http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N8hiUZL6gk

Very cool! Didn't think Top Gear went back that far.

How about this? The MB S-class and BMW 7-series they tested didn't have AC, a sound system, or cruise control!! Oh, and it still cost more than the LS400 which was loaded to the brim.

 

Repost

But good video nonetheless.

 

Figures. Hadn't seen it before.

 

Impressive

 

I like the "glass of water test" to compare the smoothness of the engine

 

Can someone explain why the top of the line Benz and Bimmer didn't come with basic features like a radio and AC standard???

A Yaris comes with standard AC and CD sound system.

 

Because this was 20 years ago and premium cars in Europe don't come equipped as they do in the US.

 

Few cars of that era in the UK came with AC as standard - it wasn't considered a necessity for the few really hot days you got in the summer. You could argue we really don't need it that often today. Most cars came with a sound system, top of the line Fords and GM products were very well equipped, but for some reason at that time BMW and Mercedes made you spec one as an extra - all part of the quality German experience I guess.

 

that water glass on the engine was a sweet demonstration

 

and people wonder why lexus is kicking **** now

 

Sweet vid. A testament to the wake up call to the European premium car makers at the time.

 

If Lexus was never invented, European luxury cars would only be half as good as they are now. And yet still be more expensive than they are now.

 

I would like to expand that. ALL cars today would not be 1/2 as good, dealerships would be in worse shape than ever and quality would be an afterthought.

The Lexus effect is truly staggering. The Germans literally LAUGHED at Lexus when it debuted. They truly thought no one would buy them or take it serious JUST BASED on the fact it had NO HERITAGE, quite an amazing level of arrogance.

Its truly amazing what they have accomplished in such a short time, especially when you see the other Japanese brands could not mimic that success, in other words, people don't buy Japanese luxury cars "just because".

Both the GErmans and Lexus continue to learn from each other, the latest case in point the IS-F, direct competitors to M/AMG/RS cars.

 

Shows you how "well-equipped" European cars were.

Hell, until recently, MB Canada gave you a cassette player when an Echo had a CD Player. Most CD Changers are trunk-mounted as opposed to dash-mounted like the LS and GS.

Alloys? extra
automatic climate control? extra
cruise? extra
automatic headlights? extra

etc etc etc.


Fast forward a few years to today, and they've lengthened the standard equipment list (at least in Canada) for the 323i, C230 and A3/A4 2.0T.