Editor-in-Chief's Note: Tony Cervone is coming back to GM to take over as senior vice president, head of global communications, replacing that guy who isn't worth mentioning. Cervone is leaving VW, where he had been running corporate communications since 2011. Cervone last worked at GM back in 2009. This is a good choice, considering that Cervone knows where GM was, where it is now, and where it needs to go. I wish him the best of luck. He'll certainly need it. - PMD
(Images courtesy of the Chrysler Group/FCA)
Dodge has introduced the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, which features an all-new supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® – the most powerful V-8 engine Chrysler Group LLC has ever produced - delivering 600-plus horsepower. The all-new V-8 engine offers a choice of an upgraded six-speed manual transmission or a new eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic. The new supercharged HEMI® Hellcat engine features a forged-steel crankshaft with induction-hardened bearing surfaces, high-strength, forged-alloy pistons and powder-forged connecting rods with high-load-capacity bushings and diamond-like-carbon-coated piston pins. The new supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 has premium-grade, heat-treated aluminum-alloy cylinder heads that are optimized for superior thermal conductivity. And its die-cast aluminum rocker covers are HEMI Orange. In addition to the supercharged HEMI V-8 in the Challenger SRT Hellcat, the new 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT model also gets a power boost with upgrades to the 392 HEMI V-8. Horsepower climbs to 485 from 470, while peak torque jumps to 475 lb.-ft. from 470 lb.-ft. The Dodge Challenger SRT with Hellcat engine has Brembo front disc brakes, SRT-exclusive "77" eight-spoke 20 x 9" forged-aluminum wheels with class-exclusive standard Y-Plus rated Pirelli P Zero Nero four-season tires. Challenger SRT owners can tailor their drive experience via the all-new Drive Modes feature, which controls horsepower, transmission shift speeds, steering (Challenger SRT only), paddle shifters (automatic transmission only), traction and suspension. Drive Modes are pre-configured for Sport, Track and Default settings, while the Custom setting lets the driver customize the drive experience to their favorite settings. The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392 and SRT with the HEMI Hellcat will be available in 11 exterior colors: B5 Blue Pearl Coat, Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Pearl Coat, Ivory White Tri-Coat Pearl, Jazz Blue Pearl Coat, Phantom Black Tri-Coat Pearl, Pitch Black Clear Coat, Redline Tri-Coat Pearl, Sublime Metallic Pearl Coat and TorRed Clear Coat. Twin, full-body stripes are available in Black Satin Gloss and Silver High Gloss on the SRT 392.
(Ford/newspressUSA)
Ford has begun accepting dealer orders for the 2015 Mustang fastback. The 2015 Mustang fastback includes new standard features such as fully independent suspension, push-button start, next-generation SYNC® AppLink™ and a choice of three engines: an all-new 2.3-liter EcoBoost® 4-cylinder producing more than 305 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, an upgraded 5.0-liter V8 generating more than 420 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque, and an upgraded 3.7-liter V6 producing more than 300 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, each of which can be paired with an upgraded six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. A 50 Years appearance package is available for Mustang EcoBoost Premium and Mustang GT Premium models. The appearance package includes a chrome-accented grille, round 50 Years rear badge, 19x8.5-inch alloy wheels with 255/40R19 all-season tires, anniversary floor mats and unique seat and door-trim stitching. The 2015 Ford Mustang fastback with 3.7-liter V6 starts at $24,425 including destination and delivery charges in the United States. Mustang will be available from Ford dealers in North America this fall.
(BMW)
BMW has donated an i3 to Make It Right, the charity that builds green homes, buildings and communities for people in need, for the raffle at its 2014 Gala on Saturday, May 17, in New Orleans. Make It Right founder Brad Pitt and presenter Sandra Bullock (above) led the pledges and announced the recipient of a new BMW i3, worth $55,000.
(Images courtesy of Cadillac/newspressUSA)
The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe rides on the same 109.3-inch wheelbase as the sedan, but features its own bodywork, and is longer, lower and with a wider front/rear track. The roof, doors, rear fenders and trunk lid are unique to the Coupe, along with a specific front fascia and front fenders to accommodate the wider track. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard on the Coupe. The 2015 ATS Coupe goes on sale later this summer with a choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and power from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.6L six-cylinder engine. It will start at $38,990, including a $995 destination charge.
(BMW Group Photos)
This is what BMW PR minions have to say: "The BMW Group celebrates the meeting of the time-honored and the contemporary at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014 with a very special concept: the MINI Superleggera™ Vision. This exclusive interpretation of an open-top two-seater was created by MINI and Touring Superleggera, the tradition-steeped design and coach building house based in Milan. The MINI Superleggera™ Vision is on the one hand a classic roadster, a compact and agile two-seater, expressing the most minimalist and emotional style of motoring; and on the other hand its electric drivetrain gives the car distinctly modern driving dynamics. In collaboration with MINI, Touring Superleggera™ has designed and built an elaborately crafted, unique model which blends the tradition of classic coachwork construction with the MINI’s authentic British styling to create timeless aesthetic appeal." This is what AE says: The Touring Superleggera has absolutely nothing to do with MINI in the least. Not even a little bit. But the BMW Group needed a concept for Villa d'Este, and seeing as they're already completely out of ideas and making up the MINI product plan as they go along, they thought attaching the MINI name to the project would make about as much sense as anything else, so...
Editor-in-Chief's's Note: For our "Quick Take" this week we're in a 2014 BMW X1 xDrive2.8i. This - let's just call it the X1 for short since BMW appears to be incapable of coming up with abbreviated names - is one great driving machine. Forget the SAV ("Sport Activity Vehicle") moniker, because its carrying capacity is almost laughable and it really doesn't apply to this car in the least. The X1 is more a tall, compact wagon that is agile, light on its feet and seriously fun to drive. It has the right combination of feel, responsiveness and the kind of over-the-road composure that driving enthusiasts can appreciate. Our Valencia Orange tester wasn't really loaded up either - especially in the interior - so it reminded me more of BMW's of yore, meaning it's executed simply and to the point - of driving. Which is much appreciated when it comes right down to it, especially when you consider the technological overkill that is seemingly inundating the business right now. If your focus is on driving enjoyment and you need a little bit more versatility - emphasizing the word "little" here - the X1 is a surprisingly satisfying choice. - PMD
2014 BMW X1 xDrive2.8i: $36,125 ($32,500 Base Price; Valencia Orange, $550; Black leatherette interior; 2.0-liter, BMW Twin-Power Turbo 16-valve inline 4-cylinder with High Precision Direct Injection, Valvetronic, with Double-VANOS steplessly variable valve timing with 240HP and 260 lbs-ft of torque; xDrive all-wheel-drive system; 8-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission with Sport and Manual shift modes and Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC); Auto Start-Stop function; Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Brake Drying, Brake Stand-by, Start-off Assistant and Brake Fade Compensation; 4-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes with Dynamic Brake Control, Brake Energy Regeneration; AM/FM/CD/MP3 player audio system with HD radio; Sport Line Package - 18" light alloy wheels, Door mirror caps in black; Sport seats, High-gloss black trim - $1,900; Servotronic, $250; Automatic climate control; Destination charge, $925)
Adherence to Brand Image: The BMW X1 certainly makes more sense than the unfortunate 335 xDrive GT that we had a couple of weeks ago, even if it is a crossover/whatever. The X1 actually feels like a BMW should feel, which is no mean feat when it comes right down to it. I guess this means that BMW hasn't totally forgotten what got them to this point, thank goodness. - PMD
