William Maley

It's on my test car wish list

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 26, 2013 Swedish motorsport and engineering firm Polestar is slowly becoming a household name for hot Volvos. The company has built some unique concepts, including a 508 horsepower S60 last year. The company has also introduced ECU tuning software that is available at dealers and began selling a somewhat detuned version of the S60 concept in Australia last year. Now Polestar has announced they will begin building the S60 and V60 Polestar. The best part? Both models will be sold in U.S., along with Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The S60 and V60 Polestar begins with changes to Volvo's 3.0L T6 engine. The engine gets a new twin-scroll turbo and intercooler, along with a stainless steel exhaust system. The engine now produces 350 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Paired with the engine is a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shifters and a Polestar-developed, Haldex four-wheel drive system. This combination allows the S60 and V60 Polestar to hit 60 MPH in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 MPH. Along with the powertrain changes, Polestar focused on improving the fun-to-drive aspect. The chassis has been made to be more rigid to make way for stiffer springs. There is also new shock absorbers, larger brakes, and twenty-inch wheels. Finishing off the changes are a front splitter, rear wing, diffuser, and new seats. “We are proud to present the S60 and V60 Polestar. A car developed for those who share our passion at Polestar: That driving really matters and that a true driver’s car should enable you to enjoy driving all year, on all roads and in all weather conditions. This is a driver’s car for real life,” said Christian Dahl, CEO of Polestar. “With the introduction of the V60 model, we are proud to continue the heritage of fast Volvo wagons, such as the racing 850 BTCC, a tradition deeply rooted among Volvo enthusiasts.” The S60 and V60 Polestar arrive at Volvo dealers next summer. 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 World debut for a new Volvo V60 engineered by Polestar The new Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar is here, set for sale on four continents around the world in 2014. "We are proud to present the S60 and V60 Polestar. A car developed for those who share our passion at Polestar: That driving really matters and that a true driver's car should enable you to enjoy driving all-year, on all roads and in all weather conditions. This is a driver's car for real life," said Christian Dahl, CEO of Polestar. "With the introduction of the V60 model, we are proud to continue the heritage of fast Volvo estates like the racing 850 BTCC, a tradition deeply rooted among Volvo enthusiasts," continued Christian Dahl, CEO of Polestar. - S60 and V60 model - 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds - Limited Edition The countries set for the S60 and V60 Polestar include Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA, with further markets and final production numbers to be revealed next year. "Our motorsport co-operation with Polestar has been going on for almost two decades and it is rewarding to see how Polestar can use their experiences from motorsport to engineer such an exciting and competent car," said Derek Crabb, Motorsport Director of Volvo Cars. "It is very satisfying to see how Polestar have been able to combine this level of driving performance in their interpretation of the S60 and V60 with maintained original service program, class leading safety features and certified fuel- and emission ratings. Customers buying this car will get the best from both Polestar and Volvo," said Alain Visser, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales & Customer Service of Volvo Cars Group. All-year performance The car is based on the latest generation Volvo S/V60 and marks the start of an extended Polestar production model range. Development of the car has been ongoing over the past years, picking up from the C30 and S60 Concept cars and the Australian S60 Polestar. Thousands of development kilometres have been driven on twisty mountain roads, on the Autobahn and test tracks from the south of Europe to the frozen north of Sweden. "We have continued our work to create a true driver's car which is not limited only to a few specific driving conditions, but enjoyable on everything from your favourite winding roads to taking the family for a long journey, no matter summer or winter. And in my view, we have gotten very close to our goals, something that of course is best experienced first-hand behind the wheel," said Robert Dahlgren, Polestar racing and test driver. Polestar performance engineering Chassis Upgrades include modifications made to increase rigidity of the chassis to cater for the 80% stiffer springs relative to the standard S60 R-Design. These changes combined with the tailored high performance Öhlins shock absorbers and 20" Polestar wheels results in a precise, yet comfortable, driving experience. Brakes The brake system has undergone substantial modifications. Most visible are the 371 millimetre ventilated front discs and six-piston Brembo calipers, guaranteeing a high level of braking performance. Aerodynamics To reflect the increased performance of the S/V60 Polestar, positive aerodynamic effects have been achieved through subtle, yet efficient, modifications based on data from tests in the Volvo Cars wind tunnel. The changes are visible with the front splitters, optimising the airflow underneath the car, as well as a new rear spoiler and diffusor, increasing downforce. Engine The six-cylinder turbo-charged T6 engine has undergone extensive development with a new twin-scroll turbo and intercooler to produce 350 HP/257 kW at 5700 rpm and 500 Nm/369 lb-ft already at 2800 rpm. The engine breathes through a 2.5" stainless steel exhaust system, making for a throaty engine note. Transmission The six-speed automatic gearbox features a new paddle shift system that together with the Polestar developed Haldex four-wheel drive system takes the car from 0-100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds and to a limited top speed of 250 km/h. The gearbox as well as the four-wheel drive system and traction control system has been recalibrated in order to provide an active driving experience and maximum grip in all situations. Interior The interior has been reworked with new details, materials and Polestar colours, such as the steering wheel, seats and more, with the sole purpose of increasing driver support and control. "All in all we have taken a major step forward in all areas, from chassis and engine to interior and exterior details. Development work has been focused on the overall package in order to create a car that you want to use every day, both from a practical and emotional perspective," said Henrik Fries, S/V60 Polestar Technical Project Manager. Sales and delivery Polestar will begin delivery of the new S60 and V60 Polestar in June 2014 to the local markets. "We are all very excited and proud over our launch of two new cars as yet another step towards a range of Polestar Engineered Volvo cars available for people like us around the world. To do it together with Volvo, one of the world's leading car manufacturers, is greatly satisfying and we look forward to an exciting future," said Christian Dahl, CEO of Polestar. Visit www.nextpolestar.com for more information and our pressroom for further pictures. Technical Specification Performance 0-100 km/h 4.9 sec 0-200 km/h 17.7 sec 80-120 km/h 4.7 sec Top speed 250 km/h / 155 mph – Electronically limited Chassis Polestar Öhlins shock absorber system Polestar bespoke rims, 8x20" ET53 with 245/35R20 tyres Engine 6-cylinder inline T6 engine, 2953 cc 257 kW (350 hp) @ 5700 rpm 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) @ 2800-4750 rpm Max 6500 rpm New twin-scroll Borg Warner turbo New intercooler Polestar 2.5" stainless full-flow exhaust system with twin 3.5" tail pipes Weight S60 Polestar: 1752 kg V60 Polestar: 1822 kg Transmission AWF21 automatic gearbox with paddle shift system Polestar transmission calibration for faster gearshifts, launch control and curve-hold functionality Polestar Haldex calibration for more rear torque dynamic distribution Polestar calibrated stability control system Brakes Front: Polestar/Brembo 6 piston brake calipers 371x32 mm ventilated and floating Brembo discs Rear: 302x22 mm ventilated disc View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 26, 2013 Some sad news for those hoping for another Mazda vehicle with the rotary engine. Masa-michi Koga, Mazda's new CEO tells Automotive News that for the rotary engine to become commercially viable, Mazda would need to sell around 100,000 vehicles a year. "No plans now. It has to be a viable commercial proposition. If we are going to adopt it, it has to be a product that can generate at least sales of 100,000 units a year. We have to be able to achieve a profit," said Kogai. Since Mazda pulled the plug on the RX-8 last year, rumors and speculation has been running rampant. Within the past few months, Mazda's former CEO expressed the idea of putting a rotary engine into a hybrid vehicle to generate electricity to charge the battery. There was also the rumor back in August which stated Mazda was hard at work on a new rotary engine that was expected to come out in 2015 or so. Now Koga doesn't fully slam the door shut on the rotary engine. He said that engineers are still researching rotary engines as they are able to run on a variety of fuels. "We are the first and only manufacturer to commercialize the rotary engine. In that respect, we have some responsibility. So please allow us to continue our research," said Kogai. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) 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

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 25, 2013 The Chrysler IPO will not happen this year. Forbes is reporting that Fiat has decided to not to launch the initial public offering of Chrysler before the end of 2013, citing that the short window before the end of 2013 is "not practicable." Not surprisingly, the hold up on the IPO is the disagreement between Fiat and the UAW's healthcare trust. Fiat currently owns 58.5 percent of Chrysler, while the trust owns the remaining 41.5 percent. The company wants to buy the trust's share, but for how much is what the two cannot come to an agreement. The IPO was going to be the way of figuring out how much the UAW's healthcare trust share was. It's not entirely clear why Fiat decided to put the IPO on hold till next year. A possibility could be that advisers working for Chrysler are discussing a valuation of about $10 to $11 billion for the IPO. Given that amount, it would mean Fiat would be paying $4.15 billion for the share owned by the healthcare trust, a figure that considered to be much higher than what Fiat is looking to pay. Source: Forbes, Detroit Free Press 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

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 25, 2013 The Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Friday that it had found a buyer for dormant automaker, Fisker. The buyer is Hybrid Tech Holdings, LLC, a company founded by Richard Li, one of the people who was interested in buying Fisker. So how much did Hybrid Tech pay for the assets of Fisker? Reports say around $25 million, which means the DOE lost around $139 million in its investment into Fisker. To keep the transfer process smooth and make sure Fisker's creditors and suppliers get paid, the company has filled for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in a California court. "After having evaluated and pursued all other alternatives, we believe the sale to Hybrid and the related Chapter 11 process is the best alternative for maximizing Fisker Automotive's value for the benefit of all stakeholders. We believe that the Fisker Automotive technology and product development capability will remain a guiding force in the evolution of the automotive industry under Hybrid's leadership," said Marc Beilinson, Fisker Automotive's Chief Restructuring Officer in a statement. What does Hybrid Tech have in mind for Fisker? The company plans to restart production and sales of the Karma sedan, and work on developing new vehicles. "As we continue to examine Fisker's opportunities, we will be making decisions about the structure and footprint of the new business," said Caroline Langdale, a spokeswoman for Hybrid Technology. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Fisker 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 Fisker Automotive Announces Agreement for Asset Sale to Hybrid Tech Holdings ANAHEIM HILLS, Calif., Nov. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fisker Automotive, Inc. and Fisker Automotive Holdings, Inc. (collectively, Fisker Automotive) announced today that they have entered into an asset purchase agreement with Hybrid Tech Holdings, LLC (Hybrid) for the sale of substantially all of its assets. Hybrid is the lender under an approximately $170 million loan secured by first liens on substantially all of Fisker Automotive's assets. Hybrid's parent, Hybrid Technology, LLC (Hybrid Technology), purchased the loan from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) after DoE conducted a robust marketing process and auction. To facilitate the sale process and provide for orderly distributions to creditors, Fisker Automotive has voluntarily filed petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Hybrid Technology has committed up to approximately $8 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing to fund the sale and Chapter 11 process. "After having evaluated and pursued all other alternatives, we believe the sale to Hybrid and the related Chapter 11 process is the best alternative for maximizing Fisker Automotive's value for the benefit of all stakeholders," said Marc Beilinson, Fisker Automotive's Chief Restructuring Officer. "We believe that the Fisker Automotive technology and product development capability will remain a guiding force in the evolution of the automotive industry under Hybrid's leadership." View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 25, 2013 The rumors of what will be happening with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have been flying for the past few years. They have ranged from the model being killed off to morphing into a hybrid model. One thing is for certain, it's going to be awhile before we see a new Lancer Evolution. CarAdvice had the chance to talk with Mitsubishi managing director of product projects and strategy Ryugo Nakao. Nakao said for the time being, the company is putting the development of the next-generation model on hold to focus more on SUVs, EVs, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. “We cannot do both environmental protection and [internal combustion-engine-only] sports car at the same time, it will take time for us to make it possible. So concentrate on PHEV and EV first, then based on this development, we will like to support the next-generation of sports car if possible,” said Nakao. When asked if the Lancer Evolution would be going away, Nakao said that has yet to be decided. “It all depends on customer demand of course. In terms of volume, Evolution X is not a big volume seller.” Source: CarAdvice.com.au 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