Marketed to be big, bold and strong for work, adaptable for play and elegant for entertainment, Toyota’s Tundra continues in its third generation that began in 2014, and with a minor styling revamp already unveiled for 2018, the 2017 edition sees only quiet additions. 2018 Tundras will see a freshened front end that features new grille designs and headlamps, a new mesh look complemented by halogen headlights with a black bezel on the base SR and SR5 trims, and a billet-style grill and LED headlights for next year’s Tundra Limited, Platinum and 1794 Edition. Pointing toward a rumored all-new style-and-feature Tundra for 2019 or 2020, Toyota has chosen to only add a standard tow hitch receiver for models outfitted with the 4.6-liter V-8, while the Limited trim gains standard power front bucket seats. Other than that and an updated exterior color range that includes Quicksand, Inferno and Barcelona Red Metallic, Tundra for 2017 largely stands pat.

With more than four-dozen possible configurations and a towing capacity of up to 10,500 pounds, the 2017 Toyota Tundra, assembled exclusively in San Antonio, Texas. Tundra is a big truck with a big look. Tundra embodies brawn, in a tough and confident package, with sculpted creases, large angled headlights, a wide stance and an easy-lower-and-lift tailgate that lowers slowly with no slam, and that can easily be removed when necessary. Additionally, the front and rear bumpers use three-piece construction for reduced repair costs and all CrewMax models have a power vertical sliding rear window.

My Tundra 4x4 CrewMax test ride measured 228.9 inches long with a standard bed. Its width was 79.9 inches and height was 76.2 inches on a 145.7-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance came in at 10.4 inches and curbweight was 5670 lbs. Towing capacity for the Platinum Crew Max with a 5.5-ft. short bed is 9,800 lbs. in 4x4 configuration and the 5.7-liter engine.

Tundra links a 6-speed automatic overdive transmission mated to either of two engine choices. The 2017 pick-up truck comes standard with the 4.6-liter i-Force DOHC EFI V-8 that is good for 310 hp 327 lbs.-ft. of peak torque and is EPA rated at 14mpg/city and 18mpg/highway in 4x4. The 5.7-liter i-Force DOHC EFI V-8 that powered my test truck is the more popular choice among buyers. It is muscular and provides 381 hp and 401 lbs.-ft. of peak torque. The 5.7-liter is offered in both gasoline and Flex Fuel variants, and in 4x4 configuration is EPA rated at 13 city/17 highway. A week of mixed-used rides delivered an average of 15.2 mpg.

I found the engine to be noisy, but ample. Low-end torque was abundant and passing and acceleration from a stop were consistently powerful. On the highway, uphill grades and passing at speed were no challenge, and on the track, my Tundra Platinum dashed from zero to 60mph in 6.5 seconds en route to a 15.1-second quarter-mile.

Tundra Platinum’s interior is comfortable, thoughtfully constructed and its large knobs can be operated while wearing work gloves. The info gauges are grouped in a clear, easy-to-see design and there’s a center-mounted multi-information (LCD) display screen.

The cabin is filled with high-tech infotainment items and sightlines are clear. Tundra’s Crew Max Cab offers seating for five or six and provides 39.7 inches of front headroom and 38.9 inches for rear cab occupants. Legroom is 42.5 inches up front and 42.3 in the rear, and shoulder room is 65.7 inches (front) and 65.5 inches (rear). Platinum’s added amenities include dual-zone air conditioning; 12-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, memory and a 4-way power passenger’s seat -- both upscaled with heat and ventilation.

Tundra attends to safety with eight standard airbags including front seat-mounted side airbags, front and rear roll-sensing side curtain airbags, driver and front outboard passenger airbags with an advanced airbag system. Tundra also provides standard driver and front outboard passenger knee airbags, and it is equipped with a standard backup camera on all grades.

Available in six trims, 2017 Toyota Tundras start at $33,170 for the SR trim with the 4.6-liter V-8; $34,980 for the SR5 and a 4.6-liter V-8; $42,430 for the Limited that comes with the 5.7-liter V-8; $43,495 for the off-road capable TRD Pro; $50,130 for the Platinum trim I tested; and $50,130 for the 1794 Edition.

The Platinum trim comes with a 5.7-liter V-8 engine and 5.5-ft. bed, 20-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed steering wheel with memory function, deck rail system, power sliding rear window, 38-gallon fuel tank, dual zone automatic climate control, power tilt/slide moonroof, Premium perforated leather-trimmed Seats, integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Integrated Fog Lights, Intermittent Windshield Wipers, LED Daytime Running Lights and Entune™ Premium JBL® Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite.

The Platinum trim starts with the CrewMax and 5.5-ft. Short Bed configuration, and my test truck came in Magnetic Gray Metallic accented by a black leather interior. Running Boards added $345; a Skid Resistor™ Bedliner added $365; Bed Tie-Down Cleats added $142; All-Weather Floor Liners added $139; Glass Breakage Sensor added $299; key finder added $79; and a Remote Engine Starter added $499. With an $1195 delivery, processing & handling fee, the price as tested came to $51,553.

You can see the Tundra and and nearly 2,000 trucks at the Carlisle Truck Nationals, August 4-6 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. This celebration of trucks features big rigs, monster trucks, mini trucks, antiques, custom vans, 4x4’s and more.


> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

The group of enthusiasts who call the Carlisle Truck Nationals home each August are the type that will give you the shirt off their back, change your tire if you had a flat, or help an animal in need. It's that caring and giving nature that makes a special visit from local annual rescue group Speranza a reality during the August 4-6 weekend at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.

Speranza Animal Rescue is Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania based and has been taking in, rehabbing and rescuing animals for many years. Their role and visibility in the rescue community shot to a whole new level in 2016 however, with the rescue and life-saving rehabilitation efforts of Libre the dog.

Libre, a Boston Terrier, was found discarded from a puppy mill, emaciated, sick and malnourished. Taken in by Speranza, Libre was given not only a new lease on life, but with the help of his human caretakers, helped usher in stricter laws statewide related to animal care and abuse.

With his star still shining bright and his life filled with love and happiness due in part to Speranza, he and some of his furry adoptable friends will appear at this year's Carlisle Truck Nationals.

The whole crew, Libre included, will be at Carlisle all weekend taking donations in support of their cause and raising awareness, all while giving families and show guests a chance to interact with some pretty cool pups ready to find their new forever home. You may just find your new best friend!

Carlisle Events and Pepsi encourage everyone to stop by their location near Building R to learn more and drop off your donation. Blankets, food, toys, cash…any donation counts! With every donation, Pepsi will offer a coupon for a free fountain drink valid at any participating food vendor open during Carlisle Truck Nationals weekend. It's a win-win for all at Carlisle starting August 4.

Libre and Speranza aren’t the only dogs coming to Carlisle. Their location near Building R and the Carlisle Events Family Fun Zone is the perfect complement to even more furry fun with Lawrence Frederick and his Disc-Connected K9s. Lawrence and his frisbee loving dogs are world champions many times over and best of all, his pups are rescues too. Frederick also operates a rescue and adoption program in his home state of Florida.

Complete event information, as well as links to details about Speranza, Disc-Connected K9s, the event itself, links to register a truck, purchase single day/weekend tickets and more can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

With the marketing slogan “Design that Excites,” Chrysler has positioned its 2017 200 as an elegant vehicle that exceeds expectations for a mid-size car. Delivering a thoughtful, well-crafted interior and highway fuel economy of 36 miles per gallon for its smaller engine, this American-built icon is marketed at under $30,000.

Launched in 2011 to replace the Sebring, Chrysler upscaled the vehicle with added power, numerous cosmetic changes, stiffer body mounts for a more gentle driving experience, premium interior features, and a quiet demeanor through engineering advancements and high-tech upgrades.

The four-door sedan, built at the Sterling Heights Assembly plant in Michigan, comes with a Transverse front engine with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and though it has essentially remained the same as the 2015 model except for some new exterior colors, a standard rear backup camera, standard heated steering wheels and improved seat firmness, all added last year, the 200 moves on with a few more nuances for 2017. New this year is a Dark Appearance Package on 200 Touring that features 18-inch Jet Black Gloss wheels, halogen headlamps with black molding and a gloss black exterior treatment. Also new for 2017, the 200S model’s Alloy Edition Package features a sport-tuned suspension for driving enjoyment, and offers advanced all-wheel-drive systems with Sport mode for added all-weather traction and handling. With unique Dark Bronze and Titanium finishes, the 200S Alloy Edition showcases Chrysler brand’s attention to color and material design.

Available in five trim levels: 200 LX, 200 Touring, 200 Limited Platinum, 200S and 200C Platinum, the 200’s steel uni-frame construction shows off the face of Chrysler, characterized with an integrated grille and headlamps and Chrysler’s slim pronounced wing badge. The 200 fits within midsize configuration at 192.3 inches long, 73.6 inches wide and 58.7 inches high on a 108.0-inch wheelbase, with a ground clearance of 5.78 inches. My test 200 Limited Platinum weighed in at a light 3500 lbs.

Chrysler offers two engine choices for the 200: the standard 2.4-liter MultiAir®2 Tigershark I-4 engine that produces 184 horsepower and 173 lbs.-ft. of torque and is EPA rated at 23 mpg/city and 36mpg/highway, and the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that delivers 295 horsepower and 262 lbs.-ft. of torque and is rated at 19 mpg/city and 31 mpg/highway in FWD and 18/29 in AWD. My AWD test ride, powered up with the V-6, and averaged 22.0mpg during mixed-use driving.

Steady around town, on the interstate and on the track, my test 200, sprinted from zero to 60 mph in a quiet and smooth 6.7 seconds, during a solid 15.2-second quarter-mile run. In the AWD, up to 60 percent of the torque is sent to the rear wheels, eliminating pronounced torque steer that I experienced when driving a FWD version last year.

The electric power rack-and-pinion steering was predictable at high speed, but a bit vague at low speed, and some rear sway was apparent during high-speed maneuvers. The suspension was refined and the ride is smooth and made road imperfections a gentle experience.

The interior is impressive for a mid-size that stickered at under $30K (see below). The 200 Limited Platinum’s cabin is sophisticated, high-tech, infotainment filled and thoughtfully laid out. Notable is the 7-inch LED full-color instrument cluster that allows drivers to receive such easy-to-use and easy-to-read information such as real-time fuel economy, turn-by-turn navigation, compass, outside temperature, speed and time.

The cabin seats five comfortably with head room of 38.7 inches up front and 37.4 inches in row two; legroom is 42.2 inches row one with seat travel of 8.27 inches, and legroom is a roomy 37.6 inches in row two. Shoulder room affords 58.5 inches in front and 56.7 inches in the rear. Rear knee clearance is 2.8 inches.

Safetywise, the 2017 Chrysler 200 has earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration –m their highest rating. And it has also been named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+, the highest rating given by the IIHS. The 200 offers 60 available safety and security features, including a rear backup camera, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus with Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning-Plus and Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist.

The 2017 Chrysler 200 sedans start at $22,610 for the LX trim. My 200 Limited Platinum started at $24,610 with the 2.4-liter engine. Upgrading to the 3.6-liter added $1995 and included moving up to the 9-Speed 9HP48 Automatic Transmission in place of the standard 9-Speed 948TE Automatic Tranny. The Comfort and Convenience Package was added on my test ride, for $695, and included 215/55R17 BSW All Season Goodyear® Tires; Dual Zone (Front/Rear) Control A/C; Body-Color Power Heated Mirrors; Heated Steering Wheel; Humidity Sensor; rear seat heat ducts that enable you to heat the rear seats; Remote Start; and Sun Visors with Illuminated Vanity Mirrors. A Power Sunroof added $995 and Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection added $595. Destination charges of $1095 put my 2017 Chrysler 200 Limited Platinum at $29,985, but regional consumer discounts could lower your price, so check with your local dealer.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

Never one to fall behind the always advancing trends, Carlisle Events knew a good thing when it saw it and for the past few months has partnered with Andy Lally ALIVE to develop an all-new free automotive app known as MotorCrush. MotorCrush is the social network for car enthusiast. It allows users to check-in to a show to identify where their car is in real time for everyone on the app to see – and even message. The app also allows users to list every modification, tune and part associated with their ride so they can build up some clout and credibility within the community. These are just a few of the excellent features of this app…but wait, there is more!

Just announced, MotorCrush is offering guests of the 2017 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals (July 14-16 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds) a chance to win money! MotorCrush already brings car enthusiasts together, but now they aim to bring the car community even closer together and do so by offering up to $4,000 in cash prizes just by downloading then earning or giving likes; it’s that simple! The Chrysler Nationals is just one of many opportunities to win at Carlisle, with the Carlisle Truck Nationals, Corvettes at Carlisle and Fall Carlisle being additional on-site outlets too.

Via the iTunes store or Google Play, users can download the app today. Once you’re up and running, check in at Carlisle and let the MotorCrush community know you’re at the Chrysler Nationals. The car with the most likes during one of six contest windows WILL WIN MONEY. Don’t have a car? Don’t worry, you can give likes and win as well. Prize totals range from $50 to $200 per winner and total between $1,000 and $4,000 over the course of the entire contest.

Prizes are distributed equally among all winners and the prize increases one dollar with each car checked-in at Carlisle over a two-day period (July 14-15 at the Chrysler show), and the final prize given is determined at the end of the two-day period. Additional contest dates for the aforementioned shows will be announced via activity listings on www.CarlisleEvents.com. Winners can only receive one prize per event. Runner-ups will be chosen in the event the winner has already received a prize.

Official rules are available via www.MotorCrush.com/contest-rules and via the Carlisle Events web page, enthusiasts can find all relevant info too, including details about the remaining 2017 schedule, the Chrysler Nationals and this very special contest. There are four ways to win, with six contest windows throughout event weekend. Download, check-in, give likes, and win - Good luck!

When the Dodge Charger first hit the scene in 1965, it was a Dart GT-based muscle car that blazed around town with a 235-hp 273ci. (about 4.5 liters) V-8 engine. Introduced on its own in 1966 as a two-door fastback that shared components with the Coronet, and outfitted with a 230-hp 318 ci. (5.2 -liters) V-8, its R/T trim was first offered 50 years ago, in 1967. R/T stands for Road/Track and the ’67 model came with a 426ci. V-8 that delivered 425hp and 490 lbs.-ft. of torque and blew through a zero-to-60mph sprint in 5.7 seconds, polishing off a quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds – true American muscle.

Charger was put on hiatus in 1988 and Chrysler brought it back in 2006, as the sixth generation of Charger. Its reincarnation has rekindled its following and now in its seventh generation, I was fortunate enough to test a 2017 Charger R/T and saw that my test ride had gained luxury conveniences, connectivity, safety features and performance over the original, though the track times were about the same as they were 50 years ago.

Looking at the entire 2017 Charger line-up, Dodge had added the exciting all-new Charger Daytona and Daytona 392 models, with Daytona models offering peak performance and heritage-inspired styling including unique SRT Hellcat®-inspired functional performance styling for an even more aggressive appearance.

Additionally, Active Exhaust is now standard on all HEMI V-8 models, and all 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 Charger models now feature a 2.75-inch electronically controlled active exhaust system to deliver a signature Dodge muscle-car sound. Chargers for this year also get an all-new fourth-generation 8.4-inch Uconnect system; Apple CarPlay; Siri Voice control and Android Auto for easy and safe access to Google voice search, Google Maps and Google Play Music. And various trims get new cosmetics, badging, and wheel finishes, while Signature Houndstooth cloth seats are now available on Dodge Charger SXT and R/T models.

Assembled in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, with a unitized steel body and aluminum hood, Charger retains its iconic look from the ’60s, specifically borrowing design cues from the historic 1969 model. Its cross-hair honeycomb grille, broad hood, scalloped body sides, slit headlamps, contoured rear taillamps and spoiler meld together for a muscular and sporty demeanor.

Charger turns heads with its bold muscle look and wide body, coming in at 200.8 inches long, 75.0 inches wide and 58.2 inches high on a 120.2-inch wheelbase with a curb weight of about 4270 lbs. for my R/T trim Charger, ground clearance is a scant 4.9 inches.

As Charger has been all about muscle for more than half-a-century, the 2017 group offers several powerful engine choices. The standard Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine is rated at 292hp (300hp in the Rallye Group of vehicles), and 260 lbs.-ft. of torque for an EPA rating of 18/city and 27/hwy for AWD. The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 that powered my R/T trim Charger gallops out 370 horses and 395 lbs.-ft. of torque and is rated at 16mpg/city and 25mpg/highway -- my mixed-use tests that included some tire smoking as well as long interstate treks, averaged 23.1mpg. For more might, the super-powered SRT 392, R/T Scat Pack and Daytona 392 trims smoke tires with a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 that powers up with 485 hp and 475 lbs.-ft. of torque for a rating of 15/city and 25/hwy, and the Hellcat® versions supercharge their 6.2-liter HEMI for a thundering 707hp and 650 lbs.-ft. of torque for track-worthy speed and performance and 13/22mpg if you are still fuel conscious.

My 5.7 HEMI was true to its R/T heritage with good responsiveness, though I occasionally found a slight power delay that reminded me of typical 1960s performance. Passing at speed was pie-easy and on the track, my R/T broke 6 seconds with a 5.9-second zero-to-60 dash and 14.4-second quarter-mile – just what they ran 50 years ago for the quarter.

The driver-oriented interior is well-crafted with premium, soft-touch materials lots of connectivity and adequate space. Charger afford 38.6 inches of front headroom and 36.6 in the rear seats, 41.8 inches of legroom in row one with 40.1 in row two, and shoulder room of a wide-body 59.5 inches in the first row and 57.9 for second-seaters. Knee clearance is 3.9 inches in the rear.

Safetywise, the 2017 Dodge Charger has earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, earning five stars for frontal and side impacts, and rollover resistance. Charger offers more than 80 available safety and security features, including advanced multistage front airbags, Full-speed Forward Collision Warning , Adaptive Cruise Control with Full Stop, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic gridlines and 9-1-1 call/Assist Call.

With eight trims available, base Chargers start at $27,995 (SE trim) and run to $67,645 for the SRT® Hellcat trim. My test 2017 Charger R/T with the 5.7-liter HEMI, 20-Inch Satin Carbon Aluminum Wheels and R/T Badging, started at $34,895.

Options added on included the Beats™ Audio Group for $995, with Beats™ premium speakers with subwoofer and a 552-watt amp. GPS navigation with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel, U-Connect and HD radio added $1095 and The D river Confidence group added $1095 for Blind Spot Detection and Power Heated Mirrors w/Manual Fold-Away. A power sunroof added $1195 and Destination charges of $1095 put my 2017 Dodge Charger at $38,620.

You can see the new Charger and a “50th Anniversary of Charger R/T” trim display, along with “100 years of Dodge/Ram trucks” and a 50th anniversary of Plymouth GTX showcase, as well as more than 2,500 Chrysler-brand vehicles from all eras, including classics, muscle cars, high-performance, trucks and new models, at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, July 14-16, at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds.



Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.