Maserati has announced several slight revisions for its 2015 Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans.
The range-topping Quattroporte GTS trim brings the biggest changes, including a sportier front fascia with a more aggressive appearance. The lower bodywork has been color-matched to the rest of the body, while a refreshed trident badge and red-accented wheel center caps help further distinguish the package.

The wider Quattroporte range also benefits from new contrasting stitching, red leather upholstery and Black Piano lacquered trim, while Wi-Fi hotspot functionality is now a standard feature.

The Ghibli has been enhanced with navigation and Bluetooth among the standard features. The 2015 models also add a new standard brake-caliper finish and new options for contrasting stitching.

The refreshed Quattroporte and Ghibli will make their public debut next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Audi has fully detailed its 2016 TT and TTS for the US market, following the all-new models’ earlier debut in Europe.
The TT Coupe and Roadster will be powered by Audi’s latest 2.0-liter TFSI engine, producing 220 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The TTS Coupe manages to squeeze 292 ponies and 280 lb-ft of torque out of the same engine.

The output figures represent a slight increase over the 2015 model, however the available power is still below the Euro-spec tune for both the TT and TTS. The diesel engine also remains unavailable for the US market.

All models feature Audi’s drive select system, Quattro all-wheel drive and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Tech upgrades include a 12.3-inch virtual-cockpit display, 4G LTE-based Wi-Fi, and a new infotainment system.

The 2016 TT and TTS will make their US debut next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. US pricing and launch timing have not yet been officially confirmed.

Cadillac has revealed its ATS-V.R race car at an event held Friday at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
The Racing version of Cadillac’s upcoming ATS-V Coupe meets FIA GT3 specifications and will be available in configurations capable of producing up to 600 horsepower.

The ATS-V.R’s LF4.R engine, based on the 450hp, twin-turbocharged V6 that will be found under the hood of the road car, has been upgraded with larger BorgWarner turbochargers, increased capacity intercoolers, competition engine management and a side-exiting exhaust. Power goes to the ground via a six-speed sequential transaxle, which is unique to the race-spec car.

Unlike tube-frame vehicles built for other series, the ATS-V.R has been engineered around a reinforced unibody with a FIA-compliant safety cage. Body modifications include redesigned fenders; a full aerodynamic package including a carbon fiber front splitter, corner-mounted dive planes, an underbody tray and rear diffuser; and a competition-spec rear wing.

Check out the build in the video below.

Mazda has introduced an unlimited-mileage warranty for customers in Canada.
The program removes the mileage caps on all coverage categories except for emissions defects, which retains its 128,000km (~79,500mi) limit.

The basic warranty now covers all other factory-defective parts for a period of three years, regardless of the kilometers driven. Powertrain coverage sits at five years, body and sheet-metal perforation is covered for seven years, and roadside assistance is available for three years.

“By offering our customers an Unlimited Mileage Warranty, we believe it will enhance their ownership experience by alleviating concerns such as kilometre limitations, repair costs and resale value,” said Mazda Canada president Kory Koreeda.

The new terms start with all 2015-model-year vehicles, including retroactive coverage for any 2015 vehicles that have already been purchased.

The company has not voiced any intention to bring the same program to the US market.

Former General Motors engineer Raymond DeGiorgio has finally spoken publicly about his role in the ignition-switch debacle.
He remains defiant despite taking blame for designing the original defective switch and the revised design, which carried the same part number and consequently confused investigators for years.

“All I can say is that I did my job,” DeGiorgio told The New York Times in an interview. “I didn’t lie, cheat or steal. I did my job the best I could.”

The company has focused on the alleged incompetence of several former engineers in its assessment of what went wrong. Critics suggest the low-level employees are partially at fault, but such behavior was largely the consequence of a broken culture that may still permeate the employee ranks from top to bottom.

DeGiorgio had referred to the defective component as the “switch from hell,” which was reportedly designed with lighter rotation force to meet upper management’s demand for the Cobalt to mimic European cars. The former engineer did seek higher approval for a replacement to the poor design, however the idea was shot down by his superiors.

A separate report recently claimed GM placed a large order for revised ignition switches several months before notifying regulators of the defect, in apparent violation of federal law. The revelation could pose further legal problems for the company, which already faces federal and state investigations into potential criminal wrongdoing.