I believe the best course of action is to design a V8 engine specifically for the US market based on the more flexible US emissions and noise regulation and not offer them in europe, and then design smaller drivetrains for the European market and offer the same in the US. I don’t see how the high-performance V8 drivetrains can survive to provide the reliability, performance, and noise levels that customers expect while simultaneously meeting the stringent European regulations. Another challenge manufacturers face is the highly political nature of the US industry. Within a few years, administrations can change and shift their strategies, potentially leading to either more flexible or stricter regulations, so that makes it challenging to ever trust the stability of the US market demands and regulations around it, or to custom design anything for it.
So true.
Who would've guessed that the US will back out of the climate pact and drop all EV tax breaks basically letting all auto brands push ICE and pull back on EV developments.
The US basically changed the course of auto powertrain paradigm shift.
I don’t see how the high-performance V8 drivetrains can survive to provide the reliability, performance, and noise levels that customers expect
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It is not customers. It is ignorant nutjobs who have not yet been proven to be correct in any of their conjecture and have no valid science behind their delusions (nor knowledge of the validitiy of their supposed solutions).
The Audis were always so close, but not quite there. They dropped the ball with the design and the in-car tech, IMO, and its carrying on to the new gen of their cars. S-class is still king and the future is bright for MB and AMG.
So true.
Who would've guessed that the US will back out of the climate pact and drop all EV tax breaks basically letting all auto brands push ICE and pull back on EV developments.
The US basically changed the course of auto powertrain paradigm shift.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OldManAndHisCar
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It is not customers. It is ignorant nutjobs who have not yet been proven to be correct in any of their conjecture and have no valid science behind their delusions (nor knowledge of the validitiy of their supposed solutions).
Quote:
Originally Posted by MB V-8
The Audis were always so close, but not quite there. They dropped the ball with the design and the in-car tech, IMO, and its carrying on to the new gen of their cars. S-class is still king and the future is bright for MB and AMG.
True.. it’s an evolving environment and it’s hard to blame manufacturers for it. They are doing their best, and I think only us (enthusiast and customers) are paying for that non-sense. A completely non-regulated environment isn’t great either, but I think it was driven towards the extreme in Europe. Our current DOE secretary, Chris-Wright, in my view sees all of that with the very best balance I’ve seen in recent years. Focus on the balance between efficiency+cost of energy (or products that use energy) not just emissions!
…………….II often wonder if emission regulations and the strict fuel efficiency requirements have made internal combustion engines excessively complex, exceeding the reasonable limits that would have allowed for a reasonable reliability target. I’m not aware of many engines today that are known for their exceptional reliability as in the past, aside from the Mbenz inline-6 and BMW’s inline-6. Even then as in my GLS, interior cabin quality remains an issue though and is not drivetrain related unless am paying for the complex drivetrain by reducing quality/materials within the cabin. Many but not all PHEVs have serious issues, and many manufacturers are discontinuing them regardless. The larger V8 engines subjected to extreme fuel efficiency demands often have problems and appear to be the primary reason for buybacks among most brands, including Cadillac (huge issues with the Escalade that led to a massive engine replacement recall for thousands of SUVs), BMW, and Mbenz V8s too are starting to develop common well predicted issues too.
Amazing that most people don't see the irony in the fact that an "SUV" is just another iteration of the station wagon. Driving a station wagon looked moronic as they were being phazed out. As for me, I think the same way about crossovers and suvs. But the Market has spoken.
Not so much SUV but a crossover yes. It’s basically a lifted car lol.
You make some very good points. As one who is expecting my first GREAT grandchild, I KNOW that companies are not catering to me. I completely and sometimes painfully understand that and am living with it the best I can. Hopefully, you & everyone younger, will get to experience it someday. But even if one is willing to accept modern designs and marketing ideas, at the end of the day, the item in question needs to actually WORK! And, if the customer has shelled out big money, for what is supposed to be the BEST (or nothing), then the item needs to be the best at delivering as advertised. If it doesn’t, that’s a problem and customers will go elsewhere. MB should notice those flashing lights in their rearview mirror and realize that the competition is getting better every day.
Modern cars, especially loaded up luxury cars are pretty much never perfect and most everyone is willing to put up with various issues which can be remedied with a trip or two to the dealer. But when horror stories become way too common, like mine, like MTrauman’s, like the fellow who’s car is pictured here, it’s no longer an inconvenience, but something much, much worse and THAT is what we are complaining about. WAY too many horror stories these days at the sign of the 3-Pointed Star and that really is a problem, and it truly pains me to say it. It really bothers me that I have no interest in visiting a Mercedes-Benz showroom these days and I hope that changes soon.
I mean honestly major issues are happening across the various brands. I work at a prestigious private school. One of my students for her sweet 16 just got a Genesis GV80. Fully loaded V6 one. Very nice car. It died while she was driving down the highway. Genesis has no answer to why. She told me refuses to drive the car an is terrified (rightfully so) and her parents can’t trade it in until Genesis fixes it.
I will also add that you are every bit as defensive on the 7 Series forums.
Not sure if that was directed at me but...
I have never once posted on any 7 series forum. In any event, I find the best approach is just to have 0 brand loyalty. I'm absolutely pissed with how Audi went with their interiors and enshifitication, so I bought a full size Range Rover and a Rolls Royce Phantom.
If Audi brings back a D6 (the next A8), and I like it, I'll buy it. If not, I don't care for Audi's. It's as simple as that. - Actually, as simple as my love for W220s, 221s, and marginally the 222. But when the 223 came out, I went, no thanks, and bought an A8L.
Men will always be car brand ******. We all need to stop it.
Hope the S Class does not follow the same trend as the A8! My MB dealer continues to tell me the S Class continues to have lower and lower sales because "EVERYONE" wants a SUV or crossover.
MB also released VLE and VLS for the US. So even in NYC those will replace the S class for chauffeur cars.
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
), then the item needs to be the best at delivering as advertised. If it doesn’t, that’s a problem and customers will go elsewhere. MB should notice those flashing lights in their rearview mirror and realize that the competition is getting better every day.
