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High End Luxury Cars

24697 messages, Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 3:09 PM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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.
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Some interesting information from Automotive news, particularly in regards to the SUVs: IS: "A convertible was expected to debut when the coupe arrived. But Lexus is worried that its planned convertible may not succeed in a world of hard-top convertibles. The model may be sent back to the drawing board, forcing a delay. Lexus executives downplay reports of a V-8, saying the big engine would kill the car's handling - not to mention that a 300-hp V-6 is plenty for a car this size. Don't rule out a hybrid as a midcycle addition." GS: "The GS sedans get engine upgrades for the 2007 model year: a 3.5-liter V-6 and a 4.6-liter V-8. The V-6 may arrive this fall, while the V-8 may have to wait for the LS 460 to show up first." SC: "The retractable-hardtop coupe gets a redesign in summer 2007, sharing the IS/GS platform. The 2008 model also will share the 4.6-liter V-8. Lexus is looking at proportions and stance similar to those of a BMW 6 series." LFA: "Lexus' two-passenger, high-performance sports car will be unveiled at the same time as the Japan Formula One race moves to Toyota's home, Fuji Speedway, in the fall of 2007. It is likely that a big 500-hp V-8 will be the powerplant, as a V-8 has weight and packaging advantages over the all-but-dead V-10 program. It would arrive in the United States in spring 2008." Small crossover: "Lexus once thought about using the RAV4 as the basis for a luxury vehicle. Executives concluded that the platform was too downmarket. But the success of the BMW X3 and the arrival of the Acura RDX and Volvo XC50 have them rethinking. If a thumbs up is given, it could arrive for the 2009 model year." RX: "The V-6 engine gets bumped to 3.5 liters and adds a six-speed automatic transmission for the 2007 model year. A redesign comes in spring 2008. It will be slightly larger but not as large as the Toyota Highlander. The new target width is the same as that of the Acura MDX." JX: "The big brother to the RX 330 crossover comes off the new GS sedan platform in mid-2007. For styling hints and dimensions, look to the Lexus LF-X (nee HPX) concept car, which had a 116-inch wheelbase, 194-inch overall length and room for three rows of seats. Power would come from a 4.3-liter V-8, although a 3.5-liter V-6 also might be offered. Competitors include the Infiniti FX35 and FX45." LX: "A proposed large, Sequoia-based SUV has been killed from the product plan. That means the LX 470 lives on in its current form when the Toyota Land Cruiser gets redesigned." By the way, autonews.com is free this week. |
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Replying to: blkhemi (Aug 21, 2006 12:41 pm)
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Replying to: blkhemi (Aug 21, 2006 2:46 pm) Some basic engineering knowledge would have informed us that automotive sound insulation is tuned to screened out certain frequencies and letting in others . . . for example, even in a "quiet as vault" car, the sirens of ambulances and fire engines can easily be heard . . . it's the cars with loud wind, road and drive train noises that block out ambulances and fire engine sirens.
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Replying to: blkhemi (Aug 21, 2006 12:50 pm) Yes the S600 is quite a performer and will surprise many a sports car. I'm more interested in your first impressions the S8 when it arrives, it is sort of an exotic in this class. M |
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Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 21, 2006 4:13 pm) M
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Replying to: syswei (Aug 19, 2006 5:38 pm) Their upcoming schedule if anyone wanted to know: http://www.pbs.org/mpt/motorweek/upcomingshows.shtml M |
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Replying to: merc1 (Aug 22, 2006 12:56 am) I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Perhaps there simply wont be an '07 GS430, and the GS460 will arrive as an early '08 model. |
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Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 21, 2006 4:13 pm)
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Replying to: syswei (Aug 22, 2006 3:34 am) |
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Another review of the LS460, this one from Andrew Frankel of the "Times Online" was posted on August 20th. The review was quite positive. He even called the vehicle, "extraordinary." However, he had to spoil things a bit by saying it's "A car for the head, not the heart." He gave it 4 out of 5 stars which is just about as good as it gets with the sedate "Times of London." I caught the "MotorWeek" first look at the LS 460 on PBS the other day. They did everything but reveal driving impressions. Quite frustrating, but it wasn't supposed to be a test drive. They showed a comprehensive view of the exterior and interior and the vehicle in motion. They also showed the LS460L. I must say, I was impressed with the appearance of the LS460 as shown on that program-a huge improvement over the current version. |
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