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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

#7097 of 10007 Well... by hpowders Apr 05, 2006 (7:29 am)
Let's see if the E-Class closes the gap even more over the next several months. Should prove interesting.
#7098 of 10007 Re: MB Grows and grows and grows [merc1] by markcincinnati Apr 05, 2006 (10:10 am)
Replying to: merc1 (Apr 05, 2006 6:03 am) My German friends tell me that Audi and BMW have for a few years run neck and neck with Audi nosing ahead of BMW recently, but as we all know that could turn on a new model intro in a heartbeat.   I read a blurb (as opposed to blog) by the "editors" of Autospies.com -- they seem quite high on Audis over BMW's for this "15 minutes of fame."   Makes me wonder why Audi has fought to so hard with Acura for last place for the A6 vs the RL.   In this regard, however, I think the RL "won" and the A6 actually finished up in next to last place.   What really seemed remarkable was that Audis seem to be more expensive in Germany than here in the US and they had a very strong year "over there" despite what appears to be a price disadvantage.   Frankly, I'd be plenty pleased with a 530xi stick shift or with my current A6 3.2 automatic -- in an even world, the Bimmer would probably win "today."   Based on the configurator, the A6 above a certain engine size only comes with the tiptronic. Wow, I thought the Germans resisted automatics even more than I.   Live and learn.   The next gen of ALL of these LPS cars brings to my mind "you ain't seen nuttin' yet." Replies to this message: merc1 (Apr 05, 2006 8:29 pm)
#7099 of 10007 Re: MB Grows and grows and grows [merc1] by dewey Apr 05, 2006 (11:57 am)
Replying to: merc1 (Apr 05, 2006 6:07 am) Though I'll take you up on that bet   It's a bet. A gentlemen's bet. No money or duels involved.
#7100 of 10007 The techiest LPS is...... by dewey Apr 05, 2006 (1:33 pm)
BMW Techiest Car Company Topic: Telematics According to Telematics Research Group (TRG), BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer the most advanced technology features in their vehicles.   Not surprisingly, the TRG ratings show that vehicle manufacturers that tend to sell luxury vehicles are including more safety and entertainment features than economy car maker Hyundai, which ranked last.   However, Lincoln, and Volvo's appearance along with Ford at the bottom was a bit of a surprise. Dodge and Toyota, and Chevy, which have vehicles at a wide variety of price ranges all were in the middle of the pack   link title Replies to this message: docnukem (Apr 05, 2006 3:33 pm) zidecar (Apr 06, 2006 9:39 am) dewey (Apr 06, 2006 10:47 am) markcincinnati (Apr 07, 2006 4:40 am) and 10 more...
#7101 of 10007 Re: The techiest LPS is...... [dewey] by docnukem Apr 05, 2006 (3:33 pm)
Replying to: dewey (Apr 05, 2006 1:33 pm) Just to be clear, the graph has very little to do with automobile engineering technology. It is more related to digital devices, entertainment, and connectivity/communication.   Only a small portion of the graph has to do with "driver assist", by which I am assuming they mean safety devices. I also assume that "telematics" is geek-speak for on-star and similar communications, as Cadillac and Chevy score very well. The weighting logic in the graph is also somewhat fuzzy.   TRG Graph   Taking only "Driver assist", it appears that BMW, Infiniti, MB, and then Lexus are in descending order.   Edit: Come to think of it, "Driver assist" could also include some non-safety items as push-button start and memory seats. I'd rather see a graph showing weighting of relative automotive technology. Replies to this message: zidecar (Apr 06, 2006 9:39 am) dewey (Apr 06, 2006 10:47 am) markcincinnati (Apr 07, 2006 4:40 am) lexusguy (Apr 07, 2006 8:42 am) and 9 more...
#7102 of 10007 Re: Goodbye LPS! [rich545] by vchiu Apr 05, 2006 (6:29 pm)
Replying to: rich545 (Apr 05, 2006 5:14 am) >I've never heard of the E500 Estate. Is it a station wagon or SUV (or sedan)?   Maybe you are not interested by MB or just not considering them. I respect your view, naturally. Congrats for your Cayenne. not a failed car.   I can't believe however you don't know the E350/500 Estate. Does it mean they are not imported in N/A either? http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_webs- ite/en/home_mpc/passenger_cars/home/products/new_cars/e-class_estate.html   this is just the Estate version of the E-class. If I were to buy a E class, I would only consider its estate version. the rear boot space is cavernous. the V8 5 Liter, altough not the most up to date (5,4 L should follow soon I guess) would still be my priority choice.  If Estates are not imported to the US, or only with weak Engines, this is a very big mistakes the germans do IMHO. This is the key differentiator with the japanese which estate offer is really poor/inexistant in the LPS/ELLPS segment (is the subaru Legacy 3.0 estate imported in the US? this would be the ONLY japanese contender. Pls correct me if one has further information) Replies to this message: shipo (Apr 05, 2006 6:39 pm) rich545 (Apr 06, 2006 6:48 am) vchiu (Apr 07, 2006 7:05 am)
#7103 of 10007 Re: Goodbye LPS! [vchiu] by shipo Apr 05, 2006 (6:39 pm)
Replying to: vchiu (Apr 05, 2006 6:29 pm) Fear not, unlike BMW, MB-USA does import their Estate cars (we call them "Station Wagons" or just "Wagons" over here, which might be why rich545 didn't know what you were talking about) with the larger engines.   According to the MB-USA web site, the following Wagons are available:   E350 Wagon (RWD): $53,075 (base MSRP) E350 Wagon (AWD): $55,575 (base MSRP) -- Called the E350 4Matic Wagon E500 Wagon (AWD): $64,075 (base MSRP) -- Called the E500 4Matic Wagon   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: rich545 (Apr 06, 2006 6:48 am) vchiu (Apr 07, 2006 7:05 am)
#7104 of 10007 Re: MB Grows and grows and grows [markcincinnati] by merc1 Apr 05, 2006 (8:29 pm)
Replying to: markcincinnati (Apr 05, 2006 10:10 am) Well the European sales figures should be online in a day or so, but I think the last time I saw them the A6 was outselling both the 5-Series and E-Class, at least in Germany if not the rest of Europe.   I don't know what Acura is to do. 50K is too much for the RL to a lot of people I guess. I suspect that come re-design time there will be a new RWD platform that will support both the TL and RL come 2009-10.   Yes Audi's status is withing a hair of MB/BMW to most in Europe and even higher according to some. You see they take the whole racing thing a lot more seriously than we do it seems. Audi has become the darling of the European, especially German auto industry due to their historic racing victories over the last 5-6 years, so they tell me on other boards.   M
#7105 of 10007 Re: Goodbye LPS! [shipo] by rich545 Apr 06, 2006 (6:48 am)
Replying to: shipo (Apr 05, 2006 6:39 pm) Sorry vchiu, shipo is right; I didn't know what Estate meant! I, of course, have heard of (and driven) the MB wagons. For some reason I just don't like station wagons much. Must be because I grew up being driven around in huge boat-like wagons (like the huge Buick with the third-row rear facing bench seat in the back). Obviously, the LPSW's available today are far superior, but I find that an SUV like the Cayenne suits my needs better (more flexible cargo space (specifically in terms of height), towing capacity (the Cayenne can tow up to 7,700 lbs.), off-road capability (not that I plan to do serious off-roading with the Cay, but I go to a pretty remote part of Arkansas a lot so it may come in handy), etc). Really, the Cayenne just offered the best combination of performance and utility for me. Plus the LPSW's are damn expensive (not that the Cay is any bargain)! Replies to this message: vchiu (Apr 07, 2006 7:05 am)
#7106 of 10007 On a roll? It would appear almost all of them are "rolling!" by markcincinnati Apr 06, 2006 (6:49 am)
Dateline AudiUSA and all the ships at sea:   "Audi sold more than 226,700 vehicles worldwide in the first quarter – 16 percent more than last year (194,970)*. More than 93,600 vehicles were sold in March, an increase of around 10 percent on the same month of last year (85,389). These figures represent the best March and the best first quarter in the company’s history.   Among the models with the highest growth rates worldwide are the Audi A3 (up 22 percent to approximately 65,400 vehicles), the Audi A6 (up 49 percent to 59,500 vehicles) and the Audi A8 (up 29 percent to 6,100 units). Sales of the Audi A4 increased by around 3 percent to 82,300 vehicles. 6,400 A4 Cabriolet models were sold, an increase of 6 percent. Around 3,300 Audi Q7 models were handed over to customers in the first three weeks following its launch in Central Europe.   In some of [our fastest growing] markets we are now selling as many models in a single quarter as we did a few years ago in an entire year. And the potential of our brand is far from being exhausted.”   Add this to the statements this morning that 40% of real estate transactions (at the personal level) last year were for SECOND houses and we see a picture of some substantial affluence.   The LPS market (if you're selling) would appear to be the place to be.   Jus' livin' the dream, eh?

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