2018 Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular Raises $750,000

Fundraiser Benefits Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation’s Efforts to Help Area Youth

In keeping with the “Sultan’s Soirée” theme, magic-filled The Hilton Anatole ballroom for the Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular event.

Bedazzled and bejeweled, the Texas Rangers largest fundraising event of the year featured a roaming snake charmer and an opportunity for a photo op with a camel. Wishes were granted as fans met their diamond heroes and bid on trips they’d only dreamed about their whole lives. But the biggest winners of the 2018 Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play are the kids that will benefit from the nearly $750,000 raised for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

*Texas Rangers Foundation Triple Play at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)*

“This was one of the most successful Triple Play events we’ve ever had,” said Karin Morris, executive director of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. “Demand for our exclusive experiences in the live auction was so strong that we were able to duplicate several of the trips to double the amount raised. Our Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, which was only a dream just a few years ago, is open and serving kids from across North Texas because of funds raised from previous years of the Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play.”

The event featured attendance by Texas Rangers players, coaches, broadcasters, and alumni. Fans enjoyed unparalleled access to their favorite Rangers for autographs, photos and just chatting about baseball.

“We’re very proud to be associated with such a worthy cause,” said Gary Venner, general manager of Park Place Lexus Grapevine. “Seeing how the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation has grown over the years, and all the great things they are doing for kids, makes this one of our favorite charitable events of the year.”

The highlight of the evening was the Rangers players competing against each other in a pair of hilarious game shows. This year’s competitions included the fan favorite Fielders Feud and Wheel of Fortune. The teams were made up of the following players: Fielders Feud: Infielders: Elvis Andrus, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Joey Gallo, and Jurickson Profar. Outfielders: Shin-Soo Choo, Delino DeShields, Nomar Mazara, and Ryan Rua. The infielders dominated Fielders Feud, emceed by Hall of Fame announcer Eric Nadel. The crowd roared with laughter at some of the players’ answers and the witty banter between them.

Fox Sports Southwest Field Reporter Emily Jones hosted Wheel of Fortune, which matched a trio of two-man teams against each other: Team #1 Tony Barnette and Jake Diekman; Team #2 Jesse Chavez and Chris Martin; Team #3 Doug Fister and Kevin Jepsen. Pitchers Fister and Jepsen were obviously on the same wavelength as they handily won Wheel of Fortune.

Among the items available for bidding in the live auction were a trip to Los Angeles to watch the Rangers play the Los Angeles Dodgers; a trip to Boston for the Rangers – Red Sox series at Fenway Park; a trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley aboard Rangers owner Neil Liebman’s private jet; and a five-day hunting and fishing trip to Argentina hosted by former Ranger All-Star Jim Kern.

In addition, the silent auction featured a Top Golf experience with Delino DeShields, on-field instruction and game-type experience hosted by Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister, private hitting and pitching lessons with current Rangers players, and many other exclusive experiences. In addition, there were rare and unusual autographed memorabilia items from across the sports and entertainment worlds.

ABOUT THE TEXAS RANGERS BASEBALL FOUNDATION: Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has invested more than $30 million in our community to help children through support of programs including the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota, youth health and wellness programs like the just keep livin programs, educational programs such as the Richard Greene Scholars program, and support of the military and first responders and their families.

ABOUT PARK PLACE DEALERSHIPS: Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. A new Porsche dealership will open in Grapevine this summer. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

April 19, 2018April 19, 2018

2018 Jaguar E-Pace: The Most Thrilling Compact SUV You’ll Ever Pilot

Jaguar’s first ever compact SUV is sure to excite the senses. It’s the perfect in-city SUV with its ability to maneuver in tight parking spaces; compared to the F-Pace it shaves off 13 inches in length and about 3 inches in width. It’s really one of the most thrilling compact SUV’s you will ever pilot.

April 12, 2018August 16, 2018

Road to Supercar Pit Stop #1: Expanded Collector’s Concours for Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase

Park Place Dealerships’ Selection Committee has extended registration for the second annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, to be held Saturday, October 13, 2018, at the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas. The Collectors’ Concours is our first stop on the #RoadtoSupercar.

“We were thrilled with the cars that participated in our inaugural event last year,” said Jed Siddle, Park Place Premier Collection Parts Manager and a member of the Selection Committee for the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase. “This year, we are expanding the Collectors Showcase onto the fairway of the TPC Four Seasons Championship golf course. We’ve increased the number of classes and the number of awards as well. We’ll also have a Club Concours for car clubs to participate and engage with other car enthusiasts.” Registration is now open.

To submit a vehicle for consideration, visit www.luxurysupercarshowcase.com and click on Register Vehicle. The show is limited to 150 selected cars that register and are approved by the Selection Committee. Registration has been extended to September 15th to submit cars to the Collector’s Concours. There will be a $75 entry fee per vehicle, which includes two VIP All-Access Passes ($200 Value), car signage and show credentials, among other benefits. For more information on registration, email info.showcase@10.2.54.33.

Trophies designed by Dallas sculptor Brad Oldham, best known for the Traveling Man installation in Deep Ellum, will be awarded to Best of Show, Chairman’s Choice and Salesmanship Club Choice winners. Awards will be given to Best In Class winners in each of the 10 classes. Trophies will also be awarded for First and Second Place winners in each class.

The luxury lifestyle event benefits the Momentous Institute, owned and operated by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920, which is committed to building and repairing social and emotional health for children. Each year, the organization serves more than 6,000 children and family members through its nationally acclaimed Momentous School and innovative Therapeutic Services.

Last year’s inaugural event featured more than 100 cars from private collectors in the Collector’s Showcase, including a 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra once owned by Carroll Shelby, a ‘54 Jaguar XK120SE, ‘57 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, ‘60 Porsche 356B Roadster, ’71 DeTomaso Pantera, ‘72 Fiat Dino Spider, 2010 Aston Martin DBS, 2015 Lamborghini Huracan, among others.

The 2017 Collector’s Showcase winners included: Best In Show – 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost; Chairman’s Choice Award – 1938 Bugatti 57C Atalante; Salesmanship Club Choice Award – 1952 MG Roadster; Best In Class – VINTAGE – 1933 MG Magna L-Type Racer; Best In Class – CLASSIC – 1996 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo; Best In Class – CONTEMPORARY– 2009 Aston Martin DBS; Best In Class – EXOTIC/SUPERCAR – 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR.

John Ridings Lee winner of the “Chairman’s Choice Award” for his 1938 Bugatti 57C Atalante

Park Place represents some of the most coveted manufacturers in the world, including Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Lotus, which will be featured at the event.

The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, which sold out in its inaugural year, is open to the public with tickets ranging from $25 – $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, including the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages. Tickets are available online at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com.

The 2018 event will feature fashion from Highland Park Village, live music, specialty boutiques, and a Kid’s Concours area presented by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, featuring the North Texas Diecast Collectors Club’s interactive Hot Wheels track, freshly popped popcorn, soda pop truck and games. Many of Dallas’ favorite food trucks will also be on scene providing a vast array of delicious options.

Partners to date include the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Urban Realty Allie Beth Allman & Associates – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate, Celebrity Cruises, Absolut Elyx, GH Mumm Champagne, Hill & Wilkinson, Irving CVB and Irving Chamber, The Trade Group, Brad Oldham Sculpture, Hagerty Insurance, Perks & Provisions, Lilium Florals, Lisa R. Daniels, Digital 3 Printing, Fauxcades, Promo Resources, Sunnyland Outdoor Furniture, ExxonMobil, Dealer Industries, Garages of Texas, D Magazine, NBC 5, as well as Patron Magazine.

Participating restaurants featured in the VIP lounge include LAW, OUTLAW Taproom, Dallas Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Taverna, Bistro 31, K?i, Toulouse Café and Bar, Lombardi Family Catering, Cool River Café, III Forks Restaurant, Frost 321 and Make Your Life Sweeter as well as several restaurants from our 2018 partners Chef’s For Farmers.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,100 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. A new Porsche dealership will open in Grapevine this summer. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

March 1, 2018March 27, 2018

Mark Your Calendars: The Premier DFW Luxury Lifestyle and Automotive Event Returns October 2018

Dallas-Fort Worth’s premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event will return this fall to the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. The second annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase is set for 10 am – 4 pm Saturday, October 13, 2018.

“Last year’s event, celebrating our 30th anniversary, was such a huge success, we decided to bring the event back again in 2018,” said Ken Schnitzer, Park Place Dealerships Chairman and CEO. “New for this year is the expansion of the show onto the fairway of the TPC Four Seasons Championship golf course. There will be more luxury partners in the entertainment pavilion. Guests will experience fashion, tantalizing food, crafted drinks and an amazing line up of vintage, classic, modern, and supercars all set within the incredible backdrop of the Four Seasons.”

The event benefits the Momentous Institute, owned and operated by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920, which is committed to building and repairing social and emotional health for children so they can achieve their full potential. Each year, the organization directly serves more than 6,000 children and family members through its nationally acclaimed Momentous School and innovative Therapeutic Services.

Within the family-friendly event will be a juried Collector’s Showcase featuring a diverse selection of rare supercars, luxury, and classic cars from private collectors. Trophies designed by Dallas sculptor Brad Oldham, best known for the Traveling Man installation in Deep Ellum, will be awarded to Best of Show, Chairman’s Choice and Salesmanship Club Choice winners. Trophies will also be given to Best In Class and First and Second Place winners in each of the individual categories.

The event will feature fashion from Highland Park Village, live music, specialty boutiques, and a Kid’s Concours area presented by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, featuring the North Texas Diecast Collectors Club’s interactive Hot Wheels track, freshly popped popcorn, soda pop truck and games.

Partners include the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Urban Realty Allie Beth Allman & Associates – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate, Celebrity Cruises, Absolut Elyx, GH Mumm Champagne, Hill & Wilkinson, Irving CVB, The Trade Group, Brad Oldham Sculpture, Hagerty Insurance, Garages of Texas, Perks & Provisions, Lilium Florals, Lisa R. Daniels, Digital 3 Printing, Fauxcades, Promo Resources Sunnyland Outdoor Furniture, ExxonMobil, D Magazine, NBC 5, as well as Patron Magazine.

Participating restaurants to date in the VIP lounge include LAW, OUTLAW Taproom, Dallas Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Taverna, Bistro 31, Kāi, Toulouse Café and Bar, Cool River Café and Make Your Life Sweeter.

February 27, 2018

Then and Now: Matt Woolsey Celebrates 20 Years At Park Place

On February 2, 1998, Matt Woolsey began his journey before Park Place was even “Park Place.” He had no intention of making the car business his career, but little did Matt know that it was simply in his blood. After 2o years, he says “it’s all about going to bat for your teammates and sticking up for them whenever need be.”

Today, Matt Woolsey is the General Manager of Park Place Jaguar Land Rover dealership in Grapevine, TX. Twenty years ago he shifted gears and fate set him on a new career path with Park Place, where he would have the opportunity to make an impact across the group and across multiple brands.

Matt began his journey on February 2, 1998, at what would be Park Place Motorcars Mid-Cities and quickly hit the ground running: “I started on a Monday, and on the following Thursday, I sold my first car. That month I was named Salesman of the month for pre-owned.”

After transitioning to new car sales within 6 months of Ken Schnitzer owning the dealership, Matt was promoted to his first management role at the age of 25. A year later he really “hit his stride” and made a name for himself in the Finance department.

“I eventually made my way over to Jordan’s side [Jordan Case, President of Park Place Dealerships], and did a little bit of everything,” says Matt. After a few years of being General Sales Manager, he was named General Manager at Park Place Lexus Grapevine, the first automotive dealer to win the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award.

20 years may seem like a long time for most, but for someone like Matt, it all comes down to loyalty. “One thing in my life that I appreciate is loyalty. I appreciate those who are loyal to me and I appreciate being loyal to my employers, like Ken Schnizter. It’s really crazy how fast 20 years have gone by, it really is.”

His accomplishments are many, but it’s the relationships that really matter: “The accomplishments are nice, but I know a lot of people across the organization because I’ve been on both sides. Today, I would still do anything for Robert Hinkle, even though he sits across the street now [at Park Place Motorcars Grapevine.] It’s about going to bat for your teammates and sticking up for them whenever need be.”

Matt brings an inspirational, competitive, and collaborative leadership to the team, and always stays engaged. It works for his team and the dealership as it provides open and honest communication. His one piece of advice for new members:

“Invest in yourself. Commit to yourself and to your team. The grass is greener where you fertilize it. Your future is up to YOU!”

February 16, 2018February 16, 2018

What To Do This Weekend: The 2018 DFW Auto Show

Park Place Dealerships and a multitude of luxury automotive manufacturers have set the stage with stellar lineups of automotive’s ‘best’. Park Place Dealerships, one of the only dealership groups to make an appearance, are back and ready to share our exceptional vehicles with spectators, experts, enthusiasts, and up-and-coming aficionados alike.

Here is a preview of some of the show-stopping models brought by the Park Place Premier Collection, that you will experience at this year’s auto show:

2018 Bentley Bentayga: Far more than good. Far more than fast. And currently not occupied in any current class, evidenced by its 600hp, twin-turbocharged W12 motor, 8-speed gearbox, and one of the most advanced all-wheel-drive systems ever developed.
Lotus Evora 400: A true picture of Lotus sportscar tradition of high-performance power and precision handling. Developed on the racetrack to be perfect on the road with its lightweight construction, exceptional agility, aerodynamic styling, and uncompromising performance.
Mclaren Sport Series featuring the McLaren 570s: This is a magnificent, hand-built series is built around a similar carbon-fiber tub that the first MP4 12C was based upon. With twice as strong aluminum and half the weight, the monocell allows for unprecedented power to weight ratio and handling precision. This 562 hp car is as comfortable on the road as it is on the track. The 570s spider goes from 0-60 in a staggering 3.1 seconds and is now firmly placed in the supercar category with pricing starts at $208,800.
Newly Redesigned 2018 Maserati Gran Turismo: Equipped with a new interior infotainment center and a refreshed front end, the Gran Turismo remains as timeless as ever before.
Maserati Ghibli: The Ghibli represents a full, assertive, elegant alternative in an ocean of cars that look, feel, and sound the same. With starting price of $73,050, it is unquestionable the value that the Ghibli represents. It is a personification of the inspiration for the brand, old-world Italian style and sculpture interpreted through the modern eyes of Maserati.

The pièces de résistance of the display is the $3.2 million Bugatti Chiron which is powered by an 8-cylinder, 16 liter, quad-turbocharged, and an almost unfathomable 1,479 horsepower motor. This certainly should be at the top of your Autoshow “To-Do” list. Porsche, Lexus, Mercedes, Jaguar and Landrover all have equally as impressive brand displays with experts ready to answer all your questions and help you explore the world of modern luxury at the DFW Autoshow. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Be sure to check out the Park Place Dealerships booth and visit with one of our Experts to find how you can win an exceptional prize package including:

2 V.I.P Tickets to the 2018 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase

A weekend use of a Maserati

One a night stay at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas in Las Colinas

DFW Auto Show Information

Date: Feb 14-18, 2018

Times

Wednesday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ticket Prices

$14 for adults

$7 for senior citizens 65 and older

$7 for children 6 to 12 years old; children 5 and under admitted free

$10 for active and retired Military members (ID is required)

December 19, 2017December 19, 2017

Head-Turning Good Looks: A Sneak Peek at the Jaguar E-PACE

Starting at base MSRP of $38,600, the Jaguar E-PACE is the first compact SUV from Jaguar that will most certainly command attention with its striking good looks, agility, and dynamic driving. After the impressive success of the F-PACE, Jaguar’s first ever SUV, their leap into the most competitive auto segment is, simply put, a no-brainer.

On December 12th, an exclusive group of Park Place members attended a ‘sneak peek’ with the Jaguar E-PACE– and let’s just say, the 2018 Jaguar E-Pace did not disappoint:

Preview the highly responsive and smooth E-PACE and stay tuned for its official entrance in 2018:

December 15, 2017January 5, 2018

3 Things To Know Before Your Next Park Place Oil Change

Receiving an oil change at a manufacturer certified service center has key advantages to maintaining your high-performance vehicle. While cost and service time are increased, we provide first-class quality, expertise, and additional services that clearly distinguish our premier level service experiences from a typical “oil change” job at a quick lube establishment.

At our Park Place Dealerships locations, we employ certified technicians who perform the routine services, such as your oil change, to ensure the entire process is completed to meet both manufacturer and Park Place standards of quality.

Here are three things our highly trained team of service experts want you to know before booking your next oil change:

1.An “Oil Change” service can take about 30-60 minutes depending on the manufacturer before any additional services or a courtesy car wash or additional services.

Park Place Motorcars Service Directors estimate that an oil change service that includes our complimentary services, including car washes and multi-point inspections, for our clients, can take 60-90 minutes to complete.

At Park Place Porsche, the service can take up to 90 minutes pre-car wash. Porsche’s have a large oil capacity- up to 10 quarts on some engines. The old oil must be completely drained from the vehicle. To do this, our technicians must heat the engine up to operating temperature to thin out the oil and allow it to then drain for a minimum of 20 minutes. The next 20 minutes are spent filling the engine with oil to capacity. To do this the engine is brought up to operating temperature and filled with new room temperature oil. Our technicians check the oil levels with a computer- a process that takes three minutes and is repeated until the engine registers full.

2. You receive more than an “oil change” when choosing to service with the manufacturer certified dealership.

The term oil change has been used frequently in conjunction with quick lube establishments promising quick service and low cost. The dealership provides more value to the client’s experience by including car washes, loan cars, resetting computers, multi-point inspections, trained technicians, warranty repairs, a beautiful facility, and a client lounge for those who wish to wait for their service to be completed. Therefore, a Park Place dealership experience cannot be compared with a quick service only facility with the factors of time or money.

*Example of Mercedes_Benz Visual Multi-Point Inspection Check List*

3. An Oil Change is the easiest way to maintain (and save) your luxury vehicle’s high-performance capabilities.

Skimping out on routine oil changes (either by delaying your appointment or using components not recommended by your manufacturer) can be detrimental to the life of your vehicle. If you want to increase the longevity of your luxury auto, then making sure you’re on top of your oil changes should be priority number one. The oil is the life-blood and key ingredient in the engine which provides lubrication, cooling, and removal of particles and sludge. With a squeaky clean and lubricated engine, you will also benefit from improved gas mileage. Park Place’s client lounges, loan cars, and Pick Up & Delivery programs help ease the hassle that can be associated with necessary maintenance. If you have questions regarding these offerings, contact your service advisor or coordinator and they’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have so that we can ensure your Park Place oil change experience is first class.

For a once a year service, the cost and time related to an “oil change” experience at Park Place is more than worth it. If it’s your dream to own a luxury vehicle, then protecting your investment is too important to our team to simply offer quick drain and fill service.

Have any questions or would like to start your next service booking? Click here.

October 30, 2017

Jaguar Charges Up I-PACE with all Electric Race Series

The Jaguar I-PACE, set to hit the road late 2018, represents the manufacturer’s evolution to include battery-powered vehicles in their lineup…but the innovation didn’t stop with just an every day, electric car. As the first premium manufacturer to enter FIA Formula E Championship in 2016, Jaguar expertly merges (and charges up) their I-PACE concept ingenuity with FIA Formula E power to reveal the world’s first production battery electric vehicle race series.

The Jaguar I-PACE eTrophy racecars are another step to Jaguar Land Rover’s electrified future- taking their zero emissions commitment to the world of motorsport. Supporting a 100% electric future, Jaguar has announced the new support series for the FIA Formula E Championship starting in late 2018, featuring their new all-electric racecars in a series of 10 races across the globe in cities such as Hong Kong, Paris, giving future FIA Formula E Championship stars the chance to participate in this first of its kind series.

Gerd Mäuser, Chairman, Jaguar Racing, said: “Jaguar returned to racing in 2016 with the mission ‘Race to Innovate’. With the launch of the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY, we have strengthened our commitment to battery electric vehicles, international motorsport, and FIA Formula E Championship. As a British team, we are proud to announce today the launch of the world’s first production battery electric vehicle championship.”

Technical specs, race calendar, and costs for the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY will be released in late 2018.

October 5, 2017November 16, 2017

Engines 101: A Myriad of Power Options Found In Luxury Vehicles

If you are new to the automotive scene, haven’t taken the opportunity to look under your hood, or simply want to know more about what makes your vehicle ‘vroom’- the engine options available for your luxury car can be daunting. In our first installment of Engines 101: A Technical Overview of Luxury Autos, we will take a quick look at the basic terms you need to know to make your next automotive purchasing experience easy to understand inside and out.

Often, one of the first descriptions that you will hear of a vehicle will be the type of engine it has. This is usually described by the number of cylinders in the engine and their configuration. A cylinder is simply a circular tube that contains the combustion process (when fuel, air, and heat combine to make power; more on that in a later post). Inside the cylinder, a piston moves up and down to transfer power to the rest of the drivetrain. The cylinders’ configuration could be “Inline”, a “V” formation, or often in the case of one of our popular brands, Porsche, a “Boxer” configuration. There is even a “W” configuration if you are courageous enough to wield it.

Inline-4 Engine

Starting with one of the most common engine layouts today, the inline-4 engine is lightweight, efficient, and compact. With 4 cylinders arranged in a straight line, usually across the car’s engine bay, this configuration allows great fuel economy in a small package, cutting down on expense in more ways than one, and allowing for more room in the vehicle to be dedicated to creature comforts. These days, you will frequently find the inline-4 paired with a turbocharger option, which allows more power to be made from a smaller engine, making this a more attractive configuration than ever before. You will find this engine configuration in many Park Place vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz C 300 and GLC 300, the Lexus IS and NX, the Jaguar XE and XF, and even the new Volvo XC60 to name just a few.

“V” Configuration

Next up, we’ll discuss the “V” configuration. This is usually used to denote an engine with 6 or 8 cylinders, but there are also road-going cars produced with even 10 and 12-cylinder variants of this configuration. The “V” formation is produced by angling opposing banks of cylinders away from each other. In the case of a V6, this means that there are 3 cylinders on the right, and 3 cylinders on the left, forming a “V” shape. Arranging cylinders in this fashion allow you to pack more power into a shorter engine block. If you attempted to make an 8-cylinder engine in an inline formation, the length of the engine would make it impractical. You will often find these powerplants in mid-sized and larger vehicles, where drivers can use some extra power to maneuver a more spacious car or SUV. This larger engine is also frequently an upgrade option in vehicles that come standard with a 4-cylinder, but drivers may opt for a more powerful experience. Examples of some automobiles with this engine configuration are the Lexus GS and RX 350, the Jaguar XJ, the Porsche Macan GTS, and several AMG performance versions of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. You’ll find a V12 engine powering such commanding vehicles as the Rolls-Royce Wraith and Phantom.

Flat Configuration

The Boxer or Flat configuration is unique, in that rather than a “V”, two banks of cylinders sit directly opposed from one another. Think of pumping your fists directly out to your sides, and you’ll have an idea of how the Boxer configuration works. The manufacturer most notable for this configuration is Porsche, who specialize in high-performance vehicles with a low center of gravity. The Boxer configuration excels in this area because arranging cylinders to the sides produces a very flat engine package, which makes sense when you learn that the “Boxer” is also known as a “Flat” configuration. You will find a “Flat-6” in cars like the incredible Porsche 911 and a turbocharged 4-cylinder Boxer in cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster.

“W” Configuration

Last, but certainly not least, the almighty “W”, which might as well stand for win. In reality, the “W” configuration is tough to explain without visual aids (see image to understand why). Available in 12 and 16-cylinder offerings, the “W” is like taking 2 “V” motors and stacking their cylinders on top of each other, producing enough power to make even the most experienced adrenaline-junkie’s heart race. You will find a twin-turbocharged W12 powering the new Bentley Continental, and topping out the list with the world’s fastest production road-car, the Bugatti Chiron boasts a quad-turbocharged W16 engine.

We hope this overview has equipped you with more helpful knowledge the next time you start talking ‘powerplants’ for your next set of wheels. The best thing about Park Place is that we are always here to help you get the most out of your purchasing experience. If you have any questions about your engine options, or any other option available in the car of your dreams, just reach out to your nearest Park Place Dealership and our Sales Experience Managers will be happy to answer any question you can think of.