Cupholders are a standard amenity in pretty much every new car sold today. There seems to be an industry competition going on for who can fit the most cupholders in their car now. However, if you take a look in an older car, you will have a hard time finding them. Even as recently as the nineties, some cars did not come with cupholders in the cabin.
Cupholders not suitable for bottles and cups of different shapes and sizes.
Many of the cars in the office are missing these crucial bits of convenience. Big Green, our ’85 Chevy K10 Pickup truck, has no cupholders. Our Mazda RX-7 had no cupholders. Even Tommy’s 1991 Jeep Cherokee has no cupholders. Which got us thinking, what was the first car to have cupholders, as we know them today. We did some research and found out, but we want to see what you guys think.
So, we turn to you, our readers, to see if you can identify the first car to come with cupholders from the factory.
Please drop us a comment down below and let us know what you think was the first car with factory cupholders.
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for the latest news, views & real-world reviews and, of course, more fun questions about cupholders.
Here’s a little hint: Check out the video below to see two of the most cupholder-packed vehicles you can buy today, the Honda Odyssey & the Chrysler Pacifica:
Jaguar has a reputation for comfortable rides and good handling suspension. However, recently they have begun building SUVs and crossovers. Furthermore, Jaguar have been making an effort to build in some off-road ability into their new higher-sitting SUVs. We got our hands on a 2018 Jaguar E-Pace, and decided the best way to test off-road ability was taking the Jag up Gold Mine Hill.
2018 Jaguar E-Pace
Off Road Goodies
What has Jaguar borrowed from Land Rover in order to give the E-Pace some off-road cred? Well certainly not the tires. This one is on Pirelli Scorpion Zeros, which is an ‘all-terrain tire’, but certainly no BFG KO2. Approach angle is 22.8 degrees, break-over is 21.1 degrees, and departure angle is 29.4. Ground clearance is an acceptable 8-inches. The most impressive stat here is probably water fording depth. The E-Pace can cross water as deep as 20 inches.
2018 Jaguar E-Pace
There is no off-road ‘mode’, but there is a little button for All Surface Progress Control, ASPC. This is like crawl control. You select a gear and a speed and the Jag keeps you going at a constant speed. This also functions as hill descent control when going downhill.
Powerplant
All that off-road tech would be useless without an engine. Under the hood of the 2018 Jaguar E-Pace is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The Jaguar F-Pace sports a 2.0-liter turbo engine, in two available states of tune. [Photo: Jaguar]This should be enough to take the Jag from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds down at sea level (according to Jaguar). However, up here in the mountains the highway sprint takes a ‘leisurely’ 9.01 seconds.
How did it do?
Stage 1 was no problem for the 2018 Jaguar E-Pace. Stage 2… Well that took a few tries. But, to see how stage 3 went, you’re just going to have to watch the whole video.
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for the latest news, views & real-world reviews and, of course, more videos on the 2018 Jaguar E-Pace.
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack’s 1.8-liter turbo engine can get you anywhere you need to be. [Photo: TFLcar]
After three months, it’s time to say goodbye.
Normally, I stay away from writing long-term wrap-ups, but in the case of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack – I volunteered. I’m going to miss that little wagon and so is my wife. You see, I came up with any half-believable reason to bring it home. It’s ideal for my family of four. It has an outstanding AWD (all-wheel drive) system, a frisky (yet thrifty) turbocharged engine and a compact size that’s a snap to park.
After the second time I took my spouse, She-who-must-be-obeyed, along for a ride through the snow, she went and sampled one at a local dealership. She loves the manual transmission, despite its long throws and empty-feeling clutch pedal. She loved the massive sunroof, interior colors and overall driving feel too.
[Photo: TFLcar]Personally, I feel it’s on par with various Subarus in its class like the Outback and Crosstrek off-road. Importantly, it is far more sporty on-road. After all, it did best our long-term Ford Fiesta ST. The whole TFL staff agreed it’s excellent on challenging terrain. We worked it hard and, unlike its competitors’ PR reps, Volkswagen was fine with us using the vehicle as intended by its branding.
It’s not perfect, but…
Sure, it could use a few things. I wish it had more storage cubbies and a slightly lower price (She-who-must-be-obeyed really likes it). You can get a Golf SportWagon 4Motion for a few grand less, but the added height of the Alltrack alone is worth a bit more. It has poor towing numbers versus its competitors; up to 1,500 lbs – and that might cause a warranty issue. Finally, its manual transmission setup is too vague for many and not sporty enough for others.
Over 600 miles to southwestern Colorado and back – and the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack never faltered. [Photo: TFLcar]My final thought: I deliberately pushed this car hard as it’s in contention to become my family’s next car. I put it through a gauntlet of long highway drives, slow city traffic, deep snow, thick mud and difficult terrain in all weather conditions. Over three months and 4,000 miles, it never was a problem child.
In fact, I’ll be damned if the little 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack didn’t kick ass at every mile. Overall, it soundly beats its closest rivals. Now, it even has a killer 6-year/72,000 mile warranty. Seriously, other than the GTI, it’s my second favorite Volkswagen.
The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt alongside the original 1968 model.[Photo: Arv Voss]
The Old and the New
Bullitt premiered back in 1968, starring Steve McQueen as San Francisco Police Detective Lt. Bullitt. He piloted a Dark Highland Green Ford Mustang in one of the most famous movie car chase scenes in history. Mind you, Warner Brothers filmed the risky segment without the use of computer-generated special effects. They depicted real, hard-driving action by real people in real time. As an homage to the iconic Mustang Bullitt, Ford produced the 50th Anniversary 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt.
The press launch for this special edition model took place in Sausalito, CA. Ford invited journalists to drive around San Francisco and the surrounding area, where Warner Brothers filed the eponymous movie fifty years ago. Ford has produced Bullitt-badged tribute models before – in both 2001 and 2008.
[Photo: Ford]
[Photo: Ford]
Looks to Die For
The 2019 version of the Ford Mustang Bullitt may, at first glance, look like a standard GT. However, the simple Bullitt design theme features a clean front grille, with no Mustang badge and a subtle chrome accent around the edges. Around the back, there’s a circular Bullitt badge, which is also on the steering wheel. Pricing for the Mustang Bullitt starts at $47,590, and you can spend up to $52,980 if you choose all options.
The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt uses a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 480 horsepower. [Photo: TFLcar]
Performance
Propulsion comes by way of a longitudinally-mounted 5.0-liter V8 engine. Unlike the standard 460 horsepower GT, the Bullitt cranks out 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. To make that extra twenty horsepower, Ford fitted an open air induction system, a Shelby GT350 intake manifold, and an 87-millimeter throttle body. The engine’s motive force is geared to the rear wheels through a 3.73 Torsen limited-slip rear differential. The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is available with an updated, smooth-shifting six-speed manual transmission. There’s even a cue-ball shifter, setting it apart from the standard GT.
[Photo: Ford]The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt has the MagneRide active damping system that responds to various road surface conditions. MagneRide adjusts the damping rate every few milliseconds. In turn, that provides the best possible contact for the grippy 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport tires.
There are seven available driving modes in the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt. There’s Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+, Track, Drag Strip and Snow/Ice. If you want to adjust steering, exhaust and suspension settings yourself, the customizable MyMode affords that opportunity.
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt interior. [Photo: Arv Voss]
Comfort and Convenience
Featured highlights of the new Bullitt Mustang include a healthy amount of optional equipment from the standard Mustang GT. To kick things off, there’s a fully-customizable 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The Bullitt also includes the GT Performance Package suspension, six-piston Brembo front brakes with larger rotors and staggered Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires. Ford also fitted standard active valve performance exhaust and 19-inch American Racing “Torque Thrust” wheels.
The standard sound system is the same nine-speaker unit found on all Premium-level Mustangs. Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support also comes standard. The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt’s 8-way power adjustable standard seats are exceptionally supportive and comfortable. However, there are optional Recaro seats for $1,595, which are manually adjustable and quite snug.
Apart from the seats, there are two other options available for the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt. The MagneRide Damping System costs $1,695. The Bullitt Electronics Package adds navigation, a B&O premium audio system and Ford’s Blind Spot Information System with rear cross-traffic alert for $2,100. Color options for the Bullitt are limited to either Dark Highland Green or Shadow Black.
[Photo: Ford]
[Photo: Ford]
The Story Behind the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt
Warner Bros. originally purchased two 1968 Mustangs for the making of the film. A company employee later purchased one of the cars, then sold it in 1970 to a New Jersey Police detective for $6,000. In 1974, the car again changed hands to the Kiernan brothers in 1974 for $6,000. The Kiernans used it as their family car until 1980, despite Steve McQueen’s offer to purchase it in 1977.
In 2001, Robert Kiernan and his 20-year-old son Sean began restoring the original Mustang Bullitt. Sean Inherited the car when Robert passed away in 2014. He carried on the rebuild, firing it up for the first time on July 4, 2016. Last year, the famous pony car reunited with the McQueen family, when Steve’s granddaughter Molly met with Sean in the Ford design studio in Dearborn.
TFLcar’s Take
The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is not configured to be a top track performer, but rather a hot street rod. Just like Steve McQueen, the Mustang Bullitt is “The King of Cool” in the current Mustang stable. Whether or not you’re an admirer of Steve McQueen or an avid fan of the “Bullitt” movie, the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is a sheer joy to drive.
It’s particularly suited to tight, twisting roads with severe elevation changes, always displaying remarkable stability. The handling characteristics are stellar, with excellent steering input and feel with a nice, thick steering wheel.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt
On Sale:
Now
Base MSRP:
$46,595
Price as Tested:
$51,385
Engine:
5.0-liter TI-VCT naturally-aspirated V8
Drivetrain (Layout):
Longitudinally mounted front engine, rear-wheel drive
Horsepower:
480 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque:
420 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm
Transmission:
Six-speed manual with downshift rev-matching.
Suspension:
Front: Optional MagneRide Damping System/ Double-ball-joint MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar (heavy-duty front springs) and hydraulic gas-pressurized, outboard-mounted shock absorbers.
Rear: Integral-link independent with coil springs and stabilizer bar (Upsized rear sway bar) and and hydraulic gas-pressurized, outboard-mounted shock absorbers.
Brakes:
Power-assisted four-wheel vented discs and Brembo six-piston front brake calipers
Two recent photos on Twitter show heavy rain and the Tesla Model 3 don’t mix well.
Picture the scenario: You just bought a Tesla Model 3. You paid your $1,000 deposit to reserve it and waited several months as Tesla ironed out production. Finally, at last, you finally take home the finished product. Everything should be right with the world – then this happens.
Ouch. Tesla owner Rithesh Nair just took delivery of his brand new Tesla Model 3. No more than half an hour later – and with the help of s
ome rain, according to Nair – the bumper came off. Alarmed, he took to Twitter, reaching out to Elon Musk and Tesla for help. In the past three days, Musk has not responded, at least not in the public sphere.
However, that’s not where the story ends. Shortly after, another Tesla Model 3 owner – this time from Florida, responded to Nair’s tweet:
In the comments, Ben claimed his bumper came off as he “drove through a large amount of standing water in heavy rain.” According to Nair and others in the comments, it seems the bumper cover separated from its screws and the weight of the water in the heavy rainfall tore it away.
Tesla has increased Model 3 production, and needs to continue to do so in order to thrive. [Photo: Tesla]
Tesla responds
Tesla did comment on the incident, and says they’re investigating the issue: “We’re setting an extremely high bar for the Model 3, and what happened in this situation is not how we build our cars. We’re investigating the issue to understand what caused it, and we are contacting our customers to resolve this and ensure they are satisfied.”
As Tesla aims to ramp up Model 3 production, the company’s speed could jeopardize quality. At least, if reports like this one from Reutersare any indication. In that report, workers state the Model S and Model X suffered quality issues.
Tesla, like any other automaker, has quality control processes in place to ensure these issues don’t happen. However, as the Model 3 is a new venture, it may take Tesla some time to work out issues as they pop up in the real world.
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat R-Line adds some sporty flavor to an everyday family sedan.
Despite what it’s name may suggest, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat R-Line doesn’t add some awe-inspiring performance. For that, you’d like to get a full-in “R” model, like the Golf R. Instead, what the R-Line package offers is some sporty elements to an otherwise run-of-the-mill Passat model. For $24,995 and up, the R-Line trim includes special front and rear bumpers as well as 19-inch “Salvador” alloy wheels.
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat R-Line uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. [Photo: Volkswagen]Under the hood, you still get the same 2.0-liter turbo engine found in the S, SE and SEL models. It comes with Volkswagen’s EA888 powerplant, making 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That comes mated to a six-speed automatic, rather than the eight-speed found in more recent models like the 2019 Jetta. While it’s not the most powerful 2.0-liter turbo in its field, it does return 25 mpg in the city and up to 36 mpg on the highway.
The Passat is also one of the few remaining sedans in its class with a more powerful V6 option. That 3.6-liter unit puts out 280 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. However, it’s not available on the Passat R-Line and you’d have to upgrade to at least the $29,145 V6 GT model to get it.
[Photo: Volkswagen]That said, inside the car is fairly standard Volkswagen. Although, what are some weird bits? What is good or bad about the 2018 Volkswagen Passat R-Line? In this video, Sarah reviews Volkswagen’s latest mid-size offering. Check out TFLcar.com for more! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow for more news, views and real-world reviews.
After a long wait, 2018 Jeep Wrangler 2.0-liter turbo models have arrived.
While dealerships on either coast tend to get vehicles first, our Colorado constituents have been chomping at the bit to get their hands on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler 2.0-liter turbo. With our high elevation, having forced induction top here helps – a lot. The Jeep Wrangler 2.0-liter turbo makes 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. To put that in to perspective, the Pentastar V6 make 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Jeep will only allow the eight-speed automatic transmission to be paired with the turbo, so, if you want a manual, you must get the V6.
The Jeep Wrangler JL’s 2.0-liter engine. [Photo: FCA]As of the time of this post being published, only one dealership seems to have a few of these Jeeps. Johnson Auto Plaza in Brighton, Colorado, for instance, has a few in stock. You can see the inventory of new Turbo Wranglers by going to the Johnson Auto Plaza website here.
[Photo: TFLcar]
There is a price to pay
There’s a steep price you have to swallow to get a 2019 Jeep Wrangler Turbo. According to Jeep, there is a $1,000 premium to get the turbo. However, there is an additional $2,000 to get the automatic (which you MUST get if you want the turbo). Basically, you’re paying a $3,000 premium to get the turbo.
The price benefit may come in at overall mpg. The 2019 Jeep Wrangler Turbo (with the eTorque mild hybrid system) gets 23 mpg city 25 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. If you get the none-eAssist version of the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, you get 22 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.
According to Jeep.com, base price for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited 4X4 with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is $35,440.
A teaser of Ford’s new small, off-road SUV. [Photo: Ford]Hau Thai-Tang, executive vice president of product development and purchasing, told Reuters about Ford’s plans for a new baby Bronco. We had covered the news that Ford was planning a small SUV back in February. Now, Thai-Tang made this announcement during an investor meeting in New York. The small, off-road focused crossover will share parts with the new Focus Active crossover and the Escape.
Thai-Tang also noted that the baby off-roader would carry a ‘premium price’. The vehicle will also be an example of Ford’s new, more flexible product architecture. Ford is aiming for common platforms among most of its models – a cost-saving measure designed to offset the cost of shifting the entire business toward trucks and SUVs.
This is the best official view we’ve seen of the 2020 Ford Bronco. We expect more details soon. [Photo: Ford]Ford’s new small SUV will likely be a throwback to the original 1960s Bronco, according to a source close to its development. Not only that, but it should look similar to the larger Bronco set to emerge next year. While Ford is making plans to kill off its cars, Ford will base this SUVs While this is still the case, it seems that Ford is going to continue making use of their old sedan chassis regardless.
Apart from the fact it is coming, more information on Ford’s new small SUV isn’t yet available. We expect Ford to announce more official information in the coming months, perhaps after we find out more on the larger Bronco.
This is the last Bronco we’ve seen in its entirety – the 2004 concept. A new Bronco is coming soon, as is a smaller model. [Photo: Ford]Of course, we will be covering news on the new baby Bronco as soon as we get it. Be sure to stay tuned to TFLcar.com for the latest news, views & real-world reviews and, of course, more news on the upcoming Ford baby Bronco.
The new Bronco and this – its baby brother – aren’t the only big developments coming from the Blue Oval. Ford is also reviving the Ranger – a nameplate out of production in the U.S. since 2011. Check out everything you need to know in the video below:
The 2026 Kia K4 hatchback gives interested buyers another option in a time where hatches have been losing ground to crossovers. Here are all the details!
Jeep says the Jeep Wrangler 392 V8 is about to meet its maker...but with recent developments at Stellantis we're skeptical that's actually going to happen.
The 2026 GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate adds another level of luxury to the brand's midsize SUV, while also filling a void left by the departing Cadillac XT6.
