Drew Dowdell
Editor in Chief
I have been Editor in Chief of Cheers and Gears since 2009 and a member of Cheers and Gears since 2001. I write about cars, motorcycles, and classic transportation through the various sibling sites owned by Really Simple Media, the parent company of Cheers and Gears.
I have been an active member of the International Motor Press Association (IMPA) since 2010, Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) since 2012, and Washington Automotive Press Association (WAPA) since 2018.
I can be found on the ski slopes in the winter, and on my motorcycle in the summer. I live with my partner in Pittsburgh, PA, and frequently travel to Eastern Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, and Florida.
I do not directly hold stock in any automotive manufacturer or supplier.
My Articles
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Not content with a trade war just with China, Donald Trump has opened a second front in what is slowly turning into a trade world war. Yesterday evening, Trump announced that beginning June 10th a 5% tariff would be slapped on all Mexican products coming into the country. That tariff would increase to 10% by July 1st and then go to its 25% maximum in October. For automakers with razor thin margins, there is absolute certainty that the American consumer will end up paying these tariffs.
... 5%, to 10%, to 25% by October...
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When Cadillac introduced the CT4 back on May 30th, they only introduced the V-series version of the car. Today Cadillac unveiled the standard versions of the car in Sport, Luxury, and Premium Luxury trims. Each one styled slightly differently, the Luxury and Premium Luxury models come with brighter exterior accents and metallic grilles. The Sport version is has a more aggressive mesh grille, sportier fascias, rear spoiler, darkened accents and model specific 18-inch wheels. CT4 Luxury:
...Introing the base model to the world...
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The Cadillac ATS and CTS didn't sell well. They had great handling and a large selection of engines, but they were hampered by interiors that were cramped for the class and infotainment systems that could confound people. Sedans are dying, Cadillac gets that too. That's why they are consolidating the ATS and CTS onto a single car called the CT5, released last week at the New York International Auto Show. Rumors have it that the CT5 will start in the mid-30s and Cadillac is insisting that, desp
...Cadillac takes a middle road...
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...Time to see it for real...
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The tariffs that Trump had threatened to impose on Mexico starting June 10th will not be going on to effect. Trump tweeted out that Mexico had made concessions to deploy their newly formed Nation Guard to their own southern border and that it only took two days for Mexico to bend to Trump's demands. This is false. The truth, according to a report in the New York Times is that Mexico had already agreed to do that back in March 2019 during secret talks between the (at the time) Director of
...the "deal" was made months ago...
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Just a day after the 2021 Suburban and Tahoe debuted the Cadillac Escalade has also leaked out online. As expected, the side profile still looks like the Tahoe/Suburban, however it apparently does still sport the vertical tail lights of the current generation vehicle. Inside is a decidedly upgraded interior. The gauge cluster is dual screen and flows into the infotainment system. Like the Chevy twins, the column shifter is gone, in this case replaced by Cadillac's Precision Control Shift. A d
...Big and brawny like its siblings...
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Today, Cadillac unveiled the newest member of their electrified lineup, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ. With The Escalade IQ, Cadillac introduces the first full-size electric SUV to the market. Like the Silverado EV that rides on the same Ultium platform, the Escalade IQ will offer up to 450 miles of range. The Escalade IQ is powered by a dual-motor system capable of producing up to 750 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque, delivering a 0-60 time of less than 5 seconds when in the driver-selec
450 miles of range from an all-electric full-size SUV
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Cadillac will be unveiling the CT5 sedan at the New York International Auto Show next month. The CT5 is build on the next generation of GM's Alpha platform and will come in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. Power will be provided by either a 2.0T 4-cylinder or 3.0 Twin-Turbo V6. Both engines will send power to the wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The CT5 will offer Luxury and Sport trims. In a video series called "Sensory Symphony", Cadillac slowly
The all-new CT5 replaces the CTS in the Cadillac lineup
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Mercedes has informed dealers that there will be another sedan heading their way for 2018. Mercedes-Benz has decided the US is finally ready for the A-Class. Mercedes has previously shown the 2011 A-class concept in the U.S., but did not send that model over. Currently, the smallest and least expensive Mercedes sold in the U.S. is the Mercedes-Benz CLA, a 4-door fastback sedan that Benz calls a 4-door coupe. When the CLA originally debuted in the U.S. in 2013, it started at $29,900 befor
Mercedes will add another sedan below the CLA.
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In the C&G garage for the week is the 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD with a sticker price of $47,605. This is Hyundai's newest SUV, at least until the diminutive Hyundai Venue takes its place at the other end of the size spectrum. The first impression I got from the Palisade was how big it is. Even though it is around 7 inches shorter than a Buick Enclave, it looks bigger and beefier. Being a Limited means that it is in top trim with only carpeted floor mats as an additional option. It
...my that's a big ship...
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Drew Dowdell - February 24, 2012 - CheersandGears.com Photo by Chris Doane Automotive, LLC - May not be used elsewhere without permission of photographer. The last time we saw a 2014 Spark EV prototype, the front end was covered in heavy camouflage and rear was held together with pop-rivets. Today, we've spied another Spark EV prototype with the production bodywork in place and almost NO camouflage. From our spy photos, we can see the Spark EV will get a different front end from its' gasoline
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The Cadillac CT6 will end production in January 2020 the company confirmed as part of a letter to 800 employees due to be laid off. This means that the 2020 CT6 will be the final model year for the car in the U.S.. Like the recently announced cancellation of the Buick Regal in the U.S., the CT6 will continue in production in China where sedan sales are still big. The news of the CT6's cancellation is not a surprise. GM's Detroit Hamtramck was originally slated for closure until the negotia
...countdown till the end...
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The time has come for the Corvette to mid-engine architecture. Powering the Corvette is a 6.2 liter V8 LT2 making and SAE certified 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque when equipped with an optional exhaust system. In Z51 form, the car is expected to hit 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. The base output of the engine has not been revealed yet. The LT2 engine is based on the LT1 with a new aluminum block. This new engine features a dry-sump oiling system and three scavenger pumps to fight o
…the long wait for the mid-engine Corvette is over...
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When the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette debuted a week and a half ago, there was some speculation that buyers might not go for it because of its mid-engine design or its outworldly styling. Well the nay-sayers might just have to start cooking up their crow. According to Michael Simcoe, GM's Design Chief, the orders have nearly hit the first year of production numbers. "It's nearly sold out. It's so close that it's bound to be sold out soon." Simcoe said. Now the caveat is that Simcoe has not
...better get your deposit in soon...
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The Cadillac CT6 has been in the news a lot lately. First it was potentially canceled as its home factory in the U.S. is slated for closure. Then there was the Cadillac Blackwing V8. Most recently it has dropped both the base 2.0T 4-cylinder and the mid-range (now that there is a V8) 3.0 twin-turbo V6. With all of those changes, there is bound to be some price changes to accompany them. For 2020, the CT6 will see a base price rise of $8,500 over the 2019 model to $59,900. With that
...now with a base V6....
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New European carbon emissions rules are coming into effect soon and that will have a negative effect on models from a number of manufacturers. Mercedes-AMG is known for its high-output vehicles, but that also generally makes them more polluting as well. Mercedes wants to cut its CO2 emissions from the current 138 grams per kilometer to 100 grams per kilometer. This would hit its most powerful models the hardest. In the overall European market, 35 percent of new vehicles sold are sport ut
...could cut models by 75%...
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The Lexus GX 460 is one of those vehicles that just keeps on being sold in spite of being rather old. For 2020, the GX 460 gets a face lift, a new safety system, and an available all-new off-road package. Starting off with the styling, Lexus added a giant spindle grille to the front, apparently borrowed from the larger LX. Lexus also added Lexus Safety System+ as a standard feature across the lineup. This addition means that now all Lexus vehicles have standard active safety equipment. T
...take that BMW and your big grilles...
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At the 2015 LA Auto Show today, Buick unveiled the 2017 Buick LaCrosse. Using a phrase that was once a selling point for cars in the 1950, Buick released details on the Lacrosse for 2017 to make it longer, lower, and wider. but unlike the 1950s, Buick is now adding "lighter" to the list. The 2017 LaCrosse's chassis drops 300 lbs from the outgoing model, yet through the use of stronger steel, the chassis is stronger. Some of the weight loss also comes from new materials used in Buick's Quiet
Buick's 2017 LaCrosse is a lighter, tighter, import fighter.
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Dodge took the wraps off a muscular new compact crossover that packs quite the sting. The 2023 Dodge Hornet will be one of the quickest and most powerful entries into the compact crossover segment with even the base model having best in class performance. Based on the same sporty platform as the Alfa-Romeo Tonale, the 2023 Hornet gets the Dodge Brother's take on what a compact crossover should be. Power The Hornet packs two powertrain options. The base Hornet GT comes with a 2.0-liter tu
- brembo
- compact crossover
- dodge
- glh
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Tagged with:
Dodge's compact crossover packs 265+ HP in the GT and 285 HP in the R/T PHEV, with a PowerShot boost and Brembo brakes. Starting under $30K.
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Cadillac fully unveiled the Cadillac CT5 sedan ahead of the New York International Auto Show today. We had seen a preview of the CT5 a few weeks ago, but today, Cadillac gives us the full release. Laden with modern technology, Cadillac will be introducing their SuperCruise self-driving system to the segment. SuperCruise is the first truly hands-free system for limited-access highways. Safety features include Safety Alert Seat, Rear Camera Mirror with zoom and tilt adjustment, Forward Colli
...recasts the American mid-sized luxury sedan...
