The Ford Mustang has gone through a lot of changes over the years, and now there’s an infographic that charts the changes from inception up to the current generation.
This infographic, sponsored by Blue Springs Ford Parts, features the evolution of the Ford Mustang, from 1964 to the present. Included in this evolutionary documentation is the artistic profile of the car, starting with Lee Iacocca’s inspiring first design from 1964, as well as some interesting facts about each generation of Mustang. Included is the the base engine of each vehicle, the length of production for each generation, the curb weight of all models, the base price of each car, and as a nice final touch, they threw in what they felt was the most famous variant of each generation.
If you are a Mustang fan, or just like to see the evolution of cars in general, this infographic could be a great addition to your desktop background, or poster collection. Check out the full infographic here, or download your own from the Blue Springs Ford Parts website.
The modern muscle car segment is still quite competitive, and the current Mustang certainly has some tough opponents. To see how the ‘Stang stacks up, be sure to watch the video below:
Looking at the 2017 Toyota Sienna minivan, you would have a hard time telling it apart from the 2016 model. Drive the 2017 Toyota Sienna minivan, even for a moment, and you will notice a difference. Oddly, Toyota opted to play coy with the updated drivetrain. There are no major announcements or much (if any) advertisements. Despite now having one of the best power-plants in this bracket, it’s hardly acknowledged by Toyota. Odd.
A new, beefy V6 comes directly out of the 2017 Toyota Highlander. This 3.5L V6 DOHC 24-Valve with Dual VVT-i makes 296 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and it produces 263 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm. That’s a 30 horsepower increase and it can be felt the moment you hit the gas.
The Sienna also has an upgraded transmission, now having an eight-speed automatic, which improves fuel economy. Toyota expects the big minivan to get a rating of 19 mpg city and 27 mpg on the highway, up from 18 and 25 for the current model.
The automatic transmission is pretty smooth, but it has no problem banging through the shifts when you slam your right foot down. While the power is good through the mid-range, you can truly feel it off the line – the 2017 Toyota Sienna is downright quick. There is a tiny increase in cabin noise under full acceleration, but I only noticed it because I drove a 2016 model recently.
Despite the new power, the rest of the 2017 Toyota Sienna remains the same. There are no new trims, interiors or even revised badging. Nope, the only thing that will tell you that this van is new is when it trounces other minivans at the stoplight. We need to get one of these back to our TFLcar test tract for another crack at the Chrysler Pacifica.
The 2017 Toyota Sienna is available at Toyota dealerships right now and prices start at $29,750.
Check out the full TFL video above to see driving impressions of the 2017 Toyota Sienna.
TFL’s Nathan Adlen and Andre Smirnov had the chance to see during a recent snowy day up in the Colorado Rockies.
As soon as the guys saw that the Loveland Pass was closed due to an early season snowstorm, they realized it would be a perfect time to get up into the mountains on the open roads to do some testing.
As soon as they got to a snowy location, Nathan put the car in off-road mode to see what it could do.
The trim level they tested starts at slightly above $32,000 and comes equipped with a 1.8 liter turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 170 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque.
The Alltrack comes with a six-speed DSG transmission, but Volkswagen has said that a six-speed manual transmission version is coming soon.
Besides off-road, drivers can put the Alltrack in other modes including normal, sport and custom.
How did the Alltrack do in off road mode? Was there any difference when Nathan put it in normal mode? And, overall what did Nathan think of the new Alltrack? Find out by watching the complete TFL video above.
Automobile manufactures typically redesign their vehicles every so often, adding new equipment and features.
But are there some vehicles that have been neglected and are in need of a redesign? TFL’s Roman Mica and Nathan Adlen came up with a top 10 list of vehicles that are in desperate need of some TLC.
At the top of the list is the Nissan 370Z, which was introduced in 2008. Its parent, the 350Z, was introduced in 2002. Nissan hasn’t said what its plans are for the vehicles and whether they will get a much needed redesign.
Another vehicle to make the list is the Dodge Journey, known affectionately as the “man van” because it looks like a minivan without the sliding door. Although Dodge recently upgraded the vehicle, it’s still the same car.
The Ford Fiesta, which has its roots in Europe, could also use a redesign, which is why it made TFL’s list. However, the small car market isn’t strong in North America unless it’s a small crossover car.
Another vehicle to make the list is the Honda CR-Z, which was rumored to be on the chopping block more than once. The hybrid vehicle hasn’t been a big seller for Honda. The CR-Z isn’t sporty or fuel efficient, which may be the reason buyers aren’t sold on it. However, the CR-Z is probably one of the only hybrids out there that someone can buy with a manual transmission.
What are the other vehicles that made the list? And, which one was their number one pick for a much needed redesign? Find out by watching the complete TFL video above.
What’s new with the 2017 Nissan Rogue and why is it now the Japanese auto maker’s best-selling car?
TFL’s Roman Mica found out recently after test driving the new Rogue and seeing what new features it offers in 2017.
The Rogue isn’t completely new in 2017, but instead Nissan gave it a mid-cycle refresh, which means that the changes are mostly cosmetic. The new Rogue now looks more inline with the rest of Nissan’s vehicles with a more modern and sculpted design that’s become a Nissan trademark.
2017 Nissan Rogue
Under the hood, the Rogue is the same as in previous years, offering drivers a 2.5-liter inline four that produces 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque through a continuously variable transmission. Buyers can still pick from a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive version.
The Rogue model Roman drove gets about 29 mpg combined for the front-wheel drive version and 28 mpg for the all-wheel drive version.
Although the Rogue competes with other midsize crossovers, Roman said Nissan will also introduce a hybrid version of the vehicle, which means that it will be a direct competitor of the Toyota RAV4.
As for pricing, Nissan hasn’t said how much the new Rogue will cost.
What are some specific new features in the 2017 Rogue? Why is there only a mile per gallon difference between the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions? And, what does Roman think of the refresh? Find out by watching the complete TFL video above.
This first question comes from a fan who is trying to find out information about the 2019 Toyota Supra.
Q: Nathan, I’m not very connected in the car universe, but I overheard someone at the Toyota dealership in Santa Monica (CA) ask a salesperson about it.
When I was in high school, in 1990, I had a 1988 Toyota Supra and it was the best car I ever owned. It lasted through college and grad school! The only reason I got ride of it was I needed a bigger car and I was about to get married.
Fast forward to last month, I have driven my Lexus IS for 10 years and I was thinking about getting a Highlander for the family. I’m a typical mom from Cali who wants something nice and reliable. I’m looking at the Highlander and the hybrid.
Then my brother takes me for a ride in his Scion FR-S and I had a hoot! He let me drive it along the PCH and I remembered how much I loved driving my old Supra. That happened right before I was at the dealership and overheard the sales person.
So, can you help a lady out!? Can you tell me anything about it?
Love you guys and, if you guys are ever in SoCal, you have a bunch of fans who would like to buy you a drink!
Cheers,
Tiff
A: Hi Tiff, thanks for the great email and kind words!
Nothing has been “officially” confirmed, but we know Toyota is working with BMW on a sports coupe and every indication points to it being the spiritual successor to the Supra. Everything from this point forward is based on info gathered by several sources, speculation and rumor. It’s not that I would suggest the 2019 Toyota Supra will never be built, but I don’t even know if it will be a 2019 model or even called “Supra.”
There is a cooperative agreement between BMW and Toyota to co-develop a sports car platform. This is similar to the agreement Toyota had with Subaru to develop the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ.
BMW may use this platform to develop a replacement for the BMW Z4 (possibly a BMW Z5).
The test model that has been caught by several publications looks like it has a long hood that could easily house a BMW-sourced I6, turbo I4 or, possibly, a Twin-scroll I6 Turbo.
While Toyota does have the Toyota 86 platform to play with, this vehicle appears to be larger and more substantial
It appears to be a proper coupe – no back seat.
If it uses a BMW engine, it may use a 7-speed dual clutch and a 6-speed manual transmission sourced from the 3/4-Series.
There is a chance that, rather than have a larger engine or a twin-turbo version, Toyota may use their lauded hybrid system to boost power and efficiency.
We may see a concept or a pre-production tease at the 2016 Tokyo Auto Show or (possibly) at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The concept car you see attached to this post may have some similarities to the 2019 Toyota Supra. Hopefully.
I will stay on top of this story – promise!
N
This next question is from a senior in high school who wants a new car for college.
Q: Hi Nathan. I’m heading to college (just finished high school this past summer) and I wanted to buy a new car to take with before I go.
I have saved for almost two years and I have narrowed my choices to the Nissan Versa Note or the new Chevrolet Spark. Both vehicles I have priced with all of the options I want, including a manual transmission. I have both coming in well under $17,000. That way I can make a big down payment and finance about $10,000 over the next four years.
My mom has amazing credit so I will use her as a co-signer. I am driving a crappy Dodge Avenger that my dad handed down to me three years ago. I hate it so much. It’s like the best car to keep me from being happy when I drive. It’s just so not me!
I drove the Nissan Versa Note and the Chevrolet Spark and they were both great. I like the feeling of getting something with a warranty that is ALL mine!
Which one would you suggest?
Thanks man!
Dexter B.
A: Howdy Dexter!
Great choices my man. While I have yet to officially drive the newest Chevrolet Spark, I have just enough experience to say you get a lot of car for the money. It’s a great little commuter and its an ideal size to pilot around dense college campus parking areas.
With that being said, the Nissan Versa Note not only has a lot more space, it can hold three people in the back seat. The Chevy Spark only has provisions for two passengers in the back. I would say that, from a practical and useable space perspective the Nissan Versa Note is the better choice.
By the way, if you want to save more dough and still have a hatchback, take a look at the Mitsubishi Mirage too.
Good luck in college!
N
The last question comes from a viewer who wants to know why we have shown so many top 5 and top 10 lists.
Roman Mica and Nathan Adlen
Q:Why are you guys doing so many top 10 and 5 videos?
Some of them are fun I guess. I just see so many now and I don’t understand why you film them.
Milos
—
A: Hi Milos.
It all started a few years back when we began shooting videos at our old office. We wanted to connect to the viewers and come up with things we could all agree or disagree on. A car review is kind of one-sided and, while we will continue to do them, we know viewers have other interests too. Rather than make fewer videos or videos with less content, we wanted to make something unique to TFLcar, TFLtruck and TFLnow.
That’s why we added these videos. Sure, we’re still doing the same reviews and specials, but now we have more content that viewers like you can participate in. Show’s like “Ask Nathan” on TFLnow are obvious ways for the TFL team to communicate with viewers, but our Top 5 shows are too. When we post these videos, we carefully read through what the viewers have to say. In most cases, viewers like the shows, respond to the Top 5s and often suggest new topics for our shows.
We’re pretty happy with the responses we’re getting and we’re going to keep on producing these shows as long as viewers want them.
Thanks for the email!
N
Here’s the next video episode of “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.
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.
What is the last hoorah for the C7 generation of the Chevrolet Corvette? All the intelligence suggests that it is the 2018 Chevy Corvette ZR1 that will be powered by a supercharged LT4 small block V8 engine with an output north of 700 horsepower.
Can the C7 ZR1 produce between 700-750 horsepower in a reliable and usable way? This will be the $100,000+ question when the king of C7 Corvettes is expected to go on sale in 2017 calendar year. For reference, the current Z06 produces 650 horsepower, can do a 0-60 MPH sprint in 2.95 seconds, and has a starting price of $81,390.
Chevrolet has been working hard to improve the cooling performance of the Z06 for continuous racetrack running for the 2017 model year. These ZR1 prototype have modified front ends with thick camouflage, presumably to further improve cooling efficiency and aerodynamics. The rear deck lids of these prototype have rear wing mounts. It’s not clear whether the production ZR1 will have a removable or retractable wing, but a wing will likely be required for maximum performance on the track.
The ZR1 will likely be offered with an option of a 7-speed manual transmission or an automatic (10-speed auto if it can handle the torque output) or the 8-speed automatic.
The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime is the pinnacle of Toyota’s groundbreaking hybrid, and now the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rated the Prime at 133 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) while running in EV mode.
This rating is higher than that of its most obvious rival, the Chevrolet Volt, which is rated at 106 MPGe when the engine isn’t running.
The Prius Prime, like all Prius models, can use both the gasoline engine and the electric engine to move the car, while the Volt is all-electric for motivation, with the gas engine acting as a generator.
The plug-in hybrid Prime can travel 25 miles on pure electric power alone, and up to a maximum speed of 84 mph. The Volt, on the other hand, can travel 53 miles before the engine needs to fire up and start charging the battery. All of these are EPA ratings.
The Prime’s number outpaces the company’s estimate of 124 MPGe.
The Prime has the same 1.8-liter, Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and electric motor as other Priuses, but it can be plugged in to recharge, unlike the regular Prius that is a pure hybrid. The 8.8 kWh battery pack is twice the size of the previous Prius plug-in hybrid.
Check out this TFLcar video of the first drive of the new 2017 Toyota Prius Prime:
The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid hatchback stakes a claim as one of the most efficient and practical cars for the money — but just how good is it on a 1,200-mile road trip?
In this week’s Ask Nathan:
