William Maley

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 26, 2013 Nissan is in the midst of expanding its NISMO brand. At the Chicago Auto Show, Nissan unveiled the new Juke NISMO and refreshed 370Z NISMO. Today at in Yokohama, Japan. CEO Carlos Ghosn made three key announcements for the future of NISMO. The first was that NISMO was moving to a new facility that offers more engineering and development resources. NISMO's 180 employees will have access to a workshop, engine shop, fabrication room, and carbon composite processes at the new facility. Not moving is the production of NISMO vehicles; they will be built alongside their standard counterparts. Second was that NISMO would be introducing a their version of the GT-R supercar sometime next year. No word on what the GT-R NISMO will be packing power wise. "It would be unthinkable for us to develop a range of NISMO road cars without including the GT-R. The standard road car is a global supercar and the GT-R's performance on track reflects the passion and talents of the NISMO team. The GT-R NISMO will be special and I can't wait to drive it." said Ghosn. Finally, Ghosn announced that at the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours, Nissan would be racing with a “pioneering race car incorporating electric technology". The race car will be built by NISMO and will occupy a special section of the Le Mans grid reserved for innovative technologies, Garage 56. “We will return to Le Mans with a vehicle that will act as a high-speed test bed in the harshest of environments for both our road car and race car electric vehicle technology,” said Ghosn. Source: Nissan 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 Nissan Launches New Era for NISMO as its Global Performance Car and Motorsports Brand Redeveloped global headquarters in Yokohama heralds new era for NISMO NISMO to create a range of affordable performance Nissan models from small cars to flagship sports cars Juke NISMO is the first, followed by new 2014 370Z NISMO New GT-R NISMO confirmed, the ultimate Nissan performance supercar Nissan’s global motorsports program to be managed by NISMO YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today kicked off a new era for NISMO, confirming it as Nissan’s exclusive global performance car and motorsports brand and officially opening the new NISMO global headquarters and development center in Yokohama, Japan. NISMO is already well-known to motorsports and performance car enthusiasts in Japan and to millions of global gaming enthusiasts. Now, NISMO is poised for accelerated global impact, enhancing Nissan’s reputation for innovation and excitement with a new line-up of sporty Nissan production vehicles. In a special ceremony today, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn declared the new headquarters open and explained how NISMO will play an even more prominent role for the company’s performance car and motorsports activities. “NISMO will democratize performance and bring new excitement to the Nissan portfolio with a broader range of affordable and innovative performance models for more markets and more people,” said Mr. Ghosn. “Whether it’s a small car or a sports car, if it’s wearing the NISMO badge it offers something special – quality, functionality, and efficiency, with NISMO’s distinctive styling, sporty handling and dynamic performance capabilities.” The first new Nissan production vehicle to get the NISMO treatment, the Juke NISMO, is already on sale in Europe and Japan and launches in the United States in the spring. A new version of the 370Z NISMO for European markets is the next NISMO vehicle, which made its world debut earlier this month and builds on the platform of Nissan’s most popular and accessible sports car. The 370Z NISMO is now in its second generation in the U.S., with a revised 2014 370Z NISMO set for sale this summer. Nissan is promising a rapid pace of introduction of even more NISMO models – at least one model every year during the Nissan Power88 period, encompassing the breadth of the Nissan model range. This will include the flagship of Nissan’s performance and technology efforts, the Nissan GT-R. “It would be unthinkable for us to develop a range of NISMO road cars without including the GT-R,” said Mr. Ghosn. “The standard production model is a global supercar and the GT-R’s performance on track reflects the passion and talents of the NISMO team. The GT-R NISMO will be special and I can’t wait to drive it.” A New Home for NISMO Nissan has invested in an entirely new facility for NISMO’s operations, redeveloping a former production site to give it the resources for expanding beyond motorsports engineering to encompass performance car development alongside Nissan. The new headquarters facility allows the NISMO team to be co-located in one place, bringing together the functional areas for NISMO’s key activities and technical and competition expertise under one roof. The 180-strong team is now located inside Nissan’s Powertrain Engineering complex. The workshop, engine shop, rooms for fabrication, grinding and carbon composite processes are consolidated into the same floor space along with the parts warehouse. A new larger showroom allows up to eight vehicles to be displayed, while the retail area is now almost twice the size of the previous store in the Omori factory. “This is a great move for NISMO as we can now shift gears to operate more efficiently and expand the brand globally,” explained NISMO President Shoichi Miyatani. “NISMO is a key element in Nissan’s future global vehicle and motorsports strategy and we will quickly establish it as Nissan’s exclusive performance brand,” he added. “This is the first time that all of our team has been located together, and the entire facility will become a hothouse of passion and performance.” The NISMO Spirit At the heart of each new NISMO model will be a consistent DNA focused on delivering quality, functionality, and efficiency in everyday driving with NISMO’s distinctive styling, sporty handling and dynamic performance capabilities. Nissan’s new range of NISMO performance models will be built on the same production lines as their standard counterparts, which combined with inspiration taken from decades of racing and tuning expertise means that the NISMO brand ensures fully integrated performance enhancements. Every modification NISMO makes to a production car will be functional and targeted to improve on-road performance and presence. The spirit of NISMO relies on its proud motorsports heritage and a maverick engineering philosophy. This spirit will be reflected in every new NISMO model with efficient performance, accessible and advanced technology, and bold, smart design, all of which embody Nissan’s philosophy of “innovation that excites.” Connecting the Virtual with the Real NISMO is known around the world by millions through the virtual world of driving simulation games. In fact, the first opportunity to drive a Nissan Juke NISMO was provided virtually through Gameloft’s Asphalt 7: Heat. Now, at the same time as NISMO is moving from race track to road, it is also moving from the virtual world to the real world as, for the first time in many markets around the world, a range of affordable NISMO-badged cars will be available from Nissan dealers. “For many would-be NISMO customers, the only way to experience a NISMO performance car has been through a game like Sony’s Gran Turismo® series,” said Simon Sproule, Nissan’s corporate vice president for Marketing and Communications. “Now we can bring them into the family of Nissan owners with exciting, real NISMO cars created by a dedicated and experienced team that is fully linked to the digital world and well aware of what these new customers are looking for in a performance road car.” Performance for the Road and Track The spirit and inspiration for NISMO started with a group of maverick Nissan engineers almost 50 years ago. In their efforts to boost car sales through racing success, they shoehorned a powerful engine into an ordinary Nissan sedan to create the first of a legendary line of sporty road cars with the Nissan Skyline 2000GT. What came next was a run of highly successful competition and performance vehicles in Japan, culminating in the birth of NISMO itself in 1984. With the digital generation, Nissan realized the power of the NISMO legend by working with game creators to create both real and virtual stars and expose a whole generation to the potential for tuning and winning in these cars. Last year alone, over 500 million virtual miles were driven in Nissan vehicles on Gran Turismo®5 for PlayStation®3. Now, as NISMO accelerates to become a global performance car brand specializing in delivering affordable, exciting and innovative performance versions of Nissan cars, the lessons learned from almost half a century of racing can be applied consistently to give drivers a surprising and rewarding ownership experience. NISMO Expands Role in Motorsports NISMO’s new charter will also impact Nissan’s future motorsports activities, where it is expected to boldly enhance Nissan’s reputation for excitement and innovation. NISMO is taking on global responsibility for managing Nissan’s motorsports program, which includes top level competition in every region of the world. “Nissan’s commitment to a variety of motorsports programs around the world from the Altima in the Australian V8 Supercars to Super GT in Japan continues, but we also intend to surprise people by exploring advanced forms of motorsports,” explained Miyatani. “Our spirit of pushing the boundaries even further helps us to raise awareness of NISMO around the world but, more importantly, it means we can transfer the lessons we learn into tangible benefits for our customers, whether for NISMO production cars, race cars or tuning parts.” View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 25, 2013 Remember when Buick and GMC announced they would introducing nine new models over the next twelve months. Two of those have been caught by a spy photographer. First up is the 2014 Buick LaCrosse. The mule caught in the shots has a larger front grille and a set of LED accents around the headlights. Not so obvious in the shots is the amount of camo in the interior of the mule, meaning extensive changes are coming. Then there is the 2014 Buick Regal. Much like the shots of the Opel and Vauxhall Insignia we reported on earlier this year, the Regal will get a revised front end. More extensive changes will take place in the back. Source: Autoblog 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 February 25, 2013 The 2013 Range Rover comes with two different V8 options; a 375 horsepower naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 and 510 horsepower supercharged 5.0L V8 engine. For 2014, Land Rover is changing out the naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 for a 3.0L supercharged V6. The 3.0L supercharged V6 is good for 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. All of that power go to the four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Land Rover says 3.0L improves fuel economy by as much as 15%. The 2014 Range Rover arrives in the summer. Source: Land Rover 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 RANGE ROVER NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDER WITH A CHOICE OF SUPERCHARGED V6 & V8 ENGINES - Following the sales success of the all-new 2013 Range Rover, the 2014 Range Rover is now available for order, with deliveries beginning this summer - A new 340hp 3-liter supercharged V6 will offer improved efficiency with reduced emissions and uncompromised capability - A 510hp supercharged 5-liter V8 will continue to be available - The 2014 Range Rover will be equipped with a new Intelligent Stop/Start system which reduces idling to reduce emissions and save fuel - Both engines will be paired with an eight-speed ZF 8HP70 - Introduced for 2013, the high-strength all-aluminum Range Rover weighs approximately 700lbs less than the previous generation (MAHWAH, NJ) February 19, 2013 - On the heels of a massively successful launch of the 2013 all-new Range Rover, Land Rover is opening retail orders for the 2014 Range Rover, which will be in showrooms this summer. The upcoming 2014 Range Rover will be available with a new and more efficient 340hp supercharged V6 engine. This new engine choice combines effortless performance and exceptional refinement with enhanced fuel efficiency. The supercharged V6 engine will be offered alongside the 510hp supercharged V8. Both engines will be paired with an eight-speed ZF 8HP70 automatic transmission. The supercharged V6 will replace the naturally aspirated 5-liter V8 in the model line-up. With the new supercharged V6, the 2014 Range Rover will reach 60 mph from rest in just 7.1 seconds*. The supercharged 3-liter 90 degree V6 engine was developed from the existing 5-liter V8. With a peak output of 340hp at 6,500rpm, it offers a strong torque curve throughout the engine speed range, producing maximum torque between 3,500 and 5,000rpm. The new engine has been engineered to support the full breadth of capability expected from a Range Rover, including extreme off-road tilt angles up to 45 degrees, wading depth of nearly 36 inches (900mm) and towing weight up to 7,716 lbs (3,500kg). The engine's accessory drive is waterproofed, as are the alternator, air conditioning compressor, and starter motor. A pressure die-cast oil pan which features a deep profile and oil pick-up is designed to operate at tilt angles of up to 45 degrees fore/aft. The four-cam V6 shares features a lightweight die-cast aluminum block supplemented with cross-bolted main bearing caps for strength. The valves are controlled by a dual independent variable cam timing (DIVCT) system which is activated by the positive and negative torques generated by the movement of the intake and exhaust valves. This variable timing system features actuation rates of more than 150 degrees per second, to optimize power, torque and economy at all engine speeds. Counter-rotating front and rear balancer weights are engineered into this 90 degree V6 to maximize smoothness and refinement. Land Rover's Intelligent Stop/Start system helps enhance fuel efficiency in stop and go driving by reducing engine idling under certain conditions which saves fuel and cuts emissions. Spray-guided direct injection (SGDI) delivers precise quantities of fuel directly into the combustion chambers at pressures of up to 150bar (2175PSI). The fuel is injected in a matter of milliseconds several times during each combustion cycle, creating a more homogenous air-fuel mixture for cleaner and more efficient combustion. A high compression ratio of 10.5:1 further improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. The latest-generation Roots-type twin vortex supercharger is mounted in the 'V' of the engine and the charge air utilizes an air/liquid intercooler. A new Bosch engine management system controls all engine functions. When coupled to a high-strength yet lightweight all-aluminum structure this new powertrain further builds on the efficiency gains of the new Range Rover. View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 24, 2013 Four months after Hurricane Sandy blasted the East Coast, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) announced its revised estimates for the number of vehicles damaged in the storm's wake. The new total of vehicles damaged in Hurricane Sandy stands at 250,500 vehicles. This number is well above the estimate put out by National Automobile Dealers Association which say that 200,000 vehicles could be damaged. The majority of the vehicle losses stem from New York (150,000) and New Jersey (60,000). NICB's data also showed how massive Sandy was, with West Virginia (1,000), Maine (500) and Vermont (500) all reporting losses. NICB points out that its figures only represent insured losses - uninsured vehicles could drive the figures higher. Source: NICB Image Credit: Doug Kuntz/Splash News William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Releated Story: Sandy Cost Automakers 15,000 Vehicles, Total Vehicle Damages Could Total 200k Press Release is on Page 2 NICB Update-Sandy Damaged Vehicles Surpass 250,000 Mark DES PLAINES, Ill., Feb. 21, 2013 - The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today announced revised estimates for the number of vehicles damaged as a result of Sandy. The current estimate of vehicles damaged as a result of Sandy is now set at 250,500 based on claims processed by insurance companies. New York's number increased from a previous level of 130,000 to 150,000. This is the complete list of states generating Sandy-related vehicle damage claims in descending order: New York 150,000 New Jersey 60,000 Connecticut 8,000 Maryland 5,500 Massachusetts 5,000 Virginia 4,500 Ohio 4,000 Pennsylvania 4,000 Delaware 2,000 New Hampshire 2,000 North Carolina 1,500 District of Columbia 1,000 Rhode Island 1,000 West Virginia 1,000 Maine 500 Vermont 500 Total 250,500 It is important to note that these are preliminary figures and may change as additional claims are received and processed. Also, these are insured losses only. There are certainly many uninsured vehicles that were damaged by Sandy and those numbers are not reflected in this information. Moreover, there is no determination as to the extent of damage to these vehicles. They could have sustained minor paint scratches from flying debris, or have been under water for days and rendered total losses. By now there could be many Sandy damaged vehicles that are in the process of being reconditioned and sold to unsuspecting consumers all across the country. It is not illegal to buy or sell flood vehicles, or vehicles declared as salvage, as long as the parties to the sale are aware of the vehicle's status. Consumers should be aware that severely damaged vehicles may appear advertised for sale without any indication that they were at all affected by Sandy. As always, buyers should be careful when considering a used vehicle purchase in the weeks and months following a disaster such as Sandy. Consumers can download useful checklists and learn more about flood and salvage vehicle scams and post-disaster contractor repair schemes by visiting the NICB website here. Also, NICB's VINCheck allows free consumer access to the vehicle salvage records of participating NICB member insurance companies who collectively provide 88 percent of the auto insurance in force today. Anyone with information concerning vehicle theft and insurance fraud can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422), texting keyword "fraud" to TIP411 (847411) or by visiting our website at www.nicb.org. Or, iPhone or iPad users can download the NICB Fraud Tips app to make it easy to quickly send a tip and get a response. About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness. The NICB is supported by more than 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote over $319 billion in insurance premiums in 2010, or approximately 80 percent of the nation's property/casualty insurance. That includes more than 94 percent ($152 billion) of the nation's personal auto insurance. To learn more visit www.nicb.org. View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 24, 2013 The compact luxury market is heating up once again with crossovers taking the spotlight. Automakers such as BMW, Buick, and Mercedes-Benz are either readying or selling new subcompact models. One automaker you will not be seeing compete in this arena is Acura. “We’re pretty confident with our current offerings. We think the MDX and RDX cover the whole spectrum of those kinds of buyers,” said Acura Canada VP Ryan Kelly. Kelly went onto say that Acura's current lineup of crossovers is versatile enough to deliver a luxury experience for those who want five or seven seats. Whether this is course Acura goes or not remains to be seen. Source: AutoGuide 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 February 22, 2013 Automakers do their best to keep a new vehicle under wraps until the time comes when they can show it off to everyone on their terms. Any spy shot and leak could disrupt their plans. For example, Jalopnik this morning reportedly had the shots and the name of the 2014 Jeep replacement for the Liberty, the Cherokee. The shots taken in a factory were somewhat blurry but gave us a look of what was supposedly the new unique shape of the Cherokee. Well Jeep has gone ahead and released some pictures and confirmed the name of Cherokee tonight. There are only a handful shots released and all show the new nose with its crimped nose and split headlights, and polarizing profile of the new Cherokee. Jeep also announced the new Cherokee would premiere at New York Auto Show in March and go on sale in the third-quarter. Other than those pieces of information, the rest is unknown. We've been hearing the new Cherokee is based on Fiat's CUSW platform, use a 3.2L V6 and a four-cylinder, and will come with the choice of front or all-wheel drive. We'll have more information on the Cherokee when it makes its debut at the New York later in March. In the meantime, what are you thoughts on the new Cherokee. Source: Chrysler Album: 2014 Jeep Cherokee 4 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 Auburn Hills, Mich. - Jeep® Cherokee. The name is instantly recognizable as the most capable and versatile mid-size SUV in the world. For 2014, Jeep brings the Cherokee name back to North America with the debut of its all-new mid-size sport-utility vehicle. Set to debut at the New York International Auto Show in March, the all-new, "no-compromise" 2014 Jeep Cherokee sets a new standard with even more best-in-class capability, exemplary on-road driving dynamics, and fuel economy improvements of more than 45 percent versus the outgoing mid-size SUV model. The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee will be built in the United States at Chrysler Group's Toledo Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio, and will arrive in dealer showrooms in the third quarter of this year. View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 22, 2013 If you're wondering where you can pick up a new Alfa Romeo 4C when it arrives at the end of the year, you should find if your nearest Fiat dealer is one of the best selling in the nation. Automotive News is reporting that only a small number of the 202 Fiat dealers will be able to sell the 1,000 Alfa Romeo 4Cs coming to the states each year. How will Chrysler determine which Fiat dealers will be able to sell the 4C? By seeing which Fiat dealers that meet sales and customer service goals. "The 4C is the first vehicle that comes at the end of this calendar year, and it's going to go to the current Fiat dealers that are performing.So if you're selling and you're taking care of your customer, you'll be first up for Alfa Romeo," said Peter Grady, Chrysler Group vice president for network development and fleet. One stipulation that was originally planned for Fiat dealers who wanted Alfa Romeo was to have a mandatory inclusion of an attached service department. This has been pushed back to 2015 when more Alfa Romeo models arrive. 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

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 21, 2013 When an automaker passes on, we're left wondering what could have been. What was coming down the pipeline had the company stuck around? SaabsUnited has the pictures and story behind the next Saab were it still in business, the 9-3 dubbed 'Phoenix'. The new 9-3 was spearheaded by designer Jason Castriota. Castriota was the person behind the PhoeniX concept shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Castroita had a huge mission ahead of him with the design of the 9-3 as this excerpt shows. SaabsUnited notes in their story that Castriota and his team were limited by time and money. The original plan was to have car finished by the end of 2011 so it could debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Production models would follow in 2014 with a five-door and convertible. But as well know, that would not happen. Be sure to read the whole story on what could have been the next 9-3. Source: SaabsUnited 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 February 21, 2013 Audi isn't what you call a major player in the hybrid marketplace, but that could be changing with the showing of the A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid. The A3 e-tron uses a 1.4L engine and a 75-kW electric motor proving a total output of 204 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, the A3 e-tron can reach 60 MPH in 7.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 138 mph. Even more impressive is the A3 e-tron can travel 31 miles on electric power alone and get 156.81 MPG on the U.S. cycle. Audi says the A3 e-tron gives the world a "realistic glimpse into the future of mobility," so its unknown if Audi will put this model into production. We'll likely find out when the A3 e-tron makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Source: Audi Album: Audi A3 e-tron 4 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 The Audi A3 e-tron Highly efficient plug-in hybrid with 150 kW (204 hp) system power and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) system torque From 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.6 seconds 1.5 liters of fuel per 100 km (156.81 US mpg) Audi is working intently to electrify the drivetrain using plug-in hybrid technology. The brand with the four rings is showing the Audi A3 e-tron at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. With 150 kW (204 hp) of system power and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of system torque, sporty performance is guaranteed. The Audi A3 e-tron is a true Audi. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 222 km/h (137.94 mph). According to the ECE standard for plug-in hybrid automobiles, the five-door model consumes on average just 1.5 liters of fuel per 100 km, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 35 grams per km. In electric mode, the Audi A3 e-tron reaches a top speed of 130 km/h (80.78 mph) and has a maximum range of 50 km (31.07 miles). The combustion engine is a modified 1.4 TFSI producing 110 kW (150 hp). A clutch links the TFSI to an electric motor with an output of 75 kW. The disc-shaped electric motor is integrated into a newly designed six-speed e-S tronic, which transfers the power to the front wheels. The two powerplants complement one another. The electric motor delivers its peak torque from start to around 2000 rpm, and the TFSI's maximum pulling power is available in a range from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm. The Audi A3 e-tron can be driven with just the combustion engine, just the electric drive or in hybrid mode. Even in electric mode it offers powerful acceleration without the need to engage the TFSI. The driver can choose to have both powerplants active at the same time ("boosting"). When the driver lets up on the accelerator, they both deactivate temporarily ("gliding"). In this way motor braking torque is eliminated and efficiency increases. At the Geneva Motor Show, the Audi A3 e-tron will provide a realistic glimpse into the future of mobility as Audi is planning it. The electrification of the drivetrain, above all using plug-in technology, plays a deciding role in the strategy of the brand. View full article