William Maley

We are still a few years out before Mercedes-Benz launches their new midsize truck, but new details have come out about the model. CarAdvice got some information from an insider at a recent design forum in Australia. First, Mercedes will be calling the truck either X-Class or Z-Class. It seems the automaker is leaning towards X since it brings up images of ruggedness. The truck will only be offered in a crew-cab variation which allows Mercedes not to spend a lot of time developing a regular or extended cab variations. It also gives Mercedes the ability to distance their truck from the Nissan Navara - the model which Mercedes is using as a base for their truck. “Yes, to come to an attractive price we are using a common platform, but all the rest is done by Mercedes – to design, to develop the vehicle specifically to meet Mercedes criteria,” said Daimler board member Thomas Weber at the Detroit Auto Show. There will three trim levels ranging from standard work truck to a fully-loaded model with all of the luxuries. Two diesel engines; a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder (188 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque) and a turbocharged six-cylinder (255 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque) will be on offer. A part-time four-wheel drive system will be standard on the base and mid-level model. The top trim model gets a full-time system. One question still up in the air is whether or not the U.S. will get this truck. Then Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon expressed interest in selling it here and that a final decision is expected sometime this year. Source: CarAdvice View full article

Last month, we reported that Ford is currently testing a diesel engine for the F-150. Pictures at the time showed a unique exhaust tip (a Venturi exhaust tip that serves a cooler for after treatment systems) and the photographer mentioned hearing the distinctive clatter of a diesel engine. But pictures can only tell so much. Wouldn't it be nice if we had audio or video evidence? Guess what? AutoGuide got a video from a spy photographer who was following an F-150 mule out on the public. The video provides audible evidence that a diesel engine is under the hood. As we reported last month, the engine in question is a turbocharged 3.0L V6 that is under the hood of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Td6. Power is rated at 254 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. AutoGuide speculates that the diesel could be paired with a new ten-speed automatic. The diesel engine is expected to join the F-150 sometime next year. Source: AutoGuide.com View full article

Please do not adjust your monitors. What you are looking at is the Opel (or Vauxhall) GT Concept that will make its debut next month at the Geneva Motor Show. This is GM Europe's idea of what a futuristic sports car would look like. Styling of this coupe is very striking. The classic coupe design is there with a long front and short rear. The profile is very smooth with the absence of door handles and side-view mirrors, along with seamless transition between the metal and door glass. One interesting touch on the GT Concept is a red accent strip running along the roofline to the fender. Not only does this add an interesting visual, it also hides a touchpad to open the doors. Power will come from a turbocharged 1.0L three-cylinder producing 143 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed sequential gearbox and rear-wheel drive get the power to the road. It might not win any drag races, but Opel says the GT Concept can hit 60 MPH in under eight seconds and reach a top speed of 137 MPH. Source: Opel Press Release is on Page 2 The Opel GT Concept: This is How Sportscars Will Look in Future First appearance: World premiere at the 86th Geneva Motor Show Emotional concept: Breathtaking and puristic design Successful ancestors: Following the tradition of the Opel GT and the Monza Concept True sportscar: front mid-engine, sequential gearbox, rear-wheel drive Rüsselsheim. The Opel GT Concept will celebrate its world premiere at the 86th Geneva International Motor Show (March 3 to 13, 2016). This trendsetting sportscar expresses the continuous innovative strength of Opel – breathtaking in its shape, reduced to the bare essentials, pure passion. The thoroughbred athlete with a front mid-engine and rear-wheel drive is a direct descendant of the Opel GT and the Monza Concept and takes Opel’s sculptural design philosophy to the next level. The sportscar is avant-garde yet puristic, renounces everything that disturbs the pure form. The GT Concept has no door handles or exterior door mirrors. “We are taking the next step towards even more emotion and driving pleasure with the Opel GT Concept. The GT Concept shows what Opel stands for now. We are confident, ambitious, innovative and we want win over more customers with every new car,” said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann who is already looking forward to the world premiere in Geneva. In the best tradition: GT Concept continues philosophy of Opel Experimental GT The Opel GT Concept will follow in the footsteps of the famous Opel Experimental GT at the Geneva Motor Show. In 1965, only one year after the foundation of the first design studio run by a European car manufacturer, Opel presented this sleek and expressive coupé with the reliable technology of the Kadett B at the Frankfurt Motor Show. However, it was not just innovative because it was the first concept car ever presented by a European manufacturer. The GT already shone with innovations such as retracting headlamps and displayed a slim form along with perfect proportions without unnecessary decoration. The uncompromising concept by Erhard Schnell mainly wanted to be one thing – a design statement. The reactions from the public were so overwhelming that the series production Opel GT was at dealerships only three years later. The rest is history – a success story, an automotive icon. The GT Concept once again showcases Opel’s pioneering spirit. A dynamic driving machine something that is already symbolized by the red signature line that splits the vehicle body horizontally and proportions it. The distinctive red front tires – mounted on rims with a cheeky roller skates design – are reminiscent of the Opel motorbike Motoclub 500 that was also avant-garde at its time and was the proud owner of two red tires in 1928. Apart from that, the GT Concept does not have many links to the past. The long bonnet, the absence of a trunk lid, the central dual exhaust and of course, the name all refer to the original GT. Apart from that the Opel GT Concept is independent with no sign of retro-design. "We created the GT Concept to capture the bold, emotional spirit of the Opel brand. It is dramatic, sculptural and full of innovations, which is our great tradition that we intend to continue. Back in 1965, Opel developed the Experimental GT, a thoroughly modern vehicle that also boasted a pure sculptural shape. It’s certainly difficult to reinvent an icon but just as the Experimental GT was avant-garde back then, so too is this GT Concept today – absolutely pure, minimalistic, yet bold and uncompromising. This coupé impressively demonstrates the continuous development of our Design philosophy – ‘Sculptural Artistry meets German precision’,” said Mark Adams, Vice President, Design Europe. A key innovation of the Opel GT Concept are the large doors with the integrated side windows that show a seamless transition from glass to painted surfaces. Both the driver and the front passenger gain access to the unexpectedly spacious interior after pressing the touchpad for the electric doors that is integrated in the red signature line of the roof. Even tall drivers have enough room inside. The doors immerse considerably into the front wheel arches when opened. This space-saving and patented mounting allows a large opening angle – particularly in relatively tight parking spaces. The compact athlete is therefore optimized especially for urban areas. Two cameras mounted behind the wheel arches ensure a safe overview while driving in the city. They transmit their images to two monitors on the left and right-hand side of the cockpit – the days of exterior door mirrors and blind spots are therefore over. The windshield flows into a glass panorama roof enabling the occupants to enjoy a driving experience similar to that offered by a targa with a removable roof. Real sportscar: Front mid-engine, turbocharged and rear-wheel drive The stretched hood reveals the powertrain concept of the GT Concept: Just like the first Opel GT and US sportscar icon Corvette also made by GM it has a front mid-engine. The vehicle’s center of gravity is therefore low and central – ideal for sporty handling and excellent cornering dynamics. The Opel GT Concept has a powerful 1.0-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged engine based on the ultra-modern all-aluminum engine used in ADAM, Corsa and Astra. The extremely efficient direct injection gasoline unit develops 107 kW/145 hp and maximum torque of 205 Nm in its sporty trim (consumption values for the Opel GT Concept are not available yet). The turbo power is sent towards the rear axle with mechanical differential lock via a sequential six-speed transmission that is operated by shift paddles on the steering wheel. Thus, the Opel GT Concept possess traditional rear-wheel drive especially appreciated by sportscar purists. The performance of the two-seater with a total weight below 1,000 kilograms also matches this. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than eight seconds and has a top speed of 215 km/h. A further highlight of the Opel GT Concept are the main headlamps with integrated indicators. Thanks to ultra-modern projection technology, these shine very three-dimensionally. The next generation adaptive full LED light is obviously the perfect match for this technology. The Opel IntelliLux LED® matrix light, which allows glare-free high beam driving, already made its debut in the new Astra in 2015 and won the SAFETYBEST Award. The Opel GT Concept sees the introduction of the next stage of development of the intelligent light system. The design of the lights is rounded off by the three-dimensional design of the tail lamps that make the new GT distinctive at night. View full article

I will argue with you on the Promasters being the worst vans out there. I think they are some of the best don't cost an arm and leg like the Sprinter.

Today was Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' earnings report day and the results for the past year was a bit mixed. FCA reported a profit of 377 million euros (about $410 million) for 2015. This is a large decrease compared to the 632 million euros (about $689 million) profit for 2014. FCA attributes the decrease to investment costs and a large number of recalls on their vehicles. For the year, FCA said reported adjusted earnings increased 39 percent to 5.3 billion euros (about $5.75 billion) thanks to a strong performance in North America and a European market that is recovering. Total global deliveries for 2015 were 4.6 million vehicles. This is in line with 2014, but falls slightly short of FCA's goal of delivering 4.8 million vehicles. Along with the announcement of earnings, FCA has updated its five-year business plan. Here are the highlights: FCA will be shifting North American production capacity to produce more SUVs and trucks. The reasoning behind this comes down to the company believing low fuel prices will be “permanent” and expects the trend of consumers going toward utility vehicles and pickups to continue.This move will affect the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne both “will run their course,” likely meaning we will not see a second-generation of either model. [*]Alfa Romeo's product plans has been realigned once again (insert shocked face here -WM) Reason for this comes from "uncertainties" in China and giving the brand extra time to "guarantee proper global distribution network execution." Manufacturing, product investment, and R&D investments slimmed down till 2018. The planned product lineup (including a hatchback, full-size sedan, two utility vehicles, and two speciality vehicles) will now be completed by mid-2020 The Guila is still planned to go into production and launched this year. A midsize utility vehicle will be launched late 2016/early 2017 [*]The next-generation Jeep Wrangler will be coming out in 2017 with a variety of new powertrains and a pickup version. 2018 will see a mild-hybrid and diesel powertrain options being available. 2022 will see a full-hybrid Wrangler. This is part of a plan to meet new regulations. [*]Ram is also expected to get a mild hybrid system sometime in 2020 or so Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), 2, The Detroit News View full article

The Ford SVT Raptor currently rules the roost when it comes to off-road trucks. But it seems no one wants to take it head on. Instead, a number of truck manufacturers are introducing models with some modest upgrades to tackle the trail - Ram 1500 Rebel and Toyota TRD Pro. GMC is the latest automaker to join the latter group with the 2016 Sierra All Terrain X. Unlike the Rebel and TRD Pro, the All Terrain X isn't a separate model. Instead, it's a set of packages available on the Sierra 1500 Crew Cab equipped with four-wheel drive. It begins by equipping the truck with the All Terrain package that includes the Z71 off-road package with Rancho shocks, an Eaton rear-locking differential, hill descent control, skid plate for the transfer case, and a bed liner. From there, you can option the All Terrain X package that adds a set of Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud-Terrain tires wearing 18-inch aluminum wheels, bed mounted bar to support off-road lights, LED headlights, and a new sports exhaust boosting power of 5.3L V8 from 355 to 365 horsepower. It should be noted that you can only equip the X package if the Sierra is a SLT short box crew cab. “Styling is the biggest influence on Sierra customers and the new Sierra All Terrain X builds on that with a more aggressive, personalized appearance that complements its exceptional capability. It joins other models such as the new Sierra Elevation and premium Sierra Denali to offers more choices for finding the premium truck that matches customers’ style and capability needs,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. You'll be able to pick up a Sierra All Terrain X at your local GMC dealer later this spring. Source: GMC Press Release is on Page 2 GMC Announces Sierra All Terrain X GMC today announced the 2016 Sierra All Terrain X – a special edition of the All Terrain model, featuring exclusive premium content that enhances off-road capability and an aggressive, monochromatic appearance. The All Terrain X’s powerful attitude reflects a popular personalization trend among off-road enthusiasts, executed with the top-range refinement GMC has cultivated for years with models such as the Sierra Denali. Its premium package of monochromatic exterior trim and special equipment offers a customized appearance in a limited-edition model, complemented with GMC’s latest technologies. The Sierra All Terrain package blends capability with unique style to make a statement on or off road. Highlights include: 4WD with Eaton locking rear differential Z71 Off-Road suspension package with Rancho monotube shocks, high-capacity air cleaner, Hill Descent Control and underbody transfer case shield Rear Park Assist Unique grille with body-color surround and tinted chrome accents; body-color front and rear bumpers (rear bumper with corner steps) Spray-on bedliner All-Terrain-logo instrument cluster Inclinometer in the driver information center. Product Details The new Sierra All Terrain X is offered on the 2016 Sierra 1500 4WD crew cab/short box models with SLT trim. In addition to the standard All Terrain content, the “X” package includes: 265/65R18SL Mud-Terrain-rated Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac MT tires, designed for off-road competence in dirt, gravel and mud, with on-road composure in dry, wet and wintry conditions 18 x 8.5-inch black aluminum wheels Sport side steps (black) Bed-mounted sport bar (black) designed to support the accessory off-road LED lighting package High-performance LED headlamps Performance exhaust system, which bumps output of the 5.3L V-8 engine to 365 horsepower and adds an aggressive note Body-color door handles and body-side moldings Black exterior mirrors, belt moldings and B-pillars Interior floor liners Available colors: Onyx Black, Summit White, Stone Blue Metallic, Iridium Metallic, Crimson Red Tintcoat, Light Steel Gray Metallic. On Sale Spring 2016 Quote “Styling is the biggest influence on Sierra customers and the new Sierra All Terrain X builds on that with a more aggressive, personalized appearance that complements its exceptional capability,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. “It joins other models such as the new Sierra Elevation and premium Sierra Denali to offers more choices for finding the premium truck that matches customers’ style and capability needs.” View full article