The 1988 Toyota MR2 and the 2018 Toyota 86 have very little in common, other than a badge. The MR2 is Mid engined, supercharged, and from the 80’s. Whereas the Toyota 86 has a naturally aspirated Subaru engine, mounted in the front. But, if you take a close look at the cars’ specifications, you’ll begin to see a lot of congruencies between the two.
2018 Toyota 86. [Photo: Toyota]
Powertrains
Obviously this is one of the major differences. The MR2 came with a mid-mounded 1.6-liter supercharged four cylinder that makes 145 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual.
Comparatively, the Toyota 86 has a front-mounted, 2.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-four that makes 205 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque. Similarly, power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual.
1985 Toyota MR2. [Photo: Toyota]
Specs
Here is where the similarities really start to grow. The MR2 does 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, only 0.3 seconds slower than the Toyota 86. Their quarter mile times are even similar. 15.0 seconds for the MR2 and 14.8 for the Toyota 86.
They are even similar in size, though the Toyota 86 is a bit heavier and a bit larger.
As for fuel economy, more similarities emerge. The MR2 gets 21 MPG in the city, just like the Toyota 86, and 27 MPG on the highway, only 1 mpg worse than the modern 86.
Price
If you were to take the base prices of these two cars, you would think the MR2 was an absolute steal. But inflation is a cruel deceiver. If you adjust for inflation, the MR2 was actually a lot more expensive when it was new. Though, they are both sports car bargains at the end of the day.
Special thanks to Olathe Toyota and Spork Marketing for putting together this cool infographic. It is really interesting to see how far we have come, and how little has changed at the same time.
Check out what we think of the Toyota’s latest sports car in the video below:
May 2018 crossover sales report numbers are rolling in – which manufacturer is king of the crossovers?
Crossovers are a massively competitive segment. Across the size spectrum from compact to midsize, these vehicles accounted for hundreds of thousands of new car purchases just last month. But which manufacturer came out on top in May 2018? Well, that depends on how you slice it. In this comprehensive sales report, we’ve compared each size category and their competitors to see which one was the best-seller, by sheer volume, last month. We report full-size SUV sales on TFLtruck.com. We’re including mainstream and luxury crossovers in different sections, listed by size category.
Important note: GM brands – Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac – aren’t represented on the May 2018 list. The company recently shifted to quarterly sales reporting. We’ll include fresh sales numbers when GM releases their second-quarter sales report on July 3rd, 2018.
This post may be updated as sales figures are released.
Once again, the Jeep Renegade and Honda HR-V topped the subcompact sales charts for May. The Kona eclipsed the Toyota C-HR, despite the latter’s continued growth over sales in May 2017. While sales of the Renegade and HR-V slipped a bit, they stayed fairly consistent. The Mazda CX-3 and Kia Niro grew compared to last year, while the Fiat 500X continued to languish, losing 20% of its sales over this time last year.
*New model – 2017 sales figures are not available.
Compact Crossovers (Winner: Nissan Rogue)
[Photo: Nissan]Honda, Nissan and Toyota continue to joust for the top sales position in May. However, unlike last month, the Nissan Rogue just happened to edge out the Toyota RAV4. It has emerged victorious this month in the hotly contested compact crossover segment. Sales of the Honda CR-V, Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson all grew by considerable margins last month.
Sarah is back with another review, this time of the 2018 Lexus IS300 AWD. This one, as tested, has a sticker price of $47,289 which begs the question: Is it really awesome or really expensive?
Styling
Styling is always subjective. However, this Lexus IS300 seems to be quite controversial. Sarah doesn’t mind the wide grill and aggressive front fascia. But the ‘melty’ grill may also contribute to the negative opinions on this car’s styling. The back end of the car does not garner such rave reviews. While the lights are edgier, we wish that Lexus took some notes from the original IS300’s ‘Altezza’ tail lights.
Interior
[Photo: Lexus]Being a Lexus, the IS300 certainly feels luxurious. We particularly liked the location of the infotainment display, noting that it was at a great position to see while you are driving. However, the small shelf that sits just below that display was a bit puzzling. The biggest negative about the interior was possibly the strange trackpad that Lexus has to interact with the infotainment. It is hard to use and Sarah questions how well it will age. The other downside to the IS300’s interior is the lack of rear legroom. Sarah is not a short person, at 5’11”, and the IS300’s interior was small enough that she had a really hard time sitting in the back seat with the front seat positioned where she would be driving. In short: tall people will find it cramped.
Driving Experience
[Photo: Lexus]Sarah took the 2018 Lexus IS300 into the roads around Mt. Lemon, near Tuscon, Arizona to see how the car felt on the road. The 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6 produces 260 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is the same engine from the IS350, but Lexus has de-tuned it for the IS 300.
While the the 2018 Lexus IS isn’t out-and-out ‘fast’, she did commend its midrange punch. However, the IS300 felt a bit pokey on twisty mountain roads. It seems the IS300 is better suited for cruising than it is tearing up a back road. Fuel economy isn’t too great, either – EPA figures peg the 2018 Lexus IS300 AWD at 19 City/26 Highway/22 Combined MPG.
Awesome, or Just Expensive?
The 2018 Lexus IS300 is comfortable and luxurious, but its performance doesn’t really back up its aggressive styling. Even though it’s not a top-notch performer, is it still worth the buy? Check out the video below to find out! Come back to TFLcar.com for more news, views and real-world reviews just like this one. Subscribe to TFLcar and TFLnow in more videos published throughout the week.
By 2022, FCA aims for 1 in 5 SUVs sold to be Jeeps.
Today in Balocco, Italy, FCA boss Sergio Marchionne laid out the company’s plans for aggressive global expansion within the next five years. At the heart of those goals lies Jeep, currently the company’s most profitable brand. Right now, one in 17 utility vehicles sold globally is a Jeep – representing 5.8% of the total market. By 2022, however, the goal is for 1 in 12 SUVs sold to be a Jeep – or 8.3% of the market. Eventually, the ultimate end game is to conquer 20% of the global utility market. To meet those ambitious targets, Jeep will increase its North American production capacity by 500,000 units under the plan.
A new three-row version of the Grand Cherokee is coming, as is the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. [Photo: FCA]In pursuit of that goal, Jeep will aggressively expand, both in North America and abroad. The brand plans to break into the A-segment with a sub-Renegade vehicle, something they’ve been planning for years now. Not only that, but they’ll also introduce a three-row version of the Grand Cherokee, as well as facilitate the highly-anticipated return of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer to North America. Jeep is also a cornerstone of FCA’s electrification strategy. By 2022, the brand will bring out 10 new plug-in hybrid variants and four fully-electric models.
Finally, Jeep will roll out a subscription service for its vehicles, a business model that’s been gaining steam throughout the industry. With that, potential owners would have the opportunity to enter the Jeep world without resorting to a long-term finance contract or a traditional lease. Jeep also aims to offer use-based insurance, which may be a major consideration for those who take their Jeeps off-road.
Alfa Romeo’s compact crossover may share its bones with the Giulia sedan. [Photo: Alfa Romeo]
Maserati will expand, while Alfa Romeo scales back volume expectations
Back in 2014, FCA planned for Alfa Romeo to reach a global volume of 700,000 units. However, FCA’s newest plan scales the brand’s volume back to just 400,000 units. Alfa Romeo has seen major growth in the U.S. market thanks to the addition of the Giulia sedan and Stelvio crossover, but sales rates haven’t reached the goal set back in 2014. However, the current goal will realize the return of the 8C sports coupe to the Alfa Romeo stable, according to Alfa Romeo and Maserati head Tim Kuniskis. The diminutive, aging MiTo hatchback, which isn’t sold in the United States, will be eliminated, but a larger crossover will be added by 2022. The iconic GTV will return, and the brand will introduce stretched-wheelbase versions of most of its models. The Giulia and Stelvio will remain, but they will be refreshed within the next few years.
Maserati will take aim at Tesla with a new car based on the 2014 Alfieri Concept. [Photo: Maserati]Maserati, on the other hand, will expand under FCA’s new five-year plan. The brand plans to add 32 dealerships to their North American network – bumping the total up to 185 – and also double production volume within the coming years. But that’s not all: Maserati will also go electric, taking on the likes of leviathans like Tesla. To that end, they’ll bring out a new high-performance plug-in hybrid coupe based on the Alfieri concept unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show. This new all-wheel drive EV will replace the current Gran Turismo in the brand’s lineup.
Don’t think Maserati will move away from crossovers, either. The brand will launch a new mid-size plug-in hybrid crossover by 2022. Kuniskis stated this new crossover will have a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio and overall performance against its competitors. New versions of the Levante crossover and Quattroporte sedan will come in time, as well. Overall, Maserati will offer eight hybrids and four fully-electric models by 2022. The brand will also cut diesels from its lineup in favor of hybrid and electric powertrains.
The Chrysler 300 is still hanging on, but its sales fell in June 2019.
Sales of the Dodge Charger grew last month.
What about Chrysler, Fiat and Dodge?
Although they were not a focus of today’s meeting, Chrysler, Fiat and Dodge will continue operations under FCA’s current five-year plan. Rumors were swirling that Chrysler would get the ax today, but FCA spokespeople and Marchionne himself debunked those rumors. According to a report by Detroit Free Press, FCA will invest 25 percent of its resources toward the three brands, while the lion’s share will go toward Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Maserati.
Marchionne nor other FCA executives made specific product presentations for any of these three brands, so their long-term outlook is still unclear. However, all three brands will stick around for the immediate future.
Come back to TFLcar.com for more news, views and real-world reviews!
President Donald Trump. [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]The US just announced that it will be moving ahead with import tariffs on aluminum and steel from Canada, Mexico, and the EU. Obviously, these two materials are widely used in the production of new cars and trucks. Specifically, the US will tariff 25% on imported steel and 10% on imported aluminum. To pour on some more information, Canada has just announced a reciprocal tariff on the US. We wonder what the latest US steel and aluminum tariffs mean for the auto industry.
Beginning of a Trade War?
So, it seems there is a trade war budding between the US and some of its closest allies. What does this mean for the economy? CNN reported earlier that a right-leaning think tank, the American Action Forum, estimated that American citizens would end up spending an extra $7.5 Billion as a result of the US tax cuts alone. This number does not take into account the retaliation already made by Canada, nor does it account for potential retaliation from Mexico or the EU, who will also likely retaliate.
Steel and aluminum tariffs will create a major impact on the manufacturing sector. [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
Potential Impact on the Auto Industry
At this point, we are already talking about potentially $10+ billion dollars of cost to American citizens, which means a lot of money will be taken out of the auto industry as well. The Council on Foreign Relations did a comprehensive evaluation of these tariffs as they relate to the auto industry. They estimate the price of a new vehicle to go up 0.5-0.8% on average. This price increase, they expect, will result in a total sales decline of 1.6-3.6% in the US. The end result? Auto industry job losses in the range of 18,000 to 40,000 by the end of 2019. These estimations don’t take into account the tariff from Canada, or the upcoming tariffs from Mexico or the EU either.
What are your thoughts on the tariffs as they relate to the auto industry? Let us know what you think in the comments below. (Please try to keep the discussion cordial, and politics free)
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more news regarding the aluminum and steel tariffs imposed by the US and how they relate to the auto industry.
Also stay tuned to TFLcar and TFLnow for video coverage of the latest news, views, and real world reviews, as always.
Top Gear presenters Rory Reid, Matt LeBlanc and Chris Harris. [Photo: BBC]
BBC Studios confirmed today that Matt LeBlanc will leave Top Gear later this year.
Top Gear has certainly experienced some twists and turns over the past few years. After Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May departed the show, it was up to the show’s new presenters to keep one of the world’s most popular car shows in the limelight. Among those presenters was Matt LeBlanc, formerly of Friends fame, who joined the team as a co-host in 2016.
Since then, LeBlanc, Rory Reid and Chris Harris have won audiences over, particularly younger viewers. However, BBC Studios recently broke the story that LeBlanc is ready to leave Top Gear behind. He clarified why he’s leaving in a statement:
“My experience on Top Gear has been great fun. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the whole team. However, the time commitment and extensive travel required to present Top Gear takes me away from my family and friends more than I’m comfortable with. It’s unfortunate, but for these reasons I will not be continuing my involvement with the show.”
No word yet on who will replace LeBlanc on the show, but BBC has plans to bring on a new co-host in 2019. Patrick Holland, BBC Two Controller, said: “The next series of Top Gear promises to be something very special and we have great plans to welcome a new co-host to join the team for 2019 and beyond.”
Who do you think should replace Matt LeBlanc on Top Gear? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Despite recent rumors, Chrysler will not be discontinued, according to an FCA spokesperson.
Tomorrow, Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne will lay out a plan for the next five years. Automotive News recently reported about tomorrow’s schedule on a company website, where it looks like some big plans are in the works. Noticeably absent, however, are Chrysler, Fiat and Dodge.
Chrysler will continue its operations, in contrast to rumors stating it would be discontinued. [Photo: FCA]TFL recently reported that Chrysler may soon be discontinued, based on reports that sources close to FCA stated Marchionne would ax the brand in favor of focusing on Jeep and Ram. However, an FCA spokesperson refuted those earlier claims, stating Chrysler will not cease operations. We got this response almost immediately after attempting to contact FCA, and it confirmed that Chrysler will, in fact, be sticking around for the foreseeable future. Tomorrow’s schedule corroborates FCA’s statement. Not only will Marchionne not kill Chrysler, but it seems he won’t mention it at all.
2018 Fiat 124 Spider Lusso [Photo: TFLcar]Another enigma surrounding FCA’s five-year plan is Fiat’s place in the United States. Rumors also circulated that Fiat will pull out of the U.S. market altogether. Once again, though, it seems nothing significant is going to happen to the brand immediately, as it’s not on the schedule either.
Finally, there’s Dodge. While the average age of cars across the brand’s lineup is only getting older, its cars will soldier on through the next few years. Dodge still sold nearly 450,000 cars in 2017, as opposed to 26,500 Fiats and 188,500 Chryslers. Models like the Charger and Challenger are still attractive among retail customers, while the Journey and Grand Caravan are popular with fleets. Finally, the Durango, in all its flavors, is a contender in the popular three-row SUV market.
Jeep is currently the feather in FCA’s cap, and will likely continue to expand in the coming years. [Photo: FCA]
So what is happening, then?
With Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat off the docket, the focus seems to be on Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. Not only that, but Marchionne will lay out FCA’s plans for autonomous driving and connectivity, as well as CO2 reduction, in light of recent concerns throughout the industry concerning emissions cheating.
Jeep is a hugely profitable brand in Fiat-Chrysler’s portfolio. Jeep represents the lion’s share of FCA’s profit, based on its wide portfolio of hot-ticket SUVs and crossovers. The Wrangler has broken sales records for the past two months in a row. The Renegade, Compass, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee hit on wildly popular segments, also contributing to the brand’s success. That’s to say nothing of the upcoming Jeep Truck, or models for markets besides the U.S., such as the Chinese Grand Commander.
FCA recently announced a partnership with Waymo, with the latter poised to roll out 62,000 autonomous Chrysler Pacifica minivans. Waymo could license its technology and services in turn so FCA can use them in their vehicles. Marchionne stated, “FCA is committed to bringing self-driving technology to our customers in a manner that is safe, efficient and realistic.” More details should come on that during tomorrow’s meeting.
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more coverage of FCA’s plans for June 1 and beyond. Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow for more news, views and real-world reviews!
Ford is increasing the Fusion’s price by up to $6,190 depending on the model.
The Ford Fusion is not long for this world, but it is getting a mild update for the 2019 model year. By 2020, the company will kill the Fusion off, but not before bumping up the price. On the surface, that seems like an odd move. However, according to a Cars Direct report, it’s still happening. Ford’s ordering guide suggests prices on 2019 Fusion models can jump by up to $6,190 over the 2018 model.
That’s not to say every Fusion model will increase by that amount. The base Fusion S will reportedly start at $23,735 including destination charges – a $645 increase over the 2018. The SE will go up by a $650 to $25,015. While those are modest increases – especially considering 2019 Fusion models get more equipment – higher trim levels are more drastic.
2019 Ford Fusion. [Photo: Ford]For instance, the 2019 Ford Fusion Titanium will allegedly cost $35,235, which is a $3,870 hike over the 2018 model. At the top of the heap, the 2019 Ford Fusion Sport will spike to a starting price of $40,910. Hybrid and Energi Plug-in models will also get a price hike ranging from $1,235 to $2,215, depending on the model.
Why is the 2019 Fusion so much more expensive?
Back in February, Ford announced their plans over the next two years in their “Ford Uncovered” event. In the case of the 2019 Fusion, the biggest addition was Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 system, the company’s next generation safety equipment suite. The system includes emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, a back-up camera and automatic high-beams.
[Photo: Ford]Overall, the 2019 Fusion is getting more standard equipment with each trim level, which is increasing prices across the board. Those who aren’t looking to spend top dollar on a 2019 Fusion may want to consider a 2018 model with similar equipment. While prices are going up, perhaps the fact that the Fusion is going away by 2020 may spur sales.
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more news, views and real-world reviews!
Late-model used cars can still save you some cash over buying new...but restricted supply has made even this prospect far less affordable than a few years ago.
