The Lure of Luxury
It’s a tough time to be an automotive manufacturer. The industry’s worst downturn in decades is finally over, but the level of competition has never been tougher — and while that makes it a bit more challenging to be a manufacturer, it’s great news for American motorists.
A quick look reveals that carmakers are battling for buyers’ hearts, minds, and pocketbooks by emphasizing critical factors such as styling, performance, and value. Models like the striking Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ are setting a new benchmark when it comes to breakthrough design. The newly updated Cadillac CTS not only adopts a new exterior design, but offers a strikingly enhanced interior package.
The third-generation Caddy sedan also boasts GM’s first twin-turbo powertrain. Meanwhile, that Lincoln MKZ defies conventional wisdom by offering buyers the option of a conventional gas engine or a high-mileage hybrid — at the same price.
And Lexus does what the Japanese brand has always done so well — the 2014 IS sedan delivers a tremendous value package for entry-luxury buyers, pumping up the passion quota with a design theme that’s directly influenced by the maker’s limited-edition LFA supercar.
It’s a great time to be shopping for a new car.
Cadillac CTS | |
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For more information on the Cadillac CTS visit: www.Cadillac.com |
Its design is striking, inside and out. Every component, honed and crafted. Thrilling performance and sophisticated technology lurk within, while the extraordinary design is outwardly unmistakable. Destined to stand out among the world’s leading luxury cars, this exceptional sedan elevates the notions of luxury and sport. Dynamic, intriguing design. A critically acclaimed lightweight architecture. A meticulously detailed interior. The all-new 2014 CTS is a driver’scar in the truest sense of the term and breathtaking to behold, both inside and out. | |
Ford Fusion | |
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To test drive a Ford Fusion visit: Tom Holzer Ford 10 mile and Haggerty, Farmington Hills, mi 48335 www.HolzerFord.com 248-474-1234 |
The new Ford Fusion does more than stand out on the road. With its visual effect rooted in a beautiful, breakthrough design, this attainable sedan exceeds all expectations for how daily commuting should look and feel. Sit in the car and note how its sporty interior emboldens and reminds you just how much fun driving can be. As a five-seater, Fusion offers high levels of craftsmanship, and four gasoline engine options to meet the needs of any driving style. The newly available 1.5-liter EcoBoost® engine is a finely tuned technological achievement, designed to return excellent fuel economy while offering superior levels of refinement, quietness and performance. Fusion offers the most complete suite of advanced driver-assist features of any midsize sedan in America with options such as active park assist, Lane-Keeping System and adaptive cruise control. The award-winning SYNC® connectivity system is a standard feature. Developing a vehicle with global appeal does not mean sacrificing safety features. Fusion provides eight standard airbags and has available rear inflatable seat belts. This car has a design language that turns heads, but is built to enhance the life of the driver. | |
Lincoln MKZ | |
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To test drive a Lincoln MKZ visit: Star Lincoln Inc. 24350 W. 12 Mile Southfield, MI 48034 www.StarLincoln.net 248-354-4900 |
When the redesigned Lincoln MKZ was introduced as a concept car at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it turned heads — and not just because of its streamlined silhouette. Now, check out the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, the first production vehicle developed by Ford Motor Co.’s new Lincoln Design Studio. No detail has been left to chance; in addition to Lincoln’s top engineers, the studio is home to designers, sculptors, artists, and modelers dedicated to making a brilliant product that delivers a luxurious experience. Known for its graceful grille, the new Lincoln MKZ features a split-wing grille — a nod to the classic Lincoln, while considerably more modern and sleek. The interior is warm and rich, with eco-friendly wood trim. An optional expansive glass roof provides panoramic views and retracts effortlessly when the outdoors beckon. Advanced safety features and available systems include lane-keeping alerts, park assist, and collision warning with brake support. A standard eight-inch LCD touch screen displays MyLincoln Touch, Ford’s Sync system that is exclusive to Lincoln. Audiophiles are in for a treat with the 11-speaker standard setup and optional 700-watt, 14-speaker THX-II-certified system upgrade. With a choice of gasoline or hybrid, The Lincoln MKZ offers a personal experience at every level, from the powertrain to the push-button shift to the choice of interior coin holder. Everything has been designed for an open and inviting driving experience. The Lincoln MKZ is a brighter, spirited model for a new generation, yet it’s carefully tooled with reverence to the Lincolns of old. After all, it’s a Lincoln, and stunning design is in its DNA. Star Lincoln is newly remodeled, offering our customers a rich, sumptuous experience, in keeping with the new luxury of Lincoln. | |
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid | |
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For more information on the Lincoln MKZ and MKZ Hybrid, visit: www.Lincoln.com |
“Highest Ranked Vehicle Appeal among Compact Premium Cars” by J.D. Power*. The all-new MKZ. Awarded most appealing compact premium car by J.D. Power, in a study of new vehicle owners across eight categories including design, performance and comfort. The Lincoln MKZ is an example of our rich heritage that’s inspiring the innovations of today. From its sweptback stance to the clean architectural design of the interior to its ability to run up to 62 mph on electric power alone, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is equally appealing. While an EPA estimated rating of 45 city mpg+ puts the MKZ Hybrid ahead of every other luxury Hybrid made, here is an even more interesting fact: Its starting price is the same as the gas model. In both the MKZ and MKZ Hybrid, an available class-exclusive retractable glass panoramic roof** fills the cabin with natural light. When retracted it gives you the freedom of a convertible with the largest effective roof opening among sedans++. Curiosity piqued? Interested in exploring the new things we are doing at the Lincoln Motor Company like the MKZ? Space here prohibits a more in-depth look at the innovation and craftsmanship that goes into the MKZ and MKZ Hybrid. Please click to Lincoln.com to connect with your Lincoln Concierge. Or visit your Lincoln Showroom today.
2013 Lincoln MKZ gas model shown. | |
2014 Lexus IS | |
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To test drive a Lexus IS visit: Meade Lexus of Lakeside 45001 Northpointe Blvd. 586-580-4544Meade Lexus of Southfield 28300 Northwestern Highway 248-469-8800www.MeadeLexus.com |
We’ve been fans of the Lexus IS line since its 2000 model year debut; the sedan delivers a surprising amount of value and visual appeal at an affordable price. But the all-new 2014 remake has bumped up the fun factor by a solid order of magnitude while also improving the IS sedan’s looks, both inside and out. The new design, starting with the distinctive Lexus “spindle grille,” was directly influenced by the LFA supercar, giving the 2014 IS a more sporty and aggressive — yet refined — appearance that carries over into the new cockpit-style interior. Passengers will immediately appreciate the use of upgraded materials, more comfortable seats, and the added room that comes from stretching the sedan’s wheelbase by nearly three inches. For the driver, the new IS features gauges and controls that are easier to read and reach, but the real thrill starts the moment the car is fired up. The 2014 model offers two different engine choices: a fuel-efficient, 204-horsepower V-6; or the more sporty 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. In rear-drive configuration, they’re paired to a silky-smooth 8-speed automatic. For more temperate climes, buyers have the option of a 6-speed automatic coupled with traction-enhancing all-wheel-drive. The new sport-tuned suspension found on both V-6 models is still able to make even the worst road bumps all but vanish, but the IS 350’s new Adaptive Variable Suspension takes things a step further by delivering the sort of on-rails feeling through tight corners you’d expect from a true sports sedan. We’ve always appreciated the Lexus IS, but the new 2014 update is everything we’ve come to expect — and a lot more. |
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