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smk4565

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Everything posted by smk4565

  1. smk4565
    I criticize base 4 cylinder and no V8 in the CT6. A big Cadillac should be a special car, really a mid-range Cadillac should be a special car. The Lacrosse has a V6, you could put a turbo 4 in there, base V6 in the CT6, and the LaCrosse has higher sales volume, thus bigger CAFE impact. You could put a 2.0T in a Traverse, and V6 in the Acadia and Enclave to make them premium over the Chevy. Etc, etc. My main problem with GM is they are putting V6s standard in Chevys and Buicks, then turbo 4's in Cadillacs. That doesn't make sense. I think you could even make a V6 standard in an Omega platform Escalade, but I think you have to offer a V8 option still. Corvette and big Cadillacs will still have to offer a V8, even in 2025. Probably any car above $30-40k will have some electrification help to it. But on an $80,000 Cadillac you can do a V8 with some batteries or capacitors and an electric motor, and you don't need a 6 liter V8, maybe it is 3.5 liter V8 in the future. We have 1.5 liter 4-cylinders, why not a 3.0 liter V8.
  2. smk4565
    There are a lot of other better options out there for that money. Even if the NSX is fast and handles well, it doesn't look that cool. An Aston Martin might be slower, but it will sound a hell of a lot better with the throaty V8 or V12 exhaust, and you'll look like James Bond in it. $150,000-200,000 for a V6 and the honda/acura corporate face is just a big ask.
  3. smk4565
    The problem with hitting the CAFE targets is customers don't want sedans anymore. Crossovers are outselling sedans. Sedan, coupe, and convertible are only like 35% of sales anymore, plus gas is cheap. So the old theory of sell 300,000 Cavaliers or Escorts to offset gas guzzler tucks and SUVs won't work. Automakers are going to have to make these crossovers and trucks hit the CAFE targets. But when you look at how GM cut about 10% of the weight from the Malibu, if they can cut 10% on Tahoe and Escalade that is 550 lbs. Then you get to the point where the Tahoe/Yukon are V6, Escalade could be V8 to be more special. But post 2020, they may have to push the Escalade to Omega to get weight down enough, Tahoe and Suburban could be endangered species heading toward 2025.
  4. smk4565

    Continental Uncovered

    smk4565 replied to a topic in Lincoln

    Well we don't know what E-class trim levels those are, they are offering 4 different seats for example. They haven't priced anything or said what the options are. We will find out in January. As far as the Continental goes, the interior seems more like LaCrosse level, maybe CTS-level. So even if the final Continental is as nice as a CTS on the inside, it won't drive like one. I am still very curious as to how they will price the Continental, and if if will do anything to breath life into Lincoln.
  5. smk4565
    The original Phaeton was a great piece of engineering. They sold it under the wrong brand. You have luxury brands to sell luxury cars. Now the thing is so dated and last it's prime it is sad. This is a mercy killing for sure.
  6. smk4565

    Continental Uncovered

    smk4565 replied to a topic in Lincoln

    A 2003 E320 had a base price of $50,220, a 2016 E350 is $53,100. $3,000 in price increase over 13 years is pheonominal. And logic would let you believe the new model will start under $55k. The base gauges and small screen look like crap, but that could be a Euro market car also, and we don't know the option packages yet. This car will be a home run, the current E-class is no where near this good and it easily outsells all competitors.
  7. smk4565
    Obviously, once they priced this car everyone knew it wouldn't sell. Better plan to add a plug-in hybrid option to existing cars.
  8. smk4565
    V12 is a small percentage to be sure. Mercedes moved their V12 production to a different factory so they could increase production, as they have increasing demand for the V12. V8s are getting rare even. I wouldn't be surprised to see full size pick ups with 4-cylinder engines in the 2020s with the bulk being V6. CAFE will force V8s down to 5-10% of the market in the 2020s.
  9. smk4565
    The 7-series and X7 are supposed to use the Rolls-Royce Ghost engine which has a lot of low end torque. The Hellcat and Z06 and Ford GT aren't making 650 lb-ft at 1800 rpm or whatever the Rolls makes it at and they aren't going to run as smooth or quiet. The BMW plans are rumor and speculation I think. Mercedes has said they are committed to the V12 and are increasing the horsepower on it. The Mercedes V12 is not going away.
  10. smk4565
    Rumor is BMW is building an X7, and the rumor on top of that is they will offer a V12. The 760Li is expected to return next year with a 6.6 liter V12 making 600 hp, that would be a monster SUV motor. For now though BMW buyers have to look elsewhere. There is now a 7-seat Range Rover, but that 3rd row looks tiny.
  11. smk4565

    Continental Uncovered

    smk4565 replied to a topic in Lincoln

    The S90 interior I like, probably a good comparison for the Continental since they are both 2nd their brands, both front drive based, probably similar price, etc. It seems that we will get the E300 with the 2.0T here in the USA, that could start around $50k so you could get that interior for in the high $50s. I am curious to see what the engines are, if they are just what is in the C-class that will be a disappointment. I want the 367 horsepower M256 straight six engine that is in development. Hard to call the E-class a land yacht though when it is smaller than a CTS, XF, A6 and 5-series. The 2017 model is losing weight and more nimble than the current model accord to Car and Driver, but still has the smooth ride you'd expect. The W211 is my favorite E-class also, that is why I got one. I also like the W124 from the early 90s. The W210 sucked by Mercedes standards, and the current car looked good on the outside before they changed the front end, and the interior is well made but boring.
  12. smk4565
    Well the sedan only CTS sold over 60k units in 2005 I think it was, and they didn't even have all wheel drive offered back then. The ATS is only selling about 25,000 units a year in the same price slot. BMW brand has low ATP because 45% of their sales are 3 and 4-series and the S-class has squashed the 7-series sales into oblivion.
  13. smk4565

    Continental Uncovered

    smk4565 replied to a topic in Lincoln

    But it is not an S-class interior. It is the new E-class interior, and has 64 different interior ambient lighting colors to pick from. For starting at $50-something You can get this, and option it up with the 1,350 watt Burmeister Audio, and it will park itself in your garage without you in it. Why bother with a Continental, or 5-series, CTS, A6, etc.
  14. smk4565
    They sold over 60k CTS in a year too, now it is like 20,000. The STS had better success than the CTS is having and they cancelled it. XTS sells worse than the DTS did. Maybe it wasn't the names, maybe people don't want Cadillacs anymore. Which is a shame because Cadillac could be a cool brand and had a storied history from about 1915-1975.
  15. smk4565

    Continental Uncovered

    smk4565 replied to a topic in Lincoln

    They should not They should not The MKS starts at $39k and $46k with ecoboost. I thought it was a little more than that actually, but that car has no sales volume at all. Maybe a $3k price increase over the MKS, but you can't go crazy on price, no one is bought the MKS, or the Continental before that. No one is buying a $60k Continental. Yes you may.
  16. smk4565

    Continental Uncovered

    smk4565 replied to a topic in Lincoln

    Is it better than this one?
  17. smk4565
    First off the GL450 has a lower base price than the Escalade. The GL550 is a higher trim level, thus it costs more than a base Escalade. The GL was pretty far behind in sales in the 2006-2009 era, but outsold the Escalade in 2012 and 2013, that is good progress. The Navigator and Japanese full sizers really tanked over that time frame. The new Escalade vs an aging GL got Cadillac the sales crown back, but the new GLS is coming, maybe a Maybach trim, so we'll see happens. The GL450 had a V8, they dropped it because it was an older engine and not fuel efficient. So they offered a more efficient twin turbo V6 that made the same power as the old V8, and they still offer a twin turbo V8 in the GLS550, and a 577 hp V8 in the GLS63. Yes the GLS550 is $20k more than a base model V8 Escalade, but it is faster, more luxurious, has more technology, etc. An Escalade 4-wheel drive platinum is $92,945, that is pretty close to GLS550 price, and they are similarly equipped. The only options on a GLS550 are the Distronitc Plus package and off road package with 2-speed transfer case and skid plate. The 2-speed transfer case is an option on the Escalade platinum also, and they don't have Super Cruise on and Escalade. So that is pretty apples to apples if you go Escalade Platinum to GLS550. My problem with the CT6 is it has a 4 cylinder. Mercedes didn't put a 2 liter turbo 4 into the GL. They used a TT V6 to replace a V8, and still offered two V8 options. If the CT6 would have a base TT V6 and option TT V8, I would have no complaints on powertrain. The CT6 is supposed to be a premium car, turbo 4's are for the small, entry lux crowd.
  18. smk4565

    Continental Uncovered

    smk4565 replied to a topic in Lincoln

    They should price the Continental the same as the MKS is now. $40-49k seems reasonable, even with 400 hp this car won't be worth $50k. They should price the Continental the same as the MKS is now. $40-49k seems reasonable, even with 400 hp this car won't be worth $50k.
  19. smk4565
    It is slower for sure, but the GL450 stops quicker, handles better, gets better gas mileage, has higher top speed, and the Escalade tows more. I meant overall the numbers are similar. The two vehicles are in the same ball park in terms of size, price, overall performance and sales. The GLS550 with the 455 hp and 516 lb-ft and 9 speed transmission is there, I think that is a better comparison to go V8 to V8. But if I do that, it is unfair because the Mercedes costs more. But that isn't my problem that Cadillac can't get Mercedes prices. The diesel GL is getting a slight power bump to 255 hp, 455, lb-ft, that should help.
  20. smk4565
    Let's look at the sales front, GL vs Escalade (and I combined Escalade and ESV) 2015 to date: GL 24,858 Escalade 31,262 2014: GL 26,597 Escalade 30,469 2013: GL 29,912 Escalade 20,542 2012: GL 26,042 Escalade 20,698 2011: GL 25,139 Escalade 23,467 The GL has beat it 3 of the past 5 years. GL is losing now, but for a while it was winning, and the revised GLS might close the gap.
  21. smk4565
    I think the Escalade and GL are equals as far as size, price, sales, market position/status, etc. The Range Rover isn't quite full size, but there is a new long wheel base model, so if you want to throw that into the argument, those are the top 3. It is big drop to the Navigator, LX570, QX80, etc. I pulled the Car and Driver tests of the GL450 and Escalade. GL was $66,125 base, $87,860 as tested. 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, top speed 130 mph, 7,500 lb tow capacity, 70-0 braking 179 ft. 17/21 mpg, 16 mpg observed. Escalade $76,565 base, $89,360 tested. 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, top speed 113 mph, 8,300 lb tow capacity, 70-0 braking 188 ft. 15/21 mpg, 14 mpg observed. So for similar money you get similar performance. The GL550 offers more performance for $95k, but most Mercedes cost more than their rivals because they have the best brand image and can charge more. Personally if I had to drive a GL I'd get the diesel, because all these big SUVs can't really be driven fast anyway, and the diesel gets like 27 mpg and has low end torque you want in a truck.
  22. smk4565
    Except you are comparing APPLES to ORANGES. The GLS is NOT a Full Size Body on Frame. Lets keep this to the only Body on Frame SUV that MB makes and is junk. The G Wagon. Till they build a new one from the ground up to compete with the Escalade you are only dealing with Badge Snobs that are idiots in overpaying for a junk built SUV. The Town Car was body on frame, how did that compare to other full size luxury cars? The Ford Explorer was a segment leader as body on frame from 1995-2006 or so, then it died for a while before they brought it back. A lot of body on frame vehicles meet their demise over time. Pick-ups are really the only vehicle that is best on body on frame. The G-wagen is a mid-size vehicle, but if you want to compare it to the Escalade because they are body on frame. The G-wagen will beat the Escalade off road, and the G-wagen offers an optional V12 engine that is much more powerful and much faster than the Escalade, if for some bizarre reason you want to compare straight line performance on tank like SUVs. But the G-wagen doesn't even compete with the Escalade, the cheapest G550 is $119,900 and the G65 is $217,900. And something like 60% of G-wagens are AMG models. If Cadillac would like to make the base Escalade $120,000 and $150,000 for a Platinum, bring it on, and we'll see how the Escalade does against the old G-wagen in sales. The GLS is full size, it has a 121.1 inch wheelbase, 202.6 inches long, 72.8 inches tall, and 84.3 inches wide. The Escalade has a 116 inch wheelbase, 203.9 inches long, 74.4 inches tall and 80.5 inches wide. Those 2 are pretty close in size, GLS is the Escalade competitor.
  23. smk4565
    A GL63 does 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and a 13.1 second 1/4 mile. More impressive is it stops from 60 mph in 104 feet, which is only 1 ft more than a CTS V-sport. And that was the 2013 model before the 27 hp power bump for the new GLS63. The GLS is more than capable to compete with any other full size SUV.
  24. smk4565

    Continental Uncovered

    smk4565 replied to a topic in Lincoln

    Looks a little boring, but it is too early to tell. Need to see the whole thing.
  25. smk4565
    Audi has a Q6 e-tron coming in 2018 with 500 HP and a 310 mile range. According to autobild the Mercedes GLC will arrive in late 2018 and have up to 530 HP and a 250 mile range, it is built on a GLC chassis. They said $54k is the target, I assume that is a base model. GLS is totally on par with the Escalade, you could argue it is better since they have a 577 HP engine option and a fuel sipping diesel option. We'll see how the CT6 twin turbo does. I don't think it competes with the 750i or S550 but for the sake of argument those cars do 0-60 in 4.3 and 4.5 seconds respectively. The S550 has a new 9-speed that shaved some time of the 4.8. I do hope Mercedes keeps making V8s, but fear the inline six will replace it most cars. The good news is AMG boss Tobias Moers said they are increasing the power of the V12 to create a "meaningful gap in power" between it and the 577 hp V8. All wheel drive is being added too.
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