Vehicles – Page 32 – Park Place Dealerships

June 3, 2014May 7, 2015

The 2015 Porsche Macan: Porsche’s Newest Animal is Finally Released

If the sports car purist in you is screaming to get behind the wheel of a machine meant for speed and hugging curves, but your practical side says buying a two seated speed machine is just not a smart move – well then you are going to be just fine. With the release of Porsche’s newest vehicle, the Porsche Macan, your inner speed demon and responsible parent sides can find a common ground in the driver’s seat of this amazing new machine. The Macan is the new brother of its enormously successful predecessor the Cayenne. Although the Macan is the new kid on the block, and definitely the smaller member of the family when it comes to cabin size, it still packs a punch the way only a SUV by Porsche can.

The Macan S comes barreling in with a 340-hp, 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed transmission to ensure that even though there might be a back seat full of happy meals and soccer equipment, you still feel the power of driving a Porsche. The Macan is the perfect fusion of performance and utility: it maintains the essence of a sport car while not skimping on the comfort or function of an SUV. And with a base asking price just south of $50,000, this perfect package is also surprisingly affordable.

Looking for even more power and performance? Come by Porsche Dallas and take a test drive the Macan Turbo – a total track tempest that hauls tail and a couple of golf bags.. The Macan is available now at Park Place Porsche Dallas.

For more reviews and run downs of the Macan, check out these articles by some of the most trusted publications in the industry: Autoweek, Motor Trend and Car and Driver.

May 28, 2014November 1, 2019

2016 Volvo XC90: First Look – Interior

Introducing the all-new XC90. A first glimpse at one of our most anticipated car launches of recent times, and with good reason. The luxurious interior integrates the latest technology with design that is clean, beautiful and crafted from the finest materials. The reduction of elements, the carefully selected materials – glass, wood and leather—all set a new standard for the modern SUV.

The interior highlights are many: the central tablet-like touch-screen control console and the complete reduction of elements is a standout; a focus on safety, comfort and flexibility across the seating for each and every passenger; a new four-zone climate system that even allows occupants in the second row complete control over their individual climate. In terms of the atmosphere, the new filter in the CleanZone air purification system allows for even more efficient capture of smaller particles and pollen in the incoming air.

The all-new XC90 is also our first model built with the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), which allows for a future-focused wider range of design options, among many other benefits. Learn more about the all-new Volvo XC90 here! http://www.volvocars.com/all-new-xc90

April 28, 2014November 1, 2019

Lexus NX Debut

Lexus’ first luxury compact crossover, the NX, made its world premiere at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which runs through April 29. The NX, created for urban and active lifestyles, features an edgy, emotional design that is distinctively Lexus. Sales of the NX are scheduled to begin in world markets in the second half of 2014.

Two powertrain variants of the NX are on display in Beijing: the NX 300h, a highly efficient hybrid, and the NX 200t, the first Lexus fitted with a turbo engine.

2.0L Turbo Engine

The Lexus-developed direct-injection turbo engine features the world-first combination of a cylinder head with an integrated water-cooled exhaust manifold and a twin scroll turbo charger. This combination in addition to other new technologies such as a turbo-specific D-4ST fuel injection technology and continuous variable valve timing with expanded valve opening angles (VVT-iW) realizes both an excellent ride and environmental performance.

The all-new six-speed automatic transmission, developed to match the new turbo engine, uses newly-developed control logic to calculate required engine torque. The resulting maximized engine torque ensures responsive and smooth acceleration as well as high fuel efficiency.

The 2.0-liter NX is the first Lexus to be fitted with an idling-stop system, which reduces fuel consumption by automatically switching off the engine when the vehicle is idling. The system used in the NX has extremely fast engine-restart time.

To ensure Lexus quality and performance, the new turbo engine has been tested for more than 1 million kilometers.

2.5l Hybrid Engine

The 2.5-liter hybrid version of the NX combines a high thermal efficiency 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with an integrated high-torque motor. This improves fuel efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions.

The hybrid variant also features sprung-weight damping control to increase ride comfort and handling stability. Vehicle pitching is reduced through the precise control of the drive motor’s torque.

Responsive Handling

The NX employs specialized Lexus manufacturing techniques such as body adhesives and laser-screw welding to improve the rigidity of the suspension system as well as the body, enhancing overall driving performance.

A newly developed shock absorber, capable of controlling even the smallest micro-level fluctuations, contributes to excellent handling stability and ride comfort. Additionally, the NX features a new Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), capable of variable control in 30 stages.

All-wheel drive turbo models feature a Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive system which automatically switches from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive by calculating the driver’s intended driving line and adjusting the distribution of torque to the rear wheels as required. This increases cornering performance on all surfaces. All-wheel drive hybrid models also benefit from improved cornering, particularly on slippery surfaces, due to the E-Four system.

The “F SPORT” grade boasts numerous exclusive features such as specially-tuned suspension and interior and exterior design. In addition, the F SPORT variant achieves even sharper handling due to performance dampers that improve rigidity while absorbing small amounts of flex.

Driver Support and Safety Systems

The Panoramic View Monitor, introduced into a Lexus vehicle for the first time, helps the driver avoid other vehicles and pedestrians approaching from the sides. This system combines video from four cameras mounted to the front and rear sides of the vehicle, offering a view of everything happening around the car, including in blind spots. The display is automatically adjusted based on gear-stick operation, with the system able to display enlarged views from above the vehicle.

Radar Cruise Control with All-speed Tracking Function maintains inter-vehicle distance within a set speed and supports the driver by detecting the vehicle ahead and ensuring that an appropriate distance is maintained from cruising speeds down to a stop.

NX SPECIFICATIONS

•Overall Length: 182.3 in.

•Overall Width: 72.6 in.

•Overall Height: 64.8 in. (with antenna)

•Wheelbase: 104.7 in.

•Tread – front/rear

◦62.2/62.2 in. (with 225/65R17 tire)

◦61.8 in/61.8 in (with 235/60R18 tire)

•NX 200t Horsepower: 235 hp

•NX 200t Torque: 258 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm

•NX 300h Horsepower: 194 hp (total system)

•NX 300h Torque: Unannounced

December 2, 2013November 1, 2019

Take a Thrill Ride in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

Germans excel at exciting the senses
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe has a way of delivering thrills, passion and luxury in one enticing piece of automotive eye candy. If you know Mercedes-Benz, then you know those shiny, bold, sleek lines and aerodynamic design beg to be driven. The German engineering that has gone into the Intelligent Drive system and computer-driven infotainment produced one smart car that can think as you drive to make your ride safer, easier and more entertaining.

Under the hood
The heart of the E350 and E550 E-Class coupe consists of an engine driven by plenty of horses – a generous 302 hp/273 lb-ft torque in the E350’s V-6, and a steroidal bi-turbo V-8 engine in the E550 that kicks up 402 hp/443 lb-ft torque for powerful 0 to 60 acceleration rates of 6.2 and 5.2 seconds, respectively.

Elegant efficiency
The elegant efficiency of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe begins before you ever hit the road with optional keyless start and entry. Then you’re ready to ease into the hand-stitched leather, Active Ventilated, heated, 14-way power adjusting sport seats with 4-way lumbar support. As you begin your journey, the COMMAND computer system awaits your input for musical selections from your iPod, MP3 player, computer, wireless Bluetooth audio streaming or personal digital music collection on the Music Register. The realistic, amplified sound emitted by the12-speaker, 610-watt Dolby digital surround sound system sends you happily on your way. As your wheels hit the road, the navigation system will expertly guide you to your destination, and Mercedes-Benz mbrace2 enables you to search the Internet for any needed information.

The thrill of the road
The sweet and responsive engines in both the E350 and E550 emit a satisfying growl at start-up, and Mercedes-Benz smooth ECO Start/Stop technology shuts the engine off at each stop and automatically restarts it when you lift your foot off the brake, reassuring you that you’re burning as little fuel as possible. The 7-speed automatic transmission shifts gears intuitively, and you can effortlessly glide to your destination, unless you decide to push the 2014 E-Class coupe through some hoops using the shift paddles. Manual shifting, combined with a sports-tuned suspension, Mercedes-Benz automatic damping and dial-a-ride Dynamic Handling in Sports mode will allow you to release your driving passion with a good deal of instant gratification.

Help in tight spots
Parking the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe is effortless due to Active Parking Assist that uses radar and cameras to scan for the best parking space, and a parking system that automatically maneuvers your vehicle into place. Safety features from Intelligent Drive include Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Cruise Control for automatic stop and go driving, and Distronic Plus Pre-Safe Brake, which can alert the driver of road obstacles or pedestrians and automatically apply the brakes.

Rather than simply reading about the thrilling and elegant new Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, why not visit one of the Park Place Motorcars dealerships in Dallas, Grapevine or Fort Worth for a test drive to see for yourself how effortless, exciting and safe-handling the new E-Class coupe can be.

August 27, 2013November 1, 2019

Lexus Gets Edgy with its 2013 GS

Since its introduction over twenty years ago, Lexus has built a reputation based on comfort and industry-leading reliability. Now the brand is trying to establish itself as a serious performance car builder. With the door opened by the LFA supercar and the ES increasing in size to cover the comfort end of the midsize market, the 2013 Lexus GS sedan was open for a sporty makeover. Critics were wowed by the car’s performance when it debuted, comparing it favorably with major players in the performance sedan market. Now there’s news of a coupe version on the way that will bring even better performance.

What makes the GS so different?

The shift in the GS’s mission began with the styling. Lexus introduced their new spindle grill on the car, while drawing other styling cues from the IS. The wide shouldered look of the old GS was gone, replaced by sharp creases befitting a sports sedan. Rear seat room increased to improve practicality, but lightweight materials kept the curb weight the same as the outgoing model.

A new adaptive suspension kept the comfort levels the same while making the car much more agile. All models allow the driver to tune throttle response on the fly with the “Eco,” “Standard,” and “Sport” modes, providing a trade-off between performance and fuel economy. The Luxury and F-Sport trims added another setting, “Sport+,” that sets the suspension and throttle control to provide maximum performance.

The car also got its own version of the F Sport line. Bulging fenders were added to cover the larger tires and wheels, but the designers also decided to add a striking angular lower clip to help differentiate it from the standard car. Instead of dropping in a massive engine, Lexus decided to use the same V6 for better weight distribution, concentrating on improving the F Sport’s handling. Central to this improvement is the Lexus Dynamic Handling System. This combination of rear wheel steering, variable ratio power steering and a retuned suspension gives the car controllable, balanced handling right up to the limit without a hint of understeer or oversteer. Although the computer control system is constantly making adjustments to keep the car in control, all that technology works so seamlessly that the driver will never feel like the computer is in control of the vehicle.

August 16, 2013May 7, 2015

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Enters Production

The upcoming 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. With six different S-Class models coming your way, there is sure to be one that fits your lifestyle perfectly. Stay tuned at Park Place Motorcars Dallas to be the first to hear about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class arrival.

Mercedes-Benz is in the middle of the most fertile epoch in its century-long history. The premium automaker has made itself the proud parent of six all-new luxury models in recent years; it seems everyone is in Stuttgart’s crosshairs now. Nowhere is the German company’s “driving forward in the offensive” model more apparent than behind the wheel of its flagship, the S-Class sedan. Read on for all the details on the newest jaw-dropping S-Class generation.For 2014, six S-Class models are available, beginning with the S400 HYBRID, S350 BlueTEC, and S550, and on to the S63 AMG and S600. Then, of course, is the true head-of-household: the S65 AMG performance sedan.

Comfort and safety
First off the block for MY2014 is the dashing S550, which will land in the U.S. with a 455-horsepower V8 this September. The S550 will be the first to showcase the Mercedes-Benz “smart” suspensions, explaining how, as a Road & Track reviewer put it, the sedan “makes 80 mph feel like 50, yet still manages to involve its driver.” Of course, that’s also because S-Class undergoes the “toughest chassis test in the world” before it ever sees production, to ensure it maintains composure in the world’s most extreme environments. Being able to mute out the effects of such spinal antagonists as potholes and manholes is fantastic. You’re unlikely to find an automobile better equipped to smooth life’s many frictions. Along those lines, Mercedes is proud to announce the first production Mercedes-Benz series to debut its award-winning new safety recognition systems. Guided by signature “6D vision” technology, its advanced camera and radar programming preemptively maximizes safety for both S occupants as well as nearby drivers and bystanders. Whether it’s a pedestrian, bicyclist or deer in the headlights, your intelligent sedan will take swift and appropriate action.

Engine power
Lest you think all this comfort and play-it-safe comes at the expense of performance, rest assured that Mercedes-Benz has attended to the inner fire of the S-Class. It has upgraded engines across the board, not least among them the turf-abusing 6-liter, bi-turbo V-12 beast that governs the topmost S65 AMG executive. With 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, this drivetrain is all but bloodthirsty and leaves each and every driver speechless after about four seconds. Yet, the luxurious S65 will be as gentle as a lamb – if you ask nicely. The Mercedes Benz S-Class humanizes the process of transport. Model-year 2014 reincarnates one of the twentieth century’s great trendsetters with a gentleman’s aplomb.

Please visit our Motorcars Dallas, Motorcars Grapevine, or Motorcars Fort Worth sites to stay tuned for the upcoming 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class arrival.

August 9, 2013May 7, 2015

Affordable Luxury for Dallas in the 2013 Jaguar XF Sedan

The 2013 Jaguar XF is the entry point for an affordable luxury car, so why not visit your Jaguar dealer and check out a Lease on a new Jaguar XF or XF 3.0. Chances are you’ll find that you can finance your new XF with competitive low rates and an affordable monthly payment. Please click here to visit our Park Place Jaguar Plano site and see more pictures of the 2013 Jaguar XF.

The Cat’s Meow

Finally, there is an affordable mid-size luxury sedan that brings a smile at the gas pump and nimble on-road performance. Yep, it’s time for the cat metaphors because it’s the new 2013 Jaguar XF. It’s easier to own than ever before with a $6,000 price reduction for the base model.

The Sensible Jaguar

One of the reasons the Jaguar XF has become popular with first-time prestige sedan owners is its sensible new 2.0-liter engine. There is no reason to blow your budget on an over-the-top performance sedan just so you can brag about how fast it hits 60 mph. Smart drivers are choosing a responsive car of distinction like the Jag XF so they can choose the engine that suits their driving needs.

Many drivers are finding that the 2013 XF is surprisingly easy to afford with manageable lease payments or low finance rates. It’s one of the reasons the 2013 XF has become the prestige vehicle of choice for individuals who desire a luxury automobile without the luxury cost.

What Makes the XF Purr

The new XF base model contains a direct injection, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission that delivers 240 hp and 251 lb-ft torque at very low speeds. This translates into a vehicle that will readily respond with the acceleration you need in demanding urban traffic or when passing vehicles on the highway. This engine gives you a combined EPA city/highway fuel economy of 23 mpg, a highly respectable figure for a mid-size sedan.

Do You Need the V6?

For just $3K more, you can upgrade to the XF 3.0 with its supercharged 340 hp V6 engine and 332 lb-ft of torque. This configuration gets only a slightly lower city/highway combined mileage of 21 mpg. Even if you’re into penny pinching, you may find the upgrade to the XF 3.0 worth the extra investment. According to “Car and Driver,” it has a smoother delivery than the base XF, which made them quip: “Check the sofas; you may have another $3,000 for the V-6 in there somewhere.”

The only way to determine if you should go for the XF 3.0 is to test drive both variants. Many drivers may not notice the difference. The same irreverent reviewer at “Car and Driver” celebrated the “tactile steering” and “techno update on old-world opulence” in the base model’s interior.

Luxury Standards

In either the base XF or XF 3.0, you can switch to manual mode with the paddle shifters and turn your domesticated ride into a ferocious beast. Other standard features include push-button start; Xenon headlamps with LED lights; heated, leather, power-adjusting front seats; parking sensors; sunroof; and an infotainment system that includes a 250-watt 10-speaker audio system.

If the Jaguar XF sounds like your affordable luxury car, why not visit your Jaguar dealer and check out a Lease on a new XF or XF 3.0. Chances are you’ll find that you can finance your new XF with competitive low rates and an affordable monthly payment.

If you would like to see the 2013 Jaguar XF and take it for a test drive, please visit either our Park Place Jaguar Dallas or Jaguar Plano dealership.

August 8, 2013November 1, 2019

2014 Lexus IS: The A-Z Review

The exterior of the new IS may have the most radical version of Lexus’ new spindle grill, but there’s a lot more to the redesign than just a styling refresh. This new design adds a major dose of refinement, turning a competent car into a serious player in the sports sedan market.

Performance
While most of its competitors have moved to turbocharged four cylinders, the IS 250 still uses a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter V6 producing 205 horsepower and 185 lb-ft. of torque. This trades some low-end grunt for faster throttle response and better top end performance. The IS 350 gets a 3.5 liter with 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft. of torque, letting the car go from 0-60 mph in as little as 5.6 seconds. Both cars can be equipped with either rear or all wheel drive.

The manual is gone, leaving buyers with a 6-speed automatic in the IS250, while the IS350 gets the 8-speed auto once used only in the IS F Sport. That heritage shows with rapid shifts from the paddle shifters.

The brakes are much bigger this time around with 11-inch discs on the IS250 and a combination of 13-inch front discs and 12-inch rear discs on the IS350. The result is shorter stopping distances, significantly less fade and better feel.

The revised suspension removes the twitchiness of its predecessor, providing a compliant ride with plenty of grip. The chassis remains composed at high speeds, requiring a significant effort to get the rear end to slide out.

The revised steering rack improves on-center feel and adds some heft when turning the wheel. Turn-in is quick, and the recalibrated electric power steering offers a surprising amount of feel.

Interior
Inside, the IS has an interior design unique in Lexus’ lineup with a slim horizontal dash and controls tilted toward the driver for easier access. The new seats are far more comfortable than the outgoing model, and some minor reshaping of the rear windows has improved visibility.

The F Sport
This performance package is available on both the IS250 and IS350 with either rear or all wheel drive. The powertrains remain untouched aside from the addition of a sound tube that channels some extra engine noise into the cabin. The key addition of the package is the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) that transforms the IS from a sports sedan into a track day-ready car. In Sports+ mode, it’s 20% stiffer than the outgoing F Sport, making the car track straight in the most difficult corners.

Inside, the seats are more heavily bolstered, while the stock gauges are replaced by a digital cluster similar to the LFA’s, letting the driver see just a speedometer and tachometer, or bring up additional information as needed.

Get behind the wheel of the newest Lexus IS at your Park Place dealership.

August 6, 2013May 7, 2015

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: A Sixth Generation in Dallas

The upcoming 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is gearing for its debut this fall, perfect for those who enjoy magic carpet rides, live in fear of assassination or have a pressing need for a spa on wheels. The all-new sixth generation of the Mercedes-Benz low-lying sedan, like its predecessors, is an astonishing achievement. There’s an S-Class vehicle for every kind of drivetrain preference, safety concern and essential creature comfort. Curious? We explain it all here. Want to be the first to know when it arrives? Please click here to visit our Park Place Motorcars website and let us know.

Mercedes-Benz S 350 BlueTec ( W222) 2012

“S” is for safety and style

It sounds like a riddle: what can see like a human, sometimes doesn’t need a human, is well-lit without light bulbs, and comes with its own hot stone massage? A car whose length is determined by the needs of chauffeured elites, the debut of the 2014 S-Class promises models engineered to the millimeter for performance, connectivity and ride quality.

Mercedes Benz S-Class will begin its U.S. launch later this year, starting with the Mercedes-Benz S550 in September, followed shortly by the S550 4Matic in November. ‘4Matic’ is the term Mercedes-Benz uses to describe the specialized four-wheel-drive versions of its vehicles. As the core model of its class, the S550 interior pioneers a host of new features, from all-LED lighting to built-in seat massages modeled after ancient Ayurvedic stone treatments.

Also on board are award-winning safety mechanisms that protect passengers from inadvertent traffic accidents and allow semi-autonomous driving via digital sensing systems. An S-Class vehicle can keep its lane and maintain a consistent distance between your car and the one ahead of you. Automatic braking allows vehicles like the S550 to scan for obstacles as they appear and brake if they don’t move.

The S-Class is considered one of the safest automotive classes in the world—no surprise from the German manufacturer of cars for diplomats and leaders of over ninety nations. The S-Class experience approximates that of a private jet, albeit one that won’t leave the ground.

“S” is for smooth sailing

The S550 is accident-resistant, but what about its handling under ordinary conditions? While Mercedes-Benz’s Magic Body Control suspension technology isn’t a magic carpet, the ‘smart’ dampener system approximates the sort of fluid, frictionless motion you’d expect from an enchanted tapestry.

Magic Body Control uses the Mercedes-Benz exclusive 360-degree vision—a complex camera-and-sensor circuit—to continually scan roadways for street imperfections like potholes. The system responsively adjusts the new S-Class suspension on the fly, making rocky roads feel like smooth conduits.

It’s just another way Mercedes strives to mute the noxious sources of mental and physical fatigue that plague passengers’ experience in lesser cars. If you would like to be among the first to test drive the upcoming 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, please visit one of our Motorcars locations: Park Place Motorcars Dallas, Motorcars Grapevine, or Motorcars Fort Worth.

August 2, 2013May 7, 2015

McLaren Shows Off the Goods at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Can-Am glory days
This year McLaren is showing off the Can-Am side of its heritage, a lesser-known area of the British marque’s expertise. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, the team’s rear-winged marvels won so many back-to-back Can-Am championships, they’re still considered the winningest competitors in series history.

In honor of this heritance, the world’s second-oldest racing team brought a storied lineup to the festival, including Fittipaldi’s M23, the 1988 MP4/4, the 1998 MP4-13, and the MP423, which claimed the world championship in 2008. We also caught a glimpse of the F1 GT3 ‘road car’ that famously left its purpose-built betters in the dust in the 1995 24 hours of Le Mans contest.

2014 McLaren P1
Folks at Goodwood were further treated to a live preview of ‘McLaren P1‘ – the long-awaited progeny of the legendary F1 road car of ’90s fame. Products of the ‘NASA of the car world,’ McLaren supercars are always dressed to impress and the featured P1 was no exception. Under the hood, the car is clearly an engineering prodigy, boasting a twenty-first century combination of McLaren’s Formula 1 secret sauce with state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid technology.

Clearly, even the most horsepower-obsessed carmakers are feeling the fuel economy squeeze. No matter; at just over 900 brake horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, the supercar will have as much restraint as a rocket at liftoff. With a twin-turbo, nearly 4-liter V-8 paired with an electric motor designed in-house, the P1 will be a unique beast. Even the sensible electric components have been tweaked to enhance performance.

Britain’s most celebrated and mysterious auto maker put on a memorable show at the 2013 Festival of Speed. By the looks of the P1, we’re sure this masterpiece will be wildly fun to drive. The 2014 P1 will be a lovely addition to the list of the most impressive automobiles we’ve seen so far this century.