Competitor’s take note: Mercedes is getting really, really good at building luxury cars again. Oh sure they haven’t produced any junk in the last decade but a certain confidence that was embodied in every Mercedes of the 90s was dialed back as the obvious search for additional profits lead to something we hadn’t seen in any 3-pointed star before: cost cutting. But now the S-Class is the envy of the car world again and Mercedes is bringing that magic to the masses in the form of the new 2015 C-Class. The turbocharged four and six cylinder engines now power a nearly perfectly shrunken S-Class that even offers most of the flagship’s tech and luxury features. For the first time an air suspension is available as are luxuries like distronic cruise control plus steering assist, Burmester audio and even a climate control system that uses GPS to adjust before you enter a tunnel. In the hunt for efficiency engineers also reduced weight more than 200 pounds over the previous generation. Also of note is the 3-inch stretch in wheelbase that adds a bit more room to the previously tight rear seats. With an interior design drunk on details and finished as beautifully as anything costing twice as much the C-Class will find it almost easy to steal customers from the competition. Welcome back Mercedes and keep it coming.
The personal luxury coupe is a bit of an endangered species these days so we were excited to see Lexus offer one in the form of the RC 350. The nicely sized two-door features an intricately detailed version of Lexus’ giant front grille but here it works with the overall design that is also highlighted by beautiful wheels, stunning greenhouse and tidy rear end. The interior remains our biggest concern where, like all Lexus models of late, a design theme inspired by the late ’80s seems to be in place. The RC 350 uses the corporate 3.5-liter V6 tuned to 314 hp to move it’s rear-wheel drive chassis through the corners but we’re even more excited for another NAIAS debut we’ve heard about where this car receives the full-monty F package and the delicious V8 that goes with it. Now that is the kind of personal luxury coupe we all want to see more of.
For 2015 the SUV side of Chevrolet’s lineup benefits from the same improvements that propelled the Silverado pickup to North American Truck of the Year honors. That includes the revised engine family now featuring direct-injection as well as the chassis improvements that yield an improved ride and quieter cabin. The interior is vastly improved with better materials and a car-like center stack design that puts everything within easy reach.
Since the ILX came along a few years ago the TLX has seemed a bit redundant. Well Acura is getting around to moving it a bit upscale and they’re including a whole host of new components at the same time. The 2.4-liter engine is now paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and Acura’s 3.5-liter V6 is now tied to a 9-speed automatic. Both engines now offer direct-injection, which is a technology Acura seemed slow in adopting. In addition, all wheel drive can be specified for the V6 model and even Acura’s all-wheel steering assist system can be added to the 2.4-liter model to make this a seriously impressive mid-size premium sedan offering. With the way Acura works we know the production version of this prototype will be on sale by summer and you can be sure we will keep you posted.
The Hyundai Genesis did a lot to polish Hyundai’s image in the US and even earned the 2009 North American Car of the Year award so the followup needs to be good and Hyundai rolled out its best effort today at the North American International Auto Show. The V6 and V8 engines and 8-speed automatic carry over, but all-wheel drive becomes an option on both trims and the chassis has been comprehensively upgraded to improve rigidity. The infotainment and telematics systems are also updated to the best Hyundai has to offer. Heads up display is now on board and the luxury list is topped by a 900-watt 17-speaker Lexicon audio system. The new Hyundai style features a very bold front grille but it’s not anything larger than Audi uses so we know we will get used to it. In the meantime check out our quick video overview for some 360 degree coverage.
With the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution gone from the market the Subaru WRX STi remains the sole hot rally sedan available in US showrooms. This all new model offers 305 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque from its massaged 2.5-liter boxer four cylinder. As it should be, a 6-speed manual is the only transmission offered. Of course, all wheel drive is standard but you’ll have to pony up for one of the 1,000 Launch Editions to get the gold-tinted rims that Subaru made popular with past rally hatches. Pricing hasn’t been announced but we’d expect it to cover the mid to upper $30k range and before you even ask, no, Subaru is not planning a hatch version.
We’ve covered the standard RC 350 that this new sports coupe is based on, but we’re excited to tell you about the fire-breathing F version that Lexus rolled out on the second day of the North American International Auto Show. The F uses the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 and 8-speed automatic from the IS F sedan, but the engine has been modified to produce “more than 450 hp” and Lexus has fitted an advanced torque-vectoring differential to help put the power down. All-wheel drive will not be offered so this powerful rear driver should be a lot of fun in the twisties. An active rear wing and a carbon fiber roof are other racing parts that have us excited to get behind the wheel when it goes on sale late this summer. Inside we see aggressive sport seats and a trackpad in place of the Lexus “mouse” controller that we’ve loathed the last few years.
Cadillac is looking to expand its critically acclaimed ATS line by adding this handsome coupe to showrooms this fall. While not as dramatic as the CTS Coupe, the smaller ATS is striking from every angle with an especially long greenhouse and an athletic stance. One thing you’ll notice when giving the car a once over is the updated Cadillac crest front and rear, which drops the wreath and has been widened to convey a more modern look and brand. Both the 2.0-liter turbo four and the 3.6-liter V6 are available but the smaller engine may be our pick since it now produces 295 hp and can be ordered with a manual.
