>> HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK!
JOIN US, AND SEE IF BMW'S LATEST STYLISH ODDBALL, THE X4, BLENDS FORM WITH FUNCTION!
THEN WE'LL BRACE FOR IMPACT DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE.
OUR DAREDEVIL ZACH MASKELL TAKES GRAVITY RACING OVER THE EDGE.
AND WE'LL SEE HOW THE CALLAWAY MAGIC TAKES TWO OF CHEVY'S LATEST TO NEW HEIGHTS.
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.
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>> JOHN: BMW'S X6 SOUGHT TO BRING 4-DOOR COUPE-LIKE STYLE INTO THE SUV MARKET.
AND WHILE IT HAS FOUND QUITE A FEW FANS OVER THE YEARS, MOST SUV BUYERS AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO SPENDING MORE MONEY FOR LESS PRACTICALITY.
STILL, BMW IS PUSHING THE TREND FURTHER WITH THE NEW X4.
SO, LET'S SEE IF SMALLER IS BETTER.
IT'S NO SECRET THAT THE MORE VEHICLES A MANUFACTURER CAN BUILD OFF A SINGLE PLATFORM, THE MORE COST EFFECTIVE THE ARCHITECTURE BECOMES.
IS THAT REASON ENOUGH TO TAKE THE FINE X3 SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLE, AND MAKE IT LESS USEFUL, AND CALL IT THE 2015 BMW X4?
WELL, ONLY BMW BEAN COUNTERS CAN FULLY ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
BUT, WHEN THE ALTERATIONS PRODUCE A SPORTIER AND MORE STYLISH ALL-WEATHER GROCERY GETTER, THAT'S EVEN MORE FUN TO DRIVE, THEN WE WARM UP TO IT FAST.
THE X4'S DRIVING DYNAMICS ARE INDEED IMPROVED OVER THE X3, WITH A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF SUSPENSION AND STEERING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.
IT'S CERTAINLY MORE ENJOYABLE THAN THE AVERAGE CROSSOVER, AND MORE ENTERTAINING THAN EVEN A FEW PURE SPORT SEDANS.
WHETHER ON THE WINDY BACK ROADS THAT WE ENJOY FREQUENTING OR HIGHWAY COMMUTING; IT FEELS VERY FLAT, STURDY, AND CAR-LIKE, YET STILL INCREDIBLY SMOOTH.
AND UNLIKE MOST OF THE BMW SAV STABLE, OUR STAFF ACTUALLY ENJOYED LOOKING AT IT ALMOST AS MUCH AS DRIVING IT.
COMPARED TO THE X3, THE STYLING IS SMOOTHER, SURE, BUT ALSO FAR MORE MUSCULAR.
THE X4 SITS 11/2-INCHES LOWER, SPORTING A WIDER AND LOWER FRONT FASCIA WITH LARGER INTAKES, AND DONS MORE AGGRESSIVE SCULPTING OVER THE REAR WHEELS.
ADDING THE M SPORT PACKAGE TAKES IT FURTHER STILL WITH AERO ADD-ONS AND 19-INCH M DOUBLE-SPOKE ALLOYS.
THE ROOF BEGINS ARCHING DOWN JUST BEHIND THE FRONT SEATS, LEADING TO A TALL, FLAT REAR, WITH MINIMAL BACK GLASS.
VISIBILITY IS COMPROMISED BY ALL OF THAT LOW HANGING METAL, BUT NOT NEARLY AS BAD AS YOU WOULD THINK, AND A BACK-UP CAMERA IS OPTIONAL.
IT NEEDS TO BE STANDARD.
ENGINE CHOICES ARE STANDARD BMW FARE, THE 240-HORSEPOWER 2.0-LITER TURBO-4 IN THE XDRIVE28I; AND THE 300-HORSEPOWER 3.0-LITER TURBO I6 IN THE XDRIVE35I.
THE LATTER, ALSO WITH 300 POUND FEET OF TORQUE.
A FAMILIAR ZF 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC CONTINUES TO EXPERTLY HANDLE TRANSMISSION DUTIES.
AND UNLIKE THE X3, NO SDRIVE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ONLY VARIANT IS AVAILABLE.
ALL X4S COME WITH XDRIVE.
LIKE MOST LUXURY ITEMS THAT TRADE STATUS FOR PRACTICALITY, CARGO SPACE FALLS FROM 27.6 CUBIC FEET IN THE X3, TO 17.7 IN THE X4.
THERE'S ALSO LESS LEG ROOM BOTH FRONT AND REAR.
THOUGH BMW'S AVAILABLE SMART OPENER, WHICH FOLLOWS FORD IN ALLOWING HANDS FREE POWER LIFT-GATE OPERATION WITH A WAVE OF A FOOT, IS A WELCOME USEFUL ADDITION.
BUT, ALL SHORTCOMINGS ARE FORGIVEN WHEN YOU MASH THE THROTTLE AND ROCKET TO 60 IN JUST 5.1-SECONDS.
NO TRACTION PROBLEMS WITH XDRIVE'S IMMEDIATE HOOK UP.
TORQUE ARRIVES IN A BIG HURRY AND STAYS PREVALENT THROUGHOUT THE REV BAND, SOUNDING GREAT THE WHOLE WAY.
SHIFTS ARE FAST AND FIRM WITH NO POWER DROP OFF; THE 1/4-MILE TAKES 13.7-SECONDS, FINISHING AT 100 MILES-PER-HOUR.
BRAKES ALSO DELIVERED IMPRESSIVE RESULTS, WITH A STOPPING DISTANCE OF JUST 111-FEET FROM 60, DESPITE A SOFT PEDDLE WITH LITTLE FEEL.
BUT LET'S GET BACK TO HANDLING.
AND, WHAT WE FOUND TO BE GREAT ON THE STREET PROVED EVEN MORE SO ON THE TRACK.
WHILE GREAT HANDLING IS WHY WE LOVE BMW'S, EVEN THOSE THAT SEE THEM ONLY AS STATUS SYMBOLS WILL APPRECIATE THE SECURE RESPONSE THE BRAND PUTS INTO EVERY VEHICLE IT MAKES, X4 INCLUDED.
PLUS, DIAL IN SPORT+ MODE AND THIS 5-DOOR FEELS A LOT MORE LIKE A 3 SERIES SPORT SEDAN THAN ANY UTILITY.
THERE'S PLENTY OF CHASSIS STIFFNESS, LOTS OF AGILITY, VERY LITTLE BODY ROLL, AND LIGHT BUT PRECISE STEERING.
EVEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHERE MOST UTILITIES TURN TO MUSH, THE X4 IS QUICK TO DART IN AND OUT OF THE CONES; THOUGH TRACTION CONTROL WILL KICK IN MODERATELY IF YOU'RE TOO AGGRESSIVE.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS COME IN AT 19-CITY, 27-HIGHWAY, AND 22-COMBINED.
WE KEPT THE PACE DAILY DRIVER-LIKE AND AVERAGED 24.1 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM.
PRICES START AT $45,650 FOR THE XDRIVE28I AND $48,950 FOR THE XDRIVE35I.
THAT'S ALMOST 4-GRAND OVER AN X3.
SO, WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOSE AN X4 OVER AN X3?
IT COULD BE JUST FOR STYLE, OR JUST AN ALLERGY TO PRACTICALITY.
AS FOR US, WE'D CHOOSE IT BECAUSE OF HOW IT LOOKS AND DRIVES.
SO, IT'S MORE THAN JUST A MONEY GRAB FOR THE FRINGE SMALL LUXURY CROSSOVER BUYER.
THE FOLKS FROM BAVARIA PREFER HAULING THROUGH CORNERS RATHER THAN CUTTING THEM; AND THAT'S CLEARLY THE CASE HERE.
THE 2015 BMW X4 IS A BETTER, MEANER X3.
OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO CHASKA, MINNESOTA, AND THE EASTERN CARVER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHERE THE SWITCH TO PROPANE HAS FIRED UP BIG SAVINGS.
EASTERN CARVER COUNTY IS REPLACING MORE THAN 100 DIESEL BUSES WITH ONES THAT RUN ON CLEAN PROPANE.
TO DATE, 31 HAVE BEEN DELIVERED.
WHILE THE NEW BUSES COST MORE, THE SWITCH IS ALREADY PAYING OFF WITH SAVINGS OF $60,000 IN ONE YEAR ALONE.
>> JOHN THOMAS: AND I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT FLEET HERE THAT'S MAKING PROGRESS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, IT'S SAVING MONEY FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SO WE CAN KEEP THE MONEY IN THE CLASSROOMS, AND WE'RE BEING A LITTLE PROGRESSIVE, AND IT'S ALL THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN EASTERN CARVER COUNTY SCHOOLS AND STA.
>> JOHN: STUDENT TRANSPORTATION OF AMERICA, AND THEIR LOCAL AFFILIATE, POSITIVE CONNECTIONS WORKED WITH EASTERN CARVER IN THE PROPANE SWITCH.
FOUR OTHER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALSO HAVE PROPANE BUSES HELPING MINNESOTA MAKE THE GRADE IN DRIVING GREEN.
"THE MOST FUN IS USUALLY HAD ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SANITY, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BRILLIANCE AND MAYHEM."
WELL, THAT'S QUITE A MOTTO.
AND IT FITS A VERY SPECIAL GROUP OF RACERS THAT MAKE CHEAP THRILLS THEIR PRIORITY.
WELL, OUR OVER THE EDGE GUY ZACH MASKELL NATURALLY SIGNED UP, READY TO GO DOWNHILL RACING, WITH GRAVITY AS HIS COPILOT.
>> ZACH MASKELL: IT'S NOT EXACTLY MOTORWEEK THIS GO-ROUND.
A GROUP CALLED "THE DOWNHILL MISFITS" IS USING GRAVITY TO REACH HIGH SPEEDS.
DAREDEVILS WHOSE AGES RANGE FROM THEIR 20'S TO 60'S, RACE SOAPBOX CARS ONCE A MONTH AROUND CENTRAL MARYLAND BACK ROADS.
>> FRAN HONEYWELL: A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT WHAT WE DO AND THEIR FIRST REACTION IS OH, THAT LOOKS LIKE SO MUCH FUN.
AND IT'S REALLY NOT FUN, IT'S TERRIFYING.
>> ZACH: THESE ARE NOT YOUR PAMPERED, FRAGILE, DOWNHILL DERBY CARS.
THESE ARE WELDED METAL FRAMES, PREPARED FOR TOP SPEED RUNS, AND SERIOUS CRASHES.
FRED SCHROEDER KNOWS ALL TOO WELL, THE DANGERS THAT COME WITH HITTING 70+ MILES PER HOUR.
>> FRED SCHROEDER: I VIVIDLY REMEMBER SOME EVENT HAPPENING AND SAYING TO MYSELF, I'M NOT GOING TO RECOVER FROM THAT.
>> ZACH: FRED MADE CONTACT WITH ANOTHER CAR, THEN HIT A TREE GOING FROM 60 TO A DEAD STOP IN UNDER ONE SECOND.
>> SCHROEDER: I SHATTERED MY TIBIA, FIBIA (FIBULA) AND LOWER KNEE.
>> ZACH: THANKFULLY, ANOTHER MEMBER, WHO'S ALSO A PARAMEDIC WAS IN THEIR TRAILING SAFETY CAR AND WAS ABLE TO RENDER IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.
THAT'S CHRIS, EVERYONE IN HIS HOUSE RACES GRAVITY CARS.
HIS WIFE HAS ACTUALLY BUMPED INTO HIM, FORCING HIM OFF THE ROAD MORE THAN ONCE.
RUINING HIS CHANCES OF A WIN.
>> REBECCA SASS-CREWS: IT'S A VERY FAMILY-FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.
IT'S LIKE ONE BIG HAPPY, KIND OF SCREWED UP FAMILY IN ITS OWN WAY.
>> ZACH: THE MARYLAND INDEPENDENT SOAPBOX FEDERATION AND INCLINE TRAILS SOCIETY.
OR "MISFITS," USED TO BE AN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.
THAT'S WHAT STARTED EVERYONE'S RACER NAME LIKE "SHARK BONE" AND "TIN MAN."
MANY OF THE CARS THEY DRIVE ARE BUILT AT FRAN'S HOUSE NEXT TO HIS PORSCHE 911 AND AUSTIN-HEALY SPRITE.
THESE THINGS ARE ALMOST SCARY.
TO ME, THAT MEANS THERE'S A LOT MORE RISK INVOLVED.
AND THAT MEANS THERE'S MORE FUN!
SO, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TODAY IS GET ME FITTED IN THIS KART RIGHT HERE, AND SEE IF I CAN'T MAKE MY WAY THROUGH THE EAST COAST CHALLENGE.
DRIVERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY MAKE THE TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA, HUNGRY FOR THE ECC TROPHY.
I'M RUNNING AGAINST NOVICE DRIVERS, AND NEEDED TO SEE WHAT I WAS DEALING WITH.
WE HEADED OVER TO FRED'S HOUSE.
WHERE THE GROUP HAS COOKOUTS AND RACES ON HIS BACKYARD TRACK.
I FOUND ALL THE CARS HAVE A 5 POINT HARNESS AND ROLL BARS.
EVEN ARM RESTRAINTS ARE RECOMMENDED.
>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IF THINGS GET OUT OF SHAPE THAT YOUR ARMS WON'T BE FLAILING AROUND.
>> ZACH: I FEEL LIKE I'M IN MY OWN LOONY BIN.
>> (MAN LAUGHS) >> ZACH: IT'S FUNNY I SAY THAT BECAUSE THEIR ONLINE FORUMS ARE CALLED THE ASYLUM!
ALRIGHT!
IT'S TIME FOR THE BUNNY HILL.
LET'S GIVE HER A SHOT.
A FEW POINTERS LATER, AND I WAS OFF.
THIS IS QUITE THE ROUGH RIDE.
BUT IT'S GOOD BECAUSE YOU CAN FEEL EVERYTHING IN THE ROAD.
YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE CAR'S GOING TO DO AND WHEN.
BEFORE I KNEW IT, IT WAS THE WEEKEND AT 5 AM, AND TIME TO ROCK.
I CHECKED OUT THE HILL BEFORE TAKE-OFF.
WOOEEE, THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE CRAZY DAY.
THERE'S 4 DIFFERENT CLASSES IN THE LINEUP, THE FASTEST BEING THESE SUPER CARS.
THEY HIT SPEEDS OVER 80 MILES-PER-HOUR.
WITH THE COPS ON OUR SIDE, WE SHUT DOWN 6 ROADS AND I RACED IN 5 OF THEM.
I FELT PETRIFIED, YET WEIGHTLESS, WHIZZING PAST TREES AT AN INFANT'S EYE LEVEL.
THAT SPEED LIMIT SIGN SAYS 40.
WE ARE DEFINITELY DOING MORE THAN 40!!
SHE ALMOST WRECKED!!
WOO-HOO!!
COMING FROM SOMEONE WHO'S RACED AROUND TRACKS LIKE TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY WITH 800 HORSEPOWER UNDER THE HOOD.
THIS IS HARD TO ARGUE.
>> BARRY FITZGERALD: THIS IS THE ULTIMATE EXTREME FEELING OF GOING FAST, IN MY OPINION.
>> ZACH: THE WINNERS GOT SOME HUMOROUS TROPHIES.
AND I PLACED 7TH OUT OF 10.
NOT BAD, CONSIDERING THE CAR I BORROWED HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN CRASHED MORE TIMES THAN MY COMPUTER.
DESPITE THE COMPETITIVE NATURE, IT'S ALL ABOUT A GOOD TIME SOMETHING THIS GROUP HAS PERFECTED.
>> JOHN: ADVICE FROM PAT GOSS ALWAYS MAKES A GREAT IMPACT, SO LET'S SEE HOW HE MAKES HIS MARK THIS WEEK!
>> PAT GOSS: AAH, YES.
I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL SEEN THAT.
A TECHNICIAN PUTTING THE WHEELS BACK ON YOUR CAR USING AN AIR IMPACT WRENCH.
WELL, THAT IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.
YOU SEE, THESE AIR IMPACT WRENCHES HAVE GROWN IN POWER OVER THE YEARS.
BACK IN THE DAY, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, IF THEY PRODUCED 150 FOOT-POUNDS, IT WAS A POWERFUL WRENCH.
WELL TODAY, SOME OF THESE ARE 12 OR 1300 FOOT-POUNDS, AND THE AVERAGE IS 8 TO 900 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE.
AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, AND REALIZE THAT THE AVERAGE TORQUE REQUIRED ON A LUG NUT, TO HOLD THE WHEEL ON, IS 80 TO 90 FOOT-POUNDS, WELL YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW OVER-TIGHTENED SOME OF THESE LUG NUTS ARE.
NOW THAT'S A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT ALMOST GUARANTEES WARPED BRAKE ROTORS.
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT SUPPOSE YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE, AND YOU'VE GOT ONE THAT'S TIGHTENED DOWN TO 5 OR 600 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE.
WELL, THE TOOLS THAT ARE IN THE CAR OR THE TOOLS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE EVEN PUT IN THE CAR ARE NOT GOING TO BE CAPABLE OF LOOSENING THOSE LUG NUTS.
SO, YOU'RE STRANDED BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET THE WHEEL OFF WITH THE FLAT TIRE ON IT.
NOW, WHAT'S THE PROPER WAY?
THE PROPER WAY IS TO USE A TORQUE WRENCH.
TORQUE WRENCHES LIMIT WHAT TORQUE GOES ON TO THE BOLTS.
HOW TIGHT THEY ARE.
THEY SHOULD BE USED ON JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING, ON EVERY REPAIR.
NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT WHEN THESE ELECTRIC IMPACT WRENCHES CAME OUT, THAT, THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE ANSWER.
WELL, IT WAS FOR A WHILE.
BUT NOW, THESE ARE UP TO OVER 400 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE IN SOME CASES.
SO, THAT'S 4 TIMES THE AMOUNT OF TORQUE THAT IS NEEDED FOR THE WHEELS, AND MOST OTHER THINGS ON AN AUTOMOBILE.
AGAIN, BACK TO THE TORQUE WRENCH.
NOW, ACDELCO HAS REVERSED THIS TREND TO MORE POWERFUL AND MORE POWERFUL TOOLS.
THIS IS AN AIR RATCHET.
AND ITS CLAIM TO FAME IS THAT IT'S LIMITED TO 65 FOOT-POUNDS OF TORQUE.
SO, THAT MEANS THAT WHEN YOU'RE TAKING SOMETHING LOOSE, IF IT BINDS UP, IT DOESN'T BREAK THE BOLT LIKE A 2 OR 300 FOOT-POUND TORQUE RATCHET WOULD DO.
SO, IT HELPS MAKE YOU A BETTER TECHNICIAN.
SO, REMEMBER THAT MOST EVERYTHING ON AN AUTOMOBILE HAS A SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF TORQUE.
AND THE BIGGEST AND BEST FRIEND THAT YOU CAN HAVE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO ANY WORK ON YOUR CAR, IS A TORQUE WRENCH.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
>> JOHN: DOES THE WEATHER COOLING DOWN HAVE YOU FEELING DOWN?
NOT US!
WE'RE PUMPED UP FROM TAKING DELIVERY OF THIS 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GTI FOR OUR LONG TERM TEST FLEET!
THE 7TH GEN GTI ALREADY WON US OVER DURING OUR INITIAL TEST, AND WE JUST HAD TO HAVE MORE!
THE 2.0 LITER TURBO INLINE 4 ONLY PUTS OUT 210 HORSEPOWER; BUT WITH THE GTI'S LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN AND SPOT-ON SETUP, THAT'S PLENTY.
THROUGH JUST OVER 1,000 "BREAK-IN" MILES, WE'RE SEEING AN AVERAGE OF 30.9 MILES-PER-GALLON, ALREADY ABOVE THE GOVERNMENT COMBINED RATING OF 28.
OUR GTI CAME WELL EQUIPPED IN 4-DOOR MID-LEVEL SE TRIM; WITH ADDED FEATURES LIKE FENDER PREMIUM AUDIO, A POWER SUNROOF, LEATHER SEATING, AND BACKUP CAMERA, AMONG OTHERS.
THE OPTIONAL LIGHTING PACKAGE BRINGS BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS AND LED RUNNERS, WHILE THE DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE ADDS FRONT AND REAR PROXIMITY ALERTS, AND FORWARD COLLISION WARNING.
ALL THAT, PLUS 52.7 CUBIC FEET OF CARGO ROOM MAKES IT A GREAT STAFF SUPPORT VEHICLE.
EASY TO DRIVE; EVEN EASIER TO LIVE WITH THAT WAS OUR FIRST TAKE AWAY FROM THE ALL-NEW GTI.
SO, WE'LL SEE IF SOME EXTENDED SEAT TIME KEEPS THAT FEELING ALIVE.
WE'LL TAKE NOTE OF OUR NISSAN VERSA NOTE ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.
>> JOHN: NOW LET'S DUCK INSIDE TO OUR STUDIO, AND YOLANDA VAZQUEZ, WITH ALL THE LATEST MOTOR NEWS.
>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: WHAT IF THE TECHNOLOGY AIMED AT MAKING DRIVING SAFER, IS ACTUALLY DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD?
IT'S A QUESTION THE TRIPLE A MOTOR CLUB LOOKED INTO WITH SURPRISING RESULTS.
IN BOTH SIMULATED AND REAL WORLD SITUATIONS, DRIVERS WERE MONITORED FOR LEVELS OF ALERTNESS AND MENTAL FOCUS, AS WELL AS PHYSICAL DISTRACTION AND THE ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR EYES ON THE ROAD.
THE PARTICIPANTS USED HANDS-FREE, VOICE-ACTIVATED TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS "APPLE'S SIRI" TO CONTROL IN-CAR INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS LIKE "MYFORD TOUCH" AND "CHEVY'S MYLINK."
WHILE SOME WORK BETTER THAN OTHERS, THE OVERALL CONCLUSION WAS THAT VOICE PROMPTS INTRODUCE MORE ELEMENTS OF DISTRACTION THAN THEY ELIMINATE.
TASKS LIKE COMPOSING EMAIL OR CHANGING THE RADIO THROUGH VOICE COMMANDS ALLOWED DRIVERS TO BE PHYSICALLY UNENCUMBERED, BUT MENTALLY THEY ZONED OUT AND WERE NOT ABLE TO REGISTER WHAT THEY WERE SEEING ON THE ROAD AHEAD.
THIS LACK OF FOCUS LED TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND ACCIDENTS.
INSTANCES WHERE COMMANDS WERE MISINTERPRETED OR HAD TO BE REPEATED MULTIPLIED THE LEVELS OF DISTRACTION.
AAA IS URGING MANUFACTURERS TO IMPROVE THEIR VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEMS SO THEY WILL BE LESS OF A DISTRACTION TO USE.
"MUCH MORE POSITIVE TECHNOLOGY HEADLINES COME COURTESY OF TESLA, WHERE THE MODEL S SEDAN CONTINUES ITS PIONEERING WAYS."
THE COMPANY WILL NOW ADD AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MODEL D, FOR "DUAL MOTOR."
THIS WILL AUGMENT THE REAR MOTOR, REAR DRIVE MODEL S WITH A SECOND MOTOR THAT DRIVES THE FRONT AXLE.
THE TOP LEVEL P85D SEES A HORSEPOWER BUMP TO ALMOST 700, FOR A SUPERCAR 0-60 TIME OF JUST 3.2 SECONDS.
LOWER OUTPUT VERSIONS OF THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE EV WILL DEBUT AS THE 60D AND 85D.
BUT EVEN ON THESE VEHICLES, THE RANGE WILL INCREASE OVER THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ONLY MODEL S. "TESLA SAYS THE NEW CARS WILL ALSO INCLUDE THEIR FIRST STEP TOWARDS AUTOMATED DRIVING.
AND, THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTOR NEWS."
>> JOHN: SOME DAYS AROUND MOTORWEEK ARE LIKE CHRISTMAS.
WE ROLL INTO WORK ALL SLEEPY EYED AND FULL OF WONDER OF WHAT THE DAY WILL BRING.
AND LOW AND BEHOLD THERE'S SOMETHING NEW AND SHINY IN OUR PARKING LOT JUST WAITING FOR US TO UNWRAP.
WELL, TODAY WAS EXTRA SPECIAL BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE SANTA HAS DROPPED OFF NOT 1 BUT 2 CALLAWAYS FOR US TO PLAY WITH!
WE'VE CLEARLY PLAYED OUR CARDS RIGHT, AS THIS PAIR OF CALLAWAYS EASILY BEATS A FULL HOUSE OF JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER TYPE OF AUTOMOTIVE ART.
GM HAS BEEN VERY BUSY LATELY, DEBUTING THE 7TH GENERATION CORVETTE STINGRAY, AND BRINGING THE CAMARO Z/28 BACK INTO THE FOLD.
WELL, THAT JUST MEANS THE ENGINEERS AT CALLAWAY ARE WORKING EVEN HARDER.
AT THE HEART OF THIS 2015 CALLAWAY CORVETTE SC627, IS AN EATON TVS2300 ROTOR PACK INSIDE A 3RD GENERATION CALLAWAY SUPERCHARGER HOUSING WITH NOT 1, BUT 3 INTERCOOLERS.
ALL OF THAT COOL, ADDED AIR BEING FORCE-FED INTO THE 6.2-LITER LT1 V8 RAISES HORSEPOWER FROM A STOCK 455 TO 627!
TORQUE ROCKETS UP TOO FROM 460 TO 610.
THAT'S ENOUGH TO GO GODZILLA ON TRACKTOWN AND PUMMEL YOUR WAY TO 60 IN 3.4-SECONDS.
AND IT DOES INDEED FEEL LIKE A FIRE BREATHING MONSTER OFF THE LINE.
LAUNCHING IS DONE AT NOT MUCH MORE THAN IDLE, PUSHING YOUR ADRENALINE ASIDE AS YOU APPLY JUDICIOUS AMOUNTS OF THROTTLE UNTIL FORWARD PROGRESS IS FULLY ESTABLISHED.
THINGS DO BECOME A BIT TAMER AFTER QUICKLY GRABBING 2ND GEAR AS YOUR PERIPHERAL VISION BEGINS TO BLUR.
BY THE TIME IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE, YOU'RE AT THE END OF THE 1/4 MILE IN 11.0-SECONDS FLAT AT 126 SCREAMING MILES-PER-HOUR.
NO SUSPENSION WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO THIS CALLAWAY STINGRAY, BUT THE CHASSIS WAS ALREADY PRIMED TO PLAY WITH MUCH MORE POWER THAN GM DEALT.
THE REST OF CALLAWAY ADDITIONS ARE LIMITED TO TRIM WORK.
FOR THE EXTERIOR, THAT MEANS A CUTOUT IN THE HOOD FOR THE SUPERCHARGER AND DOUBLE-D EXHAUST TIPS IF YOU ADD THE OPTIONAL SPORT EXHAUST SYSTEM.
EVEN THE STINGRAY BADGE GETS A MUSCLED UP LOOK.
NOW, IF WE HAVE ONE QUIBBLE WITH THE MOD'S, IT'S WITH THE EXPOSED SUPERCHARGER.
THE POWDER-COATED METAL LOOKS TOO MUCH LIKE PLASTIC AND DOESN'T QUITE MATCH THE SHARPENED LOOK OF THE REST OF THE CAR.
INTERIOR UPDATES ARE LIMITED TO JUST SOME STITCHED LOGOS AND PLAQUES.
IF THERE'S ONE THING WE'VE ALWAYS PRAISED CALLAWAY FOR, IT'S THAT THEY'VE CONSISTENTLY BEEN ABLE TO FULLY RETAIN THE CORVETTE'S CIVILIZED DAILY DRIVER NATURE.
THAT DOESN'T CHANGE HERE, AS IT FEELS POSITIVELY TAME ON THE STREET... UNTIL, THAT IS, YOU DIG HEAVY INTO THE THROTTLE.
THIS IS THE FIRST NEW STINGRAY WE'VE TESTED WITH THE FACTORY, SEE-THROUGH ROOF PANEL, AND WE FOUND SOME ANNOYING CREAKS THAT WEREN'T PRESENT WITH THE STANDARD CARBON FIBER TOPPER.
THAT'S CERTAINLY NO KNOCK ON CALLAWAY, AND WAS THE ONLY NOTICEABLE BLEMISH IN THIS OTHERWISE SUPER TIGHT CAR.
SO, AS MUCH AS WE LIKED THE NEW STINGRAY BEFORE, THERE'S MUCH MORE TO LIKE NOW.
CALLAWAY WILL HAVE TO STAY ON TOP OF THINGS HOWEVER, WITH GM'S OWN "MORE POWER" ANSWER, THE Z06, DUE SOON.
COMPLETING OUR PAIR IS CALLAWAY'S TAKE ON CHEVY'S LATEST HOT ROD COUPE, THE CAMARO Z/28 SC652.
HERE THE EATON TVS2300 IS PLANTED ON AN LS7 V8, SPROUTING HORSEPOWER FROM 505 TO 652, AND TORQUE FROM 481 TO 620 POUND-FEET.
ALSO INCLUDED ARE HIGH-FLOW FUEL INJECTORS, CARBON INJECTOR COVERS, AND A NEW INTAKE.
WITH FAR FROM GARDEN VARIETY OUTPUT, AND YES THE NUMBERS TOP THE 'VETTE, THIS CAMARO IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO LAUNCH.
BUT WHEN YOU DO FIND A GOOD HOOKUP, YOU'LL BE AT 60 IN 3.7-SECONDS.
NOW, THAT'S ACTUALLY SLOWER THAN THE 'VETTE AS THE CAMARO IS HEAVIER.
STILL, BLITZING THE 1/4-MILE IN 11 AND 1/2 SECONDS AT 124 MILES-AN-HOUR, IT'S NO SLACKER.
ALSO, LIKE IN THE 'VETTE, THERE ARE NO SUSPENSION UPDATES, BUT ALREADY BEING THE MOST TRACK WORTHY CAMARO EVER, THE Z/28 HAD NO PROBLEMS NAVIGATING OUR TRACK.
AND IT ALSO GETS SOME INTERIOR EMBROIDERY AND BADGING.
THESE ARE MORE THAN JUST CHEAP THRILL RIDES; THEY ARE, AS CALLAWAY LOVES TO SAY, "POWERFULLY ENGINEERED AUTOMOBILES."
SO, EXPECT TO PAY IF YOU WANT TO PLAY.
THE CORVETTE SC 627 ADDS $17,995 TO THE PRICE OF A CORVETTE STINGRAY.
FOR THE SC652, YOU'LL HAVE TO ADD $19,995 ONTO THE COST OF A CAMARO Z/28.
BIG TIME PERFORMANCE FROM PEOPLE THAT KNOW IT INTIMATELY.
THAT'S WHAT THESE 2015 CALLAWAYS ARE ALL ABOUT.
TURN-KEY, STREET LEGAL, PAVEMENT MELTERS, READY TO BOTH ROCK THE STRIP, AND STILL COMFORTABLY ROLL YOUR WAY TO WORK.
THESE BOWTIE BAD BOYS ARE CALLAWAY'S GIFTS THAT JUST KEEP ON GIVING.
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 EXPLORE MCLAREN'S LATEST MASTERPIECE: THE P1.
THEN SEE IF A NEW ALUMINUM F-150 WILL KEEP FORD ON TOP.
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.
