William Maley

But the the 200 and Cherokee's big stumbling block is the nine-speed. I had a Cherokee not too long ago and the nine-speed had some shuttering issues. I'm hoping the 200 I get in next week solves that.

No, I meant the Acadia is rumored to go smaller.. I just didn't mention it all. Thanks for pointing that out and keeping me honest.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a $3.5 million fine for Ferrari as it failed to comply with oversight requirements. The agency announced today that the Italian sports car maker had not submitted early warning reports for the past three years. These reports are important for NHTSA as it helps them identify potential or existing safety problems. Federal law requires manufacturers these reports quarterly. Previously, Ferrari was qualified as a a small-volume manufacturer which exempted them from providing these reports. However, Ferrari was still required to notify the agency of any fatal accidents involving its vehicles, something it didn't do for three accidents in this time. Also, Ferrari lost its small-volume manufacturer exemption when it became part of Fiat in 2011. "There is no excuse for failing to follow laws created to keep drivers safe, and our aggressive enforcement action today underscores the point that all automakers will be held accountable if they fail to do their part in our mission to keep Americans safe on the road," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. Ferrari spokesperson Krista Florin said in a statement that the missed reports were unintended, and that the automaker had implemented new procedures to "ensure full compliance in the future." Source: Reuters, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 NHTSA Fines Ferrari $3.5 Million for Failing to Submit Early Warning Reports Automaker Did Not Submit Required Safety Information for Three Years WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced that Ferrari will pay a $3.5 million civil penalty and has been ordered to comply with NHTSA oversight requirements as set forth in a Consent Order for failing to submit early warning reports (EWR reports) identifying potential or actual safety issues. Federal law requires large manufacturers and affiliates of large manufacturers to submit comprehensive EWR reports on a quarterly basis, in order to provide notice to the Department of potential safety concerns. Ferrari, an affiliate of Chrysler, admitted that it violated the law when it failed to submit required reports to NHTSA over a three-year period, and failed to report three fatal incidents. Until Fiat (which includes Ferrari since 2011) acquired Chrysler, Ferrari qualified as a small volume manufacturer and was not required to file quarterly EWR reports. However, while Ferrari was not required to file quarterly reports, it must report fatal incidents nonetheless. "There is no excuse for failing to follow laws created to keep drivers safe, and our aggressive enforcement action today underscores the point that all automakers will be held accountable if they fail to do their part in our mission to keep Americans safe on the road," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. In addition to the civil penalty, the Consent Order requires the automaker to improve its processes for EWR reporting, to train personnel on the EWR requirements, to communicate these improvements to NHTSA, and to retroactively submit all EWR reports. The Consent Order is immediately enforceable in federal court if any terms are violated. "The information included in early warning reports is an essential tool in tracking down dangerous defects in vehicles," added NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Friedman. "Early warning reports are like NHTSA's radar, helping us to find unsafe vehicles and make sure they are fixed. Companies that violate the law and fail to comply will be subject to comparable swift NHTSA enforcement action." EWR reports are required under the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act of 2000. The law requires quarterly reporting of: production information; incidents involving death or injury; aggregate data on property damage claims, consumer complaints, warranty claims, and field reports; and, copies of field reports involving specified vehicle components, a fire, or a rollover. View full article

Mazda is planning an expansion of the 6 family with the introduction of a coupe. Auto Express reports that the Japanese automaker is planning to launch a 6 Coupe in 2016. Styling will be a more dramatic version of the current Kodo design language, possibly taking some more ideas from the Shinari Concept that was shown a few years back. Motor Trend follows up this report with talk of a range of Mazdaspeed models coming in the near future. First up is the next-generation Mazdaspeed3. The model is expected to pack a turbocharged 2.5L SkyActiv four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive. Also in the pipeline is Mazdapeed versions of the Mazda2 and 6. Source: Auto Express, Motor Trend William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

Lexus is giving its performance brand a couple new additions in the near future. A source tells Auto Guide that at the recent Lexus USA National Dealer Meeting in Los Angeles, the luxury automaker announced the convertible version of the RC F would be coming in the near future. There was no mention of whether or not the standard RC would be getting a convertible as well, but we wouldn't be surprised if there are plans for it. Lexus also confirmed that the long rumored GS-F would be heading into production in the near future. The model will share some of the styling cues from the RC-F and pack the 5.0L V8 producing close to 500 horsepower. Source: Auto Guide 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

The Fiat 500L, Chrysler Town and Country, Jeep Cherokee with the four-cylinder.. I think there is a few others.

A couple days back, we brought you spy shots of the Cadillac ATS-V without any camouflage. Now we have gotten word of a new set of spy shots for another Cadillac model in the pipeline. Autoblog got their hands on pictures of the next SRX, possibly wearing the XT5 nameplate. We can tell this mule is early in the development process due to all of camouflage on it. There are a few clues we can pull from the pictures such as the model apparently having grille similar to the ATS Coupe, and a sloping rear hatch that is being hidden by a box. The XT5 is expected to use a new scalable platform called C1XX (Chi for short). This new platform is expected to underpin a number of crossovers from the next GMC Acadia (which is rumored to shrink), to the next-generation Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse. Power will come from a turbocharged-four and optional V6. Both engines will be paired with a new nine-speed transmission. The XT5 is expected to debut either in late 2015 or 2016 as a 2017 model. Source: 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

The most iconic brand of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will become its own company. The company announced today that it plans to spin off Ferrari into its own separate company as part of a plan to raise capital that will support the FCA's future growth. Once the separation happens, Ferrari will put 10 percent of its shares on the stock market "in the United States and possibly a European exchange". The remaining 90 percent will be distributed among FCA's existing shareholders. "Following our acquisition of the minority interest in Chrysler earlier this year, the transformation of Fiat and Chrysler into FCA was completed earlier this month with our debut on the New York Stock Exchange. As we move forward to secure the 2014-2018 Business Plan and work toward maximizing the value of our businesses to our shareholders, it is proper that we pursue separate paths for FCA and Ferrari. The Board supports management's determination that this transaction represents FCA's best course of action to support the long term success of the Group while at the same time substantially strengthening FCA's capital base," said FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne. Source: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles 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. Press Release is on Page 2 FCA Announces Board Intention to Spin Off Ferrari S.p.A. The Board of Directors of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (NYSE: FCAU) ("FCA") announced that in connection with FCA's implementation of a capital plan appropriate to support the Group's long-term success, it has authorized the separation of Ferrari S.p.A. ("Ferrari") from FCA. The separation will be effected through a public offering of FCA's interest in Ferrari equal to 10% of Ferrari's outstanding shares and a distribution of FCA's remaining Ferrari shares to FCA shareholders . The Board authorized FCA management to take the steps necessary to complete these transactions during 2015. FCA expects that the Ferrari shares will be listed in the United States and possibly a European exchange. "I am delighted to have taken this additional step in the development of FCA. Coupled with the recent listing of FCA shares on the NYSE, the separation of Ferrari will preserve the cherished Italian heritage and unique position of the Ferrari business and allow FCA shareholders to continue to benefit from the substantial value inherent in this business" said John Elkann, Chairman of FCA. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne added. "Following our acquisition of the minority interest in Chrysler earlier this year, the transformation of Fiat and Chrysler into FCA was completed earlier this month with our debut on the New York Stock Exchange. As we move forward to secure the 2014-2018 Business Plan and work toward maximizing the value of our businesses to our shareholders, it is proper that we pursue separate paths for FCA and Ferrari," Marchionne continued, "The Board supports management's determination that this transaction represents FCA's best course of action to support the long term success of the Group while at the same time substantially strengthening FCA's capital base." The spin-off of Ferrari will be subject to customary regulatory approvals, tax and legal considerations, final approval of the transaction structure from the FCA Board of Directors and other customary requirements. View full article

A day after Consumer Reports released their annual reliability survey which saw four Chrysler brands; Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Ram finish at the bottom, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Quality Chief has stepped down. Doug Betts, FCA's 51-year-old head of quality has "left the company to pursue other interests,"according to a statement released yesterday. Betts joined Chrysler back in 2007, defecting from Nissan. Chrysler declined to comment on why Betts left when asked by Automotive News, but sources say Betts had the tendency to speak his mind. This irked FCA's CEO Sergio Marchionne a lot. Taking the place of of Betts is Matthew Lidane, who is the VP of systems and components. Lidane joined Chrysler back in 1987 and has been the chief engineer for Jeep and vehicle line boss for the compact US wide platform. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Fiat Chrysler Automobiles 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. Press Release is on Page 2 Chrysler Group Announces Management Changes October 28, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC today appointed Matthew Liddane as Head of Quality in North America. Liddane previously was Vice President – Systems and Components for Chrysler Group. The appointment is effective immediately. Liddane replaces Doug Betts who left the Company to pursue other interests. Liddane joined the former Chrysler Corporation in 1987 and has held a series of engineering positions with increasing responsibility including Chief Engineer Jeep Product Team and Vehicle Line Executive – CUSW platform. View full article

Feast your eyes on this. Left Lane News got their hands on new spy shots which show off the upcoming Cadillac ATS-V Coupe with no camouflage at all. The ATS-V looks to our eyes as being a CTS-V that has been left in the wash for a bit too long. The front has an aggressive front splitter that appears to be made out of carbon fiber, along with mesh grilles for the front clip. There is a hood bulge with an air vent to help cooling. Around back is a spoiler sitting on the trunk lid. The pictures also reveal the ATS-V having massive disc brakes, possibly carbon ceramic. One item still up in the air is what powers the ATS-V. All signs appear to be pointing to TT 3.6 with 425 horsepower. All we'll be revealed in due time when the ATS-V debuts next month at the LA Auto Show. Source: Left Lane News 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

Yesterday, the internet was abuzz with the rumor of Mazda debuting the CX-3 at the L.A. Auto Show next month. Last night, the Japanese automaker confirmed the rumor. We have been reporting on rumors of this subcompact crossover for the past year or so. We know that the CX-3 will utilize the new Mazda2's underpinnings. It also looks like it will share some design aspects of the new 2 judging from a sketch released by the company. Other details are being kept under wraps till the model debuts next month. Mazda also plans to show off a refreshed CX-5 at the show. Source: Mazda 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. Press Release is on Page 2 Mazda to Debut All-New CX-3 Compact Crossover SUV at 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show Oct 27, 2014 HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that its all-new compact crossover SUV, named the Mazda CX-3, will make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, running from November 21 through November 30, 2014.* The vehicle joins the automaker’s growing crossover SUV lineup, which includes the popular CX-5 and three-row CX-9 models. Mazda CX-3 is the fifth vehicle in Mazda’s line-up of new-generation products that feature the full range of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and KODO—Soul of Motion design. In pursuing a design of beauty and sophistication, the essence of KODO—the expression of life within a vehicle—has been evolved to produce a sharper form with an enhanced sense of speed. In addition, the all-new Mazda MX-5 two-seater open-top sports car (Mazda Roadster in Japan) will make its North American auto show debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The engine line-up for the all-new MX-5 will be tailored to each market, and feature either a 1.5-liter or 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine, tuned exclusively for the model and mounted longitudinally. North American-specification models will only be fitted with the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 gasoline engine. View full article

The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla: the two best-selling compact models in the U.S. month after month; the two are on the top of the charts, usually one of the models being number one while the other sits in second place. It’s something that has confounded many automotive writers and enthusiasts as they believe there are better options out there. What they tend forget is those two vehicles have a reputation that very few can even dare match, which for most buyers counts massively. So what is it about these two vehicles that many people decide to purchase? Is it the name alone or something else? But also which one of these two vehicles is deserving of your money? I went back to back with the redesigned Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic to answer these questions. Exterior: 2013 saw Honda give the Civic an emergency update to better combat the swath of new compact models that arrived on the scene. This begins with exterior with a new front that features a revised hood, mesh grille with smiling chrome surround; and set of reshaped headlights. Other changes include new wheel choices and a restyled trunk lid. But somehow, the new Civic still looks like the old model. This is most likely due to model sticking with the same profile as the previous model. It is an improvement, but I wished Honda’s designers could have done more. This leads us to the Corolla which has undergone a massive transformation from bland econobox to something stylish. The new model borrows heavily from the Corolla Furia concept shown last year at the Detroit Auto Show. There’s a bold front end design, short rear end, LED lighting and sharp lines throughout. The S model adds a bit more aggression with a mesh grille, seventeen-inch alloy wheels, and a distinguishing blue color that makes the Corolla really stand out in a crowd. Design-wise, the Corolla takes the win in this round. Interior: Both models have seen a massive improvement with their interiors thanks to improved designs and better materials used throughout. Finding a comfortable position in either car was easy thanks to the range of adjustments available with the optional power seats and adjustable steering wheels that tilt and telescopes in both vehicles. Even the controls for either vehicle were in easy reach for the driver and passenger. So where do the Civic and Corolla differ? The interior rear space according to the auto sheets. Looking at the spec sheets of the two models, the Corolla has more passenger volume than Civic (97.11 cubic feet vs. 92.1 cubic feet). The Corolla also bests the Civic in most rear seat dimensions (except in rear hip room where the Civic holds a 7.5 inch advantage over the Corolla). But sitting in the back of both vehicles tells another story. The Corolla feels a little bit tighter as my head is almost touching the roof (mostly due to the optional sunroof) and my legs being right up against the front seat. The Civic has a little bit more space for my head and legs. Also helping the Civic is the beige color for the interior which helps make it feel larger. The Corolla was done up in a black interior which only made the interior feel smaller. The Civic just takes this round for having a slightly larger back seat and feeling slightly larger. Technology: Both Honda and Toyota were a bit behind on the technology front when compared to competitors, but both Civic and Corolla feature their latest generation of infotainment systems. Honda’s latest infotainment system features some new improvements such as new home screen with large touchscreen buttons to take you to different parts of the system and the introduction of Aha internet radio which allows you to create personalized stations from content on the internet (podcasts, radio, music, etc.). But there still is a lot of the old Honda system here. Case in point is the navigation system which was fine back in 2005, but looks dated when compared to other systems. Also not helping the Civic out is Honda’s decision to go with capacitive touch buttons on the Civics head unit. I found myself having to hit the buttons for the volume or home buttons a few times for it to register. Thankfully, this Civic came equipped with steering wheel controls which I found myself using a lot. Toyota has taken a huge leap forward with their infotainment system with a new interface that is easy to use and understand thanks to a larger font, improved graphics, and bigger touchscreen buttons. Also helping is Toyota’s decision to keep actual buttons to help get you around to different parts of the system. The Corolla’s screen is slightly smaller than the Civics, but I found the Corolla’s screen to be just as bright and readable as the one found in the Civic. An added bonus for the Corolla’s infotainment system is variety of information that comes from XM Radio which includes weather, stock quotes, sport scores, and much more. I don’t how many people are checking your stock quotes via the car’s infotainment system, but everything else is a nice touch. The Corolla with its better interface and feature set takes this round. Powertrain: Both of these compacts utilize 1.8L four-cylinder engines paired to CVTs. The Civic makes do with 143 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque, while the Corolla has 140 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. With both vehicles having around the same power, there really isn’t a difference in how quickly they get up to speed. Leaving a stop light or merging onto the freeway, both models got up to speed at a reasonable clip. The difference lies in the refinement of the powertrains. The Civic has a slight advantage over the Corolla in this department as its four-cylinder is just a little bit quieter when at idle or moving. The CVT in the Civic also doesn’t make as much noise when you accelerate as it does in the Corolla. The flip side is when we are talking about fuel economy. The EPA rates the 2014 Honda Civic at 30 City/39 Highway/33 Combined, and the 2014 Toyota Corolla at 29 City/38 Highway/32 Combined. In my testing, the Corolla bested the Civic in average fuel economy with the former getting 32.2 MPG and the latter getting 31.3 MPG. In this round, I think I call this a tie. Ride & Drive: For most drivers, these vehicles will be driven in the city and out on the freeway. How do they fare in this area? Well the Civic is the more comfortable of the two as its able to smooth out the roadway and provide a ride that is reminiscent to bigger sedan. Road and wind noise were kept to a decent level, I.e. I didn’t have to turn up the radio a lot to drown out the noise. The Corolla’s ride is a little bit stiffer due to the S model getting slightly larger wheels and some suspension tuning. This means more bumps and road imperfections are let in. Noise isolation is about the same as the Civic. But what if you decide to have a bit of fun? Then you want the Corolla. I know this is a bit of surprise, but the Corolla S is really good in the corners with new suspension tuning and nicely weighted steering that provides decent feel. The Civic loses a bit here due to its suspension being somewhat softer, although the steering is just as good as the Corolla. In this round, I’ll give half a point to each car. The Civic for better daily ride, while the Corolla nails the fun to drive aspect. Verdict: With a score of 2.5 vs. 1.5, the Corolla is the winner in this comparison. The Corolla has the better looks, infotainment system, and is fun to play around with. The Civic, while coming in second has some redeeming features in its camp. The interior is slightly larger than the Corolla and it offers a more comfortable ride when driving day to day. After spending a week with both vehicles, I can now see why these two are the top selling models in the class. Its not just name itself, but how these two cars are all things to all people. Disclaimer: Honda Provided the Civic EX-L, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas. Toyota Provided the Corolla S, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas. Year: 2014 Make: Honda Model: Civic Trim: EX-L w/Navi Engine: 1.8L 16-Valve SOHC i-VTEC Inline-Four Driveline: Front-Wheel Drive, CVT Horsepower @ RPM: 143 @ 6500 Torque @ RPM: 129 @ 4300 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 28/39/32 Curb Weight: 2,930 lbs Location of Manufacture: Greensburg, Indiana Base Price: $24,240 As Tested Price: $25,030 (Includes $790.00 Destination Charge) Options: N/A Year: 2014 Make: Toyota Model: Corolla Trim: S Engine: 1.8L DOHC 16-Valve VVT-i Inline-Four Driveline: Front-Wheel Drive, CVT Horsepower @ RPM: 132 @ 6,000 Torque @ RPM: 128 @ 4,400 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 29/37/32 Curb Weight: 2,895 lbs Location of Manufacture: Blue Springs, Mississippi Base Price: $20,400 As Tested Price: $23,570 (Includes $810.00 Destination Charge) Options: Driver Connivence Package - $1,510 Power Moonroof - $850.00 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. 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