Richard L. Shaver Blog

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Ferrari Could Find Itself In Serious Trouble If Scandalous Allegations Are Proven True

Just when you thought that the auto industry was on the mend after numerous scandals rocked it to its core, another potentially devastating scandal is on the horizon, this time involving Ferrari.

A report from The Daily Mail reveals that Florida-based Ferrari salesman Robert “Bud” Root has filed a pair of lawsuits in Florida alleging Ferrari of using a device that was designed to electronically roll back the digital odometers of Ferrari models that go on sale in the pre-owned (or second-hand) market. According to Root’s lawsuit, the practice of rolling back these odometers allows Ferrari owners to sell their Ferraris to unsuspecting buyers at grossly inflated prices.

The device is reportedly called the “Deis Tester, internet” and according to the lawsuit, it has been available since 2010 and has a software program that allows it to reset a Ferrari odometer back to as low as 0 miles. Not only that but Root also alleges that Ferrari headquarters in Maranello is complicit in the activity, even going so far as publishing a written policy manual detailing how the device works and having sole authority on when to actually use the device.

The lawsuit further adds that Ferrari “licenses the equipment, administers the passwords and remote log-in authorisations, electronically uploads and tracks functions through the use of the device - including odometer rollbacks - through aInternet connection, and stores the electronic data.”

As for why Root stepped forward threatening to blow the lid off of the allegedly illegal practice, it appears that the 71-year old salesman reportedly fired after discovering the use of the Deis Tester and implications it could have from a legal standpoint. Root even named one of his clients, retired Sara Lee CEO C. Steve McMillan, and accused him of paying off one of the dealership’s mechanics to roll back the odometer of his Ferrari LaFerrari back to 0 miles so he could sell it a higher price than what the car was supposed to be worth.

For its part, Ferrari of Palm Beach attorney Jason Kairalla issued a statement on behalf of the dealership, saying that it “does not litigate in the newspaper,” before adding its belief that the lawsuit filed by its employee “is wholly without merit and will be vigorously defended in court."

Meanwhile, the Italian automaker has also commented on the allegations, telling Motor Authority that the automaker does not comment on litigation that involves third parties with respect to Ferrari North America and the litigation does not involve Ferrari. The automaker threw in its own caveat, adding that it “reserves” the right to take all appropriate action against any party that has adversely affected its rights.

Continue after the jump to read the full story

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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Some could view the Mitsubishi brand as a problem child, being stuck in a kerfuffle as it tries to shift its lineup to meet the overwhelming demand for crossovers and SUVs. It was initially planning to hit the 100,000 sales mark here in the U.S. for 2016, but the financial year – which ends in March of 2017 – will be the first time in eight years that the brand has posted a loss. That suspected loss, which could amount to as much as ¥205 billion (about $2 million) can be attributed to the brand getting caught in its own scandal. But, that’s not the only reason.

Over the years, it has let down fans that prefer sporty cars over SUVs, with the Eclipse being killed off after 2012 and the Lancer soldiering on virtually unchanged and underpowered for a decade, just to be killed off before the start of 2018. With its focus consistently on SUV’s, it should come as no surprise that the brand has just announced a new compact SUV that will slot between the Outlander and Outlander Sport. Called the Eclipse Cross, the new SUV is actually a step forward for Mitsubishi and brings about a decent amount of technology, a new drivetrain option, and unique styling inside and out.

The Eclipse Cross is to make its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, and while the name isn’t original – and maybe seen as stupid by those who remember the Eclipse coupe – the SUV itself is fresh and, at a glance, looks to be more advanced than anything else that Mitsubishi has on offer at the moment. But, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s dive on in a take a good look at Mitsubishi’s latest SUV.

Updated 02/28/2017: Mitsubishi dropped the official details on the new Eclipse Cross with just a week before its official debut in Geneva.

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You Won't Believe Which Autonomous Car is the Fastest in the World

Five years ago, the thought of seeing autonomous cars on the road seemed like a far-fetched reality. These days, autonomous cars are touted as the future of the auto industry, and one car that prides itself on being able to drive by itself has set the performance benchmark for all the rest of the autonomous driving world to challenge. The Nio EP9 may not be a household name yet, but it recently made a strong case for itself at the Circuit of the Americas when it lapped the 3.4-mile circuit in 2:40.33, doing so while achieving a top speed of 160 mph and setting the record for the fastest self-driving car around the track.

Just as important (maybe even more so) is the 2:11.30 lap time it posted with a driver behind the wheel of the car with a top speed of 170 mph. All the same, the lap time is the fastest lap time around the famed circuit for a production car. The EP9’s achievement is a big milestone in it of itself, especially when you consider that the Aston Martin Vantage V8 racer that won a pole position in the GT-class car during the 2016 Six Hours of Circuit of the Americas managed to post its fastest lap of 2:04.61. Let it be said then: the EP9’s lap time with a driver behind the wheel is only seven seconds off the pace of track’s GT-class lap record. That’s impressive in any language.

Granted, the EP9’s record lap time might still ring hollow for some skeptics who believe that more autonomous cars should post their own lap times around COTA to “validate” Nio’s fastest lap around the track claims. But that’s neither Nio’s nor the EP9’s issue. All it can control is the lap time it posts; if somebody wants to put the EP9’s lap time in its proper place, that’s on them to make it happen.

Either way, there’s no denying that the Nio EP9 is a potent piece of autonomous driving machinery. The startup company says that its pride and joy is powered by four electric motors that combine to produce a staggering 1,341 horsepower. That allows the car to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and 0 to 124 mph in 7.1 seconds. Top speed is reportedly begged at 195 mph to go with a 265-mile range.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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BMW M760Li xDrive by BMW Individual

You can be excused if you’ve become increasingly frustrated with BMW and the seemingly long wait for the M7 to arrive, if it ever arrives to begin with. Truth be told, it’s become an exercise in patience itself just to wait for the flagship sedan. The presence of the M760Li xDrive, which BMW launched in late 2016, isn’t helping that long and arduous wait, either. But the good news is that we still do have the M760Li xDrive as opposed to not having one at all. It may not be the M7, but it could pass as one if you ignore the fact that it isn’t. Makes sense, right?

That’s not the point of all this, though, because to BMW’s credit, it is at least doing its part to make the M760Li xDrive more interesting with the luxury saloon’s first go in the world of BMW Individual. As you can imagine, a car that’s already brimming with luxury appointments like the M760Li xDrive is going to be a little difficult to improve from an aesthetic standpoint because, well, it already has everything a customer would probably want in a saloon short of it actually having its own portable butler. (Hmm…)

Good thing then that BMW Individual isn’t bound by what a car already has, but what a car could still have to go on top of what it already has. And so, the German automaker’s very own personalization division went to work on the M760Li xDrive and presented it with a series of new options that are meant to entice customers on seeing the seemingly limitless customization potential of the saloon.

You think the BMW M760Li xDrive already has everything? Well, try telling BMW Individual that. Just don’t mention anything about the M7, because, well, that’s for BMW to answer.

Continue after the jump to read more about the BMW M760Li xDrive by BMW Individual

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2017 Jeep Compass By Mopar

Jeep has a long history with vehicle customization and personalization going back to the first CJ Jeeps produced after WWII. These days, instead of plows, seeders, and hay rakes, Jeep customers are looking for aftermarket equipment designed for improved off-road capabilities, everyday usability, and curb-size appearance. Mopar has been there for much of Jeep’s history but is now enjoying a renaissance in popularity thanks to a wide selection of dealer add-on parts. These accessories are able to be wrapped inside vehicle financing and are covered under warranty.

Mopar’s latest batch of parts fits Jeep’s newest product – the 2017 Jeep Compass. This two-row crossover slots between the Renegade and Cherokee, both in size and price. Its sleek, modern looks are arguably more attractive than the Cherokee, while still harking back to Jeep’s glory days.

To showcase Mopar’s new line of more than 90 Compass accessories, Jeep created this one-off demo model with a bevy of upgrades. Pietro Gorlier, the head of Mopar, said this regarding the new lineup of parts:

“Owners can put their unique stamp on the all-new Jeep Compass right at launch with a full line of authentic Jeep accessories. Mopar celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2017, and we continue to deliver products that remain true to the DNA of each brand and the personality of each vehicle. With a full line of accessories available at launch, we’re ready to do that for 2017 Jeep Compass owners.”

The wide selection of Mopar parts and accessories give Jeep owners many direction possibilities. From simple window shades and floor mats to larger wheels and rock rails, the Mopar catalog gives plenty of choices.

Mopar’s list of highlighted products is below.

Continue reading for more information.

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Samsung: The new S8 Won't Blow Up Your Car

Last year was a rough one for Samsung. That glorious and amazing Note 7 Phablet hit the market and everyone into carrying phones the size of cinder blocks that don’t have an apple on the back was super stoked. Well, until those phones went rogue and started self-destructing in people’s pockets, homes, and even cars. Truth be told, who knows if Samsung really told the truth, but the problem was supposedly related to the batteries used in the would-be halo phone.

There were some crazy videos out there that included a lithium-charged explosion in someone’s pocket, but one of the more recent stories before the phones were disabled was the story behind a family that nearly avoided tragedy thanks to their need to stop at home and offload something before continuing about their day of yard-sell hunting.

Long story short, a Note 7 was left charging in the center console, and next thing you know the family jeep found its Jeep heaven. Fast forward a few months to today, and Samsung is set to make its next big release, this time in the form of the next-gen Galaxy S8 lineup. As such, the brand is doing everything it can to prove that these new phones won’t explode and take out your home, Jeep, or girlfriend checking out your phone in the middle of the night.

So far, the brand has released three different ads, two of which include quick peeks into the testing each phone goes through before being shipped out and put on the shelf. In the video above, you even get to watch the battery get punctured by what one could only describe as a freaky mind probe from a science fiction movie, but it doesn’t blow up. The phone is even shown operating in excessively cold temperatures and being bent under pressure without any big boom taking place.

Apparently, the brand now has what it calls a seven-point battery test that ensures each battery is free of defect. But, let’s be honest; won’t a part of you wonder if the S8 will try to kill you too? Check out the video above to see Samsung’s “toughest safety testing ever.”

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Renault Alpine A110

It took Renault about three years to transform the 2012 Alpine A110-50 Concept into a production-friendly vehicle, but the new sports car was still far from being unveiled in 2016. Come 2017 and the French brand is finally ready to relaunch the Alpine brand, with the mid-engined coupe set to break cover at the Geneva Motor Show in March. As expected, the production model shares many design features with the concept cars Alpine showcased in recent years.

The most recent of them is dubbed Alpine Celebration Concept and broke cover ahead of the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was featured again a couple of weeks later in the year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and looked ready to hit the streets with minor modifications here and here.

As the name suggests, the Celebration Concept celebrates six decades since Alpine was established in Dieppe, France. Also, it pays homage to the classic 1961 -1973 Alpine A110, a sports car the French built from 1961 to 1977. Introduced as an evolution of the A108, the two-door "Berlinette" was designed by Giovanni Michelotti and used a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Among being Alpine’s most iconic model, the A110 was also a successful race car, winning the manufacturer’s title at the end of 1973 World Rally Championship.

All told, the new Alpine has a lot of heritage to build on.

Up until now, the production design was somewhat of a mystery, but a couple of photos launched in February 2017 confirm that it’s heavily based on the Celebration Concept. Alpine also confirmed that it will be called the A110, just like its 1960s predecessor.

Updated 02/28/2017: Alpine dropped the first two images of its new A110 sports car and confirmed the car will be making its official debut next week at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

Continue reading to learn more about the new Renault Alpine.

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