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There aren’t many hills in New York City, but there’s a big one to climb at Cadillac’s new HQ and its name is ‘perception’.
- Q&A: Cadillac’s Ellinghaus Talks About The Big Picture (MarketingDaily)
With the Dare Greatly – or is it #DareGreatly? – campaign in full swing, Cadillac’s marketing chief answers some question from MarketingDaily on (re-)building a luxury brand. - Beijing Auto BJ20 concept hits the Shanghai Auto Show (ChinaCarNews)
If you’re looking for a Toyota FJ Cruiser replacement, China has the answer. - Mattel hopes you’ll design 3D-printed toys (Engadget)
Good news: we can (probably) soon print our own Hot Wheels. Bad news: they’ll be plastic, not diecast. - Honda Concept D revealed in Shanghai (CarAdvice)
Honda’s newest concept will make you pray for the return of the Crosstour. - Venucia VOW Concept Previews Compact Crossover (AutoGuide)
The Venucia VOW got a lot of play yesterday and overnight – but, is it because it’s actually good looking or just the best of the worst?
What we’re driving this week:
- Alex Dykes has Lincoln’s newest model, the MKC.
- Kamil Kaluski is driving around Boston in the Land Rover Discovery Sport
- Timothy Cain has the six-passenger Hyundai Santa Fe XL in Limited trim.
We are going to keep the B&B apprised of what we are driving every Monday morning (except today it’s Tuesday) giving you a chance to ask what you want before the review.
39 Comments on “While You Were Sleeping: April 21st, 2015...”
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Honda: that 5 series GT sure would look nice with a wing…
The CT6 is a JOKE and the Mercedes W222 – and E350- will have no trouble dominating.
LUXURY means NO COMPROMISES.
Cadillac and Lincoln are trying to get by without giving the buyer who buys that kind of car what they want:
an OPTIONAL V8.
Their interiors feel and look cheap too.
I’m sure many people disagree with me, but my logic is undeniable.
The videos I made on Youtube badmouthing the CT6 and Continental concept are getting more aggrees than disagrees.
Considering the popularity of 6 banger A8s, 7s and XJs I don’t think the lack of a V8 is a problem. It’s a problem, but it’s the least of Caddy’s problems.
If Caddys were more interesting to look at in and out and roomier in the back nobody would care what was under the hood. Caddy itself should have “Dared Greatly” rather than trying to ape the Germans to play at a game they will never win.
No Compromises? – a V8 is a compromise. You need a V12. E350 comes with a V6 – that’s a compromise. Acceleration .7 seconds faster than a Chevy Spark EV. Now I will agree with you on the higher end W222s, but that’s a class above the CT-6 and will compete with the CT-8.
Personally, I’m not interested in cars that size. In fact, of all the things to keep someone from buying a Model S, the size is my biggest issue. In a few minutes, I’m headed to my indoor parking space in Boston. The space itself is well protected on three sides by concrete, has a charging outlet, and climate controlled, but I’m not sure I could get the doors open on a Model S or a W222. Just too narrow of a space.
“E350 comes with a V6 – that’s a compromise. Acceleration .7 seconds faster than a Chevy Spark EV.”
Those are two different things.
V8s are pointless. Very few people care anymore. Most that do are about at the age their kids are going to take their keys away.
I’m driving a 4cyl A6Q at the moment (courtesy of a Sixt upgrade – the guy in front of me got the 228i I reserved) and it has all the engine I would ever need or want in such a car. I’m not The Transporter, nor am I 18 years old. Quiet, efficient, comfortable front and rear, nice interior, looks good on the outside too. Moves with sufficient authority when you floor it. Super boring color combo of black on black, but that is the style at the moment.
Cadillac knows the recipe, they just need to sweat the details a little better, and try not to go crazy with the pricing for a while.
It’s too bad the Germans/Europe never made a good V8, or ever understood the concept. V8s have a beauty of their own. There’s never been a better engine. Not even close.
Cars are only going to get heavier, so V8s will likely see a resurgence. It has to be the next Hot trend, at least according to my math. In next 5,000 lbs Camry’s too! Keep the Nav and all the other junk that’s obsolete before the showroom.
OEMs are keeping V8s on the back burner just in case. It has to be the only reason the Titan still exists.
But I just realized the only new cars and trucks I’ve bought were V8s, including diesels. I’m not stopping now and if Cadillac wants my cash, they’d better make V8’s their standard upgrade. No V8, no deal.
Yeah, I’m 46, but my best car buying years are still ahead of me. I’ll stick to ‘no limit’ resto-mods if OEMs let me down.
“the Germans/Europe never made a good V8”
You mean other than the Benz M156, possibly the best-sounding engine on the planet?
Or the batshit DI 4.2 V8 in the B8 RS4 and outgoing R8?
Or the 8400 rpm S65 that was the only reason to buy an E90 M3 rather than the lighter 335i?
“…possibly the best-sounding engine on the planet?”
That’s your opinion. And it certainly doesn’t mean those others are good V8s. Just better than the 6 cylinder alternatives.
The M3’s V8 was a boat anchor. Very heavy for a 4.0 and made p!ss poor power/torque. Even then you had to rev it to the moon! It had the fuel economy of a 5.4 V8 F-150 if you got the 4X4 crew cab with everything on it. It had to die.
“Revving it to the moon” was the whole point of the S65’s existence. It’s like the old Honda VTEC engines that way. It didn’t even sound good until 3000+ rpm.
The only reason the M3 could keep up with the Mustang was its very aggressive gearing. But that earned it Gas Guzzler Tax status. Unless you bring up the Boss 302, then it was Good Night Irene!
But the good new was the aftermarket eventually made a Twin Vanos Delete Kit. The V8 M3 was aimed at the US enthusiast market as that’s where most M3s are sold. Swing and a miss. They should stick to what they know. And V8s should make most of their power down low. Or what’s the point?
Is the M156 the one that has a tendency to grenade itself before 100,000 miles.
Seriously though, I dont care for quad-cam complex motors. Just give me something I can thrash without worrying about mechanical malfunction.
By what metric was the M100 or M156 not a “good V8”?
By what metric are they great V8s? And can you one in a basic car?
What is the DenverMike “good V8” criteria?
Is anything more exotic than Chrysler 318 and Ford 302 off the list?
Too many to list. Of the small blocks, the 351s. Cleveland then Windsor.
How’s the engine sound on that A6? Is there any? The EA888 is a very refined four but I don’t want to hear any four-cylinder noise in a car in that category.
You’re forgetting the ones who are at the age where they’re about to start asking their parents if they can borrow the car keys.
If everyone wants a V8 in their big car, why are the 6-cylinder versions of the A8 and the 7-series the runaway bestsellers?
I’m the target market for the CT6, and frankly, I’m impressed. Especially if it comes in both AWD and PHEV, which is what I really want. I have a bunch of home renovations that’ll tie up my disposable income for the next couple of years, otherwise I’d bite on the CT6 or Continental.
I think a bunch of people missed where I capitalized the word: OPTIONAL
The only people who care about an optional V8 are the people who actually want to buy the V8 and auto magazines who only ever drive the most expensive configuration of any car.
Benz just removed the V8 option from the mainstream E-class, and no buyers care. (The E63 is not an option for the E-class target buyer because it’s too loud and rough.)
“…it’s too loud and rough”
I’ll bet they have the same complaints about sex and stuff. Who buys E-class anyway? Except V8s can be quiet and refined too. And if their mainstream V8s are boring stinkers anyways, who would miss them?
“Who buys E-class anyway?”
Pretty much every ultra-rich person who doesn’t care about cars, and a whole lot of upper-management types who want everyone to think they’re ultra-rich. There are fleets of them in downtown parking garages in every major city, and at every country club.
“Except V8s can be quiet and refined too.”
But if that’s all you need, why bother with a V8 when turbo sixes are making 300+ horsepower? The turbo (or supercharged) sixes in the E400, 535i, and A6 3.0T provide more acceleration without rising above a whisper than those buyers will ever need. The V8 is totally superfluous, except for the performance enthusiasts. That’s why Benz restricted it to the E63 and Audi to the S6. BMW will follow pretty soon – the 550i is a dead car walking.
Hey I like my V8s quiet and refined, same as my women, unlit IT’S TIME TO ROCK.
But I don’t mind a V8 that subtly reminds me what’s under the hood, especially when it cranks to life. I sure don’t want to hear cheesy/wheezy when spending lots on a luxury car. Just give me a normal but quality V8 that doesn’t set the Burgerkingring on fire.
I am genuinely eager to see the CT6 in the flesh. I think it has some very interesting proportions especially the front clip and the impossibly short front over-hang.
And you must admit, the CT6 does look better than the E class. Here in Vancouver, BC the german mid sizers are as common as Honda Civics.
Now, if they could just stuff an LT1/AWD combo in the CT6, I would be genuinely interested. Dont care for turbo’s or hybrids.
Caddilac in New York simply means that grandma and grandpa are retiring in Manhattan.
not to be that guy but…lots of hills in NYC
North of 96th St and in the BX/Westchester, sure, but I lived and worked in Manhattan for 3 years and commuted by bike about 30-40% of the time it wasn’t freezing or raining. It’s pretty flat
Silly rabbit. To the people Cadillac is targeting, “NYC” means Manhattan south of 125th and *maybe* the innermost 10% or so of Brooklyn. All of that is pretty flat. Queens, the Bronx, most of Brooklyn, and certainly Staten Island are where those other people live.
Todt Hill on Staten Island is the highest place on the eastern seaboard that is south of Maine….
The #DareGreatly campaign seems to be a version of Mazdas advertising campaign. Besides, when I think of people “Daring Greatly”, I think of the guy that started a space launch company from scratch and an auto company as well. Who at GM has done anything like that?
Timothy Cain has the six-passenger Hyundai Santa Fe XL in Limited trim.
So Hyundai is building a three row Santa Fe with only two seats in the middle row? ‘Cause I highly doubt that they are selling a two row model with a front bench seat.
Depending on trim – I think – the Santa Fe XL is either a six- or seven-seater. Santa Fe Sport would be the two-row, five-seater.
I have been observing so-called “luxury” cars for some years now, and I really don’t see any reason to buy one over a cheaper cousin, i.e. Buick instead of Cadillac, or Ford over Lincoln.
However, the last time a Cadillac did impress me was a 1977 De Ville a friend owned. A very nicely-appointed car and a superb ride! Trouble was, the back door glass still only rolled down halfway, but I digress…
I would give “Dead Weight” some credit for his criticism but not his tirades of the current state of Cadillac. I do agree with most of what he says.
Unless the platform is unique to a particular make & model and is not shared with any lesser brand, and if the materials are premium – real wood and metal over plastic for switchgear and knobs, etc., real chromed metal trim, or at least polished stainless or aluminum over plastic chrome, real metal badging & emblems, better quality fabrics and unique drivetrains, there is absolutely no reason to purchase a Cadillac or Lincoln over their “lesser” counterparts.
I guess I’ll have to throw in a few other things here. Would body-on-frame construction make any difference? I do believe RWD and V8 power would raise the bar considerably.
All cars have a multitude of electronic goodies and features previously reserved for luxury or higher-end models, so the definition of “luxury” has to mean something else. Craft, workmanship and material quality have to figure in, as well as drivability and handling, of course.
Of course, I am not limiting this to Cadillac and Lincoln, but ALL “aspirational” brands which include Lexus, BMW, Audi and Mercedes.
For my money and my personal reality, I see no need nor have any desire to own any such luxury vehicle, but that’s me and I do not disparage anyone else for wanting something better than an Impala, Fusion, Malibu, Avalon, Camry, Accord, 200 or 300.
For the record, my 2012 Impala LTZ is far above anything else I have ever owned, and for me is the right car for my present highway-running, 2-hour daily round trip commute. Compared to my last Impala and almost every other car I have ever owned, it IS a luxury car!
I guess I aim low… but I’m not disappointed.
FWIW, that’s my unsolicited opinion!
I like the “what we’re driving this week” feature!
+1
Me, too. I hope the mix of C/SUVs vs sedans/coupes reflects the sales reality. TTAC has so far been pretty good in that and a weekly heads-up will let me know when to pay attention.
And, please, as much from Alex Dykes as he has time for. No one is more informative or less histrionic.
As one who has designed and built several cars using computer and paper (Probe IV and EcoSport, with unfinished designs for the new Escort and the Ford Nucleon); the idea of designing your cars in plastic is interesting. Some of the Hot Wheels offerings over the years were also made out of plastic (such as the color changing series); so that is not entirely a downside.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/75105572@N08/14930208923/
Main questions for me are whether the geometry I created in my existing program will transfer (since both are owned by Autodesk, I would think so); and how much for the privilege of having one made. I will have to check into this.