TWIN TURBO

At a Glance: 2019 Kia K900

September 21, 2018 by admin 6 Comments

The Kia K900 is one of the most improbable and unlikely models from a mainstream manufacturer.

Sophisticated and elegant, the 2019 Kia K900 seeks its own place in a niche segment.

Introduced in 2015, the K900 immediately gave Kia an entry in the niche full-size luxury sedan segment. That segment is occupied by the likes of the BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Jaguar XJ and the Audi A8L.

Sales of the K900 never accounted for much, so after three years it appeared Kia would pull this model from the U.S. market. Instead, the automaker skipped the 2018 model year and has an all-new sedan ready for 2019.

Yes, despite NBA superstar LeBron James serving as the K900 spokesman, Kia has only managed several hundred models sold each year. We’re not sure what Kia expects the 2019 K900 to do, but it is safe to say it will once again serve as the brand’s flagship model with distinction.

Here are details of the next-generation K900:

1. The K900’s overall dimensions are larger.

Forget downsizing! The 2019 Kia K900 is upsized slightly over the previous model. It is longer, wider and taller than the 2015-2017 version.

From wheel to wheel, this sedan measures 122.2 inches, up from 119.9 inches. From bumper to bumper, the increase is smaller. At 201.6 inches, the new model is one inch longer. Its width increased slightly to 75.4 inches from 74.8 inches. From a height perspective, the change is even smaller, increasing by just 0.2 inches to 58.7 inches.

The interior space appears to be roughly the same. We’re not sure what the trunk dimensions are for the new model, but we’re thinking they’ll come in better than the modest 15.9 cubic feet of the previous K900.

2. One engine is better than two.

The previous K900 came with two engine choices: a 3.8-liter V6 and a 5.0-liter V8. Both engines are gone, replaced by a single twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 with 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque.

Importantly, the new engine effectively splits the horsepower differences between the two previous engines, while matching the torque of the V8. An 8-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels. Yes, all-wheel drive is now standard.

3. State-of-the-art technologies live here.

Kia Motors has long pushed its technology prowess through its UVO telematics system. The new Kia K900 demonstrates just how savvy this automaker is.

For starters, you’ll find a 12.3-inch Human Machine Interface (HMI) touch-screen. This system displays maps, trip details, audio information, manages climate control and oversees other details. Also, the K900 has a new navigation system. All these things tie in with a dedicated service representative reachable via a VIP phone line.

Other tech features include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility, an available 9.7-inch head-up display, and a 17-speaker Harmon Kardon surround sound system.

Among the safety features you’ll find Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which includes a surround view monitor that has four cameras that provide a 360-degree perspective. The Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM) supplies the driver with a live feed of the adjacent lanes in the instrument panel. The system kicks in with a flick of a turn signal.

Other advanced safety features include lane keep assist, forward collision avoidance assist, and driver attention warning. You’ll also find rear cross traffic avoidance alert, safe exit assist, lane follow assist and advanced smart cruise control. The latter system utilizes lane markings and radar-front vehicle information to keep the K900 centered and sufficiently behind the vehicle immediately in front.

4. Luxury beyond reproach.

The Kia K900 offers a high-level of luxury befitting a sedan of its class. Soft leathers cover the seats and wrap the interior. Wood trim choices include walnut, olive ash, beige olive ash and engineered wood.

Kia says the front seats are well contoured and designed to supply optimum support and comfort in an effort to reduce fatigue. In a nod to Korea’s history, the quilted leather at the shoulders point to the clothing worn by Korean kings of antiquity.

Key features include heated and ventilated seats up front. An available 20-way power driver’s seat comes with width-adjusting bolsters and lumbar support. The front passenger has a 12-way power seat. The rear seats have their own advantages as the one on the driver’s side offers 12-way adjustment and the one on the right side 14-way adjustment. Both seats have reclining capabilities. Heating and ventilation options are also available for the outboard rear seats.

5. Pricing to be determined.

We’ll update this page when pricing information becomes known. The previous model started at $49,900, plus a $950 destination fee. That model offered three trims: Premium V6, Luxury V6 and Luxury V8.

We think the new model will cost at least $55,000 based on the improvements in performance and content alone. That’s still $20,000 less than a Lexus LS which, by the way, is also now powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine.

Kia K900: Round Two

As unlikely that there was a K900 in the first place, introducing an all-new model is a bold move on Kia’s part. Likely, sales will remain slow, although the sedan could find its way into livery fleets. After all, the Lincoln Town Car is long retired and not every limousine is a full-size SUV.

If Kia sends us a 2019 K900, we’ll supply a review and update this page with a link.

See Also — The Top-of-the-Range Kia K900

Kia K900 photos copyright Kia Motors.

On the Road With a 2018 Genesis G80

September 6, 2018 by admin 5 Comments

Luxury meets value with the Genesis G80

2018 Genesis G80 — The Genesis G80 is available in three trims. It has three engine choices and an automatic transmission.

Hyundai launched the Genesis luxury brand launched in 2016 with plans to steadily expand it to six models. Carved out of Hyundai, this marque is comprised of G70 (compact), G80 (midsize) and G90 (full-size) sedans. Two SUVs will soon follow; a third model of a not-yet-determined body style should arrive in 2021.

Genesis competes with a host of luxury brands, including Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Its traditional rear-wheel-drive architecture gives it the right to take on the best models in the business.

Recently, a Genesis G80 sedan was delivered for my inspection. It is a model I’m very familiar with, both under the Genesis moniker and when it was marketed as the Hyundai Genesis. I’ve always liked this sedan, which is stylish, generously appointed and attainable.

2018 Genesis G80

2018 Genesis G80 Overview

The 2018 Genesis G80 seats five and comes with standard rear-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. This model has three engine choices — each one is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Pay a visit to the Genesis G80 splash page and you’ll find 10 trim choices for your consideration. In reality, there are three trims, with each one corresponding to the engine choice. Thus, the standard prices are as follows: 3.8 ($41,750); 3.3T or Sport ($55,250); and 5.0 ($57,000). Add $975 for the destination charge and another $2,500 for all-wheel drive.

The 3.8 is where the package options kick in. The Premium Package ($5,000) builds on the standard features, adding LED foglights, a power tilt-and-slide panoramic sunroof, a Lexicon 14-speaker surround sound audio, a 7-inch color LCD multi-information display, wireless device charging (front) Qi standard, front and rear parking sensors, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a power rear sunshade, and manual rear side window shades.

You can also upgrade to the Ultimate Package ($10,100), which builds on the standard trim and Premium Package. Here, you’ll find shift-by-wire, full LED headlights with dynamic bending light (DBL) technology, premium leather seating surfaces, a power driver seat cushion extender and side bolster, genuine matte-finish wood trim and aluminum trim, a heads-up display, a multi-view camera system, a 9.2” HD touchscreen, Lexicon 17-speaker surround sound audio, a power trunk lid, and a dual mode front vent control and CO2 Sensor.

2018 Genesis

Your Choice of Engines

Credit Genesis with giving the G80 three engine choices and very good ones at that.

2018 Genesis G80 The standard engine displaces 3.8 liters, generating 311 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque. It is also the most efficient one too, making 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. This one runs on regular gasoline.

A twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 with 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque is the second engine choice. Models equipped with this engine make 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway and take premium gasoline.

The third engine choice is the lone V8, which displaces 5.0 liters and has an output of 420 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The EPA-estimated fuel economy comes in at 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. You’ll fuel with premium gasoline too.

Equipped the Way You Want

Genesis is big on value and that’s evident by just how well this model is equipped. We’ll look at the three main trims and what you get with each one.

Genesis G80 3.8

The G80’s roster of standard equipment is strong, beginning with the exterior.

2018 Genesis G80 This model comes with Bi-Xenon HID headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRL), high beam assist, power-folding and heated dual side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, 18-inch alloy wheels and a hands-free open trunk.

Inside, the G80 has push-button start to go with keyless entry. This model also comes with a leather-wrapped and power-controlled tilt-and-telescopic steering column, leather seats, 12-way power front seats with dual automatic climate control, and an automatic-dimming rearview mirror. A drive mode select allows you to choose between normal, eco and sport modes.

Among tech features, the 2018 G80 includes a 7-speaker audio system with satellite radio and a CD player.

2018 Genesis G80 Genesis also includes an 8-inch color touch-screen with navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility, Bluetooth and two USB ports. Genesis also provides three years complimentary connected car services and three years SiriusXM Travel Link services.

Among safety tech you’ll find a rearview camera with parking guidelines, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and driver attention alert. Genesis also includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Genesis G80 Sport (3.3T)

2018 Genesis G80 Besides the twin-turbo V6 engine, the Genesis G80 Sport adds such features as a panoramic power glass tilt and slide sunroof and a vehicle anti-theft system with engine mobilizer.

Inside, this trim has a power rear sunshade. All other tech and safety features remain the same.

Genesis G80 5.0

The V8 engine is the most significant difference at this trim level. The other one is the addition of front fog lights.

On the Road

My test Genesis G80 3.8 with rear-wheel drive came with zero options. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t well equipped as noted above. It just means you can find a midsize luxury sedan in the low-$40,000 range and that alone is good news.

What you have with the standard model is a quiet, comfortable riding sedan. Step-off acceleration is adequate and passing power is satisfactory. The transmission is properly matched with this engine, shifting through cogs quickly with no hunting detected.

The steering is light to the touch with limited feedback. On twisty roads and when pulling out of corners, its lack of handling precision becomes evident. Not in a disturbing way, but as a matter of fact. And that fact is a sedan like the BMW 5 Series is still difficult to beat.

Hours of backcountry road traveling gave me a good feel for what the Genesis G80 is all about. It is not a corner carver, but it acquits itself everywhere else and that’s what customers expect in this segment. In the G80, Genesis found what most customers want and delivers it.

2018 Genesis G80

Parting Thoughts: Genesis G80

The 2018 Genesis G80 delivers solid value for the segment. A number of competing models start around $50,000 and usually offer a turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the base engine. The Audi A6, Cadillac CTS and Lexus GS are three such models that come to mind.

Notably, when comparing this model to the Lexus, there is a near $5,000 price difference between Genesis and Lexus and even then you’re comparing a V6 engine to a small turbo four. Choose the GS 350 F Sport and you’ll pay $52,260 or just over $10,000 more than the G80 for a V6 that also makes 311 horsepower. Sure, the Lexus has better handling, but in all other areas, these two sedans are nearly equal.

As for the model of your choosing, adding the Ultimate Package gives you a well-equipped sedan, one that is priced like the Lexus, but with more features. Here, you get the most bang for the buck, although if enhanced performance is important to you, then you’ll look at the two other engine choices instead.

2018 Genesis G80

2018 Genesis G80 Specifications

Genesis	2018 G80
Segment	Midsize Luxury Sedan
Base Sticker Price	$41,750 (plus $995 destination fee)
Price as tested	$42,725 (RWD 3.8)
Engine No. 1	3.8-liter, V6
Horsepower	311 @ 6,000 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.)	293 @ 5,000 RPMs
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic
Engine No. 2	5.0-liter, V8
Horsepower	420/407 @ 6,000 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.)	383/372 @ 2,500 to 5,000 RPMs
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic
Engine No. 3	3.3-liter, twin turbo
Horsepower	365 @ 6,000 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.)	376 @ 1,300 to 4,500 RPMs
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic
Seating	5 (2+3)
Curb Weight (pounds)	4,195 to 4,561
Wheelbase (inches)	118.5
Length (inches)	196.5
Width (inches)	74.4
Height (inches)	58.3
Head room (f,r — inches)	39.4, 38.2/41.1
Leg room (f,r — inches)	45.7, 35.0
Shoulder room (f,r — inches)	58.3, 57.1
Hip room (f,r — inches)	N/A, N/A
Storage (cubic feet)	15.3
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	5,259 to 5,512
Towing (pounds)	3,500 pounds (2.0L)
Payload (pounds)	780 to 951
Fuel	regular
Fuel Tank (gallons)	20.3
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway)	19/27 (3.8L RWD); 16/24 (5.0L RWD); 17/25 (3.3L RWD)
Manufacturing Plant	Ulsan, South Korea

2018 Genesis G80
See Also — Genesis to Separate From Hyundai Showrooms

Generation Five: 2018 Lexus LS

July 13, 2018 by admin 3 Comments

Flagship LS sedan begins its fifth generation.

2018 Lexus LS 500 — The all-new Lexus LS delivers a forceful presentation.

When Lexus launched in 1990, the automaker brought to the market two sedans targeting America’s luxury makes — the full-size LS and the midsize ES. The LS served as the flagship model, bringing its own V8 power and rear-wheel drive to the segment, much in the same way as the Lincoln Town Car and the Cadillac DeVille had done.

Meanwhile, the ES took aim at the big Buick, Oldsmobile and Mercury models of the day. Although it probably can’t take full credit with contributing to the end of the second and third brands, its presence in the market didn’t help.

As the market turned, the big Lincoln and Cadillac models went away, giving Lexus a clear shot at the American consumer. But even the LS has to change with the times. This year, Lexus replaced the sedan’s V8 with a twin-turbo V6 engine. For 2018, the Lexus LS is an all-new sedan, launching the fifth generation of this venerable nameplate.

2018 Lexus LS 500

2018 Lexus LS Overview

For 2018, the big Lexus is officially known as the LS 500, replacing the previous LS 460. Until now, the numerical designation in the model name represented the engine size, as in 4.6 liters for the 460. Today, the 500 doesn’t correspond to the engine size, rather it signifies a more powerful, yet smaller engine.

Lexus offers the 2018 LS 500 in four arrangements or two trims: LS 500 RWD ($76,025), LS 500 AWD ($79,245), LS 500 F Sport RWD ($82,085) and LS 500 F Sport AWD ($83,775). These prices include a $1,025 destination charge.

The difference between the two is that the F Sport offers certain embellishments, such as a mesh grille. The suspension system is specially tuned and works with large 20-inch wheels riding on run-flat tires. It is also a better steering and handling model, although it doesn’t rise to the enhanced performance level of Lexus’ “F” line.

And lest you forget, Lexus is big on hybrids. This means the 500h is another choice, starting at $80,535 for rear-wheel drive and $83,755 for all-wheel drive. It comes with a naturally aspirated V6 engine, an electronically controlled variable transmission and electric motors. As for our review, this one covers the 2018 Lexus LS 500 F Sport, the model supplied to Auto Trends Magazine for a week of driving.

2018 Lexus LS 500

Exterior Highlights

In recent years, Lexus’ design language has taken on a more evocative (some say provocative) look, as the brand moves away from any semblance of blandness. The changes have raised the brand’s visibility in perhaps ways it could have never reached before. Loyalists may decry the new look, but then Lexus is also trying to reach a new breed of customer, including Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz owners.

Front to back, the LS’ expressive lines are marked by an abundance of sculpting. The front fascia features the brand’s recognizable spindle (hourglass) grille flanked by zig-zag headlamps and honed in by deep embrasures housing the fog lamps. It follows with a long hood and an extended beltline that rises at the rear pillar. The raised rear deck sits short and wide, and offers its own expressive design featuring twin bisecting boomerang lights.

Size matters and the LS certainly is big. The previous model had standard and stretched wheelbases on tap, but the new one has 123 inches between the wheels and is just over an inch longer overall.

Among the standard items you’ll find LED headlamps with cornering lights, LED tail lamps and turn signals, power-folding and heated side mirrors with puddle lamps, a power moonroof, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The list of options include adaptive front lights and 20-inch wheels.

The F Sport Package delivers its own look, including a special grille, a rear diffuser, a unique wheel design and large brake calipers.

2018 Lexus LS 500

Interior Highlights

Sumptuous doesn’t accurately define the LS’ interior. Palatial, lavish and opulent are a few other adjectives that come to mind.

Slip behind the wheel of the LS and immediately your senses are elevated. The look, feel, smell and sound are intensified.

You can almost taste the luxury, although I don’t recommend licking anything. The cabin is quiet, even serene with strategically placed controls, quilted leather touchpoints, wood trim, and ambient lighting setting the mood. Even a section of etched glass is present, placed on the dashboard facing the front passengers. Is this merely eye-catching decor or does it hint at some future screen? Time will most certainly tell.

Five fit in full comfort in the Lexus LS with the available Executive Package making this a four-seat sedan. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an LS in livery service, but the capability is there. Consider it the ultimate executive car for the presidential suite, a fitting way to impress clients when family members aren’t the ones enjoying it.

The list of standard features is lengthy and goes well beyond the expected full power accessories, leather interior, automatic climate control and power tilt-and-telescopic steering column. The steering wheel is wrapped in thick leather and heated, the front seats are heated and cooled, the driver’s seat is power operated and supplies lumbar support, even the front headrests are power controlled. All models come with a power rear sunshade.

Upgrades include a leather-wrapped wood steering wheel, various wood trim choices, more exquisite leather, four-zone climate control, and power side-window sunshades. Additional upgrades are included in the Executive and Luxury packages.

2018 Lexus LS 500

Technology & Safety

Lexus equips the 2018 LS with a 12-speaker audio system, Bluetooth connectivity and USB ports. A 12.3-inch color navigation display is also standard. Upgrades include a 23-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, which delivers concert-hall quality sound throughout the cabin.

Standard safety technologies include Lexus Safety System, which represents a pre-collision system. This system includes pedestrian detection, all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, lane keep assist and automatic high beam control.

Other features include a now mandatory rearview camera, a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, pre-collision braking and intuitive parking assist with automatic stop. There are two individual options available as well — a 24-inch heads-up display and a panoramic view monitor.

2018 Lexus LS 500

Performance Matters

A 3.5-liter V6 engine powers the 2018 Lexus LS, but it isn’t what you might expect. This one is completely different from the 3.5-liter engine you find in other Toyota and Lexus products. Indeed, it measures 3444cc to the 3456cc of the traditional engine. Some sources (such as the EPA) call it a 3.4-liter engine, but we’ll use the sizing identification shared by Lexus.

The new engine has an aluminum head and blocks along with a pair of turbos consolidated into the exhaust manifolds. With its unusually long stroke — 100.0 inches to 85.5 inches bore, Lexus claims the turbo achieves high levels of thermal efficiency. Importantly, it has an output of 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. Lexus pairs this engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Fully loaded, the LS weighs about 5,000 pounds. The new engine, however, is up to the task of moving this large sedan. Step on the accelerator and the LS begins to move forward confidently. Floor the pedal and the turbos spool up after a momentary hesitation, rocketing this big sedan forward.

The steering wheel is nicely weighted with small inputs moving this sedan with ease. Take the LS on twisty roads and it stays poised, hanging the lines quite well. On corners, the sedan leans ever so slightly. With all-wheel drive you can expect an extra measure of control as you pull out of corners or when navigating wet roads.

2018 Lexus LS 500

Cost Factor

At $75,000, this is a reasonable starting point for the 2018 LS. But most shoppers won’t stop there, with a significant number opting for all-wheel, the F Sport trim or both. Our model was so new that it didn’t come with a Monroney (sticker price and details), but we could deduce a few things and peg the price around $87,000 as equipped.

An Interior Upgrade Package ($3,730) kicks things off, adding a 28-way power driver’s seat with multi-function massage, semi-aniline perforated leather-trimmed seats, an ultra suede headliner and heated rear seats. Opting for this package required upgrading to the art wood organic, herringbone or laser special premium wood trims ($800). You also have to upgrade to the heated wood and leather steering wheel ($410), the 20-inch split-10-spoke wheels ($1,200) and choose one of four no extra charge interior colors.

Choose the Lexus Safety System+ A Package ($3,000) and this brings in Lexus CoDrive with all-speed dynamic cruise control and lane trace assist, automatic emergency braking, a head-up display, intuitive pedestrian detection alert, front cross-traffic alert and road sign assist. Opt for this package and you must also choose an adaptive variable air suspension system with rapid height function ($1,500) and three additional options: a 24-inch heads-up display ($1,220), premium LED headlamps with adaptive front lighting ($300) and a panoramic view monitor ($800).

The Top Three Packages

There are three additional packages, which build on the base and subsequent packages, including a Luxury Package ($12,290), Executive Package ($17,100) and an Executive Package with Kiriko Glass ($23,100). Without going into full detail, these packages bring in such items as driver and front passenger massage, a right-rear power recliner, wood and leather trim, a rear center console touch-screen display and four-zone concierge climate control. A Cold Weather Package ($220) adds such items as a windshield wiper deicer, headlamp washer and an enhanced interior heater for faster heat output in cold weather. Individual options include a panorama glass roof ($1,000).

Thus, the standard model with all-wheel drive can easily top $115,000. You can’t dress the F Sport as handsomely as the standard model with those prices maxing around $98,000, which was about $11,000 more than our test model.

Parting Thoughts

The 2018 LS is new, exciting and delivers a performance improvement over the previous model. That Lexus remains committed to sedans demonstrates that this automaker intends to keep the segment fully covered. As the car pie shrinks, Lexus intends to have new models in place, in an effort to secure a larger piece of said pie. That strategy may work and could position Lexus to gain marketshare as competitors leave cars behind or if the market suddenly shifts away from crossovers and back to cars.

All in all, the 2018 Lexus LS has what shoppers in this segment want — a big, cushy sedan with the performance and luxury credentials to match. Lexus met the challenge and it shows.

2018 Lexus LS 500

2018 Lexus LS Specifications

Lexus	2018 LS
Segment	Full-size luxury sedan
Base Sticker Price	$75,000 (plus a $1,025 destination charge)
Price as tested	$87,500 (estimated)
Standard Engine	3.5-liter, twin-turbo V6
Horsepower	416 @ 6,000 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.)	442 @ 1,600 to 4,800 RPMs
Transmission	10-speed automatic
Seating	2+3
Curb Weight (pounds)	4,707 (RWD) to 5,093 (AWD with Executive Package)
Wheelbase (inches)	123.0
Length (inches)	206.1
Width (inches)	74.8
Height (inches)	57.1 to 57.9
Head room (f,r — inches)	37.3, 37.3
Leg room (f,r — inches)	41.0, 38.9
Shoulder room (f,r — inches)	58.8, 56.4
Hip room (f,r — inches)	55.5, 55.1
Storage (cubic feet)	16.95
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	5,920 (RWD); 6,095 (AWD)
Towing (pounds)	NR
Payload (pounds)	NR
Fuel	premium
Fuel Tank (gallons)	21.7
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway)	19/30 (RWD), 18/27 (AWD)
Manufacturing Plant	Georgetown, Kentucky

See Also — First Look: 2019 Lexus ES

Some Like it Hot: 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

August 4, 2017 by admin 2 Comments

Red Sport hotness in Iridium Blue guise.

How do you like your Infiniti? Well, if you’re in the market for a sport coupe, then the luscious Q60 fills the bill. And there are multiple flavors for your consideration, ranging from mild to wild engine choices — specifically, a standard turbo four cylinder (208 hp), a medium twin-boosted V6 (300 hp), as well as a super-enhanced variant of the V6 engine.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Lucky for me, my test model was a 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400, a premium 2+2 sport coupe with standard rear-wheel drive ($51,300) and available all-wheel drive ($53,300). This model represents the apex of the Q60 range, delivering a whopping 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

Infiniti marries each engine to a 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Alas, no manual gearbox is available…likely, the take rate would be too small to justify one.

2017 Infiniti Q70 Red Sport 400

Infiniti Nomenclature

Buyers sometimes find naming conventions confusing. When it comes to Infiniti, all car models start with a “Q,” while crossovers possess a “QX” codification. Further, drill down to specific grade or trim levels and you’ll find 2.0t, 3.0t, Sport and Red Sport 400 models. I should add that 2018 models rename the two lower trims Pure and Luxe.

But “Red Sport” doesn’t represent your color choice. Or at least it is not the only one. Indeed, you’ll find no fewer than six standard colors, including my test model’s Iridium Blue patina. Furthermore, three other color choices are available, such as Midnight Black and Majestic White for $500. If you want the color matching the model name, then Dynamic Sunstone Red ($800) is it.

So, figure that the red in “Red Sport” refers to this car’s hotness — as in the most powerful regular production V6 model available. That’s a claim Infiniti has made and I have no reason to dispute it (remember the operative word here is “regular” as certain Mercedes-AMG and BMW M models are more powerful). The closest any manufacturer appears to touch the 400-hp threshold with a V6 may be Ford with its 375-horsepower twin-turbo V6.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Strong, Provocative Exterior

The Red Sport 400 has the looks to go with the performance. Its recognizable gaping grille comes surrounded in chrome. The wraparound headlamps feature LED “hawk eye” accent lights. Front skirting with distinctly shaped embrasures housing the fog lights add drama.

The Q60 offers a muscular persona, marked by wheel arches, free-flowing character lines, vent ports, rocker panel skirting, and a subtle rear haunch. A sharply rising beltline and a dramatically falling roofline intersect to form the rear deck.

From the rear, the Red Sport 400 has a built-in spoiler, wraparound tail lamps with the familiar hawk eye expression, a diffuser, and a pair of large exhaust tips.

You’ll also find 19-inch aluminum-alloy staggered sport wheels set with summer performance staggered tires. By “staggered” this means you’ll find slightly wider wheels sitting on the rear axle. Overall, the look projects strength and confidence, along with an aggressive tone.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Comfortable, Yet Intimate Interior

So, let’s examine the Red Sport 400’s interior. It offers 2+2 seating, but that rear seat is only useful in a pinch by adults or reserved exclusively for youngsters. The front bucket seats are firm, yet comfortable. The rear half-bucket seats are sufficiently bolstered, but head and legroom are quite limited.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 The back seat does fold down, extending this model’s 12.1 cubic-feet of storage space accordingly. Me thinks that people who choose the Q60 will buy it with themselves and perhaps a significant other in mind. If you need to carry more people the Q50 sedan is the better choice here.

When it comes to cabins, the Red Sport 400 does not disappoint. A leather-covered interior with twin stitching offers a high-end flair. Carbon fiber trim, aluminum accents, and soft-touch materials are evident. You’ll find hard plastics on door bases and also surrounding the instrument panel. Otherwise, the interior is sporty, clean and all drive and comfort controls come sensibly placed.

Infiniti furnishes the Red Sport 400 with 8-way power front seats with lumbar support. You’ll also find full power accessories, dual-zone climate control, a power sliding moonroof, door handle welcome lighting, an overhead console, and illuminated sun visors. Other features include four cup holders, in-door storage pockets (they’re not large enough to hold beverage bottles), and a small concealed storage compartment at the base of the center stack. A second compartment occupies the space between the front seats and is smaller than most models in this segment.

Safety and Technology Features

Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have evaluated this model. That said, there are a number of safety features present that go beyond the usual suite of airbags, stability and traction control, and brake assist.

For instance, you’ll find automatic leveling headlights, a rollover protection system, integrated turn signal mirrors, and lane departure warning. A driver assist package ($2,250) adds forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, predictive forward collision warning, blind spot warning, backup collision intervention, front and rear parking sensors, and an around view monitor with moving object detection.

Naturally, a top-of-the-line model brings with it the best features. In fact, the Red Sport 400 has a 13-speaker Bose audio system with a CD player, HD radio, and satellite radio. This model also has Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports, and a flash drive. As for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, neither are available.

Infiniti also supplies the top-end Q60 with dual display screens — an 8-inch screen sits above a 7-inch unit, with the lower screen featuring vehicle information. A voice-controlled navigation system comes bundled with a heated steering wheel ($2,250) to comprise a Premium Plus package. All models come with a rear view monitor.

Add another $1,850 to gain a technology package that brings in intelligent cruise control, an eco pedal, high beam assist, distance control assist, and a upgraded climate control system.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

On the Road

Now that we have the background and supporting information about the Red Sport 400, let’s cut to the chase and discuss the drive.

If you’re looking for excellent on-road performance and you don’t require a V8, the Q60 should be more than adequate. Unlike the standard twin-turbo V6 delivering a modest 300 horsepower, computer programming and a pair of water-filled intercoolers powered by electric pumps increase horsepower precisely by one-third to 400hp.

As a result, the two Honeywell turbos spool up faster for an almost immediate and delicious kick. Further, the Red Sport 400 employs an integrated exhaust manifold design, merging the exhaust streams within the cylinder head and effectively reducing engine bay temperatures, while permitting quicker spool up.

Adjust your seat and steering wheel, move your mirrors and buckle in, because you’re about to enjoy one heckuva sweet ride. Once you engage the ignition and before you shift into gear, let your fingers play with the drive mode selector. Here, you’ll find multiple settings for your perusal — personal, sport+, sport, standard, eco, and snow. Choose sport or sport+ if thrills and chills are what you demand — as in a firmer suspension, tighter shift points, and weighty steering. Naturally, I stayed in Sport+ mode as much as possible.

One more point: you can also set the Infiniti drive mode selector found on the lower screen by changing engine/transmission, steering, and suspension settings from standard to sport. This type of personalization may be preferable for the person who wants to optimize the engine, transmission, and steering, while leaving the suspension alone.

The enhanced version of Infiniti’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine makes
400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

Find an open road, preferably one with zero traffic (and no police presence…ahem), to discover everything the Red Sport 400 offers. This machine moves up to 60 mph in mere moments and continues pushing up, up and away with little effort. The exhaust note toots, but doesn’t boom, while the coupe races down the road (a much-desired performance exhaust system option is not yet available). But be careful cornering — there is no rear-slip differential present, thus the rear wheels may slip out from underneath you without warning.

Shift into sport mode and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters allow you to directly manage the transmission. Otherwise, use the transmission stick to shift up and down as you please. Such shifters are a happy medium for some, but like other enthusiasts I prefer three-pedal foot action, so that’s hardly a fitting consolation for me.

Driving dynamics are excellent as the Red Sport 400 rides on staggered tires, summer (performance) rubber at that, with four-piston brake calipers up front and two pistons at the rear. Turn ins are sharp and secure, braking is firm, while steering offers confidence — sans rack.

Indeed, the Q60 (and Q50 sedan) offer drive-by-wire, which means there is no mechanical connection from the steering wheel to the front wheels. Instead, sensors and a host of computer parts signal the front wheels how and when to turn, eliminating the weight (and danger) of a steering column impaling the driver during an accident.

You might not know the system is in place until you give it a try — simply drive over a train track (at a slow speed, of course) or other road abrasion and you won’t experience the jarring that courses through the steering column and shakes the steering wheel elsewhere. To compensate for the missing feedback you enjoy on smooth roads, Infiniti tuned its direct adaptive steering (DAS) system to deliver something close to the real thing.

Me thinks that only the most rabid driving enthusiasts will object to drive-by-wire, which so happens to be the core constituency of Q60 buyers. Then again, Infiniti is selling nearly 1,000 units per month, which is about one third the number of Q50 buyers, Infiniti’s best-selling model. Are cars dead or dying? Certainly not the Q50/60.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Parting Thoughts

Don’t forget, this review covers the top-of-the-line Red Sport 400 only. Choose all-wheel drive and select each available package and your final price will top $61,000 before incentives.

Personally, I found the rear-wheel drive model very enjoyable, so that was enough for me. Package options provide enhancements some owners want, but I didn’t miss them. Except for navigation.

All in all, the 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 delivers a very satisfying driving experience. It offers a niche appeal and supplies elements of Nissan GT-R finesse, especially with the twin-turbo arrangement. The exterior design is simply beautiful and the interior is handsome and quite comfortable for two.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Sticker price from $51,300
Price as tested: $52,205
Seats 4 occupants
Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 gas
400 horsepower @ 6,400 RPM
350 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,600 to 5,200 RPM
7-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 184.65 inches
Width: 72.83 inches
Height: 54.92 inches
Passenger volume: NR
Storage volume: 12.1 cubic feet
Towing capacity: NR
EPA: 20/27 mpg city/highway
Regular gasoline
Fuel tank: 21.13 gallons
Curb weight: From 3,862.5 to 4,023.4 pounds
IIHS safety rating: NR
Limited vehicle warranty: 48 months/60,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 72 months/70,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 84 months/unlimited miles
Vehicle assembly: Tochigi, Japan

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

See Also — Stretched Luxury: 2017 Infiniti Q70L

New Twin Turbo Engines Power 2017 BMW 2-Series

May 19, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

BMW supplies the 2-Series with a pair of more powerful, yet efficient engines.
For 2017, BMW is providing its entry-level 2-series line of coupes and convertibles with more power thanks to a pair of new twin turbo engines. As a result, new sub-models will debut with the M240i replacing the current M235i, while a new 230i line steps in to succeed the 228i.

More Power, Improved Speed

The 2017 BMW 230i Coupe and BMW 230i Convertible models are powered by the latest generation four-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine making 248 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque.

On the M front, the BMW M240i Coupe and BMW M240i Convertible gain a new six-cylinder, 3.0-liter engine making 335 horsepower and 369 foot-pounds of torque, up from the current 320 horsepower and 330 foot-pounds of torque. BMW claims the M line’s 0-to-60 mph performance times have narrowed to 4.2 seconds for the all-wheel drive model, effectively shaving 0.2 seconds off the current time.

The six-cylinder produces more power over a wide rev band. Maximum horsepower is reached at 5,500 rpm, while peak torque is maintained from 1,520 to 4,500 rpm. Both models offer standard rear-wheel drive with xDrive all-wheel drive available. Rear-wheel drive buyers can choose between an 8-speed manually shiftable automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual with rev matching. All xDrive models are outfitted with the automatic.

BMW Twin Turbo Engine.

Inline-6 Engine Changes

BMW’s inline-6 is outfitted with a new aluminum crankcase and cylinder head along with new acoustic shielding. The two turbos replace the previous single turbo and are integrated into the steel exhaust manifold and electric wastegate control. The new arrangement virtually eliminates turbo lag; it features a dense design and includes an indirect intercooler incorporated within the intake manifold.

Other changes include the latest variable valve control system, enhanced to improve load control, engine responsiveness, and efficiency. Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing is also present and located on both the intake and exhaust sides. An electric coolant pump for the intercooler operates only as needed, a map-controlled oil pump, electric power steering, and auto start stop function are present. This model also benefits from brake energy regeneration in an effort to improve overall efficiency.

BMW M Series

Additional changes to the M Series line include lowering the sport suspension by 10 millimeters or 0.393 inches. Further, all-new, 18-inch M light-alloy wheels come with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, an M Sport braking system is outfitted with fixed multi piston calipers, the variable sports steering has a servotronic function, and a model-specific M aerodynamic package and exterior mirror caps is now offered in Ferric Grey metallic.

Manual gearbox fans will find a 6-speed with rev matching. Specifically, BMW says on downshifts “…the transmission management increases shift comfort by initiating a quick and precise rev matching function; as the driver shifts into a lower gear, this increases the engine’s revs to the ideal level for the target gear.”

As for prices and the new fuel economy numbers, that information will be released closer to the 2017 2-Series’ release date later this year.

Other BMW News

In other news, BMW reported that its ReachNow Car Sharing Service welcomed 13,000 new members in its first month. The service launched in April in Seattle and is composed of 370 vehicles, including BMW 3 Series and i3 as well as Mini vehicles. ReachNow offers a smartphone-based app to register and take trips.

Headquartered in Seattle, ReachNow will add more North American cities before the year comes to a close. Those cities will be announced in subsequent press releases.

Recent News — Fuji Heavy Industries Rebrands as Subaru Corp.

Photo copyright BMW of North America, LLC.

How to Order a 2017 Ford GT Supercar

April 14, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

Ford GT ordering has begun and we’ll tell you how to snag one of these beauties!

2017 Ford GT Supercar. — The Ford GT Configurator allows customers to create some very “interesting” designs.

Ford’s all-new GT super car is ready for ordering. To that end, the automaker has established a dedicated website at FordGT.com to process applications, with only 500 units available for the first two years of production. The initial GTs will be delivered late 2016, a model priced in the mid-$400,000 range.

Here’s how to build a Ford GT:

1. Visit FordGT.com — A http://www.FordGT.com url has been dedicated to allow anyone to configure a GT. However, that address forwards to a secure page on the main Ford website at Ford.com.

2. Scroll down the age — Before you can configure a car — Ford allows anyone to do this, not just prospective buyers — you’ll need to scroll down the page first. Just below the navigation bar is a sliding carousel of Ford GT photos. After you finish gawking, you’ll find explainer information about the car. Keep scrolling until you find the Configurator.

3. Click configurator — Click on the blue configurator bar to begin building your GT. Along the left side of the page are a series of icons representing exteriors, wheels, interiors, and series. Go through each one in successive order until you have finished personalizing your super car.

4. Choose your exteriors — Ford allows GT shoppers to choose from eight colors, eight stripes, and three front, rear, and side lower finishes. Find the combination that suits you by checking the appropriate box.

5. Select your wheels — Press the “wheels” icon to choose from three sets of one-piece forged aluminum wheels. Next, select either matte finish or gloss finish before choosing one of five brake caliper cover colors — black, silver, blue, red, and orange.

6. Complete the interior — With the exterior and wheels behind you, you’re ready to choose from one of four interior designs — dark energy, launch control, light speed, and re-entry. Your choice affects the color of the seats, head restraints, door sills, air register pods, the center console, and other features.

7. Choose your series — The last section to choose here is “series,” but I have no idea what that is. Nor can you choose between the two offered as both are currently labeled “coming soon.”

8. Submit your application — You need to return to the main page and scroll all the way down to find the application. Before you begin, create an online Ford account. Complete the application, hit submit and it will be sent to Ford for review. If, and only if your application is approved, you’ll then be contacted by Ford. At this point you will work with the new Ford GT Concierge Service for a “personalized purchase experience.”

Ford GT Considerations

The first wave of Ford GT owners have until May 12, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, to get their web-based applications in. Additional ordering opportunities may follow, but considering that only 250 copies of Ford’s most exclusive model ever produced will go to global customers for the 2017 and 2018 model years, demand may quickly outstrip supply.

Prospective customers can also request updates by postal mail or e-mail, provided they supply their names and contact information. You’ll also be asked to stipulate when you will acquire your next vehicle.

Ford GT Specifications

The aerodynamically-enhanced Ford GT is just one of 12 new vehicles arriving from Ford Performance by 2020. Other models coming include the all-wheel drive Focus RS, the F-150 Raptor, and a pair of Shelby Mustangs.

The rear-wheel drive Ford GT features a mid-mounted, twin-turbo 3.5-liter, V-6 engine producing more than 600 horsepower. Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, no manual gearbox will be offered.

The GT is a lightweight hyper car and is best compared with the Lamborghini Aventador. Ford says the GT has aluminum front and rear subframes with carbon fiber body panels, with the automaker claiming the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car.

See Also — Multimatic to the Build the Ford GT

Astonishingly Low Price Point for the High-End 2016 Cadillac CT6

November 2, 2015 by admin 6 Comments

All-New Cadillac CT6 is Priced From $53,495.

The CT6 at its New York debut.

When the all-new Cadillac CT6 debuts next March, it will come with something a few other recent debuts from GM’s luxury marque have lacked: a low price point.

Indeed, with a starting price of $53,495, the Cadillac CT6 will undercut prices for competing models from BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz, and it will even come in lower than the budget Hyundai Equus. Cadillac announced model line pricing for its top-end CT6 today, including for its highest level Platinum edition.

Three Engine Choices

The 2016 Cadillac CT6 will offer three engine choices — a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder with rear-wheel drive and priced from $53,495 is the standard engine. A model equipped with a 3.6-liter, normally aspirated V-6 engine with all-wheel drive will have a starting price of $55,495. And a CT6 powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter, V-6 engine with all-wheel drive will start at $64,395. All three engines come paired with 8-speed automatic transmissions.

The top-of-the-line CT6 Platinum model, equipped with all the bells and whistles this model has to offer, will retail from $83,465. Prices for a separate CT6 plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will be announced later.

Cadillac’s CT6 pricing strategy follows a pricing blunder with its ELR PHEV coupe. That model, underpinned by the same platform powering the Chevrolet Volt, initially retailed for $75,000 when it made its debut in 2014. Minuscule sales led to huge discounts before Cadillac reset the ELR’s pricing. No 2015 edition was built; the 2016 ELR is priced from $65,000 and has more standard features too.

The CT6 takes to the streets of Manhattan.

New Naming Convention

The CT6 introduces a fresh approach to the luxury market for GM as well as a new naming convention for Cadillac. Going forward, new car models will assume the CT designation followed by a number. As for utility vehicles, the XT designation will be utilized beginning next year when the Cadillac XT5 (formerly the SRX) debuts.

“The CT6 is an entirely new approach to prestige luxury, adding driving dynamics and technology while reducing the bulk of traditional large sedans,” said Johan de Nysschen, president of Cadillac. “With the CT6, Cadillac has a competitive edge: our use of advanced lightweight construction and innovative technology, it is prestige luxury reimagined.”

Cadillac currently utilizes the CT6’s base turbo engine in its compact ATS and midsize CTS lines. The 3.6-liter V-6 is the same size as a previously used motor, but it is all new. With its 335-horsepower rating, the V-6 is one of the most power dense naturally aspirated engines in this segment.

Luxury buyers will also take note of the twin turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that will flash this sedan’s performance side. Although it doesn’t attempt to match the high performance of Cadillac’s V-Series models, its 400 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of twist should make this model a strong performer. Combine this small, but powerful engine with the sedan’s rigid, but lightweight architecture and it should challenge the established players from the onset.

Cadillac CT6

Streaming video comes to the Cadillac CT6.

CT6 Technological Attributes

Technology will also be at the forefront of what the Cadillac CT6 has to offer. For example, streaming video will be added to the function of the rear mirror, removing such obstructions as the roof, rear pillars, and headrests to improve the driver’s vantage point by 300 percent.

Further, luxury manufacturers attempt to outdo one another with audio systems and the Cadillac CT6 seeks to set a new benchmark in the music enjoyment department. Specifically, Cadillac will utilize a 34-speaker Bose® Panaray® audio system, designed exclusively for the sedan. Bose claims the system “reproduces music with more clarity, precision and deep bass than any system preceding it.”

Reviving the Marque

Lastly, the CT6 and XT5 cannot come soon enough for Cadillac as brand sales are down 4.6 percent year-to-date through September. Many of its competitors are enjoying double-digit sales increases again this year. For its part, Cadillac is avoiding the deep discounting that it has pursued in the past in a bid to maintain market discipline.

Photos copyright General Motors Company.

Cadillac CTS Vsport: Twin Turbo Performance

August 28, 2015 by admin 9 Comments

Automotive analysts drive me nuts! Well, not all — after all, I am an analyst myself.

What infuriates me is when any purported expert or analyst takes data and uses that to argue a point, a baseless one in particular. For example, some people are pointing to Cadillac’s current sales decline (2.4 percent through July 2015) and juxtapose that figure with the 5 percent increase in general sales and 10 percent increase in luxury sales through the same period, and use those numbers to conclude that Cadillac is in trouble.

Agreed, on the surface it appears that Cadillac is getting spanked. But what is actually happening is that GM’s luxury brand is showing much discipline by not selling Cadillacs at fire sale prices as they have done in the past. Moreover, on close scrutiny you will understand what is ailing Cadillac — if you want to call it that — and that is a paucity of utility vehicles in a segment where its competitors sell far more SUVs than Cadillac’s two — the compact SRX crossover and the behemoth Escalade SUV.

Indeed, BMW (5), Audi (7) and Mercedes-Benz (7) have more of the kinds of vehicles people are buying at the moment in this crossover-crazed world. Further, Cadillac won’t be catching up anytime soon as it aligns its strategy into expanding its sedans first to four product lines when the Cadillac CT6 arrives later this year.

New utility vehicles will follow the CT6, but not immediately.

I am supposed to be dispassionate when writing about cars, especially when presenting a review, but I must say I like the direction Cadillac is heading. The XTS, ATS and Escalade have each been driven and reviewed by me and just this past week I added the CTS to my Cadillac review portfolio.

And not just any CTS, mind you. This one was a 2015 Cadillac CTS Vsport, a midsize luxury rear-wheel drive sedan powered by a twin-turbo V-6 engine. This same engine was found under the hood of an XTS I drove nearly two years ago, an all-wheel drive model also finished in dazzling crystal white tricoat.

The Vsport line should not be confused with the V-Series, the ultimate in Cadillac performance. But unlike Lexus which offers an ornamental “F Sport” line with no added performance and an “F” series with real kick, both Cadillac Vs do, indeed, provide the requisite bite.

The CTS-V (V-Series) model was last offered in 2014 and will return for 2016. A supercharged 6.2-liter making a jaw-dropping 640 horsepower moves that puissant beast, providing one of the best combinations of luxury and performance anywhere. In comparison, the CTS Vsport has an output of 420 horsepower by means of its 3.6-liter twin turbo, but those numbers shouldn’t be easily dismissed. This sedan rocks and you will hardly roll as you navigate the twisty roads. Composed? Most definitely.

The twinned turbo engine comes paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The normally aspirated engine has a 6-speed automatic with all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive. The potent Vsport has the 8-speed automatic. Paddle shifters are included across the product line.

The Cadillac CTS offers a commanding presence. Now in its third generation, the current model advances the brand’s modern Art & Science design language.

That language includes a revised grille with Cadillac’s updated crest, deep crease lines running from the base of the front fascia to the windshield, angular headlamps, distinctive LED daytime running lights, and scalloped lower grille openings. On the sides, upper and lower character lines, alloy wheels and a roof line that flows to the raised rear deck are apparent. At the rear, this sedan is marked by the expected capacious horizontal tail lamps common to all Cadillacs and a pair of embedded exhaust finishers.

Inside, Cadillac makes every effort to match the fit, finish and the quality of materials you would find in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, an Audi A6, or in a BMW 5 Series. It is my estimation that Cadillac succeeds in that endeavor.

To wit, the CTS Vsport comes trimmed in leather with only choice materials used such as anodized aluminum or carbon fiber, and your choice of fine woods. Each CTS Vsport is equipped with a 20-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, a heated steering wheel, a power tilt and telescopic steering column, heated and ventilated front seats, a 12.3-inch configurable center color display, power accessories, a hand-wrapped and motorized front cup holder assembly, auxiliary power points, an SD card and USB ports, and wireless charging.

Two matters of note: I was disappointed that the CTS Vsport did not include a driver’s seat extender, what provides an extra measure of support for those long trips. Nor could I make the wireless charging system work. That wireless charger can be found in a hidden storage compartment located behind the climate control section of the center stack — the accompanying placard showed how it was done, but it didn’t get it done.

Cadillac’s center stack is capacitive controlled, with sensors detecting when you want to raise or lower the volume or adjust the climate control, with sliders controlling it all. I have a love/hate relationship with this arrangement. Notably, I love it when I can figure it out. But I hate it when it doesn’t respond as I would like. Furnish elegant buttons, switches and knobs instead — just leave the high tech controls out.

The CTS Vsport does have two notable attributes on its side. First, the interior is quiet, just as you would expect in a Cadillac. Second, the cabin is supremely comfortable, bright, roomy and exquisite. While you would also expect the latter in a Cadillac, the CTS is far different from the pillowy land barges Cadillac produced for much of the last century. This one provides a wholly European feel, with its simple, yet elegant style and on-road prowess.

Indeed, it is on the road where any sedan of the CTS Vsport’s caliber will either succeed or fail. Happily, the Vsport is and was up to the task.

Generally, when it comes to forced induction, I prefer superchargers over turbochargers. Superchargers quite frankly have no lag, but they are considered less efficient and more prone to reliability issues. But a twin turbo represents a parallel system where each turbo feeds off of half of the engine’s cylinders. Cadillac has these and an air cooler to deliver instant power. Turbo lag? It simply isn’t there. Optimum performance? Absolutely.

Ignite the starter, slip the Cadillac in gear and you are ready to head out. But not so fast: you can select touring, sport or track modes, the latter adjusting throttle progression and the magnetic ride control calibrations while on the track. Moreover, track mode is also ideal for curvilinear roads, pavement imbued with the twists, turns, rises and falls that makes sport sedan driving a most excellent experience.

Cadillac says that the CTS Vsport hits 60 mph from a dead stop in just 4.4 seconds and I won’t argue with that contention, despite not having a stop watch to confirm same. Press on the pedal and immediately you have all 420 stallions galloping forward.

Copious amounts of energy is unleashed and if paddle shifters are your deal (not for me — give me a manual), then you are ready to explore the Vsport’s driving side. ZF Steering supplies the electric variable-assist power steering, with quick flicks of the wheel moving this hallowed four-door with ease. No mushy feel here — the connection to the Vsport is confident and nailed down.

The chassis and suspension underpinning the CTS Vsport is what places the emphasis on enthusiasm in this model. Magnetic ride control represents the world’s fastest reacting suspension system, adjusting upwards of 1,000 times per second to ensure the best ride possible. The system is not new — it originated with the Chevrolet Corvette and found its way to the Cadillac Seville STS early in this century. Other manufacturers have tried to match it, but have yet to replicate its adeptness.

For diehard luxury performance enthusiasts, nothing less than the CTS-V will do. For those who want to balance luxury, performance and affordability, the CTS Vsport merits your consideration, notwithstanding what some automotive analysts might opine.

2015 Cadillac CTS Vsport

Sticker price from $59,340
Price as tested: $62,280
Seats 5 occupants
3.6-liter 24-valve twin turbocharged gasoline engine
420 horsepower @ 5,750 RPM
430 foot-pounds of torque @ 3,500 RPM
3.70 inches bore by 3.37 inches stroke
Engine compression ratio: 10.2-to-1
8-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 114.6 inches
Length: 195.5 inches
Width: 72.2 inches
Height: 57.2 inches
Passenger volume: 97 cubic feet
Storage volume: 13.7 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 1,000 pounds
EPA: 16 mpg city, 24 mpg highway
Premium grade gasoline
Fuel tank: 19 gallons
Curb weight: From 3,952 pounds
IIHS safety rating: Good
Limited vehicle warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 6 years/70,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 6 years/100,000 miles
Vehicle assembly: Lansing, Michigan

Godzilla Untamed: 2015 Nissan GT-R

March 27, 2015 by admin 6 Comments

Every once in a while I hit the Mother Lode with my weekly drivers. That bonanza comes chiefly in the form of a sports car, a prized model that turns heads and snaps necks. A BMW M6, Porsche Cayman, Porsche 911 4S, Corvette Stingray and a Jaguar F-TYPE have each landed in my driveway over the past two years. But it wasn’t until a Nissan GT-R arrived was I able to fully appreciate the historic significance and full-blown power of this iconic model.

Nissan GT-R

Supercar Supremacy

The Nissan GT-R’s reputation is well known and has earned it the “Godzilla” appellation from fans everywhere. It is a model that has been around since 2007, the spiritual successor to the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Although the Honda/Acura NSX and the Lexus LFA have both achieved super car status, only the GT-R has remained consistently in production and on everyone’s performance radar.

The stateside version showed up in 2009 and immediately placed a halo over the entire Nissan range. Where US Nissan fans already knew that the brand had performance aspirations, it was only when the model finally manifested itself that those claims were clarified.

Now in its ninth model year, this high performance Nissan sport coupe has managed to stay relevant through a constant stream of improvements. From the onset, launch control has been an ever-present and a much desired feature, one that was tweaked early on to reduce transaxle stress, a potential warranty issue. Indeed, a software change fixed that problem and in the process the GT-R immediately benefited from improved acceleration.

Changes across the intervening years upped both the horsepower and torque quotients, enhanced the suspension system and upgraded the brakes, as well as the steering and tires. LED headlights and a quieter cabin followed.

Nissan GT-R

2015 Nissan GT-R

The 2015 Nissan GT-R retails from $101,770 and is rated at 545 horsepower and 463 foot-pounds of torque thanks to a hand-built 3.8-liter twin turbo V-6 engine. [As a side note, Cadillac recently discussed its own power dense 3.0-liter twin turbo V-6 engine, claiming that it will be “…one of the most power-dense V-6 DOHC engines in the world, developing 133 horsepower (99 kW) per liter.” That’s a full 9 horsepower per liter below the Nissan twin turbo, by the way].

The Black Edition, replete with a dry carbon-fiber rear spoiler, 20-inch dark finished RAYS wheels and Black/Red Recaro front seats is priced from $111,510. From there, you would make a leap to the GT-R NISMO, a “limited availability” model priced from $149,990. Notably, that price premium raises horsepower to a jaw-dropping 600-hp, and brings in NISMO features to the suspension system as well as to the wheels.

NISMO is, by the way, an abbreviation for Nissan Motorsport International Limited. NISMO has been applied to other Nissan models, including JUKE, 370Z and soon the compact Sentra sedan. Let’s just say that the touch elsewhere is comparatively light to the strong-handed, open fisted attention NISMO engineers give to the GT-R.

Nissan GT-R

My test model was the base edition with a final price tag of $106,650. Besides the $285 GT-R floor mats, the other option was the $3,000 Regal Red paint scheme. Certainly, that finish “earns” its lofty price as it is embedded with 24-carat gold flakes to provide an incomparable look.

Naturally, you did not come to this article to learn how many cup holders are present or gloss over dozens of other features that typify the modern American sedan. Suffice to say, this 2+2 coupe has an almost useless back seat, although I did find it does a good job of holding my brief case in place as I navigated various circuitous routes. Further, an 8.8 cubic-foot trunk was a surprise, offering more than enough room to store luggage for an extended weekend away from home.

Beastly, Provocative Exterior

From the exterior, the Nissan GT-R offers nothing less than an imposing presence. From bumper to bumper, this model advances its muscular persona, one amplified by its large, gaping grille augmented by oversized headlamp assemblies punctuated by a lighting bolt lighting accent. The broad hood is marked by a pair of intercooler vents.

The GT-R’s profile is dominated by the large wheel wells, fender vents, and skirting. Yes, the roof line falls dramatically from front to rear pillars, then eases into a raised rear deck.

Everyone (or at least the people I talked to about the GT-R) has a standout feature they like best about the exterior. Personally, its rear visage is the most enchanting as it is dominated by quad brake and turn signal lights. The rear diffuser is offset by quad exhaust finishers, easily some of the largest stock versions you will ever see.

Comfortable, Luxurious Interior

Inside, the GT-R’s cabin is quite comfortable. At least for two people. Both the driver and front passenger have access to form-fitting seats that are firm, supportive and precisely what you need as you take on twisty roads at breakneck speeds.

No flat-bottomed steering wheel here — the GT-R’s sporting credentials are well known — and the instrument panel is dominated by an oversized tachometer, placed directly in the center. To the left is a 220-mph gauge speedometer; to the right are three dials for parking mode, oil temperature and a gas gauge.

The center stack is your usual color display with a highly unusual performance center to display cornering, acceleration and g-force data. If you take your GT-R to the track, it keeps tabs on lap times too.

Exquisitely stitched leather door inlays, carbon-fiber and charcoal-brushed metal trim, and a smattering of other high-end, but not easily identifiable materials grace the cabin. Chances are you won’t pay all that much attention to the feel of things, rather to what they do for you. And in the GT-R, that “doing” is everything when it comes to your satisfaction.

Nissan GT-R

2015 Nissan GT-R

View manufacturer details and pricing

Nissan GT-R

Monster Under the Hood

The signature point of this model is, of course, the powertrain. The twin-turbo engine is paired with a dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission, what can be operated in manual mode. Kudos again to Nissan for placing the paddle shifters on the steering column and not on the wheel itself. I don’t know why most other manufacturers have yet to get this point, a highly sensible way to promote engaged driving.

Sadly, there is no manual transmission offered with the GT-R. But I must admit that I didn’t miss it. If reaching your performance thresholds are important to you, then only the automatic can get you there faster.

Nissan places the start/stop button in the console located between the front seats. It is a bright red button, aptly colored to amplify the “hotness” of this model. Put your foot on the brake, press the button and Godzilla awakens. His moan is subdued and stays that way throughout the drive — I take it that Nissan didn’t amplify the exhaust system to create false notes — it sounds authentic and without the attendant back burst drama.

Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R wants to go fast and around town this sport coupe seems as if has been restrained, with tightened steering and wheels that plod along. Once you get to highway speeds, the beast within emerges and is ready to play.

And play you will: the GT-R makes even the novice driver look like a professional, with its balanced all-wheel drive system, adjustable suspension with Bilstein dampers and ultra-nimble steering making it all seem like child’s play. The engine booms and delivers copious amounts of power on demand, with turbo lag virtually indiscernible. And that’s good, because with a 0-to-60 mph rating of under three seconds, this potent beast has Gigan and Megalon eating his dust.

From Local Driving to Oblivion

To get the full benefit of the Nissan GT-R, track time is a necessity. I cannot underscore this point enough — even if you have access to a long stretch of un-policed roadways, you’re not able to fully appreciate everything that this car can do. Nevertheless, even in short spurts Godzilla displays much of its renowned power and does so with little effort. Clearly, the GT-R was the quickest car I have ever driven.

As for Godzilla’s future, we have heard rumblings about a next generation model, including a possible mid-engine replacement with seating for two. We are not likely to see that model before 2018, but in whatever permutation it takes, the GT-R’s reputation demands nothing short of Nissan’s finest effort.

Nissan GT-R

2015 Nissan GT-R

Sticker price from $101,770
Price as tested: $106,650
Seats 4 occupants
3.8-liter 24-valve Twin Turbo V-6 gasoline engine
545 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
463 foot-pounds of torque @ 3,200 to 5,800 rpm
3.74 inches bore by 3.46 inches stroke
Engine compression ratio: 10-to-1
6-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 109.4 inches
Length: 183.8 inches
Width: 74.6 inches
Height: 53.9 inches
Passenger volume: 79 cubic feet
Storage volume: 8.8 cubic feet
Towing capacity: N/A
EPA: 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway
Premium grade gasoline
Fuel tank: 19.5 gallons
Curb weight: From 3,851 pounds
IIHS safety rating: NR
Limited vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
Vehicle assembly: Kaminokawa, Tochigi Japan

Nissan GT-R photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Cadillac Unveils New Power Dense V-6 Engine

March 23, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

The 2016 Cadillac CT6 ushers in a new era for GM’s preeminent marque, a full-size sedan outfitted with leading-edge technologies. The new model debuts in New York at month’s end, a five-passenger vehicle set to take on Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The all-new 3.0L Twin Turbo for the 2016 Cadillac CT6 is the only six-cylinder engine to combine turbocharging with cylinder deactivation and stop/start technologies to conserve fuel.

In the chronology of Cadillac brand history, an 8.2-liter (500 cubic inch) V-8 engine once powered a handful of models, including Eldorado, Fleetwood and deVille. With an output of upwards of 400 horsepower, gargantuan engines once moved some of the largest cars ever built. Furthermore, this particular engine and others like it were built exclusively for the Cadillac brand.

In more recent times, Cadillac has been using engines built by parent GM for its other brands. Cadillac’s once heralded Northstar series were the last proprietary engines used by GM’s luxury brand, although select Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac models also used them. In 2010, Cadillac retired Northstar, ending a 17-year tenure and ushering in a new era of complete powertrain sharing with GM’s other brands.

Twin Turbo V-6 Engine

A new, proprietary engine for the Cadillac brand will debut in the fourth quarter of 2015 and power the Cadillac CT6, itself an all-new flagship sedan for the marque. Last week, Cadillac shared details about this 3.0-liter twin turbo V-6 engine, carrying an estimated rating of 400 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of torque. At 133 horsepower per liter, the new engine will be one of the most power dense engines in the world. It will also come paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Cadillac says that the packed power plant is the only six-cylinder engine to combine cylinder deactivation and stop/start technologies with turbocharging. This coalescence of scientific componentry will conserve fuel — to what degree has not yet been made known.

“Cadillac’s elevation on the world stage is driven in great part by its advanced powertrain technology and the all-new 3.0L Twin Turbo powers past the traditional segment leaders with higher degrees of the performance and refinement their reputations were built on,” said Rich Bartlett, assistant chief engineer.

The Cadillac CT6 will make its world debut in New York on March 31 in advance of the 2015 New York International Auto Show. This writer plans to attend that show.

A Broad Power Curve

The small-block V-6 makes use of turbochargers with “with lightweight, low-inertia titanium-aluminide turbine wheels and an efficient, patented low-volume charge-air cooler, which contribute to optimal boost production and more immediate power delivery.” Peak torque will be sustained across a broad torque curve ranging from 2,500 rpm to 5,000 rpm, something Cadillac alleges will be delivered with “smoothness and progression.”

Cadillac is quick to point out that the new engine will outperform BMW’s 315-horsepower rated 3.0-liter V-6 as well as Audi’s 310-horsepower rated engine of the same displacement. These two German brands as well as the Mercedes-Benz marque are in Cadillac’s crosshairs, serving customers that GM desperately wants to poach.

Additional Engine Choices

The twin turbo V-6 will not be the only engine offered in the Cadillac CT6. A new version of GM’s 3.6-liter, naturally-aspirated V-6 will also be employed, delivering an estimated 335 horsepower and 284 foot-pounds of torque. It, too, will feature cylinder deactivation and stop/start technologies and will include various noise-reducing features, including an all-new cam drive system, an upgraded cooling system, a stronger and stiffer aluminum block, and new high-flow cylinder heads. The benchmark engine for these upgrades is the Infiniti 3.7-liter V-6.

Other engines available in the 2016 Cadillac CT6 will include the turbocharged 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder motor used in the Cadillac CTS. A V-8 engine is also planned and Cadillac has hinted that at least one other engine will follow. Auto Trends believes that the unidentified engine will be a turbocharged six-cylinder diesel, available for the European market initially, then to its North American customers.

Advancing the Cadillac Brand

The Cadillac CT6 represents a bold step forward for this iconic luxury brand as it seeks to recover its once lofty position amongst premium marques. Moreover, it introduces a new naming convention, one that will roll out gradually over the next few years. Specifically, that nomenclature will pair two letters with one number in sequential fashion based on a model’s size and importance to the Cadillac brand.

Photo courtesy of the General Motors Company.

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