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William Maley

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Everything posted by William Maley

  1. The past month has been quite strenuous on the relationship between the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California. Back in April, EPA chief Scott Pruitt announced they would be rolling back the fuel-efficiency regulations set towards the end of President Obama's tenure. The EPA also announced that it was considering revoking California's waiver to set their own emission standards. A few days later, we reported that the officials from the White House, California, and automakers were trying to work out a possible emissions deal to prevent a legal fight. It seems those talks went nowhere as California along with sixteen other states and the District of Columbia have filed suit challenging the rollback. On Tuesday, the collation led by California filed a suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia challenging the rollback. This group makes up 40 percent of the U.S. auto market. "The states joining today's lawsuit represent 140 million people who simply want cleaner and more efficient cars. This phalanx of states will defend the nation's clean car standards to boost gas mileage and curb toxic air pollution," said California Governor Jerry Brown in a statement. The suit alleges that the EPA decision to roll back the regulation lacked any scientific reason. The EPA is also accused of failing to follow its own regulations and violating the Clean Air Act. “This is California saying: You really want war? We’ll give you war. It’s a signal to the administration that they’re not going to get away with anything in this space,” said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign to the New York Times. According to Reuters, the Department of Transportation has a draft proposal of the changes that is expected to be released to the public later this month. The draft would freeze emission requirements for vehicles at 2020 levels through 2026. The draft also asserts that the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 bars California from imposing their own rules, even with the waiver. This proposal has already earned the ire of the public and various members of the U.S. Senate. One Senator, Tom Carper, D-Delaware obtained a copy of the proposal and sent a scathing letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and Pruitt. “Such a proposal, if finalized, would harm U.S. national and economic security, undermine efforts to combat global warming pollution, create regulatory and manufacturing uncertainty for the automobile industry and unnecessary litigation, increase the amount of gasoline consumers would have to buy, and runs counter to statements that both of you have made to Members of Congress,” wrote Carper. There is a lot riding on this suit as it could possibly cause the U.S. to have two different emission regulations and automakers having to meet both of them. "Enough is enough. We're not looking to pick a fight with the Trump administration, but when the stakes are this high for our families' health and our economic prosperity, we have a responsibility to do what is necessary to defend them," said Xavier Becerra, California state attorney general. Yesterday, the White House announced that it will be meeting with leaders of the major automakers next week. The meeting will be talking about the planned changes to the fuel efficiency rules. It is expected that automakers will be trying to push the Trump administration and California to agree to a national standard. Source: New York Times, Roadshow, Reuters, (2), U.S. Senate (Carper's Letter)
  2. More and more automakers are launching subscription services as another option to get into new or used cars. But a new report shows the subscription services are still flying under the radar for most consumers. Autolist recently conducted a survey with 1,428 car shoppers in the second half of April. This is what they found out. 70 percent of shoppers had no idea that such a thing existed Out of the 30 percent of shoppers who knew about subscription services, only half could actually name one 33 percent would consider a subscription service for their next vehicle. The number climbs to 45 percent when asked if they would consider it in the future The big draw to subscription services? 37 percent of shoppers said the ability to switch between different types of vehicles. This was followed by no long-term commitment (32 percent). The results aren't really that surprising. Only one subscription service, Care by Volvo is available nationwide. All of the other services are in limited to one or a few cities. Book by Cadillac is only available in New York, but there are plans to expand it to Dallas and LA in the coming year. Not helping is most of the services being offered come from luxury automakers which means high prices. Source: Autolist View full article
  3. More and more automakers are launching subscription services as another option to get into new or used cars. But a new report shows the subscription services are still flying under the radar for most consumers. Autolist recently conducted a survey with 1,428 car shoppers in the second half of April. This is what they found out. 70 percent of shoppers had no idea that such a thing existed Out of the 30 percent of shoppers who knew about subscription services, only half could actually name one 33 percent would consider a subscription service for their next vehicle. The number climbs to 45 percent when asked if they would consider it in the future The big draw to subscription services? 37 percent of shoppers said the ability to switch between different types of vehicles. This was followed by no long-term commitment (32 percent). The results aren't really that surprising. Only one subscription service, Care by Volvo is available nationwide. All of the other services are in limited to one or a few cities. Book by Cadillac is only available in New York, but there are plans to expand it to Dallas and LA in the coming year. Not helping is most of the services being offered come from luxury automakers which means high prices. Source: Autolist
  4. The Escape is an important model for Ford. Last year, the company moved 308,296 Escapes off dealer lots. But with the announcement last week that Ford will be focusing more on trucks and utility models in the coming years, the Escape will be playing a bigger role. Car and Driver obtained the first spy shots of the next-generation Escape, expected sometime next year as 2020 model. Due to the extensive use of camouflage on the mule, we can't tell much about the design. We're guessing the front end might look similar to the EcoSport partly due to the flat shape. The lone shot of the interior reveals an interior layout similar to the EcoSport and Focus with the infotainment system sitting on top of the center stack. The next-generation Escape is expected to move from the C1 platform to yet, an unnamed global platform that underpins the next Focus. This will address two shortcomings of the current Escape - poor crash test scores and not being able to fit a hybrid/plug-in hybrid powertrain. Powertrains are expected to include the 1.5 and 2.0 EcoBoost four-cylinders, and a hybrid powertrain. We wouldn't be surprised if a plug-in is also available. Source: Car and Driver
  5. The Escape is an important model for Ford. Last year, the company moved 308,296 Escapes off dealer lots. But with the announcement last week that Ford will be focusing more on trucks and utility models in the coming years, the Escape will be playing a bigger role. Car and Driver obtained the first spy shots of the next-generation Escape, expected sometime next year as 2020 model. Due to the extensive use of camouflage on the mule, we can't tell much about the design. We're guessing the front end might look similar to the EcoSport partly due to the flat shape. The lone shot of the interior reveals an interior layout similar to the EcoSport and Focus with the infotainment system sitting on top of the center stack. The next-generation Escape is expected to move from the C1 platform to yet, an unnamed global platform that underpins the next Focus. This will address two shortcomings of the current Escape - poor crash test scores and not being able to fit a hybrid/plug-in hybrid powertrain. Powertrains are expected to include the 1.5 and 2.0 EcoBoost four-cylinders, and a hybrid powertrain. We wouldn't be surprised if a plug-in is also available. Source: Car and Driver View full article
  6. Genesis can't seem to make up its mind of what it wants to do with their dealer network. Back in January, the brand announced that it would be cutting back on the number of dealers eligible to sell Genesis models from 350 to 100. The 100 dealers would be located in 48 markets including Chicago and LA. The move unsurprisingly left a number of Hyundai dealers upset as they had spent a fair amount of money to make their showrooms and service areas ready for Genesis models. Automotive News reports that Genesis has made some changes to their dealer plans. According to a brief provided by an unnamed dealer, all Hyundai dealers will be eligible to apply to sell and service Genesis models. Those who apply will need to have separate facilities for Genesis models and will only be allowed to sell 2019 model year vehicles. The current 350 Genesis dealers can continue to sell model or take the settlement money that was part of the company's original plan announced earlier this year. "By having more nationwide distribution, you're going to allay consumer fears that they'll be traveling and not be able to get service on their vehicle," said the unnamed dealer. A Genesis spokesman told Automotive News that it's possible that there could be more than 100 Genesis dealers. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article
  7. Genesis can't seem to make up its mind of what it wants to do with their dealer network. Back in January, the brand announced that it would be cutting back on the number of dealers eligible to sell Genesis models from 350 to 100. The 100 dealers would be located in 48 markets including Chicago and LA. The move unsurprisingly left a number of Hyundai dealers upset as they had spent a fair amount of money to make their showrooms and service areas ready for Genesis models. Automotive News reports that Genesis has made some changes to their dealer plans. According to a brief provided by an unnamed dealer, all Hyundai dealers will be eligible to apply to sell and service Genesis models. Those who apply will need to have separate facilities for Genesis models and will only be allowed to sell 2019 model year vehicles. The current 350 Genesis dealers can continue to sell model or take the settlement money that was part of the company's original plan announced earlier this year. "By having more nationwide distribution, you're going to allay consumer fears that they'll be traveling and not be able to get service on their vehicle," said the unnamed dealer. A Genesis spokesman told Automotive News that it's possible that there could be more than 100 Genesis dealers. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
  8. Back in March, Bentley unveiled their first electrified model. The Bentayga Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid that pairs a turbocharged 3.0L V6 with an electric motor to improve efficiency and allow the model to travel up to 31 miles on EV power alone. But Bentley's new CEO Adrian Hallmark admits they need to do more. “The [Bentayga] hybrid is a great first step but we need to do more than one hybrid. Hence the first thing we’ve changed [since I started] is the electrification of the cycle plan as fast as we can," said Hallmark to Autocar. He admits that the luxury automaker wasn't prepared for the electrification trend and is working fast to fix this. “That’s been quite a big change and we’ve shuffled a number of things around to be able to do it. It means that in every name plate will be an electrified option - hybrid or full electric – by 2025. We’ll flesh out specific plans in the next three to six months. Certainly by the end of this year, we’ll be in a much clearer position about what we’ll do.” Bentley is also planning to launch an electric vehicle within the next five years. Hallmark wouldn't go into detail about what the model would be, but did say we could do anything.” Source: Autocar View full article
  9. Back in March, Bentley unveiled their first electrified model. The Bentayga Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid that pairs a turbocharged 3.0L V6 with an electric motor to improve efficiency and allow the model to travel up to 31 miles on EV power alone. But Bentley's new CEO Adrian Hallmark admits they need to do more. “The [Bentayga] hybrid is a great first step but we need to do more than one hybrid. Hence the first thing we’ve changed [since I started] is the electrification of the cycle plan as fast as we can," said Hallmark to Autocar. He admits that the luxury automaker wasn't prepared for the electrification trend and is working fast to fix this. “That’s been quite a big change and we’ve shuffled a number of things around to be able to do it. It means that in every name plate will be an electrified option - hybrid or full electric – by 2025. We’ll flesh out specific plans in the next three to six months. Certainly by the end of this year, we’ll be in a much clearer position about what we’ll do.” Bentley is also planning to launch an electric vehicle within the next five years. Hallmark wouldn't go into detail about what the model would be, but did say we could do anything.” Source: Autocar
  10. Previous Page Next Page Porsche continues its slow rollout of new Cayenne models with the introduction of the new E-Hybrid variant. Taking the turbocharged 3.0L V6 found in the base Cayenne, Porsche teams it up with an electric motor producing with 134 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Total output is rated at 455 horsepower and 516 pound-feet. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The run to 60 mph takes 4.7 seconds, about 0.2 seconds quicker than the twin-turbo V6 Cayenne S. Keep the accelerator pinned and the E-Hybrid will reach a top speed of 157 mph. Porsche has fitted a larger 14.1 kWh battery pack into the E-Hybrid. This allows the model to travel 44 kilometers (about 27 miles) according to NEDC testing. Expect the range to be slightly lower in EPA ratings. A 3.6-kW on-board charger comes standard and can fully recharge the battery in 7.8 hours when plugged into a 230V connection. The optional 7.2 kW onboard charger drops the recharge time to 2.3 hours when plugged into a 230V connection. There are four drive modes that are exclusive to the Cayenne E-Hybrid E-Power: Runs on electric power only until the battery is depleted E-Hold: Keeps the current state of the battery's charge intact until the driver decides to use it E-Charge: Gas engine produces more power to help charge the battery Hybrid Auto: Combines various amounts of gas and electric power to maximize efficiency The only differences between the Cayenne E-Hybrid and regular Cayenne are the E-Hybrid badges, an extra door for the charging point, and Acid Green brake calipers. It will be awhile before the Cayenne E-Hybrid arrives in the U.S. Porsche says the model will arrive early next year with a base price of $80,950 - includes a $1,050 destination charge. Source: Porsche 2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Plugs in and Boosts Performance Newest Porsche brings ‘E-performance’ option to Cayenne line-up 3.0L mono-turbo V6 and electric motor create 455 hp, 516 lb-ft of torque 14.1 kWh lithium ion battery pack offers up to 44 kilometers of EV range (NEDC) 0-60: 4.7 seconds (0.7 seconds quicker than previous generation) Porsche First: 22-inch wheels Available in early 2019 with a starting MSRP of $79,900 Atlanta, Georgia. Premiering today, the 2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid solidifies its place in the lineup while making significant advancements over both the standard Cayenne and the preceding Cayenne S E-Hybrid it replaces. Those advantages include more power, quicker acceleration, a faster top speed, and increased electric-only range. The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid uses the same three-liter mono-turbo V6 as the Cayenne, but significantly increases total horsepower and torque by integrating an electric motor. The latest Porsche “E-performance” model adopts the same hybrid boost strategy as the 918 Spyder super sports car. By leveraging the instantaneous torque of the electric motor and the power of a turbocharged V6 gasoline engine, the Cayenne E-Hybrid has an especially broad power band that improves its acceleration capability. In addition to enhanced performance, the new 2019 Cayenne E-Hybrid also adds the Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and Auxiliary Cabin Conditioning to its list of standard equipment. In conjunction with the launch of the 2019 Cayenne E-Hybrid, Porsche will also introduce several new features to the broader Cayenne model line. They include massaging seats, a heated windshield, a head-up display, and for the first time in any Porsche, 22-inch wheels. Aesthetic changes specific to the Cayenne E-Hybrid are aligned with other current Porsche plug-in hybrid models. The visual distinctions are Acid Green brake calipers and matching outlines around all of the badges. Newest Porsche PHEV Powertrain The latest Porsche plug-in hybrid includes the third new hybrid powertrain from Porsche since 2017. It combines a three-liter mono-turbo V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque with an electric motor that creates 134 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The result is a total system output of 455 horsepower from 5,250 to 6,400 RPM and 516 lb-ft of torque from 1,000 to 3,750 RPM. Acceleration from zero to 60 MPH happens in 4.7 seconds (-0.7 seconds vs. Cayenne S E-Hybrid) on to a ¼ mile time of 13.3 seconds (-0.9 seconds vs. Cayenne S E-Hybrid) and a top track speed of 157 MPH (+6 MPH vs. Cayenne S E-Hybrid). Tiptronic S transmission and new hybrid module Porsche completely re-engineered the hybrid powertrain componentry at work in the Cayenne E-Hybrid as compared to the Cayenne S E-Hybrid of the previous generation. The hybrid module, which is positioned between the engine and eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission, consists of an electric motor and a separating clutch. In contrast to the previous electro-hydraulic system with a spindle actuator, the separating clutch is operated electromechanically for quicker reaction times. The new Tiptronic S transmission, which was developed for the third-generation Cayenne range, offers significantly faster, smoother, and more comfortable shifts. This also leads to a reduced interruption of tractive force while changing gears. As with other Cayenne models, the top track speed is reached in sixth gear, leaving the remaining two gears intentionally long for efficient cruising. Standard Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive With standard Porsche Traction Management (PTM), the Cayenne E-Hybrid has an active hang-on all-wheel drive system with an electronically regulated, map-controlled multiplate clutch. With its broad range of torque distribution, the system offers clear benefits in terms of driving dynamics, agility, traction control and off-road capabilities. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is included as standard equipment, though customers may upgrade to the same three-chamber air suspension system that is offered in the rest of the Cayenne lineup. Drive Modes in Detail As with other Porsche E-performance models, the Cayenne E-Hybrid shares a boost strategy with the 918 Spyder. By offering a wide range of drive modes, the powertrain is able to meet a wide range of specific needs ranging from all-electric motoring to high performance driving. The Sport Chrono Package, including a mode switch integrated into the steering wheel, forms part of the standard equipment on the Cayenne E-Hybrid. The mode switch and the Porsche Communication Management system are used to select the various driving modes. These include the familiar “Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes from the other Cayenne models equipped with the Sport Chrono Package, while the Cayenne E-Hybrid also adds four hybrid-specific modes: “E-Power”, “Hybrid Auto”, “E-Hold” and “E-Charge”. E-Power: In “E-Power” mode, the Cayenne E-Hybrid drives up to 44 kilometers, based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), on electricity alone. Hybrid Auto: The “Hybrid Auto” mode is a completely new development. When this mode is selected, the Cayenne changes and combines the drive sources automatically for ultimate efficiency. E-Hold: The “E-Hold” mode allows drivers to conserve the current state of charge so they can later switch to electric (and therefore zero-emissions) mode in an environmental zone at their destination, for example. E-Charge: In “E-Charge” mode, the gasoline engine generates more power than is needed to move the car. The excess energy is channeled into the battery for later use. Sport and Sport Plus: The highest level of drive performance is made available in the “Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes. The V6 is active continuously in these modes. In “Sport” mode, the battery charge is always maintained at a minimum level to ensure that sufficient boost reserve capacity is available when needed. “Sport Plus” mode is all about maximum performance. In addition, the battery is charged as quickly as possible to ensure maximum performance. Battery power: plugging in and taking off Power is stored in a 14.1 kWh battery pack housed in the rear of the chassis beneath the load floor. While running on electricity alone, the Cayenne E-Hybrid can travel up to 83 miles per hour and up to 44 kilometers (NEDC). EPA fuel economy figures and electric range are unannounced at this time. Battery capacity of the Cayenne E-Hybrid increases by roughly 30 percent to 14.1 kWh when compared to the preceding model. The liquid-cooled battery consists of eight modules with 13 prismatic lithium ion cells each. The packaging size of this battery pack is the same as the battery used in the previous Cayenne S E-Hybrid, but it has improved energy density. Using a 230-volt, 32 amp connection and the optional 7.2 kW onboard charger, it is possible to recharge a fully depleted battery in 2.3 hours. Using a 230-volt connection with 10 amps and the standard 3.6 kW on-board charger, replenishing a fully depleted battery requires 7.8 hours. In both cases, the recharging process is quicker with the new Cayenne E-Hybrid than in prior models. The charging process is controllable either via Porsche Communication Management (PCM) or remotely when using the Porsche Connect app. With an enabled smartphone, owners gain remote access to climate controls, and charge monitoring. All of these features are included as standard equipment and function even when the ignition switch is turned off. Porsche Connect can also be used to find and filter charging stations and set them as a navigation destination. Mirroring the subtle aesthetic hybrid indicators on the exterior, the cabin features Acid Green needles on the Sport Chrono dial and the tachometer as well as hybrid-specific displays in the gauge cluster and within the PCM screen. The displays offer information about the state of charge, electricity consumption and hybrid-specific drive mode selections. Porsche is offering a head-up display for the first time. The full-color projection is customizable, height-adjustable, and it puts key information including driving speed, engine speed, driving mode, and navigation information and the current drive mode within the driver’s direct line of sight. Models equipped with the Sport Chrono package – such as the Cayenne E-Hybrid – can see information relevant to the added performance capability including lap times and cornering g forces. Models equipped with the Off Road package are able to display similarly relevant information including hillside gradients, steer angle, a compass, and hill descent control speeds. Starting with the 2019 Cayenne E-Hybrid, Porsche InnoDrive will also be available. As a step beyond adaptive cruise control, this system combines already existent traffic sensing systems with onboard map data. The result is a vehicle that can “look” 1.8 miles ahead to select gearing intelligently, and that can compute when best to coast and the best balance between the gasoline and electric portions of the powertrain based on upcoming corners and changes in grade. The system is also capable of recognizing speed limits and adjusting vehicle velocity in cases where temporary speed restrictions are in place. Market launch and pricing The new Cayenne E-Hybrid is expected to begin arriving at U.S. dealers in early 2019 with a base MSRP of $79,900 excluding options and the $1,050 delivery, processing and handling fee. Previous Page Next Page View full article
  11. Previous Page Next Page Porsche continues its slow rollout of new Cayenne models with the introduction of the new E-Hybrid variant. Taking the turbocharged 3.0L V6 found in the base Cayenne, Porsche teams it up with an electric motor producing with 134 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Total output is rated at 455 horsepower and 516 pound-feet. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The run to 60 mph takes 4.7 seconds, about 0.2 seconds quicker than the twin-turbo V6 Cayenne S. Keep the accelerator pinned and the E-Hybrid will reach a top speed of 157 mph. Porsche has fitted a larger 14.1 kWh battery pack into the E-Hybrid. This allows the model to travel 44 kilometers (about 27 miles) according to NEDC testing. Expect the range to be slightly lower in EPA ratings. A 3.6-kW on-board charger comes standard and can fully recharge the battery in 7.8 hours when plugged into a 230V connection. The optional 7.2 kW onboard charger drops the recharge time to 2.3 hours when plugged into a 230V connection. There are four drive modes that are exclusive to the Cayenne E-Hybrid E-Power: Runs on electric power only until the battery is depleted E-Hold: Keeps the current state of the battery's charge intact until the driver decides to use it E-Charge: Gas engine produces more power to help charge the battery Hybrid Auto: Combines various amounts of gas and electric power to maximize efficiency The only differences between the Cayenne E-Hybrid and regular Cayenne are the E-Hybrid badges, an extra door for the charging point, and Acid Green brake calipers. It will be awhile before the Cayenne E-Hybrid arrives in the U.S. Porsche says the model will arrive early next year with a base price of $80,950 - includes a $1,050 destination charge. Source: Porsche 2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Plugs in and Boosts Performance Newest Porsche brings ‘E-performance’ option to Cayenne line-up 3.0L mono-turbo V6 and electric motor create 455 hp, 516 lb-ft of torque 14.1 kWh lithium ion battery pack offers up to 44 kilometers of EV range (NEDC) 0-60: 4.7 seconds (0.7 seconds quicker than previous generation) Porsche First: 22-inch wheels Available in early 2019 with a starting MSRP of $79,900 Atlanta, Georgia. Premiering today, the 2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid solidifies its place in the lineup while making significant advancements over both the standard Cayenne and the preceding Cayenne S E-Hybrid it replaces. Those advantages include more power, quicker acceleration, a faster top speed, and increased electric-only range. The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid uses the same three-liter mono-turbo V6 as the Cayenne, but significantly increases total horsepower and torque by integrating an electric motor. The latest Porsche “E-performance” model adopts the same hybrid boost strategy as the 918 Spyder super sports car. By leveraging the instantaneous torque of the electric motor and the power of a turbocharged V6 gasoline engine, the Cayenne E-Hybrid has an especially broad power band that improves its acceleration capability. In addition to enhanced performance, the new 2019 Cayenne E-Hybrid also adds the Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and Auxiliary Cabin Conditioning to its list of standard equipment. In conjunction with the launch of the 2019 Cayenne E-Hybrid, Porsche will also introduce several new features to the broader Cayenne model line. They include massaging seats, a heated windshield, a head-up display, and for the first time in any Porsche, 22-inch wheels. Aesthetic changes specific to the Cayenne E-Hybrid are aligned with other current Porsche plug-in hybrid models. The visual distinctions are Acid Green brake calipers and matching outlines around all of the badges. Newest Porsche PHEV Powertrain The latest Porsche plug-in hybrid includes the third new hybrid powertrain from Porsche since 2017. It combines a three-liter mono-turbo V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque with an electric motor that creates 134 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The result is a total system output of 455 horsepower from 5,250 to 6,400 RPM and 516 lb-ft of torque from 1,000 to 3,750 RPM. Acceleration from zero to 60 MPH happens in 4.7 seconds (-0.7 seconds vs. Cayenne S E-Hybrid) on to a ¼ mile time of 13.3 seconds (-0.9 seconds vs. Cayenne S E-Hybrid) and a top track speed of 157 MPH (+6 MPH vs. Cayenne S E-Hybrid). Tiptronic S transmission and new hybrid module Porsche completely re-engineered the hybrid powertrain componentry at work in the Cayenne E-Hybrid as compared to the Cayenne S E-Hybrid of the previous generation. The hybrid module, which is positioned between the engine and eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission, consists of an electric motor and a separating clutch. In contrast to the previous electro-hydraulic system with a spindle actuator, the separating clutch is operated electromechanically for quicker reaction times. The new Tiptronic S transmission, which was developed for the third-generation Cayenne range, offers significantly faster, smoother, and more comfortable shifts. This also leads to a reduced interruption of tractive force while changing gears. As with other Cayenne models, the top track speed is reached in sixth gear, leaving the remaining two gears intentionally long for efficient cruising. Standard Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive With standard Porsche Traction Management (PTM), the Cayenne E-Hybrid has an active hang-on all-wheel drive system with an electronically regulated, map-controlled multiplate clutch. With its broad range of torque distribution, the system offers clear benefits in terms of driving dynamics, agility, traction control and off-road capabilities. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is included as standard equipment, though customers may upgrade to the same three-chamber air suspension system that is offered in the rest of the Cayenne lineup. Drive Modes in Detail As with other Porsche E-performance models, the Cayenne E-Hybrid shares a boost strategy with the 918 Spyder. By offering a wide range of drive modes, the powertrain is able to meet a wide range of specific needs ranging from all-electric motoring to high performance driving. The Sport Chrono Package, including a mode switch integrated into the steering wheel, forms part of the standard equipment on the Cayenne E-Hybrid. The mode switch and the Porsche Communication Management system are used to select the various driving modes. These include the familiar “Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes from the other Cayenne models equipped with the Sport Chrono Package, while the Cayenne E-Hybrid also adds four hybrid-specific modes: “E-Power”, “Hybrid Auto”, “E-Hold” and “E-Charge”. E-Power: In “E-Power” mode, the Cayenne E-Hybrid drives up to 44 kilometers, based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), on electricity alone. Hybrid Auto: The “Hybrid Auto” mode is a completely new development. When this mode is selected, the Cayenne changes and combines the drive sources automatically for ultimate efficiency. E-Hold: The “E-Hold” mode allows drivers to conserve the current state of charge so they can later switch to electric (and therefore zero-emissions) mode in an environmental zone at their destination, for example. E-Charge: In “E-Charge” mode, the gasoline engine generates more power than is needed to move the car. The excess energy is channeled into the battery for later use. Sport and Sport Plus: The highest level of drive performance is made available in the “Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes. The V6 is active continuously in these modes. In “Sport” mode, the battery charge is always maintained at a minimum level to ensure that sufficient boost reserve capacity is available when needed. “Sport Plus” mode is all about maximum performance. In addition, the battery is charged as quickly as possible to ensure maximum performance. Battery power: plugging in and taking off Power is stored in a 14.1 kWh battery pack housed in the rear of the chassis beneath the load floor. While running on electricity alone, the Cayenne E-Hybrid can travel up to 83 miles per hour and up to 44 kilometers (NEDC). EPA fuel economy figures and electric range are unannounced at this time. Battery capacity of the Cayenne E-Hybrid increases by roughly 30 percent to 14.1 kWh when compared to the preceding model. The liquid-cooled battery consists of eight modules with 13 prismatic lithium ion cells each. The packaging size of this battery pack is the same as the battery used in the previous Cayenne S E-Hybrid, but it has improved energy density. Using a 230-volt, 32 amp connection and the optional 7.2 kW onboard charger, it is possible to recharge a fully depleted battery in 2.3 hours. Using a 230-volt connection with 10 amps and the standard 3.6 kW on-board charger, replenishing a fully depleted battery requires 7.8 hours. In both cases, the recharging process is quicker with the new Cayenne E-Hybrid than in prior models. The charging process is controllable either via Porsche Communication Management (PCM) or remotely when using the Porsche Connect app. With an enabled smartphone, owners gain remote access to climate controls, and charge monitoring. All of these features are included as standard equipment and function even when the ignition switch is turned off. Porsche Connect can also be used to find and filter charging stations and set them as a navigation destination. Mirroring the subtle aesthetic hybrid indicators on the exterior, the cabin features Acid Green needles on the Sport Chrono dial and the tachometer as well as hybrid-specific displays in the gauge cluster and within the PCM screen. The displays offer information about the state of charge, electricity consumption and hybrid-specific drive mode selections. Porsche is offering a head-up display for the first time. The full-color projection is customizable, height-adjustable, and it puts key information including driving speed, engine speed, driving mode, and navigation information and the current drive mode within the driver’s direct line of sight. Models equipped with the Sport Chrono package – such as the Cayenne E-Hybrid – can see information relevant to the added performance capability including lap times and cornering g forces. Models equipped with the Off Road package are able to display similarly relevant information including hillside gradients, steer angle, a compass, and hill descent control speeds. Starting with the 2019 Cayenne E-Hybrid, Porsche InnoDrive will also be available. As a step beyond adaptive cruise control, this system combines already existent traffic sensing systems with onboard map data. The result is a vehicle that can “look” 1.8 miles ahead to select gearing intelligently, and that can compute when best to coast and the best balance between the gasoline and electric portions of the powertrain based on upcoming corners and changes in grade. The system is also capable of recognizing speed limits and adjusting vehicle velocity in cases where temporary speed restrictions are in place. Market launch and pricing The new Cayenne E-Hybrid is expected to begin arriving at U.S. dealers in early 2019 with a base MSRP of $79,900 excluding options and the $1,050 delivery, processing and handling fee. Previous Page Next Page
  12. Last week, Ford shocked the industry by announcing that it would cut most of its passenger car lineup. The only models that would remain are the Mustang and the upcoming Focus Active - due to arrive in 2019. The move has earned a fair amount of ire from various folks, but the company is trying to push back and explain their reasoning. "We're going to feed the healthy part of our business and deal decisively with the parts that destroy value," said Ford CEO Jim Hackett to Automotive News. The "healthy part" are Ford's utilities and trucks. According to Ford CFO Bob Shanks, this part made more than $3 billion in the first quarter of 2018. Ford is projecting that light trucks will make up 90 percent of North American sales in the near future. The car side hasn't been faring as well with sales declining for the past few years. Ford hasn't said how much money they have been hemorrhaging on cars, but UBS analyst Colin Langan estimates Ford is losing $800 million per year on small cars in North America. Automotive News also notes that consumer demand for cars may be even weaker than first thought. Looking registration data from Polk, the outlet reports that a third of Fusions sold last year went to fleet buyers (about 69,874 models). Shanks said there are other items that could be cut, including "most Lincoln products" and chunks of Ford's overseas business. A number of people who hate this idea point out that this could hurt Ford if gas prices spike up like they did in the 2000s. But Jim Farley, Ford's head of global markets points out that the gap in fuel economy between sedans and crossovers has closed up significantly. The 2018 Fusion has a combined fuel economy rating of 27, while the Escape is rated at 26 mpg. Farley also insisted that Ford isn't repeating the mistakes from the mid-2000s with their utility vehicles that almost sent them to the brink. The industry he says has "fundamentally changed" since then. "Customer view and experimentation on the utility side is so much more broad. Utilities are the preferred body style. This wasn't the case before the downturn," said Farley. "We intend to expand our passenger car lineup in the U.S We also intend to serve similar, affordable price points to today. What's changed here is just the format of the vehicle. Our dealers will have just as much opportunity to grow, just with a different portfolio." Still, there are some that are very skeptical about Ford's new strategy. "Eight years ago, Ford Motor Co. announced it was killing Mercury. It assured us not to worry, because there would be no problem taking care of Mercury customers at Ford dealerships — those customers would just buy Tauruses and Fusions," said Chris Lemley, owner of Sentry Auto Group near Boston. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
  13. Last week, Ford shocked the industry by announcing that it would cut most of its passenger car lineup. The only models that would remain are the Mustang and the upcoming Focus Active - due to arrive in 2019. The move has earned a fair amount of ire from various folks, but the company is trying to push back and explain their reasoning. "We're going to feed the healthy part of our business and deal decisively with the parts that destroy value," said Ford CEO Jim Hackett to Automotive News. The "healthy part" are Ford's utilities and trucks. According to Ford CFO Bob Shanks, this part made more than $3 billion in the first quarter of 2018. Ford is projecting that light trucks will make up 90 percent of North American sales in the near future. The car side hasn't been faring as well with sales declining for the past few years. Ford hasn't said how much money they have been hemorrhaging on cars, but UBS analyst Colin Langan estimates Ford is losing $800 million per year on small cars in North America. Automotive News also notes that consumer demand for cars may be even weaker than first thought. Looking registration data from Polk, the outlet reports that a third of Fusions sold last year went to fleet buyers (about 69,874 models). Shanks said there are other items that could be cut, including "most Lincoln products" and chunks of Ford's overseas business. A number of people who hate this idea point out that this could hurt Ford if gas prices spike up like they did in the 2000s. But Jim Farley, Ford's head of global markets points out that the gap in fuel economy between sedans and crossovers has closed up significantly. The 2018 Fusion has a combined fuel economy rating of 27, while the Escape is rated at 26 mpg. Farley also insisted that Ford isn't repeating the mistakes from the mid-2000s with their utility vehicles that almost sent them to the brink. The industry he says has "fundamentally changed" since then. "Customer view and experimentation on the utility side is so much more broad. Utilities are the preferred body style. This wasn't the case before the downturn," said Farley. "We intend to expand our passenger car lineup in the U.S We also intend to serve similar, affordable price points to today. What's changed here is just the format of the vehicle. Our dealers will have just as much opportunity to grow, just with a different portfolio." Still, there are some that are very skeptical about Ford's new strategy. "Eight years ago, Ford Motor Co. announced it was killing Mercury. It assured us not to worry, because there would be no problem taking care of Mercury customers at Ford dealerships — those customers would just buy Tauruses and Fusions," said Chris Lemley, owner of Sentry Auto Group near Boston. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article
  14. Volvo Reports April Sales ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (May 1, 2018) - Volvo Car USA, LLC, (VCUSA) reported U.S. sales of 8,333 vehicles for the month of April, an increase of 17 percent from the same period last year. Year-to-date VCUSA has sold 28,416 vehicles, an increase of 37.9 percent from the previous year. The new XC60, the 2018 World Car of the Year and 2018 North American Utility of the Year, was the top seller for April and had its highest performing month with 2,476 sales recorded. “Led this month by the new XC60, our award-winning SUV line continues to drive Volvo Cars’ growth in the US,” said Anders Gustafsson, President and CEO, Volvo Car USA. “Together, the XC90, XC60 and XC40 have led to a 40 percent increase in SUV sales year-over-year.” Models April 2018 April 2017 % Year To Date 2018 Year To Date 2017 % S60 575 982 -41.4 % 2,604 3,890 -33.1 % S60 CC 8 20 -60.0 % 122 60 103.3 % S80 0 2 - - 5 - S90 583 484 20.5 % 2,408 1,525 57.9 % V60 183 401 -54.4 % 593 962 -38.4 % V60 CC 626 349 79.4 % 1,226 786 56.0 % V90 30 0 100.0 % 82 0 100.0 % V90 CC 150 478 -68.6 % 702 613 14.5 % XC40 1,404 0 100.0 % 2,483 0 100.0 % XC60 16 2,046 -99.2 % 204 5,782 -96.5 % XC60 II 2,476 0 100.0 % 8,321 0 100.0 % XC70 0 10 - - 60 - All-New XC90 2,282 2,349 -2.9 % 9,671 6,917 39.8 % Total 8,333 7,121 17.0 % 28,416 20,600 37.9 % * I, II, III etc shows which generation the car model belongs to.
  15. MITSUBISHI MOTORS REPORTS APRIL 2018 SALES Total calendar year sales up 16.6 percent over last year CYPRESS, Calif. – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) reported April 2018 sales of 7,990, down 4.6 percent compared to April 2017. For calendar year, total sales are 43,762 up 16.6 percent over the same period last year. April YTD 2018 2017 2018 2017 Mirage 2069 2136 7601 9606 Lancer 441 832 2503 6053 Outlander Sport 2286 2688 15716 9552 Outlander 2266 2717 15365 12305 Outlander PHEV 273 0 1269 0 Eclipse Cross 655 0 1308 0 Total 7990 8375 43762 37522
  16. KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES APRIL SALES Best-Ever April Sales for the Sportage CUV IRVINE, Calif., May 1, 2018 – Kia Motors America today announced April sales of 50,585 vehicles, led by the Forte family of compact cars and Sorento SUV. The month also saw the highest April sales total in company history for the Sportage CUV at 7,653 units, and a 34.2-percent year-over-year increase for the Rio subcompacts. “In addition to best-ever April sales for Sportage and big gains for Rio and Sportage, Stinger reached an important milestone by surpassing the 5,000 units sold mark,” said Bill Peffer, vice president, sales operations, Kia Motors America. “We continue to emphasize retail sales over fleet and with our ‘America’s Best Value’ summer sales event rolling out, the refreshed 2019 Sorento now in showrooms, and the all-new Forte model on the horizon, we will continue to generate momentum throughout the summer sales period.” MONTH OF APRIL YEAR-TO-DATE Model 2018 2017 2018 2017 Rio 1,964 1,463 6,989 4,535 Forte 9,199 10,496 32,930 35,558 Optima 8,276 10,731 27,886 37,676 Cadenza 510 500 2,689 1,625 Stinger 1,378 N/A 5,298 N/A K900 40 39 131 147 Soul 8,825 9,182 30,243 33,102 Niro 2,340 2,939 8,675 7,828 Sportage 7,653 5,672 27,112 21,086 Sorento 8,915 9,317 30,301 30,092 Sedona 1,485 3,019 5,276 9,437 Total 50,585 53,358 177,530 181,086
  17. Mercedes-Benz USA reports April sales of 27,207 units, up 1.0% May 1, 2018 – ATLANTA: Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported April sales of 27,207 units, an increase of 1.0% from the 26,932 vehicles sold during the same time period last year. Mercedes- Benz Vans reported best-ever April sales of 2,815 units (up 28.4%) and smart reported 93 units, bringing MBUSA to a grand total of 30,115 vehicles for the month (up 2.1%). On a year-to-date basis, Mercedes-Benz recorded sales of 105,681, adding 11,001 units for Vans and 414 vehicles for smart, MBUSA's year-to-date sales volume totaled 117,096. "April sales are leading us into a solid second quarter," said Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of MBUSA. "We continue to see strong demand for our SUVs, and our increasingly diverse product line up will continue this momentum as we enter into the summer months." Mercedes-Benz volume leaders in April included the GLC, C-Class and GLE model lines. The GLC took the lead at 5,853, followed by C-Class sales of 5,148. The GLE rounded out the top three with 4,110 units sold. Mercedes-AMG high-performance models sold 2,707 units in April, with a total of 10,326 units sold year-to-date. Mercedes-Benz Passenger Vehicles Apr-18 Apr-17 Monthly % YTD 2018 YTD 2017 Yearly % B-CLASS 7 66 -89.4% 129 225 -42.7% CLA 1,910 1,067 79.0% 7,365 5,077 45.1% C-CLASS 5,148 7,821 -34.2% 18,498 28,440 -35.0% E-CLASS/CLS 3,945 4,059 -2.8% 16,380 16,375 0.0% S-CLASS 1,535 1,491 3.0% 6,100 5,139 18.7% SLC/SLK 197 326 -39.6% 783 1,191 -34.3% SL 202 270 -25.2% 842 994 -15.3% AMG GT 178 87 104.6% 559 364 53.6% GLA 2,011 1,339 50.2% 8,535 7,254 17.7% GLC 5,853 3,305 77.1% 22,113 12,261 80.4% GLE 4,110 4,468 -8.0% 15,766 17,374 -9.3% GLS 1,794 2,265 -20.8% 7,290 10,006 -27.1% G-CLASS 317 368 -13.9% 1,321 1,373 -3.8% TOTAL 27,207 26,932 1.0% 105,681 106,073 -0.4% Vans1 2,815 2,193 28.4% 11,001 9,626 14.3% smart 93 365 -74.5% 414 1,426 -71.0% MBUSA Combined Total Apr-18 Apr-17 Monthly % YTD 2018 YTD 2017 Yearly % GRAND TOTAL 30,115 29,490 2.1% 117,096 117,125 0.0% 1 Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner Sprinter and Metris Vans are sold and marketed in the U.S. by Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler Vans USA, respectively.
  18. Subaru of America, Inc. Reports April Sales Best April ever – monthly sales increase 1.5 percent over April 2017 77 consecutive months of yearly month-over-month growth Best April ever for Crosstrek 50 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Outbacks sold 57 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Foresters sold 9 millionth Subaru sold CAMDEN, N.J., May 1, 2018 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today reported 53,170 vehicle sales for April 2018, a 1.5 percent increase over April 2017, and the best April in the history of the company. Crosstrek sales for April 2018 increased 69.9 percent over the same month in 2017 and achieved the best April ever with 12,266 units. The automaker also reported year-to-date sales of 202,873 vehicles, a 3.2 percent gain over the same period in 2017. In April, Subaru celebrated several milestones including: The 50th consecutive month of 40,000+ vehicle sales. The 30th anniversary of the founding of Subaru Tecnica International (STI), the championship-winning motorsports subsidiary of parent company Subaru Corporation and developer of high-performance Subaru vehicles and parts. The two-millionth sale of the iconic Subaru Outback in the U.S. The sale of the nine-millionth Subaru vehicle in the U.S. The 2018 WRX earned Edmunds’ 2018 Best Retained Value® Award in the Sports Car category. The grand opening of the new Subaru of America headquarters campus in Camden, NJ. “In a challenging month for the industry, we are pleased to see the Subaru franchise set yet another sales record,” said Thomas J. Doll, President and CEO of Subaru of America, Inc. “We thank all 629 Subaru retailers for their efforts in growing their business.” “Our customer’s interest in the Crosstrek continues to increase every month,” said Jeff Walters, Senior Vice President of Sales. “We’re now looking forward to the start of production later this month of the all-new Subaru Ascent at our plant in Indiana.” Carline Apr-18 Apr-17 % Chg Apr-18 Apr-17 % Chg MTD MTD MTD YTD YTD YTD Forester 13,679 14,761 -7.3% 50,783 56,237 -9.7% Impreza 5,833 8,038 -27.4% 22,287 26,622 -16.3% WRX/STI 2,663 3,039 -12.4% 9,854 10,729 -8.2% Legacy 4,234 4,399 -3.8% 14,730 17,102 -13.9% Outback 14,083 14,469 -2.7% 58,205 57,041 2.0% BRZ 412 444 -7.2% 1,286 1,431 -10.1% Crosstrek 12,266 7,218 69.9% 45,728 27,456 66.6% TOTAL 53,170 52,368 1.5% 202,873 196,618 3.2%
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