Nice landscaping, you must have a lot more available time than me! I can barely keep my lawn below waist level.
Your cat looks suspiciously like my dog Hadji. ;-)
Bob: Ditch the two-tone, though it reminds you of the Maybach, and that silly white spoiler on top, and the basic vehicle looks nice. I bet it'll compete with the Freelander and the X3, and just maybe the XT Premium.
To answer an earlier post, in Canada both Hondas and Acura are sold country-wide and the Integra is always an Acura; never heard of/seen a Honda Integra.
I think Volvo cars, in recent years, have evolved from some of the ugliest vehicles ever created by man, to some of the best looking vehicles created by man.
The Volvo grille, with its "no-smoking" slash, has also evolved rather nicely, IMO. I do see negative connotations (literally!) with that slash, however; every time I see it, it's saying "NO, don't do that," as in the red circular/slash no-smoking icon. Because of the success of that icon in pop culture, the symbolism is really hard to get away from. On the positive side, there's absolutely no mistaking a Volvo grille for any other brand, so in that sense, its very successful.
Getting back to the XC50: I think the Volvo XC90 is among the besting looking SUVs anywhere. The smaller XC50 just builds upon that theme. Also, I think the images you see, are of a concept, and not the final version. I can't believe the production version would get those wheels and tires. my bet is that when it hits the streets, it will be toned down a tad from what you see here.
I agree that Volvo's styling has come a long way. In fact, I think the S-60 is one of the best looking sedans on the market. Now if they could just do something about their reliability ratings...
Does that say "sic" in the rear window? Kind of makes me feel sick.
I like the latest Volvos, particularly the XC90. I like the V70 too, but the XC70 is a bit overdone. I recall during my test drive counting 7 different interior colors. That's about 5 too many.
Saw one on the road. Didn't realize it was a Porsche until I got right on top of it. Before that I thought it was an Audi All-road... Pretty sad that you can't pick it out in a crowd of crossovers...
Ugh, more proof that the US market has poor taste. Now the Europeans will have yet another story to prove that we're not true enthusiasts. They'll keep the lean, mean cars like the Alfa 156 all for themselves.
I'll think I'll go eat a donut and a super-sized meal to go along with my super Big Gulp that fits neatly into my 14 cup holders. Like everyone else here. ;-)
Look at the success of the XC90, despite the XC70's existence.
I'd imagine similar success with the allroad quattro and the "offroad quattro".
So, same business success and profit, without selling out the Porsche name. Porsche could even handle engineering to earn revenues on it. That would give the Audi a mystique. Everyone wins.
Juice- That would have been an elegant solution. Trouble is that all manufacturers feel tremendous pressure to have at a least one "SUV" in their line-up. It's the classic "keep up with the Jones" situation.
Their product/business planners aren't dumb. I'm sure Porsche knows full well all the implications and risks of offering an SUV. So far they've been proven right.
I can't believe Porsche or any company plans on just short term success. They're mapping out their future 10-20 years down the road, I'm sure. Obviously the further out the less clear that plan becomes, but I'm sure they're looking that far down the road.
that Porsche business forecasters don't foresee a big market (10+ years) for their traditional (sports car) product. Political and/or economic realities of the future may point to a different direction for Porsche, and with the Cayanne they're just laying out the foundation for their future.
The future may not be so pretty for a whole lot of carmakers—including Subaru, if they're not careful. History is littered with long-gone names of great carmakers that couldn't adjust to changing economic and political realities.
The Cayenne will be an Audi, apparently. The current issue of UK's Car magazine reports that the Touareg/Cayenne will form the basis for an Audi version, based in large part on the Pikes Peak concept. It is slated to replace the allroad, which will not appear in the next iteration of the A6 Avant.
Hmmm...VW/Porsche/Audi: shades of Ford/Lincoln/Mercury? (Sorry, couldn't resist ;-) )
So what you are saying is that Porsche is going to strive to become Toyota? Will we see a 4-door family sedan out of the porsche company in a few years? I find that funny!
You may laugh, but rumour has it that Porsche has been busy working on a sedan that will utilize the Cayenne's powertrain (minus the off-road hardware, I would imagine).
I'm saying Porsche is planning for the future, whatever that may be. Branding and image-building takes years to accomplish. I'm sure the Cayenne is a hedge against their core sports car market going in the toilet—which could happen in 10 – 20 years.
I agree with a columnist who wrote that the biggest offender is Mercedes. They were the "attainable" top end. (Rolls and Ferrari being less attainable.)
Now they build cars for the masses. 15 models for under $35K or something like that. Ho-humm.
If you look at Porsche history, they always trip when they stray from their core of sports cars. The 928, 944, 924, etc. are now mostly bad memories.
The 911 is legendary and the Boxster produces volume while keeping the name intact.
It would have made more sense to me for Audi to get the SUV and Porsche the sport wagon.
They don't own each other, but you can't deny they are very closely affiliated and have shared platforms for years. But like I said, Porsche could engineer the Audi SUV and both parties would win.
if the cayenne stops selling and making money, discontinue it. simple. done.
unlike the 911-- if that thing stops making money, they have to figure it out post-haste. it IS their brand. the cayenne for the moment can be just a fleeting opportunity and that's OK.
I've seen two on the roads, which is fairly rare here given our population and relatively low number of people who could afford one.
why not buy a Chrysler Pacifica? It has MB engine, tranny, suspension, etc. Besides, with leasing now, most (80% according to some reports) luxury brands are leased since the people can't afford them outright. This might end in NY soon.
at least I don't think so. Anybody here actually contemplating buying a Porsche, of any sort?
Porsche is marketing the Cayenne to these folks, and in this order of importance:
1) Current Porsche owners, who most likely already own an SUV (probably an M-Class or X-5).
2) Owners of other European high-ticket cars (Jags, MB, BMW) who probably own an SUV.
3) Owners of high-ticket Japanese cars (Lexus, Infiniti, Acura) who probably own an SUV.
4) Owners of high-ticket American cars (Cadillac & Lincoln) who probably own an SUV.
5) Porsche wannabes: Celebrities, professional athletes, drug lords, those who just won the lottery, those moving upmarket from Volvos and the like, and anybody else who wants to part with a large sum of cash.
The last thing Porsche wants is to see owners of 911s or Boxsters trade those cars in for "somewhat" sporty X-5s and the like. Remember not everyone who buys a Porsche is a car nut. There are probably a large number of Porsche owners who could just as easily get there driving kicks from a somewhat sporty SUV. That being the case, they want it to be a Porsche SUV. Can you blame them?
So, assuming nobody here is going to buy a Porsche, I really doubt if Porsche Inc. cares what we think...
in person yesterday on I-5. It was black. In my "humble" opinion it's a great looking car. BMW could take some styling pointers from it if some of their latest styling offerings are any indication.
Comments
Your cat looks suspiciously like my dog Hadji. ;-)
Bob: Ditch the two-tone, though it reminds you of the Maybach, and that silly white spoiler on top, and the basic vehicle looks nice. I bet it'll compete with the Freelander and the X3, and just maybe the XT Premium.
The XC90 is better looking in every way, though.
-juice
Did you know that your cat is actually a dog?
-juice
Transpecied Cat Lover in Seattle,
Stephen
Bob
chrysler
dodge
volvo
-Colin
-juice
Here is a lexus-Ford.
-mike
The Volvo grille, with its "no-smoking" slash, has also evolved rather nicely, IMO. I do see negative connotations (literally!) with that slash, however; every time I see it, it's saying "NO, don't do that," as in the red circular/slash no-smoking icon. Because of the success of that icon in pop culture, the symbolism is really hard to get away from. On the positive side, there's absolutely no mistaking a Volvo grille for any other brand, so in that sense, its very successful.
Getting back to the XC50: I think the Volvo XC90 is among the besting looking SUVs anywhere. The smaller XC50 just builds upon that theme. Also, I think the images you see, are of a concept, and not the final version. I can't believe the production version would get those wheels and tires. my bet is that when it hits the streets, it will be toned down a tad from what you see here.
Bob
-mike
Bob
-mike
-Frank P.
I like the latest Volvos, particularly the XC90. I like the V70 too, but the XC70 is a bit overdone. I recall during my test drive counting 7 different interior colors. That's about 5 too many.
-juice
http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=5482
Bob
-mike
I'll think I'll go eat a donut and a super-sized meal to go along with my super Big Gulp that fits neatly into my 14 cup holders. Like everyone else here. ;-)
-juice
Greg
Look at the success of the XC90, despite the XC70's existence.
I'd imagine similar success with the allroad quattro and the "offroad quattro".
So, same business success and profit, without selling out the Porsche name. Porsche could even handle engineering to earn revenues on it. That would give the Audi a mystique. Everyone wins.
-juice
-Frank P.
-juice
Their product/business planners aren't dumb. I'm sure Porsche knows full well all the implications and risks of offering an SUV. So far they've been proven right.
Bob
Will they still be able to sell 911s for over 100 grand after they become known for selling trucks?
-juice
Bob
The future may not be so pretty for a whole lot of carmakers—including Subaru, if they're not careful. History is littered with long-gone names of great carmakers that couldn't adjust to changing economic and political realities.
Bob
DaveM
Hmmm...VW/Porsche/Audi: shades of Ford/Lincoln/Mercury? (Sorry, couldn't resist ;-) )
Ed
Bob
-mike
I dunno just seems odd. I'm a big fan of the VW/Audi/Porsche combo, I think that the marketing works nicely:
VW: low-end, economic versions of the Audis
Audi: high-end, sedans, performance oriented GTs
Porsche: Sports cars and convertables
Why canabalize your sales?
-mike
I'm saying Porsche is planning for the future, whatever that may be. Branding and image-building takes years to accomplish. I'm sure the Cayenne is a hedge against their core sports car market going in the toilet—which could happen in 10 – 20 years.
Bob
Bob
Sports car market going away? This is news to me. Seems like it's been going strong for 100+ years no need to stop now.
-mike
Bob
Now they build cars for the masses. 15 models for under $35K or something like that. Ho-humm.
Jim
The 911 is legendary and the Boxster produces volume while keeping the name intact.
It would have made more sense to me for Audi to get the SUV and Porsche the sport wagon.
They don't own each other, but you can't deny they are very closely affiliated and have shared platforms for years. But like I said, Porsche could engineer the Audi SUV and both parties would win.
-juice
if the cayenne stops selling and making money, discontinue it. simple. done.
unlike the 911-- if that thing stops making money, they have to figure it out post-haste. it IS their brand. the cayenne for the moment can be just a fleeting opportunity and that's OK.
I've seen two on the roads, which is fairly rare here given our population and relatively low number of people who could afford one.
-Colin
But seriously, automotive passion, like for Porsches, is something emotional. It's an aspirational car that you know everybody wants to own but can't.
-juice
Greg
-mike
-Colin
Porsche is marketing the Cayenne to these folks, and in this order of importance:
1) Current Porsche owners, who most likely already own an SUV (probably an M-Class or X-5).
2) Owners of other European high-ticket cars (Jags, MB, BMW) who probably own an SUV.
3) Owners of high-ticket Japanese cars (Lexus, Infiniti, Acura) who probably own an SUV.
4) Owners of high-ticket American cars (Cadillac & Lincoln) who probably own an SUV.
5) Porsche wannabes: Celebrities, professional athletes, drug lords, those who just won the lottery, those moving upmarket from Volvos and the like, and anybody else who wants to part with a large sum of cash.
The last thing Porsche wants is to see owners of 911s or Boxsters trade those cars in for "somewhat" sporty X-5s and the like. Remember not everyone who buys a Porsche is a car nut. There are probably a large number of Porsche owners who could just as easily get there driving kicks from a somewhat sporty SUV. That being the case, they want it to be a Porsche SUV. Can you blame them?
So, assuming nobody here is going to buy a Porsche, I really doubt if Porsche Inc. cares what we think...
Bob
but no, I'm hardly a new porsche buyer.
-Colin
Stephen