Seat Time is a chance for us to share our impressions of vehicles being tested in the Autoline Garage and at media previews from around the globe.
Reviewer: John McElroy Manufacturer: Volkswagen AG Make: Bentley Model: Continental GT V8 S Type: 2-door coupe Competitors: Rolls-Royce Wraith Coupe, Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG Price: $233,325 Made in: Crewe, England Drivetrain: 4.0 twin turbo V-8; 521 hp, 502 lb.-ft.; 8-speed automatic EPA Ratings: 15 city, 20 highway, 18 combined
Final Impression:
When the delivery crew pulled into our parking lot at work someone looked out the window and said, “Hey, they’re dropping off a Bentley.” I quickly corrected him. “No,” I said matter of factly, “They’re dropping off my Bentley.”
I really wanted to get in this car, and for one very simle reason. This is a stunningly beautiful machine. Despite having a 10-year-old body style, everywhere I went people stopped dead in their tracks and pointed. That’s because this was what Bentley calls the Continental GT V8 S “in Beluga.” And “in Beluga” proves the critical importance of having the proper color and trim in a motorcar. I mean, how else can you explain people fawning over a 10 year old design?
UP FOR DISCUSSION:
- Is the next automotive recession due to arrive in 2017?
- First drive impressions of the 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C.
- Can recalls actually help sales?
SPECIAL GUEST: Mike O’Brien, VP, Corporate & Product Planning, Hyundai
- Among other vehicles, is there a pickup in Hyundai’s product plans?
All that and more with John McElroy, Autoline.tv; Henry Payne, The Detroit News; Doron Levin, Journalist & Author.
Thanks to our sponsor who makes Autoline After Hours possible: Bridgestone.
Subscribe to the free podcast version of Autoline After Hours:
- Infiniti’s CEO Leaves Company
- Head of Cadillac Steps Down
- Jaguar’s Virtual Windscreen
- Anti-Lock Brakes Go On Diet
- ZF Wants to Buy TRW
- Nissan’s Smart Rearview Mirror
- Self-Parking Cars Help Reduce Congestion
Mobility seems to be the flavor of the month these days. Everyone from manufacturers to tier one suppliers to even academics are trying to discover secrets to the way people will move around in the future. Joining John McElroy on his panel to discuss the topic are Erica Klampfl, Global Future Mobility Lead, Ford; Kaye Ceille, president, Zipcar; Peter Sweatman, Director, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI).
Seat Time is a chance for us to share our impressions of vehicles being tested in the Autoline Garage and at media previews from around the globe.
Reviewer: Chip Drake Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC Make: Jaguar Model: F-TYPE Coupe Type: 2-seat performance car Competitors: Porsche Boxter, Porsche Cayman, Chevrolet Corvette, Mercedes-Benz SL, Audi R8 Price: Coupe (base) $65,000; S Coupe $77,000; R Coupe $99,000 Made in: Castle Bronmwich manufacturing plant in the British Midlands, United Kingdom. Drivetrain: Coupe: 340hp 3-liter Supercharged V6; S Coupe: 380hp 3-liter Supercharged V6; R Coupe: 550hp 5-liter Supercharged V8; all models equipped with 8-speed “Quickshift” automatic transmission EPA Ratings: Coupe: 20city, 28highway, (23combined); S Coupe: 19city, 27highway, (22combined); R Coupe 16city, 23highway, (18combined)
Final Impression:
On the heels of its very successful convertible launch last year, Jaguar unveiled its F-TYPE Coupe to journalists last month. The car is essentially the convertible but now equipped with a roof made with a high-strength steel, hydroformed aluminum alloy beam; That beam allowed designers to go from the A pillar to the rear of the car without the traditional B pillar giving the vehicle its sleek sports car look. And according to Jaguar engineers, the Coupe is 80% stiffer than the convertible thanks to the vehicle’s aluminum architecture.
Now if you don’t know before you take it out for a drive on the freeway, you soon find out that the Coupe comes equipped with a hidden spoiler that sits in the tapered shut-line of the tailgate. Jaguar says its there for the rear aesthetic of the car as well as reduce lift. But what’s disconcerting about the spoiler — if you don’t know it’s there as I didn’t — is that deploys at 70 miles per hour and then returns at 50. Seeing it in the rear view caused me to stop twice on the Interstate during the drive to find out what was going on. Unfortunately, Jaguar didn’t warn us about it and my driving partner couldn’t find anything in the owner’s manual about the spoiler. That all said, it was cool once I knew it was there.
- Bertone Goes Bankrupt
- Dealers are an EV Roadblock
- LED Headlights Fight CO2
- Valeo Technology Won’t Blind Other Drivers
- Windshields Used for Video Ads
- Mobility Services Could Change Everything
Seat Time is a chance for us to share our impressions of vehicles being tested in the Autoline Garage and at media previews from around the globe.
Reviewer: John McElroy Manufacturer: BMW Make: BMW Model: M3, M4 Type: 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan Competitors: Cadillac CTS-V, Audi RS5, Mercedes C63 AMG Price: M3: $62,295; M4: $65125 Made in: Regensburg, Germany Drivetrain: 3.0 L in-line 6: 425 hp, 406 lb-ft; 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT EPA Ratings: 17 city/26 highway/20 combined w/6-speed manual
17 city/24 highway/19 combined w/7-speed DCT
Final Impression:
When BMW set out to develop the new M3 sedan and M4 coupe they took them to the historic Nordschleife track in Nurburgring. When they decided to let a group of American auto journalists wring the cars out they took them to the historic Road America track. Good thing they did, because these are definitely track cars. Oh sure, you can drive these Ms out on the open road. But you can’t appreciate what makes them so special unless you’re on the track.
Here’s one small example why. These Ms have 7 different heat exhangers to keep everything cool no matter how hard you hit the hammer. The engine coolant, the engine oil, the transmission oil, the inlet air, and even the turbo bearings all get their own cooling systems. Here’s another example. You can’t get 20 inch tires and wheels on these Ms. They come standard with 18s and 19s are optional, all with the idea to keep unsprung weight down for higher cornering speeds. You want 20s? Go take your bling fetish somewhere else.
- Car Sales Surge in China
- U.S. Sales Catch China
- Ford Grabs Plug-In Lead
- CNG Popularity Grows In China
- Renault Shakes Up F1 Team
- The Future of Mobility?
When the delivery crew pulled into our parking lot at work someone looked out the window and said, “Hey, they’re dropping off a Bentley.” I quickly corrected him. “No,” I said matter of factly, “They’re dropping off my Bentley.”
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