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Sedans 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
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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There was an AP report out today that suggested Ford is in the process of selling off bits and pieces or maybe all of Aston Martin to the highest bidder. The report suggested that automaker can no longer dump cash into the not to profitable brand. While other PAG members may be spared, like Volvo and Land Rover, Jaguar is up for discussion The company has long said that Jaguar is not performing as designed when the takeover was implemented in '89. The lower profits over the years has left the parent company up in arms over what to do about the cash hog. I got a brilliant idea for both. For Aston, the 4-door sedan MUST BE BUILT!! With even Porsche going 4-doors, there is absolutely no holding back now. Also expand the line-up, with only 3 cars, it's a major struggle. Altho the V8 Vantage is wonderful ride, it ain't no 911. Tweak it some more. The DB9 needs to seperate itself more from it's forebears for more distinction. Jaguar, let's see: First off, take the X and S-Type's out back and put them out of their misery. DO NOT USE A FORD CLONE PRODUCT, as is the case with the X's Mondeo, and the S' Lincoln LS/Ford T-Bird. Build a sporty LPS that can fully compete with the 3 Series, A4, IS, G35, and TL seriously. The S-Type is a definete must do. Use one of those wonderful Euro chassis that we Americans can only dream of for the next S-Type. Easier said than done, I know. But without fresh product, you're doomed to fail. At least GM appears to be on the right track with brand finally putting priorities first. The brand will take Pontiac all RWD and Chevy will go back to the roots with Impala heading upmarket in price and size. Cadillac is said to take the next DTS way upmarket with the 3rd gen Northstar making 400+ hp out of the box. Times a changin for the domestics. For the best hopefully.
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Replying to: blkhemi (Aug 31, 2006 5:29 pm) Great ideas, for sure. Let me add one more. Freshen and modernize the beautiful XJ. Offer only the long wheelbase, and modernize and work off of the Portfolio styling, but slant the front end a little more to bring it up to speed with, say, Bentley styling. Freshen the rear light treatment and modernize the interior appointments. Stay with the aluminum body, add more standard power without the turbo. Let's say by the 2009 model year, in time for the Porsche Panamera. TagMan |
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Replying to: blkhemi (Aug 31, 2006 5:29 pm) As far as I know, plans for the "Rapide" are still on, and it should hit the market before the Panamera does. I think the V8 Vantage's biggest problem is its engine. Its not special enough, and its not nearly powerful enough. Its a warmed over Jaguar AJ-V8, with less power(!) than the XKR. What was the point of that? To compete with the 911 Turbo and the next Maserati coupe, the V8 Vantage needs another hundred horses. Jaguar, let's see: First off, take the X and S-Type's out back and put them out of their misery. DO NOT USE A FORD CLONE PRODUCT, as is the case with the X's Mondeo, and the S' Lincoln LS/Ford T-Bird. Build a sporty LPS that can fully compete with the 3 Series, A4, IS, G35, and TL seriously. The S-Type is a definete must do. Use one of those wonderful Euro chassis that we Americans can only dream of for the next S-Type. Unfortunately for Jaguar, the S-type won't be replaced until '08, and the X-type will continue probably through '09, and then will be killed with no replacement. Jaguar can't compete with the 3 Series, A4, IS, G35, and TL. They can't be a volume luxury car maker, and they cant sell cars for $35K. It was that kind of thinking that created the X-type in the first place. The next S-type had a chance to be a great car, when plans were to use a shortened version of the XJ\XK's aluminum structure. Instead, its going to continue on basically the same DEW98 platform as the current car. The S80\MKZ platform is not suitable (it would produce a $60K X-type). I dont think Ford has a wonderful Euro chassis to use. |
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Replying to: ctsang (Aug 31, 2006 8:19 am) Wrong. Nothing has been officially decided or announced about a new 300 or a E-Class. Neither car is scheduled for a re-design until the 2009 model year. Also, the current 300 doesn't just simply use the old W210 E-Class chassis either. It uses bits and pieces from it, not the entire chassis in the way the Crossfire uses the old SLK chassis. The suspension design, seats, dashboard layout and other things are clearly W210 E-Class, but the rest isn't. The suspension for example is iron on the Chrysler whereas it was aluminum on the E-Class. There were thousands of little (read: cheaper) changes done to get the E-Class parts bin down the entry-level 300 prices. M
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Replying to: houdini1 (Aug 31, 2006 11:03 am) Yeah obviously because it doesn't bother me, just an observation. Supposedly Lexus and Toyota have different design teams and facilities yet the cars still look a lot alike. Financial planning and saving money don't have squat to do with any of this because they aren't the same car, I'm talking about design. Some Toyota fans need to get over the standard response about financials, it doesn't apply to any and everything about an automobile! M |
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This is something that might be interesting to this forum. Some interesting information about the different marque's engines and their horsepower ratings, torque ratings, and average displacement ratings. The results speak for themselves, and the methodology is explained, so no need for any spin here. link title TagMan
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Replying to: tagman (Aug 31, 2006 11:11 am) Bingo. Not a hard point to grasp. M
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This is fairly good look at the future model plans for major European marques . . . all in one handy chart. link title TagMan |
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Replying to: tagman (Aug 31, 2006 8:23 pm) I got the Oct issue of C&D today and their initial test put the LS460 at 6 seconds 0-60 mph. They said because the engine hits a flat spot and doesn't really give any real push until 3500 rpm. Different engine/tuning practices at work here between BMW, Lexus and Mercedes. I do expect that 6 sec time to improve though when they test the LS460 on U.S. soil. M |
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Replying to: merc1 (Aug 31, 2006 8:31 pm) The word is getting clear that it's about 5.4 or 5.5 seconds 0-60, but we'll see if it really does that. The flat spot is unfortunate, however. Did they say if it's due to the way that tranny is so low geared in the first two gears and then has to ramp up from there? That would make sense to me. TagMan |
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