2015 Ford Edge & 2015 Ram ProMaster/Ram ProMaster City

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

JOIN US AS WE EXPLORE FORD'S LATEST CUTTING EDGE CROSSOVER... PAT GOSS SHOWS US WHY SIZE STILL MATTERS... YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HEADS WEST, FOR A TRIP TO THE CALIFORNIA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM... AND THEN WE'LL SEE JUST HOW MUCH WE CAN HAUL IN A RAM PROMASTER!

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.

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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: NO VEHICLE HELPED TO MAKE THE SUV A REQUIRED FAMILY FRIEND MORE THAN FORD'S ORIGINAL FULL FRAMED EXPLORER.

INDEED ITS ENDURING SUCCESS ALLOWED FORD TO GO SLOW TO SHIFTING TO CAR BASED UTEs, OTHER THAN THE COMPACT ESCAPE.

BUT FOR 2007 THEY GAVE IN, AND LAUNCHED THE MID-SIZE FORD EDGE.

WHILE NOT AS RUGGED AS EXPLORER, IT STILL HAD SOLID SALES.

NOW FINALLY, THERE'S A SECOND GEN EDGE, AND IT'S NEW FROM CORNER TO CORNER.

WHILE AUTO WRITERS USE THE PHRASE "ALL NEW" A LOT, THE 2015 FORD EDGE REALLY IS ABOUT AS "ALL NEW" AS ANY VEHICLE CAN BE, WITH VERY FEW PARTS CARRIED OVER FROM THE FIRST GEN. ITS STRONGER UNIT BODY STRUCTURE HAS A WHEELBASE THAT IS 1.0 INCH LONGER THAN PREVIOUS, THOUGH TRACK HAS BEEN NARROWED SLIGHTLY.

AS FOR THE SUSPENSION, A MACPHERSON TYPE STRUT WITH ISOLATED SUB-FRAME REMAINS UP FRONT, BUT IN BACK THERE'S A NEW INTEGRAL LINK SETUP WITH COIL SPRINGS THAT'S DESIGNED TO SHIFT RIDE QUALITY IN A SPORTIER DIRECTION.

AND INDEED, WE FOUND THAT TO BE THE CASE ON THE ROADS LESS TRAVELED AROUND PHOENIX, ARIZONA.

FORD'S CURVE CONTROL IS STILL AVAILABLE, BUT THANKS TO THE VASTLY IMPROVED CHASSIS, IT SEEMED LESS WILLING TO INTERVENE.

FOR THOSE THAT WISH TO TAKE IT FURTHER OVER THE EDGE, A SPORT MODEL RETURNS AND IT'S EVEN MORE PROFICIENT THAN BEFORE, THANKS TO ADDITIONAL SUSPENSION TWEAKS AND STANDARD 20 OR OPTIONAL 21 INCH WHEELS.

ALL MODELS ARE NOTICEABLY QUIETER INSIDE, WITH VERY LITTLE TO NO WIND OR ENGINE NOISE, UNLESS YOU HAVE THE THROTTLE PINNED.

WEIGHT IS DOWN A TAD, BUT NOT SO MUCH THAT WE NOTICED IT.

A GOOD IMPROVEMENT OVERALL, YET IT'S STILL NOT AS POLISHED AS MANY IN THIS CROWDED SEGMENT.

THE EDGE DOES SHOWCASE MUCH OF FORD'S LATEST TECHNOLOGY, LIKE INFLATABLE REAR SEATBELTS, HANDS FREE LIFT GATE, LANE KEEPING, AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL.

A BACK-UP CAMERA IS STANDARD, WITH A 180 DEGREE VIEW FRONT CAMERA, WITH WASHER, AVAILABLE TO AID IN PULLING OUT OF BLIND PLACES.

ACTIVE PARK ASSIST ADDS PERPENDICULAR HELP, AND WILL EVEN PULL OUT OF THE SPOT FOR YOU WHEN YOU'RE READY TO GO.

THE MAKE OR BREAK ASPECT OF ANY FAMILY VEHICLE HOWEVER, IS HOW YOU'RE TREATED INSIDE.

UP FRONT ROOM IS SLIGHTLY MORE GENEROUS FROM BEFORE.

AND THE NICELY SUPPORTIVE SEATS USE THINNER PADDING, SO THE ENVIRONS SEEMS EVEN MORE SPACIOUS.

ADDITIONAL SOFT TOUCH MATERIAL ARE WELL PLACED, TAKING BOTH THE LOOK, AND FEEL OF THE CABIN A NOTCH OR TWO HIGHER.

THERE IS NOTICEABLY MORE SPACE FOR REAR SEATERS TOO, BUT THE EDGE REMAINS A 5-PASSENGER CROSSOVER, SAVING 7-PASSENGER DUTIES FOR THE ALSO NOW UNITIZED EXPLORER.

CARGO ROOM GROWS MOST OF ALL, UP 7.0 CUBIC-FEET IN THE REAR TO 39.2.

MAXIMUM SPACE, WITH THE SEATBACKS FOLDED, IS NOW A HEALTHY 73.4 CUBIC-FEET.

THE EXTERIOR DESIGN IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT OF COURSE, AS FEW PEOPLE WANT TO BE SEEN IN AN UGLY RIDE, AND HERE THE EDGE IS CLEARLY, EDGIER.

THE PREVIOUS GEN'S ROUNDED SHAPE HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A MORE ANGULAR ONE, AND WHILE SIZE HAS GROWN, THE LESS BLOATED LOOK MAKES IT APPEAR TIDIER.

FOR SUN WORSHIPERS, THE EDGE HAS ONE OF THE LONGEST SUNROOFS OUT THERE, WITH FORD'S VISTA ROOF TAKING UP ALMOST 4-FEET OF REAL ESTATE.

UNDER HOOD PROPERTY IS OCCUPIED BY ONE OF THREE ENGINES.

BASE IS A 2.0 LITER ECOBOOST I4, AND IT IS TECHNICALLY A NEW ENGINE, AS IT FEATURES A TWIN SCROLL DESIGN THAT BOTH IMPROVES EFFICIENCY AND INCREASES POWER.

HORSEPOWER IS NOW 245; TORQUE IS ALSO UP BY 5 TO 275 POUND-FEET.

THE NATURALLY ASPIRATED 3.5 LITER V6 CARRIES OVER, BUT ITS REPROGRAMMING RESULTS IN SLIGHTLY LESS HORSEPOWER AT 280 AND 250 POUND-FEET.

THE NEW OPTION, IS THE F-150s 2.7 LITER V6 ECOBOOST, HERE PUTTING OUT 315 HORSEPOWER AND 350 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, WHICH COMES STANDARD IN THE EDGE SPORT.

FULLY AUTOMATIC ALL WHEEL DRIVE IS AVAILABLE WITH ANY ENGINE, AND TOWING CAPACITY REMAINS AT 3,500 POUNDS.

NOW, WE SPENT MOST OF OUR EARLY DRIVE TIME WITH THE 2.0, AND CAME AWAY PLEASED, WITH ITS NICE, SHARP THROTTLE RESPONSE HELPING IT FEEL PLENTY STOUT.

BUT WE DID FIND THE STANDARD 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EASILY CONFUSED AND QUITE BUSY.

SPORT MODE DIDN'T SEEM TO OFFER ANY RELIEF.

BASE PRICING STAYS EXACTLY THE SAME AT $28,995.

BUT SPORT TRIM UPS THE HIGH END A BIT, STARTING AT $38,995.

ALL WHEEL DRIVE TACKS ON TWO GRAND MORE.

FORD HAS OBVIOUSLY LEARNED A LOT ABOUT BUILDING CROSSOVERS, AS THE ESCAPE AND EXPLORER CONSISTENTLY RANK AMONG THE TOP 10 IN SUV SALES.

AND EVEN THE FIRST EDGE SPENT SOME TIME ON THE LIST.

WELL, NOW IT JUST LOOKS LIKE FORD IS GETTING GREEDY, AS THE REALLY "ALL NEW" 2015 FORD EDGE WILL LIKELY MAKE A RETURN TO THE TOP 10, AND SCORE A PERFECT 3-FOR-3 FOR THE BLUE OVAL.

OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO SACRAMENTO, THE STATE CAPITAL OF CALIFORNIA.

SINCE 2011, THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES HAS INCLUDED ELECTRIC AND PLUG-IN HYBRIDS IN THEIR FLEET, NOW TOTALING CLOSE TO 60 VEHICLES.

THEY USE MOTOR POOL LEVEL 2 CHARGERS THAT PARTIALLY RELY ON SOLAR POWER, WHILE AN ADDITIONAL CHARGING STATION IS FOR EMPLOYEES' PERSONAL VEHICLES.

THE CITY IS ALSO TRYING OUT A PLUG-LESS BATTERY CHARGER TO SEE IF THIS WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY IS READY FOR DEPLOYMENT.

OFFICIALS HOPE THEIR ALT-FUEL EFFORTS WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO FOLLOW SUIT.

>> STEPHEN BARKER: ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO INCREASE THE HYBRID VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, THE ALT-FUEL VEHICLES IS GOOD FOR US AND THE CITIZENS OF SACRAMENTO.

>> JOHN: SACRAMENTO HAS RECEIVED TOP BILLINGS IN RECENT YEARS IN NUMEROUS GOVERNMENT GREEN FLEET AWARDS.

PRESTIGIOUS HONORS ALL THAT RECOGNIZES THE CITY'S ONGOING EFFORTS TO REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON IMPORTED PETROLEUM, AND IMPROVE AIR QUALITY IN CALIFORNIA'S CITY OF TREES.

CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN THE HOME OF LOTS OF FOLKS WITH FLAIR OVER THE YEARS.

AND WITH THEIR SHINE, CAME SOME EQUALLY ENTERTAINING VEHICLES.

NOW, SACRAMENTO'S CALIFORNIA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM SERVES UP A UNIQUE SLICE OF THE STATE'S FLASHY HISTORY ON 4 WHEELS, SO WE ASK OUR FYI REPORTER YOLANDA VAZQUEZ TO GO DO A LITTLE CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'.

>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: YOU'LL FIND A DECADENT DISPLAY OF WHIMSICAL, HISTORICAL AND JUST PLAIN 'OLE UNUSUAL VEHICLES AT THE CALIFORNIA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM IN SACRAMENTO.

I CAN'T IMAGINE MORE THAN ANOTHER PERSON FITTING IN HERE.

IT'S REALLY COOL.

THE 72,000 SQUARE FOOT WAREHOUSE BOASTS OVER 150 VEHICLES DATING FROM THE LATE 19TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT.

>> KAREN MCCLAFLIN : SO, YOU'LL SEE FROM THE VERY FIRST BENZ REPLICA IN THE LATE 1800s ALL THE WAY TO OUR GOING GREEN EXHIBIT, WITH CARS OF THE FUTURE.

>> YOLANDA: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KAREN MCCLAFLIN SAYS THE MUSEUM HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1982.

SHORTLY AFTER, IT WAS KNOWN AS THE TOWE FORD MUSEUM.

NAMED AFTER A MONTANA BANKER, WHO AT THE TIME HAD THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF FORDS IN THE WORLD.

>> MCCLAFLIN: IN THE MID '90s, UNFORTUNATELY MR. TOWE GOT IN TROUBLE WITH THE IRS.

HIS CARS WERE REPOSSESSED AND SOLD AT AUCTION.

>> YOLANDA: FORTUNATELY, A FEW MUSEUM MEMBERS BOUGHT SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PIECES, MANY OF WHICH ARE STILL ON DISPLAY.

IN 2009, THE MUSEUM CHANGED TO ITS CURRENT NAME.

ADDING A MORE DIVERSE SELECTION OF CARS FROM BRITISH IMPORTS TO EXOTICS.

AND SINCE IT'S CALIFORNIA YOU'LL SEE SOME CELEBRITY WHEELS LIKE THIS 1984 'STANG FROM RICKY NELSON.

OR HOW ABOUT THIS 1978 KAWASAKI DRIVEN BY THE TV STARS OF "CHIPS."

AND GUESS WHO DROVE THIS "STATE ISSUED" 1974 BABY BLUE PLYMOUTH SATELLITE.

>> MCCLAFLIN: EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE JERRY BROWN REQUESTED THE CAR.

SO, WE TOOK IT OUT ON THE ROAD.

>> YOLANDA: BUT THE MUSEUM'S MOST PRIZED POSSESSION IS THIS 1933 LINCOLN OWNED BY A.P.

GIANNINI, THE FOUNDER OF BANK OF AMERICA.

>> MCCLAFLIN: HE MOSTLY DROVE IT IN THE BAY AREA TO HIS BANKS.

AND HE, ACTUALLY GOT PERMISSION TO HAVE A SIREN INSTALLED SO THAT WHEN HE WAS TRAVELLING WITH A LOT OF MONEY, HE COULD BYPASS A LOT OF BAY AREA TRAFFIC.

>> YOLANDA: MCCLAFLIN'S PERSONAL FAVORITE IS THIS VERY RARE 1966 SHELBY COBRA 427 WITH AN ALL ALUMINUM BODY.

>> DOCENT: IT WOULD PROBABLY BRING IN OVER A MILLION DOLLARS.

>> OH, I WOULD THINK... >> YOLANDA: AND IF YOU CAN'T BUY IT, THEN HOW ABOUT TAKING A PICTURE IN IT?

FREEZE FRAME...

THERE ARE PHOTO OPPS THROUGHOUT THE MUSEUM ALONG WITH HANDS-ON INTERACTION.

HOW MANY CRANKS YOU HAVE TO DO?

(LAUGHS) BUT WHAT CAM DOES BEST IS TELL THE LIFE STORY OF THESE CARS.

THEY HAVE AN EXCELLENT DOCENT PROGRAM.

>> DOCENT: THIS CAR IS OWNED BY A LOCAL BUILDER, AH, MACANELLY RACING.

>> YOLANDA: MANY OF THEM, UP TO 40 NEW DOCENTS A YEAR TRAIN FOR MONTHS TO LEARN EVERY NUANCE OF THE CARS ON DISPLAY.

>> BOB DALOIA: I LIKE TO TELL LITTLE STORIES, MAYBE LITTLE SIDE STORIES THAT WILL INTEREST EVERYBODY, NOT JUST CAR PEOPLE.

SO, THAT'S WHAT I KIND OF LIKE.

AND YOU CAN RELATE TO PEOPLE, AND THEY CAN RELATE TO THE CARS.

>> YOLANDA: LONG TIME DOCENT BOB DALOIA SAYS HE LOVES HIS CAR TALK WITH VISITORS.

>> DALOIA: UNCLE TONY HAD ONE OF THOSE AND EVERYTHING... AND YOU CAN JUST SEE THAT THEY REALLY GET INTO THE CARS.

>> YOLANDA: THIS 1938 BUICK SEDAN WAS VERY FIRST CAR DONATED TO THE MUSEUM.

A GIFT FROM LOCAL RESIDENT JOHN JOYCE.

IT'S BECOME SOMEWHAT OF A SENTIMENTAL FAVORITE FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, BECAUSE DECADES LATER ITS STILL ON DISPLAY HERE AT THE MUSEUM.

>> MCCLAFLIN: OF COURSE SINCE THEN ADDED QUITE A FEW CARS, BUT THAT WAS OUR FIRST, AND SO IT'S VERY SPECIAL TO US.

>> YOLANDA: THE MUSEUM OWNS ONE THIRD OF THE CARS ON DISPLAY, AS THE REST ARE ON TEMPORARY LOAN.

THEY RENT OUT THE FACILITY FOR SPECIAL EVENTS AND SELL CARS TO GENERATE REVENUE.

MCCLAFLIN ADMITS THE MUSEUM IS A HIDDEN GEM, BUT ONE THEY HOPE WILL BE EXPOSED FOR ALL OF ITS AUTOMOTIVE BEAUTY.

>> MCCLAFLIN: WE'D LIKE TO GET THE WORD OUT... WE DON'T WANT TO BE A SECRET... WE REALLY WANT THOSE VISITORS TO FIND US, AND VISIT US... BECAUSE IT'S AN INCREDIBLE COLLECTION, AND WE WANT TO SHARE IT WITH THE WORLD.

>> JOHN: WE'VE ALL HEARD THE OLD SAYING, "BIGGER IS BETTER."

WELL, PAT GOSS FILLS US IN ON ONE SITUATION WHERE THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

>> PAT GOSS: THERE'S A CURRENT TREND TOWARD PLUS SIZING TIRES, AND WHEELS ON CARS, AND TRUCKS, AND SUVs, AND NOW EVEN MOTORCYCLES.

WHILE THEY CAN LOOK GREAT BUT THERE MAY BE SOME DOWN SIDES TO THIS PLUS SIZING.

AND HERE TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS ABOUT MOTORCYCLES IN PARTICULAR, LYNDON ABEL FROM PATRIOT HARLEY DAVIDSON IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA.

LYNDON, WELCOME BACK TO GOSS' GARAGE.

>> LYNDON ABEL: THANKS FOR HAVING ME, PAT.

>> PAT: ALRIGHT.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN PLUS SIZING ON MOTORCYCLES.

>> LYNDON: SO, ONE OF THE HOTTEST LICKS THAT WE'RE SEEING TODAY IS THAT PEOPLE LIKE TO TAKE THEIR HARLEY DAVIDSON BAGGER, WHICH TYPICALLY HAS COME WITH A TRADITIONAL 16 INCH FRONT WHEEL, AND PUT A 21 OR GREATER ON THERE.

SO, THIS GOT FAIRLY POPULAR A FEW YEARS AGO, AND WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF THIS, WHERE PEOPLE ARE TAKING IT TO TALLER, AND TALLER WHEELS.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT...

I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE SMART ENOUGH TO CHECK OUT CLEARANCE... FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU GO TO A 21, YOU CAN USE DIFFERENT SPACING'S, AND NOT CREATE A CLEARANCE PROBLEM...

BUT WHAT YOU END UP WITH IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LOAD CAPACITY.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO, AND THEY SHOULD.

SO, THE LOAD CAPACITY OF THAT STOCK 16 IS OVER 780 POUNDS.

LOAD CAPACITY FOR THE 21?

ABOUT 450.

>> PAT: OH, THAT'S HALF!

>> LYNDON: YOU'RE GIVING UP 50 PERCENT OF YOUR LOAD CAPACITY, AND YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE IT TO GIVE.

THIS IS A HEAVYWEIGHT MOTORCYCLE THAT WAS DESIGNED TO CARRY TWO PEOPLE AND SOME LUGGAGE.

AND IF YOU PUT ALL THAT STUFF ON THERE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE REALLY OVERLOADED WHAT THAT TIRE WAS DESIGNED TO CARRY, BAD IDEA.

>> PAT: YEA, WE SEE THIS.

ESPECIALLY ON SUVs, WHERE THEY PLUS SIZE THEM AND LOSE SO MUCH OF THE LOAD RATING; THAT IT'S RIDICULOUS.

>> LYNDON: RIGHT.

SPORTS CAR WHEELS ON SUVs.

SO SIMILARLY, AH, THAT...

THE TIRE IS REALLY PART OF THE SUSPENSION.

IT'S THE FIRST THING TO HIT A BUMP; THE FIRST THING TO TAKE UP THAT POTHOLE AND WHATNOT IN THE ROADWAY.

WHEN YOU SEE THE SIDEWALL HERE, ON THIS 21 AND COMPARE TO THAT 16, YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT THAT'S DOING TO YOUR MOTORCYCLE'S SUSPENSION, RIGHT?

>> PAT: RIGHT.

THIS COMPRESSES.

IT'S GOT A LOT MORE TO COMPRESS.

>> LYNDON: SO, THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT YOU CAN'T CHANGE WHEELS OR THAT YOU CAN'T CHANGE SIZES, YOU CAN.

BUT DO A LITTLE MORE THAN JUST A SURFACE, CURSORY CHECK OF CLEARANCE.

GO A LITTLE DEEPER INTO THE LOAD CAPACITY AND OTHER THINGS, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE DOING IT RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE A RIDEABLE MOTORCYCLE.

>> PAT: OKAY.

LYNDON, THANK YOU.

AND REMEMBER, THIS APPLIES TO ALL VEHICLES, NOT JUST MOTORCYCLES.

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

>> JOHN: NOW, LET'S GRAB SOME KEYS AND HEAD OUT ON MORE QUICK SPINS!

ONE OF THE THINGS VOLKSWAGEN DID TO MAKE THE LATEST GOLF LINEUP BROADER AND MORE COMPLETE IS TO RENAME THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE JETTA STATION WAGON.

MEET THE 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN, PROMISING EVER MORE ROOM WITH JUST AS MUCH DRIVING FUN.

AFTER ALL, THE GOLF SPORTWAGEN IS QUITE LITERALLY A WAGON VERSION OF THE MK VII GOLF MODULAR CHASSIS THAT WE LOVE.

YOU DO GET 12 INCHES ADDED LENGTH, AND A SLIGHT BUMP IN HEIGHT.

YET, WHEELBASE ACTUALLY SHRINKS A FRACTION OF AN INCH, WITH WIDTH STAYING THE SAME.

ALL LEADING TO 66.5 CUBIC FEET OF TOTAL CARGO ROOM; JUST UNDER 14 MORE THAN THE ALREADY CAVERNOUS HATCHBACK.

PASSENGER ROOM INCREASES TOO, THOUGH ONLY SLIGHTLY.

SO, THE SPORTWAGEN IS MORE FOR HAULING MORE THINGS THAN PEOPLE.

BUT BEHIND THE WHEEL, WE CAME AWAY VERY PLEASED WITH THE TWO AVAILABLE POWERTRAINS.

TSI MODELS SPORT THE 1.8 LITER TURBO I4, GOOD FOR 170 HORSEPOWER, AND IT CAN BE HAD WITH A 5-SPEED MANUAL OR A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC.

BUT OUR EYES LIT UP AT THE TDI MODEL, WHERE THE 2.0 LITER TURBO DIESEL I4 AND ITS 150 HORSEPOWER COME MATED TO A 6-SPEED DSG DUAL CLUTCH, OR A 6-SPEED MANUAL.

>> PATRICK LUCAS: YES, THIS IS A MANUAL, DIESEL, GOLF SPORTWAGEN.

AND THOSE THREE INGREDIENTS ALWAYS EQUAL FUN, AND IT'S NO EXCEPTION HERE.

NOW, IT'S NOT NEARLY AS POWERFUL AS YOU'D WANT IT TO BE, BUT THE TRADEOFF IS FUEL ECONOMY; YOU'RE GETTING REALLY GOOD FUEL ECONOMY... AND IF ANYTHING THE RIDE IS ACTUALLY A LITTLE SMOOTHER.

THE EXTRA WEIGHT FROM THAT STRETCHED CHASSIS DOESN'T EQUATE TO AN UNCOMFORTABLE CHARACTERISTIC.

IT'S ACTUALLY FEELS A LITTLE MORE PLANTED; IT ACTUALLY FEELS A LITTLE MORE STABLE ON THE ROAD.

>> JOHN: TDI MODELS ARE RATED AT 43 MPG HIGHWAY WITH THE MANUAL, AND THE TSI AT 36.

INSIDE, THINGS ARE NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THE HATCHBACK, AND WE'LL CALL IT SIMPLE, AND CLEAN.

THIS PANORAMIC SUNROOF HOWEVER, IS AN EXCLUSIVE OPTION.

ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN STARTS AROUND $22,000.

ONE OF THE BETTER PURE SPORTS COUPES IN RECENT MEMORY, THE BMW 2 SERIES, WOWED US WITH ITS GREAT DYNAMICS AND RAUCOUS POWER.

NOW, IT'S BEEN CHOPPED AND DROPPED, THE TOP THAT IS, FOR A 2 SERIES CONVERTIBLE.

AS THE HARDTOP, THE CONVERTIBLE COMES AS THE 228I, OR THE M235I.

THE FORMER GRABS 240 HORSEPOWER FROM A 2.0 LITER TURBO I4.

THE LATTER, THOUGH NOT AN ALL OUT M VERSION, GETS 320 HORSEPOWER FROM A 3.0 LITER TURBO INLINE 6.

BOTH MATE TO AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

NOW, YOU'D GET OUR BLESSING TAKING EITHER POWERTRAINS, BUT THE M235I IS STILL THE REAL GEM.

THE ONE DRAWBACK FOR NORTHERN BUYERS, UNLIKE THE COUPE 2 SERIES, XDRIVE ALL WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT AVAILABLE WITH THE SIX.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT MODERN CONVERTIBLES IS THAT THEY'RE NOT NEARLY AS PEOPLE AND CARGO SPACE COMPROMISED AS DECADES PRIOR.

THE 2 SERIES ALSO RETAINS ITS TIGHT AND TAUGHT DRIVE, WITH LITTLE OR NO COWL SHAKE, DESPITE THE LOSS OF THE ROOF.

>> ZACH MASKELL: THE SOFT TOP CAN OPEN, OR CLOSE, IN UNDER 20 SECONDS, MOVING UP TO 30 MILES PER HOUR.

THE GUYS AT BMW ALSO MANAGED TO CUT NOISE IN THE FRONT BY 5 DECIBELS, AND 7 DECIBELS IN THE REAR, WHEN THE TOP IS CLOSED.

>> JOHN: ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 BMW 2 SERIES CONVERTIBLE CAN BE HAD FOR $39,000.

AND WE'LL HIT THE ROAD FOR MORE QUICKSPINS, SOON!

IN JUST A FEW SHORT YEARS, WE'VE SEEN THE COMMERCIAL VAN MARKET TRANSFORM FROM INEFFICIENT, TRADITIONAL BODY ON FRAME AMERICAN VANS; TO MORE ECONOMICAL, AND MOSTLY UNIBODY AND TALL, EURO-STYLE VANS.

NOW, THE MERCEDES-BENZ DESIGNED SPRINTER WAS FIRST, AND BOTH FORD AND NISSAN HAVE NEW VAN SERIES AS WELL.

NOW, FCA IS LAUNCHING THEIR NEW WORK VANS, THE RAM PROMASTERS.

AND THEIR JUST PLAYING FOLLOW THE LEADER.

AMERICANS ARE ALL ABOUT GETTING THE WORK DONE.

AND WE ALL KNOW THAT WORK GETS DONE BEST WITH THE PROPER TOOLS.

WELL, WHETHER YOU'VE GOT JOBS BIG OR SMALL, RAM HOPES TO HAVE YOU COVERED WITH THE 2015 PROMASTER AND 2015 PROMASTER CITY.

SO, WHAT IF THAT TOOL IS BUILT IN TURKEY, OR MEXICO, OR WHEREVER.

IF IT MAKES YOUR JOB EASIER, PUTS MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET, OR GETS YOU HOME TO THE FAMILY QUICKER; CHANCES ARE YOU'LL QUICKLY BECOME A FAN.

AS FOR THE DETAILS, WE'LL START WITH THE FULL SIZE PROMASTER.

BASED ON THE FIAT DUCATO WHICH HAS BEEN DELIVERING WORKERS AND SUPPLIES TO JOBSITE'S ALL OVER EUROPE FOR 30 YEARS; IT'S AVAILABLE IN 2-ROOF HEIGHTS, 3-WHEELBASES, AND 4-BODY LENGTHS.

IT CAN TOW UP TO 5,100 POUNDS.

AND HAS A GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING OF UP TO 12,500 POUNDS.

BUT, WHAT MAKES THE PROMASTER TRULY UNIQUE IS THAT IT IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE.

THE ONLY BIG VAN BUILT THAT WAY.

DRIVING THOSE WHEELS IS EITHER A 174 HORSEPOWER 3.0 LITER I4 ECO DIESEL WITH 295 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE; MATED TO THE 6-SPEED SINGLE CLUTCH AUTOMATED MANUAL GEARBOX.

OR A MORE FAMILIAR TO US 3.6 LITER PENTASTAR V6, HERE WITH 280 HORSEPOWER AND 260 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, COUPLED WITH THE TRADITIONAL 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

WE AVERAGED 16.2 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR WITH THE V6.

AND WHILE IT HAS MORE THAN AMPLE POWER TO MOVE THIS BRUTE AROUND, WE THINK MOST OPERATORS WILL PREFER THE BETTER FUEL ECONOMY AND EXTENDED MAINTENANCE INTERVALS OF THE DIESEL.

A UNIBODY ARCHITECTURE USUALLY PROVIDES ADVANTAGES OVER BODY ON FRAME VANS, LIKE LOWER LOAD FLOOR AND STEP IN HEIGHT, LESS WEIGHT, AND A TIGHTER TURNING RADIUS.

OUR TEST CARGO VAN, SLIDES IN THE MIDDLE, WITH A 136.0 INCH WHEELBASE AND LOW ROOF CONFIGURATION.

ITS 353.0 CUBIC-FEET OF SPACE CAN BE LEFT EMPTY FOR HAULING, OR CONFIGURED TO MEET YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS.

UP FRONT, THERE'S PLENTY OF SMALL ITEM STORAGE TO KEEP THINGS ORGANIZED.

THERE'S OPTIONAL UCONNECT TO KEEP THE DRIVER IN TOUCH WITH OFFICE AND CUSTOMERS, NAVIGATION TO HELP YOU FIND THEM, AND A BACK-UP CAMERA FOR SETTING UP SHOP EASILY ONCE YOU ARRIVE.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING; AND THIS PINT SIZE PROMASTER CITY ARRIVED JUST IN TIME TO HELP ONE OF OUR STAFFERS MOVE.

BESIDES THIS CARGO SETUP, IT'S ALSO AVAILABLE AS A 5-SEAT WAGON.

CONFIGURATIONS OF THIS SMALLER CLASS 1-SIZED RAM ARE NOT AS PLENTIFUL AS THE LARGER PROMASTER, WITH JUST A SINGLE WHEELBASE AND POWERTRAIN.

FIAT/CHRYSLER'S 2.4 LITER TIGERSHARK I4 DELIVERS 178 HORSEPOWER AND 174 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, FITTED WITH A 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

TOWING CAPACITY IS 2,000 POUNDS, WITH A GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING OF 5,900 POUNDS.

CARGO SPACE IS BEST IN CLASS AT 131.7 CUBIC-FEET, AND 48.4 INCHES BETWEEN THE WHEEL WELLS MEANS LOTS OF FLAT FLOOR SPACE WITH TRADITIONAL SIZED PALLETS SLIPPING IN WITH EASE.

SLIDING DOORS ON BOTH SIDES MAKES FOR EASIER ACCESS, TOO.

ALSO BASED ON A FIAT, THIS TIME THE DOBLO, UNLIKE MOST WORK VANS, IT HAS A FULLY INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION, WITH MACPHERSON STRUTS UP FRONT, AND A BI-LINK COIL SPRING REAR.

THAT, ALONG WITH FRONT WHEEL DRIVE MAKES RIDE QUALITY MORE CAR LIKE THAN TRUCK LIKE; AND GREAT VISIBILITY ALL AROUND ELIMINATES ANY INTIMIDATION FACTOR.

WHILE CREATURE COMFORTS UP FRONT FALL SHORT OF YOUR AVERAGE FAMILY CAR, THINGS ARE QUITE NICE FOR A WORK VEHICLE.

AND JUST AS IN THE LARGER PROMASTER, THERE'S DURABLE MATERIALS, PLENTY OF STORAGE, AND AVAILABLE UCONNECT NAVIGATION, AS WELL AS A BACK-UP CAMERA.

FUEL ECONOMY IS SURE TO BE A MAJOR FACTOR IN CHOOSING A VAN FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS HERE ARE 21-CITY, 29-HIGHWAY, AND 24-COMBINED.

WE AVERAGED 21.6 MILES PER GALLON DURING A COUPLE OF SNOWY WEEKENDS OF HAULING.

PAYING THE COST TO BE THE BOSS IN A PROMASTER BEGINS WITH A CITY TRADESMAN CARGO VAN AT $24,125.

FOR BIGGER JOBS, A PROMASTER 1500 STARTS AT $29,625.

PRO TOOLS FOR GETTING WORK DONE IS WHAT THE PROMASTER SERIES OF RAM VEHICLES IS ALL ABOUT.

SO, WHETHER YOU NEED THE BEST IN CLASS FUEL ECONOMY, PAYLOAD, CARGO CAPACITY, AND UNIQUE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE LAYOUT OF THE FULL SIZE 2015 PROMASTER, OR THE SMALLER 2015 PROMASTER CITY'S BEST IN CLASS POWER, PAYLOAD, AND CARGO VOLUME, RAM, HAS GOT YA COVERED.

WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW AND I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT 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 HONDA TACKLES THE COMPACT CROSSOVER SEGMENT WITH THE NEW HR-V. THEN WE'LL SEE IF THE CHRYSLER 300 STILL BRINGS IT HOME.

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 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, OFFERING A VARIETY 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 EQUIPMENT IN IT.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT DIEHARD.COM.

>> ANNOUNCER: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.

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