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I like it... so far. For whatever reason, the Jaguar XF comes to mind, even though there are many differences, it has that "look" about it.
link title
There will be more "official" pics later today, after the official debut.
TM
In fact, I like the Tesla's clean lines even better.
TM
I guess if I was to bet, I'd say yes. They've delivered over 250 roadsters so far.
There is maybe that small chance they sell the model rights to another company... say, Chrysler, for example... although I doubt they could afford to do much right now.
TM
I like a little more distinction between the brands, personally.
Probably has a little something to do with why the TTS hooked me so soundly... :shades:
We'll have to see if they are still around in 2011, when production on the sedan is supposed to start. Tesla has serious money problems, they basically can't survive without a cash infusion from the government. An electric E and 5 fighter is also a very different animal from what is essentially an Elise with thousands of notebook batteries shoved into it. I also think the giant touch screen center stack is a big mistake. They should remember the digital dashes of the '80s, and why those aren't around anymore.
The general interior design also seems to be a near carbon copy of the A6, right down to the Audi parts bin headlight switch. Is there something I'm missing here?
But I can tell you there's a lot of good financial banter here from some real high level and experienced business pros. Also I would think that status of the economy is in lock step with discussions about how well some of these high lux companies will do and as such, be able to innovate in the future.
Mark to market accounting does have an adverse affect on the required capital ratios as defined by various regulators for financial institutions. Write offs due to mark to market accounting are causing capital ratios to fall steeply and as a result we have massive government capital infusions boosting capital ratios back to their former levels. These massively government infusions are destablizing the US and various other countries balance sheets
All of these capital infusions can be considered senseless when "mark to market valuations" reflects serious illiquidity issues versus the "real cash flows of those assets.
Here's the solution: Regulators should not solely use "mark to market" accounting but other valuation methods/models that are more "cash flow based" in order to figure out whether a firm has enough capital .
But here's where I beg to differ. For all users of financial reports other than regulators "mark to market accounting should remain the sole valuation tool for financial securities (liquid and illiquid). Why? Because any other valuation method will be based on management models and opinions about risks which as you know will likely be highly biased or even deceitful. And as you also know using historical costs would be completely useless and irrelevant for all financial report users.
So you may ask why should regulators be allowed to have more valuation options than a general public investor? The answer to that is a regulator can get legal access to corporate inside information. In the case of a public investor such access to inside information is illegal . With this advantage regulators are better informed to make judements on management risk models and valuations than any public investor. With this scenario the public investors best bet is mark to market accounting since all other models are based on biased management assumptions in which a public investor may not be able to verify.
interesting perspective.
What truly amazes me is how universal the housing market has become. In the past decade or so real estate prices in almost every corner of the world bubble up and simultenously bubbled down.
Recently there were predictions that most of the world would be decoupled from the US subprime mess since subprime mortgages hardly exists anywhere else. Well guess what? Most of the world especially those without subprime mortgages are suffering the same fate as the US housing market.
What does a Telsa go for? $104K ?
I wouldn't even spend $104K to own all of Chrysler Corp let alone a single car from that company.
Read how this reviewer loves the Prius. I have never ever read any reviewer this excited about a non-Italian sports car.
link title
Turns out this reviewer got significantly better mileage than the EPA 52 figure.
All the technology in this car and all the engineering involved to produce a car at this price is quite remarkable.
Talking about Toyota I am going with my family to London, England sometime in June. One place we will visit is the London Science Museum where they have a Japan Car Exhibit sponsored by Toyota. It should be interesting. This year I am definitely avoiding that BMW museum in Munich.
Unfortunately with markets that is not the case. Extremes with markets cannot really be represented by such a bell curve since extreme events happen far more frequently in markets than in nature.
The Japanese stock markets are still significantly down even after two decades and seems to continue going down as time passes by. Stable equilibrium values are not as easily defined in markets as they are in nature.
Enjoy! I love London. Very cultural and some of the worlds greatest resturants. Plus in June you get sun until 10 at night and the weather is usually great. One of my favorite restaurants is Papillon in Kensington but it's not cheap. Don't miss the museum of natural history. Looks identical to the one in NYC from the outside.
If you don't like I wont post.
Dewey,
The original Tesla roadster is over $100K, but the objective of the company has always been to mass market a sedan at a fraction of the roadster's price. If the sedan was ever priced as horribly expensive as the initial startup roadster, then hardly anyone would buy it... as you so appropriately responded yourself.
The Tesla roadster body is essentially a variation of the Lotus Elise (obviously supplied by Lotus) but with the Tesla powertrain utilizing their supposedly excellent battery technology.
Tesla's strategy isn't that bad, but the cash crunch at the company is slowing things down. Fortunately for Tesla, they have very good technology, and they might be able to selectively sell the some of the rights to that intellectual property.
If they can get over the hump, they could actually have a future. But it's a giant hurdle indeed.
Speaking of Chrysler... Tesla acquired Mike Donoughe, a former Chrysler executive who will become Tesla Motors' Vice President of vehicle engineering and manufacturing. Donoughe's reputation is good, from what I understand.
Personally, I'd like to see Tesla succeed.
TM
bmlexus...
I think you know my position on that.... post what you want... it's up to you, not me. I do think it's fair to suggest that you could be more understanding that everyone's interests can vary, which will result in a broader spectrum of posts... instead of complaining when posts don't interest you... as you did earlier.
Beyond that, I would encourage you to continue to contribute your valid opinions and unique perspectives as usual.
TM
You're right! Anytime something doesn't catch-on the first time it's tried on a mass market scale, that idea should be abandoned forever!!
Good thing innovative people don't actually think like that, though. Otherwise, there'd be no computers, ipods, digital cameras, plasma TVs, etc. The reason digital dashes didn't catch-on is because of a few things; 1) They were ahead of their time, which leads to #2. 2) The technology and manufacturing wasn't quite what it needed to be at the time. 3) It was prohibitively expensive if even a single diode failed since the entire assembly had to be replaced (a flaw still in place today) and dealers would come up with any excuse possible not to replace one.
Personally, I loved the digital dashes! My uncle had a Buick Sumerset that had an all digital display. I loved it when he'd let me drive it around, so much so that I let the coolness of the digital display outshine the crudeness of that Quad-4 engine! :sick:
Anyway, so what if they jacked Audi for design and (maybe) a part or two?? Isn't Audi considered the industry standard of design and put-togetherness with regards to interiors?
The auto industry follows energy. Period.
regards,
OW
Alas, beauty and high maintenance go hand in hand with the XF at the moment! :sick:
Regards,
OW
Also I just got 20 inch custom rims for my Maybach. I got them gold to match the Crystal I keep in the back seat.
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2009/gb20090327_626019.htm?camp- aign_id=yhoo
Len,
This is old news... even if recently reported. And you are right that it isn't good strategy... and apparently Toyota now thinks so, too. Their U.S. approach to the Insight will now be to add a new hybrid, rather than re-introducing the old one... which is indeed a better strategy.
Toyota's latest U.S. strategy is to offer a hybrid Yaris or equivalent, which would be a cheaper alternative. That would give them the cheap hybrid as well as the premium hybrid... therefore theoretically putting a little more squeeze on Honda.
Unfortunately for Toyota, however, Honda's Insight will still be perceived as a less costly Prius-fighter, and Honda will also introduce a hybrid version of their very successful Fit model. That's the one that will likely give Toyota a big headache. And, of course, there's still the Civic hybrid to contend with.
At this point, I see this vehicle category heating up in a big way and getting ultra competitive... it will ultimately benefit the hybrid consumer in spades.
TM
I don't think that's really the same idea. The '80s digital dash was purely an aesthetic, it served no function that analog gauges did not. '80s designers were obsessed with straight angles and robots, so the digital dash replaced '50s fins as the design excess of the decade. The iPod simply copied something that already existed (what Apple always does), and made it easier to use/shinier. The equivalent of dangling car keys in front of a baby. Early digital cameras and plasma TVs were very successful, despite serious flaws and enormous price tags.
In my opinion, digital dashes didn't catch on because they were hideous. The '80s were the absolute nadir of car design world over, and I'm glad those days (and those dashes) are gone. Putting every secondary control on a single screen just isn't smart. If the wrong sunlight hits it, or you're wearing the wrong sunglasses, essentially all the controls are rendered invisible. Even if you can see it, it will constantly be covered in dust and finger prints. How attractive.
Let me demonstrate the point. No car embodied the digital dash more than the Aston Martin Lagonda, both in Series 1 LED form, and Series 2 CRT form. LED technology in the late '70s was a big deal and Aston really broke new ground. Should they have? No.
Now here's a modern Aston flagship with proper needles and dials.
Audi's driver information display is sort of the modern interpretation of the digital dash, and it makes sense to have a digital readout of things like music info, temperature, miles remaining in the tank etc. However, when it comes to the tach and speedo, I want needles and dials, and on the center stack I want knobs and buttons.
I really didn't know any of this was happening. I like wars that benefit the consumer.
That early rendition of digital was hideous... yet even if it was analog it would have been hideous. Looks terrible either way.
Designs evolve and change. The digital GUI on the iPhone for example is simple, but it is still very cool. I am convinced that it is entirely possible to design a cool digital GUI in a vehicle's cockpit, and I believe that we will see a good execution of one in the near future anyway.
TM
Regards,
Jose
(On the other hand, I have to say, I miss Bristol2, a good friend in this Forum. Where are you, David?)
Possibly. The S-class with Nightview Assist has a digital dash, with a "fake" analog gauge when the display is turned off. I prefer BMW's version in the 7, which still has proper gauges. I just don't like the flat, 2d look that you get in the Benz. The iPhone's GUI is very useful for certain things, but when it comes to editing documents or composing emails, I'll take my Nokia E90's big physical keyboard any day of the week. When I want to adjust the temperature in the car, give me a button I can press or a knob I can turn. I don't want to stab at a piece of glass.
I'm OK with either touch screen or a button/knob, it just depends on which one is set up better. Sometimes I even prefer the voice command, and not have to touch anything at all.
It's all about how well it's done. Designs constantly evolve and change, and sometimes in the process they actually improve.
BTW, I like the Mercedes dash (and the BMW dash as well)... interesting (almost strange) to see the contrasting classic analog clock in the lower right corner in the MB picture.
TM
In the absence of space constraints that demand a smaller readout, a la an F1 cockpit, I prefer dials and needles as well. I'll go further, in that I much prefer simple backlighting to elctro-chromatic displays. And my further preference is for white dials with black indicators.
One of the downsides to upscale, IMO, often is a lot of wasted effort on "enhanced" visuals that are anything but, in a quest to achieve a kind of next-step sophistication. Ad absurdum.
That's my Friday rant. I'm all better now. thanks.
BTW, the TTS still has not arrived. Got a call Wednesday that the carrier had to seek shelter from hail storms! Better late than damaged (which is not an option, of course).
I agree, my preference is for simple, elegant gauges. The "halo" rings on Acuras and some Infinitis look cartoonish and chintzy, and do nothing to enhance the car. They are mostly just distracting. Lexus gauges used to be excellent when they were just white EL with the red floating needle effect. They've totally lost the plot now though, the new RX has their most ostentatious and generally annoying gauges yet, with that dumb blue "glow" effect. Unsurprisingly, Audi's gauges remain some of the absolute best. I've also found that I've grown very fond of the center driver display, and I miss it when I'm driving other cars. In my opinion, white dials only work in classic cars, and seem to clash with modern materials.
Well, of course you will like the Audi speedo meter, because you will drive
It makes little sense if the older version will be equipped with the old hybrid system. The older version's hybrid system and battery costs 30 percent more to manufacture than what is in the new Prius. Selling a higher cost car like the older Prius at a significantly lower price than the newest Prius simply does not add up.
And what makes even less sense is the old Prius getting the new hybrid system and battery as the new Prius. Such a situation would make the new Prius look really overpriced and somewhat redundant especially when the most important thing about any hybrid is its hybrid system and its battery.
And yes London is a great city. It's been almost 10 years since I was last time there and I am looking forward to going there again.
Which Audi is being pictured here?
Beyond that, I would encourage you to continue to contribute your valid opinions and unique perspectives as usual.
Okay, but please don't be so hard on me next time, I am a sensitive boy
PRO's - I think the car looks cleaner from a design standpoint than the old model, the interior is much better, not quite Audi level but good. They moved the shifter back to the console which is better as well. The sales guy was pitching their extended wheelbase which was longer than before, he also showed me this little camera at the front which can see around traffic at an intersection to provide a better level of safety. The car did drive really well, a ton of acceleration, it was impressive, the handling was very good but not great, the car is heavy.
CON's - While the design is cleaner it was not impressive to me, the car didn't look special, in fact they had a short wheelbase sport model that looked too much like a 5 series until you really looked close. I think that BMW has put so much tech into the car that it is really not following their old mission of great driving cars, now it wants to be all things to all people. The sales guy was really excited about the electronic owner's manual that can be accessed from I-Drive, while this is a nice feature, so what. I also think that they are trying to bring their interiors up a level but not by using better design and materials, they are doing things like adding chrome trim around whatever they can, looks good but more can be done.
Overall I think that their timing is unfortunate, as we know from our current discussions here, not that many people are looking to spend $90K on cars right now. I also think that it will get kudo's from the usual car mag's but I don't know if I would pick it over the competition if I was buying a car today.
I think this is a worldwide problem in many industries and it's leading to higher costs for no reason at all. I hardly think it's limited to BMW but in the auto industry they are probably first in trying to garner a headline with news or a breakthrough. I-drive, which is probably the biggest waste in auto technology is a perfect example. The Lexus auto park feature is a close second and I'm sure MB and Audi have others that can be nominated. This is all probably going to die off as we enter this new age of less leverage and tougher money access and it's probably better for all in these wasted cases of un-needed technology.
This is a problem in many other industries too. We bought a Thermador freezer and refridgerator (built in freedom series) that allows them to be separate units or fused. Since most are replacements for old built-ins, a very low percentage of people can opt for separate units. Naturally we fused them. I wish i would have gone back to Sub-Zero. The latter had condensation issues but was so smartyly laid out inside. The Thermador is terribly designed inside and the new digiital icemaker is awful. I've had the repairman to my home 5 times so far (in 2 years) and he told me he gets 10 calls a month on this icemaker. The old ice-maker was literally flawless. The guy told me if he got 10 calls in 5 years he got a lot. We made him find a reason to replace the whole icemaker as we come off warranty in 30 days. Going digital doesn't mean it's going better and why on earth anyone needs digital technology to fill a glass with ice is beyond me.
The problem we have is too many manufacturers violate the No.1 rule in business. If it's not core to you then don't fix unimportant side processes that are not broken.
What a coincidence! About 3 years ago we bought a side by side top of the line Kitchen Aid refrigerator/freezer complete with an ice maker and dispenser. It's been a big disappointment. In this time span they had to replace the entire freezer door due to faulty wiring that made the ice dispenser stop working. Just last week, it stopped working again. Who knows? Maybe it's the motor this time. Why can't they make these things reliable like our Lexus vehicles
Kitchen Aid used to make Thermadors built-ins and they probably still do, but not the Freedom Series. That's pure Thermador and these days Bosch bought Thermador. But I'll bet you the ice maker technology is from Kitchen Aid. I wanted another Sub-Zero but my wife was disgusted with it's excess condensation, a known Sub-Zero flaw in the past. We almost went Viking and we're sorry we didn't.
Anyway, I spent the last 3 months watching the used car market for my perfect "bargain" car, and I finally got it - a late '07 MB S550 4matic. It's black on black (very sleek and sexy), with just about every toy MB makes: Night Vision, Distronic cruise control, and - most importantly for me with my back problems - these incredible upgraded seats that include a gazillion adjustments, active bolsters that cradle you around curves, and even a really nice massage function.
I know it is oh so financially incorrect these days, but I got it for almost $40K off of sticker, with over 3 years of factory warranty left (I then purchased another 2 yrs of extended MB warranty, so I don't have to worry about all the gizmos breaking for another 5 years). And since I got it from an MB dealer, I get all the benefits of a new car buyer (it gets picked up by a valet for service who leaves me a Benz rental, etc.). It makes buying a new one really hard to justify.
Driving home yesterday on wet highways, the car was as stable as a rock, thanks to the AWD. Sitting in the massaging seat, surrounded by black leather and wood, listening to my own music on a DVD of my MP3s, I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't sitting in my library at home.
It's a helluva car. I only wish they imported the short wheelbase version to the US - it is monster big. But I am getting used to the size already (at least until I have to park it in a tight underground garage). And my wife is now driving my '05 LS430 and is very happy with it.
Just had to share my excitement with my forum friends here. I'll even throw in a smiley face!
BTW, if you haven't done this already, I suggest a reverse-osmosis water filter for the water that goes to the icemaker and water dispenser. The frig's built-in charcoal filters can't begin to compare. Your ice and water will be awesome. We even use a reverse-osmosis filter at the wetbar, where we also have a sub-zero ice maker... the R/O filters honestly make a difference.
TM
TM
The car in the pic is Edmunds' long termer A4 Avant, though the rest of the line is basically the same. The S cars and the R8 V10 have white needles, while curiously the RS6 uses standard red needles.
Also have the Thermador commercial cooktop - that one is awesome - and have the filtering system for both a special tap on our sink and the icemaker/dispenser on the freezer.
Gary - best of luck. There were some phenomenal S-class deals in November on 2008 leftovers and it sounds like you got an eveb better deal than any of them.
So far this GL is flawless and I couldn't be happier with it. But I do miss that Lexus nav system. Hopefully MB steps that up a lot in the future.