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Comments
Great ideas, for sure. Let me add one more. Freshen and modernize the beautiful XJ. Offer only the long wheelbase, and modernize and work off of the Portfolio styling, but slant the front end a little more to bring it up to speed with, say, Bentley styling. Freshen the rear light treatment and modernize the interior appointments. Stay with the aluminum body, add more standard power without the turbo. Let's say by the 2009 model year, in time for the Porsche Panamera.
TagMan
As far as I know, plans for the "Rapide" are still on, and it should hit the market before the Panamera does. I think the V8 Vantage's biggest problem is its engine. Its not special enough, and its not nearly powerful enough. Its a warmed over Jaguar AJ-V8, with less power(!) than the XKR. What was the point of that? To compete with the 911 Turbo and the next Maserati coupe, the V8 Vantage needs another hundred horses.
Jaguar, let's see: First off, take the X and S-Type's out back and put them out of their misery. DO NOT USE A FORD CLONE PRODUCT, as is the case with the X's Mondeo, and the S' Lincoln LS/Ford T-Bird. Build a sporty LPS that can fully compete with the 3 Series, A4, IS, G35, and TL seriously. The S-Type is a definete must do. Use one of those wonderful Euro chassis that we Americans can only dream of for the next S-Type.
Unfortunately for Jaguar, the S-type won't be replaced until '08, and the X-type will continue probably through '09, and then will be killed with no replacement. Jaguar can't compete with the 3 Series, A4, IS, G35, and TL. They can't be a volume luxury car maker, and they cant sell cars for $35K. It was that kind of thinking that created the X-type in the first place.
The next S-type had a chance to be a great car, when plans were to use a shortened version of the XJ\XK's aluminum structure. Instead, its going to continue on basically the same DEW98 platform as the current car. The S80\MKZ platform is not suitable (it would produce a $60K X-type). I dont think Ford has a wonderful Euro chassis to use.
Wrong. Nothing has been officially decided or announced about a new 300 or a E-Class. Neither car is scheduled for a re-design until the 2009 model year. Also, the current 300 doesn't just simply use the old W210 E-Class chassis either. It uses bits and pieces from it, not the entire chassis in the way the Crossfire uses the old SLK chassis. The suspension design, seats, dashboard layout and other things are clearly W210 E-Class, but the rest isn't. The suspension for example is iron on the Chrysler whereas it was aluminum on the E-Class. There were thousands of little (read: cheaper) changes done to get the E-Class parts bin down the entry-level 300 prices.
M
Yeah obviously because it doesn't bother me, just an observation. Supposedly Lexus and Toyota have different design teams and facilities yet the cars still look a lot alike. Financial planning and saving money don't have squat to do with any of this because they aren't the same car, I'm talking about design. Some Toyota fans need to get over the standard response about financials, it doesn't apply to any and everything about an automobile!
M
Some interesting information about the different marque's engines and their horsepower ratings, torque ratings, and average displacement ratings.
The results speak for themselves, and the methodology is explained, so no need for any spin here.
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TagMan
Bingo. Not a hard point to grasp.
M
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TagMan
I got the Oct issue of C&D today and their initial test put the LS460 at 6 seconds 0-60 mph. They said because the engine hits a flat spot and doesn't really give any real push until 3500 rpm. Different engine/tuning practices at work here between BMW, Lexus and Mercedes. I do expect that 6 sec time to improve though when they test the LS460 on U.S. soil.
M
The word is getting clear that it's about 5.4 or 5.5 seconds 0-60, but we'll see if it really does that.
The flat spot is unfortunate, however. Did they say if it's due to the way that tranny is so low geared in the first two gears and then has to ramp up from there? That would make sense to me.
TagMan
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TagMan
They said something like the engine doesn't have any oomph until 3500 rpm and the first gear isn't short enough. Kinda surprising since C&D almost always beats manufacturer 0-60 times.
M
M
I hear this all the time, and I don't know why this misinfo continues to be proffered. The S, LS and T-Bird share a platform, but it's the best platform that was built in the day. The poor S-type gets denigrated because it lent its platform to a Lincoln and a Thunderbird coupe. Jag still built their engine differently than the Lincoln &
Thunderbird, so that doesn't make the S-type a Ford. Jag built the engine for all of them, theirs is just better than the other two.
The Mondeo is a great car. Europe loves it still. Making it an entry level Jag wasn't a big reach. If you drove it, you'd say, "Hey, this feels like a Jag, it drives like a Jag, and it smells like a Jag, for $30,000!" I've driven one. It's the cheap Jag for sure, but it's definitely a Jag. Could they do better? Not for that price. But people would be happier with it if it were all designed in Coventry from the ground up.
But hey, I'm betting if they did, it wouldn't be as dependable as the X or the S is right now.... Ford has done good things for Jaguar, including keep it alive. It's sad they never made a buck on it.
M
When it was new DEW98 was average at best. If you are implying that it was a better platform than the '97 5 series, you're definitely mistaken. Perhaps sharing the AJ-V8 and platform with Lincoln was a mistake. The fact that its now being used on the Mustang certainly doesn't help its prestige.
The Mondeo is a great car. Europe loves it still. Making it an entry level Jag wasn't a big reach. If you drove it, you'd say, "Hey, this feels like a Jag, it drives like a Jag, and it smells like a Jag, for $30,000!" I've driven one. It's the cheap Jag for sure, but it's definitely a Jag. Could they do better? Not for that price.
Wrong wrong wrong. The Mondeo is a perfectly fine car, sure. It should never have been turned into a Jag, however. M-B could probably cut the build cost of a C-class in half if they used a Chrysler Sebring as a base. How do you think people would react to that? A Jaguar is not FWD. I've driven the X-type. No, it doesn't feel like a Jag. No, it doesn't drive like a Jag, and no, it doesn't even smell like a Jag. I've owned Jags with Connolly leather, I know what real Jags feel and smell like.
Yes, they could've done a lot better, even for that price. The X-type was originally supposed to hit in 2004. Instead they opted on a sloppy rush job. Quality of the initial run of cars was absolutely horrid. The warmed over Duratec engines were absolutely no match for the European competition, and the AWD system is about as crude as they come. The $30-40K entry lux market is the toughest gun fight in the luxury biz. Jaguar brought a rusty butter knife, and they paid for it.
Hilarious LG!
M
M
It gets better, BMW is supposedly interested in buying Aston-Martin. Aston would make a perfect fit in the BMW Group IMO. Aston would fit in neatly between BMW and Rolls-Royce which is sizeable gap. There would be no overlap between BMW and Aston or Aston and Rolls. BMW could bring Aston's quality up to BMW's level and give Aston some help in the engine room, the V12 needs a power boost and the V8 in Vantage could be replaced with a M designed V8. This could work.
I can only imagine the mood at the highest, most secretive levels at Dearborn - complete and utter panic. Ford is brainstorm and crunching numbers like mad to see what they can get for this and what they can get for that.
M
5.90 Liters MB
hahahahaha. You've got to question the accuracy of this guy's calculations.
Just wait and see. This is from an insider in Auburn Hills, MI. They have to do it to save money.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Lexus/Toyota's gotten better over the years at increasing the gap between the two but it's clear to see the resemblance between Avalon's and LS's
How did it do? Beautifully, honestly, trouncing the Volvo, out-gunning the fat Cayenne and nearly matching the X5 in the fun-to-drive arena. Most telling was its behavior in transitory moves under full throttle. That’s when Acura’s sophisticated, full-time Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system—which varies torque distribution not only from front to rear, but from one rear wheel to the other, depending on traction conditions—showed off its talents most clearly. With the MDX’s optional active dampers calming body motions, it felt as if the hand of God was cupped on the rear bumper, scooting the car through every curve. There was never any sort of compromise of stability or traction. Just confident, high-speed, high-thrill curve carving. Brilliant.
....it appears that this new vehicle is something even ardent car-lovers like us could enjoy.
article
I like it except for the fake wood.
I think this guy (sitting in his parents basement) sometimes invents information so he’ll have fresh content (fresh but inaccurate)
I think that he just added up the sizes sold for each type of model then divided by the models that it is not based on sales.
Thanks for the sarcastic compliment, but which brilliant insights are you referring to? Are you suggesting that posting a link about engines was brilliant? Gimmee a break.
I certainly want to take all the credit I can
TagMan
It wouldn't just work, I think it would be the best Aston Martin ever. BMW could do for Aston what Audi has done for Lambo. The M3's V8 already has more horsepower than the V8 Vantage. If they used that as a base, 480hp+ wouldn't be a problem, which would make it the 911 fighter it was supposed to be.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Apparently your above statement is correct based on Merc1's post below.
Nothing has been officially decided or announced about a new 300 or a E-Class. Neither car is scheduled for a re-design until the 2009 model year. Also, the current 300 doesn't just simply use the old W210 E-Class chassis either. It uses bits and pieces from it, not the entire chassis in the way the Crossfire uses the old SLK chassis. The suspension design, seats, dashboard layout and other things are clearly W210 E-Class, but the rest isn't
BUT we all dont know yet to what extent the 300 and E will share a future platform?
Shortly after the "Merger of Equals" (as they wanted all of us to believe), DC wanted extensive platform and drivetrain sharing between various Mitsubushi and Chyrsler autos.
Now unfortunately Mitsubushi is out of the picture so the next best step for DC to do is to increase the sharing between drivetrains and platforms between Benzes and Chryslers. And what worries me most is the planned extent of sharing between these two marques. I just hope DC does not end up slaying the goose(Mercedes Benz) in order to save its eggs(Chrysler). I guess only time will tell.
Lexusguy,
there is no company on this earth that is as good in platform sharing between luxury and non luxury autos as Toyota. Unfortunately very few other companies share that success.
The disasterous details of Jaguar/Ford platform sharing has been recently discussed here. The details of the success of platform sharing between Honda and Acura is evident when you follow Acura's dismal sales results. Platform sharing among Nissan and Infiniti cars have been discontinued due to the non-success of the I35.
VW has discovered the limitations of platform sharing with Audi and new/future models with the exception of the A3 will non-VW independent platfoms. In the 1990s BMW was smart enough not to do any Rover/BMW platform sharing .
IMO putting a unique V8 drivetrain in a MB that has an identical platform with a Chrysler will be a disaster. In this case automotive history is on my side.
You can easily got your Lexus serviced at the local Toyota dealer but you cannot get your SLK serviced at your Chrysler dealer
Crossfire is old tech.SLK350 is a real sport car.
Absolutely correct. Despite my worries I think in the end DC will be smart enough to keep Benzes as unique at possible. In fact I dont think they have a choice.
Yes, there were mistakes at the old big three, but they were not as much about platform sharing as they were about poor business management and poor quality.
TagMan
You are correct in saying that platform sharing among the Big 3 did make sense for many years. But the result of their past rebadged engineering is the current lack of seriousness among consumers for Big Three badges.
I posted last week that I am tired of reading all these ecstatic reviews in the British press of vehicles that we can't purchase here-namely, the diesels.
The 535d is 10% cheaper to purchase and 10% cheaper to maintain than its gasoline equivalent.
It does give up a bit of driving excitement to its "petrol" cousin, but the only people who would probably notice would be those who race the two.
Hopefully, some of these fine diesel vehicles will be available here soon.
I do, but my dealer waves me off from them every time I mention that I'd like one.... Still, just once, I'd like to own a Vanden Plas......maybe even for just a little while.
Are you sure about that? The new Dodge Caliber and the Jeep Compass are actually Mitsubishis under the skin....from front to back.
Actually, with the exception of the RL, Acura does very well. The TSX, TL, and MDX are generally good sellers, and they are all based on mainstream Honda platforms. The RDX will probably also sell well, and its basically a CR-V with a turbo.
With the RL, I think Honda misjudged how far the Accord platform could be pushed up market. Its good enough for a $35K car, but not a $50K car.
Infiniti still has one old fashioned rebadged Nissan, the QX56. I'm not positive, but I dont think it has been a success. I've never seen one on the road.
Those autos were developed in the past.
They were good sellers. But lately that is not the case. While Acura suffers sales declines the competition( Audi, Lexus, MB and BMW) is reporting positive YTD sales results.
Here are the latest stats for Acura:
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You can still literally steal an '05. Timing may never be better.
Well, the TL is facing much tougher competition now than its launch in '04, so a decline is to be expected. TSX is up, YTD. Most of their losses are coming from the MDX, which is EOL. The launch of the new RDX and MDX should put them back in the black.
They are on their way soon . . . one to three models years away.
And like you, I am anxious to see them.
TagMan