Counterpoint: This is a non-issue, at least in this particular application.

I actually wouldn’t consider a lot of these older hybrids. A lot of them have poor support and expensive unique components. Examples:

This needs to be an article, Ms. Mercedes.

I hope this goes well for you, but that battery is going to be a big question mark. If it lasts, fantastic. If not, then you’ll have an esoteric hybrid with a dead traction battery, where the only viable option is to pony up for a new or remanufactured battery directly from Audi, likely for a high-four-figure or…

I’m in no way a Tesla apologist, but their newest cars make it pretty clear that you need to be primed and ready to intervene at any moment even with Full Self Driving. This person admitted he was on his phone, which is either negligent homicide or manslaughter.

It’s not. It’s going to be the same 2.4-liter turbo Hybrid MAX system that’s in the Tacoma, Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Crown, RX 500h, etc.

I nominate the 2006-2009 Cadillac STS-V. Cadillac only built 2,500-odd, a not-insubstantial number of which went to the UAE. It and the XLR-V were the only cars that got the supercharged 4.4-liter Northstar V8, making some 469 hp (473 in the XLR-V) and 439 lb-ft of torque. It also got the stouter 6L80, 6-lug wheels,…

It’s worth noting that you only got the 400-hp version if you went with AWD. The MKZ with the 3.0TT was also available in FWD, and that one got downrated to 350 HP.

I can’t think of a better suggestion than what Amber recommended: a GX 460. Just do know that that solid rear axle increases the load floor quite a bit and isn’t as roomy as similar cars with IRS, like, say, my 2015 LR4.

In fact, I’d happily recommend an LR4 if I hadn’t spent five figures on mine getting it sorted in…

I think that makes a lot of sense.

I guarantee you Ferrari does not want Maserati (back).

In theory, Alfa Romeo was supposed to be the volume luxury brand under FCA/Stellantis, and would sell the smaller cars. Maserati would sell the larger cars, but would also carry a premium for the semi-exotic nameplate, not unlike the Range Rover sub-brand (versus Land Rover) or Porsche (versus Audi).

Right. Not to mention the fact that the new Maserati models (MC20, Grecale, GranTurismo) are still tightly coupled to Stellantis electrical engineering.

Jeep is definitely transitioning upmarket. The Renegade and Cherokee are on their way out; their cheapest cars at that point will be the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, neither of which is cheap.

The problem is, Dodge actually might have more equity and desirability, especially for the sorts of cars they sell, than Chrysler does. There’s a reason the Charger (sedan and coupe, effectively the Challenger) got carried forward into a new generation and the 300 did not.

I’m sure it is, but it’s not all that hard to make a giant six-figure luxury car powerful, especially when you start adding batteries and electric motors into the mix.

We love a transverse mid-mounted V12 engine, with the gearbox cast right into it. What a concept.

These are effortlessly gorgeous; I agree. I only hope it sells to someone who appreciates it for what it is, instead of ironically.

I agree. And anyway, Tesla’s Cybertruck handily beats out the BMW XM when it comes to the “shock-and-dismay” factor, for those who think that’s a positive and desirable effect for a vehicle to have upon others. 

I don’t know. I’d argue the Mustang II was a fine car in and of itself. Besides, the Mustang line was fairly new; it was still in that stage where it could evolve to be a different kind of product, if need be.

The Lexus HS 250h. Introduced in 2010 and sold between MY2010 and 2012 in the US, it was Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid model, riding on the technological success of the RX 400h and LS 600h L. Displaying an updated version of the L-finesse design language first deployed circa 2006, the HS promised to bring increased…