William Maley

Mazda has another crossover waiting in the wings as two sets of spy shots from China show us. This new crossover's name is currently being debated by various websites as to call it the CX-4, CX-6, or CX-7. What we can tell you is this CX crossover looks to be a production version of the Mazda Koeru concept shown in Frankfurt last year. Comparing the various spy shots to pictures of the Koeru concept reveal Mazda has kept a lot of the concept's design for the production model. Such details as the front end that is similar to the CX-3 and CX-5 to the sharply raked rear end are present. Inside looks like every other Mazda with the same center stack design and control knob behind the transmission lever. CarNewsChina reports the Chinese-market version will get the choice of either a 2.0L or 2.5L four-cylinder. Expect similar options if this new CX comes to the U.S. As for when we'll see it, reports say either the Geneva Motor Show in March or the Beijing Auto Show in April. Source: PopSUV.com, CarAdvice.com.au, CarNewsChina Pic Credit: PopSUV.com View full article

All-wheel drive in the sport compact/hot hatch marketplace seems to only be reserved for the upper echelon; the upcoming Ford Focus RS, Subaru WRX STI, Volkswagen Golf R, and the outgoing Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Step down one rung and most sport compacts send power to the front wheels. Ask why most automakers don’t add AWD and you might get an answer of it would ruin the balance of the vehicle or it would be too expensive. But one automaker does have AWD in their sport compact and that would be Subaru. Ok, Subaru has AWD in most of their vehicles, so adding AWD to their WRX sedan isn’t a problem. But it does give the WRX a big selling point in a growing class. The WRX is based on the Impreza, but you wouldn’t know that by looking at the exterior. Subaru has made a number of changes to the exterior to make the WRX seem like its own model. The front end gets a new rectangular grille and a large hood scoop. Around the side are seventeen-inch wheels finished in gray and WRX nameplates on the front fenders. A rear diffuser with quad exhaust tips and a lip spoiler complete the rear. Sadly, the WRX and WRX STI don’t come in a five-door like the last-generation. Move inside and you can tell this is an Impreza. Subaru has tried to dress up the WRX with a flat-bottom steering wheel, sport seats, improved interior materials, and faux carbon fiber trim. But for the $32,855 as-tested price, it looks and feels very spartan. Many fans of the WRX and STI will argue that you don’t buy these cars for the interior, you buy them for the performance. While I can see some validity in that argument, the fact that for the same amount of money as this WRX, you can get into a fully loaded Ford Focus ST or a nicely equipped Volkswagen GTI with much nicer interiors. There are some positive points to the WRX’s interior. The sport seats have the right amount of bolstering to hold you in place when your playing around and don’t make you feel uncomfortable on long-distance trips. The rear seat provides a decent amount of headroom, but legroom is tight for taller passengers. Subaru has also gotten rid their aftermarket-looking infotainment system for a system that looks more appropriate. The seven-inch touchscreen features Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system that boasts features such as Pandora integration and hands-free text messaging. The combination of quick performance and large touchpoints makes the system one of the easiest in the industry. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0L boxer-four with 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with Subaru’s well-renown all-wheel drive system and either a six-speed manual (what I had) or Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT. Power comes on a very smooth and linear fashion throughout the rpm band. This is due to the turbo building boost at a quick rate and the wide spread of torque from 2,000 to 5,200 rpm. Also, I like that you can hear the woosh of the turbocharger working. The six-speed manual is somewhat clunky to use as the shift action feels somewhat limp and you have to make sure you have the lever fully in the position of the gear, otherwise you are not moving. At least, the transmission has a defined pattern so you know where you are in the gear pattern. In terms of fuel economy, the 2016 WRX with the manual is rated by the EPA at 20 City/27 Highway/23 Combined. My average for the week in the WRX landed around 21.6 MPG. Not great, but I’ll admit I was driving this a little bit hard just to hear the turbo working. Despite not participating in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), the WRX retains a lot of that pedigree. Point the WRX down your favorite road and it transforms into a rally car. Body lean has gone away and the all-wheel drive system provides tenacious grip. I pushed the WRX around some tight corners and the car never showed any signs of struggle. More impressive is how the all-wheel drive system keeps the WRX planted on gravel roads. Yes, you can turn the traction and stability control off if you want to live out your fantasy of being a rally driver. Steering is very responsive and provides good feedback of the road. As for the daily grind, the WRX’s suspension is on the firm side. But it is a small price to pay for the performance you get. Some will complain there is a fair amount of road and wind noise coming into the cabin. One other item that should be mentioned; Subaru’s EyeSight system which uses stereo cameras to scan the road and feed the data to the adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, and lane-departure warning system is only available on the top Limited trim equipped with the CVT. If you opt for the manual, you don’t have that option. I have reached out to Subaru to find out the reason for this and will update when I get a response. The 2016 Subaru WRX is an interesting option in the sport compact class. At the moment, it is the only model in the lower echelon of sport compacts that come with all-wheel drive. For some, this is what they want in a sport compact. But the high price tag and spartan interior may have you running towards the Ford Focus ST which offers the same performance level and a nicer interior. It really comes down to what you are looking for in a sport compact. Personally, I really liked my time in the WRX. But I would likely go for either the base WRX or a lightly optioned Premium to make me feel at ease with the purchasing decision. Cheers: All-Wheel Drive Traction Looks that standout Turbocharged engine Jeers: Interior still lags behind the competition Manual transmission needs to go to finishing school High price tag Disclaimer: Subaru Provided the WRX, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2016 Make: Subaru Model: WRX Trim: Premium Engine: 2.0L Twin-Scroll Turbocharged DI Boxer Four-Cylinder Driveline: Six-Speed Manual, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 268 @ 5,600 Torque @ RPM: 258 @ 2,500 - 5,200 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 20/27/23 Curb Weight: 3,386 lbs Location of Manufacture: Kanto, Japan Base Price: $28,895 As Tested Price: $32,855 (Includes $795.00 Destination Charge) Options: Navigation + harman/kardon Audio System - $2,100 View full article

Ford will be pulling out of the Indonesian and Japanese markets as they cannot make any headway in terms of market share. Reuters got their hands on an email from Ford's Asia Pacific President Dave Schoch who told employees today that the company would exit all areas of the car business, including dealerships and the importing of Ford and Lincoln vehicles. "Unfortunately, this also means that our team members based in Japan and Indonesia will no longer work for Ford Japan or Ford Indonesia following the closures," Schoch said in the email. Ford began selling vehicles in Japan in 1974 and has 52 dealers in the country. Sales last year totaled around 5,000 vehicles, making up 1.5 percent of the import new car market. Ford has had a tough go in Japan as many buyers tend to go with the domestic brands. Not helping is the combination of a population getting older and younger people foregoing cars. Ford Indonesia was set up in 2002 and has a network of 44 dealers. Last year, the blue oval sold about 6,000 vehicles, making up a poor 0.6 percent of the market. Intense competition from Japanese automakers, a market struggling due to a slowdown, and the expense of importing vehicles to the country spelled doom for the automaker. "In Indonesia, without local manufacturing ... there's just really no way that automakers can compete in that market, and we do not have local manufacturing," said a Ford spokeswoman in Japan. Source: Reuters View full article

The emission cheating that went back to 2006 and would land Volkswagen in deep trouble last September was an open secret in the automaker's engine development department. German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung along with regional broadcasters NDR and WDR reported on Friday some of the results of Volkswagen's internal investigation into the diesel cheating scandal. The cheating goes back to 2006 at Volkswagen's engine development department. With strict U.S. emissions standards looming, the department was given an impossible task; find a cost effective solution to develop clean diesel engines. Pressure from the board and fear of telling their bosses that it could not be done only added to fire of going with cheating. "Within the company there was a culture of 'we can do everything', so to say something cannot be done, was not acceptable," said Sueddeutsche Zeitung in its report (and translated by Reuters). Thus, the decision was made the development team to commit fraud to meet this impossible task. Sueddeutsche Zeitung says the cheating began in earnest in November 2006 and the staff took solace that regulators would not be able to detect the cheating with regular testing methods. The cheat was an open secret to those in the department. That doesn't mean someone tried to speak out. The report says in 2011, a whistleblower who was involved in the deception, told a senior manager outside the department about the cheating. The manager reportedly did nothing. A Volkswagen spokesman declined to comment on what he called 'speculation'. Source: Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Reuters View full article

It has been awhile since we have heard anything on Cadillac's powertrain plans. But CEO Johan de Nysschen was in a talkative mood about it and Car and Driver was there to catch it. First is a V8 coming the CT6. The V8 will be a 4.2L and feature twin-turbos. This engine isn't based on GM's small-block architecture. The 4.2L displacement is interesting as competitors - mostly Germans - only go up to 4.0L to avoid Chinese taxes on high-displacement engines. Cadillac doesn't expect to sell many CT6s equipped with V8 in China, focusing more on the Plug-In Hybrid version for the market. Power is expected to be “in the upper 400s,” de Nysschen said. Car and Driver speculates this engine will only be available on the Platinum trim. de Nysschen also talked about the luxury brand's plan for diesel engines. We reported last May that Cadillac was working on a new four and six-cylinder diesel engines that were being built with Europe in mind, but there was a chance of them being offered in the U.S. A few months later, the Volkswagen diesel emission crisis broke out. “We pulled that trigger before the current dilemma,” said de Nysschen about the future of Cadillac's diesel plans. “If you have gone that far in a program, you might as well carry it through.” de Nysschen's comments echo commitments made by other automakers. Audi and BMW have said they will stick with diesel, and Land Rover has just introduced a diesel option for the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Source: Car and Driver, 2 View full article

The first bellwether trial against General Motors over the faulty ignition switch has come to abrupt end. The plaintiff, Robert Scheuer has voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against the automaker according to a filing in Manhattan federal court today. Scheuer accused GM of concealing a defect in the ignition switch that caused the airbags in his 2003 Saturn Ion to not deploy when he crashed into two trees in Oklahoma in May 2014. The accident caused injuries to Scheuer's back and neck. As we reported in December, GM tried to dismiss the case. However, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman said the plaintiff had provided sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial. So why was the case dismissed? To understand fully, we need to look at one of the claims made by Scheuer. He claims the crash caused memory loss and, in turn, caused him to misplace a $49,500 check for a down payment on a house in Tulsa, OK. This caused Scherer's family to be evicted from the house. But paperwork filed by GM's lawyers earlier this week tell a much different story. They have found evidence that Scheuer committed check fraud when buying the house. A real estate agent found Scheuer faked a check stub totaling $441,430.72 from his federal government retirement account as a “proof of funds”. The check stub originally totaled $430.72 before the changes took place. GM lawyer Richard Godfrey said in the filing suggests that Scheuer "misled his own counsel, as well as the court and the jury.” GM asked Judge Jesse Furman to present the evidence and bring two witnesses; the real estate agent and a forensic technology expert. “We are assessing GM’s allegations about a situation we were unaware of,” Robert Hilliard, the lawyer representing Scheuer told Bloomberg earlier this week. On Thursday, Furman granted GM permission to present this new evidence to the jury. Furman also said the new evidence would be “devastating,” making the suit “almost worthless as a bellwether case.” Furman urged the two parties to consider dismissing the case. “The apparent lies the plaintiff and his wife told the jury ended the trial early, and we are pleased that the case is over without any payment whatsoever to Mr. Scheuer,” GM spokesman Jim Cain said in a statement. Scheuer and his wife have hired criminal defense lawyers. The dismissal of this case is unlikely to affect other cases against. What it will do is make it slightly harder to determine the value of similar claims. Source: Bloomberg (2), Reuters View full article

The diesel emission scandal has caused Audi to change up their development cycle. A source tells Car and Driver that Audi has sped up the development cycle for e-tron quattro and h-tron quattro models. The board has allegedly diverted engineering and financial resources toward these models and put all non-essential projects on the back burner. “Everybody is of course concerned about the aftereffects of the diesel crisis, and the thinking is that Audi has to show people we are serious about these kinds of cars,” said the source. “Every kind of thinking has changed since the diesel problems. We are pushing to bring zero-emission cars to market as fast as we can now—and pushing to do them right.” Here is what we know about the two models. The e-tron quattro will be arriving in 2018 and sit in between the Q5 and Q7 (this is the supposed Q6 model). Much like the e-tron quattro concept shown at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, the production model will boast three electric motors - one on the front axle and two on the rear axle. Range is expected to be around 370 miles. A year later, the production version of the h-tron quattro will appear. It will supposedly have a range of 370 miles and can be re-filled with hydrogen in four minutes. But what about the non-essential projects? This is where it gets interesting. Car and Driver says there are three projects on hold - the Q4, TT Offroad, and TT Sportback. The Q4 as we reported earlier this week is a coupe-like crossover based on the Q3. The two TT models were the dream of former Audi development chief Ulrich Hackenberg of creating a TT family. Source: Car and Driver View full article