smk4565

The more I see this thing, the uglier it looks. The live photos from the show make it look even worse than the press photos that originally came out. Bentley needs to scrap this idea.

Well I don't think Mercedes is looking to compete with existing models from other brands, but rather capture Gen Y and some Gen X shoppers in urban areas that want a nice car with features, but can't afford a $45k optioned up C-class. I see the A-class or B-class whatever we get as an alternaative to small crossovers and sedans. Sort of like how the Smart For2 didn't compete directly against anything, it was an alternative to what everyone else had, but of course the Smart doesn't sell.

I just don't like the idea of SUVs from Jaguar, Bentley, Rolls, Ferarri, Aston Martin, Lambo, Maseratti or Porsche for that matter. What is wrong with making sports cars? It seems that auto makers want to make SUVs or FWD compacts and kill the RWD sports car.

They will probably keep the A-class in Europe and bring the B-class here. Because it will be a little bigger, and Americans like big cars. And they can keep the price point on the B-class a bit closer to $30k.

I have to totally disagree with you and everyone else who says MB and BMW fit and finish is better than Cadillac. I can believe this on Lexus as I have idiot family members who buy and bitch about the fit and finish and lack of quality and then they go back and trade in for another newer one. Like freaking Lemmings. MB and BMW have some amazing high end models but in the C category or 3 category, I have yet to be impressed by either company compared to what Cadillac has to offer. Agreed on Lexus, you can feel the Toyota Camryness coming through the dash in them. Even the new GS is just a BMW-wannabe inside and not as quality of materials. And lemmings do buy them. As for Cadilac, the Escalde's fit and finish is weak, but it is a Tahoe so it gets a bit of a pass. So really we can judge the CTS and SRX only, and those models don't match the fit and finish of a Benz or Audi or BMW for that matter. The panel gaps are tigher in the German cars and Mercedes uses higher grade materials than Cadillac does. I think the new 3-series is pretty well executed inside, as far as the leather, wood and metal trim they used (I don't care for the nav-screen though). And how will that interior hold up over time, Mercedes are built for durability, GM cars usualy start to have things break, or leather wears out, etc.

This could go one of two ways. Either it will be a flop because Mercedes buyers don't want a cheap car and it isn't RWD and powerful. Or it will be a hit. I actually think this may sell because it could really put the hurt on Acura, Volvo, Mini, and even the mass market brands. There are probably a lot of people out there who would rather have an A-class over a Jetta, Sonata, Altima, CR-V, Rav4, etc. Because not only do you get the Mercedes badge, you get Mercedes build quality and safety. It is feasable that the fit and finish on the A-class is better than what Cadillac or Lexus offer, yet it is priced against Ford and Chevy.

Seems like a Porsche Cayenne with a Range Rover looking tail end and a Continental GT engine in it. Looks ugly, and seems pointless.

Way too expensive. The red carpet in the garage I think it more impressive than the car.

Makes sense, with the Town Car and DTS gone, XTS not available yet. And the livery crowd loved the RWD Town Car, they will probably like the RWD Hyundais that offer a lot of capability at a good price.

Looks a little too BMW-like. I wonder how big it is, and I wish it looked more like the Optima. The tail lights on every car are starting to look the same.

Nissan GT-R and Audi A5 I don't like any Japanese car brand, and the GT-R is the only Japanese car I like. I don't care much for Audi, but I like the A5, although I would never pick an A5 over a BMW or Mercedes or Jaguar product. On the flip side, I sort of like the Lincoln brand, but hate all their cars. It is a shame they are so irrelavant and useless.

I am not a fan of calling out others or comparing one attribute of Car A to one attrbute of Car B in commercials. I prefer promoting your own product attrbutes and brand identity. I think Mercedes does this better than anyone, because their ads focus on engineering, safety, heritage and new products. I would rather see Cadillac talk about what makes them Cadillac, not compare themselves to BMW one day, Lexus the next, Lincoln the next, etc. The 3-series is unique because it is the best car in the segment and has the highest perception. So Cadillac has to win on two fronts, vehicle and public opinion. And let's not forget a 328i gets 36 mpg and does 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, quicker than a CTS 3.6 DI, with fuel economy like a Malibu Eco, so the ATS has to post some impressive numbers to beat the 3-series.

Escalde's length/width/height is 202.5/79.0/75.9 inches. Wheelbase 116.0 inches Enclave's length/width/height is 201.8/79.0/72.5 inches Wheelbase 118.9 inches Enclave has 115.0 cubic feet of cargo room compared to 108.9 cubic feet of cargo room (from GM's websites) Those two vehicles are basically the same size, the Enclave is actually larger on the inside, the Escaldae is 3 inches taller but it has a big roof rack too.

Word is the next CTS may get an 8-speed automatic, but probably not at launch. To me the CTS needs 8 gears, even if they have to buy it off ZF. There has to be some sort of diesel or hybrid model that posts high fuel economy as well since Infiniti, Lexus, BMW have hybrids, and Merecedes has diesel, and Audi or Jaguar may add a diesel by 2015.

I believe they thought an E-superlight would be priced like an E63 AMG, but yes it could be pretty expensive. A regular V6 E-class is 3825 lbs, which I suspect is about what they will weigh for several years to come.

Carbon fiber chassis and body, and possbily a fuel cell powertrain. They expect to only make 20,000 globally per year.

Magnetic ride is an reactive suspension. M-B's new suspesion reads the road so that the suspension changes settings to prepare for bumps. The demos of the test cars have been pretty spectacular, there is no body roll or bounce.

I think what Hyundai does works. Since 2008 they have been the best performing car company by far, so who can argue with that success.

What do we want? Diesels!!! When do we want them? Now!!!! So the choice is a 138 hp/140 lb-ft engine or a 161 hp/266 lb-ft engine that gets better mileage. Hmm, that is a tough choice. And put that engine in the Equinox also.

Low weight RWD platform is a good start, but it is only a start. The Germans have had boosted sixes and DI V8s for years, so that only gets Cadillac caught up. But by 2014, the bar may have moved again. Plus, Mercedes is planning a 2800 lb E-class, so is low weight where Cadillac really wants to pick its battles?

I don't think the CTS will become like the STS, but there is that risk. At the time Sigma came out, it was supposed to be as good as an E39 5-series, yet it wasn't. So we here Alpha is as good as an E46 3-series but we'll see. Maybe it is, maybe it out handles an E36 M3, only time will tell. I would be satisfied with the CTS if it had more interior room, better materials and build quality, and the exterior didn't look bulky and fat. The 1st Gen CTS had better proportions than the current one, they it got fat and blingy. Powertrain needs upgraded to, the CTS isn't that quick or fuel efficient compared to the Germans or Infiniti M-hybrid. CTS sold 5200 units in Dec. Last time I checked, 5200 is more than 800. Yes, but that is without the ATS in dealerships, and no STS in dealerships either. The CTS sells well now, but what if base price goes up $10,000 over night, and a cheaper car is offered. They want the CTS to get bigger and more expesnive, thus exactly what the STS was, and the STS was a dud. So my point was only that the CTS better be fantastic, and not another STS, because they can't afford STS sales volumes. But, was the STS better than the current CTS? No, it wasn't the STS worked when it was the first gen, by the time the current gen CTS was two years old the STS was outclassed So like how the ATS will outclass a CTS that has been on the market for 5 model years?

They just keep getting uglier and uglier. Lexus is clueless on design. Maybe they want to scare the old people off, problem is the young people won't buy it either.

I suppose GM just couldn't use the LaCrosse to compete w/ the MKS and ES, which is a more natural competitor for those models than something from Cadillac... I don't think Buick competes with Lincoln or Lexus. There in lies part of the problem. The LaCrosse competes with the Avalon, Taurus and Maxima. A Maxima can even hit $41,000, so can a SHO. I'd say the Chrysler 300 and Genesis are competitors also on size and price point, different drive wheels, but they would still get cross shopped I think. Since Buick is not a luxury car, Cadillac has to wear many hats, thus they need an XTS to cater to those in Florida that like pastel pearl paint jobs and seats you sink in to. I question if they really need to cater to this market though. Or if the CTS were as well executed as the E-class that it couldn't attract both those that want smooth ride and those that want performance. The Lacrosse and Enclave are most certainly luxury vehicles. They do quiet, power, and handling better than their counterparts at Lexus I still don't see Buick as luxury. A Nissan Maxima is $2,000 more than a LaCrosse, is that a luxruy car? The LaCrosse and Enclave are also full size vehicles, a car or SUV of that size from a luxury brand would cost far more. Enclave is the same size and seating capacity as an Escalade, yet the Escalade is $30,000 more. So if the Enclave is a true luxury SUV, then why are people buying Escaldes, or why aren't they charging $60k for an Enclave? The reason being the Envlace nor any Buick are luxury vehicles.

CTS sold 5200 units in Dec. Last time I checked, 5200 is more than 800. Yes, but that is without the ATS in dealerships, and no STS in dealerships either. The CTS sells well now, but what if base price goes up $10,000 over night, and a cheaper car is offered. They want the CTS to get bigger and more expesnive, thus exactly what the STS was, and the STS was a dud. So my point was only that the CTS better be fantastic, and not another STS, because they can't afford STS sales volumes.

Hyundai does not compete with BMW or Mercedes, I don't think they should even mention how the Genesis V8 has more horsepower than an E550. They should say how the Genesis V8 has 100 more hp than a CTS or G37 or Lincoln/Acura whatever. Hyundai shoud compare directly to other $35-45,000 cars because theirs is way better. And they should promote RWD like crazy to the fools buying Lincolns and Acuras.