Season 33 Episode 4 | 26m 49s | Video has closed captioning.
In this episode we pamper ourselves in the all new Kia Cadenza, then we test the electrifying 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV. Pat Goss schools us on an important lesson in history, and Yolanda Vazquez shows us a college wind tunnel.
Aired: 09/26/13
Expired: 10/09/14
Support provided by:
HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US WE WHISTLE A LUXURIOUS TUNE WITH THE NEW KIA CADENZA.
PAT GOSS HEADS BACK TO THE CLASSROOM FOR A LITTLE HISTORY.
WHILE FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VASQUEZ'S RETURN TO SCHOOL LEAVES HER WINDED.
AND WE'LL GAUGE HOW MUCH CHARGE THE ELECTRIC CAR SEGMENT WILL GET FROM THE NEW CHEVROLET SPARK EV.
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
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John Davis: KOREAN SISTER BRANDS HYUNDAI AND KIA HAVE CERTAINLY MADE THEIR MARK ON AMERICAN BUYERS.
HYUNDAI IS NOW A MAJOR PLAYER IN FAMILY CARS AND UTILITIES, WHILE KIA IS APPROACHING PREMIUM BRAND STATUS.
IN THAT VAIN, KIA IS NOW TAKING A SHOT AT THE U.S. FULL-SIZE SEDAN SEGMENT, ONE DOMINATED BY THE DETROIT THREE AND TOYOTA.
KIA'S BIG FOUR-DOOR IS CALLED CADENZA.
WITH A SOLID TRACK RECORD IN LARGE CARS BACK HOME, LET'S SEE IF A BIG KIA PLAYS WELL HERE.
WHILE FULL-SIZE CARS ARE NO LONGER A HUGE MARKET IN THE U.S., IT IS A CAR CLASS THAT'S SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT A BRAND'S STATUS AND ASPIRATIONS.
WITNESS THE BOOST CHEVROLET'S PRIDE IS RECEIVING FROM THEIR REDESIGNED IMPALA.
A WELL-PRICED VOLUME BRAND FLAGSHIP SEDAN CAN ALSO SNARE A FEW LUXURY BUYERS AS WELL.
AND THAT IS THE MISSION OF THE 2014 KIA CADENZA.
THE CADENZA MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE A BROADER AUDIENCE THAN EXPECTED SINCE IT IS SOMEWHAT SMALLISH COMPARED TO OTHER LARGE SEDANS.
WITH A WHEELBASE OF 112 INCHES, AND A LENGTH OF 195.5, IT'S ALMOST SIX INCHES SHORTER OVERALL THAN IMPALA, BUT NEARLY FIVE INCHES LONGER THAN THE MID-SIZE KIA OPTIMA, WITH WHICH THE CADENZA SHARES MORE THAN A PASSING EURO-THEMED RESEMBLANCE.
THE STYLING IS VERY MODERN, YET NOT TRENDY, AND SHOULD HOLD UP WELL FOR THE LONG PERIOD OF TIME THAT BIG SEDANS GENERALLY GO BETWEEN REDESIGNS.
AS TO THE NAME?
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO AVOIDED MUSIC LESSONS IN SCHOOL, A CADENZA IS THE PORTION OF A SONG WHERE A SOLOIST GETS TO REALLY SHOW THEIR STUFF, AND KIA HOPES THEIR CADENZA WILL BRING DOWN THE HOUSE.
THE UPSCALE EUROPEAN INFLUENCE OF THE CADENZA'S STYLING CARRIES OVER TO THE INTERIOR.
IT'S DRIVER CENTRIC, WITH NEARLY FLUSH SWITCHGEAR, YET CLEARLY LUXURY ORIENTED.
KIA REALLY SWEATED THE SMALL STUFF TOO.
SENSIBLE GAUGES ARE WELL SHROUDED FROM GLARE.
THERE ARE TRIPLE-SEALED DOORS, AND LOTS OF NOISE INSULATION TO KEEP THINGS ULTRA QUIET; ACCOMPANIED BY SOME PLEASANT LOOKING FAKE WOOD TRIM AND SOFT TOUCH MATERIALS.
A VERY LONG LIST OF STANDARDS INCLUDES: AUTO FOLD OUTSIDE MIRRORS, HEATED LEATHER SEATS, NAVIGATION WITH SIRIUS/XM TRAFFIC, BACKUP WARNING WITH CAMERA, A 550-WATT 12-SPEAKER SURROUND SOUND AUDIO SYSTEM, AND KIA'S UVO E-SERVICES TELEMATICS, WHICH IS TOP NOTCH IN EASE OF USE.
BEYOND THAT, THE LUXURY PACKAGE ADDS DRIVER'S SEAT MEMORY AND VENTILATION, AS WELL AS PANORAMIC SUNROOF.
WHILE THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE ADDS A RAFT OF SAFETY FEATURES, INCLUDING ADVANCED SMART CRUISE CONTROL, BLIND SPOT DETECTION, AND LANE DEPARTURE WARNING.
WHILE ITS "NOT QUITE FULL SIZE," SIZE KEEPS REAR SEAT LEGROOM FAR FROM CLASS BEST, THE SPACE IS STILL GENEROUS.
THE SEATBACKS DON'T FOLD, HOWEVER.
STILL, 15.9 CUBIC-FEET OF TRUNK SPACE IS QUITE REASONABLE.
THE CADENZA SHARES MANY MECHANICALS WITH THE HYUNDAI AZERA, AND THAT INCLUDES THE 3.3-LITER V6 WITH A FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC.
IT'S THE BRAND'S MOST POWERFUL V6 TO DATE WITH 293-HORSEPOWER AND 255 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
AND MUCH LIKE THE AZERA, THE CADENZA DOESN'T LAUNCH PARTICULARLY HARD OFF THE LINE, AND POWER BUILDS GENTLY ONCE YOU DO GET ROLLING.
IT TOOK 7.0-SECONDS TO REACH 60, AND 15.5 TO SEE THE END OF THE QUARTER MILE AT 94 MILES-PER-HOUR.
EVEN USING THE STEERING WHEEL PADDLES, SHIFTS ARE NOT ESPECIALLY QUICK, BUT THEY ARE PREMIUM CAR SMOOTH.
THROUGH THE CONES, THE CADENZA FEELS FAIRLY LIGHT ON ITS FEET, BUT NOT SO LIGHT THAT YOU FORGET HOW BIG IT REALLY IS.
THERE'S PLENTY OF LUXURY CLASS WEIGHT TRANSFER AND A SOFT FEEL WHEN YOU ASK FOR RAPID RESPONSE.
UNLIKE OTHER KIAs THAT FEEL SPORTIER THAN THEIR HYUNDAI COUNTERPARTS, WE CAN'T FEEL A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CADENZA AND AZERA, AND NEITHER BELONGS ANYWHERE NEAR A RACE TRACK.
THEY DO BELONG ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE RIDE QUALITY IS DOWNRIGHT "PLUSH."
THE FRONT STRUTS AND REAR MULTI-LINKS ARE DEFINITELY TUNED FOR LONG DISTANCE COMFORT.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE ABOUT AVERAGE FOR ITS CLASS AT 19-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 22-COMBINED.
WE SAW A BETTER THAN EXPECTED 25.9 MILES-PER-GALLON OF REGULAR IN MIXED DRIVING.
THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS AVERAGE AT 15.0-BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL USE WITH CO2 EMISSIONS COMING IN AT 6.7-TONS.
THERE IS JUST ONE CADENZA TRIM LEVEL, PREMIUM, STARTING AT $35,900.
ADDING BOTH THE LUXURY AND TECHNOLOGY PACKAGES RAISES THAT TO $41,900.
ANY WAY YOU SLICE IT, THE CADENZA IS A LOT OF LARGE CAR FOR THE MONEY.
INDEED, TAKEN AS A WHOLE, THE 2014 KIA CADENZA DOES HAVE A PREMIUM SEDAN NATURE, AND YES, POSTURE WORTHY OF A BRAND FLAGSHIP, BUT WITHOUT GOING OVERBOARD ON PRICE.
IT IS SPORTINGLY HANDSOME, WITH A VERY WELL DONE INTERIOR WITH LOTS OF FEATURES, AND A GREAT RIDE.
ALL THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE KIA DEALERS, AND CADENZA BUYERS, SINGING A HAPPY TUNE.
OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK BLOWS US INTO CHICAGO, WHERE THESE RED-AND-WHITE-STRIPED CONCRETE MIXERS DOMINATE THE STREETS OF THE WINDY CITY.
IN 2011, OZINGA READY MIX CONCRETE COMPANY CEMENTED THEIR COMMITMENT TO ALTERNATIVE FUEL BY PURCHASING 14 NEW COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS MIXERS.
THEY HAVE PLANS TO REPLACE OR CONVERT THEIR ENTIRE FLEET BY 2020.
THE 85-YEAR-OLD FAMILY BUSINESS PARTNERED WITH THE CHICAGO AREA CLEAN CITIES FOR INITIAL FEDERAL FUNDING.
OZINGA ALSO BUILT AN OVERNIGHT FUELING AREA ONSITE, WITH A PUBLIC ACCESS CNG STATION NEARBY TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO "GET IN THE MIX."
Tim Ozinga: IT'S KIND OF AN EXCITING THING THAT WE CAN SAY IN THE READY MIX CONCRETE INDUSTRY AND REFUSE INDUSTRY THAT WE'RE LEADING THE TECHNOLOGY FOR AMERICA'S ENERGY FUTURE.
John: OZINGA ALSO HAS 30 ALT-FUEL SUPPORT VEHICLES LIKE THIS BIFUEL TAHOE.
THE COMPANY CITES AN ANNUAL FUEL COST SAVINGS OF ABOUT 40% AND IS PROUD TO LEAD THE WAY IN "SOLIDIFYING" GREEN BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
CAR COMPANIES ARE SPENDING AN EVER INCREASING AMOUNT OF MONEY IN BOOSTING FUEL ECONOMY.
AND SURE, POWERTRAIN DEVELOPMENT IS PART OF THAT, BUT THERE'S STILL AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK TO BE DONE WITH AERODYNAMICS.
AND WHILE YOU CAN DO ALL THE COMPUTER SIMULATIONS YOU WANT, AS OUR YOLANDA VASQUEZ EXPLAINS, THERE'S ONLY ONE PLACE TO FIND OUT IF ALL OF THOSE EFFORTS REALLY WORK.
Yolanda: A PROP INSPECTION AND FINAL ONCE OVER SETS THE STAGE FOR A DAY OF TESTING AT THE GLENN L. MARTIN WIND TUNNEL LOCATED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.
THIS 3/8 SCALE MODEL CAR, WHICH IS SECURELY BOLTED DOWN, WILL SOON BE PUT THROUGH THE WRINGER!
AS THE STAFF TURNS ON THE FAN CONTROLS AND BEGINS TO COLLECT DATA, THIS DIMINUTIVE CAR ENDURES WIND SPEEDS OF OVER 100 MILES PER HOUR.
AND WHILE YOU CAN'T SEE THE WIND, YOU SURE CAN HEAR IT.
[ WIND BLOWING ] AT THE OTHER END OF THIS HOLLOW TUBE IS A POWERFUL FAN THAT CREATES THE FLOW OF AIR INSIDE THE TUNNEL.
JUST STANDING HERE GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF HOW LARGE THIS FAN IS... 19 FEET IN DIAMETER, AND WHEN THE WIND TUNNEL IS OPERATIONAL, IT PERFORMS LIKE AN AIRPLANE PROPELLER, PUSHING THE AIR THROUGH.
AS THE FAN SLOWLY PICKS UP SPEED, THESE TURNING VANES GUIDE THAT AIR INTO A SETTLING CHAMBER THAT'S JUST UPSTREAM OF THE TEST AREA.
Dr.
Jewel Barlow: EVERY WIND TUNNEL THAT'S DESIGNED FOR VEHICLE TESTING, THAT'S WORTH ITS SALT, WILL HAVE THAT CHARACTERISTIC.
Yolanda: MOST OF THE MAJOR AUTOMAKERS HAVE THEIR OWN STATE-OF-THE-ART WIND TUNNELS THAT CAN TEST FULL-SIZE VEHICLES.
THEIR RESEARCH INCLUDES WAYS TO REDUCE DRAG, IMPROVE FUEL EFFICIENCY, AND MINIMIZE WIND NOISE.
Dr. Barlow: THE NOISE THAT YOU HEAR WHEN YOU'RE RIDING IN YOUR CAR IS A MUCH MORE COMPLEX TOTAL PROBLEM.
Yolanda: DR.
JEWEL BARLOW SAYS FOR THE PAST FEW DECADES, THIS LOW-SPEED WIND TUNNEL HAS BEEN USED TO TEST AUTOMOBILE AERODYNAMICS ON A NUMBER OF CONCEPT AND PRODUCTION CARS.
BUT THEIR LOBBY TELLS AN EVEN BIGGER STORY, WITH SCALE MODELS OF SEAPLANES DATING BACK TO THE 1950s, AND YACHT KEELS FROM THE AMERICA'S CUP YACHTS.
Dr. Barlow: WE SAY ALMOST ANYTHING THAT MOVES IN AIR OR WATER WE'VE PROBABLY DONE SOME WORK ON IT Yolanda: AND MOST OF THAT WORK, SAYS BARLOW, INVOLVES HELPING COMPANIES IMPROVE PRODUCT DESIGN AND VALIDATE MATHEMATICAL MODELING.
Dr. Barlow: GIVEN THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE COMPANY FOR THAT CAR; HOW DO YOU FINE TUNE THE FINAL SHAPE DETAILS TO MAKE IT MATCH THE MARKET SEGMENT THEY WANT TO ADDRESS.
Yolanda: FOR EXAMPLE, THE SCALE MODEL BEING TESTED TODAY IS THE G2 FROM GENOVATION CARS.
Steven Rogers: AT GENOVATION, WE'RE INTERESTED IN SHIFTING HOW AMERICANS VIEW AND USE ENERGY.
Yolanda: THEY'RE A MARYLAND- BASED TECHNOLOGY COMPANY THAT'S TRYING TO BUILD A TRULY INNOVATIVE, ELECTRIC CAR.
Andrew Saul: SO, WE DESIGNED G2, THE GENOVATION G2, TO BE GREEN IN CONTENT, AS WELL AS VERY, VERY EFFICIENT.
Yolanda: GENOVATION HAS BEEN USING THE WIND TUNNEL TO TEST THE AERODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THEIR CAR.
Andrew: WE KNEW THE CAR WAS VERY EFFICIENT THROUGH THE WIND, VERY LOW CD.
IT WAS .2, AND DECENT DOWN FORCE.
BUT YOU REALLY NEED TO HAVE A MODEL IN THE WIND TUNNEL TO VALIDATE YOUR COMPUTER MODEL AND MAKE SURE YOU GOT IT RIGHT.
Yolanda: A BETTER VISUAL OF THE AIR FLOW AROUND A CAR IS THE SMOKE DEMO.
Dr. Barlow: ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS WHERE THE STAGNATION POINT IS.
Yolanda: AS YOU CAN SEE, THE SMOKE FLOWS PRETTY EVENLY OVER THE TOP OF THE CAR, BUT WATCH HOW IT SEPARATES AND BECOMES TURBULENT TOWARDS THE BACK.
BARLOW SAYS TO MINIMIZE DRAG, YOU WANT TO HAVE THE SEPARATED FLOW AT THE BACK OF THE CAR AS SMALL AS YOU CAN GET IT.
SO THAT'S THE WHOLE GOAL?
Dr. Barlow: THAT REPRESENTS THE BIG GOAL AS FAR AS DRAG IS CONCERNED.
Yolanda: GENOVATION CEO ANDREW SAUL TELLS ME THEY INCREASED THE ANGLE OF THEIR BUMPER COVER UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND ADDED A CHROME LIP TO THE BACK TO HELP REDUCE DRAG.
IT'S THESE KINDS OF SUBTLE DESIGN CHANGES THAT MAKE WIND TUNNEL TESTING A CRUCIAL PART OF VEHICLE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FOR CAR COMPANIES BOTH BIG AND SMALL.
PAT GOSS KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT HISTORY.
AND IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY A USED CAR, YOU SHOULD TOO.
Pat: BUYING A USED CAR CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY, BUT IT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK TO AVOID PROBLEMS.
AND HERE TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS IS CHRIS BASSO FROM CARFAX.
CHRIS, WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.
Chris: GREAT TO BE HERE, PAT.
Pat: TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT CARFAX BRINGS TO THE TABLE FOR THE CAR BUYER.
Chris: CARFAX COLLECTS INFORMATION FROM OVER 77,000 SOURCES, LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, A DEALERSHIP, OR EVEN A SERVICE LOCATION.
AND ALL THAT INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC CAR CAN BE UNLOCKED USING THE 17 DIGIT VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
IF YOU'RE BUYING A USED CAR, START WITH A CARFAX VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT.
Pat: ALRIGHT, NOW, WE HAVE THIS REPORT, WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT TYPES OF INFORMATION ON IT?
Chris: REPORTED ACCIDENTS, SERVICE INFORMATION, A POSSIBLE ODOMETER ROLLBACK.
ALL THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT YOU WANT TO KNOW TO HELP YOU MAKE A SMART BUYING DECISION.
Pat: ALRIGHT.
NOW, LIKE THIS CAR, WHICH WE KNOW WAS A FLOOD CAR, IT'S TOTALED, THAT WOULD SHOW UP?
Chris: THAT WOULD SHOW UP RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE REPORT IN BRIGHT RED LETTERS.
IT'S A WARNING THAT YOU MAY NOT WANT TO PURCHASE THIS CAR, OR LOOK DEEPER INTO IT, HAVE A QUALIFIED MECHANIC INSPECT IT.
BUT GO THROUGH THE REPORT, FIND ALL THE INFORMATION THAT'S BEEN REPORTED TO CARFAX, AND TAKE IT FROM THERE TO MAKE A SMART BUYING DECISION.
Pat: ALRIGHT, NOW, ANOTHER THING THAT I'VE NOTICED ON YOUR REPORTS IS THE OPEN RECALLS, WHICH I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Chris: OPEN RECALLS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THESE DAYS.
LAST YEAR THERE WERE 2.1 MILLION CARS THAT WERE FOR SALE WITH AN OPEN RECALL.
IT'S AN ALARMING NUMBER THAT IS ONLY GETTING BIGGER AS MORE RECALLS HAPPEN.
THESE ARE SAFETY DEFECTS THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS IDENTIFIED, BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, PEOPLE ARE NOT TAKING THESE CARS TO GET THEM FIXED.
Pat: YEAH, AND JUST BY VIRTUE OF THEIR NAME ALONE, AS A "SAFETY DEFECT," YOU'D THINK PEOPLE WOULD RUSH OFF TO GET THEM DONE.
Chris: ABSOLUTELY.
THEY CAN AFFECT THE AIRBAGS.
THEY CAN CAUSE FIRES.
THEY CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS.
IF YOU FIND THAT THE CAR YOU OWN, OR THE CAR THAT YOU WANT TO BUY HAS AN OPEN RECALL, TAKE IT TO A FRANCHISE DEALER, THEY'RE GOING TO FIX IT, OFTENTIMES FOR FREE.
Pat: OKAY.
ALRIGHT, SO, THIS IS A REAL WORKABLE TOOL TO AVOID STEPPING INTO SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO COST YOU A LOT OF GRIEF OR A LOT OF MONEY.
Chris: USED CARS CAN BE A GREAT VALUE, AND FOR MOST PEOPLE, THEY ARE A REALLY GOOD BUY, BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, SOME USED CARS HAVE INHERENT PROBLEMS.
BY STARTING WITH A CARFAX REPORT, AND THEN TAKING THE CAR TO A QUALIFIED MECHANIC, YOU CAN FIND ANY PROBLEMS THAT MAY EXIST WITH THAT VEHICLE, AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE PUTTING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN A SAFE, RELIABLE USED CAR.
Pat: CHRIS, THANK YOU.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
John: IF YOU'VE KEPT UP WITH AMERICA'S FAVORITE VEHICLES, FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCKS, YOU KNOW A LOT IS HAPPENING WITH FUEL ECONOMY.
AND NO TRUCK ILLUSTRATES THIS BETTER THAN THE RAM 1500.
THE FIRST WITH A MODERN V6, 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC, AND ACTIVE GRILL SHUTTERS.
AND NOW WITH A DIESEL ON THE WAY, THIS LIGHT DUTY HAULER IS GOING FOR FUEL ECONOMY GOLD.
AND AFTER OUR RAM 4X4'S FIRST MONTH WITH US, A CITY-HIGHWAY AVERAGE OF 19.5 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR IS EXACTLY WHAT THE GOVERNMENT RATING PREDICTED.
THE TRADEOFF FOR MORE MPGs IS THE LACK OF BIG PICKUP OOMPH THAT COMES FROM A TRADITIONAL, AND THIRSTIER V8.
OUR RAM SLT QUAD CAB IS EQUIPPED WITH RAMBOX CARGO BINS.
THEY DO LIMIT BED ROOM A LITTLE, BUT AS SECURE STORAGE AND PORTABLE ICE CHESTS, THEY MAKE UP FOR IT.
WE'LL CHECK THE LOG BOOKS OF OUR MAZDA6 AND NISSAN PATHFINDER ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.
NOW LET'S INSIDE TO OUR NEWS STUDIO WHERE YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS THE LATEST.
Yolanda: WELL, JOHN, IT'S SEPTEMBER AND THAT SIGNALS THE START OF THE INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW SEASON.
SO LET'S HEAD EAST TO FRANKFURT FOR THE LATEST.
THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW IS ALWAYS A MIXTURE OF AUTOMOTIVE EYE CANDY AND GERMANIC PRACTICALITY, AND THE 2013 EDITION WAS NO EXCEPTION.
GERMAN BRANDS WERE FRONT AND CENTER, OF COURSE, AND NONE MADE A BIGGER SPLASH THAN AUDI WITH ITS SPORT QUATTRO CONCEPT.
CLEARLY A CELEBRATION OF AUDI'S PAST, YET THE DESIGN AND PLUG-IN HYBRID POWERTRAIN OBVIOUSLY POINT TO THE FUTURE.
BMW HAD PLENTY TO SHOW, INCLUDING THE 3RD GENERATION X5, ACCOMPANIED BY A PHEV E-DRIVE CONCEPT.
AND THE PRODUCTION VERSION OF THEIR NEW PREMIUM EV, I8 SPORT COUPE; ONE ELECTRIC THAT WON'T LEAVE THE DRIVING FUN BEHIND.
WHILE THE MK7 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF HAS YET TO REACH OUR SHORES, EUROPEANS WILL SOON BE DRIVING A NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE 296-HORSEPOWER GOLF R. MERCEDES-BENZ EXPANDS THEIR CROSSOVER LINEUP WHEN THE COMPACT GLA ARRIVES HERE NEXT FALL.
BUT NO TIME TABLE YET FOR THE NEW S-CLASS COUPE SHOWN IN FRANKFURT IN CONCEPT FORM.
THE LEXUS BRAND MAY BE HEADED THAT WAY AS WELL, AND THIS BRUSHED SILVER BRUT LF-NX PREVIEWS WHAT IT COULD LOOK LIKE.
A NEW COMPACT CUV IS FROM NISSAN.
THE EUROPEAN X-TRAIL, KNOWN AS ROGUE HERE, WILL NOW BE OFFERED WITH SEVEN SEATS.
VOLVO HAS BEEN VERY QUIET OF LATE, BUT THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE WITH THIS CONCEPT COUPE.
IT'S THE MOST DYNAMIC VOLVO IN DECADES.
PART UTILITY, PART HATCHBACK, PART COUPE, INFINITI Q30 IS THE LATEST IN A LONG LINE OF SLEEK AND SEDUCTIVE CONCEPTS FROM THIS JAPANESE LUXURY BRAND.
ONLY 299 EDITIONS OF THIS FIAT 500 ABARTH 595 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL WILL BE PRODUCED.
LET'S HOPE A FEW OF THOSE MAKE IT TO US.
WE'RE NOT SURE IF THE KIA NIRO SHOWS WHERE THE BRAND IS HEADED IN THE FUTURE OR NOT, BUT IF SO, WE'D LOVE TO BE ALONG FOR THE RIDE.
THE BENTLEY BRAND HAS A LONG HISTORY OF PERFORMANCE, AND THE TWIN-TURBO CONTINENTAL GT V8 S PROVES THEY'RE READY TO MAKE MORE.
A HYBRID DIESEL IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.
BUT SADLY, THESE HYBRID-DIESEL RANGE ROVERS AREN'T DUE IN AMERICA ANYTIME SOON.
BUT WE WILL GET TO DRIVE THIS JAGUAR SPORTS CROSSOVER WHEN IT GOES INTO PRODUCTION SOON.
AND WE'D ALSO LOVE SOME SEAT TIME IN THIS LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP570-4.
AND THAT'S THE TOP PICKS FROM THE 2013 FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW.
John: IT WAS JUST LAST YEAR THAT CHEVROLET INTRODUCED THEIR MINI CAR, THE SPARK, TO A U.S. MARKET DESPERATELY SEEKING WAYS TO SAVE ON GAS.
AND WHILE SALES HAVE TAKEN OFF, IT DIDN'T EXACTLY FAN THE FLAMES OF DESIRE FOR ANYONE HOPING "PERFORMANCE" AND "FUN" WERE PART OF THE EQUATION.
WELL, NOW THERE'S A NEW ALL-ELECTRIC SPARK.
IT'S A LITTLE MORE GREEN, AND A LOT MORE MEAN!
...OR AS "MEAN" AS A MINI CAR CAN BE.
BUT WITH THE SPARK STEPPING INTO THE EV RING, IT'LL TAKE ON HEAVYWEIGHTS LIKE THE NISSAN LEAF, NEWCOMERS LIKE THE FIAT 500E, AND EVEN PLUG-INS LIKE CHEVY'S OWN VOLT.
SO IT NEEDS AS MUCH ATTITUDE AS IT CAN MUSTER; AS EFFICIENCY ALONE JUST WON'T CUT IT ANYMORE.
LUCKILY, THE POWERTRAIN DOES HAVE ATTITUDE; AND LIKE NAPOLEON, THE SPARK EV IS A LITTLE CAR WITH A LOT TO PROVE.
ITS 21 KILOWATT HOUR LITHIUM ION BATTERY PACK, MOUNTED LOW, BETWEEN THE REAR WHEELS, SENDS JUICE UP FRONT WHERE AN ELECTRIC MOTOR QUIETLY CHURNS UP 105 KILOWATTS, THAT'S 140 HORSEPOWER AND A NECK-SNAPPING 400 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
THOUGH WE DIDN'T GET TO COMPUTER CLOCK IT, GM SAYS 0 TO 60 TIME IS UNDER EIGHT SECONDS, AND OUR INTRO DRIVE CERTAINLY FELT LIKE IT.
WE EVEN MANAGED TO CHIRP THE FRONT TIRES, AS ALL THAT TORQUE-Y GOODNESS IS INSTANTLY AVAILABLE FROM STAND STILL RIGHT UP TO A TOP SPEED OF 90 MPH.
A DEDICATED SPORT MODE INCREASES THROTTLE RESPONSE EVEN MORE.
EFFICIENCY-WISE, THE SPARK EV IS ON PAR WITH OTHER EV RIVALS, AND ITS ESTIMATED 82-MILE CRUISING RANGE IN MIXED DRIVING FELT HONEST AND ATTAINABLE.
SO AS LONG AS YOU PLAN AHEAD, YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR RANGE ANXIETY BEHIND.
ADDING CLOSE TO 600 POUNDS OVER ITS GAS-POWERED COUNTERPART, THE ALL-ELECTRIC SPARK ACTUALLY ACHIEVES A CLOSER 50/50 FRONT AND REAR WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION.
YET WITH NEARLY DOUBLE THE HORSEPOWER, AND FIVE TIMES THE TORQUE OUTPUT, ADDITIONAL REINFORCEMENTS WERE NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE CHASSIS.
SPECIALLY TUNED COIL SPRINGS FOR THE MACPHERSON STRUT FRONT AND TORSION BEAM REAR SUSPENSION WERE ADDED AS WELL, AND DISC BRAKES TO ALL FOUR CORNERS.
WE ADMIT "FUN TO DRIVE" IS A CLICHED WAY TO DESCRIBE ANY DRIVING EXPERIENCE, BUT IT IS THE TRUTH FOR THE SPARK EV.
MORE SO THAN ANY OTHER ELECTRIC DRIVER, THE SPARK HAS AN EFFORTLESS POWER DELIVERY, TIGHT, COMPOSED RIDE, AND A SPORTY RESPONSIVENESS.
ALL OF WHICH WILL HELP YOU SILENTLY BUT SURELY NAVIGATE THE URBAN SPRAWL.
FOR FANS OF THE ORIGINAL SPARK, VERY LITTLE CHANGES OUTSIDE.
AND EVERYTHING THAT HAS, WAS DONE SO IN THE NAME OF EFFICIENCY.
FRONT END DESIGN REMAINS THE SAME, WITH THE UPPER GRILLS NOW CLOSED OFF, AND ACTIVE GRILL SHUTTERS BELOW.
AERO ACCENTS ON THE SIDE MIRRORS, FENDERS, UNDERBODY, AND ON TOP DIRECT AND DEFLECT AIRFLOW.
THE INTERIOR CONTINUES TO SHINE, WITH ITS REFRESHING SIMPLICITY NOW ENHANCED BY A 7-INCH LCD DIGITAL GAUGE CLUSTER.
LIFTED FROM THE VOLT, ITS RANGE-INDICATING CONFIDENCE GAUGE ADJUSTS IN REAL TIME TO YOUR DRIVING STYLE AND ESTIMATES A MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM RANGE.
THERE ARE ALSO READOUTS FOR POWER CONSUMPTION AND REGENERATION, AND AN INTEGRATED TRIP COMPUTER.
CHEVY'S MYLINK INTERFACE COMES STANDARD ON A SECOND 7-INCH LCD DISPLAY IN THE CENTER STACK.
IN ADDITION TO FIELDING INFOTAINMENT DUTIES, IT PROVIDES MORE DETAILED READOUTS OF BATTERY CHARGE AND VEHICLE POWER USE.
SEATS ON 1LT TRIM ARE CLOTH, WITH LEATHERETTE FOR THE TOP 2LT.
ALL THE GOODIES, LIKE SATELLITE RADIO, BLUETOOTH, AND HEATED SEATS COME STANDARD.
CARGO ROOM IS DOWN SLIGHTLY TO 23.4 CUBIC-FEET WITH THE REAR SEATS FOLDED.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE SPARK EV ARE, OF COURSE, NOT REALLY NEEDED, AS THERE'S NO TRADITIONAL FUEL CONSUMED OR EMISSIONS RELEASED.
BUT THE EQUIVALENT COMBINED RATING IS A LOFTY 119 MPGE.
CHARGING IS STANDARD FARE WITH A 120 VOLT TRICKLE CHARGER INCLUDED, 240 VOLT CAPABILITY, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SEGMENT'S FIRST SAE APPROVED DC COMBO FAST CHARGER, CAPABLE OF AN 80% CHARGE IN 20 MINUTES.
WE ESTIMATE A COST OF AROUND $2.50 PER HOME RECHARGE.
CURRENTLY ONLY AVAILABLE IN CALIFORNIA AND OREGON, THE 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK EV IN BASE 1LT TRIM BEGINS AT $27,495.
BUT GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES DROP THAT BELOW THE $20 GRAND MARK.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, MONTHLY LEASES ARE AVAILABLE FOR AS LITTLE AS $199.
GOING EV SEEMS A NATURAL FIT FOR THE CHEVROLET SPARK, AND ITS ALL-ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN IS A MONSTER WITHIN THE SMALL CAR SEGMENT.
SO EVEN IF ITS SALES DON'T START A LANDSLIDE, IT HAS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING FAR GREATER: MAKING ITSELF, AND THE EV SEGMENT AS A WHOLE, IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE.
IT'S THE MOST IMPRESSIVE MINI-EV YOU'VE NEVER HEARD COMING!
AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AGAIN FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , WHEN WE'LL HIT THE TRAIL WITH THE RETURN OF THE JEEP CHEROKEE.
NEXT, IT'S BACK TO STREET SIDE WITH AN ALL-NEW, AND FLASHIER TOYOTA COROLLA.
PAT GOSS IS NEVER JUST BLOWING SMOKE DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.
WE'LL TAKE A FEW QUICK SPINS FOR MORE FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS, PLUS AN UPDATE ON OUR LONG-TERM TEST FLEET.
TILL 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.
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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.
