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Luxury Performance Sedans

10007 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus GS 430, Acura RL, BMW 5 Series, Volvo S80, Audi A6, Infiniti M35, Infiniti M45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS, Sedan

#7049 of 10007 Re: Thouch screens... >:-P [tayl0rd] by hpowders Mar 28, 2006 (10:44 am)
Replying to: tayl0rd (Mar 28, 2006 9:28 am) When you put it that way, I guess I was lucky to order the comfort seats!
#7050 of 10007 Re: Hybrid turbo (bio)diesel [dewey] by 2001gs430 Mar 28, 2006 (10:47 am)
Replying to: dewey (Mar 28, 2006 9:41 am) There is the price premium for a powerful battery and hybrid technology. Plus there is the price premium for a diesel engine . Plus there is the problem of finding fuel at a nearby station.   The price premium would disappear with mass production of the new technologies in these vehicle such as what we are seeing today in Toyota hybrid automobiles. Of course, we are not talking about basic transportation vehicles right now. If the diesel distribution networks improved with the greater awareness of its benefits and higher demand, then this should not be an issue (big IF)
#7051 of 10007 Re: Hybrid turbo (bio)diesel [docnukem] by dewey Mar 28, 2006 (11:24 am)
Replying to: docnukem (Mar 28, 2006 10:17 am) How does the hybrid make the turbo redundant? I would think that the early kick from an electric hybrid motor would offset the lag during turbo spool-up.   My point was that both hybrids and turbos are similar in their role of providing torque when needed.   But you are correct it would be ideal to have a turbocharger that is good at higher speeds with a hybrid boost at lower speeds (offseting any turbo-lag).   Mark and 2001GS430,   I agree with both of you, but my argument was about biodiesel not diesel. There are currently very few places up here in Toronto where you can buy biodiesel fuel.
#7053 of 10007 Re: BMW....not for the vertically challenged :) [ghstudio] by rayng Mar 28, 2006 (2:59 pm)
Replying to: ghstudio (Mar 28, 2006 7:07 am) Drive the M35 with technology package. I think you'll love the steering, stance, and poise of this car. This is is a comfortable, sporty, and fun car. The seat belts, seats, and steering wheel are all adjustable. At 5'0, your wife will find that reaching for the various controls are much easier because the controls located between driver and passenger bulges outward (double wave front dash), thereby reducing the need to lean forward.   If you were to consider an Acura, either move up to an RL or wait for the freshened E midyear.
#7054 of 10007 Re: What the affluent buy in China [dewey] by rayng Mar 28, 2006 (3:03 pm)
Replying to: dewey (Mar 28, 2006 4:20 am) As a Chinese guy who works with Chinese from China, many of us prefer Mercedes. At least that's what our wives, girlfriends, mistresses ask for.   In Hong Kong, limos are rare because the streets are so congested and narrow that it would be nearly impossible to make a right hand turn in a stretched limo. Replies to this message: vchiu (Mar 29, 2006 3:30 am) bartalk3 (Mar 29, 2006 2:28 pm) vchiu (Mar 29, 2006 7:32 pm)
#7055 of 10007 Re: What the affluent buy in China [rayng] by vchiu Mar 29, 2006 (3:30 am)
Replying to: rayng (Mar 28, 2006 3:03 pm) If those luxury people carrier are so successful in China, it is because they're aren't as expensive as imported Luxury Sedan   Buying a well engined 7 or S- class as new means an easy 150K USD in China. Guess why people rather prefer 30-40K USD people carrier and luxurily equipped?   Buick even dare to offer the GL8 minivan with a 2,5L / 150 HP. You won't find any mention of the weight anywhere because they must be too ashamed of it. Must be a true 2200Kg/4500 Lbs! I let everyone guess how it performs with 7 guys onboard.    Back to the LPS with China. BMW is subcontracting their 3 and 5 assembly with Zhonghua, so their 530 is a bit cheaper than if fully imported. I see quite a few in my area. Nothing with stronger Engine, because most Chinese buyer care about the badge, the look and the cabin trim. Driving is secondary. A 550 would cost nearly as much as a base 730 so the 730 will be much more looked for Replies to this message: bartalk3 (Mar 29, 2006 2:28 pm) vchiu (Mar 29, 2006 7:32 pm)
#7056 of 10007 Re: What the affluent buy in China [vchiu] by bartalk3 Mar 29, 2006 (2:28 pm)
Replying to: vchiu (Mar 29, 2006 3:30 am) According to a recent article in "Automotive News," a big automotive status symbol in China is a Buick! That goes back decades, perhaps even to the 1920s or 1930s when GM and the U.S. industry was supreme and rich Westerners drove Buicks. Replies to this message: vchiu (Mar 29, 2006 7:32 pm)
#7057 of 10007 Re: What the affluent buy in China [bartalk3] by vchiu Mar 29, 2006 (7:32 pm)
Replying to: bartalk3 (Mar 29, 2006 2:28 pm) > big automotive status symbol in China is a Buick!   I realy don't have this feeling here (I am in Shenzhen close to HK. Buick sell well because they offer the more bang for the buck. You can even buy a 4Cyl 2.0L Buick Regal for a cheap price (well I mean given the context). Of course, performance wise, we strayed to a galaxy far, far away from our LPS current subject.   In China, there is very little market for LPS. LS (at low price) is the successful one!
#7058 of 10007 BMW's non-bold and non-ingenious strategy by dewey Mar 31, 2006 (6:54 am)
GERMANY: BMW’s Panke considers gap in premium model range 31 March 2006| Source: just-auto.com editorial team   BMW chairman Helmut Panke has told German car magazine ‘auto motor und sport’ that he sees room for new models positioned between the BMW 7-series and the Rolls-Royce Phantom, reported dpa-AFX news agency.   Yawn, yawn, yawn.   So will these new pricier models have the same V12 engines as the BMW760? Will these new pricier models be sold at a super hefty premium above the BMW760? Will these new models have more complex and problem-prone electronic features than the current 7 series? You bet they will!   Jaguar, Audi, Lexus, MB and the rest of the herd are all doing the same thing as BMW. Hitting an already saturated market with new pricier models(what an ingenious and bold strategy, indeed).   I think BMW should focus their Euros on non-herd like activities like increasing R &D on steam engines sooner than later. Such distinct innovations throughout their product-line(1 series and above) will sustain the prestige of BMW far better than just introducing another luxury model with features that are similar to other HELM models. Replies to this message: lexusguy (Mar 31, 2006 9:31 am) esf (Apr 01, 2006 9:49 pm)

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