William Maley

Land Rover will be offering plug-in hybrid variants of Range Rover and Range Rover Sport next spring. This news comes from Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week. The models will pair JLR's 2.0L four-cylinder Ingenium gas engine with an electric motor. EV range is said to be about 30 miles when the battery is charged - although the range could be based on the European cycle. No power ratings were given for hybrid system. More details on the plug-in hybrid models will be announced next month. Land Rover has sold a hybrid version of the Range Rover for a few years in Europe, but it uses a diesel engine. Source: Motoring, Motor Trend View full article

Last night, workers at General Motors' CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario went on strike. GM and Unifor Local 88 - the group that represents about 2,750 workers at the plant - were unable to reach a tentative contract before a deadline of 10:59 P.M. last night. This is the first time since 1996 that Canadian autoworkers went on strike against an automaker. "While General Motors of Canada and our Unifor partners have made very positive progress on several issues over the past weeks, the Company is disappointed that we were not able to complete a new agreement. We encourage Unifor to resume negotiations and to continue working together to secure a competitive agreement," GM said in a statement on Sunday. You might be wondering why a strike is taking place in the first place as GM already worked out a deal with Unifor back in September. That's because Unifor members at CAMI are under a different contract than workers at other plants, meaning they were not involved in the negotiations. CAMI is home to the Chevrolet Equinox and used to build the GMC Terrain, before being sent down to Mexico. The loss of the Terrain meant 400 workers were laid off, while another 200 workers took early retirement. Unifor Local 88 President Dan Borthwick said the two sides are very much apart on “language issues, economic issues that are still outstanding, and, most importantly, job security.” Borthwick also said GM wouldn't budge on Unifor's demand by making a long-term commit through new products and investments. "We put our best foot forward, and we don’t believe the company is serious about our membership’s demands,” he said to Automotive News. Stalling production at CAMI raises some headaches. As The Truth About Cars note, various operations such as the engine and transmission plant in St. Catharines, Ontario and numerous suppliers will be hampered by this strike. There are concerns if the strike goes long-term. The popularity of the Equinox and Terrain has been booming thanks to the large increase in crossovers. Data from Automotive News shows that Chevrolet dealers in U.S. had about a 53 day supply of Equinoxes at the start of the month, well below the 74-day supply last month. While GM also builds the Equinox in two plants in Mexico, CAMI is where the majority of the models are built. Through August, the San Luis Potosi and Ramos Arizpe plants in Mexico built a combined total of 40,017 units. Meanwhile at CAMI, 132,288 Equinox models rolled off the line. Losing CAMI for a time could mean a tighter supply of Equinox models. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Truth About Cars View full article

There is a small group of people that wish Ford would bring back the F-150 Lightning. Appearing in 1993-1995, and again from 1999 to 2004, the Lightning was a go-fast truck that handled surprisingly well. But since 2004, Ford hasn't brought back the Lighting. Instead, it has focused on the off-road monster that is the Raptor. Enter Pioneer Ford in Bremen, Georgia. The dealership is building their version of the Lightning. Starting with a regular cab, short bed F-150, Pioneer rips out the stock engine and drops in a 5.0L Coyote V8 with a Roush Supercharger. Horsepower is rated at 650. Other changes include a lowered suspension, side exit exhaust, 22-inch wheels that mimic the ones found on the last Lightning, and SVT badge. Before you start panicking about the possibility of the warranty being voided due to this work, it isn't. The dealer is an authorized Roush installer, which preserves the standard warranty and adds a 3 year/36,000-mile warranty for the supercharger. Pioneer Ford currently has two of these Lightnings with a pricetag of $49,651, about the same price of a base F-150 Raptor. Source: Hooniverse, Pioneer Ford's Facebook Page Pic Credit: Pioneer Ford View full article

Next week, Volvo will debut their new XC40 crossover. They have already released a teaser video showing only small snippets of the models. However, one of Volvo's regional offices didn't get the memo to only post the teaser video. Volvo Hungary accidentally released a video showing the XC40 in full. The video has since been taken down, but various outlets have gotten screen caps of it. The production version almost mirrors the 40.1 concept with the same boxy shape. Inside, the XC40 appears to be slightly more casual in terms of design when compared to the XC60 and 90. At least the XC40 retains the large touchscreen. The XC40 is an important vehicle for Volvo. Aside from entering one of the hottest segments in the marketplace, the XC40 will be the first Volvo model using the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA). This was jointly developed by the Volvo and parent company Geely. The upcoming S40 and V40 will also use this architecture. Source: Autoblog, CarScoops View full article

Yes, shares the same platform and engines. I know one is longer, but cannot which.

Genesis' first all-new vehicle has arrived. Today at Genesis’ design center in Namyang, Korea, the G70 sedan was introduced. This model has a tough task ahead of it as the model will enter one of the highly competitive market segments, the compact luxury sedan. On paper, the G70 has a recipe that looks unbeatable. There is a fair amount of the New York Concept in the G70's design, which is a good thing. The front is reminiscent of the G80 and G90, but there is a little bit of aggression in the bumper and hood. The side profile is very similar to the current BMW 3-Series, right down to the fender vents. Around back is where we run into some trouble. We like the short rear deck, but someone pointed out that the G70's rear looks almost the same as the recently departed Chrysler 200 - an image we cannot get out of heads. Inside, Genesis went with a minimalist approach with little brightwork and no wood trim - similar to what you see in the Jaguar XE. Quilted leather upholstery is available. An eight-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard, and 15-speaker Lexicon surround-sound system is optional. The G70 will offer three engines at launch, 2.0L Turbo-Four: 254 Horsepower, 256 Pound-Feet of Torque 2.2L Turbodiesel-Four: 201 Horsepower, 324 Pound-Feet of Torque (Europe Only) 3.3L Turbo V6: 365 Horsepower, 376 Pound-Feet of Torque An eight-speed automatic will be standard on all engines, while a manual transmission with limited-slip differential will be on the options list. There will be the choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. We'll learn more details about the G70 for North America early next year, possibly including price. Source: Genesis Press Release is on Page 2 GENESIS G70 RESETS EXPECTATIONS OF CUSTOMER-FOCUSED PERFORMANCE AND LUXURY September 14, 2017 – A new era dawned today as Genesis officially presented the highly anticipated G70 luxury performance sedan at the Hyundai·Genesis Design Center in Namyang. Dr. Woong-Chul Yang, Vice Chairman of the Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Division, key Genesis brand officials, and approximately 300 international automotive journalists participated in the activities. The G70 goes on sale in Korea on September 20th, with timing for its rollout in other markets to be announced soon. “The Genesis G70 is the latest demonstration of our dedication to delivering innovative, customer-oriented vehicles,” said Vice Chairman Yang. “We will continue to focus our R&D efforts on the development and expansion of the Genesis brand. It is a great point of pride to have Genesis showcase what a true luxury brand of Korean origin can present to our discerning customers.” The Genesis G70 is an athletic sedan characterized by its graceful and dynamic exterior styling; elegant and intuitively designed interior; choice of three different powertrains. Customers will be able to select between a turbocharged 3.3-liter gasoline V6, a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline I4, and a 2.2-liter I4 diesel models. The G70 also incorporates numerous advanced driver assist systems such as Highway Driving Assist (HDA), best-in-class safety with nine standard airbags and active hood function, and a high level of connectivity with server-based voice recognition technology, using Kakao Corp’s artificial intelligence platform. Hot stamping methods and extended use of structural adhesives have been employed to enhance torsional rigidity and improve overall body stiffness. “G70 Seoul 2017” To commemorate this important moment, 15,000 people will celebrate the official unveiling of the G70 at “G70·Seoul 2017,” a global launch festival held on September 15th in Seoul’s Olympic Park. “The launch of the Genesis G70 is an important milestone for our brand,” said Manfred Fitzgerald, Head of Genesis Division. “We deliberately chose Seoul, as this is our place of origin. This is where we are coming together with our customers and friends in the music industry to celebrate as a people’s festival.” “G70 Seoul 2017” is a brand celebration of Genesis and the new G70, featuring global music superstars Gwen Stefani, Andra Day and CL. While attendance is capped at 15,000, more than 80,000 people expressed interest in being part of the festivities. Completing the Genesis sedan lineup The G70 completes the Genesis brand’s sedan lineup, along with the G90 flagship and mid-luxury G80. The arrival of G70 further strengthens the Genesis brand’s presence in the global luxury market. In November 2015, Genesis launched and set out to compete with the world’s top luxury automakers as a Korean brand. To differentiate itself in the luxury segment, Genesis strives to make a positive impact in the lifestyles of its discerning customers through a progressive and innovative approach to performance and design excellence. Genesis launched the flagship G90 sedan in December 2015, followed by the G80 sedan in July 2016 in Korea. Since the brand’s inception, Genesis has sold more than 150,000 units, with strong performances in both Korea and the U.S. Genesis has also received many accolades, most recently, ranking highest among premium automakers in the J.D. Power 2017 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), topping all 13 brands in the premium segment. The G70 marks the completion of Genesis sedan line-up and the brand will now start strengthening its lineup with SUVs and alternative powertrains. Genesis plans to roll out new products to expand its presence and coverage across the global market and six models are expected in its product portfolio by 2021. An Exterior with Genesis’ Unique Design Identity The all-new G70 showcases the future direction of the Genesis brand’s design identity. Athletic elegance is represented in the exterior styling, as the car captures both beauty and tension, like an athlete poised to perform. Luc Donckerwolke, Head of Genesis Design, said, “At Genesis, we shape fascination and desire with the passion, dedication and talent from our designers. We modulated all parameters from the Genesis DNA to tailor a sports sedan. This challenge required the highest skills and know-how. The G70 is designed to captivate all senses with its sensuous and tensioned muscular volumes.” The long hood and short front overhang, elegant roofline and assertive multi-spoke alloy wheels combine to form a sleek, dynamic profile, subtly highlighted by dark chrome aero trim. The hockey stick daylight opening and parabolic sidelines further express the unique design signatures of Genesis, displaying fast and dramatic energy with voluptuous forms and smooth surfaces. From the front and side, the G70’s prominent crest-type grille, character lines extending from the hood emblem, and pronounced air intakes communicate the muscular performance that the car is capable of. Two distinctive linear LED DRLs on each side of the large crest grille foreshadow the future Genesis signature quad lamps. In the rear, the LED rear combination lamps continue the quad lamp theme, while the raised trunk lid and compact bumper designs give the G70 a poised character. The rear lamps, evolved from the G80, have been stretched to the end of the rear to convey a wide and dynamic stance. A Sophisticated, Driver-Focused Interior G70’s interior is configured to prioritize an excellent user experience, with superb fit and finish throughout. The interior packaging reflects the thoughtfulness that drives the Genesis brand, with a priority on simplicity and an emphasis on genuine functionality instead of gimmickry. A horizontal layout brings a sense of stability and the driver-focused packaging provides a comfortable driving environment, with intuitively laid out switchgear and a comfortable, assertive sport steering wheel. Genesis designers employed premium materials throughout, including aluminum door handles, quilted leather door panels, metal speaker grills and high-quality soft touch surfaces. Nappa leather seats further add to the dynamic yet elegant interior. The G70 offers a wide range of unique and sophisticated color options that properly reflect global trends to meet client demand. Ten exterior colors are available: Platinum Silver, Carbon Metal, Marble White, Titanium Black, Racing Gray, Graceful Gray, Lapis Blue, Royal Blue, Blazing Red and Umber Brown. A new paint-finishing method separates small, evenly distributed aluminum particles and high luminosity colors, maximizing the brilliance of the exterior colors. The passenger cabin is available in five different colors: Obsidian Black, Sandstorm Gray, Velvet Burgundy, Tobacco Brown and Vanilla Beige. Two additional interior colors, which are Sports Gray and Sports Red will be dedicated to the G70 Sport and the high-end trim level for the 2.0T. Driving Character -- Agile Yet Safe, Dynamic Yet Quiet The G70 offers three powertrains – a 3.3-liter V6 gasoline turbo, 2.0-liter I4 gasoline turbo and a 2.2-liter I4 diesel. The 3.3-liter V6 turbo is the backbone of the enthusiast-focused “G70 Sport.” The G70 Sport is equipped with the Lambda II 3.3-liter V6 turbo GDI engine, with 370 PS and maximum torque of 52.0kgf·m. G70 Sport is a dynamic and powerful performer with 0 to 100 kph (62.5 mph) acceleration in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 270 kph (167/168 mph). Variable-ratio steering and electronically controlled suspension are standard to provide agile steering response and an optimal ride-and-handling experience. The G70 2.0 turbo gasoline model is equipped with the Theta-II 2.0-liter turbo GDI engine, with 252 PS and maximum torque of 36.0kgf·m. (Sports package: 255 PS) The G70 2.2 diesel model is equipped with the R 2.2 VGT engine with 202 PS horsepower and maximum torque of 45.0kgf·m. Dynamic performance features include: 1. Launch Control - Maximizes power control in acceleration mode 2. Rack-mounted, motor-driven power steering (R-MDPS) and multi-link rear suspension - Provides precise handling and comfortable ride 3. Dynamic torque vectoring system - Improves vehicle cornering control 4. Mechanical limited slip differential (M-LSD) - Allows safe driving capabilities in low friction road conditions such as rain, snow and ice The seat positions have been adjusted to lower the center of gravity of the car to maximize performance. To augment the driving experience, the Active Sound Design (ASD) system creates an aural character that reflects the engine load and driving mode settings. Noise, vibration and harshness have been minimized in the G70 through enhancements in multiple areas including vehicle body structure; exhaust system; sound absorption and isolation; suspension and body frame connection; and the design of the side mirrors and door sealing systems. The performance-focused sedan has been tested under the most challenging environments and surfaces in the world, including Death Valley (U.S.), northern Sweden, the Nürburgring (Germany) and the Alps (Austria) for driving stability, handling, durability and power delivery. Best-in-Class Safety Following the trend of the G90 and G80, the G70 offers the most comprehensive levels of safety in its class. Overall body stiffness and rigidity have been dramatically strengthened. The G70 has also been designed to help protect pedestrians – when imminent impact with a pedestrian is detected, its active hood function operates by lifting the hood to absorb shock and minimize the risk of injury. An unparalleled suite of advanced driver assist systems such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Blind spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Driver Awareness Warning (DAW) have been added as part of the ‘Genesis Active Safety Control’ to offer the highest level of safety and convenience in its class. The FCA system provides added safety with newly developed technology designed not only to protect vehicles and pedestrians, but also cyclists on the road. It automatically activates emergency braking through integrated radar-camera sensors when detecting bicycles. ‘Genesis Active Safety Control’ is the brand’s newly labeled advanced driver assist system package previously known as ‘Genesis Smart Sense.’ Genesis aims to receive the highest ratings from both international and domestic organizations including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Korea New Car Assessment Program (KNCAP). Exceptional Comfort and Convenience The G70 incorporates a diverse range of advanced technologies that deliver ultimate convenience and connectivity. An example includes the smart posture control system, initially introduced in the G90. When the driver’s body information is input, the system automatically adjusts the seat, steering wheel, outside mirror and heads-up display to the optimal position, ensuring minimal stress even on long journeys. The G70 provides a diverse range of advanced convenience and connectivity, including an 8-inch touch screen display supporting MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The G70 will also be the first vehicle in Korea to feature server-based voice recognition technology, using Kakao’s artificial intelligence platform ‘Kakao I.’ For the best audio performance, a 15-speaker Lexicon surround-sound system is available to provide an audiophile-level acoustic experience. Overseas product specifications in markets including North America, Russia and the Middle East are planned to be announced in early 2018. View full article