William Maley

Nissan decided to their commercial on the Super Bowl to reveal two new cars. The first is their LMP1 racer that will enter Le Mans in June. What makes their racer stand out is that it happens to be a front-engine model, not the mid-engine variety that has been part of endurance racing for quite awhile. Now for the big surprise of the ad. Towards the end of the ad, there's a peculiar sedan draped in red which looks very familiar to the Sports Sedan Concept shown at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. Before it fades to black, we see the back of the sedan where the Maxima nameplate appears. We'll likely learn more about the Maxima in the coming months. In the meantime, you can check out Nissan's ad below. Source: Nissan http://youtu.be/Bd1qCi5nSKw View full article

Trying to figure out the logic of Volkswagen concerning the next-generation Phaeton is a very difficult task. The German automaker loses 28,000 euros (about $31,598) on every Phaeton built. Also the automaker has announced a cost-cutting plan that a plan to save 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion) annually in the coming years. Yet, Reuters is reporting that Volkswagen is going forward with the next-generation Phaeton due sometime in 2017 or 2018. "Economically speaking, it's the most irrational project. Piech and Winterkorn simply cannot let go of their fondness for luxury products,"said Evercore ISI analyst Arndt Ellinghorst. How irrational are we talking about? Analysts say that next-generation Phaeton using the MLB platform could cost as much as 650 million euros (about $737 million). Even some Volkswagen executives are wondering why the Phaeton is still around. "That's a dangerous question. It's an image bearer with no relevance for volume," said Volkswagen's U.S. Head Michael Horn. Source: Reuters View full article

There could be a hotter Ford Fiesta in the wings. Autocar spoke with Tyrone Johnson, manager of Ford Performance (group that brings together RS and SVT). Johnson revealed that work was being done on a higher-performance Fiesta that would use the current chassis and will likely go on sale within the next couple of years. “There’s more to come from the current Fiesta,” said Johnson. Now Johnson didn't say if this new model would wear a ST or an RS badge. Autocar also asked Johnson about producing something akin to the Focus RS for the Fiesta. “If there’s a business case and if it’s technically feasible.” When pressed if a case could be made, he said “Theoretically, yes.” Source: Autocar View full article

I like Ham as well (Good job Albert)

Kia has released a teaser for their upcoming concept car that will be shown at Chicago. The concept will feature an electric all-wheel drive system and be aimed at "city dwellers seeking the ultimate urban escape." From what we can tell from the teaser shot, it looks like a Soul with a few more inches of ground clearance and body cladding. We'll have more information and live shots from Chicago Auto Show in a couple of weeks. Source: Kia Press Release is on Page 2 KIA MOTORS AMERICA TO REVEAL CONCEPT AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW Kia Motors America will unveil an advanced and capable electric all-wheel drive (e-AWD) concept vehicle at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show. This bold off-roader was conceived by Kia’s California design studio and built for city dwellers seeking the ultimate urban escape. Intended to enable a wide array of outdoor activities from skiing and snowboarding, to camping, hiking and mountain biking, this rugged runabout captures the essence of adventuring at higher elevations with the promise of surefootedness in the wild. Kia’s newest concept will be revealed on the Kia stand Thursday, February 12 at 9 AM. View full article

Our intrepid trademark investigator Blake Noble has uncovered two new filings from General Motors. Filed on January 21, the two filings are for the Chevrolet Spark Activ. So what could this possible Spark model be? We have a couple of guesses: An even smaller crossover in Chevrolet's lineup More fuel efficient version of the Spark Now we should say that even though GM has trademarked Spark Activ, it doesn't mean they will actually use it. What do you think? Let us know in the comments. Source: US Patent Office View full article

A few months back, we reported on a story dealing with possible future products for GMC. One of those products being bandied about was a competitor to the Jeep Wrangler. Well it seems this idea has some legs at GM as a report from the Wall Street Journal says GM has spoken to its dealers about this. Speaking with a several sources, the Journal reports that GM talked to its dealers about the possibility of a GMC product that would borrow cues and off-road credentials from the defunct Hummer brand. Dealers were asked to provide feedback and do some research to help the company make a decision of whether or not to go forward with it. “The idea is being kicked around real hard,” said a source. Why is GM considering this SUV? Part of it comes from the revival of SUV sales with models getting more efficient and the economy becoming more stable. Also GM has been keeping an eye on Jeep Wrangler sales which have increased 13 percent to 175,000 units in 2014. Source: Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required) View full article

FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne is known to speak his mind and tell it like it is. During the Automotive News World Congress, Marchionne questioned the U.S. Government's mandate of 54.5 MPG by 2025. "There is not a single carmaker that cannot make the 54 number. The question is, at what a price?" said Marchionne. A possible reason for the CEO of FCA to bring this up is gas prices around the nation are hovering around $2.00. Also, sales of hybrids and electric vehicles have been declining, partly due to gas prices. Now many executives say that low gas prices will pass and that they will continue in investing in newer technologies. Now Marchionne does agree automakers can meet that deadline, but questions the timeframe of when it will be implemented. "The question is whether 2025 is a realistic date for which to achieve it," Marchionne said. "Fifty-four will not change. The date of implementation might." Marchionne also went on to rail the Government's plans for subsidizing electrification technology. "Let the automotive industry get there. We'll find a way to get there in the most cost-efficient way. Don't tell me that I need to have electrification as the answer. It's improper." Source: The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press View full article

Oh Toyota. I’m not sure who was it at the company who decided to market the Sienna with ‘Swagger Wagon’ tagline, because at first I thought it was kind of crazy. The tagline first appeared in an ad featuring the van and two parents rapping. At first I thought someone at the marketing department was having a YOLO moment. But the crazy thing was it worked. People took notice of the Sienna and began to put on their list of vehicles to look at. So when a Sienna XLE came in for week’s review, I wondered if there was something to this van or if the tagline Toyota had created was only promoting something mediocre. You can’t miss the Sienna due to how big it it. With measurements of 200.2 inches for overall length and 78.2 inches for overall width, the Sienna has to be the biggest minivan on sale. It also looks like Toyota did some rummaging from other vehicles in their lineup as the front grille looks to come from the Venza crossover, while the rear tailgate appears to come from one of Toyota’s large SUVs. The Sienna isn’t the the ugliest minivan on sale, but it isn’t the best looking either. Heading inside and its apparent Toyota has done a lot to make the Sienna feel more like a luxury car than a minivan. My XLE tester featured a leather interior with heated seats for the front passengers; Toyota’s Entune infotainment system, tri-zone climate control, backup camera, and a rear infotainment system. Controls are within easy reach for the radio and climate control, though I had to remind myself to look at the top of dash to the trip computer to see where I set the temperature and fan speed. Bit of an odd choice to put it there and not on the infotainment screen. Second row passengers get captain chairs with the ability to recline with a foot rest. My brother named the seats the ‘kickass seats’ and the idea of them are kickass. In practice, the idea falls short as you won’t be able to fully recline with the footrest because there isn’t enough space in the van to pull this off. Even with the seat fully back, there isn’t enough space. If Toyota was to do a Sienna XL or Grand version which adds a few more inches to the length, it might be plausible. At least head and legroom for both second and third row passengers are very generous. Cargo space is right in the midpack with the Sienna offering 39.1 cubic feet with all three rows up and 150 cubic feet with the third row folded and the second row removed.Power comes from Toyota’s venerable 3.5L V6 with 266 horsepower and 245 horsepower. It can be paired with front-wheel or my tester’s all-wheel drive system. Both drivetrains feature a six-speed automatic. The V6 is very much able to hold its own in the Sienna as power was abundant and was able to get the van up to speed in no problem. The six-speed automatic delivers smooth $h!s, while the optional all-wheel drive keeps the vehicle on the road with almost no hint that its working. Fuel economy for the Sienna XLE AWD is rated at 16 City/23 Highway/19 Combined. My week average landed around 18 MPG. The Sienna’s ride is what you would expect in a minivan; a suspension that has been tuned for coddling its occupants with nary a bump or road imperfection. This does mean the Sienna rolls when cornering, but then again this isn’t meant to a sports car. Noise levels are kept to a decent level in day to day driving, though freeway driving does bring in a bit more road noise than any other minivan I have driven. So while the ‘swagger wagon’ tagline may make some people scratch their heads, it does give a light to the Sienna which I think is one of the best vans I have driven yet. It has more than enough luxuries and space for you and your passengers to enjoy wherever they are going, along with a ride that makes you feel you’re in a luxury car. Win win in my book. Disclaimer: Toyota Provided the Sienna, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2014 Make: Toyota Model: Sienna Trim: XLE AWD Engine: 3.5L DOHC 24-Valve V6 Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 266 @ 6,200 Torque @ RPM: 245 @ 4,700 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 16/23/19 Curb Weight: 4,735 lbs Location of Manufacture: Princeton, Indiana Base Price: $36,185 As Tested Price: $40,322 (Includes $860.00 Destination Charge) Options: XLE Navigation Package with Entune App Suite - $1,735.00 Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert - $500.00 XM Satellite Radio - $449.00 Carpet Floor Mats w/Door Sill Protector - $330.00 Roof Rack Cross Bars - $185.00 Cargo Net - $49.00 First Aid Kit - $29.00 View full article