William Maley

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 8, 2012 A new report from Australia's Drive.com.au says Mazda is considering a crossover based on the new 6's platform. “I want to create a crossover model … I can do it quite easily,” said Hiroshi Kajiyama, the 6′s program manager. “It is one of the things I am looking at. If you try to fill the empty space in the portfolio then you will be followed by other manufacturers immediately. Kajiyama says the crossover will not fall into the traditional mold. Instead, it will follow the 'zoom-zoom' mantra of being a fine driver's car. “I don’t think an SUV is going to offer a ton of driving pleasure,. The good thing about [a mid-sized] car is the low centre of gravity allows you to make you really feel the driving pleasure,” said Kajiyama. Speculation has this new crossover design going down the four-door crossover coupe like the Acura ZDX and BMW X6. Kajiyama says the crossover would take precedence over a two-door 6 coupe, something we reported back in August. Source: Drive.com.au 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

If I remember when I had the Eco, it was in the center console.

There is a velcro patch

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 6, 2012 Lamborghini has a very ambitious goal for 2015; lower CO2 emissions by 35% fleet-wide. To achieve this, Lamborghini has introducing start/stop and a cylinder deactivation system on the 2013 Aventador. These two features will cut emissions down by 7%. The company has also revealed that they will use more carbon fiber in the construction of their vehicles to help reduce weight. One option that has been taken off the table for the time being is using a hybrid system. “Due to the size of the cars and due to the weight of the hybridisation it would be impossible for our cars to adopt this current technology. Firstly, it won’t fit, and secondly, it would reduce the their power-to-weight ratios by too much,” said CEO Stephan Winkelmann. Source: CarAdvice.com.au 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 disagree on the price since the Kia Soul and Scion xB would cost a little bit more when equipped like the cube.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 4, 2012 “And Now For Something Completely Different.” Besides being the title for Monty Python’s first film, it was my first thought as a 2012 Nissan cube rolled up into my driveway. Unlike most of the vehicles I had in for testing, the cube was very different. It looked like it had made the leap from an anime cartoon into the real world. As I was signing the form and getting the key to the cube, I wondered if such a clearly Japanese market focused car belongs in North America, the land of V8s and where every other vehicle is an SUV. The cube’s design pretty much matches the name of the vehicle; it’s a cube. Well, two of them! The first cube is the front end which has a set of narrow headlights sitting between a small, grey grille. Underneath the grille lies an air-intake that looks like a mouth. The second cube is the passenger cell which features recessed door glass and a set of fifteen-inch alloy wheels which come as part of the Indigo Limited Edition package that sit underneath pronounced wheel wells. The back end shows a clever design trick Nissan used on the cube. On the passenger side, Nissan extended the glass from the tailgate around the d-pillar, giving the illusion of full glass. Nissan also mimicked the design of the headlights and grille in the taillights. Inside, the cube has two major design themes; space and waves. The cube’s shape leads the interior an impressive amount of space. Head and legroom are abundant for both front and back-seat passengers. Seats are comfortable for short trips, while long trips will have you wishing for a bit more support. Cargo space is also in abundance thanks in part to a recessed floor and the back seat able to move back and forth. Waves are also used throughout in the interior with the headliner, speaker housings, and cup-holders employing a ripple wave effect. The dashboard has a unique wave shape that ‘crests’ where the radio and HVAC controls are. On paper, this sounds ludicrous. But somehow, the waves actually work and give the vehicle a certain pizzazz. There are two interior features that had me wondering ‘why?!’ The first is a twenty color interior accent lighting system that lights up the foot-wells and cup-holders. You can change the colors via a knob next to the cup holders. I found it really distracting when driving at night and just left it off. The other feature is “Shag Dash Topper” which is pretty much a piece of shag carpeting on your dash and really is there for decoration. Don’t even think of putting anything on that shag since there is a warning stating that items place on it will fly off. Materials used throughout the cube are mostly hard plastics, which is par for the class. Build quality is very good with no sign of gaps or pieces that are separating. Interior ergonomics are excellent, with all controls being within easy reach and feeling good to the hand. Now as I mentioned earlier, this particular cube was equipped with the Indigo Limited Edition package. This package adds Fifteen-inch alloy wheels Unique black/indigo cloth seats Keyless entry and start Upgraded sound system with a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer Five-inch touchscreen with navigation XM Satellite Radio USB Input Rear-view Camera The package adds about $2,000 to the base price of the cube 1.8S. For what you get with the package, I think it’s very much worth it. The touchscreen that comes part of the package is on the small side, but is bright and very clear. The navigation system is quick to respond and provides excellent map detail. As for the sound system, it does a impressive job of filling the vehicle with sound, albeit it’s heavy on the bass. Next: Power, Ride, and Verdict Powering the cube is a 1.8L inline-four producing 122 HP (@ 5,200 RPM) and 127 lb-ft (@ 4,200 RPM). Transmissions include a six-speed manual or our car’s Xtronic CVT. The engine is well-suited to driving in the city as it’s very peppy and can get up to speed very quick. The same cannot be said for the 1.8L when driving out in the country and highway as the engine works hard to get you up to speed. The Nissan CVT is one of best and makes sure that you have the power when needed. Fuel economy rating for the cube is 27 City/31 Highway/28 combined with the CVT. During our week with the cube, our average was 31.5 MPG on mostly suburban and rural roads. The cube uses an independent front strut with coils and a torsion-beam rear axle with integrated stabilizer bar. The ride is very much tuned for comfort with the cube doing a good job of minimizing the impacts of bumps and potholes. Steering comes in the form of an electric system. The steering is super-light and heavily assisted, which makes the cube a perfect vehicle to maneuver around the urban environment. Taking the cube outside of an urban area, the ride is still very smooth and I was wishing for a little more weight in the steering. One place the cube could some work is noise containment. Under 45 MPH, road and wind noise is not really noticeable. However, when you do reach 45 MPH or higher, wind and road noise is very noticeable. Most of the wind noise can be blamed on the shape of the cube. If you’re driving has a lot of freeway or driving above 45 MPH, you might want to consider something else. Ultimately as my week concluded with the Nissan cube, I realized this car could make it in the real world. The cube is one of those vehicles built with a specific need in mind; in this case it’s built with need of serving someone in an urban environment. Take the cube out of the urban environment and you’ll be facing some huge problems including seats that don’t provide enough comfort for long trips, engine doing its best impression of the little train that could, and an atrocious amount of road and wind noise. The Nissan cube might be bit cartoonish at first, but it’s very good vehicle in the city environment. Disclaimer: Nissan provided the vehicle, insurance, and one tank of gasoline. Cheers Exterior Design Features from Indigo Special Edition Package Interior space Engine performance in the city Maneuverability and ride Jeers Road and Wind noise when going above 45 MPH Seats becoming uncomfortable after a long distance Limited performance of the engine above 45 MPH Year - 2012 Make – Nissan Model – Cube Trim – 1.8S Indigo Special Edition Engine – 1.8L Inline-four Driveline – Front-Wheel Drive, CVT Horsepower @ RPM – 122 HP (@ 5,200 RPM) Torque @ RPM – 127 lb-ft (@ 4,200 RPM) Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 27/31/28 Curb Weight – 2,768 lbs Location of Manufacture – Oppama, Japan Base Price - $17,420.00 As Tested Price - $20,975.00 (Includes $780.00 Destination Charge) 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 October 4, 2012 A new report from British automotive magazine, Car says that Audi has killed off a program to bring a production model of the quattro concept shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Instead, sources tell the magazine that company is taking the idea of the quattro concept and implementing it into a crossover. This crossover will be following in the footsteps of the Range Rover Evoque or Audi's Stepenwolf concept, having a rakish and sporting look. There is also talk of the vehicle having the same short wheelbase and wide wheel fenders as the eighties' quattro S1 Rally car. Power will likely come from a hotted-up five-cylinder that will go through a dual-clutch gearbox and a low-friction quattro AWD system. Source: Car 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

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 3, 2012 Volkswagen made some big announcements today concerning a new model that will be premiering at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show and pricing for another model. We'll start with the new model first. Volkswagen revealed the new Beetle convertible a month ahead of its official unveiling at the L.A. Auto Show. The soft-top has a similar roofline to the normal Beetle when its up. Want to put the top down, it will only take about ten seconds. Also, Volkswagen engineered a system that will pop two computer-actuated bars behind the rear seat within four milliseconds in the event of a rollover. The engine lineup will be the same as the Beetle, which includes, 2.5L five-cylinder (170 HP, 177 lb-ft of torque) 2.0L turbo-four (200 HP, 207 lb-ft of torque) 2.0L turbodiesel (140 HP, 235 lb-ft of torque) The 2.5L can be equipped with a six-speed automatic, while the 2.0L Turbo and diesel can be equipped with a six-speed manual and a dual-clutch transmission. Next: Jetta Hybrid Pricing Also today, Volkswagen announced pricing for the new Jetta Hybrid. The hybrid comes equipped with a turbocharged, direct-injected 1.4L four-cylinder mated to an electric motor. Total output is 170 HP and 184 lb-ft of torque going through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Stats for the hybrid are 0-60 in nine seconds and estimated fuel economy of 45 MPG. A base Jetta Hybrid will run you $25,790 (includes a $795 destination charge) and it will include 15-inch alloy wheels, power windows, automatic climate control, power windows, a CD player with Bluetooth and an auxiliary port, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. One caveat with the base Jetta Hybrid, its a special order model only. The rest of the lineup follows, Jetta Hybrid SE ($27,785): LED taillights, power recline front seats, Media-Device Interface (MDI) and iPod® cable; Premium VIII touchscreen radio with color energy flow display in center console, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio, and keyless access with push-button start Jetta Hybrid SEL ($30,120): 16-inch alloy wheels, power tilt and slide sunroof, RNS 315 radio and navigation, heated front washer nozzles, heated front seats, and a six-way power driver’s seat. Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium ($31,975): Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and the Active Front-Lighting System (AFS), foglights with cornering light, 17-inch alloy wheels, the Fender® Premium Audio System with subwoofer, and a rearview camera. 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 Releases are on Page 3 and 4 VOLKSWAGEN UNVEILS THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE Volkswagen reveals images of the latest version of its iconic convertible ahead of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show Herndon, VA, Oct 3, 2012 - Today, Volkswagen unveils the latest Beetle Convertible, the third-generation of the iconic VW ragtop. Like its predecessors—the type 15 from 1949 and the 2003 New Beetle Convertible—the curvaceous convertible offers the perfect combination of practicality and fun for four. In creating the latest version of the Beetle Convertible, Volkswagen has reinterpreted the Beetle Convertible’s timeless design with a sportier and more dynamic silhouette, just as it did with the latest Beetle coupe. The combination of a flatter roofline and a more upright windshield gives the car a shape that’s more closely aligned with the first generation of Beetle convertibles. Volkswagen decided to stick with a traditional soft-top rather than incorporate a folding hardtop on the car. When the top is down, it lies flat, giving good rear visibility. Although the top looks compact when furled, it’s actually wide and long when in place, an action that takes a little over 10 seconds at the touch of a button. Inside, the Beetle Convertible retains the design cues that have made the latest Beetle such a hit with consumers, such as the body-color dashboard and the stylish gauges and trim. The spacious cabin has space for four full-size adults and is able to carry plenty of luggage: a fold-down split rear bench seat increases the practicality even further. In any Volkswagen, safety is paramount and to that end, the company has developed an Automatic Rollover Support System. Two roll-over bars are concealed behind the back of the rear bench seat, activated by the computer that deploys the airbags in the case of a crash. Along with the fixed A-pillars, they provide effective protection for the occupants of all four seats within milliseconds. Driver and front passenger combined head-thorax airbags are also among the standard equipment. The new Beetle Convertible will be available in the United States with three engine options. The entry-level powerplant is the familiar 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen’s fuel-efficient 2.0-liter TDI® Clean Diesel four-cylinder engine makes 140 hp and 236 lb-ft, but just as importantly delivers an EPA estimated fuel economy figure of 41 mpg on the highway with the six-speed manual transmission. (A six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic is also available with this engine.) Finally, the 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI® four-cylinder, which makes 200 hp and 207 lb-ft, can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or DSG automatic. Beetle Convertible pricing for the U.S. will be announced closer to launch, which occurs in the last quarter of 2012. VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES 2013 JETTA HYBRID PRICING The latest member of the Jetta family offers competitive pricing, excellent fuel economy, and the fun-to-drive nature expected of a Volkswagen • Jetta Hybrid starts at $24,995*, with SE priced from $26,990 • Most fuel-efficient Jetta in the lineup with manufacturer estimated combined fuel economy of 45 mpg** • World’s first hybrid to use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission • Fastest compact hybrid in its class with an estimated 0-60 mph of less than 9.0 seconds • Drives as a full EV at speeds of up to 44 mph • Premium features include LED taillights and Daytime Running Lights, plus Bi-Xenon headlights • Jetta range now extended to five different powertrains, providing a German-engineered compact sedan for everyone Herndon, VA, Oct 3, 2012 - Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the 2013 Jetta Hybrid, expected to be the most fuel-efficient Jetta in the lineup. Powered by an all-new, high-tech, 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct-injected TSI® engine mated to a zero-emissions electric motor, the Jetta Hybrid has a combined output of 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The innovative powertrain also features a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Jetta Hybrid can be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph and for a distance of up to 1.2 miles, depending on operating conditions. With a manufacturer estimated combined fuel economy of 45 miles per gallon** and a 0-60 mph time of less than 9.0 seconds, this newest addition to the Jetta family demonstrates that being fuel-efficient doesn’t have to come at the cost of performance or fun. The Jetta Hybrid will be available starting at $24,995* and will go on sale in the last quarter of 2012. The 2013 Jetta Hybrid model range: Hybrid (available by order only) The Hybrid trim has an MSRP of $24,995. Standard equipment includes a 1.4-liter turbocharged TSI engine; 27-hp electric motor; seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission; front and rear disc brakes; Daytime Running Lights; power and heated exterior mirrors;15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-season tires; rear spoiler and rear diffuser; unique grille; hybrid badging on front, sides and rear; power windows with one-touch up/down; hybrid interior accents; six-way manually adjustable front seats; Climatronic® automatic climate-control; Bluetooth ® technology; auxiliary input jack; trip computer; RCD 310 radio with CD player and six speakers; leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; 60/40 folding rear seat; tilt/telescoping steering wheel column; temperature display; and front, side and Side Curtain Protection® airbags. Hybrid SE The 2013 Jetta Hybrid SE starts at $26,990. In addition to all of the equipment offered on the Hybrid trim, it adds: LED taillights; power recline front seats; Media-Device Interface (MDI) and iPod® cable; Premium VIII touchscreen radio with color energy flow display in center console; SiriusXM® Satellite Radio; and keyless access with push-button start. Hybrid SEL The Hybrid SEL has an MSRP of $29,325 and features 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-season tires; a power tilt and slide sunroof; RNS 315 radio and navigation; heated front washer nozzles; heated front seats; and a six-way power driver’s seat. Hybrid SEL Premium The Hybrid SEL Premium retails for $31,180. Compared to the Hybrid with Navigation, it adds Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and the Active Front-Lighting System (AFS); foglights with cornering light; 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-season tires; the Fender® Premium Audio System with subwoofer; and a rearview camera. All prices exclude destination charges of $795 per vehicle. *Available by order only **Manufacturer estimate of fuel economy only; EPA results may vary View full article

No. Acura is stilling selling them for the time being.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 3, 2012 Besides hybrid powertrains, Toyota's powertrain line has been lacking some key features that competitors are now offering. Those features include direct-injection, Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT), and turbochargers to balance performance and fuel economy. According to Autoweek, Toyota will be adding those features to their lineup over the next few weeks. At the moment, Toyota employs direct-injection in the Scion FR-S, Lexus GS, and LS: But in the next two years, Toyota will introduce two new engines, 2.5L Atkinson cycle engine for hybrids (Next Year) 2.0L turbocharged (2014) Toyota will also add direct-injection to certain number of vehicles including the Camry and Venza. Also coming to Toyota vehicles will be more CVTs, and six- and eight-speed transmissions for its bigger cars. Source: Autoweek 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