G Class Could Go Sustainable

Recently Daimler’s R&D chief, Thomas Weber, reported that the automaker will continue to produce V-12 engines but won’t do a three-cylinder, that it’s considering a more comprehensive update to the G-class, and that it is not interested in a small seven-seat people-mover. C/D: BMW has shown a compact, seven-seat people-mover with its 2-Series Gran Tourer. Will Mercedes have a competitor? Thomas Weber: It’s true that we considered a seven-seater, but we made a clear choice not to do it, and we are sticking with that decision. There are more impressive ways to transport more than four or five people. And for us, emotion counts.

What are you planning at the other end of the spectrum, with the G-class? We have periodically revisited the idea of ending its production, but this discussion is truly over. The basic concept is established and proven, the only question is how to carry it forward. It’s possible that we will, at some point, put it on a more sustainable technological base. But the G will always remain a true G.

Can you talk about your power train strategy? The path toward downsizing is irreversible. Worldwide, looking at the industry as a whole, more than 90 percent of power trains will have four-cylinder engines. But as a luxury brand, we will continue to offer eight- and 12-cylinder engines, and we are well established with our four- and six-cylinder engines.

Does your four- and six-cylinder engine strategy rely on a single engine architecture? No. Our customers like a variety of models and engines, and we definitely need a large four-cylinder engine, from which six- and eight-cylinder engines will be derived. To build a smaller engine, it would theoretically be possible to “cut off” one cylinder, but such a three-cylinder engine would not even be close to where we would like it from a cost perspective. Moreover, it would not meet our standards for noise and vibration. We have therefore decided to follow a downsizing strategy based on small and large four-cylinder engines.

Will you join forces with other manufacturers to develop battery technology? Within the framework of the NPE (a German platform for e-mobility), we are discussing how to move this important and innovative topic forward. It is definitely possible to harmonize cell formats, material combinations, safety and regulatory aspects—to make things easier for our supplier base and to lower costs. But it becomes more difficult when you look at the whole battery. Every car maker must optimize their batteries for the specific vehicle package and requirements. Do you see a future for battery-charging stations, as propagated by Tesla? The German auto industry has often been criticized as being too obtuse to pick up on them. But we have studied them intensively and found that many arguments speak against these concepts. We have decided not to follow this approach.

2015 Ford Mustang RTR Revealed

Pro drifter Vaughn Gittin, Jr. is finally ready to drop his racy new Mustang RTR. The car debuts at SEMA and will be available via select Ford dealers, and it looks the business. Frankly, the 2015 Mustang’s biggest issue is that, if anything, it doesn’t look mean enough. Problem solved! The RTR gets new spoilers, splitters, a pretty wicked-looking diffuser, new grilles—with illumination in the upper one, making up for the sadly departed driving lamps—and the best-looking wheels I’ve seen for that car, period. All the appearance stuff is for the Spec 1 cars, which leave out performance mods. The Spec 2 adds an RTR-specific tune, Magnaflows (again, RTR-specific), a revised suspension, a cold-air kit, and an optional blower. Also making its way to SEMA, but not yet revealed, is an even more extreme RTR Spec 5 concept, which takes the formula even further. Stay tuned.

Instant classic: 2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe

Our long-term Jaguar F-Type R coupe is special. We have never known a modern car to be as broadly appealing as this one. It’s beautiful and everyone knows it—people are not shy with praise for it. We took it up to Rare Bird Brew Pub in Traverse City, Mich., for a party and spent much of the night starting that barking, burbling supercharged V8, letting people sit in the leather seats and watching them snap photos.

Where lots of sports cars, especially high-performance versions, can be over styled, the F-Type R is beautifully restrained. That may be part of why it appeals to such a wide range of people. It’s pretty but not showy. Of the sports/performance cars that are said to be styled in homage to their forebears, the F-Type is the most successful. It doesn’t insult the E-Type by aping it entirely or mock it by having come to dwarf it over the years. This car calls the E-Type to mind. Ian Callum and his team noticed the small, wonderful details of the that car and, with the F-Type, named them. 

Our long-termer was given a set of Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero tires, and in the snow with these tires, the Jaguar is a wonder. Five hours on the icy freeway or slogging through unplowed surface streets in deep snow, the Jag was always able, always predictable. One morning, we found the car buried to the top of its decklid in snow. We just slid into the lovely driver’s seat, cleared the windshield and drove out. We wish people who are clamoring for the forthcoming all-wheel-drive F-Type could have seen it. This rear-wheel Jag would not be stopped.

With two quarters now done, we’re definitely going to miss this one when it’s gone. It’s a very special car, and if Jaguar’s plans hold, one that we won’t see again. Next year, all of the V8-powered F-Types will all come equipped with AWD, making this car possibly the last of its kind and a bit of an instant classic. Thankfully, we have six more months with it before we have to give up the keys.