William Maley

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 12, 2013 Spyker could be heading to this year’s Geneva Motor Show with a new car. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf's Autovisie recently had the chance to speak with CEO Victor Muller who revealed this. "I say nothing, other than that it will surprise you,” Muller said. Details are scarce, but sources at Spyker say the new model is smaller and cheaper than the current C8 Aileron. Source: Autovisie 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 13, 2013 While Nismo has been known to build hotted-up versions of the 350Z and 370Z, they weren't really known in the U.S. With the introduction of the refreshed 2014 370Z Nismo and the new 2013 Juke Nismo, Nissan is beginning to change that. Nissan is planning to expand the Nismo brand in the U.S. by introducing new models within the next few years.There will also be Nismo models with the RS designation that will have more power and performance modifications. “In every car (Nismo does), it needs to be good business sense,” said Carl Phillips, Nissan North America’s chief marketing manager. So why the heavy push of Nismo in the U.S. now? “We’re seeing renewed confidence in the industry,” Phillips said. It also helps that support from the top-down in Japan and the U.S. for more Nismo models in the U.S. helps as well. Source: Automobile Magazine 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 12, 2013 Right now isn't a good time to be Lincoln. Executives recently had to deal with frustrated dealers at National Automobile Dealers Association Convention and Expo in Orlando, FL. The frustrations stem from the lack of the new MKZ on dealer lots. Don Chalmers, a Ford and Lincoln dealer from New Mexico tells The Detroit News that with the lack of inventory, they're losing sales from customers who want to buy. Lincoln sales in January were to say in the least, abysmal. Total sales was around 4,191 vehicles, an 18% drop when compared to last year. MKZ sales suffered badly; Lincoln only sold 453 vehicles for the month, despite the MKZ having the biggest number of pre-orders in Lincoln history. The small number of sales is due to the numerous quality checks going on at Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico assembly plant to make sure each MKZ is just right. In fact, Ford is shipping some of the MKZs to a factory in Flat Rock, Michigan for a closer inspection. Analysts believe Ford is going to these measures to to avoid therecall issues that have plagued recent launches including the Escape and Fusion. Ford executives say Lincoln dealers won't have a full inventory of MKZs till April. Source: The Detroit News, 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 February 9, 2013 Opel and Vauxhall are trying to kill two birds with one stone with their showing at next month's Geneva Motor Show. The two have released some sketches of a new Adam concept called the Adam Rocks. The Adam Rocks concept is described as 'an urban mini-crossover'. Compared to the production Adam, the Rocks concept rides about 15 mm higher and has a wider stance. The sketches show the concept will wear front and rear skid plates, body cladding on the wheel arches and bumpers, and a central mounted exhaust. The Adam Rocks concept also features retractable fabric roof. “As a symbol for fashion-led, active drivers wanting to stand out from the crowd, ADAM ROCKS is just one possible answer to the question of how new development paths for the absolutely unique car can be forged – and others will follow,” said Malcolm Ward, Opel/Vauxhall Lead Design Director. Source: Opel Album: Opel Adam Rocks Concept Sketches 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 Opel ADAM ROCKS Concept: Freedom in its most individual form ADAM ROCKS in Geneva – a new crossover open air concept New ROCKS Concept raises ADAM to the next level of individualization First urban mini-crossover has fierce design and muscular proportions Open air freedom thanks to fabric roof World Premiere at Geneva Motor Show (March 7-17, 2013) Geneva/Rüsselsheim. Offering 61,000 exterior variations and nearly 82,000 for the interior, as well as a state-of-the-art IntelliLink infotainment system, the lifestyle Opel ADAM is the true champion of individualization – and the best connected small car around. But that is not enough for Opel. At the Geneva Motor Show, Opel will show that it explores ways of further enhancing ADAM’s individualization and reveal an urban mini-crossover study called ADAM ROCKS. With its new 3-door body style, its 3.70 meters in length, muscular proportions, fierce design and open-air capability, ADAM ROCKS also is a proposal for opening a new segment of the market. Showcasing how ADAM’s unique personalization program can get another twist, the ROCKS Concept has been created for those seeking personal freedom ‘off the beaten track’ beyond the urban landscape. Inspired by Parkour urban athletes, it is higher and wider on its wheels, tougher and more compact in appearance. The ADAM ROCKS’ special feeling of personal freedom is further emphasized by its cabrio looks and fabric roof that offers a free view of the sky above. The fabric extends across the entire width and length of the roof, right back to the C-pillars. “With even bolder design than any other ADAM, the ROCKS is an impressive demonstration of how much more potential for individualization our new small lifestyle car still offers after its market launch. It combines the toughness of a crossover with the coolness of open air driving,” says Malcolm Ward, Opel/Vauxhall Lead Design Director. Describing the rationale behind Opel’s newest concept car, he explains: “As a symbol for fashion-led, active drivers wanting to stand out from the crowd, ADAM ROCKS is just one possible answer to the question of how new development paths for the absolutely unique car can be forged – and others will follow.” ADAM’s new concept will rock at Geneva Motor Show on the Opel stand, Hall 2. View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 12, 2013 Its been a long two years since Alfa Romeo unveiled the 4C Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, but now the time has come. A few weeks before this year's Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo has pull back the curtain on the production 4C. The production 4C model, due out as a 2014 model, maintains the sharp looks from the concept. The 4C also keeps the mid-engine layout and carbon-fiber monocoque chassis. Power will come from Alfa Romeo's 1.75L turbocharged four-cylinder that is also used in the Giulietta. Alfa is keeping quiet on performance figures, only saying that the 4C has a weight-to-power ratio of less than 4 kg/hp (about 8.8 lbs/hp). All of the power will be sent through the company's "TCT automatic" dual-clutch transmission. No word on how many ratios, but its safe to assume six. The 4C will also come equipped with Alfa Romeo's DNA system which allows a driver to adjust certain aspects of the 4C. The settings include Dynamic, Natural, All Weather, and Race. We'll have more information when the 4C makes it debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Source: Alfa Romeo Album: Alfa Romeo 4C 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 The final version of the Alfa Romeo 4C makes its début at the 83rd International Motor Show in Geneva. This mid-engined rear-wheel drive coupé with two bucket seats represents the true essence of a sports car at the heart of Alfa Romeo's DNA: performance, Italian style and technical excellence, offering maximum driving satisfaction in total safety. Designed by Alfa Romeo engineers and produced in the Maserati plant in Modena, the new compact supercar will be available for purchase in 2013, marking the return of the Italian brand to the United States and inaugurating Alfa Romeo's global growth plan. The Alfa Romeo 4C derives directly from the concept which raised many eyebrows in wonder at the Geneva Show in 2011, so much so that it won three prestigious awards: the 'AutoBild Design Award' (2011, Germany), the 'Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes' (2012, Italy) and the 'Most Exciting Car of 2013' - 'What Car?' (2013, Great Britain). Acronym 4C The acronym '4C' draws its inspiration from the brand's glorious past, projecting the values of technology and emotions into the future. Indeed, it refers to Alfa Romeo's great sporting tradition: the acronyms 8C and 6C in the 1930s and 1940s distinguished cars - both racing and road - fitted with the powerful 'eight cylinders' and the innovative 'six cylinders', confirming in its design layout and construction the goal of achieving the power /weight ratio of an authentic supercar, less than 4 kg/HP, yet focusing not merely on the maximum power delivered, but on limiting the weight to guarantee maximum agility and top performance. To this end, the Alfa Romeo 4C uses technologies and materials derived from super sports cars (including the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione) - carbon fibre, aluminium, rear-wheel drive - and technologies from the latest standard models from Alfa Romeo, but updated to enhance the sports appeal of the new car even further. This is demonstrated by the new 1750 Turbo Petrol all-aluminium engine with direct injection, the sophisticated Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission and the Alfa DNA selector with the unprecedented Race mode. Exterior style Designed by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, the 4C immediately brings to mind some of the traditional iconic models which have left a significant mark in the history of the Brand. Above all others, in terms of dimensional and layout similarities, one stands out in particular: the 33 Stradale, a car that combined extreme mechanical and functional requirements with an essential style which 'clothed' the engine and chassis appropriately with unmistakable Alfa Romeo treatments. The 4C has followed suit, and thus completes a journey which was embarked upon with the 8C Competizione, emphasising some particular concepts of the brand, such as compact size, dynamism and agility. Interior design The elemental design and essential materials also distinguish the interior, which is all designed and built for maximum driving satisfaction. Specifically, the carbon fibre in the interior immediately stands out, used to make the central cell, which has been left in full view to enhance the sense of uniqueness, of technology and light weight. Dimensions and aerodynamics The compact dimensions make this car with 2 bucket seats truly unique amid its competitors: it is just under 4 metres long, 200 cm wide, 118 cm high and with a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres. These dimensions serve both to emphasise the compact size of the car and to accentuate its agility. What's more, owing to the designers' excellent work, the car achieves maximum aerodynamic efficiency levels, recording a negative Cz (downforce coefficient) which, as in racing cars, contributes towards achieving increased stability at higher speeds. New 4 cylinder 1750 Turbo Petrol An evolution of the engine already in use in the Quadrifoglio Verde version of the Giulietta, the new 4 cylinder 1750 Turbo Petrol engine implements an innovative aluminium block and specific intake and exhaust systems which have been optimised to enhance the sports appeal of the car even further. In addition, it boasts cutting-edge technical solutions including direct fuel injection, dual continuous variable valve timing, a turbocharger and a revolutionary scavenging control system that gets rid of any turbo lag. Alfa TCT automatic transmission The 1750 Turbo Petrol engine is teamed with the innovative Alfa TCT automatic twin dry clutch transmission, which is a genuine benchmark in its segment due to its low weight and extreme speed of activation. The gears can also be changed in sequential mode using the shift paddles located behind the steering wheel. The new Alfa DNA selector with Race mode The Alfa Romeo 4C also sees the début of the new Alfa DNA selector which not only features the three standard settings available until now - Dynamic, Natural and All Weather - but also a fourth mode: Race, designed to enhance the driving experience on a race track even further. Excellence made in Italy The very best technical and industrial expertise of the Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands were used to develop the final version of the 4C. Specifically, the teamwork between the two brands was aimed at the integration of the Alfa Romeo design department with the Maserati production plant. In short, this too is a distinguishing trait of Alfa Romeo, a brand with a century of history that continues to be one of the most famous and popular ambassadors of Italian products across the world. View full article