Park Place Dealerships

February 25, 2013May 7, 2015

Engineered For Safety-Designed For Style: Advanced Features on 2013 Volvo Explained

Volvo’s award-winning safety innovations could very well be the biggest draw for the legions of loyal Dallas Volvo owners. The 2013 line of Volvo vehicles offers an impressive collection of advanced features that blends technology with safety, while enrobing these vital components in bold and striking design. While there may be too many excellent features to list for Volvo enthusiasts, here are the main highlights.

ROLL STABILITY CONTROL: Standard in the XC60 Volvo SUV, Roll Stability Control uses a gyroscope to determine the vehicle’s body angle and automatically activates pre-tensioners on each seat belt and then inflates a protective curtain when a rollover is detected. While Volvo prides itself on how each of their vehicles can command a curve with a tight hug, this feature might provide the driver and passengers with the most security of any other feature in the 2013 Volvo.

HILL DESCENT CONTROL: Also standard in the XC60 SUV, the brake system of the vehicle is used to automatically control the vehicle’s wheel speed while heading down steep grades. If you sense a trend here already, you’re right-on. Volvo isn’t a carmaker who will simply allow its reputation for safety to become stale. Added features which build greater security are far more vital than even the most striking design.

DYNAMIC STABILITY and TRACTION CONTROL: Comparing the rotation of the drive wheels is the key function for the DSTC in your 2013 Volvo. Ensuring balance throughout the car as it drives on an array of surfaces, especially slippery ones; loss of traction can be detected and then avoided while the vehicle’s anti-spin control, which can be disabled when needed, rounds-out the dynamic nature of the Volvo’s dependably controlled stability.

FOUR WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKES: The key to a safe car that that can maintain control when conditions are rough, are brakes that will do what the driver needs them to do in an urgently important moment. Hydraulic Brake Assist comes through when a stop is needed immediately, while Ready Alert Brakes know when to move the brake pads closer to the discs as they anticipate the need for a stop.

BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM: When you find yourself in thick traffic, or perhaps quickly moving traffic, help with the driver’s blind-spot is a necessity that many vehicles simply do not address. Using rear-facing digital cameras installed in the door mirrors, the system monitors the traffic on either side of the car. As a vehicle enters the driver’s blind spot, the system helps alert the driver with a lamp built into the front door post on the approaching side of the car. Together with the door mirrors, this helps enable the driver to quickly decide if a lane change is safe. The system is automatically activated once the car exceeds six mph, and it reacts to nearly any type of motor vehicle, working equally well, day or night.

PARK ASSIST CAMERA, FRONT-BLIND VIEW: External cameras aren’t just for the rear view anymore, and blind-spot protection isn’t merely for the sides of your car either. Allowing you to see around corners, this new camera is located in the grille to give you a 180° field of vision of the area in front of your car. The driver can even activate the camera with a push of a button to get a split-image view in the seven inch integrated driver’s information screen. This assistance is very convenient in tight exits with limited visibility and while parking. In a luxurious marriage of sight and sound, The Park Assist Camera is available with the High-performance Sound System or the Premium Sound System.

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL: Adaptive Cruise Control is designed for use in smooth traffic and can be activated at speeds over 18 mph. All that the driver needs to do is to select the desired speed and the minimum time gap to the vehicle in front of the Volvo. When the radar sensor detects a slower vehicle ahead, the speed automatically adapts to that vehicle. In slow moving city traffic, the new Queue Assist function automatically adapts your speed to the vehicle in front of you.

LANE DEPARTURE WARNING: In what might be the most intelligent safety feature of the last several years, the Lane Departure Warning might be as responsible for saving the life of a Volvo driver and the passengers more than any other feature. This function signals the driver when the car crosses road markings without obvious reason. The system is designed to address the risk of accidents caused by driver distraction. It’s designed for when the Volvo is driving on major roads and highways. The system operates at speeds exceeding 40 mph when there are detectable lane markers in front of the vehicle. For years, drivers heading back to Dallas from a weekend in Austin have had to rely solely on energy drinks and the divots on the side of the freeway to help disaster from occurring. Now, there’s another, more dependable safety measure in place for the Volvo owner.

Be sure to stop by your Park Place Volvo located on Inwood in Dallas and see one of our Volvo experts for more details on experiencing excellence in a new 2013 Volvo.

February 20, 2013May 7, 2015

Park Place Dealerships Recognized As Winners Of Prestigious Manufacturer Awards

At Park Place Dealerships, we pride ourselves on being Experts in Excellence. That statement extends throughout our organization, and multiple dealerships, with the lofty goal of providing an extraordinary automotive purchase and ownership experience. As a result of that goal, we are proud to announce that several of our dealerships have received awards from their respective manufacturers for maintaining the integrity and excellent client service that should be expected from a luxury automotive dealership.

Park Place Dealerships Awards

Park Place Motorcars Dallas, Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, and Park Place Motorcars Grapevine have received the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best Dealership Recognition Award based on outstanding performance in 2012. This award, presented annually, goes to the top performing Mercedes-Benz dealerships for demonstrating superior performance in various areas of their business.

“These dealers are exemplary representative of the Mercedes-Benz brand: an entrepreneurial spirit fueled by a commitment to excellence and strengthened by a total focus on customer satisfaction,” said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

Park Place Porsche Dallas was once again recognized for the 17th consecutive year in 2013 through the Porsche Premier Dealership Program, which identifies the top 25 Porsche Dealers in North America. The Porsche Premier Dealer designation recognizes and rewards those Porsche Dealerships that best embrace the Porsche Business Model – achieving the highest performance among their peers in Brand utilization, product representation and the development of key Porsche business drivers; and in doing so, succeed as independent entrepreneurs who routinely exceed the expectations of their Porsche customers.

Recognition as a Porsche Premier Dealer bestows the pride and prestige of being named one of the most highly regarded Porsche dealerships in North America, ad Park Place Porsche Dallas is driven to continue our commitment to excellence that gained us this distinction.

Park Place Jaguar Plano has been awarded the Pride of Jaguar Retailer Excellence Award. The award is the highest honor a Jaguar dealer can receive, and is only bestowed on dealers who take the ideals of excellence and turn them into a way of doing business for every customer, every day. Earning the Pride of Jaguar requires that all areas of a Jaguar dealership’s business are focused on the customer. There are three key components to achieving Pride of Jaguar: providing an exceptional customer experience; exemplary sales satisfaction performance; and excellence in service quality.

“The Pride of Jaguar award annually honors those select dealers who exceeded expectations in customer satisfaction, sales performance, and overall business excellence. These dealers are key elements in Jaguar’s continued success,” says Andy Goss, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC.

The Elite of Lexus award is reserved for those dealers who excel at everything they do. From sales and service to the overall ownership experience, these dealerships are truly in a class all their own. Lexus bestows this honor on only a very select group of dealerships, based on customer ratings and a rigorous series of operational and certification requirements. We are honored to say that Park Place Lexus Plano has earned this prestigious award 19 times and Park Place Lexus Grapevine earned it the past 11 consecutive years.

February 13, 2013May 7, 2015

Choosing the Best New Luxury SUV: The Lexus GX

There are very few automobiles that can handle being tough and luxurious at the same time, but the Lexus GX has managed to pull this off as it has time and time again. The latest sports utility vehicle offers supreme talent in both avenues. The Lexus GX offers a smooth ride and the ability to power through a rugged trail.

The GX manages this complex ability thanks to capable hardware living beneath soft leather and polished wood. Not only are there stabilizer bars, but also an adaptive suspension for all kinds of terrain. Also, Crawl control endows the GX with additional control when heading off-road, automatically braking and throttling to create outstanding uphill and downhill performance.

For an all-purpose mover that can keep a family in tow off the main road, that is just as comfortable as a quick trip into the city, one cannot go wrong with the Lexus GX.

Housing seven passengers, the Lexus GX comes in the base and premium flavors. The standard features include an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-folding third row seats, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a sunroof, heated front seats with eight way adjustment, driver memory settings, a power lumbar support, heated side mirrors, 18 inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, running boards and wipers that can sense the rain. Other features include a camera for backing up safely and an audio speaker with an auxiliary audio jack, iPod connectivity, six CD changer, satellite radio, Bluetooth phone and audio and more across nine speakers.

The premium package allows drivers to add rear air conditioning, heated second row seats, a wood trimmed heated steering wheel, automatically dimming side view mirrors, adaptive xenon lights, adaptive variable suspension and better upholstery for the leather interior. Many of these can be added as options on the base model.

Other options that a user may pick up include power folding exterior mirrors, a lane departure warning system, a navigation system, front and rear parking sensors, surround sound audio and a rear seat entertainment system. Premium options include the crawl control and more.

As far as performance goes, a 4.6-liter V8 engine introduces 329 pound-feet of torque and 301 horsepower to the Lexus GX, and it sports a six speed automatic transmission that powers all four wheels through the dual range transfer case. With the right equipment, the GX is capable of towing upwards of 6,500 pounds. Testing shows it takes 7.2 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. The Lexus GX achieves 15 miles per gallon in the city, 20 miles per gallon on the highway, and 17 miles per gallon when combined.

The standard safety features for the Lexus GX include front passenger knee airbags, front side airbags, rear side airbags, hill start assist, hill descent control, antilock brakes and traction and stability control. Brake testing shows the GX can screech to a halt from 60 miles per hour in 127 feet.

Interior

The level of precision in the Lexus GX is top notch. While the number of features available in the model means there are quite a few buttons, the buttons are positioned in an intuitive manner, allowing for ease of use. It is easy to read the gauges and the navigation system as well.

There are 92 cubic feet of cargo space with the lowered third-row seats, and the front row seats are very comfortable and convenient. Additionally, there is a swinging cargo door on the passenger side rather than the liftgate that is standard on other luxury SUVs, and it is easy to stow small packages with a flip up rear window.

Take a look at the outstanding 7-passenger Lexus GX at Park Place Lexus in Plano and Grapevine, or visit the Park Place Lexus website to see our current Lexus GX sales inventory.

February 8, 2013May 7, 2015

When Technology Meets Luxury: Advanced Features Available on 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Explained

The Mercedes-Benz S-class has always been a leader in technology, being the first to add subtle changes like rain gutters to safely direct water flow, as well as technical leaps like traction and stability control. This tradition continues with the redesigned 2013 S-class.

Although it’s loaded with technological-wizardry, a lot of work has gone into making it as intuitive and easy to use as possible. This means drivers and passengers alike can enjoy this vehicle’s numerous features without them getting in the way of the driving experience.

Active Parking Assist: Parallel Parking Can’t Get Easier
Thanks to the addition of steering control, Active Parking Assist can now park and leave parallel parking spaces with no driver intervention. Simply activate the system, and when it detects a parking space, come to stop and put the shifter in “Park:” The car does the rest. Come back later, and the car can do something no other competitor can do: drive the car back out into the lane. Simply switch on the turn signal and shift into “Drive,” and the S-class will safely drive itself back onto the street. There’s no need to line up boxes on the navigation screen or steer as the system adjusts the throttle and brakes.

Distronic Plus: More than Cruise Control
Mercedes was the first company to introduce a radar-based cruise control system, automatically adjusting the car’s speed depending on the surrounding traffic. The same steering system which enables automatic parking, can also help keep the car in the lane, making highway drives less of a chore.

Stuck in rush hour traffic on the Dallas tollway? The system can also operate the car at low speeds, taking the stress out of stop and go traffic.

Advanced Headlights: See More of the Texas Road
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class uses only LED lights, which means one less item that needs to be serviced. However, the real stars in this setup are the headlights. The high beams automatically adjust to aim light away from oncoming drivers, keeping them from being dazzled while maintaining visibility. They also change their aim to illuminate the road ahead no matter how tight the curve. If a pedestrian or a deer is detected, the lights can direct a spotlight at them to get the driver’s attention.

Smartphone Connectivity: Access the S-Class Anywhere
A new app available for iPhone and Android devices allows vehicle functions to be accessed remotely. Don’t remember where you parked? The app can help you find your car. Don’t remember if you locked the doors? The locks can be operated remotely using the app.

Using Send2Benz, you can send route information from Google Maps directly from your computer or smartphone. Computer users can also add a widget to copy any address and send it directly to the car’s navigation system.

mbrace PLUS: A Concierge at Your Fingertips
With mbrace PLUS, owners will get a concierge service accessible both from the car and through the app. Faced with an accident, natural disaster or other catastrophe? The service can help there, too. Crisis Assist can help direct you away from closed roads and find emergency shelter.

Internet Integration for On the Go Planning
The COMAND infotainment system has greatly expanded in-vehicle Internet capabilities. Integrated social networking can help you plan meet-ups from your car. Google Local Search can be used not only to find locations, but also to call them or navigate to them. Want to know where’s the best place to eat in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? There’s integration with Yelp as well as a built in Zagat restaurant guide.

Top Quality Audio
The S-class comes standard with a harmon/kardon audio system, designed specifically for the cabin’s acoustics, with 15 speakers and 600 watts to provide superb audio quality. Want something that will truly impress audiophiles? Buyers can opt for an audio system from Bang & Olufsen, the leaders in audio reproduction.

The Perfect Seat
Active Ventilated seats are standard, helping each passenger cool down, warm up or dry off quickly. Four zone climate control lets each passenger have their part of the cabin at just the right temperature to make them comfortable. Adjustable lumbar, shoulder and side supports give each seat a custom fit, with total of ten adjustments in the front seats. Sound confusing? Don’t worry: Once everything is set up, the car remembers the position of everything from the side mirrors to the steering wheel angle, making driver changes a snap.

PRESAFE Plus: Preventing Accidents and Reducing Their Damage
The new system uses a series of sensors to identify possible collisions, whether it’s from the front, rear, or cross traffic at intersections. Not only can it apply the brakes, PRESAFE can adjust safety equipment inside the car to prepare for an impact. Is there someone in your blind spot? You’ll know, thanks to indicators in the side mirrors, and should someone swing into that space, the car will pull itself away to prevent an accident.

Learn more about the amazing Mercedes-Benz S-Class by visiting one of our Park Place Motorcars locations in Dallas, Fort-Worth, and Grapevine.

February 7, 2013May 7, 2015

Park Place Lexus Technology Specialists: Helping You Learn Exactly What Your New Lexus Is Capable Of

At Park Place Lexus in Plano and Grapevine, TX you will find an elite group of Lexus Technology Specialists available to help you feel comfortable with the technology included in your Lexus vehicle. As cars become more advanced, it’s perfectly natural to have questions about the plethora of new features available. That is where your Lexus Technology Specialist comes in. When you purchase a new Lexus, a Lexus Technology Specialist will be there to guide you through the new technology until you get the hang of it, but your relationship doesn’t end there. If you ever have any questions on how to use the technology in your Lexus to its greatest advantage, simply give our Lexus Technology Specialists a call, or drop by Park Place Lexus to gain hands on experience in navigating the technological marvel that is your Lexus.

To get in touch with your Lexus Technology Specialist, give us a call at 877-753-5747, and you will be routed to the Park Place Lexus Technology Center of your choice at Park Place Lexus Plano or Park Place Lexus Grapevine.

If you are looking for a quick online help to connect your smartphone with your new Lexus, or navigating the Lexus Enform App Suite, take a look at our Lexus How-To library below!

February 5, 2013May 7, 2015

2013 Lexus Technology: Advanced Features Available In The New Model Year

Lexus prides itself on giving its customers the best of the best. This is certainly true when it comes to technology. For instance, the 12.3-inch, split-screen multimedia display is an important attribute of the Lexus line. This useful screen is from four to seven inches bigger than most console screens. While it’s true that many car companies are offering Bluetooth, Lexus offers an enhanced system which not only allows hands free phone calling, but also allows drivers to access their mobile contacts through voice command. In addition, the Bluetooth system allows the contacts to be viewed on the Navigation system display. Lexus drivers can use the touchscreen or voice command with the Lexus full navigation system, multiple audio/stereo choices, and the Lexus Enform App suite.

The typical Lexus features a premium sound system. These high tech electronics come with a digital sound processor, automatic sound leveler, a six-CD changer and 10 speakers. Lexus offers iPod connectivity, iTunes tagging, HD Radio, and complimentary SiriusXM satellite radio. HD radio and SiriusXM give you access to a wide range of music, news and sports. iTunes tagging makes it easy to find a new favorite again. If you want more speakers and surround sound, you can opt for the Lexus line’s Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound Audio System. This 450-watt, 20-20,000 Hz system comes with 19 speakers and a 7.1 channel architecture. You won’t find sound like this anywhere but the most excellent concert venues. For the back seat, Lexus offers a DVD player with dual screens, wireless headphones and a wireless remote. One package offers rear seat audio controls, allowing a VIP in the back seat to control the stereo.

To help you make decisions and keep in touch, Lexus includes the Enform App Suite. This system, displayed on your multimedia screen, uses Bing for easy searching. Pre-loaded apps include Facebook Places, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable, and Yelp. You also get Pandora and iHeartRadio for more music choices. Most apps can be controlled by voice via pre-installed voice-recognition software or through a compatible smartphone. In the event of a breakdown or accident, SafetyConnect, which is available with Enform, can connect you directly to help 24/7.

The Navigation System includes a hard disk drive, where maps and data are stored for future use, with accommodation for up to 8 million points of interest like stores, eateries, parks, theaters and more. Display maps are easy to see on the large screen, and turn-by-turn directions get you where you want to go. The system responds to 100 voice commands, and it functions in English, Spanish or French. With the navigation system and SiriusXM, you can also get XM NavTraffic and XM NavWeather, which provide up-to-date information for any area on your route. You can also enjoy XM Sports and Stocks.

Also, Lexus technologies work to keep you comfortable. An enhanced heater can create heat faster to help cope with cold weather. A heated steering wheel, heated seats, and cooled seats are favorite options. A dual climate system, including a rear climate concierge, are also possibilities. The executive class seating package, for instance, offers a four-zone system with infrared rear passenger temperature sensor and rear overhead ducts, allowing rear-seat passengers the same comfort as the driiver. Some packages now offer cool boxes in the front or rear, making it easy to reach for a cold drink whenever you need it.

However, Luxus technology possibilities aren’t limited to the dashboard of course. There are all kinds of tech features flowing through the veins of the exceptional Lexus line. The smart key system is a multi-function remote, keyless entry and push-button start all rolled into one easy-to-use, fun-to-play-with technology.

In Lexus braking technology, Brake Assist boosts braking power, Smart Stop Assist reduces throttle, and Electronic Brake Distribution moves braking pressure to the tires that need it. Some Lexus vehicles take advantage of track proven technology by including Brembo brakes for the fastest stop outside of NASCAR. Other safety electronic features include Electronic Stability Control to balance the vehicle on tight curves or sharp turns, and Traction Control to stop skidding on slick or icy roads.

Lexus recognizes that humans don’t have eyes in the back of their heads. It also recognizes that cars invariably create blind spots. To remedy these problems, it offers some wonderful advanced technology. Parking distance sensors, back-up cameras, wide and side view cameras, and a blind spot monitor are all options to help the driver park, change lanes and even turn safely. A dual-swivel front headlight can turn with the steering wheel, allowing the driver to see what’s next on the road ahead. With all of the technology on a 2013 Lexus, it’s top of its class as usual.

See the latest advances in Lexus technology yourself by visiting Park Place Lexus in Plano and Grapevine.

February 5, 2013May 7, 2015

2014 Porsche Cayman ahead of the curve in Dallas, Texas

Built on the code of the curve, the Porsche Cayman takes the direct path without ever going in a straight line. The coupe puts you way ahead of the curve.

Overview

Inside the 2014 Porsche Cayman, you’re always ahead of the curve. Instead of taking the direct path in a humdrum straight line, the Cayman follows the bold and adventurous code of the curve. Porsche takes the nonconformist approach by placing the heart of the coupe — a compact, mid-mounted boxer engine — a little less than 12 inches behind the heart of the driver. This puts the bulk of the weight near the middle which lowers the center of gravity and evens the weight between the front and rear axles. Using this method turns the Cayman into a master of the curve.

Delivering 275 hp power to the 2014 Porsche Cayman is a 2.7-liter displaced 6-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection (DFI) and VarioCam Plus. Mated to the engine is a 6-speed manual transmission that accelerates the Cayman from 0 to 60 mph in a heart palpitating 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 165 mph. You can boost performance with the optional Sports Chrono Package and it’ll cut the 0 to 60 to 5.1 seconds – a whole .3 seconds. Just listen to the sound of the Cayman engine and see how it makes you feel.

In building the 2014 Porsche Cayman S, Porsche engineers couldn’t resist the challenge of throwing everything they had along with their passion. Giving the Cayman S its heart is a 3.4-liter, flat-six engine with DFI and VarioCam Plus. The Cayman S coupe generates 325 hp propelling it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds with the speed maxing at 175 mph. Shave time from 4.7 to 4.4 by opting for the PDK and Sport Chrono package. And here’s the Cayman S sound. Can’t get more electrifying? Add a sports exhaust system and you’ll hear this engine.

Recovered yet? As if that isn’t enough to overwhelm you with excitement, the Porsche Cayman and Porsche Cayman S come with powerful and efficient technology. Auto Start Stop turns off the engine when the Cayman coupe comes to a stop while all sound and communications systems remain turned on. Electrical engine management optimizes engine performance. Advanced thermal management regulates the temperature in the engine and gearbox to cut friction loss. “But don’t be fooled by the greenie wrapper, the Cayman’s performance is supreme,” writes Car and Driver.

In driving the 2014 Porsche Cayman, you’ll choose curves over straight roads just to the experience the code of the curve every chance you get. Get a taste of the curve with by checking out the mid-engine coupe at Park Place Porsche Dallas.

Interior

Interior features vary based on model and package. This is a sample of some of the interior features you’ll find in the 2014 Porsche Cayman.

Interior colors: Colors vary based on model. These are some of the colors available. Black leather, Platinum Grey leather, Yachting Blue leather, Luxor Beige leather, Agate Grey/Pebble Grey two-tone leather, Agate Grey/Amber Orange two-tone leather, Agate Grey/Lime Gold two-tone leather, Agate Grey special leather, Espresso natural leather, Carrera Red natural leather.

Audio system: The BOSE® Surround Sound System features 8 amplifier channels. 10 loudspeakers integrated behind the dashboard include an active subwoofer to deliver balanced sound and a total output of 445 watts for a surround-sound experience.

Seating: The standard and comfortable sports seats finished in Alcantara provide support even when the hitting corners hard. The seat features powered backrest adjustment and manual height and fore/aft adjustment. All-around powered seating – fore/aft adjustment, lumbar support and steering column — is available as an option.

Steering wheel: The standard sports steering wheel with 3-spoke design is adjustable up to 60 mm axially and up to 40 mm vertically.

Exterior

Exterior features vary based on model and package. This is a sample of some of the exterior features you’ll find in the new Porsche Cayman.

Exterior colors: Colors vary based on model. These are some of the colors available. Agate Grey Metallic, Anthracite Brown Metallic, Aqua Blue Metallic, Basalt Black Metallic, Cognac Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, GT Silver Metallic, Guards Red, Lime Gold Metallic, Mahogany Metallic, Racing Yellow and White.

Lighting: Clear glass halogen headlights are standard on the Cayman. Bi-Xenon headlights are standard for the Cayman S. Integrated in the air intakes are circular front light units with LED daytime running lights and position lights. The taillights also use LED technology to increase safety.

Wheels: The 18-inch alloy wheel with dual-arm spoke design is standard in the new Cayman. Equipping the Cayman S are 19-inch wheels with the classic five-spoke design.

Safety

Safety features vary based on model and package. This is a sample of some of the safety features you’ll find in the 2014 Porsche Cayman.

Porsche Stability Management (PSM): Standard in both new Cayman models, Porsche Stability Management (PSM) maintains stability even at the limits of dynamic driving performance. Sensors continuously monitor the direction, speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration of the car.

Braking system: Equipped with four-piston aluminum monobloc fixed brake calipers, the brakes are resistant to deformation and lightweight for fast and sensitive braking response. The Caymans also feature a new generation of brake caliper at the front axle. When combining this with the large brake pads and the new brake booster, it increases braking and stability. Brake discs are internally vented and cross-drilled for improved braking in wet conditions.

Electric parking brake. As you pull away, the new electronic parking brake automatically releases. You can manually activate and deactivate the brake.

Airbags. Both Cayman models come with full-size and knee airbags that inflate in two stages depending on the severity and type of accident. In less serious accidents, the airbags are only partially inflated to limit discomfort.

Performance

2014 Porsche Cayman Vital Stats

Engine: 2.7-liter flat-six engine with Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) and VarioCam Plus

Max power: 275 hp @ 7,400 rpm

0-60 mph time: 5.4 seconds

Top track speed: 165 mph

Max torque: 213 lb-ft @ 4,500 to 6,500 rpm

2014 Porsche Cayman S Vital Stats

Engine: 3.4-liter flat-six engine with Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) and VarioCam Plus

Max power: 325 hp @ 4,700 rpm

0-60 mph time: 4.7 seconds

Top track speed: 175 mph

Max torque: 273 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 to 5,800 rpm.

February 3, 2013May 7, 2015

Superdome Eye Candy: Which Benz Beauty Will Steal the Show At The Big Game?

Mercedes-Benz has been creating a lot of buzz about the new 2014 CLA-Class four-door sedan. The luxury sedan is to be revealed in a much-anticipated Super Bowl XLVII ad featuring William Defoe, Kate Upton and Usher, it will be the talk of the big day. The splash of A-list film and music stars is intended to support the carmaker’s investment in a niche project in U.S. markets; the outcome will determine the future of German engineering here in the States.

A lot is being asked of the CLA-Class, the company’s new coupe-like executive sedan with the slashed price tag. Mercedes is counting on Kate Upton to showcase the virtues of an affordable Benz that is stylish and powerful. The commercial is clever and well choreographed so it is sure to be a media spot winner during the Big Game. The head-turner Mercedes-Benz expects the ad to be a fitting way to introduce the new beauty that goes on sale in April 2013.

What’s special about the new CLA-Class? Reporters got a closer look during the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this month. The hawkish, studded front grille provides a signature accent for an automobile that comes across as both classy and aggressive. The car is not meant to be huge, however, it aspires to have coupe-like dimensions. Its lingering frontal lines contrast with a cleanly docked rump that nevertheless accommodates four, full-size doors. If buyers choose the optional Sport Package, he/she will receive a full range of sports car features, which include yawning inlets and a rear diffuser.

The CLA-Class is technically well equipped with the latest anti-collision and attention-assist mechanisms to ensure safety standards are up to par with efficiency. The company’s innovative “mbrace2” software provides remote and on-site security as well as full Internet syncing from car to cloud.

The coolest thing about the new CLA-Class is reported to be the best aerodynamic vehicle on the market “worthy of a supercar,” according to Germans creators. The previous holder of that record was also a Mercedes-Benz, the 2011 C-Class Coupe. Automakers are continuing to flaunt their superior with wind-friendly physics. As suggested to be the most aerodynamic and greenest of the CLA-Class models, 180 CDI Blue Efficiency will be released with the other models in April this year.

However, by the end of 2013, the full range of CLA-Class models will be available. Each model will tailor whatever a driver desires such as, both six and seven-speed transmissions, either manual or automatic. All of the CLA-Class models are equipped with efficient four-cylinder engines. Some models are marked for optimum energy consumption, traction and four-wheel drive, and of course, turbocharged sports appeal with speed-sensitive steering. Also included but not forgotten is a firm grip of the wheel and napped suede.

The new CLA-Class intends to provide a luxury experience, complete with sporty bells and whistles to entice performance-leaning drivers. Surprisingly, the 2014 CLA-Class is wildly affordable by Mercedes-Benz standards for a cool, cost effective $29,900.

Mercedes’ Super Bowl commercial will sell the weighty reputation of a Benz to a younger generation with less disposable income but have the universal appetite for beauty, modern technology and the finer points of automobile engineering. German engineers are planning ahead by test-driving the CLA-Class in a smaller American market to see if newly affordable luxury catches on.

It’s a good touchdown for Mercedes’ flashy Super Bowl commercial preview that seems to confirm it. Why sell your soul to the devil to get close to fame, fortune and Kate Upton, when there’s a Benz “and everything that comes with it” available for under $30,000? Mercedes-Benz will be answering that question before a wide audience during the 47th Super Bowl, and Park Place Dealerships will be giving away a 1 year lease to a lucky Facebook Fan though their Fan Sweepstakes.

February 1, 2013May 7, 2015

The 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8 Drops Weight and Price With a New Powerplant for a Sportier Ride and Increased Efficiency

Bentley has a new large, luxurious coupe for the 2013 model year in the Continental GT V8, a car both lighter and more efficient than the V12 model that was the standard Continental through the 2012 model year. Although the brand-new direct-injection, twin-turbocharged V8 sheds a full 2 liters of displacement over the V12, power output and acceleration performance are at similar levels.

As is the custom with Bentley, the Continental GT V8 still comes with world-class luxury and convenience features despite its new lower price point. Pricing starts at around $200,000.

When the Bentley Continental line debuted, a V12 engine came standard, providing smooth, effortless power but at the expense of price and gas mileage. For the 2013 model year, Bentley adds a brand-new engine choice to the Continental lineup: a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with cylinder deactivation technology. This motor outputs an even 500 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 487 foot-pounds of torque at just 1,700 rpm, outstanding figures for an engine at this displacement. Mated to a ZF-designed eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time AWD, the Continental GT V8 is, in many respects, a stronger performer than the V12 base model, thanks to its rev-happy engine and lower curb weight.

Zero to 60 mph comes in just 4.8 seconds, while top speed rings in at 188 mph. Bentley pulled no punches in designing this engine, and it shows as the car pulls hard throughout the rpm range. The eight-speed is perfectly suited to this engine, as shifts are snappy and right on the money when the driver chooses to row the gears himself, while the car has a luxurious, laid-back demeanor when left in fully automatic shift mode.

As the Continental has gained refinement and cut engine displacement, so too has weight been trimmed down by a significant margin. The 2013 GT V8 weighs in at 5,060 pounds with standard equipment, a loss of more than 60 pounds over the V12 model. With less weight comes a lower center of gravity, and better performance when the roads get twisty. Fuel efficiency is drastically improved, now ringing in at 15 city, 24 highway and 18 combined mpg on the EPA cycle, an improvement of 3 combined mpg over the 2013 Continental GT V12. This helps the car avoid that pesky gas guzzler tax, shaving thousands from the true cost of purchase.

Bentley has wisely fitted such a high powered car with the brand’s latest electronic stability and traction control technologies. Using engine power modulation, brake pressure and variable torque applied to the front and rear wheels, the stability control system keeps many driving mishaps in check while improving the car’s high-speed stability.

Seating four passengers in a large, spacious grand touring coupe body style, the GT V8 comes with a full complement of cutting-edge interior technology. Leather, Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus wood trim and knurled metal give the car cabin styling that can be tailored to a near-infinite degree to suit individual owner tastes. Leather seating surfaces come standard, of course, available in Beluga, Newmarket Tan, Porpoise or Imperial Blue in a unique design that extends to nearly every visible interior surface. The total cabin impression is one of coddling luxury, with rear legroom approaching that of larger Bentley models like the flagship Mulsanne sedan.

Drivers will be treated to the brand’s latest in navigation and infotainment technology, including a touchscreen in-car control system with a 30-gigabyte hard drive preloaded with complete United States and limited international maps. The hard drive features usable space for MP3 files, which can be played through the eight-speaker surround sound system featuring eight channels of audio. Among luxury coupes, the Continental line has an overall impression of craftsmanship that no other vehicle can match at any price point. From hand-stitched Bentley logos adorning the seats, to the available rear-seat mobile office setup, the Continental GT V8 is the perfect vehicle with which to tackle some back roads, or be driven while enjoying ample space and comfort.

Find out more about the 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8 at Park Place Bentley Dallas.

January 31, 2013May 7, 2015

Park Place Dealerships Named a 2013 National Top Workplace

Luxury automobile dealership group ranked #4 in the U.S. in the largest survey of American workers of its kind

DALLAS (January 31, 2013) — Dallas-based Park Place Dealerships has been named one of America’s Top Workplaces by WorkplaceDynamics. Park Place was ranked #4 nationwide among 872 organizations with more than 1,000 employees that participated in regional top workplaces programs.

“It is an honor to be recognized as one of America’s top workplaces,” said Ken Schnitzer, Chairman of Park Place Dealerships. “We have invested in hiring the best team to take great care of our clients and they do an incredible job. We value our team and we do everything we can to create an exceptional work environment.”

The National Top Workplaces list was determined solely by feedback gathered through an objective employee survey. The survey was conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, the leading on-demand employee survey provider, in conjunction with 30 leading regional newspapers. Park Place Dealerships participated in The Dallas Morning News’ Top Workplaces 2012 program.

The survey uses a proprietary set of 22 questions to rank companies. The survey data showed that employees most want to work at companies with high levels of organizational health. Companies that set a clear direction for their future; execute well; and bring real meaning to work are the healthiest.

“We have the support of the leadership team at all levels of our organization,” said Sherry Miller, vice president of human resources at Park Place Dealerships. “This enables us to implement workplace initiatives that create an environment where our employees are recognized and rewarded for their knowledge and skills, where their opinions are heard and valued, and where they can learn and further develop in their careers at Park Place.”

The Top Workplaces program accurately reflects the opinions of employees through measurement of engagement, organizational health and employee satisfaction. The survey is utilized year after year by human resource professionals and C-suite executives nationwide as the gold standard in internal measurement of organizational health and employee satisfaction.

Founded in 2006, WorkplaceDynamics is the fastest-growing employee survey provider in the United States. Based on their “on-demand” employee survey, last year they surveyed more than 5,000 organizations, polled 1.7 million people and handled over a million employee responses.

Details about the National Top Workplaces, a full list of the Top 150 companies, the survey methodology, and factors that drive organizational health are available at www.topworkplaces.com.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 by Ken Schnitzer with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Park Place currently operates 15 full-service dealerships representing Bentley, Jaguar, Lexus, Lotus, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, smart, Volvo and Rolls-Royce. In addition, the dealership group includes two Park Place Bodywerks locations. For more information about Park Place Dealerships, visit parkplace.com.