(Bentley images)
The new Bentley Continental GT V8 and GT V8 Convertible have made their official debut. Both V8 models are equipped with a new-generation 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged engine developing 542HP (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft (770 Nm) of torque. The V8 features dual twin-scroll turbochargers located inside the ‘V’ of the engine. Top speed? 198 mph (318 km/h) and 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds for the Coupe; 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds for the Convertible. Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe, Great Britain, the Continental GT V8 and GT V8 Convertible "combine driver-focused performance with exquisite refinement and cutting-edge technology," according to the manufacturer's PR boffins. Both cars feature 20-inch, 10-spoke painted alloys wheels, subtle V8 badging and a beautiful handcrafted interior. It will be available in the US in Q3. Prices haven't been released yet, but we likey. That is all.
(Mercedes-Benz images)
Mercedes-Benz is bringing out a redesigned GLC Coupe. Featuring a "newly enhanced" 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo engine with 255HP and 273 lb-ft. along with other detailed improvements, the new GLC Coupe will debut at the New York International Auto Show in April and will go on sale in the U.S. late this year.
(Porsche images)
Joining Mercedes-Benz and BMW in offering a 4-door "coupe" SUV - because, well, they just can't help themselves - Porsche is introducing the new 2020 Cayenne Coupe. The Coupe has a redesigned rear section, an adaptive rear spoiler, individual rear seats, and either a panoramic fixed glass roof fitted as standard, or an optional carbon fiber roof. The front windshield and A-pillar are shallower than in the Cayenne, courtesy of a roof edge that is roughly 0.78 inches lower than the standard design. Redesigned rear doors and quarter panels also define the new model.
All Cayenne Coupe models will come with the Sport Chrono Package, standard. The Cayenne Coupe features the same 3.0-liter mono-turbo V6 as the standard Cayenne, with 335HP and maximum torque of 332 lb.-ft. The 0-60 mph sprint takes 5.7 seconds, or 5.6 seconds with the optional lightweight sports packages. Top speed is 151 mph. The Cayenne Turbo Coupe has a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 541HP and 567 lb.-ft. of torque. 0 to 60 mph takes 3.7 seconds and it has a top speed of 178 mph. Each Cayenne Coupe model features both a roof spoiler and a new adaptive rear spoiler as part of Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA). The spoiler extends by 5.3 inches above speeds of 56 mph, increasing downforce to the rear axle.
Eight-way Sport Seats are standard equipment in the front of the Cayenne Coupe. Rear passengers sit 1.18 inches lower than in the Cayenne. Cargo volume is 22 cubic feet increasing to 54.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Cayenne Turbo Coupe has 21.2 with the rear seats standing and 53.3 cubic feet of cargo area volume with them folded.
The new Cayenne Coupe comes with a wider list of standard features, including a large panoramic fixed glass roof with integrated sunshade, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), the Sport Chrono Package and 20-inch wheels. The new 2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe is expected in U.S. showrooms in the fall of 2019. And, of course, bring money. Lots of money. Starting MSRP for the Cayenne Coupe is $75,300, while the Cayenne Turbo Coupe goes for $130,100, both excluding $1,250 for delivery, processing and handling.
It's all in the drive.
Detroit. I will admit that when I first saw the Cadillac XT4 in the flesh it did not sit well with me. Maybe it was the example I was looking it, but it didn't feel premium to me or at least it didn't feel like it represented the Cadillac brand all that well. This week, I had a chance to experience one for myself for the first time. Now granted, this XT4 AWD Sport press car was absolutely loaded, and that presented an issue for me, because I think $57 grand is too much for this car (read more in this week's Rant - WG). But I will say this for the XT4, it's an excellent driver. Composed, agile and responsive, it has a taut feel that suggests GM's True Believers really understand what a driver-oriented machine should feel like. The power from the 2.0-liter Turbo was more than adequate, although the exhaust note needs to be tuned-up as it sounds anemic. But it was definitely capable of getting you down the road at a pleasing pace. And the interior was better than I expected too. Fairly tasteful, decent materials, and functional. And the diameter of the steering wheel was dead-on perfect, which is always a barometer for me. I kept asking myself "why not?" with this car. As in why wouldn't I consider one after my Stelvio? And I have to admit, other than the price of this overloaded example, I couldn't really come up with a negative that would preclude me from getting one. For me, it's all in the drive, and for that reason alone the XT4 AWD Sport is definitely worth a closer look. -PMD
2019 Cadillac XT4 AWD Sport: $57,135 ($41,795 Base Price; Autumn Metallic, $625; Jet Black interior with Cinnamon Accents; 2.0-liter, Direct Injected, Turbocharged 4-cylinder with 237HP and 258 lbs-ft of torque; 9-speed automatic transmission; Twin Clutch All-Wheel-Drive; 4-wheel brakes with ABS; Four-wheel independent suspension; 18" 10-spoke alloy wheels; LED headlights and tail lamps; (ATTENTION: This XT4 is loaded, so every interior feature you can imagine is standard, we're just not going to list them all), Comfort and Convenience Package - Leather seating surfaces, 8-way power seat adjuster - passenger, Ventilated front seats, Massage control, front seats, Hands free liftgate - $2450; Power tilt/sliding dual panel glass sunroof, $1550; Cadillac User Experience with embedded Navigation - AM/FM Stereo with connected navigation providing real-time traffic, phone integration for Apple Carplay and Android compatible phones, Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound Audio System with thirteen speakers and an auxiliary amplifier - $1500; Enhanced Visibility Package - Dual, power folding/adjustable, heated outside mirrors with turn signals and driver side auto dimming, rear camera mirror with washer, Automatic Parking Assist with braking, HD surround vision (replaces rear vision camera) - $1500; Technology Package - Wireless charging, Air ionizer, Power tilt and telescoping steering column, 8" color gauge cluster, Head-up display - $1400; Active Sport Suspension, $1200; 20" Diamond cut alloy wheels with Titan satin finish, $1100; Driver Assist Package - Advanced adaptive cruise control with full-speed stop and go, Forward and reverse automatic braking - $1100; Cold Weather Package - Driver and front passenger heated seats, Heated rear outboard seats, Heated steering wheel - $850; Driver Awareness Package - Forward collision alert, Front pedestrian braking, Intellibeam auto high beam control, Following distance indicator, Lane keep assist with lane departure warning - $770; Trailering equipment - Heavy duty cooling, trailer hitch - $300, Destination charge, $995)
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