smk4565

The problem with any autonomous drive system is going to be when the vehicle has to make a life or death decision. Suppose a car swerves into on coming traffic headed right for you, and there are 2 pedestrians on the sidewalk. Does the autonomous car take a head on collision or swerve and risk hitting the pedestrians. There will be huge disclaimers on these things and that is why the Mercedes system makes you have hand on the wheel. So if it messes up you can't sue them. What happens if SuperCruise hits a pedestrian trying to avoid something else while the driver didn't have hands on wheel or wasn't paying attention.

My car uses 7th gear on the highway, I had a GLK loaner that I think used 7th gear on the highway. I don't see why the new models wouldn't use all 9. I will say though that if you put the transmission in comfort mode it does 2nd gear starts and doesn't use first gear.

The sad thing about the American car market is that is what sells. And it ranges from Rav4 to Escape tor Equinox to GLC, X3 or RX350. People want an SUV for some perceived notion of safety, or because the cargo area will allow them to haul a bike or canoe to suit the active lifestyle that they don't actually have, and at the end of the day they will commute from A to B, plodding along in traffic thinking they are more successful because they bought an SUV and the other guy bought a CamCord, not realizing they themselves are driving a CamCord station wagon on stilts. This is the crossover market in general. I don't get it myself, give me a superior handling car any day of the week, something that can handle a corner and be driven hard without fear of tipping over. At least with the bi-turbo V6 they'll have 339 hp in the GLC, maybe even 362 hp since Mercedes seems to be phasing the 339 hp version out already, the C-class is dropping it for 2016, in favor of the 362 hp used in the GL. None of the other small crossovers have that kind of power or air suspension. So maybe they'll bring some level of excitement to the otherwise boring crossover segment.

The 2014 S-class could drive itself via the radar guided cruise control and the active steering. I have seen video where it holds lanes on the highway where the steering wheel turns without hands touching it, and it car can do hands free driving in traffic. I didn't know how to imbed a video but here is an S-class doing it. The first part is just radar cruise control which is old news, but around 5 minutes the wheel is doing a lot of it's own turning. Distronic Plus with Steering is available now on the C-class also. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXB82PfNucg They have a fully autonomous S-class prototype, but you have a whole host of legal issues to overcome I'd imagine before that is put on sale.

I'd take the XJ interior over the CT6 I think. The XJ has a lot of that piano black trim that I don't like, but I still like the style and design of the XJ interior. S-class beats them all tough.

What makes you think Cadillac doesn't have a lot of stuff in store? Cadillac has SuperCruise coming very soon, I've spotted the cars testing in Pittsburgh (there has been a semi-camoflaged XTS wandering around downtown). Cadillac just released a fantastic new 8-speed automatic that performs equal or better than some of the best DCTs. There's the 3.0TT due out later this year, the updated 3.6, the updated 3.6TT, the coming V8TT, 4-wheel steering, a vastly upgraded CUE system, and more "added vehicle lightness". But Mercedes has super cruise or self driving already, The E-class is getting it, which means the 5-series do it, so the CTS will have to have it, they can't hold it as an CT6 exclusive and trickle down later. All the Germans have TT V8s already, nothing new there. Mercedes has the 9-speed transmission now, which like the 7-speed has 2 reverse gears, so you can do 50 mph in reverse. We'll see what happens, but the CTS isn't competing well with an old E-class. Once the new one arrives they could be in trouble. Same goes for Lexus wit that tired GS they have. That 3.5 liter V6 is from like 2006, they might want to upgrade that.

I think the rounded off styling will give it more appeal, especially to female buyers. The blocky GLK was sort of love it or hate it I think. Interior is a big upgrade over the old one. I never cared for the previous generation C-class/GLK interior, but I really like the current ones. Hopefully the diesel and V6 are not far behind. But finally the 9-speed automatic is here, I think it was limited to just CLS550s so far. Since it is a GLC, it will be priced and sized like a C-class. Larger and more expensive than a GLA, but smaller and less expensive than a GLE.

This is a mid-cycle enhancement, so nothing much to get excited about. I thought the XJ looked cool when it came out, and the XJR models still do sort of, but it is looking like a bit of a boring design. It is too rounded off, too much jelly bean shape like every other car on the road. I also was a big fan of the 2004-2008 era XJ, especially the XJR since it had the sport body kit and wheels. That car just looked different than everything else, it looked old school and bad ass, like something a mafia hitman would drive. And they were dirt cheap used compared to other luxury cars.

How about Cadillac gets their head out of their ass and starts putting all their SUVs on Alpha and Omega and then you can put 500 hp engines in them and go Porsche Macan/Cayenne or AMG crossover hunting.

A Corvette sedan to compete with the CTS-V? Yeah, that makes sense.

Perhaps they are trying to push too much up market. I drove the first Genesis and not this one, and wasn't a sport sedan in any way, but it had that big car comfy feel, and the V8 was powerful. I wonder if the Azera is really needed. If the Genesis was $34k base they could compete more with the Avalons, Buicks, MKZ, Acuras of the world and probably do better. Put their RWD car against the boring front drivers, it works for Chrysler. Hyundai seems to want the Genesis to target the E-class and GS350 but do it at a discount, and it isn't in that league.

I am sure GM wished they had more volume out of Cadillac. Let's say hypothetically Chevy makes $1,000 per car profit, Buick and GMC $2,000 and Cadillac $4,000. I'm sure they'd want to sell as many Cadillacs as possible, it has the best margin. If Cadillac has terrible volume, that hurts GM's bottom line. Before Cadillac gets their 5 year plan completed the new E-class will be here to lay the hurt on the CTS, A6 and GS. They have a lot of new stuff in store, new inline six, electric turbos, autonomous drive, etc.

Corvette is not on par with a 911. The Corvette doesn't have the level of customization or personalization or high end luxury features. The 911 has on the options list to paint the car in any custom color you supply to Porsche, air vents with leather slats, personalized carbon fiber door sills, leather sun visors, Alcantra storage compartment lining, and who wouldn't pay $1,465 for painted air intake grilles, or $1,720 for painted air conditioning vents. A 430 hp 911 is about $120,000, the Turbo is nearing $200,000. Corvette just isn't in that price strata, nor should it ever be. The Corvette for 50 years worked well at an inflation adjusted $50,000ish sports car. I wouldn't mess with the formula that works, and since V8s are making so much more power than even 10-15 years ago, I think there is room for a V6, either NA or turbo. The Cayman S has 340 hp and it is decently quick.

A 270 hp CT6 is adequate because there is also a 335hp CT6 and a plug-in Hybrid with 335 hp and 432 lb-ft of torque and a 400 hp twin-turbo V6.... and a twin turbo V8 coming that is most likely well over 500 horsepower. This^^^ HE acts as if the CT6 is in a bubble and a base engine is its only choice. I know it isn't the only choice. So why not offer a lower priced Corvette with a 335 hp V6 and 8-speed automatic. 15 years ago the Corvette had 345 hp and a 4-speed automatic, granted that V8 had a lot more torque than the V6. I say make the Corvette more attainable, it is a Chevy, not a $250,000 exotic. Corvette average buyer age is 59 years old, offering a V6 version at $47,000 could bring that down a bit. And you still have the 460 hp V8 and 600 hp supercharged V8 as options. As far as the Camaro goes, I think at some point with every car you have to stop, and then another car takes over. There isn't a 410 hp Impala SS because there is a 410 hp XTS V-sport, and they want you to move up to Cadillac if you want more than the standard car. Camaro should be $25-50k with the 3 engine choices they have outlined, offer a low weight track package option for enthusiasts. If 460 hp isn't enough for you, then you buy a Corvette or a Cadillac. A Camaro costing more than a CTS-V as was the case a couple years ago doesn't make sense.

What may hurt Cadillac is doing the "Dare Greatly" ads that are just Cadillac brand ads, but don't focus on any particular vehicle. Perhaps they don't want to advertise the ATS and CTS names because they are dumping them. But I still see dedicated E-class ads and it is in its 6th model year. They didn't give up on advertising it because it is an old model. And GM often advertises the heck out of new cars then forgets about them after 2 years (with exception of pickups).

An Impala 2LT is $31k, a base Lacrosse is also $31k. An Impala LTZ is $35k. The Regal starts at $27k while a Malibu LTZ is $29k, and a Malibu 2LT is $28k. Traverse 2LT is $37k, a Traverse LTZ is $42k. The Enclave bases at $39k. Right now the base Buicks are priced more like Chevrolet LT trim, rather than the LTZ trim.

To OldsHusrt's point about the Corvette being a 911/Ferrari competitor. It isn't and you don't want it to be. If the Corvette was going to go to that level you are looking at $125,000 base price, $175,000 Z06, and if they did another ZR1, possibly $225,000. Then people that buy Corvettes can't afford a Corvette. Saying Corvette needs to compete with the Porsche/Ferrari/Lambo is like saying Chevy needs a sedan to fight Bentley. It isn't Chevy's job to fight the $100k battle, that is Cadillac's. Cadillac is the flagship brand of GM. The serious technology and high dollar cars belong at Cadillac. The Corvette should forever be front engine, rear drive, reasonably priced sports car. If GM wants a mid-engine supercar, then give it to Cadillac to compete with the Audi R8. If they are going to make a luxury sports car to compete with the 911 and AMG GT, give it to Cadillac. If GM for some crazy reason wants to build a 1,000 hp hybrid to battle the Ferrari LaFerrari or McLaren P1, give that to Cadillac too.

A 270 hp CT6 is adequate because there is also a 335hp CT6 and a plug-in Hybrid with 335 hp and 432 lb-ft of torque and a 400 hp twin-turbo V6.... and a twin turbo V8 coming that is most likely well over 500 horsepower. So would you be in favor of a 335 hp V6 Corvette for $47,000? Personally, I think they should make such a car to expand the Corvette brand, and a V6/8-speed Corvette should still hit 60 in 5 seconds maybe less, it is a 3200 lb car. And there is a V8 and supercharged V8 if you want more. I do think though that the CTS and CT6 should have a standard V6. I am game for the 2.0T in the ATS, and I would be fine with a 2.0T plug in hybrid on CTS/CT6 because then you are back to 350 hp/torque. As far as Corvettes sold in other dealerships, absolutely not. It is a Chevy, it gets sold in a Chevy dealership. They don't sell Escalades at the Buick dealership.

BMW drivers wouldn't buy a Chevy even if the Camaro had 1,000 hp. If you want more performance than a 460 hp Camaro, there is Corvette. That is why you have two sports cars, why there is Cadillac V-series. Porsche doesn't put 500 hp in the Cayman, if you want that you have to get a 911. I'd be in favor of a track model Camaro Z28 with the same 460 hp V8 as the SS, but they could do a rear seat delete and cut weight, beef up the brakes and suspension. A 270 hp Cadillac CT6 adequate but a 460 hp Camaro is not enough? That doesn't make sense.

Keeping those base cloth trim, 2.4 liter engines etc is like old GM. When you could get a Buick or Pontiac for the same price as a Chevy pretty much. The Buick base model should basically be like the Chevy LTZ, then Buick can still offer a trim above that to set themselves apart.

From my friend the Buick dealer, the configurations that do best are the "medium" ones. Base models with cloth seats and few options are hard to move. High end ones with expensive tech are hard to move. The easiest sellers are typically anything with leather and 2 or more of the three options: NAV, Sunroof, AWD, Heated Seats. So why not make all that stuff standard. Base a Verano at $26k, Regal at $30k, LaCrosse at $35k. Basically about where the Chevy counter part ends on price. They must need those base models for some reason, unless the base models are all rental cars.

Chevy dealers will never allow the Corvette to leave their building. The Camaro should be $25-50k max. You don't need a $60-80k 550 hp Camaro, the volume is low and that is why Corvette or even Cadillac exist. If a V8 Camaro bases under $40k, you still have $10k of room to add track options and to me 460 hp is enough for a Camaro. You don't want a 550 hp hp Camaro for $50k that out performs a $65k ATS-V. The Corvette should actually put an engine below the 460 hp Stingray model. If they can put a 4-cyinder in a CT6, then surly they can put a 335 V6 in a Corvette for $47k (every GM fan says the 335 hp V6 is good enough for Cadillac so it is good enough for a Corvette which weighs even less), then the Sting Ray picks up at $55k where it is now. Z06 would be the top end at $80k or whatever it is. That expands Corvette sales and keeps it more the everyman's sports car, as it has always been. Corvette isn't on par with Porsche, even Cadillacs don't have interiors/build quality of Porsche. It should be Cadillac's job to go after Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Maserati, Jaguar. Not Corvette. GM thinks the Corvette is the ultimate sports car, but it isn't even close. Let the Corvette be what it always was, a good performance per dollar car, there is nothing wrong with sticking with a formula that works. If GM wants to build grand touring coupes or super cars or even hyper cars, that is Cadillac.

I don't think Lincoln selling the MKZ at $27k with a 180 hp 4-cylinder is the way to maintain any type of luxury or premium brand status. Lincoln has some engine options too, the MKZ has the 2.0T, hybrid and V6, so 3 choices are there. Buick needs lower trims I'd guess because that is where the bulk of their sales are. Probably a lot of older buyers that don't want technology or engine power, but want a Buick, and a 200 hp Lacrosse with leather and power locks/windows/seats is all they need because that is what their LeSabre had. Buick commands about a $4-5k price premium over the Chevy counterpart, the Lincolns are about $10k over the Ford. Same basic principal for both brands, Buick just goes one step above Chevy while Lincoln goes 2 above Ford.

Ford competes with Chevy, Toyota, Kia, Honda. Casa makes a good point in that Buick and Lincoln have the same business model. Both take the Chevy/Ford and build a mechanical twin with different bodies and interior trim. Lincoln does it to a slightly higher price point though, so the Lincoln brand is a notch above Buick in my mind. The Regal is $28k, the MKZ is $35k. The Lacrosse is $31k, the MKS is $38k. The Regal is a slow seller now, if it costs MKZ money it would have zero sales. If the Lacrosse had a base of $38k like an MKS or ES350, bye bye 50% of the sales. As he also mentioned about Lincoln finding a proper spot in the market, they might as well do a Lincoln Focus for $28k as an entry level car. Lincoln to be viable really needs to be a small car at $28k, a mid-sizer at $34k, and a full size around $44k. Then 3 crossovers, MKC, MKC are in place, I'd price them at $32k and $38K then do a $48k crossover Navigator off Explorer, dump the body on frame big truck. Lincoln has to be a brand for people that want something nicer than average but don't care about 0-60 performance, Nurburgring handling, 400 hp engines, etc.

Doesn't seem all that different than what they do now. Porsche was sort of always it's own thing, and Audi/Lamborghini are already part of one unit. But I am sure some changes were to happen once Piech was gone because he fought the rest of the board all the time.