Mercedes-Benz to make Competitor to BMW X6?

Who would’ve thought that when BMW introduced its polarizing X6, it would do so well that BMW’s rivals would be forced to make a competitor?

There are reports that Mercedes-Benz is the latest to jump on board the weird cross-over-SUV-coupe segment that BMW started a while back. To be dubbed the GLS and based on the newly redesigned M-Class (pictured above), the GLS will be a four seater-only with a sloped roofline a la CLS. Mercedes will also likely develop a V8 AMG version to directly combat the X6 M. Details other than that are scarce at the moment.

Mercedes-Benz is the third automaker that has now apparently seen enough X6 sales to realize they need a competitor. Acura’s ZDX, while significantly cheaper than the X6, has not been selling in droves. In fact, Acura has had to incent consumers with as much as $12,000 off before hagling. Audi, on the other hand, is confident it can be the one to slow X6 sales with its upcoming Q6.

It sure is a weird segment to be competing in, but sounds like things will heat up significantly within the next few years. Now all we need is Infiniti and Lexus to take notice, then we’ll really have a ball game going.

[Autocar]

Audi Developing BMW X6 Fighter

When BMW debuted the X6 a few years back, they must’ve known something that the rest of us didn’t because everyone thought it was a bad idea and that it would fail miserably. It hasn’t. In fact, the X6 is selling surprisingly well.

Now it seems other manufacturers are taking notice of the X6′s success and are scrambling to build competitors. Acura  had a go at it, but the ZDX has been anything but sucessful so far since there are huge cash incentives to move them off the lot.

Audi is going to have a go now too, it seems. Dubbed the Q6, it is expected to be based on both the Volkswagen Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne. Engine choices would be the standard units in other models and there’s even word of an RS version in the cards to take on the X6 M,  and the ML AMG.

Which would you prefer? An X6, ZDX or Q6?

Acura Not Selling Many ZDX’s

When BMW decided to create its own niche market in making the X6, the only other automaker to notice or care was Acura. As such, they made the ZDX in an effort to combat X6 sales. The X6 has been selling decently (and surprisingly) well, but unfortunately the same can’t be said for the ZDX.

This is evident by the monster discounts now available for it. Looking at the ad above, you’d think it was an ad for a domestic automaker since it’s not uncommon for them to offer massive discounts from the get-go. European and Asian automakers never do that, and Acura knows it judging from the wording of the ad.

I tested the ZDX a while back and found it to be a capable vehicle. Being in a niche market though, Acura probably didn’t expect it to sell in large numbers anyway, but clearly they expected it to do better than its doing.

Now at $46,020 with the heavy discount, the ZDX is definitely more appealing. Is that still enough to make you want one though?

[Auto North]

Test Drive: 2010 Acura ZDX

By Kevin Harrison

People who are indecisive are pretty much the worst. I know, because I’m one of them. At any given moment, I can never make up my mind. Even over little things that one shouldn’t have to think about. For example, today I couldn’t make up my mind at Subway.

“Do I want a six inch or a foot long today?” I asked myself. That’s-what-she-said jokes aside, how difficult can it actually be to decide your level of hunger? And how annoying was it for the people behind me, who have already made up their minds, to wait for me make up my mind? I can only presume most people decide these sorts of things before leaving their cars. I ended up with a six inch and after consuming it in about 30 seconds, my worst fears were realized. I had made the wrong decision. I could have easily eaten a foot long.

Luckily this annoying tendency is non-existent for me when it comes to cars. I know what I like, and I know what my priorities are. If a car doesn’t meet them, it’s on to the next one. No second guessing.

But there are others in our indecisive club that aren’t so lucky when it comes to cars. They can’t make up their minds and usually end up with a minivan of some sort with ridiculous wheels and a spoiler. They want a coupe-like car that’s fast, that can handle off-road and snowy conditions, that has enough room for cargo and their family, that turns heads, is good on gas, good on power, has the latest luxury and technology and gives you a commanding view of the road.

Acura thinks they have an made something for those indecisive folk: The all-new ZDX.

Read the rest of this entry »