All Entries Tagged With: "Coupe"
Jaguar’s Future Rests On The Next XJ
The marque’s fate lies just ’round the bend.
By Gunnar Heinrich
JAGUAR. Say the name: “Jag-u-ar” if you’re a Brit, “Jag-whar” if you’re Americano. Either way you say it, the name means sex on wheels. Even if the cars themselves are falling short of that sultry promise these days.
Jaguar’s heritage was born of the swinging sixties; its past and present seemingly in lock step with the baby boomer generation. And like the few baby boomers who seem to be Jag’s last paying customers, it may sadly be that the marque’s best days are well and truly behind them.
And then again, maybe not.
So much will depend on the next M.Y. 2010 Jaguar XJ flagship. Jag seems to be feeding media reports that their next top-of-the-line model will be a four door coupe in Mercedes-Benz CLS fashion. Critics of the marque almost universally agree that the current XJ sedan with its conservatively retro design is so far past its aesthetic sell-by-date that it threatens to spoil the neighboring models in the lineup.
More the case is that the current XJ can be faulted not so much on looks (though, the new aero fascia is garrish) but rather on cheap execution. Despite the sophisticated aluminum (or aluminium, if you prefer) construction, the flagship flops on the luxury details – part of the main appeal in buying an historically less reliable and faster depreciating competitor to BMW or Lexus.
The ’10 XJ cannot afford to be so cheap in execution. If Jaguar’s next top saloon / four door coupe / whatever fails to reach a Maserati-like allure in being the very essence of the everyday exotic in both look and feel, I’m afraid the cat’s seen off its ninth life.
Here’s hoping for the best.
The Cornerstone To BMW’s Success: The E30 3-Series
By: Christopher P. Davis | IMG by David Guimarães
BMW’s E30 generation 3-Series line entered production in 1981. The last E30 rolled off the assembly line in 1994. The longevity of the model is a true testament to what BMW does best – Produce Racing Inspired Luxury Automobiles with classic styling.
While in recent times, some would argue that BMW has deviated from this model; in the 1980’s they built the model.
The E30 Chassis supported four models (5 if you include the Baur Convertible), a sedan, coupe, estate/ station wagon, and a convertible. From 1988-1991 in the US the first “M3” was available.
When I look at the E30 range now, it a appears rather dated.
However, when you compare it to BMW’s current models, you can see a definitive pedigree in those circular headlamps and that kidney grille.
EVOLUTION NOT REVOLUTION
For the most part, the styling of the 3-Series range has remained evolutionary. I personally appreciate the fact that if you look at a 2008 BMW 3 and a 1988 BMW 3, you can tell that they are both BMW’s – a feat that many marques have not been able to achieve.
Ask Lincoln.
BMW sold close to 2.4 Million E30 Series cars in 13 years; roughly the same number of cars that Munich sold in the two succeeding incarnations – combined.
Building upon the successes, and almost cult-like fervor around models like the 2002tii and the 2000CS, the introduction of the M3 was the start of the “M” brand within BMW.
The full M series has without a doubt led to BMW’s even greater successes as it entered the 90’s and the 21st century.
FAME
The original BMW E30 M3 had achieved great notoriety before it even hit the showroom floors.
The racing version of the M3 had many successes in DTM, Rally, and Australian Touring Car races among others. The E30 M3 is considered by many to be the premier rally car of all time, racking up more wins than any other car.
In North America BMW only engineered 195 Horses under the hood, In Europe however, 215 were released (This due to all those pesky US rules and regs). BMW equipped the M3 with a stiffer frame and more aerodynamic and larger fenders.
BMW borrowed front brake calipers and wheel bearings from the 5 -Series of the time. The M engineers increased the Caster Angle of the M3 to allow for superior handling characteristics.
CORNERSTONE
At present, BMW makes an almost identical lineup in its 3 Series (With the addition of an M Coupe and Convertible). The E30 is part of that success more than say Benz’s 190E is part of the current C-Class’ appeal.
With high build quality and the loyalty the cars instilled in their owners, the E30 allowed BMW to gain the ardently devoted and loyal customer base that more than endures, it thrives.
Completing The 560 Range: Benz’s Magnificent 560SEC
By Christopher P. Davis
IN a perfect world, the elves from the Black Forest pictured a three-car garage.
In it sat a 560SEL – which would propel you to your daily slayings in the corporate world – to the right, a 560SL – for open-top boulevard cruising and of course the occasional weekend picnic – and, finally, the 560SEC.
Sporty yet refined. Classic yet modern. Sadly, one of Benz’s best is now just some forgotten coupe. Perfect for a night at the opera, and maybe a Friday car, like the current CL-Class, the SEC was an expensive, low volume choice. So much so, the “E” is SEC should have stood for “exclusive.”
Arriving in an S-Class coupe, you made a statement, frankly, that money was no object and that practicality was for “the little people.” Sure, for a little less money (the coupe’s MSRP was north of $70,000) you could have a 560SEL and two more doors, but who bothered to count? You had accountants for that.
Confronted by a 560SEC, there’s little room to doubt that it is a true Mercedes-Benz. The Tri-Star logo, representing land, air, and sea is prominently featured, much in the way it currently is on the CL and on the new C-Class Sport.
The star has an angular front, which through former Benz Design Chief Bruno Sacco’s genius avoids being overtly “sporty” or ostentatious. Simply told, it’s the embodiment of the balanced design ethic that was part of every model Mercedes produced in the 80s.
On the headlamps rest diminutive wiper blades, a feature that I always thought to be rather cool and somewhat practical, but overall, just plain cool. On top of the hood where a star ornament would usually stand, is a larger blue-white star and laurel roundel that’s featured on nearly every Mercedes two-door.
From the side, your eye sweeps across the car, as the design is completely fluid, there is no rough spot, just one beautiful automobile. The 560 SEC is a pillarless coupe, a fact that greatly enhances that sweep.
In a December 2006 edition of British Mercedes-Benz magazine Mercedes Enthusiast, Bruno Sacco was reported to have recently acquired, as the writer put it, “(A) low mileage 560SEC in Anthracite with black leather and burr walnut. ‘It is now almost perfect,’ he murmured, eyes twinkling.”
From the rear, the 560SEC is very similar to any other W126. The only difference between the rear of sedan is that the coupe sports a slightly larger rear windscreen.
On the interior, a 560SEC has all the sharp fit and finish of its four door sibling.
One novel feature is a seat belt presenter – a think black plastic arm that extends the belt out for you from a chrome ringed cavity beneath the rear window sill. Although novel in the 80s, it’s a feature that time has shown to be just a tad temperamental.
Between the back seats of the SEC was a beautiful burled wood retractable console. Similar to that found on current CL-Class models, although on the 560SEC it is much larger; the amount of burled wood is stunning!
The 560SEC is a big car by any measure. It weighs in at over 3960 pounds and covers just over 199.2 inches of asphalt stem to stern.
In today’s world of Prius’ (or is it Prii?) the 560SEC is a throwback to a bygone era – the decadence of the 80’s.
Supreme excess.
Owning one today is as much a statement as it was then. It denotes success, style, intelligence, and class. It’s a designer tank, engineered unlike any other car in the world and styled to please even the most fashion conscious.
“Luxury cars” abound, but 560SECs do not – with only 28,929 of these beauties made. What’s more, a well cared-for example will mechanically stand the test of time at least as well as its classic good looks.
The 560SEC is the perfect coupe to complete anyone’s garage.
[Images: 1986 Brochure by Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.]
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*Note* An avid reader since early 2007, Mr. Davis is a new contributor to Automobiles De Luxe.
