William Maley

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 29, 2013 According to a new report from analysis firm AutomotiveCompass, Chrysler is planning to move production of the next-generation Dodge Journey from Toluca, Mexico to Sterling Heights, MI. The switch over is expected to happen in 2016, the same time the next-generation Journey is expected. Why the change in plants? The next Journey is expected to use a variation of Fiat's CUSW platform. Moving it to plant where another vehicle using the CUSW platform, the Chrysler 200 in this case, makes a lot of sense. When asked by the Detroit Free Press, a Dodge spokesman declined to comment. Source: 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

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 29, 2013 Another day has come and General Motors decided it was time to reveal the new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. The new Denali will continue to be the flagship of the Sierra lineup and come with more power and exclusive features. While it doesn't take that much to imagine what the new Sierra 1500 Denali would look like, we have to say the new model has some presence. There is a unique chrome grille, twenty-inch chrome wheels, projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, and body-color front and rear bumpers. Inside, the Denali comes equipped with leather with contrasting stitching, heated and cooled seats, GMC's Intelilink infotainment system, Bose audio system, and front and rear park assist. The Denali also comes with some exclusive features such as real aluminum trim and a eight-inch color display in the instrument cluster. Powering the Sierra Denali comes from the 5.3L EcoTec V8 with 355 horsepower. Optional is the 6.2L EcoTec V8 with an estimated 420 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Both engines will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and can be equipped with either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The new Sierra 1500 Denali arrives at dealers this fall. 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 2014 Sierra Denali Pairs High-Tech Luxury and Capability Available 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 will be most powerful pickup truck engine on the market DETROIT – An all-new 2014 Sierra 1500 Denali full-size pickup arrives this fall with an available 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 that will produce an estimated 420 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, the most power and torque of any light duty truck engine. Final SAE-rated power and torque numbers will be available later this year. Now entering its third generation, the Sierra Denali is the most luxurious and technologically advanced GMC half-ton pickup. Sierra’s 6.2L V-8 will also be available for Sierra SLT models this fall. With this engine, the Sierra is expected to have a class-leading maximum trailering capacity of 12,000 pounds. Like every 2014 Sierra, it offers more power and higher expected efficiency than its predecessor thanks to a trio of technologies including direct injection, active fuel management and variable valve timing. Design cues for the 2014 Sierra Denali follow the formula that attracted two-in-10 GMC buyers to Denali vehicles last year. On the exterior, the truck has a signature Denali chrome grille, unique 20-inch chrome wheels, unique interior decorative trim, a polished stainless steel exhaust outlet and body-color front and rear bumpers. Denali-specific interior details include script on the bright door sills and embossed into the front seats and real aluminum trim. Sierra Denali’s high-tech interior also features an exclusive eight-inch Customizable Driver Display that can show relevant settings, audio and navigation information in the instrument panel. Sierra Denali’s standard eight-inch Color Touch navigation radio with Intellilink, located above the center console, serves as the main hub for Bluetooth-connected phones and portable devices connected through five standard USB ports. Other features standard on Sierra Denali include projector-style headlamps with LED signature daytime running lights, a Bose audio system, heated and cooled leather front bucket seats, a heated steering wheel, front and rear park assist and a power sliding rear window with defogger. “The 2014 Sierra Denali has a combination of performance, capability and luxury that no other pickup can match,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of GMC Marketing. “It leaves no boxes unchecked for those owners looking for the ultimate expression of ‘Professional Grade.’” A 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 is standard for the 2014 Sierra Denali. It produces 355 horsepower and offers better EPA-estimated fuel economy (23 mpg highway on 2WD models) than any V-8 or turbocharged V-6 pickup on the market. Sierra Denali will be available with two option packages, including a Z71 Off-Road Package (4WD only) with monotube Rancho shocks, Hill Descent Control and transfer case shield, and a Driver Alert Package that includes Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and patented Safety Alert Seat Technology. Standalone options include the 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8, a sunroof and Rear Seat Entertainment. View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 29, 2013 A new report from Motor Trend says that Infiniti is considering entry-level crossover that will use the underpinnings of Mercedes-Benz's new MFA front-wheel drive platform. The new crossover will resemble Infiniti's Etherea concept, albeit with a taller ride height and wear the QX30 name. Power will come from Mercedes-Benz as well, with the 4.0L turbo-four from the CLA being rumored. No word on a possible release date. Source: Motor Trend 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

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 28, 2013 Tesla's CEO Elon Musk is very keen on building a electric vehicle that is cheaper than the Model S and doesn't have many of the drawbacks like the Nissan Leaf. “With the Model S, you have a compelling car that’s too expensive for most people,” he said. “And you have the Leaf, which is cheap, but it’s not great. What the world really needs is a great, affordable electric car. I’m not going to let anything go, no matter what people offer, until I complete that mission,” said Musk during a interview. The new vehicle will have a pricetag under $40,000, have a range of 200 miles, and come out within the next three to four years. 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

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 28, 2013 When General Motors unveiled the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, the 6.2L LT1 V8 was producing 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. However, the 6.2L wasn't certified by the SAE. That has changed today as the 6.2L has received its SAE certification and the numbers are official: 455 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. If you equip the available performance exhaust, those numbers jump to 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet. “The LT1’s performance complements the Corvette’s low mass with a tremendous feeling of power that builds as the rpm climbs. Drivers will experience more power and acceleration than ever before with the standard engine – in fact, its power and torque surpass many uplevel engines offered by competitors,” said Jordan Lee, Small Block chief engineer. 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 2014 Corvette Stingray Cranks Out 460 Horsepower SAE certifications confirm new Corvette has most powerful standard engine ever 2013-05-28 DETROIT – The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s all-new LT1 6.2L V-8 engine is SAE-certified at 460 horsepower (343 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque (630 Nm) at 4,600 rpm, with the available performance exhaust system, Chevrolet announced today. The Stingray is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower (339 kW) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) with the standard exhaust system. They are the highest standard power ratings ever for the Corvette, delivered with efficiency that is expected to exceed 26 mpg on the highway. “The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s LT1 engine is a triumph of advanced technology, delivering more power and torque than ever before with greater efficiency,” said Jordan Lee, Small Block chief engineer. “The LT1’s performance complements the Corvette’s low mass with a tremendous feeling of power that builds as the rpm climbs. Drivers will experience more power and acceleration than ever before with the standard engine – in fact, its power and torque surpass many uplevel engines offered by competitors.” At 74 horsepower per liter, the LT1 has greater power density than the C6 Corvette’s LS3 6.2L engine and even the C6 Z06’s racing-derived 7.0L LS7. It also produces comparable torque to the LS7 – up to 4,700 rpm – and its peak torque is within 5 lb-ft of the 7.0L engine. That torque is generated early and sustained across the rpm band, with 316 lb-ft available at only 1,000 rpm and 90 percent of peak torque available from 3,000 rpm to 5,500 rpm – giving the lightweight Corvette Stingray excellent acceleration at all speeds. Chevrolet estimates the Corvette will run from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds. The new LT1 engine’s high output, and high power density and efficiency are due to several advanced technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management and continuously variable valve timing, which support an advanced combustion system. Direct injection is a primary contributor to the engine’s combustion efficiency, ensuring a more complete burn of the fuel in the air-fuel mixture. That’s achieved by precisely controlling the mixture motion and fuel injection spray pattern. Direct injection also keeps the combustion chamber cooler, which allows for a higher compression ratio. Emissions are also reduced, particularly cold-start hydrocarbon emissions, which are cut by about 25 percent. Active Fuel Management, or cylinder deactivation, is a first-ever application on Corvette. It helps save fuel by imperceptibly shutting down half of the engine’s cylinders in light-load driving. Continuously variable valve timing is refined to support the LT1 AFM and direct injection systems to further optimize performance, efficiency and emissions. These technologies support the all-new, advanced combustion system, which incorporates a new cylinder-head design and a new, sculpted piston design that is an integral contributor to the high-compression, mixture motion parameters enabled by direct injection. Additional engine features include: Advanced oiling system with oil-spray piston cooling and available dry-sump oiling Engine-mounted, camshaft-driven fuel pump to support the direct injection system Intake manifold with “runners in a box” design that allows for high-efficiency airflow packaged beneath the Corvette’s low hood line High-flow, four-into-one exhaust manifolds based on the design of the LS7 engine. Small Block legacy The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s LT1 engine is the fifth generation of the Small Block engine family, which debuted in the Corvette in 1955. It displaced 4.3L (265 cubic inches) and was rated at 195 horsepower, drawing air and fuel through a four-barrel carburetor. Five years later, Small Block power helped Corvette secure its first victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2012, the Small Block-powered Corvette Racing C6.R beat Ferrari, BMW and Porsche to sweep the drivers’, team, and manufacturer championships in production-based American Le Mans Series GT class. These championships make Corvette Racing the most successful team in ALMS history, with a total of 77 class wins, eight drivers’ championships, and nine manufacturer and team championships since 2001. The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale this fall, with a convertible following by the end of the year – each sharing an all-new aluminum frame structure and enhanced chassis, as well as completely new exterior and interior designs. View full article