Not so much a badge-engineering matter as a platform sharing matter. Yes, I'll take the lower-priced interpretation of a more expensive model. I'm the buyer VW is marketing. I don't care to make a show when I'm driving a nice car. I just want to drive a nice car.

The next Phaeton will be all-new, and it will ride on Volkswagen's larger MLB Evo modular platform, one that will also underpin the next Audi A4, A6, A8, Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg.

And Raptorize it please. Don't let Ford be the sole leader of cool.

Psssh. Nothing wrong with a hatchback, ever! If you're going to criticize M-B, the A, GLA and CLA are a good start, even then I think you're reaching.

Too much chrome? Where?

I want to say that I saw this for sale a year or two ago for about $25k?

Good design is good design. Mercedes-Benz has never been bad in the styling department. The W124 was the last of the truly bank vault-like models.

I'm sure the next one will be nicer, better, faster, more nimble, etc. That said, I absolutely adore the current C6. In its Edition 507 form, it is truly enjoyable. Even early non-development package models are quite fun. It's the muscle car you can drive without the need for a mullet or mustache.

Had no idea. Sadly the badge change didn't make the car one iota better.

It's Hammer time!

It isn't like we'd be losing a manual to a CVT. The outgoing gearbox wasn't a shining achievement of performance.

Let's just hope that we don't get a Hellcat Prowler as part of the deal. Then again, that may not be so bad to get an MT and a Hemi in a Prowler.

Driven by there many times. Scary.

In high school I attended a car show where I got to see Chick DeLorenzo's #51 model. Very interesting story behind #51. It wasn't one of the original production run vehicles. It didn't have all original parts. Still, it was a great thing to experience.

So if Dodge is a muscle car brand (select Challenger and Charger models) what are they going to do with the following?

Platform sharing in and of itself isn't the problem. The Gallardo and the R8 technically share a platform, but you'd be hard-pressed to let that issue get in the way from buying either one if you were in the market. That said, if I'm buying a premium luxury brand, with premium luxury pricing I want more than chromey…

Poorly executed photo there. Looks like someone had a fun day at the pick-n-pull.

M cars and AMGs don't possess that generic look to which you refer. Or to be fair you could say that this looks like every other generic Cadillac. That said, I appreciate it for what it is and I would enjoy owning one. However, my heart stays true to Mercedes-Benz.

Really? There are probably more stock Accords than "modded" ones. I see 10x beaters to every modded Accord. Not really a performance platform.

Plenty of good originals around. All you need is a TV show on Discovery and you'll be Gas Monkeying around with more Model As than you can shake a stick at.