William Maley

Tesla isn't going to be the only automaker with an electric-only crossover. Audi announced this week they are planning to do an EV "sports activity vehicle" for early 2018. The announcement was made by Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi’s research and development boss during the brand's annual press conference. Hackenberg didn't go in much detail about the model, but did talk about certain items with Autocar. He revealed the model will use the MLB platform like the new Audi Q7 and feature design cues from the recent Audi Prologue concept car. Source: Audi, Autocar Image Source: Autocar Press Release is on Page 2 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management at AUDI AG for Technical Development Speech to the Annual Press Conference 2015 Ladies and Gentlemen, 2014 was the year of technical milestones, tests and records. Think of the sportiest piloted car in the world, the Audi RS 7 concept, which lapped the Hockenheimring racetrack extremely dynamically without a driver – at up to 240 km/h. Another mega-success was our 13th victory in the world's most important endurance race. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro with diesel-hybrid drive triumphed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 2014 – that was also 25 years of TDI technology. As strong evidence of the future viability of combustion engines, we showed the Audi RS 5 TDI concept – the fastest diesel ever timed on the Hockenheimring. For the first time, a high-performance model was powered by a fuel-efficient diesel engine with 283 kilowatts (385 horsepower). In terms of design, we laid down clear indications of a new direction last year. The Audi prologue is a signature car for our new design language. It combines esthetics with technology and is both progressive and highly emotive. Those are some examples of how we are shaping the mobility of the future with superior solutions. 2015 and after are years of technologies, products and customer enthusiasm. We will significantly accelerate our model initiative in 2015. Here are some highlights: The new Audi Q7* that we presented in Detroit in January is a benchmark for large premium SUVs – in terms of drivetrain, efficiency, weight, connectivity and space. Up to 325 kg lighter than its predecessor, CO2 champion in its class with just 149 g/km – that's efficiency in the top segment. At present, there is no other car in the world that offers more connectivity, infotainment and driver assistance. And it is the first automobile based on the second generation of our modular longitudinal platform (MLB 2). This applies to our second world premiere, too: The Audi Q7 e-tron quattro, that we presented in Geneva last week. It is the world's first plug-in hybrid with a diesel engine and quattro drive. It drives up to 56 kilometers purely on electric power and has best-in-class fuel consumption in the test cycle of just 1.7 liters per 100 km and it emits less than 50 grams of CO2 per km. It is therefore a clear demonstration of how we are consistently electrifying the drivetrains in our entire portfolio – and strengthening our overall efficiency. Also in Geneva, we presented three models of our new Audi R8 family – the Audi R8 V10*, the Audi R8 LMS for motorsport and the Audi R8 e-tron. That's "Vorsprung durch Technik" with full emphasis on sporty driving. The Audi R8, our sporty RS models, the sports-car icon Audi TT* and our traditionally excellent performance in motorsport all send the same message: Audi is about automotive sportiness, and quattro plays a substantial role. 35 years of quattro – that means: At present, we have more than 180 model versions with permanent all-wheel drive in all segments, from the Audi A1* small compact car to the Audi A8* large sedan. And more than six million quattro models sold since the first presentation in 1980. Audi is the leading premium all-wheel-drive brand and has the widest range of all-wheel-drive vehicles of all its direct competitors. Audi quattro continues to be our core technology. Our promise for the future: We will offer the unique sporty quattro driving experience also in the era of highly efficient and electric drive systems. Our automobiles will always carry the genuine Audi genes – sportiness, progressiveness and exclusiveness- and a lot of driving pleasure. And so, we enhance our development activities in innovative areas such as 1. Engines, efficiency and sustainability 2. Connectivity and piloted driving3. Design and lighting Since February 2014, Marc Lichte has been the Head of Audi design. With his team, he is working on a new design language that emphasizes our technology even more. We most recently gave a glimpse of this in Geneva: As you know, stylish station wagons have been called "Avant" at Audi for many years. The Audi prologue Avant continues this tradition with its dynamically stretched form. It is muscular and athletic and at the same time flowing and elegant. Already with the new Audi A4 and the Audi Q1, we will lay down new markers for emotive and precise design. The first products in Marc Lichte's design language will then be the new Audi A8, Audi A7 and Audi A6 models. From Marc Lichte now to lighting technology. In addition to its purely functional properties, light is a key feature of automobile esthetics. Our lighting innovations are leading. Exterior lighting is a car's signature. Interior lighting enhances the premium ambience. For the future of automobile lights we can say: They will get more dynamic and interactive, they will become a carrier of information. Information, communication and connectivity are dominant features of our lives already today. Our future is connected mobility. Connectivity in the car ensures that drivers and passengers experience more information, more safety and more comfort. Some examples: The Audi virtual cockpit, our fully digital combination instrument, premiered in 2014 in the new Audi TT. It's now going into the new Audi Q7 and Audi R8. Smartphones are now integrated through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They are charged inductively – very conveniently and wirelessly in the Audi phone box. Also to be found in the new Audi Q7: the Audi tablet for the passengers' infotainment. It is a proprietary development by Audi and is the first tablet with full automotive compatibility. That means it fulfills all temperature and crash requirements – these are features that you don't find with ordinary tablets. In the Audi prologue, we are presenting a revolutionary operating concept: The entire front of the dashboard is a large touch display. Architecture, display and operating concept form a harmonic whole. At CES 2015, we demonstrated the Audi mobile key. You can lock and unlock the car with your smartphone or smartwatch and you can let it drive into or out of the garage. Near-field communication and the latest encryption technology make sure this convenience function will meet all security standards. Audi is the pioneer of piloted driving. Since 2010, we have set one technical milestone after the other. The latest highlight: In January, we drove in piloted mode with journalists on public roads through two states of the US and generated great interest. Our technology is ready for series production. The new Audi A8, which we plan to launch in 2017, will be the first model to make the transition from assisted to piloted driving. It has a traffic-jam pilot on board and offers piloted parking. The new Audi A8 therefore represents a paradigm shift. The prerequisites for piloted driving are radar, laser and ultrasound sensors as well as cameras in and at the outside of the car. This is how we generate a precise picture of the traffic situation. We therefore create a stable, redundant system that masters all situations in road traffic. With the Audi prologue piloted driving, we are today letting you have a look at artificial intelligence in the future car. The Audi prologue continues to learn with every kilometer it drives and saves its knowledge in a data cloud. In the future, our cars will continually compare their data with that in the cloud. We are already testing piloted driving in Germany, the United States and Asia. In this way, we are learning a lot about the behavior of our cars, our drivers and other road users in real road traffic. Our objective is for Audi drivers and other road users to experience the increase in safety and comfort that connected mobility offers. Connected cars are not only safer, but also more efficient, as they adjust their driving style to the current traffic conditions. In this way, they support our vision of CO2-neutral mobility. We achieve the biggest reduction in CO2 emissions by fully utilizing the potential of our combustion engines. Here are two latest examples of how our engines will become more efficient: Number 1: We will equip TDI engines as standard with an electrically driven compressor (EAV). The Audi RS 5 TDI concept car was the first high-performance car in which we showed this development in 2014. With the electrically driven compressor, we were able to reduce CO2 emissions by up to seven grams of CO2 per kilometer while significantly increasing performance. Example number 2: The predictive efficiency assistant (PEA) is in use in the new Audi Q7 for the first time. It combines data from the navigation system and sensors to let the car drive in an anticipatory manner. In test drives, this reduced fuel consumption by about ten percent. We are working to meet worldwide market-specific CO2 limits also by optimizing the total vehicle, for example with system-integrative lightweight construction as in the new Audi Q7. Plug-in hybrids, natural gas and battery-electric drive systems have a key role to play in achieving CO2 targets. The Audi A3 e-tron* as a plug-in hybrid and the Audi A3 g-tron* powered by natural gas were successfully launched on the market in 2014. Both of them already have successors: the electrified Audi Q7 and the future Audi A4 g-tron based on the second generation of the modular longitudinal platform (MLB 2). We plan to have a plug-in hybrid in every model series in the coming years. In 2014, we announced that we will produce our sportiest ambassador for electric mobility, the Audi R8 e-tron, to customer order in a tailor-made manufacturing process. The time has come. Its range is a good 450 kilometers in the fuel-consumption cycle. With its efficient drivetrain, the Audi R8 e-tron offers competitive and customer-focused long-range electric mobility. We have redesigned the battery's technology from its ground and achieved a new level of performance and energy density. Its fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery has a capacity of more than 90 kWh and is integrated into the Audi Space Frame structure of the car. We manufacture this battery at the Audi center of excellence for battery technology in the Ingolstadt area. This is a great proof for the engineering power of Audi. In addition, the Audi R8 e-tron continues to be our technology carrier for future electric cars. In early 2018, we will launch a battery-powered sports activity vehicle in the large premium segment with a range of more than 500 kilometers. It will have a new, very attractive design, which we are developing especially for the e-tron range and for battery-electric vehicles. This sports activity vehicle will be built on the second generation of the modular longitudinal platform. From the very beginning, this tool for optimal drivetrain diversity implementation has been designed for a broad variety of concepts. As an alternative to battery-electric drivetrains and with regard to the future of the automobile, we presented our concept for fuel-cell technology in November 2014. On board of a fuel-cell powered car, electric energy is generated by a synthesis of hydrogen and oxygen. In our Audi A7 h-tron quattro technology carrier, we demonstrated the viability of this concept. And, this technology is ready for series development. Only four weeks ago, we acquired a number of strategically important patents from Ballard Power Systems, Inc., a global leader in fuel cell technology. This will further strengthen both our broad patent portfolio and our competitive advantage in terms of fuel cell technology development. I would like to close with some personal remarks. When I came back to Audi in July 2013, I committed myself to change. Jointly with the Technical Development team, I focused on pushing "Vorsprung durch Technik" with innovations in a more consistent manner. Also, I put a lot of emphasis on a new impetus for the design of our products. Today, we may say: We are doing the right things AND we are doing them with enthusiasm. We fuse technology and design in a fundamentally new design language. We are leading with pioneering technologies for high-tech combustion engines and alternative drive systems, lightweight construction, lighting, driver assistance, connectivity and data management, as well as for piloted driving. In this way, we are shaping the future of the automobile with convincing products, and we are offering our customers a sporty, connected, comfortable and efficient premium driving experience. We invest extensively in our global development network, strengthening our team with additional experts, and systematically applying the module strategy. Furthermore, development synergies across the brands in the Group offer great benefits. All of that contributes to an overall positive balance sheet of the Technical Development division. "Vorsprung durch Technik" – that applies more than ever. You may expect a lot from us – now and in the future. Thank you for your kind attention. View full article

Volkswagen is on a mission to cut costs and that means models will be shown the door. According to a report from German publication Der Spiegel, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said last June he would like to cut 5 billion Euros. Models that are being considered to get the ax include the three-door variant of the Volkswagen Polo. The reason for the cut is that the popularity of three-door hatchbacks has been declining in Europe. A key example of this is rival Renault dropping three-door version of the Clio. Dropping the three-door Polo variant would save around 200 million Euros. Der Spiegel also reports that the Beetle could be on the chopping block. A Volkswagen spokesman said "there are no decisions yet" on the future of the Beetle and Polo to Reuters. Source: Der Spiegel, Reuters View full article

The Ford F-150 had an impressive showing in the start of the this year with the F-Series lineup up 17 percent. But as reported in February sales numbers, the F-Series dropped 1.2 percent and the Ford brand itself dropped 1.7 percent year-over-year. So what happened? Blame it on the F-150 supply. The Detroit Free Press reports that the F-150 is currently only being made at the Dearborn Truck Plant. The other plant - Kansas City - which will also build the F-150, has finished up retooling and is now working on pre-production models to help train employees. But the Detroit Free Press notes with the change over at both plants, it has lost Ford 90,000 F-150 models not rolling off the assembly line. However there is some good news for the F-150. The Detroit Free Press says that the F-150 made up 21 percent of total F-Series in February and that the average time of F-150 sitting on dealer lots is about 18 days. Source: Detroit Free Press View full article

SRT, IPL (kinda), Type-R SVO was also used at Ford before, no? Yes - Most famously on the Mustang SVO in the mid-eighties.

General Motors is going to have quite the showing for the New York Auto Show with the introduction of the Cadillac CT6 and Chevrolet Malibu. Add another showing to that list. Chevrolet released a teaser shot of the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Spark. Chevrolet describes the Spark as having "sleeker, more aerodynamic profile and a progressive take on' the brand's design cues. From what we can tell from the shot, it looks like the Spark will sport with a larger lower grille and a new upper grill. “The new Spark’s design has evolved and grown up with the segment. The youthful whimsy of the original Spark is still in its genes, but it is conveyed in more traditional proportions that reinforce the customer’s refined expectations,” said Michael Simcoe, GM International vice president of Design. Chevrolet will be doing a dual debut in both New York and Seoul Auto Show on April 2nd. Source: Chevrolet Press Release is on Page 2 A Spark of Sophistication Chevrolet’s redesigned global minicar to debut in Seoul and New York on April 2 DETROIT –The all-new 2016 Spark will debut on April 2 at the Seoul and New York auto shows, Chevrolet announced today. A sleeker, more aerodynamic profile and a progressive take on Chevrolet’s signature design cues will give the redesigned Spark a more sophisticated aesthetic that reflects the changing tastes of the global minicar market. “The new Spark’s design has evolved and grown up with the segment,” said Michael Simcoe, GM International vice president of Design. “The youthful whimsy of the original Spark is still in its genes, but it is conveyed in more traditional proportions that reinforce the customer’s refined expectations.” Chevrolet has sold more than 1.1 million Sparks around the world since it went on sale as the Beat in India in late 2009. Today, the Spark is available in 71 markets worldwide, selling the most in South Korea, followed by the United States and Mexico. Spark is attracting younger and first-time car buyers to Chevrolet with 26 percent being under the age of 35. Sales of the Spark in the U.S. are up 32 percent in the first two months of 2015 versus the same period in 2014. View full article

Even though the SVO division is about a year old, the performance arm for Jaguar Land Rover has been making some news with such models as the Jaguar F-Type Project Seven and Range Rover Sport SVR. Now the division is possibly planning doing stand alone models. “We’re certainly looking at that, and we’ve got the capability to do that. Is there an opportunity for us to do a completely stand-alone car? Maybe,” said John Edwards, head of SVO. This would be a big step for a new division that still in its infancy. Bloomberg points out that its similar to AMG which when it was absorbed into Mercedes-Benz and started building high-performance variants of Mercedes' lineup. The past few years have seen the arm branch out and building their own stand-alone models - SLS and GT. But the difference is that AMG had a long time to develop a reputation - SVO doesn't have that luxury. Source: Bloomberg Business View full article

Since we first set our eyes on the Ford GT, we knew that it was going to be an expensive proposition for a lucky few. Now we have an idea of how expensive the new supercar will be. Speaking at the European introduction of the Ford GT, Raj Nair, Ford's Global Product Development chief said the model would “price wise, we’ll be facing off against cars like the Aventador.” That puts a possible pricetag for the GT around $400,000. As for how many GTs we'll see coming off the production line, Ford says that around 250 models will be built for 'several year'. Now with 250 models being built per year and costing $400,000, you have to wonder how Ford can justify it. “Because this is a very different car, this is the next chapter in the GT story, and we didn’t want to do what we’d already done. This is a supercar unlike any we’ve ever built before. The technology that’s going to reside in this car, the engineering that we’re throwing at it, we’re really raising the game. So that’s why,” said Ford Performance boss Dave Pericak to Car and Driver. Source: AutoGuide.com, @AMLassa Twitter, Car and Driver View full article

No. VW is still strong in EU/China. However, I have had doubts on its balance sheet, since VW-Porshce fiasco. There may be a gap between perception and reality of VW's financial strength. Yeah, there are rumors flying around that Volkswagen could cut some models to help out.

The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel has been widely lauded by the press for its impressive fuel economy. It has also become a big hit for the company. However, a number of owners are feeling a bit ill when driving their EcoDiesels. Detroit ABC news station WXYZ reported back in December that a number of Ram 1500 EcoDiesel owners are reporting feeling sick with a exhaust smell coming into the cabin. That smell happens to be diesel exhaust which causes headaches, lightheadedness, and dizzy-ness. Ram owner forums started reporting this issue in September and October, with a number of trucks being investigated by Chrysler and then being fixed with new exhaust coupling. At the time Chrysler said a small number of trucks were affected, however the number of complaints has since grown larger. Since the initial report, WXYZ has updated their story with a statement from Chrysler spokesman Eric Mayne saying the problem affects more trucks than previously thought, but only those that are two-wheel drive. Mayne decline to say how many trucks are affected, but did say that owners will be notified through a technical service bulletin, not a recall. Why not go with the recall? Chrysler has done internal testing to see where carbon monoxide levels were in the effected trucks and found that the levels were below a level where they were deemed to be too dangerous. Not surprisingly, some owners want Chrysler to go further. WXYZ interviewed a number of owners who reported that the smell was choking them and driving their vehicle required the windows being open. One said that he was worried about carrying kids in the truck due to the smell. We keep you updated if anything changes. Source: WXYZ, GreenCarReports.com, Ram1500Diesel.com View full article

The Fiat roadster (formally the Alfa Romeo roadster) that is being developed with a bit of help from Mazda has gotten a name. Automotive News Europe reports that the upcoming roadster will wear the 124 Spider name when it launches. This comes from Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne who revealed the name to reporters at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The name can trace it roots back to 1966 when it was used on a 2+2 convertible based on the Fiat 124. The original 124 Spider was designed by Pininfarina and come equipped with a variety of engines throughout its life including a 1.4L four-cylinder and 2.0L. Marchionne went onto say that the model would be sold worldwide, but didn't reveal a launch window. Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required) View full article

It seems for the longest time, we've been hearing that the Jeep Wrangler will be getting a diesel engine - a holy grail for many Wrangler fans. A new report says the diesel is in the cards, along with a eight-speed automatic. Autoblog has learned from a source at FCA that the next-generation Jeep Wrangler - due in the next few years - will have the option of a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 and ZF eight-speed automatic. This is the same combo found in Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500. When reached for comment, a Jeep spokeswoman said we don't comment on future product. Source: Autoblog View full article

The last-generation Chrysler Sebring/200 was the punchline to a bad joke. Whenever you saw one driving around, you could easily assume that it was either a rental car or the person got a smoking deal. Not a good sign when you’re playing in one of the highly-competitive classes in the marketplace; the midsize sedan class. So what do you do? For Chrysler, it was to start with a blank sheet and get some help from Fiat. The result is the 2015 Chrysler 200. So how does new 200 stack up against the midsize class? Well I spent a week in a 200C to find out. The 200’s exterior design appears to be a mishmash of other midsize sedan designs. The front end looks to be borrowed from the Ford Fusion and/or Kia Optima, while the roofline comes from the last-generation Hyundai Sonata. Say what you will about Chrysler’s designers being somewhat unoriginal, you do have to admit that the new 200 is far and away a huge improvement over the old model. My test 200 was wearing a burgundy paint color and sharp 19-inch wheels which make it quite the standout.If the exterior is quite the shock, then you might have your mind blown when stepping into the 200’s interior. Chrysler’s designers threw out the book on how to create a midsize interior and went in their own direction. The results are something you might be more used to in a luxury car, not something a midsize sedan. On the 200C, the interior is lined with leather along the dash and seats, and real wood trim. Designers also went for a knob for to select gears which opens up the center console to allow for a massive storage area. You could fit a small laptop computer in this space. Above the large storage space is Chrysler’s UConnect system with an equally large 8.4-inch touchscreen. The system as ever is easy to use and quick to respond. Space in the 200C is a bit mixed. Front seat passengers are able to find a comfortable position thanks to supportive bucket seats, and power adjustments. On my tester, the seats were ventilated, which only adds to the comfort level. Back seat passengers will find a decent amount of legroom, but headroom is at a premium. Due to the sloping roofline, it cuts the amount of headroom available in the sedan. Thoughts on Power and Handling are on the next page As power, you have the choice of either a 2.4L four-cylinder or a 3.6L V6. My tester was equipped with the latter which produces 295 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque and comes paired with a nine-speed automatic. The V6 is a perfect pairing to the 200 as it offers plenty of punch, along the refinement and smoothness the 3.6 has been hailed for. The nine-speed automatic seems to be a bit more in order from the last time I drove it as most of shuddering and not shifting into 9th gear has gone away. I think its a combination of the V6 engine and number of software updates Chrysler has been doing since 200 was launched. But that doesn’t mean all of the woes have been cured. The shift from 2nd to 3rd in my test car were very harsh. I can’t tell you if this was something with my test car or if it appeared in other 200s at this time. As for fuel economy, the EPA rates the 200C at 19 City/32 Highway/23 Combined. My week saw an average of 23.3 MPG. As for ride and handling, the 200C is more aimed at delivering comfort. Driving on some of the worst roads Michigan has to offer, the 200C’s suspension is able soak up imperfections and bumps with no problem. Road and wind noise is kept down, making this a perfect long-distance cruiser. As for sporty driving, the 200C isn’t really suited for it. The suspension does keep body roll mostly in check. Steering is quick but is a little too light for dicing with corners. Those who want a sporting 200 should look at the S model as it features tuning to the suspension to deliver a fun car in the corners. Calling the 2015 Chrysler 200 a major improvement over the last-generation model would be an understatement. Chrysler has made major strides in erasing the past and bringing in a credible contender with best-in-class interior, smooth performance from the V6, and styling that brings it into the present day. But the nine-speed does spoil the 200 with a harsh 2-3 shift. Chrysler has mostly everything right in 200 to make it a real champ, the nine-speed is holding it back. Disclaimer: Chrysler Provided the 200C, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2015 Make: Chrysler Model: 200 Trim: C Engine: 3.6L 24-Valve VVT V6 Driveline: Nine-Speed Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 295 @ 6,350 Torque @ RPM: 262 @ 4,250 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 19/32/23 Curb Weight: N/A Location of Manufacture: Sterling Heights, MI Base Price: $25,995 As Tested Price: $34,415 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge) Options: 3.6 Liter V6 24-Valve VVT - $1,950.00 Navigation and Sound Group I - $1,395.00 SafetyTec - $1,295.00 19' x 8' Polished Face w/Painted Pockets Aluminum Wheels - $995.00 Premium Group - $995.00 Premium Lighting Group - $795.00 View full article