Damn right it’s not necessary, it’s cool, and you deserve it.
4 Likes
These are mostly excerpts from the conversation Jason had with his mechanic, who also works for a TV show that reviews new cars.
CSR142 Part 3
Tier 3 Mechanic’s Rejection bins, part 2
Durendal Verona
“As a more traditional, American take on the V8 luxury sedan question, this is proof that Durendal’s decades-old investments are paying big dividends. It is remarkably well-engineered in most areas, with a powerful 300hp 4.5L V8 engine, AWD, and active suspension giving it a sneakily fast yet easy-to-drive rocket. It features very solid build quality and a good reliability record, and they’re not that painful to keep running. In this segment, they are considered to be on the soft side, with a plush interior, high body roll, a somewhat floaty ride, and an older design of power steering. This might not work out in your favor. Finally, they are unusually prone to corrosion, despite Durendal adopting a galvanizing process for their cars. Maybe that’s one area they haven’t quite been able to master yet, alongside the brakes.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Avion Summit V8
“Meanwhile, on the extreme other end of that spectrum, lies the Avion Summit, which represented a major shift from a comfort oriented cruiser to a ballistic sports sedan much like European grand tourers. With a 4.5L V8 pumping out a best in class 340 hp, it largely mirrors the experience of a muscle car, only with more comfort. Many reviewers have clocked it from 0-62 mph in under 6 seconds, an amazing feat for a 4-door luxury sedan. Even more amazing is that it hides its nearly 4000 lb curb weight well, with tenacious grip, tossable handling, and superlative brakes. However, it takes quite a bit of sacrifices to maintin this level of speed. For example, the ride is very stiff, being outright intolerable for most drivers. It also utilizes the latest high-performance tires, and most people can’t really stomach the cost of replacing 4 of them at a regular interval. And for the price, you would expect dual frontal airbags.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Transitstar Centaur Royal
“Many of these get converted to stretch limos, due to their impressive levels of comfort, mostly from an active suspension and a luxurious, well built interior. A reputable company will also reinforce various components of the car to withstand the additional weight and stress, such as suspension, chassis, and brakes. As a daily commuter, besides being serene, it’s front wheel drive layout sacrifices handling dynamics for overall better security, a tradeoff most will not mind. A 4L 249hp V8 provides enough motivation to pull it through traffic. However, especially considering its weight, the braking system is underengineered for its task. Also parts are surprisingly expensive, even for this class of car.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Valens Emeresis
“Much like the Transit Star before, the Valens Emeresis aims to provide the most relaxing driving experience possible, though it takes a more traditional approach. At its core is a well built, well appointed interior, with hydropneumatic suspension that provides a very cushy ride. Unfortunately, all of these features don’t exactly hold up well in the real world, and they’re very difficult to work on, especially the suspension and the heinously complicated 4L V8 which features 4 cams and 5 valves per cylinder. Also they cheaped out heavily on the body and chassis construction, not bothering to even apply proper corrision protection. That is highly unacceptable for nearly any car, much less a car this pricey.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
IMP 633
“To be honest, I’m not quite sure how they’re positioning it in the market. The only trim that fits in our budget is the base 6 cylinder version with a 6 speed manual, which doesn’t really fit what we’re looking for. Even if you can overlook the price, the poor tuning of the 3.3L inline 6, more spartan appointments relative to the competition, and high service and repair costs, due in part to a hydropneumatic suspension system, aluminum body panels, and sports tires (courtesy of the manual), make it very uncompetitive.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Savatay Redwood
“The Savatay Redwood is an American luxury sedan that can bring the fight to the world’s best, and is surprisingly underrated. A 5.3L V8 provides a prodigious 307 hp, and helps it dart through traffic. Courtesy of very soft suspension tuning, not many bumps are transmitted through the ride, and the interior is a pleasant place to be. Though that floaty ride and terrible brakes are going to make you overlook this one…”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
RCM Regal V8
“This is interesting as it represents one of the largest mainstream manufacturers attempting to move upmarket. Sure, the profits are undeniable, but I can always count on these Canadians to deliver high-value, well equipped, and durable vehicles with good performance. This is no exception, though I feel like there’s much more work to do if they want to take on more established luxury brands. For example, despite a long list of standard features, many competitors surpass it in outright comfort. And the one major contradiction is the semi-trailing arm suspension, which is good on lowering costs and increasing interior space, but provides significantly inferior dynamics compared to an equivalent multilink system. Other vehicles can provide a better value.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Kura G8
“The Kura G8 mostly delivers on its promise as a high-performance luxury sedan. Unfortunately, it seems as they forgot a ton of other goals, including getting the engine tune right, and developing a proper brake system. Other vehicles with a similarily high level of of build quality, equivalent performance, and higher comfort can do all that for less. Overall, this is one of many competitors that are simply overlooked by failing to stand out…”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Bellomont Vista 4.0
"The Bellomost Vista is remarkably similar to the Kura, starting from its high level of road holding (though quite a bit lower than the Kura). Unfortunately, that also means it inherits many of the same faults, including subpar engine tuning and poor brakes. While it is much cheaper than the Kura, that doesn’t make it any better of a value. For example, the unprotected chassis are highly corrosion-prone, which is just a fundamental error. In addition, I’m not exactly a fan of its steering, and the FWD impacts dynamics heavily. "
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
KPS K10 V8 4.5
“The KPS K10 is a highly capable all-rounder, with a 276 hp 4.5 L V8, high level of interior appointments, and a expertly tuned suspension that balances comfort and drivability well. Unfortunately, this also serves as good proof that in the car market, design often wins the day.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Turból c400 4.3
“Much like RCM, Turbol knows that the higher profit margins of the premium market are irrestistable, and that they have the resources to pull it off. Fortunately for them, Turbol’s engineering team have delivered big time with the new c400, throwing the best of what they have to offer. A 269hp 4.3L V8 and AWD provide good all-weather abilities. The ride, while stiffer than some of the competition, still manages to provide a good level of driver confidence and comfort. Turbol’s penchant for reliability has not been compromised in the process. One major demeritis is that the fuel economy ratings are much worse than the competition.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Somervell Spear XPS
“The Somervell Spear represents a truly exemplaray first effort from a company not entirely known in this segment. Effortless power is provided by the time-tested 306hp 5.4L V8, which is backed up by secure driving behavior courtesy of 4-wheel independent suspension. The interior is the best parent company Arlington has produced ever. I think you will like it.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Vogel SE4
“Ah, the Vogel SE4, the darling of villains everywhere. I’m sure you’ve seen more than a fair share of them in the movies. It’s bold, assertive styling gives it proper presence, and a dash of class to go along with it. Backing it up is a velvety smooth 300 hp 6L V12 and AWD, providing more than enough means for you to assert dominance over the pesky motorists around you, especially considering the very secure handling. Meanwhile, you’ll be accomodated by a well built interior with all the features you could ask for. All at an uncanny low price. And much like the Shijiazhuang, servicing and repairs aren’t as expensive as you might think.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Voltari Halcyon Executive 2.9t AWD
“Swedes tend to be very forward looking, and this is no exception. In the future, where sustainability will be much more prioritized and consumer expectations remaining high, Voltari will be well positioned, Take for example, the expertly designed 2.9L turbocharged inline 6. It provides a healthy 273 hp and consistent torque throughout the who rev range. This means that even in low revs, you will scoot along just fine, helping to maintain efficiency, while still maintaining high RPM power. The rounded styling also offers a glimpse of our car market a few years ahead. Still, if you can get over these unfamiliraties, it’s still a comfortable, easy to drive tourer. The one thing, however, that tends to be impacted is reliability.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Shijiazhuang L1 Executive
“After many failed attempts are breaking into the US market, it seems as though Shijiazhuang has hit their first home run, with the L1 Executive. Offering a generous list of standard features, including an increadibly smooth 292hp 5.2L V12, a well built and accomodating interior, and handsome Japanese design, we can only see if they will win many converts. Helping them a lot is their extensive dealer and servicing network, which means that parts have not been very expensive to procure.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Authlen A780
“The standard of its class, the Authlen A780 doesn’t hesitate to compel you with its 4L 262hp V8, engaging yet secure handling, and a composed ride that smooths out bumps well. All of this while undercutting nearly all of its competitors price-wise, with style and class. I don’t think I need to say anything more about it.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Hakaru Saren Super Royale AD4
“This years update brings the Hakaru Saren into the modern world. First of all, a fully modern 4L 280 hp V8 replaces the previous unit, which was at least 25 years past its sell-by date, and AWD is now available. New gadgets have been added to the already well appointed interior, and the ride has been stiffined up very slightly to improve handling security. Even then, the price has not risen that much, and thus it remains an excellent value. Both quality and expected reliability remain high.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Marksman 95’ ETB - A [ G2 ]
“An interesting Japanese-Australian collab of a frankenstein car, the Marksman ETB - A, made in collaboration with Suisei, shows what the Australians can really make, an advanced, high quality, durable, and world-class executive sedan that will not break your budget (in both purchasing and running it). Straight from the parts bin is the long-serving 4.0L DOHC 24 valve inline 6, providing a competitive 271 hp, beating many of its competitors in both efficiency and performance. They are surprisingly easy to work on, partly due to the space in the engine bay. While the list of standard features isn’t as long as most competitors, they have managed to more than enough compensate with balanced, god-like suspension tuning, helped by that smooth engine. This is all backed up by muscular, if somewhat bloated styling that oozes class, all at a very affordable purchase price.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Hinode Lucent
“As one of the pioneers of modern Japanese luxury cars in the US market, the Hinode Lucent has left its mark in automotive history. This year brings its last update, as it is slated to be replaced next year. The all aluminum DOHC 32 valve 4.5L V8 has received a bump to 283 hp, and is now mated to a 5 speed automatic (like many of its competitors), This combination provides strong all around performance. An update I’m not sure about is the air suspension, which I feel is unnecesary, given the already high standard of comfort from its well tuned suspension and luxurious interior. Despite having phenominal build quality, overall reliability remains poor. Still, with its handsome, if slightly downmarket styling, and all encompassing engineering prowess, I think it is hard to resist.”
Verdict: Moves on.
The following have moved on to Tier 2: @abg7, @conan, @donutsnail, @ARM_Tune, @Texaslav, @Kyorg, @vero94773, @ldub0775, @Xepy, @EnCR, @Executive and @Ryan93, @Falling_Comet and @That-S-cop, and @S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T
18 Likes
The following is an excerpt from a notebook Jason has written in after looking at the candidate cars.
(This may be somewhat OOC)
These bins will be classified into two classes: ugliness and suitability.
CSR142 Part 4
Tier 2 Personal Styling-Based Rejection bins
THE FOLLOWING CARS LISTED BELOW WILL NOT MOVE ON
KPS K10 V8 4.5
Class: Ugliness
Issue: Severe lack of design direction, even if there is some cohesion. Many fixtures, in particular the exhausts and front light/vent arrangement, are ill-proportioned.
Frogeye Scorpio 24V
Class: Ugliness
Issue: Lack of front vent to break up the seat of “smoothness” was very off-putting, and there is an overall lack of cohesion on the rear and between the front and rear, as circles and straight edges literally fight each other.
Turból c400 4.3
Class: Suitability
Issue: While very handsome, looks somewhat downmarket than intended and is overly sporty (not upright enough?). (Think Dodge Stealth, were we considering them?)
Quadra Intruder SC2
Class: Suitability
Issue: Far, far too aggressive, or muscular as a design, you could say that it’s too “blacked out” and not classy enough. Also front grill had this weird solid insert.
Somervell Spear XPS
Class: Ugliness
Issue: Very awkward, limo-like proportions, too “American,” too lardy. C pillar is incredibly upright/vertical.
Vogel SE4
Class: Ugliness
Issue: This was a major shame, as the rear was perhaps my favorite of this whole competition. However, the front completely ruins the general look of the car. First, I’m not quite sure what they were thinking when they were modeling the headlights. Second, the boxy front conflicts heavily with the rounded rear. (This is an issue the Marksman and Voltari manage to overcome)
Shijiazhuang L1 Executive
Class: Suitability
Issue: The use of plastic cladding really cheapened the feel of the car. Out-of-place spoiler also makes it less elegant of a design.
Kaufmann Gestalt 380
Class: Ugliness
Issue: Too bulbous, not “lean and mean” enough. Most obvious in the rear third of the side profile. Overall dimensions suggest that it is too “stubby.”
The following have moved on to Tier 1 finals: @vero94773, @EnCR, @Executive and @Ryan93, @Falling_Comet and @That-S-cop, and @S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T
11 Likes
Ho damn, all that progression only to get killed for having a formal roof. In fact, I think all the best-looking cars were nixed in this aesthetics round - but that’s just personal opinion mixed with salt, so I’ll leave it there. Welp, good luck to the finalists!
2 Likes
I think you have made a mistake with regards to the entry from @Xepy - it’s called the Gestalt 380.
Anyway, you chose the right entries for the top 5 - and I have a surprising observation to make about them: None of them (or indeed any of the entries you received) used the large A8-esque body. When I made a test build based on it, the reason was clear: it falls behind in drivability and comfort compared to other similarly sized bodies (or slightly smaller ones, for that matter).
Another observation I made about the finalists: Two of them used some variant of the '95 Lancer body (not the two smallest ones, though - their wheelbases were too short to be eligible), two more used the '80 E90 Corolla body (with a 2.8m wheelbase - the other sizes all had wheelbases that were too small) and one of them was built on the '90 E31 body.
And from what I’ve seen so far, I’m backing either the Hinode or the Marksman to win.
1 Like
Well this was dissapointing.
4 Likes
Wait, what do you mean by “poor tuning of the engine”?
It makes decent power, has good low and mid-range torque and uses all of the available octane?
I’d agree about the service costs, but it is a luxury car.
Where are the repair costs?
What are you basing that on?
Aluminium body panels?
Well, repair costs are probably his way of expanding on what a high trim service costs value means for the car. As for the rest, including the poor tuning bit, CSR hosts tend to release a results/standings spreadsheet after the round ends. There will likely be more details there. This usually has to do with a fuel mixture that’s too rich or something of the sort.
4 Likes
It’s definitely hard to tune and design these vehicles to fit ones specific taste.
I do have a question that will hopefully help my engine tuning from here on out.
I see in a few reviews that some engines were noted as being really smooth. Where is that number and what helps engine smoothness? Is it the cams?..intake and exhaust?
2 Likes
I left mine at 14,5:1
Maybe it’s too lean?
2 star priority on Efficiency.
1 star on service costs…
Cams are the big one.
And engine design(inline-6 is smoother than an inline-3, 60 degree V6 is smoother than a 90 degree V6 and so on)
Intake and exhaust decide the loudness.
2 Likes
The number is one of the engine statistics on the left side of the Engine Designer. It has kind of a prickly icon. Engine configuration is by far the biggest factor, with i6 and V12 (also V16) engines being smoothest, followed by engine size and camshaft profile. In turn, smoothness improves the reliability of the engine and comfort of the car. Honestly, just hop on the discord server when you design your next CSR vehicle and ask for advice whenever you’re unsure or stuck; I promise you won’t regret it.
4 Likes
Or whether you can actually use the power that’s advertised.
butts against the rev limiter
3 Likes
CSR142 Part 5
Tier 1 finals
After finalizing the list of considered options, Jason and his wife, Lisa, have planned out a full day of test drives. With the dealers already contacted, the planned route will simply be Jason’s route from their house to work. This will involve, but not be limited to some smooth backroads from their home, a typical 55-85 mph interstate run, and pockmarked city streets.
As this is taking place on a Saturday, traffic is not expected to be rush hour level. However, it is noted that a still significant amount of people will be traveling to their weekend activities.
Marksman ETB - A [ G2 ]
Interesting enough, the first dealer on the list wasn’t even technically a “Marksman” dealer, as the nearest Marksman dealer was too far away for their tight schedule. In its place was a Suisei dealer that happened to also carry Marksmans. Established in 1955 after the founder’s franchise application was rejected by Chevrolet, Hollywood Suisei is the oldest Suisei dealer in the US, verified through official Suisei company records. From humble beginnings as an abandoned Nash dealer, it has grown to become the largest Suisei dealership in the US, a living testimony to the enduring qualities of the brand. And with the new partnership with the Australian Marksman brand, another renowned manufacturer seeking to enter the US market, promising a pair of world-beating executive sedans, it was a natural first destination for them.
As they pulled into the parking lot, they were taken aback by the modern steel and glass dealership towering above the endless rows of cars. After parking the FC22, they were immediately greeted by the owner, who happened to be Lisa’s best friend and former college roommate, Amelia Watson.
“hic! Lisa! Jason! How are you two doing? I heard you were looking at a Marksman ETB-A?”
“I sure am,” quipped Jason. The three approached a white example where a dealer mechanic conducted the final checks. Even if it was a bit chubby, the muscular, yet classy styling gave Jason a good sense of confidence. After getting acquainted with the cavernous interior, Jason noted the interior matched those of cars costing much more, noting the generous power functions, thoughtful ergonomics and assembly, comfortable accomodations, and a welcoming ambiance courtesy of generous wood brightwork. It was easy to get a good driving position, even if the accelerator pedal was mounted was too far to the left.
The ETB-A really punched about its segment throughout the test drive. The 4.0L inline 6 was the star of the show, providing consistent power with uncanny-like unobtrusiveness at all speeds, emitting a muted, raspy din at full load. Acceleration was very strong, and the aggressive geared 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission shifted smoothly and quickly, always having the right gear for the moment. Overall handling was smooth, secure, and rather responsive, though there was some slight sluggishness and the soft tuning of the suspension gave it a heavy tendency to lean in tighter turns. However, this paid big dividends on the highway, where it was able to glide over small bumps while being stable at high speed while maintaining its smoothness on rougher roads. More twisty roads made it more unsettling, but the slight undulations were more than tolerable.
Hinode Lucent
Next up was a trip to the newly renovated Hinode dealership. Much like the Suisei/Marksman one, it was a modern multi-story behemoth, with an imposing appearance that used wide swathes of glass accented by bright white supports. The salesman greeted them as they entered.
“Welcome, my name is Kevin. What brings you here?”
“We want to take a look at the Lucent.”
Shortly thereafter, a dark-blue model was driven to the front, where the three entered. The interior was noticeably more business-like and tighter than the Marksman, though there were ample amounts of wood brightwork. It was comfortable in general, and the driving position was excellent, though again, Jason was also not a fan of the awkward pedal arrangement. Overall, its general atmosphere could be described as Teutonic and focused, with professional levels of design and assembly.
The Lucent was arguably the sportiest model on the list and proved to be an exceptional car in nearly all regards. The 4.5L V8 dominated the experience, and Jason did not have to prod it much to experience the full might of its 283 horsepower. Yet its anger was barely audible under load. Acceleration was unquestionably the most muscular, and the 5-speed automatic was one of the best on the market, being well-matched to the engine’s power curve and shifting smoothly and quickly on demand. Handling was simply impressive for its class, and its outright precision, responsiveness, and quickness inspired a lot of confidence in all roads, even eliciting a smile from Jason. While its more aggressive characteristics meant that it could be trickier to drive in more evasive maneuvers, the slight tendency for oversteer was easily controlled. The advanced air suspension turned out to be a rather useful feature for ensuring a smooth yet composed ride, soaking up larger bumps well. The ride was very taut, providing high stability at speed and a good sense of control in turns, though with some harshness on slower surface roads and smaller bumps.
Hakaru Saren Super Royale AD4
As they arrived at their next destination, the bright Hakaru dealership beckoned with a long line of cars lining the street. Greeting the salesman waiting outdoors for their appointment, they were presented with a black example. Immediately standing out was the impressive fitment of the body panels. Interior space was slightly larger than the Hinode’s though still on the smaller side. Likewise, there was still a serious, Germanic feel to it, with a similarly awkward pedal arrangement and swathes of wood. Jason was somewhat befuddled by the large screen that sat in the center console. Overall build quality was excellent, and interior comfort was judged to be high.
The smooth 4.0L V8 produced a similar amount of power to the Hinode, but the Saren’s acceleration was the most leisurely of the group. While it took much more effort to wring all of its power, most of the blame would have to go to the 4-speed automatic transmission. While smooth, the overly long ratios severely dulled the response and it was always hunting for the “right” gear. In addition, the engine also strained some bit going through these gears. Due in part to the sophisticated AWD system, handling was very secure and smooth, with reasonably good responsiveness, albeit with notable body roll. Jason never felt that it was out of his control. Unfortunately, the ride was judged to be a bit “out of control” due to its relative stiffness (and lack of damping?), which made its behavior more jittery than desired, especially on bumpy roads. However, it was very controlled at high speed.
Voltari Halcyon Executive 2.9t AWD
The Voltari dealership was definitely a mix of traditional and modern philosophies, with a softer, more “human/natural” feel to it. This was a welcome relief from the somewhat sterile feeling of the previous dealerships. Still, both Jason and Lisa knew that the car they were about to test drive next, the Voltari Halcyon, was among the most forward-thinking and modern cars they had seen.
Soon, the salesman would drive one of these painted in eye-catching Ocean Blue Metallic for them to evaluate. Also eye-catching were the very consistent and small panel gaps that hinted at a very meticulous engineering and assembly process, a quality that carried on the interior, the smallest of the group. With a considerate approach to ergonomics, integration of features, and interior comfort, Jason adjusted almost instantly to the car, finding a good driving position very quickly. Ample bright work made this a very inviting place to be in.
Completely subverting initial doubts, the Voltari was very compelling proof that the future of the automotive industry could be in good hands. Though the turbocharged 2.9L inline 6 took quite a bit of effort to really pump out its 273 hp, once it got there, it was like a locomotive on wheels, providing excellent mid-range acceleration that helped with passing. All of this was done with completely no fuss from the engine, and noise and vibration were well suppressed. Unfortunately, the 4-speed automatic transmission wasn’t entirely the most cooperative companion around. Like the Hakaru, its long gear ratios often threw the engine out of the ideal powerband, exacerbating the issues with “turbo lag” and adding unneeded sluggishness, and it could be hesitant to shift when needed. Unlike the Hakaru, its handling behavior was very secure, smooth, and responsive, with well-damped movements throughout all speeds and turns and excellent roadholding. The tradeoff was some harshness on rough roads. The AWD system was very good at providing the most overall grip possible.
Authlen A780
Last, but not least, would be the Authlen A780, a model that was newly introduced to rave reviews from the automotive press. Being a smaller, more niche manufacturer, Authlen’s dealership was definitely smaller than the rest of them, though overall service was still excellent. The couple was presented with a vaguely champagne-colored model for their evaluation. Unfortunately, it was clear that the body assembly wasn’t quite up to the standards of the competition, though the interior was still very well built. Much like the Hakaru, the overall interior ambiance was very serious and quite German, with a healthy dose of wood. Overall seat and interior comfort were still high, despite some awkward controls, and there was a ton of cabin space.
The Authlen did a good job of managing the often conflicting demands of executive sedan customers like Jason. At 262 hp, the 4.0L V8 seemed outgunned by the competition. Yet, with the well-matched ratios of the crisp and responsive 5-speed automatic transmission, it didn’t get left behind, being surprisingly sprightly, especially off the line, though the engine made its presence more known than in the other cars. The Authlen’s real calling card was its expertly tuned suspension that incorporated electronic control in the dampers to help deliver good composure without sacrificing comfort. The Authlen’s overall ride was judged to be almost as good as the Marksman’s, being able to absorb both small and large bumps without much fuss. The Authlen took to the corners quite well courtesy of its excellent body control. The one major demerits was some slight fidgeting on the highway.
So there it was, 5 well-engineered answers to the executive luxury sedan question.
The Marksman was a complete outlier, having 6 cylinders in a market dominated by V8s. Yet it was able to subvert nearly all criticism, offering a roomy, well-appointed interior, strong performance, and standout design. And at $40,800, with excellent reliability and incredibly cheap maintenance costs, it is a very logical car to choose. Yet, there was this nagging feeling that even with all these credentials, it couldn’t really deliver the last 10ths of the performance that separate the best from the rest.
The Hinode Lucent was the athlete of the bunch, with the best powertrain and irresistable handling that didn’t sacrifice daily comfort. Yet, all the technology that makes this feat possible comes at a cost. In this case, it’s poor projected reliability and a very high purchase cost of $49,700. Would it be worth every penny, given its uncompromising performance?
On the other end of the spectrum, the Hakaru stumbled heavily with its sloppy paired powertrain and tigger style suspension tuning. This was a car that had a slightly pragmatic preference for (on paper) value. With its focus on offering a good range of standard features, including AWD, a V8 engine, and nearly all the trappings of a modern luxury interior, at a very good $42,900, these issues could be overlooked, especially considering that it had the highest predicted reliability and the best efficiency (over 24 us mpg).
With unflappable handling, a welcoming design, and sheer attention to detail, the Voltari Halcyon took a unique approach, taking the best of what Voltari had to offer instead of chasing the status quo. Unfortunately, with an uncooperative transmission, turbo lag, and a somewhat stiff ride, the prospect of paying $49,400 seemed much less appealing.
Thus, the Autech A780 occupies a pretty sweet spot in this group, offering excellent ride quality and handling composure. At $41,100, while it didn’t match the outright value of the Marksman, it still manages to undercut many a similar or worse performance competitor. What you pay, unfortunately, is in the form of lackluster performance, though that compromise isn’t as severe as one might think.
While every one of them did well in their testing, there can only be one winner....
Congratulations to @S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T (Hinode Lucent) for creating a V8 luxury executive sedan that was very much well worth the price. Overall, the drawbacks were all judged to be manageable and worth it for its unbeatable overall performance.
2nd place: @Falling_Comet and @That-S-cop (Marksman ETB - A)
3rd place: @EnCR (Authlen A780)
4th place: @vero94773 (Voltari Halcyon Executive 2.9t AWD)
5th place: @Executive and @Ryan93 (Hakaru Saren Super Royale AD4)
more places can be determined upon further request
Also prop car by @Portalkat42
19 Likes
You haven’t looked at my car yet.
Besides, what kind of evaluation is that? You only evaluated panel designs and materials, which you didn’t say anything about at all. All right, we’ll wait until VenaSera comes to California and reassess.
Normally, and according to what was in the rules. You didn’t even announce the winners, and the score that each car scored. You didn’t pass the exam as a presenter.
That part’s hidden in a pop-down menu at the bottom of the post. Don’t know about the rest, tho.
3 Likes
You didn’t pass the exam as a presenter.
I don’t think you passed the IQ test.
4 Likes
I like how well-written the judgements are and results were amazing, well done for crafting a good CSR round
4 Likes
Considering that the host commented something like this, I’m not sure that they want to evaluate any further because they don’t want to appear aggressive or mean to you. The engine, the suspension, brake, safety and chassis are all reviewed and commented. If they evaluate furthermore it’ll probably just turn into public shaming.
10 Likes
Quite right. Well done to him, then, for winning a CSR for the first time ever. However, each of the other finalists ran it very close - and the same would have been true of the semi-finalists had those not been eliminated due to scoring poorly in the aesthetic categories. And regarding this misguided remark:
I couldn’t disagree more - this was one of the best CSRs we’ve had in a very long time, not just because of the premise and planning, but also because of the writing, especially how the verdicts on each car (including the ineligible ones) were delivered. In fact, in true CSR tradition, it sets a very high bar for the next round, regardless of who hosts it, when it’ll be set in, and what it’ll be about.
7 Likes