Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 201: Jekyll and Hyde

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 201: Jekyll and Hyde

After creating (and submitting) something for QFC57, I decided to create an alternate version of it - one that focused more on performance than pure comfort. So, without further ado, here are the two trims of the 2008 AAA Centaurite - the softer-edged LS and the sportier GS. Both of them share the same engine and can be specified with the same transmissions (6-speed manual or electronically controlled automatic), but they are aimed at different types of buyers.

Above, from top: The AAA Centaurite LS (green) and GS (red) may have the same mechanicals, but they are aimed at two different target markets.

The LS (the green example I submitted) focuses mainly on attainable luxury with a hint of performance. To that end, its suspension is softer compared to what the GS has as standard, and has a higher ride height to boot. Also, it comes with higher-profile all-season tires, as opposed to the GS' lower-profile summer tires. Finally, it has a few chrome exterior trim pieces in place of the GS' color-coded or black plastic items. The result is a more luxurious feel in terms of road manners, but without losing too much performance - perfect for long-distance freeway jaunts with the occasional back-road detour thrown in.

The GS (the red example I made shortly after finalizing the LS), on the other hand, is geared more towards sportiness with a bit of comfort thrown in. Lower, firmer suspension, combined with high-performance tires and a helical limited-slip differential, give it a decidedly sportier feel; with the 6-speed manual transmission, it can reach 60 mph from a standing start in just over 5 seconds, whereas the LS automatic needs almost 6 seconds. Combined with its more understated styling, a GS manual is an unexpected sleeper car - one that doesn't shout about its performance credentials very much.

In short, by offering two different trim packages for two different sub-genres (compact executive and midsize sports sedan), the Centaurite 3.6 is a strong contender no matter what variant you pick.