Engineering Explained: 6 Cars That Make No Logical Sense

Some cars should never have left the concept room, but somehow, this lot ended up on our driveways anyway...
Engineering Explained: 6 Cars That Make No Logical Sense

Car buying always has been, and always will be, an emotional experience. Whether or not you even like cars, logic is often thrown out the window when you arrive at the dealer lot. Here are six cars which make no logical sense, matched with the car that should be bought instead.

  1. VW Beetle R-Line
  2. Cadillac ELR
  3. Mustang V6
  4. Lexus IS250
  5. Kia Forte Koup
  6. Aston Martin Cygnet

1. VW Beetle R-Line

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My favourite of the group, and the inspiration for this article, the VW Beetle R-Line is ousted in every way by the VW Golf GTI. Here’s the decision to make: you could spend $25,995 for the bottom shelf trim Beetle R-Line. Or, you could keep 1000 of those dollars for a car that has the same power, but 51 more torque units that come on 200rpm sooner. Not only that, you’ll be getting 2mpg better in the city and 3mpg better on the highway thanks to it weighing over 80 pounds less (-30kg), and having a drag coefficient of 0.31 over the Beetle’s 0.37. Cargo volume? How about an additional 22.8 cu ft. (+645 litres) in the Golf with both cars having the rear seats folded down (it’s not like the Beetle’s rear seats are useable anyway).

So to recap, for $1000 less, you get a car that’s faster, more fuel efficient, more aerodynamic, lighter, has more cargo space, and can actually fit four adults. Long live the GTI!

2. Cadillac ELR

Engineering Explained: 6 Cars That Make No Logical Sense

Whether or not the launch of the Chevrolet Volt was a success, the logic behind the design is sound. It’s a car that can offer a completely green way to get to work and back, assuming the distance is short enough, without the range anxiety associated with its purely electric counterparts. Run out of electric juice? No problem, a 1.4-litre petrol engine kicks in and you’re back to emitting EV repellent.

Then, GM became greedy. For 2014 it threw the Volt power plant underneath Cadillac’s exquisite metal stamping, included slightly larger electric motors (mind you, in EV mode it still took 8.8 seconds to hit 60mph), and raised the price from $34k to $75k. It’s as bad a deal as it sounds, and the market called GM’s bluff. For 2016 the ELR experienced a $9000 price drop and gained significant performance benefits.

3. Mustang V6

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The new V6 Mustang is a lose-lose situation. If you cared about fuel economy, you could have a four-cylinder version which produces more power, 40lb/ft more torque, and brings in an extra 5mpg (manual trans). If your right foot wasn’t connected to your bank account, you’ll lose 2mpg but gain 135 horsepower and 120lb/ft with the V8. The V6 was made for fleet sales or those who want a convertible Mustang on the cheap, not the enthusiast.

4. Lexus IS250

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Last year in November, I had the opportunity to try out a fully loaded 2015 Lexus IS250 with AWD that was just shy of $47,000. While I found the aesthetics stunning, the plant burner under the hood was severely underwhelming. For comparison, a Kia Sedona (yes, a minivan) has a better power-to-weight ratio. The IS250’s V6 put out just 204 horses, yet for $3000 you could option up for 306hp. Granted, $3000 is a considerable amount of money, but for the car I drove to have exactly 50 per cent more power it was only a six per cent price hike (larger brakes included as well). Considering fuel economy was only 1mpg worse, those who overlooked the engine option checkbox read over the specs faster than their car will ever be. Luckily, Lexus has made revisions so now the IS350 is paired with a turbo IS200, producing more power in a smaller package.

5. Kia Forte Koup

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The Kia Forte Koup SX and the Hyundai Veloster Turbo share a lot in common. They both have twin-scroll turbo 1.6-litre engines producing 201hp, and they both offer six-speed manual transmissions. But for just $1000 more, the Veloster offers more front legroom and headroom, significantly more cargo space (it’s a hatch), 3mpg combined better fuel economy, and it’s about 50lbs (22kg) lighter. That’s $1000 well spent!

6. Aston Martin Cygnet

Engineering Explained: 6 Cars That Make No Logical Sense

It’s not every day that you get to spend $50,000 on a car that hits 60mph in the double digits (11.6 seconds). For three times the price of the Toyota iQ that the internals are directly pulled from, you could have had an Aston Martin badge and the luxury of convenient parking. Or you know, you could have had that luxury with an additional $30k+ in the bank. Dollar for dollar, there probably wasn’t a worse choice you could make in the car world. That said, I’d still love to have one.

While none of the cars above make much logical sense, I do certainly believe that the car world is a greater place as a result of diversity. Though I would probably never recommend any of the aforementioned rides to a friend (that would be rude), I’m happy that they exist. What other cars make the list?

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Comments

V-Tech and EcoBoost kicked in yo

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

not all of us can afford a car at the moment…

12/06/2015 - 10:18 |
10 | 4
Pooft Lee

The last generation mustang v6 put down better lap times on Car and Driver’s huge car comparison than the new ecoboost. While I don’t condone the v6 for an enthusiast, I think it stays truer to the pony car feel. More room for upgrades, and frankly I’ve been in a new ecoboost and there’s nothing speciatial about it. The only real draw is Choo Choo noises and economy. And pony cars were never about economy

12/06/2015 - 10:37 |
9 | 0

Weren’t they? Cheapest package with decent engine?

12/06/2015 - 12:57 |
3 | 0

A 4 cylinder turbo Mustang doesn’t sound right to me. It’s so weird hearing a mustang making turbo noises

12/06/2015 - 13:12 |
5 | 5
OgierJr (Ford Powered) (Hoof-Hearted)

In reply to by Pooft Lee

The v6 gets identical mileage to the V4, and is actually 0.1 second faster to 60 in manual trim than the V4.

12/06/2015 - 14:00 |
2 | 9

I don’t condone the V6 either, as the ecoboost allows for more headroom when it comes to stock power, a simple tune has been able to increase its power by 30%. That being said, the cyclone is a great platform, and it isn’t uncommon for many enthusiast to get one, and force induce it.

12/06/2015 - 14:51 |
2 | 0

As an owner of a 2013 5.0 Mustang and a 2000 V6 mustang convertible I can say there was a point for having the V6 mustang, but not anymore with the introduction of the 4 banger. The v6 served to those as a first mustang/car that wanted a mustang that was economical and cheap to insure. With the introduction of the 4 banger there really isn’t a point, its more economical, cheaper to insure, and easier to get more power out of it. The turbo 4 in 10-15 years will be the new intro mustang and no one will want the v6. I am sure because when have you ever heard someone they have a v6 fox body? I have been around hundreds of fox bodies and i have yet to find a v6. all of them are a big v8 or the crazy guy who has 600-1000 horsepower from a 4 cylinder with a giant turbo. The v6 will slowly disappear from the s550 and the ecobeast will take over. I agree with Engineering Explained that the v6 mustang in the s550 is pointless. It served its purpose from 1994-2014, now it doesn’t.

12/06/2015 - 20:47 |
0 | 0
hvsi

i totally disagree on the Lexus…

12/06/2015 - 10:47 |
3 | 1
Dirty Lenny

In reply to by hvsi

The 250 isn’t a slouch per se, but it inspires confidence. It’s the car of choice for many rich kids around me, and 100 hp more for 3 grand is worth it. Then again I bought my car for about 3 so… I like the car only because douchey rich kids think it’s fast, and the look on their faces when they get rekt by a wagon is priceless :)

12/06/2015 - 12:47 |
0 | 0
Michael Wu 1

What about the BMW 5 series GT? Any opinions, because there is a 530d GT in my family and I don’t know what to think of it.

12/06/2015 - 10:55 |
7 | 0

The rear of that car makes me feel uncomfortable, despite being bimmers fanboy, I think is better to get a wagon than that

12/06/2015 - 11:42 |
10 | 0

I always think of it as a BMW X5, which is lowered. Although they don’t look indentical. I’d just get a station wagon if I really needed the extra space.

12/06/2015 - 15:10 |
0 | 0

In my eyes the 5 GT looks very overweight and clumsy. The 3 GT on the other hand is very good looking imo.

12/06/2015 - 18:05 |
0 | 0
Ridgerunner21

That has sadly been the story of the 6-cylinder mustang since the beginning, but I’ll say this; I love my little 3.8L Essex. Hopefully it’ll get better once I tune and upgrade it a bit.

12/06/2015 - 11:04 |
1 | 1

I like that newer v6s offer good power for little money, but I feel in the US, these cars (camaro and challenger included) are ruined by non enthusiasts who buy convertible automatic v6s. I was amazed when I was in a v6 rental car how much fun it was, but the fact it was a fleet car, and that they’re so common ruins the character of the car. This is enough to deter me from ever buying one.

12/06/2015 - 12:50 |
2 | 1

What’re the plans? Forced induction? Those blocks have some pretty nice potential.

12/06/2015 - 18:09 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I’d pick the M6 Gran Coupe. 4 door version of a 2 door version of a 4 door car. Pointless.

12/06/2015 - 11:16 |
10 | 1
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

what about the fact that looks much better than an M5?

12/06/2015 - 12:20 |
17 | 0
tunnelvision

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I actually like the looks of the M6 GC… It has more personality than the M5.
But the 4 Series GC is completely pointless. Hardly different from a 3 series saloon

12/06/2015 - 15:48 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

EXACTLY! why buy an M6 gran coupe with 4 doors when you can have an M5 with 4 doors and the M5 is cheaper?

12/06/2015 - 18:12 |
2 | 0
Z. K.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Which brings me to the point of the 4 series sedan. The 4 series was made to be the new two door 3 series and the 3 series was to remain the 4 door of the two. Why would they make a 4 door version of a 2 door verson of a 4 door car?

05/05/2016 - 06:24 |
0 | 0
Dat muscle guy (Sam Stone)(Camaro Squad)(Die augen leader)(E

Saying stuff about the Aston Martin Cygnet but puts a pic of a Toyota IQ……seems legit

12/06/2015 - 11:25 |
2 | 2

It’s not like there’s not already a picture of the Cygnet on the top of the arcticle.

12/06/2015 - 12:37 |
3 | 0
Anonymous

well about the mustang, personally I might consider the v6, if I didn’t have enough money for the v8 i’d probably go for the v6 instead of the ecoboost. It might have a little bit less power and worse fuel economy but I couldn’t stand the thought of driving a mustang wit a 4 pot… I know that this makes no sense at all but that’s what i’d do…

12/06/2015 - 12:56 |
4 | 3
Ricardo Mercio

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hey, that V6 has some untapped potential, a bit of forced induction will push her pretty far and I guarantee it’s easier to mod than the much more technologically advanced Ecoboost.

12/06/2015 - 18:07 |
1 | 0
Gonzalo Ortega

well i think kia forte koup (sold as cerato in my country) looks better than hyundai veloster
and cerato koup is 158HP and veloster 140HP here.

i don’t know if here have different engines or detuned versions, but both are 1.6 too

12/06/2015 - 12:57 |
5 | 0
Dirty Lenny

Can we acknowledge two of the most pointless cars in existence?

12/06/2015 - 12:58 |
266 | 10

Yes ! Thats my man ^^

12/06/2015 - 13:14 |
3 | 0

I actually find both these cars quite aesthetically appealing. I do know, however, they’re small and fairly pointless too

12/06/2015 - 14:06 |
10 | 8

All those SUV’s are totally nonsense (at least where i live). Huge, heavy, ugly things. Blinding you in the City/Autobahn with those new aslidfaewojalsdjflkj ‘intelligent’ lights. I would love to see them banned in Europe. I see nothing positíve in SUV’s maybe some1 of u can explain me why ppl buy them?

12/06/2015 - 14:40 |
30 | 4

Or every SUV… they can’t do offroading, and a simple SW is bigger, or if space is really something you “need” than get a VW multivan. Most pointless type of cars, ever…

12/06/2015 - 15:04 |
5 | 1

not for the manufacturer

12/06/2015 - 20:33 |
0 | 0