William Maley

Scion appears to be growing up. The brand which launched in 2003 with non-mainstream vehicles, a unique buying process, and a marketing campaign aimed at young buyers was a breath of fresh air. But the industry collapse back in 2008 and an aging lineup has seen Scion lose their key audience and drift into obscurity. So what does a brand aimed at young people that is treading water do? For Scion, it was time to get creative and work somewhat outside the box. Thus at New York, Scion introduced the iA and iM. What makes both of these vehicles different is they are actually rebadged version of other models. The iA is the sedan version of the new Mazda2, while the iM is the European Toyota Auris. So how do both of these new models stack up? First up is the 2016 Scion iA. For the most part, the iA is quite the sleek looking vehicle with sharp lines and a distinctive profile. This is due to the Scion iA being a slightly restyled Mazda2, which itself is quite the good looking subcompact. The one part where Scion had responsibility in the design was creating a unique front fascia. It looks like Scion squished the tC's front clip into the space for the front fascia. Many journalists who saw the iA thought it was ugly. But Scion explained they wanted something that was polarizing to stand out in a somewhat crowded class. They got that with the Scion iA for better or worse. Inside, the Scion iA is pure Mazda. This means we’re treated to a simple dashboard design with a fine mix of hard plastics, paired with soft-touch materials and stitching on the dashboard.. Also, the iA gets Mazda’s latest seven-inch infotainment system with a screen on top of the dash and set of controls on the center console. This system is easy to use and simple to navigate around. In terms of seating, the front passengers get a set of supportive bucket seats. The back seat is standard for the class with enough head and legroom for most passengers. However, you should tell your passengers to put the seat rests up Otherwise, they’ll be wondering why the backseat is trying to eat their back. Power comes from a 1.5L four-cylinder with 106 horsepower and 101 pound-feet of torque. There is a choice of either six-speed manual or automatic. In terms of fuel economy, the iA is rated by the EPA at 31 City/41 Highway/35 Combined for the manual, and 33 City/42 Highway/37 Combined for the automatic. For the suspension, the iA employs a McPherson strut front suspension and a torsion-beam axle in the rear. As for braking, the iA uses disc brakes around. On to the drive! The Scion iA seems perfectly suited for the city as the 1.5L engine is more than capable of getting up speed at a decent rate. On the expressway and country roads, the engine struggles to get up to speed. This is somewhat surprising when you take into account the iA's curb weight of 2,416 pounds for the automatic. At least the six-speed automatic is smooth and quick. But the iA begins to redeem itself when it comes to ride and handling. Ride quality was very composed and was rarely unsettled by any potholes or bumps. Handling reveals a bit of Mazda influence with iA feeling planted when pushed. The steering has a good feel and weight when you are hustling around. Like other Scions, the iA will be offered in what the brand calls ‘Mono spec’ - which means there is one configuration that boasts a lot of standard equipment including air conditioning, Bluetooth, the seven-inch infotainment system, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a low-speed pre-collision system. The only things a buyer needs to pick is whether to go with the manual or automatic transmission, color, and whether or not to go for the optional navigation system. Pricing starts at $16,495 for the manual, and $17,595 for the automatic (prices include a $795 destination charge). Scion appears to be going in gracefully with maturing if the 2016 iA is any indication. Teaming up with Mazda to build this subcompact sedan proved to be right call since a lot this vehicle just works and drives pretty well. If you can get over the front end, then the Scion iA is worth a look. Disclaimer: Scion Invited Cheers & Gears to a Two-Day Driving Event In Grand Rapids Year: 2016 Make: Scion Model: iA Trim: N/A Engine: 1.5L DOHC, Direct-Injected, 16-Valve Four-Cylinder Driveline: Front-Wheel Drive; Six-Speed Manual, Six-Speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM: 106 @ 6000 Torque @ RPM: 103 @ 4000 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 31/41/35 (Manual), 33/42/37 (Automatic) Curb Weight: 2,385 lbs (Manual), 2,416 lbs (Automatic) Prices: $16,495 (Manual), $17,595 (Automatic) - Prices includes a $795 Destination Charge On Sale: September 1st View full article

Cadillac's boss Johan de Nysschen has a plan to rehabilitate Cadillac's image. Part of this plan deals with the dealers with tightening inventory and end the sell-at-any-cost mentality. But as Automotive News reports, there is a slight problem as Cadillac's dealer incentive programs promote the opposite. One incentive attaches $700 in dealer bonus money to every Cadillac vehicle they order from the factory, while another has cash payouts for growing sales. “The business model has been structured more for the bigger brands inside General Motors, rather than the small Cadillac brand,” said de Nysschen. “The luxury business is different.” de Nysschen instead wants to give incentives to dealers “in terms of the overall support to the brand.” This could mean meeting certain marks in customer satisfaction scores or new requirements to have an adequate recruiting process. At the moment, Cadillac is in talks with their national dealer council “to develop the next generation of what these programs should look like for Cadillac.” Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Lexus is readying another flagship vehicle to sit along the LS sedan. Speaking with Reuters, Lexus General Manager Jeff Bracken said the Japanese automaker is considering a new flagship. "We need a flagship. It doesn't have to be a sedan," said Bracken. "In addition to the LS (a large sedan), there could be another flagship in our lineup. We'll define what it is in January." There are two vehicles that are possibly in contention. The first is the long-rumored LF-LC coupe concept, wearing the SC nameplate. The other is another SUV. Source: Reuters View full article

Cowboy Bebop OST 4 - Gotta Knock A Little Harder

I should not be left alone with a meme generator:

After doing a few special edition models for the Silverado, Chevrolet has decided to do some as well for the Colorado. First up is the Colorado Midnight edition. Following in the footsteps of the larger Silverado Midnight edition, the Colorado Midnight boasts a grille, bowtie, and 18-inch wheels draped in black. Other changes for the Midnight include spray-in bedliner, tonneau cover, and unique sill plates. This special edition won't be limited to one cab and engine configuration. You'll be able to get this package on any cab configuration, along with engine and the choice of either two or four-wheel drive. Next is the Trail Boss which is available on the Z71 trim. The Trail Boss boasts LED trail lighting and aggressive Goodyear Wrangler DuraTec tires to amp up its off-road character. There is also 17-inch wheels, newly flared fenders, side steps, and a spray-in bedliner. Like the Midnight edition, the Trail Boss can be configured with your choice of cab, engine, and drivetrain. "These are aggressive editions of one of the country's hottest-selling truck, demonstrating the personalization that's possible with Chevrolet accessories, whether it's for the street, trail or both. As the Colorado continues to win over new customers, the new Midnight Edition and Z71 Trail Boss give them more choices and build on segment-leading capabilities and efficiency," said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. Both special editions will be arriving at dealers this fall. Source: Chevrolet Press Release is on Page 2 2016 Chevy Colorado Special Models Dressed to Impress Midnight Edition, Z71 Trail Boss complement capability with customized style DETROIT – On the street or on the trail, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado’s Midnight Edition and Z71 Trail Boss bring bolder choices to customers looking to make a visual statement with their truck. The special editions roll into Chevrolet dealerships this fall, with distinctly tailored appearances that blend custom design cues with Colorado’s popular options and accessories. The Midnight Edition evokes the aesthetic of an urban tuner vehicle, while the Z71 Trail Boss is designed for terrain where the pavement ends. “These are aggressive editions of one of the country’s hottest-selling truck, demonstrating the personalization that’s possible with Chevrolet accessories, whether it’s for the street, trail or both,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “As the Colorado continues to win over new customers, the new Midnight Edition and Z71 Trail Boss give them more choices and build on segment-leading capabilities and efficiency.” Colorado Midnight Edition Echoing the blacked-out design theme introduced on the popular Silverado Midnight Edition, the 2016 Colorado Midnight Edition casts an imposing stance. Offered exclusively in black, additional exterior details such as the grille, the bowtie emblem and the 18-inch aluminum wheels are also finished in black. Additional content includes a spray-on bedliner and soft, folding tonneau cover – both in black, of course – and Chevrolet-logo sill plates. The Colorado Midnight Edition is available on LT models with the extended and crew cab bodies, in 2WD or 4WD, and with the 2.5L and 3.6L engines. It will also be available with the all-new 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine. Pricing will be announced later. Colorado Z71 Trail BossThe 2016 Colorado Z71 Trail Boss builds on the capability of Chevrolet’s Z71 off-road truck suspension package with more aggressive tires and off-road-inspired appearance enhancements. An all-new sport bar with LED trail lighting makes the new edition of the Trail Boss instantly identifiable. It’s complemented by black-finished 17-inch aluminum wheels matched with aggressive Goodyear Wrangler DuraTec® 265/65R17 all-terrain tires, bold fender flares and tubular assist steps. It also features a black bowtie grille emblem and a spray-on bedliner, and a set of all-weather floor mats inside the truck. The Colorado Z71 Trail Boss is available on Z71 models with the extended and crew cab bodies, and in 2WD or 4WD. Like the Midnight Edition, it will also be available with the 2.5L and 3.6L engines, as well as the 2.8L Duramax diesel. Pricing will be announced later. View full article

The past few years have seen Kia show off some sports car concepts and many have been wondering if Kia would actually build one. Well according to Autocar, Kia will be doing just that. Kia UK boss Paul Philpott revealed that the Korean automaker will launch a new sports car “by the end of the decade”. Not many details about this new car are known since it is still in the planning stages. What is known is that the new model will take ideas from the GT and Stinger GT4 concepts, and not be based on any other Kia model. This comes at an interesting time since earlier in the week, Hyundai President & CEO Tony Whitehorn told Autocar that they don't have any plans to build a sports car. “Not many people make money out of sports cars. The sports car market is shrinking dramatically, and even firms with heritage and a great product are struggling. Aside from the Audi TT and Mazda MX-5, it is a tough place to be,” said Whitehorn. Source: Autocar View full article

I think Scion has been no-haggle for years. Yeah, Scion has been doing this since the start. I believe its called Pure Price.

Twelve Lexus dealers in the U.S. are part of a pilot program of offering haggle-free pricing as a way to improve customer satisfaction. “While negotiation-free pricing is not revolutionary, we strongly believe the concept will further elevate transaction transparency and customer care,” said Jeff Bracken, general manager of Lexus at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars. Wards Auto says the program works by dealers setting prices that will be relative to their local market. “They’ll drive it based on what they think is a reasonable sale price and they really do stick to that price,” said Bracken. From there, a buyer comes into the dealership and pays the price the dealer has selected for the desired vehicle. The buyer will be working with same dealership employee throughout the entire transaction. This is important as many buyers don't like being shuffled around to different people during the buying process according to research. Now if the experiment proves to be a success, Lexus will expand this program nationwide and allow dealers to opt into the program. Source: Wards Auto View full article

Indeed. The regular Santa Fe starts at $30,400, while the Santa Fe Sport with the 2.0T begins at $31,250.

Alfa Romeo is putting the finishing touches on their first SUV and will go into production at the end of the first half or start of the second half of 2016. Sales will begin sometime in the fall for Europe, with the U.S. getting it three months later. "All the preparation work" in connection with the launch of the second Alfa is done, said Sergio Marchionne on a conference call Thursday to discuss Fiat Chrysler’s second-quarter results. "Alfa’s plan is progressing as we told you it will go." Automotive News Europe reports the SUV will be around the size of an Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The new model doesn't have a name, but sources do say the model will use the Guilia platform. Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required) View full article