NOVEMBER 18, 2015

(FCA)
Editor-In-Chief's Note: Introducing the most spectacular piece of vaporware on display at the L.A. Auto Show. FCA PR minions say that the Alfa Romeo Guilia Quadrofoglio "exudes stunning Italian style with a finesse of Alfa Romeo heritage." We call it a blatant rip-off of the BMW M3 Sedan. It has a 2.9-liter, Twin-Turbo, 505HP V6 that delivers a top speed of 191 mph and it is allegedly the fastest ever production sedan around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, as if that hoary barometer matters one iota in the larger scheme of things. "His Airness" Sergio Marchionne and those delusional, espresso-swilling minions who bow and scrape to his leadership - Reid Biglund being the chief bootlicker among them - are insisting that this car will see the light of day in this market in six months. This just in: That's pure fiction, folks. The whole Alfa Romeo conceit has now achieved "wing and a prayer" status both within FCA and for the industry at large. You'll be lucky to see this car before the end of 2016 at the earliest. My bet? It won't arrive here until the spring of 2017. Alfa Romeo is going nowhere, fast. The FCA dealers who signed up for Alfa Romeo on Marchionne's promise - now a bold-faced, flat-out lie - of 75,000 vehicles sold in this market by 2016 are now officially apoplectic. Why? Let's see, well, they have a sports car (the 4C) with such limited availability that it barely registers on the sales charts. And The Great Sergio is following that up with a sedan that has a snowball's chance in Hell of achieving 10,000 units a year by 2018, and even that's a stretch. The next cool brand? Please. Alfa Romeo doesn't have a frickin' chance. Welcome to your Waterloo, Sergio. It couldn't happen to a more deserving, carpetbagging mercenary. -PMD

(FCA)
Editor-In-Chief's Note: This is the Fiat 124 Spider, a car based on the new Mazda MX-5 Miata. FCA PR minions say that "it delivers the ultimate Italian roadster experience with driving excitement, technology and safety combined with iconic Italian design." We say that it represents a new low in the illustrious annals of badge engineering. If you were hoping for some sort of oomph in its Italian wrapper, well, we bet you're bitterly disappointed. A blatant cut-and-paste job designed to keep FCA dealers believing in the Marchionne school of smoke-and-mirrors marketing, the Fiat 124 is a cynical carnival barker of a car. Guess what? That sound you hear? It's FCA dealers clicking off their computers en masse and knocking off early for the day. And tomorrow they'll go to work and start figuring out how to extricate themselves from Marchionne's tentacles, aka "The Nightmare" and the biggest mistake of their professional careers. -PMD

(PPG)
Bobby Alloway won the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, part of the annual SEMA show. Alloway took the honors with a PPG-painted 1933 Ford Roadster owned by Larry Olson of Sioux Falls, S.D. The car was on display in the PPG booth throughout SEMA. Alloway’s award-winning entry featured his trademark black finish, set off with contrasting blazing orange flames running down the sides of the roadster’s body. Alloway uses PPG products exclusively at his shop, Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop, in Louisville, Tenn. With its aggressive profile and stance, the car bore an “old school” street rod look. Alloway has been building hot street rods since 1978. No stranger to major awards, Alloway has won the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award twice, Best Rod at the Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) in Pomona, Calif., and was in the top ten in the Builder's Challenge at SEMA last year. His cars have won the Goodguys’ Street Rod and Street Machine of the Year and the prestigious Ridler trophy, among others. Alloway has also been honored as Detroit Autorama Builder of the Year and inducted into the National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame.

(Porsche)
Porsche has introduced the Cayman GT4 Clubsport for amateur and club racing. The specs? 2,866 pounds (1,300 kilograms) with 385HP (283 kW), a modified six-speed Porsche double clutch PDK transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel and a mechanical rear-axle locking differential specifically for racing. The lightweight strut front axle comes from the 911 GT3 Cup car. As does the enhanced lightweight strut suspension with transverse arms at the rear. The racing brake system features large 15-inch (380-millimeter) steel brake discs all round. One-piece, six-piston aluminum fixed calipers are located at the front, with a four-piston equivalent at the rear. The anti-lock brake system features twelve settings and the Electronic Stability Program has been recalibrated for slick racing tires. The power steering is operated electro-mechanically. The GT4 Clubsport is basically a turn-key racecar delivered from the factory with a welded-in safety cage, a racing bucket seat as well as a six-point harness. The North American version comes with an 18.5 gallon (70-liter) or an optional 26.5 gallon (100-liter) FIA FT3 safety fuel tank. The car also comes with a central fire extinguisher system. It has 18" five-bolt forged wheels with 25/64-18 tires in the front, with 18" five-lug forged wheels at the rear with 27/68-18 tires. Michelin® supplies the racing slicks. In the USA, the new Cayman GT4 Clubsport racecar is available directly from Porsche Motorsport North America for $165,000.

(Mercedes-Benz)
The new Mercedes-Benz SL has a refreshed appearance and it arrives here in the spring with a bunch of new tweaks and features. Models include the SL450 with a V6 engine uprated to 362HP and 369 lb-ft of torque; the SL550 with a 449HP V8 and two Mercedes-AMG models - the SL63 (577HP) and SL65 (621HP) - the latter with a V12 engine. That is all.

(Buick)
The "new face" of Buick is embodied in the new 2017 LaCrosse, according to the manufacturer. The new grille design "has a large opening distinguished by the return of a three-color – red, silver and blue – Buick tri-shield insignia, accented by wing-shaped elements set against darkened waterfall grille bars inspired by the 1954 Wildcat II concept" (whoa, that's a lot, even for PR minions). Longer(!), lower(!) and wider(!) than the current model, the 2017 LaCrosse is built on a stronger yet lighter structure. It is about 300 pounds lighter (this is a very good thing) than the current LaCrosse – largely due to the use of press-hardened, high-strength steels – which contribute to greater efficiency and more responsive handling. A technically advanced, second-generation 3.6L V6 is paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission, and standard Stop/Start technology is also included. Availability? Next summer.

(Lincoln Motor Company images)
The 2017 Lincoln MKZ will have the new Lincoln "face" debuted on the Continental Concept at the New York Auto Show last Spring. There will be a host of tweaks and improvements, but the big news is the availability of an all-new, Lincoln-exclusive, 3.0-liter GTDI V6 with 400HP and 400 lb.-ft. of torque; with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system. A Driver’s Package is available on the MKZ with the 3.0-liter V6, which includes 19-inch wheels, Ebony-painted calipers, light Magnetic-painted grille, Ebony interior with carbon fiber appliqués, customizable multi-contour seats and aluminum pedal covers. In addition, the package features re-tuned continuously controlled damping and suspension for enhanced driving dynamics. Availability? Next summer.

(Ford images)
Ford has updated the Escape for 2017. The new Escape will be the first Ford vehicle in the world with SYNC® Connect, which means that customers can unlock and lock their doors, start the engine, and locate the vehicle through a smartphone app. New Driver-assist technologies available include enhanced active park assist, a lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support. The Escape gets two new EcoBoost engines with Auto Start-Stop standard. Escape SE and Titanium trim levels come standard with a new aluminum-block, twin-cam, 1.5-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost expected to deliver 180HP and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. The optional twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost delivers 245HP and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard across the line, with new paddle-shift technology available for Escape SE and Titanium. A 2.5-liter i-VCT four-cylinder engine carries over as standard equipment for the Escape S series. Finally, a new Sport Appearance Package is available for SE and Titanium models. Availability? Next summer.

(VW)
VW PR minions say that the Golf GTE Sport "Bridges the gap" between road and racing cars. Power comes from a 1.6-liter TSI engine adapted from the two-time World Rally Championship winning Polo R WRC that delivers 295HP and maximum torque of 295 pound-feet. That engine is assisted by two electric motors, one in the front and one in the rear. The front motor develops 113HP with maximum torque of 243 lb-ft, while the rear motor also develops 113HP, but with 199 lb-ft of torque. The total system torque is 494 lb-ft. Wherever possible, the concept car operates as an electric vehicle. In sporty “GTE mode” all three motors work together, giving the all-wheel-drive Golf GTE Sport a zero to 62 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph.

(GMC)
GMC has introduced the 2017 Canyon Denali (above, at dealers in late 2016) and the 2016 Sierra Denali Ultimate (arriving in the first quarter of 2016). Both have the usual gamut of "unique" features and trim designed to lighten consumer wallets considerably.

(Lamborghini)
Automobili Lamborghini has introduced the Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2: a rear-wheel-drive version of the Huracán coupe. With its naturally aspirated V10 5.2 l engine sending 426 kW/580HP to the rear axle, the Huracán LP 580-2's dry weight is just 1,389 kg - 33 kg lighter than the all-wheel-drive version. Weight distribution is biased 40% at the front/60% at the rear. An entirely new power management set-up, encompassing modified suspension, tweaked steering set-up and recalibrated stability and traction controls connects the driver as directly as possible with the road. The selectable Lamborghini driving modes STRADA, SPORT and CORSA are tuned to provide over-steering characteristics, emphasizing its authentic rear-wheel drive character. The Huracán LP 580-2 is expected to be priced substantially lower - by as much as $50,000 - than the all-wheel-drive Huracan.

The Two Cadillacs. (Again.)

Editor-In-Chief's Note: Our "Quick Take" this week has us in the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V, the bad-ass V-Series machine that says everything you need to know about GM's True Believers. Let me get this out of the way right up front: This is a superbly rendered, meticulously engineered high-performance coupe that operates at a very high level. It is confident and composed with the kind of feel that makes you nod your head "Yes!" as soon as you set off down the road. It's responsive in every way an enthusiast would want it to be and it feels so right that you know the people involved with its development not only get it, but they live it and breathe it too. Every inch a driver's machine, the ATS-V certainly has a seat at the table with its German competitors, especially the vaunted BMW M4 (even though it's a couple hundred pounds heavier than the "M" machine). And I need to make special mention of the third-generation Magnetic Ride Control on the ATS-V because as aggressive as its suspension is, the ride is almost shockingly good over all surfaces and around here with our third-world roads, that's really saying something. I have read some other comments over the months about this car and the most surprising - and silly - comment I've heard is that it lacks versatility because it's not roomy enough. Uh, what? Anyone who buys this car thinking it's anything but a high-performance two-seater for driving is simply kidding him- or herself. If you need a bigger car, buy it, but don't denigrate the ATS-V because it doesn't have a back seat that's worth writing home about. The True Believers at GM know what they're doing, and their super cars - the Cadillac V-Series machines and the Corvette and Camaro - are a testament to their hard work and dedication. But as impressive as the V-Series machines are, is this what Cadillac really needs? See below. -PMD
2016 Cadillac ATS-V AWD Coupe (RWD): $74,635 ($62,665 Base Price; Phantom Gray Metallic, $495; Jet Black Interior; Recaro Performance Seats, $2,300; 3.6L Twin-Turbocharged, DOHC VVT V6 with direct injection, 464HP and 445lbs-ft of torque; Rear wheel drive; Six-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Match and No Lift Shift; High capacity cooling; Launch control; Performance traction management; Competition spec traction and stability controls; Third-generation Magnetic Ride Control suspension; Driver-selectable driving modes for touring, sport and track; Electronic limited slip differential; Six piston front/four piston rear Brembo performance disc brakes with gray calipers; Premium painted alloy wheels (18" x 9" front, 18" x 9.5" rear) with summer tires; Carbon fiber hood with (and very cool) air extractor; V-Series grille; V-tuned premium electric ZF steering; Quad, bright tip exhaust pipes; Hand crafted cut and sewn interior; 18-way performance heated front seats; Split folding rear seat; Carbon fiber interior trim; Sueded microfiber interior accents; Bose premium audio with active noise cancellation; Cadillac CUE info and media control with 8" full color display; Full leather, performance front seats; Power lumbar, driver and front passenger; Memory driver seat; Rear split-folding seat; Heated and ventilated seats, driver and front passenger; Cadillac CUE with navigation, 8" full-color touch display; SiriusXM and HD Radio + service subscription sold separately by SiriusXM after three months; Electroluminescent instrument cluster with 5.7" driver information center; Bluetooth for phone and audio; Wireless charging; EZ Key passive entry with push button start; Rear vision camera; Front and rear park assist; Auto dimming mirrors; Power heated outside mirrors; Power tilt and telescoping steering column; Memory setting system; Track Performance Package - Low mass battery (provided in addition to standard battery), Deletes tire sealant & inflator, tow hook and floor mats, Includes Carbon Fiber package (carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber air extractor, carbon fiber rear diffuser), Composite (non-carbon) black rocker extensions, Body-color rear spoiler - $6,195; Cadillac User Experience (CUE) with Navigation - Navigation system, 110v power outlet, Bose surround sound - $1,085; Red Brembo brake calipers, $595; Protection Package - tire sealant and inflator kit, Tow hook, Front and rear floor mats - $305; Destination Charge, $995)

Adherence to Brand Image: Here we go again with the perpetual conundrum facing the Cadillac brand. Desperate for recognition - and ranking - along with the widely accepted and respected German road stars, there are now two Cadillacs emerging, seemingly in conflict with each other. In one corner we have the Cadillac Extremists, the True Believers reporting to GM product development guru Mark Reuss, who regularly crank out stunning high-performance machines every time they set their minds to it. Validating GM's capability and high-performance credentials, the Cadillac V-Series machines are impressive pieces of work by any measure. But then there's the "other" Cadillac, fueled by the runaway success - and incredible profitability - of the Escalade, and soon to be joined by the XT5 (the SRX replacement), a brace of new crossovers, and the new CT6 sedan, this "other" Cadillac is the Cadillac that must thrive if the division ever hopes to get out of its own way. People point to Mercedes and BMW as examples of car companies that can do high-performance machines (AMG and M), while still cranking out crossovers and SUVs with abandon, so why can't Cadillac do the same to accomplish an image makeover? Because quite simply, Cadillac's legacy isn't high-performance. Not that there haven't been high-performance Cadillacs in the past, because there certainly have been, but that's clearly not Cadillac's raison d'etre and I'm not sure these V-Series machines will serve to change that fact. The ATS-V and CTS-V exist as islands unto themselves, and beyond convincing a few enthusiasts to give the stellar V-Series cars a look on their way to the Mercedes-Benz and BMW dealers, they are but a mere footnote in the bigger picture for Cadillac. This is a division, after all, that has presented two of the most stunning concepts in the world over the last five years - the Ciel and the Elmiraj - and yet the Cadillac brain trust has done nothing to burnish the intense imagery of those machines into the American consumer consciousness. Instead, we have the highly restrained CT6, which doesn't have nearly the impact that it should, which is regrettable. As I said, the V-Series machines are impressive testaments to the will and the vision of the True Believers at GM and selfishly, as an enthusiast, I am thrilled that they exist. But in the end, they're not going to move the image needle enough to make a difference for Cadillac. What will? Big, imposing, distinctive luxury automobiles that make as memorable of an impression as the Escalade does on the street. Until that happens, Cadillac will continue to effectively run in place, taking three steps forward and five back, not moving the needle nearly as much as it needs to. -PMD

Check out the latest episode of The Autoextremist on AutoextremistTV below. -WG