Toys4RJill

mmarshall

Not sure if you remember or not, Jill, but, for years, Rolls-Royce was famous for using the word "Adequate" in their official HP/Torque ratings. They refused to publish any numbers. That changed, of course, when BMW got a controlling interest in the brand, and started using some of their own engines.

mmarshall

Tell that to Cadillac. They originally stuck in a base 2.0T under the hood of their CT6 flagship. While the 2.0T is not a slouch (it produces good power for its size) I certainly wouldn't consider it an engine for a Caddy flagship. They have since pulled that engine from the American-spec CT6, but, as I understand it, are keeping it in the Chinese market.

SW17LS

And guess what? Now they publish their numbers.

Cadillac is not an example of a company that is successful.

mmarshall

The point was, though, that even in the past, the power was clearly there...they didn't need to publish the figures. That, though, is not to imply that RRs were (or are) dragsters. They have a lot of power...but also a lot of weight.

Toys4RJill

mmarshall

Simple. In those days, RRs had power.....but did not feel the need to advertise. It ties in somewhat with Steve's earlier post about luxury cars having features that are often unneeded, but there. And, from what I've seen of today's vehicles, it's not just luxury cars, either....heck, there are are features on a 13-15K Kia Rio that I myself would probably never use, mostly in electronic infotainment systems.

SW17LS

The past is the past. Today they publish numbers, because consumers want numbers.

mmarshall

The main reason is that they generally use BMW engines today. Most Rolls Royce buyers are of a different caliber than those buying Bentleys. Bentleys are more sport-oriented, their owners are more likely to drive them themselves, and therefore show more of an interest in power ratings.

Also, as far as "Consumers" wanting numbers, the average new-RR buyer can hardly be called a "Consumer"...he or she will usually be a celebrity, a Head of State, a Middle East prince, or, of course, British aristocracy.

I've never had the chance to drive a new RR, but I did get to sample an old classic (1957) one that belonged to the owner of a limo-firm that my ex-Flight Instructor, when he retired from flying, joined and drove for. Quite an experience from the right seat....with right-hand drive.

SW17LS

They use RR Specific versions of BMW engines. They were using BMW engines back when they described power as "adequate"

Of course they are consumers. If they buy something, they are a consumer. Everybody is a consumer.

And lots of RR owned by people who are none of the above. Guy down my street lives in a TH and he has a LWB Phantom.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

Configurator is up:
https://www.lincoln.com/luxury-suvs/aviator/2020/

Standard - $51100
Reserve - $56190
Grand Touring (hybrid) - $68800
Black Label - $77695
Black Label Grand Touring (hybrid) - $87800

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Standard and Reserve seem very competitive for what you get

SW17LS

Fully loaded Reserve as I would want it, Reserve II package and the air suspension, basically totally loaded just under $75k. That aint cheap, but its a lot of equipment for that money.

RNM GS3

Fizzboy7

This has me going back to once again thinking how high prices have climbed since mid-level SUV's first got going in the early 90's. The first Explorer started in the low $20k's. The Aviator was to be the fancy Explorer twin (after the Mercury Mountaineer), which was priced about $5-7k more. Now we are talking about an $88k "upgraded" Explorer. I just can't swallow it, regardless of the engine and equipment. But it is what it is and I envision it to be (somewhat) successful.