William Maley

After having an early reveal yesterday, Volvo decided to spill the beans on the new XC Coupe Concept that will debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week. The XC Coupe Concept is the second of three concepts that previews the direction of Volvo's design language. Based on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), the concept gives a possible sneak peek into the next-generation XC90. The front end is similar to the Concept Shown last year with a large grille and T-Shaped headlights. The concept also feature orange details, matte rubber moldings on the back end, twenty-one inch wheels, and a set of roof rails with a handy roof-mounted cargo box. We don't know what the interior looks like or what's under the hood. Maybe we'll have the answer to those questions next week. Source: Volvo William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 THE VOLVO CONCEPT XC COUPÉ: SOPHISTICATED CAPABILITY AND CONTEMPORARY SAFETY, INSPIRED BY MODERN SPORTS EQUIPMENT The second of Volvo's three concept cars is the new Volvo Concept XC Coupé. Inspired by the design of modern sports equipment and demonstrating the safety capabilities of Volvo's new Scalable Product Architecture, it is a sophisticated and capable car for people with an active lifestyle. "Those who love extreme sports freely seek new thrills and challenges. To ensure that they make it back in one piece, they prefer high-performance equipment that offers the ultimate sense of freedom and protection," says Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design of Volvo Car Group. "The Volvo Concept XC Coupé is perfectly in tune with this active lifestyle. Its capability and protection is cleverly integrated into the sophisticated looks. Concept XC Coupé is ready and willing to bring you into the adventure zone and back," he adds. Sleeker and safer at the same time The three concept cars are designed to demonstrate vital elements of the company's new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA): the confident stance, the proportions and the most prominent design signatures. "Concept XC Coupé also shows how clever engineering makes it possible for us to reinforce our world-leading safety without compromising design, size or weight. Thanks to the extensive use of high-strength boron steel and structures with new, ingenious decoupling, we can make SPA cars more compact and safer at the same time," says Thomas Ingenlath. The two-door, four-seater Volvo Concept XC Coupé has a strong connection with its sibling, the Volvo Concept Coupé. However, the larger 21-inch wheels, the more accentuated wheel-arches and the taller roofline all contribute to a more robust impression and a fuller, capable look. The extended distance between the dashboard and the front axle is still a very powerful visual element. The capable stance is emphasised by details such as the new bonnet and a beltline that spans an elegant bow along the length of the car. High-tech sport gear The connection with modern, high-tech sports gear is highly present in the concept car. Among the sources of inspiration for the design team is the Swedish company POC, which develops high-tech protective gear for extreme sports athletes. "Several orange details and exterior graphics in combination with bold use of matte rubber mouldings, which cover the rear end of the car, add to the highly functional expression of the design," says Thomas Ingenlath. To strike the right balance between aesthetics and functionality, the design team has also given traditional SUV elements, such as side mouldings and skid plates, a modern interpretation. They are more integrated into the sleek design, flush with the surrounding body areas. T-shaped DRL lights Just like the Volvo Concept Coupé, the face of the Volvo Concept XC Coupé is characterised by a new topography on the bonnet and the 'floating' grille, flanked by headlights featuring new T-shaped DRL light guides. The rear light signature is also a distinctive element in the new design direction of Volvo Cars. "Both concept cars show how we can shape our cars from now on. We add emotional value to the Volvo brand with the calm, confident beauty that is the hallmark of Scandinavian design," says Thomas Ingenlath. Building on a proud XC heritage Volvo Cars paved the way for a completely new segment by introducing the V70 Cross Country in 1997. The range has been continuously developed and extended since then. Presently, it spans from the Volvo V40 Cross Country, via the XC60 and XC70, to the XC90. "With the Volvo Concept XC Coupé, we take this unique blend of capable ruggedness and expressive elegance up to a new, sportier attitude," says Thomas Ingenlath. View full article

In recent months, rumors have been flying as to Ford CEO Alan Mulally stepping down to become the new CEO for Microsoft. The rumors and questions to Ford about Mulally's future got so bad that the board called a special meeting late last year to press Mulally about his decision. Well Mulally has broken his silence. According to an interview with the Associated Press, he revealed that he would be staying put at Ford through 2014. Mulally did not confirm whether or not he had conversations with Microsoft though. Source: Associated Press via The Detroit News William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

Last December, I had a 2013 Kia Sorento SX V6 in for review. This was an odd time to review it since the month before at the LA Auto Show, Kia introduced the 2014 Sorento which brought forth a number of changes and improvements. At the time of my review, I said to hold off on getting 2013 model and wait to see how the 2014 model fares. Well it has been almost a year since that review and I had the 2014 Kia Sorento, this time in the new SX Limited trim. Let's find out if I made the right call or not. At first, you might be wondering what exactly did Kia do to the 2014 Sorento since it mostly looks like the outgoing 2013 model. Well there are some changes, some more apparent than others. First off, the overall shape of the 2014 model has been sharpened a bit, giving it a bit more of a European look to it. The front end sees the majority of changes with a revised grille, new headlights and foglights. The back gets a new tailgate and a set of reshaped taillights. The primary focus on the 2014 Sorento was with the interior. In my review of the 2013 model, I said the interior felt much older due to some choices in materials and technologies. The 2014 Sorento sees massive improvements in both areas. Material choices are much nicer to look and touch, making it feel more premium. On the SX Limited the seats were trimmed in Nappa leather.On the technology front, the 2014 Sorento SX Limited gets a new small color display inside the speedometer to show key information such as trip computer, what you're currently listening to, and navigation. The center stack features Kia's UVO infotainment system and eServices. Much like my experience in the Cadenza back in the summer, I found the system to be user-friendly and quick to respond. Comfort and space hasn't really changed from the 2013 to the 2014 model and that is a good and bad thing. The good is that front and second row passengers will be fairly comfortable with a decent amount of head and legroom. The bad news is that the third row is still only comfortable for small kids or being folded into the floor. Now the third row is an option and if you decide to skip it, you have an extra $1,000 in your pocket. I would skip it. Thoughts on the powertrain and handling are on the next page. Under the hood of the Sorento SX Limited is a new 3.3L GDI V6 with 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system. Much like the Kia Cadenza that I drove earlier this year, the V6 in the Sorento is very punchy and has no problem of getting the vehicle up to speed. Other traits about the V6 that I like is how smoothly the V6 delivers the power and how refined it is. As for the six-speed automatic, it was quick to up or downshift. As for fuel economy, the 2014 Sorento SX Limited is rated at 18 City/24 Highway/20 Combined. My average for the week was 22.1 MPG, a noticeable improvement over the 20.5 MPG from the last Sorento I drove. One place where Kia didn't make any real changes is to the Sorento's ride, which is a very good thing. The Sorento's fully-independent suspension went over bumps and ruts with no problem. Also not seeing a real change is how quiet the Sorento is. Road and wind noise are kept to minimum, making it a perfect model to take on a road trip.As for the steering, it is what you expect in the crossover class; over-boosted and not that much feel. The SX Limited comes with the driver selectable steering which varies the weight from really light (comfort) to really heavy (sport). As I have written previously on other Hyundai and Kia models with this system, I'm not a big fan of the system. I left the system in normal as I found the other two on the extremes. I like the idea of this system, it just needs some finessing. There is one concern with the Sorento SX Limited I have and that is the pricetag. As tested, this model rings out to $41,600. Ouch. If you drop the third-row seat option, you're looking at $40,600. What do you get for that price? Well pretty much everything from Kia's UVO service, Nappa leather, nineteen-inch alloy wheels, heated seats for the second-row, the list goes on. For some people who want everything, the SX Limited is perfect. For myself, I would be very happy with SX which comes with most of the features of the Limited and an extra $2,000 in my pocket. But as a whole, the 2014 Kia Sorento is much better than the model it replaces. The major problems and faults have been rectified by Kia, making the Sorento a very compelling model in the midsize crossover class. Just be warned you might have to spend some cash to get it. Disclaimer: Kia Provided the Sorento SX Limited, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2014 Make: Kia Model: Sorento Trim: SX Limited Engine: 3.3L DOHC GDI CVVT V6 Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 290 @ 6,400 Torque @ RPM: 252 @ 5,200 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 18/24/20 Curb Weight: 5,468 lbs Location of Manufacture: West Point, Georgia Base Price: $39,700.00 As Tested Price: $41,600.00 (Includes $850.00 Destination Charge) Options: 3rd Row Seat & AC - $1,000.00 Cargo Net - $50.00 William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

BYD, the Chinese automaker who is backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., announced plans to launch in the U.S. by the end of 2015. The automaker which had an aborted U.S. launch in 2010 and a restructure that lasted three years believes that they are more prepared now. “Back then, we had passion, but we had no brand, no history, no capital and no competitive advantage. BYD has become more fashionable and we have improved our design and safety. We don’t want to compete on price anymore, but on quality and innovation,” said Stella LI, senior vice president of the BYD's U.S. operations to Bloomberg. The plan BYD has in place is to launch up to four vehicles for the U.S. market. No indication of what those models will be though. BYD isn't the only Chinese automaker planning an arrival into the U.S. Volvo's parent company, Geely plans to launch vehicles in the U.S. by 2016. Then there is truck and SUV manufacturer Great Wall Motors who planned to launch in the U.S. by 2015. Since then, the company has relaxed that timetable. Source: Bloomberg William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article