2015 Kia K900 & 2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country
Season 33 Episode 39 | 26m 48s | Video has closed captioning.
Aired: 05/29/14
Expired: 06/12/15
Buy Now:
Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning
Season 33 Episode 39 | 26m 48s | Video has closed captioning.
Aired: 05/29/14
Expired: 06/12/15
Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning
HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US AND SEE IF KIA'S BIG NEW K900 MAKES THE CUT IN THE LUXURY SEDAN CLASS... PAT GOSS CLEARS THINGS UP A BIT DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... FYI'S YOLANDA VAZQUEZ SIZES UP A VERY ECLECTIC CAR COLLECTION... AND WE'LL SEE IF CHEVY CAN LASSO THE BIG BUCK TRUCK BUYER WITH THE SILVERADO HIGH COUNTRY.
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION >> Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY...
THIS IS BOB.
BOB'S NOT THINKING ABOUT WHERE TO BUY HIS NEXT SET OF TIRES.
IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.
BUT BOB'S THINKING, "SHOULD I TELL HER ABOUT THAT THING IN HER TEETH?"
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.
John Davis: THE KIA BRAND HAS CERTAINLY COME A LONG WAY IN A RELATIVELY SHORT TIME HERE IN AMERICA -- PARTICULARLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WHEN IT'S BEEN PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT PEOPLE EXPECT FROM A KOREAN CAR MAKER.
AND THAT BOUNDARY PUSHING CONTINUES AS THE BRAND LAUNCHES AN ALL-NEW REAR-DRIVE PREMIUM LUXURY SEDAN, THE K900.
SO IT'S A KIA THAT'S ALL DRESSED UP.
BUT DOES THE K900 HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO?
THE 2015 KIA K900 IS NOT A NEW CAR, JUST NEW TO US; AN AMERICANIZED VERSION OF THE K9 ALREADY SOLD IN KOREA.
IT'S BASED ON THE CURRENT GENERATION HYUNDAI GENESIS/EQUUS CHASSIS, AND MUCH LIKE WHAT THOSE CARS HAVE DONE FOR HYUNDAI, KIA IS LOOKING FOR THE K900 TO PUSH THEIR BRAND UP-MARKET, DITCHING THE ENTRY LEVEL TAG ONCE AND FOR ALL.
OUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE THAT IT INDEED HAS ALL OF THE NECESSARY PIECES FOR ENTRY INTO THE REAR-DRIVE LUXURY SEDAN RANKS.
SUSPENSION TUNING IS UNIQUE TO THE K900 AND NOTICEABLY SPORTIER THAN THE HYUNDAI SEDANS; BUT REMAINS LUXURY-MINDED, AS IT STILL TENDS TO FLOAT AROUND CORNERS MORE THAN SWIM THROUGH THEM.
THINK MORE LEXUS THAN BMW.
THE INTERIOR IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT NUT TO CRACK IF YOU WANT TO JOIN THE LUXURY CAR LEAGUE; AND AS FOR THE K900'S CONFINES... SOPHISTICATED?
YES.
OPULENT?
NO.
THE LEATHER AND WOOD MATERIALS ARE THE REAL DEAL, AS THEY SHOULD BE.
THERE'S A 12-INCH CONFIGURABLE TFT IP SCREEN, AVAILABLE HEAD UP DISPLAY, AND A STANDARD 17-SPEAKER, 900-WATT LEXICON AUDIO SYSTEM.
IN A NOD TO ITS PERCEIVED GERMAN COMPETITION, THERE'S A CONSOLE-MOUNTED CENTRAL CONTROLLER FOR THE CENTER STACK'S 9-INCH INFOTAINMENT SCREEN.
DRIVER COMFORT WAS OBVIOUSLY A PRIORITY, AS FRONT SEATS ARE VERY PLUSH, WITH PLENTY OF FINE TUNING ADJUSTMENTS.
THERE'S GOOD ROOM IN THE BACK SEAT FOR STRETCHING OUT.
AND THAT'S ACTUALLY THE BEST PLACE TO TAKE IN THE K900'S LUXURY EXPERIENCE; ESPECIALLY IF YOU OPT FOR THE VIP PACKAGE, WHICH INCLUDES SEAT RECLINE AND VENTILATION.
TRUNK SPACE IS FITTINGLY CAPRICIOUS AT 15.9 CUBIC-FEET, AND ALL DOORS CLOSE WITH A VERY SOLID SOUNDING LUXURY CAR THUMP.
A HIGH-CLASS APPEALING EXTERIOR DESIGN, WHILE NOT QUITE AS IMPORTANT AS THE INTERIOR, IS PRETTY IMPERATIVE IF YOU PLAN ON IMPRESSING YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.
AND HERE WE THINK THE K900 FALLS A LITTLE SHORT.
THE LOOKS ARE ALMOST A DIRECT COPY OF THE FRONT-DRIVE CADENZA.
PROPORTIONS APPEAR MORE MUSCLE CAR THAN ELEGANT LUXURY SEDAN WITH A RAKED STANCE ACCOMPANYING ITS 119.9-INCH WHEELBASE, SOME BRAWNY REAR FENDERS, AND OVER 16.5 FEET OF OVERALL LENGTH.
19-INCH WHEELS AND LED HEADLIGHTS ARE STANDARD ON V8 MODELS.
THAT V8 IS FROM THE GENESIS: A 5.0-LITER 420-HORSEPOWER UNIT WITH 376 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
A 3.8-LITER V6 COMES LATER.
HOWEVER, UNLIKE MOST LARGE PRESTIGE SEDANS, ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE WILL NOT BE.
BOTH ENGINES CONNECT TO AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH ECO, NORMAL, AND SPORT MODES.
WITH SPORT MODE ENGAGED, OUR K900 RESPONDED WITH A HEALTHY GRUNT AND A ROMP TO 60 IN A REALLY DECENT 6.0-SECONDS.
FROM THERE, THIS REAR-DRIVE KIA GETS DOWN THE TRACK SMOOTHLY; WITH BOTH POWER DELIVERY AND SHIFT QUALITY WORTHY OF A LUXURY CAR.
THE FULL QUARTER MILE PASS TOOK 14.5-SECONDS AT 101 MILES-PER-HOUR.
HANDLING IS CLEARLY IN THE LUXURY CAR STRATOSPHERE WITH A PLUSH FEEL THAT ENCOURAGES RELAXATION MORE THAN AGGRESSION.
BOTH FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSIONS ARE MULTI-LINK, BUT AS EXPECTED, ARE MORE CAPABLE AT SOAKING UP ROAD IMPERFECTIONS THAN DEALING OUT GRIP.
STEERING FEEL IS ALSO LACKING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, BRAKING PERFORMANCE WAS VERY GOOD FOR A 4,500 POUND LUXURY CRUISER WITH PANIC STOPS FROM 60 AVERAGING 123-FEET.
A FLAGSHIP SEDAN NEEDS TO SHOWCASE MODERN SAFETY SYSTEMS, AND THE K900 CHECKS A LOT OF THE BOXES WITH ADVANCED SMART CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, SURROUND VIEW MONITOR, AND BLIND SPOT DETECTION, ALL STANDARD WITH THE V8.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS COME IN AT 15-CITY, 23-HIGHWAY, AND 18-COMBINED USING "NATCH" PREMIUM GAS.
WHILE KIA HAS UNQUESTIONABLY AIMED HIGH WITH THIS CAR, IT'S STILL THE "7-SERIES PACKAGE FOR A 5-SERIES PRICE" VALUE PROPOSITION THAT IS ITS BIGGEST APPEAL.
BASE V8 MODELS START AT $60,400.
NOW, FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT CAN'T STOMACH SHELLING OUT THAT MUCH FOR A KIA, THE FORTHCOMING V6 K900 WILL HAVE FEWER FEATURES AND SHOULD STICKER FOR AT LEAST FIVE GRAND LESS.
SO, IS THERE REALLY A PLACE FOR THE 2015 KIA K900?
YES...WELL SORT OF.
IT'S A GREAT CAR, AND EVEN GREATER VALUE, WE'RE JUST NOT SURE WHO'S GOING TO BUY IT AS IT MAY ONLY APPEAL TO THOSE WITH STEALTH WEALTH, AND MAYBE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD.
OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON AND THE ESSENTIAL BAKING COMPANY.
THE ORGANIC BAKERY BEGAN USING ALMOST PURE B99 BIODIESEL IN DELIVERY TRUCKS IN 2005.
CURRENTLY, THEIR 18 BIODIESEL TRUCKS SERVE 21 ROUTES 7 DAYS A WEEK THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
DRIVERS USED TO REFUEL OFF-SITE, NOW A LOCAL BIO-DIESEL CO-OP PROVIDES SOLAR POWERED MOBILE FUELING RIGHT IN THEIR PARKING LOT.
EVEN THOUGH BIODIESEL CAN COST MORE THAN PETROLEUM DIESEL, THE COMPANY FEELS THE SUSTAINABLE FUEL IS A SMART INVESTMENT.
Steve Kavanaugh: WHAT WE REALLY LIKE ABOUT BIOFUELS IS WE DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT TO THE TRUCKS, WE JUST PUT THE FUEL IN IT, AND SO THERE'S NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE.
John: ESSENTIAL WORKED WITH WESTERN WASHINGTON CLEAN CITIES COALITION MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY THE RIGHT ALTERNATIVE FUEL FOR THEM, AND IS FINDING THAT B99 IS THE PERFECT RECIPE TO MAKE THEIR BREAD EMPIRE "RISE" IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
IF YOU'RE LIKE US, THEN NO DOUBT YOU HAVE A FASCINATION WITH AT LEAST ONE STYLE OR VINTAGE OF CARS; SPORTS CARS, CLASSICS, MUSCLE CARS, YOU NAME IT.
WELL, OUR FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ CAUGHT UP WITH A COLLECTOR IN MASSACHUSETTS WHO'S INTO A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.
Yolanda: WHAT AM I ABOUT TO GET INTO?
Man: THIS IS A 1972 CITROEN, AND IT'S A DS21.
Yolanda: NOBODY TAKES MORE PRIDE IN SHOWING OFF THEIR DIVERSE CAR COLLECTION... Charles: AND IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL WITH ALL THE SWITCHES AND ALL OF THE GAUGES.
AND VERY FRENCH IN ITS DESIGN.
VERY AERONAUTICAL; IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A SPACESHIP OR AN AIRCRAFT.
Yolanda:...THAN CHARLES GOULD.
THE MASSACHUSETTS NATIVE HAS NOT ONE...
BUT TWO WAREHOUSES FULL OF CARS, MOTORCYCLES AND VINTAGE VEHICLES.
HIS OBSESSION BEGAN AT THE AGE OF 9, WHEN HE BOUGHT HIS FIRST CAR.
Charles Gould: IT WAS A $20 1954 CHEVROLET THAT MY DAD ALLOWED ME TO BUY.
HE TOLD ME IF I COULD GET IT RUNNING THAT I COULD KEEP IT.
Yolanda: LITTLE DID HE REALIZE THAT CHILDHOOD BET WOULD SPUR A LIFELONG PASSION OF ALL THINGS AUTOMOTIVE.
Charles: YEAH, PEOPLE SAY I'M OUT OF CONTROL.
Yolanda: A LITTLE HUMOR GOES A LONG WAY WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS UNUSUAL COLLECTION.
THERE ARE CARS FROM ALMOST EVERY ERA, AND EVERY COUNTRY.
BUT EVEN A COLLECTOR LIKE GOULD HAS A SPECIAL PASSION; EUROPEAN-MADE MICROCARS.
HE'S COLLECTED EVERYTHING FROM A '69 SKODA TO A MORRIS MINOR 1000.
GOULD HITS THE ROAD WHENEVER HE CAN AND PARTICULARLY LIKES DRIVING THIS 1956 MESSERSCHMITT KR 200.
Charles: YOU GET IN A LITTLE MICROCAR AND YOU CHOOSE THE BACK ROAD BECAUSE HIGHWAYS ARE NO FUN IN THEM.
YOU LIKE THE TWISTY ROADS, AND YOU LIKE THE WIND IN YOUR FACE.
IT JUST CHANGES YOUR WHOLE OUTLOOK ON LIFE.
Yolanda: FROM MICRO TO LAND YACHTS, THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO THE CARS GOULD BUYS.
IT'S WHATEVER TICKLES HIS FANCY AT THE TIME.
HE DOESN'T RESTORE THEM, AND HE RARELY SELLS THEM.
Charles: I HAVE A VERY TOUGH TIME PARTING WITH ANY OF THEM.
I MEAN, EVEN CARS I'VE BOUGHT TO RESELL, OR EVEN CARS I HAVE DOUBLES OR TRIPLES OF -- IT'S JUST SO HARD.
Yolanda: GOULD'S ADDICTION HAS DEFINITELY BECOME A FAMILY AFFAIR WITH HIS TWO TEENAGE DAUGHTERS JOINING IN.
BOTH HAVE BECOME CERTIFIED "GEAR HEADS," HELPING THEIR FATHER FIX UP CARS AND TAKE THEM OUT FOR A SPIN.
IT ALL BEGAN AT A VERY EARLY AGE FOR THEM.
Monique Gould: ONE OF MY FIRST WORDS WAS MESSERSCHMITT.
I MEAN, LIKE, THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN CARS; WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN RIDING IN THEM.
Tricia Gould: YOU DRIVE AROUND IN THESE SMALL LITTLE CARS AND EVERYONE AROUND YOU JUST LOOKS AT THEM, AND THEY'RE IN AWE OF THE CARS, AND IT'S JUST AMAZING.
Yolanda: AND FROM TIME TO TIME, THEY'LL EVEN GO ON BARN FINDS WITH THEIR FATHER, WHICH IS HOW HE'S MADE SOME OF HIS BIGGEST "LITTLE" FINDS.
Monique: IT'S SO MUCH FUN TO OPEN A BARN AND SEE A CAR THERE THAT HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED IN YEARS, AND TO THINK THAT WE CAN REALLY BREATHE LIFE INTO IT AND MAKE IT OUR OWN.
Yolanda: EVEN THOUGH GOULD WOULDN'T ADMIT TO A FAVORITE CAR, HE KNOWS EVERY DETAIL... Charles: THIS IS A 1962 AMPHICAR.
IT WAS MADE IN KARLSRUHE, GERMANY.
AND UP UNTIL VERY RECENTLY, IT WAS THE ONLY NON-MILITARY AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE EVER PRODUCED.
Yolanda: GOULD OFTEN TAKES IT FOR A DIP IN THE CHARLES RIVER.
AND YOU TAKE THIS OUT?
Charles: WE TAKE IT OUT ALL THE TIME, YEAH.
IT'S NO FUN OWNING THEM IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO USE THEM.
Yolanda: HOLDING TRUE TO THAT PHILOSOPHY, GOULD, WHO WORKS AS A FULL-TIME ATTORNEY, PUTS ALL OF HIS CARS ON DISPLAY FOR THEIR FAMILY'S ANNUAL MICROCAR EVENT THAT DRAWS FANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
Charles: IT'S A LOT OF WORK, BUT WE LOVE IT.
AND IT'S BECOME ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED EVENTS IN THE COUNTRY FOR COLLECTING THIS GENRE OF CARS, FOR MICROCARS.
Yolanda: GOULD SHARES HIS PRIZED POSSESSIONS WITH OTHERS AS A WAY TO KEEP THE MICROCAR CULTURE ALIVE.
IT'S AN ENDURING LEGACY OF A MASSACHUSETTS MAN WHO'S MADE CARS A BIG PART OF HIS LIFE.
Charles: I NEVER KNEW IT WOULD BE SUCH A HUGE PART OF IT, BUT I ALWAYS KNEW THAT I'D BE INVOLVED WITH CARS.
I WAS JUST PASSIONATE ABOUT THEM ALL MY LIFE.
John: THESE DAYS, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FORD DOING BATTLE ON THE RACE TRACK, IT'S USUALLY AGAINST CHEVROLET, DODGE, AND TOYOTA.
BUT THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THEY HAD MUCH LOFTIER COMPETITION.
AND YOU CAN READ ALL ABOUT THOSE EPIC ON-TRACK BATTLES, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE WORK THAT WENT ON BEHIND THE SCENES, IN "FORD VERSUS FERRARI: THE BATTLE FOR LE MANS AND SPORTS CAR SUPREMACY" BY ANTHONY PRITCHARD.
YES, IN THE '60s IT WAS THE GT40 VERSES FERRARI ALL OVER EUROPE, BUT THEIR MOST INTENSE BATTLES TOOK PLACE AT THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS.
SO, WHETHER YOU'RE A FAN OF FORD, FERRARI, OR JUST EUROPEAN SPORTS CAR RACING, IT'S A GENUINE MUST READ.
TIME NOW FOR A STOP BY GOSS' GARAGE, WHERE PAT'S GOING TO HELP US SEE A LITTLE MORE CLEARLY.
Pat Goss: JOHN, THIS TIME WE'RE GOING TO RESTORE TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY DEVICES ON OUR CARS; WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES AND HEADLIGHTS.
NOW, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS SOMETHING THAT -- WELL, IT CHANGES ITS SHAPE, THERE'S NO PROBLEM THERE, BUT, BECAUSE OF THE CONFIGURATION OF THE FRAME, YOU HAVE PRESSURE POINTS WHERE EACH ONE OF THOSE FRAMES ATTACHES TO THE BLADE ITSELF.
AND THAT CAN LEAD TO UNEVEN WIPING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
TO ADDRESS THOSE PROBLEMS, MANUFACTURERS ARE NOW GOING ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY TO THESE BEAM TYPE BLADES, WHICH HAVE THE SPRING ACTION AND EVERYTHING INSIDE THE RUBBER SO IT APPLIES AN ACTUAL EVEN FORCE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE GLASS.
IT'S A GREAT IDEA; WORKS WELL, WEARS WELL, BUT, LIKE MOST THINGS THAT ARE NEW AND MODERN, AND WORK BETTER, COSTS A LOT OF MONEY.
ALL RIGHT, IF YOU HAVE AN EXPENSIVE BLADE, WHAT MIGHT YOU WANT TO DO?
WELL, HERE WE HAVE PERMATEX WIPER RESTORE.
THIS LITTLE PACKAGE, YOU SIMPLY PULL IT OPEN, LIKE WE'VE DONE HERE, THEN YOU TAKE A HOLD OF IT UP HERE AT THE TOP, AND YOU WIPE IT ACROSS THE RUBBER OF THE WIPER BLADES.
THE CHEMICALS IN IT WILL RESTORE THE RUBBER, MAKE IT FUNCTION LIKE NEW, AND EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE RUBBER.
IT'S A PRACTICAL WAY TO GET MORE LIFE OUT OF YOUR BLADES WITHOUT SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY.
HEADLIGHTS USED TO BE MADE OUT OF GLASS, NOW THEY'RE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC, AND THEY'RE HIGHLY STYLED.
ALRIGHT, ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT FROM THE SUN CAUSES THE SURFACE OF THE PLASTIC TO DEVELOP LITTLE TEENY MICROSCOPIC CRACKS IN IT.
THAT CAUSES THE LIGHT TO SCATTER INSTEAD OF BEING FOCUSED ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT BELONGS.
VERY DANGEROUS.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
WELL, HEADLIGHTS ARE EXPENSIVE, SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK FOR THIS BG LENZSAVER* KIT.
NOW, WHAT THIS DOES, IS IT HAS VARIOUS POLISHES AND APPLICATORS, AND SO ON, THAT WILL BRING THE LENS BACK TO A PERFECTLY CLEAR STATUS.
BUT NOW HOW DO WE KEEP IT THERE?
WELL, THAT'S WHERE THIS KIT DIFFERS FROM EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE MARKET IN THAT IT HAS A SPECIAL COATING THAT GOES OVER THE PLASTIC AFTER YOU'RE DONE THAT PROTECTS AGAINST ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT DAMAGE.
SOMETHING THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK FOR.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
John: OUR SPRING FLING IN THE 2014 WINNEBAGO FORZA 38R CLASS-A MOTORHOME TOOK PLACE OVER THREE AND A HALF WEEKS AND COVERED NEARLY 4,500 MILES FROM SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA WITH EXTENSIVE CRISSCROSSING OF COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, NEVADA, AND ARIZONA IN BETWEEN.
WE FOUND THE FORZA TO BE A FIRST-CLASS TRAVELING COMPANION, AS IT GOBBLED UP BOTH MOUNTAIN AND PRAIRIE TERRAIN WITH EASE.
THE 340-HORSE CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL ALLOWED US TO KEEP UP WITH CAR TRAFFIC ON THE FLATS, THOUGH WE DID HAVE TO SHARE THE SLOW LANE WITH OTHER BIG RIGS ON LONG HILLS.
UNUSUALLY STRONG WINDS LED TO SOME BUFFETING AND EXTRA NOISE AT TIMES.
EXTERIOR STORAGE IS PLENTIFUL, WITH 228 CUBIC FEET IN WEATHER-TIGHT, LOCKABLE BINS.
INSIDE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE GENEROUS TOO, WITH A SOFA, BUNK BEDS, DINETTE, AND REAR QUEEN BEDROOM, NOT TO MENTION A REAR MASTER BATHROOM AND SEPARATE MID-COACH POWDER ROOM.
THE RESIDENTIAL REFRIGERATOR IS GENEROUS IN SIZE, BUT ONLY RUNS ON AC POWER, WHICH MEANT USING BATTERY INVERTER POWER WHILE TRAVELING.
LUXURY TOUCHES LIKE THE 50" BIG-SCREEN TV, OPTIONAL ELECTRIC FIREPLACE, AND WASHER AND DRYER, MAKE THE FORZA TRULY A FAMILY- PLEASING HOME AWAY FROM HOME.
WE'D LOVE TO SAY OUR 2014 RV ADVENTURE WAS TROUBLE-FREE, BUT MECHANICAL ISSUES DID SIDELINE THE FORZA BRIEFLY AT THE START: AN AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE WAS QUICKLY REMEDIED, AND A FAULTY O-RING CAUSED REFRIGERANT TO ESCAPE THE COACH'S AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM.
BUT WITH ALL SYSTEMS GO, MOVING THIS MOBILE MANSION DOWN THE ROAD IS SURPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE.
WE THINK OUR 9.3 MILE-PER-GALLON ECONOMY IS A GREAT VALUE.
THERE'S A SEPARATE TANK FOR DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID, OR DEF, THAT WE NEEDED TO TOP OFF JUST ONCE DURING OUR JOURNEY.
NOW WE'LL CATCH UP ON MORE OF THE RV LIFESTYLE IN THE COMING MONTHS, AND CATCH UP WITH THE SUBARU FORESTER AND RAM 1500 ON OUR NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.
LET'S TURN THINGS BACK NOW TO YOLANDA VAZQUEZ, THIS TIME FOR ALL THE LATEST MOTORNEWS.
Yolanda: FOR MANY YEARS, THE REAR VIEW BACKUP CAMERA WAS A FEATURE FOUND ONLY ON LUXURY CARS, BUT NOW IT'S BECOMING MORE COMMONPLACE ON NEW CARS AND TRUCKS.
AND PRETTY SOON IT WILL BE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON NEARLY EVERY ONE OF THEM.
IN A RULING FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMIN.
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ALL NEW VEHICLES UNDER 10,000 POUNDS WILL REQUIRE SOME SORT OF REAR VISION TECHNOLOGY BY MAY 2018.
AS A SAFETY MEASURE, THE AGENCY EXPECTS THE CAMERAS WILL SAVE LIVES, AS WELL AS LOWER THE NUMBER OF INJURIES FROM BACK OVER ACCIDENTS.
THE MANDATE COULD ALSO BE VIEWED AS A CONVENIENCE MEASURE AND SHOULD HELP REDUCE MINOR ACCIDENTS WHEN PARKING OR NAVIGATING TIGHT AREAS.
THE GUIDELINES REQUIRE A "FIELD OF VIEW" OF AT LEAST 10 FEET BY 20 FEET AND WILL PROVIDE SPECIFICATIONS ON DISPLAY SIZE AND HOW QUICKLY THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES.
THE OBVIOUS ISSUE OF COST IS NOT LOST ON ADVOCATES OF THE NEW RULE, BUT NHTSA CLAIMS THAT BY 2018, A BACKUP CAMERA AND DISPLAY SYSTEM WILL COST UNDER $150 TO INSTALL.
EXPERTS SAY THAT PRICE SHOULDN'T HARM MANUFACTURERS' TOTAL SALES NUMBERS.
NO WORD YET ON WHETHER OTHER MODERN SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES WILL GET FEDERAL MANDATES IN THE FUTURE, BUT IT'S HARD TO DENY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FEATURES LIKE BLIND SPOT MONITORING AND LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEMS.
AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.
John: THERE SEEMS TO BE NO END IN SIGHT TO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT AMERICANS ARE WILLING TO SPEND ON GUSSIED-UP FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCKS.
JUST LOOK AT FORD WITH ITS F-150 KING RANCH, AND THE RAM 1500 LARAMIE LONGHORN.
WELL, CHEVROLET WANTS INTO THIS TREND AND HAS COME UP WITH A NEW DECKED OUT TRIM LEVEL FOR THEIR ALL-NEW SILVERADO.
GET READY TO HEAD TO THE HIGH COUNTRY.
WHETHER YOU'RE A "HIGH ROLLER" OR AN ACTUAL MEMBER OF "HIGH SOCIETY," YOU'LL FIND PLENTY TO LIKE IN THE 2014 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HIGH COUNTRY, THE FIRST SUPER-PREMIUM TRUCK TRIM FROM CHEVROLET.
AVAILABLE AS A CREW CAB ONLY, THE HIGH COUNTRY MAY ALSO BE THE QUIETEST PICKUP TRUCK EVER.
GM PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO MAKING THE LATEST SILVERADO AS QUIET AS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING INLAYED DOORS, ADDITIONAL SOUND DEADENING MATERIALS, MAKING NUMEROUS AERODYNAMIC TWEAKS, AND PLACING A SEAL BETWEEN THE CAB AND BED.
MOVING THINGS UP TO THE HIGH COUNTRY MOSTLY INVOLVES UPGRADED INTERIOR MATERIALS.
IT'S LIKE A CATTLE RANCHER PUTTING ON HIS FANCY DUDS BEFORE HEADING OUT FOR A NIGHT OF COURTIN'.
SADDLE BROWN IS THE THEME, AND IT'S WELL EXECUTED; HANDSOME, BORDERLINE OPULENT, AND WORTHY OF COMPARISON TO OTHER HIGH DOLLAR HAULERS.
DEEPLY TANNED LEATHER IS LIBERALLY APPLIED, WITH CONTRASTING PIPING AND STITCHING, AND YOU'LL FIND PLENTY OF FEATURES SUCH AS STANDARD HEATED AND COOLED SEATS, CHEVROLET'S MYLINK WITH 8-INCH TOUCHSCREEN, AND OPTIONAL SAFETY SYSTEMS LIKE LANE DEPARTURE WARNING AND SAFETY ALERT SEAT.
STANDARD NAVIGATION, HOWEVER, IS THROUGH ONSTAR.
YOU HAVE TO UPGRADE TO GET AN ONBOARD NAV.
THAT'S A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR ANY TOP TRIM VEHICLE THESE DAYS.
ADJUSTABLE PEDALS AND HEATED STEERING WHEEL ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
WHILE THE DASH SPORTS THE NEW SILVERADO'S BLOCKY DESIGN, FRONT SEATS ARE ENHANCED.
THEY ARE THE MOST COMFORTABLE YET FOR SILVERADO.
WE LIKE THAT YOU CAN QUICKLY FOLD THE REAR SEATS FOR STORAGE WITHOUT RELEASING A LATCH.
THE RESULTING FLOOR IS NOT FLAT, BUT IT'S NICE AND LOW FOR EASY LOADING.
LIKE ALL FULL-SIZE PICKUPS, HOWEVER, THE CARGO BOX BED IS QUITE HIGH.
STILL, LOADING IS MADE MUCH EASIER THANKS TO THE EZ LIFT AND LOWER TAILGATE AND STANDARD CORNERSTEP BUMPER.
PLUS THERE'S UNDER RAIL LIGHTING WHEN YOU NEED MORE TO GET YOUR CHORES DONE.
BOTH 5'8" AND 6'6" BEDS ARE AVAILABLE.
THERE ARE TWO V8s.
STANDARD IS GM'S 355-HORSEPOWER 5.3-LITER ECOTEC3 SMALL BLOCK.
BUT MOST HIGH COUNTRY BUYERS WILL PROBABLY SPEND THE EXTRA TWO GRAND TO UPGRADE TO THE 6.2-LITER V8 WITH 420-HORSEPOWER AND 460 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE TO GO ALONG WITH IT.
WITH THE 6.2, 0 TO 60 SPRINTS TAKE JUST 6.2-SECONDS, WITH A QUARTER MILE PASS OF 14.8-SECONDS AT 95 MILES-PER-HOUR.
THERE'S ONLY ONE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; HI-LO 4-WHEEL-DRIVE IS AVAILABLE, AND UP TO 9,800 POUNDS CAN BE TOWED.
WE DID EXPERIENCE SOME DRIVETRAIN CLUNKINESS, BUT WE COULDN'T QUITE PUT OUR FINGER ON WHETHER IT WAS TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKING, TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, OR THE V4 FUEL SAVING MODE ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING.
MAYBE THAT'S JUST A DOWNSIDE TO BEING SO QUIET OTHERWISE.
THERE'S ALSO A SLIGHT DELAY IN HIGHWAY PASSING WHILE YOU WAIT FOR ALL 8 CYLINDERS TO PUMP UP AND THE GEARS TO DROP DOWN.
BEAUTY IS CERTAINLY IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER; AND FROM OUR VIEW, THE HIGH COUNTRY DOESN'T LOOK AS RUGGED AS LESSER SILVERADO TRIMS.
MAYBE IT'S THE STANDARD BODY COLORED BUMPERS.
YET, THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF BIG TRUCK CHROME; ON THE GRILLE, DOOR HANDLES, SIDE MOLDINGS, SIDE STEPS, AND NATURALLY, THE 20-INCH WHEELS.
WHILE SALES OF THE ALL-NEW SILVERADO HAVE NOT SKYROCKETED AS SOME EXPECTED, CEDING MARKET SHARE TO THE F-150 AND THE MORE INNOVATIVE RAM 1500, CHEVROLET IS REPORTEDLY MAKING MORE MONEY PER VEHICLE THAN RIVALS, AND THE NEW HIGH COUNTRY WILL ONLY HELP THAT CAUSE.
HIGH COUNTRY PRICING CLIMBS FROM $45,200.
THAT'S A FEW GRAND LESS THAN GMC'S EVEN FANCIER SIERRA DENALI.
IN THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD, FAME IS INDEED FLEETING.
FOR US MEDIA CRITICS, THE LATEST SILVERADO IS ALREADY BEING OVERSHADOWED BY NEXT YEAR'S ALL-ALUMINUM F-150, NOT TO MENTION FEELING THE HEAT FROM DIESEL RAM 1500S.
STILL, OVER 400,000 LOYAL BUYERS WILL OPT FOR A NEW SILVERADO THIS YEAR.
AND THANKS TO THE NEW HIGH COUNTRY, MANY MORE THAN EVER WILL RIDE IN HIGH STYLE.
WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW.
NOW 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 USHER IN A NEW ERA OF AWESOME WITH THE LAMBORGHINI HURACAN.
THEN PICK UP A FEW FARES IN NISSAN'S ANSWER TO THE BIG CITY TAXI!
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...
THIS IS PETE.
PETE'S HELPING HIS AUNT MOVE, SO HE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.
IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.
BUT PETE'S THINKING, "IT WOULD'VE BEEN NICE TO KNOW ABOUT THE MYNAH BIRD."
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.
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.