William Maley

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 24, 2013 The federal mandate for new vehicles to come equipped with backup cameras has been delayed, once again. According to Automotive News, the mandate has been pushed back to 2015 due to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration examining the cost of implementing this mandate. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said in a letter to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., that more analysis on how much this rule will cost automakers is necessary. Previously, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the cost of implementing the rule would be around $2.7 billion. Automakers aren't fully happy with this regulation due to the cost and that the regulation should apply to large vehicles, not all of them. "Automakers are providing cameras in cars today for greater vision and for new driver assists, and consumers should decide how best to spend their safety dollars on these technologies. This is a decision for consumers," said Gloria Bergquist, a spokeswoman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. Regulators are considering giving out incentives in their safety ratings to vehicles that have a backup camera. Currently, regulators give out incentives to those that have electronic stability control. 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 June 23, 2013 File this under the highly speculative folder. This past week Auto Express reported that Jaguar is planning to do R-S version of their new F-Type. The F-Type R-S is expected to come in a coupe form initially and pack a 700 horsepower engine that can make the F-Type R-S reach a top speed of over 200 MPH. Here's where's it goes of the rails somewhat. Auto Express says one way Jaguar could achieve this is use some of the technology from the canned C-X75 hybrid supercar; a 1.6L turbo- and supercharged four-cylinder engine and an array of electric motors. Auto Express says the F-Type R-S will arrive in 2016. Source: Auto Express 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 June 20, 2013 The saga of which Chrysler minivan will live on to fight another rages on. This week, a report from The Windsor Star says the next-generation Chrysler minivan will be only be the Town & Country when production starts at the Windsor Assembly Plant in 2015. This comes from Haig Stoddard, industry analyst at Wards Auto. Stoddard also says that a new seven-seat crossover with a Chrysler badge will take the place of the Caravan production in 2016. This is adding fuel to the fire to rumors that Dodge might be killed off within the next few years by Fiat. With the Caravan saying good-bye and the Challenger moving to SRT, that would only leave Dodge four models: Charger, Dart, Durango, and Journey. Source: The Windsor Star, Wards Auto 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 June 20, 2013 General Motors has been doing a slow drip on specifications for their new pickup trucks. Yesterday, the company announced the fuel economy numbers for the EcoTec 4.3L V6 that will be the base engine in the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. For 2WD models, the 4.3L V6 will return 18 City/24 Highway MPG which puts right in line with the Ram 1500 equipped with the Pentastar V6. 4WD models see fuel economy numbers of 17 City/22 Highway. The city number makes the Sierra and Silverado 4WD models best in class. Not bad considering the EcoTec 4.3L V6 is packing 285 horsepower (@5300 RPM) and 305 foot-pounds of torque (@3900 RPM), and can tow up 7,200 pounds. 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 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 Offers Best-in-Class Capability New engine gives Silverado and Sierra unsurpassed city fuel economy DETROIT – The all-new 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 powering the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra will be the most capable standard V-6 in any full-size pickup truck – leading the segment in city fuel economy and helping customers save money through a host of fuel-saving technologies. EcoTec3 engine technology matches Ram HFE’s 18 mpg city, while 4x4 Silverado and Sierra models achieve 17 mpg city, the best of any full-size pickup. EPA highway estimates are highly competitive: 22 mpg for 4x4 versions, and 24 mpg for 2WD models. The 4.3L V-6 also help Silverado and Sierra will offer the highest-available payload rating of 2,108 pounds and the highest available towing rating of 7,200 pounds. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 20, 2013 If you have been paying any attention for the past few weeks here at Cheers & Gears, you know I had the chance to drive two top selling compact luxury crossovers; the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac SRX. Both of them left me wondering why they are so popular. The Cadillac had a great design and tech, but the engine was somewhat pokey and the fuel economy left a lot to be desired. The Lexus had an exciting exterior and very impressive fuel economy, but driving dynamics were a mixed bag and the feature set for the price left me scratching my head. There had to be a compact luxury crossover that didn't leave me with that feeling. A few weeks ago, another compact luxury crossover arrived in my driveway for a week's evaluation. It was not one of the usual suspects from Germany, instead it hailed from Sweden. The Volvo XC60 is latest model to join Volvo's XC lineup and is the second best-selling model right behind the S60. Was this the crossover to make me feel different? The XC60 follows Volvo's current design motif of minimalistic styling. Key items to take note are the strong shoulder line running along the side, scalloping on the doors, and tall taillights on the rear end. The overall look of the XC60 reminded me of the upcoming V60 wagon just with a taller ride height. Inside, the XC60 has one of the best interiors in the class. Leather, soft touch materials, and metal trim pieces line the door panels and dashboard; making it feel more expensive than it really is. This is helped by the excellent build quality on my test vehicle. What isn't so impressive is the XC60's infotainment system. Much like the S60 R-Design I had back in December, the XC60 uses a center stack full of buttons and knobs to move around and control the system. While the control layout is easy to use once you figure out which button does what, there were times where I was wishing Volvo had put in a touchscreen to perform certain tasks. Comfort is a big plus in the XC60. Driver and passenger get heated and power adjustable seats. Backseat passengers will find a very good amount of head and legroom. Taking the XC60 for a nice long drive, I found the seats provide excellent support and comfort. Powering this XC60 is Volvo's tried and true 3.0L turbocharged inline-six with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is your sole choice with this powertrain, as is all-wheel drive. Those looking for more power should look at the XC60 T6 R-Design increases horsepower to 325 and torque to 350. The T6 engine is a perfect choice for the XC60, considering the vehicle as a whole tips the scales at 4,225 pounds. No matter when you're leaving a stop, cruising along the interstate, or whatever, the T6 produces the right amount of motivation. The six-speed automatic doesn't exhibit any hunting of gears; it knew what gear it needed to be in at the time. EPA rates the 2013 XC60 T6 AWD at 17 City/23 Highway/20 Combined. During my week, I averaged around 21 MPG. The XC60's ride is one the best if your priority is comfort. The suspension provides one of the smoothest rides in the class, no matter the road surface I was driving on. Steering was a bit of surprise as I was expecting light and indirect. This isn't so as the steering provides very good feel and feedback. Road and wind noise were kept to a minimum, making this a great road trip vehicle. At the end of the week, I found myself liking the XC60 over the SRX and RX 350 by a wide margin. The minimalist styling, handsome interior, punchy powertain, and comfort ride make this almost a best-in-class. The only thing that hold it back is the controls for the infotainment system. Throw in the fact that as equipped, this XC60 lists for $48,145, undercuts many of its competitors - making this a very compelling choice in the class. Disclaimer: Volvo provided the XC60, Insurance, and one tank of gas. 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. Year - 2013 Make – Volvo Model – XC60 Trim – T6 AWD Engine – Turbocharged 3.0L Inline-Six Driveline – All-Wheel Drive, Six-Speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM – 300 @ 5,600 RPM Torque @ RPM – 325 @ 2,100-4,200 RPM Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 17/23/20 Curb Weight – 4,225 lbs Location of Manufacture – Ghent, Belgum Base Price - $40,450.00 As Tested Price - $48,145.00* (Includes $895.00 destination charge) Options: Platnum Trim Package - $4,600.00 Climate Package - $900.00 19' FENRIR Alloy Wheels - $750.00 Terra Bronze Metallic - $550.00 View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 19, 2013 Another automaker bites the dust. Carbon Motors, the company behind the futuristic E7 police vehicle has filled for chapter seven bankruptcy (i.e. liquidation) last Friday. The Indianapolis Business Journal says the company's bankruptcy paperworks lists liabilities of $21.7 million and assets of just $18,976. Those assets include one E7 prototype, some furniture, books, and intellectual property. Carbon Motor's business plan hinged upon getting a $310 million loan from U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program. Last March, the Department of Energy declined their application. CEO William Santana Li said at the time the company was a victim of politics and would be looking elsewhere for money. It seems their search didn't work since there has been radio silence and the company quietly pulled out of its plant in Connerville, Indiana back in April. “The entire business model was premised on that entire loan coming through. It was a huge, unexpected disappointment for management as well as the investors,” said Henry Efroymson, a partner at Ice Miller LLP, who is representing Carbon Motors. Many of the liabilities in Carbon Motor's filling are from investors and suppliers, such as BMW which would have supplied a diesel engine for the vehicle. The chapter seven bankruptcy also gives the company protection from any litigation brought against the company, such as three former executives suing the company for unpaid wages. Source: Indianapolis Business Journal, 2 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