Drew Dowdell

I'm sure you're right about the cost... but at least on the Altima and Maxima, it takes otherwise bland sedans and gives them enough "flare" to be more interesting. Nissan claims that the Midnight Edition on the Maxima SR sells really well, so that's why they wanted to expand it to other cars in the lineup.

Just ahead of the 2017 Chicago International Auto Show, Nissan unveiled five new models that will sport the Midnight Edition label for 2017. Originally an option on just the Nissan Maxima SR, Nissan has added the trim to 5 more models in its lineup. Sentra, Altima Rogue, Pathfinder and Murano join the Maxima in this trim level. All Midnight Edition models will wear black wheels, black spoiler, black mirror caps, and have available special floormats. Sentra SR - Available on both SR and SR Turbo models, the Sentra SR Midnight Edition includes black 17-inch Midnight Edition aluminum-alloy wheels, black mirror caps, black rear spoiler and available Midnight Edition floor mats. The package has an MSRP1 of $490 USD and is on sale now. Offered on both 2017 Sentra SR and SR Turbo models, the Sentra SR Midnight Edition includes black 17-inch Midnight Edition aluminum-alloy wheels, black mirror caps, black rear spoiler and available Midnight Edition floor mats. The package has an MSRP1 of $490 USD and is on sale now. Altima SR Midnight Edition – Available on the 2017 Altima 2.5SR, the Altima SR Midnight Edition features black 18-inch Midnight Edition aluminum-alloy wheels and low-profile 235/45 R18 all-season tires, black mirror caps, black rear spoiler, LED headlights, remote engine start and available Midnight Edition floor mats. The package has an MSRP1 of $990 USD and is on sale now. Maxima SR Midnight Edition – Topping the Maxima SR, the sportiest of five available 2017 Maxima grade levels, the 2017 version of the Maxima SR Midnight Edition includes black 19-inch Midnight Black aluminum-alloy wheels, a black rear spoiler, rear diffuser, and available Midnight Edition floor mats. The package is offered in a choice of Pearl White, Coulis Red, Gun Metallic and the original Super Black. The package is on sale now with an MSRP1 of $1,195 USD. Rogue Midnight Edition – Rogue, Nissan’s best-selling nameplate, gets the Midnight Edition treatment with black 17-inch Midnight Edition aluminum-alloy wheels, black mirror caps and available Midnight Edition floor mats. It also adds black roof rails, black cross bars, black splash guards, rear bumper protector and illuminated kick plates. Offered on Rogue SV grade, the Midnight Edition package has an MSRP1 of $990 USD and goes on sale in March 2017. Murano Midnight Edition – Like Rogue, the 2017.5 Murano Special Edition package adds strong visual impact to one of Nissan’s fastest growing models. Offered on the Platinum grade level, it includes exclusive black 20-inch Midnight Edition aluminum-alloy wheels, black roof rails, black mirror caps, black splash guards and available Midnight Edition floor mats. It is offered in a choice of Pearl White, Cayenne Red, Gun Metallic and Magnetic Black. The package has an MSRP1 of $1,195 USD and is on sale now. Pathfinder Midnight Edition – The Pathfinder Midnight Edition features exclusive black 20-inch Midnight Edition aluminum-alloy wheels, black mirror caps, black spoiler, black splash guards, illuminated kick plates, chrome rear bumper protector and available Midnight Edition floor mats. The package has an MSRP of $1,195 USD1 and is available now. Click follow all 2017 Chicago Auto Show News. Source: Nissan Media View full article

The Q8 is a 5-seater "4-door full size crossover coupe" I'm sure Audi will sell about 10 of them.

Yup

Mercedes Trend puts the Cadillac in last place... pinch me...

The 6.2L V8 Escalade gets better fuel economy than the 3.5TT V6 Navigator.... so there goes that idea. The GLS450 with the 3.0TT only gets 1mpg better highway and 1mpg better city... but it's also 60hp and 100 lb-ft behind the Cadillac. The GLS550 gets a 1999 like 14/18.

Doesn't seem to stop the XT5 from being the second best selling crossover in its segment after the RX. I agree that a Turbo V6 would be a nice option to have, but a the moment it certainly isn't slowing down sales. Cadillac just had to add another shift to Spring Hill to keep up with demand. 0-60 in these beasts largely doesn't matter in terms of sales. Once you get beyond "sufficient", every 0.1 second subtracted from the 0-60 time has drastically diminishing returns.

They are able to hide behind the excellent 8-speed and 9-speed automatics for the moment, but that moment isn't going to last very long and may already be over. The XT5 I drove felt way faster than its numbers suggested it should, but I really feel it is because of the way the transmission is geared.

I am nearly certain that the new Traverse will translate well into an XT7. After crawling over it in Detroit, it should make a good basis for one, however, I will say that they will need to at least offer an upper engine choice like the 3.0TT or a 3.6TT. I thought the Lincoln Aviator was supposed to be out already. At this rate, the XT7 and Aviator could hit the market in the same year, which could make for some very interesting comparisons. The current Traverse is a pig at 4700 lbs base and the new one's weight loss of ~300 lbs puts it just slightly under the base Explorer. Add the typical Cadillac and Lincoln weight to each and they're probably back to 4700 lbs. To compete with the inevitable turbo-charged engine lineup offerings from Lincoln, Cadillac must offer something more than just the 3.6 V6. It can be there in base trim, but more needs to be offered.

Any large company is going to have a statement in their employment agreement saying they have the right to sue you for it.... but a mom and pop shop? unlikely. It is not, by default, illegal. That's why it's in employment agreements.