Road Reality

Video: Ferrari FF Plays in the Snow

John Suit — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:27 +0000

Last week, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, forecasting another 6 weeks of winter for us in the continental US. I don’t normally post about any Ferrari-related, but I’m giving an exception to this video. Click past the jump for a primer on the Ferrari FF and a 2-minute, 46-second video of it being handily driven around a prepared snow track.

The Car:

The Ferrari FF is an interesting mix of sports car, practicality, and of course luxury. A four-wheel drive setup powered by a snarling 12-cylinder engine, with seating for four. Four seats, Four-wheel drive, hence the FF moniker. It’s got a 6-speed transmission, 651 horsepower on tap, and weighs about 4,000 lbs. To say it’s fast is an understatement. An interesting side-note: the FF’s four-wheel drive system is comprised of a 7-speed driver-controlled gearbox to power the rear wheels, and an ingenious 2-speed transmission that gets its power from the front of the engine. This 2-speed setup doesn’t work at insanely fast speeds (since it’s only operable between 1st and 4th gears) but transfers up to 20% of the engine’s torque to the front wheels, to help it grip in the snow, as you’ll see below. Click here for more information on the Ferrari FF.

The Setup:

The driver in the video is Markku Alen, a former World Rally Championship (WRC) driver. The track is the Arjeplog, in northern Sweden. It’s covered in snow, and looks to be like it’s groomed that way for rally car drivers to practice (or even race) on.

The Video:
Note: I recommend you view the following video in 720p quality, in full screen mode.

by John Suit

Source: Ferrari

Super Bowl XLVI Ads: Chevy Silverado Takes on the Apocalypse

John Suit — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:00:14 +0000

GM is breaking out the big guns for this year’s Super Bowl, with an ad directly aimed at the Ford F-150. The ad claims that the Chevrolet Silverado is the “… most dependable and longest lasting full size truck on the road…” and that if you drive an F-150, you won’t survive for the post-apocalyptic world. This brought to mind another video I’ve seen on YouTube, wherein a Ford F-150 drives away after being involved in a dealership fire. Click past the jump for Chevrolet’s ad and the F-150 video I found.

Chevrolet’s Ad:

Ford F-150 Real Life Video:

by John Suit

Source: GM, YouTube

Detroit 2012: GM Announces 2013 Cadillac ATS

John Suit — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:12 +0000

Cadillac’s CTS sedan, coupe and wagon range, as well as their enhanced V counterparts, have brought Cadillac up to BMW’s level. The CTS-V has even bested cars well above its pay grade. While the CTS was created to contend with BMW’s 5-Series sedan, Cadillac needed to do something about BMW’s volume-seller: The 3-Series. Enter the Cadillac ATS, announced at this year’s Detroit auto show. Combining rear-wheel drive, a sporting demeanor and an inviting interior, BMW just may have a fight on its hands. Continue reading to see plenty of pictures and my breakdown of the upcoming 2013 Cadillac ATS.

Cadillac started with a “clean sheet” design for the ATS, meaning the underpinnings of this car are brand new. According to Cadillac, that gives the ATS one of the lowest weight in its class, at under 3,400 pounds. That’s svelte by today’s luxury car standards, which mostly hover at or above the 4,000 lb mark. In addition to an all-new chassis, the ATS benefits from recent GM R&D under the hood, sporting a trio of engines. The base engine, a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, delivers 200 horsepower, but the optional engines are where the fun is. A 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder rounds up 270 horses, while a 3.6-liter V6 develops 320 of them. I expect that the 2.0-liter turbo engine will be the volume seller, and it’ll most likely be the best-handling of the three setups.

Speaking of handling, the ATS will of course feature a fully-independent setup, but they’ll also have a magnetic ride setup, wherein the computer-controlled shocks adjust their stiffness hundreds of times per second. The use of lightweight materials in the suspension has helped keep a nearly 50/50 weight balance, which is always good for handling. Brembo brakes will be an option, to scrub speed off with gusto.

Beyond the engine, the ATS will offer up 6-speed transmissions in both automatic and manual setup, the latter for performance-oriented luxury buyers. The ATS will be rear-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel drive setup for those in snowier climes.

The end result of the chassis, engine and transmission should be a fairly frugal yet fun to drive sedan. Cadillac is expecting the EPA to certify its ATS at over 30 MPGs on the highway, but I’d expect that only from the base engine, while the optional engines should rank in the high 20s.

Moving on to what we can see, the ATS closely resembles its CTS sedan sibling, just scaled down a bit. Sharp creases abound, from the hood and front fascia to the rear of the car. The flanks of the ATS show the most prominent curves, in a character line near the door sills. The fender flares are curved too, which helps to hide them. The dual exhaust outlets are in an odd position – not quite centered like the CTS-V, but not at the outer edges, as is seen in most cars. The rear end also looks a little too much like the Acura TL for my liking, but still fits in the Cadillac design paradigm.

Inside, it’s more of the same from Cadillac, which is to say, very well done. The most interesting color combination I’ve seen of the ATS is the gray seats with brown leather and dark wood trim. It’s warm and inviting without being overdone. The seats look like they could use a bit more bolstering, but should be comfortable enough for the daily commute. Cadillac is showing off its CUE infotainment system in the new ATS, where the touch screen navigation system is linked to the digital gauge cluster, providing the driver with plenty of information at his or her fingertips, as well as a myriad of customizations.

Also in the technology department, Cadillac’s new ATS will feature a ton of safety and tech features, including the aforementioned Cadillac CUE system:

Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control
Intelligent Brake Assist
Forward Collision Alert
Brake Pre-Fill Automatic Collision Preparation
Lane Departure Warning
Side Blind Zone Alert
Rear Vision Camera With Dynamic Guidelines
Adaptive Forward Lighting
Hill Hold/Start Assist (Standard, manual transmission)

At the end of the day, I think Cadillac has ticked all the boxes on the sports sedan checklist:

Rear-wheel drive
Sporty suspension
Powerful brakes
Powerful engines
Manual transmission

Nobody can be sure that the Cadillac ATS will topple the segment-leading BMW 3-Series, but with the specifications and bodywork it’s strutting, the ATS looks to be a serious contender. Look for the ATS in Cadillac showrooms starting this summer.

Show Press Release

All-new, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive architecture with one of the lowest curb weights in the segment – less than 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg)
Broad lineup of engines, including two four-cylinders and a V-6 for North America, capitalizes on lightweight structure for performance with efficiency
Cadillac CUE, a comprehensive, in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data

DETROIT – Cadillac today introduced the 2013 ATS, an all-new compact luxury sports sedan intended to challenge the world’s best premium cars. Developed on an all-new, lightweight vehicle architecture, Cadillac’s entry into the world’s most significant luxury car segment goes on sale this summer.

The rear-drive ATS brings Cadillac’s blend of technologically driven performance, elegance and design to a new audience of spirited drivers. Its sophisticated driving experience is enhanced with CadillacCUE, a comprehensive, in-vehicle user experience that merges intuitive design with industry-first controls and commands for information and media data.

“Designed with quick, nimble and fun-to-drive dynamics, ATS expands Cadillac’s portfolio into a crucial global segment,” said Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac. “For a new group of luxury consumers, this is a car that will fit their lifestyle and challenge the segment’s status quo.”

The Cadillac ATS is a new expression of Cadillac’s Art & Science execution philosophy, built on a foundation of driving dynamics and mass efficiency. It is the most agile and lightweight Cadillac, with one of the lowest curb weights in the segment – less than 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg).

Germany’s famed Nürburgring served as one of the key testing grounds, along with additional roads, racetracks and laboratories around the globe, ATS engineers balanced performance with Cadillac’s trademark refinement. Contributing components and features include:

Nearly 50/50 weight balance
Cadillac’s first five-link independent rear suspension using lightweight, high-strength steel and efficient straight link designs
A multi-link double-pivot MacPherson-strut front suspension with direct-acting stabilizer bar
Driver-adjustable FE3 sport suspension with Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping
Underbody aerodynamic shields
Premium (belt driven) electric variable-effort steering gear from ZF Steering Systems
Four-channel ABS with available Brembo performance brakes
Available all-wheel drive

“More than just another new entry, the ATS aims to change the status quo of the European-dominated segment,” said Butler. “That is why our approach in all elements of its development is so extensive and focused.”

A broad lineup of engines – including two four-cylinders and a V-6 for North America – delivers strong power to the ATS and capitalizes on the car’s lightweight structure to complement its performance with efficiency. The optional engines include an all-new 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 270 horsepower (201 kW) and Cadillac’s award-winning 3.6L V-6, estimated at 320 horsepower (238 kW).

At 135hp/L, the new 2.0T is one of the most power-dense engines in the industry, topping engines from European competitors. ATS will offer both manual and automatic transmission options, along with rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations.

The ATS will deliver peak highway fuel economy of more than 30 mpg.

A spirit of lightness and balance

Making the ATS one of the segment’s lightest cars was a fundamental criterion for and the guiding principle during its development, but it was done in a nuanced manner that ensures a refined driving experience.

“Low weight gives the ATS a more nimble and controllable feel, while also optimizing the performance and efficiency of the powertrains,” said David Masch, ATS chief engineer. “But we were careful to manage the weight while maintaining Cadillac’s signature levels of refinement.”

Optimizing the ATS’s mass was the result of a four-pronged philosophy that included strict adherence to original architectural goals, measured load management throughout the vehicle, benchmarking components to see if lighter solutions were available and an overall culture that “weighed” the mass of every component in the car against all aspects of its development.

An aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets and even lightweight, natural-fiber door trim panels contribute to the ATS’s low overall mass – and reflect the systematic approach of evaluating every gram that went into the car. But some weight was deemed not only beneficial, but essential to the ATS’s driving experience. An example is the cast iron differential: Engineers found they could improve fuel economy with a cast iron differential rather than a lighter aluminum version.

And while the rear suspension is mostly steel, the focus on load management and straight links enabled significant weight savings without using alternate materials. This helps offset the weight of the engine and transmission at the front of the vehicle, helping the ATS deliver its near-perfect 50/50 weight balance, while also contributing to lower noise and vibration. A similar approach was taken on the wheels, where extra structural aluminum was strategically added to further reduce vibration.

“We approached development by counting all the grams in the ATS,” said Masch. “We minimized them where we could and put them to the best use where they were needed.”

Tailored design weaves in signature style and refinement

The 2013 Cadillac ATS interprets Cadillac’s Art & Science design language in a new proportion, tailoring the signature styling and refinement cues for the most compact Cadillac while upholding – and advancing – the exemplary attention to detail and technological elements for which the brand is known.

A long, 109.3-inch (2,775 mm) wheelbase and wide front/rear tracks are the cornerstones of the ATS’s firmly planted stance, which is enhanced by short overhangs and taut sheet metal that appears to wrap tightly around the tires. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard and 18-inch wheels are available.

Bold vertical lighting elements – including new LED front signature lighting detail – as well as illuminating door handles and active grille shutters lend technologically advanced style and function to the ATS. The grille shutters close at certain highway speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag and enhance fuel economy.

A driver-focused interior with integrated technology and crafted materials complements the exterior elements and supports the ATS’s driving experience. Everything from the placement of the pedals to the position of the shifter is designed for effortless and intuitive performance driving. Available performance seats have power-adjustable bolsters to optimize lateral support during high-load cornering.

Contributing to the interior’s intuitive feel is an instrument panel that wraps into the doors and a center stack in the mid-instrument panel that flows into the center console. LED lighting for the bold gauge cluster enables clear, at-a-glance viewing in all lighting conditions, while ambient lighting accents functional elements of the console and doors.

Real wood, plated metal plating and carbon fiber trim and Cadillac’s cut-and-sew instrument panel, console and doors enhance the emotional connection to the ATS. Choices of many interior color themes, each with unique accent trim material, cover a wide range of flavors – from light, open and warm to black and serious, to bold, technical and sporty.

CUE and ATS technologies

The ATS is offered with Cadillac CUE, a comprehensive, in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data. It is designed to be unique for each consumer, from the “simple user” to the fully connected “super user.”

CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, pairs entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customized information, voice commands and fewer buttons and larger icons. For example, most of today’s luxury cars have around 20 buttons controlling the radio and entertainment functions. CUE has only four.

The heart of CUE is the eight-inch LCD multi-touch sensitive screen, seamlessly integrated into the top of the central instrument panel and a motorized fully capacitive faceplate at the bottom concealing a 1.8L storage area. The vibrant LCD screen displays CUE’s home page, which resembles a smart phone’s screen by using large, easy-to-target icons to execute commands. Capacitive technology refers to using electrodes to sense the conductive properties of objects, such as a finger.

In addition to CUE, the ATS is offered with other technologies, including:

Bluetooth phone connectivity with voice recognition
USB, auxiliary and SD memory card ports
SiriusXM Satellite Radio with three-month trial subscription
Keyless access and keyless push-button start
Reconfigurable 5.7-inch instrument panel cluster display
Full-color reconfigurable heads-up display.

The ATS is offered as a well-equipped standard model and in Luxury, Performance and Premium Collections. A Bose® Cabin Surround audio system is offered on the standard model, as well as Luxury and Performance Collections. It is standard with the Premium Collection. A navigation system is also available with Luxury and Performance Collections and standard with the Premium Collection.

‘Control and alert’ safety strategy

Safety in the ATS is based on Cadillac’s “control and alert” strategy that employs advanced technologies – including radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors – to help prevent crashes.

The safety features bolster driver vision and awareness of road hazards, and intervenes to help the driver avert potential crashes. In some cases, Cadillac’s advanced crash-avoidance systems will act without the driver, such as automatic braking, which will activate based on information indicating potential hazards.

Among the most sophisticated of the features is Front and Rear Automatic Brakes. This relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver prevent front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.

Optional advanced safety features include:

Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control
Intelligent Brake Assist
Forward Collision Alert
Brake Pre-Fill Automatic Collision Preparation
Lane Departure Warning
Side Blind Zone Alert
Rear Vision Camera With Dynamic Guidelines
Adaptive Forward Lighting
Hill Hold/Start Assist (Standard, manual transmission)

The advanced technology safety features complement the ATS’s roster of other safety features, including eight standard air bags (10 with optional features), safety belt pretensioners and load limiters, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with traction control and four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS.

ATS also features OnStar standard for one year. It can use GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of a crash. OnStar service also includes myCadillac and OnStar myLink mobile apps, which offer vehicle information, controls and OnStar services via the customer’s iPhone or Android smart phone.

About Cadillac

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

2013 CADILLAC ATS PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Model:	Cadillac ATS Sedan
Body style / driveline:	4-door luxury sport luxury sedan, RWD/AWD
Construction:	Unitized welded steel body with direct-mounted front cradle and rubber-isolated, multi-link independent rear suspension
EPA vehicle class:	small car
Manufacturing location:	Lansing Grand River Assembly, Lansing, Mich.

Engines

	2.0L Turbo DI VVT	2.5L I-4 DI VVT	3.6L V-6 DI VVT
Displacement (cu in / cc):	122 / 1998	150 / 2457	217 / 3564
Bore & stroke (in / mm):	3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86	3.46 x 3.97 / 88 x 101	3.7 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6
Block material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum	c ast aluminum	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing	DOHC, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing	DOHC, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Fuel delivery:	direct high-pressure fuel injection	direct high-pressure fuel injection	direct high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio:	9.2:1	11.4:1	11.5:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):	270 / 201 @ 5300 (est)	200 / 149 @ 6200 (est)	320 / 238 @ 6800 (est – gas)
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):	260 / 353 @ 2400 (est)	188 / 255 @ 4500 (est)	267 / 362 @ 4900 (est – gas)
Recommended fuel:	premium recommended but not required	regular unleaded	regular unleaded or E85
Maximum engine speed (rpm):	7000	7000	7200
Estimated fuel economy:	TBD	TBD	TBD

Transmission

	Tremec M3L TR3160	Hydra-Matic 6L45
Type:	fully synchronized six-speed manual with single overdrive	six-speed, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch
Gear ratios (:1):
First:	4.12	4.06
Second:	2.62	2.37
Third:	1.81	1.55
Fourth:	1.30	1.16
Fifth:	1.00	0.85
Sixth:	0.80	0.67
Reverse:	3.75	3.20
Final drive ratio:	3.27	3.27 (2.5L, 3.6L) 3.45 (2.0T)

Chassis/Suspension

Configuration:	rear-wheel drive
Differential:	open (FE2 suspension); mechanical limited-slip (FE3 suspension)
Front:	MacPherson-type with dual lower ball joints and direct-acting stabilizer bar; Magnetic Ride Control (FE3)
Rear:	independent five-link with monotube shock absorbers; Magnetic Ride Control (FE3)
Steering type:	ZF rack-mounted electric, power-assisted and variable assist
Steering ratio:	FE2: 16.8:1 FE3: 15.3:1
Steering turns, lock-to-lock:	FE2: 3.16 FE3: 2.86
Turn circle (ft / m):	FE2 RWD: 36.38 / 11.09 FE3 RWD: 35.99 / 10.97 FE2 AWD: 38.05 / 11.60
Chassis control:	four-channel StabiliTrak w/ brake assist and traction control

Brakes

Type:

four-wheel disc with sliding calipers on base; four-channel ABS/TCS w/ DRP; Brembo brakes with fixed calipers on Luxury, Performance and Premium collections

Rotor type and thickness (in / mm):

Standard front: 11.8 x 1.02 (300 x 26) vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carbunized process for corrosion resistanceStandard rear: 12.4 x 0.90 (315 x 23) vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carbunized process for corrosion resistanceUplevel front: 12.6 x 1.18 (321 x 30) vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carbunized process for corrosion resistanceUplevel rear: 12.4 x 0.90 (315 x 23) vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carbunized process for corrosion resistance

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:	17×8-inch aluminum (painted) 17×8-inch aluminum (polished) 18×8-inch aluminum (machined-face) 18×8-inch aluminum (polished)
Tire size:	P225/45R17 90H all-season P225/45R17 90V run-flat all-season 225/40R18 92V run-flat all-season 225/40R18 88W / 255/35R18 90W run-flat summer-only 225/35ZR19 88Y / 255/30ZR19 91Y run-flat all-season (LPO)

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):	109.3 / 2775
Length (in / mm):	182.8 / 4643
Height (in / mm):	55.9 / 1421
Width (in / mm):	71.1 / 1805
Track (in / mm):	front: 59.5 / 1512 rear: 60.9 / 1548
Curb weight (lb / kg):	less than 3,400 / 1,542 (approx.)
Weight distribution (% front / rear):	51 / 49

Interior

Legroom (in / mm):	front: 42.5 / 1079 rear: 33.5 / 851
Headroom (in / mm):	front: 38.6 / 980 rear: 36.8 / 935
Shoulder room (in / mm):	front: 55.2 / 1345 rear: 53.9 / 1370
Hip room (in / mm):	front: 53.0 / 1345 rear: 52.3 / 1328

Capacities

Seating capacity (front / rear):	2 / 3
EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L):	90.9 / 2573
EPA trunk volume (cu ft / L):	10.2 / 290
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg):	1000 / 454 (3.6L)
Fuel tank (gal / L):	16 / 60.5
Engine oil (qt / L):	TBD
Cooling system (qt / L):	8.1 / 7.7 (2.0T) 7.1 / 6.7 (2.5L) 11 / 10.4 (3.6L)

*SAE certified.
Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

by John Suit

Source: GM

Super Bowl XLVI Ads: 2013 Cadillac ATS

John Suit — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:00:18 +0000

Cadillac’s upcoming BMW 3-Series fighter, the ATS, is getting its own commercial during this year’s Super Bowl. No funny business here, either: the ATS throws down the gauntlet against BMW’s 3-Series, on its own home turf: The Nuburgring racetrack in Germany. Click past the jump for the 33-second ad.

by John Suit

Source: YouTube, GM

Super Bowl XLVI Ads: Matthew Broderick and His Honda CR-V

John Suit — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:00:09 +0000

It’s the last week before Super Bowl XLVI, and while the Patriots and Giants are readying themselves in Indianapolis, automotive manufacturers are leaking their upcoming ads via YouTube. So, all this week, Road Reality will feature those ads, and of course anything else that I’d regularly report on. Click past the jump for Honda’s CR-V commercial, starring Matthew Broderick, reprising his role as Ferris Bueller.

by John Suit

Source: YouTube, Honda

The 2011 Ford Explorer … in the snow! (w/Video!)

John Suit — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:00:58 +0000

It’s winter time in the United States, and for a great number of us, that means snow! While the white stuff is pretty look at, it wreaks havoc with our road system. Further, many drivers simply don’t know how to adjust their driving habits for foul weather, and end up playing bumper cars. Click past the jump to see how well the 2011 Ford Explorer helps its driver stay on course.

The YouTube channel for the 2011 Ford Explorer (and this applies to the 2012 models as well) has a good number of videos highlighting the features and capabilities of Ford’s newly-redesigned SUV. I’m highlighting the snow-bound Explorer video and the aforementioned YouTube channel because of its (mostly) high-quality videos and informative content.

by John Suit

Source: YouTube