ON THE TABLE

November 7, 2012

 Hyundai/Kia. The Korean auto conglomerate's gross miscalculation as to what they could get away with in the U.S. mileage derby will cost it dearly. To the tune of $100 million when it's all said and done, according to reports. We think that's low. And we think the doubts raised about the company's integrity will loom large going forward.

 Bob King, the UAW. The auto workers union put all of their might behind a ballot proposal that would have made collective bargaining part of the State of Michigan's constitution, thus dooming the state to be mired in the stone age for the foreseeable future. If there were any doubts left about the fact that the UAW's influence in this state and this country is in decline and the union is fading into oblivion, they're gone now. Bob King's fifteen minutes are almost up.

 American Suzuki. The company is quitting selling cars in the U.S. after nearly 30 years in this market and has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company said in a statement this past Monday that it will maintain its motorcycle and marine engine business units and will continue to honor auto customers' warranties. In its filing, American Suzuki said it "has exhausted all available means to reduce the cost of operating the Automotive Division for it to operate profitably." What they didn't say is that they half-assed their way through this market for years, and they pretty much got what they deserved. Would you miss it?

(Audi)
Wolfgang Egger, Head of Audi Design, explains the development of the single-frame radiator grille (pencil in hand). With him: Enzo Rothfuss, Head of Interior Design, and Steve Lewis, Head of the Concept Design Studio in Munich (from right to left). Audi is taking its design in a new direction, suggesting that there will be greater differentiation between the models and that future model generations will show more technical aspects in the design. Another component of the new design strategy is that the exterior and interior will form an even more cohesive unit. Audi points to its current show car, the Audi crosslane coupé, as the best example of the new design direction. “We are focused on authentic products and show technology intentionally,” commented Wolfgang Egger, Head of Audi Design. Egger discussed this with the media at the Concept Design Studio in Munich, which aims to invigorate their creative process. Egger firmly believes that “good design must always express a vision” and he senses that automotive design is ready for a change. “We need something new without breaking with tradition.” The point of the media show was that Audi Design has been reorganized, and Egger and his team are redefining their focus. They are placing more emphasis on the creative process and are thus exerting a substantial influence on the design of future Audi products. But we just have to state the obvious here: "... something new without breaking with tradition." What does that mean exactly? I'm sure we'll find out. Or not.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Our "quick take" this week has us in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Roadster. Nothing like the decidedly dull and underperforming SLK originally foisted upon us in this market, this SLK is bad ass to the bone with a rompin' stompin' hand-built 5.5-liter AMG V8 with 415HP stuffed under the hood. Whether or not the design cues of the SL shrink-wrapped for the smaller footprint and proportions of the SLK work or not is highly debatable (we did like the designo "Magno Alinite Grey" look more than we thought we would), but there's no question the SLK55 AMG Roadster exists in an entirely different dimension of performance. Readers by now know we're partial to V8s - especially high-performance V8s with the cojones of this one - and in this tidy package the appeal of the brutal-sounding AMG V8 is magnified beautifully. It's get-your-attention fast and wonderfully composed at speed and an entirely different approach from the Boxster S, for instance. Is it better? We prefer the agility and feel of the Boxster S but there's no question that the SLK55 AMG has its distinct set of charms. I can say without equivocation, however, that signing up for one of these cars is a real commitment given the roads around these parts. I've grown tired of just how bad our roads really are and it has become almost tedious to even mention it, but drive the SLK55 with its AMG-tuned suspension here or anywhere where the roads are marginal and you will be immediately reminded of what having a seriously sport-tuned suspension means in a daily driver. At times it's like having a bucking bronco but then again when the road smooths out and you can put your foot into it, your agitation over the current state of America's infrastructure magically disappears. They did a great job on the SLK55 AMG and it purges lingering mental cobwebs every time you hammer it, but as a package it's limiting, what with having to find a place for its retractable roof and the resulting umbrella-sized trunk (okay it's bigger than that but come on, really?). When it comes right down to it I loved having the SLK55 AMG around and I loved exploring its performance envelope. But if I'm going to spend almost $90 grand for a high-performance toy, I'd have to pass on this one. - PMD

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Roadster: $86,435 ($67,990 Base Price; designo Magno Alinite Grey, $3,950; Bengal Red Premium Leather interior; Carbon Fiber trim, $2,250; Hand Built 5.5-liter Naturally Aspirated AMG V8 with 415HP and 398 lbs-ft of torque with AMG Cylinder Management; 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT automatic gearbox with Shift Paddles; ECO Start/Stop System, 18" alloy wheels with high-performance tires; Retractable hard top with IR remote roof automation; Cloth windscreen; Magic Sky Control Panoramic Roof, $2,500; Keyless-Go, $650; AMG Handling Package - AMG Compound Braking System, Top Speed of 174 mph, AMG Performance Suspension, Limited Slip Differential, AMG Performance Steering Wheel, 18" AMG Multi-Spoke Wheels - $4,750; Lighting Package - Bi-Xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination and headlamp washing system plus adaptive highbeam assist - $1,290; Multimedia Package - 7.0" color display, COMAND with navigation, In-dash 6-disc DVD/CD changer, Voice control, hard drive with Music Register for download of media files, In-dash SD-memory card slot, Gracenote media database, Zagat Survey restaurant guide, MB Apps-mbrace2 - $2,150; Destination and Delivery, $905.)

We've added a new dimension to our "Quick Take" auto reviews by discussing brand image, in which we will ask ourselves a simple question: Does the vehicle we're driving adhere to the stated image of the brand? Or is it just a placeholder until they figure it out? We will be very clear as to what we think here, unlike some of the manufacturers in question who aren't quite sure as to who they are and what they stand for. - PMD

Adherence to Brand Image: As I've stated previously, "... Mercedes-Benz is trying really, really hard to get its mojo back is to be applauded. After squandering the famous 'Engineered Like No Other Car in the World' ad theme many moons ago and then careening through its dismal 'more approachable' adventure when it built a slew of crappy cars, Mercedes has decided that 'The Best or Nothing' will be its mantra from now on. And that is good, as long as they consistently live up to it." The SLK55 AMG Roadster is a bit of a barometer for the more raucous soul of the company that loves building honkin' V8s and stuffing them throughout its product portfolio, political correctness be damned. And with a wonderful attitude of "we do it because it feels good" thrown in for good measure. For that reason alone the SLK55 adheres to the M-B brand image remarkably well. Does the SLK55 AMG make sense in lieu of the more expensive SL? if you're strictly a Mercedes-Benz guy or gal, then yes, it makes eminent sense because it blends into the Mercedes-Benz performance ladder just so and it works. But it's a big wide automotive world out there, and there are plenty of serious competitors to the SLK55 AMG Roadster in terms of performance, prestige and style. Under that microscope it doesn't work so well. But in the Mercedes-Benz-centric world, it fits just fine. - PMD

Mercedes-AMG has introduced the most extreme version of its SLS yet, the 2014 SLS AMG Black Series. Taking cues from the SLS AMG GT3 race car, the fifth Black Series model from Mercedes-AMG "boasts a mix of breathtaking design, outstanding driving dynamics and uncompromising lightweight construction in line with the 'AMG Lightweight Performance' strategy," according to the release. The AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine churns out 622 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque, making the 2014 SLS AMG Black Series the most powerful AMG high-performance automobile with a combustion engine. It hits zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of 196 mph. With a remarkably light curb weight (for Mercedes) of 3,417 pounds, the SLS AMG Black Series delivers a whole new level of performance. Other good stuff? Coil-over AMG Adaptive Performance Suspension, AMG high-performance ceramic two-piece brake system and weight optimized, forged AMG light-alloy wheels with new sport tires. Additional highlights include electronically-controlled AMG rear-axle differential lock and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission featuring ultra quick shift and response times. "The new SLS AMG Black Series is a perfect study in the one hundred percent transfer of technology and engineering from motorsport to road. We have drawn inspiration from the worldwide success of the SLS AMG GT3 customer sport racing car on both a conceptual and a technological level," says Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The 2014 SLS AMG Black Series goes on sale in the U.S. next summer.