smk4565
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Everything posted by smk4565
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Got to blanket the all segments, they have a car for everyone. If you want a coupe, convertible, wagon, SUV, they have it. If you go to Cadillac and want a coupe, wagon or convertible, sorry; go to Lincoln in about 2 years and want anything other than an SUV and you'll be out of luck. A-class isn't even a money grab, they don't make much profit on those, the real money is made on S-classes and G-wagens. Really Mercedes is doing a public service by bringing Mercedes-Benz quality, technology and safety to more people. I don't see anyone knocking Chevy for not just selling Corvettes and Silverados and scrapping any car under $30k. They still have the Spark and Sonic and the Traxx, as they should because they aren't just targeting a small sliver of buyers. Plus the C-class is not so entry level, that has become a pretty nice car and you can get a 500 hp V8 in it, I think there is room for a vehicle below it. And next gen S-class will raise the bar, AMG GT73 was confirmed today, so S73 will follow, they won't use that powertrain in just one car. They are pushing plenty upmarket too.
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Yes they started the big invasion in the 70s in the USA, they were a luxury car since 1886 in Europe, because having a car was a luxury, and they made some of the most expensive cars in the world in the 1930s. While I wouldn't want an A-class, I like rear drive and a bigger motor, plenty fo people are happy with a 200 hp front drive car. Pretty sure about 50,000 people last month bought a Toyota Rav4 with such a powertrain. And look at the top 10 selling cars in the USA, 3 full size trucks Rav4, Camry, Corolla, Accord, Civic, CR-V Altima off the top of my head. 7 of those are front driver rocking 200ish hp. Given that the A-class has the most popular drivetrain in the USA, and Mercedes-Benz safety as outlined in my previous post, the question really is why wouldn't people buy an A-class?
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Mercedes is self described as a premium car brand. Which is what they are, I think it is fantastic that they make the A-class starting at $32,500, even with options those are selling under $40k. And to make Mercedes-Benz build quality, technology and safety available to more people is a great thing. The #1 type of car accident is rear end collision and over 90% of car accidents are human error. Every Mercedes has standard automatic braking and standard attention assist. Tesla, Volvo and Mercedes are the only 3 car companies that have automatic braking standard in even 50% of their cars and Mercedes is at 100%. The more sales they can take from Chevy, Toyota, Hyundai or whoever the better it is for those buyers who will avoid accidents, have lower insurance premiums, better driving records, and be safer in a crash if one does occur. Yep, could have hooked that up to a 48 volt electric system with an electric compressor feeding the turbo for more power.
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The CT5 is the 3-series competitor by price. I think that is the better comparison. The 3-series advantage is interior (although I think it is the worst of the German 3) and the 3-series turbo 4 puts out more power, the turbo inline 6 puts out more power than the CT5-V, plus that the inline 6 smoothness compared to V6. If you want to compare CT4 to 3-series, huge interior and power gaps there. CT4 vs A-class, may be a good comparison, CT4 has RWD benefit, A-class/CLA can bring more power, would probably be a good track comparison. CT4 might have more room, I don't know how the interior specs are of the 2, A-class has better infotainment, GM is a bit behind the times on infotainment systems.
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People complain Mercedes is overpriced and poor value, then complain that Mercedes are too cheap and too low end. Hmm, can’t be both ways. I don’t think Cadillac needs a luxury Cruze or anything smaller than the CT4, the CT4 will probably be a sales dud even In the low $30s. A-class will out sell it. CT5 might do better than CTS did, I think they got the pricing right on that. But Cadillac has no other option than to price way under the Germans.
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Mercedez Benz News EQS and S-Class to Live Side by Side
smk4565 replied to Drew Dowdell's topic in Mercedes-Benz
Both is better. People wanted to jump on Mercedes for cutting models. When really they are cutting dead weight like the SLC, as well as some possible redundancy like E-class and S-class convertible when we already have SL and AMG GT convertibles. They are trimming body styles not model lines. And in 2020 they are launching GLB, EQ C, EQ S, and EQ A won’t be far behind. They are still adding model lines. And yes the S-class coupe may die since there isn’t a lot of demand for big coupes but a Maybach GLS is going on sale next year because SUVs are red hot. -
That is my point, the CT4 should be priced like an A-class and sized like a C-Class. Cadillac needs to push size for price, that is their only working strategy. Every other play they have tried in the past 20 years failed.
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Crossover = sales.
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CT4 is the size of a C-class, which starts at $41,400. They need at least a $10k undercut to give the CT4 a chance. No demand for a Cadillac the size of the A-class.
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CT5 is $38k, I wonder if this will start at $29,995. I think Cadillac is smart to go with size and value, it is the only strategy that has ever worked for them.
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I wonder how they will price it. Also not sure why they offer a 309 hp and a 325 hp version, seems a bit redundant.
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GM’s report shows plenty of CO2 output in 2025. When will GM have a 100% EV lineup, with 100% of factories that are powered by wind and Solar power? And if they can pull that off before Daimler then great, that is less pollution.
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There are billions wasted on walking dead brands too. Really there are too many car brands now, they don’t need to bring more back. I could see GMC putting out a Wrangler competitor called GMC Hummer or GMC Humvee or something if they still have the trademarks. Then they aren’t launching a brand just a new model.
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Most of Mercedes’ concepts lead to something, maybe not same model but a version of. Those Pebble Beach Maybach concepts will inspire the Maybach SUV. EQ S is going to production in 2020. Mercedes has a goal by 2039 to be a carbon neutral car company from factory to cars. European factories carbon neutral by 2022. These are the most ambitious targets set by any car company.
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The S-class is the most successful full size luxury car the past 40 years. Why would they change it? The 7-series and A8 aren't EV only. All S-classes will be mild hybrids at least, and that is more than a lot of other luxo barges can claim. EQ S also has nothing to do with an S-class. Different platforms.
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While fun to speculate, these brands all died for a reason. It would cost a fortune to revive a brand, that money is better spent on pumping money into an existing brand, for any automaker. Duesenberg is the one interesting one because they were over the top expensive, and their horsepower and performance numbers are still decent today, which is insane for an 90 year old car. For them to come back now as a 1,000 hp, super luxury car would be awesome, but that is a lot of money to launch a brand that is going to appeal to very few people. And we already have that with Bugatti basically.
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Oh right, well I think the 3-series is 255 hp and 385 hp, that I assume will carry over, probably 475 in the M3/M4. Power we know won’t be an issue with a BMW.
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EQ S production begins 2020. They have to finish the factory first, Factory 56 is opening in 2020 and is a carbon neutral plant. When the factory is open they can start cranking out EQ models and the next gen S-class.
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They should make a grille that is as high as the top of the roof that you can see through. A 5 foot high grille is probably good for crash protection.
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Porsche has an 800 volt electrical system. The car car charges at a 250 kW rate, which is what the Tesla Model 3 can do, and that is the fastest charging available today. Porsche has already said they won't get to 350 kW until 2021, Mercedes has 2 years to get this car on sale and they are ahead of Porsche, tied at worst.
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Great side profile, the horsepower part they got right, the grille is way wrong. That grille won't make production though.
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Comments: Land Rover Defender Breaks Cover
smk4565 replied to Drew Dowdell's topic in International Motor Show - Germany
It looks pretty good, the old Defender fans will love it I think, and if you had a 4Runner or FJ or maybe Jeep and are looking for an upgrade, this fits the bill. I think with people loving off roady SUVs, this will do quite well. And it breaks the mold of bland rounded off crossovers. Good pricing too, and a real 2 door coupe. I like what they did here. -
From the test mules, it doesn’t look much like an S-class sedan. The center screen is going into production, the 2021 S-class is getting that screen. And this vehicle would be in production for 2021 model year.
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The Taycan charges at 250 kw, Tesla Model S at 150 kw. EQS beats them both although Porsche says 350 kw will be available in 2021.
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Odd to see cab forward design on a Mercedes when they are known for long hoods. Looks pretty good overall, nice power numbers and they’ll do an AMG with more power than this.
