Are sport sedans like the BMW M5, your father's Oldsmobile?
A new category...Generation Death
If you don’t get the NYTimes we suggest you go try to find a copy of the 10/22 issue and read the special car section.
It was very well done and had some interesting stuff…This article in particular…
Latest Luxe Sensation: Muscle Cars for the Middle-Aged
Highlights from the article:
There was a time when muscle cars were for the young. Pontiac GTO's, Trans Ams, Chevrolet Camaro Z28's, Dodge Daytonas, Plymouth Road Runners and Ford Mustang GT's were all pony cars with big V-8 engines rumbling beneath hoods that bulged with scoops and ducts and blazoned eye-catching decals.
That is no longer so. The modern muscle car is for grown-ups.
The appeal of hair-raising acceleration and race-car handling in an automobile with the comfort, opulent interior and practicality of a luxury sedan is evident in the growth of this market. Ten years ago, BMW's M series was the only high-performance luxury car available in America. Today, the premium muscle market includes the Audi RS 6 at $82,700 as well as the Jaguar supercharged S-Type R at $62,400 and XJR series at $72,475.
It is hard to say how far this trend will go, but you wonder if the Maybach Mercedes sedan, at more than $300,000, may soon be influenced by the AMG. "There are no plans for that at this time," said Scott Keogh, the general manager for public relations at Mercedes. "And that's all I'm saying."
Cars like the Mercedes E55 and the BMW M5 have rendered the sports car irrelevant, said David Champion, the director of the auto test division at Consumer Reports (HE MUST BE READING AUTO SPIES!).
None of the Japanese automakers, who are usually quick to capitalize on trends, have established a separate high-performance line yet.
At Lexus, the decision is a matter of philosophy. "We prefer a balance between luxury, performance and quality," said Michael Wells, the vice president of marketing for Lexus. "We put all those things together whether in an entry-level car, luxury car or S.U.V."
At Nissan, Jack Collins, the vice president for product planning, said the company thought there was no need for an exclusive high-performance line. "Our strategy is to offer high performance across the board, not to a small segment of our buyers."
Click here to read the full article
email: Robert.wolf@era.com
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