William Maley

It was back in April of this year that we reported Jaguar was getting out of wagon game citing shrinking sale. But fast forward to the Paris Motor Show and Jaguar has revealed an image of the next XF Sportbrake under some camouflage. Plus, news has come out that the Sportbrake is coming to the U.S. What happened? Let us go back to our story back in April. Those comments about Jaguar not doing another wagon came from the chief designer, Ian Callum. But Callum tweeted that he was misquoted, saying that they wouldn't do an XE wagon. In May, Auto Express reported that the second-generation XF Sportbrake had been given the green light. Now the picture Jaguar showed off of the new XF Sportbrake doesn't really tell us anything new. It looks like your standard XF with a longer roof. The XF Sportbrake is expected to debut sometime next year. Now for the U.S. bit. Motor Trend has learned from Joe Eberhardt, president and CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America that the XF Sportbrake will be coming to the U.S. Unlike other wagons (aside from the new E-Class Wagon) that are lifted up and feature body cladding, Eberhardt said it would be a bonified wagon and share powertrains with the XF sedan. Source: Auto Express, Motor Trend View full article

The current Ford Fiesta ST uses a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder. But the next-generation Fiesta ST could be using a turbocharged three-cylinder. “We’re seeing more and more of what we can do with the 1.0-litre engine in development and the signs are promising. It’s a great engine – it sounds brilliant and there’s loads of torque when the turbo comes on boost, so we’re looking into things for the next ST,” said Darren Palmer, Ford's head of small cars to Auto Express. Currently, the most powerful version of the 1.0L EcoBoost three-cylinder produces 138 horsepower. But Ford has been experimenting with the engine to see how much power can be extracted. At the moment, the company has been able to get 202 horsepower. “There’s still a huge demand for the ST – we’ve seen that with the current ST200. But we want to offer more, so expect more performance and efficiency,” said Palmer. Source: Auto Express View full article

Henrik Fisker has resurrected his namesake company. Speaking with Bloomberg, Fisker said his new company Fisker Inc. will reveal a "premium, all-electric vehicle in the second half of 2017." Various about this new vehicle and the underlying electric technologies are currently under lock and key. But Bloomberg was able to glean some information about it. The battery technologies developed by Fisker Nanotech - their battery division - promises over 400 miles of range and feature industry-leading battery life that could "match the life of the vehicle." “The technology emanates from several professors from UCLA who have been working on energy storage. We have already developed prototypes that you won’t see anywhere else,” said Jack Kavanaugh, chairman of Fisker Nanotech. Fisker wouldn't say much about the design of the new model except that it would feature some of his own design elements. “It will definitely be something that when you see it, it will look completely different. It will be sporty and spacious. And you’ve got to make something look beautiful—there is no excuse for making an ugly car, even with new technology—so it will definitely have some of my signature elements.” The company also plans on launching an affordable model down the road. Source: Bloomberg View full article

The Buick Regal is currently the oldest passenger sedan in Buick's lineup at the moment. But we do know that a next-generation model based on the next Opel/Vaxuhall Insignia. The Truth About Cars has learned some intriguing information about the next Regal. According to a source, Buick is planning to reveal the next Regal sometime in the second quarter, possibly at the New York Auto Show. Designers at Buick have added their own touches to the Regal's exterior to have it stand apart from the Insignia. The interior is said to be more spacious, especially in the back. The source goes on to say that the Regal will gain a V6, though it is unknown what V6 it would be (most likely a variant of the 3.6). There is internal talk about offering a diesel, but that is something down the road if given the green light. The Tourx nameplate we first learned about back in December will be used for a high-riding Regal wagon with all-wheel drive. That is expected to be revealed sometime next year. Finally, the GS is expected to stick around, though no one is sure what form it will take. Source: The Truth About Cars Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears View full article

While everyone has been going gaga over the possible fruition of the mid-engine Corvette, there is another juicy Corvette just around the corner. A spy photographer has gotten some up close photos of the next Corvette ZR1. Engineers have done their best to cover up the front, but there are some details that can be pulled out. First are the large vents on the bumper and a massive air intake. All of that air is needed if there is a 700 horsepower 6.2L supercharged V8 under the hood (according to rumor) along with massive brakes. We're guessing there is also some venting on the hood to provide additional cooling. The back features small uprights for a large rear wing (something that was captured in previous spy shots). No word on when we could possibly see the next ZR1. Some think it could be the Detroit Auto Show in January. We'll be keeping a close eye. Source: AutoGuide, Motor1 View full article

Previous Page Next Page Madness! That was our first thought when we saw the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 - the result of a joint venture of General Motors and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). Even though it might be called a Colorado, it is unlike anyone you'll find at your nearest Chevrolet dealership. The model is 6.5-feet tall and over 7-feet wide. To accodimate for the larger size, Chevrolet used a lengthened and reinforced version of the Colorado's chassis. A set of 37-inch tires and specially modified suspension help the ZH2 go though any terrain that the Army will throw its way. That's because the ZH2 will be undergoing a number of field tests to determine the viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles on military missions. Yep, the Colorado ZH2 is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. General Motors doesn't provide many details on the fuel cell's powertrain except that it will feature a Exportable Power Take-Off (EPTO) unit. The truck can generate electrcity for the unit which then can be taken away to provide power for various devices. “The Colorado ZH2 is a terrific example of GM’s engineering and design skill in creating an off-road vehicle relevant to a range of potential users. Over the next year, we expect to learn from the Army the limits of what a fuel cell propulsion system can do when really put to the test,” said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM Global Fuel Cell Activities. Source: General Motors Press Release is on Page 2 Mission-Ready Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 Fuel Cell Vehicle Breaks Cover at U.S. Army Show Modified midsize pickup goes into extreme military field testing in 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The physically imposing Chevrolet Colorado ZH2, the most extreme off-road-capable fuel-cell-powered electric vehicle ever from General Motors, was revealed today at the fall meeting of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). Standing more than 6½ feet tall and more than seven feet wide, the Colorado ZH2 was built on a stretched midsize pickup chassis. Reinforced inside and out, the ZH2 rides on 37-inch tires and a specially modified suspension that helps the vehicle climb over and descend all manner of terrain. The U.S. Army will test the Colorado ZH2 in extreme field conditions next year to determine the viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles on military missions. The Colorado ZH2 features an Exportable Power Take-Off unit (EPTO) that allows the fuel cell to power activity away from the vehicle, such as remote locations where electric power may otherwise be unavailable. GM and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) collaborated to develop the Colorado ZH2 from contract to concept in less than a year. GM is leveraging a range of advanced technologies for multiple applications, including military. “The speed with which innovative ideas can be demonstrated and assessed is why relationships with industry are so important to the Army,” said Paul Rogers, director of TARDEC. “Fuel cells have the potential to expand the capabilities of Army vehicles significantly through quiet operation, exportable power and solid torque performance, all advances that drove us to investigate this technology further.” The Army will evaluate the ZH2 fuel cell for: Near-silent operation enabling silent watch capability Reduced acoustic and thermal signatures High wheel torque at all speeds via electric drive Low fuel consumption across operating range Water by-product for field uses GM and TARDEC have fuel cell development laboratories located 20 miles apart in southeast Michigan. Most of the Colorado ZH2 was assembled in GM’s Advanced Vehicle Integration facility in Warren. Calibration testing at GM’s Milford Proving Ground will continue into early 2017, when the vehicle will be turned over to the Army for a year of field testing. “The Colorado ZH2 is a terrific example of GM’s engineering and design skill in creating an off-road vehicle relevant to a range of potential users,” said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM Global Fuel Cell Activities. “Over the next year, we expect to learn from the Army the limits of what a fuel cell propulsion system can do when really put to the test.” The Colorado ZH2 contract is GM’s second vehicle development with a U.S military branch announced this year. In June, the U.S. Navy unveiled a GM fuel cell-powered Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) that is currently in pool testing before eventual deployment. The UUV leverages GM fuel cell technology common with the Colorado ZH2, demonstrating the flexibility to power a range of mobile and stationary devices. GM has accumulated 3.1 million miles of hydrogen fuel cell testing via Project Driveway, a 119-vehicle fleet driven by more than 5,000 people in a multi-year fuel cell experience program. Previous Page Next Page View full article

Ooops, I didn't put the right numbers in. It has been corrected.

Last month, we learned that Dodge had some interesting plans for the Challenger . There is an all-wheel drive version that will be introduced this fall, followed up by a widebody model with the Hellcat V8 known as the ADR. Thanks to a spy photographer, we have the first photos of the ADR. Now the two vehicles photographed don't have the wider fenders installed, but the wider tires give away their identity. We can't tell how wide the tires are, but it would be safe to assume they are in the range of 315 or more. We don't know if Dodge has some other changes in store for the suspension or brakes. Motor1 says there are reports that Dodge could increase the Hellcat's output to over 750, but this is just rumor at the moment. Source: Motor1 View full article