German Car Forum

Cadillac Provoq

I think we're both getting mixed up here. I was saying that your joke about it being a glorified shopping cart was funny.

M

And i think comparing a production ready car to a concept is funny

^ Oh OK ....I couldn't work out why you were so amused (still can't actually ) ...I thought you were commenting on my preference for the 'Townside' model.

Makes sense now

not really ...the GLK is much more about image than substance ....so styling is the key here. The total garbage in the press release about it somehow relating to the G class makes a mockery of MB's heritage.

Cadillac Provoq





And in reference to your posts in the glk thread Rob, friend, this is an unfussy, clean, elegant, simple lights, no lines everywhere...., design?

Keep it friendly guys. I sense people getting "pissed off" here and before we reach a level of hostility, I want to say this. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Respect that.


Here's my opinion about the GLK.

I think it's ok. Where the BMW X3 comes across as rather "boring and bland" looking, the GLK at least looks unique and interesting. Yes it stands out in this class and that can also be a good thing. People seeking individuality or something different are the type of folks whom such a car might appeal to. This is the same reason why the G-Class has been in production for so long, albeit in smaller numbers. I think the GLK design is interesting. Am I crazy about it? Not really, I like it, but I am not madly in love with it. The interior looks pretty "old" since I see Mercedes W124 E-Class in it, but it also looks appropriate for such a little SUV since it displays a conservative and relaxed visual character.

The GLK will probably do very well. In the latest Autobild, which I read in a cafe since I never buy them, there was an article about how BMW X3 sales took a nose dive the moment the Tiguan appeared and how Tiguan sales are on the rise. The same will probably be true when the GLK is on sale. This is usually the trend when new models appear on the market.

^ it woks for Cadillac. In fact, it has revived Cadillac. Mercedes had a very established culture of well conceived and well resolved products -- excessive styling was never a part of it.

The only problem I have with that "Cadillac" is that it is based on a Saturn (Vue) structure and it simply won't have the necessary refinement and build for a Cadillac. Unless, unless GM really takes the platform and guts it and upgrades everything. Cadillac always messes up when they take a Chevy or Saturn and tries to turn it into a Cadillac, witness the XLR. No way that car is up to being a 100K car when it comes to build quality.

M

While the GLK looks better than X3, that is not saying much. If the chops are anything to go by, the Q5 should easily be the best looking in this segment that I do not give a rat's ass about .

Oh, I forgot about Ford Edge, IMO it looks better than both X3 and GLK and is probably is in the same size range.

No, Rob, REALLY! Concepts are exactly what they say they are and hardly, if ever, equate to production trim.
Secondly, how de we know that the glk is more style than substance? What is the substance of a vehicle? Well to me that would be how it goes about its road going and automotive businesss. Do we KNOW that the glk is not a good driving, refined and safe, technically competent, capable offroad, technologically up to date if not innovative car that's wrapped in, well, a good design. It's at least a design for which we haven't found better styling in it's class. Yet? Except of course your concept Rob

Chris, you simply can not compare the G class with the GLK (or the ML or GL for that matter) it is the only Mercedes-Benz left which came from an era of absolute integrity and substance -- it all is very authentic ....untill you open the door and discover that the entire interior has been redecorated by Martha Stuart to appeal to Beverly Hills hairdressers who need a vehicle to take the Bichon Frisés to the dog shows in the weekend.

Well said and i agree. Audi has a big chance to become the best looking of them and i honestly hope it will. Both X3 and GLK are one of the, if not THE ugliest products from BMW and MB.

Did I tell you guys I sold my CLK for an X3?

M

I quite like the caddy concept tho. Very nice

That Cadillac is really not very interesting, I don't quite understand. it's just a Cadillacized Opel Antara/Chevrolet Captiva. it is heavy, especially the rear, uninteresting and boring to death even with the "want to be specatcular" side vents.

The GLK is of course awful with these 48 inch wheels and the stupid two-tone paint, but the one in Sex and the City is really an interesting and good looking little SUV. Not an absolute fan, I hate these SUVs, but I don't see why you seem to hate it.

A bit overdesigned, yes, not perfect okay, but still very good-looking to my eyes.

Anyway, to each his own!!

Where I agree is the "little G" thing. The GLK is a little GL, but has (like the GL) absolutely nothing to do with the G. Nothing. It is not because it is edgy that it looks like the G. The G is underdesign and form follow function pushed to the extreme, allied with perfect proportions and a very impressive stature. Nothing like a little SUV with a wanna-be-adventurous look.

OK Justananthony, you make good points. I will be very interested to read just how capable the GLK really is .....even if 90% of them will never leave the suburbs anyway.

I think they can be compared here for purposes of design. Both look unique in their respective classes. I don't expect people to like the way they look, design is subjective after all, but there are people seeking something different, something that will distinguish them from the rest of the compact SUV crowd and this makes the GLK very appealing. In the large SUV segment, the unique design of the G-Class makes it an interesting car for certain people. That's all I am saying.

Right the actual production version that we saw in the S&C shots is the one to concetrate on, that is the full production model. Even the blue one doesn't look as production ready as the white one from the S&C set.

M

Oh please, lets not get confused here ...I am not saying that I think the Caddy is amazing ...I was struggling to find any example of a compact SUV which I actually like.

Ye i agree coolraoul, to each his own. Design is that most subjective of things. It's like art, not really quantifiable. I dont particukarly care for the monalisa painting but who cares??? What's beautiful in my eyes could be bloody ugly in yours. Back to the origin of the discussion, I jst thot Rob was a bit harsh about the glk. I DO like the way he puts his arguments across hence my reply.

^ I know I come across as harsh (and perhaps brash) but what's the point of holding back .....the forum is far more interesting for me if I slightly exaggerate ....I get much more colourful responses.



OT: I agree with you about the Mona Lisa .... there are better Renaissance painters than Leonardo Da Vinci ...and certainly better paintings than the Mona Lisa. I think the Dutch masters were the greatest Renaissance painters.

I agree, much more funny if you exaggerate a little bit.

It makes the discussion go further and at the end, even if nobody agree at least everybody know why!!

Concerning the painting, well I saw Mona Lisa IRL (if you can say that) and it is really special, you really think she looks at you. And follows you with the eyes. Wonderful paint. However I am no real art specialist.

I also love the Dutch/Flamish like Rembrandt, Vermeer or Rubens, especially the colours and lights are absolutely fabulous...

Yep, who knew so much would be said about "Mercedes-Benz at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show"...lol.


M