Automotive

2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Review

2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Review

For those wanting to get off the beaten path and away from civilization, the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is a mid-size truck that will fit perfectly. Get the Tacoma Double Cab and you can take all your friends and have room for extra gear for the excursion. With the Long Bed, you can even load up a four-wheeler for the trip to the back country. If you just need a commuter truck, the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, or Honda Ridgeline will be a good enough alternative to a car.
This week we drove the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Double Cab Long Bed.
What’s New For 2017?
Last year, (2016) the Toyota Tacoma received an overhaul with a new V6 engine, refreshed interior, fresh styling, a new cabin structure, a new transmission, retuned suspension, and improved noise insulation. For 2017, Tacoma gets minor changes like power actuation of the crew cab’s sliding rear window, and the top-of-the-line TRD Pro trim level returns after a one-year hiatus. This model is a rugged truck for adventure enthusiasts.
Features & Options
The 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Double Cab Long Bed ($35,315) comes with a full rear seat, six foot bed, and turn signals in the mirror housings. There’s a 400-watt power outlet in the bed, and automatic transmission-equipped trucks gain smart entry, pushbutton start, and navigation via the Entune premium audio system’s 7-inch touchscreen.
TRD Off-Road models include a color-keyed rear bumper, textured black fender flares, and the absence of the Sport’s hood scoop. Off-road performance changes are what set this trim apart, with knobby all-terrain tires on 16-inch alloy wheels, the deletion of the front air dam, extra skid plates, a lockable rear differential, Bilstein monotube shocks, and an advanced off-road traction control system with multiple terrain settings and crawl control.
The optional Premium and Technology packages ($3,035) include a sunroof, automatic climate control, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, JBL speaker upgrade, and a subwoofer. This Tacoma tester also came with the V6 Tow Package ($650), Tonneau Cover ($650), and other TRD off-road goodies. Total MSRP including destination: $42,644.

Interior Highlights
The cabin in the Tacoma is comfortable enough for longer trips to the back country, and with its heated seats, dual-zone climate control, and premium JBL audio, it’s an enjoyable place to spend time. Although, when the Tacoma was upgraded last year, Toyota didn’t change the high floor and low roof. You need to watch your head getting into the cab and it can feel a bit cramped inside for taller drivers.
Our tester came with an attractive, all-black interior and lots of soft-touch materials throughout. It featured plenty of storage plus a convenient cell phone charging pad in front of the gear shifter. The front seats could use more adjustment capabilities as they offered minimal support, but the tilt/telescoping steering wheel makes it easier to find the right driving position.
The backup camera made things simple, especially with the Long Bed model as we navigated around. The Double Cab features a full-size rear seat (split 70/30) and flips up to reveal convenient underseat storage for valuables. The rear seat offers adequate room for two adults but would be cramped with three.

Engine, Off-Road, & Fuel Mileage Specs
The Tacoma TRD Off-Road is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with direct injection, making 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft. of torque. Our tester came mated to a 6-speed automatic; off-road capability was enhanced by a Multi-Terrain Select system (taken from the 4Runner). Drivers can set modes for mud, sand, rocks, and more, changing the throttle and braking. TRD Off-Road models include an automatic limited-slip rear differential and a locking rear differential.
EPA-estimated fuel economy is 18/23 city/highway and 20 combined mpg for a 4X4 with the automatic transmission.
Driving Dynamics
We drove the new TRD Off-Road on an ideal trail just west of Denver near Morrison. It was a good place to test the Tacoma’s true capability. The road turns from pavement to dirt and then a trail appears – and that’s when our afternoon of fun started. The Bilstein shocks handled the rough road with ease as we navigated up the mountain trail. The road turns uphill and a short steep climb requires us to slip the Tacoma into low range. A turn of the range-select knob on the dash to 4Lo quickly puts the truck into low range and an indicator lights up for confirmation.
An overhead knob reveals the Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control settings – each having five different settings depending on the terrain. We chose “3” on the Crawl Control option allowing us to remove our feet from the pedals. The Toyota Tacoma crawled up the steep hill and we steered it to the top without issue. We did it again going downhill with the same steady and effortless results. For those looking for a true off-road pickup, the Tacoma TRD Off-Road is an ideal candidate to get you away from civilization. It’s made to excel on primitive trails and rugged terrain.
How does the TRD Off-Road do on the highway and in the city? The ride is what you would expect from a vehicle with a serious off-road suspension. On the road and around town, the ride has the feel of a truck built to take on rugged terrain. It’s a focused vehicle, so it isn’t the smoothest, most comfortable option for the daily commute to town or when running errands. The optional Parking Sensor, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are musts with the Double Cab Long Bed pickup. It saved us a number of times from getting hit when we couldn’t see traffic and obstacles around us.
Conclusion
The 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Double Cab Long Bed is designed for adventure enthusiasts who want to get off the beaten path. Toyota’s reputation for durability and strong resale value put it at the top of the list in the mid-size truck segment. If you are transporting dirt bikes, 4-wheelers, snow machines, heading up the mountain to go snow skiing, or pulling a small camping trailer, this truck will meet your needs.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2017 Toyota Tacoma Gallery

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2017 Toyota Tundra Official Site.
Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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The Evolution of Automotives: Part 1: Creative Engineering

The Evolution of Automotives: Part 1: Creative Engineering

Automoblog’s Katie Kapro examines how imaginative thinking and creative risks have influenced the modern automobile in this three-part miniseries.
The 21st Century is an age of automotive loyalists. You can hardly go into a garage without hearing some level of discussion about American cars versus Japanese cars versus German cars. Everyone has a favorite, and if you ask them about it, you’ll get a bullet list of reasons why their choice is superior.
However, that was not the case in the early days of the automobile.
Humble Origins
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Europeans were the undoubted champions of quality automobiles. The first Mercedes-Benz, built in 1901 by German designer Wilhelm Maybach, is credited with being the first modern motorcar. It had all the right elements: relative lightness, power, and speed. Its 35 horsepower engine weighed only 14 pounds per horsepower and reached up to 53 miles per hour. Its only downfall was being extremely expensive to build and in turn, prohibitively expensive to purchase.
By contrast, in 1901 through 1906, the first American-built Oldsmobile had only three horsepower and sold for $650. As a result of this tension between quality and affordability, all automotive technological developments of the 20th Century focused on making vehicles more attainable for the everyday Joe. Now, just over 100 years later, cars have replaced horse-drawn carriages, trains, and all other modes of transportation by a huge margin. In 1900, only 8,000 Americans owned cars; today over 220 million cars hit the road for the morning commute. If history proves anything, it’s that 20th-Century Americans were very skilled at turning failure into success.
Farm To Freeway
In 1908, Ford introduced the Model T, lovingly called “Tin Lizzie,” and changing the industry and nation for good. Between 1913 and 1927, Ford produced and sold more than 15 million Model Ts. Tin Lizzie didn’t come out of the blue; Ford paved the way with the Model N and earlier, a motorized, horseless-buggy-of-a-thing called the Model A. These stepping stones gave the company valuable income to support further growth and industrialization.
Once the Model T proved itself to be an affordable purchase for the American common man, it took hold of the collective imagination. The Model T took automobiles from a plaything for the uber rich to a practical piece of machinery that would change the way the nation runs.
The Model T evolved to have many other functions as related to modern transportation at the time. This 1925 Model T variant, for example, served as a prisoner transport vehicle for law enforcement. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
The Digital Age
From the earliest days, car buffs have never been shy about finding creative solutions to practical problems. Car not fast enough? The answer is nitrous, obviously. Almost anything can be fixed with a tinker here and a tweak there. Back in the day, lots of Model T owners purchased aftermarket kits to turn their cars into trucks; the kits essentially extended the frame of the car and beefed-up the rear. Voila, truck.
It didn’t take long for the creative thinkers of the era, many of whom were farmers, to take things one step further and adapt their car-trucks into the most practical of all farm machines: the motorized tractor. Reviews of the Tin Lizzy tractor adaptation were mixed at best, but it won over enough farmers who were hoping to save a few bucks that several companies began producing and selling conversion kits.
First assembly line in Highland Park, Michigan, circa 1913. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Creative Engineering
The line of thinking that brought us the Model T tractor — unabashed creativity mixed with practical ingenuity — is precisely the attitude that is pushing automobiles to the brink of technological development today. The only way to know if a car can plow a field is to try it. And the only way to know if your car engine can be improved upon is to give it a go.
Before the advent of computerized engine control units, vehicles were less efficient in part because it was so much harder to measure what was going on under the hood. How do you optimize emissions if your whole system isn’t fine-tuned? It’s worth noting that, in addition to overall efficiency, ECUs optimize performance in other ways like fuel economy and responsiveness — none of which would be possible if some car guy (or girl) somewhere hadn’t scratched their head and thought, “hmm, I wonder what would happen if I put a computer in my car?”
The Road Ahead
As we move forward in time with our vehicles at our sides, history begs just one question: what’s next? While there’s no definitive answer, one thing is for certain: the future is only as interesting as we make it.
Katie Kapro spent her childhood handing her dad tools under his Datsun. She loves thinking about the social aspects of motoring, and dreaming about the future of automotives. Follow her work on Twitter: @kapro101
Cover Photo: From the collections of The Henry Ford and Ford Motor Company: The first transcontinental car race from New York to Seattle was held in 1909 and Henry Ford’s Model T emerged victorious. The trip took 22 days and 55 minutes at an average speed of 7.75 mph.

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2018 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo: Not Some Video Game

2018 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo: Not Some Video Game

BMW just rolled out the all-new 6 Series Gran Turismo, and no, it has nothing to do with the PlayStation game. Well, not much anyway. It’ll probably end up in some future iteration of the game, but for now, BMW’s 6 Series Gran Turismo is only available in the real world with no reset button.
Lots of car makers throw around the phrase “all-new,” but in the case of BMW’s 6 Series Gran Turismo, it’s accurate. The 6 Series Gran Turismo aims to fill a niche the first gen 6 Series filled.
Position Player
Namely, that spot in the BMW lineup which is neither sports car or sedan, nor a coupe with sporting pretensions like Audi’s 5 Series. The 6 Series Gran Turismo is a big, long distance tourer, not a sports car. The 6 Series Gran Turismo has more sporting style and on road presence than a mundane sedan, hence why the 6 Series Gran Turismo is halfway between both of those automotive ideals.
The 6 Series Gran Turismo is the ride you get if you’re the just signed NBA all star. It’s your car if you are the plastic surgeon in town. Who’s the top real estate broker on the West Side? It’s you baby! And you drive a 6 Series Gran Turismo. Or at least BMW wants you to think so. However, the 6 Series Gran Turismo isn’t a sports car. Those kind of confuse you. And it’s not a sedan, cause those are too stodgy for the NBA all star/plastic surgeon/top real estate broker on the West Side sort of crowd. Nope. The 6 Series Gran Turismo is all about style and presence and, sure, there’s performance thrown in, because, well, this is a BMW.
When viewed from the side, the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo really shows its elongated proportions. Notice a single crease in the upper section of the side sends light directly to this area of the body. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Style Wonders or Blunders?
The Bavarians say the 6 Series Gran Turismo has “unparalleled progressive appeal and practicality.” The market will say whether that’s true or not, but that’s what BMW is going for, and that’s what they state from the outset. They say it has a “sense of sporting elegance.” They say it’s graced by a “generously-sized, flexible-use interior, striking looks, ride comfort, and a luxurious and spacious feel,” all of which is true, I guess.
BMW also says the 6 Series Gran Turismo has “stretched proportions, dynamic lines, and a muscular look.” Which is also true, but is also subjective. The consensus is the reason the last 6 Series is no longer on the road is because of its alleged stretched proportions, dynamic lines, and muscular look. Let’s face it, BMW fell off the styling wagon when they hired Chris Bangle, and they have been struggling to get back on ever since they fired Chris Bangle. The 6 Series Gran Turismo might be a styling success, but at this point, I’d say toss a coin, because BMW has burned a lot of bridges in that department.
However, the 6 Series Gran Turismo does have all of the traditional BMW styling bits and pieces present. It has the signature “Hofmeister kink” of BMW coupes of the past. It has the BMW twin-kidney grill up front. The whole design vibe is one of long, wide, and low, sort of like what Pontiac was advertising in the 1960s (did I just say that?!).
BMW increased the use of aluminum and high-strength steels for the body and chassis components. The doors, trunk, and tailgate are made from aluminum. The engine cross-member, spring struts, and rear trailing arms are among the chassis components made from lightweight metal. A steel/aluminum compound construction, galvanized hot and cold-formed steel plates with a zinc/magnesium coating are all used to improve stiffness, passive safety, and reduce weight. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Special Treatments
The 6 Series Gran Turismo comes in two basic trim levels: The Sport design, which is standard, and the optional Luxury Package. The Sport design emphasizes the car’s more dynamic elements with such niceties as high-gloss black, 19-inch V-Spoke light-alloy wheels, chrome window surrounds, standard Sport Seats with power adjustable side bolsters, an Anthracite headliner, and a SensaTec upholstered dashboard on the inside.
The Luxury Package boosts the car’s elegant character with chrome kidney grille bars, front and rear bumper trim finishers, and power adjustments for the rear seat.
M Sport Enhancements
On top of all that, there’s an M Sport Package. Now, this is not to be confused with a full-blown M version of the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo; this is design oriented and emphasizes “sporty character.” There’s an M Aerodynamic kit with larger air intakes, side skirt trim, and diffusor-style rear apron. Shadowline exterior trim and 19-inch (or 20-inch) M Double-Spoke Wheels are available as an upgrade. The interior of the M Sport variant includes a leather steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and exclusive floor mats. There’s Black Dakota Leather with contrast blue stitching and piping. You can also add the optional Dynamic Handling Package with Integral Active Steering, the Adaptive Drive two axle air suspension, Active Roll Stabilization, and Dynamic Damper Control.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Power & Performance
Speaking of running gear, there’s lots of tech, and I mean by the boat load, shoveled into the 6 Series Gran Turismo. The 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine is paired with an 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission with shift paddles. The aerodynamics have been fully optimized, and the whole shebang features weight-saving construction aimed at making the big BMW coupe a sporting performer with a high level of efficiency.
That engine features an aluminum construction with enhanced thermodynamics. The turbos are of a TwinScroll design, the fuel is delivered via direct injection, there’s BMW’s VALVETRONIC variable valve lift control, and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. There’s even new engine encapsulation to reduce noise and accelerate warm-up. The 3.0-liter 6-cylinder plant generates 335 horsepower with a peak torque of 332 lb-ft. between 1,380 and 5,200 rpm. 0-60 mph? 5.1 seconds. Which is good, given this thing must weigh at least two tons (BMW does not give a weight figure).
The adaptive suspension with Dynamic Damper Control and Active Roll Stabilization are there to deliver ride comfort and sporty performance. There’s a two-axle air suspension system with electronically controlled dampers. Owners can set the car’s ride height manually with ground clearance being raised by 0.78 inches at the touch of a button. A 0.39 inch drop in ride height happens automatically at speeds over 75 mph.
The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is the first BMW with standard Active Driving Assistant. The technology features a multitude of driver assist functions through the use of cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors that monitor the vehicle’s surroundings. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Tech Extravaganza
The entire rest of the car is drowning in tech goodies too: for example, the iDrive systems and Touch Controllers and Control Displays and large touchscreens, and other computer controlled tech gee-gaws. I wouldn’t be surprised if you can choose the color of the LED glove box light from your smartphone, and Lord help you when any of that stuff breaks and you’ve got to fix it.
No, it’s not a traditional BMW sedan. And no, a big no, it’s not a sports car. Yet, it will probably fill the garages of the NBA all star/plastic surgeon/ top real estate broker on the West Side sort of crowd. The all-new 2018 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, available exclusively as a 640i xDrive model, will be available this fall starting at $69,700 plus $995 for destination.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
2018 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

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Corvette C7.R To Race In WEC In Shanghai: An Inside Look

Corvette C7.R To Race In WEC In Shanghai: An Inside Look Hmmm, I wonder how the Chinese market will take to the Corvette? Or at least the C7.R race model that will be competing at the fascinating Shanghai circuit this coming November for the final round of the 2018 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
That’s not the end of the championship, but who cares. This does mark a pretty important milestone for Corvette racing.
Straight Away
The race in question will be the 6 Hours of Shanghai, running November 18th at the 16-turn, 5.45-km Shanghai International Circuit. The track, one of the Hermann Tilke specials, has been around since 2004, and the venue plays host to a number of Motorsports’ championships, including the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix. Two of the track’s more salient features, or at least they’re important if you’re a Corvette racer (or a ‘Murican), are these two massively long straights, where horsepower and top speed reign supreme.
So that makes for particularly auspicious timing for Chevrolet to close Corvette Racing’s 20th season of competition in grand style by hopefully winning (i.e. crushing) the competition at Shanghai. This specific C7.R will wear a special Redline livery for the race weekend and it will also be the first factory-run Corvette to race in Asia.
Badge Engineering
This Redline thing is a special livery to promote the launch of the Redline special edition in China. Curiously, this all dates back to the 2015 SEMA Show where a custom concept Redline Corvette made its debut. There was a “strong positive response,” according to Chevrolet – or at least enough of a response for the bean-counters at corporate HQ to green light making a limited edition run of the thing. Or, things, to be more accurate.
Redline is a special edition portfolio for China, with this Vette being the first of four models entering the domestic market this year. In the future, nearly all Chevrolet models in China will have Redline variants. Anyway, as you can see from the photo above (sadly, they only shared one with us), this Redline Corvette racer is a dark gray, silver, black, and anthracite-colored thing with red highlights on the stripes and flashes on the end-plates.
Ah, Generic Motors, the people who invented badge “engineering”. . . don’t ever change!
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Photo: Chevrolet.
Best of the Best
The WEC, for those of you with the mental capacity of a lowland gorilla and the taste to match, is the world’s key sports car series. This is where the big boys come out to play, race, compete, and win at places like Sebring and Spa and, most importantly, Le Mans. None of the races are shorter than six hours, and the marquee events like Sebring and Le Mans are very long indeed. All of these races are run rain or shine, and in the case of Sebring and Le Mans, through the night as well.
The contests gauge not only speed and driver skill, but also the reliability and fuel economy of the cars.
And those of you with a patriotic bent will be happy to know that when it comes to running hot, straight, and true for a very long time, Corvettes are indeed good cars to have under you.
Extensive Resume
Corvette Racing has won 107 endurance races, 12 manufacturer championships in IMSA competition, captured 11 driver’s championships, were 11-time class champions at the Sebring 12-hours, racked up eight Le Mans 24-hour victories, three class championships at the Daytona 24-hours and did the Endurance Triple, winning at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans in the same year, 2015.
Chevrolet, for all their button-down, lowest-cost-denominator plasticity, has every reason to point out that their company was founded and established by a race car driver named Louis Chevrolet more than a century ago. And it’s worth pointing out all this “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” calculating that Chevy has done, does allow one, if they are so motivated, to trot down to the local Chevrolet dealer and buy a brand new Corvette; let’s say a ZR1, shall we?
The ZR1 is not all that far removed from this C7.R race car, but they drive that one on the street.
Understand?
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. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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2019 Subaru Crosstrek: When You “Need” An SUV (But Really Don’t)

2019 Subaru Crosstrek: When You “Need” An SUV (But Really Don’t) You don’t need an SUV. You really don’t. What you need is this, the Subaru Crosstrek. I mean, a reasonable person, right? Sometimes you might have to drive in pretty inclement weather? Sometimes you go camping? Regular skier or snowboarder? Live on a normal street? Rarely, if ever, have to take more than three people with you?
Yeah, the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek is for you.
Wants Versus Needs
Look, I get it. An SUV gives you a sense of security, and yeah, you might have to use it to get yourself out of a serious apocalyptic jam. But seriously, I know only three people who need an SUV: One is my friend Carl, who lives up in the middle of the woods in a log cabin on a reservation, the other is a doctor/avid snowboarder friend of mine who does emergency pediatric transport, and the other lives in the middle of Alaska.
Anyone else? 90 percent of the time, you’re just posing.
No, for what you actually use an SUV for, the Subaru Crosstrek (goofy name aside) has you covered. Effectively, the Crosstrek is an Impreza with a factory lift kit, some notional bash-plates, and that inherent Subaru all-weather capability baked in from the start. It’s a wagon, so it can haul a reasonable amount of people and stuff; it’s smaller so it’s easier to park and all that, and it gets much better gas mileage than that deuce-and-a-half you’re considering for grocery duty.
Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.
Packaged Performance
When it shows up at dealers later this summer, the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek will come in three flavors: 2.0i base, 2.0i Premium, and 2.0i Limited and ring out at just $100 more than last year, starting at $21,895. No matter the trim level, all 2019 Crosstreks come with standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, a safety nanny thing-o that combines features like Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and Lane Keep Assist in one nice package.
Since it’s a Subie, every Crosstrek comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Does Subaru even make a non-AWD car? I don’t think so. The drivetrain also features such niceties as Active Torque Vectoring and Subie’s evergreen 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine, putting out 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft. of torque.
The Base and Premium trims have an optional six-speed manual or a Lineartronic CVT transmission. The CVT models will also get you X-MODE and Hill Descent Control.
Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.
Styling & Tech Treatments
The 2019 Crosstrek rides along with 8.7-inches of ground clearance and on 17-inch alloy wheels, in black, with a machined finish. On the inside, you’ll see the standard 6.5-inch Starlink Multimedia system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 60/40-folding rear seat, multi-function display with fuel economy information, keyless entry, a security system with engine immobilizer and, I hope you’re sitting down: carpeted floor mats.
Also, the interior has black simulated carbon fiber trim, because why not.
Below is a handy-dandy little chart that Subaru sent us, detailing all the models, option packages, and costs for the 2019 Crosstrek.
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. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz
2019 Crosstrek
Model/Trim
Transmission
Applicable Option Code
MSRP
MSRP + destination and delivery
2.0i
6MT
01
$21,895
$22,870
2.0i
CVT
01, 03
$22,895
$23,870
2.0i Premium
6MT
11
$22,895
$23,870
2.0i Premium
CVT
11, 12, 13, 14
$23,895
$24,870
2.0i Limited
CVT
21, 22, 23
$27,195
$28,170

2019 Crosstrek Option Packages
Code
Description
MSRP
01
Standard Model (6MT or CVT)
N/A
03
EyeSight®
$845
11
Standard Model (6MT or CVT)
N/A
12
Moonroof + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert
$1,400
13
EyeSight + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert
$1,395
14
EyeSight + Moonroof + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert
$2,395
21
Standard Model
N/A
22
Moonroof
$1,000
23
Moonroof + Navigation System + Harman Kardon Amplifier and Speakers
$2,350
2019 Subaru Crosstrek Gallery

Photos & Source: Subaru of America, Inc.

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17 Years Later: Did Fast and the Furious Boost The Appeal of Japanese Cars?

17 Years Later: Did Fast and the Furious Boost The Appeal of Japanese Cars? 17 years after The Fast and the Furious hit theaters and showed the Japanese tuner scene to many Americans for the first time, prices of the rides portrayed continue to rise. This according to ClassicCars.com, to which I can only say, duh!
If you think about it, this is pointing out the obvious to the Nth degree. Of course the prices of Japanese cars are continuing to rise, and it’s not down to a “car” movie franchise that turned into a caper movie franchise with cars tacked on as little more than props.
Japanese cars, especially anything rare or odd (Mazda Cosmos and Toyota 2000 GTs are two good examples) are rising in price – everything is going up in price, it’s called inflation.
Born Yesterday
ClassicCars.com says that F & F’s use of Nissans, Mazdas, and Toyotas, and showing them in the same light as established collectible cars like a Ferrari 355 or 1970 Dodge Charger exposed young viewers to an “edgier and more accessible aspect of car culture, causing a shift in pop culture that still effects both the film and auto industries today.”
Which is, largely, horse manure.
Sure, the Fast and the Furious franchise (horrid words to associate with a movie) showed off the import tuner scene to a wider audience, but so did Gran Turismo on the PlayStation and the growing influence of Asian culture in general, and Japanese culture specifically. You don’t have to be Stanley Milgram to figure that one out.
Or maybe you do, at least if you don’t understand societies, how they grow and change, and what semi-outside forces impart those changes. Lord knows the people at ClassicCars.com are stretching for a connection that isn’t really there. Still, they point to four Japanese rides that are currently rising in value: Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra, 1994 Acura Integra GS-R, and the 1997 Nissan 240SX.
An average Nissan 240SX will cost only a few thousand today despite its price of almost $22,000 in 1997. “These can still be bought cheap, with stock versions being extremely rare as most of the original S13 and S14 models have been either modified for drifting or tuned to look more like performance cars from the film or according to trends seen in the Japanese and California import scene,” said Andy Reid, East Coast Editor and Analyst, ClassicCars.com. Photo courtesy of ClassicCars.com.
Modified Movie Props
The RX they’re talking about is the 1993 Mazda RX-7. Yes, in 2005 a 1993 Mazda RX-7 used in the film sold for the respectable sum of $40,250 at a Bonhams’ auction, but that’s a screen-used movie prop. Unscathed used versions sell for about half that . . . if you can find one. These things were modified far too often, so that might drive up the prices of an original model. Slightly.
ClassicCars.com says an average example of a Mark IV Supra will cash out around $70,000 these days. Again, these last gen Supras are hard to find in un-assaulted form, a lot of them being picked up by rich kids and tweaked and repainted in garish color schemes. The actual 1993 Toyota Supra driven by Paul Walker in the movie sold for $185,000 in 2015 – a full $115,000 more than non-movie cars and $135,000 more than when it was new.
ClassicCars.com says an original, low-mileage Toyota Supra goes for about $90,000 on their site.
And then the 1994 Acura Integra GS-R – essentially a factory hot rod with some unique suspension bits, badges, and the like – nothing really that special, which might be reflected in the current price range of around $15,000. Finally, the 1997 Nissan 240SX, listing for only a few thousand, is barely worth mentioning in terms of collectability.
1994 Acura Integra GS-R Coupe. Photo: Honda North America.
Good But Not Grand
You don’t have to look very hard at those cars, the FD Mazda RX-7, Mark IV Toyota Supra, the 1994 Acura Integra GS-R, and the 1997 Nissan 240SX to see why “showing them in the same light as Ferrari F355s” is a false equivalency. Ferrari made a total of 11,273 F355 models. Mazda made 68,589 gen three RX7s, Toyota made 11,239 Supras; approximately 42,000 1994 Acura Integra GS-Rs rolled off the assembly line, and over half a million 240 SXs were made.
And sure, all those cars are cool, but they will never, ever be as cool or as rare or as desirable as anything made by Ferrari. Or most Porsches, Jags, Astons, Healeys and such. They’re fun cars, but don’t mistake them for being something more than they are.
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. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz
Source: ClassicCars.com.
Cover Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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New Study: July 4th Most Dangerous Day On U.S. Roads

New Study: July 4th Most Dangerous Day On U.S. Roads

July 4th is a time for celebration as we enjoy our independence and thank our many veterans who have served. This year, it’s most likely a weekend full of camping, cookouts, and fireworks. It’s also a deadly time of year, unfortunately, as a new study shows July 4th is officially the most dangerous day to drive in the United States.
The study, conducted by Geotab, a telematics and GPS vehicle tracking company, looked at the fatality and traffic data over a 10-year period to see how U.S. states differ when it comes to road safety.
Startling Figures
Every year, over 30,000 people are killed in traffic related accidents in the United States; a truly staggering number when looking at the brass tacks. In any other transportation industry, say airlines for example, those numbers would not be tolerated. Such figures question the need for automated driving and advanced vehicle perception technology, the development of which we monitor at this publication. However, until autonomous vehicles come fully to fruition, information and careful, responsible driving will be our best assets for safety behind the wheel.
Geotab’s study also notes that specific days of the year, and even certain states, are more dangerous than others. Holidays like Labor Day, Halloween, and New Year’s Day, where alcohol consumption is present, have a higher rate of fatal accidents. The findings followed an analysis of road traffic, crash, and fatality reports, including the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Traffic Volume Trends published in December 2016. Using this data, Geotab calculated a Fatal Crash Rate for each day and U.S. state, made up of the total number of fatal road accidents per billion miles driven by cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Danger In July
Over a 10-year span, July 4th carries an average of 119 deadly crashes with a Fatal Crash Rate of 14.9, making it the most dangerous day on U.S. roads. Given that many July 4th parties involve alcohol, drivers are more likely to be under the influence; fatal crashes on the 4th involving alcohol are a staggering 47 percent. The grim news doesn’t stop there, unfortunately. On average, 28 percent of all road crashes are related to driving under the influence with that number rising significantly during holidays: New Year’s Day and Halloween are two of the worst at 41.6 and 41 percent respectively.
In addition to alcohol consumption, smartphone usage is becoming problematic behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,477 people were killed and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015. During daylight hours, approximately 660,000 people are using cell phones while driving at any given moment.

Statistics & Solutions
Fatal Crash Rate measures the number of motor vehicle crashes involving a fatality, rather than measuring the total number of fatalities. For instance; 13 million crashes occurred in the U.S. in 2015, of which 1.7 million resulted in an injury with an estimated 2.4 million people injured. Of the 1.7 million crashes, 32,166 had fatalities claiming the lives of 35,092 people. This data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is bleak and again, begs the urgency of safer vehicles with autonomous and connected technology.
“The future of connected vehicle data will enable Geotab to produce more services to help improve road safety and vehicle operating efficiency,” said Colin Sutherland, Executive Vice President, Geotab. “Access to vehicle data is key to our capability to contribute our open platform that will further enhance research in connected vehicles.”
Until the technology can catch up to the tragedy, the best bet is to be cautious and safe. Drive the posted speed limit, keep your vehicle maintained, put the phone away, get plenty of rest before traveling, and avoid alcohol.
“A big component of road safety is good decision making,” said Joe Campanella, Executive Vice President, Business Development, CARCHEX and advisory Board Member for Mothers Against Drunk Driving – Maryland. “Drinking and driving truly don’t mix, and so if you’ve had a drink – even one – you should find a safe mode of transportation.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Click the image to open the full interactive version (via Geotab).

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Report: The 2018 Buick Regal TourX will MSRP for under $30,000

Report: The 2018 Buick Regal TourX will MSRP for under $30,000 The latest lifted Buick Regal TourX seeks to steal Subaru Outback buyers.

What’s going on?
The 2018 Buick Regal TourX debuted with its standard four-door sibling at the 2017 New York International Auto Show to replace the outgoing model.
Now, CarsDirect.com reports the new Regal long-roof should start around $29,995. This means the Regal TourX undercuts more premium options such as the BMW 3-Series Wagon and the Audi A4. On the flip side, this also means the Regal TourX offers more value per dollar.
What’s included with the base 2018 Buick Regal TourX?
To boot, the base Regal TourX comes pretty well equipped with 18-inch aluminum wheels, Buick’s touted active noise cancelling, a seven-inch infotainment screen system, heated mirrors and more. But all come with the same 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic, sending power to a full-time twin-clutch all-wheel drive system across the board.
Right off the bat, the Regal TourX’s power already sets it ahead of its direct competition, the Volkswagen Alltrack and the Subaru Outback. Additionally, the Regal TourX offers quite a bit more space than both the Alltrack and is roughy on par with the Outback.
So it’ll be interesting to see if the Regal TourX has what it takes to sway buyers in its direction.

2018 Buick Regal TourX

Lots of standard and optional additions
The Regal TourX comes pretty jampacked with standard equipment. As usual, more options and packages are available for choosing, reading the price. Some examples include a panoramic roof for $1,200, and a Driver Confidence Package featuring blind-spot detection, rear park assist, and an auto-dimming mirror for $1,240. The top-spec model TourX, the TourX Essence 1SL, starts at just $35,945.
CarsDirect.com predicts the middle-level TourX Preferrred 1SB should be the one most commonly available at dealers. Starting at $33,575, its the model most displayed in the TourX’s advertising campaign.
Should you option out your TourX all the way, chances are however, you won’t crest over the $40,000 mark too far if at all. In comparison, the Volvo V60 starts at $37,415 and the BMW 3-Series Wagon, at $43,000.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: CarsDirect.com
2018 Buick Regal TourX Gallery

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2017 Nissan Titan: Homegrown Hero

2017 Nissan Titan: Homegrown Hero

Hey, did you know Nissan made full-size pickups? Yeah, of course you did. I know it too, but it sure seems like they don’t get much notice, do they? If it’s not for the big three ‘Murican trucks – Chevy/GMC, Ford, and Ram – it seems to be Toyota grabs all the attention, leaving poor Nissan by the wayside.
This is unfortunate because the Nissan Titan is not to be ignored.
Big Warranty & Lots of Space
Nissan has just added the King Cab body configuration to the lineup, meaning you can now choose from three models: Crew Cab, Single Cab, and the new King Cab. The King Cab is available for both the half-ton and the XD and features a 6.5-foot bed, along with a rear-hinge door that opens wide for easy access to the second row. All 2017 Titan and Titan XD models, along with the new King Cab, are backed up a 100,000-mile / 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, which is nice to know, since trucks usually get thrashed on the job site.
The King Cab is offered in 4×4 and 4×2 drive configurations and comes in three grades or trim levels: S, SV, and PRO-4X. PRO-4X is 4×4 only. The new King Cab is pretty much just what it says on the tin: Room, lots and lots of room. There’s seating for six (with or without cowboy hats), wide-opening rear doors and, if you carry more stuff than people, an available “rear seat delete” option. Turns out, underneath where that back seat would be, there’s a flat floor so you get the security of in-cab storage space for your stuff.
Photo: Nissan North America.
Power & Performance
Like the Crew Cab and Single Cab, the new King Cab gives you the choice of either the 5.6-liter Endurance V8 or a Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel. If you opt for the half-ton Titan King Cab, you can choose between 4×4 and 4×2 drivetrains. The standard plant is the 390-horsepower 5.6-liter Endurance V8, mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The King Cab has an available maximum towing capacity of 9,420 pounds (enough grunt to yank a McDonald’s a couple of feet to the left) with a maximum payload capacity of 1,640 pounds when properly equipped.
That Cummins mill slams out 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft. of torque. Nissan refers to that torque figure as “hefty” which is both adorable and an understatement. All you gearheads hauling your cars to the track, the Cummins is your engine of choice. That turbo diesel is matched to a heavy-duty 6-speed Aisin A466ND automatic transmission, and the whole she-bang offers an available maximum towing capacity of 12,510 pounds (when properly equipped). Impressive, no?
Photo: Nissan North America.

Homegrown Hero
The new King Cab Titan was developed, planned, designed, engineered, and is even manufactured right here in the U.S. of A. with contributions from teams in Tennessee, California, Michigan, Arizona, and Mississippi. The trucks are put together in Canton, Mississippi and the V8 engines come from Decherd, Tennessee. The Cummins diesel mills are assembled in Columbus, Indiana. Pricing for the 2017 Nissan Titan lineup is included in the handy graphs below. The trucks are on sale now and available at Nissan dealers nationwide.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
MSRP for the 2017 Nissan Titan King Cab:
TITAN S King Cab 4×2
$32,550
TITAN SV King Cab 4×2
$35,930
TITAN S King Cab 4×4
$35,580
TITAN SV King Cab 4×4
$38,960
TITAN PRO-4X King Cab 4×4
$43,290
MSRP for the 2017 Nissan Titan XD King Cab 5.6-liter Endurance V8:

TITAN XD S King Cab 4×2
$33,560
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×2
$37,960
TITAN XD S King Cab 4×4
$36,590
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×4
$40,990
TITAN XD PRO-4X King Cab 4×4
$45,440
MSRP for the 2017 Nissan Titan XD King Cab Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel:

TITAN XD S King Cab 4×2
$40,110
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×2
$44,010
TITAN XD S King Cab 4×4
$43,640
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×4
$46,540
TITAN XD PRO-4X King Cab 4×4
$50,490
2017 Nissan Titan Gallery

Photos & Source: Nissan North America.

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