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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Another car is potentially on the chopping block as consumers continue their push into SUVs and Crossovers. Bram Schot, CEO of Audi, was asked by Autocar about the future of Audi TT. His words were grim for the lovers of 2-seater sports cars. Rumor has it that a possible replacement could be a 4-door liftback car, but that it would not be called TT. As recently as November, Audi was denying the 4-door TT variant, but if it takes a new name, that may leave the company enough wiggle room. Audi has been reducing complexity in their lineup by reducing the number of variants and engine options. Schot blames part of the reasoning on having to finance electrification saying that Audi cannot afford to electrify and also be in every single segment. The potential demise of the TT follows the recent announcement that the Mercedes-Benz SLC will be entering retirement after the next model year. The Audi TT just received a facelift and will likely be on sale till at least 2022.
  2. Karma released a teaser image of an unnamed concept car that will be fully unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 16th. The car is the result of a partnership with Pininfarina. The front view of the car shows thin, horizontal daytime running lamps in presumably LED, a lighted logo, and a deep lower air spliter with 16 vertical teeth. Also being shown at Shanghai will be a refreshed version of the Karma Revero. View full article
  3. Karma released a teaser image of an unnamed concept car that will be fully unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 16th. The car is the result of a partnership with Pininfarina. The front view of the car shows thin, horizontal daytime running lamps in presumably LED, a lighted logo, and a deep lower air spliter with 16 vertical teeth. Also being shown at Shanghai will be a refreshed version of the Karma Revero.
  4. Extra points for you.
  5. @Cmicasa the Great and @dwightlooi ... be glad Cadillac doesn't put its own scent into its cars. They had a scent developed and they ... unleashed it at the Detroit and LA Auto Shows..... it was like an Axe factory exploded. Way too strong and didn't even smell great.
  6. Hahah! Yes, that one! That second Riviera one reeks of desperation though. That was 1988, the first year of the re-extended version after the disastrous shorty Riv. "A classic returns" and "Riviera is back!" even though it never actually left is Buick's way of saying "We're sorry, please come shop us again!?"
  7. @NINETY EIGHT REGENCY I do like those Cadillac Style and Great American Road Belongs to Buick commercials.... I just don't remember them from when I was young ? I do remember the Silhouette one with Spock.... but that's because I was more of a Star Trek nerd than the car nerd I am now.
  8. During an announcement that FCA will be building a new manufacturing plant in Detroit, FCA let it known that in addition to the forthcoming full-size Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs, another new 3-row SUV was in the works for Jeep. Auto Express UK reports today that this new SUV will technically be a 3-row version of the Grand Cherokee, but Jeep President and FCA Boss Mike Manley thinks it will not wear the Grand Cherokee name, instead taking on an new moniker. His reasoning for not re-using the name is that the Grand Cherokee is such an iconic name and image. It would be like if Jeep dramatically changed the Wrangler, he'd face a customer revolt. The last 3-row SUV Jeep sold was the 2006 - 2010 Jeep Commander. Jeep currently uses the Commander name on the Grand Commander, based on the smaller Cherokee, as a China-Only model. Manley says that the segment the Grand Cherokee plays in covers both 2-row and 3-row SUVs, so the Grand Cherokee has only been covering about 40% of the potential market. Moving into this segment would allow Jeep to compete more directly with the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot. FCA already sells a vehicle in the 3-row segment with the Dodge Durango which also rides on the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. No future plans have been announced for the Dodge Durango, so it could be that this Jeep will take over for the Durango in the FCA lineup. FCA hopes to break ground on it's new facility by the end of 2nd quarter 2019 and have the first of the new 3-row SUVs rolling off the line by the end of 2020 as 2021 models. Related: Quick Drive: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk View full article
  9. During an announcement that FCA will be building a new manufacturing plant in Detroit, FCA let it known that in addition to the forthcoming full-size Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs, another new 3-row SUV was in the works for Jeep. Auto Express UK reports today that this new SUV will technically be a 3-row version of the Grand Cherokee, but Jeep President and FCA Boss Mike Manley thinks it will not wear the Grand Cherokee name, instead taking on an new moniker. His reasoning for not re-using the name is that the Grand Cherokee is such an iconic name and image. It would be like if Jeep dramatically changed the Wrangler, he'd face a customer revolt. The last 3-row SUV Jeep sold was the 2006 - 2010 Jeep Commander. Jeep currently uses the Commander name on the Grand Commander, based on the smaller Cherokee, as a China-Only model. Manley says that the segment the Grand Cherokee plays in covers both 2-row and 3-row SUVs, so the Grand Cherokee has only been covering about 40% of the potential market. Moving into this segment would allow Jeep to compete more directly with the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot. FCA already sells a vehicle in the 3-row segment with the Dodge Durango which also rides on the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. No future plans have been announced for the Dodge Durango, so it could be that this Jeep will take over for the Durango in the FCA lineup. FCA hopes to break ground on it's new facility by the end of 2nd quarter 2019 and have the first of the new 3-row SUVs rolling off the line by the end of 2020 as 2021 models. Related: Quick Drive: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk
  10. the plastic on MB has to stop. They just got sued for it in the UK and lost.
  11. To be more clear: 1. The upgrade to the new version went fine. 2. The theme (which is separate from the forum software) got corrupted before the software upgrade. 3. The upgrade required a new theme and the one I originally picked didn't work out well, so we're back on the default. (This is where I think @dfelt was experiencing issues)
  12. Moar fins is more gooder. Needs some on the hood also
  13. Cadillac hasn't been at Pittsburgh for a few years. But that show is run by the dealerships rather than the manufacturers. Lincoln was there, but not Cadillac. I don't know why. You're definitely on to something about the trim names. Those ones in particular are so overused.
  14. I don't mind more choices. If I don't like the car, I just won't buy it.
  15. First Influential I would probably give to the Lexus RX.
  16. That's a common complaint for the Model-3
  17. Not bad for one guy and a desktop computer.
  18. Nothing terribly exciting. It's not like we have a whole lot of choice in processors anymore anyway. I can't believe they're still making Pentiums and Celerons.... I guess for embedded devices or something.
  19. Lost it after the previous generation Chrysler Mini-Vans got Stow and Go seats. Correct.
  20. They weren't going to do test drives anymore. They offer the 7 day/1000 mile return policy instead. Now, test drives will remain and so will the return policy. (except for the $1,200 delivery charge, I imagine to keep away people who are just trying to get a free rental car)
  21. That's not really any different than the other manufacturers. They just do it with incentives instead of adjusting the MSRP. I think the Tesla system is simpler and more straightforward.
  22. Why does every thread involve a fight with a Mercedes-Benz? 1997 Mercedes ML was preceded by 1996 Infiniti QX4 1996 Lexus LX 1995 Acura SLX 1991 Oldsmobile Bravada (first generation) 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada (second generation) 1994 Land Rover Range Rover 1996 Mercury Mountaineer (equivalent to a Ford Explorer Limited or Eddie Bauer in its first iteration) And if not the '63 Grand Wagoneer, at least the Grand Wagoneer of 1984. These were priced around the same as an Eldorado or Mark series at the time. Definitely luxury vehicles. Mercedes was not even close to "first".
  23. On February 28th, Tesla announced that they would be closing most of their retail locations and moving to an online sales model in order to cut costs. In a blog post yesterday, Tesla has reversed course on that position somewhat, and will not only close a portion of their stores. Some of their locations, around 10%, have already closed and Telsa said they would have closed anyway due to low foot traffic. Another 20% of locations are currently under review and depending on performance will be decided on in the next few months. All sales will still remain online only, and customers who come into the stores will be shown how to order their vehicle online. The 1000 mile or 7 day return policy (minus the non-refundable delivery charge) will remain in effect for any customer who has doubts about their purchase. The remaining Tesla stores will have cars available for test drive and will keep a small number of vehicles in stock for people who want to take delivery immediately. To compensate for this change in direction, Tesla will be raising prices by 3% on the more expensive trims of Model 3, and the Model S and Model X. The base Model 3 remains $35,000 plus $1,200 delivery charge. Current prices are valid until March 18th. View full article
  24. On February 28th, Tesla announced that they would be closing most of their retail locations and moving to an online sales model in order to cut costs. In a blog post yesterday, Tesla has reversed course on that position somewhat, and will not only close a portion of their stores. Some of their locations, around 10%, have already closed and Telsa said they would have closed anyway due to low foot traffic. Another 20% of locations are currently under review and depending on performance will be decided on in the next few months. All sales will still remain online only, and customers who come into the stores will be shown how to order their vehicle online. The 1000 mile or 7 day return policy (minus the non-refundable delivery charge) will remain in effect for any customer who has doubts about their purchase. The remaining Tesla stores will have cars available for test drive and will keep a small number of vehicles in stock for people who want to take delivery immediately. To compensate for this change in direction, Tesla will be raising prices by 3% on the more expensive trims of Model 3, and the Model S and Model X. The base Model 3 remains $35,000 plus $1,200 delivery charge. Current prices are valid until March 18th.
  25. If you have a VR set, check out Junkyard Wizard on Steam. My friend is an indy developer and is releasing this in 2 days. You've fallen into a sinkhole in a junkyard and everything around you has telekinesis... including you. Find weapons among the junk to help destroy the enemies of the junkyard. https://store.steampowered.com/app/931940/Junkyard_Wizard/
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Drew
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