Park Place Lexus Plano Launches the New LS 500

Park Place Lexus Plano partnered with Legacy West to host an evening of luxury to launch the new flagship 2018 Lexus LS 500 sedan. 

“We’re always striving to provide the greatest experience for our clients,” said Jordan Case, president of Park Place Lexus. “Partnering with Legacy West, North Texas’ definitive new dining and retail destination, this event offered the perfect blend of luxury and excitement to launch Lexus’ new luxury sedan. We were just as excited about hosting the executives from our charitable partner, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children’s North Campus, which promises the best in care for Collin County families when it opens later this year.”

Guests floated between three in-dealership destinations to sample delicious plates from Taverna, Toulouse and KAI by Lombardi Family Concepts, as well as Earls Kitchen+Bar, Fogo de Chão and prime BBQ from Carlton Provisions.  Crafted Cocktails like Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur and Hendrick’s Gin Fizz’s, Reyka Cosmopolitan Martinis and Monkey Shoulder whisky smashes wetted whistles, along with wines and beers from Detour and Unlawful Assembly from Legacy Hall. Guests where offered hand-rolled cigars from Cigar Art.

Curated fashions were featured by Johnny Was, Coach, Pockets Menswear, and Filson.  The Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel kept it all up-tempo with ‘business unusual’ entertainment.  

Lexus built its reputation with the launch of the LS (Luxury Sedan) nearly 30 years ago, solidifying its position as the ultimate flagship Sedan. And this new fifth-generation model lives up to its acclaim, combining a luxurious interior with the latest in technology and a fresh design. While the new sedan sits lower to the ground, Lexus offers an air suspension system with an “access function” that can raise the vehicle for even easier access.

Inspired by Japanese lanterns, the ambient interior lighting sets the mood for a luxurious ride. Sweeping lines curve and spread along the contours of the dash, then flow back along the door panels, creating an expansive environment.Anchoring the intuitive infotainment system is a bright 12-inch display, with an optional 24-inch screen, the largest color heads-up display of any production car in the world. 

Powered by an all-new twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6, and matched with a new Aisin 10-speed automatic, this luxurious beast churns out 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque to smoothly propel you from 0-to-60 mph in just over five seconds.

Starting at $75,000 MSRP, the LS 500 sets a new standard for agility, style, and comfort.

Park Place Lexus Plano is located at 6785 Dallas Parkway, on the southwest corner of Spring Creek Parkway and North Dallas Tollway.

 


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.

 

 

 

Your Top Selling Mercedes-Benz Receives Upgrades for 2019

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is officially the manufacturer’s top-selling model for four years in a row with worldwide sales reaching 415,000 in 2017. The 2019 sedan made its global debut at the 2018 Geneva Autoshow, premiering increased power output and extended driver assistance programs.


A More Powerful Engine

14 horsepower has been added with a new 2.0-liter inline -4 turbo engine that produces 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.  A 9G-TRONIC 9-Speed automatic transmission creates a more dynamic driving experience. The transmission transfers torque using fluid instead of a mechanical clutch, which reduces fuel consumption and increases driving performance and comfort.

Expressive Exterior

The refreshed C-Class combines emotion with intelligence, beginning with a redesigned front and LED headlamps and tail lamps, now standard in the C-Class Sedan. The modifications to the front and rear bumpers and additions of AMG-Line features create more expressive and dynamic character. The headlamps personify Mercedes-Benz attention detail with its clean-lined contours. Finally, on the exterior, two additional paint colors have been added including Mojave Silver Metallic and Emerald Green Metallic.

Interior Upgrades and Options

The interior received some fine-tuning to amp-up the driver experience and re-interpret modern luxury. The center console trim is now available in Walnut Wood or Natural Grain Grey Oak Wood, but any option will yield the look of flowing elegance. The 3D real wood veneer in the center console combines a hand-crafted character with a modern feel. Magma Grey/Black upholstery is newly available for the interior, as is Saddle Brown and Silk Beige/Black for the AMG-Line Interior.

The Display Concept: C-Class Adopts S-Class Features

A notable upgrade in the C-Class sedan includes an optional fully digital instrument display equipped with three different display styles: Classic, Sport, and Progressive. The base model provides a standard 5-inch display, but an upgrade to the fully digital instrument display will yield a 12.3-inch screen with an intense resolution of 1920 x 720 pixels. The central display is available in two sizes, a 7-inch standard display screen and an optional 10.25-inch COMAND® display screen.

State-of-the-Art Active Safety

The updated C-Class features the latest driver assistance systems available in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, offering the driver cooperative support and providing for a higher standard of active safety than its predecessor. The C-Class is able to drive semi-autonomously (in certain situations), by keeping a close eye on traffic with improved camera and radar systems allow it to see up to 1,640 feet ahead. The vehicle’s surroundings are scanned by radar across a distance of up to 820 feet to the front, 130 feet to the sides, and 260 feet to the rear, while with the camera a range of up to 1,640 feet is possible to the front, including 295 feet in 3D. 


The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be available at the end of 2018, so stay tuned to Mercedes-Benz USA and Park Place Dealerships for more information and news.

Go Luxury with Volvo’s Newest Sub-Compact SUV- the 2019 Volvo XC40

Only a couple months into 2018 and 2019 vehicles are already making headlines, forcing their way into the automotive spotlight and the minds of prospective owners.  Volvo is certainly no exception and there newest addition to their lineup might just make you choose this luxury auto brand, over its competitors.

In our past “Why Luxury” articles, we’ve analyzed one of our most popular, entry-level luxury vehicles (see Mercedes and Lexus posts here) with a competing economy class vehicle. For this series installment, that simply was not an option, because Volvo’s 2019 XC40 is a pioneer of a new Volvo standard, currently unmatched by economy manufacturers.

The highly anticipated and class-shattering 2019 Volvo XC40 has been named the 2018 European Car of the Year– a first for the premium manufacturer. The XC40’s newest accolade adds even more merit to an already successful line up of SUVs. Both the XC90 and XC60 were awarded the North American Truck/Utility of the Year title over the past two years, but it’s clear that the vision for the XC40 was anything but Volvo traditional in terms of design, availability, connectivity safety, and technology.  Pre-Orders for this new model opened late 2018, and with orders in excess of 20,000, both the U.S. and European auto markets have taken-a-liking to this dynamic combination and modular design.

Volvo Car Group President & CEO Håkan Samuelsson at the European Car of the Year award ceremony

If you’re in the market or could be tempted to enter the market, for a new sub-compact SUV, then let’s go ahead and look further into “Why Luxury” with the 2019 Volvo XC40.

 


The 2019 Volvo XC40 comes equipped with a four-cylinder block no matter what engine you choose (diesel or turbo petrol).  Starting at a base MSRP of $35,200, the XC40 comes standard with 47.2 cubic feet of cargo area, 9 allow wheel designs, a specially designed bike rack, and additional options to further customize your SUV.

 While you cannot expect this vehicle to perform the same as a Range Rover off-road or a low center of gravity, two-door on the racetrack, you can, however, expect a relaxing chassis and superior comfort throughout your entire road-cruise. In the event you do decide to take on some turbulent terrain, you can take advantage of their thick tire tread and adjust to an off-road calibration.

Just as its larger and longer-bodied family member, the Volvo XC60 (arguably the safest car in the world), the 40 Series SUV comes equipped with a list of safety and driver assistance features including Volvo Cars’ Pilot Assist System, City Safety, Run-off-Road protection and mitigation, Cross-traffic alert with brake support and the 360 degree Camera that enhances maneuverability into tight park spots- a feature perfect for those moments when the only spot available is a seemingly impossible parallel parking job.

Its interior aesthetics and space focused design is just as impressive as its compact yet pleasing exterior.  You’ll find functional storage space, inductive charging, a hook for small bags, and a removable waste bin in the tunnel console. Functionality and innovation seamlessly converge with Volvo’s first ever car-sharing feature, enabled via Volvo’s digital key technology.  Want to share your new XC40 with your mom, brother, aunt, uncle, daughter, or best friend? Owners can simply share their car with family and friends without the hassle of exchanging a physical key.


While we have just scratched the surface on the sub-compact SUV of the year, it’s clear that for a base price of $35,000, its sleek two-tone exterior, functional design, keyless technology, and superior safety features that Volvo is so well-known, make the Volvo XC40 a clear contender for anyone entering the luxury auto market. Head out to Park Place Volvo and our experts will be happy to assist you in finding the perfect vehicle for your needs so that you can experience the growing prestige of the Volvo badge.

 

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Reveals Name of Their High-Bodied Car

“The name Cullinan has been hiding in plain sight since we revealed it as the project name some years ago,” comments Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce. “It is the most fitting name for our extraordinary new product. Cullinan is a motor car of such clarity of purpose, such flawless quality and preciousness, and such presence that it recalibrates the scale and possibility of true luxury. Just like the Cullinan Diamond, the largest flawless diamond ever found, it emerges when it is perfect and exists above all others.”


The story of how this new Rolls-Royce came to be named Cullinan is itself one of the pursuit of perfection. Like the diamond, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan has undertaken a fascinating journey. From the searing deserts of Africa and the Middle East to the freezing snows of the Arctic Circle; from the grassy glens of the Scottish Highlands to the towering canyons of North America, the designers, engineers, craftspeople, and artisans of the House of Rolls-Royce have shaped, tested and polished this unique motor car to eliminate any flaw and make it Effortless, Everywhere.

2019 Rolls Royce Cullinan

“We were inspired by the epic processes, over many millennia, which went into the creation of the Cullinan Diamond. The name embodies the many facets of our new motor car’s promise. It speaks of endurance and absolute solidity in the face of the greatest pressures; it tells of rarity and preciousness and it alludes to the pioneering, adventurous spirit of The Hon. Charles Rolls and the engineering innovation of Sir Henry Royce; and, of course, it speaks of absolute luxury, wherever you venture in the world” continued Müller-Ötvös.

Cullinan is the second Rolls-Royce to sit atop the company’s recently announced all-new proprietary aluminum spaceframe ‘Architecture of Luxury’. Unique and unequaled in its brilliance, every facet of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan scintillates.

Müller-Ötvös concludes: “Quite simply, the name Cullinan is perfect and brilliant.

Interest Piqued? Extend an inquiry to our team at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas and they will be happy to assist in reserving your part in Rolls-Royce history.

A New Standard: The Luxury Sedan Re-Imagined and More Enticing Than Ever Before

When it set out to redesign the LS sedan, Lexus reimagined what a flagship luxury sedan should be, as if it was launching the brand all over again. Longer, lower and wider than the sedan it replaces, the all-new LS has bold lines that blend the latest Lexus design language with a coupe-like silhouette.

“The LS not only offers unsurpassed performance, style and luxury, its competitive pricing makes it a great value as well,” said Lexus Group Vice President and Division General Manager, Jeff Bracken.


A brand-new platform for the LS

The basis for the new LS is an all-new premium rear-wheel-drive platform (GA–L) first realized for the 2018 LC 500. It gives the LS the ability to offer a more dynamic experience on the road without compromising its exceptional level of comfort.

Enhanced performance and smoothness under the hood

In addition to the new platform, the LS also comes standard with an all-new 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 that delivers 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. Both numbers represent significant gains over the outgoing LS model’s naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 (386 hp and 367 lb-ft).
 
A new Multistage Hybrid System, which debuted in the LC 500h Coupe, combines a naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with two electric motor/generators to deliver 354 horsepower. The electric motors are powered by a compact, lightweight lithium-ion battery. Additionally, the Multistage Hybrid System creates the feel of a 10-speed automatic transmission for a more responsive driving experience.
 
A completely reimagined standard of flagship luxury

Inspired by the omotenashi principle that welcomes and envelops passengers, the interior of the LS is a showcase of craftsmanship, comfort and cutting-edge design. The interior ambient lighting is inspired by Japanese lanterns while the Shimamoku-inspired wood patterns feature bold contrasts between light and dark, giving the wood a more vibrant appearance. An optional Executive Package takes rear seat luxury one step further with options for heating and massage in addition to an extra 3.4-inches of legroom compared to the previous LS.
 
Advanced Safety Features and Driver Support

The comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ comes standard on every LS. It includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection, Intelligent High Beam headlamps (IHB), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) with Lane Keep Assist (LKA). One step above is the newly available Lexus Safety System+ A that adds Pedestrian Alert, Active Steering Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Lane Departure Alert with road edge detection and Lexus CoDrive,  which bundles Lane Trace Assist and All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) together.

The base LS 500 begins at an MSRP of $75,000 (RWD) and $78,220 (AWD), with hybrid and F-Sport models available as well starting at $79,510 and $81,000 respectively.  The luxury sedan is available this month at Park Place Lexus Plano and Park Place Lexus Grapevine.
 

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 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 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. 

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 also will be featured at the event.

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. 

 


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.

 

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!”

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)

 

Park Place Dealerships Launches Park Place Select Subscription Service

Park Place Select Launches in May with Wide Variety of Brands and Unlimited Flips

DALLAS (February 14, 2018) – Park Place Dealerships, one of the largest luxury automobile groups in the country, is launching a subscription service beginning May 1 offering the consumer the opportunity to let Park Place match a car to their lifestyle. The first dealership group in Texas to offer a subscription service, Park Place Select will offer subscribers three tiers featuring a collection of vehicles that aligns with their lifestyle and budget.

“Park Place Select will transform the way drivers in Dallas/Fort Worth engage in the luxury automotive category,” said Ken Schnitzer, chairman and CEO of Park Place Dealerships. “Subscription services have been emerging for entertainment, retail, and other industries and now is the perfect time for Park Place to introduce a subscription-based luxury automotive service.”

Unique to the marketplace, Park Place Select is all about the experience. Clients want the flexibility to drive a vehicle that meets their needs throughout the year. From date nights, to family vacations, and work events to daily errands or social engagements, Park Place Select can provide the perfect vehicle for the different moments in a client’s ever-changing routine.

Park Place Select’s subscription service will offer three tiers, Prime, Plus and Premium levels, featuring luxury vehicles from the brands that Park Place currently represents. In addition to competitive pricing, Park Place Select offers unlimited flips (vehicle changes) for clients to fully experience the luxury vehicles in their chosen category. A partnership with Clutch Technologies will allow clients to use the Park Place Select App to engage a concierge and schedule services.

Prime

Plus Premium
 $750 one-time registration $895/monthly subscription $750 one-time registration $1395/monthly subscription $750 one-time registration $1795/monthly subscription
 

Mercedes-Benz C Class and GLC Class; Volvo S60; Lexus ES and IS; Jaguar XE, Land Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport

 

Mercedes-Benz E Class and GLE Class; Volvo XC90; Lexus RC, GS and GX; Jaguar XF and F Pace, Land Rover Evoque Cabriolet, and Porsche Macan

Maserati Ghibli and Levante; Mercedes-Benz 43 AMG models; Porsche Boxster and Cayenne; Land Rover Range Rover Sport and Velar
 

Includes unlimited flips, insurance, maintenance, cleaning, and personal concierge

 

Includes unlimited flips, insurance, maintenance, cleaning, and personal concierge

Includes unlimited flips, insurance, maintenance, cleaning, and personal concierge

 

“An automotive subscription gives the consumer the flexibility to meet the changing needs of their life’s activities without owning multiple vehicles,” continued Schnitzer. “With more than 30 years in the luxury automotive business, Park Place is uniquely positioned to offer a subscription service with the best client experience and an amazing lineup of vehicles in the fourth-largest market in the country.”

Included in the monthly subscription fee are a variety of brands in the selected category, insurance, maintenance, cleaning of the vehicle, and a personal concierge to oversee all of the details.

Once a client is signed up for the service, they can install an app which will give them direct communication to their concierge. The concierge will ensure delivery of the car with preset radio stations, car temperatures, and any other special requests based on the client’s profile information provided at registration. The client has unlimited flips, which means they can trade out vehicles as often as they would like. The concierge will arrange for pickup of the current vehicle and delivery of the new car. Reservations for this service are being taken now at parkplaceselect.com.

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.

Tire Scrubbing: Yes, It Is Normal

It’s a cold Monday morning, and you are backing your Porsche out of your driveway.  You turn the wheels at a sharp, lateral angle, press the accelerator and immediately hear a ‘Schkt Schkt Schkt Schkt’ noise and experience a scooting/hopping feeling in the front end. You immediately call your Park Place service concierge and book an appointment,  but once you arrive at the dealership to diagnose this odd noise with our certified Porsche technicians, it’s gone and cannot be duplicated.


As a Porsche owner, this may sound all too familiar. When your tires are not gripping at low speeds and sharp angles (such as backing out), the noises and vibrations that result are called “tire scrubbing,” and surprisingly, this is a completely normal reaction to specific external conditions.

When it comes to high-performance vehicles, the enhancements in the suspension for peak road-performance and aggressive turning simply do not apply in colder weather- that is until your tires have had a moment to “heat up.”

Below are three key questions you may have to understand the phenomena of tire scrubbing:

  1. So what is “Tire Scrubbing”?

Tire scrubbing occurs at low speeds, higher steering angles, and colder weather, which may produce an odd noise and noticeable vibration when you first press the accelerator and turn your wheelbase at a sharp angle. The tire is “scrubbing” or physically skipping laterally when the wheels are turned.

Cold tires do not grip the surface of the road as cleanly as heated tires, making the absorption of lateral loads less smooth during your initial vehicle start-up and turns. Porsche advises that cold tires do not deform to absorb lateral loads as well as a heated tire.

Once your Porsche warms up, and you reach your end destination, the tires are “heated” and properly deforming to absorb powerful lateral loads, so you most likely will not experience the sound or vibration.

  1. What actually produces the noise?

The energy released when turning a tire, especially a larger tire, is more than enough to create noise as the tire laterally scrubs the surface of the road and as it moves through the suspension components.

  1. Is “Tire Scrubbing” is completely normal?

Yes, this is a natural reaction due to internal power enhancements and energy expenditure Both Park Place Porsche and the Manufacturer both advise that the slight dragging of the tire is normal and thus, no repairs are necessary.

If you hear an odd noise accompanied with a “skipping” or vibration during these last few weeks of winter, please reflect on what point of the drive it occurred.  If it was at the beginning, it could very well be something that per the manufacturer, is actually supposed to be happening.


The benefits of the Porsche’s high-performance suspension completely outweigh the momentary noise that may occur. If the vibrations and noises continue when the tires have had time to warm up please feel free to come by or schedule an appointment. Otherwise, once your vehicle is warm, (safely) hug those curves and experience your journey the  Park Place Porsche way.