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Only three things matter in the auto industry, according to the old adage: product, product, and product. And nowhere is that more apparent than in the luxury car market. There are now more brands to choose from — and more models among those brands. One major luxury maker has promised to roll out a new product every three months for the rest of the decade, and its competitors aren’t far behind.
Competition is driving everyone to deliver not just more products, but better ones. Design is a key brand differentiator — and from a styling standpoint, many of today’s top-line models could qualify as high art.
Today’s luxury cars manage to balance their design improvements with superior handling, a comfortable ride, and surprising fuel economy. Many of today’s larger luxury crossovers and sedans are delivering fuel economy numbers you’d have been hard-pressed to get from a subcompact econobox a decade ago.
Credit the latest mechanical innovations like turbocharging, but also check out the incredible high-tech revolution redefining what a modern luxury car is all about. The latest luxury cars feature breakthrough safety features that let them drive all but autonomously, and amazing infotainment systems offer the best of what you could find in home or office technologies.
Here’s our look at some of the best luxury products of 2015.
2015 Lexus RC
It only took a few laps of the challenging track at New York’s Monticello Raceway to make us rethink everything we thought we knew about Lexus. As it wraps up its 25th anniversary, the Japanese brand has reason to celebrate its reputation for delivering solid, reliable, and well-equipped luxury cars that make you long to take an extended road trip. The new Lexus RC adds a level of passion we hadn’t experienced before — and all the more so thanks to its track-ready RC F.
More than just a replacement for the older IS Coupe, the 2015 Lexus RC introduces the most dramatic styling we’ve ever seen from the brand, with a striking version of the Lexus spindle grille. But beauty really is more than skin deep. The new platform is slightly larger, and decidedly better planted on the road.
The new coupe comes in a mix of flavors, including the base RC, the more spirited RC F Sport, and the mind-blowing RC F, with its 467-horsepower, 5-liter V-8. It has a pleasantly calm demeanor until you kick the throttle to the floorboards. After that, hold on.
As in any Lexus, you can expect a quiet, comfortable ride, surrounded by upscale details and the latest technologies — including an upgraded infotainment system that easily pairs with your smartphone to access apps like Pandora audio.
Considering how well the new RC performs both on road and on track, we’d have to put it on our list of recommended luxury coupes. It just might change what buyers think of the already impressive Lexus brand.
To test drive a 2015 Lexus RC, visit:
Meade Lexus of Lakeside | 45001 Northpointe Boulevard | 586-580-4544
Meade Lexus of Southfield | 28300 Northwestern Highway | 248-469-8800
Lincoln MKC
Star Lincoln is proud to announce the sculpted 2015 Lincoln MKC crossover, an all-new expression of luxury.
It’s amazing what can happen when you put old ideas to rest. Suddenly, stunning design is infused with equally purposeful function.
The classic Lincoln winged grille frames dramatic HID headlamps with signature LED accents. A sculpted body, low roof, and high beltline evoke athletic ability. Enjoy the best characteristics of a sport crossover and a luxury sedan.
The MKC offers two engine options, both with turbochargers for refined performance and responsible fuel economy. The 2.3-liter engine does it all, with 285 horsepower and 305 lb.-ft. of torque to rocket you forward with surprisingly graceful acceleration; the 2.0-liter engine gives you power with amazing efficiency. We call it EcoBoost.® You’ll call it inspiring.
Lincoln MKC delivers everything from available technology that warns you if you’re drifting out of your lane to an enhanced THX® II Certified Audio System* that features 700 watts of power and 14 strategically placed speakers. You’ll also enjoy active park assist — a new, class-exclusive feature that makes parallel parking effortless. The list of standard features goes on and on. To learn more, stop by Hoot McInerney’s all-new Star Lincoln. Test drive the Lincoln MKC and ask about the Star Treatment, a premium ownership experience that includes a complementary loaner when it’s time for scheduled maintenance, and much more.
To test drive a Lincoln MKC, visit:
Hoot McInerney’s Star Lincoln | 24350 W. 12 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48034 | 248-354-4900 | www.StarLincoln.net
2015 Kia Cadenza
The 2015 Cadenza premium sedan continues to redefine the Kia brand with a number of enhancements designed to offer more luxury, technology, and convenience for the new model year. Available in two trim levels, Premium and Limited, the Cadenza builds off the success it earned in 2014, when it was named the “International Car of the Year” by Road and Travel Magazine by continuing to offer responsive and engaging driving dynamics and undeniable value wrapped in an eye-catching, European-inspired design.
New for 2015, the Limited trim level receives feature and design enhancements starting with a new grille and fender garnish. Inside the driver-oriented cockpit, the Limited gets standard flex steer; surround view monitor 1, which provides a nearly 360-degree overhead view of the vehicle for easier maneuvering and parking; new LED lighting elements; a new analogue clock design; and additional chrome trim pieces.
The Cadenza makes a bold statement about where the brand is going and what customers should expect from Kia.
