2015 Chevrolet Trax & 2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe

>> HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK!

JOIN US AS WE FIND OUR WAY IN CHEVROLET'S TINY NEW UTE, THE TRAX!

PAT GOSS HELPS US FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

BRIAN ROBINSON THINKS LIFE IS FINE RIDING THE KAWASAKI KLX 250S.

AND WE'LL ENJOY THE FINER DRIVING STYLE OF THE JAGUAR F-TYPE COUPE.

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION >> ANNOUNCER: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.

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MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

>> JOHN: CHEVROLET IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS FULL-SIZE SUV'S LIKE THIS TAHOE.

BUT, IT'S REALLY SMALL UTE'S THAT ARE FAST BECOMING TODAY'S BIG DEAL.

THE NISSAN JUKE, MINI COUNTRYMAN, AND BUICK ENCORE ARE ALREADY THE HONDA HR-V, JEEP RENEGADE, AND OUR FOCUS THIS WEEK, THE CHEVROLET TRAX.

NOW, CHEVY IS NO STRANGER TO TINY UTE'S.

BUT, THEIR LAST ONE, THE TRACKER BUILT WITH SUZUKI, WAS LESS THAN THE BEST.

SO, LET'S SEE THE NEW TRAX IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

UTILITY VEHICLES A COMING IN EVER MORE SHAPES AND SIZES THESE DAYS, SO LOVE THEM OR HATE THEM; THEY'RE NOT GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON.

THIS 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX PLAYS INTO A SEGMENT THAT IS RIPE FOR EXPLOSIVE GROWTH, SUB-COMPACT CROSSOVERS.

WHILE MOST EFFORTS SO FAR HAVE BEEN LUXURY MINDED, LIKE THE MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN, AND BUICK ENCORE, WITH WHICH THIS TRAX SHARES A PLATFORM, MORE MAINSTREAM BRANDS ARE NOW JOINING THE DOWNSIZING.

AND IT'S ABOUT TIME, AS WE THINK THE ENCORE'S SIZE WOULD WORK FOR CHEVY FROM THE GET GO.

AND ACTUALLY IT HAS BEEN, AS THE SOUTH KOREAN MADE TRAX IS ALREADY SOLD IN OVER 60 GLOBAL MARKETS.

IT'S JUST NEW TO CHEVY DEALERS HERE.

MECHANICALLY, THE TRAX IS NEARLY A CLONE OF THE ENCORE, INCLUDING FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE BEING STANDARD WITH ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE OPTIONAL.

POWER COMES FROM THE SAME "LITTLE ENGINE THAT ALMOST CAN."

LIFTED FROM THE CHEVY SONIC SUBCOMPACT, IT'S A 1.4 LITER I4 TURBO WITH 138 HORSEPOWER AND 148 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, ATTACHED TO A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

ALSO FROM SONIC IS THE MACPHERSON STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION, AND COMPOUND CRANK TORSION BEAM UNDER THE REAR.

ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND THE SWEEPING CANYONS ROADS EAST OF SAN DIEGO, WHERE WE GOT OUR FIRST DRIVE, THE SUSPENSION TUNING PROVED FULLY COMPETENT; SIMILAR TO ENCORE; NOT SPORTY, NOT SOFT, BUT A GOOD MIDDLE GROUND.

RIDE QUALITY IS PRETTY GOOD FOR A SHORT WHEELBASE VEHICLE, UNTIL THE ROADS GET REALLY CHOPPY.

THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM IS A FULLY AUTOMATIC ON-DEMAND SYSTEM.

SENDING POWER REARWARD WHEN SLIP IS DETECTED, WHICH DOES INCLUDE ON TIGHT TURNS.

CURB WEIGHT IS AS MUCH AS 3,300 POUNDS WITH ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE.

ON THE TECHNOLOGY FRONT, THE TRAX IS FULLY UP TO SPEED WITH A 7-INCH MYLINK DISPLAY IN THE CENTER STACK, SIRI EYES FREE CONNECTIVITY, STANDARD KEYLESS ENTRY; AND OPTIONAL REMOTE START.

LIKE ALL NEWEST GM'S, ONSTAR 4G LTE WITH BUILT-IN WIFI IS STANDARD, AS IS A BACK-UP CAMERA; THOUGH NAVIGATION, BY WAY OF THE BRINGGO APP IS OPTIONAL.

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS MORE SONIC THAN ENCORE WITH A LARGE, ROUND, MOTORCYCLE STYLE TACHOMETER ON THE LEFT, AND A RECTANGULAR DIGITAL DISPLAY RIGHT FOR SPEED AND MORE.

THE 3-SPOKE STEERING WHEEL HAS NICELY INTEGRATED CONTROLS; AND THE OVERALL FIT AND FINISH OF THE INTERIOR SEEMS PERFECTLY FINE FOR A CHEVY PRICE POINT.

A FULL COMPLEMENT OF 3 IN THE BACK SEAT WOULD BE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED, BUT BOTH LEG AND KNEE ROOM WERE ADEQUATE FOR 2 ADULTS; RELIEFS CUT INTO THE FRONT SEATBACKS HELP A LOT.

UP FRONT, THERE'S A GOOD AMOUNT OF ROOM AS WELL, BUT SEATS ARE NARROW AND YOU STILL SIT VERY UPRIGHT.

AS FOR CARGO, REAR SEATBACKS FOLD 60/40, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FOLDS FLAT AS WELL, FOR LONGER ITEMS.

AT 18.7 CUBIC-FEET, REAR CARGO SPACE IS LARGER THAN BOTH THE NISSAN JUKE AND JEEP RENEGADE, 48.4 CUBIC-FEET WITH THE SEAT BACKS FOLDED.

AND THERE'S A WEALTH OF SMALL ITEM STORAGE BINS THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR.

10-AIRBAGS ARE STANDARD, INCLUDING REAR SEAT-MOUNTED THORAX BAGS.

ON THE OUTSIDE, ALL OF THE CURRENT CHEVROLET DESIGN CUES ARE HERE; DUAL-PORT GRILLE, SMOOTH BODY SIDES WITH ROUNDED FENDERS, AND A GENTLY SLOPING REAR WITH WELL INTEGRATED SPOILER THAT EXTENDS DOWN THE SIDES OF THE BACK GLASS, AND STACKED TAIL LAMPS.

IT'S A SMOOTH DESIGN WITH PLEN OF CURVES, A FAIRLY AGGRESSIVE STANCE, AND ENOUGH GLASS FOR FINE VISIBILITY.

BODY LOWERS ARE COVERED IN PLASTIC; AND SIMULATED SKID PLATE'S FRONT AND REAR HINT AT CAPABILITIES THAT ARE PROBABLY BEST LEFT UNTESTED.

16-INCH WHEELS ARE STANDARD, WITH THE TOP TRIM MODEL GETTING 18'S.

WHEELBASE OF JUST 100.6-INCHES, AND A FRONT TRACK OF 60.6-INCHES MAKES FOR A TIDY PACKAGE.

OVERALL LENGTH COMES IN AT 168.5-INCHES; GROUND CLEARANCE IS A GOOD 6.2-INCHES.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR A FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE TRAX ARE 26-CITY, 34-HIGHWAY, AND 29-COMBINED.

SENDING POWER TO ALL 4 WHEELS WILL LOWER THOSE NUMBERS TO 24-CITY, 31-HIGHWAY, AND 27-COMBINED.

THAT'S STILL GOOD FOR AN ABOVE AVERAGE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 11.4 BARRELS OF ANNUAL OIL USE WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 5.1 TONS.

PRICING FOLLOWS AN AFFORDABLE CHEVROLET FORMULA STARTING AT $20,995.

ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE ADDS $1,500 MORE, WHICH MAKES IT THE LEAST EXPENSIVE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE CHEVROLET YOU CAN BUY.

A BASE ENCORE STICKERS FOR 4 GRAND MORE.

SO, FOR 2015, GM MORPHS THE BUICK ENCORE INTO THE CHEVROLET TRAX, AND FORTUNATELY ALL OF THE COMPETENCY IS LEFT FULLY INTACT.

THE ENCORE WAS A MUCH BIGGER HIT THAN EXPECTED, SO THIS ONE WILL CERTAINLY HAVE HIGHER EXPECTATIONS.

BUT, WE THINK THE TRAX IS OFF ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO FULLY MEET THEM.

IN THIS WORLD OF RAPIDLY PROGRESSING TECHNOLOGY AND MUST HAVE DOO-DADS, IT'S EASY TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE NEED TO ACQUIRE THE LATEST AND GREATEST WHETHER IT'S FOR YOUR PHONE, IN YOUR CAR, OR ON YOUR MOTORCYCLE.

BUT THEN SOMETHING COMES ALONG TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU DON'T REALLY NEED ANY OF THAT STUFF.

SO, MAYBE SIMPLER REALLY IS BETTER.

>> BRIAN ROBINSON: AS KIDS, GROWING UP RIDING DIRT BIKES, WE USED TO THINK DUAL SPORTS MUST BE THE COOLEST BIKES IN THE WORLD, NOT ONLY COULD YOU RIDE THE TRAIL ALL DAY, BUT YOU COULD TAKE TO THE STREET, OPENING UP UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES FOR ADVENTURE.

WELL, ONCE WE GOT OLD ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY RIDE ON THE STREET, OUR ATTENTIONS QUICKLY TURNED TO SPORTBIKES AND GOING FAST.

WELL, NOW THAT I'M OLD AND SLOW AND ADVENTURE BIKES ARE ALL THE RAGE, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT AN ORIGINAL ADVENTURE BIKE.

IF LIKE MANY OF US YOU GREW UP RIDING DIRT BIKES, AS SOON AS YOU THROW A LEG OVER 2014 KAWASAKI KLX250S, YOU'LL FEEL INSTANTLY AT HOME.

AND IF YOUR ADVENTURES ENTAIL MORE THAN JUST A GRAVEL ROAD, YOU'LL NEED AN ORIGINAL ADVENTURE BIKE ALSO KNOWN AS A DUAL-SPORT.

IT'S GOT ALL OF THE NECESSARY HARDWARE TO TAKE YOU WHEREVER YOU NEED TO GO, PROVIDED THAT YOU DON'T NEED TO PACK A LOT OF GEAR TO GET THERE.

WHEELS ARE DIRT-BIKE SPEC.

18-INCHES IN REAR, 21 IN FRONT.

TIRES ARE NOT QUITE FULL KNOBBIES, BUT THE BIG BLOCK TREAD DOES ADEQUATE DUTY IN DIRT WITHOUT GIVING THAT SQUIRMY FEEL ON PAVEMENT THAT YOU'D GET WITH FULL ON KNOBBIES.

SUSPENSION ENTAILS 43MM INVERTED CARTRIDGE FORKS UP FRONT, AND UNI-TRAK REAR WITH 9-INCHES OF TRAVEL AND REMOTE RESERVOIR SHOCK WITH COMPRESSION, AND REBOUND DAMPING ADJUSTMENTS.

THERE'S A SINGLE DISC BRAKE FOR UP FRONT AND IN BACK, PROVIDING MORE THAN ADEQUATE POWER FOR THIS 300 POUND MACHINE.

THE SEAT IS LONG AND NARROW IN TRUE OFF-ROAD STYLE AND HAS JUST ENOUGH COMFORT TO RUN OUT THE RANGE OF THE 2 GALLON TANK.

A SINGLE PISTON ENGINE PROVIDES THE POWER; THERE'S 249CC'S OF DISPLACEMENT WITH WATER COOLING AND SOME ODD LOOKING THING BEHIND IT.

OH, THAT'S A CARBURETOR WITH A CHOKE KNOB, AH, YOU YOUNG FOLKS CAN ASK AN UNCLE WHAT THAT IS.

THAT'S NOT A COMPLAINT, AS IT WORKS JUST FINE; THOUGH IN TRUE KAWASAKI FASHION, THIS KLX IS A LITTLE COLD-BLOODED.

AND NOT THAT IT'S ALL STONE AGE.

THERE IS A DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WITH EASY TO READ SPEEDOMETER AND BAR TACHOMETER, TUCKED BEHIND THE MINIMAL COWLING.

IT APPEARS TO HAVE SOME INTERNAL SWITCH THAT SETS THE MIRRORS TO VIBRATE AT 7,000 RPM; VIBES THROUGH THE SEAT SHORTLY FOLLOW AT AROUND 8,000.

THE EXHAUST WITH SPARK ARRESTOR IS MOUNTED HIGH ON THE RIGHT SIDE BEHIND A FAUX NUMBER PLATE AND THE COOLANT TANK TUCKS IN BEHIND ON THE LEFT SIDE.

HIGHWASPEEDS ARE POSSIBLE ON THIS 250, BUT FOR THE COMFORT AND SAFETY OF ALL THOSE INVOLVED, BEST TO KEEP IT ON SECONDARY ROADS AT AROUND 60 MILES PER HOUR.

TYPICAL 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION PROVIDES SHIFTS SO SMOOTH SOMETIMES YOU'RE NOT SURE IT ACTUALLY WENT INTO GEAR.

THE LOOK IS ALL DIRT-BIKE, WITH A TALL SEAT, MINIMAL STEEL FRAME, AND BIG PLASTIC FRONT FENDER.

AND FOR THE BEST NEWS YET, YOU CAN BE ON THE ROAD OR THE TRAIL FOR JUST OVER 5 GRAND.

SO IF YOU'RE NOT IN A HURRY, AND YOU WANT TRUE GO ANYWHERE CAPABILITY AT A FRACTION OF THE COST OF MOST ADVENTURE BIKES, GO DUAL-SPORT.

BETTER YET, GO GREEN, IN THE 2014 KAWASAKI KLX250S.

>> JOHN: PAT GOSS IS OUR CERTIFIED CAR CARE EXPERT.

NOW, HE HAS ADVICE ABOUT FINDING THE RIGHT TECHNICIAN FOR YOU!

>> PAT GOSS: IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A BIG MISCONCEPTION ABOUT WHAT BEING AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN IS REALLY ABOUT.

AND HERE TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS, WE HAVE TRISH SERRATORE FROM ASE, NATAF.

TRISH, WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.

>>TRISH: IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE, PAT.

>> PAT: ALRIGHT.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION FIRST.

>>TRISH: ASE IS THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE, AND IT IS THE CREDENTIALING AGENCY FOR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR TECHNICIANS.

THEY MUST HAVE TWO YEARS OF HANDS ON EXPERIENCE AS A TECHNICIAN, AND PASS OUR FAIRLY DIFFICULT WRITTEN EXAM.

THEN WE MAKE THEM COME BACK EVERY FIVE YEARS AND RETEST, TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL KNOW WHAT THEY KNOW.

>> PAT: OKAY, AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT AS A BUSINESS OWNER, THAT'S A REQUIREMENT IN MY SHOP FOR MY TECHNICIANS.

>> TRISH: YES, ASE IS ACTUALLY A VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, BUT BECAUSE OF THE VALUE OF ASE, AND THE TESTAMENT TO THE SKILL OF THE INDIVIDUAL BEING CERTIFIED, MOST EMPLOYERS EITHER REQUIRE IT UPON HIRING, OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER IN THEIR EMPLOY.

>> PAT: OKAY, NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK THAT IT'S NOTHING BUT DIRT AND GRIME.

AND THERE'S NOTHING CHALLENGING ABOUT IT.

AND ANYBODY COULD DO IT.

AND IT'S PAYLESS, AND ALL THE REST.

NONE OF THIS IS TRUE.

>> TRISH: NOT AT ALL.

WELL, THE DIRT PART'S TRUE.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF OIL AND GREASE AND ALL THAT.

BUT THERE ARE SO MANY COMPUTERS IN CARS TODAY THAT YOU COULD BE SITTING IN A WHITE LAB COAT AND NOT GET A SINGLE SPECK OF DIRT ON YOU AS YOU'RE DIAGNOSING THOSE VEHICLES.

AND YOU CAN WORK ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

THAT'S WHAT'S REALLY FUN ABOUT IT.

YOU LIKE THE SOUTH OR THE NORTH, OR THE SNOW OR THE HEAT, YOU CAN GET A JOB.

IT WON'T BE OUTSOURCED, AND THE PAY IS SIGNIFICANT.

>> PAT: YEAH, IT CAN BE...

THERE CAN BE A LOT OF BENEFITS.

THE BUSINESSES THAT HIGHER TECHNICIANS ARE MOSTLY PROFESSIONALS, SO YOU HAVE THE SAME BENEFITS YOU WOULD OTHER PLACES.

>> TSH: SURE.

MOST INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS OR DEALERSHIPS WILL OFFER SOME KIND OF BENEFIT PACKAGE TO REPAIR TECHNICIANS.

AND THERE'S LOTS OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THOSE BUSINESSES.

YOU CAN BE A TECHNICIAN; YOU CAN BE A PARTS PERSON; YOU CAN BE A SERVICE WRITER OR CONSULTANT.

YOU CAN WORK ON THE WEBSITES OF THE BUSINESSES.

YOU CAN OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

THE SPECTRUM IS HUGE OF WHAT YOU CAN DO.

>> PAT: ALRIGHT.

SO, TO MY WAY OF THINKING, IT'S A GREAT ALTERNATIVE.

AT LEAST TO LOOK INTO, AS OPPOSED TO SOME OF THE MORE POPULAR FIELDS.

>> TRISH: WELL, IF YOU LIKE TO FIX THINGS, YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH PEOPLE, AND YOU DON'T MIND A LITTLE DIRT, BUT YOU REALLY ENJOY THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY REALLY OFFERS AN AMAZING CATEGORY OF DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS THAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE.

>> PAT: TRISH, THANK YOU.

AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .

>> JOH NEARLY 2,000 MILES AND ONE MONTH IN, OUR 2014 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT IS GARNERING MOSTLY GOOD FEELINGS FROM THE MOTORWEEK CREW.

THE 148 HORSEPOWER 2 LITER INLINE 4 DELIVERS ADEQUATE POWER, SO NO COMPLAINTS THERE.

IT'S THE CVT THAT IS SOMETIMES SLUGGISH, AND A TAD GENTLE WITH ITS DELIVERY.

BUT ONCE YOU GET GOING, THINGS LIVEN UP.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WILL BE A BIG PLUS FOR THE SWS AHEAD.

OUR SE MODEL STANDS ATHLETIC, THOUGH IT'S NO BEAUTY.

INTERIOR APPOINTMENTS ARE FAIRLY BASIC, BUT THERE ARE HEATED FRONT SEATS WITH POWER FOR THE DRIVER, AUTO HEADLIGHTS, AND AUTOMATIC CLIMATE.

A SURPRISING AMOUNT OF USABLE CARGO SPACE ALSO MAKES THIS A GREAT PRODUCTION VEHICLE.

ON FUEL ECONOMY, WE'RE AVERAGING 24.8 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR, JUST BELOW THE GOVERNMENT COMBINED RATING OF 26.

IT'S EASY TO NITPICK A NO-FRILLS VEHICLE LIKE OUR OUTLANDER SPORT, BUT THERE'S A LOT TO LOVE TOO, AND WE EXPECT TO FIND MORE AS THE MILES ROLL BY.

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO.

THAT EXPLAINS OUR NEWEST LONG-TERM, THIS 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER.

AFTER SPENDING A GREAT 12 MONTHS WITH THE ALL-NEW PATHFINDER CROSSOVER 2 YEARS AGO, OUR FLEET JUST HASN'T BEEN THE SAME.

BUT FOR 2015, A VARIETY OF SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT UPDATES GIVE US ENOUGH REASONS FOR A BRIEF REUNION.

THE GREAT 3.5 LITER V6 IS UNCHANGED, WITH THE SAME 260 HORSEPOWER.

BUT THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH BETTER SHIFT LOGIC, THAT WE HOPE WILL ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE SLIPPERINESS WE FOUND IN THE '13; AND HIGHWAY FUEL ECONOMY CLIMBS BY 1 TO 26 MILES-PER-GALLON.

WE'VE YET TO PUT A THOUSAND MILES ON THE ODO, BUT WE'RE OFF TO A GREAT START AVERAGING 28.4 MILES-PER-GALLON OF REGULAR.

WE DON'T EXPECT TO MAINTAIN THAT, BUT WE DO EXPECT THE PATHFINDER TO DELIVER A HIGH LEVEL OF PRACTICALITY AND LUXURY.

WE'LL FIND OUT IF THIS 2015 MAZDA CX-9 IS UP TO A SIMILAR TASK IN THE COMING MONTHS, AS IT ENTERS OUR LONG TERM FLEET AS A DIRECT RIVAL TO THE PATHFINDER.

PLENTY MORE ON THAT TO FOLLOW.

BUT FIRST WE'LL SEE HOW THE KIA K900 LUXURY SEDAN HAS BEEN TREATING US ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.

IF YOU TEND TO REFER TO AUTOMOBILES AS "MOTOR CARS" AND OFTEN CHECK UNDER THE BONNET OR STORE THINGS IN THE BOOT, YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY A FAN OF BRITISH CARS.

WELL, HERE'S A MUST READ FOR YOU.

AUSTIN-HEALEY: THE BULLDOG BREED, BY JON PRESSNELL.

IT'S A FULL HISTORY OF THE FAMED BRITISH MARQUE; WITH DETAILS ON EVERY MODEL PRODUCED AND EVEN SOME BEHIND THE SCENES STORIES ABOUT SOME THAT DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT TO THE SALES FLOOR.

THERE ARE LOTS OF HISTORICAL PHOTOS TO GO ALONG WITH THOSE STORIES AND EVEN SOME ADVICE ON WHAT TO LOOK FOR IF YOU'VE GOT YOUR SIGHTS ON PURCHASING ONE OF THESE BRITISH BEAUTIES.

YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HAS OUR MOTORNEWS UPDATE.

HERE SHE IS WITH THE LATEST.

>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: RECALLS ARE CERTAINLY NOTHING NEW, BUT WITH TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG IT OFTEN REQUIRES MORE THAN A SIMPLE FIX.

AND AS HEADLINES HAVE SHOWN RECENT ISSUES HAVE GENERATED A "LARGER THAN NORMAL" NUMBER OF RECALLS.

THE LATEST IS THE GM IGNITION SWITCH DEBACLE, WHICH HAS EVOLVED FROM A SIMPLE RECALL INTO A RAGING, LEGAL BATTLE.

AND IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE LINGERING EFFECTS ON THE COMPANY AND INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.

ANOTHER PRESSING ISSUE HAS BEEN THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL, WHICH HAS ENTANGLED HONDA, MAZDA, AND MANY OTHER BRANDS, DUE TO FAULTY COMPONENT DESIGN AND PRODUCTION.

FUEL LEAKS ARE A COMMON RECALL ISSUE AS WELL.

AND THEIR SEVERITY CAN BE GREAT DUE TO THE RISK OF FIRE.

A RECENT LIST NAMES NISSAN/INFINITI, AND BMW INCLUDING THEIR I8 PLUG-IN HYBRID.

AND WITHIN THE PAST MONTH OTHER ISSUES HAVE PROMPTED RECALLS OF THE BRAND NEW ACURA TLX AND THE JAGUAR F-TYPE.

"NOW IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THESE ARE OFTEN ISOLATED INCIDENTS, AND GENERALLY AFFECT ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF MAKES AND MODELS.

BUT STAYING ON TOP OF THE LATEST NEWS CAN BE OVERWHELMING."

LUCKILY, THERE'S A RELATIVELY, EASY WAY TO GET UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION.

SIMPLY GO TO THE RECALLS.GOV WEBSITE.

WITH INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, YOU CAN CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR VEHICLE IS ON A RECALL LIST.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SEARCH BY MAKE AND MODEL, OR MORE SPECIFICALLY TYPE IN YOUR CAR'S VIN NUMBER.

IF A RECALL IS INDICATED, THE REPORT WILL INCLUDE THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM, EXPLAIN HOW TO FIX IT, AND LET YOU KNOW WHOM TO CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION.

THERE ARE EVEN ADDITIONAL TABS FOR INVESTIGATIONS, CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, AND SERVICE BULLETINS.

IT'S DEFINITELY MUCH BETTER THAN HAVING YOU OR YOUR VEHICLE AT RISK.

AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.

>> JOHN: JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT JAGUAR HAD KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK WITH THE F-TYPE ROADSTER, COMES THIS F-TYPE COUPE.

SWINGING DEEPER INTO THE BASEBALL ANALOGIES, JAGUAR IS DRIVING THIS 2-SEAT FASTBACK DEEP INTO THE GAP OF THEIR LINEUP MAKING IT A PERFECT 2-FOR-2, AND UPPING THEIR BATTING AVERAGE WITH ANOTHER HIGH PERFORMANCE HIT.

IN THE PROCESS, GOING FROM WILD CARD HOPEFUL TO A DIVISION LEADER.

SO LET'S LOOK AT THE HIGHLIGHTS.

YOU MIGHT THINK THE 2015 JAGUAR F-TYPE R COUPE IS THE MORE PRACTICAL VERSION OF THE WONDERFUL F-TYPE V8 S ROADSTER.

WRONG!

WE THINK IT'S REALLY MORE LIKE ITS EVIL TWIN.

IF THERE'S SUCH A THING AS A GO-AGAINST-THE-GRAIN BRITISH MUSCLE CAR, THIS IS IT.

NOW, ENGINE CHOICES ARE THE SAME AS THE ROADSTER, WITH ONE SLIGHT DIFFERENCE.

THE SUPERCHARGED V6 OFFERINGS CARRY OVER AT 340 AND 380 HORSEPOWER.

AS FOR THE V8, THE SUPERCHARGED 5.0 LITER IN THE F-TYPE V8 S WAS BY NO MEANS UNDERPOWERED, BUT JAG FELT THE COUPE COULD USE MORE PONIES.

SO, IT NOW RATES 550 HORSEPOWER AND 502 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

THAT'S A VERY HEALTHY INCREASE OF 55 HORSEPOWER AND 42 POUND-FEET.

JAG CLAIMS THAT'S ENOUGH TO BE THE FASTEST JAGUAR EVER.

AND, WITH ITS ALL-ALUMINUM STRUCTURE, IT IS ALSO THE STIFFEST "CAT" YET.

AS FOR THAT PRACTICALITY WE MENTIONED, THE CARGO AREA IS GOOD FOR 11 CUBIC-FEET, ALMOST HALF AGAIN THE ROADSTER'S.

THE ALUMINUM BODY THAT HIDES THAT CARGO SPACE IS BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED.

THE FRONT END IS VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS THE ROADSTER, BUT THE SWEEPING LINES AT THE REAR ARE AS DYNAMIC AS ANYTHING ON THE ROAD.

A FIXED-PANEL GLASS ROOF IS AN OPTION.

THAT STIFFER STRUCTURE CALLED FOR A STIFFER SUSPENSION TO BE BOLTED TO IT.

ADD IN ADAPTIVE DYNAMICS, AN ACTIVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, AND BRAKE TORQUE VECTORING, AND YOU'VE GOT A SWEET HANDLING 2-SEATER THAT'S A JOY TO BEHOLD AND DRIVE.

EVEN IN RELAXED CRUISING THE COUPE FEELS TOSSABLE; READY TO BE A WILLING COMPANION FOR ANY LENGTH ADVENTURE.

ALL OUR CREW HAD HIGH PRAISE FOR ITS EFFORTLESS PERFORMANCE, SHARP HANDLING, AND THE WONDERFUL SOUNDS THAT IT MAKES; THOUGH SOME FOUND THE LOUD AND AGGRESSIVE EXHAUST NOTE TO HAVE A FAKE AURA TO IT, LIKE IT WAS TRYING A BIT TOO HARD.

THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC HAS UPDATED SOFTWARE.

IT FEELS MORE DIRECT THAN IN THE ROADSTER, BUT WE STILL CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THE V6 MANUAL COMING FOR 2016.

AT OUR TEST TRACK, IT'S HARD TO SAY WHICH EXPERIENCE WE ENJOYED MORE, LISTENING TO THIS CAT GROWL AT THE LINE, OR FEELING IT POUNCE OFF OF IT.

IF ALL OF THE STARS ALIGN JUST RIGHT AND YOU FIND DECENT TRACTION, YOU CAN HIT 60 IN 4.0 SECONDS, OR PERHAPS LESS.

YOU CAN CLEAR THE QUARTER MILE IN 12.0 AT 122 MILES-PER-HOUR.

STEERING IS VERY QUICK AND THE CHASSIS SUPER NIMBLE, BUT WITH THIS MANY PONIES PUNCHING THE REARS INTO ACTION, OVERSTEER IS ALWAYS IN THE WINGS; THOUGH THE ELECTRONIC DIFFERENTIAL TRIES ITS BEST TO KEEP IT HIDDEN.

PUSH HARDER AND IT BEGS FOR MORE.

YOU NEEDLE TOGETHER CORNERS LIKE A BEAD STRINGER HOPPED UP ON RED BULL.

LIKE ANY TRUE PERFORMANCE CAR, HIGHER SPEEDS IS WHERE THIS F-TYPE COUPE FEELS MOST AT HOME.

ELECTRONIC INTERVENTION SEEPS IN FAIRLY QUICKLY, BUT IT DOES SO ALMOST SEAMLESSLY, HELPING MORE THAN HOLDING YOU BACK.

THE COUPE R'S STANDARD SUPER PERFORMANCE BRAKING SYSTEM BROUGHT OUR CAR TO A HALT IN JUST 110-FEET FROM 60.

YOU CAN UPGRADE TO CARBON CERAMICS, BUT WE DOUBT THEY PROVIDE THE EXTRA 12 GRAND'S WORTH OF RESULTS.

WHETHER ON TRACK OR ROAD, THE COUPE JUST FEELS BETTER THAN THE ROADSTER, BUT NOT SO MUCH SO THAT IT FEELS LIKE AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT CAR; JUST A BETTER VERSION, EVEN IF IT'S NOT THE QUIETEST CAR ON THE STREET.

WE KNEW THE COUPE WAS COMING FROM THE F-TYPE'S BEGINNING, BUT IT WAS HARD FOR US TO IMAGINE THAT IT WOULD TURN OUT THIS GREAT.

PRAISE WAS NOT QUITE AS HIGH FOR THE INTERIOR; BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT, BUT NOT THE MOST INTUITIVE TO USE, AND THINGS CAN BE CRAMPED IF YOU'RE GIFTED WITH MUCH HEIGHT OVER 6 FEET.

OH, WELL, NOTHING IS PERFECT.

GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 23-HIGHWAY, AND 18-COMBINED.

OUR AVERAGE OF 22.8 MILES-PER-GALLON OF PREMIUM EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS.

THE BASE COUPE IS ACTUALLY $4,000 LESS THAN THE CONVERTIBLE AT $65,925.

HOWEVER, OUR R COUPE IS AT THE TOP OF THE HEAP, STARTING AT $99,925.

SO, IF THE F-TYPE ROADSTER WAS A HOME RUN, THAN THE 2015 JAGUAR F-TYPE R COUPE IS TRULY A GRAND SLAM!

WE CAN EASILY SEE THE COUPE QUICKLY OUTSELLING THE ROADSTER.

IT'S AMAZING WHAT A SMALL COMPANY CAN DO WITH A BUNCH A CASH FOR DEVELOPMENT, DESIGNERS WITH A TRUE SENSE OF HISTORY, AND ENGINEERS WITH AN OPEN MIND.

JAGUAR IS CERTAINLY AIMING TO PLEASE, AND THIS ONE IS WAY OUTTA THE PARK!

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 AND SEE IF THE ALL-NEW MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS IS A REAL UPSCALE UPGRADE.

THEN WE'LL PUNCH IT AND GO WITH THE DODGE CHALLENGER.

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.

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