Drew Dowdell
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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell
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Cadillac's newest V-series, the CT4-V and CT5-V, disappointed fans when they debuted on May 30th by being substantially less powerful than their predecessors. The CT4-V gets a 2.7-liter turbo four cylinder producing 320 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, that's a 130 horsepower deficit compared to the ATS-V. The story for the CT5-V is similar with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo making 355 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque compared to the 640 horsepower of the CTS-V. GM President Mark Reuss called the previous cars "hammer" and that they intimidated customers. Thus, Cadillac responded by extending the V-series badge down to be more accessible to more customers. Cadillac fans wouldn't have it, and Cadillac was quick to respond saying that more powerful versions of the CT4-V and CT5-V would be on the way, even bringing out higher potency test cars for the Detroit Grand Prix. The CT5-V was rumored to be running with the Blackwing V8, and that car getting the 4.2 Twin-Turbo V8 is not a new rumor. The controversy comes down to what to call the higher powered models when they do arrive. Some fans felt that the models already shown should be V-Sports and the more powerful versions get the V moniker. However, it seems that Cadillac has settled on Blackwing as the name for the high power versions of their V-series, and that name may not be limited to just models with the Blackwing V8, making Blackwing more of a sub-brand for Cadillac like Denali is for GMC. What do you think? Is Blackwing a good name for the true high-performance versions of the V-series cars? -
Jaguar News: Jaguar XJ Uses Another of its Nine Lives
Drew Dowdell replied to Drew Dowdell's topic in Jaguar
I love the interior. It doesn't try to be the roomiest, but it lets you know you are riding in luxury. -
DRIVEN: 2019 Cadillac XT4 Premium Luxury AWD 2.0t
Drew Dowdell replied to regfootball's topic in Reader Reviews
Remember when Buick did a purple interior and no one bought it? It was just a few years ago. Cadillac did very nice red interiors.... no one bought them.
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It's because they aren't being produced yet, so the only time we have news is when something leaks out like a bit of transmission fluid.
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Volvo News: Armored Volvo XC90 Weighs Nearly 10,000 Pounds
Drew Dowdell replied to Drew Dowdell's topic in Volvo
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just like the CT5, I can't tell if I like the accord or not. I think it is one of those vehicles that only looks good in black.
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Amazing mileage for such a big vehicle and as @smk4565 puts it.. an "old" engine. Just goes to show, newer isn't always better. I bet a turbo-4 with the same horsepower would suck fuel like crazy because the boost would always be on.
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Never quite caught on back then. But like EVs today, technology has changed and they're trying them again.
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One thing it's better than a Prius on.... no CVT.
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2016 Toyota Tacoma, Butt Ugly or just my take on their design style?
Drew Dowdell replied to G. David Felt's topic in Toyota
Just about right....
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Don't let your last ride be your only ride in a Cadillac. Here's a homework assignment.... find out if the traffic is the same at other major ports in the US.
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They're not broke. They have no debt and they're making a profit. They're just spending all their R&D on Alfa Romeo... which is dumb, and some new Jeeps. They need new engines for all the new Jeeps coming out. Something like 4 new big jeeps coming??
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Sorry for your loss @Robert Hall
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but it's not an S-Klasse, so it must be junk.
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2016 Toyota Tacoma, Butt Ugly or just my take on their design style?
Drew Dowdell replied to G. David Felt's topic in Toyota
I don't think the Tacoma is that bad. The GM mid-sizers are starting to look dated. And I just can't with all that chrome on most of the GM big-trucks. -
The EU and China get a version of the A-Class that we don't get here in the states, the A200 hatchback. The A200 is powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 158 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Coming in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Mercedes will be unveiling a plug-in hybrid version of the car dubbed the A250e. The A250e will sport the same 1.3 liter engine, but will have an electric motor built into the 8-speed transmission that provides 101 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Power for the electric motor comes from a 15 kWh battery stored under the luggage area floor and a reconfigured rear suspension. In the European cycle, the car is said to be able to go over 37 miles in electric only mode with a top EV speed of 87 mph. DC fast charging should be available. Performance of the A250e is suppose to match the performance of the non-hybrid A250 model, a version not sold in the U.S. (We only get the A220 and A35 AMG) Why are we taking the time to tell you about a vehicle that is unlikely to be sold in the U.S.? Because it is just the first in a series of plug-in hybrid powertrain upgrades that will be coming to the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Expect to see a version of this powertrain in the CLA and the just launched GLB over the coming year. Those models are more likely to make it to the U.S. market. View full article
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The EU and China get a version of the A-Class that we don't get here in the states, the A200 hatchback. The A200 is powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 158 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Coming in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Mercedes will be unveiling a plug-in hybrid version of the car dubbed the A250e. The A250e will sport the same 1.3 liter engine, but will have an electric motor built into the 8-speed transmission that provides 101 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Power for the electric motor comes from a 15 kWh battery stored under the luggage area floor and a reconfigured rear suspension. In the European cycle, the car is said to be able to go over 37 miles in electric only mode with a top EV speed of 87 mph. DC fast charging should be available. Performance of the A250e is suppose to match the performance of the non-hybrid A250 model, a version not sold in the U.S. (We only get the A220 and A35 AMG) Why are we taking the time to tell you about a vehicle that is unlikely to be sold in the U.S.? Because it is just the first in a series of plug-in hybrid powertrain upgrades that will be coming to the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Expect to see a version of this powertrain in the CLA and the just launched GLB over the coming year. Those models are more likely to make it to the U.S. market. -
If you're a diplomat, politician, or evil genius in need of protection when you are out and about, a new option just arrived on your shopping list. Volvo has just released the XC90 Armored, an SUV that looks normal, but isn't. Volvo worked on the XC90 Armored for about two years, aiming for a protection rating of VPAM VR8, the second highest rating possible. Decoding that rating, the VR8 means that the XC90 has 360 degree ballistic resistance. However, it also provides explosive resistance too. Starting off as a standard Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription, the SUV heads to Bremen, Germany to complete the process of armoring. High-strength steel and glass are added. The additional armoring brings the total weight of the vehicle plus 5 occupants to 9,899 pounds. With all that weight, Volvo upgrades the brakes and suspension to compensate. Volvo tried to make the XC90 Armored look as close to a standard issue Volvo as possible so as not to draw any attention from the outside. If this odjuret (beast) is too much for you, Volvo also makes a lightly armored version of the XC60. View full article
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If you're a diplomat, politician, or evil genius in need of protection when you are out and about, a new option just arrived on your shopping list. Volvo has just released the XC90 Armored, an SUV that looks normal, but isn't. Volvo worked on the XC90 Armored for about two years, aiming for a protection rating of VPAM VR8, the second highest rating possible. Decoding that rating, the VR8 means that the XC90 has 360 degree ballistic resistance. However, it also provides explosive resistance too. Starting off as a standard Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription, the SUV heads to Bremen, Germany to complete the process of armoring. High-strength steel and glass are added. The additional armoring brings the total weight of the vehicle plus 5 occupants to 9,899 pounds. With all that weight, Volvo upgrades the brakes and suspension to compensate. Volvo tried to make the XC90 Armored look as close to a standard issue Volvo as possible so as not to draw any attention from the outside. If this odjuret (beast) is too much for you, Volvo also makes a lightly armored version of the XC60. -
Rumor has it that Mitsubishi is working on a return of the Lancer Evolution as a high performance sedan and hatchback. The car could be one of the first results for Mitsubishi of joining the Alliance with Nissan and Renault. The new Lancer Evolution would use the alliance's modular CMF platform, shared with the next generation Renault Megane RS. Under the hood would be the powertrain from the Megane, a turbo-charged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder producing up to 341 horsepower. While the Renault would stick with front-wheel drive, the Mitsubishi would get a version of their S-AWC all-wheel drive system. As Renault is just now updating the current Megane line, any Mitsubishi Evo that comes from it is still years away and yet to be green-lighted. So don't hold your breath just yet. View full article
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Rumorpile: Is Mitsubishi Planning a New Lancer Evolution?
Drew Dowdell posted an article in Mitsubishi
Rumor has it that Mitsubishi is working on a return of the Lancer Evolution as a high performance sedan and hatchback. The car could be one of the first results for Mitsubishi of joining the Alliance with Nissan and Renault. The new Lancer Evolution would use the alliance's modular CMF platform, shared with the next generation Renault Megane RS. Under the hood would be the powertrain from the Megane, a turbo-charged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder producing up to 341 horsepower. While the Renault would stick with front-wheel drive, the Mitsubishi would get a version of their S-AWC all-wheel drive system. As Renault is just now updating the current Megane line, any Mitsubishi Evo that comes from it is still years away and yet to be green-lighted. So don't hold your breath just yet. -
Ford of Europe announced Thursday that the company would be laying off around 12,000 employees as part of a global restructuring. This is on top of the layoffs Ford previously announced earlier this year. Ford says it will reduce the number of plants in the region to 18 and reorganize its business into three divisions; Commercial, Passenger, and Imports such as the Ford Mustang. Most of the positions in Europe will be eliminated via voluntary separation programs and should be completed by the end of 2020. Of the jobs lost, 2,000 will be salary and another 5,000 will be white color positions. Ford is struggling to make its European operations profitable against a backdrop of stagnant sales in the EU. Ford of Europe says that in future, all new vehicles will come with an electrified version, be that a full EV or a hybrid. -
Ford of Europe announced Thursday that the company would be laying off around 12,000 employees as part of a global restructuring. This is on top of the layoffs Ford previously announced earlier this year. Ford says it will reduce the number of plants in the region to 18 and reorganize its business into three divisions; Commercial, Passenger, and Imports such as the Ford Mustang. Most of the positions in Europe will be eliminated via voluntary separation programs and should be completed by the end of 2020. Of the jobs lost, 2,000 will be salary and another 5,000 will be white color positions. Ford is struggling to make its European operations profitable against a backdrop of stagnant sales in the EU. Ford of Europe says that in future, all new vehicles will come with an electrified version, be that a full EV or a hybrid. View full article
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Delayed indefinitely / until further notice.
