[SpeedRacerX]

So, in MT this month, they did a Sport Sedan comparison between:

- Lexus IS 350 AWD
- Audi S4
- Volvo S60 T6
- BMW 335i xDrive
- Cadillac ATS4 3.6

The BMW won but who cares.

I keep looking at this issue and comparison over and over saying to myself, "I can't wait to see how the Car Magazines will rate/rank the SS against all of these other Sport Sedans. Will they be harsh, will they be fair, will they be lukewarm???"

What do you guys think? How will it be received once they start driving it and testing it? Will it just get pushed aside or will it be taken seriously?

Look forward to your comments.

 

[cbsmith402]

If I recall, the G8 GT and GXP were favorably reviewed and even somewhat considered the proper successor to the E39 M5. The SS will probably be compared to the Charger, though, and maybe the E63 for a "bang for you buck" article (similar to a GTO/CLK55 one I read a while back).

 

[1k Rider]

The E63 is now AWD only. All the top sports sedans are AWD now. (Panamera Turbo, Audi RS7) In fact, all the sedans in that MT test are AWD.
The SS Sedan will make a budget sports sedan, especially in warm climate.
But, at 4,000lbs/500+ HP, and in cold climates, performance AWD is necessary to be world class.
If you disagree, you've never daily driven a 550+ rwhp daily driver through a Northeast winter.

 

[cbsmith402]

The E63 is now AWD only. All the top sports sedans are AWD now. (Panamera Turbo, Audi RS7) In fact, all the sedans in that MT test where AWD.
The SS Sedan will make a budget sports sedan, especially in warm climate.
But, at 4,000lbs/500+ HP, and in cold climates, performance AWD is necessary to be world class.
If you disagree, you've never owned a 600rwhp daily driver through a Northeast winter.

I wasn't at all implying that the SS is comparable to a top sports sedan like the E63 (even though it doesn't have a DCT :wink, just that sometimes they'll do comparisons of a high and lower end car to see what spending twice as much buys you.

Either way, the SS will probably earn the moderately positive "budget BMW" reputation that the G8 did. It won't be world class and was never intended to be. It's a niche product for people who want a full size performance car without paying $60k+ for one. It also happens to be a nice way to add some filler production to the factory overseas and possibly gets some ooohs and aaahs from buyers as they walk past it to buy a Malibu.

 

[1k Rider]

I wasn't at all implying that the SS is comparable to a top sports sedan like the E63 (even though it doesn't have a DCT :wink, just that sometimes they'll do comparisons of a high and lower end car to see what spending twice as much buys you.

Either way, the SS will probably earn the moderately positive "budget BMW" reputation that the G8 did. It won't be world class and was never intended to be. It's a niche product for people who want a full size performance car without paying $60k+ for one. It also happens to be a nice way to add some filler production to the factory overseas and possibly gets some ooohs and aaahs from buyers as they walk past it to buy a Malibu.

The SS Sedan will never be called a "budget BWM" until it gets a manual transmission.
I would choose a SS Sedan over a 335i if both had torque converters.
But, the 335is with DCT is the obvious choice over a SS Sedan unfortunately.

Agreed, the MCT in the E63 is inferior to DCT.
But, even with the MCT, the 2014+ E63 is the king of sports sedans, especially after a dyno tune. No sedan on the road will touch it after only a turbo swap.

The 2015 C63 gets a DCT with a twin turbo V8 and awd.
I have a strong suspicion the 2015 C63 it's going to be a game changer.
Let's hope GM steps up with the ATS-V and Camaro.

 

[Big Block Meister]

Holy crapballs A twin turbo V8 in the C63? That is insane. Isn't that trickle down from a higher class or is it going to be a brand new set up?

 

[brianch]

still haven't seen the SS compared to anything by any of these magazines. I'm not sure if they will comapare the SS to these sedans since most of them are smaller and only have V6s at best.

 

[ozstrat]

Here is a comparison with Mercedes E series Holden Calais V v Mercedes-Benz E250: Comparison Review | CarAdvice

 

[1k Rider]

I was hoping the C63 would get the 5.5L V8 twin turbo from the E63. But, the latest info points to the C63 sharing the 4.0L V8 TT with the new AMG SLC coupe that's to be the new Porsche 911 competitor.

I would still buy a SS Sedan with a stickshift and a lower price. But, I'd rather spend $60k on a C63 with a TT V8, DCT and AWD than $50k on a SS Sedan.

 

[chevypwr]

I was hoping the C63 would get the 5.5L V8 twin turbo from the E63. But, the latest info points to the C63 sharing the 4.0L V8 TT with the new AMG SLC coupe that's to be the new Porsche 911 competitor.

I would still buy a SS Sedan with a stickshift and a lower price. But, I'd rather spend $60k on a C63 with a TT V8, DCT and AWD than $50k on a SS Sedan.

another thing to consider on going either SS or C63 is the cost of ownership on each, i think it's obvious that the C63 will have a much higher cost of ownership, it's a Mercedes Benz after all.

 

[Slizzo]

The SS Sedan will never be called a "budget BWM" until it gets a manual transmission.
I would choose a SS Sedan over a 335i if both had torque converters.
But, the 335is with DCT is the obvious choice over a SS Sedan unfortunately.

Agreed, the MCT in the E63 is inferior to DCT.
But, even with the MCT, the 2014+ E63 is the king of sports sedans, especially after a dyno tune. No sedan on the road will touch it after only a turbo swap.

The 2015 C63 gets a DCT with a twin turbo V8 and awd.
I have a strong suspicion the 2015 C63 it's going to be a game changer.
Let's hope GM steps up with the ATS-V and Camaro.

You realize only the US gets a manual BMW now right? All other countries (even Germany) are auto in some form (whether DCT or otherwise).

 

[brianch]

the manual transmission is a dying breed in sports cars.

 

[CrusherSS]

You can blame it on the creation of the dual clutch transmission...

 

[1k Rider]

You can blame it on the creation of the dual clutch transmission...

Agreed.

Torque converters should be replaced by DCT. Stick shifts should remain an option.
Manuals should always be offered instead of a torque converter in "sports" cars.
If the SS really meant Sports Sedan it would have 1 or 2 clutches instead of a pathetic torque converter.

Anyone who calls a DCT an "auto" are simply wrong and Should educate themselves on how a DCT works. It's a manual transmission with 2 clutches. Unless you want TWO clutch pedals, it's best to let the transmission control module work both clutch plates simultaneously while enjoying seem less torque delivery with no lag between shifts. Time for some people to actually go drive a DCT or open a book.

 

[PMD SS]

Oh my geeerrd......

Dude, they are NEVER going to produce the SS in AWD form. So STFU and drop it.

 

[brianch]

I consider anything I don't row myself to be a form of auto

DCT is fancy and awesome but it still is an auto in my eyes.

 

[1k Rider]

Oh my geeerrd......

Dude, they are NEVER going to produce the SS in AWD form. So STFU and drop it.

No one mentioned AWD.


Will the members who send emails complaining about posts report the quoted above to the mods ?????
Or, are the only members that are critical of some of GMs decisions regarding the SS the ones who get moderated????

 

[SSS]

Oh my geeerrd......

Dude, they are NEVER going to produce the SS in AWD form. So STFU and drop it.

Where did you get this information from? Caddys are already produced in RWD and AWD format, if the SS program reaches another design cycle it is entirely plausible it receives a few tricks from Cadillac...

 

[Diehard]

Agreed.

Torque converters should be replaced by DCT. Stick shifts should remain an option.
Manuals should always be offered instead of a torque converter in "sports" cars.
If the SS really meant Sports Sedan it would have 1 or 2 clutches instead of a pathetic torque converter.

Anyone who calls a DCT an "auto" are simply wrong and Should educate themselves on how a DCT works. It's a manual transmission with 2 clutches. Unless you want TWO clutch pedals, it's best to let the transmission control module work both clutch plates simultaneously while enjoying seem less torque delivery with no lag between shifts. Time for some people to actually go drive a DCT or open a book.

Don't let the description of the operation of the DCT throw you. A traditional automatic transmission has clutches as well but not to be confused with manually actuated clutches as associated with manual transmissions. Save your explanations for someone who wants to hear them.
BTW...A poor explanation of a DCT and who are you to tell someone to open a book?

 

[1k Rider]

Don't let the description of the operation of the DCT throw you. A traditional automatic transmission has clutches as well but not to be confused with manually actuated clutches as associated with manual transmissions. Save your explanations for someone who wants to hear them.
BTW...A poor explanation of a DCT and who are you to tell someone to open a book?

To the Pontiac Solstice owner:
I was obviously dumbing down DCT for people that are uneducated.
I'm not trying to give a lecture on torque converters, wet clutches, MCT, DCT, etc etc .

The simplest way to resolve this issue with someone is for them to go DRIVE a Porsche quipped with their PDK transmission (DCT). Once they do, their eyes will open and they will "get it". Although I still love a T56 trans with a short throw shifter,
Nothing can compete with a modern DCT.

Anyone who argues against DCT doesn't know how it works, have never driven a PDK equipped car, and is completely clueless about the sports car industry.
Like I said, these people need to open a book, or at least a auto magazine.