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  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Sounds like YOUR BOOK didn't exactly make the NY Times best seller list!

    We will STILL beat out the Red Sox before the end of the year.
    Go Derek! Go Alex! Go Yankees! Go BMW and Chris Bangle! :shades:
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    No offence to DrFill but I must say the FSC is a beauty when compared to the RSC which looks like a cute guppy that just overdozed on steroids. That small pimped up gangsta looking wagon called the FR3 is horrific (although it may attract high school kids). Those pictures makes me yearn for those dull conservatively styled Toyotas.

    Doc now I can understand why you dont like BMW styling.


    Lest we forget....

    I am a high-school gangster. My practice is my avocation. :P

    DrFill
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Why am I not surprised...

    :sick:
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Oh, no you didn't! :mad:

    Let's go Mets!

    DrFill
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    I moved from NYC to Florida. Since the Devil Rays stink and the palmetto bugs don't play organized ball, what am I supposed to do? :surprise:
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    I used to live a few blocks away from Shea stadium, but I never took to those guys. I can't explain it. But Willy Randolph should get a medal. Great manager!
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Chris Bangle put new life where it was needed instead of "same old...same old."

    Often copied...never equalled! :shades:
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Oh god, tell me about it. I moved from Atlanta to Melbourne about a year ago and the love bugs have completely destroyed the paint. The good thing is that I am moving to California next month. :)

    Oh, I don't hate Chris Bangle, I am just frustrated that he took the design scheme of the E46, E39 and E38 away from me. I considered those as the best looking Bimmers (especially the E39) up to date.

    Go Braves!!
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    They won in 11 with a Green homer, on ESPN Monday. And Glavine one-hit the Cards, again on ESPN, last night.

    If Willie did let us get Shoenwised, we'd have swept. :cry:

    The Mets do what they can do, when they can do it.

    That's all we do. :blush:

    DrFill
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    BMW did it first.

    Lexus did it butter, or better. ;)

    That's how they do.

    DrFill
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Yeah. The love bugs. :sick: Definitely cut down on my driving about a month ago. They finally seem to be gone!

    California? At least you will be able to watch the world series at a decent time.

    I go back to the days when some world series games were actually played in the...gasp...afternoon!
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Howard and Tagman,

    you're both living proof of the statistics below. Now Howard if you owned a Porsche you would have the same perpetual grin on your face as the one Tagman has (yellow Carreras can make anyone grin) . The rank of Lexus deserves a borderline frown/grin. Not very impressive IMO.

    J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey of U.S. drivers released June 28th, 2007

    Overall, Porsche AG was the highest-ranking nameplate for a third consecutive year, while the most improved nameplate was Toyota's Scion. BMW was the No. 2 nameplate, followed by DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz, Ford's Jaguar and Toyota's Lexus.

    Mercedes-Benz and BMW AG each had three models atop premium segments. Mercedes-Benz was tops with its midsize E-Class car and large S-class car, and its GL-Class tied for a top spot with General Motors Corp.'s Cadillac Escalade EXT in a segment that includes large luxury SUVs and crossovers. BMW's 3 Series and 6 Series cars, and X5 midsize crossover SUV all received top rankings.

    link title
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    In my opinion, Randolph is the shrewdest manager in baseball.

    I try to tune in the Yankee games in the 545i, but I only got up to page 145 in the iDrive manual. Advanced menus start way back on page 235. By the time I get there, the season may be over. :surprise:
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Hey, Dewey:

    If I was a single guy, it would be an absolute no-brainer. One of the Porsche Caymans.

    I still can't get that beautiful Cayman I saw inside one of the malls several months ago, out of my mind. Has a very low ingress/egress, but I'm sure I could adjust. And, oh, what beautiful paint! :surprise:
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    A distinct 2009 hybrid model will be introduced as a Lexus according to the head of Lexus UK.

    Prius and the new Lexus will be the two distinct hybrid models offered by Toyota.

    Pricing? Supposedly it will be below the price of the IS.
    Apparently hybrid owners want to flaunt their green credentials to the world with a distinctive car that everyone will notice as a hybrid. Personally I prefer the indistinction of the hybrid Camry --- in fact that is the reason why I almost bought one but was repelled by its limited trunk space.

    What makes little sense is how Toyota wants every single one of their models to become hybrid and at the same time they want to make their hybrids distinct from their other models. A very evident contradiction indeed.

    Source: Automotive News (needs a subscription)
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Thank you, Dewey -

    Ahhhh, yes, driving in my yellow Carrera S Cab with the top down is reason enough to have a perpetual grin. :D

    But, that Cayman, as beautiful as it is, desperately needs a sunroof... Porsche has no legitimate excuse for omitting it, as the car begs for one, and truy deserves it.

    :shades:

    TagMan
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    i think Audi 8 shared the top spot with Mercedes S class..Tony
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    A distinct 2009 hybrid model will be introduced as a Lexus according to the head of Lexus UK.

    Makes sense to me. The Hollywood types want a car that screams "I drive a hybrid". The Camry, Accord and Civic hybrids don't do that. The Prius name has become almost as synonymous with hybrid cars as the Sony Walkman did with portable cassette players. Obviously Toyota is looking to repeat that kind of market takeover with the Lexus brand.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Putting Shoenwise into a tie game, in the 10th, was none too shrewd. He's there strickly to burn innings in mop-up duty. That kid hit 6 homers in 4 years, in the minors! :mad:

    I understand he's a lefty, but if he's the worst lefty on Earth, I don't see the point. :confuse:

    I'd trade him for a Fungo Bat. After that, he should be outright released.

    It worked for the Giants and Benitez, after we lit him up.

    DrFill
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Now Howard if you owned a Porsche you would have the same perpetual grin on your face as the one Tagman has (yellow Carreras can make anyone grin) . The rank of Lexus deserves a borderline frown/grin. Not very impressive IMO.

    Top 5 is nothing to frown about. Lexus is still ballin'. :)

    Just got tired of setting records all the time, that's all. This glass is half-full! ;)

    DrFill
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    No sunroof? Cancel my order! :mad:
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Here's some pics, and a link to the writeup.

    image

    image

    image

    And the link:

    link title

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Doc - I'm sure you are interested in the Toyota Land Cruiser for '08.

    image

    image

    More pics and information at this link:

    link title

    TagMan
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    C&D says US bound Tiguans will only come with the 2.0T gas engine, at least initially.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    The new TLC seems a lot like the old LX470 on the inside. I have to say I'm not that impressed. Granted its a Toyota and not a Lexus, but the gauges have an unusually cheapish look to them, and the wood doesn't look that great either. It's definitely not as nice as the new Tahoe\Yukon. Since when does GM have class leading interiors?
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    Now read the source article again:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bangle#Design_characteristics

    The reference is gone.

    Such is the reliability of Wikipedia as an authorative source of information. ;-)
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    LOL. I do believe taken in context, that the similarity of the LS to the BMW was actually the point. But two contradicting statements from the same source can show the impact of a typographical error, that's for sure! :)

    Terrific catch on Wikipedia.

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    C&D says US bound Tiguans will only come with the 2.0T gas engine, at least initially.

    I think initially yes, but it stands to reason that the TDI will come very soon therafter, don't you think?

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    The new TLC seems a lot like the old LX470 on the inside. I have to say I'm not that impressed. Granted its a Toyota and not a Lexus, but the gauges have an unusually cheapish look to them, and the wood doesn't look that great either. It's definitely not as nice as the new Tahoe\Yukon. Since when does GM have class leading interiors?

    The whole TLC seems cheesy to me. I do believe that the Lexus version will get to feature all the goodies.

    TagMan
  • brightness04brightness04 Member Posts: 3,148
    IMHO, the similarity is only in the eyes of the Bangle worshippers. There isn't much similarity between the LS and 7 design at all, aside from both being typical HELC's coming out of similar wind-tunnel simulation programs and optimizing for trunk space, with various bits and pieces attached. And they attached in quite different ways.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Starting from a blank piece of paper... they are remarkable similar.

    For example, a Volvo looks nothing like the 7-series. A Cadillac looks nothing like it, and a Subaru or Saab look nothing like it. Yet, if you gray out the smaller details of the LS460 and take a look at the design shape... it is so very clear that they are indeed very similar. Heck, you could trace one on top of another and see just how close they are!

    The LS460 is clearly a derivative of the BMW 7-Series... there's just no way around it. That LS460 rear is NOTHING like the previous LS430 and it's no coincidence that the new look is Bangled. It's absurd to think that it is a coincidence.

    TagMan
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Who could possibly think these two profiles are totally independent of one another and it is just by coincidence that the LS460 looks like the BMW 7-Series?

    image

    image

    It is not a coincidence! It is due to Chris Bangle's influence... and that influence spread to Lexus... as can be clearly seen.

    TagMan
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    The whole TLC seems cheesy to me. I do believe that the Lexus version will get to feature all the goodies.

    Yeah the interior of the LX570 is far better, up there with the X5 and Q7. Most of Toyota's newest interiors just seem strange to me, and that yellow plastic wood in the Camry and Highlander is awful.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    I'll take one with LX570's exterior and TLC's interior please...

    Oh, and make it dark silver.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    If you interior designers can't do real wood, then do metal instead.

    It looks so much better than the imitation plastic wood found in the Camry LE and MDX.

    Cases in point: The Honda Accord Coupe and the Camry SE. No wood, yet very nice interiors.

    Now get back there and retool!! :mad:
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    I agree there are some similarities, but why would Lexus want to copy a complete sales flop?

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Cheesy? I think you guys are rushing to a rather severe judgment based on a few photos that may not even be official. Remember the TLC is supposed to be a workhorse not a luxobarge.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Thanks for the pics. I like it.

    Further into the link (thanks again) when talking about the engines, it was stated that ALL the engines would be introduced WORLDWIDE at the same time. I hope this means diesels in the U.S. fairly soon.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    It seems to be "Pound Toyota Day" over here.

    I have already seen the TLC, in White, and I'm diggin' it. Evolutionary. Distinctive. And the inside is also a mild upgrade, but it's obvious the LX will show you a $10k difference in interior style.

    What's important is 381 HP.

    Regarding the LS, I've already gone over that. It's a 7-series, if it was done right.

    Lexus is really a combination of many ideals, just done better.

    An Mercedes with semi-precious, not precious, pricing. With more tasteful, intuitive interiors. A more friendly demeanor.

    An Acura with more cylinders, better marketing, a broader portfolio.

    If you blend those two companies together, you get Lexus, more or less.

    Just add in higher quality than either and away we go. ;)

    The market seems to like what they're doing with the LS.

    Mercedes shouldn't be too thrilled. And BMW is P.O'd! :mad:

    DrFill
  • topspin628topspin628 Member Posts: 373
    You can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that the current 7 series is the best selling 7 in BMW history.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Amen, brother!

    You put him way back on the baseline, setting him up for that beautiful drop shot! Heh! Heh!

    The Chris Bangle 7 Series is indeed the best selling 7 Series ever!

    BMW and Chris Bangle:

    Often copied. Never equalled! :)
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    That LS photo should have quotes around it on their website!!

    It is so shameless! I wonder if BMW could sue? I mean, the entire design was lifted. I guess not, or they would have done it by now. :shades:
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Yes a 7 series sales flop and a 7 series best seller is a contradiction.

    Despite the above fact the BMW 7 series in North America has never ever been a top ranked seller and it never will be. North American high end luxury sedan buyers are not so keen about performance/handling as owners are with smaller cars. They are more keen about a car that emphasizes a softer and more cozy version of luxury than brutal performance. And that is exactly why the Lexus LS remains number one.

    A new generation 7 series twin turbo V8 with over 500HP and monstrous torque is going to become the most exciting high end luxury sedan available in the upcoming years. BUT that in itself is just not good enough for us North Americans.

    Makes me wonder how the Porsche Panamera will sell in North America? If its too sporty with too much road-feel it may scare the hell out of many luxury car owners in North America.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    He didn't say anything about leading the segment. What he said was the Bangle 7 Series is the best-selling 7 when it is compared to previous 7's and that, my friend, is the reason Lexus copied it.
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    L-Finesse styling is all about imitating Bangle to the maximum point of which BMW cannot litigate. That's all what L-finesse is. Nothing more and nothing less.

    Interetingly L-Finesse is not all about Lexus. It is also about Toyota and that is why the Camry's styling is quite indistinguishable from the Lexus ES and LS.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    I wonder why BMW doesn't sue? Those 2 photos that TM posted couldn't be more convincing of design infringement. I guess once a design is "out there", it is fair game.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    That is like a baseball pitcher going 1 and 15 in 2005, 2 and 20 in 2006, 3 and 14 in 2007 and then crowing that he had his best year ever in 2007. Would you call that pitcher a great success? I don't think so.

    Unfortunately for the BMW 7 series there is a little thing out there in the automotive world called...COMPETITION from other luxury makes like the Lexus LS and Mercedes S class. And compared to them, yes, it was, and is, a big sales flop. I hope that puts my question in a little better perspective for you. :shades:

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • feliciatwofeliciatwo Member Posts: 68
    Yeah, sexier still if it were Hybrid-diesel (clean).As long as Hybrid uses Petrol...."The Bad guys" hold our economy in their hands. One effective refinery et. al. "attack" renders Hybrids worthless. Meanwhile, I love the tiguan if only Volkswagon Electrical wasn't so worthless.
    I'm discouraed.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    "Americans still perceive diesels as smelly, dirty and noisy."

    That will change after the blitz that's coming to TV, radio and the print media.

    People will learn and then people will buy.

    How can anybody resist the combo of a gorgeous Bangle-designed BMW married to an award winning, clean, powerful, efficient BMW diesel engine?

    Short answer: They won't! :)
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    Nice to see all those good posts after I posted those two pics of the LS and the 7. And I'd have to say there has been reasonable concensus, even from the Doc, that there are undeniable design similarities.

    Quite amazing, the influence Chris has had on the automotive design community worldwide. What's next?

    Regarding the diesels, hpowders, I agree that once the word is out... through all the powerful media, including newspapers, internet, television, radio, auto rags, and point-of-display, the response to new cleaner and quiter and more powerful diesels will be overwhelming.

    I think the response will be so positive that I would expect shortages of the more popular diesel vehicles, which unfortunately could result in dealers charging premiums.

    TagMan
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