AUGUST 23, 2017

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Since the autoverse seems to be all abuzz about our favorite carpetbagging mercenary, one Sergio "I'm the G.O.A.T" Marchionne, being in serious talks to sell FCA to Chinese-based buyers - Great Wall Motor is the latest to step-up and declare its interest, in Jeep specifically, and of course FCA is adopting the obligatory Sergeant Schultz defense, as in "we know nothing" - I thought I'd remind you that I started mentioning this as a "most likely" scenario in a column three years ago. But hey, certain members of the media can continue talking breathlessly among themselves like it's brand-new news if it makes them feel special. Carry on. -PMD

(Audi)
So we received the following press release from Audi today (8/23) and we're going to let you read it in its entirety, with Peter's comments at the end:

Audi is adopting a standardized nomenclature for the power output designations of its worldwide range of automobiles. The names of the model series – from Audi A1 to Audi Q7 – will remain unchanged. Within the model families, combinations of two numbers will replace the various type designations previously used. The new designations stand for the specific power output and apply both to cars with combustion engines and to e-tron models with hybrid and electric drives.

The reference value for the new model designations is the power output of the individual model in kilowatts (kW). Audi is thus subclassifying its model range into different performance levels – each identified by a two-numeral combination. For example, the numeral combination “30” will appear on the rear of all models with power output between 81 and 96 kW. And “45” stands for power output between 169 and 185 kW. The top of the Audi model range is the performance class above 400 kW, which is identifiable by the number combination “70”. In each case the numerals appear along with the engine technology – TFSI, TDI, g-tron or e-tron.

The number combinations identifying the performance levels in the Audi product range increase in increments of five, and they represent the hierarchy within both the respective model series and the brand’s overall model range. According to the new nomenclature, in the future the spectrum will range from the Audi Q2 30 TFSI with 85 kW (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 5.4 - 5.1*; CO₂ emissions in g/km: 123 - 117*) to the Audi Q7 50 TDI with 200 kW (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.4 - 5.9*; CO₂ emissions in g/km: 168 - 154*). A special place in the line-up is occupied by the high-end, high-performance S and RS models and the Audi R8 (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 12.5 - 11.4; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 292 - 272). They will retain their classic names in reference to their top position in the model range.

“As alternative drive technologies become increasingly relevant, engine displacement as a performance attribute is becoming less important to our customers. The clarity and logic of structuring the designations according to power output makes it possible to distinguish between the various performance levels,” explains Dr. Dietmar Voggenreiter, Board of Management Member for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG.

The changes will kick off with the new Audi A8 generation in the fall of 2017. First among the two six-cylinder engines to be redesignated will be the 3.0 TDI with 210 kW – as the Audi A8 50 TDI (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 5.8 - 5.6**; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 152 - 145**), and the 3.0 TFSI with 250 kW – as the Audi A8 55 TFSI (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 7.8 - 7.5**; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 178 - 171**).

In the coming months, all Audi model series launched on the market will be assigned the new performance designations beginning when they are offered for sale. Audi will change the designations of the remaining model series in the current product range in time for the new model year changeover in summer of 2018. 

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Excuse me but, WTF? The above action indicates the kind of delusional self-absorption and ridiculous overthink that only a German automaker could come up with. The new engine designations are stunningly nonsensical, except to the Audi engineering bureaucrats who came up with them. In an automotive world already burdened with too much alphanumeric mumbo jumbo, this is unmitigated bullshit in its most egregious form. Take a bow, Audi overlords, you have managed to take something that was at least efficiently effective and turned it into a shit show of Brobdingnagian proportions. Nicely done. -PMD

(Volkswagen images)

Volkswagen. In what was absolutely no surprise to anyone, the German manufacturer has confirmed that it will build the all-electric I.D. Buzz microbus for the 2022 model year. As previously announced, the Buzz will be based on the manufacturer's Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) architecture and will be 194.6 inches in overall length. Though no range information was released, it is expected that by the time the Buzz arrives in showrooms it will have a range of 300 miles on a single charge. But it's about that arrival date. Five years from now? A giant bowl of Not Good.

(Cadillac)
Cadillac will produce an exclusive 2018 CTS-V Glacier Metallic Edition - painted a distinctive smoky light gray - to celebrate Cadillac’s 115-year history. The special edition CTS-V will be limited to 115 cars produced in 2017 for model year 2018. The special King Kong Cadillac also comes with standard illuminated door handles, dark red Brembo® brake calipers and 19-inch forged polish-finished alloy wheels with Midnight Silver painted pockets. Inside there are Jet Black RECARO® sport seats, a Performance Data Recorder system featuring COSWORTH Toolbox analysis software, an UltraView sunroof, the industry–first Rear Camera Mirror and the next-generation Cadillac user experience infotainment system. The rest is pure CTS-V: Supercharged, direct-injected 6.2L V-8 with 640HP (477 kW) and 630 lb-ft of torque (855 Nm) plus Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation); 8-speed sport automatic transmission with Performance Algorithm Shifting; Performance Traction Management system developed through a two-year engineering embed with Cadillac Racing's Pirelli World Challenge team, which adds five track-oriented modes (from Wet to Race) plus Launch Control. Bonus? All new Cadillac V-Series models include tuition and accommodation at the 2-day Cadillac V-Performance Academy at Spring Mountain (offer valid for one year, reserved for the original owner of each new, unused model year 2017 and newer Cadillac ATS-V and CTS-V models).

(BMW images)
BMW has unveiled the new Concept Z4 in Monterey, which is a preview of a new production car coming within a year. According to BMW PR minions, the BMW Concept Z4 Roadster is a "sporty and progressive BMW design study encapsulating the BMW Group’s vision of a modern roadster." According to Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, “The concept expresses the new BMW design language from all perspectives and in all details. From the dynamic-looking front to the striking flanks to the clean-cut tail end: a few lines and the subtle interplay between surfaces are enough to generate a sense of power and emotion.” We'll wait to see it in-person before commenting further. Editor-in-Chief's Note: On second thought, I don't need to wait to see this car in the flesh. I have tried to give BMW designers the benefit of the doubt but they clearly are lost in the Twilight Zone somewhere. Every single one of their production designs are relentlessly uninspired - except for the i3 (and no, the i8 isn't all that) - and their concept cars are consistently rolling abominations of about fourteen different ideas thrown together signifying nothing. The production Z4 was terrible, and the new Z4 Concept is no better. But some fan boys in the establishment automotive media are already tripping all over themselves canonizing it, which says more about the dismal state of the business than anything I can muster. -PMD