William Maley

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 21, 2013 Kia announced this week the pricing for the 2014 Forte which will start at $16,700 (includes a $800 destination charge). That base price nets you a Forte LX with 1.8L four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower. Standard equipment includes a six-speed manual, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth, air conditioning, and power windows. An automatic version will cost $17,400* (doesn't include destination charge). Stepping up to the $19,400 Forte EX nets you a 2.0L four-cylinder with direct injection making 173 horsepower. Standard equipment includes remote keyless entry, a rear camera, sliding center armrest, cooling glove box and the next-generation UVO telematics system. Source: Kia 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 KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR ALL-NEW 2014 FORTE SEDAN Redesigned Compact Offers Lowest Base Price in the Segment at $15,9001 Forte’s European-influenced styling and premium amenities advance Kia’s value proposition to new levels of sophistication All-new compact sedan is packed with cutting-edge technologies, including Kia’s next-generation UVO in-vehicle infotainment and telematics system with eServices to begin arriving in the next 30 days IRVINe, Calif., Mar. 20, 2013 – Value has long been a hallmark of the Kia brand, and the all-new 2014 Forte sedan is no exception as it will carry the lowest starting MSRP in the compact segment at $15,900, plus $800 in destination charges. The lower, longer and wider Forte will offer a sportier and more upscale design, better performance, greater interior space and a wider array of premium amenities than its predecessor when it goes on sale within the next 30 days. Offered in LX and EX variants, the Forte will be propelled by either an efficient 1.8-liter 148-horsepower engine or a more powerful 2.0-liter 173-horsepower GDI unit. Fuel economy for the 2.0-liter powerplant is 24 miles per gallon city/36 highway/28 combined2. “The all-new Forte offers our customers world-class design with plenty of refinement and an abundance of amenities, all at a tremendous value,” said Tom Loveless, executive vice president of sales, KMA. “With its sleek and sporty profile, two new powertrains and redesigned, driver-centric cockpit, the Forte is primed to become a standout in the very competitive compact segment.” The 2014 Forte is offered in three models: LX with a 1.8-liter engine and manual transmission starting at $15,900; LX with a 1.8-liter engine and automatic transmission with a base price of $17,4001; and EX with a 2.0-liter GDI powerplant and automatic transmission beginning at $19,4001. The destination charge for all three models is an additional $800. As the star of Kia’s popular “Hot Bots” Super Bowl ad this year, the all-new Forte represents one of the best small car technology values on the road. Slotted between the Rio sub-compact sedan and the best-selling Optima mid-size sedan, the all-new Forte arrives with class-up amenities and an all new chassis. Unexpected Premium Features Offered in LX and EX trim levels, the all-new Forte proudly carries on Kia’s reputation for offering premium features that redefine automotive segments. The base LX model comes standard with steering wheel-mounted audio controls, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio3, Bluetooth® wireless technology4, power windows, air conditioning and heated power-folding mirrors among the many features that make the Forte stand out from its competition. The optional Popular Package (LX A/T only) adds 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, keyless entry with remote trunk release and a sliding front armrest. Stepping up to the EX trim brings a more robust 2.0-liter GDI engine with Sportmatic® shifting and broadens Forte’s appeal with additional comfort and convenience features. Kia’s next-generation UVO in-vehicle infotainment and telematics system with eServices is standard and can now be integrated with an optional navigation system. Additional standard EX features include remote keyless entry with trunk opener, Rear Camera Display5, a sliding center armrest and a cooling glove box. The new optional FlexSteer™ system allows the driver to choose between three distinct steering profiles: Comfort, Normal and Sport. Features found on the optional Premium Package include heated front and rear seats, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with class-exclusive air-cooled ventilation, leather seat trim, power sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels and push button start with Smart Key and a heated steering wheel. Opting for the Technology Package, adds HID headlights, LED tail lights, a 4.2-inch color LCD cluster screen and dual-zone automatic temperature control with rear center ventilation. View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 20, 2013 The current Jaguar XJ has been on sale since 2009, but there hasn't been a potent R model. That will be changing next week as Jaguar will introduce the 2014 XJR at the New York Auto Show. The new XJR will come with a supercharged 5.0L V8 engine producing 542 horsepower. Jaguar also says the new XJR will have a "bespoke chassis" and some aerodynamic work. Other than that Jaguar is keeping quiet. We'll have more details on the XJR when its shown at the New York Auto Show. Source: Jaguar 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 JAGUAR EXPANDS R PERFORMANCE LINE-UP WITH GLOBAL DEBUT OF XJR AT THE 2013 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE SHOW - Jaguar's R models offer the highest levels of Jaguar performance - Jaguar R line-up expands with addition of XJR making global debut at New York Show - 550PS XJR becomes dynamic flagship sedan of Jaguar line-up - New York Show to feature R performance models alongside the other newest members of Jaguar family: The F-TYPE and All-Wheel Drive XF and XJ sedans Jaguar will expand its R performance line-up with the global debut of the XJR at the 2013 New York International Automobile Show. The new high-performance model, the dynamic flagship of the XJ series, will join the expanding Jaguar line-up on display that includes All-Wheel Drive sedans and the F-TYPE sports car, which goes on sale this summer. With a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine delivering 550PS and bespoke chassis and aerodynamic developments, the XJR is the most focused, agile and responsive Jaguar XJ ever made. It delivers supercar performance and assertive looks with the highest levels of luxury. According to Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar: "The new XJR epitomises the three pillars of technology, performance and contemporary design which the Jaguar brand stands for in the twenty-first century, while delivering new levels of dynamic ability in a luxury saloon." View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 20, 2013 Chevrolet has release a teaser shot of the new 2014 Camaro before its debut at the 2013 New York Auto Show next week. The picture shows a close up of the front end which appears to have a smaller grille. We'll have more details on the 2014 Camaro next week. Source: Chevrolet 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 March 20, 2013 Edmunds has learned from industry sources that General Motors is considering a three-cylinder engine for the Cadillac ELR and Chevrolet Volt. The reason for the three-cylinder is to help reduce fuel consumption and vehicle weight, something CEO Dan Akerson mentioned during a speech at a Houston energy conference a couple weeks ago. The proposed idea would have the 1.4L four-cylinder that is used in the Volt and ELR to be replaced by either a 1.0 or 1.2L three-cylinder engine that is currently being developed by GM and its partners in China. If given the green light, the engine would appear in the Volt refresh which is due in 2015, followed by the ELR in 2016. When reached for comment, GM declined. 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

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 19, 2013 The least expensive AMG (in the U.S.) has broken cover before its debut at the New York Auto Show. Meet the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG and think of it as the A45 AMG in a sedan form. Under the skin is a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder packing a 355 horsepower mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox Mercedes’ latest 4Matic all-wheel drive system. Outside, the CLA45 gets the typical AMG treatment; large air scoops on the front, black front lip kit, AMG wheels, rear diffuser, and a set of unique exhaust pipes. We'll have more information and pictures when the CLA45 AMG makes it debut next week. Source: CarScoop 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 March 19, 2013 Last month, we reported that Fisker had two possible bidders for a possible stake in the company. The two bidders in question were Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and Dongfeng Motor Group. At the time, Fisker was leaning towards Geely due to the company's experience of acquiring a foreign automaker (Volvo) and management structure. But Geely has dropped their bid for Fisker. Two sources tell Reuters that the reason Geely dropped their bid was due to Fisker's obligations to the U.S. Government which included obligation to restore capacity and jobs at Fisker's Delaware plant according to a schedule imposed by the government. "Those obligations are too complicated to handle and seem too risky. The plan's footprint was too big. It would take a long, long time to fill up the plant with products and restore employment there," a source said. This leaves Dongfeng Motor Group as the sole bidder for Fisker. The company sent their final bid last week. As for those who think this was why former Fisker chairman and founder Henrik Fisker stepped down, sources explain this is not related. 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

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 19, 2013 Mitsubishi is mounting a comeback in the U.S. The brand which only sold 57,790 vehicles last year, a 27% drop in sales compared to 2011, has big plans that involves more marketing and beginning to fill the holes in the lineup. Masatoshi Hasegawa, executive vice president of corporate planning for Mitsubishi Motors North America told Automotive News the brand is looking at a new midsize sedan and a larger crossover. "We are looking into a possibility for the [mid-sized sedan] segment, and we may look into maybe a bigger brother to the Outlander." Hasegawa also noted that a replacement for the aging Lancer compact is sorely needed. But any decision and/or appearance of these new models isn't likely to happen until 2015, the year that Mitsubishi hopes to be selling 100,000 vehicles per year, A comeback is "not going to happen overnight," Hasegawa said. "We went into a descent, so it's going to take time to get back up again. But I think now we will definitely go into an upward trend." So what will happen in the meantime? Well for starters, Mitsubishi will show the new Mirage subcompact at the New York Auto Show next week that will go on sale in the fall. Next will be the new 2014 Outlander crossover that will be coming out in June along with a massive marketing behind it. 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 kind of want that XTS hearse

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 18, 2013 If you ever wondered how SRT could make the Viper that much more extreme, well let me introduce the new 2014 SRT Viper TA that will make its public debut at the New York Auto Show next week. The TA is short for Time Attack and is built with purpose of destroying lap records on racetracks. The model starts with a basic Viper with its 8.4L V10 producing 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque and builds from there. There is a uniquely tuned track suspension with a two-mode Bilstein Damptronic system. SRT says the suspension offers firmer levels of damping than what is found in the Viper GTS. Other changes under the skin include a lighter carbon fiber X-brace and a beefier set of Brembo brakes. Outside, the Viper TA has a new carbon fiber aero package with front splitters, rear spoiler, and a rear applique. There is also a set of ultra-lightweight, multi-spoke Sidewinder II wheels and all of the badges have been replaced by decals. The Viper TA weighs around 3,348 pounds, which is six pounds lighter than the base Viper (3,354 lbs) and 26 pounds than the Viper GTS (3,374 lbs). Production of the Viper TA begins in the third quarter of this year and only 33 will be built. Source: Chrysler Album: 2014 SRT Viper TA 3 images 0 comments 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 SRT Viper TA – Ready to Attack Any Road Course Viper TA (Time Attack) spec-package designed for extreme performance in a special road course focused handling package Only 33 units in special “Crusher Orange” exterior paint color will be available beginning third quarter 2013 March 18, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Configured in-house by the Chrysler Group’s SRT (Street and Racing Technology) team in collaboration with professional road racers, the exclusive, street-legal and single-spec 2014 SRT Viper TA (Time Attack) package is specifically built for the performance enthusiast driver who likes to exercise their machines at the more than 150 road-race courses around North America. Less than one year since the long-awaited world debut of the new 2013 SRT Viper at the New York International Auto Show, the 2014 SRT Viper TA is set to make its public debut on March 27, 2013 on the same show floor at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Based on the SRT Viper model – the lightest vehicle in the lineup, the 2014 SRT Viper TA package builds upon the legendary on-track capability of the American hand-built supercar using a majority of pre-developed components straight from the SRT stable, that are combined into a carefully balanced package that extract the most out of the Viper ultralow center of gravity, 50/50 weight distribution and largest contact patch in the production car world. “The new 2014 SRT Viper TA is being engineering for the dedicated track enthusiast, who still wants to drive to the track and take their hobby to the next level” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “We’re re-launching some of the fastest production-built cars that people can buy straight from the factory. Our engineers revised the suspension settings to refocus the Viper specifically for track duty, using a blend of components from the GTS and the SRT models, add in the extensively developed aero package and the new Time Attack package is born. We’re not only saluting the existing capabilities of our current models, we’re also targeting another niche in our customer base with a tremendously capable track machine.” The suspension on the 2014 SRT Viper TA is uniquely tuned and upgraded specifically for on-track usage and to maximize the performance of the Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires which are mounted on ultra-lightweight, multi-spoke Sidewinder II wheels. A two-mode Bilstein Damptronic suspension system features firmer levels of damping and a smaller spread between modes than what is found on the current Viper GTS models. Shock dampers, springs and road racing derived stabilizer bars have been retuned for optimal on-track performance. The standard aluminum structural X-brace is replaced with a lighter carbon fiber brace that effectively ties the four corners of the engine compartment together and contributes to the 50-percent increase in torsional rigidity and stiffness across the Viper lineup. Based on the outstanding performance of the world-class brake system on the 2013 SRT Viper, SRT engineers are working in parallel with Brembo on a system that increases thermal capacity and optimizes heat dissipation providing improved extreme use. The brake calipers on the 2014 SRT Viper TA feature a black anodized finish with the Viper logo shown in Crusher Orange. The unmistakable exterior of the SRT Viper TA features exclusive Crusher Orange paint with black 2D TA logos behind both front wheels, black Stryker logo on the front fascia and matte black, ultra-lightweight Sidewinder II wheels. An advanced exterior aerodynamics package includes carbon fiber front splitters and rear spoiler, while a carbon fiber rear applique accentuates the rear width proportions and adds another level of detail. Under the hood of the 2014 SRT Viper TA is the handcrafted, all-aluminum 8.4-liter, mid-front V-10 overhead-valve engine. Performance ratings are 640 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque – the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports-car engine in the world. Inside, the performance driver-oriented cabin of the 2014 SRT Viper TA uses the same standard premium ballistic fabric racing seats from Sabelt, featuring a lightweight fiberglass shell created by a state-of-the-art resin transfer molding technology for mass reduction and long-term durability. Both driver and passenger seats can also accommodate a 3- or 6-point harness for racing belts. The standard black interior combination includes unique Crusher Orange accent stitching on the cloth seats, instrument panel (through the cowl), center stack, console, pull brake, shifter boot, shifter head, steering wheel and upper doors. Curb weight is an estimated 3,348 pounds. Only 33 units of the 2014 SRT Viper TA in Crusher Orange will be built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, beginning in third quarter 2013. View full article

Okay, here is my comparison piece between the Cadillac TTV6 and Competition V8s. By The Numbers: Cadillac's TT V6 vs. V8s

Actually, with >400 HP and >400 lb-ft, this new engine is aimed squarely at the 550i (400, 450, 15/22-23 mpg), the E550 (402, 443, 16/26 mpg), and the S6 (420, 406, 17/27). Biggest difference is that the Germans have forced-induction V8s, and the CTS will have a V6TT that pretty much matches everyone in power and FE. The LLT is still the 535i/E350/A6 3.0T competitor. I have something about that coming within the next few hours..