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I cant believe the description below and I can believe who would buy such a useless car.
The MB S550 never looked so environmentally friendly when compared to the hybrid.
The $87,950 Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid sedan, for example, is rated at 21 mpg in combined city and highway driving, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The 295-horsepower car uses a six-cylinder engine and a "mild hybrid" system to average three miles per gallon better, on the government's tests, than the eight-cylinder, 382-horsepower Mercedes S550 sedan.
link title
As a result I've been randomly sampling the English magazines such as Cars, Top Gear, 911, and so forth and reduced my subscriptions to US car buff periodicals to just Autoweek (and also Roundel but please don't tell Dewey) . While I love to read the insider's Automotive News, I can't justify the time or the expense of this weekly newspaper.
Just recently, I've become an avid reader of Octane. It seems to be aimed at the older enthusiast with a range of interests. I recommend Octane and think that most people on this board would like reading it.
It seems to me that GM could have saved everyone a lot of time and money if they just did those same small, incremental mods to a standard Suburban and let everyone get the better mileage without the hassles of a hybrid system.
Hybrid Malibu
Hybrid Accord
Hybrid MB S Class and BMWs
Hybrid Insight/Civics
All the above are flops and they have one thing in common and that is their mild hybrid systems.
Hybrid Lexus RX
Hybrid Escape
Hybrid Fusion
Toyota Prius
Hybird Altima
Hybrid Camry
All these vehicles are successes or mild successes at least because all of them are HSD hybrids
Any automaker who is serious about hybrids is not going to be taken seriously if all they have to offer are mild hybrids.
If I wanted an MB S Class or a GM Suburban then I want a real one and not a neutered mild hybrid version.
Derrick
Also a poseur since a 550i Sport was the only thing that fit my wants of a 4-door luxury sedan w/ a V8 and manual transmission and not too large in the exterior dimensions. (The Pontiac G8 GXP wasn't on the market yet, not to mention it's too big for my tastes.)
The regular headlights flow better with the rest of the lines, OTOH the rear is still somewhat droopy IMO.
Audi has announced there will be a hybrid version of the all-new A8... and it won't be long before it's available... expect a 2011 model.
TM
Not exactly. The GM hybrid trucks and the BMW X6 hybrid use a very expensive two-mode system that was developed by several companies. The system itself definitely seems to be a flop as BMW and Mercedes are abandoning it after releasing one or two products using the system, but they are not mild hybrids. I'm also not sure I'd call the Civic hybrid a flop. It doesn't sell in Prius numbers, but I think it does ok.
Not every full hybrid system necessarily works either. The GS450h for example is pretty much a dud.
Yes, LG, the Honda Civic Hybrid is definitely not a flop and has been a successful vehicle. And, Honda's IMA system has performed well in this model.
Honda is going to expand their line-up of IMA Hybrids, so while Dewey is technically correct that the full hybrid is generally more efficient, Honda's IMA system is one that performs fairly well and will likely be an expanding success story for Honda for a considerable time.
TM
Come with me to a simpler time, a time when a young (well, middle age... Ok, old!) man's fancy turns to the conglomeration of models of all shapes and sizes at the Auto Show. Not to mention the cars. Where a (and I will now substitute for the more truthful word "old" with the more smile-inducing "young") young man, armed only with a plastic bag full of canned goods to donate to an apparently mythical food drive and a wallet with just enough cash to gain entrance ($5 for a hot dog! Yah, sure!) rode the T to South Station and walked the cold mile to the Convention Center, not knowing what joys and wonders awaited him inside.
And, eventually, where this well-intentioned yet misguided fellow, arm feeling the pain from the weight of the canned goods (had I only brought a can opener: cheap lunch is served!), would happen upon the Infiniti display. Where he met...say it with me now, fellows...on three...one...two...three: DRE!
Dre, a willowy strawberry blond young lass representing Infiniti in a most delightful way! A lovely conversation ensued rervealing a somewhat frustrated young actress/spokesperson, yet she remained hopeful of better things to come. Of course, a heart was broken once the conversation ended (and it sure wasn't her's!). Que lastima...
And then this "young" man reported his big day at The Show to the Luxury Loungers, where one extremely enterprising young lad cyber-sluethed his way to the lovely Dre's website and revealed it here! Much jocularity ensued. Ah, good times.
The Wayback Machine now returns to 2009 and INFINITI SHAN'T BE AT THE NEIAS (amongst other Marques that shall skip Boston in December)!!! Killing the anticipation of a second chance at spirited conversation with Dre, an update of the year that was. No chance to rekindle the spark that was so obvious to everyone involved (except, of course, Dre :sick: ). Curse you, Wall Street and what you've done to the economy and our beloved Auto Show! This time, it's personal...
Oh, well. I'm not sure that I have the time to visit the show, anyway. Sunday is the last day, I think that is the only day that I could attend. I'd like to take my son, we'll see... She'd probably fall for his 11 year old charms, anyway...
Maybe Dre has swithced brands???
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
May be. Or moved into a new form. Good luck and welcome back!
Regards,
Jose
So good to hear from you.
I'll be taking my son to the LA Auto Show this weekend. I'll keep an eye out for Dre. Surely she must be here where the weather is so much nicer.
TM
Last I heard DRE will be representing AUDI...
That I believe is a good combination...
I told her it was a future Toyota Prius but she showed no desire at all!! Kids!!
Regards,
OW
Superb! I'll bet it's even more stunning, in a reserved way, when experienced live.
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
Toyota right now has a vast wide moat in terms of hybrid superiority. Nissan's Leaf looks like a car that may disrupt the hybrid market since an EV ideally would be superior to any hybrid car in terms of fuel efficiency and green bragging rights.
Dewey was right when he pointed out that the pic has been circulating around for quite a while already, and no one really knows what it is supposed to be.
TM
As soon as those female Wholefood shoppers stare at me with my Prius they look at me with the same hungry eyes as when they look at an organic quinoi salad. With such women I exercise far better better restraint than Tiger Woods since I dont want to be chased by my wife with her golf clubs.
The shortcoming of the Leaf might be its driving range. Like so many of the EV vehicles, it might be good for a commute, but no way anyone can take a trip with it. That's why a plug-in hybrid is preferrable IMO... it delivers the best of both worlds. I particularly like the idea behind the VW L1... using a small diesel engine to supplement the batteries, and offer driving range when needed.
TM
Yes too big for a European marque but as an American muscle car being BIG is usually a part of a multi-decade tradition. There are very few small American muscle cars out there.
TM
Based on my experience only among organic quinoi salad eaters.
I'm going to the show with my son and a group of guys from church. Not so sure I'll be taking many pictures this time. We'll see. But, I'll certainly let you know my impressions of the cool cars I get to see.
TM
Haha... Are they good looking? At least, they are probably very healthy!
TM
Vivaciously good looking indeed. And in order to avoid my wife's golf clubs I dont know anything else about them.
Impressive... and ironic... afterall, it was your lack of self-control that contributed to your speeding tickets and ultimate purchase of a Prius. Now that you have the Prius, you have self control.
Thank goodness, or you would no longer live in a wonderful home with a cucumber garden... instead you'd be in a pickle, likely made from the ex-wife's cucumbers.
TM
Hope you visit the show for your excellent feedback!
Regards,
OW
As regards as the new A8, I've posted I am not impressed with the exterior. The interior looks well craft, with this soft starry-sky gloom which is typical of Audi—very pleasant indeed. But I find this A8 interior also to be exaggerated, too much wooden and "crowded" for may tastes. The shift is just like an alien gun, by the way.
Regards,
Jose
Thanks for the thoughts, I'm not sure that things are better for me. Aspects of the situation appear to be changing for the better, which is good and makes me happier, but I'm not sure that it will ultimately go in the direction that I so hope for. The last seven months have both flown by and dragged on for an eternity.
2009 has been a challenging year for many, I sincerely hope that 2010 will be the best year of our lives! Of course, to be followed by even better years...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Well guess what. I am already curious about the new BMW 5 series.
Fortunately what will stop me from buying a 2011 BMW series are those ridiculous run flat tires. I never want to confront warranty issues if I ever decide to replace my run flat tires with regular tires. Especially after all those dealership visits with my BMW 335i.
What makes me so crazed about BMW is their independence. Daimler aggressively tried to buy out BMW in the 1950s. BMW's Quandt family fierecely resisted and since that day BMW has become the only independent luxury auto company in the industry. (MB is dependent on Daimler).
It's this fierce independent spirit that makes me admire BMW despite the trials and tribulations I had with my BMW 335i.
A BMW 520d is the BMW that I woudl buy with run flats. No other one.
Dewey,
Tell me why you hate the run flats as much as you do.
TM
Rolls-Royce is working on a hybrid version of the Ghost that will share its technology with the BMW ActiveHybrid 7. Sources say that engineering the hybrid version of the Ghost will be fairly straightforward since the F01 7-Series and the Ghost share the same platform. Other fuel-saving features will include a start-stop technology system. A 20kW/155 lb-ft electric-motor will sit between the 8-speed ZF automatic transmission; however, no electric-only driving mode will be available.
Overall, fuel-economy should be improved by 15 percent.
Not a massive increase in fuel efficiency, IMO, but it is indeed yet another clear step towards hybrid technology in the luxury segment... and I think we can all agree that a Rolls-Royce Ghost certainly qualifies as a luxury vehicle.
TM
Press Release:
BMW ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR THE 2011 BMW ACTIVEHYBRID 7
The most powerful hybrid luxury sedans will be priced from $103,125
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, December 2, 2009 BMW announced pricing today for the 2011 ActiveHybrid 7models during their North American debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. BMW’s first hybrid performance/luxury sedans will arrive in showrooms in Spring 2011 with a base MSRP of $103,125 including destination and handling for the ActiveHybrid 7 and $107,025 for the long wheelbase ActiveHybrid 7L.
The BMW ActiveHybrid 7 Sedans feature BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 mated to an
8-speed automatic transmission and hybrid electric motor. The auto stop-start feature improves efficiency without interrupted climate control and other features. Additional standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels and tires, Alcantara headliner, leather dashboard and ventilated active front seats. The Premium Sound System, Head-up Display and Rear View Camera are also standard on the ActiveHybrid 7 as are Comfort Access, Soft-close doors and Automatic trunkgate closing.
Options and packages include a Camera Package, Driver Assistance Package, BMW Night Vision and Rear Seat Entertainment Package. A Luxury Rear Seating Package is available on the ActiveHybrid 7L. A full list of options to tailor the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 to individual tastes is listed below.
2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 packages and optional equipment:
* Camera Package $350
o Side view cameras
* Cold Weather Package $800
o Heated steering wheel & rear seats
* Driver Assistance Package $1,350
o Automatic high beams, lane departure warning,
active blind spot detection
* Rear Seat Entertainment Package $2,200
o Multimedia player and two 8-inch screens
* Luxury Rear Seating Package (750Li only) $3,700
o Rear ventilated, massaging Comfort Seats
* BMW Night Vision $2,600
* 20-inch wheels $1,300
* Power Rear Sunshades $1,000
* Ceramic controls $650
* 6-disc DVD-changer $600
* iPod/USB-Adapter $400
* Satellite radio $350
* Smartphone integration $150
:shades:
TM
Hybrid is coming, I agree. The thing is there are many areas outside Europe that just cant warm up to diesels yet, so in themeantime hybrid seems like the only way. Doesn't necessarily mean it will be popular though. Remember the possibility that companies pull this move to tackle the ever so strict CAFE law. Of course, it's like killing 2 bird with one stone. :shades:
The wife has the '10 Q5 and said she's even interested in the A3 diesal and would love to see a Q5 hybrid.
Tag, you don't have to convince me (Mr. Hybrid ) on this topic. I am very excited about the future of luxury hybrids. We already enjoy the RX450h but this is just the tip of the iceberg.
I dont know your situation but here in Canada they are $800 each with taxes (CDN$ almost = US$). Equivalent non-run flats are a fraction of that price.
I needed 8 new tires after 32 months of driving--both snows and summer tires. Which means $6400 just for rubber tires within two years and a half.
With a regular tire I can use a spare tire if I have a flat tire. If I am lazy which most times I am I can just call AAA( CAA in Canada) to get towed to a place where I can get a new tire.
I can just hear a hybrd S Class owner saying the following:
" Wow oh wow my 295 HP hybrid MBS400 can get 3MPG better than a 382 HP MB S550 ? Imagine that? Now my conscience feels sooo good."
You know the old cliche: A fool and his wallet is easily parted. And that cliche fits perfectly for anybody who buys a RR Ghost or BMW 7 series for environmental reasons.
Forget the whole idea of flaunting myself and making a statement with a RR. I would have the hybrid marque removed from my RR because it just reeks with hypocrisy in terms of buying a heavy tank while simultaneouslly being self-conscious about the environment.
The one BMW I really like is the 335i coupe. Other than that, I think BMW has lost their way a bit lately. The run flats, the dumb shifter, the dumb turn signals, etc. The last M5 was an epically good machine. The current one is essentially a computer with wheels on it that's terrible to drive everywhere but a race track.
BMW seems to be giving less and less attention to what goes into actually driving the car - steering response, throttle and braking, and giving more and more attention to stuffing their cars full of as much technology as possible, whether it works or not.
While I've never liked the Cayenne, the argument can be made that (at the time) Porsche needed to do it in order to have the money to develop their sports cars. Why is there an X6 M though?
BMW fan that I am, I hate to admit this, but you're right. If I had to replace my car today, I'd probably beat the bushes for a low-mileage E39 with a stick. (Chances are pretty good that I'd be looking for a long time.)
As far as I'm concerned, BMW currently makes nothing that's craveworthy.
I dont like the price, the stiff sidewalls, and the fact that BMW no longer give us a spare tire in the trunk.
Regards,
OW
Mostly I'd agree, but I'd rephrase your statement to say that BMW currently markets nothing in North America that's craveworthy. They sell manual transmission-equipped 2, 2.5 & 3 litre diesels, with real tires, in the rest of the world that I'd buy one of tomorrow, if I could.
They're not, and they never will be, mostly thanks to CARB, U.S. lawsuits (RFTs) and the EPA (it costs a fortune to get each version of a car approved). Those RFTs may make sense "back East" where towns are close together, but getting a flat in Nevada at 3 in the morning on the weekend with RFT tires is a whole 'nother world -- one that Germany knows nothing of.
Oh boy.