ON THE TABLE

August 31, 2011

 The UAW. It looks like 2,500 hourly UAW workers employed at Ford's Dearborn Truck plant (where F-150 pickups are built) will overwhelmingly approve a strike authorization as part of a two-day vote that wraps up tonight. Gary Walkowicz, a committeeman for UAW Local 600, told Automotive News that workers exiting the polls and on the factory floor are heavily leaning toward authorization. A final count of ballots could come Tuesday night. That's not all. Automotive News also reported that workers at Ford's assembly plant near Kansas City, Missouri, voted 3,049-18 to authorize a strike in voting that wrapped-up Saturday. The Kansas City plant makes F-150s, the Escape and the Escape Hybrid. Quite simply the UAW rank and file want most of the concessions agreed upon four years ago to be reinstated. And UAW management wants the pay attached to the new Tier II entry-level jobs to be increased. Ritual UAW grandstanding at this stage of the bargaining talks? Absolutely. But it is also sending a message that any thoughts of a progressive new UAW in the Bob King era can pretty much be dispensed with. Do you see that pinpoint of fiberoptic light at the end of the tunnel? We can safely say it's not enlightenment coming down the tracks.

City of Livonia, Michigan. This local area town has just been named the worst speed trap in the entire country by the National Motorists Association. Guess what? The entire SE Michigan Tri-County region (Oakland, Macomb & Wayne counties) is a speed trap. With a state crushed by a recession-bordering-on-depression for going on four years now, the "radar cowboys" have been doing their revenue-generating level best to keep the various town budgets somewhat solvent. It ain't pretty. And it ain't fun. Standard operating procedure now is that no matter how fast you're going the cops write your ticket up at 5 mph over, giving you a "break" so it doesn't register points with the state and the insurance companies. But that ticket will cost you anywhere from $75 -$200 depending on where you're nabbed. Not Good.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Our "Quick Takes" this week have us in two vehicles. The 2012 Audi A6 which WordGirl talks about (below) and the 2011 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid. Clad in a tasteful combination of Mocha Steel Metallic paint and Cocoa/Light Linen interior, the Escalade Hybrid was a jaw-dropping machine for a couple of reasons. First of all I will never, ever get over the fact that these large SUVs have been developed, honed and refined to the point that they are absolutely seamless conveyances that drive effortlessly and confidently with no drama whatsoever. I almost (I stress "almost") forgot the fact that the thing was huge, and it wasn't even the "ESV" version either. For the most part it was hard for me to believe that a thing that big should drive that well it was so dialed-in. An engineering marvel. The other jaw-dropping part of this vehicle wasn't the 2-Mode Hybrid system, which worked just fine - especially in stop and go traffic - but the sticker price. $89,090.00 to be exact. That kind of cheese could buy yourself a nice Porsche 911 Coupe, so you'd have to really really need and want one of these for it to make any sense. But then again if you do and the pomp and circumstance of the Escalade Platinum is right up your alley, I can't imagine a more comfortable and competent vehicle of this type out there, it was that good. At least in its own little slice of gigantic SUV world, that is. - PMD

2011 Cadillac Escalade 4WD Platinum Hybrid: $89,090, ($88,140 Base Price; VORTEC 6.0-liter SFI V8 with active fuel management; 2-Mode Hybrid transmission; Hybrid propulsion, electric with 300V energy storage system; Rear locking differential; Automatic rear leveling control; 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes; 22" chrome wheels; Magnetic ride control; Navigation system; DVD-audio with single disc CD/DVD, Bose 5.1 surround sound; Platinum Edition - Leather-wrap IP top pad and door uppers, Olive ash & walnut burl wood, Aluminum trim accents, 1st and 2nd row Tehama airline leather, Nuance leather 3rd row seat, leather wrap center console with aluminum trim utility tray, Door sill plates with badging, Heated and cooled cup holders, Rear seat entertainment including independent front row 7" DVD head restraints with independent 8" overhead screen, Unique upper and lower front grille, and LED headlamps. Destination Charge, $950).

Editor's Note: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Audi simply has it goin' on right now - in a big way - and the Audi A6 is another fine example of this. It is supremely competent - effortlessly so. I am especially enamored of this vehicle on the highway - a great 'road trip car' as I like to describe it. It is powerful and smooth, and a true pleasure to drive. The interior is spacious, clean and contemporary - just what you expect from Audi (although it could be a bit more luxurious for my tastes). So speaking of luxury, our tester came with in three grand of the A7 (thanks to some pricey options) - a vehicle that truly stands out for its elegance and style, and feels a lot more luxurious and refined overall than the A6. I would take the A7 all day long over the A6, but (and this is a big but) with a base price ten grand less than the A7, the A6 becomes extremely attractive. For that reason, and for those who appreciate understatement - the Audi way - the A6 is an excellent choice - it does exactly what it is supposed to do with an abundance of ability and grace. - WG

2012 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI quattro Auto Tiptronic Sedan: $63,555, ($49,900 Base Price; Audi Exclusive Color - White, $2,500; 3.0-liter 310HP supercharged V6 with FSI direct fuel injection; 8-speed Tiptronic transmission; Prestige - S line exterior, 19" wheels with all-season tires, Audi navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi Connect (with 6 month complimentary subscription), Front and rear parking sensors, 4-zone automatic climate control, front seat ventilation, BOSE Surround Sound system, HD radio, Audi advanced key, Xenon plus headlights with LED DRLs, Adaptive headlights, Power steering column adjust, Ambient lighting plus, 7" color Driver Information System - $6,880; 19" Sport Package - 19" wheels with summer performance tires, Sport suspension, 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel & shift paddles - $1,500; LED headlights, $1,400; Auto side assist, $500; Destination Charge, $875).

(Ford)
The Ford Evos Concept "represents the ultimate expression of Ford’s new global design language, and explores key future powertrain and vehicle technologies," according to the manufacturer. The concept, which makes its global debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next month, introduces Ford’s first truly global design language. “The Ford Evos Concept unites three key elements which are at the core of our One Ford global product strategy: outstanding design, smart technologies and fuel economy leadership,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development. The Ford Evos Concept is not just a design-led exercise, according to Ford. It also embodies the global Ford product development team's move to design and develop vehicles delivering four key customer benefits: personalization, seamless enhancement of the driving experience, looking after the driver’s well-being and delivering smart electrified powertrain optimization. Ford's global Research and Innovation team, led by Paul Mascarenas, was tasked with building the Evos Concept around a technology experience as visionary as the design. The four-door, four-seat fastback concept features a state-of-the-art lithium-ion plug-in hybrid powertrain. Pay attention folks, because there will be a test. Ford is dead serious about the look of the Evos and you will be seeing more than just a little - okay, make that a lot - of its design language in some stunning future Ford models.

(Audi Group)
Audi will introduce the S6, S6 Avant, S8 and the S7 (above) at the Frankfurt show. The S7, S6 and S6 Avant are powered by a new 4.0 TFSI with 309 kW (420 hp) and 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) of torque. The V8 uses Audi’s “cylinder on demand” technology under part load and, consumes on average just 9.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (24.25 US mpg). The new 4.0 TFSI in the S8 delivers 382 kW (520 hp) and a constant 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft between 1,700 and 5,500 rpm. it goes from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.2 seconds, and top speed is electronically capped at 250 km/h (155.34 mph).

(Land Rover)
The Land Rover DC100 concept, touted as a modern interpretation of the Land Rover Defender, will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Though Land Rover plans on producing the new Defender globally by 2015, no decision has been made as to whether it will come to the North American markets.

(McLaren Automotive)
McLaren Automotive has launched McLaren Special Operations, a division responsible for delivery of bespoke projects for McLaren sports cars to customers.  McLaren Special Operations presented an example of its work in a new MP4-12C at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last week finished in a unique satin matte version of Volcano Orange and featuring a range of bespoke upgrades including: a gloss black roof, diamond cut finish wheels with gloss black inners, MP4-12C branded carbon sill panels, carbon steering wheel, front wheel arch louvers and carbon fiber engine cover vents, rear deck vent and wiper system cover.  A short film including footage of this unique MP4-12C can be viewed at www.youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetv

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Our friend Casey Shain (aka "artandcolour") weighs-in this week with a couple of his famous digital illustrations, this time for Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz. Here's what Casey has to say about them: "The Lincoln is a series 2 MKS and the first Lincoln I haven't included suicide doors. Just in time for Cadillac to pick them up, lol. I tried not to use too many historic Lincoln cues on this one; the proverbial breath of fresh air. The Mercedes is based on the new C coupe, and would be a smaller-than-CLS 4-door 'coupe' with hybrid power." Enjoy Casey's latest work. - PMD