2014 Washington Auto Show - Pt. 3

Now that the upstairs portion of the convention center was done it was time to head downstairs where most of the import cars were set up.

• Lexus has been trying to revamp their corporate image and styling, moving away from the soft, luxurious, sterile confines they have perfected and into something with bit more dynamic character, visually and behind the wheel. The results? Quite mixed.The LS, GS, and ES all look extremely similar. I walked past the GS twice thinking it was another ES. Lexus is dead set on spreading their 'spindle' grill across their entire line. Some are inoffensive, as on the ES (and rightfully so, since that is their bread and butter model). The LS, however, looks like a huge vacuum has been slapped on the hood. While very well made, almost tailored, the GS has been redesigned to....indistinct, which is a shame. The previous GS models stood out from the other Lexus models, especially with their 'bubble eye' headlights. This one doesn't have nearly the presence, which is likely to hurt sales overall.
• The exception to that blase styling would be the F Sport models, which are the standard cars with a body kit. It works well on the GS, which wakes the car up (though it also makes it look like a late model Infinity). On the LS, the additions are more restrained, but quite pointless for such a car. I mean, would you take an S-Class and put ground effects and a wing on it? Now that I think of it, I'm sure plenty of people would, so Lexus did it for you. Class can't be bought, I suppose. For the record, there isn't a wing on the LS
• The wild child in the bunch would be the IS-F, a 416HP, RWD, tire shredding 4 door gunning for the likes of the M3, S4 and C63 AMG. With all the diagonal creases and slashes it won't be mistaken for another car in Lexus's portfolio, that's for sure. Car and Driver is quite taken to it, choosing it above the last gen M3. Altezza fans will be quite pleased. 
• I think the CT-h would fare much better if they didn't insist on giving Lexus their own Prius (actually that would have been the HS, which was such a hideous cash grab Lexus did the honorable thing and euthanized the car rather than trying to relaunch it). It's a nice little hatch that's begging for a potent engine and better chassis tuning. It really deserves better
• Last year the LFA was on display. Apparently all 500 copies of the limited and now quite rare supercar have been sold, so there wasn't much reason to bring one to the show. Pity. I do hope their next foray into the world of ratified metal won't take as long or be delayed nearly as much (swapping from aluminum to carbon fiber really threw a wrench into their launch plans)
• The less said about the IS convertible the better. How Lexus managed to make a convertible worse than the SC convertible of yesteryear  I'll never know. That takes some serious dedication. Or quaaludes....

•  My Audi fetish continues unabated. I don't care that the cars aren't RWD like their competitors. I don't care that 4WD won't give you the same driving sensation or on throttle oversteer you can get out of a 'traditional' layout. Their design language is clean and expressive without being boring. They managed to pull off the wide frame grill look, while other makers are still trying to sort their front ends out (looking at you Lexus, Acura, Lincoln...). And their interiors are second to none in their respective class.
• The upcoming S3 was on display. This car is the spiritual successor to the original S4 from '96, which really set off the Audi fetish for me (which was cemented with the TT concept). Size and power it's the perfect car for 'just dad'. The kids can come for a short trip, but that's about it. If I had disposable income (or if my wife had a bigger car to be deemed the 'family' car) I would cop one without thinking twice.
• The A5 is a seriously understated, but beautiful coupe. The BMW 3 series coupe never had anything on it. I will say the new 4 series is extremely impressive, and I wouldn't be mad if someone gave me the keys. But if I'm paying the note on one of them, it would have to be the A5. The shape is so right it doesn't even need to be a S5 or RS5 to look stunning.
• The worst things you can say about the A8: (a) It looks like a plus sized A4, which isn't a great thing for a car that starts north of $75k; and (b) It's not a Mercedes S Class, which is still the standard for cars of this stature. The A8 has always been an understated limo, focusing on it's aluminum construction, manicured interior, and excellent infotainment center. It will never do S Class numbers (or 7 Series numbers, though it should), but it's a worthy vehicle nonetheless. 
• Very little looks as evil as a matte blue R8 V10 Plus. While the supercar (or junior supercar, depending on who you ask) is due for a refresh, the R8 forced automakers, even it's cousin the Gallardo, to figure out how to make a super car you can use every day with few compromises that still manages to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Not a bad way to spend $175k
• The only thing to look as evil as that R8 would be the metallic blue RS7 that sat next to it. With 560HP coming from a twin turbo V8, it will outrun a R8 V8. Talk about sibling rivalry. Loaded out at around $125k, it could be considered the inverse of the R8, an everyday supercar.
• There were no TTs on display. Odd that. 

• Seemingly following Audi's lead, BMW has taken to splitting it's model lineup with even and odd numbers - even numbers for coupes, odd numbers for sedans. Why? To justify the premium having a car with 2 fewer doors has? Maybe, if you're being cynical. To confuse their buyers? Possibly, although Infinity has them beat (more on that later)
• The 6 Series Gran Coupe is probably the prettiest car in their portfolio. BMW's take on the 4 door coupe (which is really a stupid description, but that's a semantics discussion) arguably looks better than the CLS that started it all or the A7. The M6 Gran Coupe turns things up to 11 with a 560HP twin turbo V8. Most reports tend to knock the big car, and most products not the 3/4 Series, for dynamics that seem not quite up to snuff from BMW's prior works. No matter. I'd have one in matte white please and thank you. Too bad it's more expensive than a fully loaded RS7.
• Strange thing about that 6 Series Gran Coupe. It has 4 doors. Wouldn't that make it a 5 Series then? Or is BMW really pushing that coupe thing? See, confusing (or semantics)
• Looking at the 7 Series, I really start to miss Chris Bangle. Yes he sent the BMW faithful in a frothing rage with the E65 7 Series from 2001. I always liked the car, even the 'Bangle-Butt' rear end. Couple that with the first iteration of iDrive and there was mad for days. I think the problem was they pushed the envelope so far design wise and tech wise in a car that only older people could afford and wouldn't appreciate or understand. I understand why they did (or any other manufacturer would do): trickle the tech down your product range and spread out the costs, and give yourself a halo car. In the end, I think that car was well received and Bangle's design trickled down the range as the years went on. Why am I dwelling on the old car so much? Because the new one looks like a plus sized 5 Series (much like the A8/A4 lookalikes. Must be a German thing) It's a nice car, probably a nice drive, but just doesn't move the needle for me.
• The 5 Series GT is an ugly, ugly car. Supposedly a mashup of a SUV, sport sedan and a GT car, it only succeeds in looking awkward at best and Quasimodo on wheels at worst. The worst part is this will end up replacing the 5 Series Touring wagon. Why? Because people here in the US don't buy wagons. Or hatchbacks. Or like dual clutch transmissions. I tell you, I'm moving to Europe...
• For the life of me I'm still trying to figure out exactly why the X6 exists. Not as much room as either the X5 or the 5 Touring for either passengers or cargo, and looks dumpier than a AMC Eagle. To make matters worse, there's a M version. At least the twin turbo in that one makes the X6 go like stink. Unfortunately, it can't outrun it's ugly. I get that it's more an 'image' car, more than a practical one. I've got no problem with that at all. Just make it an image worth looking ar. BMW should kill off both it and the low end X1 and just stick with the class defining X5
• The new 4 Series coupe, on the other hand, looks fantastic. Even though I'm not too fond of the black paint on the cooling vents on the front quarter panels (blame it on countless knock off stick-ons that people insist on putting on their 2004 Malibus), it's a very chiseled car, with strong character lines running down the sides and a creased bonnet (that gives way to a nice 'power dome' on the M3/M4) that has more than a little hint of Z4 to it. I'm not sure if I like the look better than the E46 from 2001, but I already like it better than last gen's E90/92, which did grow on me after a while. The M3 has always been considered the benchmark for a sports sedan. I don't see things changing with this one
• The BMW i3 was also on display. It's a curious looking thing, to be sure. Almost like a life sized Automoblox model with an electric motor. Made with carbon fiber reinforced plastic and having the option of a petrol engine as a range extender, it should make for an interesting city car. I can see a slew of Hollywood celebs and hybrid posers switching to this. Not that it makes things any better, mind you.
• Even with my Audi fetish,  if I were forced to pick one car to do everything I needed for the rest of my days, I's likely give a long, hard look to the M5. Even without the V10(!) that the E60 M5 used, the twin turbo V8 is a bit faster with more torque and more fuel efficient. Not quite a fan of the synthetic engine noise piped through the speakers, though (and BMW isn't alone in the fake-me-out sound department either).
  
  Upon further review, if I had one car to choose for the rest of my days it would likely come down to either the E61 M5 Touring or the C6 RS6 Avant (twin turbo V10). And yes I know, either BMW or Audi's V81 are more efficient than their V10 efforts, but where else are you getting a V10 in a wagon?