Category Car Chat

Lexus Has Big Plan – Upcoming New Models: LS, RC-FS, SC

Maybe you have read our report yesterday regarding new V8s that Lexus is working on currently.

Well, there are reasons that Lexus develops those new engines, and it looks like that is a part of a big plan Lexus is gruadually unfolding, step by step, and cautiously.

The first part of the plan is the next generation LS flagship sedan. Two years ago, when Lexus revealed the “new” LS, some of us were disappointed by the fact that the new flagship sedan, is actually not a “real” new design...

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Report: The Future Lexus V8 Engine Plan

As we are approaching the market release date of the completely-new Lexus RC-F, speculations of how Lexus will do for its V8 engines in the next few year starts to emerge.

As we know the 5.0L V8 engine in the RC-F is based on the firm’s 2UR-GSE V8, which is currently used in the IS-F, but with significant modification and enhancement to push maximum output way more than the 450 hp mark.

At the same time, Lexus’ flagship sedan: the LS460, although with many impressive features, it lag behind its German rivals, such the Mercedes-Benz S550, the BMW 750i, the Audi A8, in engine output. The LS460’s 1UR-FSE 4...

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Test Drive Review: The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 3 (Chassis and Suspension)

Review Index:
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 1 (Exterior)
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 2 (Interior)
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 3 (Chassis and Suspension)
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 4 (Powertrain)

Video Highlights (For more detail information please see paragraph #5, 6, 7)

Now let’s take a look at the GL450’s frame construction.

Usually Mercedes-Benz vehicles give us an impression of solid rigidity and superior safety...

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Test Drive Review: The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 2 (Interior)

Review Index:
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 1 (Exterior)
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 2 (Interior)
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 3 (Chassis and Suspension)
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 4 (Powertrain)

In part 1, I have shown you some of my opinions regarding the GL450. In this section, let us take a look at the inside of the GL450.

Our test car comes with the Black MB-Tex synthetic leather option, which is standard on the GL450. If you want real leather interior, you need pay another $1,620 for that. Below is how this synthetic leather looks.

2014_Mercedes-Benz_GL450_29

You may notice with MB-Tex equipped GL-class, the seating surfaces are perforated; while with the r...

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Test Drive Review: The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 1 (Exterior)

Review Index:
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 1 (Exterior)
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 2 (Interior)
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 3 (Chassis and Suspension)
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 – Part 4 (Powertrain)

Test Car Information:

2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450
4.6L turbocharged V8, 362 hp @ 5000-6000 RPM, 406 lb-ft @ 1,500-4,000 rpm
7-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive
Options: Premium 1 Package
MSRP as tested: $69,155 (including $925 S&H charge)

For those who have the needs to carry more than 5 persons, but do not want to drive a minivan, they will typically buy a CUV/SUV with 3 rows of seats...

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