Anthony Fongaro

Automakers are trying to achieve price parity between EV and ICE vehicles. This is a key objective so EVs become more attainable to buy. Price parity would help consumers who are interested in EVs. Kelly Blue Book's (KBB) November average transaction price data for new vehicles shows that we are moving slightly in the right direction. In 2024, certain EVs will lose the federal tax credit.

The industry average transaction price (ATP) for every type of vehicle was $48,247. The new EV average transaction price (ATP) was $52,345, or 8.5% more expensive. November had the highest incentive for EVs at 8.9% of the average transaction price (ATP). Last year, EV incentives were less than 2% of the ATP. Kelly Blue Book (KBB) has not revealed all vehicles' average transaction price (ATP). Hybrids/alternative-powered cars had an average transaction price of $49,680.

The Director of Strategic Planning at Cox Automotive, Stephanie Valdez-Streaty told Inside EVs: "In recent months, price parity between EVs and ICE has almost seemed possible. It is a complicated measure with plenty of variables, but newer products and higher discounts have brought down average EV prices, even before potential tax incentives. A year ago, the EV premium was more than 30%. Today, it's less than 10%."

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Reporting through December 20th, 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has data about manufacturer recalls for the year. Ford has issued 54 recalls affecting 5,692,135 vehicles. Not only is this the highest of any automaker, but it marks the third year in a row that Ford is at the top spot for recalls.

Ford had almost twice as many Kia vehicles at 3 million. This was related to leaking brake fluid which is a fire risk. Stellantis came second with 45 recalls and 2.7 million affected cars. Third to fifth place goes to BMW with 29 recalls, Mercedes-Benz with 27 recalls, and Nissan with 22 recalls.

Ford had the highest number of recalls but didn't have the largest recall in 2023. That honor goes to Tesla for its Autopilot safety system. This affected 2,031,220 Tesla vehicles. According to NHTSA, Autopilot currently is not set up to prevent misusage. Tesla plans to remedy the Autopilot recall with over-the-air (OTA) updates.

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Car dealers have more cars in stock as of December since the spring of 2021. The metric car dealers use to measure their supplies is "days of inventory". This measures how long it would take to sell a new car at today's sales price. The age-old industry guideline is 60 days on a car lot.

According to Cox Automotive, the average dealer has a 71-day supply. When you have an oversupply, prices start to lower. KBB states that the average for new car prices dropped from November 2022 to November 2023. It's the third straight month with year-over-year pricing decreasing. 

Due to anticipation of a union strike, automakers stocked up on cars during the summer. When the United Auto Workers (UAW) initiated their strike, they utilized a different tactic. A few factories were closed, but many factories were at full capacity. 

Several automakers are slowing down factories. Stellantis has announced it is cutting one of its shifts at a Jeep plant In Detroit. Stellantis is also cutting jobs and production at a Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio. Meanwhile, GM is putting several assembly pants with scheduled downtime for product changeovers and maintenance. 

Not all brands are affected by the oversupply issue. November 2023 Toyota dealers had an average of 32 days, with Honda, Kia, and Lexus below 50. Jeep has the worst oversupply issue with a 128-day supply. Nine brands had over 100 days' worth of vehicles. 

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General Motors announced on December 1st, 2023 a stop delivery of certain 2024 Chevy Equinox, Blazer, Blazer EV, and GMC Terrain models. A document published by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration" specified certain Chevy Equinox and other vehicles were announced. GM has provided a list of VINs. 

Although GM halted deliveries, the main issue has not been publicly announced. This stop delivery is labeled under "Global Safety Field Investigations.". This suggests that GM is still working on a solution. Dealers with affected Chevy Equinox and other vehicles cannot be sold or delivered until they have further information. 

Some of these models have been sold to customers, but a bulletin given to dealerships with VIN should help with this situation. Further information includes a list of all dealers who had or sold the Stop Delivery. Along with the Stop-Delivery, these models can't be dealer-traded or used as a demonstration. This notice also has the problem reference number N232429910. For now, there is no timeframe for further information. 

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Looks like GM is in the news again. Certain 2024 model-year Chevy Silverado GMC Sierra trucks could split in the metal on the passenger side. Due to this, GM announced a stop-sale.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) has published a document that 3,067 vehicles are being inspected. They will test the 1,500, 2,500, and 3,500. Although it is stated that the damage is on the passenger side at the roof panel joint under the molding, the exact cause was not stated.

Dealers were advised to wield up the crack. There are a few steps before wielding up the crack such as removing roof rail airbags on the passenger side. This document advised technicians to add anti-corrosion material and seam sealer to the underside of the weld. After this, they repaint the outer roof.

There is no definitive time to fix the trucks with this defect.  Along with the stop-sale, 3,893 2024 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks are under recall for steering gear shaft problems. 

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It's the end of the road for the Chevrolet Camaro. The final Camaro was a ZL1 1LE with a manual transmission. As of now, there are no images of the final Camaro. Chevy didn't tell a spokesperson from Motor1 whether they would keep it or sell it to a customer. 

 A Chevrolet spokesman said in a statement "Camaro is a passion product. It has developed a fan base worldwide and brought people into Chevrolet dealerships for generations. The sixth generation specifically represented athleticism and composure – exuding confidence on the road and dominance on the track."

Chevy had previously announced in March 2023 that the Camaro would retire after the 2024 model year. The final edition for the Camaro is a 350-unit Collector's Edition. ZL1 Camaros come with Panther Black Matte paint and the unit number. Lower trim levels receive a Panther Black Metallic paint with satin black stripes. 

The current Camaro ran from 2010 to 2023. Throughout the years it had various inline-four, V6, and V8 engines. The Camaro ZL1 has a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 creating 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft. It came with either a six-speed manual or a ten-speed automatic. Currently, there are no confirmed plans for a replacement for the Camaro. 

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GM has decided to postpone EV drive production at its Toledo Propulsion Systems plant in Ohio. They have revised their schedule, with plants to start EV production by the end of 2024. 

This postponement has affected EV drive unit production by nine months. GM announced this information during a Wednesday meeting with employees at the Toledo plant. GM, in a statement on Wednesday, indicated that the decision to "retime the launch of Electric Drive Unit at the plant to Q4 2024" was made to better synchronize with the planned production schedule at the Orion Assembly.

This development follows GM's previous announcement of a substantial $760 million investment aimed at preparing the Toledo plant to manufacture the first electric drive units for its EV lineup in the United States. GM's recent delays also extend to its electric trucks at the Orion Assembly, including the Chevy Silverado RST and GMC Sierra Denali EVs. The revised timeframe for production is late 2025.

Despite these setbacks, GM continues its electric vehicle efforts, currently producing the Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck at Factory ZERO, already available for purchase. The Silverado RST EV, set to roll off the same facility's assembly line, is expected to be available in the first half of 2024. The GMC Sierra EV, slated for production at Factory ZERO, is expected to hit the market next summer.

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Since the reveal of the 2024 Lexus GX, we have seen the new designs, trim levels, and off-roading prowess. Now, Lexus has revealed pricing increases compared to its predecessor. The entry GX500 in Premium trim starts at $64,250. Top-tier Luxury+ trim levels increase the price to $81,250. 

For those seeking additional features in the Premium trim, the higher-tiered  Premium+ trim, priced at $69,250, offers additional features that will be disclosed at a later time. High-end Luxury and Luxury+ trims, commencing at $77,250 and $81,250 respectively. An off-road Overtrail trim, available at a starting price of $69,250, is aimed at the off-road enthusiast. As with the Premium+ and Luxury+, there is a better-equipped Overtrail+ at $77,250, similarly priced to the Luxury trim level.

Under the hood of the LX500  is a 379-horsepower twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 coupled to a 10-speed automatic and four-wheel drive.  Four-wheel drive is optional apart from the Platinum trim. This powertrain delivers an EPA highway fuel economy rating of 21 mpg, a 2 mpg improvement over the previous generation's V8. Lexus has hinted at a hybrid version, but as of now, there has been no confirmation. 

All trim levels of the 2024 Lexus GX550 have a plethora of standard equipment. These include a 12.3-inch driver display and 14-inch center touchscreen grace the interior, along with heated/ventilated front seats, a 10-speaker stereo, and Lexus's Safety System+ 3.0. That includes automatic emergency braking, radar cruise control, lane-keep assist and departure warnings, and onboard cameras that can read road signs. Available upgrades include additional heated seats for the second row, a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, a heads-up display, and a cooler box.

Look for the 2024 Lexus GX500 in your local dealership in early 2024. As of now, pre-orders are available but the build configurator is not yet live.

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The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received a recall from Tesla covering 2,031,220 vehicles. Products affected span from the 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2020-2023 Model Y, and 2017-2023 Model 3. These recalls are for those vehicles with Autosteer. Tesla's Autosteer system, in certain scenarios, would fail to consider driver awareness or emergency driver intervention. This leads to potential misuse or cancellation issues. 

After testing the Autosteer technology, the NHTSA stated, "In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature." 

Tesla's response to the problems will be to send out an over-the-air (OTA) software update to address these issues. This update will include additional alerts and control beyond what the current system has. When Autosteer is activated, there will be more checks on the driver outside controlled-access highways. There is a possibility that Tesla will suspend Autosteer for those driving irresponsibly. 

As of midday on December 7th, 2023, Tesla's fleet has received a soft release to incorporate the necessary updates and enhancements. 

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30 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Yeah, that's what supercars are about. Rarely are any of them cheap or easy to maintain. In fact, I'd wager all of them are considered "very expensive" to maintain. 

Have you been able to drive one?!? I took this read as more of an informative piece rather than a driven review. 

I haven't but those stats sound promising.

11 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

This is insane and I love it. 

And seriously quick!

Mercedes-AMG has revealed the most powerful SL to date. The SL63 S E Performance makes 816 horsepower and 1,047 lb-ft. This is thanks to combining AMG's 612 horsepower 4.0-liter V8 and AMG's Electric Unit, making this a plug-in hybrid. Performance now has the 0-60 MPH in a mere 2.9 seconds. Top speed is 197 MPH. The inclusion of a 400-volt, 6.1-kWh battery pack offers 8 miles of all-electric range. This battery pack is engineered by AMG and has direct cooling to keep the battery at the optimal temperature. 

Innovative aerodynamics plays an important role in performance. AMG adapted the SL's active aerodynamics for the electrified platform, introducing enhancing stability and offering the rear spoiler to tilt in five positions. The stopping power of the SL63 S E Performance is through ceramic composite brakes with bronze calipers. Enthusiasts will be able to identify the SL63 E S Performance due to the charging port, name highlighted in red, E Performance fender badges, grooved trapezoidal twin tailpipes. 

Inside, the SL63 S E Performance offers a luxurious and sporty feel. AMG sports seats are standard, but buyers can get optional performance bucket seats with integrated headrests. The cabin contains one- and two-tone Nappa leather for a more opulent feel. Mercedes' MBUX infotainment system has AMG and hybrid-specific features, offering a blend of performance and technology. Mercedes' Manufaktur program is available for customers to extensively customize the interior and exterior. 

Standard features include active rear-axle steering, AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system, and AMG Active Ride Control suspension with semi-active stabilization. This innovative suspension system replaces the traditional torsion bar stabilizer, reducing body roll movements and enhancing overall driving dynamics. The regenerative braking system provides four levels of recoupment, with the ability for one-pedal driving. For now, there is no word on pricing, but the SL63 AMG S E Performance will come out sometime in 2024.

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After many years, auto enthusiasts in the United States can purchase a 2024 BMW Z4 with a six-speed manual. Production is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024 and no pricing has been released, but there is some speculation. BMW’s more powerful Z4 M40i will exclusively have the option of a manual gearbox. M40i Z4’s come with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 328 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. 

This unique manual transmission was a collaboration between BMW and transmission company ZF. Manual-equipped Z4s get a rear axel from the BMW M240i which gives the Z4 an M Performance limited-slip differential. Other changes compared to the automatic include stiffer front anti-roll bar mounts and recalibrated adaptive dampers. Steering should feel more precise and responsive.

 Although many components are shared between the Z4 and Toyota Supra, the shift linkages are different. You’ll also find staggered wheels with 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear. For now, there are no performance stats for the manual Z4 M40i. Tests of the automatic result in a 0-60 MPH time of 3.9 seconds, so the manual should be slower. Still, the inclusion of a manual results in more driver engagement in their sports convertible.

With manuals disappearing more and more every day, it’s refreshing that BMW gave the Z4 a manual transmission. In M40i trim, the Z4 is already plenty quick. The inclusion of a manual gearbox gives those with a penchant for three-pedals a compelling vehicle. Automatic Z4 M40i models start at $67,000. Even if that price increased by $3,000, a manual Z4 would still be thousands less than an entry-level Porsche 718 Boxster at $72,000. The #savethemanuals fans can rejoice that they can get a powerful sports convertible.
 

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Chevrolet’s refreshed 2025 Tahoe and Suburban are getting updated technology and safety features. Some of these updates come from the Silverado EV. These SUVs will come with a 17.7-inch touchscreen along with an 11-inch driver’s display. Once optional safety features such as adaptive cruise control, rear pedestrian alert, and side bicyclist alert are now standard.

Along with the updated tech are two new features. The first one is called Connected Cameras. Standard on the RST, Z71, Premier, and High County, allows owners to see various exterior and interior angles. This also records crashes and thefts. OnStar service will be required, along with a subscription. GM’s hands-free Super Cruise will be available for LT, RST, Premier, and High Country.

Tahoe and Suburban will have the same trim levels as before. These are LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country. A 5.3-liter V8 is standard on all but the High Country trim level. Standard on the High Country and optional on the RST, Z71, and Premier is the 6.2-liter V8. While the 5.3-liter V8 produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft, the 6.2-liter V8 makes 430 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. An updated 3.0-liter inline-six turbo diesel makes 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft. Every engine gets a 10-speed automatic.

Both SUVs come with animations for turn signals and approach lighting. Two new colors include Cypress Gray and Lakeshore Blue Metallic. RST and High Country trim levels get 24-inch wheels. While the Suburban can tow 8,200 pounds, the Tahoe can tow 8,400 pounds. Pricing has yet to be revealed. 
 

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A vehicle refresh can include updates to technology, slight design changes, and updates to interiors. For 2024, the Acura TLX is back with a few exterior design changes. The most prominent is the front-end with new grille. TLX still uses slim headlights but incorporates a better designed grille. At the side, both the regular TLX and A-Spec TLX come with new 19-inch five-spoke wheels in dark gray. Step-up to the Type S models come with 20-inch black wheels; Type S models can be had with high-performance tires and copper 20-inch wheels. 

At the rear, A-Spec models get a new diffuser along with rounded exhaust tips. Since the Type S already aggressive styling, the rear remains mostly the same. An optional carbon-fiber spoiler is available for the Type S. Acura has included two new paint colors for the 2024 TLX. The first one is a dark Liquid Carbon Metallic paint for TLX's with the Technology Package. A-Spec and Type S vehicles can be had with Urban Gray paint. Engines remain the same for all models. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four comes with the TLX and A-Spec, while the Type S continues with its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. All get a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Interior changes include both a 12.3-inch digital display and infotainment system. TLX now offers Amazon Alexa Built-In, along with a standard wireless phone charger and rear-seat charging ports. A-Spec TLXs come with thicker carpets, better sound-deadening, and acoustic glass. The TLX still comes with a push-button transmission selector and mousepad for the infotainment system. Interior leather includes black and red, although the Type S has a unique Pearly Orchid color.

Although changes may look minimal, Acura has raised prices for the 2024 TLX. It now starts at $46,195 for a front-wheel-drive TLX with Technology Package. Last year's TLX without the Technology Package cost $5,000 less but lowers to $950 more with it. A-Spec and Type S models also see a price increase of between $1,000 and $1,250. A-Spec Models cost $51,195 and the Type S costs $58,195. The 2024 Acura TLX will arrive at dealerships at the end of November.

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At the 2023 Tokyo auto show, Mazda unveiled a sports car concept. Originally named Vision Study Model, the Iconic SP, utilizes an interesting engine combination. This hybrid-rotary-powered sports car uses the twin-rotor rotary engine as a generator to recharge the batteries. Iconic SP is around 10 inches longer than Mazda’s compact Miata.

Although Mazda hasn't disclosed the number of electric motors, they are the main propulsion system. As a range-extending EV, that rotary engine doesn’t drive the wheels. Iconic SP’s engine is carbon-neutral, but can use unconventional fuels such as hydrogen. We do know the Iconic SP had around 365 horsepower. This concept can also run as a power supply if you have a power outage.

The exterior of the Iconic SP showcases a low and sleek coupe. This has a grille similar to current Mazdas with a smooth body. Inside, you’ll see a lack of clutter in the cabin. There’s a small digital gauge which, in this concept, displayed the Monaco Grand Prix circuit map and a g-meter. 
 

At 3,197 pounds, the Iconic SP’s weight is at the lighter end of the EV spectrum. Painted in Viola Red, the Iconic SP is a look into Mazda’s future. Mazda is looking into the future of electric vehicles, so this rotary-hybrid engine could be produced. It looks like Mazda will continue the ever-losing trend of a relatively light and interestingly-propulsion sports coupe. 

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Since the introduction of the Mazda CX-90, a smaller SUV has been in the pipeline. The CX-70 was supposed to go on sale at the end of this year but has been delayed until 2024. Mazda is aiming to offer more SUVs for American customers. 

This means that the CX-70 will compete alongside the CX-90 is the mid-size SUV segment.  Europe already has the CX-60, and Mazda said the CX-70 is essentially the same with a wider body. CX-70 will have a shorter wheelbase than the CX-90 due to it being a two-row.

Engine options should match the CX-90. This means two engines will be available. A PHEV CX-70 would have the 2.5-liter hybrid from the CX-90. Mazda’s 3.3-liter inline-six should also make the cut, with either 280 horsepower or 340 horsepower. 

Since there is a delay for the CX-70, more information will be coming out in the next few months. Mazda has not revealed when the CX-70 will debut, and it has no official pricing. 

*The photo included is the European CX-60, in which the CX-70 will be based on*

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The EPA has announced the various electric ranges of the Kia EV9. This new crossover SUV is Kia's flagship SUV, with various battery sizes and ranges. Kia gave the EV9 five trim levels along with two battery sizes. At the bottom of the EV9 lineup is the $56,000 Light rear-wheel-drive Light trim level. An EV9 Light utilizes a 76.1-kWh battery, good for 215 horsepower/160 kW and 258 ft-lb /339 Nm. The range for the Light rear-wheel-drive is 230 miles, or about 3.0 miles/kWh.

The Light trim level can get a larger battery pack if you want more range. The upgrade raises the price to $61,000 and increases the battery to a larger 99.8-kWh. Light Long Range models produce the same power as the regular Light, but the EPA estimates 300 miles of range. This also equals out to about 3.0 miles/kWh. 

All-wheel-drive models start with the $65,000 Wind trim. Dual motors increase power to 379 horsepower/279 kW and 443 ft-lb/603 Nm. This carries over to the $71,000 Land trim, which the EPA estimates the range around 280 miles. This equates to around 2.8 miles/kWh. Sitting at the top is the GT-Line, which bumps the torque to 516 ft-lb/702 Nm. GT-Lines do get a range penalty, at a minor 10 miles resulting in a 270-mile range. Efficiency lowers to 2.7 miles/kWh.

• EV9 Light RWD - 230 miles
• EV9 Light Long Range RWD - 304 miles
• EV9 Wind AWD - 280 miles
• EV9 Land AWD - 280 miles
• EV9 GT-Line AWD - 270 miles

Every model comes with an 800-volt architecture that supports DC fast charging. Peak charging rates can get as high as 236-kw, which can get the EV9 from 10-80% state of charge in 25 minutes. EV9 also comes with vehicle-to-load (V2L), which can charge appliances and vehicles. It also comes with vehicle-to-grid (V2G), which can send power back to the grid. Kia announced it will give a 1,000-mile credit with Electrify America.

Just last week, Kia announced that they will be joining the NACS/Tesla charging network sometime starting in Q4 2024.

Kia EV9s will go on sale later this year.   

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Maybe the styling will grow on me when I see it in person…but I’m not a fan of the rear. The interior looks splendid but like what Drew said, those screens can be really distracting and difficult to use.

I’ve had so many problems with Electrify America and I’m glad more EV makers are adopting this.

14 minutes ago, balthazar said:

In the U.S., automatics surpassed manuals in sales in 1954. Yes; I need to see your sources for “last 10-20 years”.

Apologies, that sentence was not supposed to be there.

*Note: this isn’t my opinion. This article is more to spark a discussion. I love #savethemanuals. With that, please enjoy a controversial article.

Some people are fans of electric cars. Others regale the days of the glorious V12s which are now few-and-far in-between. Same goes for interiors. While the days of analog gauges, non-infotainment systems, and simple controls hearken back to an easier time, trends are making those just memories. Most people, car lovers or not, accept changes to vehicles. Fuel economy, safety, performance, and technology are constantly evolving. However, there is one aspect of vehicles that isn't sport or performance-based that needs to go away. The manual transmission. 

If you’re reading this and are a #savethemanuals fan, you probably hate me for talking about ditching the manual transmission. I’m sure the comments are not going to be the most positive. Granted, my thought process of manual transmissions is not new. Performance companies such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren don’t have manual transmissions anymore. There is a reason why there has been a campaign for over ten years called #savethemanuals and fans rejoice when a car has either a standard or optional manual transmission. 

Should they be completely taken off the map? No. I believe sports cars and performance vehicles should still have the option of a manual transmission. The Porsche911 and 718 range and Toyota’s 86 both have a manual as optional or standard. Even “hot-hatchbacks” such as the Honda Civic Type R and the VW Gold GTI/R have manuals, with the manual being the only transmission for the Civic Type R. Do they expect to sell a lot of them? Transmission wise, no, but owners of this type of vehicle want to shift the car themselves. I will admit that cost and upkeep of a manual is cheaper before you count replacing the clutch.

This brings me to a few different complaints. First, “I feel one with the car.” Excellent! But I feel one with a car that has an excellent automatic or dual-clutch transmission. Inexpensive cars such as a Nissan Versa or Honda Fit seem ok with a manual, but what’s the point then? Feeling one with a car that’s $14,000 doesn’t seem to make sense. If you’re spending that much for a new car, why not get a more fun or practical car with a manual if that’s all you want? To me, feeling one with the car means I know what’s going on constantly with the tires, suspension, and brakes. I also do know what’s going on with my transmission because of complaint number two.

“Rowing gears”. You start out at first gear, accelerate while shifting to a certain gear, and go down to second gear when you turn a corner. That’s what I did in my Volkswagen GTI with the DSG gearbox. For me, I didn’t really “row gears” the same way you would in a manual, but I did get to choose which gear I wanted to be in. Choice is what manual only drivers like. They can be in the tallest gear such as 6th or 7th and drop instantly to 2nd for a tight corner. Slight problem with that. Thanks to advanced automatic gearboxes that are constantly evolving, vehicles with automatics can shift manually. Not just let the car rev a little bit, but let the car stay in one gear all the way to the top of the rev range. Thanks to paddle-shifters, shifting can feel more fun and like a race-car.

Speaking of race-cars, complaint number three is “manuals are quicker around a track compared to an automatic.” There is some truth to this but remember the types of vehicles we are talking about. This isn’t about a BMW M4 or a Porsche 911. These are vehicles that probably cost under $50,000. We are talking vehicles like the Honda Accord. Can you take a manual or an automatic Accord around a track? Sure. It would be hilarious to see a brand-new Accord go against another brand-new Accord, but it would be pointless. You don’t buy these to go on a track. 

So, with the complaints out of the way, why do I think automatics are better? They’re fast. There is a reason that high-performance vehicles are ditching the manual for the automatic. Even in mundane vehicles, clever automatics such as dual-clutch automated manual transmissions can be faster than their manual counterpart. Driving in rush hour traffic or through a city is easier with an automatic. You can change gears the way you want and once driving becomes frustrating, switch the car into Drive and you’re set to go. With technology advancing, the automatic transmission is also evolving. Granted, I still don’t like the CVT transmission.  That said, we now have automatics with more gears, faster shifts, and better fuel economy. When was the last time you saw a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid with a manual? 

Before I end, I have to say this: this article only applies to car owners in the United States. If you travel out of the country frequently, you will certainly be in countries where you need to know how to drive a manual. Otherwise, the manual transmission is already going the way of the CD changer. It’s just unnecessary to have to shift gears yourself if the car isn’t made for performance. Granted, with the rise of electric vehicles, we soon may see a #savetheautomatics as a hashtag. 

What is your opinion? Are you livid with me bashing the sacred manual transmission and will only drive manual? Do you care what transmission you have, or do you only drive automatic? Leave a comment below and follow us on social media. 
 

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The only things I like are the information system and the stats. Hate the styling but after my last article that may not be surprising haha.  Like @dfelt said, the BMW faithful will buy the X2 over the X1 for the styling.

In my previous article, I praised four-door coupes. I love how they look in exchange for lost practicality while making up for the latter with charm and class. This is fine because they’re usually based on regular coupes or sedans. Great. Unfortunately, BMW had to mess things up. They had the excellent X5 and thought to themselves with a German accent: “We need to appeal to even fewer people. What if… we make the X5 ugly and harder to see out of?” Hence, the BMW X6 was born. Excellent, thank you, BMW. It sold well and now Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Acura at one point, and even Lamborghini have SUVs with raked rooflines. There must be a reason why I like sedan to coupe to four-door coupes compared to these SUV-coupes, right?

When BMW first introduced the X6, Top Gear had Jeremy Clarkson review it on their show. He said the same things I was thinking. The X6 is a worse version of the X5 that isn’t good off-road. Now, I know that they set up some things to make the review of the X6 more scathing, but two points hit home. It’s an uglier version of the X5 that isn’t as good and has worse visibility. You would think that a power-house journalist like Clarkson, combined with that review, would have BMW scared that their new vehicle would go down in history as one of those “one-hit wonders.” Nope. That didn’t happen.

Instead, BMW sold enough to “justify” a few different events. Mercedes-Benz got onto the bandwagon. They created the GLE coupe as well as the GLC coupe. It was the same concept as the X6: Make the SUVs uglier, less space, and “look like a coupe.” Out of all the Japanese manufacturers, Acura went in with the ZDX, one of the ugliest SUVs to walk the earth. It was based on the MDX and was given a body that no one wanted. If you’ve seen more than two ZDXs in the flesh, leave a comment below. BMW then created a smaller of the X6, dubbed the X4, to go against Mercedes’s GLC coupe. Audi jumped in the fray with their Q8 SUV. The Germans really like making niches that no one asked for. Now, Porsche has created the Cayenne coupe. Excellent. 

At this point, I usually try to give some good points to balance the article. I’ll try my best to get a few in here. Since these are all SUVs, most have standard or optional all-wheel drive to help in the Midwest or states that get a good amount of snow. They also have high ground clearance and tall driving positions like a regular SUV so you can see over cars. You must remember that these are close to or the same as their regular SUV counterparts. The X6 gets a fire-breathing X6M version with over 500 HP from a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. Unnecessary but fantastic. I understand that style is in the eye of the beholder, which is why people go after these vehicles.

    
If you can’t tell, I am not a fan of these, which BMW labels “Sports-Activity Coupes.” Do you want a SAC in your life? I know I don’t. The regular SUVs they are based on are usually more handsome, have more space, and cost a good amount less. There are powerful versions and hybrid versions, so people have a choice. Why were these created? Because why not. Would I recommend an X6 over an X5? No. Never. Will people still buy? Sure. These help companies like Porsche continue to make sports cars. Regular SUVs do the same. Wait… should you get a regular SUV over the limited hatchbacks and wagons we have available in the United States? I think… you should read my next article to find out.

What are your thoughts? Do you own or like SUV coupes? Are you like me and think they’re pointless? Leave a comment below and like/interact with Cheers and Gears on social media! 
 

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Thanks, Mercedes-Benz. You created a car that literally no one asked for. What did they do? Well, in the early 2000s, they went to their E-Class, removed the hideous body, and replaced it with a different body. The new body looked like a coupe, but it had…four doors. With this, Mercedes-Benz created the “four-door coupe.” Let’s be honest—this vehicle, called the CLS, was beautiful. AMG created powerful versions that made the CLS even more appealing. Mercedes-Benz created a segment that nobody really asked for, but it worked. Granted, it cost more than the E-Class and was less practical. Both cars have been redesigned within the last few years, but these vehicles pose a question: Is a four-door coupe worth it?

Audi, BMW, and Porsche saw that people liked the CLS and decided to create their own four-door coupes. Some of them are labeled as “coupes.” some are labeled as “fastbacks.” Once again, most of these vehicles minus Porsche’s Panamera are based on normal sedans that first turned into regular coupes and then into four-door coupes. Once again, these are less practical than the regular vehicles off which they are based. Except for BMW, manufacturers Audi, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz all have or will have wagon versions in the United States that are more practical and cost less. Some come standard or have optional two seats in the rear compared to three. But other than for less space, why buy them? It’s all about style!

Audi’s A7 lineup started in 2010. It was a beautiful and sleek alternative to the A6. At the time, there weren’t any high-performance version of an A6 wagon, but there was the RS7. Fantastic car! It had the interior and build quality of Audi along with a great-looking body. The A7 lineup has been redesigned and the interior is completely different than the rest of Audi’s vehicles. No wait, it’s exactly the same interior of the A6. As of right now, the brand new RS7 has arrived to compete with the Germans. It is more of a “fastback” with a large opening in the trunk, and the rear seats do have some compromise with the sloping rear end but that is a flaw that all of these vehicles have. Would I have the RS7 over the RS6 wagon when it comes out? Hard to tell but for now, the RS7 is a fantastic car.

BMW used to have something called the 6 Series Gran Coupe. This was based on the 6 Series coupe, which was based on the 5 Series sedan. Seeing a trend? As with Audi, the interior was the same as the 6-series coupe and the 5-series sedan. At the time, the 6 Series Gran Coupe was also a great-looking vehicle. Did it have its compromises? Absolutely. There was an M6 Gran Coupe that competed with Audi and Porsche and could be a grand touring vehicle. The 6 Series is gone, and we have the 8 Series. Soon, there will be the 8 Series Gran Coupe and I suspect it will be a bigger version of the 6 Series Gran Coupe. 

Porsche’s Panamera is the only vehicle here that isn’t based on a humdrum sedan. The first-generation Panamera was…ugly. My goodness was it ugly. Did it have good tech and fantastic engines and semi-act like a Porsche? Yes. Did others buy it mainly for the badge and ignore it for how it looked? Yes. The second generation rectified the styling of the Panamera and Porsche created a high-performance version plug-in hybrid with over 650 HP. The interior is like the Cayenne SUV and Porsche’s own wagon, the Sport Turismo. It’s become one of the best-selling Porsches behind the SUVs, which isn’t surprising. 

What has Mercedes-Benz been up to? Oh, they now have two four-door coupes. One is an updated CLS, and the other is a fire-breathing vehicle called the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe. Mercedes didn’t want people to get confused about what that AMG GT 4-door is. At first, you ask “why have two when they’re about the same size and do share one engine?” The CLS is more of a lower and less performance-oriented version of the AMG GT 4-door Coupe. It has less powerful engines and is less expensive. Its sister car is all about performance and is seen as the four-door version of the regular AMG GT vehicles, although it isn’t just a stretched AMG GT. There is one engine that both cars have and they have the “Mercedes-AMG 53” designation with a 3.0-liter turbocharged incline-6 producing 429 HP. Between the two, I would save the $20,000 and get myself the $79,000 CLS. Or, spend $159,000 for the 4.0L V8 Biturbo, which has 630 HP.

My thoughts on these vehicles: I love most of them. There are 4-door coupes such as the Volkswagen Arteon, which was the CC, but I haven’t driven one so I can’t give too much information. Out of all the vehicles I listed, my favorite ones are the Audi A7/RS7 and the Mercedes-AMG too long of a name or the AMG 4-door Coupe. Both have incredible style, technology, and performance. As I said, I like four-door coupes. That said, there is a niche within a niche that I must talk about. SUV-coupes. 

What do you think? Do you like, own, or are interested in four-door coupes? Do you think they spoil the name “coupe” and are not real coupes? Comment below and make sure to follow us on social media. 
 

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