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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).

Toyota i-ROAD goes to carsharing service Park24 in Tokyo

Drivers in Tokyo citizens can now soon a handle on what "active leaning" is all about. That's because a small number of Toyota's funky, three-wheeled i-Road electric vehicle will soon be available for a car-sharing program throughout the Japanese capital city. Let the party begin. Toyota is collaborating with parking-lot operator Park24 Co. on the car-sharing program. The automaker will contribute five i-Road vehicles to the project, which will start April 10 and run until the end of September. Users will be able to pick up the trikes at the Times Station at Yurakucho ITOCiA and will be able to drop them off at five locations throughout the city. Toyota will charge 412 yen (about $3.50) per every 15 minutes and will impose a maximum checkout time of two and a half hours. We first became aware of the i-Road when Toyota posted a groovy video of the vehicles sashaying through town a couple of years back. The car, which has so-called "active leaning" technology, is less than eight feet long and less than three feet wide, and has a top speed of 28 miles per hour. Check out Toyota's press release below and get more details here. Park24 and Toyota to Trial i-ROAD Sharing Service in Central Tokyo February 24, 2015 Tokyo, Feb. 25, 2015 -- Starting in April, Park24 Co., Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corporation will trial a car sharing service in central Tokyo using the Toyota i-ROAD, an ultra-compact three-wheeled electric vehicle. The i-ROAD, designed for flexibility and ease of use, will be paired with Park24's "Times Car Plus" service, which allows members to use share cars at any time of day or night. The trial will also incorporate elements from Toyota's "Ha:mo" optimized urban transport system. The trial will run from April 10 to the end of September. Usage data and user feedback will be gathered with the goal of assessing ease of use. The trial will also be used to assess changes in user activity patterns and receptiveness to new mobility systems of this type. For more information about the program, go to: http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/6168109/ Related Video:

Has the auto industry hit peak hybrid?

Hybrids are known for their great fuel economy and low emissions, but it looks like given current market conditions, only about three percent of new car consumers are willing to pay the premium for them. A new study from IHS/Polk finds that the hybrid market share among overall US auto sales are falling, despite more models with the technology on sale than ever before.
The study examined new car registrations in March from 2009 through 2014. In that time, the auto industry grew from 24 to 47 hybrid models available to consumers, but market share for the powertrain remained almost stagnant in that time. As of 2009, hybrids held 2.4 percent of the market; it fell slightly to 2.3 percent in 2010 and grew to 3.3 percent in 2013. However, 2014 showed a drop back to 3 percent. Overall hybrid sales have been growing since 2010, but they just aren't keeping up with the total auto market.
According to IHS/Polk, this isn't what you would expect to see. Usually, each new model in the market brings along with it a boost in sales. The growth in hybrid models 2009 to 2014 should have shown a larger increase in share for the segment.