William Maley

I believe the ATS-V will go into racing, taking the place of the CTS-V Coupe in World Challenge. No word on a sedan. Might have an answer at LA.

The Jeep Wrangler really has no equal. Sure competitors come on the scene to try and take on the Wrangler, but they go away after awhile - see the Toyota FJ Cruiser as the latest example. But that isn't stopping automakers from taking a stab at it. Case in point is GMC. Buick-GMC vice president Duncan Aldred tells Edmunds that is looking at strengthening the brand by looking at the possibility of introducing new models. "We are looking at everything. What segments will grow? What segments will not? We are evaluating all possibilities that could really turbocharge the brand and the growth," said Aldred. Aldred says at the current time, GMC is in the brainstorming stage and there are no plans to add additional models. But, Aldred goes onto say "there is room throughout the range if you really start segmenting it. There is plenty of room everywhere in the hierarchy." Some of those brainstorms have included a Wrangler competitor, a flagship SUV above the Yukon Denali, and a subcompact crossover. Whether any of the models leaves the brainstorming stage remains to be seen. This isn't the first time Aldred has mentioned adding more models. Back in September, we reported that Aldred would like to see a Denali version of the Canyon. Source: Edmunds William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

I'm very excited to see what the iM Concept will look like in production (aside from it being a Toyota Auris).

The burgeoning compact cargo van marketplace will soon have a new entrant. In a few weeks, Ram dealers will be getting the 2015 Ram ProMaster City and the truck manufacturer has revealed pricing for it. The ProMaster City will start at $24,125 (includes a $995 destination charge) for the base cargo van version, and $25,125 for the ProMaster City Wagon. There is an up-level SLT model for both versions which adds $1,525 to the price. The Ram ProMaster City comes with the 2.4L Tigershark inline-four with 178 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy numbers for the ProMaster City are 21 City/29 Highway/24 Combined. "The new Ram ProMaster City enters the Class 1 market with a long list of customer-focused, best-in-class features, including the highest available payload and cargo capacities. Customers can look to Ram Commercial for a full line of trucks and vans that set the standard for cost of ownership and innovation," said Bob Hegbloom, President and CEO of the Ram Truck Brand. Related Stories: General Motors and Ram Fight For Their Share In The Truck Market Ram Enters The Compact Commercial Van Market With The 2015 ProMaster City Ram Finally Confirms Small Cargo Van, To Be Named ProMaster City Source: Ram William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 Ram Truck Announces Pricing and Unsurpassed Standard Highway Fuel Economy for 2015 Ram ProMaster City - Starting at $23,130 "right-sized" ProMaster City offers best-in-class titles where they count - 2015 Ram ProMaster City aggressively competes in the compact Class 1 van segment with a fuel economy rating of 21 MPG city, unsurpassed standard 29 MPG highway and 24 MPG combined - Ram ProMaster City best-in-class features: > 178 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque > Payload – 1,883 pounds > Cargo volume – 131.7 cubic feet > Distance between wheel wells – 48.4 inches - Available in two-seat cargo van and five-seat passenger Wagon configurations, new Ram ProMaster City offers modern styling and professional appeal in a small, capable package - Unsurpassed towing capacity- 2,000 lbs. - Unsurpassed powertrain warranty – 5 years/100,000 miles - Ram Commercial offers exclusive pre- and post-sale solutions with BusinessLink and On the Job customer service programs November 12, 2014, Auburn Hills, Mich. - Continuing its commercial offering momentum, Ram Truck announces pricing and fuel economy for the all-new 2015 ProMaster City. The base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2015 Ram ProMaster City Cargo is $23,130, plus $995 for destination. The MSRP for the 2015 Ram ProMaster City Wagon starts at $24,130 plus $995 destination. "The new Ram ProMaster City enters the Class 1 market with a long list of customer-focused, best-in-class features, including the highest available payload and cargo capacities," said Bob Hegbloom, President and CEO- Ram Truck Brand. "Customers can look to Ram Commercial for a full line of trucks and vans that set the standard for cost of ownership and innovation." With the 2.4-liter Tigershark and exclusive 9-speed automatic transmission, the 2015 Ram ProMaster City delivers EPA fuel economy of 21 MPG city, 29 MPG highway and 24 MPG combined. The ProMaster City also offers an unsurpassed 2,000 pounds of towing capacity. Configurations and pricing Configuration MSRP Destination Tradesman Cargo $23,130 $995 Tradesman SLT Cargo $24,655 $995 Wagon with rear and side windows $24,130 $995 Wagon SLT with rear and side windows $25,655 $995 Engineering The Ram ProMaster City holds a set of hard-working credentials starting with a 48.4-inch span between the rear wheel wells, the widest in the class. The width between the ProMaster City's wheel wells provides an extra margin of capacity allowing building materials and pallets to be loaded quickly and easily. Above the wheel wells, the ProMaster City's nearly vertical side panels offer a width dimension of 60.4 inches. Combined with an interior roof height of 51.8 inches, the result is best-in-class volume of 131.7 cubic feet for the cargo van version of the ProMaster City. The rear of the Ram ProMaster City is fitted with 60/40 split rear doors. Using lessons learned from European customers, the larger door swings open toward the traffic (driver) side of the van, making it easy to quickly access larger cargo items and not block the path to the curbside of the van The five-passenger wagon version of the Ram ProMaster City is equipped with a three-passenger second row. The second-row seating is split 60/40, with each section capable of folding and tumbling forward to expand cargo room. Powertrain The all-new 2015 Ram ProMaster City is powered by the 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4 generating a best-in-class 178 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, while its peak torque – 174 lb.-ft. (231 N•m) at 3,900 rpm – is greater than any standard-equipment engine in the segment. The centerpiece of the all-new ProMaster City's powertrain is its segment-exclusive nine-speed automatic transmission. The ProMaster City is the first commercial van ever to feature a nine-speed automatic, and one of the first vehicles to be so equipped in automotive history. Manufacturing The 2015 Ram ProMaster City is assembled at the TOFAS plant in Bursa, Turkey. Awarded the World Class Manufacturing Gold Medal, this 3.6-million sq. ft. (83.7-acre) state-of-the-art plant also assembles the Fiat Doblò. The optional cargo van configuration is upfitted at the Chrysler Group Transformation Center in Baltimore, Maryland. View full article

Pic Credit: The New Yorker

I hear U.. but when the Stingray "leaked" from GM they were touting 450 as well.. then suddenly it showed up with 460. The Z06??? Originally was 620 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque http://blog.caranddr...0-hp-650-lb-ft/. That changed to 30 more ponies. I'm not saying they weren't given certain info.. I'm just saying GM may have held some cards closer to the chest so as to amaze more come LA. In the case of the Z06, GM only 'guessed' what the V8 engine would produce till they got the ratings from SAE. I've been wondering the same Z. My guess it could either be the transmission couldn't work the TT 3.6 (least likely), to a issue of cost. No, because the transmission does not depend on whether the motor is forced induced or not and it is capable of handling excess of 700 lb-ft torque. If these rumors are true, then I personally think GM does not want to slaughter one of its sacred cows. That logic to me is shameful and old school as this version of the car is a top of the line car of a brand that needs impetus. I have the feeling you are correct on GM wanting to leave its scared cow alone.

Agreed on that. I've been wondering the same Z. My guess it could either be the transmission couldn't work the TT 3.6 (least likely), to a issue of cost.

Auto show season is upon us and that usually means that leaks are bound to happen. Case in point is Road and Track which published, and subsequently pulled an article revealing the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V. But this being the age of internet, Road and Track's info and pictures made onto to other sites (like the one you're reading). The car shown here is very much the same that spy photographers caught only a few weeks back. However these studio shots give us a much better look of what to expect. The front sports a mean look with black mesh grille and heat extractor on the hood. Around back is a spoiler and a set of quad exhausts. Those looking for a bit more aggression will be happy to know that a package offering different front, splitter, side skirts and rear spoiler will be on offer. Under the hood is TT 3.6 V6 from the CTS V-Sport. For the ATS-V, it makes 450 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic. The suspension has been tuned to provide 50 percent more stiffness and a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires keep it on the road. We'll have more details when the Cadillac ATS-V is revealed at the LA Auto Show next week. Source: Road and Track via Autoblog William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

Starting next year, Mercedes-Benz is revising the names of a fair number of vehicles. This naming change shouldn't come as a shock to anyone - see Cadillac and Infiniti. Mercedes' reasons for the name change is to make their lineup a bit easier to understand and to make it easier to come up with a name for a new model. The majority of the changes will be focused on Mercedes' utility lineup as all models will wear the G, followed by a letter to signify class lines they are a part of. GLA – New small crossover based on the A-Class. (Unchanged) GLC – Currently the GLK GLE – Currently the M-Class/ML-Class GLE Coupe – Mercedes' answer to the BMW X6 GLS – Currently the GL-Class G – The Geländewagen Also seeing a change is name is the SLK roadster which becomes the SLC. Mercedes is also changing up its drivetrain designations. Such names as "BlueTEC," "Electric Drive," "CDI," and "Hybrid" are being replaced by one letter designations. c – Compressed natural gas, currently "Natural Gas Drive" d – Diesel, currently "BlueTEC" or "CDI" e – Electric, currently "Plug-In Hybrid," "BlueTEC Plug-In Hybrid," and "Electric Drive" f – Fuel cell, or "F-Cell" currently h – Hybrids, including diesel-hybrids "Now is the ideal time to do this, for in 2015 we will be updating virtually our whole SUV model range, providing us with the perfect starting point for renaming the whole family of vehicles," Dr. Jens Theimer, head of marketing communications for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in a statement. But wait there's more. Possibly the worst-kept secret of this year, Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed that the Maybach nameplate will be returning. The Mercedes-Maybach S600 will debut at the LA Auto Show next week. Mercedes describes the model as setting "a new benchmark for exclusivity and meets even the most discerning of requirements in terms of its appointments." Source: Mercedes-Benz William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 Mercedes-Maybach for the ultimate in exclusivity and individuality The Mercedes-Benz brand continues its dynamic progress. Two new arrivals in the Mercedes-Benz brand world were introduced today in Sindelfingen by Ola Källenius, member of the Divisional Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Marketing & Sales, and Dr Jens Thiemer, Head of Marketing Communications for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. With the name Mercedes-Maybach, the brand represented by the three-pointed star is now broadening its offering in the exclusive top segment of the market with a new sub-brand, whose individual and prestigious exclusivity will appeal to status-conscious customers. Before the end of this November, the new Mercedes-Maybach S 600 will be celebrating its world premiere in Guangzhou and Los Angeles. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class melds the perfection of the best automobile in the world, the S-Class, with the exclusivity of Maybach. In a further move, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer of premium automobiles will start 2015 by launching a new nomenclature, the system used for the designation of its various model series and engine types, so providing its customers with a simple and transparent way to find their bearings around its ever-growing portfolio of models. "The Mercedes-Benz brand stands for the aspiration to deliver 'The best' in terms of products, technology and services. For us, this means that we offer our customers vehicles that, by virtue of their different characteristics and specific flair, are able to fit in with all sorts of individual lifestyles. S-Class segment in particular, customers have very high expectations with regard to exclusivity and individuality. Mercedes-Maybach enables us to fulfil these desires in the exclusive top segment of the market". Mercedes-Maybach embodies "the best" in its most exclusive form In 2013 Mercedes-Benz launched its new S-Class, the best car in the world. No other vehicle embodies the values of Mercedes-Benz in quite the same way as the S-Class. The scope offered by the S-Class model range is already considerable, even though its expansion from three to six model variants is not yet complete. The spectrum ranges from the sportiest S-Class of all time, the Mercedes-AMG S 63, the most efficient, the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID (in future S 500 e) and the most intelligent, the S 500 Intelligent Drive, through to the most beautiful S-Class of all time, the S-Class Coupé. When it comes to safety, assistance systems and partially autonomous driving, the S-Class is way ahead of the competition. The S-Class is not only the best vehicle, but also the most successful car in its class. With more than 100,000 units sold in its first full year of availability, it is even the best-selling S-Class ever. This success has been accompanied by a desire expressed by many customers for yet more individuality and exclusivity. They would like to drive the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in a highly exclusive and individual version that will allow them to stand out even further in this top segment. In the same way as it did with the sporty positioning of Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Benz has now therefore established a new offering in the exclusive top segment by introducing a sub-brand with the name Mercedes-Maybach. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which will celebrate its world premiere before the end of November, marks the opening of a new chapter in the history of the brand known by its three-pointed star. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class expands the current range of S-Class Saloons with the addition of a vehicle that sets a new benchmark for exclusivity and meets even the most discerning of requirements in terms of its appointments. Some of the features that distinguish it from the standard-production models include extra spaciousness, special seats and lavishly designed, prestigious interiors offering extensive scope for individualisation. As a result, Mercedes-Maybach vehicles meet the requirements of even the most discerning customers worldwide. Mercedes- Maybach is not an equipment line – it is a sub-brand that in future will deliver Mercedes-Benz vehicles in an even more exclusive form. Simple and transparent nomenclature to provide customers with better orientation The Mercedes-Benz model portfolio has expanded rapidly in recent years and continues to grow. The comprehensive model initiative that is currently successfully under way means that, by 2020, the Stuttgart-based premium brand will have brought more than 30 models on to the market worldwide, among them at least eleven that have no precursor in the current product portfolio. On top of this come the different body variants and drive systems. This results in an increasingly complex situation when it comes to naming the various models. "After more than 20 years of continuity involving some of the most recognised and successful product names in the world, we are now making our system of vehicle nomenclature even more understandable. Bearing in mind the international appeal of our brand, our plan has been to devise an even simpler, more transparent and more logical system for the designations of our model series, with the aim of providing clear orientation for our customers", said Dr Jens Thiemer during the launch of the new nomenclature. "Now is the ideal time to do this, for in 2015 we will be updating virtually our whole SUV model range, providing us with the perfect starting point for renaming the whole family of vehicles." The system behind the new nomenclature is simple, clear and transparent. The model designation is always an acronym made up of between one and three upper-case letters. The different types of engine are indicated by a lower-case letter. The system centres around the five core model series, A, B, C, E and S, which will continue to be used to provide orientation for our customers. In the case of the model designations for the SUVs, in a tribute to the legendary G- Class, all SUV models will in the future have the first two letters "GL" in their name. The "G" here denotes the car's lineage. The "L" is a letter that appears time and time again over the history of Mercedes-Benz. It is a linking letter that makes the model designations easier to remember and easier to pronounce; one that is familiar from the legendary SL, for example, or from the more recent CLS and CLA. It is followed by the third letter, which indicates the relationship to the relevant core model series. In specific terms: GLA = GL A-ClassGLC = GL C-Class; previously GLK GLE = GL E-Class; previously M-Class or MLGLE Coupé = GL E-Class Coupé GLS = GL S-Class; previously GLG = unchanged The system for the 4-door Coupés is constructed along similar lines. The first two letters, "CL", denote the origin, the third letter the link to one of the core model series: in other words CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, or CLS and CLS Shooting Brake. From 2016 on the Roadsters will all include "SL" in their names to denote their origin, with the third letter again the link to one of the core model series. The SLK therefore becomes the new SLC. As in the case of the G, the SL retains its designation as hitherto, in recognition of its iconic status. In a development paralleling that of the model series designations, the different types of engines will also be given new designations. These provide clear orientation and are also shorter than the designations used until now. The boot lids will in future feature lower-case letters, whose meaning is as follows: c for "compressed natural gas" (Natural Gas Drive until now) d for "diesel" (BlueTEC and CDI until now)e for "electric" (PLUG-IN HYBRID, BlueTEC PLUG-IN HYBRID and Electric Drive until now) f for "fuel cell" (F-CELL until now)h for "hybrid" (HYBRID and BlueTEC HYBRID until now) As has been the case until now, there will be no suffix for the petrol models. The defining and established designation 4MATIC for our all-wheel-drive vehicles will remain unchanged and, indeed, will be celebrating its thirtieth anniversary next year. Given the way that Mercedes-Benz has evolved into the leading brand for all-wheel drive, 4MATIC will in future play an even more important role in our model portfolio. As a result of a steadily growing demand, we will in future be adding further models to the all-wheel drive segment. "More clarity, more transparency, more consistency for Mercedes-Benz customers – we are convinced that our new nomenclature will support us in achieving this objective. The logic built up on the basis of the core model series will enable our customers to find their way round our growing product portfolio far better", was the way Dr Jens Thiemer summarised the new nomenclature. Expanded brand world of Mercedes-Benz offers more The expanded brand world of Mercedes-Benz now comprises two sub-brands alongside Mercedes-Benz as the core brand, whereby Mercedes-Benz stands for "The best", in a unique combination of emotional fascination and intelligent persuasiveness. Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach interpret "The best" from the perspective of performance and exclusivity-seeking customers respectively. In addition, since the spring of 2014 "Mercedes me" has been opening up a simplified and individualised way in to the overall world of Mercedes-Benz for all customers and prospects, under the central concept of "The best for me". "By expanding our brand world we are able to offer our customers some new ideas about Mercedes-Benz", according to Ola Källenius. "Even more choice and individuality in terms of our products, and a transparent and logical structure around them in the form of our new nomenclature." View full article