>> HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US AS WE SLATHER ON THE SUNSCREEN FOR A TOP DOWN TEST OF THE BMW 2-SERIES CONVERTIBLE... PAT GOSS SPARES US A LITTLE TIME DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE... YOLANDA VAZQUEZ HEADS WEST, TO THE CALIFORNIA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM... AND WE'LL DRIVE THE CUTTING EDGE OF CROSSOVERS WITH THE NEW FORD EDGE!
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> ANNOUNCER: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE.
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>> JOHN: SUNNY SUMMERTIME WEATHER HAS FINALLY ARRIVED HERE IN THE MID-ATLANTIC, AND WE'RE TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF IT THIS WEEK WITH THE BMW 2-SERIES CONVERTIBLE.
ON THE BMW NAME GAME, THE NEW 2 REPLACES THE OLD 1-SERIES, WITH A THOROUGH REDESIGN.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE AS GOOD EXCUSE AS ANY FOR SOME SEAT TIME IN A DROP TOP BIMMER, SO LET'S GO!
WHEN THE BMW 2-SERIES COUPE ARRIVED FOR 2014, WE DECLARED IT A "JUST ABOUT PERFECT PACKAGE" LOOKING FOR AN INCREDIBLY FUN RIDE.
WELL, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU OPEN THAT PACKAGE UP?
YOU GET THE 2015 2-SERIES CONVERTIBLE.
ENGINE CHOICES FOLLOW THE COUPE, A 240 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER TURBO-4 WITH 255 POUND-FEET AND OF COURSE THE 320 HORSEPOWER 3.0 LITER TURBO INLINE-6, FOUND THROUGHOUT THE BMW LINEUP, IN THE M235I.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE IS AVAILABLE, BUT WITH THE 4-CYLINDER ONLY, AND THE SOLE TRANSMISSION IS AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC.
SIX SPEED MANUAL FANS MUST OPT FOR THE I6.
OUR TEST, HOWEVER, REVOLVES AROUND THE MOST AFFORDABLE OF THE LINE, THIS STANDARD REAR DRIVE 228I.
SINCE WE'VE ALREADY DRIVEN A HOST OF BMW'S WITH THE 2.0 LITER, THERE'S NOTHING NEW TO REPORT.
STILL DIESEL LIKE IN ITS CLATTER, AND STILL A LITTLE ROUGHER AROUND THE EDGES THAN MOST RIVALS.
WHETHER WINDING THROUGH CURVES, ZIPPING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC, OR EATING LARGE CHUNKS OF INTERSTATE MILES, THIS DROP TOP DEUCE FEELS PLENTY TIGHT AS WE'VE COME TO EXPECT FROM BMW.
THE MULTI-LAYER SOFT TOP LOWERS IN 20 SECONDS, AND WIND NOISE REMAINS ACCEPTABLE UNTIL YOU REALLY PUSH IT.
THE CHASSIS IS VERY STIFF, TAKING BUMPS WITHOUT FUSS OR DISCERNABLE COWL SHAKE; CARRYING ON THE LONG HISTORY OF SUPER SOLID LITTLE CONVERTIBLES FROM THE ROUNDEL.
THE TIGHT CONFINES OF THE INTERIOR MEANS YOU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME IN IT.
IT'S AGILE, FRIENDLY, LIGHT ON ITS FEET, AND IT'S EASY TO MAKE A CASE THAT THIS IS THE ONLY REMAINING BIMMER THAT HAS THAT CLASSIC FEEL THAT WE ALL REMEMBER SO FONDLY.
POWER IS SUFFICIENT, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO GET YOU INTO TROUBLE.
ALL IN ALL ITS COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT; A CAR YOU BUY FOR THE DRIVING PLEASURE OF IT, NOT NECESSARILY FOR MAKING ANY KIND OF STATEMENT, AND YOU DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO MAKE ANY EXCUSES FOR IT.
THE LOOK IS ALL MODERN BMW.
FROM THE KIDNEY GRILLED FRONT, BODY LINES WIDEN AND CLIMB AS THEY REACH THE FLAT REAR DECK.
WITH TOP IN PLACE, VISIBILITY IS ACCEPTABLE, EVEN WITH A SMALL BACK GLASS.
THE BACK-UP CAMERA HELPS IN PARKING LOT SITUATIONS, WE JUST WISH IT WAS STANDARD.
NOT MUCH ABOUT THE INTERIOR DIFFERS FROM THE REST OF THE BMW LINEUP, PARTICULARLY THE 2-SERIES COUPE.
IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IDRIVE OR BMW'S INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, THERE WILL DEFINITELY BE A LEARNING CURVE, BUT THE LEVEL OF THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH IT REALLY IS MIND BOGGLING.
THE 2-SERIES FRONT SEATS ARE SUPPORTIVE AND VERY LIVABLE.
THE BACK SEAT, DESPITE A LONGER WHEELBASE THAN THE 1-SERIES CONVERT IT REPLACES, IS NOT.
EVEN CHILDREN WILL FIND IT PUNISHING.
LEAVE IT FOR THE LUGGAGE, THAT WON'T FIT IN THE STILL REASONABLY SIZED TRUNK.
TOP UP VOLUME IS A PRETTY GOOD 13.8 CUBIC-FEET.
BUT IT DOES SHRINK A BIT WHEN THE TOP IS STOWED.
AT THE TRACK, THIS LITTLE RAG TOP TRULY FEELS LIKE THE VAULTED 3-SERIES OF TIMES PAST.
BALANCE IS JUST ABOUT PERFECT FOR FEEL AND FUN, AS YOU SCOOT THROUGH CONES WITH EASE.
IT MAY FEEL A LITTLE SOFT INITIALLY, BUT THE GRIP IS THERE IN SPADES.
AND EVEN WITH THE MODERATE POWER, YOU CAN FIND BOTH OVER AND UNDERSTEER SHOULD YOU GO LOOKING.
OFF THE LINE, THIS TURBO-4 IS NICELY TORQUEY, THOUGH IT QUICKLY RUNS OUT OF STEAM.
6.3 SECONDS.
SHIFTS, HOWEVER, ARE SMOOTH AND QUICK, AND FELT BETTER AS OUR TRACK DAY WENT ON, BRINGING US TO THE END OF THE QUARTER MILE IN 14.9 SECONDS AT 92 MILES PER HOUR.
STOPS FROM 60 TOOK AN EXCELLENT 100 FEET, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO FADE AND LITTLE DRAMA.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 23-CITY, 34-HIGHWAY, AND 27-COMBINED; WE AVERAGED A FINE 28.0 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM.
THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE IS 12.2 BARRELS OF YEARLY OIL USE, COMBINED WITH CO2 EMISSIONS OF 5.5 TONS.
REASONABLY PRICED, LUXURY MINDED, SPORTY, 4-SEAT CONVERTIBLES HAVE BECOME FEWER AND FEWER, SO THIS CAR CERTAINLY FILLS A NICHE WITH BASE PRICING OF JUST $38,850.
HOWEVER, WE ALL KNOW THAT UNFORTUNATELY MOST WILL BE ROLLING OFF THE DEALERS' LOTS CLOSER TO 50, WITH OUR TESTER AT A WHOPPING $53,825.
BE A BARGAIN, THE 2015 BMW 228I CONVERTIBLE IS TRULY A BLAST.
A SPLASH OF NOSTALGIC FEEL IN A MODERN PACKAGE THAT'S BUILT TO PLEASE.
AND WHILE WE'RE SURE THAT THERE ARE PLENTY MORE WARM WEATHER WEEKENDS AHEAD, THEY JUST WON'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT THE 228I CONVERTIBLE.
OUR SUCCESS STORY THIS WEEK TAKES US TO GE CAPITAL IN 2012 GE BUILT THIS 6,000 SQUARE FOOT VEHICLE INNOVATION CENTER AS A SHOWCASE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES FOR COMMERCIAL USE.
FLEET MANAGERS CAN SAMPLE A WIDE VARIETY OF ALT-FUEL MODELS FROM THIS PLUG-IN TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID, TO THIS COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS BI-FUEL CHEVROLET SILVERADO WITH A HALF MILE ROAD COURSE ALLOWING DIRECT COMPARISONS.
>> BRAD SMITH: GE LEADS THE WAY IN SO MANY DIFFERENT MANNERS OF THEM LEADING THE WAY IN SOMETHING THAT IS SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE.
>> JOHN: AS PART OF GE'S ALT-FUEL FOCUS, A SOLAR CARPORT WITH EV CHARGING IS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYEES AS GE HAS CLOSE TO 5,000 EV'S IN ITS U.S. FLEET ALONE.
A CHARTER MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S NATIONAL CLEAN FLEETS PARTNERSHIP, GENERAL ELECTRIC IS CONTINUING ITS 135 YEAR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION, INNOVATION, AND IMAGINATION AT WORK.
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.
THIS 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 >> 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.
>> I'LL SHOW YOU WHERE THE DRIVER SITS... >> YOLANDA: 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, BILL 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, 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.
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: WHEN YOU'RE OUT ON THE ROAD, YOU ALWAYS NEED TO PREPARE FOR ANYTHING.
SO LET'S SEE WHAT ADVICE PAT GOSS HAS FOR US, THIS WEEK!
* >> PAT: WHEN WE THINK ABOUT NEWER CARS, WE THINK ABOUT ALL THE TECHNOLOGY THAT GOES INTO BUT WE RARELY THINK ABOUT THE BASIC THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED.
TAKE THE LOWLY SPARE TIRE FOR INSTANCE.
WHICH IN MANY CARS, DOESN'T EVEN EXIST ANYMORE.
WELL, TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS HERE, WE HAVE TOM TAYLOR, WHO IS AN ONLINE PARTS SUPPLIER.
TOM, WELCOME TO GOSS' GARAGE.
>> TOM TAYLOR: THANKS PAT.
>> PAT: ALRIGHT, SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TRENDS THAT YOU'RE SEEING THESE DAYS?
>> TOM: WELL, LIKE YOU SAID, SOME NEW CARS DON'T HAVE A SPARE TIRE AT ALL.
FOR EXAMPLE THIS FIAT HAS A SIMPLE AIR COMPRESSOR AND A SEALANT SYSTEM THAT PUMPS SEALANT INTO THE FLAT TIRE AND HOPEFULLY SEALS IT UP.
SIMILAR TO THE SEALANT YOU MIGHT FIND AT A RETAIL STORE.
>> PAT: OKAY.
NOW, THERE'S CERTAINLY A PLACE FOR THESE SEALANTS IN AN EMERGENCY.
BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CAN SAYS IT'S "SENSOR SAFE" BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO USE IT IN A LATE MODEL CAR.
IF IT DOESN'T SAY "SENSOR SAFE", DON'T USE IT.
>> TOM: RIGHT.
YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO DAMAGE A $50 SENSOR WITH THAT STUFF.
>> PAT: OKAY NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS WE SEE A LOT IN THE REPAIR SHOP: SOMEBODY GOES OUT AND BUYS A USED CAR AND THEY DON'T CHECK WHAT'S IN THE TRUNK.
WE CHECK IT OUT FOR THEM AND THERE'S NO JACK, OR ANY OF THE TOOLS OR ANYTHING.
WHAT CAN YOU HELP THEM WITH THERE?
>> TOM: WELL, IF YOU FIND A SITUATION LIKE THAT, OR YOUR CAR DOESN'T COME WITH A SPARE, YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN SYSTEM.
YOU CAN GET A JACK, A LUG WRENCH, MAYBE A STURDY PLATFORM TO SIT THE JACK ON, AND START YOUR SYSTEM.
AND THEN YOU CAN GET A WHEEL THAT'S THE SAME SIZE AS THE ORIGINAL WHEELS ON YOUR CAR; A SIMPLE STEEL WHEEL, OR A WHEEL THAT ACTUALLY MATCHES THE ALUMINUM OR FANCIER WHEELS OF YOUR CAR.
>> PAT: OKAY NOW, EITHER WAY YOU GO ABOUT THIS, IF YOU JUST NEED THE JACK AND LUG WRENCH AND SO ON, THAT'S REALLY INEXPENSIVE, ISN'T IT?
>> TOM: YEAH THAT'S $30, $50.
UM, TO BUILD A WHOLE SPARE TIRE SYSTEM CAN BE $100-$500, DEPENDING ON WHAT KIND OF TIRE YOU HAVE AND WHAT KIND OF...
IF YOU'RE USING A STEEL WHEEL OR A WHEEL THAT MATCHES YOUR OTHERS.
>> PAT: OKAY.
WELL, MOST CARS THESE DAYS HAVE THIS ARRANGEMENT RIGHT HERE: THIS IS A TEMPORARY SPARE.
ANY TIPS?
>> TOM: WELL, THEY DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
THEY'VE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.
JUST BE SURE TO READ THOSE WARNING LABELS.
>> PAT: OKAY.
WELL, THE WARNING LABELS TALK ABOUT SPEED, AND DISTANCE, AND MOST PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK THAT, THAT APPLIES TO THE RUBBER TIRE, BUT IN REALITY THERE ARE PROBLEMS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO THE MECHANICAL PARTS OF THE CAR, IF YOU EXCEED THOSE LIMITS.
>> TOM: RIGHT, THE SPARE MAY BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DIAMETER THAN THE OTHER WHEELS, SO IF YOU HAVE TO GO TOO FAST OR TOO LONG, YOU CAN DAMAGE THE AXLE OR THE TRANSMISSION; COULD BE VERY COSTLY.
>> PAT: NOT A SMART MOVE.
TOM, THANK YOU.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
>> JOHN: NOW, LET'S GRAB SOME KEYS AND HEAD OUT ON MORE QUICK SPINS!
OF THE DWINDLING NUMBER OF MITSUBISHI MODELS LEFT, MUCH OF OUR ATTENTION HAS FOCUSED ON THE OUTLANDER SPORT; A LONG TERMER WITH US FOR SOME TIME NOW.
BUT THE TOP DOG IN THEIR LINEUP IS THE 3-ROW OUTLANDER, AND THERE'S A NEW ONE FOR 2016, WHILE CHANGES ARE NOT DRASTIC, WE DID NOTICE THE DIFFERENCES IMMEDIATELY.
FRONT AND REAR FASCIAS ARE NICELY FRESHENED, WITH LED TAILLIGHTS NOW STANDARD.
THE SHARP 18 INCH ALLOY WHEELS ARE STOCK, TOO.
INSIDE, THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE INTERIOR SHOWS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT GAINS.
SEATING IS MORE COMFORTABLE, SUPPORT IS CUSHIER, AND ROAD NOISE HAS BEEN GREATLY REDUCED.
TRIM ACCENTS TAKE A MORE BASIC APPROACH, WHICH ACTUALLY WORKS TO MAKE THE CABIN APPEAR MORE UPSCALE.
THERE'S STILL A 3RD ROW, BUT LIKE SO MANY 3-ROW UTE'S THESE DAYS IT'S ONLY A SPOT THAT CHILDREN WILL LOVE.
YET, GETTING BACK THERE, WHETHER FOR ACCESS TO THAT SEATING, OR MAXIMIZING CARGO ROOM, IS AS SIMPLE AS 1-2-3.
>> ZACH MASKELL: TRUST ME THIS IS GOING TO MAKE A LOT OF YOU GUYS HAPPY.
NO, THESE ARE NOT EJECTION SEAT LEVERS.
EASIER.
NUMBER 1 PULLS DOWN THE HEADREST, NUMBER 2 RAISES THE BOTTOM, NUMBER 3 PUTS THE SEAT DOWN.
THERE YOU GO.
UNDER 6 SECONDS, YOU'VE GOT ALL YOUR STUFF, READY TO BE PUT IN THIS THING.
>> JOHN: ENGINES CARRY OVER.
MOST TRIMS USE A 166 HORSEPOWER 2.4 LITER INLINE-4, MATED TO AN IMPROVED CVT TRANSMISSION.
IT FEELS JUST ABOUT AS POWERFUL IS IT SOUNDS, THAT IS TO SAY, NOT VERY.
BUT IT GETS THINGS MOVING, AND ONCE THEY ARE, IT'S A PLEASANT AFFAIR.
THE TOP TRIM OUTLANDER GT GAINS A 3.0 LITER V6 SENDING 224 HORSEPOWER THROUGH A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE IS STANDARD ON THE GT, OPTIONAL ON MID-LEVEL SE AND SEL, AND NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL ON THE BASE ES.
IT'S A COMPETENT SYSTEM, SO WE RECOMMEND GETTING IT.
ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER IS A 3-ROW BARGAIN, STARTING UNDER $23,000.
GOOD THINGS GETTING BETTER.
THAT'S THE WAY WE LIKE IT AT MOTORWEEK .
AND HERE'S A GREAT EXAMPLE: THE 2015 RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR.
FOR FUTURE JAGS AND ROVERS, FROM THEIR SPECIAL VEHICLE OPERATIONS DIVISION.
THE RANGE ROVER SPORT IS THE FIRST TO WEAR THIS BADGE, AND BENEFITS FROM THEIR OVERHAULING.
SO WHAT'S IT GOT?
FOR STARTERS, THE AMAZING 5.0 LITER SUPERCHARGED V8, NOW TUNED TO 550 HORSEPOWER.
IT SHARES AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC WITH OTHER RANGE ROVER SPORTS, BUT WITH SOME CAREFUL ENGINEERING, SHIFTS COME QUICKER.
A 0-60 UNDER 5 SECONDS SHOULD HAVE YOU COMPLETING ERRANDS IN RECORD TIME.
AND THE INSANE EXHAUST NOTE OF THAT 5.0 BEAST, NOW ENHANCED WITH AN ACTIVE TWO STAGE SYSTEM, SAYS "TO HADES WITH YOUR SUBURBAN NOISE ORDINANCE."
21 INCH WHEELS WITH ALL SEASON TIRES COME STANDARD.
SUSPENSION FIRMS UP, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO BE UNPLEASANT.
SHOULD YOU NEED TO, THOUGH, THE SVR IS STILL A VERY CAPABLE OFF-ROAD EXPLORER.
4-WHEEL DRIVE AND LAND ROVER'S TERRAIN RESPONSE SYSTEM REMAIN IN FULL EFFECT HERE.
INSIDE, THE PERFORMANCE ATTITUDE COMES THROUGH IN RACING STYLED BUCKET SEATS.
BOLSTERED APLENTY, THEY DO A GOOD JOB OF COUNTERING YOUR PERSONAL BODY ROLL.
OUTSIDE, SVR BADGING, AND MORE AGGRESSIVE AERO, AND COOLING ELEMENTS SIGNAL FURTHER CHANGES.
ONLY THE MOST CRÈME DE LA CREME WILL PROBABLY CONSIDER OWNING THE RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR.
BUT IF THEY DO, IT'LL COST THEM A BIT OVER $110,000.
WE'LL GRAB MORE QUICK SPIN DRIVING IMPRESSIONS, SOON!
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 UTE'S, 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.
(TIRES SCREECHING) * WHILE AUTO WRITERS USE THE PHRASE "ALL NEW" A LOT, 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.
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.
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 THAN 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 SEATER'S 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 1 OF 3 ENGINES.
BASE IS A 2.0 LITER ECOBOOST I4, AND IT'S 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 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-150'S 2.7 LITER V6 ECOBOOST, HERE PUTTING OUT 315 HORSEPOWER AND 350 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, WHICH COMES STANDARD IN 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 2-GRAND 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.
WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, 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 WE TEST TWO NEW MODELS FROM SCION: THE 4-DOOR IA, AND 5-DOOR IM.
THEN SEE WHAT SMALL WONDERS THE HONDA HR-V CAN ACHIEVE.
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.
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>> ANNOUNCER: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.
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