Some Audi drivers may soon be able to tell when a traffic light is about to change.
Audi is piloting its Traffic Light Info detection system in Las Vegas on its A4 sedan, which can give drivers knowledge of when traffic lights will change.
The idea behind the new system is to enhance the driving experience by letting drivers know how much time they have to change the radio station or do other minor things before the light changes.
TFL’s Roman Mica had the chance to test drive the Audi A4 in the streets in Las Vegas with the new traffic light detection system. An Audi representative was with him and walked him through how the display works and how the system adjusts itself.
When a driver has the traffic light detection system on the main screen, it will display a traffic light with a counter. The counter tells a driver how long it has until the light turns green.
If the navigation screen is on, the detection system with the counter is toward the bottom of the screen.
Although the idea is to tell a driver how much time they have before the light turns green, Audi is hoping that the system will evolve and be used in other ways such as with traffic flow. If a driver knows a light stays red for a certain time, they may opt for a different route to improve their drive time.
Why does Roman like the traffic signal detection? What feature did he like the best? Find out by watching the complete TFL video above.
Buying a Jeep can be difficult, given that there are so many options available to a buyer.
But TFL’s Tommy Mica and Nathan Adlen decided to make it easier by putting together a buyer’s guide for the 2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler JK. Their guide went through the two-door versus the four-door, hard top versus the soft top, price, options and other features.
To start off the guide, Tommy and Nathan discussed the pros and cons of the two-door versus the four-door. Nathan immediately said the four-door Limited edition is the best, citing the ability of the vehicle to tow more and to hold more passengers comfortably.
He also said that the ride feels better of the four-door, and that it’s the most popular option among buyers.
Tommy, however, said the two-door is best because of the price. For an entry-level, two-door Jeep JK, it costs $23,995 compared to the four-door Limited, which starts at $27,895.
Plus, both Tommy and Nathan agreed the turning radius on the two-door is much better than the four-door.
When it came to the hard top versus the soft top versions, the hard top seemed to be favored in colder climates like Colorado. The hard top also cuts down on wind noise that the soft top can’t seem to contain.
However, when it comes to ability to remove the soft top, that version won hands down in ease of removability.
With the Jeep JK coming in either a manual or automatic transmission, Nathan said the manual transmission is the clear winner and the one buyers should pick. The manual version costs less, is more efficient and gives it that extra “manly” feel.
The automatic transmission, however, would be better for those who drive in town a lot.
What other options did Tommy and Nathan suggest that all buyers need on their new Jeep JK? How custom can a buyer get when getting a new Jeep? Find out by watching the complete TFL video above.
Ferrari unveils the next iteration of limited production cars with the Ferrari J50 Targa to celebrate 50th anniversary of Ferrari in Japan. The J50 is based on the Ferrari 488 Spider and uses a specially tuned version of the 3.9-liter turbocharged V8 that pumps out 680 horsepower. Amazingly, this is more power than the Ferrari 488 Challenge race car the company recently unveiled for the 2017 season. The J50 has unique styling all around, the car was created by Ferrari’s Special Projects department and designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre team in Maranello, Italy.
Only 10 examples of the J50 will be produced and each one can be customized to customer specifications. Come on! Why couldn’t Ferrari build at least 50 examples of the car, so more of us have a chance to get a glimpse of the car.
The two-piece carbon-fibre targa top stows behind the seats to create a clean and classic appearance. The J50 design drew inspiration from the cars such as the Ferrari GTO, F40, and F50.
2016 is coming to a close, and boy has it been a wild ride. As the new year draws closer, we felt it would be good to take a look at some sales data to try and figure out which vehicle is most likely to receive the title of best-selling vehicle in the US for 2016. At the moment, this list only contains sales data through November, but given that we are only missing one month, you should still get a very good idea for how things are going to look come January 1, 2017.
The top three on this list are miles ahead of the competition, and you may even be able to guess what they are now. However, the race gets much closer for the remaining two spots in the top five. In fact, the difference between number four and number seven is only a matter of about 35,000 cars. So the race is certainly quite tight for the four and five spots. On to the list!
The Fate of the Furious, basically the Fast and Furious 8, continues the adventures of (most of) the crew in an all-new trailer. This trailer contains a few spoilers, you’ll get the gist within the first 15 seconds. What they want to communicate is massive explosions, booty shots, massive biceps, prison shots, massive cameos and cars – LOTS of cars, trucks, and even tanks.
The Fate of the Furious stars Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Elsa Pataky, Scott Eastwood with Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron and Kurt Russell.
The Fate of the Furious explodes on screens on April 14th 2017
Welcome back to our discussion of engines that are ready for retirement. Last week, we looked at a number of import engines which are getting to be somewhat long in the tooth, so this week we will look at some domestic engines that could use a refresh. You all were quite active in the comments section, and I thank you for your discussion.
Before I get started on the domestics, I would like to bring up a point made in the comments section on the last article. That is the fact that, in many cases, older engines tend to be a bit more reliable than modern engines. This is an excellent point. Especially with something like that Subaru flat-four, older engines are still around in many instances, because they are so reliable, and have proven that they can handle some tough jobs. However, in doing this, they may miss out on some of the benefits that modern engines provide.
Most important with engines in my book is fuel economy. We as automotive enthusiasts must face the reality that the automotive world needs to make efforts to reduce fuel consumption if we want to continue using gasoline powered vehicles. I am making this list, not as an attempt to defame older engine platforms, but as an attempt to provide you as consumers with information to help you make an informed decision when buying a new vehicle. If economy is your game, and reliability is less of a concern, then you may want to stay away from the engines on this list. Regardless of your opinion on this debate, I again welcome discussion in the comments, it is always nice to hear another viewpoint!
OK, now that I have that out of the way…
Onto the list!
Again, this is in no particular order, the numbers are there for the sake of organization.
5. Ford Cyclone V6
First up is this Ford Cyclone V6. Making its debut in 2011, this 3.7L engine makes 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Most notably, this engine has been the powerplant of the Ford Mustang for quite some time. However, with the introduction of the EcoBoost 4-cylinder, and the even more exciting V8, I don’t know exactly why one would choose the V6 anymore. With the EcoBoost’s modability and the V8’s fantastic noise and power, I don’t see much reason to choose the V6 anymore.
4. Chrysler Pentastar V6 (G Variant)
Up next is another motor from 2011. This V6 featured on a number of Fiat-Chrysler vehicles is a 3.6L which makes 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque (this might differ from model to model). What do I mean by “a number of FCA vehicles”? Basically, every FCA vehicle with a longitudinally-mounted V6 has had this engine. This includes the Dodge Challenger and Charger, Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Ram 1500. This engine has withstood the test of time, but ultimately, there are much better engine options, even within Fiat-Chrysler.
3. Chevy LLT V6
Photo thanks to gmauthority.com
This Chevy V6 was originally sold in 2009. With a displacement of 3.6L, the LLT was able to crank out 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. You can still get this engine on the Buick Enclave and the Chevy Traverse. While this engine is direct injected, anything from 2009 is just not going to offer the same economy as a more modern engine.
2. FCA HEMI V8
At the number 2 spot, we have a 5.7L HEMI V8. This particular HEMI engine was originally introduced in 2009 and makes 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. It is only available on the Ram 2500. Again this is just a case of there being more modern options available. EDITOR’S NOTE: The 5.7-liter HEMI is also available on the Dodge Charger, Challenger and Durango, the Chrysler 300 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
1. Volvo Modular T5
Last on the list is technically not a domestic engine. However it was used in a number of Ford Vehicles, and was produced when Ford owned Volvo, so I’m going to count it anyways. This is by far the oldest engine in part 2. Originally debuted in 1997, the 2.5L straight-five engine has gone through a few updates over the years.
Ultimately though, it is still the same block as the 1997 car. In its most recent form it makes 247 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque in the Volvo S60. However, it was the powerplant behind the last generation Ford Focus RS (only available in Europe) and it also powered the V70R Swedish Sleeper Wagon. All in all, this engine has had a lengthy and storied life, but with Volvo’s latest engine offering, I think it may be best to say goodbye to the quirky old 5-cylinder.
Thanks again for reading! I look forward to reading your comments about these aging engines.
Engines aren’t the only way in which cars can show their age. Technology features also offer a unique way to see a car’s age. If you’re looking for something with the latest and greatest technology, why not watch this video about Audi’s new stoplight detection system:
Now that the holiday season is here, what better gift to give a TFL fan than official TFL gear?
For a limited time – for the next three days to be exact – you can get official TFL merchandise from Teespring. The swag features the original TFLcar logo, which is a variation of the logo that’s right on top of this very web page – it just says “TFL” instead of “TFLcar” – but it’s still the same font with the speedometer numbers flanking the T, F and L, all rendered in red. Under the logo is a set of tire tracks, either burnt rubber or fresh tracks through the mud, your choice.
On the back, in bright red letters, is the phrase “Life in The Fast Lane.”
You can get this logo on either a black men’s T-shirt, a black women’s T-shirt, a long-sleeved T-shirt, a pullover hoodie or a coffee mug. The best seller so far is the men’s T-shirt, followed by the mug.
While you’re there, check out our TFLtruck merchandise as well. These feature the Ike Gauntlet logo on the same choice of shirts or a mug.
Either way, it’s the perfect gift for the TFL fan in your life, even if that person is you (don’t worry, we won’t tell).
And for more holiday gift ideas for the car nut in your life, check out this video for more suggestions:
2017 Chevrolet Sonic vs 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback?
Inexpensive gifts for car people?
This first question comes from a fan who wants some information about the upcoming Subaru three-Row SUV.
Q: Hey Nathan! Hope all of the TFL crew is doing well.
It’s me again with a Subaru question. I was just wondering if you have seen the Viziv-7 concept that is supposed to be a basis for their upcoming three-row SUV. What are your thoughts on it and what have you heard about Subaru’s three-row vehicle so far?
Thanks!
-Noble
A: Hi Nobel!
I’ve seen the photos and the concept car; from what I gather, this next Subaru three-row crossover will be a cross between the Subaru Viziv-7 and the overseas’ Subaru Cross 7 Exiga II. It will be bigger and (much) more user-friendly than the Subaru Tribeca.
It appears that Subaru is aiming directly at the new Mazda CX-9 and Ford Explorer, among others. This will be the biggest vehicle Subaru has sold in the United States. It will be interesting to see what they can do with the (turbo?) H4, H6 and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as they are completely dedicated to that transmission.
Recently, we caught a glimpse of a Subaru three-row crossover testing up in the Rocky Mountains, so we know it will be produced soon.
While Subaru does not allow us to drive their press cars, we will try to get one through other means and compare it to the segment’s best. I have a feeling they will be competitive, especially in price and economy.
Thanks for the email!
N
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This next question come from a fan who is in the market for a Chevy hatchback, there are two for her to choose from and she’s looking for some clarity.
Q: Hi Nathan! How are you doing in freezing Colorado?
I am finally ready to get a new car and I’ve narrowed my choices down to two Chevy hatchbacks. I know there are other brands out there, but I get an amazing discount on GM cars through my family and my current car which is a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, has been pretty reliable for over 150,000 miles. I only had an air conditioner issue and replaced the front brakes.
I totally agree with you about hatchbacks. They make so much sense and there are more available than ever before! I like the idea of holding more junk. I looked at the Chevy Spark and it’s a bit too small for me.
I was just about to get the Chevy Sonic hatchback when my father told me about the new Chevy Cruze hatchback. He said it’s pretty much the same car as the Sonic with a larger body. He said the small turbocharged engine is the same thing and that they are pretty close in cost.
I priced the 2017 Cruze Premier 5-door manual against the Sonic LT hatchback manual and they are within a few hundred dollars of each other. Now I am confused. What Chevy do I buy? Is it better to get the bigger car that will be slower or the smaller car that will be tighter?
Can you help me?
Thanks Nathan!
Jules from Modesto, CA
A: Hello Jules!
Great question and thanks for the email. It’s chilly here, but that’s a small price to pay for living in the Rocky Mountains!
I did some research and it looks like your dad missed an important point about the 1.4 liter turbocharged engine that these two cars share. It may be the same displacement, but it produces different power in each car. The 2017 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback makes 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. Also, it weighs about 2,800 lbs.
Now, the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback makes 153 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque out of a similar 1.4-liter engine. It also weighs about 2,900 lbs. That means the Chevy Cruze hatchback makes more power and has a better power to weight ratio.
The 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback is rated at 31 mpg combined, the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback (“Sonic 5”) is rated at 32 mpg combined.
While I like the little Sonic, I have yet to drive the 2017 model. The same goes for the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback. Still, on paper, the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback appears to be the smarter buy.
Hope that helps!
N
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The holidays are here!
The last question comes from a few fans regarding gift ideas for the holidays.
Q: What are good car and truck gift ideas for the holidays?
Magazine subscriptions and gift cards are good starts, but what else is there?
A: Ah, the holidays…
On top of the gifts suggested in the video above, (yes, there are a few good ideas amid the silliness), here are a few interesting ideas that are inexpensive:
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.
The NHTSA is once again investigating Honda's 3.5-liter V6 engine after hundreds of complaints of failures — many of which were outside the scope of its initial probe (and Honda's 2023 recall).
![Subaru-Viziv-13[2]](https://tflstudios.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Subaru-Viziv-132-e1362627710876.jpg)
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