Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Cadillac CT6: I'm Not Dead Yet (For U.S.)

      GM executives say the CT6 isn't going away in the U.S.

    Back in November, General Motors announced that it would end production of six models in North America. One of the models listed was the Cadillac CT6 sedan. This surprised a number of people considering that the brand had only refreshed model, and announced some key improvements such as adding Super Cruise and a new twin-turbo V8 engine known as Blackwing.

    But GM President Mark Reuss and Cadillac President Steve Carlisle said they are looking into various options to keep the CT6 on sale in the U.S. The two explained that model was never meant to be on the chopping with other models such as the Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Impala. But officials at the time did not mention those plans in the original announcement in November. 

    "From the very beginning, we never said that CT6 was going away, because we're very keen on launching Blackwing and Super Cruise and all those sort of things," said Carlisle on the floor of the Detroit Auto Show.

    "We're working hard to find other alternatives to that. We have some time."

    What are the alternatives being considered? Automotive News reports that GM may move production to another plant (ultimately depending on the negotiations with the UAW to take place later this year), or import the model from China - an idea Carlisle said "would be the least-preferred option."

    Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

    Edited by William Maley

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



      On 1/15/2019 at 8:39 PM, riviera74 said:

     Now if only GM would use the Omega platform for other vehicles as well. . . . .

    Expand  

    I'd love to see a CT6 coupe, a Buick sedan and an Impala/Caprice off this platform, but in today's CUV-obsessed market I know all are quite unlikely...

    • Like 1
    • Sad 1
    • Agree 3
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/15/2019 at 9:06 PM, dfelt said:

    I could so see a CT6 Coupe Blackwing edition along with a Blackwing EV version.

    Expand  

    I''d like to see a coupe w/ the El Miraj styling..a big 2dr hardtop.  Was such a beautiful concept. 

    Elmiraj_LA_Auto_Show_2013_(lateral_view)_cropped.jpg

    Edited by Robert Hall
    • Like 2
    • Agree 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    They could probably build enough CT6’s in 5 months to give dealers a 2 year supply.

    i wonder if they found a way to make a crossover on Omega which makes the platform more viable.

    • Thanks 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/15/2019 at 11:19 PM, smk4565 said:

    They could probably build enough CT6’s in 5 months to give dealers a 2 year supply.

    i wonder if they found a way to make a crossover on Omega which makes the platform more viable.

    Expand  

    This guy.. once again trying to belittle the Cadillac brand. Look U Kraut... The CT6 sells more than any of the German big sedans save the S-Class. It does so to some monthly by 2 and 3 to one. 

    Anyway.. go back to the original announcement tread and see that I told U folks that the words CT6 Dead had not been uttered.. just the plant was being closed.. 

    • Agree 4
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 12:06 AM, Cmicasa the Great said:

    This guy.. once again trying to belittle the Cadillac brand. Look U Kraut... The CT6 sells more than any of the German big sedans save the S-Class. It does so to some monthly by 2 and 3 to one. 

    Anyway.. go back to the original announcement tread and see that I told U folks that the words CT6 Dead had not been uttered.. just the plant was being closed.. 

    Expand  

    I just read on Automotive News they they are only building 275 CT6-V's for the United States before production ends in March 2019.  Shame on BMW if the 7-series didn't outsell the CT6 last year, I don't really care to look up the sales figures.  The S-class dominates this segment, all the other guys might as well just pack it up and go home, with maybe the exception of the 7-series since they sell a lot of those in Europe.  

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 1:48 AM, smk4565 said:

    I just read on Automotive News they they are only building 275 CT6-V's for the United States before production ends in March 2019.  Shame on BMW if the 7-series didn't outsell the CT6 last year, I don't really care to look up the sales figures.  The S-class dominates this segment, all the other guys might as well just pack it up and go home, with maybe the exception of the 7-series since they sell a lot of those in Europe.  

    Expand  

    Automotive news has it wrong.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 1:48 AM, smk4565 said:

    I just read on Automotive News they they are only building 275 CT6-V's for the United States before production ends in March 2019.  Shame on BMW if the 7-series didn't outsell the CT6 last year, I don't really care to look up the sales figures.  The S-class dominates this segment, all the other guys might as well just pack it up and go home, with maybe the exception of the 7-series since they sell a lot of those in Europe.  

    Expand  

    Yet the S-Class is so Butt Ugly, in fact the whole family has a glaring problem, They have a Cat Butt front and center!

    See the source image

    • Haha 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 2:19 AM, balthazar said:

    ^ It's sad how they all look exactly the same up front- the $100K models wear the same nose as the $30K.

    Imagine if Cadillac put a Sonic nose on the CT6-V.

    Expand  

    Honestly, I could not tell you which models they are due to that glaring problem of the same nose.

    I think the dark grey on the far right is part of the CLA family, but I could be wrong, really poor design language for a luxury class of auto.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 1:48 AM, smk4565 said:

    I just read on Automotive News they they are only building 275 CT6-V's for the United States before production ends in March 2019.  Shame on BMW if the 7-series didn't outsell the CT6 last year, I don't really care to look up the sales figures.  The S-class dominates this segment, all the other guys might as well just pack it up and go home, with maybe the exception of the 7-series since they sell a lot of those in Europe.  

    Expand  

    CT6 9968

    Continental 8758

    LS 9302

    A8 1599

    7series 8271

    SClass. 14, 978

    Meaning the CT6 with an XTS on the lot next to it and no Coupe, Convertible, or VSeries still came in at #2... SClass best if because it had variants. I think if Caddy had those variants and no XTS to compete with it would have beat the SClass... Hell possibly without any variants since the XTS sold 17,727 units

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 2:19 AM, balthazar said:

    ^ It's sad how they all look exactly the same up front- the $100K models wear the same nose as the $30K.

    Imagine if Cadillac put a Sonic nose on the CT6-V.

    Expand  

    XT4, XT5, XT6, CT6 are all wearing the same front end now.

    It is quite simple, 3 LED bars on this:

    2018-Mercedes-Benz-S560-front-view-02.jp

    And this has 1 LED bar:

    2017-mercedes-benz-c-class-c300-sedan-wi

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 3:29 AM, Cmicasa the Great said:

    CT6 9968

    Continental 8758

    LS 9302

    A8 1599

    7series 8271

    SClass. 14, 978

    Meaning the CT6 with an XTS on the lot next to it and no Coupe, Convertible, or VSeries still came in at #2... SClass best if because it had variants. I think if Caddy had those variants and no XTS to compete with it would have beat the SClass... Hell possibly without any variants since the XTS sold 17,727 units

    Expand  

    An S560 starts at $101,350, $104,350 for the 4Matic and that is the volume model.  Even a base rear drive S450 is $91,250 and I don't think I ever saw one of those.  If any other car on that list was $104,000 before options their combined sales would be about 10 cars.

    And yet XTS, Continental and CT6 are getting killed off anyway.  The A8 is still around because of China and VW not really caring that it doesn't sell, because if they cancelled it they couldn't pretend Audi is on par with Mercedes, which it is not.

      On 1/16/2019 at 3:36 AM, Cmicasa the Great said:

    They are ugly as dog feces, but this... Oh I'd have a baby with this Cadillac ?

    Screenshot_2019-01-15-22-33-02-503.jpeg

    Expand  

    I actually think the CT6 is a good looking car aside from the goofy headlights.  I like the big grill and the sort of slab sided look.  I think the body shape and proportions are quite good on it, sort of like a modernized better shape of the 2005 Chrysler 300 which I liked that design when it came out.  The V8 finally gives it a worthy motor, this car's problem since launch was all the corners Cadillac cut.

    And those Mercedes left to right would be be C-class, GLA, GLE, E-class, CLA.  Easy to identify.  

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 3:38 AM, smk4565 said:

    An S560 starts at $101,350, $104,350 for the 4Matic and that is the volume model.  Even a base rear drive S450 is $91,250 and I don't think I ever saw one of those.  If any other car on that list was $104,000 before options their combined sales would be about 10 cars.

    And yet XTS, Continental and CT6 are getting killed off anyway.  The A8 is still around because of China and VW not really caring that it doesn't sell, because if they cancelled it they couldn't pretend Audi is on par with Mercedes, which it is not.

    Expand  

    CT6 LIVES!!! People who can't except that are either in denial or just plain ugly and stupid. They stink too... 

    • Haha 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 3:29 AM, smk4565 said:

    XT4, XT5, XT6, CT6 are all wearing the same front end now.

    Expand  

    Nice try; try again ~

    Screen Shot 2019-01-15 at 11.01.42 PM.png

     

    And if consumers have to squint into the headlight cluster to try and figure out if they should be impressed at how much money you're willing to drop in depreciation (S-Coupe) or how much of a poser you are (CLA), you've failed at Styling.

    Edited by balthazar
    • Thanks 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I wonder if a lifer GM Cadillac-er was thinking there's ...there's kids out there that want to buy their parents a classic Cadillac. Referring to me.

    He/she is part of the deep GM. The deeep GM.

    ....

    And then the deep GM commandeth

    "BARRA! KEEP THAT CARRR!"

    • Haha 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 4:26 AM, Suaviloquent said:

    I wonder if a lifer GM Cadillac-er was thinking there's ...there's kids out there that want to buy their parents a classic Cadillac. Referring to me.

    He/she is part of the deep GM. The deeep GM.

    ....

    And then the deep GM commandeth

    "BARRA! KEEP THAT CARRR!"

    Expand  

    Too bad Deep GM was killed off during BK nine years ago.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 3:47 AM, smk4565 said:

    That 2 tone paint though, that is how you do luxury.  And Cadillac used to do that.

    mercedes-maybach-s650-0454.jpg

    Expand  

    You couldn’t find a better example of a two tone paint job? That looks like an aftermarket job done in someone’s garage with 20 cans of Krylon 2 in 1. Even this photoshop job looks better than that (and yes to a CT8 variant like this).

    Sorry but the others are right regarding the MB front ends. When one has to look around the side to tell the difference between a $30K CLA and an $120K S-Class, that is not a good thing. The Cadillac’s at least look distinctive in that department, much more so the Benz (for now anyway). 

    37356653-495E-4DD5-A19E-C9D81F4D315F.jpeg

    If you’re going to go two tone, at least do it right.

     

    833B3F23-0224-426D-B797-D2DD42FF24FB.jpeg

    Edited by surreal1272
    • Agree 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 4:11 AM, balthazar said:

    Nice try; try again ~

    Screen Shot 2019-01-15 at 11.01.42 PM.png

     

    And if consumers have to squint into the headlight cluster to try and figure out if they should be impressed at how much money you're willing to drop in depreciation (S-Coupe) or how much of a poser you are (CLA), you've failed at Styling.

    Expand  

    Like these...but that XT5 is a sexy beast in that color!

      On 1/16/2019 at 2:25 PM, dfelt said:

    :puke: Sorry, some cars do two-tone real well this is one that DOES NOT. Ugly as a cat butt.

     

    Expand  

    Looks like something a sexually starved Miami Widow would drive...not reeking of Luxury in any real way. 

      On 1/16/2019 at 1:33 PM, riviera74 said:

    Too bad Deep GM was killed off during BK nine years ago.

    Expand  

    Enough remains to keep merit in the brand though. 

      On 1/16/2019 at 12:06 AM, Cmicasa the Great said:

    This guy.. once again trying to belittle the Cadillac brand. Look U Kraut... The CT6 sells more than any of the German big sedans save the S-Class. It does so to some monthly by 2 and 3 to one. 

    Anyway.. go back to the original announcement tread and see that I told U folks that the words CT6 Dead had not been uttered.. just the plant was being closed.. 

    Expand  

    It beats the living Dog $#!+ out of the BMW products...for damned sure. 

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 4:11 AM, balthazar said:

    Nice try; try again ~

    Screen Shot 2019-01-15 at 11.01.42 PM.png

     

    And if consumers have to squint into the headlight cluster to try and figure out if they should be impressed at how much money you're willing to drop in depreciation (S-Coupe) or how much of a poser you are (CLA), you've failed at Styling.

    Expand  

    These are equally similar to each other as the Mercedes, BMW, and Audi lineups.. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 1:48 AM, smk4565 said:

    I just read on Automotive News they they are only building 275 CT6-V's for the United States before production ends in March 2019.  Shame on BMW if the 7-series didn't outsell the CT6 last year, I don't really care to look up the sales figures.  The S-class dominates this segment, all the other guys might as well just pack it up and go home, with maybe the exception of the 7-series since they sell a lot of those in Europe.  

    Expand  

    It didn't. GM sold 9,668 CT6es, whereas BMW sold 8,271 7-series vehicles inthe USA in 2018. BTW, the M-B sold 14,978 S-Class cars in the US in 2018. Regardless, when you launch a product in the large luxury sedan segment, only an idiot product planner will not realize that it is going to be a 10,000 unit/year (give or take) product. It might do worse if it sucks, it may be about 15K if it is really successful. It will NEVER be a volume model; it is not a Camry. R&D expenditure, pricing and production scaling should be designed around the low volumes, period.

    • Agree 3
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 6:50 PM, dwightlooi said:

    It didn't. GM sold 9,668 CT6es, whereas BMW sold 8,271 7-series vehicles inthe USA in 2018. BTW, the M-B sold 14,978 S-Class cars in the US in 2018. Regardless, when you launch a product in the large luxury sedan segment, only an idiot product planner will not realize that it is going to be a 10,000 unit/year (give or take) product. It might do worse if it sucks, it may be about 15K if it is really successful. It will NEVER be a volume model; it is not a Camry. R&D expenditure, pricing and production scaling should be designed around the low volumes, period.

    Expand  

    At any rate...and I agree completely with your fine post Dwight...

    Can we all start looking at cars as enthusiasts rather than having a @!c& waving contest in terms of who outsells who by 300 units?

    We might as well whine about why one apartment building in a sim city simulation has more electronic residents. 

    And I am all in on the CT6...fine automobile. 

    ahahahahahahahahahahahahaahhahahahahahaahahahahaahah okay some older fords ar egood though but omg yesss it is the some of the new ones found on rode dead ford

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 6:50 PM, dwightlooi said:

    It didn't. GM sold 9,668 CT6es, whereas BMW sold 8,271 7-series vehicles inthe USA in 2018. BTW, the M-B sold 14,978 S-Class cars in the US in 2018. Regardless, when you launch a product in the large luxury sedan segment, only an idiot product planner will not realize that it is going to be a 10,000 unit/year (give or take) product. It might do worse if it sucks, it may be about 15K if it is really successful. It will NEVER be a volume model; it is not a Camry. R&D expenditure, pricing and production scaling should be designed around the low volumes, period.

    Expand  

    The new 7 looks to have upped its game, they have 523 hp V8 now with a 3.9 second 0-60 run and  the V12 is still there if you want more.  

    With these big cars if you look at global numbers, the American market is only 3rd most important to a lot of these German brands.  Globally there were 77,927 S-class sales in 2018.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 7:12 PM, smk4565 said:

    The new 7 looks to have upped its game, they have 523 hp V8 now with a 3.9 second 0-60 run and  the V12 is still there if you want more.  

    With these big cars if you look at global numbers, the American market is only 3rd most important to a lot of these German brands.  Globally there were 77,927 S-class sales in 2018.

    Expand  

    I am happy for you. 

    Honestly, if I had a magic wand I would wave it and you would stop overcompensating by evaluating items as status purchases to give you the most status in the room. 

    Status is important as a luxury car....but buy what you like...no one in their right mind gives a shit if you buy a Lincoln or a Lexus...or a Benz or a BMW. 

    • Thanks 1
    • Agree 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 7:16 PM, A Horse With No Name said:

    Status is important as a luxury car....but buy what you like...no one in their right mind gives a $h! if you buy a Lincoln or a Lexus...or a Benz or a BMW. 

    Expand  

    That is the most contradictory statement I have ever heard. Yes, status is important for lucury cars. People in their right mind buy them specifically because they give a damn about what others perceive of their brand of choice. That is a huge part of the buying decision.

    • Like 1
    • Haha 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 7:25 PM, dwightlooi said:

    That is the most contradictory statement I have ever heard. Yes, status is important for lucury cars. People in their right mind buy them specifically because they give a damn about what others perceive of their brand of choice. That is a huge part of the buying decision.

    Expand  

    I was saying that in the average population people really don't care that much what kind of car you buy.

    Show up in a BMW or Benz and you have the status of a luxury car...but unless you have a brand fanboi 99 percent of the population does not give a rats ass which one you bought.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 8:31 PM, A Horse With No Name said:

    I was saying that in the average population people really don't care that much what kind of car you buy.

    Show up in a BMW or Benz and you have the status of a luxury car...but unless you have a brand fanboi 99 percent of the population does not give a rats ass which one you bought.

    Expand  

    I agree in majority with your statement, till you get into select neighborhoods and cities where the population is nothing but fanboi idiots caught up in the name. I could care less what others think of my ride as long as it fits me and is what I like. 

    While I do debate heavily with some here, I still respect that they are driving what they want, what they like and good for them. Even our SMK SUPER FANBOI of MB, glad he is so in love with his E-Class Taxi. ;) 

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 9:26 PM, dfelt said:

    I agree in majority with your statement, till you get into select neighborhoods and cities where the population is nothing but fanboi idiots caught up in the name. I could care less what others think of my ride as long as it fits me and is what I like. 

    While I do debate heavily with some here, I still respect that they are driving what they want, what they like and good for them. Even our SMK SUPER FANBOI of MB, glad he is so in love with his E-Class Taxi. ;) 

    Expand  

    And my point is that it would be better if more people thought like enthusiasts and just bought what made them happy. 

    I have two mothers...was adopted...know and get along well with both. Birth mother drove a Jag....got hit and the jag got totaled...replaced it with a Lincoln. She hangs out in all of the right country clubs and social circles. 

    No one really cared that she switched brands. Pretty much everyone thought the lighter color of the Lincoln (some shade of metallic dune, kind of a nice tan) would be better in the Florida sun than the black of the (now crumpled) Jag. And that was about it. 

    One of her neighbors is an incredibly cool guy and drives an E class Benz...but no one cares that he bought that a Benz...they like the dude because he is a great guy. 

    If Chevrolet built the Peto Bismal pink Aveo in the ken and Barbie limited edition and it brought SMK Status...you can bet the family jewels it would be in his driveway. And a 1930's V16 Cadillac would be just another used car if it didn't bring him Status. 

    I like a lot of Benzes...but all i ever hear from SMK is sales numbers and status.  Dammit man...live life on your own terms a little bit. 

    Americans were not born to be sheep...which is probably why Cadillac is out for certain people. Cadillac has an edgy nature that should appeal to tech types, entrepreneurs, athletes, and people who take risks,

    But I might suggest the brand Checker and the model Marathon for SMK. Low risk financially as it is already depreciated....outsold every other taxi for decades so a sales leader....moar interior room than most modern Luxury cars...and he can lecture us on how smooth that inline six is. Drunken Wino as passenger not included. 

    Edited by A Horse With No Name
    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    You should buy the car you like given your budget.  Then again, there are a LOT of badge snobs out there who will look down at you for owning a Cadillac since they LOVE German luxury.  The effect is not quite as extreme with those who love Japanese luxury cars for some reason.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 11:00 PM, riviera74 said:

    You should buy the car you like given your budget.  Then again, there are a LOT of badge snobs out there who will look down at you for owning a Cadillac since they LOVE German luxury.  The effect is not quite as extreme with those who love Japanese luxury cars for some reason.

    Expand  

    Most people I know who drive luxury cars are much more known for thier achievement that enabled them to buy the car than they are by the car.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 1:33 PM, riviera74 said:

    Too bad Deep GM was killed off during BK nine years ago.

    Expand  

    I don't get that. I love GM.. more than most.. but I see what they are doing, from a business standpoint, as the way to run a car business. People can hate them for closing plants.. that were under utilized. They can hate them for killing certain car models.. that weren't selling or were redundant... They can hate them for going for profit.. over sales and debt. They can even hate them for going EV in 10 years.. even as everyone else is going have to go there...  but from a business stand point they are doing what's right. 

    Only as ENTHUSIASTS can we really get pissed.. only as Cadillac fans can we really be pissed. But then I look at their ENTHUSIAST products.. Corvette.. a world beater whose reputation proceeds it and is typically only able to be dogged out for its interior versus cars costing $20K+.. We have the Camaro.. undoubtedly the best performance sports coupe on the market that is not called a genuine Sports car.. we have the ATS-V Coupe.. the CTS-V .. two of the absolute best super luxury vehicles on the market.. and now we have the CT6-V. Truthfully my only issue with GM really tends to be with them not offering more variations of vehicles that they have on the lots by utilizing parts they already have on the shelf.. ie... XT6 with a 3.6L but no Twin Turbo variant.. ie Cruze not having a 2.0L Turbo even though they are gonna offer an SS in South America.. etc

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 11:00 PM, riviera74 said:

    You should buy the car you like given your budget.  Then again, there are a LOT of badge snobs out there who will look down at you for owning a Cadillac since they LOVE German luxury.  The effect is not quite as extreme with those who love Japanese luxury cars for some reason.

    Expand  

    There are also those who look down those who buy German lux cars, believe it or not.

    • Thanks 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/16/2019 at 7:12 PM, smk4565 said:

    The new 7 looks to have upped its game, they have 523 hp V8 now with a 3.9 second 0-60 run and  the V12 is still there if you want more.  

    With these big cars if you look at global numbers, the American market is only 3rd most important to a lot of these German brands.  Globally there were 77,927 S-class sales in 2018.

    Expand  

    Yeah... uuuum.. if I see a CT6 Taxi.. I'm not gonna boast on its numbers

     

    berlin008-L.jpgmaxresdefault.jpg

      On 1/17/2019 at 12:13 AM, balthazar said:

    There are also those who look down those who buy German lux cars, believe it or not.

    Expand  

    Raises hand

    giphy.gif

    giphy.gif

    • Haha 3
    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Maybe in Germany they like luxurious taxis that are reliable and can go 300,000 miles or more.  I don't think Daimler cares who buys their cars, they like every other car company are in business to make money.  I am sure Cadillac would love to get 10,000 orders for Escalade taxis to make money off it.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/17/2019 at 12:36 AM, smk4565 said:

    Maybe in Germany they like luxurious taxis that are reliable and can go 300,000 miles or more.  I don't think Daimler cares who buys their cars, they like every other car company are in business to make money.  I am sure Cadillac would love to get 10,000 orders for Escalade taxis to make money off it.

    Expand  

    Mercedes are really nothing special unless U cross the $120K range. To disrespect them some more FUKK Mercedes. FUkK GERMANY.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

      On 1/17/2019 at 12:36 AM, smk4565 said:

    Maybe in Germany they like luxurious taxis

    Expand  

     Maybe they do...

    The problem with the Mercedes Taxis in Europe is that they are built and sold like Chevrolet taxis here. And...there are trim levels of those Mercedes cars that are EXACTLY how the Impala LTs are over here. In fact, an Impala LTZ is miles ahead in terms of luxury where those E Class Mercedes cars of Europe are...

    Sure, the E Class of Europe is also sold with the same high end luxurious stuff we get in North America. But the E Class is also bought and sold like an Impala LT as well...

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites




    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • I was upgraded in a rental contract and, while going up by one category is not a big deal, getting to try out the new hybrid Camry was somewhat of a big deal.  The latest and current Camry only features hybrid powertrains.  The base 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine, which was previously naturally aspirated, continues forward, but is assisted by an electric motor.  To make the powering on and off work, a CVT is now the standard transmission, when Camry had an excellent 8-speed automatic transmission for many years.  This vehicle had front wheel drive, but AWD is also available.  The V6 engine and ICEs are no longer available. Getting used to this car doesn’t take much time.  Having already driven another rented hybrid – a Honda Accord – all I needed to know is that turning the key does not fire up an engine, but makes the car ready to move in EV mode, at least initially. With 2.5 liters, the Camry pulls away nimbly and with agility, even with a minimally feathered pedal.  It doesn’t take much.  It’s fun to watch the centered power display setting move between eco and power modes.  If stomped on, the engine responds very quickly.  Surprisingly, stomping on it produces a more notable than expected engine hum.  The cabin remains mostly quiet and handling is predictable, neither firm nor vague, with some rougher pavement making it less quiet.  The transmission feels very much like a CVT, but a well behaved one.  Still, drivers with old school tastes can lament the absence of the very last slick shifting 8-speed automatic that came standard in the Camry.  I know I do.  However, the current CVT behaves well because it doesn’t have that “stuck” feeling when pushed, but the spool is more of an exhaust node than the winding out and high rpm droning caused by the variable gearing. The Camry’s exterior was freshened up and they worked off the last model.  It’s a compendium of small changes that, together, amount to a lot.  The front lights are narrower and cleaner.  The “appliance” grille is more understated than it once was.  (Sadly, it’s the more expensive versions where the grille is more flared, and even overworked.)  The rear lights are thinned out, complete with a boomerang effect, as they wrap around the rear fender edge and add to the horizontal look of the rear lip and the monolithic bumper panel.  Also, the almost retro, and not too effective, sweep of the rear pillar (think ‘72 Caprice coupe) is gone and the side profile of the windows is cleaner, perhaps a larger rendition of what was done with the Corolla.  Most of the vantage points look better than those of the previous Camry. Inside, the Camry is also much improved.  The dashboard is organized in cleaner volumes.  The dash has a simple main instrument pod.  In its center is a round dial, whereby the upper part displays the speed and eco/power, and the lower part, through toggling, provides other information – direction, tire pressure, trip information and mileage, or even graphics of the flow of energy involving the engine and the battery.  There is no dedicated tachometer; however, the temperature and fuel gauges remain.  Around the main circle are small digital readouts for the exterior temperature, the time, the odometer, and the remaining range.  Filling up this hybrid showed close to 500 miles of range.  Not only that, the fuel cap is on the driver’s side and, like the trunk, they can be remotely opened by buttons in the interior. That said, there is none of that capless fuel filler stuff! Being a Camry LE meant the lower grade fixtures inside.  Sadly, this meant a urethane steering wheel.  Sometimes, a mere leather steering wheel imparts the feeling of better handling and a smoother ride.  It’s that equipment choices and groupings seem to work together to give a vehicle its feel. The LE seats are nicely upholstered in a tougher, durable fabric with slightly contrasting parts.  The front headrests can scoot all the way down and they actually point forward so the driver and passenger can use them without having to lean their heads all the way back.  Headrests for rear seat passengers are integrated into the seating and do not have features to adjust them. The infotainment system is on its screen which is engaged to the dash, but moved slightly forward, and creates a cleaner look because it does not go up over the top of the cowl.  Fortunately, it remains a touch screen.  The functions are easy to work with, but I had a little bit of finicky interactions with Bluetooth and Android Auto.  Climate control has toggles instead of dials and they are easy to work with.  I will only say that the center vents of the climate control system do not work that quickly and powerfully.  Beneath this small panel are the cubby, a charging pod for a phone, and the flat console surface for the shift lever.  I found the console a little high for my taste.  Possibly to accommodate the new mechanical set-up, there is no storage cubby underneath the console as one sees on larger GM products, for example – both SUVs and even the last-gen Buick LaCrosse.  However, the console box is amply sized. In addition to being able to look over the hood, visibility is commendable all the way around.  Except for being a little shoehorned into the Camry’s cockpit, the front of the cabin feels spacious and the legroom is also good.  (I had to push the lever to get the seats to move upward, which provided a view over the top of the hood, as evidenced by seeing the paint color, and which I prefer.)  They have retained good cabin space in the rear of the cabin.  Also, the trunk has a decent amount of usable capacity for this genre and for having kept this sweeping roofline.  I again want to state how pleasing it was to control the trunk, in addition to the fuel door, from a bar of buttons on a panel at the lower left part of the dashboard rather than on the floor near the door.  There are 5 functions and they were thoughtful about putting the (auto) lights control onto this bar, and all the way to the left, such that it can easily be noticed from behind the steering wheel.  The new Camry shows a lot of thought as to how the driver connects to the car through its controls and functions, and this is one of the areas where this Camry shines. While I didn’t calculate fuel mileage, I know that I added only 3.5 gallons of regular unleaded fuel to cover one jaunt of about 160 miles of mixed driving.  This seems close to the EPA estimate. The little green EV icon shone quite a bit. I imagine that this is a very easy car to live with over the long haul.  For Camry, this powertrain is obviously a new combination, but it’s technology that Toyota and other Asian marques have worked with for quite a while.  I mostly took note that, apart from the major powertrain change, there is the evident synergy of the many small changes that make this a more nicely packaged vehicle than the last Camry. - - - - - PHOTOS FORTHCOMING
    • The BYD Han interior does look really good.  Shame the outside looks like a 2-generations-ago Civic.
    • No one cares about that amount of horsepower in this class. These are chauffeur driven vehicles. Up until electrics came around, most were trundling around with 2.0T 4-cylinders or diesels.  While Genesis is still relatively new to us in the the U.S., they've made such strides on interior quality that I'd put them up against MB dollar for dollar. The nicest of the Chinese EVs sedans, the NIO ET7 is a pretty good looking car though I kinda think it looks like a Model-3 had it's way with a Buick Envista. It would do really well in the US up against the Teslas, but it is still not playing in the luxury ballpark with Genesis (or Benz or Audi) when it comes to design and materials.  Low end EQE Sedan rival? Sure. G90 rival? No.
    • Well 25% tariff added to it, which makes a G90 like $125,000, and probably dead in the water in the US.  The Chinese have luxury cars with over 1,000 hp for less than the price of a G90.  I don't know that they are really going to compete there either.  Unless they come up with some  next gen EV tech and have full self driving and impeccable build quality or something.
    • The thing is that Panera offers a better laptop and hot drink environment than does Starbucks and they cash in on that.  It's "space rental." The tab for a HALF chicken avocado chipotle sandwich and a small CUP of baked potato soup (both good, not great) was absurd.  Coffee, tea, and lemonade are roughly the same. I go there because it's near a friend's condo and it's better for having a discussion than a fairly nice Starbucks nearby.  A Starbucks has to have an excellent interior for me to go there and pay their now crazy prices for coffee and tea.
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

This Article

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search