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Thursday, March 10, 2016
CADILLAC LAUNCHES NEW MIDSIZE CROSSOVER
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DEALERSHIP
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ROAD TEST
Neil Moore
Metroland Media I was a little surprised at Porsche for encouraging a winter road test of their 911 Targa 4 GTS. I’m sure they realized I could be sliding around in a $172K vehicle, not to mention giving its exterior a shellacking with gravel and road salt. Mind you, it seemed a moot point when I agreed to do this, as winter still hadn’t arrived. And any serious dump of snow was beginning to seem unlikely. And then it happened. On the day I picked up my uber-pricey ride, reports warned of a winter storm blowing in from Texas. It contained the usual dire predictions that at one time may have panicked certain mayors into mobilizing the armed forces, not to mention triggering school bus and flight cancellations. And here I was, climbing into a low-slung sportscar. Perhaps not my wisest decision, but at least I’d have one day of dry asphalt before the flakes were expected. So with a naturally aspirated, 430-hp flat six at my command – mated to a rapid-fire PDK transmission – I’d make the most of this brief opportunity. For those unfamiliar with the scope of the 911 lineup, it encompasses 25 models that include coupe, cabriolet and targa models, rear-drive and AWD, manual and PDK automatic, with several powertrains. They run from the “base” 911 Carrera at $102,200 to the 911
RIDE OF THE WEEK: 2016 FORD F150 PAGE W5
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Low-slung Porsche 911 good fun in the snow
ROAD TEST
JIM ROBINSON
Metroland Media
Cadillac gets it right with new luxury mid-size CUV
Nothing looks quite like the iconic Porsche 911, now available in 25 models. Like the Targa 4 GTS, which starts at $157,030 with seven-speed PDK and Porsche Traction Management AWD.
Turbo S Cabriolet at $228,800. My Targa 4 GTS starts somewhere near the middle – at $151,500, with another $21,225 in options. This includes $5,530 for the PDK seven-speed automatic, instead of the standard-equipped seven-speed manual. So I had time for a few on-ramps and a good highway run to really tap into its power, revelling in the sonorous quad exhausts as its 3.8litre engine climbs to a 7,500 rpm redline.
Performance enthusiasts continue to moan about the takeover of dual-clutch automatics – and the PDK is no exception – but these can shift in milliseconds, which is something I can’t do. And the results speak for themselves. Zero to 100 km/h takes 4.7 seconds with the manual and only 4.3 with the PDK - both while in Sport Plus mode. On that note, there are three drive modes, and on dry pavement, Sport and Sport Plus are good fun.
Not so much in the snow. But I did explore their benefits before and after the snowstorm – and they are significant. ‘Sport’ was my go-to mode, allowing you to leave the suspension in the default ‘comfort’ setting, which is firm, but not bone jarring. Choose ‘Sport’ damping, and it will rattle your fillings. Punch the throttle and you’ll notice an almost instant response, with the PDK upshifting later to Turn to page W2
LEFT: Seated low in the Targa 4 GTS, the instruments and controls surround the driver like a cockpit. High-end finishes and materials are an expected part of the package at $172,725 including options and freight. RIGHT: Ground clearance may be limited, but the Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS, with Porsche Traction Management AWD, handles the snow and slush with ease.
DANA POINT, CA: The 2017 XT5 mid-size luxury crossover is the “most critical launch in the history of Cadillac”. Mid-size CUVs are the hottest thing in the luxury segment right now, something not lost on Cadillac designers and engineers when bringing the XT5 to market. You might ask, doesn’t Cadillac already have a player in the SRX? The answer is really no. The SRX bowed in 2004 before the lux CUV segment soared into the stratosphere leaving the SRX far behind and off the radar of most consumers. The XT5 and the flagship CT6 both are the harbingers of mighty change within Cadillac with the XT5 being just the first of a new family of SUV/CUVs in the works all carrying the “XT” name. The XT5 is definitely mid-size as seen from any angle and seats five, but if you look at all the cargo room behind the second row, it’s easy to see a third row just might fit. Cadillac says it developed the XT5 from the inside out starting with second row seats that slide, tilt and have a 40/20/40 split/fold. Cut and sewn materials are used throughout the interior with seven colours available including one called “Sugar Maple”. There are also seven colours on the exterior that compliment the signature use of vertical front and rear lighting. Interior volume is commodious at 1,784 litres (104.5 cu ft) behind the first row and 849 litres (30.0) cu ft behind the second row. A nice touch is a sliding metal divider in the cargo area to keep things from bouncing around. Properly equipped, it can tow up to 1,588 kg (3,500 lb). The XT5 comes in four trim models with starting prices at $45,100 for the base model, $49,250 for the Luxury, $59,830 for the Premium and $68,595 for the Platinum not Turn to page W3
Ask us about Prepaid Maintenance. Mercedes-Benz.ca/PPM
Nothing But The Best Sales Event. Enjoy the best of our 2016 lineup with 3 months payments waived or $2,000 in cash credits on select models. 2016 C 300 4MATIC Sedan TOTAL PRICE: $46,381* Lease rate
Lease payment
Plus receive
Receive up to
3.9% $398 3 months OR $2,000 **
45 months
**
$5,910 down
††
†
payments waived
in cash credits
*Taxes extra.
Mercedes-Benz Newmarket, 230 Mulock Drive, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 9B8, 905.853.6868, www.newmarket.mercedes-benz.ca © 2016 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 2016 C 300 4MATIC Sedan shown above with optional Premium Package ($3,700), Sport Package ($1,500), Active LED High Performance Lighting System ($1,200) and 19” AMG wheels ($500), Total Price $53,281. Lease and finance offers based on the 2016 C 300 4MATIC Sedan are available only through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services on approved credit for a limited time. *Total price of $46,381 for advertised vehicle includes MSRP plus all applicable dealer fees. **Lease example based on $398 per month for 45 months with a down payment or equivalent trade of $5,910. Freight/PDI of $1,995, dealer admin fee of $395, air-conditioning levy of $100, EHF tires, filters, batteries of up to $29.70, PPSA of $51.15 and OMVIC fee of $10 are due at signing. First month’s payment plus security deposit of $400 and applicable taxes due at lease inception. MSRP starting at $43,800. Lease APR of 3.9% applies. †† As a cost of credit the incentive for cash customers of $2,000, is only available to customers who do not finance or lease a 2016 C 300 4MATIC through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Total obligation is $26,754. 18,000 km/year allowance ($0.20/km for excess kilometres applies). †First, second and third month payment waivers are capped for the 2016 C 300 4MATIC up to a total of $450 (including taxes) for lease programs and up to a total of $650 (including taxes) for finance programs. Vehicle license, insurance, registration, and taxes are extra. Dealer may lease or finance for less. Offers may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for details or call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Relations Centre at 1-800-387-0100. Offers end March 31, 2016. C
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