German Car Zone

The displacement whores will still have a mental blockade preventing them from accepting a SL with a smaller engine than a $19 000 mustang their neighbors 18 years old daughter is driving.

Well it really isn't displacement per say, its the number of cylinders that keep high-end 6-cylinder BMWs, MBs, and Audis out of the U.S. market. I know they'd sell now due to the gas price panic, but it would take one of the 3 to introduce one to get the ball rolling. Also to give the other 2 to see how well it sells before following suit.

M

In this market segment, yes V8s are still in fashion. For image and because more importantly there are no 6-cylinder S, SL, 7-Series, A8, 6-Series etc to be had here. A V8 has been made the default choice. Its been a many a years since we've had a SL320 or 735i on the U.S. market. Jaguar believe it or not offers only V8s now that the X-Type is gone.

My guess would be any one of the German three could drop a 6-cylinder car here in no time, next model year if they really wanted too.

I just think a SL or CLS 350 with 316hp would find more buyers now they would have when our gasoline was dirt cheap. Even some rich people like to save money and not everyone needs (or wants) 380+ hp in their S-Class or SL Benz IMO. Ditto for the BMW 6-Series and 7-Series. A 300hp or updated 326hp 635i would be big hit IMO.


M

Not a fan of any of the three. For that much money, rather have a M3 cab if I had to have a cab. It kills these 3 for less money and more practical and more fun.