Where’s the new Toyota Camry, Mazda2 for two, next Ford Taurus and Motorcycles? [Ask Nathan]

2014 buick verano nathan adlen
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.

Mashup

In this edition of Ask Nathan:

  • Where’s the new Toyota Camry?
  • The Mazda2 going away?
  • Replacement for the Ford Taurus?
  • Why don’t you review motorcycles?

2015 toyota camry new york

This first question comes from a Camry fan that has yet to see our 2015 Toyota Camry review. We would like to see it too.

Q:Dear Nathan,

I love being entertained by TFL! Usually, you’re the first to show us a video review. That’s one of the things I love about TFL buy something has gone wrong! I see nothing on the 2015 Toyota Camry! OMG! Did you already review it? When is the video coming out?

All I read is negative or condescending reviews about the new Camry and it has me worried. Is it that bad? :/ I’m looking forward to what you have to say. Please don’t let me down! LOL!

A.Z.

A: Thanks for the email, we truly appreciate your patronage. Sadly, we were never invited to the 2015 Toyota Camry press event. No idea why Toyota booted us from the list. We’re covering the Lexus RC later this month, so (I’m guessing) there was an oversight. Whatever the reason, it’s a shame. The Toyota Camry is one of the best selling cars in North America and it deserves a TFLcar review.

You’re right about the reviews out there. Unfortunately, until we get one or attends some sort of event, we cannot do an honest video review. It’s frustrating; especially based on viewers like you not getting the information they deserve.

Rest assured, we’ll do our best to get behind the wheel as soon as we can!

N

Mazda Hazumi Concept
Mazda Hazumi Concept

Here’s an email from a regular viewer who wants to know about the Mazda2 and its (possible) North American replacement.

Q: Namaste Nathan, Roman, Emmie and Andre!

One of the things you share with me is a real passion for small cars. Right now, my partner and I share a 2004 Honda Civic HX and have driven its little wheels off with over 204,000 miles on the ticker. Now I recently had a ride in a 2013 Mazda2 and it was so cheeky and so much fun. It’s slow, but I don’t mind. We don’t live at high altitude (we’re in the Bay Area) so power is okay. I just love the way it handles and the space is pretty close to our old Honda’s.

So I thought about getting one next year. I saw the photos of the next Mazda2 and it looks amazing! But I don’t know if it’s coming here. Some people say it isn’t coming to North America! What’s up with that?

Do you know what’s going on?

Blessings –

J.M California

A: That’s a difficult question to answer. Little has been said about Mazda selling the new Mazda2 in the United States. If they do follow a schedule that we think is accurate, the new model will come out mid 2015 as a 2015 model. There is no word on performance, economy or price. I will say this: Mazda knows it has to be at-least as much fun as the current model. That’s a good thing.

The current Mazda2 is a delight to drive and one of the few cars on the market that truly deserves to be driven by people who are looking for a hoot of an economy car.

Known as the Demio in Japan, the next Mazda2 looks amazing as do most of the Kodo-designed Mazdas. Kodo means soul of motion. The Japanese Demio has a small gas and diesel engine based on Skyactive technology. No word on if any of that new tech will make it to our shores.

Sorry to be so vague, I wish I did have the answers you wanted. I do know this: the current model is a great choice and prices should drop as the new model nears. You might be able to get a good deal on one soon!

Hope that helps!

N

2016, ford, taurus, sedan, big, prototype
2016 Ford Taurus prototype

This question comes from a reader who knows Ford is testing a replacement to the Taurus. We caught one testing in disguise.

Q: Greetings TFLCAR. I see that you have caught a glimpse of the new Ford Taurus. Let me ask you a question, do you think it’s too little too late? This car is a pig, too much metal and not enough room. I rented one recently and I was stunned how useless it was compared to my Eco Boosted Fusion. Why even build a fat Taurus? Do you think Ford should scrap it and just build Fusions? I do.

H.F.

A: Not a bunch of love for the Ford Taurus eh? Well, I understand your argument. It is a big car and the interior seems a bit tight. With that being said, the Ford Taurus is a favorite amongst police departments nationwide. Yes, your Fusion is a much better design, but remember that the Ford Taurus can be had with the beefy EcoBoost V6 and it’s a rocket.

I think Ford will try to make the interior roomier and more user-friendly. Perhaps they will drop their new 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost into it, which should be awesome. We tried the 2.7 with a full-sized 2015 Ford F-150 and it moved like an Ox on steroids.

Ford knows the Taurus needs some serious upgrades, but knowing where that will take the new Taurus is hard to tell. I bet it will be more comfortable, efficient and a better package.

N


2013-Kawasaki-Ninja300-RSD

The last question comes from a viewer who noticed we don’t do motorcycle video reviews.

Q:Why don’t you guys do motorcycle reviews? Other people do a mix of motorcycle and car reviews, but you don’t.

Via a Tweet

A: You’re partially correct. We don’t do motorcycle video reviews. Our man Arv Voss does motorcycles reviews (along with regular automobile reviews) for TFLcar.com. Arv has been reviewing motorcycles for years and is one of the most respected automotive journalists out there.

Sure, we don’t do video reviews of motorcycles, it’s hard enough doing the logistics for our cars and trucks! Still, we did play with the notion of doing motorcycle reviews when Roman reviewed a scooter (here). We even use motorcycles to help us shoot car videos like this one from Moab, UT. Click (here) to see it.

Maybe, one day, we’ll give it a try. For now, we’re not ready for two-wheeled reviews – yet.

Thanks for the Tweet!

N

Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com

Nathan Adlen Bio Picture Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.