William Maley

If you had your heart set on a Ford GT after seeing it at the Detroit Auto Show, then you should rush over to your nearest computer as Ford has opened up the application process for the chance to get their newest supercar. As we first reported back in February, Ford will be conducting an extensive vetting process for possible buyers. Some of the questions that will be asked to possible buyers include how many Ford vehicles have they own and how many miles they plan on driving the GT. This is to help weed out people who will just mothball the vehicle so they can sell it for a large sum of money. Also, if you have bought and kept your Ford GT, you get first dibs. “The purchase process for the Ford GT is as unique as our all-new supercar. We understand GT customers are strong ambassadors for Ford Motor Company, and we look forward to providing them a service as distinct as the car itself,” said Henry Ford III, global marketing manager, Ford Performance in a statement. If you are one of the lucky folks to be chosen to get one of the 500 GTs that Ford plans on building this and next year, you will be working with the 'Ford GT Concierge Service' on tailoring the GT to your tastes and picking up the vehicle at an approved Ford dealership. For pricing, Ford says the GT will "have a starting price in the mid-$400,000s, excluding destination and delivery." For those who cannot afford a GT, at least you can play around with the configurator to design the vehicle of your dreams. Source: Ford Press Release is on Page 2 FORD BEGINS TAKING OWNER APPLICATIONS FOR ALL-NEW FORD GT SUPERCAR AT FORDGT.COM Applications for the all-new Ford GT supercar may be submitted starting today for the first two years of production - 500 vehicles, via FordGT.com website; online configurator allows anyone to build the Ford GT of their dreams Limited production inspired a unique, customer-focused purchase experience open to all; application process to help identify potential Ford GT owners who will celebrate Ford brand All-new Ford GT Concierge Service to launch for personalized purchase experience DEARBORN, Mich., April 13, 2016 – Customers wanting to own one of the all-new Ford GT ultra-high-performance supercars can officially submit their applications today at FordGT.com. Limited production of the all-new Ford GT inspired Ford Performance to create a unique, customer-focused experience to help select potential owners for the new supercar. Approved applicants will work with the new Ford GT Concierge Service for a personalized purchase experience. “The purchase process for the Ford GT is as unique as our all-new supercar,” said Henry Ford III, global marketing manager, Ford Performance. “We understand GT customers are strong ambassadors for Ford Motor Company, and we look forward to providing them a service as distinct as the car itself.” The Ford GT is the most advanced Ford production vehicle ever, featuring the latest in lightweighting, aerodynamics and EcoBoost® engine technology – an innovation showcase for the Ford brand. Applicants will have an opportunity to identify their preferred Ford dealership in GT-approved markets and, if approved, will complete their purchase with the help of their dealer and the new Ford GT Concierge Service. Accepted applicants from around the world will be contacted by the concierge and provided a tailored experience – not only through the ordering and delivery but through years of ownership. The new Ford GT website also offers a configurator that allows anyone to build a virtual GT and easily share their dream combinations from a number of color, wheels and interior themes with the world through social media. For production, eight exterior colors can be paired with one of seven different stripe colors, giving the Ford GT customer many choices to keep their vehicle as unique as they are. Pricing for the Ford GT is expected to have a starting price in the mid-$400,000s, excluding destination and delivery. The Ford GT will be one of the rarest Ford products ever. Production is limited to 250 units per year, and the initial ordering period will cover the first two years of production - 500 vehicles. The web-based application process for the first round of applications for the all-new Ford GT closes on May 12, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Build your Ford GT today at FordGT.com. View full article

A number of Volkswagen executives will not be seeing their full bonus for 2015. In a statement today, Volkswagen announced bonus payments for top executives will be cut "significantly." This announcement comes a week after it was revealed that Volkswagen Group Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch would be getting about 10 million euros (about $11.4 million) as compensation for stepping down as the company's CFO. News about this bonus angered Volkswagen's labor leaders and the state of Lower Saxony, Volkswagen's second-largest shareholder. They argued Volkswagen should just scrap the bonuses since Volkswagen could experience more financial pains due to the diesel emission scandal. "Supervisory Board and Management Board jointly agreed that – given the current situation of the company – a signal should also be sent with respect to the topic of the Management Board's remuneration," said Volkswagen in a statement. Volkswagen hasn't said how much the bonuses will be cut, but a source tells Reuters that it will be around 30 percent. Sources also reveal that further measures are being discussed to reduce variable pay even further, but that might be enough resolve the dispute with the union leaders and Lower Saxony. Volkswagen's supervisory board will make a decision on the cuts at its next meeting later this April. Source: Reuters, Volkswagen Press Release is on Page 2 Volkswagen AG informs on Wednesday: "Supervisory Board and Management Board jointly agreed that – given the current situation of the company – a signal should also be sent with respect to the topic of the Management Board's remuneration. Different models which would constitute a reasonable and fair solution for all parties involved are currently discussed and coordinated. As a consequence, this would lead to a significant reduction of the variable remuneration. This would also subsequently apply to Mr. Poetsch at his own request. The individual compensation components will be adopted in the forthcoming Supervisory Board meeting and will be published in the annual report on 28 April." View full article

It hasn't been a good couple of years for workers General Motors' Orion Assembly, home to the Buick Verano and Chevrolet Sonic. Last year, GM laid off 150 workers. This was followed by GM eliminating a shift at the plant this year due to weak demand for small cars. Yesterday, another dose of bad news hit the plant. Both Automotive News and Detroit Free Press report a $245 investment announced last year for the plant has been shifted to GM's Fairfax, Kansas - home to the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse production. A GM spokeswoman tells Automotive News that workers were told about the investment shift back in January. The switch is “part of our ongoing product allocation process to build vehicles as cost-effectively as possible to benefit our customers and the business,” a spokeswoman went on to say. The investment is for a new vehicle, although GM is keeping quiet. As we reported last year, the vehicle could be a small crossover for Cadillac. The Detroit Free Press notes that Orion will also phase out production of the Verano beginning this fall. Several production-forecasting firms believe Verano production will move down to Mexico. Not changing is the production of Chevrolet Bolt at Orion. The plant has begun to build pre-production models, with production models expected to roll off the line sometime in the fourth quarter. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Detroit Free Press View full article

Today, Telsa pulled the covers off the updated Model S. The biggest change for the Model S is the removal of the front grille. It has been replaced with a similar fascia to the Model X and recently announced Model 3 - front panel and LED headlights. Inside, the Model S gets HEPA air-filtration system first introduced on the Model X as an option. This system according to Tesla is said to remove up to "99.97 percent of particulate exhaust pollution and effectively all allergens, bacteria, and other contaminants from cabin air." Tesla has also swapped the 40-amp onboard charger to a 48-amp one that will reduce recharging times. All of these updates means the Tesla Model S has a higher pricetag. The Model S now begins at $71,500 for the base 70 kW Model S, an increase of $1,500. Source: Tesla View full article

We know that the Audi RS3 sedan is real and a leaked roadmap showed that it could be coming in 2017. Now Car and Driver has learned some details about the hot sedan. Speaking with a source, Car and Driver says the RS3 sedan will be powered by an all-new, turbocharged 2.5L five-cylinder with 400 horsepower. This engine will debut in the new TT RS at the Beijing auto show later this month. A new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will route power to all four wheels. Depending on how the car is optioned, top speed will either be 155 or 174 mph. It is expected that Audi will show the RS3 sedan sometime later this year, with sales beginning in the U.S. in 2017. Source: Car and Driver View full article

If you were hoping for a Mazdaspeed version of the 3 or 6, we have some bad news. Australian outlet Motoring reports that Mazda has shelved plans for new Mazdaspeed (MPS known elsewhere in the world) models for the time being. Mazda's North American president and CEO Masahiro Moro explained that the company is focused on developing the second-generation of the Skyactive technologies. “Our research and development department is 100 per cent focussed on delivering SKYACTIV generation two and if we don’t have this we don’t have any other derivatives,” said Moro. “So let us focus on delivering SKYACTIV generation two, then we are building on that to come up with (performance models)." Moro said the brand is thinking about the next-generation of their performance vehicles and it won't be like the last Mazdaspeed3. “As a brand we are trying to elevate again a little bit more, because execution of Mazda MPS or Mazdaspeed 3 or whatever you call it was a little bit – I am not afraid to say it – childish.” Some Mazda fans might find that assessment harsh. But considering how much torque-steer the Mazdaspeed3 had on offer, we think that it is fair. So what would a future Mazdaspeed model look like? It would reflect Mazda's ambition of being more mature and upscale. “Mazda brand has become more mature, more upscale, more sophisticated and we have a new transition of the brand to relate that direction. So if we were to introduce some kind of performance model, that may be different to what we have done in the past,” said Moro. Source: Motoring View full article

The Dodge Dart will be going away sometime in the near future and to prepare for this, Dodge has revamped the lineup to help dealers move them out. For the rest of the 2016 model year, the Dart will only be available in the SXT Sport, Dart Turbo, and Dart GT Sport. SXT Sport: This is the new base model in the Dart lineup with a base price of $18,990 with destination. Power comes from a 2.0L Tigershark four-cylinder with 160 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual or automatic are available. Standard equipment includes remote keyless entry, UConnect voice command with Bluetooth, four-speaker audio system, satellite radio, cruise control, and 16-inch alloy wheels Dart Turbo: Positioned as the sporty version, this Dart comes with the 1.4L turbo-four with 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet, and six-speed manual. A sport appearance hood, dual exhaust tips, and the Rallye Appearance package are standard. Base price for the turbo starts at $20,490. Dart GT Sport: Sitting as the top model in the Dart lineup, the GT Sport gets a 2.4L Tigershark four-cylinder with 184 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. There is a choice of a six-speed manual or automatic. It comes with a lot of equipment such as push-button start, digital instrument cluster, a 10-way power driver seat, dual-zone climate control, an 8.4-inch UConnect system, and backup camera. “We are repositioning the Dart lineup to better align production and dealer inventory with consumer demand and preference. The simplification of Dart models, coupled with the availability of popular Rallye, Blacktop and Chrome appearance packages across more of the line-up, makes it easier for dealers to order and stock vehicles that customers are looking for,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of FCA's Passenger Car Brands in a statement. Source: Dodge Press Release is on Page 2 Dodge Simplifies Dart Lineup, Appealing to Both the Value Conscious Consumer and the Driving Enthusiast Dodge simplifies the 2016 Dodge Dart lineup to three models: Dart SXT Sport, Dart Turbo and Dart GT Sport, delivering small-car consumers the content they desire at a lower starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) Buyer can customize their Dart exterior to stand out in a sea of sameness with the available popular Rallye and Blacktop packages or the all-new Chrome package that offers an upscale look at an affordable price The new Dodge Dart SXT Sport is the new entry-level Dart model with a starting U.S. MSRP of $17,995 (all prices exclude destination) and is powered by the 2.0-liter Tigershark four-cylinder engine The new 2016 Dart SXT Sport delivers the features small-car customers want as standard equipment, including remote keyless entry Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, Sirius Satellite radio, air conditioning, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls and 16-inch aluminum wheels The new Dart Turbo model is powered by the 1.4-liter MultiAir2 Turbo engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission for the customer who wants to ‘save the manuals’ and actively enjoy the drive, all for a starting U.S. MSRP of $19,495. The Dart Turbo model comes standard with a sport appearance hood, integrated dual exhaust and 17-inch Granite Crystal aluminum wheels The new Dart GT Sport model is reconfigured to offer the features consumers desire at a starting U.S. MSRP of just $20,995 (excluding destination), a price decrease of $1,100. The Dart GT Sport is powered by the 184-horsepower 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual or an available Powertech six-speed automatic transmission. The popular Dart GT Blacktop package continues as an option. April 11, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Dodge is simplifying the 2016 Dart model lineup with three new models packed with the features small-car customers want at a value every consumer will appreciate. The Dart SXT Sport, Dart Turbo and Dart GT Sport will comprise the Dodge Dart lineup for the remainder of the 2016 calendar year. Available Chrome, Rallye and Blacktop appearance packages give drivers the option to have an exterior style that will stand out from the crowd in the small-car segment. “We are repositioning the Dart lineup to better align production and dealer inventory with consumer demand and preference,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. “The simplification of Dart models, coupled with the availability of popular Rallye, Blacktop and Chrome appearance packages across more of the line-up, makes it easier for dealers to order and stock vehicles that customers are looking for.” Dealers can begin ordering for the repositioned 2016 Dodge Dart this month. Simplified Dart Lineup continues to deliver small car pricing with mid-size interior space; comfort and unique Dodge design The 2016 Dodge Dart continues to deliver a distinctive appearance with an athletic, stylish exterior design; a modern, sleek interior design that’s well-crafted with high-quality materials and attention to detail; class-leading safety and security features, including 10 standard air bags; easy-to-use technology including hands-free calling and dynamics engineered for the driver who loves to drive. The Dart is loaded with more than 60 available safety and security features, which give both drivers and passengers peace of mind. Constructed of 68 percent high-strength steel, among the highest in the industry, the Dodge Dart’s key available safety and security features include 10 standard air bags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes standard on every model, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, all-speed traction control, ParkView rear backup camera, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, ParkSense rear park assist with dynamic grid lines, LATCH anchors, which allow a child seat to be placed in any of the three rear seat positions, and much more. 2016 Dodge Dart SXT Sport The Dart SXT Sport has a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $17,995 (all prices exclude destination), which is $1,400 less than the current SXT model, and is powered by the 2.0L Tigershark MultiAir2 engine that produces 160 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission or available Powertech six-speed automatic transmission, with an EPA fuel economy rating of up to 29 miles per gallon (mpg) highway. Standard equipment includes: 10 standard air bags, air conditioning, active grille shutters, Uconnect Bluetooth hands-free calling, SiriusXM satellite radio with one-year free subscription, electric power steering, electronic brake assist, electronic stability control, Hill-Start Assist (HSA) all-speed traction control, electronic roll mitigation, four-wheel anti-lock power disc brakes, black Sedoso cloth seats with mesh inserts, six-way manual adjust driver and front passenger seat, driver seat height adjuster, front-seat active headrests, three rear-seat head restraints, sun visors with vanity mirrors, floor console with covered storage, Uconnect AM/FM/CD, four speakers, remote USB port, audio input jack for mobile devices, satin silver shift knob, two front cup holders, power windows with driver one-touch, solar control glass, Sentry Key theft-deterrent system, standard instrument cluster with tachometer, dual-note electric horns, outside temperature display in odometer, front courtesy map lamps, headlamp off-time delay, bi-function halogen projector head lamp, LED corner tail lamp, body-color crosshair grille with body-color surround, chrome headlamp bezels, tilt and telescopic steering column, and 16-inch aluminum wheels. 2016 Dodge Dart Turbo With a starting U.S. MSRP of $19,495, the new Dodge Dart Turbo model is the vehicle for consumers who are passionate about the driving experience and are proud to “save the manuals.” Powered by the 1.4-liter turbocharged I-4 engine and mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the Dart Turbo model delivers 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, offers an enthusiastic driving experience and exceptional fuel economy with an EPA highway rating of 41 mpg. Standard equipment includes a sport appearance hood, integrated dual exhaust and Rallye Appearance, which includes black headlamp bezels, a black grille surround with black crosshair and 17-inch Granite Crystal aluminum wheels. 2016 Dodge Dart GT Sport The Dart GT Sport model sports a new, lower starting U.S. MSRP of $20,995, a price decrease of $1,100 from the Dart GT it replaces. Powered by the 2.4-liter, 184-horsepower Tigershark four-cylinder engine mated to the standard six-speed manual transmission or optional Powertech six-speed automatic transmission, the Dart GT model has EPA fuel economy ratings of up to 27 mpg highway. Standard equipment includes the sport appearance hood, performance gear ratios, unique engine calibration, Keyless Enter ’n Go with push-button start, 17-inch Granite Crystal aluminum wheels, integrated dual exhaust with bright tips, black fascia with Hyper Black grille, dark-tinted automatic headlamps, projector fog lamps, power heated exterior mirrors with courtesy lamps and supplemental signals, 10-way power driver seat, Uconnect 8.4 AM/FM/MP3 radio with 8.4-inch touchscreen display, 7-inch full-color reconfigurable digital gauge cluster display, ParkView rear backup camera, dual-zone automatic temperature control, tire-pressure monitoring display and SiriusXM Radio. Customization from the factory Drivers who want a vehicle that doesn’t look like every other small car on the road can choose from three packages that offer a style from stealth to sophisticated. Chrome package: available on the Dart SXT Sport model, the Chrome package offers an upscale look at an affordable price. The package includes a unique bright grille, bright automatic headlamps, bright door handles, fog lamps and 17-inch polished Silver aluminum wheels Rallye package: available on the Dart SXT Sport model, the Rallye package includes a black crosshair grille with black surround, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, touring suspension, rear stabilizer bar, LED racetrack tail lamps, floor mats and 17-inch Granite Crystal aluminum wheels Blacktop package: available on the Dart SXT Sport model, the Blacktop package includes black crosshair grille with black surround, fog lamps with black fog lamp spear and bezel, gloss black exterior mirrors, unique frequency-sensing sport suspension, rear stabilizer bar, LED Racetrack tail lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, floor mats and 18-inch Gloss Black 10-spoke aluminum wheels Positioned at the heart of the compact car market, the new 2016 Dart models offer something for every consumer looking for a small car, from stylish transportation they are proud to drive, to the driver who loves the art of driving, to the person who wants a unique style that stands out in the compact car segment, the 2016 Dart has a model to fit the bill. The 2016 Dodge Dart is available in the following colors: TorRed Pearl Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat, True Blue Pearl Coat, Redline 2 Pearl Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Pitch Black Clear Coat and Go Mango Pearl Coat. View full article

As we reported last month, Buick decided not to send the Avista into production. While the reason given at the time was due to not "enough enthusiasm for the concept," we had a sneaking suspicion there was more to that decision. Sure enough, Automotive News chatted with Buick global brand chief Duncan Aldred who explained the Avista wasn't "a massive opportunity in China." There is also the matter of priorities of which projects should go ahead or not. "Emotionally, you'd love to build it. I would buy one with my own money and put it in the garage," said Aldred. "The trouble is, I'm never looking at only one project. I'm always looking at several. I've got to weigh the pros and cons of each. There are some strong contenders in that consideration." Aldred also confirmed the rumor that the idea of Buick designers planning a four-door version of the Avista. This was first reported by Motor Trend in February "We looked at that. We've even visualized it. It would look wonderful as a four-door as well," said Aldred. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Here is something to consider; the current Buick Enclave has been with us since 2007. In that time, Buick has sold almost 500,000 Enclaves and stands as one of the best-selling models for the brand. The most impressive part? The Enclave hasn’t changed that much. Usually, a vehicle’s lifecycle involves a refresh within two to three years and a redesign in about six. The Enclave has only received minor changes - new V6 and small changes for the exterior and interior. Everything else is much the same as it was in 2007. You would think the old age of the Enclave would hurt it. But as this model enters its ninth year, it is still towards the top of Buick’s best sellers. Why is that? We spent some time in the 2016 Enclave Premium AWD to find out. One of the smart things GM did when designing their three-row crossovers was going with a long-wheelbase. This allowed them to use a large body and provide a massive interior. For example, in most large crossovers, the third-row is only usable for small kids. In the Enclave, full-size adults can fit back here and be comfortable. In terms of cargo space, there is 23.3 cubic feet of space with the second and third rows up. Fold both rows of seats and you’ll have 115.2 cubic feet, the largest cargo area in the class. In terms of ride, the Enclave is one of the smoothest in the large crossover class. With a fully independent suspension and dual-flow dampers, the Enclave glides over bumps and road imperfections like they were nothing. Road and wind noise are almost non-existent in the Enclave. Step outside of the massive interior and you’ll see another key item that draws people to the Enclave; the design. The front end features a large waterfall grille and HID headlights with LEDs. Around back is a unique shape for the rear window. 19-inch chrome-clad wheels come standard, while our test Enclave came with 20-inch wheels with Bronze pockets via a new Tuscan Package for 2016. Where the Enclave starts to show chinks in its armor is in the interior. There is an abundance of plastic wood trim that looks awful. You can’t help but wonder why this vehicle has an almost $54,000 price tag and it comes with this cheap looking trim. The Enclave also features the last-generation of Buick’s Intellilink infotainment which is starting to show its age in terms of the interface and performance. The second-row seats aren’t comfortable due to how low they are set in the vehicle, giving passengers that feeling of their knees in their chest. But the biggest problem for the Enclave is the engine. Like the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, the Enclave comes with a 3.6L SIDI V6 with 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. This engine is quite sluggish and takes a fair amount of time to get up to speed. It feels like you are towing a circus elephant. This is due to the Enclave’s curb weight of 4,922 pounds. The weight also hurts fuel economy as we only eked out 15.6 MPG for the week. Keep in mind that the Enclave AWD is rated 16 City/22 Highway/18 Combined. Is it easy to see why the Enclave is a big seller. It offers a lot of space for passengers and cargo. Plus it provides one of smoothest and quietest rides in the class. But the negatives outweigh the positives. The engine is overwhelmed by the Enclave’s weight, fuel economy is pretty, and the interior has a number of small issues that show how old the crossover is. We know that a new Enclave is coming next year. It can’t come soon enough. Disclaimer: Buick Provided the Enclave, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2016 Make: Buick Model: Enclave AWD Trim: Premium Group Engine: 3.6L VVT DI V6 Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 288 @ 6,300 Torque @ RPM: 270 @ 3,400 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 16/22/18 Curb Weight: 6,459 lbs Location of Manufacture: Lansing, MI Base Price: $49,515.00 As Tested Price: $53,835.00 (Includes $925.00 Destination Charge) Options: Dual Moonroof - $1,400.00 White Frost Tricoat Paint - 995.00 Tuscan Package - $795.00 Universal Tablet Holders - $205.00 View full article