William Maley

One of the stumbling blocks for Volkswagen with the diesel emission scandal has been trying to find a fix that the feds would agree to. Previous attempts for the 2.0 and 3.0L TDI have ended with rejection from the California Air Resources Board due to the "submissions are incomplete, substantially deficient, and fall far short of meeting the legal requirements to return these vehicles to the claimed certified configuration." But it seems progress is being made on this. In an interview with Reuters, CARB's head Mary Nichols said they are working with Volkswagen on testing potential fixes for the three generations of the 2.0L TDI four-cylinder engine. “They brought in a whole new team of people to work on various aspects of this. There’s just a greater sense that we’re dealing with people who have access to the decision makers in Germany, and who understand their credibility is on the line," said Nichols. The potential fixes must improve emissions by 80 to 90 percent of federal pollution standards. This seems odd since regulators wanted Volkswagen to get the vehicles fully meeting standards, but they are willing to give the company some breathing room as Volkswagen will be paying $2.7 billion to reduce the excess NOx emissions spewing from their vehicles. Getting a fix approved could be Volkswagen's saving grace as they could offer owners the choice of either having their vehicles bought back or having them fixed, which in turn could lessen the hurt of buying back all of the affected vehicles. Whether this pans out remains to be seen. Source: Reuters View full article

Back in June, we learned that Skoda (a Czech brand under the Volkswagen group) was investigating possibly entering new markets. One of those new markets was North America, a place where 20 percent of global car sales take place. At the time our original report, Skoda hasn't set a timeframe for a decision. Also as we noted, Skoda would need to get more crossovers and SUVs ready if they want to try and make inroads in the U.S. Speaking of SUVs and the U.S., a recent article done by Autocar piqued our interest. Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier said if they were to launch the brand in the U.S. in the near future, they would have their upcoming seven-seat Kodiaq leading the charge. “If we do decide to compete in the US, we will have one chance to make a good first impression. We feel that if we were there now, the Kodiaq would be a home-run car,” said Maier. Maier did stress that the U.S. isn't on Skoda's immediate radar. At the moment, the brand is looking closely at Iran, Singapore, and South Korea as possible new markets. But Maier isn't saying the U.S. isn't on their radar at all. “America is the one that we don't currently compete in with the biggest potential.” Skoda appears to have taken a page out of PSA Peugeot Citroën's playbook. Autocar says the automaker has begun a feasibility study as to whether or not it makes sense to enter the U.S. Source: Autocar View full article

I'll agree on the 'closed in' part since I just drove a Camaro SS convertible and felt like that even with the top down. I'm not sure about the other two since I felt the Camaro had slightly more emotion than the Mustang. Plus I feel more attached to the Camaro than Mustang. Although if you were to ask me which car has the most emotion, I would put the Challenger on top.

When Chevrolet revealed the 2017 Camaro ZL1 at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, it was said that the supercharged 6.2L V8 would produce 640 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. But a leaked order guide shows that the Camaro ZL1 actually has a little bit more power. The folks at Camaro6 forum got their hands on a leaked order guide for the 2017 Camaro and found out that the ZL1 actually produces 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Just to put that in perspective, the Corvette Z06 has the same power numbers. We're sensing there will be a fight when the ZL1 arrives later this year. Source: Camaro6.com View full article

Infiniti has announced pricing for most of the 2017 Q60 Coupe lineup. When it arrives at dealers in September, The Q60 will start at $39,855 (includes a $905 destination charge). Compared to the outgoing Q60 Coupe, the new model costs $2,000 less. A lot of price drop can be attributed to a new base engine, a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Standard equipment on the base model includes 19-inch wheels, eight-way bolstered sport seats, Bluetooth, and LED headlights. All-wheel drive adds $2,000 to the bottom line. Next is the Q60 2.0t Premium which kicks off at $42,205 ($44,205 for all-wheel drive). The trim adds a power moonroof and a 13-speaker Bose audio system. If you want a more powerful engine, then you can step up to the twin-turbo 3.0L V6 found in the Q60 3.0t Premium. Starting at $45,205 ($47,205 with all-wheel drive), the model boasts 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet. A Red Sport version of the Q60 with a 400 horsepower twin-turbo 3.0L V6 will be added down the line. Source: Infiniti Press Release is on Page 2 Infiniti announces U.S. pricing and reservation program for all-new 2017 Q60 Sports Coupe Select models of the third-generation of INFINITI’s iconic sports coupe set to arrive in early September at INFINITI retailers nationwide Pricing begins at $38,950 for Q60 2.0t rear-wheel drive model Special INFINITI Q60 Reservation Program now available online at InfinitiUSA.com Curated gifts for Reservation Program participants include GoPro® Hero4 Silver camera, Bose® SoundTouch® 20 Series III Wireless Music System, Rosewood Hotel one-night accommodation, Tumi Tegra-Lite® carry-on luggage and specially curated culinary experience NASHVILLE, Tenn. – INFINITI today announced pricing for select models of the all-new 2017 INFINITI Q60 sports coupe, which will begin arriving at INFINITI retailers nationwide in early September. The Q60 is offered in a range of grade levels, including all-new advanced turbocharged engines and rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. For buyers desiring to be among the first in line for the completely redesigned third-generation INFINITI sports coupe, a special Q60 Reservation Program is available at InfinitiUSA.com. Those who sign up for the program will not only be rewarded with their new Q60, but will receive their choice from a selection of gifts – including a GoPro® camera, Bose® music system and Tumi luggage. "Like the new Q60 sports coupe, we've selected Reservation Program rewards that fit INFINITI owners' lifestyles," said Randy Parker, vice president, INFINITI Americas. "The real reward, of course, is the new Q60 with its next generation ride and handling technologies and the very latest INFINITI infotainment and driver assist systems." The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2017 INFINITI Q60 are: Model Engine/Drive MSRP Q60 2.0t 2.0L I4 Turbo / RWD $38,950 USD Q60 2.0t AWD 2.0L I4 Turbo / AWD $40,950 USD Q60 2.0t Premium 2.0L I4 Turbo / RWD $41,300 USD Q60 2.0t Premium AWD 2.0L I4 Turbo / AWD $43,300 USD Q60 3.0t Premium 3.0-liter V6 Twin Turbo 300 hp / RWD $44,300 USD Q60 3.0t Premium AWD 3.0-liter V6 Twin Turbo 300 hp / AWD $46,300 USD Destination and Handling $905 USD Pricing for the 2017 Q60 Red Sport 400 will be announced at a later date. View full article

In light of the fatal crash involving a Tesla Model S and Autopilot back in May, automakers are reconsidering their plans for rolling out their autonomous technologies. General Motors was planning to introduce Super Cruise on the Cadillac CT6 sometime next year. But in light of Tesla crash, GM is rethinking their plans. “We aren’t putting a specific date on it,” said GM CEO Mary Barra at a cybersecurity conference. Officials told The Detroit Bureau later on that the feature would still appear next year. This would be corroborated by a Cadillac spokesman to Motor Trend. “Right now, the plan continues to be that we will introduce [super Cruise] in the Cadillac CT6 in calendar year 2017,” said Cadillac spokesman Donny Nordlicht. “We want to make sure it is safe for our customers to use and we’ll launch it when we’re confident in the technology,” Nordlicht said. “Our engineers have been testing and validating the technology for the past several years to make sure all of our systems are focused on providing the customer among the most intuitive and safe solutions. We’re not driven by a deadline, we’re driven to make the system customer-friendly and safe so the exact month of introduction cannot be announced at this time.” Insiders at GM believe that Super Cruise should be able to avoid some of the problems that plague Tesla's Autopilot. Like Autopilot, Super Cruise blends information from radar and cameras. But Super Cruise will also use a high-definition map that provides more details than what you can get on a current navigation system. This map will help the system determine where the vehicle is and whether it is safe to engage the system. There is also a retina detection system that monitors the driver and will switch off Super Cruise if it detects if the driver isn't paying attention. Source: The Detroit Bureau, Motor Trend View full article

Subcompact crossovers are the hot thing at the moment and automakers are trying to make their models stand out. Whether it is using sleek styling, sporty driving dynamics, or value for money, every automaker is trying their best to get their vehicle noticed. For Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, they’re going for a two-prong attack in the class with models from Fiat and Jeep. The Jeep Renegade is aimed at those who want a subcompact that can tackle a trail, and the Fiat 500X provides some chicness for the class. We spent some time in both models to see if they can make some end roads in this growing class. While the 500X and Renegade may share a fair amount of mechanicals, the design of the two is worlds apart. The Renegade is classic Jeep with a square body, seven-slot grille, and a set of large headlights. The Renegade also features a fair number of Easter eggs throughout the exterior. The head and taillights feature little Jeep grille-and-headlights logos, and a small Willys MB on the bottom of the windshield. This is basically the vehicle equivalent of a hidden object puzzle you might have done back in school. Remember the first commercial for the Fiat 500X where a blue pill falls into the fuel filler of a standard 500. The owner turns around and somehow his vehicle has engorged into something bigger. That’s how you can summarize the design of the 500X. Compared to your standard 500, the 500X is 28.6 inches longer and 15.6 inches wider. A lot of the design traits from the 500 such as the round headlights, long chrome bar holding the emblem, and rectangular taillights are present on this crossover. Moving inside, the Renegade takes some inspiration from the Wrangler with a rugged dash design and a grab bar for the passenger. Higher trims such as our Limited tester feature a decent amount of soft-touch materials. Like the exterior, the Renegade’s interior has Easter eggs strewn about. The tachometer with has a splash of mud to illustrate the redline, a seven-slot grille design for the speaker grilles, and the frame around the radio having ‘Since 1941’ stamped. The only complaint we have with the Renegade’s dash is the placement of the climate controls. They are mounted a bit too low to reach easily. The 500X’s interior is Fiat’s best effort to date. The overall look has some traits of the standard 500 such as a retro design for the dash. But where the 500X stands out is in the material choices. Fiat went all out with adding soft-touch materials on the dash and door panels to help make the model feel very premium. Our Trekking Plus tester came upholstered in brown leather that added a touch of class that’s nonexistent in other competitors. Both models offer plenty of head and legroom for passengers sitting up front. In the back, headroom is decent for most passengers even with the optional sunroof fitted. Legroom ranges from decent for most folks to almost nonexistent depending on how tall the person sitting up front is. The seats themselves are lacking sufficient support for long trips. If cargo capacity is a priority, then consider the Renegade as it offers 18.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up. The 500X is towards the bottom of the class with only 12.2 cubic feet mostly due to the design of the vehicle. For your infotainment needs, Fiat and Jeep offer a lineup of Uconnect systems from three to 6.5 inches. Our test vehicles featured the optional 6.5-inch system. Uconnect is still one of the easiest systems to use thanks to a simple interface and very fast performance. We hope FCA considers adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility in the future. In terms of engines, both the 500X and Renegade come standard with a turbocharged 1.4L with 160 horsepower. The downside to this engine is that it is only available with a six-speed manual. If you want an automatic, then you’ll need to get the engine found under the hood of our test models; a 2.4L four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. We’re not fans of the 2.4L in the any of the FCA vehicles we have driven and this trend continues with the 500X and Renegade. Leaving a stop, there is plenty of oomph to get up to speed in urban environments. Out on the rural roads and highways, the 2.4L struggles to get up to speed at a decent clip. Not helping matters is the engine sounding unrefined. The engine noise during hard acceleration could actually drown out the radio. The one bright spot for the powertrain is the nine-speed automatic. This transmission has been a sore point in a number of FCA vehicles for sluggish shifting and not feeling refined. With the 500X and Renegade, it seems FCA has been able to fix many of the wrongs of the nine-speed. Gear changes are much faster and smoother than in previous models. Both models can be equipped with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Both models came equipped with all-wheel drive. This system primarily works in front-wheel drive to help improve fuel economy. But if the system detects slip, it will hook up the rear axle and start sending power for better traction. The Renegade has the more advanced all-wheel drive system known as Jeep Active Drive. This system gives the driver the choice of various drive modes (Auto, Snow, Sand, and Mud) that adjusts the all-wheel drive, steering, and transmission to provide the best settings for the conditions at hand. There’s also a 4WD lock that splits power 50:50 to provide added traction. Thanks to a freak snow storm in April, I was able to put the system to the test. Driving on some snowy roads, the system was able to keep the Renegade moving without the tires spinning. The Renegade Trailhawk takes the system a step further with Active Drive Low. As the name suggests, this system features low range via a two-speed transfer case. This allows the Trailhawk to tackle more difficult obstacles such as rocks. Fuel economy is terrible for the class. The Fiat 500X is rated at 21 City/30 Highway/24 Combined. The Renegade matches the 500X in city and combined fuel figures but is only rated at 29 for the highway. Our average for the week was a very disappointing 22.1 MPG in both vehicles. This is a figure you would expect in a larger crossover, not a subcompact. The ride in both vehicles is on the firm and harsh side. You’ll be able to tell how bad the roads around you are as bumps and road imperfections are transmitted to the seats. Interestingly, both the 500X and Renegade are quite fun around corners. The vehicles feel agile and the steering has some decent weight. But as the Mazda CX-3 has shown, you can have excellent handling characteristics and a decent ride in a crossover. On the highway, the Renegade is the noisier of the two with a large amount of wind noise coming inside. As for pricing, the 500X and Renegade get off to a good start. The Renegade starts at $17,995 and the 500X comes in at $20,000. Where it falls apart comes in the higher trims. Our two testers had price tags of just under $32,000 - $31,695 for the Renegade Limited and $31,800 for the 500X Trekking Plus. For that same amount of money, you can get into a well-equipped or even a loaded compact crossover. Neither one of these models is worth their high price tags. The subcompact crossover class has become a hotly contested class in only a couple of years and you have to show up with your a-game if you want to make an impact. In the case the 500X and Renegade, FCA dropped the ball. The larger four-cylinder engine should be shown the door for its issues in terms of refinement and fuel economy. The ride characteristics need a rethink and the value for money argument is tough when dealing with the higher trim models. This is very disappointing as the two models have some characteristics that should put them a bit higher in the class. The Fiat 500X’s interior looks and feels like something you would find in a luxury model. The Jeep Renegade can go into places that other subcompact crossovers not even dare try thanks to a clever all-wheel drive system and Jeep’s off-road know-how. But these positive points cannot overcome the numerous issues both of the vehicles have. It would be best to avoid them. Cheers: Off-Road Ability (Renegade), Interior Styling and Features (500X), Nine-Speed Automatic Is Much Better Jeers: 2.4L Is Terrible, Rough Ride, Pricing for Higher Trims Disclaimer: FCA Provided the 500X and Renegade; Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2016 Make: Fiat Model: 500X Trim: Trekking Plus AWD Engine: 2.4L Multi-Air Four-Cylinder Driveline: Nine-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 180 @ 6,400 Torque @ RPM: 175 @ 3,900 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 21/30/24 Curb Weight: 3,278 lbs Location of Manufacture: Melfi, Italy Base Price: $29,000 As Tested Price: $31,800 (Includes $900.00 Destination Charge) Options: Trekking Plus Collection 1 - $1,900 Year: 2016 Make: Jeep Model: Renegade Trim: Limited 4X4 Engine: 2.4L Multi-Air Four-Cylinder Driveline: Nine-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 180 @ 6,400 Torque @ RPM: 175 @ 3,900 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 21/29/24 Curb Weight: 3,348 lbs Location of Manufacture: Melfi, Italy Base Price: $26,995 As Tested Price: $31,695 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge) Options: 6.5-inch Navigation Group with Uconnect - $1,245 Advanced Technology Group - $995 Beats Premium Audio System - $695 Safety and Security Group - $645 Passive Entry Keyless Enter n' Go Package - $125 View full article