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High End Luxury Cars
24723 messages, Last post on Jan 28, 2013 at 6:55 PM
You are in the Sedans Forum.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.
#1613 of 24723 bobbyknight by merc1
Jul 24, 2002 (10:38 pm)
Well I've always said that BMW would have had a true "segment buster" if it weren't for the styling. I too at times think it's good looking car, but then I see one with the 18 inch wheels in the wrong color and then yuck(!). I keep seeing them in black with the 19's in chrome, makes a big difference. The car does have "presence" but I'm not it's not a good one...all the time. Only black even partially hides that trunklid, which is unforgivable.But I must say it's the most impressive car I've seen in quite some time, well I guess since 1999 when the S-Class came out. I just love the way BMW and Mercedes leapfrog each other with each re-design of their top sedans.......it sets the stage for all the rest to follow.
Have you had a chance to read about the new A8 yet?
M
#1614 of 24723 merc by bobbyknight
Jul 25, 2002 (3:38 pm)
I entirely agree with what you said. The 18inch wheel on the base car make the 7 look frumpy while the 19inch wheel on the Li make the car look sleek and appealing. I can't believe 1inch could make that much difference. So far, 90 percent of the ones I see on the road have the bigger wheels.Don't get me wrong, the car is impressive, but it didn't completely blow me away as I had expected it to. It was just boring to drive, more like a Lexus than a BMW. Plus, the i-drive is just too over the top to handle on a daily basis.
So far the A8 looks nice, I just wish Audi would have taken the styling a notch further, especially since it has the conservatively styled Phaeton. As it is now, the car looks too conservative, I would of thought it would look much more Avantissimo-like. This should be the car that sets the design of Audis for years to come, not look like a bigger A4.
The interior seems interesting though. Time will tell if Audi improved on the i-drive like system they have for controlling the functions of the car.
Overall, I don't think that the new A8 will have any more success in the marketplace than the older one.
#1615 of 24723 by merc1
Jul 26, 2002 (1:09 am)
"Overall, I don't think that the new A8 will have any more success in the marketplace thanthe older one. "
For some reason I think that will be true...at least in the U.S. The new car is handsome, but you're right it is very conservative. The Phaeton looks better, and will probably outsell the A8 in this country. Wouldn't that be something!
But hey things are going to change with the 2004 A6, which "goes all radical" according to the European press. They are saying the new A6 will have a huge upright grille along with "fender haunches" unlike any other current Audi. Gawd I hope its not ugly!
M
#1616 of 24723 "fender haunches"!?! by bobbyknight
Jul 26, 2002 (7:32 am)
Boy, that gives us a ton of insight. What the heck does that mean?#1617 of 24723 New Bently GT Coupe by whatup
Jul 26, 2002 (2:23 pm)
Hey,
http://www.vwvortex.com/news/index_bentley_GTcoupe1.html
This is the first official picture of the new Bently GT Coupe...which will probably be called the Continental when it comes out. It shares the same platform as the Phaeton, including the engine, suspension, and transmission. But the Bently has a twin-turbo W12 making 500+ HP, and it's made in Crewe alongside the car.
But weren't Bently owners upset with the original Arnage because it had too many BMW influences? Isn't this new Bently much more VW than the Arnage was BMW? Nice machine though...
I thought the new A8 was on a different platform than the Phaeton...doesn't the A8 have an aluminum spaceframe?
That's it.
Todd
#1618 of 24723 Nice Bentley, a question though... by jstyle
Jul 26, 2002 (4:05 pm)
You know that is a very handsome coupe. Bentley's always look better in the flesh as well. I heard that this is a competitor for the CL600 and will cost around US$160,000. Does anyone know? I am sure at that "low" price (for a Bentley anyway) there will be a astronomical wait list because Bentleys production lines are SLOW. Imagine....Bentley interiors (quality!), next generation Audi A8 based electronics, a surround sound stereo system, and that enormous power. Sure wish I was richer, but I can complain....#1619 of 24723 bobbyknight by merc1
Jul 26, 2002 (5:39 pm)
"Fender Haunches"....I know right. Oh well.whatup,
Yes the A8 and big V-Dub use the same platform, though in very different guise.
The Bentley coupe is supposed to be around 135K at which point it's going to hurt the current CL600. Mercedes recognizes this, thus the CL600 gets a power boost and other changes for 2003. Bentley is saying they want to sell 3000 of these in the U.S., a truly unobtainable figure.
M
#1620 of 24723 merc1 by porknbeans
Jul 27, 2002 (5:57 am)
A8 and Phaeton in very different guise? Are you looking at the same pics that I've been seeing?I just went to Germancarfans.com and looked at the photos of both. Subtle differences (other than the grill and tail), but hardly very different,IMO.
#1622 of 24723 by pat
Jul 27, 2002 (1:46 pm)
Please post the links to those pictures instead of using the img src tags to display them. Otherwise, the Town Hall runs into copyright issues.Thanks.
Pat
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