William Maley

Toyota has quite the showing at the Chicago Auto Show next week. First off is a refresh for the full-size Avalon sedan. We don't much about the refresh, but judging from a from teaser shot, Toyota has made some slight tweaks to front end. We'll have more information come next week. The other two reveals are special edition models of the Camry and Corolla. The Camry Special Edition starts off as the SE model equipped with four-cylinder engine and gets some more aggression. This begins on the exterior with a choice of either Blizzard Pearl or Blue Streak Metallic paint; 18-inch wheels with black accents, and smoked taillights. Inside are a set of sport seats with blue stitching and black bolsters, Entune Audio Plus stereo, push-button start, and a moonroof. Toyota plans on building 12,000 Camry Special Editions starting in August. The Corolla Special Edition takes the Corolla S Plus model and adds a set of gloss black 17-inch wheels and a choice of Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl, or Super White colors. Inside is red stitching and accents for the seats, dashboard, and door trim. You'll also get push-button start and special edition floor mats. Toyota plans on building 8,000 Corolla Special Editions starting in August. Source: Toyota Press Release is on Page 2 Toyota to Create Turbulence in Windy City with Sporty Camry and Corolla Special Editions Camry and Corolla to Create Excitement With Special Edition Debuts Limited Production Models Equipped With Unique Sport-Themed Features Refreshed Avalon to be Unveiled at Chicago Auto Show CHICAGO, (Feb. 5, 2015) – Winds of change will be blowing into the Chicago Auto Show. Toyota’s Camry mid-size sedan, the best-selling car in America for the past 13 years, and Corolla compact sedan, the world’s best-selling car of all time, will debut special edition models at next week’s Chicago Auto Show. The debuts will be part of a press conference that will also feature a refreshed Avalon sedan. Camry Special Edition When redesigning the Camry for 2015, Toyota went bumper to bumper and floor to roof, changing or re-engineering nearly 2,000 parts. Only the roof remained unchanged, and it capped off the boldest Camry ever. Now, only one year after this major redesign, America’s best-selling car will offer the 2016 Camry Special Edition for owner’s looking for an extra dose of both aggressiveness and technology. Based on the youthful Camry SE, the limited production Camry will add sporty interior and exterior features. In addition to features found on the Camry SE, standard equipment on the Special Edition will include: Unique 18-inch alloy wheels with machined face contrasted with gloss black painted accents Power tilt/slide moonroof Smoked tail lamp treatment High contrast blue stitching on the seats, shift boot, and dash Exclusive sport appearance seats trimmed with black SofTex bolsters and blue patterned inserts Sport meter cluster with blue details and white background Entune Audio Plus Available Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite Smart Key with Pushbutton Start Qi Wireless Charging Two exterior colors: Blizzard Pearl and new Blue Streak Metallic Floor mats with logo and unique exterior badge The Camry Special Edition will be powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Like all Toyota vehicles, the Camry Special Edition will come standard with the Star Safety System. Production of the Camry Special Edition will be limited to approximately 12,000 units and will run from August 2015 to January 2016. Corolla Special Edition The iconic Toyota Corolla is the world’s best-selling name plate of all-time with over 40 million sold since 1966. With its all-new 11th generation introduced in 2014, the current Corolla is the roomiest and most fuel-efficient ever. Corolla will add more driving excitement with the launch of the 2016 Corolla Special Edition. Sporty styling features, inside and out, complement a spirited driving experience made possible with steering wheel paddle shifters, rear disc brakes and Sport Driving Mode along with an array of additional standard features. Based on the sporty Corolla S Plus grade, the 2016 Corolla Special Edition will turn heads as it adds: Unique 17-inch alloy wheels with gloss black finish Black interior with red contrast stitching Red accented dash and door trim Smart Key System with pushbutton start Three colors: exclusive Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl and Super White Special Edition floor mats with logo and unique exterior badge Toyota’s Entune™ Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite and power tilt/slide moonroof will be available as options. The Corolla Special Edition will be produced between August and December 2015 and will be limited to 8,000 units. In addition to the Camry and Corolla Special Editions, Toyota will unveil the refreshed 2016 Avalon premium mid-size sedan during a press conference in the Toyota display at Chicago’s McCormick Place on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 2:30 p.m. CST. View full article

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been working hard on trying to fix the nagging issues with the nine-speed automatic in the Jeep Cherokee and certain Chrysler 200s with constant updates. But those updates aren't making a dent in those issues as a number of complaints of hard shifts, lunging, and unexpected disengagement of the transmission litter the 2014 Jeep Cherokee page on SaferCar.gov. Automotive News has learned that Chrysler will be issuing a new update to 2014 and 2015 model year Jeep Cherokees and certain 2015 Chrysler 200s for the nine-speed transmission. This update only applies for models equipped with the 2.4L four-cylinder. A spokeswoman from FCA says the update is "intended to keep the vehicle performing as intended, and to prevent durability issues from occurring in the future." Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

For a number of years, there has been debates of which Porsche is the better one; the 911 or the Cayman. During these debates, the point comes up that Porsche would not make the Cayman as good as it should because of the fear that it would overshadow the 911. Well expect these debates to become more lively and frequent as Porsche has announced the Cayman GT4. The Cayman GT4 features a number of aerodynamic improvements such as a deep front bumper with three large air dams and a splitter, a large fixed rear wing, and a wide air diffuser. A set of unique alloy wheels help differentiate the GT4 from other Cayman models. Power comes from the 3.8L flat-six from the 911 Carrera S which produces 385 horsepower. Paired with a six-speed manual, the GT4 can hit 60 MPH in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 183 MPH. Other mechanical changes for the Cayman GT4 include a lowered suspension, larger brakes, and chassis components from the 911. Porsche will provide more information when the Cayman GT4 debuts at the Geneva Motor Show next month. As for when the Cayman GT4 will go on sale, Porsche says that it will be available July with a starting price of $85,595 (includes a $995 destination charge). Source: Porsche Press Release is on Page 2 The Benchmark in its Class: the Porsche Cayman GT4 Atlanta. Porsche’s GT family is proud to announce the addition of an exciting new member: the Cayman GT4. This is the first Porsche GT sports car based on the Cayman and features components of the 911 GT3. Clocking a lap time of 7 minutes and 40 seconds on the North Loop of the Nürburgring, the Cayman GT4 earns the same lap time as the 2011 911 GT3 and positions itself as the new benchmark atop its market segment. The Cayman GT4 clearly demonstrates Porsche’s dedication and passion to continue to promote truly industry-leading two-door sports cars in the future – sports cars that are developed at the Motorsport department in Weissach. The engine, chassis, brakes, and aerodynamic design of the Cayman GT4 are configured for maximum driving dynamics while retaining the versatility and everyday utility that are typical of the two-seater Porsche coupe. Powered by a 385 hp 3.8-liter flat-six engine derived from the 911 Carrera S engine, the Cayman GT4 transmits its power solely through a six-speed manual transmission with dynamic gearbox mounts. Zero to 60 mph is accomplished in 4.2 seconds; its top track speed is 183 mph. The chassis – which features a 30 mm lower ride height and a generously sized brake system – consists almost entirely of components from the 911 GT3. Ready for the race track: The first Porsche Cayman with added downforce at both axles The exterior of the Cayman GT4 highlights it as a member of the Porsche GT family and provides a clear distinction to related mid-engine coupes. Three pronounced inlet openings at the front and a large fixed rear wing are part of an aerodynamic package which is systematically designed for downforce. Upon request, the performance capabilities of Cayman GT4 can be taken even further. Available options include the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system, full bucket seats made of carbon fiber composite, and a custom Sport Chrono Package featuring a Track Precision app. The interior of the Cayman GT4 focuses on maximizing the experience of unfiltered driving enjoyment for both driver and passenger. Standard sport seats, which are upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara®, offer excellent lateral support. The new Cayman GT4 sport steering wheel guarantees ideal control and direct steering feedback due to its compact dimensions. Technical aspects of this new GT sports car are based on the 911 GT3. As a mid-engine sports car and a prime example of driving dynamics in its class, it follows the conceptual tradition of such cars as the 904 GTS, 911 GT1, Carrera GT and 918 Spyder. GT sports cars engineered by Porsche embody the most passionate connection possible between everyday driving and Porsche’s competition heritage and highlight the sporty core of the brand: Intelligent Performance. The Porsche Cayman GT4 celebrates its world premiere in early March at the Geneva International Motor Show. This vehicle will arrive at U.S. dealers in July 2015. The starting MSRP for the Cayman GT4 is $84,600. MSRP does not include a destination charge of $995. View full article