Category Car News

Today Cadillac announced its new plan for naming its product line. The rule is quite simple: all of its current and future vehicles will be name in the format of  “CT[x]” (here x = a number starts at integer “1”, higher value means higher market position of the car).

For example, previously rumor said the upcoming Cadillac full-size sedan’s name will be “LTS”, now its official name is “CT6”. Below is a spy shot of the Cadillac CT6 full-size luxury sedan.

You may recall recently there is another brand also has this dramatic change of nomenclature, yes you are right, the Infiniti. You may also has a feeling that this is a similar strategy – yes you are right again.

Johan ...

Following our first report about the new C63 AMG yesterday, today comes more details about the US-spec models.

First, please note that the official new name for the C63 AMG is: Mercedes-AMG C63. Below are latest summary of US-spec C63:

– Powered by the M177 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine
– 7-speed AMG Speedshift transmission
– C63: 469hp @ 5,500 – 6,250 rpm, 479 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750 – 4,500 RPM; 0-60mph: 4.0 seconds
– C63 S: 503hp @ 5,500 – 6,250 rpm, 516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750 – 4,500 rpm; 0-60mph: 3.9 seconds
– Standard tire size: 245/40 R18 (front); 265/40 R18 (rear); optional size: 245/35 R 19 (front) and 265/35 R 19 (rear)
– C63 standard options: clutch type LS...

For months ago, we have reported a possible move that VW may be taking, that the next generation of the Phaeton will be “downgraded” to compete with significantly cheaper competitors such as the Chrysler 300 and the Ford Taurus.

Today there is an update from VW, it is simply that: the above plan is abandoned.

The next VW Phaeton will still be expensive, come with V8 and W12 engines, and may be priced way north of the $70k mark. The new Phaeton will be announced in 2018 as a 2019 model.

Today Mercedes-Benz unveiled some detailed information regarding the newly redeisgned C-Class sedan AMG variant: the C63 AMG. Below are some highlights:

– All C63 AMG models will be powered by the M177 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine
– 7-speed AMG Speedshift transmission
– C63 AMG: 475hp, 479 lb-ft of torque; 0-100kmh (0-62mph): 4.2 seconds
– C63 AMG S: 510hp, 515 lb-ft of torque; 0-100kmh (0-62mph): 4.1 seconds
– Tire size: 245/40/R18 (front); 265/40/R18 (rear)
– C63 AMG standard options: AMG Ride Control sports suspension w/3-stage adjustable shocks; AMG speed-sensitive sports steering system; internally ventilated and perforated brake discs (size: 360mm/330mm – front/...

Today, Motor Trend released its road test numbers of the production version 2015 RC-F (the one previously published by MT is the test of a pre-production prototype). Key performance results are:

– 0-60 mph: 4.3s
– 1/4 miles: 12.7s @ 112.2mph

The result is slightly worse than its German competitors such as the BMW M4, Audi RS5 (the new Mercedes-Benz W205 C-coupe AMG has not arrived yet). The reason is because the heavier weight of the RC-F, which exceeds 4,000 lbs.

Compared to the German luxury brands, what Lexus currently lacks behind is the use of high-strength light-weight advanced material in the car body construction...