>> HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US AND SEE IF THE JEEP RENEGADE IS REALLY A SUBVERSIVE SUB-COMPACT UTE... PAT GOSS HAS ADVICE ON HOW TO KEEP CAR CARE ORGANIZED... WE'LL LOOK AT THE NEAR FUTURE OF FILLING UP... AND THEN PLUG INTO BMW'S FUTURE WITH THE FUNKY AND FUN I3!
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, 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.
>> JOHN: WHILE WE AS AUTOMOTIVE ENTHUSIASTS TEND TO BE WARY OF RARELY LIVE UP TO THE CARS THAT ORIGINALLY USED THEM, IT CAN BE DONE WITH SUCCESS, AS JEEP IS PROVING WITH THE NEW CHEROKEE.
WELL, WITH THAT SUCCESS IN HAND, JEEP IS NOW FOCUSED ON THE RAPIDLY GROWING SMALL CROSSOVER SEGMENT, AND HAS PLACED THE VENERABLE RENEGADE NAME ON AN NEW MODEL, WITH A NEW DNA.
RENEGADE IS DEFINED AS "ONE WHO DESERTS OR BETRAYS SO, IT'S A FITTING NAMEPLATE FOR THE 2015 JEEP RENEGADE, AS IT ENTERS INTO A NEW SEGMENT FOR BRAND, AND IS CLEARLY UNLIKE ANY OTHER JEEP IN THE STABLE... ...OR IS IT?
JEEP FANS KNOW THAT RENEGADE NOT AS A MODEL NAME, BUT RATHER A TRIM PACKAGE FOUND MOSTLY ON CJ'S AND WRANGLERS.
WHILE EARLY PHOTOS, WITH ITS BORDERLINE CARTOONISH APPEARANCE, MADE IT HARD TO TAKE SERIOUSLY, IN PERSON, THE SUBCOMPACT RENEGADE SPORTS MUCH BETTER PROPORTIONS WHILE STILL SAYING CLASSIC JEEP UP FRONT.
BUT LESS SO IN THE REAR 3/4 VIEW WITH THE UPWARDLY ARCHED QUARTER WINDOWS.
BUT THE X-MOTIF IN THE TAILLIGHTS AND ELSEWHERE, PLAYING OFF A WW II STYLE FUEL CAN, IS PRETTY COOL.
AS FOR ITS NEW DNA, THE RENEGADE IS ON FIAT'S SMALL-WIDE 4X4 PLATFORM THAT IT SHARES WITH THE 500L AND UPCOMING 500X.
BUILT IN ITALY, FCA HOPES RENEGADE WILL MAKE JEEP AS POPULAR IN GLOBAL MARKETS AS IT IS HERE.
ONE FEATURE WE HAVEN'T SEEN ON OTHER NEW SMALLISH UTE'S IS REMOVABLE ROOF PANELS.
RENEGADE'S BASIC MYSKY SYSTEM HAS TWO SEPARATE PIECES THAT, WHEN TAKEN OFF, DELIVER SOME OF THAT OPEN AIR EXPERIENCE JEEPS ARE KNOWN FOR.
MYSKY WITH A POWER SLIDING FRONT PANEL IS ALSO AVAILABLE.
THERE'S NOT AN ABUNDANCE OF ROOM IN THE COMFORTABLE FRONT SEATS, BUT MORE THAN YOU'RE EXPECTING, AND THAT JUST MEANS ALL OF THE CONTROLS FALL CLOSE TO HAND.
SEAT CONTROLS WERE MANUAL IN OUR LATITUDE TRIMMED TESTER, BUT THEY'RE VERY BEEFY FELLING, NOT COMPACT CAR FLIMSY.
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LOOKS NICE, IF A BIT GIMMICKY.
THERE'S JEEP LOGOS AND "SINCE 1941" SCRIPT EVERYWHERE.
IT CAN GET A BIT CHEESY AND SOME MATERIALS ARE MORE ECONOMY THAN RUGGED.
THE UCONNECT SCREEN IS ON THE SMALL SIDE, BUT IT GETS THE JOB DONE, AND THE OVERALL LOOK OF THE INTERIOR WILL UNDOUBTEDLY APPEAL TO THE YOUNGER SET.
REAR SEAT ROOM IS GOOD, BUT THE SEATBACKS DON'T QUITE FOLD FLAT FOR CARGO.
AND WHILE TOTAL CARGO SPACE IS DECENT AT 50.8 CUBIC-FEET; 18.5 BEHIND THE REAR SEATS; IT FALLS WELL SHORT OF THE HONDA HR-V. NOW, JEEP WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN STILL DO JEEP TYPE THINGS IN THE RENEGADE, AND THE TRAILHAWK MODEL FEATURES A STANDARD ACTIVE DRIVE LOW 4X4 SYSTEM WITH TERRAIN SELECT MODES FOR SNOW, SAND, MUD, AND ROCK.
IT'S CLEARLY THE ONLY SUBCOMPACT UTE DESIGNED FOR TRUE OFF-ROAD USE.
AND YOU CAN STILL GET JEEP'S REGULAR STRENGTH ACTIVE DRIVE FULL-TIME 4X4 SYSTEM IN ALL OTHER TRIMS, WHICH WORKED FINE FOR US.
ON ROAD, THE RENEGADE FEELS VERY CAR-LIKE, WITH MINIMAL ROLL IN CORNERS AND HEAVY STEERING.
IT'S A SOLID PACKAGE OVERALL, WITH NO SQUEAKS OR RATTLES FROM THE ROOF PANELS, THOUGH WIND NOISE CAN WRING OUT AT SPEED.
AS FOR POWERTRAINS, THERE ARE TWO.
THE LARGER, 2.4 LITER TIGERSHARK I4 BOASTS 180 HORSEPOWER, THOUGH A LITTLE ROUGH AT IDLE, THERE'S AN IMPRESSIVE AMOUNT OF POWER FOR A SEGMENT THAT MOSTLY CONSISTS OF SUB 2.0 LITER ENGINES.
AND OF COURSE THERE IS ONE OF THOSE AVAILABLE HERE AS WELL, FIAT'S 160 HORSEPOWER 1.4 LITER MULTIAIR TURBO-4 WHICH THE 2.4 LITER GETS A 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC WHICH WORKED OKAY.
THERE'S STILL SOME OCCASIONAL STUMBLING, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY AN IMPROVEMENT OVER EARLY CHEROKEES.
AT OUR TEST TRACK, THE 2.4 RENEGADE SNAPS OFF THE LINE LIKE A SPRINTER, BUT QUICKLY SETTLES DOWN INTO A MARATHON PACE; REACHING 60 IN 8.6 SECONDS.
LEISURELY SHIFTS COMPOUND THE QUARTER MILE SITUATION, WHICH TOOK 16.5 SECONDS A RELAXED PACE WAS THE WAY TO GO THROUGH OUR CONE COURSE TOO; AS ANYTHING MORE, TURNS MANAGEABLE UNDERSTEER INTO FULL-ON PLOW.
AN AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCE OF 120 FEET FROM 60 WAS NOT BAD, BUT RANDOM LOCKING AND AN UNSETTLED REAR NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED UPON.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR A 2.4 4X4 ARE 21-CITY, 29-HIGHWAY, AND 24-COMBINED.
OUR AVERAGE OF 25.4 OF REGULAR IS CERTAINLY SUPERIOR TO AN OLD XJ, BUT WE EXPECTED BETTER FROM SUCH A SMALL FRY.
WE THINK JEEP'S FIRST ATTEMPT AT A TRULY GLOBAL SMALL CROSSOVER WILL REPRESENT THE BRAND WELL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AS IT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES.
PRICING HERE IN THE GOOD OLD U.S. OF A.
STARTS AT $18,990 FOR A SPORT AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE ADDS 2-GRAND SO, WHILE ITS ORIGINS ARE OFF-SHORE, THE 2015 RENEGADE STILL EMBODIES MUCH OF WHAT HAS MADE THE JEEP BRAND AN AMERICAN ICON.
COMBINED WITH A LOW PRICE, IT'S THE PERFECT JEEP FOR PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY WANT A JEEP, BUT REALLY WANT A RUGGED LOOKING SMALL CROSSOVER WITH ALL OF THE MODERN COMFORTS THEY'VE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO.
SO, RENEGADE IS ONE TRAITOR WITH A GOOD CAUSE.
WHEN IT COMES TIME TO FILL 'ER UP, THE DAYS OF SIMPLY CHOOSING BETWEEN REGULAR OR HIGH TEST ARE LONG GONE.
TODAY'S FAMILY CARS ARE MORE AND MORE LIKELY TO RUN, NOT JUST ON GASOLINE OR DIESEL, BUT ALSO ON NON-PETROLEUM BASED FUELS LIKE ETHANOL, BIODIESEL, PROPANE, NATURAL GAS, OR PURE ELECTRIC POWER.
THESE OFTEN CALLED "ALTERNATIVE FUELS" ARE RAPIDLY GAINING GROUND WITH MAINSTREAM BUYERS.
SO, THIS WIDER ARRAY OF FUEL CHOICES IS NATURALLY CHANGING THE WAY WE LOOK AT THE TRADITIONAL FILLING STATION.
AS WE'RE ABOUT TO SEE.
THE FAMILIAR ROADSIDE FUEL ISLAND HAS NOT GONE THE WAY OF THE DINOSAURS YET BUT TODAY'S MEGAPLEX GAS STATIONS WITH ROW UPON ROW OF GLEAMING PUMPS ARE NOW OFFERING MORE FUEL CHOICES THAN EVER BEFORE AND FACING COMPETITION FROM NON-TRADITIONAL FUELING OUTLETS AS WELL.
>> REUBEN SARKAR: WHETHER IT'S FILLING UP YOUR CAR WITH ELECTRICITY, BIOFUELS, OR OTHER FUTURE FUELS, HAVING MORE AVAILABLE HELPS INCREASE OUR ENERGY SECURITY AND IMPROVES OUR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AS WELL AS OFFERS MORE CONSUMERS, CHOICE AT THE PUMP.
WE ARE ALSO DEVELOPING NEW TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE HELPING BRING TECHNOLOGIES FROM THE LABORATORY TO THE STREETS, BRINGING YOU BETTER CARS AND BETTER FUELS, SOONER.
>> JOHN: NATIONWIDE THE GROWTH AND FLEET USE OF NATURAL GAS HAS SPURRED DEVELOPMENT OF A WHOLE NEW NETWORK OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NATURAL GAS STATIONS.
AT&T FOR INSTANCE, NOW OPERATES MORE THAN 8,000 CNG VEHICLES AND HAS COMMITTED TO HAVING 15,000 ALT.
FUEL VEHICLES IN ITS FLEET BY 2018.
RYDER TRUCKS HAS SURPASSED 30 MILLION MILES OF CNG USAGE IN THEIR MEDIUM AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS.
AND NATURAL GAS FUELS ONE IN FIVE TRANSIT BUSSES IN OUR MAJOR CITIES.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DELIVERING NATURAL GAS TO INDIVIDUAL LOCATIONS IS ARGUABLY BETTER DEVELOPED AND MORE EFFICIENT THAN FOR TRADITION GAS STATIONS, WHERE FUEL SUPPLIES ARE STILL DELIVERED BY TRUCK.
IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY GAS PIPELINES ALREADY RUN TO MILLIONS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE HEATING FUEL.
SO, TAPPING INTO THAT SUPPLY IS A RELATIVELY SIMPLE MATTER OF ADDING COMPRESSOR EQUIPMENT AND DISPENSERS AT THE POINT OF SALE.
CLEAN ENERGY CORPORATION HAS MADE A BIG SPLASH IN NATURAL GAS IN RECENT YEARS, FOCUSING ON FLEETS, AND LONG HAUL TRUCKING.
AND OVER 500 OF THEIR FAMILIAR LIME GREEN STATION CANOPIES HAVE CROPPED UP AT AIRPORTS AND INDUSTRIAL CENTERS NATIONWIDE.
MIDWEST REGIONAL CONVENIENCE STORE CHAIN, KWIK TRIP, OFFERS NATURAL GAS IN MORE THAN 30 OF ITS STORES IN WISCONSIN, IOWA, AND MINNESOTA.
AND AT THEIR HOME LOCATION IN LACROSSE, WISCONSIN, THEY OFFER CNG, LNG, AND PROPANE FUEL IN ADDITION TO A FULL SLATE OF BIODIESEL BLENDS AND TRADITIONAL PETROLEUM FUELS.
TALK ABOUT ONE STOP SHOPPING.
>> JOEL HIRSCHBOECK: NATURAL GAS IS PROBABLY OUR PREMIER ALTERNATIVE FUEL THAT WE'RE BUT WE WANTED TO BE RELEVANT IN ALL OF THE FUELS THAT WERE AVAILABLE TODAY.
SO, THAT WE HAD A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THOSE FUELS MAY OR MAY NOT FIT INTO THE DIFFERENT MARKETPLACE.
SO, THAT WE WERE READY TO REACT IF NEED BE, GIVEN A CHANGE IN CUSTOMER DEMAND.
>> JOHN: MIRRORING THE RAPID GROWTH OF NATURAL GAS OUTLETS IS AMERICA'S ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT IN THIS CASE, THE FUEL COMES TO WHERE THE CARS ARE: WITH EV'S, DRIVERS ARE JUST AS LIKELY TO CHARGE AT HOME AS AT WORK, OR EVEN THE GROCERY STORE, OR AIRPORT PARKING GARAGE.
ESSENTIALLY, ANY POWER OUTLET IS A POTENTIAL PLACE TO CHARGE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE.
BUT UNLIKE TRADITIONAL GAS STATIONS, PROFIT IS NOT THE PRIME FOCUS.
WHILE THERE ARE FEE BASED CHARGING NETWORKS, MANY LOCATIONS STILL OFFER FREE CHARGING AS PERKS TO ENTICE CUSTOMERS OR SIMPLY ENGENDER GOODWILL.
EV MAKER TESLA HAS SPENT MILLIONS SETTING UP A NETWORK OF FREE "SUPERCHARGERS" WITH LOCATIONS FROM COAST TO COAST, THAT ALLOWS ITS CUSTOMERS TO GAIN UP TO 175 MILES OF DRIVING RANGE IN AS LITTLE AS 30 MINUTES.
THERE'S NO TELLING WHAT THE FUELING STATION OF THE FUTURE WILL FINALLY LOOK LIKE.
BUT AS AMERICA'S PUSH FOR CLEAN DRIVING SOLUTIONS CONTINUES TO ADVANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW FUELS AND POWER TECHNOLOGIES, THE ACT OF REFUELING, AND WHERE WE DO IT, WILL SURELY EVOLVE AS WELL.
LET'S CHECK IN NOW WITH PAT GOSS WHO HAS A FEW TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR NEXT CAR CARE PROJECT ORGANIZED.
>> PAT GOSS: NO MATTER HOW COMPLICATED A CAR MIGHT BE, PRETTY EASY.
BUT GETTING IT BACK TOGETHER SO THAT IT WORKS RIGHT?
WELL, THAT CAN BE A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY.
AND I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF TIPS AS HOW WE DO IT IN THE REPAIR SHOP.
SEE, ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE IS RIGHT HERE.
THIS IS A PAINT PEN.
WE BUY THEM IN LITTLE PACKAGES LIKE THIS, AND WE USE THEM ALL DAY LONG, EVERYDAY.
NOW, WE USE THEM FOR THINGS LIKE THE MARKS THAT WE'VE PUT HERE ON THE SPROCKETS AND THE TIMING BELT SO THAT WE KNOW WHERE THEY ALIGN.
NOW, THE REALITY OF THIS IS, WE TAKE SOMETHING APART, AND SAY, WELL, "WE'RE NOT GOING TO DISTURB THE TIMING BELT."
WELL, WE'RE WORKING AROUND THE TIMING BELT.
AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, STUFF HAPPENS.
STUFF THAT YOU WOULDN'T IMAGINE HAPPENS.
AND THAT MEANS YOU MIGHT WIND UP WITH A TIMING BELT THAT HAS SLIPPED AND UNLESS YOU HAVE MARKS, YOU'VE GOT A REAL TOUGH JOB GETTING IN ALIGNED AGAIN.
ONCE IT'S BEEN MARKED LIKE THIS, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS REALIGN THE MARKS.
NOW, IN SOME CASES BOLTS WILL BE SPECIFIC TO A CERTAIN POSITION.
SO, WE MAKE LITTLE DEIGNS ON THE BOLTS AND MATCHING DESIGNS ON THE SPROCKETS OR PART THAT THE BOLT HOLDS IN PLACE.
SO, THAT SAVES A LOT OF TIME.
THE OTHER THING IS WHEN WE'RE TAKING WIRING APART, ON NEWER CARS, THERE MAY BE 100 WIRE CONNECTORS UNDER THE HOOD.
AND MANY OF THOSE WIRE CONNECTORS MAY BE INTERCHANGEABLE AS FAR AS THEIR POSITION IS CONCERNED.
SO HERE AGAIN, WE PUT A NUMBER ON BOTH HALVES OF THE CONNECTOR SO WE KNOW WHICH CONNECTOR GOES IN WHAT POSITON.
AND WE DO THAT TO THINGS UNDERNEATH THE CAR LIKE THIS AXEL WE MARKED IT AS "RIGHT FRONT."
MAYBE WE HAVE AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE, AND WE GOT ALL FOUR AXEL'S OUT OF IT, AND THEY ALL LOOK VERY SIMILAR BUT THEY ACTUALLY ARE NOT.
SAVE A LOT OF TIME BY MARKING THEM AS TO THEIR POSITION SO THAT WE CAN PUT THEM BACK IN PROPERLY.
WELL, THE OTHER THING IS THAT BRAKES AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS LIKE THIS WORK WELL AS FAR AS MARKING THEM WITH THESE PAINT PENS.
BUT THAT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THE OVERALL LAYOUT OF THE PARTICULAR SYSTEM THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
SO, THAT'S WHERE OUR CAMERA COMES INTO PLAY.
SEE, WE TAKE A PICTURE OF THE GENERAL LAYOUT OF WHAT WE'RE WORKING WITH.
AND MAYBE ON BREAKS WE TAKE A CLOSE UP SO WE KNOW WHERE ALL THE LITTLE SPRINGS AND CLIPS AND EVERYTHING GO.
THAT WAY WE HAVE A DIAGRAM TO WORK FROM WHEN WE PUT IT BACK TOGETHER.
THAT WAY WE GET IT BACK TOGETHER AND IT WORKS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
>> JOHN: TIME NOW TO HEAD OUT FOR A FEW QUICKSPINS, AND GET SOME FEEDBACK.
AS LINCOLN REINVENTS ITSELF, THE BRAND IS TRYING TO SELL THE IDEA THAT OWNING ONE OF THEIR VEHICLES IS AN EXPERIENCE UNTO ITSELF.
SO, WE GRABBED QUICKSPINS IN NOT ONE, BUT TWO OF THE MKC AND MKZ BLACK LABEL, TO FIND OUT FOR OURSELVES.
TOUTED AS THE BEST LINCOLN HAS TO OFFER, THE BLACK LABEL SERIES FOCUSES HEAVILY ON PASSENGER COMFORT AND INTERIOR APPOINTMENTS.
FROM THE OUTSIDE, THOUGH, THERE'S ONLY A FEW HINTS OF THAT HIGH STATUS: UNIQUE DARK ACCENTED WHEELS, AND A CHOICE OF EXCLUSIVE PAINT COLORS.
OUR MKZ, IN "CHROMA COUTURE," AND MKC, IN "NOTORIOUS," ARE TWO OF SIX CHOICES.
SINK INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THOUGH, AND YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY WHAT THE BLACK LABEL IS REALLY ALL ABOUT: SUPER SOFT TOUCH MATERIALS, LEATHER WRAPPED EVERYTHING, WITH EXOTIC WOODS, AND CHROME ACCENTS, FOR A LEVEL OF CRAFTSMANSHIP BEFITTING A CAR TWICE ITS PRICE.
THERE ARE FOUR AVAILABLE THEMES, EACH WITH A UNIQUE INTERIOR COLOR PALETTE AND DESIGNED FEEL.
THE "INDULGENCE" PACKAGE ON OUR MKZ RELIES HEAVILY ON BLACKS, DARK BROWNS, AND DEEP WOOD COLORS FOR AN ALL BUSINESS FEEL.
OUR MKC IN "MODERN HERITAGE" IS TUNED TO A MORE OPEN AIR AURA, USING WHITES, LIGHT GRAYS, AND RED STITCHING THROUGHOUT.
NO MATTER THE THEME, COMFORT IS TOP NOTCH, AND THAT LUXURY CAR IMAGE THAT LINCOLN HAS BEEN TRYING TO SELL, FINALLY FEELS REAL.
MECHANICALLY, THOUGHT, THE BLACK LABEL IS LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER LINCOLN'S.
ENGINE OPTIONS ARE THE SAME, AS IS SUSPENSION.
IT'S BASICALLY AN ULTRA HIGH TRIM PACKAGE WITH ADDED BENEFITS LIKE A PERSONAL BLACK LABEL LIAISON ON DEMAND, AND COMPLIMENTARY CARWASHES AND DETAILING.
WE CALL THAT INTERN WORK AROUND HERE.
JOINING THE BLACK LABEL CLUB ADDS ABOUT 6-GRAND TO AN MKC OR MKZ, AND IT WILL EXPAND TO OTHER LINCOLN VEHICLES IN TIME.
BY THIS TIME WE'VE ALL ADJUSTED TO THE NEW NAMING SYSTEM AT INFINITI, RIGHT?
WELL, JUST AS A REFRESHER, IS NOW THE QX70.
THE LOOK HAS CHANGED LITTLE, BUT IT DIDN'T REALLY NEED TO.
IT'S A GREAT COMBO OF BOLD, FAST, AND SLEEK THAT STILL HAS A GREAT PRESENCE ON THE ROAD.
THESE OPTIONAL BLACK WHEELS, THOUGH, ARE A LITTLE MUCH.
THE BIG NEWS FOR THE QX70 THIS YEAR IS, THE LOSS OF AN ENGINE.
NO MORE V8 OPTION MEANS THAT THE 3.7 LITER V6 IS THE SOLE MEANS OF POWER.
STILL, THE SIGNATURE INFINITI EXHAUST NOTE REMAINS.
AND YOU'LL GET NO COMPLAINTS FROM US, AS THE V6'S 325 HORSEPOWER FEELS MORE THAN ADEQUATE.
TRANSFERRED THROUGH A 7-SPEED AUTOMATIC, POWER GOES TO THE REAR AXLES, OR OPTION UP TO ALL WHEEL DRIVE.
PLANT YOURSELF BEHIND THE WHEEL, AND THE QX70 OFFERS A FAIRLY HIGH SEATING POSITION TO PEER OUT OVER THE BULGING HOOD AND FENDERS.
IT ALL FEELS VERY SPORTY; EVEN MORE SO WHEN YOU'RE MOVING.
THE RIDE IS STIFF, AND DESPITE LOTS OF LEATHER AND SOFT TOUCH MATERIALS, LUXURY ISN'T THE FIRST THING CALLED TO MIND.
IT'S MORE PREMIUM SPORT.
THAT'S EVEN MORE ENHANCED BY THE OPTIONAL SPORT PACKAGE, WHICH ADDS BIG, SOLID FEELING PADDLE SHIFTERS, MORE AGGRESSIVELY BOLSTERED FRONT SEATS, AND DARK TRIM ACCENTS, INSIDE, AND OUT.
CARGO ROOM, STILL A BIG SELLING POINT, IS DECENT AT 62 CUBIC FEET.
ON SALE NOW, THE 2015 INFINITI QX70 STARTS AROUND $46,000.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE ADDS $1,500 MORE.
AND WE'LL HIT THE ROAD SOON, FOR MORE QUICKSPINS!
THE LETTER "M" MAY MEAN MORE TO MOST BMW BUYERS, AND CERTAINLY TO US ENTHUSIASTS, BUT IT'S A NEW LETTER THAT MAY HAVE MORE SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE BRAND GOING FORWARD, AND THAT'S THE LETTER "I."
AND WHILE THE I8 GOT THE NEW BRAND WITHIN A BRAND OFF TO HIGH PERFORMANCE START, IT'S THE MAINSTREAM I3 THAT WILL TAKE BMW AND PERHAPS EV'S TO NEW HEIGHTS.
THE FACT THAT BMW IS MAKING A CAR MORE DEIGNED FOR COMMUTER QUITE A DEPARTURE; MAKING THE 2015 I3 SOMETHING TRULY UNIQUE.
AND SINCE IT'S NOT BASED ON ANY OTHER BMW, AND AIMED AT A WHOLE NEW GROUP OF BUYERS, ENGINEERS COULD TAKE A FEW MORE CHANCES IN THE DESIGN.
THE MODULAR CHASSIS HAS TWO MAIN ASSEMBLIES: AN ALL ALUMINUM POWERTRAIN HOUSING DRIVE MODULE, AND THE CARBON FIBER PASSENGER ENCOMPASSING "LIFE MODULE."
TOGETHER THEY DELIVER 3 SERIES SPACE, IN A 1 SERIES FOOTPRINT, AT ONLY 2,860 POUNDS.
BMW'S KIDNEY SHAPED GRILLE IS ABOUT THE ONLY THING THAT'S FAMILIAR OUTSIDE.
BUT TO OUR DELIGHT, WHILE THE DRIVING ASPECT IS NOT AS SPORTY AS TRADITIONAL BMW, IT'S STILL QUITE ENTERTAINING, AND EASILY BEATS THE BEST AMONG MAINSTREAM EV'S.
THE SUSPENSION IS FIRM THROUGH CORNERS, KEEPING BODY ROLL IN CHECK; YET THERE IS STILL DECENT RIDE QUALITY FOR ROUGH CITY STREETS.
THERE'S ALSO PLENTY OF THE EXPECTED EV-POWER RIGHT FROM THE GET GO.
BUT THE I3 STILL FEELS EXCEEDINGLY CAPABLE AT MUCH HIGHER SPEEDS.
VERY AGGRESSIVE REGEN BRAKING MEANS ACTUAL USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS MINIMAL.
IT'S A TRUE "COAST DOWN" CAR.
LOCATED IN THE DRIVE MODULE IS A 22-KWH LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK THAT PROVIDES ENERGY TO THE ELECTRIC MOTOR RATED AT 170 HORSEPOWER AND 184 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
RANGE; OUR OBSERVATIONS WERE IN THE LOW END OF THAT SPECTRUM, YET "MILES REMAINING" DROPPED SLOWER THAN MOST EV'S.
BUT SINCE "RANGE ANXIETY" COULD SINCE BE A DEAL BREAKER, THIS EV HAS AN ACE IN THE HOLE; AN OPTIONAL 650CC 2-CYLINDER GAS ENGINE THAT KICKS IN TO CHARGE THE BATTERY AND POTENTIALLY DOUBLE THE RANGE.
IT'S ONLY HAS A 2.5 GALLON FUEL TANK THOUGH, SO DON'T THINK OF IT AS EXTENDED RANGE PLUG-IN HYBRID LIKE VOLT, BUT AS A PURE EV WITH A GASOLINE SAFETY NET.
IT ALL WORKS OUT TO GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS OF 117-COMBINED MPGE WHEN RELYING STRICTLY ON THE BATTERY, AND 39-COMBINED MPG WITH THE GAS ENGINE ALSO DOESN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO COMPLETELY DRAIN THE BATTERY.
IT KICKS ON AS SOON AS THE RANGE DROPS TO SINGLE DIGITS.
AND WHEN IT CRANKS UP YOU KNOW IT.
BUT RATHER THAN TRADITIONAL ENGINE SOUNDS, IT'S A CONSTANT GENERATOR LIKE, HIGH PITCHED HUM THAT REMINDS US OF A CVT NEAR THE REV LIMITER.
BUT THANKS TO THAT RANGE EXTENDER, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE I3 OUT TO OUR TEST TRACK, SOMETHING THAT WE NORMALLY CAN'T DO WITH EV'S.
STRAIGHT LINING, THERE'S A BRISK TUG OFF THE LINE AND A RELATIVELY QUICK SPRINT TO 60 IN 7.9 SECONDS, THOUGH IT FEELS MUCH QUICKER DUE TO THE SILENT WHOOSH OF INSTANTANEOUS EV POWER.
THE QUARTER MILE SLIPS BY IN 16.3 SECONDS AT THROUGH THE CONES, THE REAR DRIVE I3'S CHASSIS IS WILLING, BUT THE GRIP ON THESE SKINNY 155/70/19s IS WEAK.
STILL, TURNS IN ARE CONFIDENT.
FOR SUCH A LIGHTWEIGHT, PANIC BRAKING SEEMED A LITTLE LONG AT 127-FEET FROM 60.
SYSTEM ACTUALLY TRIGGERED OUR TEST EQUIPMENT BEFORE WE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
THE INTERIOR OF THE I3 IS ALSO A DEPARTURE FROM THE BMW NORM, WHERE THE LOOK AND FEEL IS RIGHTLY FUTURISTIC, LIKE THE I8.
DUE TO PACKAGING, THERE'S A SPACIOUS FEEL AND LOTS OF OPEN FRONT FLOOR SPACE TO STRETCH OUT.
WHILE A 2+2, WITH LIMITED REAR SEAT LEGROOM, ALL SEAT CUSHIONS ARE VERY COMFORTABLE, AND VISIBILITY IS GREAT ALL AROUND.
MATERIALS, AND SWITCHGEAR FEEL SOLID, AND EXPENSIVE, LIKE A BIMMER SHOULD.
WE WERE NOT SURPRISED AT THE WEIGHT SAVING MANUAL SEAT ADJUSTMENTS.
BUT NOT HAVING EITHER AM OR STANDARD SATELLITE RADIO, AND NO BACKUP CAMERA, WERE REAL DOWNERS.
BECAUSE, WE KNOW THE I3 IS PRICED LIKE AN EV, AND FOR THAT MATTER A BMW EV, AND NOT JUST A PREMIUM COMMUTER CAR.
STILL AT $47,200 BEFORE TAX INCENTIVES, WE DON'T THINK IT'S TOTALLY OUT OF LINE.
DROP THE RANGE EXTENDER AND YOU WE UNDERSTAND THAT DESPITE ALL THE TECHNOLOGY, GREAT BUILD QUALITY, AND FUN NATURE OF THE BMW I3, IT WILL STILL HAVE LIMITED APPEAL, MOSTLY TO WELL-OFF CITY DWELLERS.
BUT WITH ITS "IPHONE ON WHEELS" CACHE, THAT BMW LOGO, PLUS A RANGE EXTENDING GAS ENGINE OPTION, THE I3 IS MORE DESIRABLE THAN ANY OTHER SMALL EV.
WELL, THAT'S OUT SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.
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 TEST THE PEAK OF PORSCHE PERFORMANCE WITH THE 918 SPYDER.
THEN IT'S A REFRESHER COURSE ON THE ACURA ILX.
UNTIL THEN, I'M JOHN DAVIS; WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK .
>> ANNOUNCER: TO LEARN MORE ABT 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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