Elon Musk. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The billion-dollar boy genius's fire and brimstone campaign in defense of his beloved Tesla Model S has worn thin. At some point the "he doth protest too much" rule comes into play. I know Elon loathes PR people - as in "why have PR people when I alone know all the answers about absolutely everything" - but he needs to sit down and shut-up over the Tesla Model S fires and offer at least a modicum of a constructive response, other than "I'm right and everyone else is an idiot!" You wanted to play in the automotive big leagues, Elon, and you remind everyone - and tediously so, I might add - that you will show the auto manufacturers of the world how it's done. But with that comes a level of responsibility and accountability. I know it's a very tough pill to swallow, Elon, but you don't control this game and you can't take your ball, stomp your feet and harrumph your way out of this one. Offer some explanations that have some validity, other than they were just fluke incidents. Or not. But, if it's "not" you better be prepared for some serious consequences. - PMD
(Mercedes-Benz)
Mercedes-Benz designers have developed this concept of a super sports car – the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo - for the new PlayStation® 3 racing game Gran Turismo® 6. The concept is designed to be powered by an AMG V8 biturbo engine developing 585HP and a maximum torque of 800 Nm. Other details: An aluminum space frame body and components in carbon fiber, a weight of 1385 kilograms which translates to 2.4 kilograms per HP, and AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system. The AMG sports exhaust system features eight - count 'em - tailpipes integrated into the rear end, and for fans of Gran Turismo® 6 the Mercedes-AMG sound designers "have created a powerful, sonorous exhaust note that authentically celebrates the V8's love of high engine speeds," according to the automaker.
(Mercedes-Benz)
"By virtue of its proportions and expressive appearance, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo embodies the brand's defining design philosophy of sensuous purity in a unique way. The design of this concept car reflects to extreme effect the perfect symbiosis between emotional, sensuous contours and intelligently presented high tech," says Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG. Editor-in-Chief's Note: With all due respect to Mr. Wagener, this concept has virtually nothing to do with current Mercedes-Benz design, unfortunately. It's almost Bill Mitchell-esque in its emotional pull, which is something that the current Mercedes-Benz design language utterly lacks. And it makes the CLA - which various media-types can't keep salivating over - look positively craptastic. - PMD
(Mercedes-Benz)
The radiator grille is a reinterpretation of the wide Mercedes-Benz sports car grille with central star. Though its shape is reminiscent of the legendary 300 SL racing car of 1952, the grille is composed exclusively of LEDs. Mercedes-Benz insists that the variable LED grille with different light patterns is a further development of the diamond grille introduced with the new A-Class. Huh? Right.
(Mercedes-Benz)
The Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo made its debut as a 1:1-scale model on November 19, 2013, at the opening of the new Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Center in Sunnyvale, California. The concept will make its debut on the virtual racetrack when the new racing game goes on sale in December 2013 – as the first of the "Vision Gran Turismo" series of vehicles.
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Gary Vasilash of Automotive Design & Production sums up last week's episode of Autoline After Hours here. - PMD
Editor-in-Chief's's Note: Our "Quick Take" this week finds us in a 2014 Buick Regal Turbo with AWD. I really enjoyed the hell out of this car. The standard turbo engine in the Regal Turbo is a sweet-running little jewel with great throttle response and a willingness to deliver what you need when you need it in terms of real world power and all-around drivability. And it's got chassis manners to match, too, with an overall feel and willingness to go down the road that's both surprising and refreshing at the same time. The Regal Turbo is a sleeper of a car, in that it's one of those machines that you don't expect much from yet it delivers more of what you want than what you're prepared for. The Buick Regal Turbo is an unexpectedly satisfying machine to drive and another excellent piece of work from GM's True Believers. The only drawback? And it's a big one - see below under "Adherence to Brand Image. - PMD
2014 Buick Regal GS AWD: $44,275 ($39,270 Base Price; Crystal Red Tintcoat, $495; Ebony with Piano Black interior; 2.0-liter, turbocharged, direct-injected, Ecotec 4-cylinder engine with 259HP and 295 lbs-ft of torque; 6-speed automatic transmission; Advanced, fully automatic all-wheel-drive system with electronic limited-slip rear differential; 19" alloy wheels; Heated driver and front passenger GS sport seats; Power seat adjuster, driver and passenger, 8-way with 4-way lumbar; Dual-zone climate control; Heated tilt & telescopic sport steering wheel with multifunction controls; OnStar directions and connections with automatic crash response, turn-by-turn navigation, etc. (6-month complimentary subscription); Audio system - Buick Intellilink radio, navigation, CD player, select Bluetooth streaming; Sirius Satellite Radio (with 3-month complimentary subscription); BOSE premium 9-speaker sound system (HD radio); High Intensity Discharge headlamps; Heated and power adjustable exterior mirrors; Driver Confidence package No. 1 - Sensor indicator, following distance, Forward collision alert, Rear cross traffic alert, Lane departure warning, Memory settings, driver and passenger seat, outside mirrors, Side blind zone alert with lane change alert - $890; Driver Confidence package No. 2 - Adaptive cruise control, Automatic collision preparation - $1,695; Power sunroof, $1,000; Destination Charge, $925).
Adherence to Brand Image: As much as I enjoyed the Buick Regal Turbo it couldn't be more out of place in the Buick lineup if it tried. When you look at Buick's lineup and see the Verano, the LaCrosse, the Encore and the Enclave, the Regal Turbo is a misfit crying for a better place to call home. The Regal Turbo's sporting pretensions are genuine and worth exploring - as I said, it's a surprisingly satisfying enthusiast machine - but it has nothing to do with Buick or the Buick mission. Buick is clearly GM's Chinese luxury brand and there's nothing about the division that suggests sporty or that it builds machines designed for enthusiasts. And when Buick adds a new Riviera in 2016, do you think it will have anything to do with having an enthusiast's perspective? No. Buick is a design-centric brand that exudes just the right amount of luxury and style for its Chinese luxury intenders. Where does the Buick Regal Turbo fit? It doesn't, but it would have made a sensational Pontiac Grand-Am. - PMD