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Autoblog Podcast #318

Toyota back on top, Barrett Jackson, Crowdsourcing your Dodge Dart payments, Nissan and Toyota double down on pickups
Episode #318 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Michael Harley talk about Toyota regaining the No. 1 sales crown, getting your friends and family to buy you a Dodge Dart, Barrett-Jackson, and Toyota and Nissan remaining committed to their pickup trucs. We wrap with your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #318:

Scion trying to build business case for FR-S convertible as Subaru bows out

Hope may remain for a convertible version of the Scion FR-S, according to a report from Ward's Auto. You'll recall that rumors were swirling about the feasibility of a rear-drive Toyobaru convertible as early as October, and that back in November, Subaru - which makes the FR-S, Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86 - essentially nixed the idea of an open-topped variant.
"We make the car, so if we don't make it, it can't happen," brand chief Yasuyuki Yoshinaga told Automotive News, according to Ward's, at the Tokyo Motor Show. "Our engineering department told me that losing the entire roof requires a complete redesign of the structure. It would need a big change."
Despite Yoshinaga-san's arguments against a droptop variant, Toyota is apparently still considering the model. Speaking to media at the 2014 North American International Auto Show, Scion's US vice president, Doug Murtha, hinted that the rear-drive droptop was in the works.

2017 Subaru Forester has new face, better EyeSight, torque vectoring

The Forester was Subaru's best-selling vehicle in the US last year, and holds that title so far in 2016. With stiff competition in the crossover segment, though, Subaru isn't resting on that success. A refresh to the Forester for the 2017 model year adds more tech, and updated face, and a quieter interior. Plus you can now get torque vectoring on the 2.0-liter turbo, just like in the Impreza WRX and STI. The updated Forester arrives at dealerships in July. Most significant among the updates is a an upgrade to Subaru's Eyesight safety system. Eyesight uses two cameras in the windshield to read the road ahead and provide emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. With the new model year the system now uses color cameras with a winder and longer field of view. The tech suite includes Lane Keep Assist, and higher trims benefit from additional improvements like High Beam Assist, Steering Responsive Headlights, and Reverse Automatic Braking, which can automatically stop the CUV if it detects an obstruction behind the car. The 2017 Forester's design tweaks are minor but attractive. The new grille features horizontal bars, and the updated front fascia for naturally aspirated models has a larger body-color section around the air dam. The headlights feature C-shaped LED running lights, too. Riding in the Forester should be quieter thanks to thicker door glass, new seals, additional under-floor insulation, and an acoustic glass windshield. There's also a redesigned steering wheel, and it's even heated on the Touring trim. Customers can still choose between a 170-horsepower naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four cylinder or a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four. Subaru worked some engineering magic on the 2.5 and upped the fuel economy 26 miles per gallon city, 32 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined – gains of 2 mpg city and 1 mpg combined. Subaru's venerable all-wheel drive layout also now includes Active Torque Vectoring on the Forester 2.0XT Touring with EyeSight for even sharper handling. Related Video: 2017 SUBARU FORESTER OFFERS ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES AND GREATER COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE April 14, 2016 New Driver Assist Technology Improved MPG Upgraded Comfort and Style Turbo Model Now Features Torque Vectoring Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. today announced a comprehensive update to the 2017 Forester including revised styling, new driver assist technology, more interior comfort, enhanced driving performance, and better fuel economy.