William Maley

Yes There is snow and rain possibly coming during the weekend.

Its mixed. There are parts I like and parts where I want to put my fist through the screen and rip its guts out. Things I like. Big and clear screen, easy to read stuff Graphics are really rendered well Intergration with Pandora, USB, Bluetooth are very good. Voice Command seems decent Touch screen provides a click noise when pressed.. Good idea Things I hate: System is somewhat laggy with certain inputs. Example is zooming in and out the navigation map by using your fingers (Multitouch) Capacitive Touch Buttons don't always register when pressed Relies too much on touchscreen and buttons to perform simple tasks while moving. Huge distraction. I'll be updating this as I spend more time with CUE.

I'll get into ergonomics in a moment with CUE. Interior room is tight mostly due to design and dimensions. The back seats are only good for kids or some adults. I'm 5'7 and my head was touching the roof. Outward Visibility: Somewhat difficult because of not being a lot of glass and some large c-pillars. Thankfully, a rear-view camera is standard on this. Cupholder design? Its ok, holds a water bottle. Steering feel: There is some feel, but for some its not enough. I'm finding it ok.

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 27, 2012 If there is one vehicle that has been talked about more than any other since I've been writing here at Cheers and Gears, that vehicle would be the new Cadillac ATS. There are a number of threads speculating, arguing, complaining, and talking about this compact luxury sedan. Well the day has come. We finally have an ATS in for an interactive review. This ATS comes equipped with the 3.6 DI V6 producing 321 HP and 275 lb-ft of torque, a six-speed automatic, and the optional AWD system. Anyone who was hoping this was the Performance Collection model will be somewhat disappointed as this is the base Luxury Collection model. But we do have CUE and a Cold Weather Package bringing the pricetag to $45,985 (includes $895.00 destination charge). I have the ATS till Monday and will be updating with thoughts during that time. If you have questions for the ATS, get them in. Update - Read the 2013 Cadillac ATS Full Review here and my Review of Cadillac's CUE system here. William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

Happy Birthday!

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 27, 2012 After a controversial exit from General Motors that has left a lot of questions, former CMO Joel Ewanick has found a new temporary home at Fisker. Automotive News reports that Fisker has hired Ewanick as its interim chief commercial officer while they search for a replacement. Ewanick takes the place of former CCO, Richard Beattie who retired on Monday. "We would like to thank Richard for his valuable contribution in helping to grow the Fisker brand and sales in global markets over the past 12 months, and wish him well in his retirement, As we seek to appoint a long-term successor, there is no one better than Joel, with his wealth of motor industry experience and knowledge to guide us through this interim period. I am delighted to welcome him to the Fisker team," said Fisker CEO, Tony Posawatz in a statement. Before becoming Fisker's interm CCO, Ewanick was working at Fisker for at least the past six weeks as a marketing consultant. 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

Yes. But if the Sierra has the 6.2 V8, then it has the torque advantage by 17 lb-ft.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 27, 2012 Remember the 2007 Volt concept? It was a muscular, bold, and imposing electric vehicle. Compare it to the production Volt and the two almost have nothing to share, aside from name, powertrain, and some design ideas. Recently at a event in San Francisco. John Cafaro, Director of Exterior Design for Chevrolet gave some indications and clues as to what to expect in the next-gen Volt. Cafaro mentioned how the guys at Chevrolet were impressed with what Opel did to the Ampera to make more aggressive. "We're going to do some things with the Volt down the road, make it a little more monochromatic, a little more road-hugging," Cafaro said. Cafaro also talked about how they're watching the competition when designing future models. "We've got one bullet in the chamber with the Volt. We're getting some feedback. We've already built a body of research. There are a lot of different camps. From a design perspective, people want an exciting vehicle. Now, what does exciting mean? A lot of zoom-y lines? Deep cut forms? A lot of muscular shapes? We are looking at all the different kinds of design DNA for how we proceed with this technology. Nothing is left off the table. No idea is a bad idea." Source: Autoblog Green 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 November 27, 2012 The Chevrolet Spark produces 84 HP and 83 lb-ft of torque from a 1.25L inline-four. The new 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV produces 130 HP and a mind-blowing 400 lb-ft of torque from an electric motor. 0-60 MPH time? Around the high-seven second range. Even with these performance stats, GM says the Spark EV will have the best EV range in its segment thanks to a 20-kWh lithium ion battery. If you're looking for a number, GM is keeping mum on that. The Spark EV's battery will take around seven hours to charge with a 240V charger. Want a faster charge? The Spark EV can deliver that thanks to a optional SAE Combo DC Fast Charge capability. The Fast Charge capability allows the battery to charge 80% of its capacity within 20 minutes. Inside, the Spark EV will come with two configurable, high-resolution, seven-inch color LCD screens providing information on vehicle functions and infotainment. GM says the Spark EV will be priced under $25,000 with tax incentives ($7,500 from the U.S. Goverment, x amount from your state). The Spark EV premieres at the 2012 LA Auto Show this week, with sales beginning next Summer. Source: GM 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. Press Release is on Page 2 Chevrolet Spark EV is Pure, Electric Fun Competitively priced under $25,000 with tax incentives Expected range among best in EV segment Advanced, U.S.-built motor and drive unit deliver best-in-class acceleration Two seven-inch, high-resolution LCD screens display key vehicle functions and infotainment Initial markets include California, Oregon, Canada, South Korea and other global markets Optional SAE Combo DC Fast Charging capability enables Spark EV to charge to 80 percent in 20 minutes LOS ANGELES – The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV, introduced today ahead of the Los Angeles International Auto Show, packs smart performance and connectivity technologies into an affordable five-door urban mini car designed to make the trip as electrifying as the destination. It will be priced under $25,000 with tax incentives. With the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet accounts for more than 50 percent of all plug-in electric vehicle sales in the United States and Spark EV builds on Chevrolet’s proven electric motor and battery development programs. When it goes on sale next summer, the Spark EV is expected to have among the best EV battery range in its segment and be the first electric vehicle to offer SAE Combo DC Fast Charging capability, enabling the Spark EV to reach 80-percent battery charge in just 20 minutes. “When you engineer a technology-filled, all-electric mini car that goes from zero-to-60 mph in less than eight seconds, customers won’t miss the gas,” said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America. “The Volt and now the Spark EV show that Chevrolet not only knows EVs better than anyone else, we also know how to help customers get the most out of their EV experience.” Inside the Spark EV, critical vehicle functions are clearly and intuitively displayed on one of the vehicle’s two reconfigurable, high-resolution, seven-inch color LCD screens, including a confidence gauge that shows the expected driving range based on driving habits and other conditions. Spark EV also will keep urban drivers musically connected with Chevrolet’s exclusive MyLink radio that comes standard and safely brings smartphone-based infotainment – including apps for BringGo full-function navigation, TuneIn global internet radio, Pandora and Stitcher – into the vehicle. Apple’s Siri will ride shotgun, for customers with compatible (4S and newer) iPhones. In addition to previously announced markets including California and South Korea, Spark EV will also go on sale in participating dealerships throughout Oregon, Canada and other global markets. Spark EV will be eligible for coveted high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in California. The soul of Spark EV Spark EV is powered by an advanced electric motor and battery system. It consists of a GM-designed, coaxial drive unit and electric motor that together deliver 130 hp (110 kW) and 400 lb.-ft. (542 Nm) of torque for instant acceleration; and a more than 20-kWh lithium ion battery is expected to provide among the best EV range performance in its segment. The drive unit and motor will be assembled of U.S. and globally sourced parts at GM’s White Marsh, Md., manufacturing facility, and the first time a U.S. automaker has built both a complete electric motor and drive unit for a modern electric vehicle in the United States. Spark EV’s long-life battery is designed to be safe, durable and reliable, and is warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles. It consists of a 560-pound (254 kg) square lithium-ion battery pack with a volume of 133 liters, comprising 336 prismatic cells. “The Spark EV battery has undergone more than 200,000 hours of testing in our global battery systems labs,” said Pamela Fletcher, Chevrolet executive chief engineer of electrified vehicles. “It is extremely durable and has undergone the same abuse tolerance testing as the Volt battery.” Leading the charge Spark EV is the first all-electric vehicle in North America to offer optional SAE Combo DC Fast Charge capability, which can charge the battery to 80 percent of capacity in about 20 minutes. A common on-board charging receptacle accommodates all three charging platforms – DC Fast Charge, AC 240V and AC 120V. Using a dedicated 240V outlet, Spark EV recharges in less than seven hours. Owners can coordinate charging according to departure time or during off-peak electricity rates. They also can manage and monitor the vehicle remotely via computer at OnStar.com, or with a special Chevrolet Mobile App powered by OnStar Remote Link. The Spark EV comes with three years of standard OnStar service. Energy-saving exterior; tech-filled interior In developing the Spark EV, Chevrolet set out to help customers conserve as much total energy as possible to maximize battery range. One important way to achieve that is by improving the vehicle’s aerodynamics. By evaluating every detail of the gasoline-powered Spark, designers and aerodynamic engineers added the equivalent of about 2.5 miles of real-world range. Spark EV colors include Electric Blue, Black Granite, Summit White, Silver Ice and Titanium. Inside, designers sought to create a comfortable and spacious cockpit with noise-reduction features and a combination of bright accents in Electric Blue and chrome. View full article

No, I'm with you Paolino. I'm not sure if I really believe this or not.