>> HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US AND SEE IF THE ALL NEW MAZDA MX-5 CAN SURPASS ITS OWN LOFTY LEGACY... WE'LL SEE IF THINGS ARE ALIVE AND KICKING DOWN IN GOSS' GARAGE... THEN DIG INTO HIGH TECH MOTORING DOWN ON THE FARM... AND PREPARE FOR THE BRUTE FORCE OF AWESOMENESS THAT IS THE LAMBORGHINI HURACAN!
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> ANNOUNCER: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY... >> KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT HIS TIRES RIGHT NOW.
IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.
BUT KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.
KENNY'S THINKING, "OH MAN.
OH MAN.
OH MAN, OH MAN, OH MAN.
THIS IS AWESOME!"
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: FOR AS LONG AS WE'VE BEEN TESTING CARS, WE'VE YET TO COME ACROSS ONE THAT BRINGS AS MUCH PURE DRIVING JOY FOR THE DOLLAR SPENT AS THE MAZDA MIATA ROADSTER.
AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOW OFFICIALLY THE MX-5, AND MORE AND MORE SOPHISTICATION HAS CREPT INTO THE DESIGN OVER THREE GENERATIONS, THE ALL NEW 4TH GEN, 2016 MX-5 KEEPS THE GOOD TIMES ROLLIN'.
IT'S HARD NOT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE 2016 MAZDA MX-5.
AS WHILE THIS 4TH ITERATION ROADSTER MAY NO LONGER LOOK AS FAR BACK, OR BE AS BASIC, THE PURE SPORTS CAR SPIRIT OF THE ORIGINAL 1990 MIATA IS FULLY INTACT.
LIKE MOST RECENT MAZDA'S, A SIGNIFICANT EFFORT IS MADE TO TAKE THE WEIGHT OUT, DESPITE ADDING IN MORE CREATURE COMFORTS.
WEIGHT IS DOWN 150 POUNDS TO 2,332.
AND AS BEFORE, THERE'S JUST ENOUGH GO FROM THE ENGINE TO MAKE THINGS FUN, THOUGH NOW IT'S THE SKYACTIV-G 2.0 LITER I4 AT 155 HORSEPOWER AND 148 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS STANDARD, AND IT FEELS JUST AS GOOD AS WE REMEMBER.
A 6-SPEED AUTO IS AVAILABLE AS WELL, BUT PLEASE ONLY IF YOU MUST.
AT OUR TEST TRACK, THE MX-5 HOPS OFF THE LINE BETTER THAN EVER.
AND WHILE IT'S EASY TO PINE FOR MORE POWER, WE'RE ACTUALLY QUITE HAPPY WITH THE ENGINE'S OUTPUT.
IT TOOK 6.8-SECONDS TO REACH 60 ON A SLICK TRACK, AND 15.4 TO COMPLETE THE QUARTER AT 89 MILES PER HOUR.
WHEN IT COMES TO CONE WORK, THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IS THE NEW ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.
TURN IN IS STILL RAZOR SHARP AND PRECISE, THERE'S JUST A VERY LIGHT FEEL TO IT NOW, MAYBE TOO LIGHT.
THE CAR ITSELF HOWEVER, FEELS FAR MORE SOLID OVERALL.
STILL, IT'S JUST AS ENTERTAINING AS EVER TOSSING IT AROUND WITH PLAYFUL AMOUNTS OF OVERSTEER.
THE SUSPENSION REMAINS DOUBLE WISHBONE FRONT AND MULTI-LINK REAR, BUT THIS TIME AROUND, CLUB TRIM INCLUDES THE SPORT SUSPENSION WITH BILSTEIN DAMPERS AND A SHOCK TOWER BRACE, AS WELL AS A LIMITED SLIP REAR.
AVERAGING 60 MPH STOPPING DISTANCE OF JUST 111 FEET MEANS THE BRAKING IS DONE WITH AS THE REST OF THE CAR.
THE LEANER, MEANER MX-5 HAS A MUCH MORE MODERN LOOK OF COURSE.
IT ALSO SITS LOWER, AND IS A HAIR WIDER.
THE FACE IS STILL FRIENDLY, BUT THE REST OF THE CAR IS A LITTLE EDGIER, ALMOST BMW LIKE, WITH ITS EUROESQUE SCULPTED REAR.
BOTH HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE FULL LED'S WITH LED DRL'S OF COURSE.
CLUB TRIM ADDS A SHARPER LOOKING FRONT AIR DAM AND BLACK SIDE MIRRORS; WHILE THE BREMBO/BBS PACKAGE REALLY SPICES THINGS UP WITH PAINTED CALIPERS, SIDE SILL EXTENSIONS, REAR BUMPER SKIRT, AND OF COURSE 17-INCH FORGED BBS WHEELS.
TRUE TO TRADITION, A MANUAL SOFT TOP IS STANDARD, FOLDING AND LATCHING EASILY RIGHT FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT.
NO WORD YET ON WHETHER AN OPTIONAL HARDTOP WILL RETURN.
INSIDE, AVAILABLE FEATURES ABOUND, FULLY DISPLAYED HERE IN CLUB TRIM, LIKE A DASH TOP 7-INCH SCREEN.
TOUCH CONTROLS ARE LIMITED TO WHEN YOU'RE SITTING STILL.
THIS COMMANDER CONTROLLER IS USE WHEN MOVING.
PUSH BUTTON START IS STANDARD.
BUT THE REMAINDER OF THE INTERIOR, FROM ROUND AIR VENTS TO BIG ANALOG GAUGES IS AS CLEAN AND SIMPLE AS EVER.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE SHIFTER FALLS READILY TO HAND AS ALWAYS, AND WE QUICKLY FELT RIGHT AT HOME.
MORE COMFORTABLE SEATS WITH EXTRA ADJUSTMENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME, AND THEY STILL HOLD YOU TIGHT AS WELL.
AS FOR COMPLAINTS, WE UNDERSTAND THE NEED OF THE COMMANDER CONTROLLER, BUT ITS CONSOLE PLACEMENT IS TOO FAR BACK FOR EASY USE, AND WE COULD USE A LITTLE MORE GIRTH TO THE STEERING WHEEL.
MAZDA SAYS THAT THE MX-5'S TRUNK IS SMALLER, BUT WE ACTUALLY FOUND IT MORE USEFUL THAN BEFORE.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE MANUAL ARE 27-CITY, 34-HIGHWAY, AND 30-COMBINED.
EVEN BETTER ARE THE NUMBERS FOR THE AUTOMATIC AT 27-CITY, 36-HIGHWAY, AND 30-COMBINED.
AND THEY BOTH SHARE A GREAT ENERGY IMPACT SCORE OF 11.0 BARRELS OF OIL USED AND 4.9 TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS PER YEAR.
PRICES HAVE INCREASED, NOW STARTING AT $25,735 FOR SPORT TRIM; THIS CLUB, AT $29,420, AND TOP SHELF GRAND TOURING AT $30,885.
STILL, NO ONE ELSE OFFERS THIS THE DOLLAR.
SO, BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED.
EVEN WITH ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS, MAZDA HAS NOT COMPROMISED THAT GREAT MIATA PERSONA.
THE 2016 MAZDA MX-5 DOES INDEED DELIVER A LOT MORE THAN JUST SPORTS CAR BASICS, BUT THOSE BASICS ARE STILL WHAT THIS LITTLE ROADSTER GETS EXACTLY RIGHT.
OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK PAYS WHERE A LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP IS STRIVING FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.
FROM NEW LED LIGHTING, TO RECLAIMING WATER AT THEIR CAR WASH, TO ADDING A NATURAL GAS FUELING PUMP; MOTORCARS HONDA IS GOING THE EXTRA MILE TO CONSERVE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
THEIR NEW SOLAR LOT CANOPY, WITH 1,240 SOLAR PANELS, USES BEAMS MADE FROM RECYCLED CARS.
THE PANELS WILL GENERATE 60-70 PERCENT OF THE DEALERSHIP'S PEAK ELECTRICITY NEEDS.
>> ANDREW CHIARELLI: CAR DEALERSHIPS HAVE A LOT OF SPACE AND TO COVER THEIR CARS, AND KEEP THEIR INVENTORY SAFE, AND PRODUCE ENERGY >> JOHN: THEY HOPE TO ADD A SOLAR CANOPY AT THEIR TOYOTA FRANCHISE, TOO, WHERE 50 PERCENT OF THE LOANER FLEET ARE HYBRIDS.
WORKING WITH THE NORTHEAST OHIO CLEAN CITIES COALITION, THIS FORWARD THINKING DEALER GROUP IS MAKING A RESPONSIBLE MARK IN NORTHEAST OHIO.
NOTHING ON WHEELS BEATS THE MODERN AUTOMOBILE FOR ITS HIGH TECHNOLOGY, RIGHT?
WELL, WE USE TO THINK THAT.
BEFORE OUR SISTER TELEVISION SERIES MARYLAND FARM & HARVEST CLUED US IN ON WHAT'S TOURING AROUND THE 21ST CENTURY FARM.
WELL, WE COULD ARGUE ABOUT WHO'S ON FIRST ALL DAY LONG, BUT THE BEST WAY TO FIND OUT IS TO JUST DIG INTO IT.
* THE TRACTOR HAS BEEN A WORKHORSE ON AMERICAN FARMS SINCE THE 1800s WHEN IT REPLACED ACTUAL HORSES.
BY 1907 ABOUT 600 OF THESE POWERFUL MACHINES ROAMED THE FIELDS.
TODAY IT'S ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE OVER 5 MILLION TRACTORS HELPING AMERICAN FARMERS PLANT, GROW, AND HARVEST OVER 900 MILLION ACRES OF AMERICAN FARM LAND.
TODAY WE'RE GOING TO PUT THIS BIG BABY THROUGH ITS PACES ON BOTH THE ROAD AND IN THE FIELD.
WE'RE AT ATLANTIC TRACTOR IN QUEEN ANNE, MARYLAND CHECKING OUT THIS IMPRESSIVE JOHN DEERE 8295R.
BRIAN PETERMAN'S BEEN SELLING TRACTORS FOR MORE THAN 27 YEARS.
>> JOHN: IS THIS A STANDARD TRACTOR THAT A FARMER MIGHT BUY FOR A BIG FARM?
>> BRIAN PETERMAN: THIS TRACTOR IT WOULD BE A MULTI-PURPOSE TRACTOR.
IT'D PROBABLY BE USED A LOT FOR PLANTING AND SEEDING IN THE FALL.
>> JOHN: FARMERS NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR THE JOB, ESPECIALLY WHEN A TRACTOR LIKE THIS ONE COMES WITH PRICE TAG OF $250,000.
A SINGLE TIRE CAN SET YOU BACK FOUR GRAND.
HOW LONG DOES A FARMER SPEND IN A TRACTOR ON AN AVERAGE DAY?
>> BRIAN: AT LEAST 10-12 HOURS.
>> JOHN: TEN TO TWELVE HOURS?
>> BRIAN: YES.
>> JOHN: WOW!
>> BRIAN: SOMETIMES MORE.
>> JOHN: BRIAN, WE'RE ON THE ROAD NOW.
ANY TIPS ABOUT DRIVING A TRACTOR ON THE ROAD, I MEAN AFTER ALL WE ARE WIDER THAN A LANE?
>> BRIAN: YES.
WELL, THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP IS PROBABLY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON AND ALL WORKING.
AH, IN TODAY'S WORLD VEHICLES ARE DRIVING MUCH FASTER ON THE ROAD AND THEY'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS LARGE EQUIPMENT.
>> JOHN: NOW, THAT WE'VE SEEN WHAT THIS JOHN DEERE 8295R CAN DO ON THE ASPHALT IT'S TIME FOR A LITTLE OFF ROADING.
WE FOUND A LOCAL FARMER WHO WAS HAPPY TO LET US USE HIS CORN FIELD JUST DAYS AFTER HARVEST.
THERE AREN'T TOO MANY STREET SIGNS OUT HERE.
LUCKILY THIS THING COMES WITH GPS.
"LOOK MA, NO HANDS!"
(LAUGHS) >> BRIAN: THAT'S RIGHT.
>> JOHN: SO, WE'RE BASICALLY JUST GOING STRAIGHT NOW.
CAN YOU...
BUT YOU CAN PROGRAM THIS TO FOLLOW A PATTERN?
>> BRIAN: THAT IS CORRECT, YES.
>> JOHN: THAT'S REALLY, REALLY SOMETHING.
I MEAN... AGAIN, A LOT OF CARS WE DRIVE AREN'T THIS SOPHISTICATED YET.
BUT SINCE FARMERS DON'T ALWAYS DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE I NEEDED TO KNOW HOW THIS TRACTOR HANDLES THE CURVES.
WHAT DOES A TRACTOR LIKE THIS, BASICALLY, HAVE AS A TURNING DIAMETER OR A TURNING RADIUS?
>> BRIAN: AH, APPROXIMATELY 12-14 FEET IS NORMAL.
>> JOHN: IS A GOOD DIAMETER?
>> BRIAN: THAT'S A GOOD DIAMETER, YES.
>> JOHN: WELL, JUST TO PUT THAT TO THE TEST WE'VE GOT SOME CONES SET UP.
SO, WE'RE GOING TO SEE HOW THIS BABY DOES IN A MOTORWEEK SLALOM.
(LAUGHS) WE'RE DOING OUR FIRST TURN AT 3 AND A HALF MILES AN HOUR, AND WE DID THAT PRETTY EASY IF WE DIDN'T KILL A CONE.
I DON'T THINK WE DID.
THIS TRACTOR USES ABOUT 1 TO 2 GALLONS OF DIESEL PER ACRE.
AND AFTER I BURN THROUGH A FEW GALLONS I WANTED TO SEE WHAT WAS UNDER THE HOOD.
BRIAN, YOU MENTIONED THIS IS ABOUT NINE LITERS IN DISPLACEMENT SO WHAT'S THE BIGGEST ENGINE THAT YOU'RE LIKELY TO SEE IN A TYPICAL TRACTOR TODAY?
>> BRIAN: JOHN DEERE NOW, FOR THE NEW MODEL YEAR COMING, OFFERS A 15 LITER ENGINE, THEIR LARGEST TRACTOR, WHICH GIVES US OVER 600 HORSEPOWER IN THAT VEHICLE.
>> JOHN: WOW!
FIFTEEN LITERS, THAT'S ONE BIG ENGINE.
THANKS BRIAN.
YOU KNOW WITH TRACTORS LIKE THIS YOU'RE REALLY SEEING THAT AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING IS ON THE CUTTING EDGE.
PAT GOSS IS JUMPIN' TO SHARE HIS LATEST CAR CARE TIPS.
SO LET'S HEAD ON DOWN TO GOSS' GARAGE!
>> PAT GOSS: SOONER OR LATER, MOST OF US WILL BE FACED WITH NOW, IF THAT DEAD BATTERY HAPPENS TO BE THE RESULT OF A CAR THAT SITS FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, WELL THERE'S AN EASY SOLUTION.
IT'S A BATTERY MAINTAINER, SUCH AS WE HAVE HERE.
NOW, MAINTAINERS CHARGE THE BATTERY, AND THEN SHUT OFF WHEN IT'S FULLY CHARGED.
THIS IS NOT LIKE A TRICKLE CHARGER, WHICH YOU DON'T WANT TO USE, BECAUSE IT NEVER SHUTS OFF.
SO YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A MAINTAINER.
BUT SUPPOSE THAT'S NOT THE CAUSE.
YOU'VE GOT A DEAD BATTERY.
AND THE TECHNICIAN COMES OUT WITH A TOOL LIKE THIS, AND HOOKS IT UP TO YOUR BATTERY AND PUSHES THE BUTTON AND SAYS, "OOPS.
YOU NEED A NEW BATTERY!"
WELL, YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT IS, "OOPS.
I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!"
REASON IS, THIS IS A GOOD TESTER TO DETERMINE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IN TESTING THE CAR MIGHT BE, BUT IT IS NOT A GOOD TESTER TO DETERMINE IF YOU NEED A BATTERY.
NO MATTER WHAT THEY HAVE PRINTED ON THAT DIAL.
ALRIGHT, SO WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR, WHEN YOU HAVE A BATTERY PROBLEM?
YOU LOOK FOR A MODERN TESTER.
NOW, MODERN TESTERS USE ELECTRONICS TO TEST THE BATTERY.
THEY MEASURE THE INTERNAL WORKINGS OF THE BATTERY, USING SOPHISTICATED CIRCUITS AND SO ON.
THEY MAY BE HAND-HELD LIKE THIS, OR WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT IS MORE TYPICAL THESE DAYS.
THIS ONE USES A UNIT THAT CONNECTS TO THE BATTERY, AND THEN THIS HAND-HELD WIRELESS UNIT RECEIVES SIGNALS FROM THAT.
AND IT GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO TEST THE BATTERY, TEST THE BATTERY, AND THE ALTERNATOR, THE BATTERY, AND THE STARTER, OR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.
THIS IS THE SORT OF THING THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.
BECAUSE THIS WILL TELL YOU WHETHER OR NOT YOUR BATTERY IS SIMPLY DISCHARGED, OR WHETHER IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
BUT SUPPOSE IT DOES NEED TO BE REPLACED?
WHAT THEN?
HOW DO YOU WISELY SHOP FOR A BATTERY?
WELL, IN THE PAST, YOU ALWAYS LOOKED FOR THE MOST IN COLD CRANKING AMPS THAT WOULD PHYSICALLY FIT IN THE CAR.
WELL, THAT'S STILL TRUE, BUT WE HAVE TO ADD SOMETHING ELSE TO IT: WE HAVE TO ADD RESERVE CAPACITY, OR RC.
RESERVE CAPACITY IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES FOR A SPECIFIC LOAD TO DROP THE BATTERY TO WHERE IT WON'T START THE CAR.
SO, BECAUSE MODERN CARS HAVE ALL KINDS OF COMPUTERS THAT DRAW POWER OUT OF THE BATTERY ALL THE TIME, YOU WANT HIGH COLD CRANKING AMPS, AND YOU WANT THE BIGGEST RESERVE CAPACITY THAT YOU CAN BUY.
AND YOU DO THAT, AND CHANCES ARE THE BATTERY WILL LAST LONGER; THE ALTERNATOR, THE STARTER, ALL SORTS OF THINGS WILL LAST LONGER ON THE CAR, AND YOU WON'T BE STRANDED.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR A COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
>> JOHN: NEARLY 14,000 MILES INTO OUR TIME WITH THIS 2015 MAZDA CX-9, AND IT'S MORE OF THE SAME 7-PASSENGER CROSSOVER.
IS THAT A BACKHANDED COMPLIMENT?
WELL, OUR RAVES ABOUT THE SURPRISINGLY SPORTY RIDE QUALITY CONTINUE, AND WE'RE FINDING IT PLEASANTLY EASY TO USE ALL 273 HORSEPOWER FROM THE 3.7 LITER V6.
BUT CLEARLY SOME OF US ARE SHOWING MORE RESTRAINT, AS WE'VE MANAGED TO INCREASE OUR FUEL ECONOMY TO 19.1 COMBINED MILES PER GALLON.
THAT MAY NOT SOUND LIKE A LOT, BUT IT'S RATED AT ONLY 18.
HIGHWAY CRUISING, AS IT'S THE PERFECT STAFF SUPPORT VEHICLE FOR SHOOTS; ALLOWING ROOM FOR EQUIPMENT AND SPACE TO STRETCH OUT.
SO FAR, OUR PETROLEUM FREE VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF LONG TERM ELECTRIC CAR HAS BEEN AND ULTRA-QUIET.
BUT, WITH ONLY 3,000 MILES ON THE CLOCK, WE'RE STILL IN THE "GET TO KNOW YOU PHASE".
THE FEDS LISTS THE E-GOLF'S RANGE AT 83 MILES.
YET, WITH CAREFUL DRIVING AND MAXIMUM REGEN BRAKING DIALED IN, YOU CAN EASILY DO MUCH MORE.
AROUND TOWN AND ON COMMUTES WE'RE IMPRESSED AT HOW SLOWLY THE RANGE DECREASES.
ONLY ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY DOES IT PLUNGE AS RAPIDLY AS RIVALS, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THIS EV'S GTI LIKE HANDLING.
SO, IT DOESN'T TAKE TOO MUCH TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL TO REALIZE THAT THIS CAR IS THE HOME RUN OF CURRENT EV'S.
NEXT UP AT BAT, WILL BE THE KIA K900 AND MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG TERM ROAD REST UPDATE!
NOW, LET'S GRAB A MOTORNEWS UPDATE WITH YOLANDA VAZQUEZ!
>> YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: WITH PLUG-IN ELECTRIC CARS BECOMING MORE MAINSTREAM, HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLES ARE ONCE AGAIN MAKING A PUSH FOR RELEVANCY.
ENTRIES FROM VOLKSWAGEN, AUDI, THIS YEAR'S AUTO SHOW CIRCUIT.
OF THOSE, NONE IS MORE REALIZED THAN THE TOYOTA MIRAI.
ALREADY IN PRODUCTION, AND DUE TO GO ON SALE IN CALIFORNIA THIS OCTOBER, THE MIRAI WILL TRY TO GET HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLES BACK IN THE PUBLIC EYE.
USING COMPRESSED HYDROGEN, SOURCED EVERYWHERE FROM WATER TO ANIMAL WASTE, FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY GENERATES ELECTRICITY, STORES IT IN A BATTERY PACK, AND USES IT TO POWER AN ONBOARD ELECTRIC MOTOR.
WHERE PLUG-IN EV'S ONLY MANAGE 80-100 MILES PER BATTERY CHARGE, THE MIRAI WE DROVE IN APRIL HAD A RANGE OF OVER 250 MILES PER FILL UP.
RECENTLY, TOYOTA MADE A PUBLIC SHOWING OF THE MIRAI IN A MOST UNUSUAL LOCALE: TITUSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA; THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE MODERN OIL INDUSTRY.
USING WATER FROM THE TOWN'S FAMED "OIL CREEK", ENGINEER'S EXTRACTED HYDROGEN, COMPRESSED IT, AND FILLED THE MIRAI'S TANK.
THE FUEL CELL EXPOSES THE COMPRESSED HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN FROM THE ENVIRONMENT, TO CATALYSTS, WHICH THEN GENERATES ELECTRICITY AND WATER AS BYPRODUCTS.
NO COMBUSTION POWER, NO EXHAUST FUMES, AND NO PLUG!
TOYOTA SHOWED THE RESIDENTS OF THE HISTORIC OIL TOWN A NEWER, CLEANER WAY TO VIEW THE AUTO INDUSTRY THEY HELPED REVOLUTIONIZE MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO.
AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S MOTORNEWS.
>> JOHN: THE WINDS OF CHANGE HAVE BLOWN THROUGH THE LAMBORGHINI LINEUP RECENTLY, AS OUT WENT THE GALLARDO, AND IN CAME THE HURACAN.
NOW, OUR EARLY GO AROUND WITH IT, IN SPAIN, GAVE US LIMITED TRACK TIME.
SO, WHEN LAMBORGHINI SAID THEY'D LET US SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME WITH IT HERE STATESIDE, WE JUMPED AT THE CHANCE.
(SCREECHING TIRES) * IT'S ALWAYS A REAL EVENT TO DRIVE AN ITALIAN SUPERCAR LAMBORGHINI HURACAN LP 610-4, AND OUR TIME SPENT HERE AT ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY NEAR SAVANNAH WAS NO DIFFERENT.
IT CAN ALSO BE A LITTLE NERVE WRACKING GETTING UP TO SPEED IN SIX FIGURES WORTH OF MECHANICAL MAYHEM.
BUT IF THERE'S ONE EXOTIC THAT QUICKLY PUTS YOUR MIND AT EASE, IT'S THIS ONE.
AS NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, THE HURACAN REMAINS SUPER EASY TO DRIVE, AND CHANCES OF EPIC FAILING A CORNER ARE MINIMAL.
THAT MEANS YOU START PUSHING TO 100 PERCENT FAIRLY QUICKLY, AND EVEN AS THE SPEEDS INCREASE, THE COMPETENCE THAT THIS CAR DEMONSTRATES HAS YOU FEELING EVER MORE COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT.
IT MAKES FOR A VERY REWARDING EXPERIENCE; LESS CAUTIOUSNESS, MORE THRILL SEEKING.
THANKS TO A CHASSIS COMPRISED OF ALUMINUM AND CARBON FIBER, WEIGHT COMES IN UNDER 3,500 POUNDS.
AND IT FEELS INCREDIBLY NIMBLE AND WELL BALANCED.
BUT WHAT THE HURACAN REALLY DEALS IN IS GRIP.
WHETHER IT'S MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THAT CHASSIS, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE, OR THE MAGNETO RHEOLOGICAL DAMPER CONTROL SYSTEM, THERE ARE MONUMENTAL AMOUNTS OF IT BEING DEALT AT ALL SPEEDS IN ALL TYPES OF CORNERS.
TURN-INS ARE "ON A DIME" PRECISE WITH JUST A HINT OF THAT LAMBO ALL WHEEL DRIVE UNDERSTEER WE'VE COME TO EXPECT.
TRANSMISSION IS A 7-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH THAT DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF PROVIDING LIGHTNING QUICK SHIFTS, PARTICULARLY WHEN IN CORSA MODE.
THOUGH THE GEARING DIDN'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH THE TRACK'S FASTER CORNERS, AS AT TIMES WE HAD TO DECIDE WHETHER TO TRIGGER A SHIFT MID-CORNER OR RIDE THE REV LIMITER UNTIL STRAIGHTENED OUT.
THE BRAKES TOOK A FEW LAPS TO REALLY START FEELING GREAT, AND WHEN THEY DID, THEY WORKED FLAWLESSLY; BRINGING US DOWN FROM OVER 170 MILES PER HOUR AT THE END OF THE FRONT STRAIGHT WITHOUT THEM OR US BREAKING A SWEAT.
STRAIGHT LINE ECSTASY IS JUST AS PLEASURABLE, AS LAUNCH CONTROL DOES A SUPER SOLID JOB OF MANAGING TRACTION OFF THE LINE, HELPING TO PROPEL THE CAR THE ENGINE REVS WITH EXTREME HURRY AS YOU'RE AT THE 8,500 RPM REDLINE IN NO TIME AT ALL, AT WHICH TIME THE TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY.
JUST HOLD ON TIGHT AND ENJOY A SCORCHING 10.9 SECOND TRIP TO THE END THE QUARTER AT NOW, IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE SOUND OF THIS WIND AT FULL SONG, THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU.
THE NATURALLY ASPIRATED 5.2 LITER V10 DOES INDEED SOUND GLORIOUS AS IT DELIVERS 610 HORSEPOWER AND 413 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE MID-MOUNTED POSITION.
THE HURACAN'S FLATTENED WEDGE SHAPE MAY NOT ADORN AS MANY TEENAGE BOY'S BEDROOM WALLS AS THE ICONIC COUNTACH DID IN ITS DAY, EVEN IF KIDS STILL EVEN DO THAT.
BUT IT IS EXTREMELY PURPOSEFUL, CREATING ENOUGH DOWNFORCE THAT NO DEPLOYABLE SPOILER OR WING IS NECESSARY.
SO, WHILE THE DESIGN STILL FALLS IN LINE WITH LAMBORGHINI'S OF OLD, IT'S FULLY MODERN APPLICATION WILL SERVE THE CAR JUST FINE OVER WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE A VERY LONG LIFECYCLE.
AND IF NOTHING ELSE, IT TAKES THE STEEPLY RAKED WINDSHIELD TO A NEW LEVEL.
20-INCH WHEELS WEAR 245/30 TREADS UP FRONT, WITH 305/30s IN THE REAR AND BEHIND, LIE CARBON-CERAMIC BRAKES WHICH ARE STANDARD, BUT THE PAINTED CALIPERS WILL COST YOU ADDITIONAL COIN.
INSIDE, THE FEELING IS MORE FIGHTER JET COCKPIT THAN SPORTS CAR, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO FLIPPING UP A COVER TO ENGAGE THE START BUTTON.
CLEAN LINES AND A HEXAGONAL THEME RUN THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR, WITH NO NEED FOR A CENTRAL INFOTAINMENT SCREEN AS EVERYTHING IS DISPLAYED ON THE 12-INCH TFT GAUGE PANEL.
INPUTS ARE MADE EITHER ON THE STEERING WHEEL OR WITH AN AUDI STYLE MULTI-CONTROLLER LOCATED ON THE UPSWEEPING CENTER CONSOLE.
MUCH ADO HAS BEEN MADE ABOUT THE HURACAN'S DOCILE, FRIENDLY NATURE AND HIGH LEVELS OF COMFORT WHEN IT COMES TO DRIVING ON THE STREET.
AND REALLY, YOU CAN'T OVERSELL IT.
IT TRULY IS A VERY ENJOYABLE CAR TO SPEND TIME IN.
THE RIDE IS CERTAINLY NOT CAMRY SMOOTH, NOR SHOULD IT BE, YET SEAT COMFORT IS GREAT AND THE CONFINES LUXURIOUS.
FOR THE RECORD, GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 14-CITY, 20-HIGHWAY, AND 16-COMBINED.
BEING AN ITALIAN EXOTIC, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A STEPHEN HAWKING TO PREDICT A HIGH PRICE TAG AND SURE ENOUGH, IT WILL COST YOU AS LEAST $242,445 FOR A HURACAN TO BLOW INTO SO, IN THE MODERN REPUBLIC OF SUPERCAR'S, THE 2015 LAMBORGHINI HURACAN LP 610-4 FITS RIGHT IN.
INDEED, THERE ARE OTHER SUPERCAR'S THAT DELIVER EPIC AMOUNTS OF ON TRACK PERFORMANCE ALONG WITH ENOUGH COMFORTS TO MAKE DAILY DRIVING A POSSIBILITY.
SO WHY BUY THIS ONE?
WELL, BECAUSE IT'S A LAMBORGHINI, AND IT DOES ALL OF THOSE THINGS IN WAYS THAT NO RIVAL CAN.
UNASHAMEDLY ITALIAN, DISTINCTLY AWESOME, AND TOTALLY LAMBORGHINI.
* (ENGINE REVVING SOUNDS) 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 STAGE A HIGH SPEED SHOWDOWN WITH TODAY'S HOTTEST PERFORMANCE COUPES.
THEN HEAD FLAT OUT AT ROEBLING ROAD IN THE PORSCHE BOXSTER GTS.
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... KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT HIS TIRES RIGHT NOW.
IF HE WERE, TIRERACK.COM COULD HELP HIM FIND THE RIGHT TIRES.
BUT KENNY'S NOT THINKING ABOUT TIRES.
KENNY'S THINKING, OH MAN.
OH MAN.
OH MAN, OH MAN, OH MAN.
THIS IS AWESOME!
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.
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