High End Luxury Cars

24700 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 12:24 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ-Series, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Volkswagen Phaeton, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, Sedan

Let's try to define this forum as being limited to luxury performance vehicles where the mainstream version in a typical configuration has an MSRP of at least $60k.

A luxury vehicle with a base price of $59k qualifies because it would typically be bought with some additional equipment, bringing the MSRP over $60k.

Vehicles like the E, 5, A6, M, or GS, even if available in certain versions over $60k, don't qualify because they are cars from companies that have higher end cars in their lineups.

Outline

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#15811 of 24700 Re: Diesel, ethanol over hybrids [tagman] by blkhemi May 25, 2006 (2:33 pm)
Replying to: tagman (May 24, 2006 7:41 pm) Tag: I wholly agree with the notion of integral diesel-hybrid technology, now with the proven reliablilty of new gen hybrid powertrains. Steve: Audi has reportedly "scrapped" the V-12 for the A8(at least for our market) diesel idea in lieu of fortifing the ubiquitous 5.0L V-10 TDI with the low-sulfur/no particulate exhaust system similar to the marvelous MB Bluetec. It will reportedly one up the current offering with 400-hp(vs.310) and over 600lb-ft(vs.553) of torque powering through a new 8-speed autobox good for handling 750lb-ft of torque while being 29 pounds "lighter" than the 6-speed it replaces. A8 Sport models for '09 will have a DSG tranny, as well as the '10/'11 AMG-chasin' S8 with over 600-hp. The diesel version of the A8 has tested above 30mpg, given it's incredible power, that's a huge accomplishment. Merc: I read in Autocar last week that Mercedes is fiddling with the possibility of a S600 diesel. I wonder if this is the surprise that they've promised since it's release? DCX has reportedly given the green light to Chrysler to let their end of the business use the Bluetec 3.2L CDI. Good news indeed. BTW: If MB holds on to their promise, there will be 7 variants of the S to choose from: S550, S600, S63, S65. Suspected future models for our side of the pond: S450, S(some kind of diesel), and a possible S350 towards the end fo the model cycle. Replies to this message: tagman (May 25, 2006 3:38 pm) blkhemi (May 25, 2006 5:02 pm) stevekilburn (May 25, 2006 7:51 pm) reality2 (May 26, 2006 7:01 pm) blkhemi (May 27, 2006 5:59 am) and 16 more... merc1 (May 25, 2006 9:42 pm)
#15812 of 24700 Re: Diesel, ethanol over hybrids [blkhemi] by tagman May 25, 2006 (3:38 pm)
Replying to: blkhemi (May 25, 2006 2:33 pm) BTW: If MB holds on to their promise, there will be 7 variants of the S to choose from: S550, S600, S63, S65. Suspected future models for our side of the pond: S450, S(some kind of diesel), and a possible S350 towards the end fo the model cycle. I am suspicious that the latter three could end up being two . . . one diesel and one smaller gas ICE with their new stratified gas injection. Whatcha think? TagMan Replies to this message: blkhemi (May 25, 2006 5:02 pm)
#15813 of 24700 Re: Diesel, ethanol over hybrids [tagman] by blkhemi May 25, 2006 (5:02 pm)
Replying to: tagman (May 25, 2006 3:38 pm) I can expect the S450 to make it's way in for '08/'09, with the diesel models coming in this timeframe also. The V-6 S350 seems out of place in MB's recent push forward to once again be the driving force in the luxury biz. That's possibly the reason behind the one-year only S350 for '06. MB is committed to converting all of it's gas engines to direct injection. BMW isn't far behind and Audi has been doing this for quite sometime. Toyota has also jumped in with the upcoming LS460. One still has to wonder: What's going on in Munich? BMW is being very tight-lipped about the next gen 7-Series save for the fact that they've promised it'll be the sportiest and most comfortable in it's class, no huge departure for them. But this time they took shots. They personally called out Maseratti in saying that the Q-P will have room to worry. They also promise class-leading engine power and interior room in the iL models. There are some reports out in Germany that the V-8 will grow to 5.0L and put out over 400-hp and the second-gen i-Drive will be much improved over the current monster. And also the styling is said to become more classic BMW with those conservative lines that we German car lovers loved at one point. We'll see.
#15814 of 24700 Clarkson's best and worst of '06 by lexusguy May 25, 2006 (6:14 pm)
Some very interesting choices, and of course the incomparable Clarkson wit. http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,27909,00.html Replies to this message: hpowders (May 26, 2006 4:44 am)
#15815 of 24700 Re: Observations on the neverending LS pricing discussion [tagman] by blckislandguy May 25, 2006 (6:55 pm)
Replying to: tagman (May 25, 2006 7:54 am) Tagman, I think to really understand your position and risk exposure you have to slice it a bit finer. Not just say 15% intl equities but, say, 10% European and 5% emerging. Same thing with bonds. (Incidentally, the emerging market bond funds have done very, very well.) Clearly the old rules of taking your age and subtracting from 100 to get your equity allocation vs. bonds has changed. Dramatically. Replies to this message: tagman (May 25, 2006 7:10 pm)
#15816 of 24700 Re: Observations on the neverending LS pricing discussion [blckislandguy] by tagman May 25, 2006 (7:10 pm)
Replying to: blckislandguy (May 25, 2006 6:55 pm) Tagman, I think to really understand your position and risk exposure you have to slice it a bit finer. If you are that interested, one third of my international equities is strictly divided equally between Japan, Russia, India, China and yes, emerging. The other two thirds I allow to vary. The fixed instruments I mentioned are primarily bonds that I've selected over the years, and represent 25% of the entire portfolio as I mentioned in the original post. Up until today I was 60% US equities, and did very well. That is one of the changes I made today, reducing them to 40% and placing 20% of my portfolio into ready cash. Also, FYI, my international was 10% prior to today, and is now 15% of my entire portfolio, broken down as indicated above. Is that what you had in mind? TagMan
#15817 of 24700 Re: ON DIESEL, hybrids and ethanol [houdini1] by stevekilburn May 25, 2006 (7:38 pm)
Replying to: houdini1 (May 24, 2006 7:39 pm) I meant 17 million new vehicle sales every year. Replies to this message: houdini1 (May 29, 2006 4:32 am)
#15818 of 24700 Re: A busy day at the watering hole....... [merc1] by stevekilburn May 25, 2006 (7:39 pm)
Replying to: merc1 (May 24, 2006 9:06 pm) I am thinking about it, may be a letter to Okuda and one to Press.
#15819 of 24700 Re: Observations on the neverending LS pricing discussion [garyh1] by stevekilburn May 25, 2006 (7:42 pm)
Replying to: garyh1 (May 24, 2006 10:27 pm) Pricing debate is just the starting point. Eventually this discussion is about globalization of Lexus and its future evolution into a "premium HELM"
#15820 of 24700 LJ, thats a lie of epic proportions, when did I ask to price LS at S level by stevekilburn May 25, 2006 (7:46 pm)
Replying to: ljflx (May 25, 2006 7:25 am) Can you point even one post where I said LS should be priced head-to-head with S550. This is an outrage and I condemn it in strongest possible terms. When you look at the general atmosphere you have to go by MSRP and not any whims. Of course the final transaction will vary but thats not the point. The point is LS competing head-to-head on pricing with A8/7.