Archive for the ‘Mercedes-Benz’ Category

Audi’s Pre-Super Bowl Tease: How many falcons do you own?

Posted: February 2, 2011 in Audi, Car Commercials, Mercedes-Benz, Super Bowl Commercials
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Audi is spending some big bucks during the 2011 “Big Game” to try and convince younger buyers to abandon Mercedes-Benz because it’s the luxury brand favored by their old, stuffy (wealthy) parents – a dying breed of luxury buyers.  Audi would like you to believe that arch-rival Mercedes represents a “hollow status symbol” and an “outdated luxury tradition.”  Audi, of course, will help you avoid that mistake.

The video below is a fun tease for the actual Super Bowl ads and sets the tenor for the pitch.  It’s titled “Startled Smart” as a play on the “Scared Straight” concept where at-risk juvenile delinquents are brought to prisons to see what it’s really like being incarcerated in hopes that they lead a felony-free lifestyle.  The message: Don’t end up in Luxury Prison.

This prequel would never air during the actual game.  At three minutes long and a estimated $3 million for a prime 30-second spot on the 2011 Super Bowl broadcast, it would cost a staggering $18 million – and that’s just to the Fox.  Forget what it cost to actually produce the spots.

Tesla Model S – Production Ready – I hope.

Posted: January 20, 2011 in Audi, Fisker Automotive, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Tesla Motors
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Below is the latest company-released video of the Tesla Model S.

This thing is supposed to seat 7 people: 5 adults and 2 children. Huh? How? Well, it seems that it doesn’t have a traditional trunk; it has a hatchback like the new Audi A7 Sportsback.  In the cargo area, under the hatch, there are rear-facing seats like in the Mercedes E-Class wagons or your dad’s old Country Squire.  So that’s two adults in front, three in the traditional back seat and two kids in the boot.

The Tesla Model S unibody. Looks nice in the "flesh." (c) Norman Mayershon/New York Times

Tesla has published few official photos of the interior. Below is the official cockpit picture, that we assume is the production-ready version.  The Model S (couldn’t they come up with a more evocative name?) will have a 17″ touch-screen in the center with 3-G connectivity.  What, no 4G? I hope it doesn’t run on AT&T’s 3-G network as it sucks in most of Los Angeles.

Tesla Model S Interior (c) Tesla Motors

Tesla claims the Model S will have a 300 mile range, with an asterisk.  The “base” model, MSRP $57,900 has a projected range of 160 miles. You have to pay big bucks extra to get additional batteries that will stretch the range to 300 miles. That’s a tall order, for sure. If it’s too hot or too cold, the battery vampires attack and drain as much as 30% out of the battery. Still, 160 miles is enough to get you to Palm Springs on a single charge.  The Nissan Leaf won’t do that, but the Nissan Leaf costs $25,000 less.

Tesla also claims the Model S will have a top speed of 120 mph with 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.

The Model S is more “affordable” than the Tesla $130k Roadster and it appears that its size and level of luxury places it smack into territory currently occupied by other  “4-door coupes”  like the Mercedes CLS, the Audi A7 Sportsback and the Porsche Panamera.  In LA, $60 0r $70k is chump change to appear Green to all your entertainment buddies.  And in many cases, some one else will be making the lease payment.

2011 Audi A7 Sportsback

2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS550

2011 Porsche Panamera Hybrid

If Tesla pulls it off and actually starts mass production of the Model S, it will be the most practical and luxurious pure electric vehicle on the road. Even the upcoming Fisker Karma will only seat four people and it’s not a pure EV as it has a range-extending gas engine that drives a generator to recharge the batteries – like the Chevy Volt.  The electric future is going to be very interesting!

2012 Fisker Karma

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