Because they don’t expect to sell them in massive volumes, Volvo disclosed that only around 500 will make it to the U.S. and all of them will be in a single trim, the highest Platinum one. What separates the Volvo S60 Crosscountry model from the standard ones is of course, 7.9 inches more ground clearance, skid plates both in the front and the rear, all-wheel drive, hill-descent and black fender extensions. To give you an idea of just how high off the ground it really is, consider this: the S60 Crosscountry is just 0.8 inches lower than the Subaru Forester and the Renegade Trailhawk. If you’re thinking this is similar to the A4 Allroad think again. The Audi only has 7.1 inch of clearance, some 0.8 inches less than the S60.

All four-wheel S60s (and V60s) get the almost defunct 2.5 liter five-cylinder mated to a six-speed auto. Front-wheel drive variants get a much newer 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder unit coupled to an eight-speed auto but if we’re honest, we prefer the sound and feel of the 2.5 liter. It may be a bit more rough and mechanical, but isn’t that the point? The five-cylinder churns out 250 hp and 266 pound-feet of torque, some 10 hp and 8 lb-ft of torque more than the newer four-banger. And while 250 hp is a lot, it needs to be because the S60 Crosscountry tipped the scales at 3817 pounds. You may think that’s a lot, but it’s actually some 100 pounds less than the claimed weight (3913 pounds).

Performance is stellar. The sprint to 60 miles per hour is dealt with in just 6.1 seconds. The braking distance from 70 mph is 174 feet which is just about average. All in all, it’s not bad. It’s certainly a bit worse than a standard S60 with the same engine due to the increased ride height but you do get an all-round more capable car.

And that’s really the crucial keyword here: all-round. No, it won’t be as good of a road car as a standard S60, but it is more capable in terms of what else it can do. This isn’t a car for everyone, which is probably why Volvo is only sending 500 over to the U.S. The interior is super luxurious but trunk space is limited at 12 cubic foot (the estate offers more). If you like how it looks and wouldn’t mind owning one, we do recommend it. You may not be able to buy one if they’re sold out however, so keep that in mind too. Check with your local Volvo dealer or buy one second hand.

The post The Volvo S60 Crosscountry is Limited to just 500 in the US appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The concept stretches just over six inches longer than the CT6, the company’s current flagship, leading us to believe this may be Cadillac’s answer to the Teutonic luxury competition currently dominating the niche — the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, and Mercedes S-Class.

Although maintaining a predominately angular design language, the silhouette has been softened to create a more finessed form. Sweeping, yet still angular chromed vents aft of the front wheels correlate with massive front scoops below the grille, and all the elements work together with accents at the back of the massive windows to visually stretch the vehicle. While the front lights unmistakably draw from the current generation Camaro, they balance aggression with elegance in a minimalist and understated way.

The name Escala might draw from the existing luxury SUV Escalade model, yet it’s also meant to be suggestive of the nature of the car and its position as Cadillac’s luxury flagship. The concept is powered by a 4.2-liter twin-turbo engine, designed for cylinder deactivation to reduce the consumption of the V-8.

Stunning screens make use of relatively new OLED technology, making for a familiar, yet modernized, interior which should be comfortable to the existing Cadillac customer, yet engaging and contemporary enough to attract new buyers. Buyers like you and me.

The post Truly Lust-Worthy: The Escala is the Cadillac You’ll Want Next Year appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Now in its second year of production, the Audi A3 offers the best compromise between performance, size and price. It’s a step-down from the Audi A4, but not by much. In terms of cabin space, the Audi A4 is already cramped enough that we feel like the A3 Sedan isn’t taking anything away from that. In fact, that’s the only downfall of the Audi A3. Passenger space as well as cargo space seem to be extremely limited. This isn’t to say that you can’t drive people or haul stuff around. It’s just that you can’t drive two or three people in the back for prolonged periods of time. And nor can you fit large things in the boot. If you can handle these shortcomings however, we guarantee you won’t have anything else to complain about.

The main rival of the A3 Sedan is the Mercedes CLA-Class sedan. Many people say the CLA is better looking but seeing as how that’s a subjective thing, we’ll leave it up to you, the reader. In terms of performance however, there’s nothing in it. If anything, the A3 may be better in certain areas and match the CLA in others.

Both the 2.0 TDI and the 1.8 TFSI are good, but it’s the 2.0 TFSI that really impresses. It delivers 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque right out of the box, with potential for a lot more if you decide to upgrade it with intakes, exhausts and so on. It’s a great unit, especially because the A3 with the 2.0T gets an all-wheel drive system as standard. The 0 to 60 mph sprint is dealt with in just 5.8 seconds, an incredible time for a small sedan. The 2.0T returns 27 mpg on the combined run, making it not just fast, but economical as well.

The driving dynamics of the A3 are impressive too. It’s nippy and agile and although it can feel a bit sluggish at low speeds due to its light steering, it weights up at higher speeds. It will understeer at the limit like all Audis, but that limit is really high for anyone to reach it safely in normal driving conditions on a public road. The DCT shifts super fast, and it’s a joy to use with the paddles. What’s more, the same light steering effort at low speeds makes it easy to park in tight spaces.

The Audi A3 may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s alright in our book. If you’re thinking of getting one, do it. You won’t be disappointed at all.

The post The Audi A3 Sedan Is The Car For Every Occasion appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.