth or first-time truck buyer an opportunity to show off a great looking ride, with unsurpassed V8 entry-level capability, in a tremendous value-priced package.” Plans to launch the new Ram 1500 Express were pulled ahead after company executives saw a groundswell of support for the then-just-announced Ram Tradesman. The Ram Tradesman -- unveiled Feb. 9, 2011 at the Chicago Auto Show -- is a value-priced, HEMI®-powered Ram 1500 regular cab truck that appeals to a cost-conscious, new-vehicle buyer who doesn’t want to give up performance and capability. The new Ram 1500 Express -- like the Ram Tradesman -- offers buyers a standard HEMI V8 engine with a 20 mpg rating for the same price competitors are charging for their V6 engines. Mopar has announced that it will have hundreds of accessories available for buyers who are looking to personalize their Ram 1500 Express. “Given that the Ram 1500 Express is an aggressively priced truck, owners will have plenty left over to personalize and customize their ride,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “For this truck, Mopar will offer more than 300 quality-tested accessories from which to choose.” Loaded with Features In addition to the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine with 390 horsepower and 407 lb.-ft. of torque, Ram 1500 Express comes loaded with features that emphasize its high-performance character. The first thing drivers will notice is the Ram 1500 Express’ racy, monochromatic paint scheme. A body-colored grille with black honeycomb inserts, body-colored front fascia and body-colored rear fascia with chrome-tipped dual exhausts shout “high-performance.” The new Ram model will also get fog lamps and 20-inch aluminum wheels with locking lug nuts. There’s also a locking tailgate, cargo lamp, rear-bumper step pad, 6” x 9” side-view mirrors and rear wheel-well liners. Standard features also include a 160-amp alternator, 26-gallon fuel tank, 3.55 rear axle ratio, 700-amp maintenance-free battery, four and seven-pin trailer wiring harness, heavy-duty front and rear shock absorbers, front and rear stabilizer bars, power rack-and-pinion steering, halogen headlamps, heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling and a full-size spare tire. Inside, the 1500 Express will get a heavy-duty vinyl 40/20/40 split-bench seat, and buyers will have a choice of vinyl or carpeted floor covering. Other features include air conditioning, an instrument cluster with tachometer and 120-mph speedometer, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, four-spoke tilt steering wheel, six-speaker media center with CD and MP3 player, as well as audio jack input for mobile devices, automatic headlamps, behind-the-seat storage bins, driver and passenger assist handles, power accessory delay, rear dome lamp, rear-view day/night mirror, tinted glass windows, tip start and variable intermittent windshield wipers. Safety features include advanced multistage front air bags, supplemental front curtain and side air bags, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, electronic stability control, height-adjust shoulder belts, sentry key theft deterrent system and tire pressure monitoring warning lamp. Ram 1500 Express is available in Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl; Deep Water Blue Pearl; Flame Red, Hunter Green Pearl and Mineral Gray Metallic. Options for Personalization Buyers can choose their own options. In addition to a Class IV receiver hitch, Ram 1500 Express is available with long list of options. Factory-installed exterior options include Mopar chrome tubular side steps, Mopar chrome steel bed rails, folding and heated trailer-tow power mirrors with supplemental signals and courtesy lamps, spray-in bedliner and under-rail bedliner. Inside, buyers can choose a cloth 40/20/40 split-bench seat, Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, rear-view auto-dim mirror, remote USB port, sliding rear window, cruise control, instrument cluster with vehicle information center display screen, tire pressure monitoring display, power one-touch windows, remote keyless entry, Sirius Satellite Radio and either carpet or rubber floor mats. There’s also choice of two optional rear-axle ratios (3.21, 3.92), anti-spin differential, engine block heater and trailer brake controller. Ram 1500 Express comes as a regular cab, short-bed model, with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain. When equipped with an optional Class IV hitch, the new Ram 1500 Express will tow a maximum trailer weight of 10,450 lbs. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for the new Ram 1500 Express will start at $23,830, including $975 destination charge. It will arrive in Ram Truck dealerships in second quarter 2011.

smell

yep, I would agree with that

The owner of this crown vic... my hero