MAY 6, 2015

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Our AE Quote of the Week goes to Holman W. Jenkins, Jr. who, in writing in The Wall Street Journal about Sergio Marchionne, the whining FCA CEO, had this to say: "You may recall that the Obama administration handed the keys to Fiat in return for CEO Sergio Marchionne's promise to supply small cars to meet forthcoming Obama fuel-economy rules. Credulous media accounts at the time suggested Chrysler's only challenge was to survive long enough so Fiat could begin churning teensy eurocars out of Chrysler's U.S. factories. Uh huh. Today Chrysler's Jeeps and pickups are keeping Fiat afloat, but how much longer when Europe seems embarked on permanent stagnation, and sooner or later a U.S. recession will test Chrysler's survival again?" How much longer indeed? Sergio is getting hot under the collar because his brilliant scheme is now hanging by a thread, and the consolidation he's so urgently insisting that is needed for the industry? It really is only urgently needed by FCA. Boo-frickin-hoo. -PMD

(Chevrolet)
The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is flying under the radar a bit, but the car will notably share the architecture from the Cadillac ATS, so it will be smaller, lighter and have a much more aggressive look. “The Camaro went to the gym and came out with a lithe, more athletic physique for the sixth generation,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design. “It’s a more expressive evolution of the Camaro’s iconic character – and one that complements its leaner size and sharper reflexes.” Oh and this just in: The new Camaro should give the Mustang fits. Same as it ever was, thankfully. The official public unveiling of the 2016 Camaro happens on Saturday, May 16, during a special event at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park.

(Ford)
The Ford Mustang Customizer app has been redone. Now featuring the 2015 Ford Mustang, the new Customizer app allows you to build a Mustang in any color imaginable using dozens of parts – including wheels, spoilers and body panels. The Mustang Customizer app can also help identify local dealers with a similar Mustang in stock. The redesigned customizer is available as a free download from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. A desktop version is set to follow.

(Audi USA)
Audi has announced the pricing for its 2016 TT sports car as follows: TT Coupe 2.0 TFSI ($42,900), TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI - Euro model shown above - ($46,400) and TTS Coupe 2.0 TFSI ($51,900). Is it just us, or does that seem like a lot of money?

(BMW images)
BMW is freshening its 3 Series for the 2016 model year. There are many detail refinements and enhancements, plus, with the introduction of the BMW 340i, an all new BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine with 320HP and 330 lb-ft of torque will make its debut. Other stuff? The new BMW 3 Series chassis has new front struts, new rear damper technology and redesigned electric power steering. The BMW 3 Series Sedan and BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon also get design tweaks, with a new headlight design, LED rear tail lights and optional full-LED headlights, which will be standard on 340i models.