BMW i8 2015

The last time BMW built a dedicated sports car positioned above the Z4 (and before that, theZ3), it built the Z8. With power from the E39 M5’s V8 and styling heavily inspired by the classic 507 of the 1950s, the limited production Z8 was – and is, if the way they’ve held their value is any indication – highly coveted. Of course, that’s the whole idea behind a “halo car.”

However, the world has changed since production of the Z8 (and the automatic-transmission-equipped Alpina V8 Roadster that was based on it) ended about a decade ago. Retro styling and throaty naturally-aspirated engines are out; forward-looking design and smaller forced-induction engines and/or hybrid drive are in. So BMW, never one to like appearing to be behind the times, has incorporated all of those en vogue features in its new technological (if not performance and price) flagship, the 2015 i8.

Yes, we’ve been seeing the i8 making the rounds on the auto show circuit for a few years now, but that was just in concept form. Surely there was no way the production version would look as radical…was there? Well it turns out that’s pretty much exactly the case. The snout, with the brand’s iconic twin-nostril grille, is unmistakably BMW, but with some twists, like bright blue accents and a black band atop the hood that extends over the roof and onto the rear fascia. The black and blue extends onto the rocker panels, which each lie below a crypto-gullwing door. The flanks feature “floating” C-pillars, U-shaped taillights and, again, black and light blue trim. The basic shape doesn’t break much new ground, but the details are a significant departure from the norm.

Hyundai Equus

Hyundai Equus

What is it? After upgrading the engine and transmission of the Equus last year, Hyundai has turned its attention to the large luxury sedan’s styling and features.
The updated Signature base model has a 9.2-inch center screen to run Hyundai’s Blue Link Apps, such as traffic, weather, sports and stock data, and a 30-gigabyte jukebox. Move up to the Ultimate trim level and you get a full 12.3-inch display. Those big center screens give a good view for the backup camera.
The Equus now also comes with adaptive cruise control (which can stop and start the car automatically in slow traffic), a cross-view traffic alert, lane departure warning, and forward-collision warning. All Equus trims now include a 7-inch screen in the instrument cluster, stitched leather and wood on the dashboard, and three-zone automatic climate control. After focusing on its Chinese customers with a limo-like back seat, Hyundai says it has concluded they needed to upgrade the driver’s space for Americans.
What’s new or notable? In place of the old living-room-sectional quality rear seat, the 2014 model gets a three-across bench. It no longer has foot rests or gives massages, but it does have individually adjustable lumbar support, heating, and cooling. Rear-seat passengers can also control the navigation screen, audio system, and rear-zone climate from controls in the pull-down center armrest. And both rear-seat passengers get individual 7-inch LCD screens for watching movies or playing games.
CR’s take: When we tested an Equus in 2011, we found it plenty plush, but less engaging to drive than other luxury cars. The new model looks better suited to the American market. It could be a good bargain for consumers looking to pampered pampering.