William Maley

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 21, 2013 Infiniti is trying to differentiate itself from the other players in the luxury car market by possibly developing a four-door coupe as a flagship. This is coming from Nissan's executive vice president Andy Palmer to Automotive News. "We won't do a Merc S class or that type of car. We have had that before. We want a flagship car that's appealing and different," said Palmer. The four-door coupe is reportedly taking nspiration from the Infiniti Essence concept shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Sources say Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura's team is looking at how to stretch the dimensions of the Essence concept to add two extra doors and seats. This new model could also use Mercedes-Benz's new rear-drive modular platform and be introduced in 2017 at the earliest. But Palmer says the plan for flagship haven't been the greenlight. For that to happen, Infiniti needs to move a fair number of vehicles such as the Q50 sedan and QX60 crossover. 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

2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT Sedan: 2006 - 2010. Lasted about 31,000 miles before it lost reverse and puked out all of its oil. Currently lives with a family friend who got it back to running condition. 1995 Volvo 850 Turbo Sedan: 2010 - Earlier this spring. Put on close to 40,000 miles before selling it. 2006 Ford Fusion SEL: This Spring to current: Only have put close to 5,000 miles on it so far since I have a fair number of review vehicles coming in. Also the highest mileage vehicle I have owned with 228,000 miles.

It has some of the trunk.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 19, 2013 Automakers are throwing a fair number of alternative fuels in a effort to improve mileage and emissions to see what sticks. General Motors announced this week that they are introducing Bi-Fuel Impala that will be available to fleets and consumers starting next summer. The company points out that the Impala is the only manufacturer-produced, full-size bi-fuel sedan in North America. The Bi-Fuel Impala can run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline. The vehicle features two tanks for the fuels and has a total range of 500 miles. The driver can change from CNG to gas and vice versa thanks to a button on the dash. We'll have more details on the 2015 Bi-Fuel Impala when we get closer to summer sale date. Source: General Motors 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 Akerson Announces Bi-Fuel Chevrolet Impala Sedan 2013-10-16 -GM to offer only manufacturer-produced full-size bi-fuel sedan in North America -Designed to capitalize on plentiful clean, domestic natural gas -Will be sold to retail and fleet buyers as a 2015 model -CEO repeats call for consumer-driven national energy policy WASHINGTON, D.C. – General Motors will build a Chevrolet Impala sedan for retail and fleet customers that operates on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG), GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson announced today. It is the only manufacturer-produced full-size bi-fuel sedan and expected to go on sale next summer as a 2015 model. Akerson announced the car during remarks at an energy summit marking the 40th anniversary of the OPEC Oil Embargo. "OPEC Oil Embargo + 40: A National Summit on Energy Security," was sponsored by the nonpartisan group Securing America's Future Energy, or SAFE. Prominent political, business and military leaders assessed the current state of America's oil dependence since the 1973 oil embargo Akerson said the bi-fuel Impala is an example of using affordable technology to reduce oil consumption and save consumers money at the pump. "We know that U.S. energy security won't come from a one-off moonshot," Akerson said. "It will flow from our systematic investment in technology and innovation... our drive to get more from existing energy sources and renewables... our commitment to conservation... and it will be assured by fully and safely exploiting our shale gas reserves." Natural gas is a cleaner-burning transportation fuel compared to petroleum products, and costs significantly less than gasoline at current prices. CNG vehicles typically have 20 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline-powered cars, according to the California Air Resources Board. The Chevrolet Impala bi-fuel sedan addresses the range anxiety issue associated with vehicles that run only on natural gas, Akerson said. It features a factory-engineered and fully warranted powertrain that switches seamlessly from CNG to gasoline. Total range is expected to be up to 500 miles. Akerson said that in addition to advanced technologies and alternative fuels, achieving energy security will require productive partnerships between energy companies, utilities, environmental groups, labor unions, universities and manufacturers. GM, he said, is working closely with 14 of the country's largest unions and environmental groups through the Blue-Green Alliance, and has relationships with regulators that are "more constructive than ever." Akerson also reiterated a call he made earlier this year for the Administration and Congress to create a new, consumer-driven national energy policy from a position of strength and abundance. For its part, GM is committed to saving 12 billion gallons of gasoline in its 2011 to 2017 model year vehicles – offsetting nearly a year of crude imports from the Persian Gulf – with technologies that include lighter materials to reduce vehicle mass, alternative fuels, clean diesel and electrification. In addition to the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Spark EV and the upcoming Cadillac ELR, GM is introducing start-stop technology standard on the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu helping the midsize sedan achieve 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway, and using electrification to boost fuel economy in the Buick Regal and LaCrosse sedans, which both get EPA-estimated 36 mpg hwy. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 19, 2013 A new report from Edmunds shines some light on what Buick possibly has in store powertrain-wise for some of their vehicles. A sources says that Buick is planning on offering a diesel engine in their lineup. This is due to Buick and Opel becoming more aligned. Also, diesels have gained more ground in the U.S. thanks to their ability to provide large fuel economy numbers without a massive hit on performance. The source doesn't say which vehicle will get the diesel engine, but Edmunds speculates it will be the Verano since it's closely related to the Chevrolet Cruze which offers a diesel engine. Another source tells Edmunds that Buick is considering adding more power to wildly-popular Encore crossover. The source explained that one of the primary reasons given why prospective buyers would not buy the Encore is the lack of power from the 1.4L turbo-four which produces 138 horsepower. Buick is reportedly scrambling to get a more powerful engine, but there comes a problem with that. Engineers have tried to fit the 2.4L four-cylinder and 2.0L turbo-four, but they don't fit in the Encore's tight engine bay. The source says that GM is now looking at using one of the new 1.6L four-cylinder engines introduced in Europe earlier this year. Source: Edmunds 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 October 18, 2013 Last month, we told you about the U.S. Department of Energy putting up for auction Fisker's $124 million loan in a effort to recoup as much money as they can. There were a number of suitors who were ready to take on the loan including; Hong Kong-based investor Richard Li Chinese automotive supplier Wanxiang Group and Bob Lutz's VL Automotive German investment group Fritz Nols AG Today, we might have an answer as to who bought the loan. Reuters is reporting the Richard Li's investment group won the auction and are now in the process with the Department of Energy to finalize details of the sale. Sources say bidders in the auction had to offer at least $30 million for a chance of buying Fisker's loan. It's unknown at this time how much Li's bid was. Previously we reported that Fisker Automotive's founder, Henrik Fisker was a part of Li's group. Now it's being reported the two have gone their separate ways. Sources say the two remain on good terms. So what Li's investment group get with buying Fisker's loan? Well it gives Li's group a stake in the company. It also allows Fisker to starve off bankruptcy for a time. Source: Reuters 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 October 18, 2013 From the hmm section of the rumorpile, Reuters is reporting that Ford has invited a small number of journalists to get a sneak peek of the 2015 next week. Sources say the group will include a number of European journalists which is perfect since previous rumors have said the next Mustang has been designed to appeal to people outside the U.S. Sources have also said the new Mustang will have a modern design, and more efficient engines and transmissions. From previous reports we expect the new Mustang to take some elements of the Evos concept car, dropping the solid-axle setup for an independent rear suspension, a V6 and V8 engine, and the possibility of a new EcoBoost four-cylinder with 350 horsepower. Now, the journalists who have been invited have been put under a strict embargo till Ford gives the go ahead. This could happen in December as that's the possible date Ford will unveil the next-generation model. But time and time again, embargos are broken before a show and all is known. It could happen here. Source: Reuters 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 October 17, 2013 The trend with powertrains is to do small-displacement engine with turbochargers to provide the performance of a larger engine with the fuel economy of the small engine. Toyota looks to be bucking the trend. In a interview with Automotive News, Koei Saga, senior managing officer in charge of drivetrain research and development for Toyota said the company will be investing into turbocharged engines, but it will not "emphasize turbocharging across many product lines." Instead, Saga says the company believes that using large-displacement engines with the Atkinson cycle. Here's why Toyota believes this is the right idea. Atkinson cycle engines keep the intake valves open longer than a normal gas engine, which cuts the length of the compression stroke and in turn cuts pumping losses. The end result is improve efficiency at the cost of torque. This is why you see Atkinson cycle engines used in hybrid vehicles since the electric motor can provide the low-end torque. When paired with a large-displacement engine, the hope is that you keep the efficiency while gaining back the loss in torque. In addition to the large-displacement Atkinson cycle engines, Toyota will invest heavily into continuously variable and fixed-gear automatic transmissions, as well as its fuel-cell vehicle program. 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

I assume other EVs such as the Nissan Leaf would be cheaper than the Model S rate I listed in the story.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 17, 2013 Almost two years ago, we reported on the possibility of a Range Rover Evoque XL. The extended version of the entry-level Range Rover would utilize an extended version of the LR-MS platform that currently underpins the Evoque. Now the extended Evoque rumor has surfaced once again, with some changes. Autocar got their hands on a report from analysts at Bernstein Research which says Land Rover is working a extended Evoque, codenamed L560. L560 will utlize a new aluminum platform that will underpin a family of new Jaguar vehicles. In addition, L560 will utilize a new set of four-cylinder gas and diesel engines. L560 is set to arrive in 2016. Source: Autocar 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

They only have them at certain places. I know California is a hot spot.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 16, 2013 Range Anxiety. A condition that still plagues electric vehicles. But it isn't limited to prospective customers who are worried about not having enough juice, it has now spread to rental customers. A number of rental car agencies have now started offering electric vehicles. This allows consumers to try an EV. But renters are returning the EVs much sooner and exchanging them for gas vehicle. “People are very keen to try it, but they will switch out of the contract part way through. Range anxiety makes them think they can’t get to a charging station,” said Lee Broughton, head of sustainability at Enterprise. Enterprise data shows that on average, renters trade EVs in 1.6 days into the rental period compared to the 6 to 7 days of a standard gas vehicle. Christopher Agnew, an analyst at MKM Holdings LLC says that a longer range would help renter's range anxiety, especially in places where they don't where they're going. Now you can rent a Tesla Model S if you go to certain place, but expect to pay a pretty penny. MPG Car Rental based out of Venice, CA rents a Model S for $500 per day. To put that in perspective, a Prius Plug-In costs $99 per day. Despite these setbacks, rental car companies say they will keep buying EVs for their fleets. 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

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 16, 2013 Back at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin rolled out a very polarizing crossover concept with a name that hadn't been since the late eighties; Lagonda. Quick history lesson: Lagonda was brand that got its start back in 1906 building luxury vehicles. In 1947, Lagonda was paired up with Aston Martin and would continue building vehicles till the late fifties. Since that time, Aston Martin has used Lagonda as a model name for a certain number of vehicles, most notably the Aston Martin Lagonda sedan from the eighties. Now the Lagonda concept shown at Geneva wasn't well received for its awkward styling, but Aston Martin sent it back to the drawing board and that was the last we heard about it and Lagonda. That is until this week when Aston Martin's chief executive Dr. Ulrich Bez told Australian Motoring site Drive.com.au that Lagonda is still being worked on. “I am confident in the future we will see a Lagonda on the road. I cannot say [it will be] in three weeks or three years, but I am confident it will be there,” said Bez. When asked about the crossover, Bez said this; “With the Lagonda name we have the chance to use it for everything that goes beyond what is our base car line and preferably it will be something like an SUV. But it could be - if I look at the next five or 10 year period - then I could see a variety of possibilities. Everything is possible, but I cannot say it might be this or that… but everything beyond [our current range of] V8 Vantage, Rapide, Vanquish could be branded as Lagonda.” Source: Drive.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

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 16, 2013 Last year, I had the great fortune of going to the Midwest Automotive Media Association's Spring Rally. The rally brings automotive media and manufacturers together for a couple days of driving new vehicles. During my time there, I had the chance to slip behind the wheel of the recently launched Lexus GS 350. But this wasn't any ordinary GS 350. It happened to be the new GS 350 F-Sport model. When I wrote my wrap-up of the event, I said this about the GS: "Has Lexus created a vehicle that can give everyone in the midsize luxury sedan class something to worry about? Oh very much so." Bit of a bold proclamation. I wanted to find out if that would hold true after an extended stay on the roads I drive on and Lexus obliged by handing over a 2013 GS 350 F-Sport for a week's stay. Polarizing. That's the word I would use to describe the GS 350 F-Sport's exterior design. To start, there is Lexus' spindle grille in the front. This is either a love it or hate it relationship. Personally, I love the spindle grille on the GS, especially when it has the mesh-grille insert. There is also a set of LED daytime running lights running along the inner edge and a more aggressive front bumper with vents to feed air to the massive brakes. Along the sides are a high belt line, side skirts, and a set of nineteen-inch alloy wheels in a graphite finish. Towards the back, a rear lip spoiler and valance finish off the sporty touches. It's shock and awe in one complete package. Heading inside, the GS 350 F-Sport looks and feels like a sporty sedan. You have loads of black leather and soft-touch materials that contrast very well with the grey trim pieces used in the dash. The front seats are well-bolstered and provide a wide range of adjustments such as adjustable side bolsters and power thigh support for the driver. Heat and ventilation are included for both seats. The ventilation was much appreciated during the week as it was pretty warm. The back seat isn't as big as you might think. A large transmission tunnel means it's only really comfortable for two passengers. Also headroom comes at a premium due to a sloping roofline. Techwise, the GS 350 comes with a large 12.3-inch screen that houses Lexus' Enform infotainment system. The screen is divided up into two parts. The majority of the screen is dedicated to navigation, media selection, climate and information. The remainder of the screen is used for telling you what's playing and a overview of the climate system. I like this layout since I can have the navigation and what's playing on my iPod at the same time. Well done, Lexus! To move around the system, there is Lexus Remote Touch. The system uses a joystick to navigate around the menus and select functions. I'm not a fan of Remote Touch since the system is a bit touchy and you have to take your eyes off the road to make sure you are going into the selection you want. Enough about the design and seating arrangements, lets dive into how it drives. Powering the GS 350 F-Sport is a 3.5L V6 with 306 horsepower and 274 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is the sole choice. The 3.5L is very Lexus-like at the low end, quiet and smooth. Surprisingly, it also packs a bit of punch as well. Keep the revs climbing the 3.5L emits a very lovely engine note. The six-speed automatic never put a gear cog wrong. It somehow knew what gear the vehicle needed to be in. The GS also comes with Lexus Drive Mode Selector which offers four different configurations for the powertrain and suspension. The modes are as followed: Normal: Standard throttle mapping and suspension tuning, gearshifts tuned for comfort. Eco: Slower throttle mapping, reduced operation of the climate control Sport: Quicker throttle mapping, stiffer suspension tuning Sport+: Much quicker throttle mapping, even stiffer suspension tuning, heavier steering, number of powertrain enhancements During the week, I found myself cycling though all of the modes and using them for their respective needs. Normal worked very well in the city and in the suburbs. Eco did great on the freeway and the long rural roads of Northern Michigan. Sport and Sport+ were left to the curvy roads as the engine could be worked. The GS 350 F-Sport comes with Adaptable Variable Suspension (AVS). The suspension can be adjusted by a driver via the Drive Mode Selector to either be stiff or soft. The same is true for the steering as it can be adjusted to provide a heavier feel. Do they work? In short, yes. Flicking the Drive Mode Selector into Sport and Sport+ transforms the GS into something of a road demon. Moving along on one of the test roads I use, the GS felt much more agile than I was expecting. Body lean was kept to a minimum. Steering was excellent with good feel and weight when it was being pushed. Switching back into Normal and Eco mode, the GS 350 F-Sport becomes a very sensible luxury sedan. The suspension softens up and provides a very smooth ride. Sound deadening is excellent with wind and road noise kept to a minimum. Fuel Economy for the GS 350 F-Sport is rated at 19 City/28 Highway/23 Combined. During the week, I got an average of 26 MPG. Going back to beginning of this review, I was wondering if I could stand behind the verdict I gave to GS 350 F-Sport when I briefly drove it last year. The answer is a resounding yes. I don't how Lexus was able to pull this off, but somehow it has created a midsize luxury sedan that is very much fun to drive and provides many luxuries for its occupants. The GS 350 F-Sport should make everyone in midsize luxury sedan class a bit nervous and worried. Especially if Lexus engineers take what they learned from the GS F-Sport and applies it onto a GS-F. Disclaimer: Lexus Provided The GS, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas. Year: 2013 Make: Lexus Model: GS 350 Trim: F-Sport Engine: 3.5L DOHC 24-valve VVT-i V6 Driveline: Rear-Wheel Drive, Six-Speed Automatic Transmission Horsepower @ RPM: 306 @ 6,200 Torque @ RPM: 274 @ 3,600 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 19/28/23 Curb Weight: 3,795 lbs Location of Manufacture: Tahara, Aichi, Japan Base Price: $46,900.00 As Tested Price: $55,869.00* (Includes $875.00 destination charge) Options: F-Sport Package - $5,690.00 Navigation Package - $1,735.00 Blind Spot Monitor System - $500.00 Trunk Mat - $105.00 Cargo Net - $64.00 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