William Maley

The end is coming for Fiat Chrysler Automobile's CEO Sergio Marchionne. In a interview with Bloomberg, Marchionne says he will step down in 2018, the same time that his second five year plan will end. “I’ll undoubtedly do something else” after the end of 2018, said Marchionne. "I am not going to do any more turnarounds. I’m done; let some of the young punks do it.” Marchionne, 62, became the CEO of Fiat in 2004 and helped triple the automaker's revenue over the subsequent years. He was also a key person in the company's acquisition of Chrysler. There is no mention of who will be successor to Marchionne. But the current CEO does mention his role may be split among a number of executives. “There are a number of things that the next CEO will do which are totally different from what I do. The role as presently configured will have to be reconfigured.” Source: Bloomberg 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

It has been awhile since we reported anything on Acura's upcoming NSX supercar, but the fine folks at What Car? had the chance to speak with the NSX's head of development Ted Klaus, who has revealed some intriguing information. Klaus revealed that the NSX promises to bring the performance of a Ferrari 458 Italia for the pricetag of an Audi R8, something that the previous NSX promised to do as well. We have to achieve the type of acceleration that the customer is achieving with the Ferrari. More importantly we have to achieve this every day and also at the Nurburgring," said Klaus. "I think we are aiming within the range of the Audi R8. I realise that is a wide range but the NSX will still be extremely accessible." Klaus also revealed that the company is planning a number of different body styles and power outputs. The NSX is expected to arrive in 2015 for North America, while Europe has to wait till 2016. Source: What Car? 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

100% agreed. I get to drive a lot of incredible new vehicles day to day, but there was a "wow" balance, feel, power, steering, braking, ride, comfort, etc to my GS that I've not had in any other car yet. My G8 GT was the only other car I enjoyed as much, in a different way. The old Turbo 2.0T was fun too, and liked to scream. Until you've driven this car, you don't understand, and I'm glad I did for almost 2 years even if I rarely did so I only drove it for a week, and get what makes this car special.

Since the recession has ended, the average price of a used car was soared due limited supply. But The Detroit News says with more vehicles coming in due to leases coming to an end, prices are beginning to fall. According to CNW Research, the average transaction price of a used car in September was $10,963. Compared to the same time last year, the average has dropped 2.1 percent. "During the recession, it almost cost as much to get a used car as it did to get a new car, but now the market is going back to historical norms and it's going to be better every month. From 2008 to 2012, there was a significant growth in the number of leased cars and now they're all coming back to the market. As supply is increasing, auction values are dropping ... making used cars more affordable," said Larry Dominique, vice president of TrueCar. Used car supplies are on the rise as well, with 9.76 million vehicles sitting on used lots in September. That's an increase of 1.5 percent when compared to the same time last year. But there are downsides to increase in used car supplies. Analysts say the increase of supplies means it will be harder for dealers to move vehicles. Also expect an increase in lease rates. Source: The Detroit 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

Last month, Buick introduced a new crossover for China called the Envision. This new crossover would fit between the Encore and Enclave models Now there have been murmurs of whether or not the Envision would be coming to the U.S. or not. According to Edmunds, the Envision is making the trip to the U.S. next year. According to a insider, the Envision will go sale in the third quarter of 2015. There is talk of a mild-hybrid model for the U.S. market. When asked, Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick-GMC sales said nothing has been confirmed at the moment. But went onto say that the brand is considering it. 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

2016 marks a very important anniversary for Ford. That year marks the 50th anniversary of the blue oval's first of four consecutive wins at Le Mans. To mark this anniversary, Motor Trend and Road & Track report that Ford is working on a successor to GT that will not only be on the race track, but on the road as well. Sources tell Motor Trend that Ford has a skunkworks team working on mid-engine supercar. The powertrain is unknown at this time, but speculation is resting on either a highly tuned version of the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 or a uprated version of the 5.0L Coyote V8. Motor Trend goes on to say that Ford could announce or even show this model at the Detroit Auto Show next year. Adding more fuel to this fire is Road & Track which reports at a recent meeting of constructors for the FIA's World Endurance Championship at the Circuit of The Americas, a representative affiliated with Ford was said to be there. Source: Motor Trend, Road & Track 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

Consider this: Citroen pulled out of the U.S. in the eighties, while Peugeot would leave in 1991. But according to Automotive News, PSA/Peugeot-Citroen could be making a return with their DS brand. “We want to make DS a global premium brand, and you cannot be global without the U.S.,” said DS CEO Yves Bonnefont. The DS lineup was previously a division of the Citroen brand, providing premium models to compete with likes of MINI Cooper and Audi A3. However, PSA made the decision to make DS a stand alone brand this year. Bonnefont said a decision on making a return to the U.S. would come in 2017 at the earliest, and sales would not begin sometime after 2020. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) 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

If you have been paying attention to MINI sales for the past few months, then you've noticed that sales have been slipping. This despite the new Cooper Hardtop coming to dealers. So what is going on? Jalopnik thinks its due to supply. A quick search on Cars.com shows that the nationwide supply of Cooper Hardtops is just under 1,100. MINI explained the reason for the small supply is due to pending fuel economy certification. "Sales have dropped because our supply has been so limited. MY 2015 MINI Hardtops have also not been able to go on sale pending the final results of federal fuel economy certification," the automaker said in a statement. MINI goes onto say that the "good news is as of October 1st, three out of the four 2015 MINI Hardtop 2 door models, the Cooper with manual transmission, the Cooper with automatic transmission, and the Cooper S with manual transmission, have been released for retail sales and deliveries." Source: Jalopnik 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

Cadillac will be positioning the CT6 as a technology showcase for the brand. Automotive News reports that GM is banking on suite of new technologies to entice customers into checking out the new flagship. “Cadillac is the place where we will experiment with technology our customers want in the future,” said GM Vice President of global product development, Mark Reuss. Such technologies include lightweight body structure combining steel and aluminum to give the car both stiffness and agility; a suite of super cruise automated driving technologies; a new rear-view mirror that streams video from the rear-view camera; and a new twin-turbocharged 3.0L six-cylinder that is promised to be the most powerful in the class. In other Cadillac news, the brand's Chief Marketing Officer Uwe Ellinghaus told Forbes that along with CT nomenclature for sedans, crossovers will change over the XT nomenclature. Much like the CT, the XT nomenclature will have a number at the end designating the model. “It’s a logical thing to give some mental space like this in your naming scheme. So many other brands have done that sort of thing, across industries. It’s not rocket science. It doesn’t fit our immediate business needs, but this simple logic will help us build this brand and enhance recognition over the long term,” said Ellinghaus. Despite the name changes, one model will be excluded from this. The Escalade will keep its name as its the most memorable nameplate in the brand's lineup. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Detroit News, Forbes (Author's Note: Hat tip to Cmicasa the Great on the CT6 story. -WM) 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 still need to get my hands on the ATS 2.0T. I think the 3.6 is ok, but needs more torque on the low end.

We've been reporting on the departure of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for the past year or so. But the big question of what would replace it has been up in the air. But a new report from Autocar says that a SUV would take its place, at least in spirit. “It will not exist as we know it. It will be replaced in spirit by an SUV with high performance,” said Kanenori Okamoto, Mitsubishi's product boss. This new SUV will apparently incorporate lessons learned from the MiEV Evolution III, which broke the EV record at Pikes Peak this year. The MiEV Evolution III will likely give a number of technologies, including its advanced Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. Source: Autocar 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

General Motors has issued three new recall campaigns that cover 641,000 vehicles. 290,107 Cadillac SRXs (2010 to 2015 model years) and Saab 9-4X (2011-2012 model years) need to have their rear toe link adjuster lock nuts inspected. The nuts may have not been properly torqued to spec which could cause the toe adjuster link to separate and the vehicle to sway around. GM says its aware of three accidents and two injuries because of this problem. Dealers will look at the nuts and replace the link assembly. 117,651 model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban; 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS; 2013-2014 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL; 2013-2014 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; 2014 Chevrolet Traverse; 2014 GMC Acadia; 2014 Buick Enclave; 2014 Chevrolet Express; 2014 GMC Savana; 2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and 2014 GMC Sierra HD for a manufacturing defect in the chassis control module. The module could have a short which could cause the engine to stall or not start. GM says about one percent of these vehicles are believed to have this problem. 89,294 Chevrolet Sparks (2013 to 2015 model years) could have their secondary hood latch striker to stick in the open position due to corrosion. If this was to happen along with the main hatch not being secure, the hood could fly open. Dealers will replace the hood striker. Source: General Motors, NHTSA Press Release is on Page 2 General Motors today announced two recalls covering 379,401 cars and trucks in the United States. The total number of vehicles recalled in North America -- U.S., Canada, Mexico and exports -- is 524,384. 290,107 model year 2010-2015 Cadillac SRX and 2011-2012 Saab 9-4X SUVs for torque inspection of rear toe link adjuster lock nuts. Improper torqueing could possibly result in a loose joint and worn threads that could cause the toe adjuster link to separate. Dealers will inspect for the condition and, if necessary, will remove them and install a new link assembly. Unsold vehicles are being checked for proper torqueing before being sold. A loose toe adjuster link can cause the vehicle to sway or wander at highway speed, activate the vehicle's electronic stability control system, and cause excessive wear to the threads in the link. Additionally, the rear suspension may make loud metallic noises, particularly when the vehicle is travelling over bumps or potholes. If separation occurs while the vehicle is being driven, it would create sudden vehicle instability, increasing the risk of a crash. GM is aware of three crashes and two injuries as a result of this condition. GM reported this recall to the NHTSA on September 17. 89,294 model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark models in the U.S., because corrosion can cause the secondary hood latch striker to stick in the open position. If the primary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. These vehicles, imported from South Korea, were manufactured with a secondary hood latch that may prematurely corrode at the latch pivot, causing the striker to get stuck out of position and preventing the striker from properly engaging the hood latch. About 13,000 of these unsold vehicles are being held at U.S. dealerships and will not be delivered until repairs are made. Customers will be notified by letter about the recall and dealers will replace the hood striker when parts are available . GM is not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities as a result of this condition. This recall was posted today on the NHTSA website. General Motors is recalling 97,540 cars and trucks from the 2013-2014 model year in the U.S. because the chassis control module may have a manufacturing defect. The total North American population, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico and exports, is 117,651. Vehicles involved are certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban; 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS; 2013-2014 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL; 2013-2014 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; 2014 Chevrolet Traverse; 2014 GMC Acadia; 2014 Buick Enclave; 2014 Chevrolet Express; 2014 GMC Savana; 2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and 2014 GMC Sierra HD. About 4,500 of these unsold vehicles are being held at U.S. dealerships and will not be delivered until repairs are made. GM knows of no crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this condition. About 1 percent of all vehicles recalled are believed to have the condition. View full article

Two-fold answer I think: New version of the 2.0L Turbo and a focus on more efficiency. I really think this car could do a bit more power as it could handle it, also give so much needed breathing space between it and the Regal Turbo.

In every automotive manufacturer’s lifecycle, they will at least once build a black sheep. A vehicle which doesn’t quite fit into their lineup, despite how good or bad it is. A perfect example is the Buick Grand National. Taking the Regal Coupe, Buick dropped in a turbocharged V6 which produced anywhere between 200 to 245 horsepower and could smoke a number of performance vehicles in the era. But it didn’t quite fit in with Buick’s smooth-riding, luxury vehicles. Thus it became a black sheep, one that would become legendary in its own right. The black sheep phenomenon seems to be making a return to Buick. Along the rows of the luxurious and quiet vehicles sitting on dealer lots, there’s also a vehicle who has those traits along with a bit of performance. It may not wear the Grand National nameplate, but it wears one that possibly has similar value: Regal GS. Buick has given the entire Regal lineup some changes for the 2014 model beginning with the exterior. For the Regal GS, those changes include a new front clip with a bigger grille and a new trunk lid. Decked out in red paint and featuring inlet vents that look like vampire fangs, the Regal GS has an outlook of quiet aggression. It doesn’t look like it wants to fight, but if its provoked, the Regal GS will throw down. Inside, Buick made some key changes to the Regal GS’ interior There’s a new instrument cluster with a color screen that displays the speedometer and trip computer information. The center stack has been revised with less buttons (thank you), a new climate control system with capacitive touch controls which are hit and miss when your trying to change the temperature or turn on the heated seats; and a larger touchscreen with the latest version of Buick’s Intellilink infotainment system which is easy to use for the most part. The interior is trimmed in high quality leather and soft touch materials, along with black trim to accent the sporty image. The front sport seats are very comfortable and are able to keep you in place if you decide to be exuberant with your driving style. The back seat provides very good legroom, while headroom can be tight for taller passengers due to the sloping roofline. For impressions on the powertrain and handling, see page 2. Previously, the Regal GS produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder. For 2014, Buick cut back the horsepower to 259. But in turn, Buick adjusted where maximum torque was available. In this case, they lowered the point. Buick also increased the RPM range of where you have that torque (2,500 to 4,000 rpm if you're wondering). Like before, the Regal GS is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic. However, new for 2014 is the introduction of a all-wheel drive model with a six-speed automatic. The all-wheel drive system can send up 90 percent of power to the rear wheels. Like the previous GS, the current model offers three different drive modes. Normal provides a nice balance of efficiency and performance. Sport firms up the suspension, while GS firms up the suspension even further, quickens the shifts of the six-speed transmission, sharpens up the throttle response, and sends 15 percent more torque to the rear wheels. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I drove the Regal GS onto one of the roads I use for evaluation. But I can say my jaw was on the floor once I finished driving. Put the Regal GS into the GS mode and it becomes something along the lines of a German sedan. The engine spools up quickly and gets the close to 4,000 pound vehicle moving at a rapid pace. Power is always ready whenever you need it. You also notice the all-wheel drive working, shifting power around to keep the vehicle moving and in control. The six-speed automatic is quick on up or downshifts, though I was wishing for a set of paddles so I could play around with gear selection. Then there is the Regal GS’ handling. Drive it into a corner, and the GS hunkers down. There is minimal body roll and the steering provides excellent weight and feel. Agility was very good and felt like you could push the GS a lot further than you thought at first. But what happens when you drive the Regal GS day to day? Well, the Regal GS has a much stiffer ride than the standard Regal. Even in the normal mode, the Regal GS does bounce around a little bit more than you'd think. I was thankful I had the standard nineteen-inch wheels and not the optional twenty-inch ones as this would only exacerbate this problem. But the Regal GS does retain Buick’s notion of providing a quiet ride. The 2014 Buick Regal GS AWD is an excellent all-weather performance vehicle that could give many competitors, even the Germans a run for their money. But I fear that the Regal GS will go down in history as a black sheep much like the Grand National. Why? Well, Buick lists the Regal GS’ competitors such as the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. A tough set of competitors, many people don’t think of Buick as being a competitor to those brands. The other reason is price. A 2014 Regal GS AWD starts at $39,270. My tester rang in at $43,780. A fair price with all of the options on it, but for many, it will likely make their eyes drop out. This price problem is further exacerbated by another General Motors model; the Buck Regal Turbo. Both models have the similar engines, choices of drivetrains, and number of other items. The difference is that Turbo costs less than GS. This brings up the question of why buy the GS at all. The best answer I can give is that the GS offers more performance thanks to a number of enhancements under the hood and the suspension. If you like being a bit outside the norm, the Regal GS is worth a look. Disclaimer: General Motors Provided the Buick Regal GS, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2014 Make: Buick Model: Regal Trim: GS AWD Engine: 2.0L DOHC Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 259 @ 5300 Torque @ RPM: 295 @ 2500-4000 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 19/27/22 Curb Weight: 3,981 lbs Location of Manufacture: Oshawa, Ontario Base Price: $39,270.00 As Tested Price: $43,780.00 (Includes $925.00 Destination Charge) Options: Driver Confidence Package #2 - $1,695.00 Sunroof - $1,000.00 Driver Confidence Package #1 - $900.00 William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article