HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US AS WE GET TRACK-HAPPY IN SUBARU'S REBOOTED WRX... PAT GOSS BUFFS UP OUR KNOW-HOW DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... WE EXPLORE HOW MEN AND WOMEN THINK DIFFERENTLY WHEN SHOPPING FOR A NEW CAR... AND WE'LL SEE IF AN UP-TO-DATE CHEVROLET CAMARO IS STILL UP TO THE CHALLENGE.
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.
[HEAVY SIGH] 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.
EVER SINCE THE SUBARU WRX ARRIVED FOR THE 2002 MODEL YEAR, IT'S TAKEN ON AND CONQUERED JUST ABOUT EVERY PART OF THE MILD TO WILD AUTOMOTIVE SPECTRUM.
WELL, THIS 2015 WRX SEES ITS BIGGEST CHANGE EVER AS SUBARU BREAKS IT AWAY FROM THE IMPREZA FAMILY CAR COMFORT ZONE.
SO LET'S HIT THE TRACK AND FIND OUT IF AN IMPREZA-LESS WRX IMPRESSES US MORE OR LESS.
TO SAY THE 2015 SUBARU WRX HAS BEEN HIGHLY ANTICIPATED IS DEFINITELY AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
THE SUBI AND WREX FAITHFUL HAVE BEEN CHOMPING AT THE BIT EVER SINCE SUBARU ANNOUNCED THAT THIS WRX WOULD BREAK FREE FROM THE ECONO-THEMED IMPREZA AND GO AFTER A TRUE SPORT SEDAN IMAGE.
BUT WHILE NO LONGER LINKED BY NAME, THE WRX HASN'T BROKEN FREE ENTIRELY FROM THE IMPREZA'S HUMBLE UNDERPINNINGS.
BUT LIKE ANY GREAT WORK OF ART, AUTOMOTIVE OR OTHERWISE, IT'S NOT WHAT YOU START WITH, BUT WHAT YOU END UP WITH THAT'S IMPORTANT.
THE WRX HAS ALWAYS BROUGHT MORE TO THE TABLE THAN ITS LOOKS LED YOU TO BELIEVE.
SOMETIMES WE'VE BEEN A FAN OF THAT APPEARANCE, AND SOMETIMES WE HAVEN'T.
WELL, FOR '15, IT'S VISUALLY A LOT MORE AGGRESSIVE; WITH A WIDE-BODY SHAPE THAT PROMISES SERIOUS PERFORMANCE.
BUT WE HOPE YOU WANT A SEDAN, SINCE THAT'S IT -- NO MORE HATCHBACK.
IT WOULDN'T BE A WRX WITHOUT A BIG, FUNCTIONAL SCOOP ON THE HOOD, OF COURSE, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY SLIMMED DOWN A BIT.
SORRY, BOY RACERS.
HOPEFULLY, THE NEW FENDER VENTS, CARBON FIBER-LIKE FOG LIGHT SURROUNDS, 17-INCH WHEELS, AND DECK LID SPOILER WILL KEEP YOU HAPPY.
THE NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS A LITTLE MORE BARK, BUT YOU'LL STILL HAVE TO GO AFTERMARKET IF WAKING THE NEIGHBORS IS YOUR GOAL.
BUT IF HAVING A TON OF FUN IS YOUR GOAL, NO FURTHER UPGRADES ARE REQUIRED, AS THIS WRX IS A LEGIT TRACK READY PIECE.
OKAY, MAYBE WE COULD USE BETTER BRAKES AND SEATS, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, AS WE FOUND OUT THROUGH THREE DAYS AT SAVANNAH'S ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY, THIS SPORT SEDAN IS JUST ABOUT PERFECT.
FOR NO MORE POWER THAN IT HAS, IT REALLY GETS OFF CORNERS IN A HURRY, AIDED BY A NEW ACTIVE TORQUE VECTORING SYSTEM ADDED TO THE VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL THAT ACTUALLY USES A TAD OF BRAKING TO REDUCE UNDERSTEER.
THE MUCH STIFFER CHASSIS HELPS TO KEEP THINGS FLATTER THROUGH THE CORNERS, AND WITH THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM, SPORT-TUNED SUSPENSION, AND 235/45 DUNLOP SPORT MAXX RTs, THERE'S A BOUNTY OF GRIP THROUGH THEM AS WELL.
THE STANDARD MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS NOW A 6-SPEED, AND IT WORKS WELL.
A NEW CVT IS ALSO AVAILABLE, AND WHILE IT PERFORMS MUCH BETTER THAN IN THE IMPREZA, THE MANUAL WOULD STILL BE OUR CHOICE.
AFTER DROPPING IT IN 1ST, REVVING IT AS HIGH AS YOU DARE, AND LAUNCHING WITH A BIT OF CLUTCH SLIP; WE MANAGED TO HIT 60 IN 5.4-SECONDS.
THERE WAS GOOD GRIP; EVEN ON A COLD TRACK, AND BEFORE WE KNEW IT, WE WERE AT THE END OF THE QUARTER MILE IN 13.9-SECONDS AT 100 MILES-PER-HOUR.
AS FOR THE INTERIOR OF THE NEW WRX; WHILE IT IS NICELY FINISHED, THINGS STILL LOOK A BIT BARE BONES.
THOUGH LOOKS AREN'T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM, AS STANDARD FEATURES HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY; A BACK-UP CAMERA, DASH-TOP LCD INFO SCREEN, AND AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROLS ARE ALL STANDARD.
THERE'S ALSO A GREAT NEW FLAT-BOTTOM, LEATHER-WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL; AND THE ADDITIONAL INCH OF WHEELBASE ALLOWS FOR MORE ROOM INSIDE, INCLUDING ALMOST TWO-INCHES MORE LEGROOM FOR YOUR BUDDIES IN THE BACK SEAT.
TRUNK SPACE IS ALSO UP A TAD TO 12.0 CUBIC-FEET, WITH 60/40 FOLDING SEATBACKS STANDARD.
BACK TO THE POWER...
IT'S THE SAME FA20 2.0-LITER, TURBO, BOXER-4 FOUND IN OUR LONG-TERM FORESTER XT, THOUGH IT GETS A LITTLE MORE BITE; THANKS TO UNIQUE CAMS AND VALVE SPRINGS SPINNING HORSEPOWER UP TO 268.
TORQUE REMAINS THE SAME AT 258 POUND-FEET.
WE CLEARLY ENJOYED OUR TIME IN THIS NEW WRX AND FOUND IT EXTREMELY REFRESHING TO DRIVE A SIMPLE, WELL-ENGINEERED, SPORTY CAR THAT UNDER PROMISES AND OVER DELIVERS.
AND IT STILL DELIVERS BETTER GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS THAN BEFORE; 21-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 24-COMBINED FOR OUR MANUAL.
THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE REMAINS AVERAGE AT 13.7-BARRELS OF OIL USE, AND 6.1 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS ANNUALLY.
BEST NEWS OF ALL?
BASE PRICING STARTS AT JUST $27,090.
SO IT'S A LOT OF SPORT SEDAN FOR THE MONEY.
AND THAT'S WHY IT WON OUR DRIVERS' CHOICE AWARD AS OUR BEST SPORT SEDAN.
STILL FUN, STILL AFFORDABLE, AND ONE SPORTY FOUR-DOOR THAT CONTINUES TO WIN US OVER WITHOUT RESERVATIONS.
IT LOOKS LIKE SEPARATING THE 2015 WRX FROM THE IMPREZA WAS INDEED A SOLID, SMART MOVE FOR SUBARU.
OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK PROFILES AN OFF-SITE AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS COMPANY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
THE PARKING SPOT BEGAN ADDING 31 COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS BUSES TO THEIR THREE LOTS NEAR THE HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OVER TWO YEARS AGO.
THE PARKING SPOT WORKED WITH THE CLEAN CITIES-GEORGIA COALITION TO MAKE THE CLEAN-FUEL SWITCH AS PART OF A $40 MILLION METRO ATLANTA PETROLEUM REDUCTION PROGRAM FUNDED IN PART BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.
THE ATLANTA PROGRAM INCLUDED NEARLY $15 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE TO FIELD OVER 200 ALTERNATIVE AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLES, SIX CNG REFUELING STATIONS, AND A LANDFILL GAS TO RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS PROCESSING FACILITY.
SINCE 2012, THE COMPANY ESTIMATES THEY HAVE DISPLACED OVER 725,000 GALLONS OF PETROLEUM FUEL.
IT'S A "GOOD SPOT" TO BE IN AS THE COMPANY CONSIDERS ADDING MORE ALTERNATIVE FUEL BUSES TO OTHER PARKING SPOT LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY.
WHILE THERE ARE MORE WOMEN WORKING IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY THAN EVER, THE MAJORITY OF ENGINEERS AND DESIGNERS ARE STILL MEN.
YET, WHEN IT COMES TIME TO PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE FOR THE FAMILY, MEN ARE OFTEN NOT THE DECISION MAKERS.
SO WE HAD OUR FYI TEAM GIVE US A DIFFERENT SLANT.
>> HI, I'M KRISTIN VARELA WITH CARS.COM.
>> AND I'M YOLANDA VAZQUEZ FROM MOTORWEEK .
WE'VE HAD TO TEST DRIVE AND REVIEW HUNDREDS OF CARS OVER THE YEARS -- AIN'T THAT RIGHT, GIRLFRIEND?
>> Kristin: IT'S TRUE.
SO WE KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT WHAT WOMEN WANT IN CARS.
>> Yolanda: SHOW LET US SHOW YA WHAT WE'RE WORKING WITH!
AS AN AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALIST, VARELA HAS LOGGED MANY MILES BEHIND THE WHEEL OF TEST VEHICLES.
AND I'VE DONE THE SAME WRITING CAR REVIEWS AND REPORTS ON A VARIETY OF CONSUMER STORIES.
WHILE WE BOTH AGREE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ALL WOMEN TO WANT THE SAME THING IN A NEW VEHICLE, THERE IS COMMON GROUND ON WHAT FEATURES ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO US.
>> Kristin: I THINK SAFETY IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR ME AS A MOM.
>> Yolanda: WE BOTH AGREE A LARGE NUMBER OF STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES AND GOOD CRASH TEST SCORES TOPS OUR MUST-HAVE LIST.
WE ALSO LOOK FOR VERSATILITY, RELIABILITY, A NICE BLEND OF FORM AND FUNCTION, GOOD GAS MILEAGE, AND AFFORDABLE PRICING.
>> Kristin: I'M A COMPARISON SHOPPER.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'VE COVERED ALL THE BASES.
MAKE SURE THAT THERE ISN'T SOMETHING ELSE OUT THERE THAT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
>> Yolanda: ACCORDING TO THE 2013 MINTEL CAR BUYING REPORT, A MAN, ON AVERAGE, SPENDS 5.5 WEEKS RESEARCHING A NEW VEHICLE, WHILE A WOMAN SPENDS 6.5 WEEKS.
THAT EXTRA TIME MAY INCLUDE REVIEWING THE NUMBER AND PLACEMENT OF AIRBAGS IN A VEHICLE.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE BOTH LIKE THE KNEE AIRBAG IN THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AND THE CENTER AIRBAG BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS IN THE BUICK ENCLAVE.
>> Kristin: WHICH KEEPS EACH OF US PROTECTED FROM ONE ANOTHER IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.
>> Yolanda: THE ENCLAVE GARNERS BONUS POINTS FROM US WITH THEIR FULL LENGTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS AND GOVERNMENT CRASH TEST SCORES THAT ARE AMONG THE BEST.
BUT OVERALL, THIS IS A PRETTY STYLISH RIDE FOR A LOT OF WOMEN TO CONSIDER, AND BUSY MOMS.
>> Kristin: YES.
>> Yolanda: YES, WE LIKED IT.
TWO THUMBS UP.
>> Kristin: IT'S SWELL!
>> Yolanda: THANKS TO AUTONATION BUICK/GMC AND SHORTLINE HYUNDAI AND KIA IN COLORADO, KRISTIN AND I WERE ABLE TO REVIEW SEVERAL VEHICLES.
WE FOUND THE NEW KIA SORENTO HAS THE RIGHT MIX OF FORM AND FUNCTION.
>> Kristin: STARTING IN THE MID-$30s, IT OFFERS SOME FEATURES THAT YOU JUST DON'T SEE IN OTHER VEHICLES AT THAT SAME PRICE RANGE.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE OPTION OF AIR CONDITIONED FRONT SEATS.
>> Yolanda: AND THE OPTION OF THIRD ROW SEATING GIVES A FAMILY EVEN MORE FLEXIBILITY.
SO WE'RE HERE WITH THE KIA SOUL, AND THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF KIA'S BEST SELLING MODELS, AND FOR LOTS OF REASONS.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS CAR?
>> Kristin: WELL, IT DEFINITELY STANDS OUT IN THE DESIGN DEPARTMENT, DOESN'T IT?
>> Yolanda: NOT TO MENTION IT HAS LOTS OF CARGO SPACE FOR ITS SIZE AND COMES STANDARD WITH BLUETOOTH AND USB/AUX INPUT JACKS.
KIA HAS MADE SOME GREAT STRIDES WHEN IT COMES TO MARKETING THEIR PRODUCTS TO WOMEN.
THE KOREAN CAR MANUFACTURER SAYS OVER HALF OF THEIR BUYERS ARE FEMALE.
MOVING TO ITS SISTER BRAND, HYUNDAI, THEY'VE ALSO TURNED UP THE DIAL ON THEIR OFFERINGS.
THIS 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID IS A FAVORITE FOR US.
>> Kristin: ONE THING THAT I LOVE ABOUT HYUNDAI IN GENERAL AS A BRAND IS THAT ALL OF THEIR SAFETY FEATURES COME STANDARD, SO YOU'RE NOT FORCED TO HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN YOUR BUDGET AND YOUR FAMILY'S SAFETY.
>> Yolanda: AND THAT'S IMPORTANT.
AND WITH A COMBINED 37 MPG FUEL ECONOMY RATING, IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY THIS STYLISH, AFFORDABLE MID-SIZE CAR APPEALS TO MANY WOMEN DRIVERS.
THIS ONE WAS NOT AS BLAND AND UNINSPIRING AS THE OTHER VEHICLES.
>> Kristin: IT DEFINITELY DOES CATCH YOUR EYE AS IT'S DRIVING PAST YOU ON THE HIGHWAY.
>> Yolanda: CARMAKERS, BOTH DOMESTIC AND IMPORT, ARE REALIZING THE BUYING POWER WOMEN HAVE AND ARE FIGURING OUT WAYS TO APPEAL TO THEM.
AND WHILE THESE CHANGES MAY NOT BE AS NOTICEABLE TO THE AVERAGE CONSUMER, REST ASSURED, AUTOMOTIVE MAVENS LIKE US ARE ON THE JOB TO MAKE SURE EVERY NEW CAR GETS OUR "GIRL POWER" SEAL OF APPROVAL.
John: NOW LET'S STOP BY GOSS' GARAGE AND SEE WHAT PAT HAS FOR US THIS WEEK!
Pat Goss: THERE ARE LOTS OF JOBS AROUND THE HOUSE, AND AROUND THE CAR THAT REQUIRE SANDING.
AND THAT IS MOSTLY A REALLY MESSY OPERATION.
BUT JEN COOK FROM 3M HAS A SOLUTION FOR US.
JEN, WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.
Jen: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY, PAT.
Pat: ALRIGHT, NOW, YOU'VE GOT SOME BODY FILLER HERE.
AND THAT'S GOT TO BE THE WORST IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO SANDING.
Jen: YES.
YES, IT IS.
TRADITIONAL SANDING METHODS LIKE THE RUBBER BLOCK YOU SEE HERE CAN CREATE A LOT OF DUST.
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT JUST GETTING THE SANDPAPER ON THE BLOCK CAN SOMETIMES BE TEDIOUS.
YOU'RE FOLDING THIS BACK, YOU'RE SLIDING IT IN TO SOME METAL TEETH THERE AND CLAMPING IT DOWN.
AND IT'S JUST DIFFICULT.
SO 3M HAS COME OUT WITH WHAT WE CALL THE NEW 3M CLEAN SAND SYSTEM, AND IT'S BASICALLY A SANDING BLOCK THAT FEATURES ONE OF OUR PREMIUM ABRASIVES.
YOU CAN SEE ON THE BLOCK HERE, THERE ARE SOME HOLES.
IN THE SANDPAPER, THERE ARE SOME HOLES, AND THIS JUST ATTACHES WITH HOOK AND LOOP; VERY EASY ON-OFF.
AND AS I'M SANDING, THE DUST IS SUCKED THROUGH THE HOLES, INTO THE HOSE, DOWN THROUGH THE HOSE INTO MY SHOP-VAC HOSE, AND DOWN INTO MY SHOP-VAC.
SO I HAVE A LOT LESS OF A MESSY ENVIRONMENT AS I'M WORKING.
Pat: OKAY, SO IT CONNECTS INTO THE SHOP-VAC AND THAT DOES AWAY WITH THE DUST.
I LIKE THAT.
ALRIGHT.
NOW, THE QUESTION THEN PROBABLY SOMEBODY IS GOING TO SAY, "WELL, BUT YOU DO ALL THIS STUFF WITH POWER TOOLS."
BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE.
Jen: THAT'S NOT ALWAYS TRUE.
YOU'RE RIGHT.
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A MISCONCEPTION THAT NOWADAYS THINGS ARE DONE WITH POWER TOOLS A LOT, AND THEY CAN BE.
WHEN YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING LIKE BODY REPAIR AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF CREVICES AND THINGS TO GET INTO SOMETIMES; A LOT OF TIMES IT'S EASIER TO BE ABLE TO HAND SAND.
YOU CAN SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU CAN SOMETIMES SLOW DOWN AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT EXTENDING THE DAMAGE FURTHER THAN YOU WOULD LIKE.
AND THIS SYSTEM RETAILS FOR ABOUT $29.99.
WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT POWER TOOLS, SOMETIMES THEY'RE AT LEAST DOUBLE THAT, IF NOT MORE.
Pat: RIGHT.
OKAY.
BUT NOT ONLY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT BODY WORK, BUT ALL KINDS OF APPLICATIONS AROUND THE HOUSE.
Jen: YES, ABSOLUTELY.
YOU CAN USE THIS SANDING DRYWALL.
IF YOU HAVE A SMALL REPAIR THAT YOU'RE DOING FOR DRYWALL, I WOULD SAND THAT WITH IT.
MARINE REPAIR; IF I HAVE A FIBERGLASS SITUATION WHERE I'M REPAIRING FIBERGLASS AND I NEED TO SAND THAT.
AND ALSO DOING WOOD REPAIR WITH WOOD FILLER.
THIS IS A GREAT SOLUTION FOR THAT.
Pat: OKAY.
AND THE SAND PAPER IS AVAILABLE IN ALL THE POPULAR GRITS.
Jen: YES, THE SANDPAPER IS AVAILABLE IN FIVE DIFFERENT GRITS, RANGING FROM 80 ALL THE WAY UP TO 600.
AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, NOT ONLY FOR THE BODY REPAIR PROCESS, BUT ALSO FOR OTHER TYPES OF APPLICATIONS THAT YOU MIGHT BE DOING.
YOU MIGHT NEED THAT RANGE OF GRITS, DEPENDING ON THE APPLICATION.
AND MOST OF THOSE APPLICATIONS THAT I MENTIONED, YOU'RE DOING SOME KIND OF PAINTING, OR YOU'RE DOING SOME KIND OF STAINING AT THE END, AND BY ELIMINATING THAT DUST UP FRONT, YOU'RE REDUCING YOUR WORK TIME, BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ALL THAT DUST TO CLEAN UP AT THE END.
AND BY HAVING A CLEANER WORK ENVIRONMENT, YOU'RE NOT GETTING DEFECTS IN YOUR PAINT.
Pat: GREAT.
THANK YOU.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR A COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
THERE'S PLENTY THAT'S NEW THIS YEAR, SO HERE'S WHAT WE THOUGHT ON SOME OF OUR LATEST QUICK SPINS.
IN THE ALL-IMPORTANT MIDSIZE FAMILY SEDAN SEGMENT, THE CHRYSLER 200, DESPITE A LOT OF HELP FROM EMINEM, HASN'T EXACTLY BEEN A REAL THREAT TO SEGMENT LEADERS CAMRY AND ACCORD.
WELL, THE ALL-NEW 2015 EDITION MIGHT NOT REACH THE TOP OF THE SEGMENT EITHER.
BUT THOSE TAKING THIS STYLISH RIDE WILL BE REWARDED WITH A GREAT DAILY DRIVER, PACKING ENOUGH COMFORT AND FEATURES TO KEEP JUST ABOUT ANY FAMILY HAPPY.
THE NEW 200 IS A COLLECTION OF WHAT CHRYSLER'S BEEN DOING BEST LATELY: PENTASTAR V6, 9-SPEED TRANSMISSION, ALFA ROMEO CHASSIS, AND SMART STYLE.
AND NOT ONLY DOES IT ALL COME TOGETHER HERE VERY NICELY, THE 200 IS GOING WHERE ITS NEVER GONE BEFORE.
THE BASE 2.4-LITER I4 ENGINE GETS 35 MILES-PER-GALLON HIGHWAY AND ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE IS NOW AVAILABLE.
AND THERE'S LOTS OF COOL STUFF INSIDE; FROM A GREAT LOOKING GAUGE PACKAGE, TO A RAM-STYLE ROTARY SHIFTER, TO A TRICK CENTER CONSOLE WITH SLIDING CUP HOLDERS, AND PASS-THROUGH POWER FOR THE STORAGE SPACE BELOW.
AND THANKS TO THE DYNAMIC NEW CHASSIS, THIS 200 DRIVES LIKE NO OTHER 200 BEFORE IT.
Brian Robinson: THIS IS THE THIRD CHRYSLER PRODUCT TO GET THIS ALFA CHASSIS, AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, THEY CAN KEEP SPREADING THE LOVE AROUND.
THE 200'S RIDE MAY BE A LITTLE HARSH FOR SOME, BUT IT'S WELL CONTROLLED AND ALMOST ATHLETIC.
John: SEATS ARE EURO FIRM, BUT STILL COMFORTABLE, AND ALMOST ALL MATERIALS INSIDE ARE SOFT TOUCH.
BUT NOT ALL OF THEM ARE QUITE AS NICE AS THE GREAT LOOKING OPTIONAL REAL WOOD TRIM.
BASE PRICING IS AROUND $22,000, BUT TO GET THAT FULL, NEAR-LUXURY TREATMENT YOU'RE CLOSER TO $30,000.
OR ABOUT WHAT A LESS WELL-EQUIPPED CAMRY OR ACCORD MIGHT COST.
KOREA'S KIA MOTORS IS MAKING ITS HARDEST RUN YET AT THE TOP OF THE MARKET WITH THE 2015 K900.
MARKETED AS "LAID BACK" AND "AFFORDABLE" LARGE CAR LUXURY, IT HAS TO DO BATTLE WITH SEGMENT LEADERS, AS WELL AS ITS OWN PUBLIC BRAND PERCEPTION AS AN ECONOMY CARMAKER.
AND IF THIS IS SOUNDS FAMILIAR, IT'S BECAUSE KIA WAS HERE BEFORE, WITH THE SOMEWHAT SMALLER CADENZA LAST YEAR.
BUT THE K900 HAS A LOT MORE GOING FOR IT.
AS A SISTER TO THE REAR-DRIVE HYUNDAI EQUUS, ALTHOUGH MUCH BETTER LOOKING, THE K900 SHARES A SIMILAR 5.0 LITER V8, RATED HERE AT 420-HORSEPOWER.
WHILE NOT OUTRAGEOUSLY POWERFUL, IT DELIVERS A HEALTHY GRUNT WHEN YOU REALLY GET ON THE GAS.
STEERING FEEL CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE FOR THIS PLATFORM, AND CONSIDERING THE K900'S NEAR 120-INCH WHEELBASE, IT DOESN'T EXACTLY NAVIGATE CORNERS WITH CONFIDENCE.
BUT THE RIDE QUALITY IS PLUSH.
AS ARE MOST INTERIOR MATERIALS.
LEGROOM ALL AROUND IS DOWNRIGHT IMPRESSIVE, MADE EVEN BETTER BY THE RECLINING REAR SEATS IN THE OPTIONAL VIP PACKAGE.
Patrick Lucas: PAYING $60,000 FOR A KIA MIGHT SOUND A LITTLE INSANE, BUT PAYING $60,000 FOR LUXURY ON PAR WITH A MERCEDES S CLASS OR A BMW 7 SERIES MIGHT ALSO SOUND A LITTLE INSANE.
BUT THIS K900 IS KIND OF THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.
YOU GET COMFORT, LUXURY, TECHNOLOGY, AND IT'S AT A RELATIVELY AFFORDABLE PRICE.
John: STILL, PAYING $60 G'S FOR A KIA MAY BE A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW.
BUT THEN IS PAYING $15,000 MORE FOR THE PRESTIGE OF A BMW OR BENZ ANY SMARTER?
AND WORD IS A K900 V6 COMES LATER WITH A MID-$50s PRICE.
STILL, YOU HAVE TO ADMIRE KIA'S GUTS, AND THEIR K900.
AND WE'LL GRAB MORE QUICK SPINS, SOON!
THE NEW GEN CAMARO WHICH DEBUTED FOR 2010 HAS CERTAINLY BEEN AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS, QUICKLY TOPPING THE FORD MUSTANG IN SALES, AND BRINGING ABOUT A WHOLE NEW ROUND OF PONY CAR WARS.
WELL, FOUR YEARS HAVE PASSED AND THE CAMARO WAS DUE FOR SOME UPDATES.
AND UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN HIDING UNDER A ROCK, YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S AN ALL-NEW MUSTANG JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
SO LET'S SEE IF THE 2014 CAMARO'S UPDATES WILL BE ENOUGH TO STAVE OFF THE 'STANG!
WHETHER THE 2015 FORD MUSTANG WILL LAUNCH THE BLUE OVAL BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PONY CAR SEGMENT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.
BUT THE 2014 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 1LE IS A PREEMPTIVE STRIKE AIMED TO KEEP THE BOWTIE BRIGADE IN THE NUMBER ONE SALES SPOT.
ACTUALLY, ALL CAMAROS RECEIVE UPDATES FOR 2014; AND AS BEFORE, THE 1LE PACKAGE ADDS SOME EXTRA TRACK-WORTHY SPICE FOR THOSE THAT VALUE HANDLING ABOVE ALL ELSE.
TO BE MORE SPECIFIC, 1LE ADDS LARGER STABILIZER BARS, A STRUT TOWER BRACE, MONOTUBE REAR DAMPERS, 20-INCH WHEELS WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE SUPERCAR Gs, AND OTHER SUSPENSION BITS FROM THE CAMARO ZL1.
ALSO HELPING TO LOWER LAP TIMES, AS WELL AS KEEP POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS HAPPY, IS STEEPER GEARING FOR BOTH THE REAR END AND TREMEC 6-SPEED MANUAL, A TRANSMISSION COOLER, AND A HIGH CAPACITY FUEL PUMP.
BUT EVEN WITH ALL OF THE UPDATES AND THE CAMARO'S ALL-INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION, WE STILL HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE REAR TIRES TO PROPERLY HOOKUP AT LAUNCH.
WE'LL STILL BLAME THE COLD TRACK TEMPERATURES, SURE, BUT DON'T FORGET ABOUT THAT SUBSTANTIAL POWER FLOW COMING FROM THE FRONT END.
OUR CAR'S LS3 6.2-LITER V8 GENERATES 426-HORSEPOWER AND 420 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
YES, THAT IS UNCHANGED AS NO UPDATES WERE NEEDED HERE.
SO WE SETTLED FOR THE SAME TIMES OF OUR LAST 1LE, 4.5-SECONDS TO 60 AND 12.9 FOR THE QUARTER MILE AT 110 MILES-PER-HOUR.
BUT HERE'S WHERE IT HAS CHANGED.
RIPPING THROUGH CONES IS EVEN MORE LIKE CHILD'S PLAY FOR THIS 1LE.
STEERING IS QUICK AND THE CAR IS ULTRA-RESPONSIVE AS IT DARTS IN AND OUT WITH JUST THE TINIEST BIT OF UNDERSTEER.
BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS ALSO TOP NOTCH, WITH NO FADE, AND A LIGHT PEDAL PRODUCING SHORT STOPS FROM 60 OF 109-FEET.
ONCE STOPPED, WE WERE REMINDED HOW MUCH WE STILL LOVE THE LOOKS OF THE NEWEST GEN CAMARO.
YET, WE STILL THINK THE NEW TAIL LIGHTS ARE A SLIGHT TURN FOR THE WORSE.
THE DIFFUSER BELOW AND EXHAUST TIPS ARE ALSO NEW AND MORE ACCEPTABLE.
AS IS THE FRONT FASCIA WITH UPDATED HEADLIGHTS, AND DIFFERENT TAKES ON THE DRLs DEPENDING ON TRIM LEVEL.
HALO RING LEDs COME WITH THE RS PACKAGE.
AND ALL SS CAMARO'S DON A NEW, MORE AGGRESSIVE HOOD THANKS TO ZL1-STYLE VENTING.
THE 1LE ADDS MORE EXTERIOR ELEMENTS AS WELL, PRIMARILY A FRONT SPLITTER, THE EXPECTED MATTE BLACK TREATMENT FOR THE HOOD, AND A UNIQUE REAR SPOILER.
DESPITE SOME TINKERING, THE INTERIOR STILL LACKS MODERN ERGONOMICS.
THERE'S TOO MUCH OF A "CLASSIC" LAYOUT, HARD PLASTICS AND ALL.
THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM INSIDE, BUT THE SPORTS CAR LOW SEATS MEAN YOU DO FALL IN OR CLIMB OUT.
THERE'S SUEDED-MICROFIBER MATERIAL ON THE FLAT-BOTTOM STEERING WHEEL AND SHIFTER; AND WHILE IT LOOKS COOL, SOME OF OUR STAFF HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE FEEL AND LONGEVITY.
A COLOR HEAD-UP DISPLAY IS ALSO NEW, AND RECARO SEATS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON ANY SS.
WHILE NOT A HANDFUL TO DRIVE, YOU ALSO ARE NEVER FULLY RELAXED WHILE DRIVING THE 1LE.
OVERSTEER IS ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY WITH LOTS OF TORQUE ON TAP EVEN IN HIGHER GEARS.
THE VERY PRECISE STEERING HELPS MIGHTILY WHEN CORRECTIONS NEED TO BE MADE.
ALL OF THIS IS WHAT WE CALL PERSONALITY.
AND TRUTH BE TOLD, WE WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FALL AT 16-CITY, 24-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED; AND OUR MIXED DRIVING AVERAGE COMES IN AT 18.1 MILES-PER-GALLON OF REGULAR.
WHILE BASE CAMARO PRICING STARTS AT JUST $24,550, AN SS 1LE WILL COST YOU AT LEAST $37,550.
OUR PARTICULAR PIECE OF AMERICAN MUSCLE TOPPED OUT AT $46,680.
FOR THAT KIND OF LOOT, WE'D JUST GO AHEAD AND SAVE UP A LITTLE LONGER FOR A BASE STINGRAY.
YES, THE 2014 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 1LE HAS NOT ONLY THAT UPCOMING ALL-NEW MUSTANG TO CONTEND WITH, BUT THE CORVETTE AS WELL.
HERE'S HOPING THE CAMARO GETS ITS OWN STINGRAY-STYLE MAKEOVER SOON.
THAT MIGHT BE JUST WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP THE CAMARO ON TOP.
WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW.
FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST, AS WELL AS COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME AS WE TURN TO THE DARK SIDE IN THE MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG BLACK SERIES.
AND THEN CHECK OUT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM WITH THE SMART ELECTRIC DRIVE.
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.
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.