AD #1568 – Volkswagen Spends Big on R&D, More Ford GT Details, Bentley Breaks Its Mold
March 3rd, 2015 at 11:51am
Runtime: 6:54
- The Confidence of AWD
- VW Spends Big on R&D
- VW’s 4-Door Coupe
- Infiniti Shows All of QX30
- Nissan’s Future Euro Hatch
- Range Rover Cuts Top Off Evoque
- More Ford GT Details
- Bentley Breaks Its Mold
- Lexus Reveals Funky Ultra-Compact Car
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On today’s show… Land Rover cuts off the top of the Evoque, VW outspends every company in R&D and more details about the new Ford GT. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for March 3rd, 2015.
THE CONFIDENCE OF AWD
While at FCA’s winter drive event we learned all about things like active transfer cases with front axle disconnects and electronic limited slip differentials. But after getting some time out on a snow and ice covered course I can’t really say its systems are any better than other automakers. One thing it did drive home is that all-wheel and 4-wheel drive instill a lot of confidence in the ability to make the maneuver you planned on making even during poor conditions. And that snow tires really do make a difference over all-season tires. While I couldn’t say its systems are better, FCA does offer more vehicles than most with either all-wheel or 4-wheel drive, so it has a better chance to instill some of that confidence I felt into potential customers.
HEY BIG SPENDER!
Yesterday we reported that Volkswagen posted big financial gains in 2014. Part of the reason is the company’s commitment to innovation and product development. Last year the company spent close to $13 billion on research and development which is not only more than any automaker, it’s more than any company worldwide. VW says it’s focusing its R&D dollars on electromobility and the digitalization of vehicles.
VW’S 4-DOOR COUPE
But that R&D spending also includes new product like the Sport Coupe GTE, which just debuted in Geneva. And as you may have noticed it’s got four-doors despite it being a coupe. This long concept seats four people and is meant to show off the company’s design language. The plug-in hybrid is powered by a 3.0L V6 gasoline engine, two electric motors and a six-speed dual clutch transmission. It can travel at least 32 miles on just EV power and overall its got a total range of over 745 miles.
Still to come… Nissan reveals a new hatchback aimed at European customers, Infiniti unveils a stylish compact crossover and Bentley comes out with two-seater sports car.
NO MORE TEASES… THE WAIT IS OVER
For the past month, Infiniti has been teasing its new compact crossover, the QX30. Well the wait is over, because the company finally took the wraps off the concept yesterday. The sleek looking CUV has a lot of style with swooping lines all over the vehicle. And the theme continues in the interior as well. There isn’t a specific powertrain equipped in the QX30 but its been designed to work with a range of diesel and gasoline engines. Even though it’s a concept, Infiniti says it will come out with a production compact CUV inspired by the QX30. But it’s safe to guess the styling will be toned down when it goes public.
NISSAN’S FUTURE EURO HATCH
Nissan also showed off a stylish hatchback called the Sway. The company says it offers a glimpse at what could be the design language for a future European hatch. The Sway borrows elements from the Lannia Concept and the new Murano, like the V-shaped grille, floating roof, boomerang lamps and higher c-pillar. Nissan plans on using those styling cues on other products in all regions of the world.
JUST A LITTLE OFF THE TOP PLEASE
Land Rover is taking a unique approach to expanding its line-up. The company just revealed a convertible version of the Evoque that goes on sale next year. Even though it’s hard to get a full sense of what it looks like under all that camouflage, it doesn’t look to bad. Land Rover says more details will be coming later. But what do you think, is the company making a good decision coming out with a convertible SUV?
Coming up next, we learn production output and price range for the new Ford GT, Bentley’s new concept steers away from its normal direction and Lexus reveals a funky looking ultra-compact car.
MORE FORD GT DETAILS
We just got more details about Ford’s new GT supercar. The company will build hundred’s of GT’s, NOT thousand’s. Price? It will be priced against other cars with the same performance. Look for it to be similar to the Lamborghini Aventador, probably in the $400,000 range. And for those of you who watched the most recent After Hours with Ford’s Dave Pericak and Jamie Allison, you know the engine is the same as the one that just won the 24 hours of Daytona. But why not make it a hybrid? Ford really concentrated on lightweighting and a hybrid system would have added weight. And to keep the pounds down, the seats are integrated into the carbon fiber tub, only the pedals and steering wheel move.
BENTLEY BREAKS ITS MOLD
When I think of Bentley I think of luxury sedans, but the automaker is going a little outside of its normal direction and showing a 2-seat sports car in Geneva, called the EXP 10 Speed 6. Power comes from a new hybrid powertrain, but no details were released. Inside you’ll notice classic Bentley design cues, like the big “B” on the shift lever and quilted pattern on the leather seats and door trim. New 3D metal printing techniques were used to make the grille mesh, exhaust tips, door handles and side vents. Giving the car a new age look, while still being unmistakingly a Bentley. I think this is much better looking than the SUV the company has shown and the good news it’s said that it could be a future model, slotting in along side the Continental GT.
LEXUS REVEALS FUNKY ULTRA-COMPACT
Lexus revealed a funky looking concept called the LF-SA. Like a lot of the vehicles we’ve looked at today, this also is meant to show off the company’s design capabilities. Because of that there really aren’t a whole lot more details about the car other than it was created at the company’s European design studio.
But that’s it for today’s show, thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.
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Comments (27)
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:03 pm
The Murano convertible was such a hit that Range Rover said, ‘we got to have one of those’…….not. I feel if the Evoque makes it to production that the results will be similar.
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Wow!
That Bentley looks like an Aston Martin, Ford Mustang, etc.
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:10 pm
Topless Evoque? Not for me, but maybe for some exotic resorts looking for upscale ways to pick up folks from the airport, or maybe as an alternative to the Jeep tours in Sedona, AZ and Jordan, etc.
Either way it looks better than Nissan’s recent attempt at chopping off the top of the Murano.
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Considering what a smashing success the Murano roadster was for Nissan, I can see why Land Rover wants to cut the roof off the Evoque.
(sarcasm off)
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:14 pm
I expect that if they offered a fringed, surrey top for it, there might be a market in the islands for the topless Evoque.
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Range Rover trying to compete with the Wrangler maybe? Good luck! Meanwhile, I wish GM and Ford would bring back the old full size blazer, Bronco’s with removable tops.
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:29 pm
1 That was exactly my thought, even before I saw your comment. I think I’ve seen one Murano convertible on the road, ever. Land Rover must think something similar, only pricier, will sell better.
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Wow….that range rover drop top is just plain fugly.I guess beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:34 pm
That VW 4-door “coupe” must be the next generation CC, but if they build it as an almost 400 hp plug-in hybrid like the concept, it will need to sell at Benz, rather than VW prices.
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Will somebody please tell the marketing wonks that four doors and a long wheelbase does not qualify as a coupe, even if you have a swoopy roofline. These are the people who call your sparkling cider “champagne”. Maybe their next trick will be to convince you that your sweet Dockers khakis are actually shorts. Enough already.
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:42 pm
I don’t think a bathtub Range Rover will be an overall success; however, there may be enough housewives in Beverly Hills who just may jump at the chance to be the first to parade around town in a drop-top Range Rover.
March 3rd, 2015 at 1:01 pm
Topless SUV? I don’t think so, not for me anyway. What will be next, a roadster pickup? In my way of thinking, there is only one other thing that should be topless besides a 2 seat sports car, and it’s not a SUV.
March 3rd, 2015 at 1:16 pm
This Land Rover topless concept wasn’t so bad at all…
https://www.google.com/search?q=land+rover+concept&rlz=1CAZZAC_enUS596US598&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&imgil=ezZaBtc4lpJhmM%253A%253Bs3gFhOJk4jy3pM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.boldride.com%25252Fride%25252F2011%25252Fland-rover-dc100-sport-concept&source=iu&pf=m&fir=ezZaBtc4lpJhmM%253A%252Cs3gFhOJk4jy3pM%252C_&usg=__TtOOetgZ2_a4wDT74eh7zUY0UyU%3D&biw=1366&bih=633&ved=0CDoQyjc&ei=I_r1VNnxHMOeNqPFgMAD#imgdii=_&imgrc=ezZaBtc4lpJhmM%253A%3Bs3gFhOJk4jy3pM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fl.images.boldride.com%252Fland-rover%252F2011%252Fland-rover-dc100-sport-concept-1315925386-12519.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.boldride.com%252Fride%252F2011%252Fland-rover-dc100-sport-concept%3B2000%3B1333
March 3rd, 2015 at 1:35 pm
Maybe Land Rover are going after some of the Jeep Wrangler market.
March 3rd, 2015 at 1:37 pm
12 Dodge and Chevy have both done roadster pickups, the Dodge (Dakota) moderately priced, and the Chevy (SSR) not so moderately priced. Neither was much of a sales hit.
March 3rd, 2015 at 2:14 pm
The new Evoque concept reminds me of another compromise.
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/shimmer-floor-wax/n8625
March 3rd, 2015 at 3:17 pm
I think Land Rover recognizes that most of their vehicles never get out of metropolitan areas, and for that a convertible makes sense. People that buy these things aren’t interested in off-roading, no way they’re trying to compete with the Wrangler. And I thought common sense and good taste in cars had died with an SUV by Porsche, this is just another step in that nonsense direction.
March 3rd, 2015 at 3:40 pm
can a coupe have 4 doors? I was always under the impression that coupes had 2
March 3rd, 2015 at 3:48 pm
17 I was being facetious about the Range Rover thing competing with Wrangler.
March 3rd, 2015 at 4:54 pm
woooHeeeeeee!!!! It’s snowing again!
(also being facetious)
March 3rd, 2015 at 5:25 pm
Well I’ll be definitely getting a Ford GT when they are released. In 1/18 scale that is $400K Wow !!
That Lexus LF-SA reminds me of the Scion IQ part 2 with a huge sticker price. I predict if produced it will crash and burn as bad as the IQ.
The Bentley is Bad A$$ . Great looking car and nice proportions. The Evoque convertible eh ,why not ?
March 3rd, 2015 at 5:26 pm
HtG I’m getting ice currently . I’d rather have the snow.
March 3rd, 2015 at 6:14 pm
12 & 15….Dodge originally had a roadster pick up in 29-30.
March 3rd, 2015 at 6:25 pm
Good show Sean!! It is always exciting to see new and concept cars.
I don’t believe that Bentley is breaking any mold. I believe that it is going back to its roots. In the 1930′s and into the mid century, Bentley built some beautiful cars for the sports minded.
While it’s sedans were the same as RR except for the wheels and grill work, they produced some extreme (for the time) cars for the sports minded that are true classics today.
Always enjoy your presentation manner. (I’m 78 and like to see new “young blood.”)
March 3rd, 2015 at 6:47 pm
Bentley roadster – very good. Evoque roadster – not so good.
The Sway will sell in the U.S. at the right price and right power train.
March 3rd, 2015 at 6:56 pm
24 That Bentley grill. Such a legacy
March 4th, 2015 at 8:10 am
The VW GTE Coupe? How can you say “it’s actually a coupe” when it isn’t? Might as well call it a truck and get the fuel credit! But beyond that it is a nice looking car!