William Maley

Another hybrid model is joining the Toyota family. The automaker announced today that it would be revealing a hybrid version of the RAV4 at the 2015 New York Auto Show next week. No other information was provided except that it would be shown on April 2nd. Our best guess to what the RAV4 Hybrid will be is something akin to the Camry Hybrid with the 2.5L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, providing a total output of 200 horsepower. Source: Toyota View full article

Since Ford made the announcement of the Focus RS and that it would be arriving in the U.S., we've been hungry for more details. Well Ford has dropped a few more bits as it announced that the Focus RS will make its North American debut at the New York Auto Show next week. There aren't really big differences between the North American-spec Focus RS to the Focus RS that will be sold in Europe. Power will come a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder producing at least 315 horsepower (expect more concrete performance numbers when we get closer to launch) and come paired with a six-speed manual and all-wheel drive combo. There will also be four different drive modes: Normal, Sport, Track, and Drift. As the name suggests, Drift will modify the torque distribution of the all-wheel drive to allow the vehicle to oversteer. Now for some bad news; While the Focus RS will appear at the New York Auto Show this year, you'll have to wait until next year to get your hands on one. Source: Ford Press Release is on Page 2 View full article

Subaru is planning a new seven-seat crossover for the U.S. marketplace that will be out in the next couple of years. But there is one problem the company is dealing with at the moment: should we go with a Forester-inspired or Outback-inspired look? "How can we differentiate the position of our product? That is the fundamental strategy," said " said Nobuhiko Murakami, senior vice president of global marketing for Subaru's parent company Fuji Heavy Industries. Both options have advantages: the Forester is easily-recognizable as a crossover, while the Outback has the rugged, off-road look. The one option Subaru will be avoiding is the Tribeca - the automaker's first attempt at a seven-seat crossover. The odd looks made the Tribeca a poor seller. But one thing is for certain - the seven seat crossover is a U.S. only affair. "Our resources are limited, and we have to develop our product by putting our major focus on the United States. This is the only way we will survive," said Murakami. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

I haven't noticed any turbo-lag in my tester, and yes newer 500Ls do have a six-speed automatic. Although I have found that the programming is somewhat screwy as the transmission tends to hold onto gears much longer that I think it should. I have an update tomorrow on some first impressions.

To say Chevrolet's previous attempts at doing a hybrid model of the Malibu have been lackluster, is an understatement. The past two attempts really didn't see a big increase in fuel economy and were not big sellers. Well Chevrolet hopes to change that as they have previewed the next Malibu Hybrid which the brand says will have better than 45 MPG combined. The next-generation Malibu Hybrid features an all-new, direct-injected 1.8L four-cylinder paired with a slightly modified two-motor drive unit from the Volt to produce a total output of 182 horsepower. An 80-cell 1.5 kWh battery pack provides the juice for the motors and plays a role in getting the Malibu Hybrid up to 55 MPH on electric power alone. The Malibu Hybrid will also boast Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery (EGHR) technology. EGHR uses the heat from the exhaust gas to warm up the engine and interior. “The 2016 Malibu Hybrid will offer impressive fuel economy, exceptional driving characteristics and gorgeous styling. Besides leveraging innovation from the Chevrolet Volt, the Malibu Hybrid also has unique features that help improve aerodynamics, like upper and lower grille air shutters to improve airflow and a reduced ride height, all of which help reduce fuel consumption,” said Jesse Ortega, chief engineer for the Chevrolet Malibu. Chevrolet says the new Malibu Hybrid will go on sale next spring. Source: Chevrolet Press Release is on Page 2 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Derives Technology from Volt GM estimates combined fuel economy ratings to exceed 45 mpg DETROIT – Chevrolet’s recent production announcement of its all-electric vehicle based on the Bolt EV concept, as well as the introduction of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt, will be joined by a strong hybrid version of the next-generation Malibu. Using technology from the 2016 Chevrolet Volt propulsion system, Malibu Hybrid will offer an estimated combined fuel economy rating exceeding 45 mpg, higher than the combined mileage ratings of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata hybrid variants. “The 2016 Malibu Hybrid will offer impressive fuel economy, exceptional driving characteristics and gorgeous styling,” said Jesse Ortega, Chevrolet Malibu chief engineer. “Besides leveraging innovation from the Chevrolet Volt, the Malibu Hybrid also has unique features that help improve aerodynamics, like upper and lower grille air shutters to improve airflow and a reduced ride height, all of which help reduce fuel consumption,” Ortega said. An all-new direct-injection 1.8L 4-cylinder engine mated to a two-motor drive unit slightly modified from the 2016 Chevrolet Volt drive unit powers the Malibu Hybrid. The drive unit provides additional power to assist the engine during acceleration, for 182 horsepower (136 kW) of total system power. The engine also features Chevrolet’s first application of Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery, or EGHR, technology, which uses exhaust heat to warm the engine and cabin. EGHR improves engine warm up and assures consistent fuel economy performance in cold weather. Additional fuel economy benefits come from Exhaust Gas Recirculation, or EGR. An 80-cell, 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides electric power to the Hybrid system. The advanced lithium-ion based chemistry can power the Malibu hybrid at up to 55 miles per hour on electricity alone. The gasoline-powered engine will automatically come on at higher speeds and high loads when necessary to provide additional power. Malibu Hybrid also shares power electronics from the 2016 Volt and a blended regenerative braking system, which provides maximum kinetic energy recovery during braking to be stored into the battery system to help maintain charge. The Malibu Hybrid will be manufactured in Kansas City, Kansas, at the Fairfax Assembly plant from globally sourced parts. It is due in Chevrolet dealer showrooms in spring 2016. View full article

#2 The founder's dining room table I'm going to guess D on #5 because of XK Coupe and Roadster

We have to admit Jaguar pulled off quite the stunt with the 2016 XF. Driving across London's Canary Wharf on two 784-foot long wires is no small feat, but it highlights some of the big changes made to second-generation model which Jaguar has divulged today. First off is the XF's body. Jaguar says the body is now 75 percent aluminum which means a drop of 132 pounds on the rear-drive model and 265 pounds on the all-wheel drive model. Aside from the obvious improvements to performance and fuel economy, Jaguar also promises an increase torsional stiffness and weight-distribution. When Jaguar released teaser shots of the XF last week, we couldn't make any headway on the exterior aside from saying that it looked similar to the current model. Well it seems that hunch was right on the money. Jaguar's design team left the basic shape the same and made minor changes with a wider grille, slimmer headlights, new taillights, and slightly smaller length (about 0.3 inches). Inside is very much XE with both models sharing a similar dashboard layout and the availability of either of a 8 or 10.2 inch screen with the automaker's new InTouch infotainment system. No matter which screen you have, it will be paired with a 12.3 inch screen in the instrument cluster and an increase of interior space. Jaguar is still keeping a fair bit of information under wraps but did reveal that it will have the choice of two supercharged 3.0L V6s with 340 and 380 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, with all-wheel drive - a new torque on-demand design, with a chain-drive transfer case instead of gear-drive - as an option. An eight-speed automatic comes as standard. Jaguar says the XF will go sale this fall. We'll have more information and live shots when the XF makes it debut at the New York Auto Show next week. Source: Jaguar Press Release is on Page 2 All-New 2016 Jaguar XF Revealed in Dramatic 'High-Wire' Journey Official global reveal of the all-new 2016 Jaguar XF marked by a three minute, 787ft 'high wire' journey across London's Canary Wharf Second generation XF redesigned to deliver better proportions, more interior space and a coupe-like profile New aluminum-intensive architecture contributes to a weight savings of 132lbs on RWD models and 265lbs on AWD models With the redesign of the XF, the entire Jaguar line-up now features aluminum-intensive construction Elegant, progressive design provides additional rear head room, knee room, and leg room Launching with a 340hp supercharged V6, as well as a 380hp supercharged V6 All-new Jaguar InControl® Touch Pro™ infotainment system available with 10.2-inch touchscreen and reconfigurable 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster All-new full LED headlights available Front Double-wishbone and Rear Integral Link suspension deliver exceptional ride comfort, handling and refinement Torque on-demand all-wheel drive system (AWD) with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics available All-new XF to make a public display debut in NYC ahead of its auto show debut on March 31-April 1 at iconic Flatiron location Full technical and range specifications will be released on April 1 On sale Fall 2015 (MAHWAH, NJ) - March 24, 2015 - The all-new 2016 Jaguar XF has been revealed through a dramatic 'high-wire' water crossing in the heart of the London business district. Expert British stunt man Jim Dowdell, veteran of Hollywood movies including Bond, Bourne and Indiana Jones, drove the all-new Jaguar XF 787ft (240 meters) across a high-wire to highlight the lightweight aluminum-intensive architecture featured on the vehicle. The feat took place high over the Royal Dock in London's Canary Wharf. "Over my 35 years in the industry I've driven Jaguar vehicles on many Hollywood movie sets. However, the biggest test for me on this stunt was the unpredictability of the elements. Potential oscillation in the high-wires from wind speeds meant it added a real challenge. The wires are only 34mm in diameter so the journey required absolute precision, balance and control" said, Jim Dowdell, expert stuntman. Meteorological experts and structural engineers were on hand to determine precise drive conditions, based on comprehensive crosswind analysis. As a contingency, Jim Dowdell was rigged up with abseil equipment, a cherry picker crane was on hand and a RIB safety speedboat waited on the banks. Footage of the drive can be viewed at jaguarusa.com/NewXF. The all-new Jaguar XF brings a blend of refinement, dynamics and design to the segment. It will make a public display debut in the Flatiron District of New York City (23rd and Broadway) on March 31 at 11 AM EST and will be available for public viewing through April 1 until 7 PM EST. Full technical and range specifications of the 16MY XF will be released on April 1 when the newest Jaguar model makes its global motor show debut at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. With its outstanding interior space, the dynamic, coupe-like design of the Jaguar XF is formed around the Jaguar aluminum-intensive architecture and delivers the outstanding proportions, elegant surfaces and pure lines which define Jaguar cars. The cabin utilizes a seamless blend of contemporary luxury materials and finishes, traditional Jaguar craftsmanship and all-new technology with available features such as the new Jaguar InControl® Touch Pro™ premium infotainment system1 and a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster. "In creating the all-new Jaguar XF, as a design team we have been driven by discipline, the discipline of simplicity. Every exterior line on the XF has a clear purpose - nothing is superfluous. Achieving that simplicity takes time and requires great determination; it's all too easy to add lines to a car, but much harder to add character by leaving lines out. "Inside too, we have been driven by the desire to ensure the cabin of the Jaguar XF is as comforting as it is comfortable. New technology, including our new 10.2-inch touchscreen, is combined carefully with materials that cosset and reassure. The all-new Jaguar XF has a clear sense of calm and strength, both outside and inside - and I'm proud of my team for delivering that," said Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar The sleek exterior and luxurious interior of the original XF made it a desirable, aspirational vehicle. The all-new XF retains these core attributes but uses the new Jaguar advanced aluminum-intensive architecture to elevate them to a completely new level. Featuring 75 percent aluminum, the architecture enables weight savings of 132lbs on RWD models and 265lbs on AWD models and an increase in torsional stiffness. The architecture also delivers dramatic improvements in packaging and proportions, essential to Jaguar design. Though 0.3in (7mm) shorter and 0.1in (3mm) lower than the car it replaces, the 116.5in (2,960mm) wheelbase of the all-new Jaguar XF is 2in (51mm) longer, delivering more rear leg room, knee room and head room. Two 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engines will be offered in the first model year featuring 340hp/332lb. ft. and 380hp/332lb. ft. ratings. Both engines are matched exclusively to eight-speed automatic transmissions. The light, stiff body structure is also fundamental to the superb vehicle dynamics of the all-new XF. The sophisticated front double wishbone and rear Integral Link suspension, combined with near-50:50 weight distribution, delivers the ideal balance between agility, comfort and refinement. Incorporating all of the learning from the Jaguar F-TYPE and the Jaguar XE, the meticulously-tuned Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system2 provides the XF with excellent steering feel and response. Advanced passive damper technology delivers exceptional ride comfort as standard, but for additional control the optional Adaptive Dynamics system2 determines the optimum damper settings for the driving conditions. When fitted, Jaguar Configurable Dynamics, first developed for the Jaguar F-TYPE, provides the ultimate in control and enables the driver to individually tailor settings of the suspension, steering, engine and eight-speed automatic transmission 2. For select markets, such as the US, which demand all-wheel drive (AWD), Jaguar has engineered a new torque on-demand system. The transfer case uses a chain drive instead of gears and is light, quiet and efficient. Capability is also enhanced by the advanced control system first used in the Jaguar F-TYPE AWD: Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD). This system delivers rear-drive handling with the performance and traction benefits of AWD 2. Also standard on the all-new XF is All-Surface Progress Control system, developed for low-speed driving in adverse conditions. This system is designed to automatically manage the brakes and the throttle to deliver additional traction, enabling the car to pull away smoothly in low-grip situations; the driver only has to steer 2. Infotainment and connectivity is the most advanced Jaguar has ever offered from the all-new Jaguar InControl® Touch™ system1 featuring an 8-inch touchscreen or the optional InControl Touch Pro™ with a 10.2-inch touchscreen to InControl Apps™ and InControl Remote™. To handle large amounts of data, the optional Jaguar InControl Touch Pro features a 10.2-inch touchscreen, a solid-state drive, a quad-core processor, and runs on an ultra-fast Ethernet connection - a next-generation network offering exceptional data transfer rates. Combined, they deliver incredible graphics, fast response times and truly exceptional performance. Complementing InControl Touch Pro is an available reconfigurable 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster. Jaguar Land Rover pioneered this technology with the Range Rover and is now bringing it to the sedan segment. The all-new Jaguar XF offers a wide range of available advanced driver assistance systems, including full-LED headlights and Laser Heads-Up Display 2. The all-new aluminum-intensive 2016 Jaguar XF will be manufactured at the Jaguar Land Rover Castle Bromwich Plant alongside the all-aluminum Jaguar F-TYPE and Jaguar XJ. View full article