Automotive

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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Ford, Roush Develop 700 Horsepower 5.0-Liter Supercharger Kit

Ford, Roush Develop 700 Horsepower 5.0-Liter Supercharger Kit

You know why they put buckles on the back of straight jackets? They do that so even if the crazy person gets out of the sleeves, they can’t undo the buckles and get loose. You know what happens when the nuts get loose? Oh all sorts of bad things. They can start fires and run for Congress or, in the case we have here, cook up a bolt-on supercharger kit that will screw the output of Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 up to seven-hundred horsepower, and then sell it to anyone with cash. This isn’t a great idea. No. This is an insanely great idea!
Crazy Train
To the gearhead, the ones involved really need no introduction. One is Ford Performance. You know, the guys that always answer any question with the phrases “More power! More brakes! More grip!” The other is Roush Performance: the guys that run NASCAR race teams and hand-build engines for Ford GTs. And let us not forget Roush Performance is headed by Jack Roush, a gearhead so bent in his love of speed he crashed his own airplanes, not once but three separate times (by my count), and one of those times included spiking a WWII vintage P-51 Mustang into a lake.
Or to put it another way, they’re the perfect professionals to design and build something like this.
Dual Applications
This, in this case, happens to be a new, state-of-the-art supercharger that peaks at 700 horsepower for the V8-powered 2018 Mustang GT. Ford Performance and Roush Performance rolled the beast out at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The blower kit is specifically designed to work with Ford’s evergreen 5.0-liter V8 and the mill’s new port and direct injection fuel systems. Yes, it’s good for 700 ponies but it also offers 610 lb-ft. of torque at 12 psi of boost, running on 93 octane fuel for either the manual or automatic transmission. You can get 93 octane at the pump, right? At least around here I see 93 high test, so, cool, you can run it on pump gas!
Ford and Roush also designed the supercharger to work on the same engine when placed within the bay of a pickup truck. When situated within a 2018 F-150, the plant provides 640 horsepower and 600 lb-ft. of foundation distorting torque.
2018 Ford F-150. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Strong Relationships
And yeah, this is a literal kit that comes with all installation hardware, instructions, and an exclusive performance calibration set up. The new supercharger kit is also backed by a limited warranty and supported by the Ford Motor Company and Roush network. And no, the installation of this kit will not void any new vehicle warranty. And yes, you can start your screwball cackling right about now.
And let’s not forget these guys, both Ford and Roush, are serious. They have a successful working relationship that goes back more than two decades, and really know their stuff when it comes to squeezing performance out of Ford powertrains. So when they say it’s a complete kit and it’s backed by a warranty, they ain’t joking. They might be a little nuts, but they ain’t joking.
“Ford and Roush have teamed up on performance for years on and off the track,” said Doug White, Global Ford Performance Parts Manager. “This new supercharger is another great example of our innovation in performance, greatly improving horsepower and torque so people can enjoy two of our most iconic vehicles even more.”
The new supercharger kit is warrantied when installed by a Ford dealer or any Automotive Service Excellence-certified (ASE) technician. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
No Regrets
If that’s not good enough, take it from the man his own self: “Our teams collaborated to create the most highly engineered, tested, and performing supercharger kit on the market. The combination of the 2018 5.0-liter engine and our all-new, fully integrated 2650 supercharger system yields simply incredible, no-compromise performance,” shrieked Jack Roush, Chairman, Board of Directors, Roush Performance before a couple of massive guys in white coats threw a net over him, and hauled him back to the Dearborn Center for The Chronically Speed Obsessed Who Are Not Allowed to Have Scissors.
The new supercharger kit will be available early next year through Ford dealers, Ford Performance Warehouse Distributors, and Roush Performance dealers. And, get this, you won’t even need a note from your doctor or therapist, nor a signed release document from a major law firm. America baby, America!
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.

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2018 Civic Type R: Nürburgring First, Now The Showfloor

2018 Civic Type R: Nürburgring First, Now The Showfloor

The 2018 Civic Type R drifted into Honda dealerships this week, following a limited production run of 2017 models. The Civic Type R, the most powerful car Honda has ever sold in the United States, boasted a rather impressive Nürburgring time earlier this year. The starting MSRP is not all that unreasonable either, coming in just shy of $35,000 once the destination charge is applied. The 2018 Civic Type R is available in only one, but fully equipped, trim.
Power & Performance
The Civic Type R has one of Honda’s most advanced turbocharged engines to date. The 2.0-liter is characterized by direct injection, a dual overhead cam, and Honda’s evergreen VTEC technology. The engine creates 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. Other performance goodies include a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission with new, lower gear ratios and a limited slip differential.
Suspension Tech
To combat torque steer, a common condition for front-wheel drive vehicles, a special front (dual-axis strut) and multi-link rear suspension were devised. The combination is meant to provide stability under both acceleration and braking while reducing body roll. The Adaptive Damper System continually adjusts damping force at all four corners for better overall handling, and is connected to the Three-Mode Driving System: comfort, sport, and the more track-oriented +R mode. The damper, steering, and throttle responses are modified according to the selected mode.
Photo: Honda North America.
Connectivity & Safety
Connectivity features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition. The vehicle has a host of advanced safety features too: Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Advanced 4-Channel ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, and a multi-angle rearview camera among others.
The 2018 Civic Type R for the U.S. market is manufactured exclusively at Honda’s Swindon, UK plant, while the engines are produced in Anna, Ohio.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Honda North America.

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Toyota’s U.S. Diamond Anniversary Brings Back Fond Memories

Toyota’s U.S. Diamond Anniversary Brings Back Fond Memories

Wow, did you know Toyota has been selling cars in America for 60 years? Me either. I’m not sure whether it seems longer than that, or shorter. One way or another, here we are. And what started out with the Toyopet Crown eventually led to all sorts of goodies; from ultra-dependable trucks to performance-centric Supras beloved by gearheads.
Bold Introductions
Toyota starts off its celebrations with this passage straight out of a Raymond Chandler noir detective novel: “When Toyota launched its North American headquarters in a Hollywood, California dealership on October 31, 1957, it was, no doubt, a frightening affair.” But that’s about as pulpy as it gets. For Toyota, there’s no gunsels with heaters, dames with gams that go on for days, or laughing fat men that know the score; just lots of cars, trucks, and profits. Boatloads of profits.
Rolling The Dice
Like I said, for Toyota in America, it all started with the Toyopet Crown, which the company flat out admits “didn’t turn out to be a screaming success.” But since leading off with a less-than-impressive car in a 3,000 square foot, one-time Rambler dealership (Bonus points if you know what a Rambler is. More bonus points if you’ve ever driven a Rambler. And even more bonus points if you’ve ever worked on one. Hint: I’ve done all three), Toyota has intertwined their products into the structure of every day American life. And now, 60 years later, Toyota has grown very far indeed beyond that humble Hollywood dealership. Sales locations in every state, 10 manufacturing facilities, almost 1,500 Toyota and Lexus dealerships, and 136,000 U.S. employees. Yeah, you can say that Toyota’s sixty-year-old bet paid off.
To mark its 60th anniversary, Toyota moved and rededicated its 50th anniversary time capsule from its former Torrance, California headquarters to their new HQ in Plano, Texas. The capsule included goodies like a 2000GT – that would be a Matchbox die cast, not the real thing (perish the thought, 2KGTs are into the seven figures now), an original key for a 1977 Toyota Hilux truck, and a scale model of Toyota’s Formula One racer. The new time capsule will be re-opened on the company’s 100th anniversary in 2057.
Toyota Toyopet Crown. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
All-Star Lineup
Toyota makes no bones about the fact they got to where they are in the American market because of their cars. Sure, the 1950s had that questionable Toyopet Crown, but it also saw the launch of the now-legendary Land Cruiser. The ’60s saw the introduction of the Corolla, a car so wildly successful it became one of the best-selling nameplates in the world. The ’70s got the Celica which spawned the Supra spinoff (blessed be its horsepower, torque, and terminal velocity). The ’80s brought us the 4Runner and the Camry, an automotive equivalent of a beige anvil: as inoffensive as it was indestructible.
By the early ’90s, Toyota had branched into the luxury market with Lexus, and then introduced the Tacoma pickup, RAV4, Avalon, and Sienna, with the Lexus GS, LX, and RX. The new century saw an entry market spin-off division, Scion. And let us not forget Toyota are the folks responsible for the Prius.
The Toyota Tacoma Xtracab SR5 had a half year model in 1995, seen here in this picture. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Opening Doors
Toyota was shrewd about how they achieved success in North America, and cites the 1970s as a particularly critical time. That was when Toyota opened design and manufacturing facilities here in the U.S., rather than keeping them all in Japan. Its first U.S. production was with Atlas Fabricators of Long Beach to make truck beds. The ’70s also saw the opening of the Toyota Technical Center (which just celebrated its 40th anniversary in May), the opening of their U.S. R&D facility, and the opening of Calty Design Research in Southern California.
Since then, there have been full-blown manufacturing facilities opened in California and Kentucky, along with the addition of Toyota Motor Credit Corporation. Further manufacturing expansions saw vehicle and parts plants in Indiana, West Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, and Mississippi.
In 2016, Toyota achieved a record year of North American production, with 2,124,608 vehicles assembled across all North American facilities. Toyota’s vehicle production in North America since 1986 totals more than 30 million. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Bright Future
What’s next? More high-tech stuff, of course. The Toyota Research Institute continues to explore the possibilities with autonomous vehicles, robotics, vehicle safety, and materials science. And just last year, Toyota Connected was created to use data to personalize the customer driving experience.
“Celebrating our anniversary isn’t just about the products we’ve sold the past 60 years,” said Jim Lentz, Chief Executive Officer, Toyota Motor North America. “It’s also about celebrating Toyota’s thousands of employees who will help the company embark on the next leg of its American journey and continuing to improve our products and services for our customers.”
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.
Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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McLaren 720S Spider: Performance Necessary, Roof Optional

McLaren 720S Spider: Performance Necessary, Roof Optional The McLaren 720S Spider is remarkably similar to its stablemate, the 720S.
The Monocage II-S is one of the most impressive things about the Spider’s design.
However, wait until you see the tinted/transparent roof feature.
To make a good car even better, remove the top. Or so goes the old saying, and it’s one I usually agree with. In this case, we’re talking about the new Spider variant of the already impressive McLaren 720S. People really do seem to love this car, and the specs of the McLaren 720S Spider are very impressive.
McLaren says this new Spider mirrors the Coupé in almost every aspect and that’s fair.
So, what’s the drop-top like?
Power & Performance: A Similar Story
Basically, the 720S Spider is a match to its hard-top brother, the 720S. It’s powered by the same 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, designed and built in-house by McLaren. That’s good enough for 710 bhp and 568 lb-ft. of torque and, for the Spider, a power-to-weight ratio of 533 bhp/ton. Impressive as one would expect.
This all adds up to a zero to 60 mph time of 2.8 seconds, same as the 720S Coupé. 124 mph is reached in 7.9 seconds, and the whole thing tops out at 212 mph with the roof up, 202 mph with it down. Either of those figures are attention grabbing, but hitting the double ton with the wind in your hair must be something.
McLaren says the new 720S Spider is the “most accomplished convertible supercar ever from McLaren” and I’ll take them at their word. Although the qualifier there, “from McLaren” does away with pointing out convertibles that are even faster and quicker, like Porsche’s 918 and the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta.
McLaren describes the drivetrain of the 720S Spider as a “longitudinal mid-engine, rear-wheel” design. Photo: McLaren Automotive.
To make a good car even better, remove the top. Or so goes the old saying. In this case, we're talking about the new Spider variant of the already impressive @McLarenAuto 720S.Click To TweetEssential Foundations: The Heart of the Matter
McLaren is right, however, to crow about their Monocage II-S. Essentially, the Monocage is like a roll cage you’d bolt and weld into your car, but it differs in two important ways. First, it’s made of carbon fiber, so it’s lighter and just as strong, and two, the Monocage II-S is the car. Everything connects to the Monocage; you sit inside its cozy confines, secure in the rollover protection it provides.
In the case of the Spider, it’s worth pointing out how the Monocage needs no additional strengthening over how it’s designed and integrated into Coupé. In other words, the Spider is just as stiff as the Coupe.
Impressive McLaren, very impressive.
The carbon fiber body structure is bespoke, of course, and built in-house (McLaren must have autoclaves all over the place). Normally, drop tops weigh more than their hard top counterparts. This is true for the 720S Spider, but not all that bad. Dry, the McLaren 720S Spider tips the scales at 2,937 lbs., just 108 lbs. more than the 720S Coupé. Nice!
McLaren says their new Spider is “194 lbs. less than the dry weight of its closest competitor,” but they don’t say who that is.
The McLaren 720S Spider lets drivers choose between three handling modes: Comfort, Sport, or Track. Photo: McLaren Automotive.
@McLarenAuto says their new Spider is 194 lbs. less than the dry weight of its closest competitor, but they don't say who that is.Click To TweetFast Car Magic
Another neat trick is how the panels and such comprise the retractable roof itself. For starters, the flying buttresses are glazed and transparent. This significantly ups the visibility (practical) and highlights the aerodynamic cleanliness of the design. They also say it increases downforce, but never elaborate beyond that.
The roof itself, or the “carbon fiber roof system” as McLaren terms it, is patented (natch), electrically-actuated and lowers (and closes back up) in 11 seconds, up to 31 mph. That’s nice, and dropping that top while on the move is everso stylish.
However, someone needs to tell the boys from Woking the Ferrari Superamerica from 2005 could flip its lid in nine seconds flat.
Another trick they cribbed from the Ferrari Superamerica is the retractable hard top on the McLaren 720S Spider. It’s available glazed, with an electrochromic glass panel that can rapidly switch between tinted and transparent. This is like those eye glasses that darken as needed, only the driver controls how dark, or how transparent the roof is.

Someone should tell the boys from Woking the Ferrari Superamerica from 2005 could flip its lid in nine seconds flat.Click To TweetPricing & Availability
So, how much? Very much. Prices for the McLaren 720S Spider start at $315,000. Deliveries to customers are expected to start by March. The 720S Spider is second new model under McLaren Automotive’s Track25 business plan.
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 720S Spider Gallery

Photos & Source: McLaren Automotive.

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2020 Honda Passport Specs, Price, Redesign

Great SUV-made Honda has indeed been tested will be its quality, this time 2020 Honda Passport car would be one that would probably be the choice for you. many great features that will be available in the latest generation of 2020 Honda Passport. Rumors circulating the design of this car may just be the same as the Honda Pilot, and his price probably would be the same. Still, not a lot of information we could give about Honda Passport.

2020 Honda Passport

2020 Honda Passport Interior and Exterior

The new generation Honda Passport is an extremely attractive car that will supply excellent features for the revenue. new 2020 Honda Passport comes with a fashionable grille and as well as attractive searching LED headlight. Also, the new taillights might be powered using the very same LED system. From the images that we acquired, 2020 Honda Passport looks smaller than the three-row brother Honda Pilot. Furthermore, we will see that this car is by some means similar to the Honda CR-V model that provides ample cargo room. New exterior color selections might be the same as to the Honda Pilot and we’ll see colors like White Diamond Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Deep Scarlet Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Black Forest Pearl and Crystal Black Pearl.

Within the interior cabin, 2020 Honda Passport uses the design familiar in the larger Honda Pilot and give a comparable tools variety. The same wheelbase as the three-row Honda Pilot offers, nevertheless, aggressive passenger and cargo room. With all the all 5-seats in perform, the new model offers 41,1 cubes on the cargo space even though without passengers from the rear row the capability shrinks to 100 cubes. The Honda Passport has also quite a few storage compartments and an abundance of the legroom in each row.

As to the accessible equipment, The New Honda Passport starts together with the cloth upholstery, keyless ignition, LED headlights, etc. The typical gear incorporates also the 7,2-inch TFT instrument cluster display, a 5-inch center screen, USB connectivity and Bluetooth, and so forth. The EX-L trim adds an 8-inch touchscreen with all the smartphone assistance, leather upholstery, electrical power tailgate, heated front seats, etc. The Touring trim improves with the heated rear seats, parking sensors, a wi-fi hotspot and so on. The range-topping model has the cooled seats, heated steering wheel, distinctive trim accents and much more.

Read More : 2020 Lexus ES 350 Redesign, Release Date, Price

Engine Performance

New Honda Passport adopts the Honda Pilot-based underpinning as well as an exact same engine at the same time. A 3.4-liter V6 engine helps make 285 horsepower and torque of 260 pound-feet. The 9-speed automated transmission sends the power on the front wheel by default. The obtainable four-wheel drive and enhanced trip height, when compared with the three-row Pilot and mixed using the shorter overhangs, boost the off-road capability over the Pilot’s but the Honda Passport stays the soft off-roader.

2020 Honda Passport Release Date and Price

There is no certainty about the price and also the release date for 2020 Honda Passport. Our speculations say that this car will probably start on sale earlier in the year 2020 with the price up to 30, 000.

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2019 GMC Terrain Denali Review: Compelling Choice Overall

2019 GMC Terrain Denali Review: Compelling Choice Overall 90GOOD 2019 GMC Terrain DenaliOverall Impression-Nice to have all-wheel drive available.-Ride is fairly comfortable on the open road.
-A more compelling choice among smaller SUVs.
ProsEngine Performance Comfortable & Upscale CabinIntuitive Touchscreen Interfaces ConsWind Noise (Higher Speeds)Less Cargo Capacity vs. Competition The 2019 GMC Terrain has the same footprint as the Chevy Equinox. However, the Terrain received new exterior styling to make it a lot tamer for consumers. The new 2.0-liter turbo should give families enough power and some fuel mileage gains as well.
This week, we’ve been driving the top-of-the-line, 2019 GMC Terrain Denali with all-wheel drive.
What’s New For 2019
The 2019 GMC Terrain receives an upgraded rearview camera and new appearance packages. Adaptive Cruise Control and Front Pedestrian Braking are now part of the available Driver Alert Package II.
Smokey Quartz Metallic joins the color palette for 2019.
Features & Options: Two Safety Packages Worth Noting
The 2019 GMC Terrain AWD Denali ($39,500) comes with leather seats, an eight-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, blind-spot monitors, a 110-volt power outlet, remote start, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Denali receives unique styling cues and interior trim, as well as Denali-specific 19-inch wheels and LED headlights.
The Driver Alert II package ($745) added low-speed forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking; lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Denali’s Comfort package ($450) added ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, plus a wireless phone charging pad.
The Advanced Safety package ($745) included a surround-view parking camera and an automated parking system. Total MSRP including destination: $43,650. By comparison, the 2019 GMC Terrain starts at $25,000.
2019 GMC Terrain Denali.
Interior Highlights: Clear & Bright
Stepping inside reveals leather seats with plenty of bolstering, lots of soft-touch materials, brushed aluminum trim, and plenty of power adjustments to help find the perfect driving position. The first thing we noticed was the unique push/pull space-saving gear shifter in front of the console. It took us awhile to get used to it, but it does add extra storage space in the console and room for the smartphone charger.
The seating position in the Denali’s cabin seems lower than before, which makes the Terrain feel less SUV-like. The infotainment system is straight-forward and simple, with the eight-inch screen’s big icons. The display is clear, bright, responsive, and fast, all without too many features or too much information.
The backseat has plenty of room for adults, and rear passengers will appreciate the tall doors, so there’s less ducking to climb in. However, the flat seat bottoms won’t be comfortable for long trips. The seats fold mostly flat to provide 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the competition. Behind the rear seats there is 29.6 cubic feet available.
There’s a handy storage compartment underneath the rear cargo deck. The front passenger seat folds flat to accommodate longer items like 2x4s and kayaks.
2019 GMC Terrain Denali interior layout with cargo.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2019 GMC Terrain Denali is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, making 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque. When properly equipped, the Terrain Denali tows 3,500 lbs. Mated to a nine-speed automatic with all-wheel drive, it offers peppy acceleration and gets an EPA-estimated 21/26 city/highway and 23 combined mpg.
Fuel tank capacity for all-wheel drive models is 15.6 gallons; 14.9 gallons for front-wheel drive models.
When compared at random to other possible choices, the GMC Terrain is about average for fuel economy.
The turbo offers steady power and a cool whistling sound as it climbs through the gears.Click To TweetDriving Dynamics: We Avoided The Deer!
The transmission pairs nicely with the new 252 horsepower turbo engine, and it felt strong during our quick runs up I-70 west of Denver. The turbo offers steady power and a cool whistling sound as it climbs through the gears. We found ourselves wanting steering wheel paddle shifters which aren’t offered on the Terrain. Our other complaint is the noticeable amount of wind noise coming from the outside mirrors at higher speeds.
The 2019 GMC Terrain is designed more toward comfort than cornering ability. We took it through the tight mountain curves and there was enough body lean to remind us we weren’t in a sports sedan. The suspension offers poised and predictable handling in all situations; the ride overall is comfortable on the highway and you hardly feel the bumps on rough pavement.
The Denali has a higher state of suspension tune and 19-inch wheels with better all-season tires. It tracks true and smooth, but doesn’t offer much feedback. Still, it helped us avoid a deer in the mountains west of Denver during our seat time.
The optional all-wheel drive on our Denali tester is a part-time system, activated by a knob on the console with different traction modes. It’s easier than other all-wheel drive units without the ability to self-activate.

Conclusion: A Compelling Choice
The 2019 GMC Terrain represents a more compelling choice in the smaller, five-passenger crossover segment. The Denali trim ramps up the level of luxury too. It’s comfortable, easy to drive, and comes standard with one of the best infotainment interfaces in the class.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 GMC Terrain Gallery

Photos: GMC

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