>> HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK!
>> JOHN: JOIN US, FOR THE REAL AMERICAN RETURN OF ALFA ROMEO WITH THE 4C!
THEN IT'S A QUICK SPIN IN THE ALUMINUM FORD F-150 PICKUP.
PAT GOSS WARNS ABOUT DO-IT-YOURSELF BODYWORK.
YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS CARS OF A MUCH SMALLER SCALE.
AND WE'LL SEE IF 2-LESS DOORS IS A PLUS TO THE CADILLAC ATS COUPE.
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.
MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
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.
DIEHARD.
THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.
DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR AND POWER THE EQUIPMENT IN IT.
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.
>> JOHN: OVER THE YEARS, PREDICTIONS OF ALFA ROMEO'S IMMANENT RETURN TO THE U.S. HAVE BEEN MANY.
BUT ACTUAL CARS FOR DRIVING HAVE BEEN FEW.
WELL, THAT ALL CHANGES NOW WITH THIS CAR, THE ALFA ROMEO 4C.
AND IT'S FITTING THAT THE BRAND CHOSE THIS BACK-TO-BASICS FUN-MACHINE TO RE-LAUNCH A DEALER NETWORK HERE IN THE STATES.
AFTER ALL, THIS CAR IS ALL ABOUT THE DRIVING.
>> JOHN: YES, THE 2015 ALFA ROMEO 4C IS NOT A CAR FOR EVERYONE.
BUT, IF YOU'RE THE TYPE THAT ENJOYS THE STRAIGHTFORWARD, BACK-TO-BASICS THRILL RIDE OF A SPORTS CAR; THEN CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY.
YOUR NEW RIDE JUST ARRIVED.
>> JOHN: MAKING THINGS AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE IS ALWAYS A GREAT SPORTS CAR STRATEGY, AND THIS MID-ENGINE MONOCOQUESTER WEIGHS IN AT ONLY 2,465-POUNDS.
YES, THAT'S NOT AS LIGHT AS THE EUROPEAN MODEL, BUT TRUST US YOU WON'T NOTICE THE ADDITIONAL 100-POUNDS OR SO ADDED TO MEET U.S.
CRASH STANDARDS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT MINIMALISM TAKES ITS TOLL ON THE INTERIOR.
THERE'S VERY LITTLE STORAGE SPACE OR COMFORT TO BE FOUND; AND CRAWLING IN IS NOT GRACEFUL FOR ANYONE ON THE HIGH SIDE OF 6-FEET OR ON THE WRONG SIDE OF 50.
FOOT WELL AREA IS ACTUALLY PLENTIFUL THOUGH, EXCEPT FOR SOME SLIGHT INTRUSION ON THE LEFT SIDE; AND THE SEATS HAVE A DECENT AMOUNT OF TRAVEL.
IT'S THE PASSENGER THAT ACTUALLY GETS SQUEEZED A BIT MORE.
SEATS FEEL LIKE LEATHER COVERED RACING BUCKETS WITH SOME EXTREME BOLSTERING, AND THERE'S JUST ENOUGH PADDING IN THEM TO DRAIN THE FUEL TANK.
BURNING UP THAT FUEL IS A FUN-SIZE 1.7-LITER I4 ENGINE.
DON'T LET THE SMALL VOLUME FOOL YOU.
THIS LITTLE RBO CRANKS UP 237-HORSEPOWER AND 258 LB-FT. OF TORQUE WITH ALMOST 22 PSI OF BOOST.
DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN 100-HORSEPOWER PER LITER WAS A BIG DEAL?
IT LOOKS LIKE THOSE DAYS ARE LONG GONE.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 24-CITY, 34-HIGHWAY, AND 28-COMBINED.
WHICH KEEPS THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE FAIRLY GOOD AT 11.8-BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 5.2-TONS?
ALL 4C'S HAVE A PADDLE SHIFTED TWIN-CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR GEARING DUTIES.
IN TYPICAL EXOTIC CAR FASHION, IT'S NOT SUPER SMOOTH WHEN TOOLING IN AUTO MODE AND IT SEEMS IN A HURRY TO GET YOU INTO HIGHER GEARS IF YOU LET IT.
BUT, GET MORE AGGRESSIVE AND DRIVE THE CAR LIKE IT WAS MEANT TO BE DRIVEN AND IT RESPONDS BEAUTIFULLY.
EQUALLY SATISFYING IS THE HANDLING EXPERIENCE WHICH IS JUST PURE JOY, THE WAY ONLY MID-ENGINE CARS WITH CLOSE TO 50/50 WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION CAN BE.
IN A BREAK FROM JUST ABOUT EVERY CAR ON THE ROAD, STEERING IS FULLY MANUAL WITH NO POWER ASSIST.
WHILE THAT WILL CERTAINLY HAVE ITS DETRACTORS, IF YOU'RE BUYING THIS CAR TO ACTUALLY DRIVE IT, YOU WON'T MIND IT AT ALL.
THAT CERTAINLY BRINGS NOSTALGIA TO MIND, BUT THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING.
THERE'S AN UPRIGHT '60s DRIVING POSITION THAT HAS YOU LOOKING DIRECTLY DOWN ON THE ROAD.
THE ENGINE IS LOCATED RIGHT BEHIND YOUR HEAD, WITH A NEW KIND OF DIRECT INJECTION; ONE THAT INJECTS PERFORMANCE FEEL DIRECTLY INTO YOUR HEAD.
BUT AS COOL AS IT SOUNDS, IT CAN ALSO GET A LITTLE OLD AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE.
THERE'S A GOOD, THICK, FLAT BOTTOM WHEEL FOR THE HANDS; AND THERE'S A REAL SENSATION OF THE ROAD RUSHING UP AT YOU, EVEN WHEN CRUISING AROUND TOWN.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE TRAVELLING AT ARREST WORTHY SPEEDS TO GET A FULL SENSORY OVERLOAD RUSH FROM THIS CAR.
>> JOHN: TIRES FEEL EVERY GROOVE IN THE PAVEMENT, AND SINCE THERE'S A DIRECT LINK TO YOUR HANDS, SO DO YOU.
YOU ALSO GET A SENSE THAT THIS CAR WILL BITE YOU IF YOU'RE NOT JUDICIOUS WITH THROTTLE APPLICATION.
YOU REALLY HAVE TO GO BACK TO '60s OR '70s EXOTICS TO GET A COMPARABLE DRIVING EXPERIENCE.
ACCELERATION IS MUCH MORE IN THE MODERN ERA.
THERE'S PLENTY OF GRIP FOR LAUNCHING; AND A QUICK TRIP TO 60 IS POSSIBLE IN JUST OVER 4.0-SECONDS.
SHIFTS OCCUR IN A NANOSECOND AND HIT HARD, ACCOMPANIED BY A SOUND SYMPHONY OF MECHANICAL CHAOS DIRECTLY BEHIND YOU.
1/4-MILE TIMES ARE IN THE 13.0-SECOND RANGE AT 106 MILES-PER-HOUR.
THE BRAKES ARE FULL-ON "BEAST MODE"; LASER STRAIGHT, NICE STIFF PEDAL, AND STOPS OF JUST 99-FEET FROM 60.
>> JOHN: EQUALLY ADEPT AT BRINGING A HALT TO THINGS ARE THE 4C'S BEAUTIFUL, PURE ITALIAN LINES.
IT LOOKS LIKE A BABY FERRARI ESPECIALLY IN THIS VIBRANT RED.
SPECTACULAR FROM JUST ABOUT EVERY ANGLE, WITH THE SAME BASIC MID-ENGINE PROPORTION LAYOUT THAT WORKED SO WELL FOR THE PRANCING HORSE FOR DECADES.
THE 4C LAUNCH EDITION IS ALL THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR THE TIME BEING, AND IT'LL COST YOU $69,695; BUT ONCE THEY'RE GONE A BASE 4C WILL START AT $55,195.
THAT MAKES THE 2015 ALFA ROMEO 4C A SMALL-SCALE EXOTIC FOR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE; TRULY A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.
IT'S NOT A RACE CAR, AND IT'S NOT A POSEUR MOBILE.
IT'S A CAR DESIGNED WITH ONE THING IN MIND, DRIVING!
>> JOHN: OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, THE 469-MILE SCENIC HIGHWAY THAT WINDS ITS WAY FROM THE SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK IN VIRGINIA, THROUGH THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK IN NORTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE.
THANKS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CLEAN CITIES NATIONAL PARKS INITIATIVE, THE PARKS RECENTLY ADDED 4 FORD C-MAX HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND 4 FORD F-250 PROPANE-FUELED PICKUPS, TO HELP REDUCE POLLUTION IN THE PARKS.
>> MIKE MOLLING: I THINK WE NEED TO TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO TO CONSERVE ENERGY.
AND SHOW THEM THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT.
AND FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT STEPS WE'RE TAKING.
>> JOHN: THE PARKWAY WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE LAND OF THE SKY CLEAN VEHICLES COALITION TO PROMOTE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS FOR BOTH THE PARK STAFF AND THE MILLIONS WHO TRAVEL THIS ICONIC "ALL-AMERICAN ROAD."
>> JOHN: MAYBE YOU'VE PLAYED WITH ONE OF THESE, OR EVEN STARTED YOUR OWN COLLECTION.
FOR MANY CAR ENTHUSIASTS, MATCHBOX CARS WERE A MUST HAVE IN THEIR TOY COLLECTION.
THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL; THE ABILITY TO MIMIC THE ORIGINAL CAR DESIGN WAS DEAD ON.
NOW MORE THAN 70 YEARS LATER, PEOPLE ARE STILL BUYING THEM.
AND, OUR FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ WENT TO PENNSYLVANIA TO CATCH UP WITH SOME TINY CAR FANS.
>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: FROM A BOX FULL OF BEATERS TO RARE AND PRECIOUS PIECES, THERE'S NO LIMIT TO THE VARIETY OF SMALL SCALE TOYS ON DISPLAY AT THE MATCHBOX DIE CAST CAR SHOW IN HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA.
>> AUSTIN GEMBERLING: YOU KNOW I GO TO WALMART AND STUFF TO LOOK AT THE CARS, BUT THIS IS AMAZING.
>> YOLANDA: NOW IN ITS 4TH YEAR AT THE ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF AMERICA MUSEUM, THE SHOW DRAWS QUITE A CROWD.
>> OWEN NESSLAGE: I THINK IT'S PRETTY MUCH ANYBODY'S CAR LOVER HEAVEN.
>> YOLANDA: AND IS ONE OF THE LARGEST MATCHBOX SHOWS IN THE COUNTRY.
STEPHEN ALLEN COLLECTS AND SELLS THESE TINY TOY CAR GEMS.
HE SAYS THE LEVEL OF DETAIL FOR EACH COLLECTOR VARIES.
>> STEPHEN ALLEN: ADVICE THAT I GIVE OTHER COLLECTORS IN THIS FIELD IS: BUY THE BEST QUALITY THAT YOU CAN AFFORD.
>> YOLANDA: AND WHILE SOME ARE DIRT CHEAP, OTHERS COST A PRETTY PENNY.
LIKE THIS BROWN TRUCK THAT MATCHBOX MADE FOR THE BEALES BEALESON COMPANY.
>> ALLEN: WHAT'S INTERESTING, THIS CAR WAS NEVER MADE FOR SALE.
IT WAS DELIVERED TO BEALES BEALESONS AS A PROMOTIONAL ITEM TO GIVE AWAY TO THEIR CLIENTS.
>> YOLANDA: ALLEN SAYS IT SELLS FOR ABOUT $1200 AND DOESN'T EVEN COME IN A MATCHBOX BOX.
SEARCHING THIS TREASURE TROVE OF CARS REQUIRES A BIT OF RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE.
CO-PROMOTER, RON SLYDER, SAYS THERE WERE ONLY 75 MODELS ORIGINALLY MADE BY MATCHBOX.
BUT EACH MODEL HAD A NUMBER OF VARIATIONS.
>> RON SLYDER: SO, YOU MAY HAVE BLACK WHEELS ON ONE, METAL WHEELS ON ANOTHER, ONE MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT COLOR.
ALL THESE VARIATIONS PEOPLE LOOKED FOR AND THEY WERE ALL CATALOGED.
>> YOLANDA: CATALOGS LIKE THESE, SLYDER SAYS, IS WHEN THE REAL COLLECTING BEGAN.
>> SLYDER: NOW THEY'RE DOWN TO THE AXLES, AND THE INSIDES, AND THE BASE PLATES.
THEY HAVE IT DOWN TO A SCIENCE; EVERY MODEL.
>> YOLANDA: SLYDER HAS A CAROUSEL OF CARS FOR SALE BUT HIS MOST PRIZED POSSESSION ARE THESE 2 PIECES.
THEY'RE SAMPLE COLORS THAT WERE NEVER PUT INTO PRODUCTION.
>> SLYDER: I THINK I PAID $1,500 FOR THE 2 PIECES AT THE TIME.
>> YOLANDA: AND YOU'RE LOOKING TO SELL IT FOR?
>> SLYDER: $10,000 >> YOLANDA: WOW!
AND WHILE YOU'LL SEE MATCHBOX CARS FROM THE SUPERFAST ERA OR HOT WHEELS CRAZE, DON'T FORGET THERE ARE TWO OTHER NAMES IN THE MIX.
DINKY DIE CAST TOYS AND CORGI.
>> BOB PORCJA: CORGI DIE CAST, THEY STARTED PRODUCTION IN 1956 AND THEY WERE PRODUCED IN SWANSEA, S. WALES.
>> YOLANDA: BOB PORCJA SAYS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORGI AND MATCHBOX BACK IN THE 1960s WAS THE COST.
>> PORCJA: MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THEY USED TO GO TO DEPARTMENT STORES, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO AFFORD A MATCHBOX TOY FOR APPROXIMATELY 49-55 CENTS.
CORGI TOYS WERE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE BACK THEN, SO CONSEQUENTLY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WERE ABLE TO AFFORD THOSE PARTICULAR TOYS WAS NOT THAT MANY.
>> YOLANDA: LIKE WITH ANY COLLECTORS' ITEM, THE MORE YOU HAVE OF IT THE BETTER, RIGHT?
SO, WHEN THESE MATCHBOX CARS FIRST CAME OUT, A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE BOX, AND SIMPLY TOSSED IT AWAY.
AND NOW TODAY THE BOX IS SOMETIMES JUST AS VALUABLE AS THE CAR ITSELF.
>> SLYDER: IT WAS JUST MADE TO HOLD A TOY.
YOU KNOW, SO MANY OF US, WHEN WE FIRST GOT STARTED, DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE BOX.
AND YOU JUST TOOK THE MODEL, AND THREW THE BOX AWAY.
AND YOU HEAR THAT OVER, AND OVER, AND OVER, AND OVER AGAIN.
>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: FROM THE WIDOW WHO DECIDES TO SELL HER HUSBAND'S BELOVED COLLECTION.
TO THE PARENT WHO TURNED HER SON ONTO THESE MINIATURE MODELS.
>> DARLENE GEMBERLING: I SAW THESE CARS AND STARTED COLLECTING THEM.
I THOUGHT HE'D LIKE THEM.
I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS GOING TO TURN INTO THIS.
>> YOLANDA: THERE'S DEFINITELY CAMARADERIE WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY.
WHETHER YOU'RE NEW TO THE HOBBY.
>> NESSLAGE: THEY'RE JUST REALLY FASCINATING.
THEY'RE FUN TO PLAY WITH, PRETTY ENJOYABLE.
>> YOLANDA: OR HAVE BEEN COLLECTING THEM FOR DECADES.
THIS ANNUAL SHOW IS A MATCHBOX MADE IN HEAVEN FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVES THESE ITTY-BITTY CARS.
>> JOHN: PAT GOSS LOVES GIVING SOUND DO-IT-YOURSELF ADVICE.
BUT THIS WEEK, HIS ADVICE IS: LET THE PROS DO IT.
>> PAT GOSS: HEY, THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD THAT WOULD LIKE TO RELIEVE YOU OF SOME OF YOUR MONEY BY TELLING YOU THAT YOU CAN DO YOUR OWN BODY WORK AT HOME, AND SAVE MONEY.
WELL, FIRST, THAT IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE THE CASE.
BUT THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO EVALUATE THE DAMAGE TO YOUR CAR.
IF THE METAL ON THE CAR IS ALL BUCKLED UP LIKE THIS IS IT'S CREASED AND SO ON THIS METAL IS STRETCHED.
AND FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, THIS FENDER SHOULD BE THROWN IN THE TRASH.
BUT IF YOU WANT A CHALLENGE, AND YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE IT LOOK A LITTLE BIT BETTER, WELL YOU MAY WANT TO TRY.
BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.
(PAT LIFTS OFF FENDER) (PAT BANGS OUT THE DENTS) OKAY.
WE'VE SPENT ABOUT 15 MINUTES DOING THE BASIC WORK ON THIS FENDER.
AND AS YOU CAN SEE: IT LOOKS A BIT MORE LIKE A FENDER, BUT IT CERTAINLY ISN'T GORGEOUS BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.
NOW WHAT I'VE DONE IS I'VE USED AN ASSORTMENT OF HAMMERS THEY COME IN A KIT SUCH ASE SEE OVER HERE AND THEY COME WITH THE VARIOUS TYPES OF HAMMERS TO SHRINK THE METAL, TO FORM CURVES, AND DO THINGS LIKE THAT.
THEY HAVE VARIOUS TYPES OF DOLLIES.
NOW THE DOLLIES ARE PUT BEHIND THE METAL AND YOU HAMMER AGAINST IT, SO THAT YOU DON'T OVER COMPENSATE.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU MIGHT START OUT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF A DENT THAT YOU WANT TO MOVE IN; WITHOUT THE DOLLY BEHIND IT BAM YOU'VE GOT A BIG DENT THE OTHER WAY THE FIRST TIME YOU HIT IT.
YOU ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT YOU NEED SOME TYPE OF SANDBAG.
NOW THE BEST THING IS AN OLD FASHIONED LEATHER SANDBAG THEY WORK THE BEST BUT YOU CAN GET BY WITH BASIC ONES, SUCH AS WE HAVE HERE.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THIS, FIRST YOU'D HAVE TO SPEND SEVERAL HOURS TO MAKE THIS METAL COMPLETELY SMOOTH IF YOU WERE GOING TO DO IT BY HAMMER AND DOLLY.
OR YOU WOULD HAVE TO RELY ON PLASTIC BODY FILLERS TO FILL IT, AND SAND IT, AND PRIME IT, AND EVERYTHING.
AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WELL WITH ALL OF THE COSTS FOR THE VARIOUS MATERIALS AND TOOLS AND EVERYTHING, THE AMOUNT OF LABOR INVOLVED: YOU WOULD PROBABLY BE FAR BETTER OFF JUST TO BUY A REPLACEMENT PANEL.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
>> JOHN: NOW LET'S GET BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL, AND SEE WHAT QUICK SPINS WE'VE BEEN ON THIS WEEK.
>> JOHN: EASILY THE BIGGEST NEWS IN THE TRUCK WORLD TODAY IS THE ALL-NEW, 2015 FORD F-150.
KING OF THE PICKUPS FOR MORE THAN A GENERATION, THE PRESSURE IS CERTAINLY ON FOR THE ALL-ALUMINUM BODIED, BUT STILL STEEL FRAMED, 2015 EDITION TO CONTINUE THAT TREND.
AND OUR QUICK SPIN SHOWS THAT IT SHOULD.
FRESH BUT CLEARLY EVOLUTIONARY STYLING DOESN'T REVEAL THE DEPTH OF THIS STORY: A STRUCTURE THAT SHAVES NEARLY OFF 700 POUNDS.
YET, ACCORDING TO FORD, GIVES UP NOTHING IN DURABILITY.
ECOBOOST STAKES ITS CLAIM WITH 2 OF THE 4 ENGINE OPTIONS: A NEW 2.7 LITER TURBO V6 GOOD FOR 325 HORSEPOWER, AND A CARRYOVER 3.5 LITER TWIN-TURBO V6 WITH 365 HORSEPOWER; THE LATTER OF WHICH CAN NOW TOW UP TO 12,200 POUNDS, AND CARRY UP TO 3,180 POUNDS, BOTH CLASS BESTS.
A NORMALLY ASPIRATED 3.5 V6 AND 5.0 LITER V8 ARE ALSO OFFERED.
NEW ENGINE TECH IS ACCOMPANIED BY NEW DRIVER TECH, TOO.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LED LIGHTING, A 360 DEGREE VIEW CAMERA, AND ACTIVE PARKING ASSISTANCE ARE AVAILABLE.
DAILY LIVABILITY RISES WITH WORTHWHILE DETAILS LIKE A SIDE MOUNTED TAILGATE STEP, REMOTE LOCKING TAILGATE, AND POWER SLIDING REAR WINDOW.
ON SALE LATER THIS YEAR, THE 2015 FORD F-150 STARTS AROUND $26,000.
IF THERE'S ONE VEHICLE THAT ALWAYS LOOKED LIKE IT COULD BE AN EV, IT'S THE KIA SOUL.
AND NOW, FINALLY, IT IS.
FUNKY.
QUIRKY.
ODD.
THOSE TERMS ARE OFTEN USED TO DESCRIBE THE SOUL.
BUT GET PAST THE LOOKS AND YOU'LL FIND AN URBAN CROSSOVER THAT'S BIG ON SUBSTANCE AND SPACE.
AND, THAT'S STILL TRUE FOR THIS ALL-ELECTRIC SOUL, SACRIFICING ONLY ABOUT 3 INCHES IN REAR SEAT LEGROOM FOR THE 27 KWH LITHIUM ION POLYMER BATTERY PACK UNDERNEATH.
THAT PACKS JUICES A 109 HORSEPOWER ELECTRIC MOTOR PROVIDING UP TO 210 LB-FT OF TORQUE TO THE FRONT WHEELS, THROUGH A SINGLE SPEED TRANSMISSION.
GOODIES LIKE NAVIGATION AND BACKUP CAMERA ARE STANDARD.
>> GREG CARLOSS: THERE'S A LOT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAR, I'VE GOT A SOFT SPOT FOR IT IT'S REALLY QUIET.
YOU DON'T GET A LOT OF THE NOISES THAT I'VE GOTTEN IN OTHER EV'S, LIKE THE LEAF OR THE I3.
AS FAR AS REGENERATIVE BRAKING, IT IS GOING ON, BUT THERE'S ACTUALLY A MODE THAT YOU CAN GO INTO, AND THAT'S THE "BRAKING" MODE.
SO, WHEN I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, IT ACTUALLY STARTS COMING TO A STOP.
AND I DO LIKE IT IN CITY SITUATIONS.
>> JOHN: ON SALE FIRST IN CALIFORNIA, THE 2015 KIA SOUL EV SHOULD BE AVAILABLE EARLY NEXT YEAR IN OTHER MAJOR MARKETS, STARTING AROUND $35,000 BEFORE TAX INCENTIVES.
AND WE'LL HEAD OUT ON MORE QUICK SPINS, SOON!
>> JOHN: IT'S A SAD DAY AT MOTORWEEK AS OUR 2014 SUBARU FORESTER MAKES ITS FINAL TREK DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY.
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO WRAP UP 26,873-MILES BRIEFLY, BUT REST ASSURED OUR FORESTER WAS A FAITHFUL, NEAR BULLETPROOF COMPANION THROUGHOUT ITS 14-MONTH STAY.
THE 2.0-LITER TURBO-4 FELT EVERY BIT AS STRONG AS ITS 250-HORSEPOWER RATING WOULD INDICATE, AND EVEN THE CVT TRANSMISSION DREW MUCH LESS IRE FROM OUR STAFF THAN EXPECTED, THOUGH SOME NOTED AN OCCASIONAL JERKY FEEL UNDER LOAD.
FINAL TEST FUEL ECONOMY AVERAGE WAS 23.6 MILES-PER-GALLON.
GOOD FOR A CROSSOVER WITH THIS MUCH INTERIOR ROOM.
SO, IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY THE FORESTER IS CURRENTLY THE TOP SELLING SUBARU, OFFERING ALL THAT FAMILIES NEED IN A TIDY, WELL-ROUNDED PACKAGE.
A PACKAGE WE CAN'T WAIT TO UNWRAP IS OUR LATEST LONG-TERM THIS 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GTI; WE'LL DO SO ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.
>> JOHN: WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE MOST EXCITING AMERICAN SPORT SEDAN IN DECADES IS THE CADILLAC ATS.
SINCE IT ARRIVED FOR 2013, THE ATS HAS FULLY STOOD ITS GROUND AGAINST THE BEST 4-DOORS THAT GERMANY HAS TO OFFER.
NOW CADILLAC IS FOLLOWING THAT UP WITH A COUPE VERSION.
SO, LET'S SEE IF, EVEN WITH TWO LESS DOORS, IT'S JUST AS ABLE.
>> JOHN: AS THE FIRST COMPACT SPORTY COUPE TO EVER WEAR THE CADILLAC CREST, THE 2015 ATS COUPE HAS GOT A TALL BAR TO TOP, TO MAKE HEADWAY INTO A SMALL, CLEARLY EUROPEAN DOMINATED SEGMENT.
NOW, BEING DRAWN FROM THE WONDERFUL ATS SEDAN CERTAINLY HELPS.
INDEED, GM HASN'T DONE ANYTHING MAJOR HERE BEYOND CRAFTING A 2-DOOR BODY ONTO THE ATS CHASSIS.
SO, IF YOU LIKED THE SEDAN, CHANCES ARE YOU'LL REALLY LIKE THE COUPE.
>> JOHN: UNLIKE MANY SEDAN/COUPE SIBLINGS, WHEELBASE STAYS THE SAME, THOUGH THE 2-DOOR'S TRACK HAS BEEN WIDENED FOR BETTER HANDLING, AND A MORE MUSCULAR APPEARANCE, ESPECIALLY AT THE REAR.
ONLY THE HOOD IS SHARED, THE REST OF THE BODY PANELS ARE UNIQUE.
THOUGH SLEEK AND STYLISH, IT COMES OFF A LITTLE CONSERVATIVE COMPARED TO ATS AND CTS SEDANS, AND THAT'S APPARENTLY INTENTIONAL.
STILL DYNAMIC AND VERY WELL DONE OVERALL, LOTS OF EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON AERODYNAMICS, INCLUDING EXTENSIVE UNDERBODY SHIELDING.
18-INCH WHEELS ARE STANDARD, WITH A WIDER FOOTPRINT AT THE REAR.
THE ATS COUPE ALSO LAUNCHES A NEW CADILLAC CREST.
A BIG LARGE FOR OUR TASTE, IT WILL QUICKLY WORK ITS WAY THROUGHOUT THE LINEUP.
WHAT'S UNDER THAT SHARED HOOD IS NOT QUITE AS SHARED AS THE 2.5-LITER I4 IS NOT AVAILABLE.
JUST THE DELIGHTFUL 272-HORSEPOWER 2.0-LITER TURBO, UPRATED TO 295 LB-FT OF TORQUE, AND OUR CAR'S 3.6-LITER V6 WITH 321-HORSEPOWER AND 275 LB-FT.
THE V6 IS AUTOMATIC ONLY, BUT, LIKE THE SEDAN, YOU CAN CHOOSE A 6-SPEED MANUAL FOR THE TURBO-4.
WATCHING WEIGHT IS STILL AN ATS LLMARK.
BUT, POUNDAGE DOES SEE A SLIGHT INCREASE OVER A COMPARABLE SEDAN.
3,530-POUNDS TOTAL IS THE CASE OF THIS V6, WITH A LITTLE MORE OF THE WEIGHT OVER THE FRONT WHEELS.
>> JOHN: BUT THAT'S BARELY APPARENT FROM 0 TO 60 AS THIS 2-DOOR GETS THE JOB DONE IN 6.2-SECONDS.
THE AUTOMATIC YIELDS QUICK, NEARLY SEAMLESS SHIFTS, PUSHING THROUGH THE 1/4 MILE IN 14.6 SECONDS AT AN EVEN 100.
THAT'S ONLY SLIGHTLY OFF THE PACE OF THE LAST TURBO-4 SEDAN WE TESTED.
WHEN IT COMES TO HANDLING, THERE'S THE SAME 5-LINK IRS, AND DOUBLE PIVOT MACPHERSON STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION, BUT WITH UNIQUE TUNING THAT FEELS A TAD STIFFER THAN THE SEDAN.
FOR BEST RESULTS, YOU CAN UPGRADE TO THE FE3 SPORT SUSPENSION WITH MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL, AS WELL AS A MECHANICAL LIMITED-SLIP REAR DIFF.
THE BELT-DRIVEN, VARIABLE EFFORT ELECTRIC STEERING WORKS WELL, WITH PRECISE INPUTS AND DECENT FEEL.
ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE IS AVAILABLE WITH BOTH ENGINES.
BREMBO BRAKES ARE STANDARD, BUT JUST FOR UP FRONT.
AND THAT WAS ENOUGH TO BRING THINGS TO A HALT IN A SHORT AVERAGE DISTANCE OF 120-FEET FROM 60.
THE INTERIOR IS WELL-CRAFTED.
WE ESPECIALLY LIKE OUR CAR'S CARBON FIBER ACCENTS.
THE ENHANCED CUE SYSTEM MAKES FOR EASIER SMART PHONE USE.
MOST INFO IS EASIER TO FIND, AND THE TOUCHSCREEN SEEMS MORE RESPONSIVE.
FRONT SEATS ARE AS COMFORTABLE AS WE REMEMBER; THE STEERING WHEEL STILL FEELS GREAT IN YOUR HANDS; AND THE GAUGE PANEL IS STILL CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE.
THIS COUPE IS A 2+2 SO REAR LEGROOM IS TIGHT.
STILL, THE SEATS CUSHIONS ARE COMFORTABLE.
TWO DIFFERENT SAFETY PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE: DRIVER AWARENESS AND DRIVER ASSIST; AND INCLUDE BACK-UP CAMERA, FULL-SPEED RANGE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE KEEP ASSIST, FRONT AND REAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING, HEAD-UP DISPLAY, AND OF COURSE GM'S SAFETY ALERT VIBRATING SEAT.
TRUNK CAPACITY STAYS THE SAME AS THE SEDAN AT 10.4 CUBIC-FT. GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE V6 ARE ALSO THE SAME AS THE SEDAN AT 18-CITY, 28-HIGHWAY, AND 22-COMBINED.
WE AVERAGED A FINE AND FUN 23.8 MILES-PER-GALLON OF REGULAR.
THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE FALLS ABOUT AVERAGE AT 15.0-BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 6.8-TONS.
BASE PRICING FOR A STANDARD 2.0-LITER ATS COUPE IS $38,990; V6 PRICING BEGINS AT $46,145.
IF CADILLAC HAD COME TO US FOR ADVICE BEFORE BUILDING THE 2015 ATS COUPE, WE WOULD HAVE TOLD THEM TO KEEP THE SEDAN'S PERFORMANCE INTACT AND KEEP THE PRICE UNDER 40.
WELL, THEY DID US ONE BETTER BY KEEPING THE PRICE REASONABLE, AND PACKING IN EVEN MORE TOTAL PERFORMANCE.
WE THINK THAT MUCH LIKE THE SEDAN, THE ATS COUPE SHOULD BE AN INSTANT SALES SUCCESS AND HAVE NO PROBLEM CARVING OUT A SPOT AMONG THE LUXURY SPORT COUPE ELITE.
>> JOHN: 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.
WHEN WE SADDLE UP FOR A HARD RIDE IN THE ALL-NEW FORD MUSTANG.
THEN LEXUS SHARPENS UP ITS IMAGE WITH THE RC SPORT COUPE.
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...
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.
DIEHARD.
THE DIEHARD ADVANCED GOLD BATTERY.
DESIGNED TO HELP START YOUR CAR AND POWER THE EQUIPMENT IN IT.
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.