Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing

The arrival of the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and the CT5-V Blackwing gave speedo boys what the regular V saloons have been missing from the start; muscle car performance and track-honed dynamics that can scare the Germans straight, not to mention the fact that it comes with proper 6-speed MT no German high-performance monsters dared to have.

2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

We begin with the CT4-V Blackwing, Cadillac's answer to the already hideous-looking BMW M3 G80. Priced at a super-expensive 58,995 US Dollars plus additional costs, the CT4-V Blackwing picks up where the normal CT4-V failed to deliver. By adding some steroids to the normal CT4-V, the Blackwing is a different kind of beast that loves to tackle through the hollow mountain roads before setting off for another day at the track and you'll be going to love the way it looks and feels when you take it for a joyride.

2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

Under the hood, the ordinary CT4-V's 2.7L turbocharged engine has been replaced with the 3.6L Twin-Turbo engine derived from its predecessor, the ATS-V, but it's been upgraded to produce 472HP of power and 445lb-ft of torque, which is darn less than what the M3 Competition had but no matter because the CT4-V Blackwing is offered with the choice of a speedo boy favorite 6-speed manual gearbox and a bulkier 10-speed automatic gearbox that propels this CT4-V on steroids to a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 189mph. That's an improvement compared to the old ATS-V but when compared to the ugly-looking M3, it's too close to call.

In terms of dynamics, the CT4-V Blackwing behaves like a muscle car. Dynamic and dangerous in every way. Despite its M3 sizing, this is a highly-advanced, high-performance sports sedan made for the experts and pros on the track, and it takes a serious amount of skill to understand how its eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0 works. Once settled, the CT4-V Blackwing is as enjoyable as a loose-cannon cowboy in the Wild West.

2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

After you had fun with the CT4-V Blackwing, you should try out the CT5-V Blackwing, the ultimate Cadillac sports saloon ever built. Priced at 83,995 US Dollars plus additional costs, it's the most expensive four-door Cadillac ever sold, and when fully kitted with extras, its six-figure price tag will leave your bank account in shreds and tears. No, not the watery stuff coming out of your eyes.

2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing interior

By turning an ordinary CT5-V into a monster machine, the Blackwing is the ultimate expression of the V-Series mantra, delivering motorsport-level performance on the road and track. Don't let its executive looks fool you because this is an American Blend muscle car that smokes more than a carton of American Blend cigarettes. This is flavor country on wheels and it's highly addictive to drive than the Germans.

Just like its little brother, the normal CT5-V's 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 engine was swapped to a 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine derived from the old CTS-V and the Corvette C7 Z06 but it has been upgraded to produce 668HP of power and 659lb-ft of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that propels this car from a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. It may be slower than the world's most powerful four-door saloon, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye. but it will eat the Germans for breakfast, lunch, and tea, even midnight snacks.

Performance aside, the CT5-V Blackwing comes with eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0, among many others. When you take it to the track, you can really experience its muscle car vibes from within. It's surprisingly dynamic but challenging in every way and it's about as challenging as, let's say, studying IELTS nonsense all day long until your brain melts. This is what the CT5-V Blackwing is all about, delivering a gut-wrenching performance that will put the German opposition on notice.

By the time the normal CT4-V and CT5-V arrived, they were not what speedo boys hoped for but they were built for balance on the road and track. With the Blackwing variants, these saloons are bursting with mayhem and with such dynamic and challenging performance, these are what the speedo boys finally want. They really made Cadillac great again.

Photo: General Motors

Audi e-tron GT / RS e-tron GT

From concept to reality, the Audi e-tron GT comes to life as the newest electric sports saloon that targets the likes of the Porsche Taycan and the king of electric saloons, the Tesla Model S. Time to have a quick look through one of 2021's most exciting electric cars to drive.

2022 Audi e-tron GT

The Audi e-tron GT, priced at 99,800 Euros plus additional costs, is more costly to own than the Tesla Model S, but despite being outgunned by the Californian superhero, this electric sports saloon promises to impress a new breed of Audi fanatics with its blend of performance and ecology ripe for this newcomer that promises to be as exciting to drive as a Porsche Taycan.

2022 Audi e-tron GT

Let's begin with the design. Being a concept turned reality, the e-tron GT's exterior is almost faithful to the concept car it was based on. Like the concept car, the e-tron GT is flat, wide, and has a long wheelbase fit for a classic Gran Turismo car. With its coupe-like form, it's no surprise that this electric premium sedan looks surprisingly attractive by Audi standards and it could be the one that can break the longstanding impasse that plagued Audi for being a pariah of the German luxury car market.

2022 Audi e-tron GT interior

Stylish the coupe-like form the e-tron GT is, the interior is all about true to its character. While not bothered to play around with its infotainment and Audi connect, including the highly annoying Amazon Alexa feature that has been butting everybody in the back seat as well as the virtual engine sound system on it that mimics the noises of internal combustion engines of the past, the driver's side is not half bad to live with. 

On the passenger side, it is still as comfy as an Audi A8 without all the drama involved, making it the ideal chauffeur car for VIPs who happen to work at high-profile environmental groups. As for the boot space on both sides, it wasn't half bad as long as you're not toying around with the front hood luggage compartment, trying to fool the world that it's got no engine on it because there isn't one. Only the electric motors are placed underneath the car and in control of all four wheels.

2022 Audi RS e-tron GT

About the electric motors mentioned, these two allowed the normal e-tron GT to produce a total power output of 476PS of power and 630Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 4.1 seconds and has a top speed of 245kph. As for the range, it's good for 479km on WLTP standards, and when plugged into a public charging station, it will reach 80% by 23 minutes.

It may be electric but it behaves just like an Audi. Not as exciting as expected but it sure is a well-balanced Audi that drives through any road conditions, even on snowy days, thanks to the signature Audi quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system with an electric twist. Couple it with its air suspension and damping, double-wishbone setup, and rear-axle differential lock, and you got yourself a luxury electric sedan that not only looks good on the road but feels good to drive.

Speaking of drive, there's an RS e-tron GT for those who demand more. Priced at an ultra-expensive 138,200 Euros plus additional costs, it is nearly similar to the normal one but it features numerous standard goodies that are optional on the normal model such as Matrix LED headlights, ambient lighting package plus, adaptive suspension, and rear-axle differential lock, among many others.

The electric powertrain of the RS model produces 598PS of total power and 830Nm of total torque but when boost mode is engaged, it produces up to 646PS of power for a brief period of time, sprinting from 0-100kph in 3.3 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. It's almost as fast as an R8 V10 performance, making the RS e-tron GT an electric saloon with supercar levels of performance, well almost.

Of course, being a high-performance electric saloon built to satisfy every Audi fanatics of the world stage, there's no escaping the list of driver assist systems that will bore speedo boys behind the wheel but fine for well-behaved drivers.

And there you have it, the Audi e-tron GT may not be the ideal substitute for the Tesla Model S because of its pricing and performance, but as an Audi, it was made to blow away such expectations of what a so-called high-performance electric luxury saloon can do. This is the electric Audi that deserves well-needed attention.

Photo: Audi

DS Automobiles 9

At long last, there is now a premium sedan in the DS lineup! The first-ever DS9 promises to be France's answer to the Audi A4 and promises to be one of the most luxurious premium sedans in its class. Let's take a quick dive into the first premium sedan from DS Automobiles.

2022 DS 9

2022 DS 9 interior

The first-ever DS9 premium sedan promises to be as luxurious as the Germans in its class. With prices starting at 48,700 Euros plus additional costs, the DS9 is more costly to own than its main rival, the Audi A4, but look at it this way. If you are the sort of person who wants a premium luxury sedan but dislikes the Germans, especially Audi, then this haute couture could be your ideal pick, despite the fact that it came all the way from China.

Starting with the design, the DS9 can be precisely mistaken for an Audi A4 when you squint hard. While it was mistaken for an Audi, the back tells a different story because it almost bears the resemblance to the now-defunct Lincoln Continental. Despite its identity crisis, the DS9 still bears the haute couture elegance as most DS vehicles possess.

The haute couture elegance is also applied to the interior as well because, on the driver's side, the futuristic detailing on the dashboard gives an impression of playing a nice game of Beat Saber. When kitted with the OPERA interior, the DS9's savoir-faire comes to life. Props to the interior design team who are responsible for this futuristic attention to detail that made the DS9 engaging to look at it and to live with it.

Because it's bigger than the Audi A4, the DS9 is a surprisingly spacious luxury sedan fit for all kinds of VIPs looking for a fancy escort, not to mention a decent boot space good enough to carry some sensitive items in it.

In addition to the normal 1.6L PureTech 225 petrol engine, the DS9 can be fitted with the E-Tense PHEV powertrain where the 1.6L petrol engine is mated to an electric motor, li-ion battery, and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The front-wheel-drive variant produces 225PS of power while the 4WD variant produces a surprisingly powerful 360PS of power and 520Nm of torque, sprinting from 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250kph.

In terms of fuel economy, the front-wheel-drive DS9 E-Tense variant excels with combined fuel consumption of 1,5 l/100km based on the WLTP scale and has an electric-only range of about 48km, provided that you didn't waste its energy from playing music at loud volume.

Asked about charging times, the DS9 E-Tense's batteries can be fully charged by about an hour and five minutes when plugged at a public charging station or less than seven hours when charging at home.

Despite being made in China, the DS9 still delivers the nearly perfect balance of comfort and enjoyment at its pace thanks to its highly sophisticated DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION that detects every movement and road condition. Couple that with its signature DS suspension setup and you got yourself a luxury car that is worth living up to its promise of sophistication and mildness. Yes, mildness because this is a surprisingly mild premium sedan to live with.

Speaking of mildness, the DS9 is armed with the most sophisticated driving aids ever equipped on a French luxury car such as the DS Park Pilot, DS Active Led Vision, DS Night Vision, DS Driver Attention Monitoring, DS Drive Assist, and many others.

Despite being more expensive to own than the Audi A4, the first-ever DS9 truly exceeds its expectations as the luxury premium sedan is capable to compete with the Germans. Not bad for a Chinese import.

Photo: DS Automobiles

Genesis Electrified G80

Last year, the second-generation Genesis G80 has been unveiled amidst the early days of the pandemic and it became the second to brace Genesis's brand revival first done by its first SUV, the GV80. With the second-generation G80 nicked the Korean Car of the Year award, the time has come for the second-generation G80 to become the lab rat for Genesis's first step towards electrification.

2022 Genesis Electrified G80

This is Genesis's first electric vehicle called the Electrified G80. Priced at an outrageously expensive 88,190,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, the Electrified G80 is the start of Genesis' electrification offense that you can expect in the coming year or two because electrification is slowly becoming a predominant trend in the motoring world in the name of reducing carbon footprint.

How does the Electrified G80 differ from its ICE-powered equivalent in terms of design? For starters, you can expect similar styling from its ICE-powered equivalent such as the Genesis signature look where the front face resembles the Genesis logo as well as the rearview that carries the rear lamps also similar to the logo as well, not to mention the fake side vents that are basically indicators. The Electrified G80 features a different front bumper design that is too much to bear for those with trypophobia while the front grille's closed and on its right, you will see the letter G on it, indicating this is where you'll plug the charger in it.

On the interior, it still functions like the normal G80 except that it comes with additional features made specifically for this vehicle and in terms of quality, in the name of ecology, it uses various natural and recycled materials in its interior as well as an eco-friendly forged wood garnish made from recycled pieces of wood.

The Electrified G80's electric motor is connected to an 87.2kWh battery pack, producing 272kw of power and 700Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds and it has a driving range of 427km. In terms of charging, the Electrified G80's battery power can be replenished from 10% to 80% in just 22 minutes on a 350kw rapid charging station.

It's available only with the e-AWD drivetrain with the Disconnector Actuator System that allows the Electrified G80 to behave in either a rear-wheel-drive car or a four-wheel-drive car depending on various situations where it is needed most.

Although bulkier to drive than the normal G80, it's still as quiet, as comfortable, and as safe as most luxury electrics should because of its Active Noise Control-Road, Preview Electronic Control Suspension, and numerous safety techs such as Highway Driving Assist II, Smart Cruise Control with Machine Learning, Pre-active Safety Seat, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, among many others.

With the Electrified G80, Genesis's electrification offense has just begun, and looks like we can expect more from them in the coming months, but in the meantime, drivers are prepared to experience Genesis's first electric luxury car that will surely become a driving force to be reckoned with, well, almost.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Kia K8 Hybrid

The first-ever Kia K8 luxury premium sedan, the first Kia to wear the new logo, is now joined by its new hybrid variant for those who want an economically conscious luxury sedan that is all about performance and ecology blended in a just-right vehicle that will humiliate Japanese luxury hybrids by all means necessary.

The K8 Hybrid starts at around 36,980,000 Korean Won plus additional costs and at first glance it looks, feels, and works just like its petrol-powered equivalent but with the hybrid powertrain to boot.

On the exterior design, it's just like the normal K8 judging from the massive front grille, the Arena logo-esque foglamps, caltrop-shaped rear lamps, and its fastback styling akin to the Audi A7 but the hybrid dons the HEV badge at the back and specially-made 17-inch wheels that are going to let them know.

On the interior, it features a 12.3-inch cluster with hybrid-specific dials while the 12.3-inch UVO navigation screen comes with hybrid contents that check how does its hybrid powertrain work. Like the normal K8, it still fits up to five people and features a wide range of luxury concessions to keep them accommodated on the go.

Under the hood, the K8 Hybrid features the Smartstream Turbo Hybrid powertrain first applied on the Sorento MQ4 last year. It's a turbocharged 180PS 1.6L petrol engine bolted to a 44.4kW electric motor and a li-ion battery, while mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. As a result, it has a fuel economy of 18kmpl.

Unlike most models, the K8 Hybrid is available only in front-wheel-drive so the only foes it will chase down is the Lexus ES because thanks to its sophisticated suspension setup, it will humiliate the ES by a long shot although the K8 Hybrid's less fuel-efficient compared to the ES, that's for sure.

Lastly, the K8 features the same roster of Drive Wise safety tech as the normal one, putting drivers on notice.

Although the new K8 Hybrid is less efficient than the Lexus ES, it's worth rewarding because of its turbocharged hybrid powertrain, six-speed AT that works unlike the ES's CVT and tons of luxury concessions that will upset its Japanese rival. Is this the hybrid luxury sedan you would want to try?

Photo: Kia

Kia K8

The year 2021 marks a brave new era for Kia and having greeted the world with its weird-looking new logo that made everyone's skins crawl, they have welcomed the first of its new beginning; a brand-new luxury premium sedan called the K8.

The first-ever Kia K8, priced at 32.8 million won or over 33,000 Dollars plus additional costs, served as the replacement of the K7 premium midsize sedan, and this new luxury saloon is the first of Kia's bold new era because this is the first Kia model to don the new logo.

Before getting to know more about the K8, let's observe the design first and while the fastback styling made the K8 seductive to look at, the front and the rear view is rather questionable because, on the front, the massive grille on it makes it less suitable for those who have trypophobia while the foglamps are like several Arena logos bonded together. Yes, it's the brand that made sportswear but we're not talking about swim clubs, friend. At the back, you will see some caltrop lines on the rear lamps which are rather pointy indeed.

Step inside and you are greeted to a well-balanced interior that matches the same level as expensive German imports. Toying around with a wide range of gadgets such as the 12.3-inch UVO navigation, Meridian Premium Sound system, ergo motion seats, Kia CarPay, and so on, it's easy to find out why the K8 matches its German opposition in terms of keeping its occupants occupied on the go. As for the comfort side, its five-seating capacity makes it a suitable vehicle for VIPs, bodyguards, associates, even CEOs of a big company. The boot space is rather decent as well. Because it runs on the third-generation platform, it's surprisingly roomier than the K7 it replaces. Good one.

Under the hood, the K8 is powered by a choice of two petrol engines and a 3.5L LPi which is very cheap to fill. The 2.5L petrol engine produces 198PS of power and 25.3kgf-m of torque while the most powerful of the range, the Smartstream G 3.5 GDi engine, produces 300PS of power and 36.6kgf-m of torque. All are mated to an 8-speed AT, which is operated by a rotary knob selector similar to the ones used by the Jaguar Land Rover vehicles.

As a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the K8 is all about being stable on the roads while letting its sophisticated suspension setup do the talking, although it's more active to drive than the K7 it replaces. For the 3.5L variant with all-wheel-drive, the K8 is taking advantage of its newly-found balance to be as smooth as an Audi without all the drama involved. Coupled with the third-generation platform and some reworked chassis and the end result is a luxury car that is almost as emotional as expensive German imports, any way it can. As for safety, the K8 is packed with numerous safety features that will put them on notice.

The first-ever K8 from Kia may have the most questionable exterior design ever made for the rebirth of Kia but its interior comfort, tech, and performance made it a worthy contender to the Audi A4. This car truly is the new beginning for Kia and we can expect great things for the brand's revival.

Photo: Kia

Lexus IS (2021 minor change) and LS (2021 minor change)

Two Lexus sedans, the sporty IS and the ultra-luxurious LS, gained major refreshes for the 2021 model year and these latest facelifts look and feel like they're way beyond facelifts. Let's scope into these updated versions.

2021 Lexus IS

2021 Lexus IS interior

We begin with the sporty one known as the Lexus IS, the current third-generation model has gained a second and biggest minor change in its lifespan and this recent facelift made the IS look and feel different in every single way.

Beginning with the design, the facelifted IS is now sharper looking than the previous facelift, giving speedo boys more reasons to love this luxury sports sedan even more. Why? When this generation was launched in 2013, most speedo boys are in a shock over the way it looks and the first facelift made it even more questionable. With the second facelift of the third-generation IS, this is the IS that speedo boys demanded for, a sharp-looking luxury sports sedan that can be enjoyed harder for longer.

While the exterior now made even more admirable, the interior feels pretty much the same except that now, they've made the sat-nav screen longer than the old one and the seats even more premium. With all that comfort and all that tech to toy with, this newly facelift IS really means something.

As such, the IS still offers three choice of powertrains such as the 2.0L turbo, the 2.5L hybrid, and the 3.5L V6 engine. Due to a change of plans, the only way to get an all-wheel drive Lexus IS, in case when things get wet or freezing, is to go hybrid. That sucks because the normal petrol ones, the turbo and the V6, are rear-wheel drive as standard.

The Lexus IS gained some reworked dynamics after it was honed at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama. With its improved rigidity and reworked suspension, the IS feels even more matured to drive. You can spend the rest of your day off understanding this luxury sedan further.

While you were busy enjoying the IS's improved drivability, you should know that this 4.8 million yen car has festooned with the updated Lexus Safety System+ such as the Pre-Collision System with Frontal Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection and Bicyclist Detection, All=Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and more.

2021 Lexus LS

2021 Lexus LS interior

Now, let's scope through the facelifted Lexus LS, which starts at around 9,996,000 Japanese Yen. For its latest facelift, the Lexus LS is now more mature looking than when it first came out in late 2017, judging by its new front face that features new, mature-looking headlights, which is better looking than the Z-shaped lamps from the pre-facelifted model.

Come close to the interior and apart from the new 12.3-inch touch-operated display, there's something alluring about the new LS's interior and that's because the folks from Lexus wanted to put a slice of Japanese art on the door trims. This is artisanship done right and with such artisanship involved in the making of the new LS's interior, you can really feel its Japanese vibes when you get accommodated into it. It's like wearing a fancy kimono, if you know what I mean.

Like the pre-facelift, the updated Lexus LS still offers a choice of a 3.5L V6 Twin Turbo (V35A-FTS) engine mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox and the 8GR-FXS 3.5L V6 engine with two electric motors and lithium-ion battery, guaranteeing a 13.6km/L on the WLTP scale.

For the sake of technology, the updated Lexus LS features a rather clever but noticing Lexus Teammate, featuring the latest in advanced driving assist technologies. Such tech made the LS living in science-fiction and the Level 2 autonomy really is noticing and in case of speedo boy driving one, he'll be running scared because of the highly advanced safety tech that outsmarted him one by one.

These two facelifted Lexus saloons look and feel like they're way beyond facelifts and with all that tech festooned on it, the new IS and the new LS really shows that Lexus are on the serious side and it's time for us to get serious on these updated machines.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V

The Cadillac CT4 and CT5 sedans have gained the letter V but this is not the V that speedo boys are expecting because...well, let's find out what went wrong with the V-word.

The newest V-series machines from Cadillac, the CT4-V (priced at $44,495 plus additional costs) and the CT5-V (priced at $47,695 plus additional costs) are the sporty additions of the new Cadillac sedan range but unlike past V cars, these new additions went to the wrong side of the performance ladder. The reason? They've repositioned the V-series to compete against semi-high performance Euro imports, say an S4 or an S6 or the 53 AMG models.

Whatever the reason, these two new V sedans are looking for fun in all the wrong barrels because of what lies ahead under the hood. On the CT4-V, the engine that powers it is a 2.7L turbocharged engine producing over 320hp of power. On the CT5-V, it's a 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 producing over 355HP of power. Compared to its predecessors such as the ATS-V and the CTS-V, that's a big loss of power and speedo boys might think they're a bunch of C-list performers on the road.

While speed and power are out of their agenda, both the CT4-V and the CT5-V are well-balanced sports sedans that blend the right balance of performance and dynamics. Running on the Alpha architecture like its normal equivalents and coupled with cool features such as e-LSD, V-series Performance Chassis with MRC, Brembo brakes, and Vehicle Control Mode, these saloons are nearly perfect on the bends, which is not bad for rear-wheel drives. Couple that with the available all-wheel-drive drivetrain and they're as balanced as a magnum revolver. Bulky but packs a lot of punch from the get-go.

One word of alarming for speedo boys everywhere is that both models do come with the optional Super Cruise which goes autonomously in the name of safety.

These new V-models are not what speedo boys hoped for but they're built for balance on the road and track.

Photo: General Motors

Cadillac CT4

As General Motors are shying away from saloons due to poor sales in favor of crossovers, its luxury brand Cadillac isn't shying away from its poor performers because to them, they need them in the fight against expensive German imports. One such example is their latest sedan that joined alongside its big brother CT5. It's called the CT4.

Priced at $32,995 plus additional costs, the Cadillac CT4 may be the most admirable alternative against the competition in its class but it can be somewhat underrated because while the exterior design may be admirable by Cadillac standards, it looks somewhat conservative and serious, reflecting the kind of customers this car's targeting at; stern executives.

On the inside, the CT4 is all about functional and usable at the same time. Because Cadillac doesn't believe in the minimalist trend that caught speedo boys running away from it, the CT4 has all the dials that function every single gizmo loaded into it as well as the touch screen sat-nav you can toy with. At the passenger side, meanwhile, the CT4 is about as accommodating as the competition as well as having decent boot space.

Under the hood, the CT4 is powered by a choice of a 2.0L turbo and a more powerful 2.7L turbocharged engine that produces 310hp of power and 350lb-ft of torque while mated to an optional 10-speed automatic gearbox. Aside from that, the CT4 feels as sporty as its European competition because of its clever sport-tuned dynamics underneath. In its rear-wheel drive guise, the CT4 is as lively to drive as the competition but when given the four-wheel drive option, it's all balanced and mild at all kinds of roads, be it tarmac, gravel, and snow. Whichever drivetrain its on, the CT4 is worth a gamble against the competition but sometimes, it's a bit of a letdown compared to them.

In terms of safety, the CT4 features a wide range of safety tech, including Forward Collision Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Automatic Emergency Braking, among many others.

While the CT4 may not be as attractive and enjoyable as the competition, it's worth the shot taking them on and Cadillac sure knows how to do the right thing not to abandon the already diminishing sedan trend because looks like they're the only guys around here if you know what I'm saying.

Photo: General Motors

BMW M8 Gran Coupe

The first-ever BMW M8 may not be the ultimate M car as speedo boys hoped for but it sure loves to wiggle all-day, all-night, because of its M xDrive system that allows it to behave like a rear-wheel drive car. Having enjoyed the coupe and the convertible, there is now the first-ever M8 Gran Coupe for those who think the M5 looks a bit matured.

The first-ever BMW M8 Gran Coupe picks up where the old M6 Gran Coupe left off and with prices start at around 162,197 Euros plus additional costs, it's surprisingly more expensive than the M5 it was based on. Needless to say, while the M8 Gran Coupe is more like the stylish alternative to the M5, the way it drives feels like the M5.

Under the hood, the M8 Gran Coupe still carries the same 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo engine as the F90 M5, meaning it produces 625PS of power and 750Nm of torque in Competition spec and because it uses the same 8-speed automatic as the M5, it can get through 0 to 100kph in up to 3.2 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph or with an optional extra where it can be raised to 305kph.

Just like the M5, the M8 Gran Coupe has M xDrive with a nifty little feature that allows it to behave like a rear-wheel drive car. Such setting like this as well as some sport-oriented dynamics underneath and you got yourself a German super saloon that loves to wiggle all wheels everywhere.

Would you like this rather than the M5?

Photo: BMW AG

Mercedes-Benz S-Class 223 vs. All-new Rolls-Royce Ghost

As the whole motoring world's getting more advanced through the years, it seems that drivers nowadays are so getting wasted on the tech rather than driving any way they can. When Mercedes-Benz gave us the brand new S-Class, the whole motoring world was shocked to see that this latest full model change is now capable of taking care of itself rather than taking care of by its driver. Grown-up, huh?

Priced near the hundred thousand euro mark, this ultra-expensive, technologically advanced S-Class pushed the envelope by delivering the most advanced tech offered on a car like this and whether you like it or not, this is the future we all live in now.

First and foremost, let's observe the design situation with the new S-Class and of course, being the supreme leader of the Mercedes-Benz sedan lineup, it's bound to be the pretty one but it looks so well-balanced from top to bottom and it really shows its serious side of its first impression, something that today's BMW 7-Series failed to do so because of the grille issues if you know what I mean.

The interior is the biggest issue of this new model because it now boasts the biggest touch screen fitted on a Mercedes-Benz, taking cues from Tesla of course. With almost no buttons on sight, looks like speedo boys behind the wheel are running scared when they see one because why? They're scared of massive touch screens on the dashboard.

To add more digital salt to the speedo boys' wounds, the new S-Class is fitted with the MBUX user interface including the Alexa-ish "Hey Mercedes" voice function that allows almost anyone to speak with this car much to the annoyance of anyone in the sweet spot. Yes, you can expect lots of annoying conversations about just how wonderful this Alexa-ish tech is, and believe me, your ears come bleeding of this endless blabber.

While the tech is the issue on this new interior, it's still basically nice to live with and if you go for the long-wheelbase variant, this is "out on a limo" in a whole new approach. You'll have plenty of reasons to tell just how fancy you were while sitting at the back of the new S-Class. The premium sound system, the rear-seat entertainment, the controls, the concessions of relaxation, it's everything that makes the ultra-expensive S-Class the supreme leader of the German flagship sedans.

At the start, the new S-Class is powered by a wide range of six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines as well as a more powerful 457PS V8 engine with mild-hybrid tech on the S500 variant, all are mated to a 9G-TRONIC gearbox. That's just the start because there will be more to come such as a V12-powered Maybach and a beefed-up AMG version, not to mention the PHEV variants with an all-electric range of 100km.

Apart from the engines, the new S-Class is built to be the most comfortable luxury car that can be used on the road, be it in rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC, but sometimes, it can toy with numerous driving modes and suspension settings with the sportiest setting giving the new S-Class the most dramatic dynamics fit for a premium sedan.

Being the most technologically advanced car in the market, the new S-Class features the most advanced driving tech offered ranging from its ESP dynamic cornering assistance, Steering Assist, DRIVE PILOT, and others. Because it's so advanced, it's capable of performing Level 3 autonomy, which is either good or bad, depending on your STEM study.

The new S-Class, thanks to its tech overload, managed to turn science fiction into science fact and because of its Level 3 autonomy potential, it looks like this premium sedan's ready to take care of itself rather than taking care of its driver, which is rather sad, but because this is a different kind of S-Class the world's facing, looks like someone's one-upped the premium sedan game and it comes from another side of the pond.

This is the all-new Rolls-Royce Ghost. It costs almost three times the price of the new S-Class, this fancied-up BMW 7-Series shooks away its ghastly image from its base in favor of its fancier looks, something more of a baby Phantom by the looks of it.

Yes, the styling may be reminiscent of today's Phantom but the new Ghost is the ultimate expression of luxury because of its very sophisticated suspension system called the Planar, the smooth and juicy 6.75L V12 Twin Turbo engine producing 563hp of power and 850Nm of torque, all-wheel drive as standard, and its handcrafted bodywork that is aged to perfection, just like wines that lasted for over five decades to make it sophisticatedly tasty to the last sip.

Although it was not meant to be taken for granted, the new Ghost is a smooth point-to-point ride a la grand tourer that brings fancy living to a whole new approach for the big shots. Sure, it's got the same high-tech nonsense as most luxury cars adorned, but the tech issue is just a dent to the Ghost's artisanship. It's the motoring equivalent of the legendary Monet painting and whether you take it to the streets of London, Paris, or Tokyo, rest assured that the new Ghost is the culture in motion the Rolls-Royce way.

Which one will you go for? The new S-Class prided itself for its massive gadgetry that could scare speedo boys away but when it comes to fancy living, the new Ghost outshines the S-Class by a long shot. We could learn a lot from them but the rest is up to you.

Photo: Daimler AG/Rolls-Royce

Second-generation Toyota Mirai

The first Toyota Mirai, launched in 2014, is a stepping stone for Toyota's carbon neutrality goals because of its fuel cell powertrain this car showcased. As Japan is in the Reiwa era and in the midst of the new normal, a new Mirai is born and it's a bold departure from the first one the world got familiar with.

The all-new Mirai, priced at 71 million yen plus additional costs, is no longer the Mirai we are familiar with because it has now converted from a Prius-shaped hatchback into a premium luxury sedan for a more emotional form, unlike the previous model it replaces and it incorporates Toyota's new fuel cell powertrain to make it more lively and dramatic than ever.

So, why the conversion into a luxury car, you asked? Back at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, the world got enraptured over the Mirai's next form, and because of its luxury sedan design, TNGA platform, and rear-wheel-drive caught the attention of the motoring world, Toyota was so pleased about letting the design stay when they turn it into a production model and here we are, the rebirth of Toyota's first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle that is now Crown-shaped rather than Prius-shaped.

Thanks to the GA-L platform it now runs on, the new Mirai is now surprisingly longer than the previous model, resulting in a more spacious interior fit for the environmentally woke executives trying to use this car as a template for their carbon-neutral goals. On the driver's side, they are greeted with a nearly minimalist interior that still packs some buttons to make it more user-friendly because the new Mirai still cares about what the customers need rather than itself. Despite being rear-wheel-drive, the new Mirai's boot space is big enough for a trip to the country club.

The GA-L platform the new model runs on as well as its rear-wheel-drive layout, not to mention the multi-link coil spring suspension setup, made the new Mirai more emotional to drive than the previous model, meaning it's got the same driving feel akin to expensive German imports. It really reminds us of the Crown in so many ways and thanks to its highly advanced safety systems, it's worth noticeable for those who are living in an era where semi-autonomous driving is now the king of the new normal.

The new model is powered by the new FCB130 fuel cell stack which produces 174PS of power and it's bolted to a 134kw electric motor as well as a Li-ion battery. The driving range is about 750 to 850km, depending on the variant, and the top speed is still capped at 175kph.

Toyota has made a lot of improvements in the making of the new fuel cell stack to this new model without sacrificing its dynamic performance for the greater good. You can really feel how much hard work the engineers have done in the process.

So there you have it. The second-generation Toyota Mirai is the gold standard of the Reiwa era because of its new fuel-cell powertrain, FR layout, TNGA platform, spacious interior, dramatic exterior design, and the most advanced tech offered. Some say it might take the reigns of the Crown because of some rumors about its imminent demise but whatever the reason, the new Mirai is the byproduct of Toyota's carbon-neutral future in the same way the Prius has done in the past. It really is the Toyota of the new normal.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Kia Stinger VS Genesis G70 (2021 minor change)

Two Korean premium midsize sedans, the Kia Stinger and the Genesis G70 gained some minor changes for the 2021 model year and with the former taking a more conservative approach, the latter goes for a more heavy approach to its minor change. What's up with their latest minor change?

2021 Kia Stinger

2021 Kia Stinger

Let's begin with the Kia Stinger. When it was launched three years ago, this sports saloon caught the attention of horsepower-hungry, phone-flipping, speedo boys who can't wait to enjoy its dynamic character and its newfound street cred. Despite its popularity, there were only a few who are buying it, which is rather sad. While the Stinger's fate is in the balance, this minor change feels like it doesn't help because of its same looks, or is it?

On the styling side, the minor change features the same front as the old Stinger but with some new headlamps to differentiate it. Then, there is a new set of wheels to make a clear statement about it. And on the rearview, the Stinger gained new rear lamps, which sums up really well.

2021 Kia Stinger interior

On the inside, you will notice that the sat-nav is now longer than the old one, gained blue accents on the trim, and ambient lighting, and sports new and premium seats to make it look luxurious. These interior updates made the Stinger feel more luxurious, which is somewhat contrasting.

2021 Kia Stinger

The recent minor change made the Stinger look mature but it feels as fun to drive as the previous one especially when there are big changes under the hood. In the list of engines, the 2.0L turbo, and 2.2 diesel have been thrown away for good and while it retains the top-of-the-line 3.3L Turbo V6 engine, now producing up to 373PS of power, the facelift welcomes the Smartstream 2.5L turbo engine first appeared in the latest Genesis G80, producing 304PS of power and 43kg-m of torque. Both of these engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

While it behaves like the old Stinger thanks to its sport-tuned suspension, available AWD with Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control, and Brembo brakes, the facelifted Stinger has a load of safety tech that feels like it's in charge of driving.

Price? 38,530,000 Korean Won, which sounds more costly than the old but amazingly, it's less expensive than the Genesis G70 that I'm showing it to you right now.

2021 Genesis G70

2021 Genesis G70

The 40,350,000 Won Genesis G70 boasts a big minor change, which sounds like a heavy approach compared to the Stinger's because the new model now sports the signature Genesis look first debuted on the GV80 SUV last January. With that new look, the G70 is starting to look and feel like a different car compared to expensive European imports.

2021 Genesis G70 interior

The interior looks the same as the old one except for the sat-nav, which is now longer than the previous one, and now boasts tons of tech stuff including the rather handy built-in dash cam, which is great for spotting sweet potatoes on the road, if you know what I mean, and humiliate them on social media when you come home.

2021 Genesis G70

Unlike the Stinger, the G70 retains most of its engine lineup consisting of the 2.2L CRDi-VGT engine with 202PS of power output, the 2.0L Turbo GDi engine with 255PS of power output, and the 3.3L Turbo V6 engine producing 370PS of power and 52kgf-m of torque. All are mated to an 8-speed AT.

What's surprising is that the new G70 boasts a new "Sports+" drive mode which lets its engine and gearbox loose to get the most out of it and in the high-end 3.3L V6 with Sports Package, it features a flashy Variable Exhaust Valve System which makes it sounds more frisky. Couple that with its sport-tuned suspension and available Dynamic AWD system and the result is a rather enjoyable Korean luxury car that can be driven harder and longer.

On the safety side, the new G70 boasts a wide array of safety techs such as Forward Collision-Avoidance, Blind-spot Collision Avoidance, Safe Exit Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Lane Following Assist, Multi Collision Brake, Rear Occupant Alert, and so on.

These updated Korean luxury midsize sedans may feel different but they're worth the try so, which one will you go for?

Photo: Kia Motors/Hyundai Motor Company

Genesis G80 (RG3)

Back in the start of 2008, Hyundai launched a luxury premium sedan called the Genesis, their first rear-wheel-drive premium sedan, and it was pointed squarely at the Germans with its luxurious offerings in not-so-luxurious pricing. In 2013, it was given a full-model change and it made even better than before. Three years later, with Genesis now a luxury brand of the Hyundai Motor Group, we bid farewell to the Hyundai Genesis but its looks lived on as the Genesis G80. Fast forward to the present, the G80 gained its first full model change as a Genesis and as part of the brand revision which began with the GV80 crossover.

2021 Genesis G80

Starting at 52.91 million Korean Won (around US$46,000), the all-new G80 pushes the envelope further with its new Genesis signature styling introduced on the GV80 last January, new interior, new performance, and new tech, making the competition very nervous to see the new rich kid on the block trying to get a standing ovation from the superiors.

2021 Genesis G80

Before explaining what's what about the new G80, let's observe the design flow and because it carries the new Genesis signature look from the GV80 crossover, you can expect the front face that resembles the Genesis logo as well as the rearview that carries the rear lamps also similar to the logo as well. Speaking of the fake air vents, they're not vents you know. They're indicators and they lit rather well, which is a bit of a show-off for the new G80 if I'm honest.

2021 Genesis G80 interior

2021 Genesis G80 interior

On the inside job, the people that designed it has done a pretty good job creating a brand new interior that works not just as an executive office on wheels but also has plenty of space in the back for the clienteles who are busy with their business ordeals. On the driver's side, you are greeted by its weird-looking steering wheel, fancy instrumental panel, a long sat-nav monitor like you get from a BMW, a climate control, and two knobs; one for controlling the sat-nav and the other one for selecting gears, which is nuts for a car like this. Minimalist as it sounds, yes, and looks like speedo boys are in for a shock when they toy around with its dashboard.

On the passenger side, the new G80 is more spacious than the previous model and when fully equipped, the passenger can enjoy toying around with the rear-seat entertainment system that will keep them occupied for the whole trip to the office and back to the fancy mansion. That's fancy living to you and that "out on the limo" feeling will leave them smug for the whole day. Lucky them. Also, the boot space wasn't half bad for a luxury car.

2021 Genesis G80

Now we get to the really important bits about the all-new Genesis G80. Starting on the choice of engines, the new G80 is powered by three all-new engines starting from the brand new turbocharged 2.5L engine producing 304PS of power and 43kg-m of torque, the brand new turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine producing 380PS of power and 54kg-m of torque, and the new 2.2L diesel engine producing 210PS of power and 45kg-m of torque. All are mated to an 8-speed automatic. I was gonna say the diesel variant is the one to avoid due to you-know-what but since this is South Korea, who cares.

Aside from the performance, the new G80 now behaves like a real premium sedan because it now utilizes a new platform made exclusively for Genesis as well as the extensive use of aluminum to save weight, resulting in better performance and fuel economy. When you take this one for a spin, the new G80's relatively superior dynamics really puts the German imports on notice because this one is a good laugh.

Good laugh aside, the new G80 is serious about safety and with that, it offers a greatly expanded and revised list of safety features such as Highway Driving Assist II, Smart Cruise Control with Machine Learning, Pre-active Safety Seat, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist. It even comes with the Remote Smart Parking Assistant that allows the car to automatically park itself at the push of the button.

And there you have it. The new G80 not only marks the evolution of their first rear-wheel-drive saloon but it starts the revolution of the Genesis brand. With new and exciting features in store for Korea's 5-Series eater, there's no denying that we are getting jealous about owning one someday.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company