"twinturbobmw" (twinturbobmw)
11/08/2013 at 12:30 • Filed to: Thoughts
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"twinturbobmw" (twinturbobmw)
11/08/2013 at 12:30 • Filed to: Thoughts | 0
| 4 |
I forgot to post this last week but now that I have time, I can give you some pictures from the Seattle Auto show and thoughts on some new cars. I shall have more pictures up later. For now, here's some words about a few new cars.
First, we'll start off with the new Jeep Cherokee. However all I have to say is, well, it's just as ugly in person as it is in pictures. I'm trying to grasp what the designers were thinking while creating this...thing. I think the bent grille and thin headlights were meant to give the appearance of a sportscar while retaining the ride hight of a proper Jeep. The Porsche !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! tried to pull this off as well with the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! front end, although didn't fully succeed, it did better than the Jeep.
Next, the new Maserati Ghibli. While walking past the Maserati booth, I glanced at the Ghibli along with the Quattroporte parked next to it, then when coming around to the sign designating the car as well as specs, I noticed the name Ghibli show up. I had not realized it looked exactly like Totoro the new Quattroporte. I had to stare at it for a second to see the difference in the wheelbase. What I can't comprehend is if the Ghibli looking like the Quattroporte is a good thing or a bad thing. Also, at around $65,000 it will rival the 550i, A6/S6, and E550. But can it compete? The last Quattroporte couldn't keep up with its rivals because it was too sportscar oriented. With a hard ride, loud exhaust, and lack of toys for the price, it was eaten by it's competitors, the S63, Panamera Turbo, and Alpina B7. It wasn't a bad car, it was just not worthy in enough essential categories to be a super-sedan. Will the new Quattroporte/Ghibli be like this, we'll have to find out.
The Cadenza was the car I really wanted to see here. Not the new F12, not the C7 or the Vanquish, the Kia Cadenza. Why? I had heard very good things about the Cadenza, and how it had 5 series/E Class types of toys for the price of a 328i/C300. Upon climbing into the car you are greeted by soft leather thrones (Nappa leather optional) and steering wheel, both heated upon request. You also get dual zone climate control, projector headlights with leveling, a boatload of electronic assists, 12 speaker 550 watt sound system and something called hydrophobic glass. Opt for the premium model and you get even more. In the back, you get comfortable leather chairs and decent leg room. I am overall very impressed with the new Cadenza and I feel it deserves all the praise it's got.
Next, a car that I really want to own sometime, the Mini Cooper S. I will tie this into a topic that I did some investigating on while there: hot hatches. ( note: I aim to talk about these cars in a practical way as well as a fun factor. I have not driven any of the cars listed and my opinions are only based on sitting in the cars.) The cars I looked at were the Cooper, Abarth, GTI MK6, Focus ST, CR-Z, C30, and Civic SI (ok, not a hatch) I will go right out and say my favorite was the Cooper S. It had the right balance of fun and personality with German quality. I personally didn't like the GTI; enough to rant about it. I think a hot hatch should be fun, quirky and have endless amounts of energy, however at the end of the day, still be a car you can take your wife and maybe a kid in comfortably and safely. The GTI focuses too much on that second part. Inside it's dark and has no outstanding features. It's just a Golf interior with plaid seats and red stitching. There's no excitement. The car is too German and serious. If they took it over to Lamborghini for a few hours and asked them what to do to make it better, they could have made a much more fun car to be around. On the contrary, the Focus ST I feel may have too much personality and energy. Just a few too many Rockstar drinks. It's Tangerine Scream with massive bolstered Recaros seems like too much for a car that not only needs to be exciting but practical. Finally, I want to talk about the Fiat 500 Abarth. I used to love the Abarth a tremendous amount. Like the Focus, it has enormous amounts of energy, however it too takes it a bit too far. Its DNA contains a bit too much Ferrari. The large, thick steering wheel is fine, along with the lowered suspension, but I think it could do without the stripe and a smaller boost gauge. But that's not the main problem with the Abarth. The big problem is the feeling of sitting behind the wheel. First of all, when journalists say it feels like you are sitting atop a bar stool, they're not lying. That's exactly what it feels like. I assume the reason behind this is the very tall gauge cluster. At 5' 6", I couldn't see very well out the windshield even with the seat raised up. Also, the shifter didn't feel as precise as the Mini's or Fords. I did however like the fact that the shifter was up on the dash. Whenever I see that I think of the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , two great cars. To conclude, the Fiat 500 Abarth didn't live up to my expectations however the Mini surpassed them. Also, I am disappointed in the Golf GTI although I'm sure a drive will change that, everybody says it's great.
Stay tuned for part 2 for a few more Seattle Auto Show pictures.
Victorious Secret
> twinturbobmw
11/08/2013 at 12:41 |
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I've driven the QP in both versions.
Not only can it compete against the Germans, it beats them into a miserable pulp.
The Ghibli is more or less the same in a shorter wheelbase.
Maserati nailed both of these cars to near perfection. The issues I have with them are nitpicking at best.
area man
> twinturbobmw
11/08/2013 at 13:09 |
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You are unfortunately incorrect about the Cherokee. I too thought "Wow, kill it with hellfire" when I first saw the press photos, but it's definitely growing on me. I wish it had an external spare mounted to the back and 1 less set of headlights, but it has serious potential. Also, this:
Firewrx234
> area man
11/08/2013 at 14:40 |
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I've driven the trail hawk! It's a blast and sport mode was shocking when it changed while I was driving. I think it looked pretty good in person. Also, panoramic sunroof ftw!
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> area man
11/08/2013 at 16:20 |
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I hated it at first, and I still hate anything below the Trail hawk. But the Trail hawk fills me with want.