Prototype Reasoning, More Jeep Renegade – Less Trailhawk, Sponsorship and new Mitsubishi Montero? [Ask Nathan]

Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it's relevant in the automotive universe, there's a chance we may know something about it. The author's email address and name will be omitted - leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.
Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.

From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that, as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.

TFLtalk

In this edition of Ask Nathan:

  • Why hide a prototype?
  • More Renegade less, Trailhawk?
  • Why are you a walking billboard?
  • Where’s the new Mitsubishi Montero?
2016, jaguar, f-pace, crossover, 2017, prototype
2016 Jaguar F-Pace prototype (by lostin Co)

 

The first question comes from a viewer who wants to know why automakers “hide” their prototypes when testing.

Q: First off, I just want to say that I love what the team at TFLCar includes in the reviews. They’re informative, entertaining, and there’s just enough personal preference scattered in an unbiased assessment a viewer can really get a feel for what they might like through you guys.

Case in point, your reviews really helped me make a car buying decision when I was shopping over two years ago. (I bought a Subaru XV Crosstrek to quelch those inquiring minds.) I’m not a car enthusiast at all, but I enjoyed your videos so much that I still check them out from time to time and I’m not planning on getting a new vehicle for another decade! So kudos to the team!

Now onto my question which is: When companies are testing new vehicles and want to keep them all incognito, why in the world do they wrap them in such crazy patterns (like the recent pic of the 2016 Jaguar F-Pace) or bury the vehicle under a whole bunch of tarp-like “black-camo” wrapping. I’d think those tactics would actually draw more attention to the vehicle. I’m taking a guess here, but I’d say that with all those swirl patterns and total-vehicle coverings companies are just trying to make it harder to actually see the vehicle’s stylin’ lines and redesigned looks, but…really? Wouldn’t it just be better to hide a tree in the forest. so to speak, but then I do realize I’m not a totally motorhead so maybe guys like TFLCar team would pick them out in a second.

Keep up the great work, guys and gals!

~Q. P.

A: Great question!

There are several reasons why automakers go through so much trouble to disguise their prototypes. Hiding a car under unusual patterns makes it difficult to see the lines or changes to the body. Automakers would rather have a big reveal at an auto show where they can hype the car the way they want. Still, like folks in the entertainment industry, automakers understand and (in some cases) like to generate buzz for some of their upcoming vehicles.

May times, automakers will add plastic, cardboard and vinyl to completely obscure their vehicles when they test in the real world. Other times, automakers may use a “test mule” that consists of the exterior of an older or different model to test new under-skin components.

Usually, they want to have a shiny, pristine example to show consumers.

Still, if automakers truly didn’t want the world to get a hint at what they are building, they would keep their vehicles on private test facilities where it’s illegal for journalists to enter. Once they are on public highways, they are public domain.

It’s not always that cut-and-dry in terms of why automakers do what they do with prototypes. Sometimes, other organizations that specialize in a certain type of testing (emissions, high altitude, electronics etc.) get these pre-production vehicles and they only cover badges.

Thanks again for the email!

N

ndarenegade

This next one comes from a viewer who wants a full review of the Jeep Renegade Sport, Latitude or Limited. He notes that all of the reviews are all of the Trailhawk.

Q: Comment: OK I have seen sooooo many videos on the Trail Hawk capabilities. Can you give us so detail feel and drive of a 1.4L with 6speed manual. Note: I’m not asking for you to go buck wild with it. It’s not a trail hawk but give us it’s limits,driveability, handlings. I drive 80 miles to work one way on I-94 in Michigan. Snow,ice,rain,wind sheer,bumps,dodging pot holes. If the gas mileage is better with a manual over a auto then that might be my choice. A sport with everything I can upgrade on it.

B.

A: Howdy!

I fully agree with you regarding the sheer amount of Jeep Renegade Trailhawk information verses the Sport, Latitude and Limited reviews. We should have a 2015 Jeep Renegade Sport first-dive video review up soon. You can read the written review (here).

Now, that first drive did consist of highway driving, light off-roading and canyon driving. Still, it was a rather brief drive and I am begging Jeep to send us a 1.4 turbo model (Sport and Latitude) along with the Trailhawk and Limited. I need more wheel-time to answer your questions with real-world results.

I suspect the 1.4 turbo will do quite well in Colorado. Remember, the tiny turbo is only available with the six-speed manual transmission, so its overall sales appeal will be limited.

Stay tuned!

N


lexus isf bmw m235i

This viewer is displeased with my occasional choices of tee shirts.

Q: Nathan, why do you always wear such oddball tee shirts? Most of the time, you wear TFL stuff and I get that but you also wear shirts from rock bands and car companies. Some shirts I can’t figure out because they just have an emblem on them.

Do you get paid to wear some of these shirts? Aren’t you supposed to be impartial and have no favorites? If you really were, you wouldn’t wear swag from the cars you review.

I don’t understand your fashion sense.

B.M. AL

A: Thanks for the email. Do me a favor, check out those videos where you see me wearing automaker’s goods again. I never ever wear the logo or name of an automaker that still sells cars in the United States.

I have shirts from SAAB, DeLorean, Suzuki, Daewoo, Yugo, Daihatsu, Pontiac and so-on. None of these automakers pay me a dime for free advertising of products they no longer sell here. This is my attempt at being clever – nothing more.

If someone wishes to pay TFL and use my enormity as a walking billboard; sure, I would consider doing it (depending on the content and whatnot).

As for the other swag I wear, it mostly consists of bands I truly love. Watch enough TFL and you’ll see a reoccurring theme featuring the rock band “RUSH” – guess which band is my favorite? I wear sports jerseys too; which is what people do when they like a sports team.

I know it’s not very professional, but I like doing it and so do many of our viewers.

N

Mitsubishi-gc-phev-concept.jpg

This last question comes from a fan who’s upset at what he was expecting from Mitsubishi at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show.

Q: Bro, I am so disappointed with Mitsubishi. I though they were going to show the next Montero, but it was just another concept.

Nathan, I’m a Mitsubishi fan and have been for over 20 years. You are one of the few journalists who doesn’t rip them a new one every week and I respect that. But you have to be disappointed too.

They led us to believe that they were about to bring the Mitsubishi Montero back to our market, but all we got was a larger concept. Needless to say, I’m disappointed.

What do you think?

B.V. TX

A: Sorry man, I hear what you’re saying.

From what I’ve gathered, the Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV will resemble the next Montero when it is produced. I’m fairly certain that Mitsubishi will produce this vehicle along with a bevy of new (and updated) models for the North American market.

Here’s what I’ve heard regarding the Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV and how it will shape the next Mitsubishi Montero:

The styling for the next Mitsubishi Montero will be heavily influenced from the Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV.

Like the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV has its rear wheels powered by electric motors. Proof that it’s a plausible idea for saving fuel and, with Mitsubishi’s off road experience, a torque-heavy electric motor pushing you over off road obstacles seems likely.

I’m guessing the 3.0-liter V6 MIVEC in the current Outlander GT would be the engine of choice. It should have an eight-speed automatic transmission too.

Although Mitsubishi wants to save weight, the battery’s weight will be difficult to work around. Still, it should be bigger, more powerful, more capable and roomier than the current Outlanders.

As a Mitsubishi Montero fan, I am very hopeful that they reintroduce it to North America.

Let’s hope that do.

Cheers,

N

Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com

Nathan Adlen Bio Picture Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.