2013 Mercedes GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC

The second generation GL is here with nice facelift. Mercedes also updated the equipment in the inside also. I don't know if I like the big headlights it just looks kind of like a cartoon. One thing I really do like is the black painted roof it now has. I have seen it on some E-Class and it looks good but I can't say who copied who? Did BMW come out with it first or the Benz? But I know for a fact that Audi came out with the LED's then Benz came out with their LED running daylights.

Anyways, the gas version GL has a twin-turbo V-8 with 550 hp! The 2013 BlueTec diesel only has a V-6 with a okay 240 hp but, it has 455 pounds of torque! The diesel is very quick though, you can't even hear it when you are out on the road. With this diesel you can tow up to 7,500 pounds with the optional $550 trailer hitch.

 The GL will get up to 60 in 7.5 sec and finishes the quarter mile in 15.8 sec. Top speed will be governed at 131 mph. At $5 a gallon for gas you wouldn't want to be going that fast anyways but you will get 19/26 which is not bad so 22 mpg averaged. It  has a 26 gallon tank so that is about $130 to fill up, but you will get about 600 miles a fill up.

 All the 2013 GL models will still have a seven speed automatic and standard all wheel drive. It seats a nice comfortable seven people. The back seats do fold down with a one touch power folding which would cost $400. You can keep your passengers happy with the rear seat entertainment package with dual DVD screens.




The GL has a bunch of additions you can add on too, $3,500 Premium package, $2,900 anti roll bars, $2,800 driver assistance package, $1,450 three zone climate control, $1,290 adaptive xenon headlights, $1,290 parking assistance system, $1,100 for multi contour front seats with massage, and $1,090 panoramic moonroof. They still have way more too offer if that wasn't enough for you guys. But the GL350 starts at $63,305, without any packages. Overall a very nice car.
pictures and info credited to www.caranddriver.com 

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Wagon Concept

So Porsche is building a wagon? I thought the Panamera was like a wagon already?


                                  The front still looks the same to me with a little face lift.

                                  The back still almost looks the same but with just a higher trunk. Is it necessary for Porsche to build a wagon? I know there are wagons out there but will this really sell?  The back just looks like it has some rolls on the trunk. The stance on the other hand is very nice though. And I also really like the rims they put on this car. They have not released much info on this car yet, but I'm pretty sure the car will be fast! Here are some pictures for you to look through for now.





                                  Pictures credited to www.carandriver.com

2014 Tahoe / Yukon

                              What is it? A Ford? Actually this could be either the next generation Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon. For those who think this might be an Expedition, well it's not. That is because this prototype was spied with a Expedition as well as a Toyota Sequoia.

                            The Tahoe and Yukon will be on a new platform supposedly called GMT1000. Which means that this car might shave off as much as 500 pounds. High strength steel is the overall structure that plays a big role in the lost weight. 

                              There will be a all new V-8 with all aluminum construction, direst injection and, variable valve timing. Mileage should improve a little bit since it is lighter now. The new 2014 Tahoe and Yukon should be debuting around 2013, and will be asking somewhere along the lines of $40,000.

Pictures and Info credited to www.caranddriver.com

What is the cost of ownership for an expensive SUV?

Wouldn't we all love to own a Ranger Rover? We all know in today's society, the car you own represents a sign of status symbol. When you're watching those reality shows on TV, all the Beverly Hill's wives drive a nice blacked out Range Rover. For many upper middle class, they try their best to mimic them. It's not so hard to imagine them going out to the dealership with their wives looking at all the beautiful selections of  high-end luxury vehicles, including Range Rovers. So imagine this; for your beautiful wife you decide to buy her a brand new car of her choice. Soon a nice man walks out in an  astonishing Armani suit greeting you, offering a cold beverage. Before going to take a walk around the lot, the nicely suited sales person will create small talks trying to make you feel comfortable. After several more small talks and couple sips of the cold beverage the sales man offered, the awaited show around the Range Rover begins.
     Of course, what I am about to say about this car is solely my opinion. Anyways, so you take a glance at the price and you see $63,000 as the base price. You are now thinking in your head, "Man, I can't even imagine all the upgrades my wife is going to want. Does she really need the Climate comfort package ($1,500), Luxury package($4,700), Vision assist pack($1,200), wood trim($350)?! At those prices she does not need any of that!" In reality Range Rover does not sell any car without a package. Now your wife is convinced she wants the Range Rover. Great, you just walked out of the dealership $80,000 poorer. 

     You just brought a brand new car, you should  not need to go back to the dealership for a long time until your first oil change right... You are wrong!! Range Rovers are the most notorious for being unreliable. You will be back at the dealership in a heartbeat for issues you have never even heard of. You are going to take your brand new Range Rover to the dealership and they are going to tell you your EAS (electronic air suspension) has gone bad. What is an EAS?! Well that has to do with your ride height, when you are in sport mode you want your car to be lower so the EAS lowers it for you. When its time to climb some mountains you want the most clearance as possible so you put it on its highest setting.

     The funny part about the Range Rovers EAS going out is that Range Rover's best selling point of the car! So how much is that going to cost you if it does go out? $500 each, Hopefully you will have a warranty on this car. Climate Control, I would be so mad if my A/C went out during a hot day. Well guess what? If you own a Range Rover the chances of you sitting in LA traffic without A/C is highly likely.

    Driving on some rocky mountains that might be the place where you break your oil pan, correct? Nope, just with daily driving you can still get oil leaks! I really would not want to take a Range Rover on any mountain runs now. Another common failure is overheating. Paying over $80,000 for a car and running across all this issues is not cool.

So if you are planning on buying a Range Rover, please look at your bank account and make sure in the "Service Car" account you have saved up another $5,000 or so just for the first year. You can roll deep just like the Beverly Hills mom's just make sure your pockets are just as deep though!

Info credited to  http://www.amug.org/~jthomas/for.html
Pictures credited to www.caranddriver.com

The Porsche That Doesn't Need Gas

All new 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel! So for some time now the Europeans always gets the better end of the deal by getting models we can't over here in the States! Watch out, we just got the Cayenne Diesel! Yeah I know, the Diesel doesn't have that much horsepower. Its only pushing 240 hp but remember its a diesel, so that means 406 torque!! You might be thinking, 'Wow I should be hitting 60 pretty quick...' Well not quite at 7.2 seconds. The ups of having a diesel is that your mpg is just amazing at 19 city and 29 highway, way better then the V-6 at only 16/23. Still thinking maybe you'll just stick with the regular model, but wait, the price is only $56,725! Pretty good deal if you ask me.


 So what does it feel like driving around a Cayenne diesel? It's still a Porsche, steering is still smooth, grip is just insane for a suv. Diesel's have that distinct noise, but for Porsche you wont hear any of that. Most of the new cars these days have the start/stop system to enhance fuel efficiency, but why put a start/stop system in cars like there? If you are able to afford this car, I'm pretty sure you're able to afford the gas.


The down side of having this amazing diesel is that you will need to refill the exhaust system with AdBlue Nox-reducing agent every 10,000 miles. Upside is you get a maximum range of 740 miles per fill up! Do you know what that means? You can drive from LA to Las Vegas and back and then make a trip back again on the same tank!

The clearance is about 10 inches so you'll be able to get over most stuff when you're out in the woods.



So it's a Diesel, with AWD, only a 5 passenger car though. It is a 8 speed automatic with tiptonic. $56,725 is your base price. Would I get it? Really depends on what I'm looking for, if I'm in a market for a diesel then this would be the first choice SUV for me.




Info and pictures credited to www.motortrend.com