Season 33 Episode 3 | 26m 49s | Video has closed captioning.
In this episode we've waited long enough, now it's time to harness the awesome that is the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, Then it's tailgating time in Toyota's all new Tundra. It's time for timing belts with Pat Goss, and OTE with Zack Maskell.
Aired: 09/19/13
Expired: 10/03/14
Support provided by:
HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US FOR A NEW ERA OF CORVETTE PERFORMANCE WITH THE 2014 STINGRAY... ZACH MASKELL KNOWS NO LIMIT IN HIS QUEST TO FIND THE AUTO WORLD'S BEST... AND SEE IF THE NEW TOYOTA TUNDRA IS FINALLY READY TO TAKE ON THE BIG BOYS.
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY... AND THAT IS WHERE BABIES COME FROM.
DAD, I HAVE A QUESTION.
YOU DO?
DOES THE ASYMMETRICAL TREAD PATTERN OF A TIRE HAVE ANY EFFECT ON STOPPING DISTANCE?
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UH... GO ASK YOUR MOTHER.
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MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRE RACK.COM.
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DIEHARD.
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM John Davis: YOU'VE SEEN THE PICTURES, READ ALL OF THE SPECS AND CLAIMS, AND EVEN HEARD A FEW GRIPES AS WELL.
BUT NOW IT'S TIME FOR OUR TAKE ON WHAT THE ALL-NEW CHEVROLET CORVETTE IS ALL ABOUT.
AND IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO ONLY ONE QUESTION...
DOES THIS 7TH GENERATION OF AMERICA'S ORIGINAL SPORTS CAR, AND THE REINCARNATION OF THE CLASSIC STINGRAY, HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH THE WORLD'S BEST?
NO SLEW OF PHOTOS OR VIDEOS, OR THOUGHTFUL FIRST IMPRESSIONS, AND CERTAINLY NOT KNEE-JERK BLOGS, CAN PREPARE YOU FOR THE EXPERIENCE OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL FOR SEAT TIME IN THE 2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY.
SIMPLY PUT, DRIVING THE NEW CORVETTE STINGRAY DELIVERS FAR MORE EXCITEMENT AND SATISFACTION THAN EVEN WE WERE EXPECTING.
BUT BEFORE WE GET TOO FAR AHEAD OURSELVES, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS THAT MAKE THIS 7TH GENERATION 'VETTE SUCH AN INCREDIBLE PIECE OF WORK.
HIGH TECH HAS CERTAINLY ARRIVED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT DON'T THINK OVERHEAD CAMS, THINK DIGITAL DIRECT FUEL INJECTION, CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE VALVE TIMING, AND CYLINDER DEACTIVATION.
ALL HELPING THIS NEW 6.2-LITER SMALL BLOCK LT1 V8 CRANK OUT 455-HORSEPOWER AND 460 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
MAKING THIS THE MOST POWERFUL STANDARD 'VETTE EVER.
BUT SMART BUYERS ARE SPENDING THE FEW EXTRA BUCKS FOR THE PERFORMANCE EXHAUST TO BOOST THOSE NUMBERS 5 MORE TO 460 AND 465.
YES, WE KNOW THERE ARE PLENTY OF CARS WITH HIGHER RATINGS, BUT FEW DELIVER THEIR POWER THIS NASTILY, AND WE MEAN THAT IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY.
LAUNCH CONTROL IS ON HAND, BUT MOST DRIVERS WILL BE ABLE TO GET BETTER TIMES WITHOUT IT, JUST 3.8-SECONDS TO 60 IF YOU NAIL IT JUST RIGHT.
AFTER THAT FULL-ON BRUTAL LAUNCH, IT FEELS LIKE THIS CORVETTE IS NOT GOING TO BE THAT GENTLE EVERYMAN'S, EASY TO DRIVE SPORTS CAR OF YORE, BUT IT STILL IS.
THE STEERING IS PERFECT IN EVERY WAY, QUICK AND DIRECT WITH GREAT FEEL.
ON TOP OF THAT, THE WHEEL ITSELF HAS GOTTEN SMALLER AND FITS OUR HANDS PERFECTLY.
NOW LET'S TAKE A BREATH AND LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL BEAST.
THERE ARE NO ROUGH EDGES TO ITS LOOKS.
EVOLUTIONARY?
SURE!
BUT ALSO VERY MUCH WORLD CLASS WITH AN INTOXICATING SUPERCAR-LIKE BLEND OF EXOTIC STANCE, BEAUTIFUL CURVES, SHARP LINES, AND SHEER AGGRESSION.
THERE ARE VENTS GALORE, AND THEY ALL WORK!
MUCH BALLYHOO HAS BEEN MADE OVER THE CAMARO-LIKE TAILLIGHTS.
WELL, THEY ARE NOT NEARLY AS OBJECTIONABLE IN PERSON AS IN PHOTOS.
THEY'RE HERE; THEY'RE NOT ROUND, SO DEAL WITH IT!
WE'D RATHER ADMIRE THE ARTFUL CENTER GROUPED QUAD-EXHAUST.
OR THE BEEFY ROLLING STOCK THAT COMES WITH THE Z51 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE; 245/35/19'S UP FRONT, 285/30/20'S IN THE REAR, WITH RUBBER BY MICHELIN.
THE STINGRAY HAS GOTTEN WIDER AND LONGER, BUT THANKFULLY IT FEELS MUCH SMALLER BEHIND THE WHEEL.
ENGINEERING MAGIC THAT OTHER CARMAKERS WOULD LOVE TO DUPLICATE.
AND EVEN WITH MORE SIZE, WEIGHT IS HELD DOWN WITH LOTS OF ALUMINUM AND BIG PANELS OF CARBON FIBER FOR THE HOOD AND THE REMOVABLE ROOF PANEL.
THE CHASSIS IS SO STIFF THAT YOU REALLY FEEL ONE WITH THE CAR.
WE MENTIONED THE WHEELS AND TIRES OF THE Z51 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE, ALONG WITH NUMEROUS UPGRADES, FROM DRY SUMP OILING TO BIGGER BRAKES, IT RATCHETS UP THE STINGRAY'S FEEL AND FUN FACTOR EXPONENTIALLY.
NO WONDER 75% OF EARLY BUYERS ARE GOING FOR IT.
BUT TO US, Z51'S BIGGEST BENEFIT IS THE ELECTRONIC REAR DIFFERENTIAL.
IT'S SEAMLESS; CONSTANTLY SHIFTING POWER WHERE IT CAN BE USED MOST EFFECTIVELY, HELPING THE STINGRAY AS IF IT HAS EARNED A DOCTORATE IN GRIP.
THE INTERIOR IS VASTLY BETTER IN LAYOUT AND MATERIAL QUALITY.
IT'S STILL TIGHT, BUT WE'LL TAKE IT.
THERE'S NICELY DONE ALUMINUM TRIM, AND IF YOU LIKE, STILL MORE CARBON FIBER.
OVERALL, IT'S TOP NOTCH TO SEE AND TOUCH.
EVEN WE'VE GOTTEN TIRED OF HEARING OURSELVES COMPLAIN ABOUT CORVETTE SEATS, AND GM HAS FINALLY PUT AN END TO THAT GRIEVANCE.
THE STANDARD BUCKETS PROVIDE GOOD FIT AND EVEN BETTER COMFORT.
THUMB THE START BUTTON AND THERE'S A NICE BARK WITH AN ALMOST ITALIAN FLAIR AS EVERYTHING COMES TO LIFE.
RATIOS FOR BOTH THE 7-SPEED MANUAL AND 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC ARE JUST ABOUT SPOT-ON.
THE MANUAL IS AN ABSOLUTE JOY TO WORK.
AND PROVIDING REV MATCHING THROUGH STEERING WHEEL PADDLES IS A WELCOMED NEW TWIST.
MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL IS AVAILABLE AS BEFORE, BUT THE RANGE OF FIRMNESS IS BROADER, WITH THE RIDE GOING FROM BONE JARRINGLY HARSH TO ALMOST PLUSH, WHILE A STANDARD DRIVE MODE SYSTEM CONTROLS UP TO 12 VEHICLE ATTRIBUTES TO FURTHER PERSONALIZE YOUR RIDE.
ALL STINGRAYS ALSO COME EQUIPPED WITH BREMBO BRAKES THAT WORK SPLENDIDLY.
DESPITE ALL OF THIS ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE UP TO 17-CITY, 29-HIGHWAY, AND 21-COMBINED FOR MANUAL EQUIPPED CARS.
CORVETTE HAS LONG DELIVERED THE BIGGEST HIGH PERFORMANCE BANG FOR THE BUCK, BUT YOU OFTEN GOT WHAT YOU PAID FOR.
THE C7 CHARTS NEW TERRITORY AND TAKES A BACKSEAT TO NO ONE IN FINESSE.
STILL, $51,995 FOR THIS MUCH PERFORMANCE SHOULD BE PURE FANTASY LAND.
AND THAT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Z51 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE?
ONLY $2,800 MORE.
TO SAY THAT CHEVROLET HAS GOT A REAL HIT ON THEIR HANDS WITH THE 2014 CORVETTE STINGRAY MIGHT JUST BE THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR.
AND AS MUCH AS WE LOVE THE NEW LOOK AND GIANT LEAP FORWARD IN INTERIOR REFINEMENT, THE BEST THING OF ALL TO US, IS THAT IT DRIVES EVEN BETTER.
THOROUGHLY MODERN, THOROUGHLY BAD-TO-THE-BONE.
THE NEW STINGRAY!
CONSIDER US STUNG!
WHETHER IT'S WORKING OVERTIME, REALLY ODD JOBS, CASHING HIS TAX REFUND, OR JUST FISHING FOR GOLF BALLS IN A WATER HAZARD, OUR ZACH MASKELL HAS OFTEN GONE WAY OVER THE EDGE TO FINANCE HIS AUTOMOTIVE DREAMS.
WELL, NOW HE'S FOUND A CUSTOMIZER WHOSE TOP PRIORITY IS TO HELP EVERYONE, FROM HIS NEIGHBORS TO OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALISTS, HAVE THE RIDE OF THEIR DREAMS.
Zach Maskell: THERE'S LITERALLY NO LIMITATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO CUSTOMIZING YOUR RIDE AT ONE AUTO-BODY SHOP IN BALTIMORE.
IN FACT, THEY'VE GAINED SO MUCH POPULARITY, MANY OF THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPS FLOCK HERE.
SUPER BOWL XLVII CHAMPS RAY RICE, TORREY SMITH, AND MICHAEL OHER LED AN ALL-STAR ROSTER OF PRO ATHLETES WHO'VE BEEN FLOCKING TO NO LIMIT.
IT HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN THE HOTSPOT; IT TOOK YEARS OF DEDICATION TO TURN THIS PLACE INTO A WELL-OILED MACHINE.
OWNER DAVID BARRON USED TO GO DRIVEWAY TO DRIVEWAY, INSTALLING CAR STEREOS AND OTHER MODS, UNTIL HE FOUND AN OLD TIRE SHOP TO LITERALLY CALL HOME.
David Barron: I STARTED SLEEPING ON THE COUCH AT NIGHT TIME, THIS IS WHERE I LIVED.
I WOULD WORK 80, 90 HOURS A WEEK AND I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE.
Zach: THAT'S WHEN BARRON WAS STILL SOLO.
HE'S NOW GOT A FLEET OF 10 WORKERS WHO SEE 20 TO 25 CARS A DAY.
David: IT'S STILL A MOM-AND-POP.
LIKE I STILL HAVE MY HANDS ON THE CAR.
THEY STILL CALL ME ON MY PHONE AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING IF THEY WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
SO, PEOPLE STILL WANT TO DEAL WITH THAT.
THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH CORPORATE.
Zach: BARRON KNOWS THAT HIS CUSTOMERS COME IN FOR THE EXPERIENCE, AND EVERYONE NEEDS SOME HELP ALONG THE WAY.
HE TAKES PRIDE IN TRANSFORMING THEIR NIGHTTIME INTERNET BROWSING AND MAGAZINE FLIPPING IDEAS INTO REALITY.
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU WANT YOUR WINDOWS TINTED OR A FULL MAKEOVER; YOU'LL BE TAKEN CARE OF.
CHECK OUT THIS FISKER KARMA OWNED BY FORMER RAVEN'S PLAYER FRANK WALKER.
BARRON'S CREW PAINTED MUCH OF THE CHROME GOLD!
IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST FISKER TO WEAR 24-INCH WHEELS.
FELLOW FOOTBALLER JARED GAITHER WASN'T HAPPY WITH HIS STOCK JEEP, SO HE ORDERED UP A CUSTOMIZED SOUND SYSTEM, A LIFT KIT ON 22-INCH WHEELS, AND A TRAIN HORN, ALONG WITH OTHER MODS.
David: THIRTEEN YEARS AGO, MIKE PHELPS WAS STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I PUT SPINNERS ON HIS ESCALADE IN 2000.
Zach: AND AFTER WORD OF MOUTH SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE, NBA STAR ALLEN IVERSON BROUGHT IN A FLEET OF CARS; THEN THE RAVEN'S LOCKER ROOM GOT WIND... AND THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES, WASHINGTON WIZARDS, AND NOW CUSTOMERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
SUPER BOWL CHAMPION RUNNING BACK RAY RICE FELT LIKE A KID ON CHRISTMAS SEEING HIS NEW AND IMPROVED 2014 PORSCHE PANAMERA TURBO S. Ray Rice: THIS MIGHT BE THE RED CARPET.
David: THIS IS THE BIG BOY SET.
Ray: I'VE GRADUATED.
Zach: THEY SAY SIMPLE IS CLEAN; AND WE'LL SAY "JOB WELL DONE."
RICE LEFT WITH A FULL FAB SPEED EXHAUST AND COLOR MATCHED HRE WHEELS.
Ray: THIS IS ILLEGAL.
David: HUH?
Ray: THIS IS ILLEGAL.
[ LAUGHTER ] THIS IS A CRIME, MAN.
[ ENGINE STARTS ] Zach: JOKES ASIDE, RICE ISN'T JUST WORRIED ABOUT SCORING TOUCHDOWNS COME GAME DAY.
WHAT YOU'VE GOT PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BATTLE.
Ray: IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO BE A COMPETITOR.
YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU CAME FROM THE BOTTOM, YOU ALWAYS WANT TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE PUTTING YOURSELF IN A DIFFERENT POSITION.
Zach: HE CALLS BARRON "THE MAGICIAN."
HE DOES WHAT HE DOES ON THE FIELD AND BARRON HANDLES THE REST.
LEAVING WITH HIS PORSCHE, RICE DROPPED OFF HIS RANGER ROVER TO GET SOME NEW SHOES.
AND MEANWHILE, ANOTHER RAVEN WAS GETTING A WHOLE NEW LOOK.
ABSOLUTELY CRAZY TRANSFORMATION.
BOTH OF THESE TRUCKS CAME IN COMPLETELY STOCK, THE NOW LOOK COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
David: FORD F-150 RAPTOR; ALREADY LOOKS CRAZY.
WE MATTE BLACKED IT, 22-INCH WHEELS, 37-INCH TIRES.
IT JUST GOES WITH THE AGGRESSIVENESS OF THE RAPTOR.
THIS ONE HERE, LARDARIUS WEBB OF THE RAVENS.
CAME IN PEARL WHITE, NOW COMPLETELY MATTE WHITE.
ALL THE CHROME ACCENTS ARE GLOSS BLACK, 26-INCH WHEELS COLOR MATCHED.
JUST A TOTALLY DIFFERENT LOOK.
Zach: VINYL WRAPS ARE QUICKLY REPLACING THE TRADITIONAL PAINT JOB.
THIS SHOP GETS A COUPLE CUSTOMERS A WEEK ASKING FOR THEM.
THEY'RE CHEAPER, TEMPORARY, EASY TO REPAIR, AND SIMPLE TO WORK WITH.
BUT LET'S NOT FORGET ABOUT THE WHEELS.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CHOICES READY FOR QUICK MOUNTING.
THE LOBBY IS LIKE BEING IN A SHOE STORE FOR CARS, DECORATED WITH THE PRICELESS SIGNATURES OF THOSE WHO HAVE STOPPED BY.
I'M STANDING HERE LOOKING AT ALL THIS SPORTS MEMORABILIA UP ON THE WALLS, AND NOTICE THAT THERE'S A BLANK SPOT.
SO, GUYS, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT?
OH, IT'S NUMBER 52.
JUST LIKE A RESTAURANT RECEIVING ITS FRESH GRUB OF THE DAY, VANS FILLED WITH THE GOODS MAKE THEIR DAILY DROP OFFS.
BARRON SAID HE LIKES TO RELATE TO HIS CUSTOMERS, AND HIS RIDE PROVES IT.
HIS DENALI IS LOWERED ON 26-INCH WHEELS WITH SIDE EXHAUST AND SUEDE INTERIOR.
WITH DEDICATED EMPLOYEES AND A BOSS THAT'S STILL GETTING HIS HANDS DIRTY, WE CAN SEE WHY NO LIMIT HAS BECOME A CROWD FAVORITE.
John: THIS 2014 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER 33C DUALIE MOTORHOME IS PROVIDING A GREAT WAY FOR THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF OUR STAFF TO APPRECIATE THE RV-ING LIFESTYLE.
PRECISION MANEUVERS IN THIS 35-FOOTER TAKES JUST AS MUCH SKILL, AND DEFINITELY MORE ATTENTION, THAN OUR TYPICAL TEST CAR.
STILL, THE CLASS A 33C IS ON THE WHOLE, EASY TO DRIVE, WITH ADEQUATE POWER, EVEN FOR HILLS AND HEAVY LOADS.
THE FORD F53 REAR DRIVE CHASSIS RATES A 362-HORSEPOWER 6.2-LITER V10.
WITH A CAREFUL RIGHT FOOT, ONE OF OUR STAFF MANAGED TO RAISE THE OVERALL FUEL ECONOMY TO A PRETTY IMPRESSIVE 7.4 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR AFTER A THREE DAY WEEKEND OUTING.
EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE IS WHILE IT HAS THE ENGINE IN FRONT, IT RIDES ALMOST PLUSH, MORE LIKE A LARGER REAR ENGINE PUSHER RV.
OUR STAFF ALSO REMARKED THAT THE INTERIOR; CABINETS, MATERIALS, BEFIT AN RV COSTING MUCH MORE.
ON THE DOWNSIDE, WHILE THE 33C SEATS 5, WHEN DRIVING, THE INTERIOR FEELS CRAMPED AS OUR RV'S TWIN SLIDE OUTS TAKE UP LOTS OF ROOM WHEN RETRACTED.
BUT THEN THAT'S THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR BETTER THAN NORMAL CAMPSITE COMFORT.
OUR CONCLUSION IS THAT THE WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER 33C IS AN EXCELLENT ENTRY LEVEL CLASS A MOTORHOME; WELL DESIGNED, WELL BUILT, AND IMPRESSIVELY ECONOMICAL TO OWN AND OPERATE.
COMING UP, NISSAN PATHFINDER AND RAM 1500, ON OUR NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.
John: INTERESTING NEW CARS ARE ARRIVING DAILY ON OUR MOTORWEEK LOT, SO LET'S GO FOR A QUICK SPIN WITH SOME OF THE LATEST.
THE PORSCHE 911 TURBO IS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF ICONIC PERFORMANCE THIS YEAR.
SO THE TIMING COULDN'T BE BETTER FOR A RENEWED TURBO MODEL TO JOIN THE 911 LINEUP.
AND IT DOES SO WITH MORE DRIVING DYNAMICS, EFFICIENCY, AND DOWNRIGHT SWAGGER THAN EVER.
THE TURBO'S REAR BODYWORK IS ONCE AGAIN NOTICEABLY WIDER THAN A STANDARD CARRERA.
BUT NEW IS PORSCHE ACTIVE AERODYNAMICS WITH A REAR WING THAT CAN CHANGE IN HEIGHT AND ANGLE, AND AN ACTIVE FRONT AIR DAM THAT DEPLOYS IN STAGES BY AN INFLATABLE BLADDER.
POWER FROM THE 3.8 LITER DIRECT INJECTION FLAT 6 RATES 520 HORSEPOWER IN THE TURBO, AND 560 IN THE TURBO S. TORQUE STANDS AT 487 AND 516 POUND-FEET RESPECTIVELY.
AN OVERBOOST FUNCTION TIED TO THE SPORT CHRONO PACKAGE RAISES TORQUE BRIEFLY UNDER FULL ACCELERATION.
ACTIVE REAR-AXLE STEERING HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE TURBO'S HANDLING ARSENAL AND INDUCES A NOTABLE AMOUNT OF SLIDE IN HIGH-LOAD CORNERS.
COUPLED WITH TORQUE VECTORING ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, A WATER-COOLED REAR DIFF, ANTI-ROLL, AND STABILITY SYSTEMS, THE 2014 PORSCHE 911 TURBO IS AS SOPHISTICATED AS ANY CAR ON THE ROAD OR RACETRACK CAN BE.
INSIDE, THE TURBO IS NOT SO DIFFERENT FROM ITS STANDARD 911 KIN, AND THAT'S A FINE PLACE TO CONDUCT THE SERIOUS BUSINESS OF DRIVING FAST.
AS IN A FACTORY ZERO TO 60 OF 3.2 SECONDS FOR THE TURBO AND 3.1 FOR THE S, BOTH OF WHICH WE FEEL ARE CONSERVATIVE.
NOT SO CONSERVATIVE IS THE PRICE AT ABOUT $148,000 TO START.
SALES TO THE LUCKY FEW START SOON.
WE GRABBED EARLY IMPRESSIONS OF THE LOW VOLUME 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS COUPE AND CABRIOLET A WHILE BACK.
MORE RECENTLY WE'VE BEEN LOGGING SEAT TIME IN THE MAINSTREAM SEDAN AND PRACTICAL WAGON E-CLASS VARIANTS, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO REPORT, THERE'S STILL PLENTY TO BE EXCITED ABOUT.
THE NEW, SOFTER LOOK WORKS WELL ON THE FOUR AND FIVE DOOR E-CLASS MODELS.
THERE ARE ADDED HINTS OF AGGRESSION IN THE FRONT FASCIA, YET IT REMAINS UNDERSTATED.
THE SPORT TRIM ADDS VISUAL BITE WITH UNIQUE WHEELS AND A LARGE THREE-POINTED STAR IN THE GRILLE WORK.
WHILE WE'D LOVE TO DWELL ON THE TOP E63 AMG, WITH ITS SPORT TUNED 4MATIC ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND BITURBO V8, AND THE FACT YOU CAN HAVE IT AS A WAGON, THE BIGGEST NEWS FOR MOST FANCIERS IS THE INTRODUCTION OF A 2.1 LITER TURBO DIESEL INLINE 4 TO THE E-CLASS LINEUP.
Brian Roberts: OUR INITIAL SEAT TIME IN THE DIESEL CAME IN PORTLAND, OREGON, WHERE WE AVERAGED JUST OVER 40 MPG IN REAL WORLD DRIVING.
IT'S RATED AT 195 HORSEPOWER, BUT THIS ENGINE IS ALL ABOUT THE TORQUE, AND AT 369 POUND-FEET OF IT, IT'S CERTAINLY NOT AFRAID TO GET UP AND GO.
John: WEIGHT IS SHAVED WITH MORE ALUMINUM AND EVEN SOME COMPOSITES IN THE BODY PANELS.
SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDE ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST, PEDESTRIAN DETECTION, PRE-COLLISION AUTOMATIC BRAKING, AND AN ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM.
ON SALE NOW, THE VERY APPEALING 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS BEGINS AROUND $52,000.
DESPITE ITS BUBBLY LOOKS, AND BOY RACER-ISH BODY KIT, THIS 2013 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN CROSSOVER UTILITY IS NOTHING TO SCOFF AT.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE FOLKS AT JOHN COOPER WORKS HAVE GIVEN THE BIGGEST MINI A TOTAL OVERHAUL.
UNDERHOOD SITS A JCW TUNED 1.6 LITER TWIN-SCROLL TURBO 4, GOOD FOR 208 HORSEPOWER FED THROUGH AN OPTIONAL 6 SPEED PADDLE-SHIFT AUTOMATIC, A FIRST FOR A JCW MODEL.
POWER BUILDS NICELY, AND WE WERE DEAD ON THE FACTORY 6.6 0 TO 60 TIME.
BUT A THROATY EXHAUST NOTE WOULD MAKE THINGS EVEN BETTER.
THE JCW PACKAGE ALSO ADDS A STIFFER SPORT SUSPENSION; WHICH STILL RODE IMPRESSIVELY WELL; VARIABLE ASSIST STEERING, BREMBO BRAKES, AND AERO AND COOLING DUCTS THROUGHOUT THE SHEET METAL.
ALL4 ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS STANDARD AS WELL.
INTERIOR SPACE IS IMPRESSIVE, WITH HEADROOM TO SPARE, AND A DECENT STORAGE CAPACITY WITH THE REAR SEATS FOLDED.
STARTING AROUND $35,000 AND AVAILABLE NOW, THE 2013 MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS COUNTRYMAN IS HARDLY A SMALL CROSSOVER BARGAIN.
BUT FOR MINI LOYALISTS, IT'S A GREAT GARAGE COMPANION.
AND WE'LL TAKE OFF ON A FEW MORE QUICK SPINS SOON!
WHEN THE TUNDRA REPLACED THE T100 IN THE TOYOTA LINEUP FOR 2000, IT WAS PROOF THAT TOYOTA WAS SERIOUS ABOUT TAKING ON THE DOMESTICS IN THE FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK MARKET.
AND WHILE SALES NEVER REALLY CHALLENGED F-150 OR SILVERADO, THE TUNDRA HAS CARVED OUT QUITE A NICHE FOR ITSELF AMONG PERSONAL USE BUYERS.
NOW LET'S SEE IF A NEW MANLY MAKEOVER WILL HELP THEM CARVE OUT EVEN MORE SALES.
IT'S HARD TO IGNORE THE 2014 TOYOTA TUNDRA'S CHANGED FACE.
IT'S LARGER AND MORE IN YOUR FACE, AND IN TUNE WITH THE MORE RUGGED APPEARANCE THAT GRACES THE REST OF THE TRUCK.
AND THAT MORE MACHO DESIGN WAS BY DESIGN.
DESPITE BEING JUST AS CAPABLE AS DOMESTIC LIGHT-DUTY PICKUPS, THE TUNDRA HAS THUS FAR BEEN UNABLE TO SHED ITS SOFT IMAGE.
WELL, AS TRUCK CURRENT MARKETING-THINK GOES; THE BIGGER THE GRILLE, THE MORE CAPABLE THE TRUCK!
SO THE NEW TUNDRA'S COW CATCHER GROWS IN SIZE, YET STILL BLENDS IN NICELY WITH A NEW 3-PIECE FRONT BUMPER.
THE STANCE IS CERTAINLY WIDER, AND FENDERS ARE A LITTLE MORE SQUARED OFF, ALL HELPING TO REAFFIRM THIS TUNDRA'S CREDENTIALS, AS DOES TOWING UP TO 10,400-POUNDS.
THE REAR END IS "BRANDED" WITH TUNDRA SCRIPT; AN INTEGRATED TAILGATE SPOILER, AND A 3-PIECE BUMPER OF ITS OWN, WHILE AERO TRICKS ON THE REAR TAILLIGHT LENSES AND SIDE MIRRORS HELP THIS BRUTISH BRICK GET THROUGH THE AIR AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.
TO KEEP PACE WITH THE HIGH DOLLAR PICKUPS NOW IN VOGUE, TOYOTA ADDS A NEW 1794 MODEL THAT PEGS THE BLING-O-METER WITH 20-INCH ALLOY WHEELS AND A POWER MOON ROOF.
3-CABS ARE AVAILABLE; THE 2-DOOR REGULAR CAB D A PAIR OF 4-DOORS; THE EXTENDED DOUBLE CAB AND THE CREWMAX CREW CAB WITH A STANDARD POWER SLIDING BACK WINDOW.
ALL TUNDRAS ADD HALOGEN REFLECTOR BEAM HEADLIGHTS WITH MANUAL LEVEL CONTROL; AND THE 1794 EDITION ADDS LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS.
WE ARE DISAPPOINTED TO SEE NO MAJOR POWERTRAIN CHANGES, HOWEVER.
IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE INADEQUATE, BUT DOMESTIC FULL-SIZE PICKUPS, ALONG WITH NISSAN'S TITAN, ARE MAKING SOME SERIOUS STRIDES IN MIXING MORE POWER WITH MORE FUEL ECONOMY AND TOYOTA IS AT RISK OF GETTING LEFT BEHIND.
AS BEFORE, A 4.0-LITER V6 IS THE BASE ENGINE, AND A PAIR OF V8'S ARE AVAILABLE.
WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME IN THE VOLUME LEADING 5.7-LITER V8 RATED AT 381-HORSEPOWER AND 401 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
WHILE IT PULLS STRONGLY AND HAS A VERY RESPONSIVE THROTTLE, COMPARED TO DOMESTIC V8'S IT TENDS TO SOUND LIKE IT'S WORKING MUCH TOO HARD.
IT'S PAIRED WITH A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH TOW/HAUL MODE, AND GETS GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS OF 13-CITY, 17-HIGHWAY, AND 15-COMBINED FOR OUR 4-WHEEL-DRIVE TESTER.
THAT MAKES FOR A VERY POOR ENERGY IMPACT SCORE THANKS TO 22.0-BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL CONSUMPTION AND YEARLY CO2 EMISSIONS OF 10.0-TONS.
WHILE THE EXTERIOR HAS UNDENIABLY TAKEN THE MACHO ROUTE, THE INTERIOR HAS GOTTEN EVEN FRIENDLIER.
MATERIALS VARY GREATLY WITH TRIM LEVEL, BUT OUR CREWMAX LIMITED HAD VERY COMFORTABLE LEATHER CLAD SEATS AND WOOD-STYLE TRIM.
ALSO, TUNDRA IS THE ONLY TRUCK WITH AVAILABLE BLIND-SPOT MONITORING AND REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT.
CREWMAX MODELS OFFER PLENTY OF ROOM IN THE REAR SEATS AS WELL, WHETHER LEFT IN PLACE FOR SEATING OR FOLDED UP OUT OF THE WAY FOR CARGO.
SWITCHGEAR IS NICE AND BIG WITH A FAIRLY LOGICAL LAYOUT, AND MAJOR CONTROLS ARE CLOSER TO THE DRIVER THAN BEFORE FOR EASE OF USE.
ONE COMPLAINT -- LIKE MOST RIVALS, THE TUNDRA'S NAVIGATION SCREEN IS HARD TO READ IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT.
THE TUNDRA'S FRAME ALSO CARRIES OVER FROM LAST YEAR, BUT THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN REVISED, AND AN IMPROVEMENT IS QUICKLY NOTICED.
RIDE QUALITY IS SMOOTHER AND YOU REALLY FEEL LIKE YOU'RE RIDING HIGH AND BREATHING THIN AIR.
STEERING REMAINS HYDRAULIC, PROVIDING GOOD OVERALL FEEL, WITH BETTER STRAIGHT LINE STABILITY.
DURING OUR LIMITED OFF PAVEMENT TIME, WE FOUND THE TUNDRA TO BE PLENTY CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LESS TRAVELED WAY TO YOUR FAVORITE CAMPSITE OR HUNTING SPOT; AND ENGAGING 4-WHEEL-DRIVE ON THE FLY WAS QUICK AND SMOOTH.
AN AUTOMATIC LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IS STANDARD.
WHEN IT COMES TO PRICING, STARTING AT JUST $26,915, THE TOYOTA TUNDRA IS A LOT OF TRUCK FOR THE MONEY.
THE 2014 TOYOTA TUNDRA HAS IMPROVED GREATLY, AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, HAS PROVED ITSELF TO BE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE BIG-3.
STILL, IN THIS FULL-SIZE ARENA, THE DOMESTICS DO IT BETTER.
HOWEVER, WHILE FORD, CHEVROLET, AND RAM MAY NOT BE WORRIED AT THE MOMENT; THE TUNDRA IS HERE TO STAY, AND IT'S GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME.
WELL, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN SOON FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , WHEN WE'LL SEE IF THE KIA CADENZA FOUR-DOOR IS READY TO BE A BRAND FLAGSHIP.
THEN IT'S GREEN MEETS LEAN WITH THE CHEVROLET SPARK EV.
PAT GOSS DOES A LITTLE SLEUTHING DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.
FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ SHOWS US HOW WIND TUNNELS AFFECT MODERN CAR DESIGN.
PLUS MORE MOTORNEWS AND ANOTHER LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.
NOW, IF YOU STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN ENOUGH OF US, WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR MOTORWEEK PODCAST AT PBS.ORG.
UNTIL NEXT TIME, I'M JOHN DAVIS.
WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK .
Announcer: TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE, VISIT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY TIRE RACK.
AND BY... ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS.
NO MATTER WHAT CUSTOMERS DRIVE, THEY CAN PURCHASE ONLINE FROM A COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.
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3M.
MAKER OF 3M PAINT DEFENDER SYSTEM.
HELPS PROTECT YOUR PAINT IN THREE STEPS.
DRYING TO A CLEAR, REMOVABLE FILM FOR PROTECTION.
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT 3MAUTO.COM.
DIEHARD.
THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.
DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR AND POWER THE DEMANDS OF TODAY'S ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES IN IT.
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.
