GM. The Silver Silo Crew announced it will move its Treasury office team in New York City to its Detroit headquarters in the Renaissance Center in mid-2014, affecting about 70 employees. “GM Treasury plays a crucial role in the success of our company, and locating the team in Detroit will fully integrate them into our core business operations,” GM Chief Financial Officer Dan Ammann said in a statement. This move is so long overdue it's stunning that it has taken this long. Once upon a time (in ancient times) GM having its Treasury office in NYC was a big deal. It's irrelevant now. - PMD

 The ONE VOICE Coalition. The nation's largest Italian American anti-bias organization has received a formal written apology from Fiat-Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne, for his use of a pejorative term offensive to Italian Americans, that he verbalized earlier this year at a press conference at the Detroit Auto Show.  As most of you probably remember, Marchionne was commenting on the long-delayed introduction of the new generation of Alfa Romeos (a perpetual state, we might add).  He stated, "I won't put an American engine into that car. With all due respect to my American friends, it needs to be a wop engine."  According to Reuters, after reporters registered evident surprise at his use of an ethnic slur, Marchionne turned to one of them and asked, "Why are you surprised?" Mr. Marchionne stated (at the time of the press conference) that the use of negative and derogatory terms, such as "wop," were funny and, he alleges, that he used the term "in jest."  However, after a relentless campaign by ONE VOICE, led by its Founder and President Dr. Manny Alfano, Mr. Marchionne issued a written letter to the Coalition, acknowledging his remarks were unacceptable and apologized to "anyone who may have been offended" by those remarks.

(Aston Martin)
Aston Martin marked its first 100 years with a 100-plus car parade at the Nurburgring Nordschleife on May 19th, just ahead of the start of the 41st ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours. Led by Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez at the wheel of the stunning new CC100 Speedster Concept, which made its global debut at the Nürburgring this weekend, the parade comprised cars from the brand’s past and present. Among the models making the 22 km lap were the DB5 used in the recent James Bond film Skyfall, a One-77 hypercar, the 1959 Nürburgring 1000 km-winning DBR1 with original driver Sir Stirling Moss at the wheel, and a modern Centenary Edition Vanquish bearing the numberplate ‘100YRS’.

(Images courtesy of Aston Martin)
Aston Martin is celebrating its centenary with the debut of the CC100 Speedster Concept. "Created as a stunning celebration of the great British brand’s 100 years of sports car excellence the one-off CC100 looks both to the past and the DBR1 – Aston Martin’s greatest sporting triumph on the track – and to the future with its teasing glimpses of potential future design direction," so says Aston's PR minions. The 6.0-litre V12-powered concept completed a lap of the famous Nordschleife before Germany’s ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring race. “CC100 is the epitome of everything that is great about Aston Martin. It represents our fantastic sporting heritage, our exceptional design capability, our superb engineering know-how and, above all, our adventurous spirit! I have nicknamed it ‘DBR100’ because of its affinity to the great 1959 race-winning cars and, of course, our 100-year anniversary in 2013," commented Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, who wheeled the car. Designed and constructed in fewer than six months at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, working with key supplier Multimatic Inc, under the leadership of Special Projects and Motorsport Director David King, the finished look of the two-seater CC100 is the work of Design Director Marek Reichman working alongside the brand’s Chief Exterior Designer Miles Nurnberger. With a body and interior crafted from carbon fiber, tooled and provided by low volume specialists Multimatic, the CC100 utilizes the latest generation AM11 naturally aspirated V12 gasoline engine mated to a six-speed hydraulically actuated automated sequential manual transmission.

(BMW Group)
BMW is about to launch the freshened 5 Series family here in the US. "Fresh contour lines for the surround of the BMW kidney grille and redesigned lower air intakes reinforce the sporty appearance of the 2014 BMW 5 Series Sedan," according to BMW's PR minions. Xenon Adaptive headlights are fitted as standard on all 5 Series models, while Adaptive LED Headlights join the options list for 2014. Elsewhere, the side indicator lights are now integrated into the exterior mirrors. Also new in the BMW 5 Series are the Luxury Line and Modern Line, in addition to the popular M Sport choice, each containing select design and equipment features.

(BMW Group)
The BMW 535d has been added as BMW’s latest diesel variant in North America. Its inline-6 BMW Advanced Diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology makes 255 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 413 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 – 3,000 rpm (preliminary figures). Simultaneously, the new BMW 535d Sedan is expected to show substantial fuel efficiency gains over its gasoline-fueled counterpart. BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system is also available on the new 535d Sedan. The top-of-the-line engine of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan now features an updated V-8 with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and BMW’s Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology, developing 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque.
 
(BMW Group)
The 5 Series chassis technology – which includes a double-wishbone front axle, integral rear axle and Servotronic variable power steering function – has been "honed to deliver an unrivaled balance between sporty performance and ride comfort," according to BMW. The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo comes with standard air suspension, including automatic self-leveling rear suspension. The Driving Dynamics Control switch on the center console is standard on all models. Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering can be specified as options. Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start-Stop functionality, and ECO PRO mode - the suite of standard-fitted BMW EfficientDynamics technologies - now also includes a coasting mode (which disengages the powertrain while coasting), and the ECO PRO Route function, which can be selected via the Navigation system. From the rear, "The accentuated width of the rear end is underlined by an extra crease in the apron, as well as slim, sharply contoured and therefore more striking rear lights,"  BMW says. The BMW 5 Series currently rolling off the assembly line is the sixth-generation model and has been a fixture in the BMW portfolio since 1972, longer than any other current model. The enhanced, 2014 BMW 5 Series Sedan and 5 Series Gran Turismo will go on sale at Authorized BMW Centers in the US in August 2013.

(Images courtesy of Porsche Cars North America)
The 918 Spyder has been designed, developed and produced by Porsche engineers who build race cars, in cooperation with series production specialists. A great deal of insight gained from the development of Porsche's new racing cars being developed for the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2014 has been integrated into the 918 Spyder – and vice versa. The structural concept of the 918 Spyder with a rolling chassis as its basis – a basic vehicle that can be driven even without a body – is race car tradition at Porsche. The concept of the V8 engine originates from the LMP2 RS Spyder race car. The load-bearing structures, the monocoque and sub frame, are made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Many parts of the 918 come from manufacturers who have a proven record as suppliers for motorsport vehicles. (But after all that the car is heavy, weighing approximately 3,715 lbs., 3,616 lbs. with “Weissach" package. - PMD) 

The 918 Spyder's 4.6-liter, eight cylinder engine produces 608 HP. But with 154 HP from the hybrid module on the rear axle and 127 HP from the electric motor on the front axle, the real combined output is 887 HP. Maximum torque with the V8 only is 390 lb.-ft. at 6,600, but it's the equivalent of 940 lb.-ft. of torque calculated on the crankshaft, with the complete system in 7th gear and 787 lb.-ft. with the complete system, 3rd gear. The engine is derived directly from the power unit of the successful RS Spyder, which explains why it can deliver engine speeds of up to 9,150 rpm. Like the race engine of the RS Spyder, the 918 Spyder power unit features dry-sump lubrication with a separate oil tank and oil extraction. To save weight, components such as the oil tank, the air filter box integrated into the subframe and the air induction are made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Further extensive lightweight design measures have resulted in such features as titanium connecting rods, thin-wall, low-pressure casting on the crank case and the cylinder heads, a high-strength, lightweight steel crankshaft with 180 degrees crankpin offset and the extremely thin-walled alloy steel/nickel exhaust system. Striking features of the V8 are that it no longer supports any auxiliary systems, there are no external belt drives and the engine is therefore particularly compact. Weight and performance optimizations achieve a power output per liter of approx. 133 hp/l – the highest power output per liter of a Porsche naturally aspirated engine – which is significantly higher than that of the Carrera GT (106 hp/l).

The 918 Spyder interior stays true to the current Porsche interior design idiom but blends in overtones from the Carrera GT, while pushing it even further.

One of the 918 Spyder's most endearing attributes is sure to be its sound.  It features "top pipes" - tailpipes that terminate in the upper part of the rear end immediately above the engine. No other production vehicle uses this solution. The top pipes’ greatest benefit is optimal heat removal, because the hot exhaust gases are released via the shortest possible route, and exhaust gas back pressure remains low. This design requires a new thermodynamic air channeling concept. With the HSI engine, the hot side is located inside the cylinder V, the intake channels are on the outside. There is another benefit as well: the engine compartment remains cooler. This is especially beneficial to the lithium-ion traction battery, as it provides optimum performance at temperatures between 68 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, less energy needs to be used for active cooling of the battery.

Performance of the Porsche 918 Spyder? Top speed: More than 211 mph. In purely electric mode: 93 mph. Other stats: 0-62 mph: 2.8 sec; 0-62 mph (in electric mode): 7.0 sec; 0-124 mph (0-200 km/h): 7.9 sec; 0-186 mph (0-300 km/h): 23.0 sec. The range in purely electric mode is 18 miles.

Letter from L.A.

By Tom Pease

Beverly Hills. Twice a year an event in Beverly Gardens Park takes place that celebrates art, where artists from around the world show and sell their wares. It used to be called “The Affaire in the Gardens” but recently has been renamed the artSHOW. Lincoln has been there for the past few years showing off their wares and offering test drives. Offering me a chance to drive a car for free is always welcome, of course, so I made my way over from my hovel in the glamorous “Industrial Triangle” area of Beverly Hills to the park. I had a political meeting in the 600 block of Rodeo so I parked there and walked back to the test site off of Crescent and Park Way.

First the complaints. Really, Lincoln, call me. You need help with these events. Specifically, you need a gay. Preferably me. What possessed you to dress the hosts, both male and female in dark-blue jeans, blue gingham-looking shirts and tan brogues? They looked like Jed Clampett's kin. Did someone back in Michigan think it would be a cute “Beverly Hillbillies” reference? I'm sorry - I thought you were selling luxury cars?

The other thing was the color of the cars there. Most were black with dark interiors while one was red and two others were silver. I think it would have been better of you either had all the cars be one color, or better yet have a range showing off the different colors, interior and exterior. Again, this is Southern California - we like color, and we like light interiors.

The last complaint was the length of the drive. I got there in the morning and had to leave to get to my meeting since the hybrid wasn't arriving back. Upon my return in the afternoon, despite the fact that you weren't in any way overwhelmed with people standing in line for your cars I was allowed to drive the product around the block. Left off of Park on to Crescent, left on Carmelita, left on Cañon and left back onto Park Way to park. Really?

On to the cars. I drove the MKZ in both the hybrid and gas-powered version. I still think that anyone who doesn't choose the hybrid is nuts, at least if they live in Los Angeles. In the driving we do here there's simply no trade-off in handling and since it's the same price as the less expensive gas engine I really think it's a no-brainer. The giant sunroof is a gas, but actually cuts down on vision out the rear window, which isn't great to begin with. I actually kind of like the push-button gear selection although I know it would take some time to get used to, and I wonder why they put the electronic parking brake control on the lower-left dash instead of the console where it really should be (looking at you Cadillac ATS.)

I also drove the MKX, which seemed huge and I was told had slightly outdated styling that was going to be firmed up soon. It also seemed to have software that needed to be updated. I'm just not an SUV sort of guy in any form.

Lincoln seems to be a brand in flux and I don't quite know why. They don't seem to be able to pin down what they want to do: are they luxury? Near luxury? They keep tweaking grill textures and hoping something tossed at the wall will stick. They seem to be going for being the American Volvo in design when I think they should mine their design successes in the way Cadillac has done and they've done themselves in the show cars they've put out in the past years.

The MKS is a great car. But what they need to do is to make sure that the software upgrades get to all their models. Why should I have a different interface on the MKS than on the MKX?

Note to all manufacturers: I hate it that I have to have an interface at all to change my radio station, but if you want to imitate Apple with this crap - which in my opinion belongs on a phone and not a car in the first place - could you at least have a mobile update like my iPhone so that I won't have to try to remember how to call up a radio station on my '11 Belchfire as opposed to my '14 one?

Please, knobs. Now.

Editor-in-Chief's's Note: For our "Quick Take" this week (sorry, I neglected to take pictures) we're in the 2013 Buick Encore with all-wheel-drive. This "globally designed, five-passenger small luxury crossover expands Buick's portfolio" according to Buick. I have to admit that when I saw this rig at the Detroit Auto Show I gave it a five-minute once-over and kept walking, figuring I'd get the concept later. But the fact is that the small crossover segment is about to take off and it's easy to see why. This little Buick was highly-maneuverable bordering on being nimble, I wouldn't say that it veers into fun-to-drive territory but at least it fares well in somewhat spirited driving. And did I say the Encore was little? Yes, it is. When they say "small crossover" they're not kidding, because the Encore is definitely small. Not in a Toon Town sort of way mind you, but it seems shrink-wrapped nonetheless. As for its versatility it's surprisingly good, but I see it more as a vehicle for active young couples without kids, or a young couple whose kids are the size of E.T. Then again older boomers will probably flock to the thing too, because of its size and promise of just the right amount of versatility. One caution, I thought the seats left a lot to be desired. They were too flat and didn't offer enough support. They need work. That said, I liked the Buick Encore much more than I thought I would. Enough to buy one for myself? No. But I can see how it has the potential to be very popular in the market. - PMD

2013 Buick Encore AWD-Premium Group: $32,230 ($29,690 Base Price; Ruby Red Metallic; Titanium Interior; 1.4-liter DOHC Ecotec Turbo with Variable Valve Timing with 138HP and 148 lbs-ft of torque; 6-speed automatic; "Active on Demand" all-wheel drive; 18" chromed aluminum wheels, $995; Leather seating; Heated front seats; Standard leather-wrapped, tilt and telescopic steering wheel with heated outside mirrors; Audio system with navigation including AM/FM/SERIUSXM stereo with Buick IntelliLink and 7" diagonal screen, USB port, Input jack, $795; Destination Charge, $750)

Adherence to Brand Image: Buick is the brand that exists more so for China than the US market, and GM is hell-bent on feeding it more product as soon as possible. Buick wants to be the premium choice in every segment it competes in, but hey, so does every other manufacturer in the world. Manufacturer brain trusts insist that they will compete at the top of each segment or be best in segment. But as we well know, they all can't be best. Somebody has to slip to the next tier down. GM is defining Buick as the premium alternative, the high-styled brand that is worth consideration. I'd rate the Verano and LaCrosse as being true to that mission, and the Encore too, in a weird way. The Regal? It's superfluous and a mistake. The company has big plans for Buick, including a statement vehicle that will carry the Riviera name. Buick exists between Cadillac and Chevrolet in the GM empire. And it markets some pretty nice vehicles. Maybe that's enough.  But then again, it's never enough. - PMD

Honda. The Japanese manufacturer will spend $70 million to renovate a Honda logistics facility in Marysville, Ohio, converting it to a production plant to build the all-new Acura NSX super car. The new NSX is supposed to hit the streets sometime in 2015.

Radio. Sixty percent of Americans predict the end of terrestrial radio as we know it, according to a Harris survey, preferring other sources without commercial interference. And if that happens another important piece of Americana will be left like a house by the side of the road. Road trips into the night with radio offering stimulation and company were a rite of passage. And it was good. Now what?

The NTSB. In ancient times cops would lock up your car and drive you home, or take you to the station if you had too much to drink and let you dry out. Now? The National Transportation Safety Board wants to lower the legal limit on drunken driving to a blood-alcohol content of 0.05 percent or lower, compared to the current 0.08 percent. They're basically saying no one can drink anything and drive. How far is enough? We're about to find out.

Driving. From the "Uh-Oh" File comes word that driving is becoming passe, according to a report released by U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The total miles per capita driven has fallen every year since 2004, thus ending a driving "boom" that dates back to 1964. Step right up and get your autonomous cars, folks, and then go home and sleep with your "devices." It's a hard-knock life.

(BMW Group)
BMW Group and Pininfarina will unveil a new concept at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 on May 24. The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé is the sequel to the BMW Zagato Coupé unveiled a year ago at the same event. "This elaborate creation is a one-off that captivates the observer at first glance with its Italian exclusivity and modern finesse," according to the BMW minions.

(BMW)
Seventy-five years ago BMW entered the Mille Miglia. Back in 1938, the teams competing in the BMW 328 swept the top places in the 2.0-litre category. Two years on, overall victory would follow courtesy of the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupé. This weekend BMW Group Classic is dispatching nine such models to compete in the latest edition of this historic round trip. The squad of BMW 328 models will delight classic car enthusiasts, while once again paying tribute to the tradition-steeped association between BMW and the Mille Miglia. The winning car of 1940 will also be featured, as well as a 1937 BMW 328 Berlin-Rome Touring Roadster and a BMW 328 Mille Miglia Roadster dating back to 1939. Also lining up will be the BMW 328 Kamm Coupé. The Mille Miglia was first staged in 1927 as an endurance race. Today it's the world’s most famous reliability run for classic sports cars. From its traditional start point in the north Italian city of Brescia, this year’s route again covers some 1,000 miles that take in Ferrara and San Marino before heading to Rome, then returning to Brescia via Siena, Florence and Bologna. The first cars will set off in the early evening of May 16 and are expected to arrive at the finish Saturday night, May 18.

(Images courtesy of Porsche Cars North America)
Excerpts from the press release: The task, according to Porsche, was to create the super sports car for the next decade designed around a highly efficient and powerful hybrid drive. The 918 Spyder "demonstrates the potential of the hybrid drive to a degree never seen before: the parallel improvement of both efficiency and performance without one being at the cost of the other. This is the idea that has made the Porsche 911 the most successful sports car in the world for 50 years. In short, the 918 Spyder will act as the gene pool for the Porsche sports cars of the future," according to the company release. (That's a lot to chew on, needless to say. - PMD)

The 918 Spyder has been designed, developed and produced by Porsche engineers who build race cars, in cooperation with series production specialists. A great deal of insight gained from the development of Porsche's new racing cars being developed for the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2014 has been integrated into the 918 Spyder – and vice versa. The structural concept of the 918 Spyder with a rolling chassis as its basis – a basic vehicle that can be driven even without a body – is race car tradition at Porsche. The concept of the V8 engine originates from the LMP2 RS Spyder race car. The load-bearing structures, the monocoque and subframe, are made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Porsche has many years of experience with this high-strength, lightweight construction material and has again achieved top results with the development of the series production 918 Spyder. Many parts of the super sports car come from manufacturers who have a proven record as suppliers for motorsport vehicles. (But after all that the car is heavy, weighing approximately 3,715 lbs., 3,616 lbs. with “Weissach" package. - PMD)

The 918 Spyder's 4.6-liter, eight cylinder engine produces 608 HP. But with 154 HP from the hybrid module on the rear axle and 127 HP from the electric motor on the front axle, the real combined output is 887 HP. Maximum torque with the V8 only is 390 lb.-ft. at 6,600, but it's the equivalent of 940 lb.-ft. of torque calculated on the crankshaft, with the complete system in 7th gear and 787 lb.-ft. with the complete system, 3rd gear. The engine is derived directly from the power unit of the successful RS Spyder, which explains why it can deliver engine speeds of up to 9,150 rpm. Like the race engine of the RS Spyder, the 918 Spyder power unit features dry-sump lubrication with a separate oil tank and oil extraction. To save weight, components such as the oil tank, the air filter box integrated into the subframe and the air induction are made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Further extensive lightweight design measures have resulted in such features as titanium connecting rods, thin-wall, low-pressure casting on the crank case and the cylinder heads, a high-strength, lightweight steel crankshaft with 180 degrees crankpin offset and the extremely thin-walled alloy steel/nickel exhaust system. Striking features of the V8 are that it no longer supports any auxiliary systems, there are no external belt drives and the engine is therefore particularly compact. Weight and performance optimizations achieve a power output per liter of approx. 133 hp/l – the highest power output per liter of a Porsche naturally aspirated engine – which is significantly higher than that of the Carrera GT (106 hp/l).

One of the 918 Spyder's most endearing attributes will be its sound.  It features "top pipes" - tailpipes that terminate in the upper part of the rear end immediately above the engine. No other production vehicle uses this solution. The top pipes’ greatest benefit is optimal heat removal, because the hot exhaust gases are released via the shortest possible route, and exhaust gas back pressure remains low. This design requires a new thermodynamic air channeling concept. With the HSI engine, the hot side is located inside the cylinder V, the intake channels are on the outside. There is another benefit as well: the engine compartment remains cooler. This is especially beneficial to the lithium-ion traction battery, as it provides optimum performance at temperatures between 68 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, less energy needs to be used for active cooling of the battery.

Performance?

Top speed, all in: More than 211 mph

Purely electric: 93 mph

0-62 mph: 2.8 sec

0-62 mph (in electric mode): 7.0 sec

0-124 mph (0-200 km/h): 7.9 sec

0-186 mph (0-300 km/h): 23.0 sec

Range: Purely electric is approx. 18 mi.

Editor-in-Chief's's Note: Our "Quick Take" this week has us in a 2013 GMC Acadia Denali with all-wheel-drive. These large SUVs admittedly aren't really my cup of tea, but there's no doubt that if you have a real use for them they're extremely handy. Would I want one every day? No. But for a lot of people with no choice in the matter (aka those in need of herding hordes of kids) I can see how an Acadia would fit the bill nicely. And the full-zoot Denali package really helps soften the blow of driving bulk around every day too, although the overall look of the "Cocoa Dune" interior was a little wimpy. As for the driving, even though the GM V6 is equipped with a kaleidoscope of advanced features, the feel leaves a lot to be desired. That's probably because the synergy between the engine and the ancient-feeling transmission is average, at best, and combine that with a throttle tip-in that too often feels balky and you're left with a driving experience that's present and accounted for. Period. Not something you'd go out of your way to experience, but serviceable for its intended mission. Not every car or truck can be fun or interesting to drive. Sometimes you just need something that's accommodating for all of your day-to-day needs and comfortable. In that respect, the GMC Acadia Denali fits the bill nicely. - PMD

2013 GMC Acadia AWD Denail: $52,075 ($47,945 Base Price; White Diamond Tricoat, $995; Cocoa Dune Interior; 3.6-liter, SIDI DOHC Variable Valve Timing V6 with 288HP and 270 lbs-ft of torque; 6-speed automatic; all-wheel drive; variable assist power steering; Exclusive 20" machined aluminum wheels; Perforated leather seating with Denali specific color; heated and cooled front seats; Standard power tilt/telescope steering wheel; Navigation and rear seat entertainment, $2,240; Plus a bunch of other Denali -specific stuff including an "industry exclusive" front center air bag; Destination Charge, $895) 

 
 Adherence to Brand Image: Well, this is interesting. What is GMC anyway? I think the whole "Professional Grade" thing is played out and has been for a long time. It doesn't mean anything and it's certainly not consistent with the upscale image GMC seems to cater to. In the GM product hierarchy is the Acadia better than the Chevrolet Traverse? Sort of. But is it going to be as good as the next-gen Cadillac Escalade that will be introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in January? It better not be or GM will have a problem. GMC occupies an island unto itself within GM that seems to be untouchable. In ancient times it was the truck for people who wouldn't be caught dead in a Chevrolet (or for Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac dealers who wanted trucks to sell). GMC makes money, which guarantees its survival. At least for now. Brand image? Vague. Questionable. And in-between. - PMD

GM. The company has brought back around 100 retired engineers on a contract basis in order to help suppliers with the launch of the new Chevrolet Silverado/GMC pickups this summer. GM North America President Mark Reuss relayed that little tidbit to Automotive News last week, along with the fact that a group of retired engineers also helped with the launch of the new Impala, which Reuss termed as being "almost flawless because of this approach. It really works." We certainly hope that this is a trend in this business, because there are too many smart auto people sitting around bored to death who could really help make a substantive difference on a lot of levels.

CMOs. Editor-in-Chief's Note: From the "Hey Martha, Let's Break Out The Scotch!" File comes word that the average tenure for Chief Marketing Officers has gone up from 23 months to an average of 45 months, according to research conducted by executive-search firm Spencer Stuart, as reported by AdAge. Do you mean CEO's are finally understanding the value of a dialed-in CMO who can affect an image of a company in a most positive way? Could be. But it could also mean that it's a temporary aberration and that the revolving door for CMOs is due to fire-up shortly. Yet another giant "We'll See." - PMD

(Photos courtesy of GM)
Aimed squarely at its top-line Ford (F-150 King Ranch and Platinum editions), Chrysler Ram Truck (Laramie Longhorn) and Toyota Tundra (1794 Edition) competition, the 2014 Silverado High Country will slot above the LTZ and Z71 as the top model in the Silverado lineup this fall. The Silverado High Country has the usual stuff: a unique chrome grille with horizontal chrome bars, halogen projector headlamps, body-color front and rear bumpers, chrome body side moldings, door handles and mirrors. Plus, specific 20-inch chrome wheels with P275/55R20 all-season tires are standard. But the bigger news is inside where the Silverado High Country is distinguished by an exclusive saddle brown interior featuring heated and cooled perforated premium leather front bucket seats with High Country logos on the headrests, Chevrolet MyLink connectivity with an 8-inch touch screen, Bose premium audio and front and rear park assist. Standard engine for the Silverado High Country is the 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8, SAE-certified at 355 horsepower (250 kW). The all-new 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 also will be available. Both engines feature direct fuel injection, Active Fuel Management and continuously variable valve timing. Both switch to four-cylinder mode to save fuel during light-load driving. Loaded to the gills, Silverado High Country will offer only a few options. In addition to the aforementioned 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8, options include a chrome rear bumper with CornerStep, integrated trailer brake controller, sunroof, navigation, and a rear-seat entertainment system as well as a High Country Premium Package which includes heated steering wheel, driver alert package, adjustable pedals and integrated trailer brake controller.

Editor's Note: Check out this 16-minute video "Born of a Blue Sky," which highlights the 18th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Filmmaker Justin Lapriore has condensed the now-famous show into a fluid series of impressions of the entire week from a personal, ground-level perspective. The seminars, driving events and the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Porsche 911, Ford's GT40, Lamborghini and the Corvette Stingray are shown as spectators see them on the Concours' field. - WG

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Gary Vasilash, from AutoFieldGuide.com, sums up last week's Autoline After Hours which you can watch here, plus he talks about market deficiencies facing the Chevrolet Malibu and more. - PMD

(Images courtesy of Porsche North America)
Fifty years ago, the Porsche 911 made its debut at the Frankfurt International Auto Show - and just ten years later, the first 911 Turbo prototype was at the IAA. On this 40th anniversary of the 911 Turbo, Porsche is now presenting the new generation 911 Turbo and Turbo S - what the company is calling "the technological and dynamic performance peak of the 911 series." A new all-wheel-drive system, active rear axle steering, adaptive aerodynamics, full-LED headlights, and up to 560 hp - the 3.8-liter, twin-turbo flat six-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection produces 520 hp in the 911 Turbo and 560 hp in the S model - underscore the role of the new generation 911 Turbo as "an ultra performance car, every day car, and technology flagship," according to Porsche. The new Turbo has an entirely new chassis and lightweight tweaks with a 3.9-inch longer wheelbase and larger 20-inch wheels. The Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active anti-roll system, which is being offered for the first time in 911 Turbo models, increases dynamic performance even more. This system is standard equipment in the 911 Turbo S, as is Sport Chrono Package Plus with dynamic engine mounts, and Porsche Carbon Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB); all of these features are also available as options in the 911 Turbo. The result: The new 911 Turbo S shortens the lap time for the North Loop of the Nurburgring to well under 7 and a half minutes with standard production tires.

For even faster and more precise power distribution to the front and rear axles, Porsche developed a new PTM all-wheel drive system with electronically controlled and activated multi-plate coupling. The system is equipped with a new water cooling function, which allows for more strength, and therefore more drive torque to the front wheels, than the system in the previous 911 Turbo. Simultaneously, the optimized interplay of the engine, transmission and all-wheel drive systems results in significant improvements to the acceleration capabilities of the 911 Turbo and Turbo S. The 911 Turbo with the optional Sport Chrono Package Plus accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, on its way to a top track speed of 196 mph. The 911 Turbo S handles the sprint to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds, with a top track speed of 198 mph. At speeds above 50 mph, the active rear axle steering system steers the rear wheels parallel to the front wheels. This is equivalent to a virtual lengthening of the wheelbase by 19.6 inches and gives the car tremendous directional control capability. At the same time, the steering input by the driver leads to significantly faster build-up of lateral force at the rear axle, which responds to steering commands even more quickly.

Porsche developed an active aerodynamic system on the new 911 Turbo models for the first time. It consists of a retractable three-stage front spoiler, whose segments can be pneumatically extended, and a deploy-able rear wing with three adjustable wing positions. This makes it possible to tune the aerodynamics of the 911 Turbo to fulfill driver wishes for either optimal efficiency or top dynamic performance. In the performance position, all segments of the front spoiler are fully extended, and they generate considerable down force at the front axle. Similarly, the rear wing is extended to its maximum height with the greatest angle of attack. This also generates more down force at the rear axle. Dynamic performance is improved to such an extent that lap times at the North Loop of the Nuburgring are improved by up to two seconds due to this system alone.

The interior was completely redesigned in both 911 Turbo models. The S model offers such features as an exclusive interior in a black/Carrera red color combination and standard Sport Seats Plus with 18-way adjustment and memory. In addition, the seat back shells are upholstered in leather with double cap seams and various elements in carbon look. As on the previous models, the Bose sound system is installed as standard; for the first time, a Burmeister system is also available as an optional feature. A radar-controlled cruise control system, camera-based road sign recognition, and speed limit recognition are other new options being offered if you just can't help yourself from checking option boxes.

Visually, the characteristic expansively wide rear body panels of the new generation 911 Turbo are a further 1.1 inches wider than on the 911 Carrera 4S. The fenders feature a nearly level surface, about the width of a hand, between the C-pillar and the outer edge of the car body. Other differentiating characteristics include forged two-tone 20-inch aluminum wheels. On the 911 Turbo S they have center hub wheel locks. The Turbo S is further differentiated by new, standard full-LED headlights that feature four-point daytime running lights and camera-based high/low beam control, which can be ordered as an option for the 911 Turbo.The new top models of the 911 model series arrive on the market at the end of 2013 in the United States. The 911 Turbo is priced from $148,300 while the 911 Turbo S begins at $181,100, not including a destination charge of $950.

(Cadillac)
Actress/Singer Rita Ora departs for the Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a Cadillac XTS. GM's luxury division is blending fashion and automotive design with the launch of “Style Driven,” a four-part video vignette on Vogue.TV offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the life of fashion stylist Erin Walsh, as she curates outfits for guests attending the famous Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. You can watch the four-part series here, here, here and here.

(VW)
150,000 passionate fans annually turn the Austrian city of Reifnitz into a veritable Mecca for the Volkswagen GTI. This year the event takes place on May 8 - 11. One of the traditional highlights at the Wörthersee festival is a concept car that's conceived especially for the meeting by Volkswagen engineers and designers. This year, the concept is a race car, the "Design Vision GTI". The striking machine is based on the seventh-generation GTI. The design team, led by Klaus Bischoff (Head of Design of Volkswagen Brand), has drawn the C-pillars and sills outward as autonomous body elements, thus creating space for substantially wider front and rear tracks, as well as specially developed 20-inch wheels (with 235 tires in the front and 275s at the rear). The Design Vision GTI has a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected TSI® 3.0-liter V6 engine that develops 503 hp at 6500 rpm and 413 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. The power and torque is distributed to the wheels via a DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. Braking comes from 15.0 inch carbon-ceramic brake discs in front and 14.0 inch carbon-ceramic discs in back. The Design Vision GTI will reach 62 mph from a standstill in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 186 mph.

 Mark Webster. The good news? You've been appointed general manager of Smart USA, according to a story in Automotive News. The bad news? You've been appointed general manager of Smart USA. A dead-in-the-water non-starter with little or no redeeming qualities, it's the brand that delusional Mercedes-Benz executives just can't seem to let go of. Yikes.

 Anthony Foxx. Charlotte's Mayor has just been named as Ray LaHood's replacement as head of the Transportation Department. Foxx has been "one of the most effective mayors Charlotte has ever seen" according to the President's statement from the White House, claiming the city's resurgence is due, in part, to his emphasis on transportation projects. Seems logical, sure.

 Sergio Marchionne. The Exalted One had this to say after first quarter profits tumbled because of the expensive launches of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Ram pickup: "This is a one-time event. It's a one-off. Just close your eyes, plug your nose, and move on from here," Marchionne said. "I knew I was going to be limping in the quarter. I didn't know that I was going to be limping that much." Whatever you say, Sergio.

     Coda. This is one so-called "green" car company start-up that we're happy to report, "we told you so." Looking for all the world like a recycled Geo Prizm (for $37,000.00, no less) the Chinese-made Coda EV never had a frickin' snowball's chance in hell of making it, which was readily apparent when they showed the car at the Detroit Auto Show over a year ago. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy yesterday, after selling 100, that's right, 100 cars in a year. Two questions: Who in their right mind actually plunked down real money for these things with so many far better choices out there? And how does it feel now? Cue the sound of actress Kelly Preston's voice - as Avery Bishop - calling Tom Cruise - as Jerry McGuire - a "loser" in the movie of the same name. Yeah, that's what it sounds like.

Editor's Note: Gary Vasilash, from AutoFieldGuide.com, nicely sums up last week's Autoline After Hours for us here. (And you can watch the show too.) - WG

(Rolls-Royce Motor Cars)
The Rolls-Royce Wraith made its debut in the UK this week showcased in the window display of luxury department store Harrods in Knightsbridge, London. The Wraith on display is painted in Midnight Sapphire with an upper two-tone contrasting color in Cassiopeia Silver, accentuating Wraith’s jaunty fastback profile. The interior is finished with an Arctic White and Navy Blue leather scheme, with intertwined RRs embroidered in the headrests in Navy and, unique for this model, the striking new Canadel Panelling in Santos Palisander. Completing the interior is a starlight headliner, casting a glow from hundreds of individual ‘stars’ in the roof lining at the press of a button. In case you're in London this week, the Wraith will be in the window of Harrods department store until Saturday May 4th.

(Ford)
Ford is teaming up with Shinola, a Detroit-based luxury goods manufacturer, to celebrate 50 years of the Ford Mustang with the release of a premium 46-millimeter wristwatch with Swiss movements. Bedrock Manufacturing Company purchased the Shinola trademark, first used in 1929 on a wax-based shoe polish, in 2011. A year ago Shinola moved into a 30,000-square-foot space in the historic Argonaut building in Midtown Detroit. Handmade watches and bicycles are now being crafted there. Shinola also offers other American-made products, including an artisanal leather collection, and journals created with paper from Michigan’s sustainable forests. In June Shinola will open a retail space. Only 50 companies will be licensed to create products bearing the Mustang 50 Years logo, which was designed to celebrate the sports car leading up to its 50th birthday on April 17, 2014. 

(Bonhams)

(Images courtesy of Porsche North America)
Fifty years ago, the Porsche 911 made its debut at the Frankfurt International Auto Show - and just ten years later, the first 911 Turbo prototype was at the IAA. On this 40th anniversary of the 911 Turbo, Porsche is now presenting the new generation 911 Turbo and Turbo S - what the company is calling "the technological and dynamic performance peak of the 911 series." A new all-wheel-drive system, active rear axle steering, adaptive aerodynamics, full-LED headlights, and up to 560 hp - the 3.8-liter, twin-turbo flat six-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection produces 520 hp in the 911 Turbo and 560 hp in the S model - underscore the role of the new generation 911 Turbo as "an ultra performance car, every day car, and technology flagship," according to Porsche. The new Turbo has an entirely new chassis and lightweight tweaks with a 3.9-inch longer wheelbase and larger 20-inch wheels. The Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active anti-roll system, which is being offered for the first time in 911 Turbo models, increases dynamic performance even more. This system is standard equipment in the 911 Turbo S, as is Sport Chrono Package Plus with dynamic engine mounts, and Porsche Carbon Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB); all of these features are also available as options in the 911 Turbo. The result: The new 911 Turbo S shortens the lap time for the North Loop of the Nurburgring to well under 7 and a half minutes with standard production tires.

For even faster and more precise power distribution to the front and rear axles, Porsche developed a new PTM all-wheel drive system with electronically controlled and activated multi-plate coupling. The system is equipped with a new water cooling function, which allows for more strength, and therefore more drive torque to the front wheels, than the system in the previous 911 Turbo. Simultaneously, the optimized interplay of the engine, transmission and all-wheel drive systems results in significant improvements to the acceleration capabilities of the 911 Turbo and Turbo S. The 911 Turbo with the optional Sport Chrono Package Plus accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, on its way to a top track speed of 196 mph. The 911 Turbo S handles the sprint to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds, with a top track speed of 198 mph. At speeds above 50 mph, the active rear axle steering system steers the rear wheels parallel to the front wheels. This is equivalent to a virtual lengthening of the wheelbase by 19.6 inches and gives the car tremendous directional control capability. At the same time, the steering input by the driver leads to significantly faster build-up of lateral force at the rear axle, which responds to steering commands even more quickly.

Porsche developed an active aerodynamic system on the new 911 Turbo models for the first time. It consists of a retractable three-stage front spoiler, whose segments can be pneumatically extended, and a deploy-able rear wing with three adjustable wing positions. This makes it possible to tune the aerodynamics of the 911 Turbo to fulfill driver wishes for either optimal efficiency or top dynamic performance. In the performance position, all segments of the front spoiler are fully extended, and they generate considerable down force at the front axle. Similarly, the rear wing is extended to its maximum height with the greatest angle of attack. This also generates more down force at the rear axle. Dynamic performance is improved to such an extent that lap times at the North Loop of the Nuburgring are improved by up to two seconds due to this system alone.

The interior was completely redesigned in both 911 Turbo models. The S model offers such features as an exclusive interior in a black/Carrera red color combination and standard Sport Seats Plus with 18-way adjustment and memory. In addition, the seat back shells are upholstered in leather with double cap seams and various elements in carbon look. As on the previous models, the Bose sound system is installed as standard; for the first time, a Burmeister system is also available as an optional feature. A radar-controlled cruise control system, camera-based road sign recognition, and speed limit recognition are other new options being offered if you just can't help yourself from checking option boxes.

Visually, the characteristic expansively wide rear body panels of the new generation 911 Turbo are a further 1.1 inches wider than on the 911 Carrera 4S. The fenders feature a nearly level surface, about the width of a hand, between the C-pillar and the outer edge of the car body. Other differentiating characteristics include forged two-tone 20-inch aluminum wheels. On the 911 Turbo S they have center hub wheel locks. The Turbo S is further differentiated by new, standard full-LED headlights that feature four-point daytime running lights and camera-based high/low beam control, which can be ordered as an option for the 911 Turbo.The new top models of the 911 model series arrive on the market at the end of 2013 in the United States. The 911 Turbo is priced from $148,300 while the 911 Turbo S begins at $181,100, not including a destination charge of $950.

 Henrik Fisker. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The designer/CEO/entrepreneur/ego tripper is still insisting that his former company would survive if it only received new funding. Yeah, and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance would have been a blockbuster movie if they had just spent more cash promoting it. You've been given a very clear and concise message, Henrik. Sit down. Be quiet. Abandon your DeLorean-infused dreams. And then maybe, just maybe, you can get another design job that matters one day.

 Ford. The Denizens of Dearborn delivered $1.6 billion of profit in the first quarter, led by the highest profit in North America since 2000. Lest anyone thinks otherwise and despite Ford's stellar, revamped passenger car lineup, there's gold in them thar pickup trucks and crossovers.

 Motorcycle riders. Deaths while riding motorcycles are increasing across the country, up at least 4.3 percent in the first nine months of 2012, according to a report. The Detroit News reported that the Governors Highway Safety Association said that record-high temperatures last spring helped boost motorcycle deaths in 34 of 50 states. In the first three months of 2012, motorcycle deaths jumped 24 percent. Michigan reported the third-highest number of increased rider deaths. Motorcycle deaths have more than doubled nationally from 1997 to 2011, from 2,116 to 4,612, while overall traffic fatalities fell in the same period by 23 percent from 42,013 to 32,367. The safety group is projecting that motorcycle deaths will top 5,000 in 2012 and will account for more than 14 percent of all traffic deaths, the highest-ever percentage of total road deaths. Michigan repealed its mandatory helmet law over a year ago.

 NHTSA. The safety group is recommending that manufacturers avoid offering in-car devices that display text messages and web page content. Location info and two-dimensional mapping are okay, but not photorealistic or 3D images. Sounds reasonable to us. We would pool together all the money spent on developing in-car connectivity and spend on it seriously upgrading this nation's driver training and licensing requirements. Yeah, we know, like that would ever happen.

(GM)
The new Buick Riviera concept vehicle has made its global debut in Shanghai. GM PR minions say that, "The coupe combines avant-garde aesthetics and advanced technology, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicle propulsion, in a single package." It is the fourth global concept vehicle jointly developed by GM’s Shanghai GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint ventures in Shanghai. The new Riviera’s designers took inspiration from the Chinese saying: “The greatest good is like water,” according to the release. "The vehicle’s sweeping design, which goes from thick to thin, has the vibrant nature of a moving river embodied in its athletic shape, elegant ambience and deeply sculpted lines." Um, okay. "Riviera is a design study of the future expression of Buick design with its elegant athletic shape, sculptural beauty, and precision execution," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design.  "It is a great opportunity to share Buick's future design language and technology strategy." The concept has a bunch of new electronic stuff jammed into it that further removes the driver from the act of driving, which we're not going to bother mentioning. 

  (GM)
The Game Changer: The original 1963 Buick Riviera production car.

(Porsche)
Maria Sharapova has taken on a new role as brand ambassador for Porsche AG. The 26-year-old world-class player is already very familiar with the vehicles from Zuffenhausen. As last year´s winner of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Sharapova not only took home prize money, but also a white 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. The three-year agreement involves a global communications campaign. Born in Russia and living in the United States, Sharapova has achieved victories at all four Grand Slam tournaments in women's tennis and she was ranked number 1 for a total of 21 weeks.

Earth Day in the Smart Electric.

By Tom Pease 

Showcasing the theme "Revolution over Evolution," the commemorative poster for the 2013 EyesOn Design Automotive Design Exhibition was unveiled Tuesday at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan. By noted automotive artist Steven Macy, the poster shows a revolutionary car, a green 1948 Tucker, in front of the gatehouse of the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. This year's car show - the 26th annual - will be held on the mansion's grounds on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16.

Editor's Note: Watch the new 14-minute video for the new Jaguar F-Type here, starring "Homeland" lead actor Damian Lewis here. - WG

Fred Diaz. He leaves Sergio Motors to become vice president for Nissan Division sales and marketing, effective May 1. Was he tired of the Sergio Shit Show, or just sick and tired? Both. Congrats, we didn't think he had it in him. But someone please tell us that going to Nissan isn't a sentence, because we're not so sure.

Reid Bigland. He's taking over for Diaz as head of Ram truck. We cringe at the thought of his preening press conferences getting even bigger and even more tedious, if that's possible. Oh the horror... the horror.

Tim Kuniskis. Formerly Sergio's aide on Fiat in North America, he now takes over Bigland's old position as head of Dodge. Well, we guess it's a promotion. Maybe. But he still works for Sergio, and we all know what that's like. So, maybe not.

  Steve Majoros. One of The Autoextremist's old ad colleagues gets a new gig, but it means going to The Dark Side and being named director, Global Cadillac Marketing. It sounds good, sort of, but then again he's reporting to Minimum Bob Ferguson. Y-i-k-e-s.

 The Open Road. From the "You Can Pry My Cold Dead Hands..." File, word from the Society of Automotive Engineers 2013 World Congress in the Motor City this week is that self-driving cars won't arrive before 2015. Halla-frickin-luja.

 Mark McNabb. The former GM executive has "left the company to pursue other opportunities," Maserati said in a statement today. Great Move on McNabb's part. Maserati is and will be a Dark Hole for the foreseeable future. That didn't take long. VW of America has hired Mark McNabb as its COO. McNabb, 51, will start at VW on May 1. He will report to CEO Jonathan Browning and oversee U.S. sales.

(Cadillac)
Unlike traditional performance vehicles where the steering wheel-mounted paddles allow drivers to upshift and downshift the mechanical transmission, Cadillac ELR’s paddle shifters enable the driver to temporarily regenerate energy and store it as electricity in the battery pack for later use. The ELR is Cadillac's first electric-powered vehicle and goes on sale in early 2014.

(Ford)
Forty-nine years to the day after its 1964 debut in New York, the iconic Ford Mustang celebrates another milestone: One million Mustangs have rolled off the line at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant since production moved there in 2004. Ford is celebrating this milestone as year 50 of continuous Mustang production gets under way at Flat Rock Assembly. Raj Nair, group vice president for global product development, rode off the line at Flat Rock Assembly Plant in a Ruby Red 2014 Mustang convertible on Wednesday. Nair was riding shotgun with Ed Salna, material planning and logistics manager at the plant. Salna is a 27-year veteran of Flat Rock Assembly, starting work there more than a year before the plant produced its first car. Ford has built Mustangs near its home base in Dearborn, Mich. for 49 years. The car was built at Ford’s famous Rouge factory, just a few minutes from company headquarters, for four decades before moving a few miles south to Flat Rock in 2004. Introduced in April 1964, Mustang proved to be far more popular than anyone expected, prompting Ford to add production capacity outside Michigan. By early 1965 plants in Metuchen, N.J., and San Jose, Calif., were also building Mustang. Less than two years later, on Wednesday, March 2, 1966, the one-millionth Mustang rolled off the line in Dearborn. To date, Ford has produced and sold more than 8.5 million Mustangs.

(BMW GROUP)
BMW is real excited about their new X4 Concept, apparently. They keep sending us photos, in case we didn't get them the first time.

(GM)
The new Buick Riviera concept vehicle has made its global debut in Shanghai. GM PR minions say that, "The coupe combines avant-garde aesthetics and advanced technology, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicle propulsion, in a single package." It is the fourth global concept vehicle jointly developed by GM’s Shanghai GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint ventures in Shanghai. The new Riviera’s designers took inspiration from the Chinese saying: “The greatest good is like water,” according to the release. "The vehicle’s sweeping design, which goes from thick to thin, has the vibrant nature of a moving river embodied in its athletic shape, elegant ambience and deeply sculpted lines." Um, okay. "Riviera is a design study of the future expression of Buick design with its elegant athletic shape, sculptural beauty, and precision execution," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design.  "It is a great opportunity to share Buick's future design language and technology strategy." The concept has a bunch of new electronic stuff jammed into it that further removes the driver from the act of driving, which we're not going to bother mentioning.

(GM)
The Game Changer: The original 1963 Buick Riviera production car.

(Lexus)
Toyota President Akio Toyoda hosted an event in New York City on April 19 celebrating the Lexus division's dedication to design. The event, called “Design Matters,” showcased Lexus’ commitment to design, both in its new products and in its global brand activities to an audience of established and aspiring members of the design community. Kristin Chenoweth served as mistress of ceremonies with The Roots and Questlove providing musical entertainment.

 Steve Cannon. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA tells Joe White in The Wall Street Journal that the company plans on offering its customers a less expensive way to get a taste of the AMG brand by way of a AMG sport appearance package, a slightly sportier ride and a slight increase in engine performance. All for less than $4,000.  And thus, the dumbing down of AMG begins. AMG Lite will do more to negate the specialness of AMG - and faster - than anything I can think of. What's next, Steve? AMG tape stripes and a sporty rear spoiler? C'mon, Man! - PMD 

Fisker. Henrik's rolling note to self will be no longer as Fisker Automotive is preparing to file Chapter 11 this week, according to a Reuters story. It was fun while it lasted. Sort of.

EcoMotors. The suburban Detroit company developing an opposed piston-opposed cylinder engine has just signed a $200 million deal to build the engines in China, according to Automotive News. Too bad an American company couldn't see fit to make that kind of a commitment to one of our favorite new technologies.

The Great Sergio. The Exalted One now says Fiat has enough cash to buy the rest of Chrysler Group LLC, according to a Bloomberg report. "If we ever reach a deal with VEBA to buy the remaining stake, we have enough cash for it," Marchionne said Tuesday at the company's annual shareholder's meeting in Turin.  Whew, we can all breathe easier now.

(Images courtesy of Ford)
Ford has unveiled the 2014 F-150 SVT Raptor Special Edition, which adds unique new touches over and above Raptor’s existing Luxury Package, including a Ruby Red Metallic exterior color and box-side graphics.

Interior upgrades include Brick Red seat bolsters with black inserts and cloth honeycomb highlights, console top finish panel, and center stack and door panel appliqué accents.

SVT Raptor is available exclusively with a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque, an electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode and SelectShift Automatic® functionality. The 4WD system features electronic shift-on-the-fly capability for the transfer case. The front axle features a Torsen® differential with 4.10 to 1 gearing. The rear axle is also 4.10 to 1, with an electronic-locking differential. Raptor Special Edition is also available in Tuxedo Black Metallic. The 2014 F-150 SVT Raptor Special Edition goes on sale this fall.

(Images courtesy of BMW Group)
Think the crossover "thing" in the market is going away soon? Think again. BMW is selling more of their crossovers and "SAVs" than anything else. The BMW Concept X4 is a signal of what's next in-market for BMW. "It takes no more than a first glance to see how smoothly the qualities of a BMW X model can blend with the genes of a BMW Coupe," says BMW. Uh, that's highly debatable but it is better looking than the 5GT or the 3GT, we'll give them that. The second Sports Activity Coupe in the brand's model range will be built at BMW Plant Spartanburg in the USA, the "competence center" for BMW X models which also produces the BMW X5, BMW X6 and BMW X3. With a body length of 4,648 mm, a width of 1,915 mm and a height of 1,622 mm, its exterior dimensions "signal sporting elegance and powerful robustness," according to the boffins at BMW PR. Well, if you squint real hard, maybe. The X4 Concept has a wheelbase measuring 2,810 mm and it is equipped with 21 inch light alloy wheels. The production version of the BMW X4 will debut in the U.S. market as early as 2014.

Editor's Note: Like old car brochures and print ads? Then this website is for you. In an era of digital everything and with the printed word rapidly fading from view, this site takes you back to an era when car brochures - and print ads - were hugely important to this business. They fueled passion and desire, and fortified dreams. Great stuff abounds here, including outstanding work for the Corvette and the terrific 60s Pontiac ads done by D'Arcy McManus during that division's glory days. There are also more than a few examples of PMD's early ad work on behalf of Pontiac, including the memorable "Soul Survivor" print ad for the 1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am Turbo. - WG

Editor's Note: Large. Luxury. I'm in. I was really looking forward to this week's "Quick Take" - the 2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Platinum Collection. I like my luxury big and well, luxurious, and the XTS didn't disappoint. "The most technologically advanced production car in the brand’s history," according to Cadillac, the XTS replaces both the DTS and STS in the lineup. It shares the design cues of both the CTS and ATS, and presents itself as clean and contemporary. It is elegant without being flashy, and in the case of the XTS Platinum Collection, particularly distinctive - with its unique grille and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. I did not experience love at first sight, however, because of its dreaded Crystal Red Tintcoat exterior. I think that color should be jettisoned from the Cadillac palette ASAP. It really cheapens the whole XTS experience. (It probably didn't help that last week's 'Quick Take' vehicle - the Buick Verano Turbo - was also Crystal Red Tintcoat, and although you can get it on the Buick for $325, it'll cost you $995 on the Caddy! That's wrong, too, but I digress.) Once inside, surrounded by "Jet Black with Wheat Accents," I forgot about the unfortunate shade of sheet metal surrounding me and set about enjoying big luxury. For as sleek and tasteful as the XTS is on the outside, it's the interior that really shines. Elegant and refined and at the same time sleek and sophisticated, the XTS interior looks and feels really good. The full-leather seats are comfortable and supportive (the backseat is especially expansive), and the surfaces are particularly appealing. This is understated luxury but luxury nonetheless. Not as sterile as Audi and not as opulent as Mercedes but definitely a contender in that somewhat intangible 'luxury feel' department. I loved the Ultraview Sunroof (the same approximate size as a 48-inch flat-panel television, says Cadillac) and can imagine enjoying it on a nice fall day. I was also quite taken with the gigantic trunk (I like to haul stuff), although I think it should have a push-button close - the convenience of that feature cannot be overstated. I'm also not totally sold on CUE (Cadillac User Experience), which is the new system for managing your information/entertainment/climate control needs. Its centerpiece is a tablet-like touchscreen that responds to fingertip touch and swiping. Cadillac contends that this lets you safely manage vehicle systems while you are driving - I found it downright distracting. For me it required more time than I'd like with my eyes off the road (even with the sensory feedback you still have to be sure you're on the button you want). It is definitely cool and all (and to be fair, there are zillions of steering wheel controls for many of the functions), but I think I would prefer good old-fashioned knobs - or at least a combination (go ahead, call me square). That said, the XTS feels great on the highway - solid and safe (if a bit heavy). And during our short drive to Ann Arbor I decided that this big Cadillac would be a great road trip vehicle. The XTS is available in four trim levels (or collections, as Cadillac calls them) - Standard, Luxury, Premium and Platinum - with MSRPs starting at $44,075 and going up to $60,385 for our top-of-the-line Platinum Collection. Overall, I liked the XTS a lot. Was I wowed? No, but then I think my luxury bar is a fairly high one. I am definitely impressed - particularly with the interior. I just want to see more and more from Cadillac. Even more dramatic design (the CTS Coupe exemplifies this) and even more elegance and opulence. In other words, I want the XTS to be the Cadillac of luxury cars. -WG

Editor-in-Chief's Note: I second WordGirl's emotion about the color of this car because it was completely out of character and a major league turn-off, and it should be purged from the XTS color palette immediately. The XTS is not sporty - it's a nicely executed large sedan but I wouldn't call it sporty - so the color is wildly inappropriate. And the reason this color thing matters to us is because it's symbolic of deeper issues, as in a lack of fundamental judgment somewhere. Not Good. Other than that I was impressed with the XTS, as in very. The exterior design is cohesive and nicely rendered and it flaunts the Cadillac street "look" impeccably. It drives well too. I have heard some complaints about the power output, but for typical 3/10ths urban driving, it's fine. Besides, more power is coming to the XTS, and soon. The big news for me, however, is the interior. It's time to retire the recent industry adage that "Audi sets the contemporary standard for modern automotive interior design" and move on. There are plenty of outstanding interiors available these days (the Porsche Panamera for one) and this new XTS is right up there. (I'm not talking about CUE because I'm tired of these manufacturers talking about their driver interface systems as the greatest thing since sliced bread. In my book if it's tolerable to operate - the XTS is - that's good enough for me. Any more than that and it's a distraction.) The XTS interior is simply elegant with a use of color, materials and textures that is very impressive. It's a first-rate cabin in every respect. Well, except for one thing. When you open the door on the XTS Platinum Edition the word "platinum" lights up on the interior edge of the rocker panel and it's about as cheesy as it gets. Shockingly so, even. I could see the word "Cadillac" lighting up, maybe. And that's a big maybe. But "platinum" - ? Ugh. As a matter of fact, I think Cadillac marketers should purge the word "platinum" from their vocabulary altogether. It's not rich. It's not classy. It's a beer, for fuck sake. Ah well, set aside the aforementioned annoyances and make no mistake, the Cadillac XTS is an impressive piece of work. It's much more in line with consumer perceptions of what a big Cadillac should be in the way it looks and in the way it drives. Let's hope that the even bigger Cadillac coming in 2015 will take this direction even further. - PMD

2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Platinum Collection: $64,695 ($60,385 Base Price; Crystal Red Tintcoat, $995; Jet Black Interior with Light Wheat Accents; 3.6-liter, SIDI DOHC Variable Valve Timing V6 with 304HP and 264 lbs-ft of torque; 6-speed automatic; all-wheel drive; variable effort rack and pinion power steering; 20" polished aluminum wheels with chrome inserts; Cadillac User Experience (CUE) with navigation; Driver Assist Package, $2,395; Destination Charge, $920)

Adherence to Brand Image: "A concept car you could actually own. That was our concept." So says a current print ad for the XTS. Also present is Cadillac's famed tagline "The Standard of the World." Is the XTS true to the current direction of the Cadillac lineup? Yes. Is it enough? Probably not. It is very, very good, but it is definitely not a "concept" car - at least not in the knock-your-socks-off sense of the word. Nor is it the standard of the world. A true contender with the world's best? Without question. But I worry about ads like this because "over-promise, under-deliver" is not a place Cadillac can afford to go to right now. Or ever, for that matter. It has taken Cadillac more than a decade to get to this point, and they have some superb offerings. The XTS just doesn't elicit enough superlatives. And I guess that's what I want to see from Cadillac. - WG

Road & Track. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Yes, car magazines are barely hanging on, what with the oppressive nonstop frenzy of the Internet that defines the new media world. And we may very well be arriving at the sunset of the car magazines' influence over enthusiast consumers - and the manufacturers - alike. But with that said, it looks like Road & Track magazine isn't going down without a fight. With everyone predicting its imminent demise after the move from the sunny confines of Newport Beach to Ann Arbor, the mag comes out swinging with a contemporary redesign that has jump-started the predictable tome with a bang. The new look, feel and tone takes chances, it's adventurous and it does it all with a style that's freshly undeniable. Well done. - PMD

(Images courtesy of GM)

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado launches later this spring with crew cab models equipped with the all-new 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8, which is expected to power three out of four Silverado 1500s. Aiming to ruin Ford's day in a big way, Chevrolet has announced EPA estimates of 23 mpg highway for 2wd models, and 22 mpg highway for 4x4 models. That is better than any V-8 competitor, according to the manufacturer, and beats the EPA estimates for the 2013 Ford EcoBoost turbocharged V-6 for both 2wd and 4x4 models. Silverado’s 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 is SAE certified at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, with more than 300 lb-ft of torque available from 2,000 to 5,600 rpm for responsive performance under a broad range of real-world conditions. “Silverado’s available 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 gives customers the best of both worlds,” said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer for Silverado. “Customers get the proven power and dependability of a V-8 truck engine, with better fuel economy than a leading competitor’s smaller turbocharged V-6. EcoTec3 builds on 58 years of V-8 experience and trillions of real-world miles. The 2014 Silverado will give customers class-leading V-8 fuel efficiency and the peace of mind that comes with a proven V-8 design, a combination no competitor can match.”

(PPG)
"Checkered Past,” a 1940 Ford coupe featuring a dazzling red PPG paint finish by Charley Hutton has won the 2013 Ridler Award, one of the custom car world’s most coveted honors. The announcement was made at the 61st annual Detroit Autorama held at Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit. The Ridler Award is presented to the most outstanding custom car or truck making its debut appearance at the Detroit Autorama, held annually in March. This is the third time in six years that a PPG-finished entry has won the tribute. It is especially significant this year since it marks the prize’s 50th anniversary. Checkered Past is owned by Ron and Deb Cizek of Bennington, Nebraska, and was built by Andy Leach and his crew at the newly-opened Cal Automotive Creations in Omaha, Nebraska. It was the first car the shop ever created. Hutton, regarded as one of the most accomplished and talented painters in the custom car world, did the paint work at his shop, Charley Hutton’s Color Studio, in Nampa, Idaho, where he uses PPG Automotive Refinish products exclusively. Hutton gained a national reputation with appearances on the Discovery Channel’s American Hot Rod, TLC’s Overhaulin’, and on Hot Rod TV. This is his third Ridler Award. Previous wins came in 2005 and 2007.   Construction of "Checkered Past" took two years, with Hutton’s body and paint work taking up four months of the total time.

(Images courtesy of Porsche)
Porsche is making a fundamental change in its Panamera S models and introducing its first plug-in hybrid and two new extended wheelbase variants with the second generation of the Panamera beginning this fall. The new Panamera S E-Hybrid produces 416 total system horsepower. S models are now powered by an entirely new 3.0-liter V6 engine with twin turbochargers. The model range now consists of nine models for the U.S. market. New and further-developed technologies offer improved performance while also enhancing fuel efficiency and comfort, according to Porsche. The refreshed Panamera celebrates its world debut at Auto China in Shanghai, which opens on April 21, where further details on the new models will be revealed. Added to the revised Panamera lineup - most specifically for the Chinese market - are the Panamera 4S Executive and Panamera Turbo Executive models. These two new Panamera models feature a wheelbase extended by 5.9 inches, enabling even more rear seating comfort and come with an extensive range of standard features. For example, all Executive models are equipped with Adaptive air-suspension featuring Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which combines superior performance and enhanced ride comfort. Editor-in-Chief's Note: And these "Executive" models are so horrific looking we actually refuse to show them here. If the Chinese market is really dictating to these luxury-performance manufacturers that much then these companies need to start editing themselves for the U.S. market. Just because it sells in China doesn't mean it's a good idea to bring it here. The design changes to the Panamera are actually quite good, but the Executive models render them meaningless. Pathetic. - PMD

The new Panamera S now boasts a 3.0-liter V6 engine with twin turbochargers. The twin-turbo V6 replaces the naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V8 engine in the previous-generation Panamera S and Panamera 4S. The engine offers an increase of 20 hp and 15 lb-ft torque when compared to the outgoing V8 engine. Carefully-managed turbocharging ensures that the maximum 384 lb-ft torque is available across most of the twin-turbo V6’s operating range. With the exception of the Panamera S E-Hybrid, all Panamera models are equipped with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK); the Panamera S E-Hybrid uses the eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic. The PDK transmission works in tandem with other vehicle systems to enhance fuel savings in the new generation Panamera. For example, the optimized engine Auto Start Stop feature now turns the engine off earlier while coasting to a stop. With the exception of the Panamera GTS, models with PDK also offer a coasting function in which the clutches open in overrun allowing the engine to idle and the vehicle to coast freely. This function can significantly improve fuel economy, especially when traveling on the highway, says Porsche.

Exterior design changes on the new Panamera include larger air intakes and tighter and more prominent lines making the transition to the headlights. The most distinguishing feature of the new generation Panamera is a new trunk lid - "its laterally stretched glass emphasizes the vehicle’s width and makes for a more aggressive stance," according to Porsche. Rear body proportions were also changed. A larger automatically deploying spoiler and a tighter transition to the rear lights complement the treatment at the front of the vehicle noted above. Full-LED headlights, which lend the new generation a striking appearance, are now an option.

The new Panamera S E-Hybrid improves upon the concept offered by the previous Panamera S Hybrid with a more powerful electric motor, a higher-performance battery that supplies more energy and is able be recharged from home or public vehicle charging stations. The electric drive produces 95 hp, more than double the power of the previous model’s electric motor (47 hp). Electricity is stored in a newly developed lithium-ion battery, which at 9.4 kWh has increased capacity over the previous battery (1.7 kWh). Via the integrated on-board charging componentry and the standard Porsche Universal Charger (AC), the battery can reach full charge within approximately two and a half hours when connected to a 240V power source. The Panamera S E-Hybrid expands upon the driving performance of the previous generation, while fuel consumption is reduced when compared to the previous Panamera S Hybrid. Final U.S. EPA fuel economy ratings will be available closer to launch. Simultaneously, its electric-only driving performance is substantially improved, enhancing acceleration, range, and top speed. Electric-only driving is possible without any fuel consumption or local emissions, which is especially advantageous in city driving. The electric driving range of the Panamera S E-Hybrid is estimated to be greater than 20 miles based upon current NEDC testing. Driving range may vary in real world operation, due to the effects of environmental conditions, terrain, air conditioning and heating use, driving style and other factors. (In other words, don't count on it, chump.- WG) The Panamera S E-Hybrid can reach up to 84 mph in all-electric operation. The new generation of Panamera models will be available starting late in 2013. Panamera Turbo S and Panamera Turbo S Executive variants will be available in 2014.

(Images courtesy of BMW Group)
Think the crossover "thing" in the market is going away soon? Think again. BMW is selling more of their crossovers and "SAVs" than anything else. The BMW Concept X4 is a signal of what's next in-market for BMW. "It takes no more than a first glance to see how smoothly the qualities of a BMW X model can blend with the genes of a BMW Coupe," says BMW. Uh, that's highly debatable but it is better looking than the 5GT or the 3GT, we'll give them that. The second Sports Activity Coupe in the brand's model range will be built at BMW Plant Spartanburg in the USA, the "competence center" for BMW X models which also produces the BMW X5, BMW X6 and BMW X3. With a body length of 4,648 mm, a width of 1,915 mm and a height of 1,622 mm, its exterior dimensions "signal sporting elegance and powerful robustness," according to the boffins at BMW PR. Well, if you squint real hard, maybe. The X4 Concept has a wheelbase measuring 2,810 mm and it is equipped with 21 inch light alloy wheels. The production version of the BMW X4 will debut in the U.S. market as early as 2014.

Editor's Note: Check out this video for the new Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. - WG

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Our "quick take" has us in something called the 2013 Buick Verano FWD 1ST. Why on earth Buick couldn't have just called this car the Buick Verano Turbo is beyond me. This seems to be an epidemic of late at GM, with ordering codes and optional equipment levels becoming part of the naming process of their cars. It makes sense with the performance cars like Corvette ZO6, ZR1 and Camaro Z/28 and ZL1, but Buick Verano "FWD 1ST" or Chevrolet "Malibu 2LT" just doesn't have the same ring, now does it? It's silly, it's stupid and it's something GM needs to change but probably won't. At any rate, the Buick Verano Turbo is a surprise. I'd say shocking but then again the True Believers at GM have been doing such great work of late that it's not really a surprise at all that the Verano Turbo is a slick piece of work. It's a decently quick car (0-60mph in 6.2 seconds according to Buick estimates) but it's the way it goes about its business that's most impressive. The 2.0-liter Ecotec is one of the industry's great engines, and it flat gets it in the Verano. And it is Fun. To. Drive. Yes, it's true, the Verano Turbo actually delivers a worthwhile driving experience. But this compact Buick has an air of sophistication about it that needs to be experienced to be believed, too. It's loaded with just about everything you'd want, including a heated steering wheel (an undeniable and addictive luxury in the more frigid climates) and that lends to the sophisticated nature of this little luxury-performance Buick (imagine saying "little luxury-performance Buick" before this, hell, even now it's more than a little disconcerting). The Verano Turbo is quiet and quick and it qualifies as a certified AE Sleeper on the road, too, because it's truly fun to drive and you can motor quickly and not draw a second glance (just don't get it in Crystal Red). A few things aren't all that great - the steering could be juiced-up in the feel department for instance and at times the shifter can feel decidedly average, but overall the Verano Turbo is quite good. Surprising, in fact. If you're in the market this is one confident and composed little machine that's definitely worth a closer look. - PMD

2013 Buick Verano FWD 1ST: $32,010 ($29,105 Base Price; Crystal Red, $325; Cashmere interior; 2.0-liter, Variable Valve Timing, Direct-Injected, turbocharged, DOHC Ecotec 4-cylinder with 250HP and 260 lbs-ft of torque; 6-speed manual gearbox; front-wheel-drive; electric power steering; 18" machine faced alloy wheels with P235/45R18 tires; Turbo-specific dual exhaust, sport pedals, rear spoiler, leather trim, heated steering wheel; Power sunroof, $900; Audio system with navigation, $795; Destination Charge, $885.)

Adherence to Brand Image: The new Buicks are nicely executed, but the brand image is still in flux. Is Buick the perfect near-luxury brand with occasional bursts of performance overtones? Or is Buick just about nicely executed cars that deliver what's promised in terms of design integrity and luxury accoutrements? Even though the Verano Turbo is highly enjoyable and it might draw some actual enthusiasts to the brand, I think Buick adheres more closely to the latter statement above. But I'm not sure the Buick marketers want to admit that. And I'm not sure they want to admit that the Verano is so good - in standard and performance configurations - that the Regal has become expendable and superfluous. Come to think of it the last thing GM marketers want to admit is that, even after the divisional contraction due to the bankruptcy, they still have too many vehicles stepping on one another in the market. But they do and if they really wanted to fix it they'd start by looking at the Regal vs. Verano quandary. Brand Image? Partly cloudy. Perpetually. - PMD

(GM)
Chevrolet introduced a freshened 2014 Camaro lineup at the New York Auto Show, but the big news? The return of the Z/28, the most legendary model - at least in its Penske-Donohue guise back in '68 & '69 - in Camaro history. The 2014 Camaro models feature a revised exterior design that integrates high-performance aerodynamics for more efficient cooling and stability at high speeds, but the new Camaro Z/28 features a full aerodynamics package that creates downforce at speed, which helps make it "the most track-capable offering in Camaro’s history," according to GM. That aero package includes a large splitter connected to an under body panel that further reduces lift, fender flares over the front and rear wheels as well as extended rocker panels that contribute to aerodynamic stability. An aggressive rear spoiler and functional diffuser complete the package. “As the ultimate track-capable Camaro, this car restores the mission of the original Z/28, and serves as a testament to the expertise of Chevrolet as the best-selling brand of performance cars,” said Mark Reuss, president, GM North America. “The build sheet is the wish list of any racer: lightweight, high-revving, dry-sump LS7 engine; carbon-ceramic brakes; integrated coolers for track use; true aerodynamic downforce, and a significant reduction in curb weight. This car could only come from Chevrolet, and could only be called the Z/28.” In initial testing, the Camaro Z/28 is three seconds faster per lap than the Camaro ZL1, according to GM. That extra speed comes from three areas: 1. Increased grip: The Z/28 is capable of 1.05 g in cornering acceleration, due to comprehensive chassis revisions. 2. Increased stopping power: the Z/28 features Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes capable of 1.5 g in deceleration, and consistent brake feel, lap after lap. 3. Reduced curb weight: The naturally aspirated Z/28 weighs 300 pounds less than the supercharged Camaro ZL1, with changes ranging from lightweight wheels to thinner rear-window glass. Like the original, the 2014 Camaro Z/28 is offered only with a manual transmission. In a nod to modern convenience, air-conditioning is available, but only as a stand alone option. "We set out to make the fastest road-racing Camaro possible that was still street-legal,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “While the Camaro ZL1 offers exceptional performance on the street, the drag strip, and the track, the Z/28 is entirely focused on the track performance. The Z/28 will be too track-focused for most drivers, but offers road-racers one of the most capable track cars ever offered from an automaker.” The new 2014 Camaro line will arrive at Chevrolet dealers later in 2013. The Camaro Z/28 is expected to be appearing at track events across the United States in spring 2014. Editor-in-Chief's Note: So in other words, memo to all you guys who bought or ordered a 1LE Camaro - altogether now - "never mind." That said, I love the return of a real Z/28, not some decal-laden option package but a seriously thought out high-performance machine like the original, which was an unapologetically raucous machine that kicked-ass. Kudos to GM's True Believers led by Mark Reuss, if it weren't for them this business would be pretty damn dull. And this just in, all you enthusiasts out there should also tip your hats to the guys at Ford while you're at it, because if it wasn't for the modern day Boss Mustang, do you think there would be a modern day Z/28? - PMD

(Images courtesy of GM/Cadillac)
Longer (by 5 inches), lower (by 1 inch) and lighter (200 pounds less than the current BMW 528i) the new all-new 2014 CTS sedan's mission is to attack the heart of the midsize luxury market with "expanded performance, elevated luxury and sophisticated technology," according to the manufacturer. The third-generation CTS sedan is based on the rear-drive architecture of the ATS sport sedan. The top powertrain - the 420HP Cadillac Twin-Turbo V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission - comes in the new CTS Vsport, which also includes 18-inch aluminum wheels with Pirelli summer-only performance tires (19-inch wheels with all-season tires are available), a quicker steering ratio, Brembo disc brakes with aluminum calipers and high-performance brake pads, heavy-duty track cooling package, driver-selectable track mode with specific steering rate and Magnetic Ride Control calibrations for greater track performance and an electronic limited-slip differential. Production of the 2014 CTS begins this fall in Lansing, Mich. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Is it The Answer in a long line of "Answers" for Cadillac's stagnant fate in the U.S. market? Or "The Answer" for Cadillac's global expansion? Doubtful. Is the car good? On paper, absolutely. But Cadillac's image and marketing problems run deep, and it's becoming readily apparent that just making "good cars" isn't enough. More next week. - PMD

(Lexus)
Thanks in large part to substantially increased overall body rigidity, "the 2014 Lexus IS provides a more dynamic driving experience with enhanced stability and body control while delivering improved ride comfort," according to Toyota. Highlights? An all-new multilink rear suspension, revised front suspension and steering derived from the GS sedan are now adopted in the smaller IS package. Two IS models are available for 2014. The IS 250 is powered by a 2.5- liter V6 providing 204 hp @ 6,400rpm and 185 lb.-ft. torque @ 4,800rpm, and the IS 350 gets a 3.5-liter V6 with D4-S direct and port fuel injection producing 306 hp @ 6,400rpm, 277 lb.-ft. torque @ 4,800rpm. The IS 350 inherits the eight-speed, Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) automatic transmission from the IS F high-performance model. An electronically controlled all-weather drive system is available for both IS models. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Question of the Week: Do enthusiasts really care about the IS? Will it ever be more than a Sideshow Bob in the Lexus lineup? Altering lingering impressions and attitudes that Lexus is "the car for people who don't care about cars" is a very tall order. And no matter how good the IS may be, Lexus can't get there from here. - PMD

(GM)
Longer, lower, wider and... Nah, but the refreshed Buick LaCrosse, which makes its debut at the New York Auto Show, has new interior and exterior design cues, advanced safety technologies, and enhanced in-vehicle connectivity, according to the manufacturer. New "signature" wing-shape LED daytime running lamps and LED wraparound tail lamps are visually new and the interior is more contemporary, according to Buick PR-meisters, with new seats, enhanced materials, redesigned central instrument panel and console – and an all-new, available - and spiffy - Ultra Luxury Interior Package. The cabin also incorporates Buick’s next-generation IntelliLink infotainment system, with intuitive controls and natural voice recognition. New radar- and camera-based safety features help the new LaCrosse become a veritable electronic playground. They include Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Change Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Stupid Driver Ahead Warning and Automatic Collision Preparation. GM’s patented Safety Alert Seat works with these features, providing seat vibration pulses indicating the direction of a potential crash threat and whether your personal polar moment of inertia is out of whack, or not. Adaptive Cruise Control is also offered, because everybody else has it. The 2014 LaCrosse is offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models and offers two powertrains: a 2.4L engine with eAssist light electrification technology or a 3.6L direct-injected V-6. Each is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. All models feature Buick’s QuietTuning engineering process that reduces, blocks and absorbs unwanted noise from the LaCrosse’s cabin, making it quieter than your local high school's library at Spring Break.

(GM)
Th Ultra Luxury Interior Package features Sangria seating color and Ebony accents, along with Shadow Tamo Ash wood décor. The package features premium semi-aniline leather covering the seats, console armrest and door armrests and is complemented by synthetic suede on the headliner and door pillars. The Sangria contrast color with the Ultra Luxury interior is exclusive to LaCrosse.

(BMW)
For those who just can't get enough of BMW's freshened 6 Series, there's always the new 2014 BMW 6 Series Convertible Frozen Brilliant White Edition. Limited to only 100 copies, the new limited edition will be produced in April and early May 2013. Available as a rear-wheel drive 650i, or 650i xDrive model featuring BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system, the Frozen Brilliant White Edition will have a starting MSRP of $106,695 and 110,095, respectively (prices include $895 Destination & Handling), and will arrive at Authorized BMW Centers this May. Signature contents of the Edition include BMW Individual Frozen Brilliant White Metallic exterior matte paint, Frozen Black wing mirror caps, black BMW kidney grilles, and 20-inch bi-color Ferric Gray/gloss-turned BMW M Performance light-alloy wheels, etc., etc., etc. Editor-in-Chief's Note: When manufacturers do "special editions" they're either trying to extract more money from a current model before the next model arrives (see Porsche Panamera "Platinum" Edition - WG) or they're just being greedy bastards taking advantage of people who have more money than brains. Which category do you think this particular BMW falls under? - PMD

(Porsche)
In case you forgot, the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 makes its official U.S. debut at the New York show this week (it made its world debut in Geneva a few weeks ago). The completely-redeveloped fifth generation of the 911 GT3 "occupies the top position among Porsche sports cars with naturally-aspirated engines," according to Porsche. The rear-wheel-drive 911 GT3 has a 3.8-liter engine with 475 hp and a seven-speed Doppelkupplung (PDK). It accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, reaching 124 mph in less than twelve seconds. Top track speed? 195 mph. The 2014 911 GT3 has lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than 7:30 minutes.  Editor-in-Chief's Note: Despite that, the new 911 GT3 will mostly see duty as a statement car for impressive arrivals at valet stands in front of high-end nightclubs and restaurants across the country. And that's a damn shame. - PMD

(GM)
The high hard ones about the 2014 Buick Regal? The exterior design is revised with signature wing-shape LED lighting; the interior is designed around next-gen IntelliLink infotainment, it has new advanced safety features, a more efficient and more refined 2.0L turbo engine delivers 18 percent more power (259HP) in Regal Turbo and a new all-wheel-drive system incorporates a electronic limited-slip differential to help optimize traction in all driving conditions. Editor-in-Chief's Note: And will it matter? Does Buick need Verano, Regal and LaCrosse? Spare me the argument about different buyer demographics and the other associated bullshit. The Regal is the odd man out in the Buick lineup, except for the (half-dozen) enthusiasts who just gotta have one. - PMD

(Fiat-Chrysler)
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee makes its official debut today in New York. A Jeep aimed at the midsize sport utility segment, we think it should do extremely well in the market. The design has already offended Jeep purists, but it's fine with us.

(Mercedes-Benz)
Mercedes-Benz debuted five models at the New York Auto Show. The two world debuts are the 2014 CLA45 AMG and the 2014 B-Class Electric Drive. The CLA45 AMG features the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine built in series production, with 355 hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2014 B-Class Electric Drive is powered by a 134-hp electric motor and has a range of 115 miles. The three U.S. debuts are the 2014 E63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC Wagon and 2014 CLS63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC, as well as the 2014 C63 AMG sedan and coupe, which feature a new optional performance package called Edition 507 (the coupe version was shown at the show). These debuts represent five of thirty models that will launch in the U.S. within the next seven years, or an average of once a quarter.

(Toyota)

Okay, so about its freshened tC Toyota says, "The 2014 Scion tC is defined by more assertive styling, starting from the front with distinctive new headlamps and an all-new hood that extends lower toward a more open, muscular grille with an embedded tC logo. The new upper- and lower-grille treatments are bordered by LED accent lighting." Editor-in-Chief's Note: And I say that our dreaded SamenessinAutomotiveDesign (SAD) meter just pegged. We continue to be in awe of how designers across the globe can alight on similar front ends, right down to the size of the grille opening and the number of horizontal bars, without (allegedly) talking to each other. A giant bowl of Not Good in my book. - PMD

Editor's Note: Check out the video for the new Audi A3 here. - WG

(Jaguar)
Jaguar unveiled the 2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT at the New York Auto Show. Developed by Jaguar's in-house specialty vehicle group, Jaguar ETO, the XKR-S GT features an all-aluminum body, and is assembled using aerospace-derived aluminum bonding and riveting techniques. Powered by a 550hp, 502 lb/ft supercharged 5-liter V8 engine, the XKR-S GT has a zero to 60 time of 3.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 186mph. There will be a limited production run of just 30 cars for North America - 25 for the US and 5 for Canada. Arriving in August, the XKR-S GT has an MSRP of $174,000. Editor-in-Chief's Note: $174,000 for a frickin' Jaguar? Really? I'm sorry, but Jaguar just doesn't have the cachet to justify the price. They're still living off of D-Type victories at Le Mans 60 years ago and their more recent notable victories count for exactly zero in this market. Besides, it can't hold a candle to the Lyonheart (see below). But then again I'm sure there are 30 people out there in ConsumerVille who think that if they buy one they'll "... get hand jobs from beautiful women" because of it (a reference to the hilarious movie "Crazy People" with Dudley Moore). And so it goes. - PMD

(Images courtesy of Lyonheart Cars)
Lyonheart Cars Ltd has just announced the prices for its all-aluminium luxury sports cars: the Lyonheart K Coupé and Convertible. Both versions can be ordered immediately and the prices are the following: Lyonheart K Coupé: EUR 360'000 Lyonheart K Convertible: EUR 375'000. VAT and other local taxes are not included. Delivery is included in Europe and Switzerland. For other parts of the world: prices upon request.

The Lyonheart K was presented to the public in February 2012 and immediately achieved worldwide acclaim. Created by Robert Palm, founder of Swiss design firm Classic Factory, the Lyonheart K has been engineered and will be built by the Envisage Group in Coventry, well known for their expertise in building low volume series for renowned car makers.

The Cosworth 5.0 Litre Supercharged V8 delivers 575PS and 700Nm of torque. The state-of- the-art all-aluminium chassis and a finely-tuned multilink chassis offers superb dynamics and agility, according to Lyonheart. The Lyonheart K reaches 100kph in under 4 seconds and tops 300kph (electronically limited).

The planned production of 250 cars, including Coupé and Convertible versions, will be built between December 2013 and the summer of 2015. Due to demand, the delivery time for the Lyonheart K is currently 18 to 24 months, depending on specifications and body type. Fifty percent of Lyonheart production will be sold in Europe, 20 percent in the Middle East and 30 percent in China. The production will be strictly limited to 250 cars, including coupé and convertible.

Editor's Note: In case you missed Peter hosting "Autoline After Hours" last Thursday, Gary Vasilash of Automotive Design and Production and AutoFiledGuide.com (and one of the guests on the show along with Jim Hall) sums up the show nicely and provides a link to it here. - WG

 Honda. Editor-in-Chief's Note: L.A.-based advertising agency RPA retains the Honda account after a hasty review (it began in December), but loses the Acura business to Boston-based ad agency Mullen. Will this outcome help? The Honda work by RPA has been rejuvenated of late and I expect that to continue. The Acura work of late only reaffirmed the classic ad industry adage that states that "clients get the work they deserve." Since Honda consistently demonstrated that it didn't have a frickin' clue as to what Acura should or could be the creative work was inconsistent and muddled, reflecting Honda's cluelessness. Will all of this be fixed with a finger snap by handing the work to Mullen? Hmm, let's see... Has the client landscape changed all that much? No. Has Honda's product focus on Acura improved considerably? That's highly debatable. Do I expect a sudden transformation of the Acura product and the subsequent advertising that goes with it? It's a giant "we'll see" at best. My advice to Mullen? Be careful what you wish for. - PMD

(GM)
Cadillac is introducing its first Twin-Turbo engine and eight-speed transmission in the all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS midsize luxury sedan slated to debut next week at the New York Auto Show. The Cadillac Twin-Turbo V-6 is the most power-dense six-cylinder engine in the midsize luxury segment according to GM – a 3.6L with 118 horsepower per liter (88 kW/liter). Rated at an SAE-certified 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 430 lb.-ft. of torque (583 Nm), it is the most powerful V-6 ever from General Motors. It also has 15 percent greater power density than the BMW 535i’s turbocharged 3.0L six, which is rated at 300 horsepower (223 kW), for a ratio of 100 horsepower per liter (74 kW/liter) – and even the BMW 550i’s TwinPower 4.4L V-8, rated at 400 horsepower (298 kW), or 91 horsepower per liter (68 kW/liter). Power density is a measure of efficiency for an engine’s size. A pair of smaller turbochargers and an efficient charge air cooler help provide more immediate power delivery. Additionally, approximately 90 percent of the 3.6L Twin-Turbo’s peak torque is available from 2,500 rpm to 5,500 rpm, giving the engine a broad torque curve that customers will feel as strong, willing power in almost all driving conditions, such as accelerating or overtaking traffic on the highway, according to Cadillac. The Cadillac Twin-Turbo will be paired with a high-performance, paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission that offers efficiency and performance advantages over a six-speed transmission – including 1.5-percent greater fuel economy. The new CTS sedan is expected to reach 60 mph from a standstill in an estimated 4.6 seconds and achieve an estimated top speed of 170 mph (274 kph). “The new Cadillac Twin-Turbo brings a new dimension of technologically advanced performance to the all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan,” said David Leone, executive chief engineer. “Delivering power and sophistication, it marks another large step forward in the product-driven expansion of Cadillac.”

(Bonhams)
Bonhams will auction this Maserati 300S Sports-Racing Spider, chassis no. 3053, at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. This Maserati was the third 300S ordered by the great American sportsman, Briggs Swift Cunningham, for his old friend and team driver Bill Spear. Upon delivery ‘3053’ was co-driven by Bill Spear and Sherwood Johnston in the 1955 12-Hours of Sebring race, the American round of the FIA Sports Car World Championship. They finished third, beaten only by a Phil Hill-driven Ferrari and the winning Mike Hawthorn Jaguar D-Type. Sir Stirling Moss has described the 3-litre, 6-cylinder-engined Maserati 300S as having been: “...one of my favorite front-engined sports Maseratis – one of the easiest, nicest, best-balanced sports-racing cars ever made...”.

(Chevrolet)
The redesigned 2014 Camaro SS will debut at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, March 27 at 12:45 p.m., EDT. The 2014 model "represents the most significant change for the fifth-generation Camaro, which has been the most popular sports car in America for three consecutive years," according to GM PR operatives.

(Images courtesy of Lyonheart Cars)
Lyonheart Cars Ltd has just announced the prices for its all-aluminium luxury sports cars: the Lyonheart K Coupé and Convertible. Both versions can be ordered immediately and the prices are the following: Lyonheart K Coupé: EUR 360'000 Lyonheart K Convertible: EUR 375'000. VAT and other local taxes are not included. Delivery is included in Europe and Switzerland. For other parts of the world: prices upon request.

The Lyonheart K was presented to the public in February 2012 and immediately achieved worldwide acclaim. Created by Robert Palm, founder of Swiss design firm Classic Factory, the Lyonheart K has been engineered and will be built by the Envisage Group in Coventry, well known for their expertise in building low volume series for renowned car makers.

The Cosworth 5.0 Litre Supercharged V8 delivers 575PS and 700Nm of torque. The state-of- the-art all-aluminium chassis and a finely-tuned multilink chassis offers superb dynamics and agility, according to Lyonheart. The Lyonheart K reaches 100kph in under 4 seconds and tops 300kph (electronically limited).

The planned production of 250 cars, including Coupé and Convertible versions, will be built between December 2013 and the summer of 2015. Due to demand, the delivery time for the Lyonheart K is currently 18 to 24 months, depending on specifications and body type. Fifty percent of Lyonheart production will be sold in Europe, 20 percent in the Middle East and 30 percent in China. The production will be strictly limited to 250 cars, including coupé and convertible.

Editor's Note: Some fun commercial selects courtesy of AdAge from Liquid Plumber, Smartwater, Le Trefle and Old Spice, just because. - WG

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee" is a favorite of ours (and hordes of other people as well). Here's one with Alec Baldwin - "Just a Lazy Shiftless Bastard" - and it's well worth your time. - PMD