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Im in Liverpool uk if anyone knows any places nearest to me that do this!
Thanks
Lee
(also my first post, Hello everyone)
The G37 coupe has been available with AWD since last fall.
And... your point about the AWD is valid enough... However, not to the extent to negate the success of the Genesis. The Genesis wouldn't be the first noteworthy AWD vehicle to start off as RWD only. If Hyundai offers AWD in the Genesis, it would certainly be a plus... but the car is a clear success story.
TM
Regards,
OW
As has been mentioned the G37 coupe already has it. The only Infiniti that doesn't offer AWD is the G convertible. I think Lexus is making a huge mistake by not offering an IS350 AWD. The IS250 is simply an uncompetitive product.
@Lee: have you tried TopGear's website? If I recall correctly they have a list of such places.
I was just pointing out that their unique brand of ugliness seemed to coincide with the opening of their design studio in Cali.
It's been a couple years since I read the press release, but loosely paraphrasing:
It was built to have the exterior & interior designers in the same place to create cohesiveness. Or something like that.
Personally, I consider it to this point to be a total failure. Hate the exterior, & the interiors generally seem to have been hit with Homer Simpson's makeup shotgun set on whore mode.
Actually in Japan, Honda has avoided launching the beaked look (see the JDM version of RL http://www.honda.co.jp/LEGEND/styling/)
So unlikely that Honda Japan corporate is promoting the beak - Japanese users certainly do not like it (TL also is beakless here)
So unlikely that Honda Japan corporate is promoting the beak - Japanese users certainly do not like it (TL also is beakless here)
Do they think we are second-class citizens here in America?
Seriously, Honda corporate must take responsibility for either total negligence regarding the design theme of the Acura for the American market, or for having deliberately approved that horrible design.
There is simply no way (or reason) to get corporate off the hook here. They are responsible either way... guilty of being asleep at the switch or guilty of having made a terrible decision.
TM
Sorry if this is a re-post, but just in case...
Turbo diesel hybrid, 356 HP (combined), 590 lbs. torque (combined), 98 lithium-polymer cells, AWD when in all-electric mode, 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, and still achieves 62.6 mpg.
Lots of pics and info here: link title
TM
If only
Regards,
Jose
I believe the IS250 models are actually a sale success, because I see it every where. I see them as often as the 325/328 on the streets.
Seriously, doesn't it cost billion of $ and years to design and build a new platform for car/truck? Also, management can believe whatever they want, but their most important goal should be profit, and that means whatever it takes to generate big sales numbers. You know, I would love to hear how this topic is discussed at Honda's Board of Directors meetings.
Now that's what I'm talkin' about! The future cars should have neck-snapping capability just like our electric slot cars! Then, you can de-tune them for Luxury market buyers.
Either way, electric motors are fast becoming very desirable to me and the future is wide open!
Regards,
OW
Now that's what I'm talkin' about!
OW, you know me well. That BMW is a car to dream about. But, then again, there is always the Prius... hahaha
TM
According to this week's Automotive News, the ZDX is the first Acura "entirely" designed by their new California studio. Assume then that future RLs, MDXs, and RDXs will be even uglier in the near future. Oh joy. They also said that Acura's upmarket ambitions have been effectively quashed by the economy (as have Infiniti's). The NSX replacement and an Acura version of the S2000 have been killed, the V8, RWD RL has been pushed back to 2015 at the earliest, and all other redesigns have been pushed back at least one year.
Over at Infiniti, the Q45 replacement has also been killed, and a 1 series competitor has been put on hold.
I've seen them as well, I don't really get it. The IS250 is barely any faster than the TSX with its anemic four cylinder, and yet if you want a stick or AWD, you have to get the wheezebox 250. Not that it matters now, of course. With the S4 out, there's no reason to buy anything else in that segment.
According to Automotive News, Acura is currently mulling a new model to compete in the growing compact luxury segment. The new model would compete with the likes of the BMW 1-Series, Volvo C30 and Audi A3, and would be specifically designed to cater to a younger clientele. Acura’s last entrant into the segment – the $21,000-$23,000 RSX – was killed off after the 2006 model year.
If given the green light, the new Acura model would be based on the next-generation Honda Civic. The next Civic is expected to bow for the 2011 model year, with the Acura variant likely to debut a year later.
Acura currently sells a Civic-based model, the Acura EL, in Canada.
Acura is also considering rejoining the luxury coupe segment. The Japanese automaker discontinued the CL coupe in 2003, but the two-door model could be poised for a return in the coming years. Like the previous generations of the CL, any future models would likely be based on the TL sedan.
Polly want a cracker??
Regards,
OW
Hogwash! When the economy rebounds and Acura sales don't fare so well... maybe, just maybe, the economy won't be the excuse any more. Hopefully the media and critics will see the problem for what it really is, and hopefully it will motivate Acura to take a good long look in the mirror.
TM
Hahah. A TL coupe. That will turn the ugly factor up to 11. How they expect to be able to beat the Genesis coupe with a FWD Accord chassis, I have no idea.
Interesting Jaguar factory lease ad in this mornings WSJ (or NYT). As I recall it was $599 or $699 a month for an XF. While I'm no fan of leases (or to be candid, the lessors themselves) , $600 or $700 a month to drive something different than the oh too common and predictable E Class sounds acceptable. Its about what we pay in maintenance on a 2001 Volvo XC we can't seem to part with.
The ad took a shot at Mercedes with a line as I recall similar to " The best mid size sedan Mercedes wished they built". Nice.
Pics of the new XJ were posted here not all that long back, and the concensus here is that the car's appearance leaves a lot to be desired, and the interior is weird and lacking. I recall making the comment that my Vanden Plas is now the last of the good-looking XJs... destined to be a classic.
Somehow, I really doubt that this is the flagship it should have been. Looks like a fat and bloated XF up front, with an absurd rear end. I have no doubt that there will be initial orders in some nice numbers... that's typical... but I also suspect that the car will ultimately end up an anchor. The latest XK(R) will still maintain its position as the best looking current model Jag.
Frankly, I really feel let down by the all-new XJ. I had hoped for something a whole lot better.
TM
Don't like it. There was some discussion after Jag first released the official images, and I think that was the general consensus here. I actually don't mind the front, but that's it. The side profile is just a rip off of the A6, the rear overhang is absolutely cartoonish, and the rear end is so bland it looks like Callum fell asleep, and the janitor came in and finished the design. The blacked out C-pillars are also utterly senseless. The interior is even worse. It's something Aston Martin would've done with the Lagonda in the '70s if they had the technology at the time. That's all I can think of when I see it - '70s "car of the future" concept.
The best way to see the car right now is the Cnet tech video on it:
http://cnettv.cnet.com/jaguar-xj/9742-1_53-50075545.html
And speaking of Bentley, I've just watched videos on youtube about the upcoming Arnage replacement. Goodness hopefully they're just kidding. The Mulsanne looks darn ugly!!!!!!
Indeed. The Mulsanne looks like a Chinese knock off of a Bentley. I think a knock off of the Mulsanne would be an improvement. It's hideous.
Hey Phil... Just keeping you in the loop here.
We sold a lot of stocks today. We had a change of strategy. We realized that we've made a significant profit so far, and that we really should take it. We anticipate a correction or small pullback. I will still own plenty of stocks, but we will put together a modified smaller portfolio later this week... probably add much more to it the first week of November, but will watch the market closely. Thought you'd like to know. Good luck!
TM
I have done some profit-taking of my own lately, most notably when I dumped Ford. Wish I had listened to you re AIG last week for a meteoric cash grab before the fall, but oh well. :sick: I'm planning to stick w/Citigroup for a while & may add more. Time will tell.
My most consistant success since the recession began, has been setting buy/sell ranges with certain defense contractors. Their floors & ceilings have been easily predictable for me (they have kept following almost the exact same pattern for the last 18 months) during these times where the government has been very lax in awarding contracts. Probably due to get bit in the butt by one of these in the future, but so far, so very good (knock on wood). :shades:
Glad you are doing OK with those defense contractors.
Yeah... I hit the timing for AIG right on the bullseye. Huge.
Citi should be fine in the long run. I warned about it becoming a bit squirrely, but if you hold it, chances are you will be smiling after the long haul.
As you point out... buying stocks is only half the picture. The other half is selling them.
TM
If the real car looks like this, Hyundai is going to have yet another success story on their hands. Incredible.
TM
Don't know if anyone replied w/ this yet or not, but one thing you forget, tag. This is a Honda product, and Hondaphiles will buy it regardless. If you doubt it, look to the sales of the Element, Pilot, and Ridgeline (though the Ridgeline is fairly insignificant in the truck market. It was built specifically for Hondaphiles to say they have a Honda "truck," and I use that term very loosely.) Arguably some of the ugliest vehicles on the U.S. market. Sales of those vehicles is proof that Honda can't make a vehicle ugly enough that the Hondaphiles won't flock to it. If Honda had made the Aztec, it'd still be in production.
Buy one? If I'm in the market for such car I probably will.
Looks like a direct stab at the VW Passat CC.
It is going to be shown "in the flesh" from what I understand... at the upcoming show. Don't forget, the 135i was released on the late side as an '08 in the Spring of '08... so it is certainly still possible to see it as a 2010... but either way, let's hope that when the real car is revealed that it looks as close to the sketch as possible. As we all know, sadly, they seldom do.
Unfortunately, the pics I posted are a little too big... sure hope they don't get yanked, they look soooo darned good. So, if they do... here's smaller ones, and a link...
link title
TM
Also remember that when the 1-series came to us, there was no predecessor. So it didn't matter when it was released. The Sonata is out there and can't really afford to have "gaps" in coming to market. That is unless they release it as a 2010 1/2 and carry over the current car as a 2010. :confuse:
Not close enough to the sketches, IMO.
Yeah, those renderings were more than a little optimistic. It's a big improvement over the current car, which has a mix of a '99 RL front end and a '99 Accord rear end, but I wouldn't say its "game over" for team Japan. Buyers in this segment are a conservative lot. They like their coffee tasteless, their hamburgers made from a meat-like substance, and their sedans DULL.
This mega-grilled Solara 4-door may be a bit too much.
For those unaware of the new disease called Bentley Madness. :shades:
I will once again go on record here and predict that it is another success story for Hyundai, especially if the driveability is desireable... but we'll have to wait and see on that one. Regardless, I'm personally calling it a winner. This continues to be awesome to me, the way Hyundai is leaping so quickly into the spotlight.
TM
TM
According to LLN, the official unveiling is supposed to be next week, so we'll be able to get a better look at it. At the very least, VW should be concerned as I'm sure it will cost significantly less than the Passat CC. Hyundai should also have a hybrid offering this time, and they've been promising a new type of Lithium battery for it.
LLN S-4 1st Drive
Regards,
OW
The S4's engine sounds particularly splendid... I look forward to giving it a nice test workout one day.
TM
Somebody, I don't remember who, described it as the best handling front-engined Audi ever. That means better than the B7 RS4. I think it's the QuattroSport rear dif that makes all the difference. Yes the platform is better balanced than the B7 car, but the S5 is on the same platform and oversteer is still off the table with that car.
The S4 is not going to wag its tail like an R8 can, but any oversteer in an Audi sedan is nice to have. They also make it surprisingly affordable. You can get it as part of a full blown ADS package with adaptive dampers and Audi's version of active steering for the usual $3K, or in a package with just QuattroSport and Drive Select for something like $1150.
It's still too small for my tastes, but if I were in the market for an entry-lux sedan, the S4 just kills everything else on the market right now. If they can make the next twin turbo V8 powered S6 anywhere near as good, I'm sold.
But considering the huge difference in price... this S4 may be one of the best performance values in Audi history.
TM
I think the easiest thing for the rival to do right now is cutting their prices until the next redesign. BMW 335xi has the most $ to cut, or it needs bigger turbos. Infiniti G37x sport is already about 5K cheaper, another 2-3K discount should level the playing field, or add the GT-R's version AWD system. MB and Lexus will have to take similar actions with their top entry lux sedans.
This is probably a very good time to start shopping for one of these cars.
I don't see an X drive version of the 335d on BMW website. Do you know if it's due to arrive later on?
Oh, definitely. Rarely is a new luxury car faster, more spacious, more comfortable, more luxurious, more capable, more fuel efficient, AND more affordable than the car it replaces.
I must admit that the new E manages to pull off many of the same tricks, even if I'm not really a fan. It is also lagging on the performance front until MB can figure out how to get their CGI direct injection technology to work on 91 grade gasoline. Curiously, no one else had that problem bringing DI here.
I don't think bigger turbos are really necessary. It would be very easy for BMW to simply recalibrate the ECU and allow a bit more boost (perhaps in combination with upgraded cooling and a more free flowing exhaust) to push the engine up to the 330/330 mark. I think that's pretty much what they did to create the new 326hp 740i.