A recent trend in the luxury SUV segment is to offer a sexier, coupe-like styled variant for those willing to compromise a little utility in favor of a heavier dose of sport. And some of the designs being born are absolutely stunning; for example, the all-new Audi Q8.
It’s a head turner as long as you don’t mind Audi’s recent penchant for faux exhaust outlets.  And if you can’t tell, I want one…I think it’s the best of this type currently on the market though I’ll be curious what the new BMW X6 has to say about that later this year.

It seemed like summer weather would never arrive but it’s finally here which means it’s convertible season. And which brand sells more top down models than any other? That’s right; Mercedes. And this one here is one of their most affordable. The refreshed C-Class Cabriolet. MSRP as-tested: $70,725. But instead of spending $70,725 on this one I’d step up to the AMG C 43 with its 385hp engine and a starting price in the mid-$60s. And for the real crazies, there’s the C 63 S Cabriolet with over 500 horsepower for about $85,000. 

For the mountain biking, granola-eating, Vermont maple syrup aficionado the new Forester continues to adroitly facilitate the stereotypical Subaru lifestyle.  And for that it’s a very good choice.   Better than any other automaker, Subaru knows its customers and brilliantly markets their products based on warm and fuzzies like kids, dogs and the great outdoors. Their vehicles definitely aren’t for everyone but for those of a particular mindset the combination of legendary all-wheel drive and fuel efficient powertrains is just what they’re looking for. Like this all-new Forester.

When it’s time for a six-figure executive sedan where will you turn? One of the German stalwarts? Lexus, perhaps? Or maybe you want something more exotic, something Italian. Well, that’s where the Maserati Quattroporte comes in with its Ferrari-born soundtrack. Its look is understated elegance; sound: high-performance.  But the MSRP is served like overcooked rigatoni. According to insiders, an all-new Quattroporte is another 3 years away.

Cadillac’s car lineup is undergoing a major restructuring. 

The small ATS sedan and Coupe have already exited the.  The midsized CTS ostensibly becomes the all-new CT5 compact sedan when it arrives early next year joined by an even smaller 4-door called the CT4. And at the larger end of the spectrum the XTS is slowly being phased out while the CT6 has been given a reprieve from GM’s big car chopping block. 

In summary, Caddy’s sedan lineup is being reduced to 3 core models, each available in new V-Series livery that also is taking a new path.  Adopting the same formula as their German rivals, the new 2020 CT4-V and CT5-V will be faster and performance oriented but not to the level we’ve become accustomed to. 

The new strategy will be to offer 2 V-Series versions per car – one with more go and the other with all-out, track-readiness. 

These are the mid-performance cars:  the CT4-V offers 320 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque from its 2.7-liter turbo-4 while the CT5-V runs with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 going to 355 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.  Both share Magnetic Ride Control shocks and V-Series drive modes, available in rear- or all-wheel drive with a 10-speed automatic transmission, Brembo front brakes, mild electrification and limited slip differentials. 

And moving down from the flagship CT6 is Cadillac’s awesome, hands-free driving Super Cruise technology. 

Previously announced and already sold out, the CT6-V is the first to arrive this summer with the heralded Blackwing twin-turbo V8 with true V-Series performance of 550 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque.