Automotive

2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Review: No Terrain Too Tough

2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Review: No Terrain Too Tough 87Good 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMaxOverall Impression Excellent when off-road.Comfortable and spacious cabin.Lags behind other trucks in key areas.ProsEngine Power Safety EquipmentRoomy Rear Seating ConsPrice BumpFuel Economy The Toyota Tundra TRD Pro took a year off to get some upgrades, and now the Japanese automaker brings it back better than ever for off-road enthusiasts. It’s the trim you want for extreme off-road performance. It also receives new wheels that set it apart from previous years, although it gets a significant price bump from the 2016 TRD Pro we tested a few years ago. So is the 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro worth the extra money?
Well this week, we’ve been driving the 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax.
What’s New For The 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro?
TRD Pro is back after a year hiatus and comes with a revised suspension that includes Fox internal bypass shocks. The new BBS wheels feature Michelin P275/65R18 all-terrain tires. The TRD Pro trim is only available for CrewMax models. The current-generation Tundra was primarily designed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research centers in Newport Beach, California and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Features & Options: Safety & Off-Road Treatments
The 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax ($49,645) comes standard with heated mirrors, damped tailgate, rearview camera, an integrated trailer brake controller, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and USB port. The upgraded tech interface includes a seven-inch touchscreen, HD and satellite radio, traffic information, and a navigation app. The crew cab adds a power rear window and an overhead console.
Safety features include forward collision warning and mitigation with automatic braking; lane departure warning and automatic high beams; and adaptive cruise control. TRD Pro also comes with variable, intermittent windshield wipers and wiper de-icer.
For improved off-road performance, the TRD Pro trim features larger aluminum Fox shocks for better heat dissipation and damping control; a two-inch front lift for more clearance, lighter BBS forged wheels, and LED headlights and fog lamps to help light up the trail at night. A shiny black exhaust tip and TRD Pro exhaust change the note, while a front skid plate prominently features the TRD logo in red.
Visually, a unique grille, TRD Pro stamping on the rear quarter panels, and a hood scoop separate it from the rest of the line. On the inside, TRD Pro logos are pretty much everywhere. Total MSRP including destination for our tester: $51,040.
2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax.
Related: On the road with the perfect weekend warrior.
Interior Highlights: Stadium-Sized Cabin
Stepping inside the Toyota Tundra reveals a spacious cabin ready to haul five adults and/or kids around with ease. There’s sufficient leg room for every rider, but the CrewMax is definitely the correct choice if you are carrying six-footers in the second row. The leather-trimmed bucket seats are plush and comfy. They feature attractive red stitching that sets off the black seats and dash. The rear seats slide and recline, though the backrest reclining angle isn’t too comfortable and the cushions are somewhat low.
All the controls are easy to locate and use, and there are plenty of storage compartments and cupholders for those long trips. Also for those longer trips is the TRD Pro’s Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite. When connected to your smartphone, the system gives you access to different apps via the dashboard touchscreen.
Just two things are missing in this spacious cabin: push-button start and heated seats. We think these are a must in this price range. There is tons of room in this Tundra for even the tallest adults, but the absence of heated seats is an oversight by Toyota.
The 2019 Toyota Tundra features High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass. To avoid sun damage to the interior, the glass filters solar heat and UV light.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs: Room For Improvement
The 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is powered by the i-Force 5.7-liter V8, which is synonymous with the Tundra name. The engine produces 381 horsepower (5,600 rpm) and 401 lb-ft. of torque (3,600 rpm). It comes mated to a six-speed automatic with sequential shift technology. Another i-Force powerplant is also available, a smaller 4.6-liter that produces 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft. of torque. Both engines utilize an aluminum cylinder block and variable valve timing.
EPA fuel economy estimates are 13/17 city/highway and 14 combined with 4WD. This is one mpg less combined than previous models. The larger fuel tank (38 gallons) is useful for longer hauls. However, when compared to other trucks in the market, the Toyota Tundra is way behind the pack in terms of fuel economy.
All Tundra beds are 22.2 inches deep and, when properly equipped, offer a payload capacity of up to 1,730 lbs. When properly equipped, the 2019 Toyota Tundra can tow 10,200 lbs. While this is a solid towing figure, it lags behind the current and updated offerings from the Big Three.
The Fox internal bypass shocks are one of the best features of the 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax.
Driving Dynamics: A Good Sounding Truck
Thankfully, one thing Toyota didn’t change on the TRD Pro is the dual exhaust system. The 5.7-liter engine comes to life when you step on the pedal with a nice throaty rumble. We pushed the big full-size truck up I-70 west of Denver and into the mountains without issue. The TRD Pro is especially quick due to the engine’s high torque rating. The six-speed automatic shifts up and down smoothly, with shift points ideal for pulling a long mountain pass or hauling a larger trailer.
Driving Dynamics: Off-Road Test
On the open road, Toyota seemed to improve the ride quality somewhat over the previous model. With regard to our TRD Pro tester, it has the extra ground clearance and the right suspension setup for extreme off-road use, including 2.5-inch Fox internal bypass shocks. If you want to get away from civilization, this is the model you want. We tested it on an off-road course west of Denver, and the big truck had no problem pulling up steep trails and navigating a rocky stretch. Toyota says the suspension changes provide an increase in rear wheel travel of more than two inches, something we noticed on the course.
In urban settings, the Tundra has a civilized manner and it handles well enough. But around town, the CrewMax is tricky, as the truck is a bit long for most parking spots. If you need to get into smaller areas, this truck will leave you hanging out.
If you want to get away from civilization, the 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax is the truck for you.
Conclusion: Still Pretty Good
Those interested in venturing off-road or getting away from the city would be wise to consider the capable TRD Pro. It comes with plenty of creature comforts too if you do take it on a long trip. While it does fall behind the competition in some areas, the 2019 Toyota Tundra is still a solid truck with a strong track record of reliability behind it.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his firsthand reviews are archived on our test drives page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Toyota Tundra Gallery

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (Additional models and trim levels shown).

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Work, Relationships & Family: Do Trucks Make Them Better?

Work, Relationships & Family: Do Trucks Make Them Better? A survey conducted by Chevrolet and Harris Poll sheds light on why we love trucks.
The data shows a link between truck ownership and serving the local community.
Trucks owners even name their pickups and consider them part of the family.
Although the poll was conduced by Chevrolet, it is not brand specific.
Sometimes, it’s the young working class who reflect why trucks are the greatest aspirational vehicles in the United States. Many don’t have their dream truck yet, but when they tell you about it, their eyes light up and their voice and tone changes. It doesn’t matter what type of truck, or what badge it carries, either.
What matters is how they believe that day of beloved ownership is getting closer. And when it arrives, a portion of their lives will be complete.
Prodigal Son
On the 2016 Luke Bryan Farm Tour, one man in his mid-thirties explained why the day he buys a new truck will be the day he’s “made it.” This now humble farmer recalls his prior days, caught up in a whirlwind of vice and vixens; in a life devoid of a future. He returned later to his family’s cattle operation broken and exhausted; a significant humbling when the ground finally dropped out from under his empty pursuits.
“Yeah, but you couldn’t tell me nothing then anyway; swore I’d never come back, swore it,” he said. “I did what I wanted, what I pleased, and low and behold, didn’t get nothing.”
His vision today involves seeing the family business he long rejected to a successful future. A new truck, in his mind, represents that future come true.
“I know it’s only a truck, but it’s something; like I might be the kinda man people respect in something like that,” he reasoned. “These days, you can fit your tools and your kids in a pickup- there’s enough room – so maybe, I don’t know.”
Trucks handle some of the most important jobs, including our interpersonal relationships.
What Is It About Trucks?
Sure, there are those typical dream cars, all of which are fast and lavish, but trucks capture our hearts like no other vehicle can. In the auto industry, there is an expression that goes to the effect of “everyone (secretly) wants a truck.” And it’s true. They are alluring in so many ways, far beyond the towing and payload specs. Trucks are alluring because they are the mechanical extension of who we are and what we value.
“Here in Montana where I’m from, trucks are mandatory because a lot of people need them for their ranch or their job,” explained Jeremy Pulse, Founder of Throttle Down Kustoms. “If you hunt, fish, or camp, a truck is the best way to get to where you’re going and haul your gear.”
“Roofers, painters, electricians, farmers, carpet and flooring folks, landscapers – they all have them,” added Matt Mylan, Director at GMPartsCenter.net. “Can’t really do those jobs without a truck or, at least, a truck makes it easier.”
How Americans view truck ownership, according to a Chevrolet survey conducted by Harris Poll.
#Trucks are alluring because they are the mechanical extension of who we are and what we value.Click To TweetThe Good Life
Chevrolet recently worked with Harris Poll to gather more insight into why trucks hold a special place in our hearts. Although Chevy conducted the poll, it is not brand specific. Ford, Ram, Toyota, and Nissan owners can just as easily relate, as can those who own both bigger and smaller trucks. Over a thousand pickup owners across the United States weighed in, and the responses offer a wealth of explanation.
One of the biggest insights is how people name their truck, with “Betsy” and “Big Red” among the most popular. And Betsy and Big Red are instrumental in making us better friends and citizens, according to the data. Turns out, trucks are great for performing good deeds.
For example, over thirty percent say they often use their truck to help a friend or family member with a task. Another thirty percent say they regularly use their pickup to support a local school or a charitable cause. Overall, Chevy’s survey finds 89 percent use their truck to help others, be it moving a stalled car or hauling a new couch. Truck owners know this more commonly as “hey, I’m moving next weekend, can I borrow your pickup?”
According to a Chevrolet survey conducted by Harris Poll, truck owners often help friends and family with tasks that require a pickup.
Family Matters
Now 18 years ago, my Father went home to The Lord. That summer of 2000, I often drove his old Silverado down the rural highways of Northwest Iowa. Such emotions are best described by Lee Brice in his 2012 song, I Drive Your Truck. In a similar way, 45 percent say they plan on passing their pickup down to a child or loved one. Further, nearly 60 percent say they consider their pickup a part of the family, while another 60 percent say they “cannot live” without theirs.
“People keep trucks a long time. Most of the owners I know have owned one for 10 plus years,” Mylan explained. “When you keep something around that long, it’s easy to think about all the ‘stuff’ that’s happened with your truck and your family.”
“A lot of people use them for vacation and travel; maybe they tow a trailer, or use it for getting the kids around in the winter,” Pulse added. “So trucks are definitely important to the family.”
Red Dirt Rich & Flint River Paid
Fans of Cheers may recall how Diane Chambers explains why she took the job (one certainly beneath her) at the bar. In her mind, she wanted to experience that slice of Americana. The slice of Americana that sees Norm in contest with his job, Cliff with his encyclopedia brain, and Coach being . . . well Coach being Coach. Between repressed feelings for Mayday Malone and feuds with Carla, she experiences Americana alright.
If Diane attended a Midwestern State Fair, or NASCAR race; visited any number of hunting and fishing expos or Sunday morning tailgates; if she visited the NFR in Las Vegas in December, she would see the slice of Americana that is trucks. What Chevy’s survey really reflects is how these vehicles are inexplicably woven into the fabric of our lives, and how they remain universal insignias for our best memories.
“All the trips you’ve taken, that time your son-in-law borrowed the truck and ran out of gas, the time you got it stuck on a trail . . . stuff like that,” Mylan continued.
According to the survey, 26 percent learned how to drive in a truck. Another 10 percent say they have brought their newborn children home from the hospital in a pickup. This likely explains why 38 percent said say they love their pickup more than any other object they own.
According to a Chevrolet survey conducted by Harris Poll, nearly 10 percent say they had their first kiss in a pickup.
More Right Swipes?
Single folks should consider adding a truck photo to their online dating profile. According to the survey, nearly 40 percent believe driving one makes them more attractive and popular. Is this true ladies? Does it really make us guys more attractive?
“That’s kind of funny to me because it sounds like a country song or something,” Mylan said. “I’ll bet most Toyota owners don’t think it makes them more attractive because Toyota trucks are kind of ugly.”
Fair enough.
“The polling people should look into that,” Mylan added.
What do you love about your truck? Share with us on Twitter.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

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2019 Toyota Highlander SE Review: Ideal For Active Families

2019 Toyota Highlander SE Review: Ideal For Active Families 93Good2019 Toyota Highlander SEOverall ImpressionEasy to maneuver overall.All-wheel drive option is nice.Good choice for a growing family.ProsFamily FriendlyTech-Focused Interior Cons3rd Row Passenger RoomThe Toyota Highlander looks like it could tackle some rough terrain, but it’s better suited for a family’s rough use. The SE V6 all-wheel drive model we tested is good for city commutes and the occasional trip to the back country. Families looking for versatility, comfort, practicality, and three-row seating need to check out the 2019 Toyota Highlander.
We have spent the long New Year’s weekend driving the 2019 Toyota Highlander SE.
What’s New For 2019
The Toyota Highlander gets minor styling revisions for 2019.
Features & Options: Suspension Tuning & DVD Players
The 2019 Toyota Highlander SE V6 AWD ($41,900) comes standard with keyless entry and ignition, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, an upgraded instrument panel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and leather seats with the front ones being heated. There is a four-way power passenger seat, second-row captain’s chairs, second-row window sunshades, a backup camera, and navigation.
The new SE trim also gets LED running lights, sport-themed styling elements, special suspension tuning, 19-inch wheels, and a sporty interior theme. Our tester came with the optional Rear-Seat Entertainment system ($1,810) as well.
Total MSRP including destination: $45,019. By comparison, the 2019 Toyota Highlander starts at $31,330.
Related: Right size fits all. An in-depth look at the 2019 Toyota RAV 4.

Interior Highlights: Tech-Focused & Comfortable
The interior of the SE is sportier than other models, and the leather seats are extra comfy for long trips. The cabin of this crossover is more car/minivan-like, perfect for growing families. The navigation system features a large touchscreen, with many of the functions using real buttons which we like. There are plenty of creature comforts inside like second row window shades, heated front seats, and of course the DVD system to keep the kids entertained on those longer trips.
Visibility is excellent in the 2019 Toyota Highlander, thanks to a larger rear-quarter window and strategically positioned pillars. The Highlander comes with twin reclining captain’s chairs that can be pushed back for maximum legroom and comfort. We took two friends of ours over the weekend out to dinner. As they were lounging in the back after leaving the restaurant, they nearly fell asleep!
Interior Highlights: A Little Crammed Sometimes
As is true of most competitors, the first and second rows provide copious room for adult occupants. The third row is squishier than that of the Honda Pilot despite having three seat belts — only small kids are likely to fit three across in the Highlander. The third row works well for smaller kids and access is easy with the captain’s chairs.
Cargo space totals 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row, and there’s plenty of versatility for busy families with a maximum of 83.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The Highlander’s 3.5-liter V6 engine produces an impressive 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated to an eight-speed automatic with an automatic stop-start system to save fuel. EPA fuel economy estimates come in at 20/26 city/highway and 22 combined with all-wheel drive.
When compared to the competition, the 2019 Toyota Highlander holds its own in terms of fuel economy.
Driving Dynamics: Responsive & Capable
The Highlander’s engine provides impressive acceleration, and the V6 powerplant works well in tandem with the gearbox. The eight-speed automatic is smooth and reasonably responsive. It didn’t seem to hunt for the right gear as we pushed it hard uphill in the mountains west of Denver.
The Highlander feels bigger than some, so tighter parking maneuvers may prove difficult in the city. It has crisp steering for parking lots, though, and it’s an easy SUV to drive in general. One of the Highlander’s best qualities is its ride comfort and few, if any, road irregularities intrude. Despite the size, the Highlander does not feel like a floating barge on the open road.
We used the all-wheel drive system as snow fell in the mountains west of Denver, and felt safe on the slicker roads. The all-wheel drive option is ideal for families in cold climates, or for those who take weekend adventures to the north forty.
The 2019 Toyota Highlander also has a max towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. when properly equipped. This is an added bonus if you regularly pull a smaller trailer.

As a complete package, the 2019 @Toyota Highlander is hard to beat for active and growing families. Click To TweetConclusion: Ideal For Active Families
The 2019 Toyota Highlander SE offers a big, comfortable cabin with seating for seven, and up to eight depending on the configuration. The Highlander provides a sweet spot between an SUV and a wagon/minivan. As a complete package, the 2019 Toyota Highlander is hard to beat for active and growing families.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Toyota Highlander SE Gallery

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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2020 Dodge Dakota Concept and Release Date

Dodge Dakota pickup truck is one which may be suitable for your use. With very high performance and also our very energetic believes that 2020 Dodge Dakota will not disappoint you. It was first made in 1987, this model has a lot of attention from many people. Dodge like his should work very well to make the Dodge Dakota for the year 2020.

2020 Dodge Dakota

2020 Dodge Dakota Interior and Exterior

The new Dodge Dakota may perhaps be the conventional course superb for folks who love this mixture of useful problem and strength. The close to potential 2020 Dakota about 2020 Dodge Dakota is showed virtually undoubtedly with regards to the 4th time style through the use of someone assemblage checking and truly engaging automobile to your capability and gorgeous concept.

As staying the outdoors the house presents quite a bit of enchanting attributes, it is going to offer you which includes the identical infrequent plus a lot of frequent upgrades. Contemplating that prevent Dakota is actually an excellent auto. The trademark would not need to pick uncomplicated alterations in addition to will sustain its some kind of format. Because of current data and facts as well as the Dodge Dakota will in all probability be set up in Unibody and yes it turns up as staying by far the most excellent Ridgeline versions by way of Honda Motor unit Firm.

Like all RAM and Dodge designs, this a single will also be fairly sturdy beneath the hood. A wide selection of engines while in the offer you will definitely be a benefit more than the competition.

2020 Dodge Dakota Engine

Base versions will almost certainly feature a brand new 2.0-liter turbo inline-four engine, which can be fantastic for about 275 hp and offer very decent mpg ratings. A familiar 3.6-liter and V6 engine really should be from the give also. This engine characteristics slightly extra energy, close to 280 hp, but does not provide such a good fuel economic system. Moreover, the economy is definitely a weak level of this engine.

2020 Dodge Dakota Release Date and Price

If you wish the Dodge Dakota will be present at the area years later May 2020 you could wait for him. We also believe that this car will come at the beginning of the year 2020, for the price of $60,000 may be very worthy of this car.

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2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Review: Good Value For The Money

2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Review: Good Value For The Money 92Good2019 Volkswagen Jetta SELOverall ImpressionAmbient lights are a nice touch.Good value for the money overall.High performance variant would be nice.ProsSpacious CabinSolid Handling Smooth Transmission ConsEngine Power (At Times)SEL Needs Larger Wheel OptionsThe redesigned Volkswagen Jetta gets bigger for 2019 and it looks to be an improvement over the outgoing model. The new SEL Premium trim has more comfort and quality has not been sacrificed. Buyers get a taste of luxury-car life thanks to high-end features in the SEL we drove this week.
What’s New For 2019
The Volkswagen Jetta has been fully redesigned for the 2019 model year.
It gets more in-car and safety tech and a new SEL Premium trim. The new Jetta is slightly longer, wider, and taller than the outgoing model, with a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs. Jetta gets a new wraparound grille with LED headlights (standard on all trims) giving the small sedan a more aggressive look.
Features & Options: Mostly Tech & Safety
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T SEL ($24,415) comes standard with an eight-speaker BeatsAudio system, an upgraded infotainment system with an eight-inch display, satellite and HD radio, a fully digital gauge cluster (Digital Cockpit), and an extra USB port. It also features heated V-Tex leatherette seats, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, and a power-tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof.
We were surprised the SEL only gets 16-inch alloy wheels, however.
Other safety items include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, auto high-beam control, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A 10-color adjustable ambient lighting system is standard as well. Total MSRP including destination: $25,265. By comparison, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta starts at $18,545 with a manual transmission; $19,345 with an automatic.
Related: A brief walk through the 2019 Jetta lineup.

Interior Highlights: Comfortable & Warm
The Jetta’s all-new interior is more modern than the outgoing model with excellent build quality. The first thing we noticed was the larger, eight-inch screen and VW’s Digital Cockpit, a fully digital and customizable gauge cluster. Interior cubby space has increased, with larger door pockets and a larger center console bin for storing your valuables.
The 10-color ambient lighting is another interesting feature.
Jetta SEL gets a more premium look with new fabrics, new colors, attractive stitching, and the nicely-bolstered bucket seats are more comfortable. We made liberal use of the heated front seats that also bring extra winter comfort. Front-seat passengers benefit from more knee and shoulder room, and your rear-seat passengers will have increased legroom because of the longer wheelbase.
The trunk is a bit smaller, but the 14.1-cubic-foot capacity is still competitive for the class.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The VW Jetta continues to come with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing a modest 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission and acceleration is reasonably quick for the class.
EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 30/40 city/highway and 34 combined, slightly better than last year. The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is on par, for the most part, in terms of fuel economy when compared to the competition.
Behind the wheel, the driving dynamics of the new @VW #Jetta will have you thinking you're in a more expensive German sedan.Click To TweetDriving Dynamics: Smooth & Quiet
The 1.4-liter engine powers up with the push-button start and pulls hard above 2,500 rpm. Handling capability is stable, and the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta rides smoothly on the highway. The Jetta is built for the Autobahn; its architecture conveys that on the mountain roads and tight curves. We felt completely confident at higher than posted speed limits on a curvy section of the Colorado interstate.
In the city, the new Jetta is highly maneuverable too. Visibility is above average in this small sedan, nice when driving through city traffic.
You will find the 147 horsepower engine has enough power for most driving situations. Although we are interested in seeing a high performance option for the new Jetta, on the open road we could power around slower traffic. We found the small sedan to be quiet inside too. We didn’t detect much road or engine noise as we cruised around this week.
The new eight-speed automatic is smooth and responsive, downshifting readily when we needed more power. Overall, the new automatic’s shifting is well-suited to the engine’s power. And the start/stop feature (limited to the automatic) is smoother than most.
Mounted in a lightweight, two-piece steel subframe, the Jetta’s strut-type front suspension has lower control arms and long-travel coil springs. At the back, a torsion beam rear setup with telescopic dampers offers an ideal balance of ride comfort, handling, and weight reduction.
Conclusion: Good Value For The Money
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL offers plenty of luxurious features and is still a good value for a small sedan. The new Jetta is roomy and quiet, offering a smooth-shifting automatic. Behind the wheel, the driving dynamics will have you thinking you’re in a more expensive German sedan.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Volkswagen Jetta Gallery

Photos: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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Building Your McLaren Speedtail: Like Savile Row With Horsepower!

Building Your McLaren Speedtail: Like Savile Row With Horsepower! The McLaren Speedtail was recently revealed to future owners at a private event.
The Speedtail is the first of 18 new cars under the company’s Track25 business plan.
It’s the fastest car in the automaker’s history. Now it’s arguably the most personalized.
I think this all started with the McLaren F1. I remember buyers could get their name woven into the carbon fiber, if they so desired. You know, something along the lines of “This McLaren F1 made especially for Sir Manfredjinsinjin” or something like that. And now things have gone to a whole new level with the McLaren Speedtail, the direct successor to the P1 and the spiritual successor to the stunning F1.
Only The Finest
You know Savile Row, right? That’s the street in London where the world’s best tailors work. You can be shaped like a flour sack with a rope tied in the middle, and Savile row tailors will make you look like James Bond. That’s what McLaren is doing, in a certain way, with their upcoming Speedtail hypercar.
No, they’re not going to alter the structure or size of the car for you (that’s definitely a one size fits all deal), but they will let you choose more than just the color.
Literally Everything Is “Bespoke”
This is all very high-touch, extremely personalized service that only the very rich demand these days. And McLaren ain’t kidding around. The mechanical package of the Speedtail is cast in stone and won’t be messed with. Which is as it should be. McLaren knows what they are doing and, performance-wise, the 250-mph hypercar seems to be a dead on bull’s eye.
The story here is that well-heeled buyers of the Speedtail can specify every aspect with regard to the look and feel of their individual car. And much like fashion houses, McLaren has three design “collections” curated by their Colour and Material design team. The three collections are Urbane, Visionary, and Dynamic.
What, like you didn’t think this was going to get pretentious quicker than the Speedtail could hit 60? By the way, the McLaren Speedtail hits 186 mph in 12.8 seconds.
Related: There was once a McLaren made entirely out of Legos.
McLaren Speedtail in the Stratosphere theme. Photo: McLaren Automotive.
Urbane & Visionary Collections
Urbane is a collection of three themes offering a discriminating and sophisticated feel, with calm exterior hues and subtle, cool interior tones. Take the Stratosphere, for example, in the Urbane collection. Stratosphere accentuates the exterior highlights of the car’s aerodynamic bodywork, set off with bespoke, brushed light blue anodized aluminum brightwork. The cabin blends the metallic light blue driver’s seat with light grey passenger seats.
Even the badging goes to the Nth degree with the Stratosphere option.
The Visionary collection offers up the Astral theme, a nod to the UK’s nautical heritage. The navy blue dominated interior with nubuck, bespoke navy passenger seats, and a full aniline leather navy driver’s seat (also bespoke) are among the highlights. The exterior of the Astral theme features, for some reason, an orange and silver pinstripe? Also on the exterior: gloss 1K visual carbon fiber and 18 carat white gold with TPT inlay badging.
Just don’t leave the doors open for very long.
@McLarenAuto is not going to alter the structure or size of the car for you (that's definitely a one size fits all deal), but they will let you choose more than just the color.Click To TweetMcLaren Speedtail in the Astral theme. Photo: McLaren Automotive.
Dynamic Theme & Additional Tailoring
Dynamic, which goes for modern, sporty, futuristic, and sumptuous is epitomized by the Bloodline theme. Bespoke red on the exterior, with gloss black diamond cut wheels and silver brake calipers. Inside the driver’s seat is full aniline bespoke red, while the passengers sit on semi aniline bespoke white seats. The steering wheel clasp, paddle shifters, window and door bezel surround are highlighted in TPT carbon quartz white.
Then comes the really personalized, Savile Row custom-tailored parts of the McLaren Speedtail. Body and interior panels finished in satin 1K or gloss 1K with interwoven gold visual carbon fiber or anodized aluminum, which is pretty crazy, if you think about it. Interior options include nubuck and aniline leather, TPT carbon control surfaces, 18 carat white gold, and TPT carbon badging. Electro-chromatic glazing tints do away with the need for sun visors.
Related: The McLaren Speedtail is an angel in the outfield.
McLaren Speedtail in the Bloodline theme. Photo: McLaren Automotive.
Orange & Black Is The New Black
No, in case you’re asking, you don’t do this by checking a bunch of boxes on the order sheet. As a Speedtail buyer, you get your own Bespoke Liaison Manager to help bring your vision to life. Your Bespoke Liaison Manager is your personal connection to McLaren Special Operations to help you work on selecting colors and materials.
But honestly, none of this matters to me. I am a simple man, of simple automotive tastes, and I will take my McLaren Speedtail in Papaya Orange with a black interior, just like Bruce would have.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
McLaren Speedtail Interior Gallery

Interior gallery themes (left to right): Stratosphere, Astral, Bloodline.
Photos & Source: McLaren Automotive.

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Porsche Versus S&P: Can Sports Cars Top The Stock Market?

Porsche Versus S&P: Can Sports Cars Top The Stock Market? A RimBlades USA study examines the value of classic Porsche models against the S&P.
The 1956 356A 1600 Speedster and a 1997 993 Turbo are among the Porsche cars considered.
How did theses and other classic Porsches perform against the S&P? The results might surprise you.
Here’s one of those nifty stories about how much you would have made or lost buying and selling a particular kind of car versus the stock market. In this case, it’s Porsche versus the Standard & Poors 500 stock index. Stories like this come up every so often, and they actually go pretty far back. I once read a study that tied the Dow Jones into a woman’s hem lines in the 20s and 30s.
So something might or might not track with stock values, but the real question is can you make money off the car you just bought?
Solid Gold Volvos
I was hanging out with my friend Carl The Mechanic at his shop many moons ago. I got there just as a customer was paying up and leaving. He was glowing over some new Volvo station wagon with a bunch of factory performance stuff, concluding: “I have to buy one! The money I’ll make selling it will pay my kids college tuition.”
After he left, Carl looked at me and said, “why don’t people understand you never make money with cars, you only lose money?”
Some Exclusions Apply . . .
Obviously this is not true across the board. If you buy something rare now, chances are, it’ll be worth more in the long run. Stuff like Ferraris and certain kinds of Lamborghinis and such, yes, over a fairly long period, decades at a minimum. But most cars, nah. You should always buy it because you like the car and will enjoy owning it. If you make money off it later, then so much the better.
So what does the latest data show us when Porsche takes on the Standard & Poors 500?
“The good news is that a 918 Spyder’s value is headed in the right direction,” said Adam Dangleman, Director of RimBlades USA. “The bad news is selling your classic Speedster isn’t adding much to your retirement savings.”
Porsche 918 Sypder. Photo: Porsche AG.
Porsche Versus The S&P: Stocks Outpace Sports Cars
RimBlades USA looked at four specific Porsche models in their study: a 1956 356A 1600 Speedster, a 1997 993 Turbo, a 2004 Carrera GT, and a 2015 918 Spyder. And guess what? None of them really worked that well as an investment. Only the 918 outpaced the S&P, and not by much.
When you look at the graphic below, you see how things are kind of wonky. First off, they use “auction value” for what any of these cars are worth today, calculating that against the S&P gain or loss since the car was new. What is an auction value? It’s not the sale price of a car, I can tell you that. Auction sale prices are notoriously quirky, to put it mildly.
All you need is two or three real estate developers or pharma salesmen with fat waistlines and even fatter wallets to get it into their heads that they just have to buy their (4th) wife that cute little Goggomobil at the Mecum auction, and next thing you know, you’ve got a Goggomobil TS Coupe going for used Aston Martin money, when a year ago they could be bought for the down payment on a minivan.

All you need is two or three real estate developers or pharma salesmen with fat waistlines and even fatter wallets to get it into their heads that they just have to buy their (4th) wife that cute little Goggomobil at the Mecum auction.Click To TweetJumping To Conclusions
Also, two of the three Porsche cars, the 1997 993 Turbo and the 2004 Carrera GT haven’t been around long enough to smooth out the ups and downs of the collector market. In the mid-70s, dealers couldn’t give muscle cars away, and now they are selling for ridiculous six-figure prices.
Give both of those cars another 20 years or so, and then we can talk about their “inherent value.”
Curiously, the 1956 356A 1600 Speedster doesn’t do so well either. Given how those things have skyrocketed in price over the last decade, the fact it hauls in only half of what you would have gotten from the S&P index over the same time is kind of oddly impressive. Also, yes, we here at Automoblog Towers noticed that the picture RimBlades USA has on their graphic is of a 356 Coupe and not a Speedster.
Related: Happiness is a state of mind: a day spent with the Porsche GT3 RS.
1956 Porsche 356 A Speedster. Photo: Porsche AG.
Blowing Bubbles
The only one of the quartet that does make money is the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, and even then it’s around $75-thou. Even more importantly in the case of the 918 is the timeframe. For one, it’s too short, for another, the stock market has been a little nuts lately for a bunch of really scary reasons you don’t have to be Alfred P. Sloan to figure out. And, even more concretely, the three year time span is relevant because we’re in the secondary market bubble portion of the sales life of a very specific supercar.
The secondary market bubble is when the first owners of a highly desirable car finally sell it onto the secondary market, allowing those that were not in line to, at last, buy the car they’ve been lusting after. When you’re in the secondary market bubble, the selling price is usually much more than the MSRP ever was.
Then that price will slowly drop to more reasonable levels as more and more of that model hit the secondary market (good ol’ supply and demand) along with the “shiny and new” element also fading away.
Porsche 911 Speedster Concept. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
The only one of the quartet that does make money is the 2015 @Porsche 918 Spyder.Click To TweetFuture Considerations
But like I said, don’t buy a car because you think it’s going to make you money, but because you’ll enjoy owning it and driving it. And personally, I could have any of these cars and would enjoy driving them very much.
“Playing the stock market always has some ups and downs,” Dangleman said. “But if you invest in a Porsche, you’re at least guaranteed a consistently great driving experience.”
Except for the Carrera GT. Those things are evil handling killers, even by Porsche standards.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.

918 Spyder Cover Photo: Picture Book, Stefan Bogner, Delius Klasing (DK) of Germany, 2015.
Methodology
Here is how RimBlades USA calculated the final figures in this study:

Start with the original MSRP of each vehicle.

Take that and consider an investment into an S&P fund on January 1st of the car’s model year.

Take the 2018 value, or the price it fetched at auction, for each vehicle.

Subtract the MSRP from that number. There’s the return on the car.

Using the DQYDJ S&P Periodic Investment Calculator, determine the return of the MSRP investment that would have been deposited January 1st of the specific year.

The chart represents the returns on the S&P investments as of January 1st 2018.

Calculations do not include maintenance, taxes, or insurance costs.

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From Very Small To Extra Large: How History Impacts Car Preferences

From Very Small To Extra Large: How History Impacts Car Preferences Looking Back At The Tiny Car Era
Microcars, those automobiles with engines under 1,000cc and holding no more than two people, occasionally re-enter the public’s view. While usually considered curiosities, they have a fascinating history, and were very popular for a time. Car enthusiasts will not soon forget the Peel P50, the world’s smallest car that ceased production in 1965. While only fifty original Peel P50s were made, this style of vehicle has historical significance and is a dramatic contrast to anything we see on streets today.
The Peel’s small production numbers, however, make it an outlier. Many microcars sold in the tens and hundreds of thousands. Before we go further, let’s take a step back and compare the evolution of cars and driving in the United States vs. Europe.
1960s-era advertisement for the Peel P50.
Wide Open Spaces
The U.S. is a large and young country compared to European ones. Our cities and towns are spread far apart. As cars were introduced into commerce, the dirt horse paths did not suffice as motor roadways. These paths were eventually paved, and since land was aplenty, they were also made wide. Gasoline was plentiful and cheap. As people spent more time in their cars, they wanted room for comfort. All these factors conspired to result in the large American motor car.
The birth of the interstate highway system in 1956 and advent of more drivable roads only fueled the desire for Americans to take road trips in their new stylish rides. But for car producers abroad, smaller cars made more sense. European cities and towns are older than U.S. ones by a factor of several millennia. When motorcars first appeared, they had to navigate narrow, windy passages. Fuel was not readily available, and was more expensive. For these reasons, Europeans generally favored smaller vehicles.
This beautiful red BMW Isetta belongs to Richard Reina of CARiD Auto Parts and Automoblog. Richard is fond of taking it to shows and telling attendees about its history.
Bubble Car History
The end of World War II changed everything. European factories had been bombed, and companies struggled to get back into operation. Microcars (also known as “bubble cars”) came about as affordable and safe alternatives to motorbikes. At a time when steel and fuel were still scarce commodities, these bubble cars were an all-weather option for those on a budget.
Post-war Germany was home base for many popular microcars. One of the best-known was the BMW Isetta. Its tiny 300cc engine only made 13 horsepower, but globally, BMW sold 161,000 units. Another favorite was the Goggomobil. Unlike the Isetta, the “Goggos” were available as sedans, coupes, or minivans. A total of 285,000 were made from 1955-1969.
Perhaps the oddest-looking German bubble car was manufactured by Messerschmitt, a company known for their military aircraft production during World War II. With its tandem seating, yoke steering, plexiglass canopy top, and three tiny eight-inch wheels, the ‘Schmitt looked like nothing else on the road.
1964 Messerschmitt KR200 on display at the Autoworld Museum, Brussels, Belgium. With its one cylinder, two-stroke engine and 9.5 horsepower, it could reach a top speed of almost 70 mph. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net.
Post-War Tastes
The first iteration of the Messerschmitt was the KR175, and the name “kabineroller” translates directly to “scooter with cabin,” which is an apt description of the vehicle. Messerschmitt improved the KR200 in 1955 by installing shock absorbers on all three wheels in an attempt to smooth out the ride and make for safer travel. About 45,000 of these three-wheel wonders were built.
Consumers in post-war France were also smitten with tiny cars, but many of their smallest microcars were not big sellers. The French preferred “supermini” cars such as the Citroen 2CV (4 doors, 600cc) and the Renault 4CV (4-doors, 760cc), which was the first French vehicle to sell over one million units. Many of these car makers attempted to market their microcars in the U.S. with limited success. Our expansive roadways, covering great distances between destinations, did not favor the small car. In some cases, American car dealers treated these tiny rides as a joke (“Buy a new Cadillac, get a free Isetta!”).
The one exception was the original Volkswagen. While not a microcar per se, it was smaller than anything coming out of Detroit, and a growing number of U.S. buyers gravitated toward it. VW’s success is a story for another time, but even in Europe, as the economy recovered in the years after the war, there was a declining demand for economical and efficient cars.
The GMC Yukon and other similar large, luxury SUVs are a reflection of how tastes have evolved regarding choices in personal transportation. Pictured here is a 2018 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate Black Edition. Photo: GMC.
Bigger But Better?
In 2018, most of our vehicles in the U.S. are larger than ever, with even the traditional sedan expanding in size. Last year, SUV, van, and pickup sales rose 4.3 percent while overall car sales saw a decline. As a class, trucks comprise about two-thirds of all new vehicle sales. One possible reason as to why big vehicles are now favored could be the boom of millennials, who are beginning to have families and crave space and comfort as they move to the suburbs. Historically cheap gas continues to drive sales, and you won’t hear any complaints from the Big 3 automakers, as their profit margins are much higher on the big trucks compared to compact cars.
As we’ve seen over time, car design directly reflects the broader trends of the era, whether it be an economic boom (or bust), or a shift to a more urban lifestyle. While upsizing seems like a trend that is here to stay, you never know when tiny cars may make their comeback.
Richard Reina is a Product Trainer at CARiD.com and lifelong automotive enthusiast.
Share photos of your favorite tiny cars with us on Twitter.
Cover Photo: 1965 BMW Isetta 300, Carl Anthony.

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DB11 Volante: Aston Martin Makes A Pretty One

DB11 Volante: Aston Martin Makes A Pretty One

Oh you pretty thing . . . British design can be so frustrating. On the one hand, you have things like the Supermarine Spitfire and the Jaguar E Type and anything Sir Christopher Wren designed. On the other, you have stuff like the Ford Anglia and that MI6 Building.
The brand new Aston Martin DB11 Volante is definitely one of the former.
Shaken, Not Stirred
Aston Martin, purveyor of cars to likes of James Bond, refers to its convertibles as Volantes. And the car we are looking at here, the DB11 Volante, is indeed the drop-top version of last year’s DB11 Coupe. Unlike the Coupe, there is no V12 engine available in the Volante. Some will bemoan this loss, but I am not one of them. Although the V12 plant is very impressive, the engine found under the Volante’s hood provides for a lighter package, meaning the convert will be more nimble and responsive. Said plant is a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that cranks out 503 ponies.
The mill sits within an all-new bonded aluminum structure the Volante shares with the DB11 Coupe, minus the roof and such. The DB11 Volante is lighter and more rigid than the model it replaces and offers a much broader envelope of abilities, greater levels of performance and handling, and all that typical British character, refinement, comfort, and interior space Aston Martin is known for.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Performance Tech
That small block V8 is hooked up to and integrated with a whole slew of computer controlled subsystems and powertrain elements to make the Volante a grand tourer with some serious performance abilities. For example, there are 3-stage powertrain and chassis modes that operate harmoniously with the 8-speed automatic transmission, the electric power steering, and the dynamic torque vectored limited-slip differential. Aston Martin says this allows the Volante’s driver to “tailor its behavior in a way that best suits the road, weather conditions or their mood.”
Or, as I would put it: “There’s enough drivetrain nannies, chassis tuning, and fail-safe gizmos that will prevent you from spinning this thing into a ditch and scarring up its pretty face.”
Sounds like a fair deal.
Styling & Design
The DB11 Volante has the same single-piece aluminium bonnet (that’s “hood” to those of us that speak American) found on the DB11 Coupe. It has the same “Curlicue” styling bit, which I quite like; wonderful integration with the wheel well and it helps with air extraction to boot. Other styling touches include wood or carbon fiber veneer panels on the seat backs, a tailored fabric top in a choice of Bordeaux red, black silver or grey silver, “light blade” taillights, and new forged alloy wheels. Aston Martin says the end result is “breathtakingly sleek and athletic” and I am not going to argue with them.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.

Topside Testing
That fabric roof sounds like it’s a cross between a Savile Row suit and the mainsails from the HMS Ark Royal. It’s an all-new, 8-layer cosset design so the occupants are snug and dry from the extremes of weather and wind; it folds up into a class-leading, stack height at the touch of a button. Hit that button and 14 seconds later, the roof is down. Hit the button again, and in 16 seconds the top is up. You can also raise or lower the roof remotely from the key while moving at speeds up to 31 mph.
And the cherry on top is you get a 20 percent increase in trunk volume compared to the previous model.
The roof can take a pounding too. They ran it through more than 100,000 test cycles in special weather chambers designed to simulate atrocious conditions; they compressed 10 years of use into one month of testing, and drove prototypes of the thing around Death Valley and the Arctic Circle.
Pricing & Availability
They sum it up like this: “Engineered to be the most advanced and complete open-top Aston Martin ever built. Styled to put its rivals in the shade and honed to achieve a fine balance of ride, handling, responsiveness, and refinement, the DB11 Volante is dedicated to delivering a new dimension of driving pleasure.”
Which all sounds like a serious throwdown to the likes of, let’s see, who is the competition here? Jaguar, naturally. Also various German drop-tops – big BMWs, Mercedes-Benz and the like. The Italians don’t make convertibles like this, or at least Ferrari doesn’t. And let’s face facts here, nothing the Americans, French or Japanese make are even in the same league.
And what league are we talking about? The league that will run you the cost of a suburban home to get into. The price for the Aston Martin DB11 Volante starts at $216,495. Which is, obviously, a lot of money. Does all that work for you? If it does, then get down to your Aston Martin dealer by the first quarter of 2018 because that’s when the DB11 Volante is scheduled to show up.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Aston Martin DB11 Volante Gallery

Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.

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