Will the Badass VW T-Roc R come Stateside, Sentra Nismo vs Jetta GLI and Tesla Dog Mode? [Ask Nathan]

Standing at the Nissan pavilion at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. (Photo: TFLcar)

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.

The VW T-Roc R concept will debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show (Photo: Volkswagen AG)
  • Will the VW T-Roc R come to the USA?  
  • Nissan Sentra Nismo vs Volkswagen Jetta GLI? 
  • Does Tesla have a “Dog Mode?”

The first question comes from Twitter (@Nathanadlen) wondering about the VW T-Roc R concept he saw.

Q: (Via Twitter@NathanAdlen) Is the VW T-Roc R (or even the regular T-Roc coming Stateside?

SUVs are huge now. So why not!?

Blink

This is an older VW -Roc Concept (Photo: Volkswagen AG)

A: Howdy!

For those of you who live in the United States who didn’t know, Volkswagen builds a small crossover that competes with the Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V and so on. It’s called the T-Roc and, according to reviews and sales numbers, it’s quite good – if you live just about anywhere else.

The 2019 Geneva Motor Show will debut a “R” version of the T-Roc that looks like it will be a glimpse at what the VW T-Roc R will be like. It’s suggested that the same 296 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharger four-cylinder engine that’s connected to a seven-speed DSG transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive system from the Golf R will be in the T-Roc R.

Great idea! The Golf R isn’t a hot seller here and…. oh wait, there are no plans to sell the T-Roc in the USA.

Yep, it would be nice to just get the regular Volkswagen T-Roc in the United States. Sadly, as the German automaker is fond of making it known, “You Americans can’t have nice things!”

Bummer.

N

This is the current Volkswagen T-Roc (Photo: Volkswagen AG)

The next question comes from a sport sedan fan who’s looking at a (near) future competitor to the Nissan Sentra Nismo.

Nissan Sentra NISMO
Photo: Nissan

Q: What’s up Natedogg!? I hope you remember me. It’s Sammy again and I was wondering what your take was on the Nissan Sentra Nismo vs the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. 

Stupid haters totally beat up on the Nissan Sentra Nismo! I like it a lot and was seriously thinking about getting one with a manual transmission. I remember you saying it was a lot of fun to drive and thats what I want.

But then I heard about the new Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Uh oh! Is it cheaper? Is it going to be better all around than the Nissan Sentra Nismo!!!????

Please let me know which one you would get. Did you ever find that NOFX album you were looking for?

Thanks big guy!

Sammy from Simi

A: Hi Sammy!

Ha! Sure I remember you! I was looking for a specific photo/poster from NOFX… never found it.

As for the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI vs the Nissan Sentra Nismo: the Nismo is great for cornering, but it’s not that powerful. The new Jetta GLI – you can read about here – is a beast by comparison.

It has a beefed up suspension, brakes and a turbocharged 228 horsepower 2.0-liter that makes 258 lb-ft of torque. It’s hooked up to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG. Basically, it’s a sedan version of the Volkswagen GTI.

I suspect it will be faster than the Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra Sport and, yes – the Nissan Sentra Nismo.

We’ll know more about it soon.

Cheers!

N

p.s. I think the Hyundai is a bargain and the overall performance is (probably) second to the GLI.

Nissan X-Trail 4Dogs (Photo: Nissan)

The last question comes from a fan who heard that there is a Tesla with a “Dog Mode.”

(Via Twitter @NathanAdlen) Does @Tesla really have a dog mode?

Is there any truth to this!?

Tesla Dog Mode: Tell your car that you’re leaving your dog (or cat?) in the car and it will lower the temperature, keep the fan on, play music (because dogs like punk rock) and add a notice to the display that you’ll return soon. (Photo: Tesla)

A:  Hi!

Yes.

It keeps the car cool, plays tunes and has a visual warning for those who might smash your glass that you’ll be back soon. It will warn you through your app that you’re low on power if the car’s charge falls under 20-percent.

Once you get back to your Tesla, you’ll find the glass is still broken with lots of pissed off onlookers and a cop equipped with a taser-gun glaring at you. Why? Because: YOU NEVER LEAVE ANIMALS IN A CAR! TAKE THEM HOME OR TAKE THEM WITH, BUT NEVER LEAVE THEM ALONE IN A CAR!

You might want to look at your local laws first too.

N

Here’s a great comparison of the newest midsize pickup truck contender videos!

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