ON THE TABLE - FEBRUARY 12, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014 at 05:28PM
Cadillac, Rogue. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The new TV commercial for the Cadillac ELR is significant for one very key reason: It's the first spot that defines what Cadillac "swagger" is without yet another attempt at outdoing the Germans at the Nurburgring, which they've now beaten to death for way too long. The "Garages" spot for the CTS started to get at this positioning, but this new spot for the ELR really nails it. "You work hard, you create your own luck, and you gotta believe anything is possible..." Yeah, we like the sound of that. Nicely shot, well written and well performed, this spot indeed changes everything for Cadillac. Well done, ladies and gentlemen. (The corresponding print really sucks, however. Oh well. Both TV and print both fail to mention that the ELR is an extended-range electric vehicle, which was clearly intentional, but really? Isn't that the defining characteristic of this car??? - WG) - PMD
GM. Editor-in-Chief's Note: GM is going to pay Mary Barra $14.4 million in total compensation in 2014. Good. That's what the CEO of GM should be making. - PMD
(Images courtesy of Ferrari)
The new Ferrari California T retains signature features of the model such as the 2+ concept, a tastefully luscious cabin and, of course, the retractable hard top, which transforms it from coupé to spider in a mere 14 seconds. The big news is its direct-injected, 3855cc turbocharged V8, which delivers 552HP at 7500 rpm, with maximum torque of 755 Nm. The California T accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. Ferrari says that this is also the first time virtually zero turbo lag has been achieved on an engine of this type, guaranteeing instantaneous response to commands and a torque curve that increases constantly across the rev range thanks to Variable Boost Management. Fuel consumption is reduced 15 percent from the previous model.
Ferrari says that the California T’s cabin was "designed to be as ergonomic as possible" exuding a sense of warmth and craftsmanship, with luxurious Frau semi-aniline leather trim. The steering wheel has integrated controls while the Turbo Performance Engineer (TPE) is positioned between the two air vents in the centre of the dash. The TPE display boasts a capacitive (touch-sensitive) surround to scroll through screens with information on making the most of the new engine’s performance. The California T also features a new infotainment system with an extremely intuitive, high-resolution 6.5” screen featuring both touch-screen and conventional controls. 
The sleek proportions of the California T were penned by the Ferrari Styling Center in collaboration with Pininfarina and are very much in keeping with the Ferrari front-engined ethos. The shape of the California T’s flanks is inspired by the 250 Testa Rossa’s famous pontoon-fender styling,
The front wing line stretches back towards the compact, muscular rear, bringing an aerodynamic sleekness and movement to the sides, according to Ferrari. The rear benefits from meticulous aerodynamic research resulting in a new triple-fence diffuser. The California T will be unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March, but can be seen online at www.ferrari.com in its two launch colors: Rosso California and Blu California.
(Images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz/newspress)
The long tradition of big coupes from Mercedes-Benz comes to life in the new S-Class Coupe. Jam-packed with technology, the new S550 Coupe features what Mercedes-Benz is calling "a world first" for series-production cars: The curve tilting function. This feature makes the Coupe lean into bends in a manner similar to a motorcyclist or skier. The lateral acceleration acting upon occupants is reduced in a way akin to when driving in a steep curve, and passengers sit more firmly. On country roads in particular, the new curve tilting function enhances motoring enjoyment and comfort, according to Mercedes. The object is not to reach higher speeds, but to produce a more pleasant motoring experience. With Active Body Control the suspension struts are equipped with hydraulic cylinders (so-called plungers), in order to adjust the force in each strut individually. Depending on the curve driven, the curve tilting function shifts the base point of each individual strut. This allows the vehicle to incline automatically and continuously in fractions of a second and to angles of up to 2.5 degrees in curves – depending on the road angle and vehicle speed. The innovative suspension system detects curves using both a stereo camera behind the windscreen, registering the curvature of the road up to 49 feet ahead, and an additional transversal acceleration sensor. The curve tilting function can be selected as one of three drive modes using the ABC switch; it is active in the speed range from 19 to 112 mph. Sounds beyond complicated.
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The side profile is defined by the dome-shaped stretched roof line and the frameless doors. "Our new S-Class Coupe is one of the most gorgeous coupes of all time, representing the most radical aesthetic departure from its predecessor," says Gorden Wagener, Vice President Daimler AG. "The sensuous flowing silhouette in interplay with the clear progressive design language forms a perfect symbiosis and expresses our philosophy of sensual purity with pithy precision." Just in case you needed to be reminded, nobody does automotive arrogance like Mercedes-Benz.
The two-door S550 Coupe will be available in the U.S. as a 4MATIC only with a 4.7L V8 biturbo engine with an output of 449 hp and its torque level peaks at 516 lb-ft.The new S-Class Coupe will launch in the U.S. this fall.
BMW is presenting the 850CSi Art Car by David Hockney for Paris Photo Los Angeles. The second edition of the world’s most celebrated art fair for works created in the photographic medium will take place at Paramount Pictures Studios, which offers the ideal setting to explore how artists have been and are using photography and moving image in their work in the 20th and 21st centuries. Almost 20 years after its creation in 1995 the BMW Art Car returns to its roots in LA, the city that has been Hockney’s home town since 1964. “It would be good to perhaps show the car so you could be looking inside it”, Hockney described his approach to the project. He put the idea into practice in his very own style of pop art that became as popular as Andy Warhol’s amongst connoisseurs worldwide. Since 1975, prominent artists from throughout the world have designed BMW automobiles of their times, all making extremely different artistic statements. The seventeen exhibits created for the Art Car Collection until now include works by well-known artists such as Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Jenny Holzer, Olafur Eliasson and Jeff Koons. The Art Cars reflect the cultural and historical development of art, design, and technology and have been presented by major museums around the world, including the Guggenheim and the Louvre. The fair will be held April 25-26, 2014 from 12:00 to 7:00 pm and April 27 from 12:00 to 6:00 pm. For more information visit www.parisphoto.com/losangeles.
(BMW USA/newspressUSA)
Porsche has officially opened its expanded plant in Leipzig. Taking roughly two years from start to finish, the facilities now include a body shop and an ultra-modern paint shop in addition to the final assembly to accommodate the production of the new Porsche Macan with a capacity of 50,000 plus annually. The plant, which was designed to meet stringent environmental criteria, has been assembling the Cayenne and Panamera models of Porsche for the past 10 years. Porsche’s fifth model line, the new Macan S and Macan Turbo, will arrive at U.S. dealers this summer and will become true sports cars - yes, Porsche PR actually said that, ugh - in the rapidly growing segment of compact SUVs. (The disease started by Audi is spreading rapidly among German manufacturers, whereby they insist on calling compact SUVs true "sports cars.") The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6-powered Macan S has 340HP and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. The 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 in the Macan Turbo produces 400HP and can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
McLaren Automotive will reveal the latest addition to its range of supercars - the McLaren 650S - at the 84th International Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, March 4th. Designed and developed with lessons learned from both the 12C as well as the McLaren P1, the McLaren 650S will slot between those two models and "offer the enthusiast driver the ultimate in luxury, engagement and excitement, as well as dramatic yet beautiful styling" according to McLaren. We'll see.
(Mercedes-Benz/newspressUSA)
Yes, auto manufacturers are going stark raving mad for crossover/SUVs, and there's no end in sight either. The new 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA is added to the GLK, ML, GL and G, offering "the widest range of any European premium manufacturer," according to Mercedes. The first Mercedes-Benz in the fast-growing compact SUV segment has a length of 173.9”, a width of 71” and a height of 60”. "The high-quality appointments, developed with much attention to detail, and the versatile interior clearly position the GLA as a premium compact SUV," according to the manufacturer. The GLA is the first Mercedes-Benz SUV to be available with the new-generation 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, with fully variable torque distribution. The GLA has a flexible and variable interior; the rear seat backrests fold down completely, and the luggage compartment can be loaded without difficulty thanks to the low loading sill and the wide tailgate, which opens automatically. Power comes from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 208 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2015 GLA will arrive in U.S. showrooms in the Fall of 2014.
(Mercedes-Benz/newspressUSA)
The 2015 BMW X3 has some significant updates. A rear-wheel drive BMW X3 sDrive28i will be available for the U.S. market for the first time. And a diesel-powered version - the X3 xDrive28d - will make its debut. The exterior and interior of the new X3 receive updates as well. The new X3 goes on sale in the spring as a 2015 model. Prices in the U.S. will start at $39,325 for the X3 sDrive28i. The X3 xDrive28i (with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive) will start at $40,725, while the top-of-the-line X3 xDrive35i will sticker for $45,825. The all-new X3 xDrive28d will start at $42,825. (All prices include $925 Destination & Handling fee.)
Subaru, the hottest car company that no one ever really thinks about - except for its loyalist buyers of course - has introduced an all-new 2015 Legacy sedan at the Chicago Auto Show. The highlights? It's the roomiest Legacy ever with the largest passenger cabin in the midsize segment, a segment Subaru is desperate to crack. A higher level of comfort, quiet and refinement with revised powertrains and standard Lineartronic® CVT on all models. Other new stuff includes standard Active Torque Vectoring for greater agility; EyeSight driver assistance system with improved camera performance; available safety technology including rear radar with Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and infotainment technology with an available 12-speaker premium audio system. Fuel efficiency for the new Legacy is an estimated 26 mpg city/36 mpg highway for the 2.5i model.
(Subaru/newspressUSA)