Motor Trend June 2015 USA

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WORLD EXCLUSIVE

MOTOR TREND

MOTORTREND
JUNE 2015 MOTORTREND.COM

CONTINENTAL
IS BACK.
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL IS BACK Q HELLCAT VS. P85D

LINCOLN DROPS THE MUSTACHE AND


JUNE 2015 VOL. 67, NO. 6

THE MIC ON THE LUXURY CAR WORLD.


st D ram
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riv
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y T rog
Take Ticket Protection
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DRIVE SMARTER®
June 2015
EST. 1949 VOL. 67, NO. 6

50
COVER STORY
WORLD
EXCLUSIVE

DECISION: USA
AMERICAN
BADASS
2015 Dodge Charger
36
SRT Hellcat VS.
2015 Tesla Model S P85D
The world’s quickest
sedan and the world’s
fastest face off.
Jonny Lieberman and
Christian Seabaugh

TESTS & DRIVES


50 INTERCONTINENTAL STYLE
Lincoln Continental Concept New flagship
80 GET SWEDED 2016 Volvo XC90 An already
good thing gets even better. Scott Evans
80
80
showcases Lincoln’s new face, engine, and
commitment to China. Edward Loh 84 AIR APPARENT 2016 McLaren 570S
Design elements show air where to go. Frank Markus
54 RAINBOW WARRIOR
2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 It’s time to stop 94 SMILES FOR HOURS 2014 Lamborghini
mourning the 6.2’s demise. Frank Markus Huracán LP 610-4 “Better than any Ferrari
I’ve ever driven!” Jonny Lieberman
60 THE DREAM REALIZED 2016 Porsche
Cayman GT4 The more you drive it, the more 102 ALL ABOUT THAT BASS 2015 Volkswagen
you want to drive it. Scott Evans Golf SportWagen A trunk full of junk is a beautiful
thing. Scott Evans
64 COMPARISON PUTTING “SPORT” BACK
INTO SPORT/UTILITY Small German SUVs fight 106 MR. POPULARITY 2016 Ford Edge
for best driving title. Christian Seabaugh From hot freshman to studly sophomore. Nate Martinez

MOTOR TREND (ISSN 0027-2094) June 2015, Vol. 67, No. 6. Published monthly by TEN: The Enthusiast Network, LLC, 261 Madison Ave., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10016-2303. Copyright© 2015 by TEN: The Enthusiast Network Magazines, LLC;
All rights reserved. Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY, and at additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S. and U.S. Possessions $18 for 12 issues. Canada $30 per year and international orders $42 per year (including surface mail
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Contents MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE IS MOBILE ON DEMAND!
DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL VERSION
FOR YOUR IPHONE, IPAD, ANDROID,
WINDOWS, OR RIM DEVICE AT ZINIO.COM.
COVER STORY

RHAPSODIC The last


time a Lincoln wore the
Continental badge was in
2002. The concept on our
cover debuted in New York
with style, swagger, gallons
of Rhapsody Blue paint, and
yards of chrome outside,
inside, and even twinkling
on the brake pedal.

DEPARTMENTS
8 LOHDOWN Edward Loh
12
12
TREND
30
INTAKE This month’s hot metal.
20 NEWCOMER 2016 Porsche Cayenne GTS/Turbo S
22 NEWCOMER 2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe
24 WE SAY Words from our editors.
24 THE KIINOTE Ron Kiino
28 TECHNOLOGUE Frank Markus
30 DETOUR Gear, info.
32 THEY SAY INTERVIEW ARRIVALS Audi A3 1.8T/Chevrolet Colorado Z71
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Lotus UPDATES BMW M3/Honda Fit EX/Kia Soul Exclaim/ Ram 1500
34 YOUR SAY Our readers talk back. Outdoorsman Crew Cab 4x4/Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk/Volkswagen GTI
VERDICTS Nissan Rogue SL AWD/Tesla Model S P85+
130 THE BIG PICTURE
Angus MacKenzie
32

6 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


130
0 114
©2015 Energizer
Edward Loh @EdLoh

The Lohdown
President Lincoln
Editorial
Editor-in-Chief Edward Loh @EdLoh
Executive Editor Ron Kiino @RonKiino
Editor at Large Angus MacKenzie @Angus_Mack

Goes to China
Detroit Editor Scott Burgess @AutoCritic
Senior Features Editor Jonny Lieberman @MT_Loverman
European Editor Paul Horrell
Associate Editor Scott Evans @MT_Evans
Associate Editor Christian Seabaugh @C_Seabaugh
Lincoln has been promising four phenomenal. In January, three of the top 10 Associate Editor Rory Jurnecka @RoryJurnecka
Manager, Visual Assets Brian Vance @BrianNVance
new vehicles by 2016, and the stun- stores globally were in China. And keep in Photography Editor Julia LaPalme @monstergrrl
ning Continental concept on our mind they are selling only two products: the Photography Asset Editor William Walker @MT_dubdub
cover is a tantalizing look at what MKZ and MKC.” Associate Photo Editor Robin Trajano
Managing Editor Rusty Kurtz
could be the fourth, and the flagship, model. Brand perception has been key to Lincoln’s Copy Chief Emiliana Sandoval @Emiliana505
“The campaign has gone very, very well. initial success. “The favorable opinion is Senior Copy Editor Kathleen Clonts
Copy Editor Jesse Bishop @thejessebishop
When we had started the journey with MKZ, actually ahead of Lexus,” says Galhotra. “The Copy Editor Kara Snow
we had planned and promised four products. perception of prestige is ahead of Audi. And
The first three were the MKZ, the MKC, and keep in mind Audi has been there a couple of Technical
Technical Director Frank Markus @MT_Markus
the MKX … And the promise is that the fourth decades and is the official state car—almost.” Testing Director Kim Reynolds @MT_Reynolds
vehicle would be a sedan, which is going into Lincoln’s rich history with heads of state Road Test Editor Scott Mortara
Associate Road Test Editor Carlos Lago @CarlosLago
production next year,” says Kumar Galhotra, and celebrities also plays a huge role, says
president of Lincoln Motor Company. Galhotra. “The heritage is huge. My previous Art
Creative Director Alan Muir
Many of you started asking for the return job was head of product development in Asia Managing Art Director Mike Royer @MT_Royer
of the Lincoln Continental moments after Pacific when we first started planning for Senior Art Director Andy Mock
the nameplate went away in 2002, and now Lincoln [in China], so I was there for several Associate Art Director Tom Donchez

it’s back—in glorious form. But do you know research events, when we were researching Manufacturing &
whom you have to thank? China. both products and the brand. [The Chinese] Production Operations
Lincoln is one of the most recent automo- were raising the heritage in every focus group; VP, Manufacturing & Ad Operations Greg Parnell
Senior Director, Ad Operations Pauline Atwood
tive brands to enter China, but the response they thought of it as presidential. So much Archivist Thomas Voehringer
has been remarkable. so that we’re calling Black Label [Lincoln’s
Contributors
“We started opening stores in November. premium ownership and service program] Correspondents John Carey, Mike Connor,
We opened nine last year and opened three Presidential over there. We tested both Black Gavin Green, Jeremy Hart,
Ben Oliver, Gary Witzenburg
more this year; we will be up to 25 stores by Label and Presidential, and they were really, Photographers Wesley Allison, Mark Bramley,
the end of this year … up to 60 stores by the really [for] Presidential,” says Galhotra. Brian Brantley, Daniel Byrne, Jim Frenak,
end of next year,” says Galhotra. “And the “They talked about movie stars,” he Evan Klein, Jessica Walker
Artists Steve Hewett, Paul Laguette
throughput on those stores has just been continues. “I was impressed by how much they
knew … that Frank Sinatra had [a Continental Motor Trend Online
Digital Director Chris Clonts @CClonts
Mark II]. I heard a story from a Chinese Senior Production Editor Zach Gale @ZachGale
national about Elizabeth Taylor, how her studio Associate Online Editors Erick Ayapana @Erkayapana,
had painted a Lincoln to match her eye color. Benson Kong, Nate Martinez @Nate_Martinez,
Carol Ngo, Alex Nishimoto @MT_NishiMotor, Karla Sanchez
That kind of stuff is very well-known.” @Karlis143, Jason Udy @MT_JasonUdy
But more important, says Galhotra, is that Associate Online Editors, In-Market Buyer’s Guide
Chinese consumers demand a large sedan. Austin Lott, Stefan Ogbac

“We launched only the MKZ and the MKC Motor Trend Television
there, and they’re doing well. The mix of the VP / Executive Producer Mike Suggett
Creative Director Levi Rugg
C is nearly 70 percent primarily because SUVs Director of Physical Production Brett Adkins
as a total in the entire Chinese market are on a Post Production Supervisor /
Director of Special Programming Duane Sempson
tear … especially luxury SUVs. But for the sake Producer Brenda De Guzman
of space and prestige, sedans still carry a bit Writers / Hosts / Producers Mike Finnegan, Jessi Lang
of prestige in China, especially in the luxury Associate Producers Sophie Benhamou,
Chenelle Washington
market. They are very much looking forward Directors / Directors of Photography Corey Denomy,
to a large sedan … Especially for people who Travis LaBella, Clint Stringfellow, Mike Wilson
have chauffeurs and ride in the back Editors / Directors of Photography Bradford Alicea,
Cyrus Cambridge, Anthony Esposito, Seth Harden,
seat. That’s a really big deal, and we took Ron James, Mark Lenardon,
that into account.” Kenneth Thompson, Corey Ulrich, Sandon Voelker
To be clear, Lincoln had always Motor Trend Auto Shows
planned for the fourth vehicle to be a VP, General Manager Steve Freeman
sedan, and we in the peanut gallery had Motor Trend Certified Vehicles
always assumed it would be the replace- For more information, please contact us at,
Info@Motortrendcertified.com
RIGHT FIT Kumar Galhotra previously led a Ford ment for the MKS. But to bring back the

MOTORTREND
team seeking to introduce more than 50 new Continental nameplate after five alphabet-
vehicles and powertrains to Asia and Africa. ized models is inspired—apparently by
China’s nostalgia for 1960s America. Q

8 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


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NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF

TREND6.15
INTAKE P12 WE SAY P24 DETOUR P30
THIS MONTH’S HOT METAL WORDS FROM OUR EDITORS GEAR, FACTS, INFO

2016 Chevrolet Malibu


THE NINTH-GENERATION MALIBU GETS LONGER, LIGHTER, AND BETTER

FIRST
LOOK

Chevy took its lumps


with the last-gener- middle. The wheelbase has been pay dividends when combined a six-speed automatic trans-
ation Malibu, but stretched 3.6 inches, and the car with the updates under the mission and achieve a Chevy-
that seems to have is 2.3 inches longer overall. All hood. The old 2.5-liter four- estimated 37 mpg highway.
inspired the company to pull out of that extra length goes to the cylinder is gone, replaced by an There are two ways to
all the stops for the all-new 2016 rear seat, whose size was a big all-new 1.5-liter, turbocharged upgrade the powertrain. For the
Malibu. Under the seriously complaint for the old car. Despite four-cylinder. Power output was efficiency-minded, the all-new
handsome new sheetmetal are the size increase, Chevy says the not available at press time, but Malibu Hybrid features a modi-
a number of changes sure to new car is almost 300 pounds Chevy says torque will be similar fied Chevy Volt powertrain. A
appeal to customers. lighter than the one it replaces. to the old engine’s 186 lb-ft. It 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion
The first is right in the The reduced weight should will drive the front wheels with battery provides power for

12 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


I want to sell 6.15 TREND
3,000 cars
a year.”
THEY SAY P32 INTERVIEW YOUR SAY P34
JEAN-MARC GALES, CEO LOTUS READERS TALK BACK

Honda Civic Concept


“THE RETURN OF THE SPORT ENTHUSIAST’S VEHICLE”
ALTHOUGH IT SOLD fairly turbo-four or naturally aspirated, “CONCEPT” Honda concepts
tend to be the finished cars
FIRST
LOOK
well, the ninth-generation 2.4-liter four in the sporty Si. Cross
with silly door mirrors and
Honda Civic never quite lived your fingers for the 300-hp, 2.0-liter such. The production car will
up to Honda’s high standards. turbo in a Type R model. A CVT is look a lot like this.
That’s all in the past now with likely for the base car, with an eight-
the unveiling of the new Civic speed dual-clutch or six-speed
“Concept.” Honda says it signals manual serving the hot
a return to the Civic’s sportier, cars. Scott Evans
more aggressive past.
The quotation marks are ours
because this is basically the next-
gen Civic Si Coupe. No details
were available at press time,
but we think Honda’s all-new
turbocharged engines are in
store. Figure the roughly 130-hp,
1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo
as the base engine and either
the roughly 200-hp, 1.5-liter

The 2016 Malibu is 2.3 inches longer and almost 300 pounds lighter.
ON THE LOOKOUT Chevy says the
hood is lower than the outgoing
car’s, improving outward
visibility and aerodynamics.

all-electric driving up to 55 option mated to an all-new The Malibu features an charging, ventilated seats, and a
mph, after which a 1.8-liter eight-speed automatic. Chevy all-new interior with better Teen Driver feature that allows
four-cylinder engine adds power estimates 22 mpg city and 32 materials and electronics. A parents to restrict some driving
to the wheels and generates elec- mpg highway, slight improve- 7-inch touchscreen is standard, functions and monitor driving
tricity. Altogether, Chevy predicts ments from the current Malibu an 8-inch optional. Chevy says behavior. 4G LTE with a Wi-Fi hot
more than 45 mpg combined. Turbo. No official power output the infotainment system is up spot comes standard, and addi-
For the performance-minded, is available yet, but we think it’ll to two times faster than before. tional rear-seat USB ports and a
the Malibu retains its 2.0-liter, be similar to the current car's Also available are myriad active 110-volt outlet are optional.
turbocharged four-cylinder 259 hp and 295 lb-ft. safety features, wireless phone Scott Evans

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 13


NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF

OPENING SPREAD

Intake
Our March 2015
TRACK story pitted the
RE TEST Camaro Z/28 vs. the
Porsche 911 GT3.

THE WONDER OF WICKER


For as much as Randy “I can’t believe it’s doing that 9. Additionally, he carried higher “The car is nicely behaved on
Pobst typically has much.” “That much,” quantified, speeds through the long and bumps,” he continued. “Over the
to say about a car, is 1.32 seconds. Our long-term tricky Turns 8 and 9. jump [in Turn 6]—no problem. I
he doesn’t often use Z/28, which has been in our It’s an improvement you can was shifting right in the air, and
walkie-talkies. We always stick possession since well before it feel. Up to now, I believed I could when it landed, it just hooked
one in the car before he goes squared off against the Porsche feel a difference in how the Z/28 and kept going. It’s one of the
out in case of emergency, but he 911 GT3 for a comparison in rode and handled just going best-handling factory cars I’ve
rarely uses it. So you can imagine our March issue, improved around a freeway cloverleaf ramp ever driven. I wouldn’t change
our surprise when, during his its lap time at Willow Springs with the wickerbill installed, but the car a lick if I was gonna go
cool-down lap, Pobst’s voice International Raceway’s “Big I couldn’t be certain. The rear racing right now. I would leave it
suddenly came crackling over the Track” from 1:29.72 to 1:28.40 end simply feels more planted, exactly as it is. I would just tie the
radio, gushing about the Z/28. thanks almost entirely to a less jittery with that little flap on crew’s hands up, like ‘Don’t you
“Oh my God, you fixed it!” composite flap literally screwed there. Pobst agreed, emphatically. touch this car!’ It’s perfect.”
came the voice. “This is so to the back of the rear spoiler. “It’s funny—it was loose and It should be noted that
much better. It’s back. This is Just to be sure, we asked sucky last time,” he said. “Now, although the wickerbill would’ve
how it should perform. We Chevrolet test driver Jim Mero. it’s so hooked up. It’s back to the made it a closer fight, it wouldn’t
were so right to name this car “Oh, absolutely,” he said. “It car we chose for Best Driver’s Car. have necessarily changed the
Best Driver’s Car.” You can also makes a big difference. It affects [That car had a wickerbill.] It is outcome of the comparison test.
imagine Pobst’s surprise when everything down to 40 mph.” so well-balanced. It’s predictable. The GT3 still put down a 1:27.22
we told him how little we’d Going to the data, the differ- What a pleasure to drive. I could lap time, which is 1.18 seconds
changed. A new set of tires, a ence was easy to spot. With the just attack Turn 8. I was in the better than the fully equipped
double-check of the alignment, wickerbill affixed and the rear power way in there—forget about Z/28, and did it with less power
and oh, yeah, that little wicker- end tamped down, Pobst was the brakes. It just felt so fast. It and torque. As we said last time,
bill bolted to the spoiler now. back on the power earlier and handles so well. The grip is so Chevy’s still got a few tricks to
“That little thing?” Pobst said. harder exiting Turns 2, 4, 6, and high. It’s the car we love again. learn, and they’re still working
“Last time, it was loose,” he from a less-ideal platform than
CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28 @ BIG WILLOW 2.42 MILES said. “It wouldn’t put power the Porsche team.
down. It was just kind of At $395 for a piece of
BEST
LAP 1:29.72 1:28.40 -1.32 nervous. This time, it was just
fantastic in every way. It was
composite plastic plus installa-
tion ($117 at our local dealer), the
TIMES WITHOUT BILL WITH WICKERBILL
balanced all the way around the wickerbill is a rather expensive
Turn 2 sweeper, maybe just a dealer-installed accessory.
wee bit of understeer, and at the Viewed in terms of the proven
end of the corner, I could just added performance, it’s a steal. If
roll into the power, drive right you’re paying $75,000 for a Z/28
off that corner. I kept getting on anyway, you really can’t afford
the power sooner and sooner not to buy the wickerbill, too. It’s
and sooner. I’m pissed I can’t go the difference between a really
faster because I think the tires good Camaro and a Best Driver’s
just don’t have it in them. Car champion. Scott Evans

It’s the difference between a really good Camaro and a BDC champion.

14 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF

Intake
TRACK
RE TEST

CORVETTE, THE REDEEMER


“Unfortunately was supposed to be running 0 Parts catalog, and our retest cars
for the Z06, these degrees of rear caster. Instead, it were both fitted with the new
numerical advan- was running positive 2 degrees. software. We cannot say, then,
tages don’t play out This made the rear dampers less that the improvement in lap time
on the racetrack.” effective at controlling the rear was due solely to the corrected
With those words, our highly suspension and as a result made rear alignment, as it’s possible
anticipated comparison between it more difficult for the Z06 to the new damper programming
the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and put power down. This is exactly also aided the Z06’s performance.
the Nissan GT-R NISMO, our what Motor Trend hot shoe “The ride was far better than
April cover story, took a serious Randy Pobst complained about the last car I drove, in Track
turn. On paper, the Z06 should’ve during our test. mode,” Pobst said. “It made it
schooled the NISMO. In the real Let’s answer the obvious so much easier to drive. It was
world, it didn’t, and that was the question then: How does the Z06 still firm. But I don’t think the
biggest factor in tipping the test perform when the rear end is ride was really that important.
toward the NISMO. aligned properly? Better. Much I think it’s that alignment issue
It certainly didn’t seem right better. Recall the car previously because I don’t get that rear steer
to us, and we said so. The Z06 has
power, weight, grip, and braking “Way better than did a good-but-not-great 1:27.10
during our comparison test.
anymore. The car is still, in my
opinion, a little bit oversteer-y.
advantages, but it was 1.4
seconds slower around Willow it was last time!” This time? 1:25.00. A massive
2.1-second difference.
It should be, in my opinion, a
little bit understeer-y, especially
Springs International Raceway’s
“Big Track.” Because the Z06 was Pobst yelled as the It should be noted, however,
that Chevrolet fixed more than
so you can keep your foot in
it when you’re going around
slower on the straights while
being quicker mid-corner and
door swung open. the rear alignment. As a result
of new testing at rough tracks
a corner—you can use more
power—so it doesn’t go to over-
braking later, we assumed exces-
sive drag from all the downforce
“This was so much like Willow Springs, Chevrolet
developed a new Rough Track
steer as quickly.”
Back to the lap. The data
the aero kit was making had to be
the reason the Z06 was slower.
nicer to drive. Oh my mode that softens the dampers
for the Z06 in Track mode.
revealed our assumptions
about the aerodynamics were
Turns out we were wrong.
The real reason the Z06 was
gosh. The butterflies Chevrolet plans to make this
software update available soon
wrong. The Z06 was faster on the

slower was because Chevrolet are gone. through the GM Performance


straights than before but still not
as fast as the NISMO. It gained
gave us a car with the rear
suspension out of alignment. It The fear is gone.”

16 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


COVER STORY In our April 2015
issue, we pitted the Chevrolet
Corvette Z06 against the Nissan
GT-R NISMO, with the GT-R
coming out on top.

mightily at corner exits. Now able


to put power down more effec-
tively, the Z06 exited Turns 2, 6,
and 9 faster, making up precious
time there and on the straights
that followed. Pobst’s renewed
confidence in the car’s handling
also allowed him to carry more
speed through dicey Turns 8 and
9. Over the course of his fastest
laps, Pobst carried more speed
with the Z06 than the NISMO
through turns 1, 2, 8, and 9.
“Way better than it was last
time!” Pobst yelled as the door
swung open. “This was so much
nicer to drive. Oh my gosh. The
butterflies are gone. The fear is
gone. There was a lot of fear in
the car before. Just the handling,
I trusted it way more. I still don’t
experience a push anywhere—
really balanced.”
Still, there was one hang-up:
the four-five upshift. “It is a little
tricky to hit fifth gear. The first
lap, I got the wall between fifth
and seventh. So I practiced it. The
next lap, I tried it and got third.
Then the next lap, I didn’t need
it, and I was like, ‘Crap, I wasted
my 4 extra mph fifth would’ve
given me.’ ”
Critics of our comparison

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NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF

LOCKOUT A lockout

Intake
to prevent catching
seventh instead of fifth
in Track mode would be a
welcome improvement.

CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 (Z07) @ BIG WILLOW 2.42 MI. car and the track ultimately led only seems to affect drivers of
BEST
LAP 1:27.10 1:25.00 -2.10 to the faster lap time for the
manual. That said, Corvette chief
Pobst’s incredibly high skill,
suggesting that most customers
TIMES ORIGINAL TEST RETEST engineer Tadge Juechter recently won’t encounter it.
told Corvette fans that the auto- Which transmission would
matic transmission runs hotter he choose? “Automatic because
and will go into a preservation of that fifth gear [that he had
mode sooner, so he recommends trouble getting into]. If I’m at a
the manual for serious track duty track where I don’t need fifth, I
or when the ambient temperature might prefer the manual because
at the track is above 86 degrees. I like the level of control.”
The high ambient temperature Regardless, the results are
on our test day was 70 degrees. clear. When properly aligned
We agree with that call for a and using a softer damper
serious track day enthusiast. As calibration, the Corvette Z06 is
in previous tests, the Z06 got very as fast as or faster than the GT-R
also pointed to the Z06’s manual front and back straights, though hot during lapping and pulled NISMO at Willow Springs. All
transmission as a performance still not as high as the NISMO. power. Per Pobst: “The power said and done, the manual Z06
inhibition, suggesting the new The manual, however, carried starts to fall off significantly ran a 1:25.00 and the automatic a
eight-speed automatic (which more speed through tricky after the first lap. It was nearly 1:25.76 to the NISMO’s 1:25.70.
we requested but wasn’t avail- Turns 8 and 9. Pobst believes the pegging the oil temp gauge after The big question, then, is
able) would perform better. manual’s taller gears also helped, a few laps—320 degrees. I did a whether to reverse the result
As it happens, we also had an particularly when coming down cool-off lap, and it came right of the comparison test. As
automatic-transmission test car the hill through Turns 4, 5, and 6. back down.” you’ll recall, the decision was
on hand this time around. It too “The automatic is really easy,” We checked the data, and lap extremely close, and what
featured the proper suspension Pobst said. “It makes it so easy. times and peak speeds did fall off ultimately tipped the balance
alignment and the new Rough Except on the first two laps, it by a few tenths of a second and in favor of the NISMO is that
Track calibration. Pobst gave it a got lazy on the three-four shift 1 or 2 mph on each subsequent its performance came despite
go, and the result was a best lap coming out of 9. Drove me crazy, lap, though these could also its disadvantages. As noted in
of 1:25.76. but then it went away. It was on be attributed to tire wear and that test, “It’s working with an
From the data, we find the full automatic, and it hung on the other factors. Although Pobst older chassis, significantly more
automatic-transmission car was redline. It’s pretty sweet, other has consistently complained weight, less powerful brakes,
very consistent with the manual- than that. Man, it works great.” of reduced engine power when less tire, less power, and much,
transmission car. In fact, the As Pobst drove the automatic- lapping C7 Z06s, the problem much less torque.” In that regard,
automatic reached higher peak transmission Z06 first, we does not appear to be especially nothing has changed. It’s also
speeds than the manual on the believe his familiarity with the great (in terms of lap times) and almost as fun to drive on the
street and nearly as fast as the
Z06 on a racetrack.
Carlos Lago and I have debated
the subject, and we agree it’s
simply impossible to say without
putting both cars back-to-back
again. Based on the information
we have, the best we can do is
declare a mistrial rather than
overturn on appeal. Scott Evans

The manual Z06 ran a 1:25.00 to the GT-R NISMO’s 1:25.70 at Willow Springs.
18 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
THE TOOL A GLOVE.®
US: 800.222.4296 WWW MECHANIX.COM
#mechanix
NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF

SPORT UTE Few SUVs have the

Intake
handling chops of the new Cayenne
GTS, but if it’s outright power you
want, the Cayenne Turbo S is for you.

2016 Porsche Cayenne GTS/Turbo S


It’s the dead of winter at a
decommissioned military base
in Sweden, and there are no signs
Newcomer
of the planes, heavy artillery,
or troops that were here years ago. Today,
there’s only the sound of brand-new Porsche
Cayenne GTS and Turbo S models being
flogged on a frozen handling course, icy
skidpad, and a snow-covered runway that’s
been converted into an impromptu drag-
strip. Oh, and former rally ace Walter Röhrl
is giving very sideways ride-alongs in a 911
Turbo S on a makeshift winter rally course.
But we’re really here to sample two of
Porsche’s sportiest sport/utility vehicles. Both
badges have finally made their way to the new
Cayenne range, and both bring some changes.
The GTS has lost its naturally aspirated V-8 for
a souped-up 440-hp version of the 3.6-liter, Meanwhile, the Turbo S, through a host of
twin-turbo V-6 found in the Cayenne S. The revisions, is up to a staggering 570 hp and 590 even on ice, and it looks and feels like the
engine makes more power than before with lb-ft from its 4.8-liter, twin-turbo V-8, enough top-line sport/ute it is. But the GTS is the
reduced emissions, but most important, it power to make a valiant effort in melting any more nimble, better balanced, Goldilocks
retains a healthy snarl thanks to the standard ice beneath its tires. Huge carbon-ceramic solution in the Cayenne line. It’s still plenty
sport exhaust. Cayenne Turbo brakes and brakes under 21-inch wheels and air suspen- quick for U.S. roads, and it sounds fantastic
front fascia, along with 20-inch wheels and a sion are standard equipment. with that sport exhaust. It’s our pick for
host of other cosmetic touches, make the GTS After a day spent mostly sideways in both those without an autobahn in their
look the part. (An eight-speed automatic is GTS and Turbo S models, we draw a few backyard. Rory Jurnecka
the exclusive Cayenne transmission.) impressions. The Turbo S is massively quick,
MINUS 2 For 2016
The Turbo S, below, is up to a staggering 570 hp the Cayenne GTS has
replaced the naturally
aspirated V-8 with a
and 590 lb-ft from its 4.8-liter, twin-turbo V-8. 440-hp, 3.6-liter,
twin-turbo V-6
making 442 lb-ft.

2016 PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS/TURBO S Base Price $96,495-$158,295 Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV Engines 3.6L/440-
hp/442-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6; 4.8L/570-hp/590-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 32-valve V-8 Transmission 8-speed automatic Curb Weight 4,650-
4,950 lb (mfr) Wheelbase 114.0 in L x W x H 191.1 x 78.7 x 65.5-69.2 in 0-60 mph 3.8-4.9 sec (mfr est) EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 14-16/21-23/17-19
mpg (est) Energy Cons, City/Hwy 211-241/147-160 kW-hrs/100 miles (est) CO2 Emissions, Comb 1.05-1.18 lb/mile (est) On Sale in U.S. Currently

20 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


MIKE CONNOR

MTCONFIDENTIAL
We initially dismissed rumors of the
Apple Car, but now we’re hearing word
that it’s much further along than people
realize. Apple has hired away the team
that developed the HySeries Drive hy-
drogen fuel cell plug-in hybrid technology
at Ford circa 2007. The technology was
revealed in the Ford Airstream Concept,
an electric car with a hydrogen fuel cell
range extender good for 305 miles of
total range. The story goes that everyone
within Ford was very high on this Chevy
Volt-beating technology, but CEO Alan
Mulally quashed it when he showed
up because Ford was going big on gas/
electric hybrids. Apple is also said to
be sniffing around for an automotive
PR team…Speaking of high-tech stuff,
Nissan is preparing a built-in data logging
system for the GT-R. We expect Nissan
to announce the system sometime in the
near future. It will record performance
and lapping data and download all that
information to a standard USB thumb
drive via a dedicated port in the center
armrest. You can then upload the data to
your computer to analyze. We’ve heard
no word yet whether Nissan will create
its own analytic software or contract it
out like Chevrolet did with the Corvette’s
similar Performance Data Recorder and
Cosworth software…In other perfor-
mance news, FCA senior vice president
for product design and SRT patron saint
Ralph Gilles says he has one more Hell-
Get more mile
cat-related surprise for us this year. We’d
love to see a Grand Cherokee Hellcat, but
out of your vin
we’re not convinced its all-wheel-drive
drivetrain can handle 650 lb-ft of torque. leather and rubb .
Unfortunately, the Jeep might be out as an
option, but we’re beginning to hear whis- Mothers® VLR: Vinyl-Lea
pers of a Hellcat with horns. How does Rubber Care safely clean
a Ram Hellcat sound?…On the subject
of large vehicles with monster engines, most stubborn ground-in d
we’ve learned a smidge more about the
upcoming Rolls-Royce Wraith convert-
soil and stains. Plus, it’s infu
ible (or Drophead, as Rolls likes to say) with neatsfoot oil and lanol ,
that’s been spotted testing. It will make its
debut later this year with sales starting in to safeguard against drying
2016. Expect it to cost a bit more than a fading and cracking. It’s th
standard Wraith, or somewhere north of
$300,000…Regarding variants, things are simple way to get the mos
looking grim for the long-awaited Maz-
da6 diesel. The car has been delayed as
out of your vinyl, leather
Mazda struggles to meet emissions and and rubber.
performance goals, and the fight isn’t go-
ing well. Rumor has it that the engineering
team behind the Mazda6 diesel program
has dwindled from a couple dozen to
fewer than 10 in the past year, signaling
that the bean counters might be giving up
on the project and reallocating resources
to more profitable ventures. We’re holding mothers.com • detailguide.com
out hope for a breakthrough. facebook.com/mothersusa
NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF
THE WIZARD
Not since Oz has
emerald green
sparkled like this.

Intake
The pictures, though
gorgeous, don’t do
the paint justice.

2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe


The S65 AMG Coupe is
gorgeous, inside and out. Newcomer
The interior is the finest I’ve
ever seen on a production car,
full stop. The $1,300 Designo Black Piano
Lacquer “Flowing Lines” trim framing
the dashboard is stunning. The lines fan
out like a comet’s tail, reminiscent of
the brightwork on prewar deco cars. The
unique curved dash reminds me of a Pagani
Huayra’s, the second finest interior extant.
You like those gorgeous, drilled Burmester
speaker grilles? The S65 Coupe is simply
stuffed with them. The ample, comfy,

massaging seats are not only massively coupes that can hit 60 mph in 4.0 seconds
adjustable, but they’re handsome, too. flat? I did not think so. Not that it matters to
You can probably get a similar interior in anyone in the world, but this big, beautiful,
an S63 or (God forbid) an S550 Coupe. Let’s sparkling AMG completes our figure-eight
talk about what makes the S65 come with a course in 24.9 seconds, exactly the same as a
starting price of $233,525. Namely, that hand- Volkswagen Golf R.
built 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V-12 that produces Let’s not overlook Dynamic Curve, part

PHOTOS BY ROBERT GUIO


621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. of the tragicomically named Magic Body
Internally known as the M275, this V-12 Control suspension. MBC uses the built-in
has been around for more than a decade, stereo cameras to look at the road surface
but 738 lb-ft of torque is 738 lb-ft of torque. ahead and adjust the suspension accord-
You know of any other 4,753-pound RWD ingly; I like to think of it as speed bump

22 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


6 .15 TREND

delete. Dynamic Curve looks at the twists


and turns ahead and actively leans the S65
Coupe into a corner. The results, while not
exactly magic, are close. The overall sense of
suffocating luxury is increased to drowning
when you smoothly and confidently tackle
a convoluted canyon. Think of it as image
stabilization for a car.
The Bentley Continental and Rolls-Royce
Wraith are also big, sexy, expensive coupes
with even more impressive badges. But can
I honestly claim they’re better cars? Not
anymore. Jonny Lieberman

SPECIFICATIONS Base Price $233,525 Price As


Tested $252,675 Vehicle Layout Front-engine,
RWD, 4-pass, 2-door coupe Engine 6.0L/621-
hp/738-lb-ft twin-turbo SOHC 36-valve V-12
Transmission 7-speed automatic Curb Weight
4,753 lb (53/47%) Wheelbase 115.9 in Length x mothers.com • detailguide.com
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NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF

Ron Kiino
THE KIINOTE

Two (SUOTYs) for the Road


From Sendai to Kyoto in our recent winners
As part of our Sport/Utility of the in the powder. Traversing the white fluff up After just a few miles behind the wheel,
Year competition, participating the narrow mountain road would’ve been a I noticed something strange: the trans-
automakers agree to provide us white-knuckle endeavor had it not been for mission was shifting. “Man, this CVT isn’t
with a long-term vehicle, should the Forester’s trusty X-Mode AWD and set of that smooth,” I mumbled to myself. I asked
their SUV win. Not only does this arrangement Michelin X-Ice tires. About as sure-footed as a Diane to check the spec sheet in the door
give us 12 months to fully assess the champ’s badger, the Forester reminded me why Subaru pocket. It was mostly in Japanese, but when
pros—and inevitably its cons—but the lengthy is so popular across America’s snowbelt. she read “5AT,” it became clear. Apparently
loan also paints a more complete picture Following a dozen sled blasts down the in Japan, the CR-V is viewed as large and
of why the SUV earned the coveted golden slopes and four hot bowls of ramen, we expensive—the opposite of how it’s seen in
calipers. Recently, I had the opportunity to were back on the road in the warm, quiet the U.S.—which equates to sales of less than
sample our past two award-winning SUVs, the confines of the X-Break. If the Forester isn’t 4,000 per year, or about how many are sold
Subaru Forester (2014 victor) and the Honda the quietest small crossover out there, it’s over four days in America. Thus the JDM
CR-V (2015)—not in sunny SoCal, but in my certainly in the top three. The kids knocked CR-V is last in line for the mid-cycle refresh
temporary home of wet and chilly Japan. out within minutes, thanks in part to a (DI engine, CVT) that helped the U.S. version
Our first road trip took my wife, Diane, hot cocoa coma. Note to Subaru: Bring the secure our trophy. Still, my five-speed tester
me, and our two kids—5-year-old Julian and X-Break’s water-resistant cloth seats to the possessed most of what made the CVT model
2-year-old Coletta—from Tokyo to Sendai, U.S. Snow and spills are rendered harmless. our SUOTY winner: a spacious back row
roughly a four-hour jaunt. Our transporter? A We said sayonara to Sendai and then to with a nifty “Magic Seat” flip/fold feature, a
limited edition 2015 Subaru Forester X-Break the Forester. After dropping off the X-Break cavernous cargo area with a low load floor,
dressed in Desert Khaki paint. The JDM at Subaru HQ in Ebisu, I headed straight to and a rewarding chassis infused with the
version, unlike the U.S. Forester’s 2.5-liter Honda HQ in Aoyama. Iguchi-san, my Honda sporty lightness that makes a Honda a Honda.
FB25 base engine, uses the smaller 2.0-liter PR contact, informed me McLaren-Honda Back home, I asked Julian which he liked
FB20 that motivates American Imprezas. F1 pilot Jenson Button and wife Jessica better, the Forester or the CR-V. “I think I like
In the larger Forester, the FB20 felt plenty Michibata had borrowed this exact CR-V for the Forester.” Why? “Because it was that cool
adequate, offering enough gusto to make a getaway to a Hakone hot spring the week sand color.” Sometimes a 5-year-old’s logic
our loaded-up X-Break feel more potent prior. My family’s trip to Kyoto, I thought, makes all the sense. Rest assured, whether in
than poky, if only slightly. About halfway to wouldn’t be quite as serene or romantic. Japan or America, both are winners. Q
Sendai, we veered toward the Numajiri snow
park to grab hot coffee and let the kids play

2014 SUV OF THE YEAR


I had the opportunity to sample our past
SUBARU FORESTER two award-winning SUVs—not in sunny
SoCal, but in wet and chilly Japan.

2015 SUV OF THE YEAR HONDA CR-V

24 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


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NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF

Frank Markus
TECHNOLOGUE

Dissecting Chevy’s 2nd-Gen Moonshot


When Chevy unveiled the thor-
oughly revamped Volt at January’s
Detroit show, it kept the geeko-
sphere in suspense about the nitty-
gritty details of the upgraded powertrain except
to say it involved two traction motor/genera-
tors and a new double planetary gearset. Well,
now the SAE papers are published, and they
describe a technological leapfrogging on the
order of Gemini Titan over Mercury Redstone. WOUND UP Instead of winding typical Low mode locks the B ring, and high mode
To improve performance, sustainability, round wire, GM uses square bars, which locks motor A and the B-ring to the case. In
improve cooling and boost efficiency.
efficiency, and cost, two very different types of each of these modes, the two motors can spin
permanent magnet motors were engineered in either direction with infinitely variable gear
with differing, complementary load/speed spot is at higher torque from about 2,000- ratios, adding torque or returning electrons to
“sweet spots.” To eliminate rare earth metals, 4,000 rpm. The system uses 80 percent less the battery as needed, such that the total net
the smaller motor (A) uses simple ferrite total rare earth metals with 50 percent less of axle torque meets the driver’s demands.
magnets. Arranging them in what look like a the heavy stuff than the first-gen. A system optimizer selects between these
dozen little four-row amphitheaters around Here’s the über-geek gearset detail in one modes 100 times per second. In extend-
the circumference of the rotor optimizes both paragraph: Each motor connects to a sun ed-range (engine-on) mode, one-motor EV
magnetic and reluctance torque so that these gear. The planet carriers connect directly to operation accounts for 73 percent of the
cheap iron-oxide magnets can pull more the wheels. One clutch locks the B motor’s city-cycle operation, and high mode handles
like their fancy rare earth cousins, with peak ring gear to the case, another can lock the A 75 percent of highway operation. Fixed-ratio
efficiency at low torque in the 5,000-9,000- motor sun to the B motor’s ring gear, and the operation accounts for just 9 and 12 percent
rpm range. On the larger motor (B), novel engine connects to the A motor’s ring gear of the city and highway driving cycle opera-
metallurgy helps concentrate the heaviest while a one-way clutch prevents the engine tion. But in all cases, the transmission keeps
dysprosium rare earth material near the from ever turning backward, essentially the new 1.5-liter four operating at peak effi-
corners of the magnets where it does the most locking it when the engine is off. ciency under most conditions, which usually
good, and arranging these magnets in a dozen The extra motors and gears provide means at lower (quieter) speeds.
double-vee cavities around the rotor likewise two modes of electric and three modes of The new battery packs 12 percent more
optimizes their efficiency. This motor’s sweet range-extended driving. The EV modes are energy and weighs 21 pounds less—total
B-motor only (light loads and lower speeds, vehicle mass was reduced nearly 250 pounds.
through an 8.1:1 ratio) and A and B pulling The more efficient Volt goes 50 claimed miles
together. (The A ratio is 7.6:1.) In both cases on electricity and accelerates much harder.
that B ring clutch stays locked. The three Even the onboard charger is 7 percent more
modes of gas-powered operation are low, efficient. It’s the most advanced plug-in
fixed-ratio, and high. In fixed-ratio both hybrid on Earth. Another leapfrog of this
clutches are locked, grounding the A motor magnitude would take Voltec 3.0 to Apollo
to the case so that the engine drives the Saturn V status—a moonshot, indeed. Q
wheels directly through a 1.5:1 gear
ratio. (The axle ratio is 2.64:1.)
The B motor remains free to
contribute or recapture
energy as conditions
demand in this mode.

MAGNETIC
Odd-looking
magnet placement
(R) optimizes
field strength and
reduces the need
for rare
earth metals.

This more efficient Volt now


goes 50 miles on electricity and
28 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
accelerates much harder.
SIX CYLINDERS DIRECTLY
CONNECTED TO YOUR
FOUR CHAMBERS.
There’s you. Then there’s you with tech that helps make
you a better you. Like Direct Adaptive Steering that gives
you the confidence to handle 328-horsepower the way it’s
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to the road as you are to the car.

The 2015 Infiniti Q50

Join us at InfinitiUSA.com/Sedan/Q50
NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF

THE WORLD’S
TOUGHEST
@MT_TheGoods
The intersection of priceless and worthless knowledge

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06 .15 TREND

From the Motor Trend Archive...


REARVIEW

5
50
pitfalls and how to
buy a used car at
an auction. We also
tested two cars on
opposite ends of
the acceleration
JUNE 1965 spectrum: the Renault
PRICE: $0.50 Gordini R-8 (0-60 mph
We ran a series of in 13.9 seconds) and Looking for long-range radar detection?
features to educate the Dodge Coronet
buyers of used cars,
including potential
500 (0-60 mph in 7.7
seconds).
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NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF

They Say
MAN WITH A PLAN
Under Jean-Marc Gales,
sales are up, costs are
down, and cars are
launching on time.

Jean-Marc GalesLotus is steadily becoming the


CEO, LOTUS
carmaker we all once thought
it was. According to CEO
Interview
Jean-Marc Gales, it’s once again
all about simple, ultra-lightweight cars with
transcendent handling.
Gales was hired by Lotus’ Malaysian
owner, DRB-HICOM, after the ouster of
Dany Bahar, the CEO who wanted to shift
Lotus toward a Porsche-like range. Gales is a
lifelong Lotus fan and a self-confessed über-
gearhead. He trained as an engineer, but he’s
had senior posts in other disciplines for a
number of carmakers, including as global
head of sales for Mercedes-Benz.
He draws two solid lines in the sand very
early in our interview. First: “Any car we
launch in the next two years will be lighter
and faster than its predecessor.” This applies
to new versions of the Elise, Exige, and
Evora. And second: “I want to sell 3,000 cars
a year.” What will these revised cars be like?
“Very advanced but having nothing super-
fluous,” he says. “They might lose some of
the ride comfort they have now but will gain
massively on handling. I sleep very well at
night knowing the engineers who sign off
the handling.” There will be obvious sales-
boosting variants, including an and made suggestions as to how it can be
Evora convertible and additional
track-biased derivatives.
Any car we launch in the made lighter, simpler, cheaper, or better. The
results have been spectacular. The Evora 400
Should Lotus build its own
engine? “There is absolutely no
next two years will be will take 20 percent fewer hours to build and
cost 10 percent less in its bill of materials, and
need. Why spend hundreds of millions of
dollars on that? I can buy one and tune and lighter and faster than it will be lighter and higher in quality.
“We will launch on time, too,” he says. “The
calibrate it.”
What about the aluminum structure
under all Lotus cars? “The Evora tub meets
its predecessor.” Elise S Cup is the first Lotus ever that isn’t
late. [The Evora 400] is also finished already.
Early! This never happens here. Lotus didn’t
regulations until 2020, and we will likely Other housekeeping measures have been even have a program management team
stay with aluminum beyond that. It’s similar taken. “We didn’t even have a customer data- before. Can you believe it?”
weight and strength to carbon fiber but one- base.” Lotus’ global sales went up by more Gales arrived at Lotus HQ in May 2014
third of the cost.” than 50 percent to 1,565 in April through when it was almost mortally wounded. The
Lotus has lost money every year for the December of 2014 (202 of which were in the company had lost $260 million in fiscal year
past two decades. Bahar stated emphatically U.S.) compared with the same period a year 2013. The Malaysian management moved in
that Lotus could never survive on its ultra- before. “And we will increase revenue because a year later and cut the loss to $110 million.
lightweight range, simply because the global [on] these higher-performing cars the [trans- Gales says by the end of fiscal year 2015 the
market was insufficient for the company to action] prices will go up.” Gales has also cut company will break even.
break even. Gales says the exact opposite, costs. Many production jobs have been elimi- Much of this loss was due to investment
that the market for lightweight cars is just nated, and total head count has dropped from in the failed V-8 Esprit supercar. In fiscal
fine provided you run the company well. 1,215 to 930 even though output has risen. year 2013 R&D spending was greater than
“I was surprised by the lack of process Gales has many measures in mind to total revenue. Was there anything salvage-
when I came here,” Gales says. simplify production. A new “lightweight able from that project? “Nothing,” he shrugs.
Already sales are up. Partly that’s because laboratory” in the engineering center He says the much-vaunted V-8 had never
there are now new dealers in obvious contains every part from each of the compa- properly run. “Don’t invest £200 million
places—Paris, Berlin, Monaco, Abu Dhabi— ny’s models. Nearly every Lotus employee has ($305 million) in a new car when you haven’t
where Lotus was bewilderingly absent before. been through the lab, looked at every part, exploited the current one.” Paul Horrell

32 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


NEWS / OPINION / GOSSIP / STUFF

Your Say...
READERS’ THOUGHTS ON PAST ISSUES
Counterpoint
I am so disappointed and willing to bet I am
not alone. The big buildup, many months
LETTER OF THE MONTH
of anticipation for the Z06 to arrive. The Confident Trend
glorious road tests by every car publica- In reading the letters to the editor in which
tion claiming it to be the best ’Vette ever, readers comment on your choices of best
culminating in your closing comment to the whatever in whatever category, I’ve noticed
competition to “bring it on” (“On Notice,” a trend. In keeping with that trend, I’d like
February 2015). Wow. Then the March issue to let you know that I agree that the Subaru
arrives containing the GT3 with another Forester is the best SUV, as evidenced by
quote: “the sharpest, most precise, most the fact that I own one. Also, the very best
buttoned-down 911 in history” (“Brothers in pickup truck is a 2008 Toyota Tacoma.
Arms”). Woo-hoo, time for the long-awaited Why? Because I have one. Finally, the best
Head to Head. Porsche versus Chevy, this is sports car, American or foreign, is a 2004
it. You send the lot boy out to get the car. He Corvette. Yup, I own one of those, too. Feel
returns with a Camaro Z/28? C’mon man! free to contact me if you’re curious about
If possible, choose from the following which bicycles are best.
That’s the responses: A) Porsche said no way, B) all of
the above.
SAMUEL DERR
Fremont, Ohio
SUPER
MOTOR TREND LEROY JOHNSON Actually, we’re looking

Certified Buying
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
We’ll go with C. The Z06 wasn’t available at the
time we conducted the test. May we direct your
for opinions on washers
and dryers.—Ed. PRIZE
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY
Experience attention to our April 2015 issue, which features
a bright yellow Corvette Z06 with a smiling
Samuel, we appreciate you
wading into the world of
Randy Pobst behind the wheel.—Ed. readers comments and
cracking the code of their
Slush Special Self Centered Analysis Bias
(SCAB). To help protect
In the March 2015 issue with commentary you we're sending you
about the Chevrolet SS having a new manual the Original gloves from
Mechanix Wear. These
transmission available (“Incognito Mode”), babies retail for $28 and
Every MOTOR TREND you again use a negative reference (slushbox) make any hand ready to
vehicle is thoroughly to automatic transmissions. From what I take on the slipperiest of
subjects or engines. Learn
remember, the derogatory term “slushbox”
INSPECTED to MOTOR was initially attached to GM’s Powerglide and
more at mechanix.com.

TREND National standards Dynaflow two-speed automatic transmis-


and is guaranteed with a sions of the ’50s and ’60s. Those transmis- positioning, and braking into and throttling
sions didn’t really shift gears; they slowly slid out of corners, with a higher safety margin for
comprehensive warranty. or “slushed” their way from first to second us non-professionals.
gear. They were casual-shifting transmis- You indicate that the SS manual shaves
sions designed for the leisurely driving a tenth off the automatic’s track time. We
conditions that matched the boat-like ride all know a tenth really indicates little or
expected during that period. They were also a no testing difference when factoring in all
bulletproof design and so durable that many possible variables: track, driver, ambient
were modified a bit and ended up being the conditions, etc. Hell, a tenth of a second
most popular choice for drag racing. Seems could depend on whether or not the driver
pretty counterintuitive that the “slowest” got lucky the night before.
transmission at the time was often utilized by All this long-windedness is trying to
the quickest/fastest sport on Earth. say is when are we going to accept the fact
And here we are, 50 years later, continuing people using manuals have become the true
to shag on non-manual shifting. It would modern-day slushboxes?
seem to me that the manual transmission LLOYD ANDERSON
is the modern-day slushbox. Most current Henderson, Nevada
performance automatics, from Porsche’s PDK The tenth of a second saved alludes to the
to Chevy’s 8L90, can perform any combina- acceleration times from the test track, not a road
tion of shifts quicker and do so intuitively for course (the auto SS is 0.1 second behind in the
the conditions/situation. The driver may not 0-60 run and the quarter mile). The manual
be as involved with the powertrain, but they transmission will have to be truly dead and gone
also concentrate more on the driving, track before slushbox exits the lexicon.—Ed.
© 2015 Automobile Protection Corporation-APCO.
MOTOR TREND® is a registered trademark of TEN:
The Enthusiast Network Magazines, LLC.
WRITE US AT
831 S. Douglas St. 6.15 TREND
El Segundo, CA 90245
Email us online at motortrend.com
or send an email direct to
FUTURE FEATURE OF THE MONTH?
[email protected] “Power Villain List”

READERS ON LOCATION
Comic Relief SPRING FLING Roughly 12 degrees west to Argentina. After I used Google to search
Regarding your 2015 Power List (March 2015) of the international date line, one of our “Industrias Kaiser Argentina,” I saw a Jeep
I understand and agree with your inclusion subscribers takes a springtime hiking/ station wagon and read that the first Jeep
camping trip. Derek Sweinhart on his
of Jerry Seinfeld. But why was Jay Leno not rolled off the line on April 1956. Someone is
New Zealand excursion: “A rare sunny
also on this list? You speak of those “inspiring in error. I think it is you guys.
day at the notoriously rainy Milford
people and furthering car culture.” I consider Sound, and what do I do? Pull out the FRANK KRIDER
myself fortunate to have met him and visited Motor Trend.” Smart move because the North Wales, Pennsylvania
his outstanding collection of cars, which book won’t get wet. Unfortunately, we omitted the crucial detail that
he drives regularly and maintains with the the Renegade is the first Jeep built outside of
support of a talented crew. This guy has to be BART STRINGHAM North America for U.S. customers.—Ed.
one of the most devoted, knowledgeable, life- Bethesda, Maryland
long car enthusiasts around, spending time on When we considered Seinfeld’s influence on pop I noted in your long-term updates (“Garage,”
the public platform promoting car culture with culture, we felt he reached an untapped audi- March 2015) you have Real MPG fuel economy
the gamut of car mavens, heads of industry, ence and could create more new interest in cars. for the 2014 Mazda3 S Grand Touring as 21.9
and tinkerers. Jerry Seinfeld’s Web show always Leno remains a heavyweight in the car world, mpg combined. Is this true, or is it a typo and
has a nice car added to the sojourn with fellow but Seinfeld’s ability to appeal to a new, possibly actually 29.1 mpg? I have a 2015 ’3 i with the
comedians. But Jay’s show, “Jay Leno’s Garage,” broader public got him on the list.—Ed. 2.0-liter engine that has recorded an average
focuses on the car, the engine, the history, of 30.5 mpg over the past four months with
etc. His episodes are all about the car and For the Record about 65 percent city driving and 35 percent
are totally devoid of the juvenile arguments, After receiving my March 2015 issue of highway. I would have expected 29.1 for the
faux deadlines, and other fake and distracting Motor Trend and reading on page 82 that [the 2.5-liter motor, but 21.9? That’s even lower
dramas that permeate a number of cable televi- Renegade] is “the first Jeep built outside of than the Cadillac CTS Vsport!
sion car repair/restoration shows. Perhaps you North America” (“Size Matters”), you got me DINESH BHUSHAN
have included Jay on the list in previous years. thinking. Being a Kaiser buff in my youth, I Ann Arbor, Michigan
Hope he is included in future lists. remember that Kaiser shipped production Our Mazda3’s Real MPG is indeed 29.1.—Ed.

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FINISHING CLASS
When old-school
meets new-school,
something's got to
give. Are sound and
smoke merely wasted
energy? Or are they
part of the show?

Life here at Motor Trend isn’t CASE IN POINT: That very same Christian
always gazing out the window Seabaugh thinks that the 707-horsepower
into Laguna Seca’s Turn 1 at 130 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is the most
mph from inside a 500-plus- badass American sedan ever built. It’s a
horsepower sports car. But even if our lives 204-mph sleeper with an air-raid siren
are (mostly) like that, we still get a truckload bolted to its supercharged, 6.2-liter V-8.
of mail each month telling us exactly where What could be better?
and how deep we stepped in it. Here’s an Jonny Lieberman has an idea. He’s of the
example, courtesy of Florida’s Bob Marks, belief that the technological tour de force
“RE: March 2015 issue, story on p. 52—The that is the 2015 Tesla Model S P85D is the
Big Test minivans, by Christian Seabaugh. best and baddest American sports sedan.
YOU BLEW IT—again!! … WRONG decision!!!” With an electric motor mounted at each
We’re going to let you in on a little secret, axle, a way low center of gravity, and 687
Bob (and the many readers who often feel lb-ft of torque available at 0 rpm, Jonny
the same way). Sometimes we don’t even thinks the D is Sam Jackson’s wallet.
agree with each other.
36 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
DECISION: USA

DASS
2015 DODGE CHARGER SRT HELLCAT
VS 2015 TESLA MODEL S P85D

Words Christian Seabaugh


and Jonny Lieberman Photographs Evan Klein

PITTING THE WORLD’S


QUICKEST SEDAN AGAINST
THE WORLD'S FASTEST
JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 37
POLL RESULTS TWITTER FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM POLL POSITION
We asked you to
choose between the
Hellcat and P85D on
motortrend.com
(via Wide Open
Throttle and our

TESLA
forums) and social
66% 34% 6% 94% 7% 93% media channels,
HELLCAT including Twitter,

67%
Facebook,
GOOGLE + WOT MT FORUMS
33% Instagram, and
Google+. By an
overall margin of
MT 2:1, you prefer the
Tesla (red) over
the Dodge (blue),
often by stunning
13% 87% 26% 74% 79% 21% margins. Elon would
be proud, so Tweet
him @elonmusk.

The Tesla is stealth. No one expects


it to hit 60 quicker than the Hellcat.
After a manure storm of emails back other via a good old-fashioned debate.
and forth, neither mind was changed. What could be more American than that?
The idea was even floated that we could Think of this as the Lincoln-Douglas debate
declare this competition a tie, something carried out by two men with the mental
we just don’t do. So an idea was hatched: a age of 12 but with impossibly low stakes. Or
completely untraditional comparison test would that be Biden-Palin?
between the four-door Hellcat and Tesla’s Put another way, we’re pulling back the
über sedan. In addition to the normal curtain and letting you into our decision-
miles and miles of Malibu back roads, making process. This should provide you
California’s coastal highways, and way with more than adequate fodder for your
too much time on the dragstrip, Christian next round of letter writing and subscription
and Jonny would seek to convince the cancelling. Enjoy!
DECISION: USA

JONNY Let’s start JONNY Granola-chewing hippies don’t buy said, “When the light turns green, open her up—I’ll
with this. You have $130K hyper sedans. Their parents do. hold traffic back!” So naturally I did. After a bit of a
to be part caveman— CHRISTIAN The Charger Hellcat has so much smoke show and a run up to 60 mph, he flew on by,
not that there’s going for it. Let’s start with raw curb appeal. The flashed his lights in approval and gave me a thumbs
anything wrong with that—to prefer Hellcat’s dripping with it. And I know for a fact that up. That would have never happened in the Tesla.
the Hellcat over the Tesla. I’m not the only one who feels that way. JONNY Exactly right. The Tesla is stealth. No
JONNY I bet policemen like it just fine. one expects a car that can go solo in the car pool
CHRISTIAN Cavemen
CHRISTIAN In fact, they do! Just this lane because of its world-class efficiency to hit
discovered fire and cooking
morning on my way in, a cop pulled up 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Let me state that again:
meat. That’s more than the
next to me at a light. He rolled down the 3.2 seconds! Which, by the way, is half a second
granola-chewing hippies
window and hollered over: “Hey man, rev quicker than the Charger Hellcat’s 3.7-second
that drive a Model S can say.
it! It’s OK! I’m a cop!” So I obliged. Then he limp to 60 mph.

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 39


DECISION: USA DYNAMIC DUO Both super sedans are big,
powerful, and great to drive. It’s a shocking
realization that they get to such a similar place
from such starkly different philosophies.

CHRISTIAN Har har. Actually, I’d There’s no track, let alone road, straight, long,
argue the Charger is pretty stealthy, and clear enough. Speaking of the real world, making wasteful noise and smoke. You can’t
too. I mean, aside from the big and this here double-motored electric car runs even launch the thing hard in first gear.
badass (ahem) hood scoop and the the quarter mile in 11.7 seconds. It takes your CHRISTIAN Yeah, well, true—but I prefer
SRT and Hellcat badges, it looks like 707-horsepower brute 11.8 seconds to do the to think of smoke and noise as a nice added
any ol’ Charger that you can rent from same. That’s slower, in case you’re wondering. feature. It’s comforting to know that a smoke
Enterprise. Besides, once you’re on the move, CHRISTIAN Actually that’s not slower—that’s screen is just a tap of the throttle away, even in
the Hellcat will smoke the Tesla. It’ll accelerate less quick. The P85D traps at 113.7 mph. The the 505-hp Eco mode. I disagree that the Model
from 45-65 mph in 1.5 seconds. It took longer Hellcat’s moving at 124.3 mph. You and I both S P85D is all about efficiency. If the Tesla really
for you to read that than it took the Hellcat to know the Hellcat would smoke the Tesla at any were all about efficiency, it wouldn’t have less
pass a car on the freeway. The Tesla needs an distance longer than a quarter mile. range than every other 85 kW-hr Tesla
extra 0.2 second to do the same thing. That’s JONNY Smoke being the operative that’s come before it. It also wouldn’t
practically an eternity! And let’s not even get word when it comes to the Hellcat. See, have eaten into said range at such a
started on top speed. the Model S P85D is all about efficiency, frightening rate during our drive loops.
JONNY Oh yeah, top speed, the world’s most traction plus torque, 687 lb-ft of it. The How much range did you go through
meaningless metric. Sure, in fantasy land and Dodge might make 650 lb-ft of torque, over 40 miles again the other day?
the comments section the Dodge can hit 204 but it can’t put that twist down. The JONNY I don’t want to talk about
mph. In the real world that will never happen. under-tired Hellcat just sits and spins, it. But the Tesla Superchargers sure

TRENDING: TESLA: 34% I HELLCAT: 66%


40 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
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DECISION: USA
seem to be getting better, huh?
CHRISTIAN Dude. You used
84 miles of range in 46 miles. That’s Cadillac CTS-V Lexus GS F
terrible. You undid the hour and 15 minutes we
spent at the Supercharger in about 30 minutes.
JONNY No comment.
CHRISTIAN My (and I say “my” because
I’m never giving it back) Charger—the car you
call inefficient—only used 34 miles of range
according to the trip computer over the same
distance at the same speed.
JONNY But how much money did it cost PROJECT: BADASS The Badasses That Couldn’t Make It
you to fill the Hellcat back up? The thing about Although it took a brawl for Jonny and me 2015 Jaguar XJR 550 hp/502 lb-ft of torque,
Tesla’s Superchargers is they are 100 percent to settle the American badass debate, we 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, 174 mph top speed
free of charge. In fact, compared to other new did agree that the Charger Hellcat and the 2015 Mercedes-AMG E63 S 577 hp/590 lb-ft
cars on the road, the P85D will save you $4,500 Model S P85D are the most badass sedans of torque, 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds,
in gasoline bills over five years. Over the same in the world. That said, there were a handful 186 mph top speed
time frame the Hellcat will set you back $5,500. of other high-power sedans from around the 2015 Porsche Panamera Turbo S
globe that we considered inviting along— 570 hp/590 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 mph in 3.6
CLAN CLASH A good not to mention some potential badasses seconds*, 192 mph top speed
old-fashioned brawl waiting in the wings.
is sometimes the best Potential Badasses
way to settle things.
Badasses from Faraway Lands None of those super sedans are quite as
America makes both the quickest and fastest badass as the 707-hp Hellcat or 691-hp P85D,
(and thus most badass) sedans in the world, but a handful of potential badasses may have
but a handful of high-po four-doors with what it takes to tackle the Dodge and Tesla.
foreign passports come close to matching our 2016 Cadillac CTS-V 640 hp/630 lb-ft of
American badasses. torque, 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds*, 200 mph
2015 Audi RS7 560 hp/516 lb-ft of torque, top speed
0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, 190 mph top speed 2016 Lexus GS F 467 hp/389 lb-ft of torque,
2015 BMW M5 575 hp/500 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds*, 170 mph top speed*
0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, 190 mph top speed 201? Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge 560 hp/443
2015 Jaguar XFR-S 550 hp/502 lb-ft of lb-ft of torque, 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds*, 185
torque, 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds*, mph top speed* Christian Seabaugh
186 mph top speed *Est.

THUMB POLL: TESLA:94% I HELLCAT:6%


42 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
DECISION: USA

COUNTERPOINTS
You can settle
most arguments by
stating you have 707
horsepower under your
right foot, but the Tesla
counters with 687 lb-ft
of instant torque and
Insane mode. However,
one could argue the
Hellcat is Insane mode.

CHRISTIAN That’d be a great point if the my way. You’re limited to a good deal less than
Tesla wasn’t $64,000 more than the Charger the indicated 253 miles in the P85D—and you’d
Hellcat. It would take you more than 30 years of better hope you can find an empty Supercharger
driving the Tesla—per the EPA—until your elec- waiting when you get there because otherwise
tric car finally earned back its price premium. you’re stuck waiting to recharge.
As for how much it costs to fill the Hellcat back JONNY That's actually a pretty good point.
up—only about $45 bucks. Fuel is cheap! Let it The electric infrastructure—specifically Tesla’s
rain dinosaur juice! network of Superchargers and long-rumored
JONNY That’s the epitome of shortsighted battery swap stations—just is not there yet. But
thinking. Gasoline could cost $5 a gallon as every single Tesla owner will tell you, it’s quite
tomorrow. Or $7. Buy a Tesla, and who cares what rare that you hop in a car and just start driving.
oil costs? You’ll never have to think about gaso- More often you plan out long trips, and figuring
line again. Which is the kind of freedom some out where you're going to charge your Tesla
people will happily pay double for. becomes as second-nature as figuring out where
CHRISTIAN Freedom. Funny. According to you're going to eat lunch. The Model S’ range is a
the EPA, I can go anywhere within 296 miles, fill non-issue 364 days a year.
up again in a couple minutes, and continue on

INSTAGRAM: TESLA:93% I HELLCAT:7%


44 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
YOU DRIVE INTO A
DOWNPOUR. TIME TO:
take cover
take control

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“Once you're on the move, the Hellcat will smoke the Tesla.”
CHRISTIAN True. However, we Americans JONNY But look at what you get when you CHRISTIAN Granted,
are all about doing things just because we pull the trigger on this Tesla: air suspension, the Tesla’s tech is cool.
can. Case(s) in point: the moon shot, the Super autopilot, geo-fencing—that’s where the car Autopilot is awesome when
Bowl, deep-fried Snickers, deep-fried butter, behaves a certain way depending on where it’s working properly, and
and a 707-horsepower V-8 in a family sedan. you are. For instance, you need to raise the car the P85D’s computing
Some people actually value the freedom of up to clear the supermarket driveway. The Tesla ability is amazing when you
just getting in a car and going without having knows where you are and does it automatically look at where cars were
to think about why. I can’t even begin to count every time you’re near the supermarket. Besides only five years ago. But
how many times I’ve done that. In college I that, the car is continuously updated via the beneath the tech and the
once drove 3 hours for free pancakes instead cloud. This car’s running version 6.1 of Tesla’s Easter eggs (like James Bond mode, where the
of going to Spanish. I likely couldn’t have, software. Rumor has it that a future update will screen’s Tesla image is replaced by 007’s Lotus
and more importantly wouldn’t have, done rejigger the flux capacitor (or whatever) and will submarine), what you really have is a very fancy
that in the Tesla. And although there’s no improve on the P85D’s already world-best sedan computer. You’re just along for the ride, and I
getting around the fact that the Charger’s fuel acceleration times. Did I mention Insane mode? get the sense that the Tesla would be happier
economy is suboptimal (13/22/16 mpg city/ The P85D actually has an acceleration mode if it were doing the driving instead of you. I’ve
highway/combined EPA), you do really get a called Insane. I’d love to shake the hand of the experienced Insane mode. Yes, it is pull-your-
lot for what you pay. lawyer that thumbs-upped that one. face-back quick, but what about the rest of

POLL:TESLA: 87% I HELLCAT:13%


ROUND ONE Tesla claims upcoming DECISION:
USA
software will make the P85D even
greater, but little birdies tell us the
Hellcat story is far from finished.
2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS 2015 Tesla Model S P85D
Front-engine, RWD DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT Front- and rear-motor, AWD
Supercharged 90-deg V-8, iron ENGINE TYPE AC induction electric motor
block/alum heads
OHV, 2 valves/cyl VALVETRAIN -
376.2 cu in/6,166cc DISPLACEMENT -
9.5:1 COMPRESSION RATIO -
- BATTERY TYPE 85 kW-hr lithium-ion
707 hp @ 6,000 rpm* POWER (SAE NET) 221 (front)/470 (rear)/691 (comb) hp
244 (front)/443 (rear)/687
650 lb- @ 4,800 rpm* TORQUE (SAE NET)
(comb) lb-
6,000 rpm REDLINE -
6.5 lb/hp WEIGHT TO POWER 7.2 lb/hp
8-speed automatic TRANSMISSION 1-speed automatic
2.62:1/1.76:1 AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO 9.73:1/9.73:1
Control arms, coil springs, adj
Control arms, air springs, anti-roll
shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR
bar; multilink, air springs, anti-roll bar
springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar
the driving experience? The Charger Hellcat is 14.4:1 STEERING RATIO 13.0:1
Insane mode. 3.0 TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK 2.3
JONNY True. The Tesla is freaky quick. But 15.4-in vented, slo
ed disc; 13.8-in BRAKES, F; R 14.0-in vented disc; 14.4-in vented
man, the Hellcat’s almost as quick. And the big vented, slo
ed disc, ABS disc, ABS
blue Dodge makes some of the best noises on 9.5 x 20.0-in, forged aluminum WHEELS 8.5 x 21.0-in, cast aluminum
planet Earth while creating clouds of gorgeous, 275/40R20 106Y Pirelli P Zero 245/35R21 96Y; 265/35R21 101Y
TIRES, F; R Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
juvenile smoke. Can I be honest with you?
DIMENSIONS
CHRISTIAN That’s the normal way liars
120.4 in WHEELBASE 116.5 in
preface their stories, but go right on ahead. 64.0/63.7 in TRACK, F/R 65.4/66.9 in
JONNY Look, I was one of the 11 judges that 200.8 x 75.0 x 58.3 in LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 196.0 x 77.3 x 56.5 in
unanimously voted the Model S our 2013 Car of 38.5 TURNING CIRCLE 37.0
the Year, and that was before the monster power 4,562 lb CURB WEIGHT 4,944 lb
P85D showed up. I never thought we’d see 57/43% WEIGHT DIST, F/R 50/50%
another American sedan that’s a bigger badass 5 SEATING CAPACITY 5
than the Tesla, but I think this is it. 38.6/36.6 in HEADROOM, F/R 38.8/35.3 in
CHRISTIAN Benedict Arnold! 41.8/40.1 in LEGROOM, F/R 42.7/35.4 in
JONNY Don’t get me wrong, I love the P85D, 59.5/57.9 in SHOULDER ROOM, F/R 57.7/55.0 in
but it comes down to this: The Tesla is like the 16.5 cu CARGO VOLUME** 2.5 (fr), 26.3 (rr) cu
absolute greatest vegetarian meal on the planet, TEST DATA
ACCELERATION TO MPH
cooked for you by Thomas Keller himself. Not
1.7 sec 0-30 1.1 sec
only does it taste tremendous, but it’s also great
2.4 0-40 1.7
for you. The Charger Hellcat, on the other hand,
3.0 0-50 2.3
is a great big steak. With a martini. And creamed
3.7 0-60 3.2
spinach. And french fries. And another martini. 4.6 0-70 4.2
And a cigar. And cheesecake. Dropping the 5.6 0-80 5.4
pretense of this back and forth, the Dodge is the 6.6 0-90 6.9
one I want to eat. 7.9 0-100 8.6
CHRISTIAN That settles it then—the Dodge 1.5 PASSING, 45-65 MPH 1.7
Charger SRT Hellcat is the ultimate American 11.8 sec @ 124.3 mph QUARTER MILE 11.7 sec @ 113.7 mph
Badass. 104 BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 104
JONNY Call it a 51 to 49 victory, but yes. Mark 0.94 g (avg) LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.90 g (avg)
this one down as a win for Dodge.Q 24.5 sec @ 0.91 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.2 sec @ 0.79 g (avg)
1,250 rpm TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH 7,300 (fr); 7,200 (rr) rpm
CONSUMER INFO
$64,990 BASE PRICE $105,670
$69,670 PRICE AS TESTED $132,820
Yes/yes STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL Yes/yes
Dual front, front side, AIRBAGS
Dual front, front side,
f/r curtain, driver knee f/r curtain, front knee
3 yrs/36,000 miles BASIC WARRANTY 4 yrs/50,000 miles
5 yrs/100,000 miles POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 4 yrs/50,000 miles
5 yrs/100,000 miles ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 4 yrs/50,000 miles
18.5 gal FUEL CAPACITY -
13/22/16 mpg EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON 89/98/93 mpg-e
259/153 kW-hrs/100 miles ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 38/34 kW-hrs/100 miles (gas equiv)
1.22 lb/mile CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.00 lb/mile (at vehicle)
15.1/21.9/17.6 mpg REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB -
Unleaded premium RECOMMENDED FUEL 220-volt electricity

*SAE Certified **Cargo volume is computed differently for sedans and hatchbacks, so these figures are not directly comparable.
Intercontinental
CONTINENTAL CONCEPT SHOWCASES LINCOLN’S NEW FACE, ENGINE, AND COMMITMENT TO CHINA
Words Ed Loh
The iconic name is back,
the split wing grille is
gone, and to answer your
first question: No, it’s almost It is in that space that we find the answer.
certainly not rear-wheel drive. While the dash-to-axle ratio of the concept
Lincoln’s official response goes something is just long enough to suggest room for that
like this: “This is a concept. We’re not talking 3.0-liter EcoBoost to be mounted longitudi-
platform architecture at this stage.” The nally, the intentional understatement is clear:
automaker is happy to confirm that a new The production Continental will be front- or
turbocharged, 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6, exclu- all-wheel drive.
sive to Lincoln, will power the production That production car—in fact all Lincolns
Continental when it arrives in 2016. going forward—will also bear a version of
But that’s just a bit of misdirection when this new face. The mug has international
confronted with the return of such a historic cues and intent; the upright posture and
nameplate on a concept so dripping with chrome ring around deeply set mesh recall CHROME-DIPPED A swath of chrome runs
potential. If you were the Lincoln designer Jaguar, but the plinth, as the Lincoln design around at rocker-panel height, making it
tasked with creating the car that would team calls it, that supports the star badge look like the body was dipped in chrome.
Details like quad exhaust tips, 21-inch
again wear the Continental name, how far recalls Kia’s tiger maw—although half as wheels, and the slick winglet door handles
would you take it? toothy. “This new face gives confidence. help break up heaviness in the sides.
If the design brief even hinted at rear-
wheel drive, you would leave no doubt.
You’d send the windshield back and draw
out a hood as long and shimmering as a
reflecting pool. There would be a country
mile between the fender badge and the
Lincoln star on the front wheels.

TYPEFACE The team struggled between


cursive script or a modern block font for the
return of the Continental badge. Updating
the face of Lincoln wasn't a tough call.
Lincoln Continental Concept | FIRST LOOK

WORLD EXCLUSIVE

A Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6


will debut in the production Continental.

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 51


rear seatback reclines and a lower leg support
rises up. Push a few more, and a chromed case
containing a small touchscreen slides out of
the center console. Just behind the left elbow,
there's a champagne refrigerator and a cubby
for two thick-stemmed, custom flutes. Two
leather-bound, zippered compartments on
the front seatbacks pop off lugs and hidden
magnetic clasps to become slim attaché cases.
Front seat occupants are spoiled with seats
that can be heated, cooled, and adjusted 30
ways, thanks to 11 air bladders strategically
placed in the seat cushion and all the way up
to shoulder level. Winged sections suspended
by elastomeric fingers that cradle and caress
sprout from the seatback and cushion.
It puts the face of Lincoln where it needs
to be for future expansion,” says David
The concept lives up to the A cutline a third of the way into the seat
cushion allows air bladders to independently
Woodhouse, Lincoln’s design director.
Where the Lincoln most needs to expand
Continental name. And that support the right and left thighs. Look up, and
there is an electrochromic sunroof similar in
is China, a country where large, chauffeur-
driven luxury sedans are king. “The propor-
name is huge in China. operation to the window shades on Boeing
787 Dreamliners.
tion is really essential to what we do,” says Their replacements are chromed winglets The sunroof, attaché cases, barware, and
Woodhouse. “The way it sits and is settled in sprouting from the beltline. Lincoln calls touchscreen are for show, but the spiral-
the back end gives it the big-car, luxury feel.” them E-latches, and they work via a push drilled mesh speaker covers are not. They
It also gives it the look of a certain British button under each upturned wing that are part of the 19-speaker Revel Ultima
luxury carmaker that also has a Continental pops the door open. Rear ingress is further audio system, installed as an homage to the
in its lineup, which is no bad thing. But the facilitated by door hinges that open to nearly exclusive 10-year deal between Lincoln and
lighting sequence is pure American drama. 90 degrees. Yes, suicide doors were evaluated, Harman, the maker of Revel.
Approach the car with smart key in hand, but the Lincoln team had other plans. “We Despite all the noise and chrome,
and the Lincoln star in the grille fades on, have a long-travel hinge, and what you end Woodhouse and Lincoln’s president, Kumar
followed by the LED tubes in the headlamps up with is a very large ingress opening that, Galhotra, hope you understand why the
and foglamps, and then the five “ice cubes,” quite frankly, is superior to the suicide door Continental name is back and whom it targets.
which are also shaped like miniature Lincoln in terms of ingress,” says Woodhouse. “Continental was derived from interconti-
stars, in each headlamp. The full-width rear Says Mike Celentino, Lincoln’s chief nental style. It wasn’t purely American. It was
taillamps, another Lincoln signature, have program engineer: “We put a lot of emphasis a global feeling,” says Woodhouse.
a similar fade-on sequence, which, like the on a very large opening for this back seat, “It’s such an iconic name," Galhotra
pulsing ignition button, are meant to give life not only in the U.S. but for our China market. says, "but it is a very, very modern car. The
and warmth to the concept. It’s really important that we have a really emphasis overall for this vehicle is quiet
Large swaths of chrome run around the car spacious back seat.” luxury. That name is so well-associated with
at rocker level; Woodhouse says this bright- Woodhouse and team also focused on the best of Lincoln. The next logical step
work accentuates the horizontal and breaks creating a lavishly appointed, executive-jet- for us was to create this flagship sedan that
up the volume of the sides, which you may inspired cabin. Push a few buttons, and the offers the best of Lincoln.”
notice are unmarred by door handles. front passenger seat slides forward as the Galhotra: “It lives up to the Continental
name. And that name is huge in China.” Q

MONOCHROMATIC MODERNISM
Lincoln design chief David
Woodhouse brought the chrome
trim and Rhapsody Blue paint
inside for a modern “tone-on-tone”
interpretation of American luxury.

52 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


Tony Kanaan PC Carbon Chronograph Series No. 1105.S: 44mm asymmetrical black carbon www.luminox.com
reinforced polycarbonate case and case back, black PVD crown and pushers, tempered
scratch resistant mineral crystal, black silicone strap with black signature buckle, created facebook.com/Luminox
in Tony Kanaan’s signature colors, water resistant to 200 meters, and Luminox self-powered
illumination. Swiss Made.
Preferred timepiece of Champion Race Driver Tony Kanaan.
FIRST DRIVE | 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63

WARRIOR
Words Frank Markus

IT’S TIME TO STOP MOURNING THE 6.2’S DEMISE


The recent death of AMG’s might not share such virtues. Well it’s time
legendary, big-lunged, free- to doff those widow’s weeds, lighten up,
breathing 6.2-liter V-8 has and regard this new Mercedes-AMG C63
inspired its own “black series” of as the rainbow in Genesis—a sign of the
obituaries. Road tests of the last Edition 507 horsepower gods’ covenant that no flood of
and Black Series models praised that M156 CO2 regs, CAFE standards, or guzzler taxes
engine’s linear power, eagerness to rev, and shall ever smite mankind’s quest for linear
thundering bellow, implying that its smaller- torque delivery, ever-improving lap times,
displacement successor stifled by turbos and soul-stirring sounds.

54 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


LAUNCH CONTROL
A Race Start function
can be enabled by first
dialing up Sport, Sport+,
or Race mode and setting
the transmission to
manual mode and the
ESP to Sport Handling.
Then, from a stop with
one foot on the brake, you
BLACKENED M177? The limit of this tug both shift paddles,
engine with these turbos is 664 prompting a message in
lb-ft, leaving us to wonder what the the instrument cluster.
block could withstand with bigger Acknowledge Race Start
turbos. When the new starts to by pulling the upshift
wear off, we reckon we'll see a paddle, and floor the
Black Series producing perhaps accelerator. The engine
upward of 700 hp and 650 lb-ft. revs to about 3,500 rpm.
There’s bandwidth for increased Release the brake, and
chassis performance to keep up. off you go with a modest
amount of wheelspin.

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 55


FIRST DRIVE

This new direct-injected, 4.0-liter, “hot-


vee” twin-turbo V-8, code numbered M177,
is a wet-sump riff on the M178 in the new
Mercedes-AMG GT. Like the M156, it was
designed from scratch in Affalterbach, where
each one will be assembled and autographed
by a single technician. The smaller turbo
engine weighs about what the big M156
did. Another tenuous hook to that head-
line: The M177 loosely shares the Rainbow
Warrior Greenpeace ship’s mission of radical
environmentalism, in that it wields radical
power while greatly reducing CO2 emissions. 2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic
AMG claims a 32 percent fuel-consumption IN THE COMPACT SPORTS sedan wars, program, and the AWD and ESP systems are
drop makes this the world’s most efficient AMG has offered generals (C63 variants) and likewise AMGified with a permanent front/rear
performance V-8. foot soldiers (appearance/sport packages). torque split of 33/67 percent.
Meanwhile, 0-60-mph acceleration Folks interested in captain- or major-grade Suspension fettling revises geometry and
improves by a tenth thanks to a 4 percent performance went home with Audi S4s or bushings and adds three-position electronic
power bump to 469 hp at 5,500 rpm and 479 BMW 335i M Sports—until now. Enter the damping and variable electric steering-
lb-ft of torque from 1,750-4,500 rpm in the Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic. Similar assist systems like those used on the C63.
base C63. An extra 1.4 psi of boost (17.4 total) in models in other categories will all write “AMG Brakes are also upsized to 14.2-inch front and
S models makes for 503 hp and 516 lb-ft. Alas, 4Matic” after the model number, offering 12.6-inch rear vented rotors. Unique fascias,
the redline drops from 7,200 to 7,000 rpm. pricing and standard AWD performance that wheels, and trim bridge the mild-to-wild
“Exhaustive” efforts expended to usher stir- are more accessible to mainstream buyers. gap between the C300 and C63 in terms of
ring sounds past the turbos result in a three- AMG intends to dominate these mid- aggression, and the interior gets red stitching
valve system with no artificial electronic tier market niches, so the C450 gets a galore, plus aluminum and piano-black trim.
enhancement. One connects the left and right 362-hp/384-lb-ft higher-boost version of the The C63 feels fantastic on a wide,
pipes near the engine. It opens in Comfort twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6 that has been serving controlled track, but the C450’s noticeably
mode to send a soothing V-8 burble down the C400 range (discontinued for 2016). By lighter, nimbler nose lends a sure-footedness
both pipes or closes to send a CLA45-like comparison, the S4 musters just 333/325, and and agility that the C63 lacks on narrow,
snarl down each pipe. Two more valves open the 335i is (coyly) rated 300/300. The stan- winding public roads. The exhaust pops
to short-circuit the rearmost mufflers, and a dard 7G-Tronic torque-converter automatic is and crackles like the C63's, just in a higher
squirt of extra fuel produces lovely crackles programmed for crisper, quicker shifts in the V-6 register, and there’s a bit of that “more
and pops on overrun. Oh, and it replicates the Sport+ setting of the AMG Dynamic Select fun to drive a slow car fast” thing at work.
M156’s dramatic growl upon startup. With pricing expected to just undercut the
That thrust is routed through AMG’s S4’s ($54K to start), you’ll pay a 37 percent
2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic
Speedshift MCT seven-speed automatic to premium over the C300 for 50 percent more
the rear wheels via a standard limited-slip BASE PRICE $54,000 (est) horsepower and 41 percent more torque.
diff that gets electronic control in S models. VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, Sounds like reasonable bang for the buck.
5-pass, 4-door sedan
The adjustable suspension is unique to Frank Markus
ENGINE 3.0L/362-hp/384-lb-
AMG, with three levels of damping stiffness twin-turbo DOHC
24-valve V-6
TRANSMISSION 7-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT 3,700 lb (mfr)
WHEELBASE 111.8 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 184.5 x 71.3 x 56.1 in
0-60 MPH 4.9 sec (mfr est)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB Not yet rated
FUEL ECON
ON SALE IN U.S. Fall 2015

In the compact sports sedan wars, AMG has offered only generals and foot soldiers—until now.

CONFLICT DIAMONDS
That diamond grille with
the single crossbar and
those flaring nostrils
identify this as a C-Class
that's itching for a fight.

56 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


New features, new look, new podium.
The all-new Honda CR-V Touring.

CR-V Touring model shown. ©2014 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
FIRST DRIVE

2015 Mercedes-AMG C63


selectable within the Dynamic Select modes.
BASE PRICE RANGE $63,000-$73,000 (est)
Tire and brake sizes ratchet up from base to ability to match his blistering pace, braking
VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, RWD,
S models, with staggered-width 18s on the too early and too hard in the first corners 5-pass, 4-door sedan
base, 19s on the S, and carbon-ceramic rotors then hurrying my return to full throttle ENGINE 4.0L/469-503-hp/479-
optional on the S. AMG says lap times should only to break traction, resulting in further 516-lb- twin-turbo
be a second quicker on a 1-minute-plus track. time-consuming (but smile-inducing) DOHC 32-valve V-8
AMG introduced the C63 S on the 2.9-mile powerslides. When I began trusting the TRANSMISSION 7-speed automatic
F1 test track in Portimão, Portugal, recom- brakes, I noted that this electrified steering CURB WEIGHT 3,950 lb (mfr)
mending Dynamic Select Race mode, ESP rack communicates what I need to know WHEELBASE 111.8 in
Sport Handling mode, and the middle about front grip while the close-fitting seat LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 187.2 x 72.4 x 56.1 in
damping setting for greater compliance on transmits other chassis messages. New AMG 0-60 MPH 3.9-4.0 sec (mfr est)
bumpy apex curbs. I started out following head-up display graphics show crucial tach EPA CITY/HWY/COMB Not yet rated
FUEL ECON
five-time DTM champ Bernd Schneider, info while eyes stay locked on the braking-
struggling to build confidence in the car’s zone cones. A ride with Herr Schneider ON SALE IN U.S. Currently
demonstrated the car’s full potential. With
all nannies off and two passengers onboard, probably seem worth it for the E-Diff, better
he carried 20 or 30 mph more speed through brakes, 180-mph speed-limiter (155 is stan-
every section with no perceptible wheelspin. dard), Race mode programming, and minor
I left the track in a base C63 and was struck interior and exterior styling spiffs.
by how civilized the ride quality remains, Is it OK to mourn the M156 C63 AMG? Sure.
even with stiffer springs. Tire noise borders That engine in that car made for big, hairy,
on deafening, but the exhaust sounds just loud, stupid fun. But trust me. A strong dose
right. Smart money says the S will outsell of smaller, blown, loud, stupid M177 fun (plus
the base, and indeed if I were faced with the faster lap times and a lighter fuel bill) should
choice, the roughly $10,000 upcharge would dry those crocodile tears right up. Q

MULTI CHOICE
Four seat insert options
include black faux suede
or leather in black, red,
or gray (shown). Dash
trim comes in two woods,
carbon fiber, or piano
black. An Edition One
model gets red accents
and diamond stitching.

58 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


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FIRST DRIVE | 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4

Words Scott Evans

THE MORE YOU DRIVE IT,


THE MORE YOU WANT
TO DRIVE IT. THE HARDER
YOU WANT TO DRIVE IT.
THE FASTER YOU WANT
TO DRIVE IT. BECAUSE IT
ONLY GETS BETTER THE
HARDER YOU PUSH IT.
60 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
Gliding through Portimão’s With more grip than power, it takes a
Samsung corner, former World concerted effort to upset the chassis in any
Rally Champion Walter Röhrl is way, and you won’t find the limits of its
driving the dark silver Cayman grip on the street. Even bumps and holes
GT4 very, very quickly, but by now I’ve spent can’t shake it. When we nail a big, unseen,
enough time with the car to sense it’s got mid-corner dip with the left rear tire at high
some left in it. As we exit Turn 9, Röhrl even faster, but we’ve reached the limit of speed, I have no doubt that the tire left the
glances in the mirror at the three GT4s tailing what the best street tire can do. ground, but the two were immediately put
us. They’re keeping up. His face, already On the next lap, I ask him if he would back into contact, and the chassis registered
stoic, tightens. His eyes narrow, and his change anything aside from the tires if he only the slightest shimmy.
body language is suddenly but obviously were to enter the car in a race. He pauses a On top of it all, the ride quality is shock-
more serious. moment then answers firmly. “No.” ingly good. Normal mode is tuned for the
It’s on. Röhrl drives the GT4 for everything The GT4’s goodness starts at the corners. bumpy Nürburgring Nordschleife, and as a
it’s worth. Three corners later, he backs off a bit, The front suspension and tires are straight result the car rides very well on underfunded
looks over at me, and says dryly, “Sometimes from the 911 GT3. The rear suspension public roads. Unlike with some track-oriented
you have to show them who is the chief.” features a new knuckle and helper springs. cars, you could just as easily take this one on a
It’s there, at the razor’s edge, where I finally All four corners get active dampers and ball road trip. Even with the dampers set to Sport,
appreciate just how good the GT4 is. Röhrl joints for suspension mounts. The tires are the ride is more than tolerable.
has left the traction and stability control on, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s. They’re assisted The key component tying it all together
and they never make themselves known. It’s by a big, fixed rear wing, a small ducktail is the steering. The weighting and precision
immediately clear to me the car wants to go spoiler below it, and a big front splitter. are exceptional, and the rack transmits the

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 61


FIRST DRIVE | 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4

The GT4 is a post-graduate study in handling to a Miata's undergraduate education.


important road feedback but filters out the The downside is this: It’s almost too against it is a somewhat weak reverse lockout
useless stuff. good. On a public road, it takes suicidal that can occasionally be breached when
Taken to task, the GT4 returns beautifully speeds to really feel like you’re challenging attempting a fast 3-2 downshift. Porsche is
neutral handling. Getting anything more the car. On the track, you must identify the looking into it. Should you care to use it, the
than a mild push requires a serious mistake, scary corners then grit your teeth and carry automatic downshift engine rev-matching
and the same goes for oversteer. The car will more speed through them. The GT4 won’t feature works perfectly.
rotate a few degrees with well-timed trailing make you feel like a hero until you push the It's immediately clear when driving the
throttle mid-corner or too much throttle bounds of your comfort zone. Cayman GT4 that this car was built by people
at corner exit, but the rotation is slow and Then there’s the powertrain. The who love to drive above all else. The car was
smooth and easily controlled. 911-derived, 385-hp, 3.8-liter, naturally aspi- designed not just to be faster but also fun and
The car also has more brakes than power. rated flat-six revs freely and quickly to 7,800 exciting and rewarding. At the same time,
The 15-inch steel rotors at all corners (also rpm, though it truly comes to life at 4,000 though, it doesn’t give up its rewards easily.
lifted from the GT3) get clamped by six rpm. Low-end torque is just above adequate It not only forces you to be better but also
pistons in front and four in the rear. Brake for the caliber of the car, allowing you to go teaches you how to do it. The more you drive
pedal progression and feedback are excellent, hard into the throttle at corner exit without it, the more you want to drive it. The harder
allowing you to be extremely precise in your worrying much about oversteer. Inside the you want to drive it. The faster you want to
braking. There’s also a superfluous carbon- car, there’s a healthy dose of induction noise drive it. All because you know that it only gets
ceramic brake package. evocative of an old air-cooled 911. Outside, better the harder you push it and yourself. Q
With such incredible braking and handling it sounds like a spec racing car with just
abilities, the GT4 becomes as much a teacher enough muffler to meet legal requirements.
as an ally. In its responses to your inputs, the The dirty truth, clichéd and ungrateful as it
GT4 will show you exactly what you’ve done sounds, is that this improved chassis could
wrong in any given corner. If you listen, you’ll take even more power.
know exactly what to do differently on the The six-speed manual shifter has far less
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COMPARISON

PUTTING “SPORT”
BACK INTO
SPORT/UTILITY

64 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


2015 Audi SQ5 VS. 2015 BMW X4 xDrive35i VS. 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG VS. 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo

Sport/utility vehicle. Is there wunderbar mistake that turned out to be. Because these SUVs, unlike most, are
a bigger misnomer than that? The small SUVs atop the U.S. sales charts built for spirited performance driving, we’re
Sure, SUVs are vehicles, and they lack any pretense of sportiness, but these judging them as such over a road loop that
do usually have some sort of four compact-ish Germans ooze it. This Jonny Lieberman dubbed the Sürfschleife.
utilitarian function, but sport? Nuh-uh. Take Teutonic quartet represents the sportiest This route includes Los Angeles’ famous
a look at the most popular SUVs in the United small crossovers Germany makes. From Mulholland Drive, steep hills, tight switch-
States last year, led by the Honda CR-V, Ford Ingolstadt comes the 354-hp 2015 Audi SQ5. backs, and some city and highway motoring
Escape, and Toyota RAV4. I don’t think any of Munich is home to the fastback-styled 2015 thrown in for good measure. We’re primarily
you would argue with me if I said sportiness BMW X4 xDrive35i. Stuttgart has two entrants: seeking to determine which German ute
is the last reason anyone's buying these. the 355-hp 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG, is the best driver of the bunch, but fuel
I suspect somewhere along the SUV devel- which comes courtesy of Affalterbach, and economy, comfort, and value will play a
opment timeline someone—probably the the 400-hp 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo. Each role in our decision, as well.
same person who said a four-door could be contender features all-wheel drive and some
labeled a coupe—forgot to tell the Germans form of forced induction.
that SUVs don’t need to be sporty. And what a

Words Christian Seabaugh


Photographs William Walker

SMALL GERMAN
SUVS FIGHT FOR BEST DRIVING TITLE

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 65


COMPARISON

Sad SAC 2015 BMW X4 xDrive35i


twist. Despite the handicap—and thanks to impressive for the ungainliness of this car,”
a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic and the he said. “I actually enjoyed driving it hard.”
second-lowest curb weight—the X4 wasn’t The rest of the package was hit-or-miss up
that far behind the others at the track. Stomp in the canyons. The X4’s straight-six was a
on the gas, and the X4 will hustle to 60 in 5.2 genuine treat and the best part of the cross-
seconds and complete the quarter mile in 13.9 over. The engine sounds great and loves to
seconds at 98.8 mph. Slam on the brakes from sing all the way up to its 7,000 rpm redline.
60 mph, and the X4 will stop in 113 feet. Although it wasn't impressive on the
The X4’s lackluster (for the group) figure- ragged edge, we expected better of the BMW
eight performance of 26.2 seconds at 0.71g during the freeway and city portions of our
average was reflected on the twistier sections drive loops. For the least sport-oriented SUV
of our road loops. “The X4 is immediately in the test, the BMW X4 was not surpris-
ON PAPER, things didn’t look too good for the larger, taller, and heavier-feeling than the ingly the least enjoyable. The BMW had the
BMW X4 xDrive 35i. This so-called SAC (BMW others,” associate editor Rory Jurnecka harshest ride and the loudest cabin of the
insists on calling it a “sport activity coupe”) noted. “Steering the X4 is like playing tug- group, thanks in large part to the noise gener-
has the lowest power and torque output, the of-war with the front tires; it really needs ated by the rubber band-thin run-flat rubber
slowest 0-60 mph and quarter-mile times, to be muscled around to get the most out on its 20-inch wheels. Add its lackluster
and the second-longest braking distance of of it.” Associate editor Scott Evans agreed, canyon performance to its poor city and
the bunch. The X4’s 3.0-liter, turbocharged likening the X4 to a big sport sedan on the freeway manners, and it’s no surprise Munich
I-6 makes just 300 ponies and 300 lb-ft of canyon portions of the loop. “Body control is came up short among its German rivals.

The X4's straight-six was a genuine treat and the best part of the crossover.

DISAPPOINTING The BMW X4 xDrive35i features


leather on the seats and door panels that is nice,
but the Munich-born SUV's cabin is otherwise
“cheap, stale, and frankly just old-looking,”
associate editor Rory Jurnecka said.

66 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


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COMPARISON

The SQ5's unhinged


personality is
combined with a
Winter Is(n’t) Coming 2015 Audi SQ5 mean exhaust note.
Ingolstadt prefers the instant torque delivery averaging 0.72 g along the way.
of a supercharger—thus the SQ5 sports a The SQ5 quickly won the hearts and minds
supercharged, 3.0-liter V-6 good for 354 hp of our judges during the road loops. “I think
and 347 lb-ft of torque. Like the BMW’s, it's the ‘R’ fell off!” Evans said, hinting at Audi's
mated to an eight-speed automatic trans- RS models, after his drive. “Put it in Dynamic,
mission. If our SQ5 had been shod with and it’s unhinged. The throttle is hair-trigger.
summer rubber, it would’ve performed as our The engine is always at 4,000 to 6,000 rpm.”
2014 tester did: 4.8 seconds to 60 mph, 13.5 Unhinged is an apt descriptor. The SQ5’s
seconds for the quarter mile at 102.2 mph, a supercharged V-6 is slightly less powerful
104-foot stop from 60 mph, and an impres- than the related Macan’s twin-turbo V-6, but
sive 25.9-second figure-eight lap averaging thanks to the surge of torque and the snow
0.71 g. With snow tires its track performance tires clawing for grip as you leap off the line,
WINTER TIRES. Our 2015 Audi SQ5 was deliv- was still surprisingly impressive. Thanks to you wouldn’t know it. The SQ5’s unhinged
ered to us with winter tires on a 73-degree the extra slip allowed by the softer winter personality is combined with a mean exhaust
February day. Although it obviously wasn't rubber, the SQ5 hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds note (which, to be fair to the others, is piped
ideal, we were still expecting big things and powered through the quarter mile in 13.1 into the cabin through the stereo), a decent
from the SQ5, especially because at heart it’s seconds at 104.2 mph. The cold weather tires automatic transmission, and a good ride.
basically a slightly lighter but much cheaper hurt the SQ5 in braking, 123 feet to stop from Jurnecka was a fan of the winter tires on the
version of the Porsche Macan. Stuttgart 60 mph, and on the figure eight, where it SQ5. “Winter tires should be standard on
uses turbochargers to boost its engines, but needed 26.5 seconds to complete the course, this thing!” he said. “Lots of fun to get the

68 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


AGING WELL The SQ5’s interior is dated
compared with the interiors found in Audi’s
latest, but the Audi still sports exceptional
quality and an R8-inspired flat-bottom
steering wheel. We do wish the seats had
a bit more bolstering, though.

car moving around,” though he noted some


unpredictability in that regard.
Associate online editor Erick Ayapana also
noted the difference. “A textbook example of
the dramatic effects tires have on handling,”
he said. “This SQ5 with winters is not the
SQ5 I remember driving last year.” Maybe it's
best those winter tires aren't standard.
So where does it fall apart for the SQ5?
Although testing the SQ5 and its cold-
weather tires on hot, dry roads wasn't ideal,
its ranking reflects more on our experiences
with summer tires than this winter-ready
example. Rather, it's that steering feel is
more Novocain than cocaine and the fact
GOOD TIMES These four SUVs that the SQ5 is a little too unrefined for us.
combine for 1,409 horsepower,
1,385 lb-ft of torque, 22
It’s got loads of personality but not enough
cylinders, four turbochargers, polish—inside the cabin, under the skin,
and one supercharger. Rad. or where the rubber meets the road—to
compete with the contenders above it.

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 69


COMPARISON

Virtuosity Over Passion Porsche Macan Turbo


THE AUDI AND BMW fell into their respec- twin-turbo V-6 good for 400 hp and 406 lb-ft
tive places pretty easily, but picking a winner of torque paired with Porsche’s marvelous
between the Porsche Macan Turbo and PDK seven-speed twin-clutch automatic and
the Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG was far a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.
more difficult. Both are among the best- The Macan is the heaviest crossover of the
driving SUVs ever made. Neither makes any quartet, but its track numbers don't show it.
compromises for being an SUV, behaving The Porsche’s 4.2-second 0-60 mph time is
like a sports car one moment and a family the quickest of the bunch. Its quarter-mile
crossover the next. In the Porsche’s case, it’s performance of 12.9 seconds at 106.2 mph
an expensive sports car thanks to its $84,850 makes it the second quickest by a tenth of a
sticker, which is considerably more than the second and second fastest by about 1 mph. It
rest of the competition. That price tag isn't stops from 60 mph in 102 feet and can pull
without perks, though, such as a 3.6-liter off 0.90g average on the skidpad. Although

“F'ing telepathic, man! Everything seems to work together so seamlessly!”

WONDER Where does that extra


20 grand go? Look no further than the
interior. The Porsche Macan Turbo has
by far and away the most luxurious
cabin of the Teutonic quartet we tested.

70 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


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COMPARISON

It makes no compromises. It's among the best-driving SUVs ever made.

all those instrumented test numbers are


impressive, perhaps the most impressive is its decidedly un-Porsche-like steering With performance, comfort, and features
is its figure-eight lap, where it finished in a feel. Although the steering rack itself is so evenly matched with our top finisher, the
two-way tie for first-place. Both the Macan quick, feedback is numb and, well, Audi- Macan falls short in value. “Nowhere is the
and the GLA45 lapped the course in 25.0 like. “Clinical and sterile,” Ayapana called ‘you get what you pay for’ adage so evident as
seconds at 0.78g average. it. Evans said it was “very competent and in the Porsche Macan Turbo,” Jurnecka noted.
The Macan’s road manners speak even efficient at driving fast but rather emotion- “It looks expensive, feels expensive, sounds
louder than its track numbers. “F’ing tele- less about it—virtuosity rather than passion, expensive, drives expensive, and even smells
pathic, man!” I started my notes. “Everything scales rather than solos.” expensive. And guess what: It’s expensive!
from the engine and transmission to the To the tune of some $20,000 more than the
suspension and steering seems to work second-cheapest vehicle in the group.” One
together so seamlessly.” As is the case with could argue that options such as the $3,300
most modern Porsches, getting around a 21-inch wheels could be skipped, but there’s
corner quickly is as simple as tapping the no getting around the fact that the Macan is
Sport Plus button and hanging on for dear pricey. Even a Macan S comparably equipped
life as the Macan does all the hard work for to its competitors is still 10 grand more
you. The one big drawback for the Macan expensive—and slower to boot.

72 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


COMPARISON

GLAwesome! 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG


AS ENTHUSIASTS, we’re quick to pigeon- figure-eight time. The GLA45 AMG lapped
hole a vehicle that doesn’t fit cleanly into the figure eight in the same time as the
any of our black-and-white categories. Take Macan Turbo—a supercar-like 25.0-second
the Subaru XV Crosstrek. Subaru calls it an lap at 0.78g average. Its skidpad performance
SUV. Enthusiasts call it a tall hatchback. The was equally impressive, averaging 0.93 g.
Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG is another of And then there are the GLA45’s straight-line
those hard-to-pin-down vehicles. Evans’ stats. The only four-cylinder vehicle of the
first line in his notes: “It’s not an SUV; it’s a bunch, the GLA45’s over-boosted 2.0-liter,
hot hatch with a lift kit.” Call the GLA45 AMG turbocharged I-4 and its 355 hp and 332 lb-ft
what you will. It’s not only the best-driving of torque mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch
crossover here, but it’s also among the best- automatic rockets to 60 mph from a stand-
handling vehicles on the market, bar none. still in 4.3 seconds and finishes the quarter
Don’t believe me? Take a look at its mile in a comparison-best 12.8 seconds at

The GLA45 AMG is among the best-handling vehicles on the market, bar none.

SPORT AND COMFORT Even with those


optional, sport-oriented Recaro seats,
the GLA45 AMG’s saddle is among the
most comfortable of this group. These
are suitable thrones for royalty.
74 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
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COMPARISON

The small, racy AMG crossover puts the “sport” back in sport/utility vehicle.
1ST Mercedes-Benz
GLA45 AMG
Certainly not the most
“mature” crossover here,
the GLA45 AMG’s playful
demeanor and serious
performance cred earn
it the gold.

2ND Porsche Macan


Turbo The tremendously
capable (and tremendously
expensive) Macan Turbo
misses out on first place by a
nose—and about 20 grand.

3RD Audi SQ5


That Porsche is nice, but if
value were a larger part of
the equation, the SQ5 might
have shaken things up a bit
more than it did.

4TH BMW X4 xDrive35i


The BMW X4 is neither a
convincing coupe nor a
true performance SUV.

107.9 mph. The GLA45 comes to a halt in GLA’s turbo-four were a person, it would
just 103 feet in the 60-0 test. Those numbers be a hyperactive 4-year-old on a dangerous
are neck and neck with the Porsche. So combination of sugar and caffeine,” Jurnecka
where does the GLA really distinguish itself? wrote. The GLA is addictive. Whatever you
Poundage. The GLA45 weighs nearly 1,000 ask of it, it delivers, whether you want a
pounds less than the Macan. In this case, docile around-town ride, a comfortable road-
less mass directly correlates to more fun. tripper, or a street-going global rallycross car.
“Smallest guy in the group yet has the most The Porsche Macan Turbo and Mercedes-
personality—just ridiculously fun,” Ayapana Benz GLA45 AMG were closely matched,
said. Evans agreed: “Great power, wonderful but the price gap, fuel economy, and fun
TINY HAMMER At 178 horsepower per liter,
handling, tremendous grip, and good the Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG’s “little” advantage give the small, racy AMG crossover
steering. You can’t not have fun in this car.” turbo-four packs the most punch of the four what it takes to put the “sport” back in sport/
They’re both right. There’s no getting around small SUVs we tested. utility vehicle and thus be crowned champ of
how much personality the GLA has. “If the the small, sporty German SUVs. Q

76 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS 2015 Audi SQ5 2015 BMW X4 xDrive35i 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo
DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD Front-engine, AWD Front-engine, AWD Front-engine, AWD
ENGINE TYPE Supercharged 90-deg Turbocharged I-6, Turbocharged I-4, Twin-turbo 90-deg V-6,
V-6, alum block/heads alum block/head alum block/head alum block/heads
VALVETRAIN DOHC, 4 valves/cyl DOHC, 4 valves/cyl DOHC, 4 valves/cyl DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
DISPLACEMENT 182.8 cu in/2,995cc 181.7 cu in/2,979cc 121.5 cu in/1,991cc 220.0 cu in/3,605cc
COMPRESSION RATIO 10.3:1 10.0:1 8.6:1 10.5:1
POWER (SAE NET) 354 hp @ 6,000 rpm 300 hp @ 5,800 rpm 355 hp @ 6,000 rpm 400 hp @ 6,000 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET) 347 lb- @ 4,000 rpm 300 lb- @ 1,200 rpm 332 lb- @ 2,250 rpm 406 lb- @ 1,350 rpm
REDLINE 6,800 rpm 7,000 rpm 6,250 rpm 6,800 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER 12.4 lb/hp 14.1 lb/hp 10.3 lb/hp 11.4 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic 8-speed automatic 7-speed twin-clutch automatic 7-speed twin-clutch automatic
AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO 3.08:1/2.05:1 3.39:1/2.26:1 4.13:1/1.98:1 4.13:1/2.15:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; Multi-link, air springs, adj shocks,
bar; multi-link, coil springs, multi-link, coil springs, multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multi-link, air springs,
anti-roll bar anti-roll bar anti-roll bar adj shocks, anti-roll bar
STEERING RATIO 15.9:1 16.4:1 15.2:1 14.3:1
TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK 2.8 2.2 2.5 2.6
BRAKES, F;R 15.0-in vented disc; 13.0-in 12.9-in vented disc; 13.0-in 13.8-in vented disc; 13.0-in 14.2-in vented disc; 14.0-in
vented disc, ABS vented disc, ABS vented disc, ABS vented disc, ABS
WHEELS, F;R 8.5 x 20 in, cast aluminum 8.5 x 20 in; 10.0 x 20 in, cast 8.0 x 20 in, cast aluminum 9.0 x 21 in; 10.0 x 21 in, forged
aluminum aluminum
TIRES, F;R 255/45R20 101V M+S 245/40R20 99Y; 235/40R20 96Y Continental 265/40R21 101Y; 295/35R21 103Y
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D 275/35R20 102Y Pirelli P Zero ContiSportContact 5P Michelin Latitude Sport 3
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE 110.5 in 110.6 in 106.3 in 110.5 in
TRACK, F/R 64.2/64.0 in 62.8/63.4 in 61.7/61.7 in 65.2/65.0 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 183.0 x 75.2 x 65.3 in 184.3 x 74.1 x 63.9 in 174.9 x 71.0 x 58.2 in 185.0 x 76.1 x 63.4-65.4 in
GROUND CLEARANCE 7.9 in 8.0 in 4.8 in 7.1-9.1 in
APPROACH/DEPART ANGLE 25.0/20.0 deg 26.0/23.0 deg 11.9/18.3 deg 19.7-26.6/18.5-25.3 deg
TURNING CIRCLE 38.1 39.0 38.8 39.2
CURB WEIGHT 4,373 lb 4,240 lb 3,646 lb 4,544 lb
WEIGHT DIST, F/R 54/46% 51/49% 60/40% 55/45%
TOWING CAPACITY 4,400 lb 3,500 lb Not recommended 4,400 lb
SEATING CAPACITY 5 5 5 5
HEADROOM, F/R 38.1/37.7 in 40.0/37.4 in 36.9/36.7 in 38.1/37.7 in (est)
LEGROOM, F/R 41.0/37.4 in 40.4/34.8 in 41.9/33.9 in 41.0/37.4 in (est)
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R 57.7/56.4 in 57.2/56.0 in 54.8/53.1 in 57.7/56.4 in (est)
CARGO VOL BEH F/R 57.3/29.1 cu 49.4/17.7 cu 42.0/11.8 cu 53.0/17.7 cu
TEST DATA
ACCELERATION TO MPH
0-30 1.6 sec 1.8 sec 1.5 sec 1.4 sec
0-40 2.3 2.7 2.2 2.2
0-50 3.3 3.8 3.1 3.1
0-60 4.4 5.2 4.3 4.2
0-70 5.8 6.9 5.5 5.6
0-80 7.4 8.9 7.0 7.1
0-90 9.4 11.4 8.8 9.0
0-100 11.8 14.4 10.9 11.3
PASSING, 45-65 MPH 2.3 2.8 2.2 2.3
QUARTER MILE 13.1 sec @ 104.2 mph 13.9 sec @ 98.8 mph 12.8 sec @ 107.9 mph 12.9 sec @ 106.2 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 123 113 103 102
LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.82 g (avg) 0.85 g (avg) 0.93 g (avg) 0.90 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT 26.5 sec @ 0.72 g (avg) 26.2 sec @ 0.71 g (avg) 25.0 sec @ 0.78 g (avg) 25.0 sec @ 0.78 g (avg)
TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH 1,550 rpm 1,600 rpm 1,450 rpm 1,800 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
BASE PRICE $53,625 $48,950 $49,225 $73,295
PRICE AS TESTED $59,525 $64,525 $65,985 $84,850
STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL Yes/Yes Yes/Yes Yes/Yes Yes/Yes
AIRBAGS Dual front, f/r side, f/r curtain Dual front, front side, f/r curtain Dual front, f/r side, f/r curtain, Dual front, f/r side,
front knee f/r curtain, front knee
BASIC WARRANTY 4 yrs/50,000 miles 4 yrs/50,000 miles 4 yrs/50,000 miles 4 yrs/50,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 4 yrs/50,000 miles 4 yrs/50,000 miles 4 yrs/50,000 miles 4 yrs/50,000 miles
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 4 yrs/50,000 miles 4 yrs/Unlimited Unlimited 4 yrs/50,000 miles
FUEL CAPACITY 19.8 gal 17.7 gal 16.9 gal 19.8 gal
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON 17/24/19 mpg 19/27/22 mpg 23/29/25 mpg 17/23/19 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 211/147 kW-hrs/100 miles 177/125 kW-hrs/100 miles 147/116 kW-hrs/100 miles 198/147 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 1.05 lb/mile 0.88 lb/mile 0.76 lb/mile 1.01 lb/mile
RECOMMENDED FUEL Unleaded premium Unleaded premium Unleaded premium Unleaded premium
REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB 20.8/29.4/24.0 mpg 16.2/24.4/19.0 mpg 25.3/31.9/27.9 mpg 16.9/21.6/18.8 mpg

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 77


FIRST DRIVE | 2016 Volvo XC90

Words Scott Evans

GET SWEDED In the movie “Be Kind Rewind,”


two friends replace accidentally
The leather is of distinctly higher quality
and stitched neatly to nearly every interior
for the class of vehicle. The second-row
outboard seats are almost as good, and they
erased rental video tapes with surface. What’s not leather is intriguingly both slide and tilt. Even the third row is a
homemade re-enactments they textured metal trim or wood, with a spot of decent place to be if you’re 5-foot-9 or shorter.
call “Swedish” or “Sweded” editions. The soft-touch plastic here and there. One of the XC90’s most prominent and
new movies are quirky and a bit different, The front-row seats are comfortable and important new features is a 9-inch touch-
but honest. Volvo has always been a bit offer a surprising amount of lateral support screen that is for all intents and purposes a
quirky and different, but the honesty in tablet computer in the dash. Called Sensus,
its purpose, its function, and its intent has it’s the best touchscreen entertainment and
always been obvious. The original XC90 information system on the market. The inter-
embodied this, and the all-new SUV carries face is incredibly intuitive for anyone who’s
the mantle very well indeed. used a smartphone or tablet in the past five
Perhaps the best place to start is inside years. The functions are arranged logically
the car. Craftsmanship has always been a based on how often they’re likely to be used,
brand value, but the company is now more and it reacts just as quickly to every touch and
interested in you seeing and feeling it. swipe as your phone or tablet. It’s even got a

80 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


INSIDE OUT
The interior is a
wonderful place to
be, replete with rich
materials and a classy,
modern design. The
view out from any seat
is equally good thanks
to a low beltline, large

AN ALREADY GOOD THING GETS EVEN BETTER windows, and a standard


panoramic sunroof.
FIRST DRIVE | 2016 Volvo XC90
economy numbers haven't been announced,
but Volvo hopes to be best among three-row
luxury crossovers.
The T8 plug-in hybrid model uses a
318-horsepower version of the same engine
fitted with a starter motor-generator that
generates electricity for the hybrid compo-
nents, starts and restarts the engine as
needed, and can reduce the load on the
engine by helping under certain conditions.
Actual electric drive power happens at the
rear axle, which is fitted with an 82-hp motor
powered by a 9.2-kilowatt-hour battery in the
center tunnel. Volvo claims a total system
rating of about 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque.
With no mechanical connection between
the front and rear powertrains, it’s up to the
computer to blend power, and it does so
2016 Volvo XC90 seamlessly. In the default Hybrid mode, it
$49,895-$60,000
feels only marginally more powerful than the
BASE PRICE (T8, estimated) T6, but the Power mode makes it downright
VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, quick. Pure EV mode is strong enough to get
7-pass, 4-door SUV you around town if you’re not an aggressive
ENGINES 2.0L/316-hp/295- driver. Volvo is claiming up to 25 miles of EV
lb- supercharged driving range and 2.5 hours to charge fully
and turbocharged
DOHC 16-valve I-4; on a 240-volt plug or 5 hours on a regular
2.0L/318-hp/295-lb- 110-volt wall socket. When you’re cooking
supercharged and
turbocharged DOHC with gas, Volvo says to expect 59 mpg-e.
16-valve I-4 plus 82-hp Speeding up requires slowing down, and
rear electric motor; 400
hp/472 lb- comb (est) it’s a similar story. The T6 provides good
TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic stopping power and a nice response from
CURB WEIGHT 4,650-5,200 lb (mfr) the brake pedal. The T8 suffers from familiar
WHEELBASE 117.5 in hybrid brake issues. The pedal is abnormally
convenient home button at the bottom to get LXWXH 194.8 x 79.1 x 69.9 in firm, and the feedback is vague. Braking
you back to the homepage. 0-60 MPH 5.8-6.1 sec (mfr est) power itself is fine. Volvo says the issue will
Interior issues are minor. There’s wind EPA CITY/HWY/COMB Not yet rated be addressed before the T8 goes on sale.
noise around the upper corners of the wind- FUEL ECON Steering is also inconsistent between the
shield, faintly interrupting an otherwise quiet ON SALE IN U.S. July (T6), October two models. Both use electric power steering,
interior. It’s matched by engine noise that (T8, T6 R-Design) and both suffer odd steering weighting, as if
could be less noticeable. The unintuitive elec- rubber bands are pulling the steering back
tronic gear selector on the T8 plug-in hybrid fed to an eight-speed automatic transmission to center. In the T6, it’s barely perceptible, so
model is a minor annoyance. Finally, more and standard Haldex all-wheel-drive system. the average customer is unlikely to notice. It’s
USB plugs are strongly suggested. One in the In the default Comfort mode, the power feels more pronounced in the T8, but Volvo says
armrest just doesn’t cut it anymore. barely more than adequate for the size and that’s on the fix list, too.
In another big shift, Volvo has committed bulk of the vehicle, but dial into Power mode, What is consistent is the handling. Both
to four-cylinder engines only. Each engine is and it comes alive. The power curve builds handle well for their size and weight. Body
supercharged and turbocharged for consis- steeply as revs increase, and the transmission control is impressive with no unwanted
tent and linear power. The standard T6 model smartly and smoothly swaps gears along the movements. Both can feel tippy if you corner
employs a 316-horsepower version of this way. The all-wheel-drive system can send up hard, but that’s expected from a big SUV.
engine producing 295 lb-ft of torque. This is to 60 percent of the power to the rear wheels Otherwise, the XC90 leans smoothly on its
and is invisible to the driver. Official fuel outside tires. The fat Pirelli tires grip well
without sending much noise to the cabin.
The ride, however, is firm for a luxury SUV.
Impacts and bad road surfaces are handled
well, but you’ll feel a lot of bumps, if only
slightly. Both test vehicles available were
fitted with the optional air suspension and
adaptive dampers, so ride and handling will
likely differ on base models.
The all-new XC90 isn’t perfect, but it’s quite
close. At $49,895 to start, it’s not the cheapest
luxury three-row SUV on the market, but with
most of its equipment standard, it’s among
the best values in the class. It is altogether an
excellent luxury SUV and exactly the product
Volvo needs at this critical inflection point in
the company’s history. Q

82 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


FIRST LOOK | McLaren 570S

Let’s say you’re an unsuspecting Series” models are to serve as the entry point good. Should our air molecule and his closest
air molecule that’s just wafted to the brand with base pricing that undercuts pals strike the sharp horizontal and less sharp
in off the Allegheny Plateau and the 650S by as much as $100,000. That means vertical crease at the center of the nose and
onto the circuit at New York’s it must get by without the active aerodynamic part company, the lower ones follow the dark
Monticello Motor Club. A bunch of fund elements, variable suspension tuning, and panels through a set of vanes into the left
managers, Wall Street bankers, and entrepre- other pricey tech that differentiates McLaren’s and right low-temperature engine radia-
neurs are exercising their 911 Turbos, Aston “Super Series” (650S, 675LT, and Asia-only tors sitting just ahead of each front tire and
V12 Vantages, Audi R8 V10s, and the newest 625C) and “Ultimate Series” (P1) cars. exit via an air curtain duct and through the
road car from the world’s second-oldest F1 So the highest-energy air hitting the nose wheelwell. This angrier turbulent air washes
team, McLaren. You might get your greatest gets ushered to where it can do the greatest along the lower body-colored panels on the
thrill on a ride over and through the McLaren. doors, staying out of the high-temperature
Its designer, Rob Melville, has taken pains to radiators behind the rear scoops. Those are
make the ride easy for you by sculpting every reserved for air taking the high road. Some of
high-contrast design element in such a way as it flows over the fender and wheel flare into
to show unsuspecting air molecules like you that dark lower recess on the door. The rest
the fastest, most efficient way over, under, goes around the mirror stanchions and under
around, or through the new 540C and 570S. that upper body-colored door “tendon,”
Oh sure, every manufacturer spends which is supported by an aero wing. This
endless hours and oodles of dollars sculpting smooth, high-powered air flows through
cars in a wind tunnel these days, but few those rear radiators and out the mesh grilles
display the results as obviously as McLaren inside the McLaren-logo taillamps while the
has with its newest product line. Melville air that missed the radiators follows the dark
had little choice. His aerodynamic elements windowsill trim along the side glass and
all have to work harder because these “Sport under the flying buttresses. This detaches

WING MAN At left, you


can see the vertical door
wing that helps keep
high-energy air attached
to the body. These outer
body-color door parts
are made from SMC
plastic, but most of the
exterior body panels are
aluminum. At right, you
can peek through the
flying buttress.

It must get by without the active aero elements


and other pricey tech that differentiates
McLaren's “Super Series.”

84 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


AIRAPPARENT
SPORT SERIES DESIGN ELEMENTS SHOW AIR JUST WHERE TO GO
Words Frank Markus

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 85


FIRST LOOK | McLaren 570S

SKETCHY The original concept sketch for the


Sport Series looked remarkably similar to
this finished product. The doors preserve full
drama while opening wider for easier access.

and smooths the air tumbling off the roof, hence use this one more often than 650S box, a deep center console bin, and in-door
sucks hot air out of the engine compart- owners do. As such, it needs to be easier to compartments boost interior storage. A high
ment, and contributes up to 17 pounds of rear get in and out of, to drive, and to interact level of personalization will also be possible,
downforce at high speeds. Final drag and lift with. Toward those ends, the new “Monocell including carbon-fiber-shell racing seats
coefficients haven’t been announced, but II” carbon-fiber tub features lower sills that sized to fit. Oh, and a small fish-eye camera
Melville says leveraging this high-energy air are easier to climb over. The doors open low on the front fascia will be able to record
pays off in weight and package savings by wider and higher, easing access without “Rendezvous”-like track videos.
enabling smaller, lighter radiators. diminishing their supercar drama. There’s And what of the running gear? The M838T
If the bodywork aspires to be approach- a brand-new IRIS infotainment system E 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V-8 will be lightly
able to air molecules, the cockpit and driving controlled by a large vertical touchscreen, detuned from the current 650S spec to
dynamics aspire to be approachable to new, a more ergonomic dash, a cupholder (!), a produce 532 hp and 398 lb-ft on the entry-
possibly less-skilled buyers. Product manager larger front trunk, and space behind the front level 540C (for “Club”) and 562 hp and 443
Donna Falconer describes the target customer seats for a set of golf clubs. A proper glove lb-ft for the 570S (for “Sport”). Interestingly,
as someone who will own fewer cars and

Access to the engine


is like in a Porsche
Cayman—there's a
hatch for fluid fills only.

86 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


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FIRST LOOK | McLaren 570S

AIRY A lot of air management happens back here.


Engine-cooling air exits through the taillamps,
wheelwell pressure escapes around the tailpipes,
and underbody flow uses the big diffuser.

access to the engine is like in a Porsche 100 mph a half-second quicker than a 911 at about $185K. The 540C will likely follow
Cayman—there’s a hatch for fluid fills only. Turbo S (that would make it 6.2 seconds, in 2016, priced at $165K and featuring a less
Removing the screens and panels covering according to our figures), with 0-200 km/h aggressive splitter and diffuser and different
the rest of the engine is a service procedure (124 mph) happening 0.4 second quicker interior trim than on this 570S, which is
requiring tools. The transmission is essen- than in a Lambo Huracán (for 8.8 seconds). decked out in optional carbon-fiber trim.
tially the same seven-speed twin-clutch box AWD launch traction will give these and other (Those parts would otherwise be painted dark
from the 650S, and the basic suspension competitors an advantage off the line and palladium.) That’s $80K-$100K less than a
geometry and setup will likely carry over, but through 60 mph, but then McLaren never 650S for a carbon-tubbed, mid-engine, track-
with conventional anti-roll bars and fixed- competed in NHRA drag racing. Its cars shine focused car that looks a lot like a $1.15 million
rate shocks in place of the adaptive elements. on handling circuits. P1—and nothing like a million other 911s. The
McLaren lists the dry weight as 37 pounds These youngest heirs to the McLaren road- choice would be clear if I were the New York
lighter than the 650S and promises both car throne will hit dealerships in the fourth banker with the Monticello membership. Or
models will boast class-leading weight-to- quarter of 2015, first with the 570S, priced that unsuspecting air molecule. Q
power, enabling the 570S to accelerate to

2016 McLaren 540C & 570S


BASE PRICE RANGE $165,000-$185,000 (est)
VEHICLE LAYOUT Mid-engine, RWD, 2-pass,
2-door coupe
ENGINE 3.8L/532-562-hp/398-443-
lb- twin-turbo DOHC
32-valve V-8
TRANSMISSION 7-speed twin-clutch auto
CURB WEIGHT 3,150-3,200 lb (mfr)
WHEELBASE 105.1 in
LXWXH 178.3 x 74.6 x 47.3 in
0-60 MPH 2.9-3.0 sec (MT est)
EPA CITY/HWY/ Not yet rated
COMB FUEL ECON
ON SALE IN U.S. Fourth quarter 2015 (570S);
early 2016 (540C)

88 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


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FIRST TEST | 2014 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4

“Better than any Ferrari I’ve ever driven!”


94 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
NING
THIS LAMBORGHINI PRODUCES SMILES
THAT LAST LONGER THAN FOUR HOURS
Words Jonny Lieberman Photogr
aphs Michael Shaffer

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 95


FIRST TEST | 2014 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4

When writing a car review, I


generally try to throw some Pirelli P Zero tires (245/30R20 front, 305/30R20
misdirection into the first rear), a good but not particularly aggressive
paragraph to keep the reader street tire. Zero to 60 mph happens in 2.8
guessing. Not here. “Wow, wow, wow, WOW! seconds. That’s very quick, especially for a
That’s better than any Ferrari I’ve ever driven!” naturally aspirated car. Just to give you some
So exclaimed Motor Trend hot shoe Randy context, the Huracán’s obvious competitors— THE STUFF This is why we used to love
Pobst as he swung open the Lamborghini the Ferrari 458 Italia and McLaren 650S—both Lamborghinis. Look at those crazy shapes.
The Huracán changes the narrative.
Huracán’s door and jumped onto his feet. need 3.0 seconds. The normally giant-slaying
His smile was a mile wide. Randy had Nissan GT-R NISMO hits 60 mph in 2.9 McLaren P1 (9.8 at 148.9 mph). The LaFerrari?
just finished five laps of Big Willow, the seconds. Granted, a Porsche 991 Turbo S is Who knows? Ferrari won’t let anyone test the
infamously high-speed track north of Los quicker, hitting 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. damn thing. Anyhow, the Huracán keeps and
Angeles. Randy usually performs three hot Things get especially noteworthy in the bests some pretty good company.
laps for us when he’s trying to set a fast time. quarter mile. The Ferrari needs 11.1 seconds at As for other measurements, stopping from
“I took a couple extra because the car’s so 125.2 mph. The Nissan needs 11.0 flat at 126.6 60 mph requires a very average 104 feet. Randy
good,” he admitted. Randy’s not alone. I let mph. The Porsche needs 10.9 seconds at 123.7 noted that his only gripe about the Huracán
one of our video guys drive Kermit the Lambo mph. The kooky-quick McLaren needs only was the brakes. Not necessarily the brakes
to grab a spare battery. When he climbed out 10.7 seconds at 134.0 mph. The Lamborghini themselves, but the ABS software that lets the
of the Huracán, he hugged me. Huracán beats ’em all, requiring only 10.6 tires lock up under hard braking. However,
Let’s just cut right to the performance seconds to travel 1,320 feet with a trap speed the McLaren 650S takes 105 feet, whereas the
figures. The 3,419-pound Huracán is AWD of 132.8 mph. A couple of points: Ferrari never Ferrari 458 needs only 99 feet. The Turbo S
and has a mid-mounted, 5.2-liter naturally let us test a 458 Speciale, and the McLaren takes 100 feet, and the NISMO needs just 97. I
aspirated V-10 with 602 horsepower and 413 675LT isn’t on sale until later this summer. should also mention that the other four cars
lb-ft of torque. That howler of a motor sends Moreover, the Huracán is quicker than its were wearing much more aggressive rubber.
its fury to a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox. big brother, the Aventador, which needs 2.9 That leads me to my next point, our figure-
The following numbers were recorded on seconds to hit 60 mph and runs the quarter eight test. The obnoxiously green ($4,500 for
mile in 10.8 seconds at 132.3 mph. the paint) Lambo requires 23.0 seconds to do
ALIEN TECH The red cover over Of course, those are the numbers for the the deed. The McLaren takes 23.1, the Ferrari
the start button now sports a hole hefty 4,109-pound U.S.-spec Aventador. takes 24.0, the Porsche Turbo S takes 23.0, and
so you don’t have to lift it. In Italy we tested one that weighed 3,817 the Nissan GT-R NISMO needs 23.1. Had the
pounds, hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, and did Huracán worn tires like the others it would
the quarter mile in 10.6 seconds at 133.9 mph. have easily broken into the 22s.
Caveat emptor. As it stands, production cars We wound up running the Huracán at
we’ve tested that are quicker in the quarter Big Willow with Pirelli Trofeo Rs. Why? The
mile are the Bugatti Veyron (10.4 at 139.9 P Zeros were pretty mangled after a day of
mph), Porsche 918 (10.0 at 145.2 mph), and testing (and mock testing for video). The

The Huracán lit up my supercar cortex like a supernova. It's truly special.

96 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


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FIRST TEST a guideline than an out-and-out result. The
good news? We’re getting a Huracán back and
will retest at Big Willow with proper tires.
As I often say, those are just numbers.
I want to get back to the top, back to what
Randy proclaimed. The Lamborghini
Huracán is one of the three best perfor-
mance cars I’ve ever driven—the other two
were the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Pagani
Huayra. There’s a part of my brain—call it the
supercar cortex—that starts tingling when
I get behind the wheel of something truly
special. The Huracán lit it up like a super-
nova. Is the Huracán better than the other
Italians? Impossible to say without driving
the three back to back. But I will note that the
458 is basically out of production, soon to be
2014 Lamborghini Huracán replaced by the (turbocharged) 488 GTB, and
BASE PRICE $243,695 the Pagani starts life at $1.75 or so million.
only spare set of wheels we had was skinned PRICE AS TESTED $269,305 Why is the Huracán so great? The glorious,
in Trofeo Rs. The bad news? They’re not a naturally aspirated engine is part of it. This
VEHICLE LAYOUT Mid-engine, AWD,
factory option. The factory optional tires for 2-pass, 2-door coupe green monster didn’t have the optional
the Huracán are P Zero Corsas or Rossos. Why ENGINE 5.2L/602-hp/413-lb- magnetic dampers. Instead there’s a fixed
did we have the wrong tires? I don’t know. But DOHC 40-valve V-10 suspension that beat me up at 75 mph on
we had to change them. So the result you’re TRANSMISSION 7-speed twin-clutch the freeway (especially after climbing out of
about to read gets a big fat asterisk next to auto. an S65 AMG) but behaved near perfectly at
it. Randy lapped Big Willow’s bumpy 2.42 CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,419 lb (42/58%) 150-plus mph on the racetrack and even better
miles in 1:25.17. A blisteringly quick time. WHEELBASE 103.1 in when tearing up a back road. My gut says this
For instance, the McLaren 650S does it in LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 175.6 x 75.7 x 45.9 in is the suspension you want. This Huracán
1:25.88. The NISMO does it in 1:25.70, and the 0-60 MPH 2.8 sec also didn’t have Dynamic Steering, which
Porsche takes 1:27.17. (We never tested the QUARTER MILE 10.6 sec @ 132.8 mph sounds to me like something out of the Audi
Ferrari 458 at Big Willow.) But yeah, cheater BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 104 parts bin. After all, the Huracán is a mechan-
tires. Is it within the realm of possibilities LATERAL ACCELERATION 1.02 g (avg) ical twin of the Audi R8. I know I’ll hear about
that the person who purchases a $269,305 MT FIGURE EIGHT 23.0 sec @ 0.98 g (avg) it in the letters, but I’ve always hated Audi’s
car might go down to Tire Rack and pick EPA CITY/HWY/COMB 14/20/16 mpg adjustable steering. There’s no good setting,
up a set of Trofeo R tires for track use? You FUEL ECON and the wheel feels numb no matter what you
betcha. However, consider this lap time more ENERGY CONS, 241/169 kW-hrs/100 choose. The Huracán’s steering is so excellent
CITY/HWY miles
that Randy didn’t know the car was AWD until
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 1.20 lb/mile after his laps. I also think the thin, nearly
cushionless carbon-fiber seats help overall
performance by keeping the weight down.
The Huracán is the first Lamborghini
that lives up to the promise of its striking,
gorgeous design. When Ferruccio
Lamborghini founded his car company in
1963, the idea was that his cars would not only
be an alternative to Enzo Ferrari’s prancing
stallions, but would in fact be better. It’s
taken them 52 years, but now there exists
a Lamborghini that is easily as good as the
Ferrari it directly competes against. And if you
believe me and Randy, the Huracán’s better. Q
The Huracán's fixed suspension is nearly
perfect when tearing up back roads.

98 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


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61585/62387 69054/62603
LOT NO. 94141 LOT NO. 67979
69874 61839/62359 Includes two 1.5V SR44

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61913

$110
61914 Item 67979

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R ! 4 PIECE 1" x 15 FT. R ! 26", 4 DRAWER R ! WIRELESS SECURITY R ! 1 TON CAPACITY


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SAVE SAVE Capacity 69590/61910 $150 69512/61858

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LOT NO. 95659
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93068

Item 90984
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Item
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$ 99 11
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Item
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$ 17999
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42305/69044
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19" • 300 lb.


$ 1999
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99 32879 99 154
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FIRST DRIVE | Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

ALL ABOUT
THAT BASS
A TRUNK FULL OF JUNK IS A BEAUTIFUL THING

102 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


I’m convinced there’s no more that if I’d listened to the rest of the song, but
blatant sign that you’ve aged out I was too busy yelling at kids to get off my
of the hip crowd than when you lawn. Thankfully, the song isn’t another crass
have to ask for an explanation of objectification of women but rather a positive
lingo the kids use these days. It seems like not message about ignoring unrealistic beauty
that long ago I was DJ-ing high school dances standards and loving yourself as you are.
and up on the latest songs and pop culture. Also now tragically unhip, like me, are
Peers and elders used to ask me what the new station wagons. Sure, there are die-hard fans,
slang meant. Then the song “All About That particularly in the automotive media. For
Bass” came out. Having heard only the ultra- most people, though, they’re SUVs without
repetitive chorus, I assumed it was about the ability to see over traffic and therefore
YOU'RE COVERED If and when someone says
bass. I felt very old when it was explained as pointless. If wagons had feelings, they might “I hope you’ve got a big trunk ’cause I'm going to
a euphemism for booty. I would’ve known have body image problems. But as the song put my bike in it,” you'll be ready.

Words Scott Evans

By modern automotive beauty standards, that big booty isn't sexy,


but the VW Golf SportWagen is having none of that fat-shaming.
JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 103
FIRST DRIVE

2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen


BASE PRICE RANGE $22,215-$25,415
says, “Every inch of you is perfect from the might stall it. More throttle cures all. On the
VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD,
bottom to the top.” Yes, I Googled the lyrics. 5-pass, 4-door wagon plus side, none of this criticism applies to the
The defining characteristic of a wagon, of ENGINES 1.8L/170-hp/184-199-lb- brakes, which work just as nicely as the Golf’s.
course, is a large trunk with ample space for turbocharged DOHC You’ll find the rest of the cabin equally
junk. By modern automotive beauty stan- 16-valve I-4; 2.0L/150- Golf-like. The seats are just as comfortable,
hp/236-lb- turbodiesel
dards, that big booty isn’t sexy. Sure, there DOHC 16-valve I-4
the information and entertainment system
are shooting brakes that look slick, but they is the same, it’s just as quiet, and it’s even
sacrifice the wagon’s key feature (space) in TRANSMISSIONS 5-speed manual, 6-speed as easy to see out of, as they’ve just moved
manual, 6-speed
the name of image. Fortunately for the wagon automatic, 6-speed the rear window back a bit. As you’d expect,
lovers out there, the all-new Volkswagen twin-clutch auto there’s a lot more room for cargo than in the
Golf SportWagen is having none of that fat- CURB WEIGHT 3,100-3,250 lb (mfr) standard Golf—30.4-66.5 cubic feet versus
shaming. It’s unapologetically a wagon, and WHEELBASE 103.5-103.7 in 22.8-52.7. That tops some compact crossovers.
there’s plenty to love about it. LXWXH 179.6 x 70.8 x 58.3 in Stealing another trick from those crossovers,
Forget sheetmetal-deep beauty and 0-60 MPH 8.1-9.2 sec (MT est) the SportWagen now has rear seat release
appreciate the SportWagen’s inner beauty. EPA CITY/HWY/COMB 25-31/35-43/29-35 mpg levers in the cargo area for easy seat folding
Underneath, it’s a Golf, and the new Golf is FUEL ECON and cargo loading. The load floor is also
a good car. So good we named it Car of the ENERGY CONSUMPTION, 122-135/88-96 slightly lower and wider than before, and the
CITY/HWY kW-hrs/100 miles
Year. The Golf is well-designed, well-built, tailgate opens nearly vertically. Don’t let its
drives nicely, handles well, and gets good fuel CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.63-0.68 lb/mile Golf-ness fool you. This car is made to haul.
economy. And the SportWagen is a Golf with a ON SALE IN U.S. Currently Crossover-like cargo capacity doesn’t mean
big rear end, which is a sincere compliment. crossover-like fuel economy, though. It's
It drives like a slightly heavier Golf, as you so we expect the heavier SportWagen to reach actually a little better in the city than the Golf
might assume. That the extra weight is in the 60 mph in just more than 8 seconds on gas with the TDI manual. Highway economy slips
back makes little difference. The SportWagen and just more than 9 seconds with the diesel. a bit with all transmission options. Still, with
rides quite nicely with a touch of sporty firm- On the gas car, power delivery comes via a the diesel pulling 43 mpg on the highway,
ness. Taking a corner, the SportWagen feels five-speed manual or six-speed auto. On the there isn’t a CUV that can touch it.
like it’s carrying a bit more weight up top— diesel, choose between a six-speed manual or The new Golf SportWagen might not
because it is—but the body is well-controlled six-speed dual-clutch auto. Regardless of total single-handedly convince the majority of the
and leans confidently on its tires. It’s not gear count, the manuals both have somewhat buying public that wagons are cool or that a
easily upset by bumps or dips and can be long but accurate shifter throws and go into bigger backside is as beautiful as a smaller
driven aggressively without complaint. gear with a satisfactory click. Just like in a one, but it will continue to be an excellent car
If there’s one place you might notice a Golf. Also like a Golf, the two autos return and give owners continued reason to boast to
difference, it’s in acceleration. We haven’t smooth, snappy gear changes, the dual-clutch their friends about their great station wagon.
tested the SportWagen yet, but it feels more being just a bit snappier. As with the Golf And if you’re all about that literal bass, there’s
sluggish than the lighter Golf. It runs the again, the manual transmission’s clutch isn’t a Fender stereo package that bumps pretty
same 170-hp, 1.8-liter turbo-four and 150-hp, as grabby as you’d expect, and the uninitiated well, too. Q
2.0-liter turbodiesel four as the standard Golf,

SURF WAGON Our editor-in-chief


can rest assured his surfboard
will fit in the SportWagen.

104 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


ALLOW EXTRA
TIME TO PUT ON
YOUR LEGS.
Brandon, Age 31, Diagnosed at 18
North Dakota

Smoking causes immediate damage to your body.


For Brandon, it caused Buerger’s disease, which
cut off blood flow and led to amputation. You can
quit. For free help, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
MR.POP
FIRST DRIVE | Ford Edge FROM BREAKOUT FRESHMAN TO STANDOUT SOPHOMORE
Within minutes after I posted a
2015 Ford Edge Titanium photo
on Instagram, the comments
already showed a consis-
tent theme: “Looks like the RAV4,” wrote
mrbrightside725. “Doesn’t the new Edge look
like the Santa Fe?” asked rdederick. “Nice
Honda CR-V,” noted danieljay6910. But it was
j_runemova_23’s post that stood out most:
“Looks like everything else all together.” The
popular Web meme I SEEN’T IT! instantly
came to mind. My Instagram insta-poll was Words
Wo
Wor
W ordds
s
clear: The Edge’s design is a little too familiar. Nate Martinez
But Kevin George, the Ford Edge’s chief
designer, seemed to see this coming when
he talked to journalists the night before
an event in Scottsdale, Arizona. “We didn’t
want to reinvent what we had,” he said as he
pointed out its uncomplicated exterior and
familiar proportions. “We wanted to leverage
the good.” And out here in the intense
Arizona sunlight on State Route 188, the
actual Edge (as compared with my posted
pic) appears simultaneously handsome and
modern to the max—though not as in-your-
face as, say, the 2015 Nissan Murano, a key
competitor. “It’s a runner now,” George said.
“Slender but muscular.”
The 2015 Edge’s ground-up redesign adds
1 inch to its predecessor’s wheelbase, a bit
less than 2 inches to its height, and nearly 4
inches to its length. Horizontal all-LED tail-
lamps now wrap around the sharply beveled
corner, almost to the C-pillar, and the simpli-
fied nose incorporates slim headlights and
a familial three-bar grille (and models with
EcoBoost engines have active grille shutters).
Behind those grilles purrs a 2.7-liter
EcoBoost V-6 with 315 horses for the
nimble Sport version (its only engine) or
a 245-horse, 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-four
powering the front-drive Titanium trim

The Edge appears handsome


and modern to the max but not as
in-your-face as its competition.
106 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
ULARITY

(also available with a 3.5-liter V-6 and all-


wheel drive). Both have six-speed automatic
transmissions with paddle shifters that I
put to very good use on Route 188’s frequent
steep hills. The twin-scroll 2.0-liter isn't as
punchy, but it’s capable—just not as fluid as
the smoother 2.7. (It’s hard to beat 350 lb-ft
available at just 2,750 rpm.) A runner? You
betcha, Mr. George.
The 2015 Edge’s swiftness is helped by a
structure 50 pounds lighter and an all-new
independent rear suspension, and although
it’s still a top-heavy people-mover, both
EcoBoosted flavors responded deftly with
a sense of refined sturdiness on curva-
ceous pavement cutting through the Tonto
SIMPLE Clean body lines lend a simpler National Forest. Predictably, the Edge Sport
yet fashionable look to the Edge's familiar
proportions. Subtle tweaks such as black was the deftest, given its 265/40R21 Pirelli
accents visually distinguish the Sport. Scorpion Verde all-season tires, 10 percent

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 107


FIRST DRIVE

2015 Ford Edge


BASE PRICE RANGE $28,995-$40,490
stiffer springs, monotube rear dampers, and VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD/AWD, heard, helped, no doubt, by the Active Noise
5-pass, 4-door SUV
thicker anti-roll bars. Curiously, it delivered Cancellation system, which pumps opposing
a suppler ride than the front-drive Titanium ENGINES 2.0L/245-hp/275-lb- sound waves into the space. The Titanium
turbocharged DOHC
model on 20-inch alloys, which tended to 16-valve I-4; 2.7L/315- FWD is no less silent.
bounce over bigger obstacles rather than hp/350-lb- twin-turbo The end of my drive gave a good chance
absorb them like the Sport. DOHC 24-valve V-6; to climb around the 2015 Edge’s interior.
3.5L/280-hp/250-lb-
The cooled and heated 10-way power adjust- DOHC 24-valve V-6
Nearly every front and rear seating dimen-
able front seats of the Edge Titanium and Sport sion—headroom, legroom, shoulder room,
provide good comfort and support in bumps TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic hiproom—has seen modest growth. So too has
and corners, but the crossover’s big stride CURB WEIGHT 3,900-4,100 lb (mfr) cargo space behind the second row (39.2 cubic
in cabin quietness is even more noticeable. WHEELBASE 112.2 in feet versus 32.2). And all around me, softer,
Robust insulation, extensive body sealing, LXWXH 188.1 x 75.9 x 68.6 in higher-quality, painted, and plated accents
and acoustic windshield glass and under- 0-60 MPH 7.2-7.8 sec (MT est) decorate high-touch areas. Cubbies galore
body panels (and in the case of the Titanium, EPA CITY/HWY/ 17-20/24-30/20-24 mpg populate the dash, center console, doors, and
COMB FUEL ECON
acoustic glass for the front passenger doors) all even the space beside both knees, with 10—
ENERGY 169-198/112-140
work together to quell cabin noise to a remark- CONSUMPTION, kW-hrs/100 miles count ’em, 10—cupholders for knickknacks
able extent. Wind isn’t the only thing that CITY/HWY and beverages. Folks in the rear 60/40 split
gets hushed. Even the Sport AWD’s optional CO2 EMISSIONS, 0.82-0.99 lb/mile seat have cubbies, too, plus two 12-volt plugs
21-inch wheel/tire setup is felt more than COMB that ought to keep device-toting kids quiet for
ON SALE IN U.S. Currently hours. Outdoorsy-types will enjoy the Sport’s
Panoramic Vista Roof that expands the cabin’s
already airy feel.
Lazier drivers can opt for the Enhanced
Park Assist package that teams perpendicular
parking, parallel parking, and park out assist
technologies. The new 180-degree front camera
makes pulling out of parking spots or alleys
a stress-free task, and in a trial, the ensemble
worked flawlessly in parallel and perpendic-
ular situations, needing me to only brake and
engage forward or reverse. It does the rest.
The Edge has been the sales king in the
heated two-row-midsize CUV segment. So,
like Kendrick Lamar cementing his claim as
rap royalty with his sophomore album, getting
this one right is imperative, especially with it
headed to European and Chinese customers.
SOPHISTICATE Designers culled the The Edge might not wow Instagrammers, but
overabundance of hard plastics and focused on
upping luxuriousness and refining craftsmanship. the ahhhs it’ll receive for the beautiful accom-
They call it their “Dynamic Sanctuary.” plishments beneath its skin ought to keep it
looking good in the sales race for years. Q

108 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


THE KEYS TO SUCCESS START HERE

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ARRIVAL UPDATE ARRIVAL
AUDI BMW CHEVROLET CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
A3 1.8T M3 CAMARO Z/28 COLORADO Z71 TAHOE LT

Words Motor Trend Editors

ARRIVAL 2015 Audi A3 1.8T Christian Seabaugh


we’ll sample the three A3 variants for four months the front wheels through an S-Tronic six-speed
“I’m really geeking each: a base A3 1.8T, a diesel-sipping A3 TDI, and dual-clutch automatic.
out over our A3’s a 292-hp S3. Although Audi offers the A3 in sedan, Leather seats, HID headlamps with LED
MMI system: picture hatchback, and convertible body styles, we’ll likely running lamps and taillights, and a “panoramic”
destination, Google stick to the sedan for consistency’s sake. Each (“big” is a more apt description) sunroof are
Maps, Wi-Fi. Where do version of the A3 will get its fair share of road trips, standard. The Premium Plus trim adds heated
I sign up?” @C_Seabaugh commuting, and dealer visits. front seats, keyless start, and 18-inch wheels. We
First to arrive was this $30,795 silver A3 1.8T decided to add the $2,600 MMI Navigation Plus
sedan with the Premium Plus trim bringing it to package, which includes the most advanced
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON $33,345. Its 1.8-liter, turbocharged I-4 makes a version of Audi’s MMI infotainment system
23/33/27 MPG BASE PRICE $30,795 healthy 170 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, and it drives available. Tack on the $550 charge for our A3’s
PRICE AS TESTED $36,645

In the past year we’ve seen luxury automakers


refocus on entry-luxe models, but Audi seems to
be taking the segment the most seriously with
the new 2015 A3.
Although companies such as Acura and
Mercedes-Benz only offer up to two powertrains
and one body style with their entry-level cars,
Audi has fired off a full salvo. The A3 range
includes three gas variants, a diesel, a
PHEV, front- or all-wheel drive, and
three different body styles. And
we’re getting the chance to spend
a year with the best of the bunch.
Over the next 12 months,
Our A3’s MMI Navigation Plus system’s ability to display
114 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE Google Maps, among other things, is a big draw.
UPDATE
GMC SIERRA UPDATE HONDA ACCORD INFINITI JAGUAR F-TYPE JEEP CHEROKEE KIA UPDATE
DENALI 1500 HONDA FIT HYBRID TOURING Q50S R COUPE TRAILHAWK K900 V8 KIA SOUL

MAZDA3 S NISSAN RAM 1500 SUBARU SUBARU VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN VOLVO


GRAND TOURING VERSA NOTE ECODIESEL FORESTER XT WRX STI GOLF GTI PASSAT SPORT V60
UPDATE UPDATE

RIDE ALONG FOR UPDATES ON OUR LONG -TERM FLEET


SPECS 2015 Audi A3
55.7”
PAUL LAGUETTE

.8”
103
77.2” .4”
1 75

2015 BMW M3 Ed Loh


MT figure eight “Thanks to South Service life / 8 mo/21,011 mi
CO2 emissions 0.73 lb/mi 26.7 sec @ 0.67 g (avg) Bay BMW my Avg CO2 / 0.96 lb/mi
Energy cons / 166 kW-hrs/100 mi
2015 BMW M3’s
7.1 sec 15.5 sec 112 ft squeaky door seals
Unresolved problems / Front brake judder
Maintenance cost / $0 (oil change,
0-60 mph Quarter mile 89.2 mph Braking distance, 60-0 mph are no longer. Now inspection)
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
let’s fix this front left Normal-wear cost / $0
Engine 1.8L/170-hp/200-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 brake judder!” @edloh Base price / $62,925 As tested / $78,125
Transmission 6-speed twin-clutch auto AVERAGE MPG FUEL ECON
Curb Weight (F/R Dist) 3,138 lb (60/40%) 20.3 comb.
Lateral Acceleration 0.88 g (avg) I had three specific issues to address
Energy Cons, City/Hwy 147/102 kW-hrs/100 miles at the M3’s first service, which I was about with shop foreman” was recommended,
1,500 miles overdue for. First and foremost, presumably to demonstrate how traction
I asked the guys at South Bay BMW to control could be mistaken for the brake
Ice Silver metallic paint and the $150 bill for the diagnose and fix the incessant squeaking issue, but that drive never happened, and
chrome-tipped exhaust, and you get our A3’s coming from inside the vehicle. The brittle the brake judder (which is felt through the
$36,645 sticker. We skipped the Driver Assistance creaking over speed bumps and in and out steering wheel and not through the rear
package, which includes a backup camera, lane of steeper driveways has been maddening wheels) is still an issue.
departure warning, and blind-spot monitors, as its and my chief complaint when anyone asks The final service procedure was the
$1,400 sticker price seemed high. Time will tell if me about the car. In addition, I informed the replacement of the engine compart-
we made the right call on that one. service department of an issue that had just ment sound insulator, as part of recall
Stay tuned to see how useful the MMI info- cropped up, most recently on the drive into 0051460300. Apparently water can leak
tainment system really is and how the littlest Audi the parking lot: a juddering sensation from into the engine compartment and affect
handles big journeys. These next four months the front wheels, particularly at low speeds wiring connectors unless the insulating
before our S3 and diesel arrive are going to be fun. (below 20 mph) and only when making strip is replaced.
90-degree turns. The operating theory I Total cost for this service was exactly
passed along was that the surface of the $0. A nice touch, even though not every
brake rotor was rubbing against the pads in issue was addressed.
the calipers under load, near the extremes
of the turning radius.
When the car came back, the creaking
issue was solved. The cause of the noise
was dirty door seals, so all four seals were
cleaned and lubricated, and the creaking
disappeared. Less easy to fix was the brake
judder. The service write-up states it was
“operating as designed” and noted that
during the road-test diagnosis, “traction The newest member to the MT team, photog
control activation during hard left turn Robin Trajano, took the F80 home over the
with brakes applied.” A “client road test weekend and introduced it to grandpa E46.

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 115


LONG-TERM TEST | Updates

ARRIVAL 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Scott Burgess


owners waited for rescue shovels to arrive. This first 1,000 miles of driving. The only hang-up I’ve
“Can’t wait to test was the first time I needed to put the Colorado in encountered is an intermittent check engine light
the Colorado Z71 four-wheel drive. It’s an easy task—I just turned a indicating the closing grille shutters have frozen
package on some serious knob one click over and waited a moment for the in place when temperatures dipped below zero.
trails.”@AutoCritic indicator light to notify me when the system was When the temperature outside rose, it turned off.
engaged. Then it was just a matter of feathering A lot of features remain to test in real-world
the accelerator and backing up. No wheelspin. No driving, including the Z71 off-roading suspension.
struggle. Just cleanly driving over the 3-foot-high But that will have to wait for the upcoming months,
mound of snow that plows had created. when we’ll also measure performance numbers.
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON Our long-term tester includes
17/24/20 MPG BASE PRICE $34,990 the 305-hp, 269 lb-ft V-6 with
PRICE AS TESTED $37,265 direct-injection mated to a
SPECS 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71
six-speed automatic. Accel-
The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, the Motor Trend eration is smooth, and there’s
70.6”

Truck of the Year, was delivered in January to serve never a desire for more power.
as the Detroit office’s long-term vehicle. Over the The 17-inch wheels riding on
next year, we’ll test everything this four-wheel-drive, Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain

PAUL LAGUETTE
Red Rock Metallic Z71 crew cab has to offer. It’s Adventure tires make highway
already assisted in one weekend move and was riding soft but still comfortable.
a champ through the heaviest of snowfalls during According to the mileage
our brutally cold winter. When I left the airport after indicator, I’ve managed to
one snowstorm, the Colorado easily pulled out of hit the Colorado’s combined
.3”
its space while many others spun their wheels and mileage of 20 mpg through the 128
74.3” .7 ”
212

MT figure eight
CO2 emissions 0.99 lb/mi Not yet tested

7.4 sec (est) Not yet tested Not yet tested


0-60 mph Quarter mile Braking distance, 60-0 mph
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck
Engine 3.6L/305-hp/269-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6
Transmission 6-speed auto
Curb Weight 4,500 lb (est)
Energy Cons, City/Hwy 198/140 kW-hrs/100 miles

116 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


LONG-TERM TEST | Updates

2015 Honda Fit EX Erick Ayapana


“Our long-term Service life / 6 mo/8,993 mi
Fit has led me to a Avg CO2 / 0.61 lb/mi
Energy cons / 106 kW-hrs/100 mi
deeper appreciation of Unresolved problems / None
volume knobs.” Maintenance cost / $0
@erkayapana Normal-wear cost / $0
Base price / $19,025 As tested / $19,025

AVERAGE MPG FUEL ECON 31.9 comb.


Don’t take volume knobs for granted. It’s
an unexpected lesson I’ve learned from our (imagine scratching a puppy in its crate) until
long-term 2015 Honda Fit EX, which has a fancy your desired volume is reached. It’s as imprecise
touchscreen infotainment system that lacks a and silly as it sounds. That said, the readers are
volume knob. A few readers pointed this out in right—the physical toggle switch on the steering
past updates, and it’s something I’ve obsessed wheel is the best way to go.
over in recent weeks. Fortunately, the volume touch slider is the
“Needs a volume knob,” one reader noted after only questionable item on the otherwise great
testing driving a Fit. “Did you end up using the infotainment system. The screen is sharp, the
steering wheel controls for adjusting the volume layout is intuitive, and the system is quick and
often?” another asked. “I found that was the only responsive. There’s even a handy info page with
sane way to do so instead of the touch slider.” a short history of fuel economy every time you
The touch slider is a 1-inch, touch-activated reset the trip computer. Interestingly enough,
bar located to the left of the 7-inch Display there are three physical buttons on the upper
Audio touchscreen. Adjusting the volume is edge of the screen (power on/off, CD eject, and
done a number of ways. You can tap the “+” or screen brightness) that I rarely (if ever) use.
“-” to increase or decrease the volume. It works There is hope because Honda hasn’t
relatively well but is slow and tedious. Pressing completely ditched the volume knob. The lower-
and holding either button also works, but again, trim Fit LX, for example, has a knob, and so does
this method is slow. our long-term, top-of-the-line Accord Hybrid
The quickest method? Use your Touring. So if Honda is on the volume-ad-
pointer finger to tap the volume bar justing fence, then here’s my vote for
and then rapidly swipe it up or down the trusty, old-fashioned knob.

The touch-activated volume slider looks more intuitive than it


is. The steering wheel-mounted toggle switch saves the day.
LONG-TERM TEST | Updates A cargo tray would help keep mud and melted
snow from ruining the cargo area’s carpet.

FIX NASTY
SCRAPES
FOR LITTLE
SCRATCH 2014 Kia Soul Exclaim Karla Sanchez
“I’ve been seeing Service life / 10 mo/15,096 mi
Souls painted in Avg CO2 / 0.76 lb/mi
Energy cons / 132 kW-hrs/100 mi
Fathom Blue, black, and Unresolved problems / None
white all over the place, Maintenance cost / $73.84 (oil change, tire
See how easy it is to and they actually look— rotation, inspection)
restore that like-new finish dare I say it?—really Normal-wear cost / $0
nice!” @Karlis143 Base price / $21,295 As tested / $26,635
in just an afternoon. Watch
REAL MPG FUEL ECON 25.6 comb.
our online how-to videos
A couple things have happened over the past
to show you how. couple months with our long-term 2014 Kia Soul rear seats folded down the 40 side, three boards
Exclaim. The first is that it was taken in for its first fit just fine, but they left scratches on the back of
service a little before the suggested 7,500-mile the passenger seat and on the plastic trim on the
mark. The Soul’s oil and filter were changed, and door panel. An easy solution would be Kia’s roof
its tires were rotated for a grand total of $73.84. racks and ski/snowboard attachment, but it’s not
Another first for the Kia Soul was a day at the an option because it has a panoramic sunroof.
slopes. Although the Soul only had to transport Audi and others don’t let panoramic
our snowboards about 5 miles from the cabin to sunroofs limit roof rack installation, though.
the resorts, the boards still managed to beat up It’d be nice if Kia figured out a system allowing
the Soul’s interior quite a bit. With the 60/40 split owners to enjoy both.

Air suspension makes this full-size truck


ride and handle much better than expected.

2014 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Crew Cab 4x4 Jason Udy


“The Ram 1500’s Service life / 8 mo/19,198 mi
rearview camera Avg CO2 / 1.03 lb/mi
Energy cons / 156 kW-hrs/100 mi
and front and rear
ASSUR Unresolved problems / None
IT Y park sensors make Maintenance cost / $130.80 (2-DEF refill;
O .MR.
AN C
QU AL

.E maneuvering the big 1-oil change, tire rotation, inspection)


COLO H
E

MA T C
vehicle a breeze in Normal-wear cost / $0
UA cramped parking lots.” Base price / $45,905 As tested / $53,440
G

RANTE @MT_JasonUdy
REAL MPG FUEL ECON 21.6 comb.
With more than 20,000 miles on the odometer
Paint pens
and our previous issues resolved, it’s time to talk The Ram 1500 can charge up to five devices
½ oz and 2 oz bottles pros and cons of the Ram 1500’s interior. at once. The audio system plays music via SD,
12 oz spray cans The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, USB, or Bluetooth and is further enhanced by
Ready-to-spray pints, heated seats, and the remote engine start make the optional nine-speaker audio system with a
chilly mornings more bearable—especially subwoofer and amplifier.
quarts and gallons during trips to the Rocky Mountains or Northern I’ve enjoyed my time living in the Ram 1500
California. With its 10-way power driver’s seat, EcoDiesel, but there are a few missing options
Automotivetouchup.com the Ram 1500 accommodates drivers of various
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The Cherokee easily swallows my new 13-foot kayak. LONG-TERM TEST | Updates
WELCOME
TO THE
In all seriousness, I have a rack coming.

PASSING
LANE.
2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk William Walker
“Clunk! Obviously Service life / 10 mo/19,296 mi
the nine-speed still Avg CO2 / 1.01 lb/mi
Energy cons / 176 kW-hrs/100 mi
needs some fine-tuning.” Unresolved problems / None
@mt_dubdub Maintenance cost / $0 (oil change,
tire rotation, inspection)
Normal-wear cost / $0
Base price / $30,490 As tested / $37,265
REAL MPG FUEL ECON 19.2 comb.
Hopefully the third time is the charm. It
seems like every few months our Jeep Cherokee odd noises and the check engine light came
Trailhawk needs to have its transmission on, so she exited the freeway. She had to restart
re-flashed. We mentioned the first update way the vehicle in order to break it of its glitch, but it
back in February, when Rory Jurnecka reported continued to make odd noises. The fix came in
improvements after the transmission program- another re-flash. The transmission, in Jeep’s words,
ming was updated at the 10,000-mile service. had “lost communication with the ECU.”
The second update came when photo editor And that brings us to the current update. As we
Julia LaPalme was momentarily stranded when reported in February, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is
the Jeep failed to shift into gear. While driving preparing yet another update for the nine-speed.
back from a photo shoot, the car began to make Hopefully this time they will get it right.

Thule’s Aeroblade
roof rack system
installed quickly
and easily, and it
generates minimal
wind noise.

2015 Volkswagen GTI Rory Jurnecka


“The GTI provides Service life / 3 mo/3,552 mi NOW ANYTIME CAN BE
Avg CO2 / 0.69 lb/mi
just enough fun on
Energy cons / 135 kW-hrs/100 mi GO-TIME. K&N ® High-Flow
the daily commute to Unresolved problems / None
keep things interesting. Air Filters ™ are designed to
Maintenance cost / $0
And that DSG is a clutch- Normal-wear cost / $0 increase horsepower with up
leg saver.” Base price / $25,815 As tested / $33,205 to 50% more airflow. And with
@RoryJurnecka
five-minute installation, better
AVERAGE MPG FUEL ECON 24.8 comb.
The GTI has proven itself to be a capable
performance doesn’t get much
commuter even when stuffed to its wheelwells. commute is 32 miles. With Southern California easier. Order yours online today.
As I discovered during weekends of shuttling traffic, I’m spending 2 hours in my car every day.
five people at once, the GTI rides just as well fully Stopping and starting, stopping and starting. I’ve KNFILTERS.COM | 800-858-3333
loaded as it does with just me behind the wheel. spent plenty of time in manual-equipped cars for
Many online commenters have voiced their this commute, but there’s just no way around the
displeasure about our choice of the GTI with a fact that an automated transmission is a better
DSG dual-clutch gearbox instead of the manual. proposition as a daily driver; I already have two
To that, I’ll say this: I’ve driven manual GTIs, and manual-equipped weekend toys in my garage.
yes, they’re more involving than the DSG version. Considering that VW’s paddle-shift DSG is pretty
But (and this is a major but) my daily round-trip sporty when I want it to be, I’d say it’s a win-win.

SUPERIOR AIRFLOW.
SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE. ™
LONG-TERM TEST | Verdict

2014 Nissan Rogue SL AWD Christian Seabaugh


Service life / 12 mo / 21,550 mi
“Hope I don’t lose Base price / $30,280
Options / Premium package ($1,990),
any car guy street auto-dimming mirror ($310)
cred admitting this, but Price as tested / $32,580
I’m really gonna miss my Avg fuel econ/CO2 / 23.3 mpg / 0.84 lb/mi
Rogue.” @C_Seabaugh Problem areas / Rattling sunroof, power
window, tailgate
Maintenance cost* / $648.61 (4-oil change,
inspection; 2-tire rotation; 1-cabin-air filter,
In an age of people arguing with Internet strangers engine-air filter, brake fluid change)
about which performance car has the most Normal-wear cost / $0 (front brake rotor resur-
horsepower or which automaker took the biggest face, pad replacement, battery replacement)
bailout, it’s refreshing to drive something as honest, 3-year residual value** / $16,290
Recalls / Front hub bolts, loose lug nuts,
simple, and controversy-free as the Nissan Rogue.
steering shaft bolt
Our Brilliant Silver family-oriented crossover
really became a part of my family over the past EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 25/32/28 MPG
21,000 miles. Always willing and able, the Rogue REAL MPG CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON *Est, including missed 5,000-mile and warranty-discounted
took the girl, the dogs, and me to work and the dog 20.1/28.2/23.1 20,000-mile services. **Automotive Lease Guide data
park every day, to Northern California to visit family,
and to Lake Tahoe to plan our wedding. It was Although the memories are nice, my favorite right up against the fronts, making it impossible
ever-present, always happy to be along for the trip. thing about the Rogue was how versatile it was. for our dogs to fall off the seats during road trips
Memories were made in that Rogue, from getting It was just as happy hauling five adults and their while maximizing cargo capacity. The latter was just
nicked for (allegedly) speeding by the ever-vigilant gear to the beach as it was being filled from the as suited for dividing and organizing groceries as
California Highway Patrol to enjoying sunshine front seats back with boxes on a long road trip. The it was swallowing up boxes, suitcases, and even
and warm ocean air with the windows dropped, sliding rear seats and Divide-N-Hide cargo area bikes. Talk about efficient storage solutions.
panoramic roof open, the sound system bumpin’, really allowed the Rogue to excel at hauling duties. A long road trip in another MT vehicle really drove
and dogs happily hanging out the windows. The former allowed us to position the rear seats this point home. I’ve made the 550-mile journey from

After 21,550 hard miles, our Nissan


Rogue’s interior was as good as new,
120 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015 with no signs of any real wear or tear.
2014 Nissan Rogue SL AWD
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD
ENGINE TYPE I-4, aluminum block/head
VALVETRAIN DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
DISPLACEMENT 151.8 cu in/2,488cc
COMPRESSION RATIO 10.0:1
POWER (SAE NET) 170 hp @ 6,000 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET) 175 lb- @ 4,400 rpm
REDLINE 6,200 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER 21.4 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION Cont. variable auto
AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO 5.69:1/2.15:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR Struts, coil springs, anti-roll
bar; multilink, coil springs,
anti-roll bar
STEERING RATIO 17.1:1
TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK 3.0
BRAKES, F;R 11.8-in vented disc; 11.7-in

The Rogue never felt taxed with our usual load of two WHEELS
vented disc, ABS
7.0 x 18-in, cast aluminum

or three suitcases, two backpacks, dog beds, and food. TIRES

DIMENSIONS
225/60R18 100H M+S
Dunlop Grandtrek ST30

SoCal to NorCal in the Rogue many times, and the window would refuse to rise after being lowered, WHEELBASE 106.5 in
Rogue never felt taxed with our usual load of two or randomly coming back into action again after a TRACK, F/R 62.8/62.8 in
three suitcases, two backpacks, dog beds, food, period of sitting. The power-operated tailgate LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 182.3 x 72.4 x 66.3 in
and a handful of other miscellaneous items. Over also went haywire, refusing to stay open and GROUND CLEARANCE 7.4 in
the Christmas break, I opted to take MT’s long-term even causing damage to one of the taillights. The APPROACH/DEPART ANGLE 17.4/25.0 deg
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk on the same trip with the window and tailgate issues were addressed by
TURNING CIRCLE 37.4
same usual load of cargo. I was surprised to find the replacing a control module and the battery at no
CURB WEIGHT 3,633 lb
cargo area filled from floor to ceiling, blocking my cost during its 20,000-mile service.
view through the back glass. It felt cramped in the Speaking of service, after accidentally missing WEIGHT DIST., F/R 57/43%
Jeep—it never felt that way in the Nissan. its first, the Rogue made three scheduled stops TOWING CAPACITY 1,000 lb
Like any family member, the Rogue was lovable at our local Nissan dealer for service. These three SEATING CAPACITY 5
but not without its flaws. It was slow off the line, oil changes, two tire rotations, cabin air filter and HEADROOM, F/R 39.5/36.6 in
for instance, making the stoplight race to the turn engine air filter replacements, and a brake fluid LEGROOM, F/R 43.0/37.9 in
lane a difficult endeavor. The Rogue also never change set us back $329.88. Although we got a
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R 56.6/55.9 in
lived up to the promise of its lofty 25/32/28 mpg break on the 20,000-mile service because of the
CARGO VOLUME BEH F/R 70.0/32.0 cu
city/highway/combined EPA numbers; over its 12 warranty repairs being done at the same time, had
months with us, the Rogue achieved 23.3 mpg, we paid for all four scheduled service stops, we’d TEST DATA
just a hair better than its 23.1 combined Real MPG have spent $648.61 servicing the Rogue. We’ve ACCELERATION TO MPH
score. The Rogue’s observed fuel economy was had a fair amount of family crossovers pass through 0-30 3.3 sec
bested by our old long-term 2014 Subaru Forester our garage over the past few years, and the Rogue 0-40 4.9
2.5i Touring (25.6 mpg observed), 2013 Mazda is on the high-end of the maintenance-cost spec- 0-50 6.8
CX-5 Grand Touring 2.0 (26.4 mpg), and 2013 trum. Our Forester cost us nothing to service, our
0-60 9.1
Honda CR-V (26.5 mpg). CR-V $220.66, and our CX-5 $456.21.
0-70 12.0
The Rogue also had a few minor quality issues Over my past half-dozen or so months with the
during its last 5,000 miles in our garage. Although Nissan Rogue, the question I most often got about 0-80 15.7
always mechanically sound, the panoramic sunroof it from friends, family, and neighbors was, “Would 0-90 20.1
started making sounds above 40 mph. The dealer you buy one?” Personally, no; it’s overkill for what PASSING, 45-65 MPH 4.7
was able to replicate the issue but couldn’t actually I need, and the Lexus RX-lookalike styling isn’t my QUARTER MILE 17.0 sec @ 83.2 mph
fix the rattle as nothing was technically broken. cup of tea. But would I recommend it to someone BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 118
There also were a few electrical gremlins hiding in the market for a crossover SUV? In a heartbeat.
LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.77 g (avg)
in the left-rear passenger door window and in the Without hesitation. I truly loved my time in the
MT FIGURE EIGHT 28.9 sec @ 0.58 g (avg)
tailgate. On two or three occasions, the left-rear Rogue and know that it’d just as easily make itself
part of someone else’s family as it did mine. TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH 2,000 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
BASE PRICE $30,280
PRICE AS TESTED $32,580
STABILITY/TRACTION Yes/yes
CONTROL
AIRBAGS Dual front, front side,
f/r curtain
BASIC WARRANTY 3 yrs/36,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 5 yrs/60,000 miles
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 3 yrs/36,000 miles
FUEL CAPACITY 14.5 gal
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON 25/32/28 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 135/105 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS 0.70 lb/mile
REAL MPG CITY/HWY/COMB 20.1/28.2/23.1 mpg
RECOMMENDED FUEL Unleaded regular

JUNE 2015 / MOTORTREND.COM 121


LONG-TERM TEST | Verdict

2013 Tesla Model S P85+ Kim Reynolds


Service life / 17 mo / 38,054 mi software updates. … Let me inhale here. … The first
“The legacy car-building Base price / $94,900 with a gigantic, reconfigurable multi-touchscreen.
establishment is ripe for Options / ‘+’ suspension, wheel, and tire And the first to challenge the powerful dealer-
overturning by fast-moving tech upgrade ($6,500); tech package ($4,250); ship establishment with company-owned Tesla
third-row seats ($2,500); air suspension
companies versed in silicon, not ($2,250); dual charger ($2,000)
stores in fashionable malls (designed by George
steel.” @MT_Reynolds Price as tested / $112,400 Blankenship, who created the Apple Store). Being a
Avg fuel econ* / 86.2 mpg-e Silicon Valley carmaker means not comprehending
Problem areas / Motor replacement, steering what you can’t do.
knuckle replacement, sunroof Many verdicts. Let’s start with reliability. Besides
I’ve known Alec Brooks longer than either of us Maintenance cost / $0 some simple maintenance, our car’s only unsched-
can precisely remember, but during a recent lunch Normal-wear cost / $1,760 (new tires) uled attention was due to a flat tire on the 405 (the
he mentioned something that startled me. “Did I 3-year residual value** / $53,307 “Tesla Rangers” arrived in 45 minutes and swapped
ever tell you that I was once interviewed to be the Recalls / None on a spare), a nail in another, and a defiantly
Model S’ chief engineer?” I put my coffee cup down squeaky sunroof that eventually just squeaked itself
as my journalist’s antenna rose. EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON out. The technicians often proactively updated the
Brooks is a pioneer of the modern electric car 88/90/89 MPG-E car to a startling degree, including new suspension
who once gave me a ride in the GM Impact, the AVERAGE MPG FUEL ECON* 86.2 MPG-E bushings and replacing a steering knuckle when
catalyst that convinced GM to build the EV1. “I *Performed in the manner of Real MPG testing. they noticed it was loose, and the power unit itself
immediately got into an argument with Musk, and **Based on Tesla resale price guarantee when they heard a clicking sound in the single-
that was that,” he said. “But I worked there for a speed reduction gears. All for free. Our commu-
while anyway as director of vehicle technology In reality, the Model S is a car with as many nications were via quick texts on a first-name
during the Model S’ early planning.” Astonishingly, verdicts as it represents groundbreaking firsts: It’s basis (Hi, Mark!) and frankly, the whole thing was
Brooks had yet to drive the final product. At the the first EV with gas-competitive range. The first breathtakingly Apple Store Genius Bar compared to
conclusion of our lunch I slipped him our long-term mass-produced EV with shattering performance. the Victorian horrors of traditional dealerships.
car’s keys for a week I was about to be away on The first you can genuinely road-trip via its world- OK, but isn’t that replaced motor/tranny unit a
a trip. What would be the verdict of the Model S’ wide, 393-station network of 2,146 120-kilowatt big deal? Chin scratching. To Tesla’s technicians, it
almost-chief engineer? I’ll get back to that. Superchargers. The first to embrace over-the-air really seemed like it was just another plug-and-play

By far the Model


S’ most popular
feature was its giant,
multi-touchscreen.
It’s so big and
beautiful that it simply
eclipses the creaky
old arguments that
cars have to have
122 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
knobs. They don’t.
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2013 Tesla Model S P85+
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT Rear-motor, RWD
MOTOR TYPE AC induction electric motor
BATTERY TYPE Liquid-cooled lithium-ion
POWER (SAE NET) 416 hp @ 5,000 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET) 443 lb- @ 0 rpm
REDLINE 16,000 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER 11.4 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION 1-speed automatic
AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO 9.73:1/9.73:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR Control arms, air springs,
anti-roll bar; multilink, air
springs, anti-roll bar
STEERING RATIO 13.0:1
TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK 2.3
BRAKES, F;R 14.0-in vented disc; 14.4-in
vented disc, ABS
WHEELS, F;R 8.5 x 21.0-in; 8.5 x 21.0-in,
cast aluminum component. Easier to swap than open up and fiddle minutes of zero-cost juicing before the next jump)
TIRES, F;R 245/35R21 101Y; 265/35R21 with. (They later get them refurbished, so they’re and then make the best you can of the pause.
101Y Michelin Pilot Sport not thrown away.) For traditional gas-powered-car There’s a Zen-like quality to the repeated pattern,
PS2 guys, the engine is the high altar within the automo- though. In the early days (hah, I love saying that!)
DIMENSIONS tive cathedral. For Tesla, it’s a part number. drivers would jump out of their cars and greet one
WHEELBASE 116.5 in Wear and tear. When we originally ordered our another like cousins who’d never met. Now, they
TRACK, F/R 65.4/66.9 in car I’d asked for a simple P85 with the smooth- warily eye each other’s charging progress or bury
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 196.0 x 77.3 x 56.5 in riding tall-sidewall tires and sans the sunroof. A their noses in books. You should see the route
TURNING CIRCLE 37.0 response soon arrived from Elon Musk’s secretary. calculations filling my notebooks for every time I
“Elon read your request and is sending a P85+ with strayed from the charging network. (Note to Tesla:
CURB WEIGHT 4,731 lb
a sunroof.” Their fastest car. Finally! Just after our car leaves, you announce
WEIGHT DIST, F/R 46/54%
The car’s lightning reflexes rendered my fellow Update 6.2 and its Apple-slick trip planning soft-
SEATING CAPACITY 5+2 road-goers bugs in amber, me a laser-beam pinball ware! Ack!) Over its 38,000-mile stay, the battery
HEADROOM, F/R 38.8/35.3 in through them. Did its sizzle translate to the track? showed little appreciable degradation; its everyday
LEGROOM, F/R 42.7/35.4 in We lapped it twice at Mazda Raceway Laguna range was 175 miles (212 if I was conservative), its
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R 57.7/55.0 in Seca and once at Streets of Willow, and each time fully charged range averaged about 203 miles (238
CARGO VOLUME 5.3 cu (f), 26.2 cu (rear, the car lost power toward lap’s end as the software if conservative), and I never ran out of juice.
3rd-row seat removed) stepped in to protect the battery from rising Oh, and Alec Brooks’ verdict after his week
TEST DATA temperatures—even defying my comical attempt behind its wheel? “Very impressed. I didn’t think
ACCELERATION TO MPH to pre-freeze it with 17 ice bags stuffed underneath. I’d like the big screen, but its size really helps in
0-30 1.7 sec (At least it felt pretty “cool” for 9/10 of a lap.) The targeting buttons, and wow, the nav map is great.”
motor’s double whammy of instant power and Then the total technoid emerges: “I really appre-
0-40 2.3
lift-throttle regen wore the rear tires quickly, though ciate how data is displayed in the gauges—you can
0-50 3.1
not out of line for such a powerful, heavy sedan, tell they were created by engineers. In retrospect,
0-60 4.0 according to our friends at Tire Rack. On top of that, the car I was originally arguing for was cheaper,
0-70 5.1 the slim-profile Michelins left the wide rims fairly smaller, less powerful and with a little less range—
0-80 6.5 whacked up, for which I was as guilty as anybody. actually, what sounds more like the Model 3!”
0-90 8.2 Traveling. Almost everywhere I wanted to go My verdict? As the Great Wallenda of the
0-100 10.5 proved to be Supercharger-reachable: to the modern technological tightrope, Musk has right-
PASSING, 45-65 MPH 1.9 Monterey, California, area six times, to the mountain fully lived in the spotlight as his audience gasps
town of Julian, California, for its famous apple pie, and cheers with his every step. In 12 short years,
QUARTER MILE 12.7 sec @ 107.8 mph
and on our last grand voyage, from Willow Springs tiny Tesla has accomplished the near-impossible,
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 108
Raceway to Phoenix. Unlike gas-car road-going, and our 17 months in the car have been nothing less
LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.92 g (avg) Tesla travel is closer to hopscotching between than an everyday reminder that it springs from the
MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.3 sec @ 0.74 g (avg) sparse landing strips in a light plane. You absolutely imagination of a guy whose tightrope leads all the
TOP-GEAR REVS 7,350 rpm have to put it down at specific spots (for about 20 way to Mars. Q
@ 60 MPH
CONSUMER INFO
STABILITY/TRACTION Yes/yes
CONTROL
AIRBAGS Dual front, front side,
f/r curtain, front knee
BASIC WARRANTY 4 yrs/50,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 8 yrs/unlimited
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 4 yrs/50,000 miles
ENERGY CAPACITY 85 kW-hrs
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON 88/90/89 mpg-e
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 38/37 kW-hrs/100 miles*
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0 lb/mi (at vehicle)
RANGE 265 mi (EPA), 238 mi (MT
observed)
FUEL 110-v plug: 1.4-kW AC; 240-
v wall charger: 10 or 20 kW
AC; fast charge: 120-kW DC

*Gas-equivalent

124 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015


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Angus MacKenzie

The Big Picture


THE FINAL FRONTIER
“We will solve the problem that since spread worldwide is about to cross the
SUVS GO
ULTRA-LUXE
all-terrain vehicle carrying the Spirit of Ecstasy
you cannot spend more than final frontier. mascot isn’t entirely far-fetched; the Sultan of
$160,000 on an SUV,” deadpanned Not that long ago the DNA all SUVs shared Brunei had Bentley hand-build six SUVs in the
Bentley boss Wolfgang Dürheimer with the seminal off-roader, the World War II mid-’90s, so the Bentayga might not be an
about the company’s forthcoming Bentayga Jeep, was fairly obvious; they were wagon-style, outrageous leap of faith. But these are tenuous
off-roader. Dürheimer was only half-joking: It four-wheel-drive, off-road vehicles wrapped in a links at best, obscure factoids beloved of car
appears there are indeed enough people in the veneer of car-type luxury, with stuff like carpets, geeks rather than a credible basis for launching
world willing to spend four times or more the sound systems, air-conditioning, nice seats, whole new vehicle lines.
average annual wage in America on an SUV to alloy wheels, and power windows tacked on. SUVs will work for these ultra-luxe brands for
justify Bentley spending hundreds of millions of With rare exceptions—most notably, Britain’s the same reason they work for Chevy and Ford
dollars developing one for them. Range Rover—they were li
le more than trucks and Toyota: People like riding high so they get a
Bentley. First World problems solved here. in a tux, and drove that way. These days, though, good view in the traffic, they like something they
Dürheimer expects the Bentayga to boost about the only thing many modern SUVs share can drive in all weather on all roads, and they like
Bentley’s global sales to 15,000 vehicles a year with traditional off-roaders is high ground clear- a vehicle that offers more passenger and load-
when it launches in 2016. And while that total ance, a high seating position, and a moderately carrying flexibility than a regular sedan without
is still only about two-thirds the total number of flexible interior package. Everything else—even looking like a station wagon or a minivan.
vehicles Toyota sells worldwide every single day, all-wheel drive in some cases—is optional. The folks at Rolls-Royce and Bentley see
it represents a 50 percent increase in Bentley’s Ironically, as the a
ributes that define them SUVs as additive to their businesses—existing
output. Small wonder, then, that other ultra-luxe have become less … definitive, SUVs have customers will buy one to keep alongside their
brands are jumping on the SUV bandwagon. become a much more viable vehicle type for Phantoms and Mulsannes—while the Urus and
Daimler is planning a Mercedes-Maybach version automakers whose laserlike focus on their brand DBX will likely bring people to Lamborghini and
of the next-gen Mercedes-Benz GL. Lamborghini would have in the past prevented them from Aston Martin who would never have considered
has already shown potential customers its Urus even considering the idea. Like Lamborghini, owning one of their sports cars. And, more impor-
SUV. Aston Martin’s Geneva show concept, the Rolls-Royce, and Bentley. tant, all have the potential to deliver healthy profit
DBX, will morph into a sporty four-door hatch- Lamborghini created the LM002 as a military margins because the capability their owners want
type SUV along the lines of an upscale Range vehicle concept, so there is perhaps precedent can be largely delivered via electronics and so -
Rover Evoque. And Rolls-Royce has announced it for the Urus; Lawrence of Arabia once said ware rather than unique, expensively engineered,
will build a “high-bodied car” that “can cross any the Rolls-Royce armored cars—built on Silver Rubicon-busting hardware.
terrain,” which sounds like how they’d describe Ghost chassis—he took through the desert One potential Bentayga owner summed it up
an SUV on “Downton Abbey.” in the Middle East during World War I were this way: “If you can afford a Bentley SUV, your
A vehicle genre that began with the Jeep “more valuable than rubies,” so the idea of an boat is too big to tow.” Q
Grand Wagoneer in the early 1960s and has

LAMBORGHINI URUS

All SUVs once shared DNA with the seminal off-roader, the WWII Jeep.
130 MOTORTREND.COM / JUNE 2015
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