HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AMG WORKS THEIR MAGIC ON THE MERCEDES-BENZ CLA.
PAT GOSS SHINES A NEW LIGHT ON A FEW TIPS YOU SHOULD KNOW.
WE PLUG INTO HOW AMERICAN INGENUITY IS HELPING ELECTRIC CARS STAY FULLY CHARGED.
AND WE'LL BOOT UP THE HIGH-TECH, HIGH FLYING ACURA RLX SPORT HYBRID.
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY... AHH!
OHH.
AHH.
Monk: YOU MAY ASK ONE QUESTION.
WHICH TIRE CATEGORY SHOULD I CHOOSE TO GET THE MOST COMFORTABLE RIDE?
Announcer: THERE'S A BETTER PLACE TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR TIRES.
TIRERACK.COM CAN HELP YOU GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED, AND HELP YOU FIND WHICH TIRES ARE BEST FOR YOU.
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT TIRERACK.COM.
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.
ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.
DIEHARD.
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM DESPITE A GOOD DEAL OF SKEPTICISM FROM THE PRESS, THE MERCEDES-BENZ CLA IS GOING OVER VERY WELL WITH BUYERS.
BUT NOW THAT AMG HAS PUT THEIR HANDS ON IT, THERE'S EVEN MORE SKEPTICISM.
JUST HOW MUCH PERFORMANCE CAN THE AMG WIZARDS CRAM INTO THIS FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE CHASSIS?
WELL, HOW ABOUT THE MOST POWERFUL PRODUCTION 4-CYLINDER ENGINE EVER, AND ADD STANDARD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TO HANDLE IT!
WILL THAT BE ENOUGH TO QUIET THE SKEPTICS?
WELL, THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT.
WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE JEALOUS, AND IF YOU'RE NOT... WELL, YOU SHOULD BE, BECAUSE THE 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA45 AMG IS ONE HECK OF A CAR, AND UNLIKE ANY 4-CYLINDER ANYTHING WE'VE EVER DRIVEN.
FOR STARTERS, THERE'S 355-HORSEPOWER WORTH OF FOUR-BANGER UNDER THE HOOD.
THAT'S THE HIGHEST OUTPUT WE'VE EVER SEEN FROM A 2.0-LITER I4.
332 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE IS SPUN UP WITH THE HELP OF A TWIN-SCROLL TURBOCHARGER WITH 11.9 PSI OF BOOST.
TECHNICALLY, IT IS THE SAME ENGINE FOUND IN THE BASE CLA.
BUT LIKE ALL AMG POWER PLANTS, IT IS HAND ASSEMBLED, START TO FINISH, BY A SINGLE PERSON WITH ACCESS TO BETTER PARTS, AND PERHAPS A LITTLE MAGIC.
AS THE RESULTS SPOKE FOR THEMSELVES AROUND ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY'S HIGH SPEED TURNS, OR RATHER COMING OUT OF THEM.
WHERE AFTER A BRIEF WAIT FOR THE TURBO TO KICK IN FULL POWER, IT WAS "HITTIN' AND GETTIN'" IT ON TO THE NEXT CORNER IN A HURRY.
EVEN AT FULL THROTTLE THINGS ARE FAIRLY QUIET INSIDE, SO IT'S EASY TO FIND YOURSELF IN THE REV LIMITER OR GETTING AN UNEXPECTED SHIFT MID-CORNER IF YOU'VE LEFT THE DCT IN SPORT MODE.
WHATEVER MODE YOU'RE IN, THE 7-SPEED UNIT, WHICH GETS ITS DRIVE LOGIC FROM THE SLS AMG, WORKS VERY WELL.
THE SUSPENSION HASN'T SO MUCH BEEN TWEAKED AS TOTALLY REVAMPED.
UP FRONT, THE MACPHERSON STRUT GETS A 3-LINK SETUP WITH ALL BUSHINGS AND BEARINGS STIFFENED.
WHILE IN THE REAR, THE WISHBONES AND CONTROL ARMS ARE DITCHED IN FAVOR OF A 4-LINK ARRANGEMENT DIRECTLY BOLTED TO THE BODY; ACCOMPANIED BY A LARGER STABILIZER BAR.
4MATIC ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE IS STANDARD EQUIPMENT, AND WHILE IT HELPS TO MITIGATE TORQUE STEER BY SENDING UP TO 50% OF THE POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS, IT'S NOT SO EFFECTIVE THAT YOU FORGET IT'S A FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE CHASSIS.
AT HIGH SPEEDS, THERE IS STILL SOME TELL-TELL UNDERSTEER, AND THUS, MORE THAN DESIRED TIRE WEAR.
IT TAKES PATIENCE TO FIND A HAPPY LAUNCH POINT, BUT MUCH LIKE YOUR COLLEGE EDUCATION, IT PAYS DIVIDENDS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY -- OR 5.0-SECONDS TO 60 IN THIS CASE.
WE THINK IT COULD BE A HALF TO THREE-QUARTERS OF A SECOND QUICKER ON SOMETHING OTHER THAN OUR FREEZING RACE TRACK.
POWER DOESN'T EXACTLY POUR ON, RATHER IT SNEAKS UP ON YOU AND ALL OF A SUDDEN 13.3-SECONDS HAVE PASSED AND YOU'RE AT THE END OF THE QUARTER MILE CRUISING AT 110 MILES-PER-HOUR.
AND SOMEHOW IT REMAINS A PLENTY COMFORTABLE DAILY DRIVER.
THERE'S VIRTUALLY NO COMPROMISE TO RIDE QUALITY.
IT'S NOWHERE NEAR STIFF, JUST MORE BUTTONED DOWN.
BUT FOR ADDED FIRMNESS, YOU CAN OPT FOR AN AMG DRIVER'S PACKAGE WITH PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION.
EVEN GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE NOT UNREASONABLE FOR A HIGH PERFORMANCE CAR AT 23-CITY, 31-HIGHWAY, AND 26-COMBINED.
THAT MAKES FOR A FAIRLY GOOD ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 12.7-BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL USE WITH CO2 EMISSIONS AT 5.7 TONS.
THE EXTERIOR OF THE CLA45 HAS BEEN SUITABLY TOUGHENED UP WITH AMG'S "TWIN BLADE" GRILL, AND AGGRESSIVE FRONT FASCIA WITH BIG AIR OPENINGS AND SMALL WINGS THAT CHANNEL AIR INTO THE BEEFED UP COOLING SYSTEM.
19-INCH AMG WHEELS, MATTE TITANIUM TRIM, AND A REAR DIFFUSER WITH TWIN EXHAUST TIPS POKING OUT OF EITHER END COMPLETE THE PACKAGE.
THOUGH THE CLA'S CLS-INSPIRED DESIGN DOES MEAN THAT VISIBILITY AND REAR SEAT ROOM ARE BOTH SACRIFICED TO THE GOD OF STYLE.
THE INTERIOR IS VERY NICELY DONE WITH TASTEFUL UPGRADES; SUCH AS RED STITCHING, RED SEATBELTS, AND ALLOY PEDAL COVERS THAT GIVE A SPORTIER FEEL WITHOUT BEING OVERDONE.
AND THE ENVIRONMENT FEELS MORE LIKE A DOWNSIZED SPORT SEDAN, THAN AN UPGRADED COMPACT.
BASE PRICING OF $48,375 MAY INDEED SCARE OFF SOME, BUT $50 GRAND IS NO LONGER WHAT IT ONCE WAS, AND WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THE NEXT CAR IN THE AMG LINE-UP IS THE C63 THAT COSTS OVER $10 GRAND MORE, THE CLA45 IS A GREAT WAY TO ENTER THE WORLD OF AMG.
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA45 AMG IS ALL ABOUT.
SPREADING THE AMG FUN TO MORE PEOPLE.
AND ALONG THE WAY, WE DON'T THINK THE AMG NAME HAS BEEN COMPROMISED AT ALL.
HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE A SMALL, LIGHT, FUN TO DRIVE CAR THAT IS WAITING TO TURN INTO A MONSTER ANY TIME YOU WANT?
WE SURE DID.
AND IT MAKES LIVING THE AMG DREAM A WHOLE LOT MORE ATTAINABLE.
VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. YOU CAN BRING LIGHT TO A ROOM WITH THE FLICK OF A FINGER.
WE TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, BUT CREATING THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC GRID TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE TOOK DECADES TO ACCOMPLISH.
NOW, IN JUST A FEW YEARS, WE'VE SEEN THE BIRTH OF A NEW INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO QUICKLY RECHARGE THEIR BATTERIES AT HOME, WORK, OR WHEREVER THEY MAY ROAM.
BUT THIS RAPID GROWTH HAS COME WITH A FEW GROWING PAINS.
STARTING WITH LESS THAN 500 IN 2009, THERE ARE NOW OVER 19,000 PUBLIC-ACCESS CHARGING OUTLETS AVAILABLE TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERS AT COMMUTER LOTS, PARKING GARAGES, AIRPORTS, RETAIL AREAS, AND THOUSANDS OF LOCATIONS WHERE EV OWNERS CAN CONVENIENTLY PLUG IN AS PART OF THEIR DAILY ROUTINES.
THERE ARE THOUSANDS MORE LOCATED IN PRIVATE HOMES.
AND FOR THE MOST PART, THESE INSTALLATIONS HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY EASY, PRESENTING FEW HURDLES IN TERMS OF THE PHYSICAL SPACE AND POWER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NEW EQUIPMENT.
BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS QUICK.
CHARGING AN EV THROUGH A STANDARD 110 TO 120 VOLT OUTLET IS SLOW GOING, ADDING JUST 2 TO 5 MILES OF RANGE PER HOUR OF CHARGING TIME.
LEVEL 2 CHARGING, USING A 240-VOLT CIRCUIT, ADDS 10 TO 20 MILES OF RANGE PER HOUR, AND IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR A HOMEOWNER.
BUT LEVEL 2 CHARGERS CAN REQUIRE A DEDICATED CIRCUIT OF 40 AMPS OR MORE, WHICH CAN BE A PROBLEM IN MANY HOMES, WHERE ELECTRICAL PANELS ARE ALREADY MAXED OUT.
AND WHAT ABOUT APARTMENTS AND CONDOS, OR CITY DWELLERS WITH ON-STREET PARKING?
THANKFULLY, AMERICAN INGENUITY IS ALREADY AT WORK FINDING SOLUTIONS.
EVSC, LLC, A SMALL COMPANY NEAR HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT HAS COME UP WITH A CLEVER AND INEXPENSIVE CONTROL PANEL THAT PIGGYBACKS ONTO AN EXISTING 220/240-VOLT APPLIANCE CIRCUIT, LIKE A STOVE OR CLOTHES DRYER, ELIMINATING THE NEED TO UPGRADE THE HOME'S ELECTRIC SERVICE.
THE DEVICE, CALLED POWER SHARE, SENSES WHEN THE DRYER OR STOVE IS TURNED ON, AND AUTOMATICALLY SCALES BACK OR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF POWER TO THE VEHICLE CHARGER AND DIVERTS THAT POWER TO THE APPLIANCE FOR AS LONG AS NEEDED.
THE COMPANY ALSO PRODUCES THIS ADA-COMPLIANT CHARGING STATION WITH A RETRACTABLE OVERHEAD-MOUNTED CORD.
THERE'S NO TANGLED CABLES TO TRIP OVER, AND IT'S LESS PRONE TO VANDALISM WHEN RETRACTED.
FOR LONG-TERM LOTS AND FLEET FACILITIES, EVSE OFFERS THIS PORTABLE LEVEL 2 CHARGER.
OUTLETS ARE INSTALLED AT EACH PARKING SPACE, AND THE ACTUAL CHARGE UNIT CAN BE MOVED FROM CAR TO CAR AS NEEDED.
BUT EVEN WHEN HARDWARE IS NOT AN ISSUE, THERE ARE STILL HURDLES TO OVERCOME.
BALTIMORE CITY RESIDENT JOHN SEGAL HAS BEEN WAITING MONTHS FOR PERMISSION FROM THE CITY TO INSTALL A CURBSIDE EV CHARGER FOR HIS TESLA MODEL S. John Segal: THE CITY TOLD US THAT WE WERE THE FIRST RESIDENTIAL HOMEOWNER TO REQUEST A CHARGING OUTLET IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY, IN CITY PROPERTY, AND EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE, AS IS THE STATE, VERY PRO-ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THEY'RE TRYING TO CREATE A POLICY THAT'S EQUITABLE FOR EVERYBODY, IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD.
RATHER THAN WAIT, WE MOVED AHEAD AND PUT A 240-OUTLET ON OUR SIDE OF THE SIDEWALK, ON OUR PROPERTY, AND WHEN NECESSARY, WE PLUG IN, STRETCH OUR TESLA CHARGING CABLE ACROSS THE SIDEWALK, AND CHARGE THE CAR.
John: OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S CLEAN CITIES PROGRAM HAS AWARDED 36 COMMUNITY READINESS GRANTS TO SOLVE INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED BARRIERS FOR HOME, WORKPLACE, AND PUBLIC RECHARGING, AND TO HELP STREAMLINE THE PERMITTING PROCESS.
PROGRAMS ARE UNDER WAY IN 24 STATES.
FOR THOSE IN UNCOMMON SITUATIONS, LIKE THE SEGALS, OBTAINING PERMITS, FIGURING OUT WHERE TO SAFELY PLACE EQUIPMENT, AND THE NEED TO UPGRADE ELECTRICAL SERVICE TO EXISTING PANELS ARE JUST SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS CAN BE UNIVERSALLY AVAILABLE.
INNOVATIVE HARDWARE SOLUTIONS, ALONG WITH THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF PERMITTING OFFICIALS, UTILITIES, AND CONSUMERS, ARE WORKING TO MAKE THE U.S.
CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE VIABLE FOR EVERYONE, AND WILL HELP DRIVE FURTHER ACCEPTANCE OF PLUG-IN EVs AS VEHICLES FOR CHANGE.
NOW LET'S STOP IN AT GOSS' GARAGE, WHERE PAT SHOWS US THE LIGHT.
Pat Goss: I'M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW PRODUCTS THAT SEEM LIKE THEY WOULD SERVE A GOOD PURPOSE, AND WHEN I FIND SOME OF THOSE, WELL, I WANT TO SHOW THEM TO YOU.
AND HERE WE HAVE SOME THINGS THAT GIVE US THE ABILITY TO SEE VARIOUS THINGS IN AND AROUND THE AUTOMOBILE.
FROM IMPELTRONICS, WE HAVE THESE LIGHTS.
NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THIS, IT JUST LOOKS LIKE A REGULAR LED LIGHT.
EVERYBODY HAS THEM THESE DAYS.
BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT.
YOU SEE, THE FIRST THING WE HAVE IS DOWN HERE ON THIS END, WE HAVE A MAGNET THAT CAN PICK UP EIGHT POUNDS.
YOU CAN SEE HERE WE'VE GOT THIS BIG STEEL WEIGHT - IT PICKS IT UP, HOLDS RIGHT ON TO IT, NO PROBLEM.
BUT IT GOES BEYOND THAT.
SUPPOSE YOU DROP A BOLT, OR A WRENCH, OR SOMETHING, DOWN INTO THE ENGINE BAY, AND YOU MAYBE CAN SEE IT, OR MAYBE YOU CAN'T SEE IT, BUT YOU KNOW IT'S DOWN THERE.
WELL, HERE WE HAVE -- WE CAN USE THE LIGHT, BUT WE CAN ALSO EXTEND THE END OF THIS, AND THE END OF IT IS FLEXIBLE SO THAT YOU CAN BEND IT.
AND THEY WERE THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TO PUT A MAGNET IN THE LIGHTED END OF IT SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT YOU'RE PICKING UP.
PRETTY CLEVER, I THINK.
EVERY TOOL BOX SHOULD HAVE ONE.
ALRIGHT, NOW, BACKING UP, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO TOW A TRAILER, GETTING THE TRAILER HOOKED UP TO THE TRAILER BALL CAN BE AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE.
AND BACK UP CAMERAS DON'T ALWAYS HELP BECAUSE THE TRAILER HITCH IS TOO CLOSE TO THE CAR.
SO THIS IS FROM MASTER LOCK COMPANY, THIS IS A CAMERA.
IT PLUGS INTO THE TRAILER WIRE HARNESS AT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE.
IT HAS A MAGNET ON IT AND YOU ATTACH THE MAGNET TO THE SIDE OF THE TRAILER HITCH.
NOW, THIS IS WIRELESS, AND WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE, YOU'RE GOING TO GET A PICTURE ON THE SCREEN THAT YOU'VE MOUNTED EITHER TO THE WINDSHIELD OR THE DASH OF YOUR CAR.
THAT GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO WATCH THE TRAILER HITCH FROM THE TRAILER PERSPECTIVE.
SO YOU CAN BACK RIGHT UP INTO IT, HOOK IT UP, NO PROBLEMS.
AND YOU AVOID ALL THOSE NASTY DINGS AND DENTS IN YOUR BUMPER FROM THE TIMES THAT YOU MISS.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK.
John: WE OFTEN HEAR THAT GASOLINE ELECTRIC HYBRIDS DON'T HANDLE COLD AND WINTER VERY WELL.
WELL, THAT'S NOT OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS 2013 KIA OPTIMA EX HYBRID.
WE'VE NOTICE NO CHANGES IN STARTING OR NORMAL OPERATION.
INTERIOR HEAT SEEMS TO BUILD JUST FINE.
GRANTED, ELECTRIC BATTERIES DON'T HOLD THEIR CHARGE AS WELL IN THE COLD.
BUT WITH A NEARLY STEADY AVERAGE OF 34.2 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR GAS, AFTER EIGHT MONTHS AND 13,300 MILES, WE CAN'T COMPLAIN.
MOST ALSO LOVE THE WAY IT DRIVES, WITH A SPORTY FEEL THAT WE NOW EXPECT FROM EVERY KIA.
SOME INTERIOR FABRICS ARE SHOWING WEAR, AND NOT EVERYONE LIKES THE LOW SEATING POSITION, BUT MOST OF OUR CREW FINDS THE OPTIMA HYBRID A FAMILY SEDAN THAT PROVIDES THE TRIFECTA OF STYLE, DRIVING ENJOYMENT, AND ECONOMY.
WINTER SEEMS TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN OUR LONG-TERM 2014 SUBARU FORESTER 2.0XT COMPACT CROSSOVER.
THROUGH SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES AND FOOT-DEEP SNOW, OUR TOURING MODEL HAS PROVED SUREFOOTED, AGILE, AND HIGHLY FLEXIBLE.
GIVEN THE EXTRA COLD TEMPS AND MORE THAN TYPICAL IDLING, WE FIND ITS 23.9 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR FUEL ECONOMY QUITE REASONABLE.
AND AFTER SEVEN MONTHS AND 14,700 MILES, WE'VE HAD NO PROBLEMS WORTH A TRIP TO THE DEALER.
HOWEVER, WE DID GO SEARCHING FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHEN OUR FORESTER'S POWER REAR HATCH REFUSED TO OPEN ALL THE WAY.
TURNS OUT THE MEMORY OPENING HEIGHT FUNCTION WAS ACCIDENTLY TRIGGERED, SO IT WAS OPERATOR ERROR NOT SUBARU'S.
ONE SUGGESTION, ADD MORE TINT TO THE SUNROOF TO KEEP INTERIOR TEMPS UNDER CONTROL WHEN THE SUN DOES SHINE.
WE'LL SHINE OUR LIGHT ON THE RAM 1500 ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.
THE NEW CAR SEASON IS IN TOP GEAR, SO LET'S GO FOR A QUICK SPIN IN A COUPLE OF THE LATEST.
WITH EVERY ITERATION, THE MINI COOPER HARDTOP BECOMES LESS OF A RETRO THROWBACK, AND MORE OF A CAR FOR THE MODERN DAY.
AND THAT'S NEVER BEEN TRUER THAN NOW, AS IT ENTERS ITS THIRD GENERATION FOR 2014.
HITTING A GROWTH SPURT, THE COOPER HARDTOP EXPANDS IN ALMOST EVERY DIMENSION: FOUR-AND-A-HALF INCHES IN LENGTH, NEARLY TWO INCHES IN WIDTH, AND GAINS TO HEIGHT AND WHEELBASE AS WELL.
PARENT BMW ALSO LENDS ITS PERFORMANCE PROWESS AND ITS TWINPOWER TURBOCHARGERS.
THE BASE COOPER GET AN-ALL NEW 1.5 LITER TURBOCHARGED THREE CYLINDER ENGINE RATED AT 134 HORSEPOWER, THOUGH THERE'S NOTHING BASE ABOUT IT.
PICKUP IS STRONG, DELIVERING SURPRISING POWER AND A GREAT MECHANICAL NOTE.
FUEL ECONOMY IS AN ESTIMATED 34 MPG COMBINED.
THE ALSO TURBOCHARGED COOPER S ADDS A 4TH CYLINDER, EXPANDING TO 2.0 LITERS, AND RATES 189 HORSEPOWER.
IT ALSO ADDS MORE MUSCULAR BODYWORK FOR ADDED FLAIR.
BOTH MANUAL AND PADDLE SHIFT AUTOMATICS ARE 6-SPEEDS.
THERE ARE UPGRADES EVERYWHERE, FROM THE NEW DYNAMIC DAMPER CONTROLLED SUSPENSION, TO A REVISED INTERIOR FEATURING SOME NEW SWITCH GEAR AND CENTRAL CONTROL KNOB, AND EVEN AN OPTIONAL HEAD UP DISPLAY TO AUGMENT A NEW GAUGE CLUSTER.
WE GOT OUR FIRST DRIVE TIME NEAR SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO.
FROM FIRST DRIVE, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE NEW MINI COOPER IS AN ALL NEW EFFORT.
IT HANDLES BETTER, IT RIDES MUCH QUIETER, ALL IN ALL, IT FEELS LIKE THE PREMIUM SMALL CAR IT PRETENDS TO BE.
BUT THE SINGLE MOST IMPRESSIVE ASPECT OF THIS CAR IS THE COOPER'S STANDARD 3-CYLINDER TURBOCHARGED ENGINE.
AMONG 3-CYLINDERS, IT IS SIMPLY A JEWEL.
ON SALE SOON, THE 2014 MINI COOPER HARDTOP GOES FOR AROUND $21,000, WITH S MODELS AROUND $24,000.
AND WE'LL GO ON MORE QUICK SPINS, SOON!
WHEN IT COMES TO HIGH-TECH WITH HIGH LUXURY, ACURA'S NEW RLX FLAGSHIP CERTAINLY DOESN'T COME UP SHORT.
WHERE THE RLX LAGS IS IN DRIVING ENJOYMENT.
WELL, THAT JUST MIGHT CHANGE WITH THE ACURA RLX SPORT HYBRID.
IT NOT ONLY TAKES ACURA'S SUPER HANDLING ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE CONCEPT TO THE NEXT LEVEL, IT'S MORE EFFICIENT TOO.
WE CALL IT: CAKE EATEN!
THE 2014 ACURA RLX SPORT HYBRID MAY LOOK FOR THE MOST PART LIKE A REGULAR RLX LUXURY SEDAN.
BUT UNDERNEATH, IT COULDN'T BE MORE DIFFERENT.
THE DIRECT INJECTION 310-HORSEPOWER 3.5-LITER V6 UNDER THE HOOD IS THE SAME IN PRINCIPAL, BUT IT DOES GET SOME UPDATES; INCLUDING A TWEAKING OF THE CAMSHAFT VALVE TIMING.
ATTACHED TO IT IS PERHAPS THE BEST PART OF ALL; A NEW 7-SPEED DCT TRANSMISSION WITH A 35KW ELECTRIC MOTOR BUILT INTO IT, BOOSTING POWER OUTPUT TO 377-HORSEPOWER AND 377 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE.
TWO ADDITIONAL 27KW ELECTRIC MOTORS ARE MOUNTED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, EACH PROVIDING POWER TO ONE OF THE REAR WHEELS.
FOR THOSE KEEPING SCORE, THAT'S FOUR POWER SOURCES AND THREE OF THEM ARE ELECTRIC!
AND IT ALL WORKS TOGETHER FAIRLY SEAMLESSLY, AS MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL POWER IS CONSTANTLY BEING DISTRIBUTED TO DIFFERENT WHEELS IN DIFFERENT AMOUNTS AT ALL TIMES.
AS YOU MIGHT GUESS, THIS SHOULD ALSO BENEFIT HANDLING, AS WE FOUND OUT ON THE GREAT ROADS JUST NORTH OF SAN FRANCISCO THE MOMENT WE TURNED INTO THE FIRST CORNER.
WITH ACURA'S SUPER-HANDLING ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, POWER IS AUTOMATICALLY BIASED TO THE OUTER WHEELS TO HELP YOU SCOOT AROUND THE CORNER WITH LESS UNDERSTEER.
WHERE THE NEW SPORT HYBRID SYSTEM ALSO SHINES, IS THAT REGARDLESS OF YOUR THROTTLE INPUTS, THE ELECTRIC MOTORS WILL NOT ONLY ADD MORE POWER TO THE OUTSIDE WHEEL, BUT WILL REGEN BRAKE THE INSIDE REAR FOR EVEN MORE ROTATION.
AS DRIVING ENTHUSIASTS, WE ARE HAPPY TO SAY THAT SPORT HYBRID MODEL IS EXACTLY WHAT THE RLX NEEDED TO CATCH AND KEEP OUR INTEREST.
IT ADDS A "SPORT" MONIKER TO AN ALREADY NOTABLE LUXURY SEDAN.
PLUS, MUCH LIKE A TRADITIONAL HYBRID, THE SPORT HYBRID CAN RUN ON EV POWER ALONE UP TO 50 MILES-PER-HOUR OR WITH ANY COMBINATION OF ENGINE AND BATTERY POWER DEPENDING ON THROTTLE INPUTS.
THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING IS ALSO VERY SMOOTH AND PEDAL FEEL IS AMAZINGLY NEUTRAL.
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALSO GETS SOME ATTENTION FOR A MORE PROGRESSIVE TOUCH.
GIVE IT YOUR FULL ATTENTION AND YOU'LL QUICKLY SEE THE IMPROVED ACCELERATION OF THE SPORT HYBRID; FACTORY 0 TO 60 TIME IS FIVE SECONDS FLAT.
THE ONLY REAL HYBRID COMPROMISE IS A 20% REDUCTION IN TRUNK SPACE DUE TO THE 1.3KWH LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK BEHIND THE REAR SEATS.
HOWEVER, IT'S STILL A GOOD 12.0 CUBIC-FEET.
THE SPORT HYBRID IS SET APART FROM THE FRONT DRIVE RLX BY A DARK CHROME FINISH TO THE GRILLE AND NEW LED FOG LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS.
ACURA'S JEWEL-EYE HEADLIGHTS COME STANDARD ON BOTH.
THERE ARE ALSO HYBRID BADGES ON THE FRONT FENDERS, AS WELL AS UNIQUE 19-INCH WHEELS.
INSIDE, THERE ARE SOME UNIQUE MATERIALS ON THE DASH, INCLUDING EXCLUSIVE CHESTNUT FINISH WOOD GRAIN TRIM.
THE CENTER CONSOLE HAS ALSO BEEN REDESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE NEW PUSH-BUTTON CONTROLS FOR THE TRANSMISSION.
OR, ONE CAN USE THE STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED PADDLES FOR MANUAL-MODE SHIFT.
THERE'S ALSO A NEW MULTI-COLOR HEAD UP DISPLAY WITH FIVE DIFFERENT INFORMATION SCREENS TO CHOOSE FROM.
LIKE THE REGULAR RLX, FRONT SEATS LOOK INVITING.
WITH STANDARD LEATHER TRIM IN THE SPORT HYBRID, THEY ARE ALSO ULTRA-COMFORTABLE AND SUPPORTIVE, AND CAN BE BOTH HEATED AND COOLED.
REAR SEATS ARE EQUALLY COMFORTABLE, AND THERE IS PLENTY OF LEGROOM FOR STRETCHING OUT.
REAR SUNSHADES ALSO COME WITH ADVANCE TRIM.
CENTER STACK CONTROLS INCLUDE HONDA'S NOW FAMILIAR TWIN SCREEN INTERFACE.
THE TOP SCREEN IS FOR AUDIO AND STANDARD NAVIGATION INFO, WHILE INPUTS ARE MADE WITH A CENTRAL CONTROLLER MOUNTED BELOW.
THE LOWER TOUCHSCREEN TAKES INPUTS FOR THE RADIO, AND JUST BENEATH ARE A ROW OF BUTTONS FOR CLIMATE CONTROL.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 28-CITY, 32-HIGHWAY, AND 30-COMBINED.
NOT QUITE 4-CYLINDER TERRITORY, BUT CLOSE, AND A 25% IMPROVEMENT OVER THE FRONT DRIVE RLX.
THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS VERY GOOD, TOO, AT 11.0-BARRELS OF OIL PER YEAR AND EMISSIONS OF 4.9-TONS OF CO2.
LOOK FOR THE RLX SPORT HYBRID IN BASE TECH.
TRIM TO START A $60,000.
THAT'S ABOUT $10 GRAND MORE THAN REGULAR RLX.
IN BOTH SIZE AND PRICE, THE 2014 ACURA RLX SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD EASILY SLIDES IN BETWEEN RIVAL MID- AND FULL-SIZE LUXURY SPORT CONTENDERS AND IT SHOULD PROVE ATTRACTIVE TO BUYERS CONSIDERING EITHER.
THE THREE-MODE HYBRID SYSTEM IS INDEED COMPLEX IN DESIGN.
YET, IN OPERATION, IT IS ALSO VIRTUALLY INVISIBLE.
NOW, THAT'S THE KIND OF TECHNOLOGY WE LOVE, AND IT WILL MAKE THE RLX A LOT MORE APPEALING TO A LOT MORE PEOPLE.
WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW.
FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST AND COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME, WHEN WE'LL SEE IF THE NEW F-TYPE CAN EXTEND JAGUAR'S RACE TRACK CONQUERING LEGACY.
THEN WE'LL PUT OUR FOOT DOWN IN THE CHEVROLET SONIC RS.
UNTIL THEN, 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.
ROCKAUTO.COM, ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED.
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.
