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Top horsepower-per-dollar cars in 2017

Bang for the buck. That quasi-scientific statistic is bandied about by motor heads everywhere from classrooms to barrooms, though the truth of the matter is that it's exceedingly complex to measure. A fair performance-per-dollar index would include something like cross-referencing MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) with point-to-point times on a track or driving route, which is obviously hard to do comprehensively. But, for the sheer joy of talking about cars and playing with a big spreadsheet, there's always the horsepower-per-dollar index, which is more straightforward, albeit hilariously flawed. There are vagaries even with this simple formula, of course: MSRP for vehicles can change at a moment's notice, to say nothing of the bottom-line shifting that happens with local deals or showroom negotiation. For this list we're running with the straight MSRP wherever possible, and as recently reported as we can get it. All the vehicles on this list are 2017 models, and all trims are reported where the lowest price and differing power levels intersect. Some choices were made for personal preference and some for sanity, avoiding things like all 48 trim levels of the Ford Transit, all with the same horsepower). If this list were a simple top ten, or even a top fifty, you'd be bored to tears with all the red, white and blue that is represented. Following perfectly with conventional wisdom, American cars really do lead the world where hp/$ is concerned. So, for the sake of variety (and the sheer joy of seeing a minivan 'win' one round of this thing) I've sorted out some top five and bottom five lists for broad power categories. Let's dive in. Less Than 100 Horsepower Okay, okay, this is hardly a category we'll grant you. But we've often tried to click off all the sub-100-hp cars on sale in the US, and making this list gave us an excuse. It also illustrates that none of these smallish vehicles bring cheap horsepower to the table - for that you'll need a motorcycle. The segment-leading Chevy Spark (above) asks just over $139 for each hp, and that Smart Fortwo Electric Drive has hp on sale for about the same price as its very distant family cousin, the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG (insert your favorite Smart joke here... we know you want to).

2021 Jaguar F-Pace spied getting ready for a significant update

The Jaguar F-Pace is still relatively new to the world — started as a 2017 model year car — but it looks like an update is on the way. These spy shots preview a few new design and styling details coming to the companyÂ’s luxury crossover. Its shape remains the same, but Jaguar appears to be honing the finer points. Jaguar has taken the liberty of covering up the front bumper to a great extent. Look out for a redesigned front grille (probably larger than today) and reshaped front lower air intakes. The headlights might be getting a makeover to fit the new face better, but itÂ’s tough to tell how different they may be with all the camo surrounding them. This F-Pace is similarly disguised out back with a full form-fitting cover. We can see the LED taillights poking through, and the design may be a bit different than how it looks today. With so much camouflage itÂ’s tough to know for sure, but the lights look slimmed down and generally smaller. One of the two F-Paces spied here has visible exhaust tips extending beyond the bumper. ItÂ’s tough to say what the rear valance and exhaust design will look like in final production form, but the rear aesthetic is definitely going to be different. There are no interior photos, but our spy shooters report seeing a fully covered interior. This could indicate some new design elements and updated tech. WeÂ’ll expect both of those things when the mildly updated F-Pace is ultimately revealed. Look out for a launch soon, possibly as a 2021 model year vehicle.

Jaguar has something special planned for Goodwood

It's been barely a week since JLR announced its new Special Operations division, dedicated to creating limited-run halo cars and custom creations for both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. Now the British automaker has confirmed the debut of the division's first project.
We don't know what it is, exactly, that Jaguar will be bringing to the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this week, but we bet it'll be exciting. If we were the betting kind, we'd put our money on some kind of hot-rod F-Type, but we'll just have to wait and see.
Alongside whatever JLR Special Operations has got cooking, Coventry will also be bringing the new F-Type R Coupe and XFR-S Sportbrake to run up the hill alongside a whole slew of classic and racing Jaguars, including a pair of D-Types, a Group 44 E-Type, a Group A XJS and the reunion of XJR-9 and Andy Wallace that last saw each other on the top step of the podium at Le Mans in 1988.