HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US FOR A TRACK ATTACK WITH CADILLAC, AS WE PUT THE CTS-V AND ATS-V THROUGH THEIR PACES... PAT GOSS SHOWS US WHY IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS... ZACK MASKELL DOES SOME TRUE EXORING FOR HIS LATEST TRIP OVER THE EDGE... AND WE'LL SEE IF THE 10TH GENERATION HONDA CIVIC TAKES THE HIGH ROAD...
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.
Announcer: THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF 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.
John: WE'VE ALREADY DRIVEN CADILLAC'S WONDERFUL NEW CTS-V AND ATS-V, BUT NOT QUITE THOROUGHLY ENOUGH, AS WE HAVEN'T SCRUBBED ANY TIRE RUBBER ACROSS ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY'S ASPHALT WITH EITHER OF THEM.
WELL, IT'S TIME NOW TO RIGHT THAT WRONG!
* [ENGINE REVVING]  IT ONLY SEEMS FITTING THAT WE TURN SOME LAPS IN ANGER AROUND THIS HIGH SPEED TRACK IN THE 2016 CADILLAC CTS-V SEDAN, AS WE HAVE WITH EVERY PREVIOUS GENERATION OF CADDY'S MID-SIZE PERFORMER; SO IT'S BECOME SOMEWHAT OF A RITE OF PASSAGE.
AND SINCE CADILLAC'S PERFORMANCE DIVISION HAS SPREAD TO OTHER CARS, WE'VE BROUGHT ALONG ITS OVERACHIEVING YOUNGER SIBLING THE ATS-V COUPE FOR COMPARISON.
STARTING WITH THE 3RD GENERATION CTS-V, WE'VE SAID PRIOR, "THAT THIS IS THE CORVETTE SEDAN THAT GM DOESN'T ACTUALLY MAKE, AND A FEW LAPS AROUND THE TRACK HERE, FULLY BEAR THAT OUT."
THE MOTOR IS AN ABSOLUTE BEAST.
BORROWED FROM THE ZO6, IT'S A 6.2 LITER SUPERCHARGED LT4 V8, HERE RATED AT 640 HORSEPOWER AND 630 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
IT MAKES THE CTS-V ROCKET OUT OF CORNERS IN WAYS THAT GERMAN SPORT SEDANS CAN ONLY DREAM OF.
BETWEEN TRACK DRIVING MODE, WITH PERFORMANCE TRACTION MANAGEMENT, AND MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL, THIS V GETS THROUGH THEM QUITE SPECTACULARLY AS WELL.
THERE'S EASILY ENOUGH POWER TO MAKE THINGS INTERESTING AT TIMES, BUT IT ALWAYS SEEMED TO SORT ITSELF OUT BEFORE CORRECTIONS BECAME NECESSARY.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ONLY IN THIS LUXURY MONSTER, BUT IT'S A GOOD ONE; GMs HYDRA-MATIC 8L90 8-SPEED.
BOTH THE CTS-V AND ATS-V NOW SHARE THE SAME CHASSIS, SO IT MAKES SENSE THAT THEY HAVE A SIMILAR FEEL.
BUT WHERE THE CTS GOES ABOUT ITS BUSINESS WITH BRAWN AND BRUTE FORCE; THE ATS HAS MORE OF NIMBLE PRECISION TO IT, SLICING THROUGH CORNERS MORE THAN BLUDGEONING THEM.
AND DOING SO QUIETLY, AS THE ATS-V ENGINE MAKES VERY LITTLE NOISE.
THAT SILENT BUT DEADLY PROPULSION IS A 3.6 LITER TWIN-TURBO V6 WITH 464 HORSEPOWER AND 445 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
YET, WE ALSO FOUND STEERING FEEL IN THE ATS-V, A LITTLE MORE ARTIFICIAL THAN IN THE CTS-V. CLOSER TO CURRENT BMWs.
BOTH Vs COME EQUIPPED WITH BREMBO BRAKES AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT.
AND BOTH HELD UP WELL THROUGHOUT OUR WEEK OF TRACK TIME.
AS FOR STRAIGHT LINE PROFICIENCY, NO NEED FOR LAUNCH CONTROL, AS DESPITE ALL OF THAT POWER, THE CTS HOOKS UP EFFICIENTLY WITH ONLY MINOR WHEEL SPIN TO 60 IN 4.0 SECONDS FLAT.
THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTS IN A HURRY, AND TONS OF SUPERCHARGER NOISE RODE ALONG FOR THE 11.9 SECOND QUARTER MILE, ENDING AT 126 MILES PER HOUR.
THE ATS-V GETS OFF THE LINE ALMOST AS QUICKLY, WITH A BARELY SLOWER 4.2 SECOND SPRINT TO 60.
BUT THERE'S NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT IN THE QUARTER MILE, AS IT LOSES A BIT OF TIME GOING DOWN THE TRACK, ENDING IN 12.6 AT 114 MILES PER HOUR.
OUR ATS-V COUPE ALSO CAME WITH AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC, ALTHOUGH HERE IT'S AN OPTIONAL REPLACEMENT.
A 6-SPEED MANUAL IS STANDARD.
BOTH Vs HAVE THE TOUGH IN A TUXEDO LOOK YOU EXPECT IN A COOL CADILLAC, WITH THE CTS LOOKING THE MORE BEASTLY OF THE TWO.
THE CARBON FIBER HOOD IS STANDARD, BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY EXTRA IF YOU WANT THAT LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIAL FOR THE HOOD VENT, FRONT SPLITTER, REAR SPOILER, AND DIFFUSER.
OF COURSE YOU CAN ADD PLENTY OF CARBON FIBER ON THE ATS AS WELL, BUT WE FOUND ITS COMPACT COUPE STYLE MORE CHUNKY THAN AGGRESSIVE COMPARED TO THE CTS SEDAN.
LOOKING AROUND THE INTERIORS OF THESE HIGH BUCK HOT RODS, YOU CAN TELL THAT GM WAS GOING FOR MORE OF A SOPHISTICATED ELEGANCE THAN BOY RACER PERFORMANCE THEME.
SOME MIGHT CALL IT BLAND.
BUT GOOD NEWS, THE CORVETTE'S PERFORMANCE DATA RECORDER IS AVAILABLE FOR CAPTURING YOUR ON TRACK EXPLOITS.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS FOR THE CTS-V ARE 14-CITY, 21-HIGHWAY, AND 17-COMBINED, SO IT DOES COME WITH A GAS GUZZLER TAX.
THE ATS-Vs NUMBERS ARE A LITTLE BETTER AT 16-CITY, 24-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED.
AS FOR PRICING, THE ATS-V COUPE STARTS AT $63,660, THE SEDAN VERSION ABOUT TWO GRAND CHEAPER AT $61,460.
AS FOR THE BIG BOY CTS-V, YOU'RE LOOKING AT $85,990, AND IT'S CURRENTLY ONLY AVAILABLE AS A SEDAN.
GM IS ON A ROLL RIGHT NOW, AS JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THEY'VE PUT OUT LATELY HAS BEEN MUCH IMPROVED AND AMONG THE BEST IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CLASSES.
WELL, AFTER FINALLY GETTING SOME MUCH NEEDED QUALITY TRACK TIME IN THESE Vs, WE CAN EASILY SAY, "THE SAME ABOUT THEM."
SO WE'RE HAPPY TO ROLL WITH THESE CARS ANYTIME!
* NOT A SOUL AT MOTORWEEK WOULD EVER TURN DOWN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A TRUE DRIVING ADVENTURE.
SO WHEN, OUR OVER THE EDGE GUY ZACH MASKELL GOT THE CALL, HE JUMPED ON A JET, AND HEADED WEST, TO EXPLORE ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH.
Zach Maskell: ROAMING UNKNOWN TERRITORY IS WHAT I'D PREFER TO DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.
PERHAPS IT'S A CHILDISH DREAM... TO CONTINUE EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN... AND STOP MY BRAIN FROM WONDERING SO MUCH.
BUT I'LL NEVER STOP.
AND I DON'T THINK ONE AMERICAN AUTO MAKER WILL EITHER.
CELEBRATING DECADES OF HELPING FAMILIES DO JUST THAT... WE JOINED FORD ON THEIR PLATINUM ADVENTURE TOUR.
WE'RE AT THE COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT.
RIGHT NOW, I'M STANDING ON TOP OF THE BEST SELLING SUV IN THE CLASS FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS.
THAT'S RIGHT, THIS IS THE FORD EXPLORER.
THIS IS THE 6TH GENERATION AND THEY'VE INVITED US ON PART OF THEIR 2,800 MILE LONG TRIP, TO CHECK IT OUT AND SEE HOW IT DOES.
THE EXPLORER STILL EXISTS FOR ONE REASON, FAMILIES KEEP BUYING THEM!!!
FORD HAS SOLD OVER 7 MILLION OF THESE SUVs.
HOW MANY ADVENTURES DOES THAT TALLY TO?
WELL, YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE...
BUT I'D SAY, "A TRUCK LOAD OF 'EM..." Omar Odeh: A MAJORITY OF THE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE BUYING THE NEW EXPLORER ARE FAMILY ADVENTURERS CUSTOMERS.
CUSTOMERS THAT WANT TO BUY THIS VEHICLE FOR ITS CAPABILITY, ON ROAD, OFF-ROAD, AS WELL AS THE SPACIOUSNESS IN THE VEHICLE.
BEING ABLE TO CARRY SEVEN PASSENGERS AND BEING ABLE TO DO ALL THESE WEEKEND ACTIVITIES THEY WANT TO DO.
Zach: THEY SAY, "IT'S FOR THE ADVENTURE SEEKING FAMILY..." BUT I SAY, "IT DOES JUST FINE FOR THE ADVENTURE SEEKING PERSON."
FORD BROUGHT US ABOUT 250 MILES WEST OF CAPITAL CITY, DENVER, TO GRAND JUNCTION...
AMONG MANY STOPS... WE'LL BE MAKING OUR WAY FROM HERE, TO MONTROSE... THEN CRUISE THE MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY JUST PAST OURAY... AND EVENTUALLY, AND HOPEFULLY, END UP IN DURANGO...
HERE WE ARE NOW JUST EAST OF MONTROSE.
IT'S THE BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON.
WE CAME DOWN SOME 16% GRADES TO MAKE IT TO THIS HERE RESTING POINT.
LEGEND HAS IT THAT IT GOT ITS NAME BECAUSE CERTAIN POINTS OF THIS CANYON ARE SO NARROW THE SUNLIGHT WILL NEVER REACH THE BOTTOM.
THERE'S NO EASY WAY IN OR OUT OF HERE.
TO FIND YOURSELF AT THE BOTTOM OF A CANYON, YOU'RE GOING DOWN SOME STEEP STUFF.
AS SPORTY AS THE VEHICLE IS, IT'S STILL A 2.5 TON SUV.
THAT BEING SAID THOUGH, IT HANDLED THE SWITCHBACK TURNS NO PROBLEM, WHILE GIVING US PLENTY OF LEG ROOM.
I'M REALLY ENJOYING DRIVING THIS NEW PLATINUM EDITION EXPLORER.
IT'S GOT QUILTED LOOKING DOOR INSERTS, IT'S GOT LEATHER WRAPPED ARMS RESTS.
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, FORD DID AWAY WITH THE BLUE OVAL IN THE MIDDLE.
WHAT THEY DID WAS REPLACED THAT WITH BRUSHED ALUMINUM SO IT MATCHES THE INTERIOR A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
DEFINITELY A GOOD MOVE FORD.
ALSO, I'M A BIG FAN OF THE MASSAGING SEATS.
I FORGOT TO MENTION, THEY HOOKED US UP WITH THE TOP OF THE LINE FULLY EQUIPPED PLATINUM VERSION.
THE 3.5 LITER ECOBOOST V6 SHELLS OUT 365 HORSEPOWER.
EVEN WITH THE HIGH ELEVATION, THE POWER WAS PLENTIFUL AND COMFORTABLY GOT US TO ONE OF THE LOUDEST SPOTS.
AKA, THE OURAY FAULT.
THAT'S A BIG WATERFALL RIGHT THERE.
I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU IT'S DEAFENING BUT IT'S PRETTY LOUD.
BASICALLY, MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO THERE'S A BIG CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EARTH.
IT CAME UP AND CREATED THIS BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE HEIGHTS, I DON'T RECOMMEND TREKKING OUT HERE.
BUT THE STUNNINGLY VAST LANDSCAPE COULD MAKE UP FOR THAT.
THERE'S OVER 300 TRAILS, MAKING THIS A PARADISE FOR OFF-ROADERS.
ALTHOUGH, TELLURIDE IS ONLY 10 MILES AWAY...
THE SEVERE TERRAIN MAKES THE DRIVE ABOUT 50 MILES!!
U.S. ROUTE 550, BETWEEN OURAY, AND SILVERTON, IS KNOWN AS, "THE MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY."
ITS ROCKY CLIFFS ARE DAUNTING, BUT I DO KNOW THIS IS A LOT LESS STRESSFUL THAN THE MINERS HAD IT IN WOODEN BUGGIES BACK IN THE DAY.
Omar: SO WE KNEW THAT CUSTOMERS WANTED SOMETHING MORE.
AND THAT'S WHAT PLATINUM REALLY DELIVERS.
THE BEST OF LIMITED, THE BEST OF SPORT, ALL IN ONE.
Zach: YOU MAY NOT SEE THE CURRENT EXPLORER AS AN EXTREME OFF-ROADER...
BUT IF YOU CLAIM 4X4, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT A GO.
AND YES, THE FORD EXPLORER IS A WELL SUITED COMPANION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO TAKE THE PATH LESS TRAVELED.
John: MORE THAN ANYONE, PAT GOSS KNOWS THAT CAR CARE IS ALL IN THE DETAILS.
SO, LET'S STOP BY HIS GARAGE, FOR A LOOK SEE.
* Pat Goss: A CLEAN, GOOD LOOKING CAR... WELL, IT PRESERVES THE VALUE OF THE CAR, MAKES THE PAINT LAST LONGER, AND IT MAKES YOU FEEL A LOT BETTER ABOUT THE CAR.
BUT HOW, DO YOU GO ABOUT DETAILING YOUR OWN CAR?
WELL, WE HAVE STUART SMITH, WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL DETAILER, HERE WITH US.
STUART, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE WAY YOU GO ABOUT DOING A CAR.
Stuart Smith: WELL, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, WHETHER YOU HAVE A CLASSIC CAR OR YOUR EVERYDAY DRIVER, YOU LIKE TO KEEP THEM CLEAN.
SO, WE HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF TOOLS THAT WE USE.
WE HAVE OUR BUCKET, OF COURSE.
AND WHAT YOU'RE HOLDING THERE IS CALLED A "GRIT GUARD."
IT HELPS TO KEEP THE DIRT DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAIL, RATHER THAN AGITATE IT AROUND.
WE HAVE OUR CAR SOAP, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH DISH SOAP.
YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU USE A SOAP THAT'S DESIGNED FOR THE CAR.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A MICROFIBER TYPE SPONGE HERE.
WHICH I USE FOR THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR.
AND THEN, WE ALSO HAVE A SPONGE WHICH I RECOMMEND ONLY FOR USING ON THINGS LIKE THE WHEELS, AND THE TIRES, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO TRAP DIRT IN HERE, AND GET IT ON THE FINISH OF THE CAR.
SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE USE TO BASICALLY WASH THE CAR.
Pat: OKAY, WE GET IT WASHED AND NOW WE NEED TO DRY IT.
AND OF COURSE WE HAVE THE TRADITIONAL WAY TO DO IT HERE... Stuart: RIGHT.
Pat: WITH A CHAMOIS.
AH, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THESE?
Stuart: I'M NOT A FAN OF THE WATER BLADE.
ESSENTIALLY BECAUSE IT TENDS TO SOMETIMES, PICK UP A LITTLE DIRT AND DRAG IT ACROSS THE PAINT OF THE CAR.
I LIKE TO USE, JUST YOUR EVERYDAY AVERAGE LEAF BLOWER.
AND YOU CAN DRY THE CAR OFF; IT GETS ALL THE WATER OUT OF THE CRACKS AND CREVICES OF THE CAR.
IT DOES A GREAT JOB.
Pat: PROVEN FOR MANY YEARS.
EVERY CARWASH DOES IT THAT WAY.
Stuart: EXACTLY.
Pat: ALRIGHT, SO WE'VE GOT IT CLEANED.
WE'VE GOT IT DRIED.
NOW, WE NEED TO MAKE THE PAINT LOOK BETTER.
WHAT DO YOU DO THERE?
Stuart: EXACTLY.
BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY APPLY WAX TO THE PAINT, YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO USE... WE HAVE TWO PRODUCTS HERE.
WE HAVE THIS MITT, WHICH ESSENTIALLY IS USED WITH THIS LUBRICATING SPRAY, THIS DETAILER SPRAY, TO GET ALL THE DEFECTS OFF THE PAINT OF THE CAR.
THAT'S GOOD FOR YOUR AVERAGE PERSON TO USE.
WE ALSO HAVE A CLAY BAR HERE.
WHICH IT COMES LOOKING SOMETHING LIKE THIS, WHICH ALSO HAS A DETAILING SPRAY?
I LIKE TO CUT IT INTO THIRDS, BECAUSE THAT WAY, BASICALLY, IF YOU DO DROP THIS ON THE GROUND WHILE YOU'RE USING IT, YOU HAVE TO THROW IT AWAY BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO SCRATCH THE PAINT OF THE CAR.
SO WE'VE NOW PREPPED THE PAINT.
AND THEN, WE MOVE ONTO ESSENTIALLY THE WAX.
UM, I ALWAYS RECOMMEND, TAKING WHATEVER WAX YOU USE, STICK WITH ONE KIND.
WE HAVE MANY WAYS TO APPLY IT.
WE HAVE AN APPLICATOR LIKE THIS, WHERE YOU PUT IT ON AND GO ACROSS THE CAR.
AND FOR MYSELF, IT SAVES TIME, AND SAVES EFFORT, I USE AN ORBITAL BUFFER, TO APPLY THE WAX TO THE CAR.
Pat: OKAY!
AND NOW, WE'VE GOT THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR LOOKING REALLY GOOD.
BUT NOW, COMES TIME TO ACTUALLY DETAIL IT.
Stuart: EXACTLY.
DETAILING THE CAR IS USUALLY THE PART THAT TAKES THE MOST TIME.
WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE USE.
WE HAVE LITTLE BRUSHES OF ALL DIFFERENT TYPES AND SORTS.
AND OF COURSE TO GET INTO THOSE LITTLE CRACKS AND CREVICES, A Q-TIP IS ALWAYS A GREAT WAY TO GO, IT'S EASY.
YOU CAN USE AS MANY AS YOU WANT.
AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH THEM, YOU JUST THROW THEM OUT AND GET RID OF THEM.
Pat: ONE OTHER THING TO WARN PEOPLE ABOUT IS, LOTS OF FOLKS LIKE TO, INSTEAD OF A DETAILING BRUSH, AND THEY TAKE AN OLD TOOTHBRUSH.
AND THAT'S DEADLY ON SOME OF THESE NEW FINISHES.
Stuart: EXACTLY.
SOME OF THE NEW FINISHES, THE CLEAR COAT IS VERY SOFT.
AND SOME OF THE BRISTLES ON THESE TOOTHBRUSHES ARE QUITE HARD.
AND YES, IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL, YOU WILL SCRATCH THE FINISH OF THE CAR.
Pat: SO, YOU GOTTA BE CAREFUL.
Stuart: EXACTLY.
Pat: PRIMARILY, USE THE PARTS...
THE TOOLS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO DO THE JOB.
Stuart: EXACTLY, YES.
Pat: STUART, THANK YOU!
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .
* [CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS]  Lauren Morrison: THE SOON TO BE SHUTTERING OF SCION HASN'T PUT A DAMPER ON TOYOTA'S PLANS FOR THEIR C-HR CONCEPT, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED AS A SCION VEHICLE FOR THE U.S.
INSTEAD, LIKE IT WILL BE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE CAR BUYING WORLD, THE C-HR WILL BE RELEASED IN THE U.S. WITH A TOYOTA LOGO AS THE BRAND'S NEW ENTRY INTO THE SMALL CROSSOVER MARKET.
WE'RE NOW SEEING OUR FIRST SPY PHOTOS OF THE PRODUCTION VERSION.
SIZED BELOW THE RAV4, WE CAN'T TELL MUCH ABOUT C-HR STYLING JUST YET.
BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE C-HR WILL BE A 5-DOOR CROSSOVER, RATHER THAN THE 3-DOOR CONCEPT VEHICLE.
RUMORS OF A HYBRID VERSION ARE GAINING TRACTION TOO, AS THE C-HR SHARES IT PLATFORM WITH THE PRIUS.
TOYOTA CLEARLY HAS BIG PLANS FOR THE C-HR, SO WE'LL BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ANY UPDATES.
John: NOW, IT'S BACK IN THE DRIVERS' SEAT FOR MORE QUICKSPIN FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS!
WE'RE LONG FAMILIAR WITH VOLVO'S CROSS COUNTRY APPROACH TO THEIR VEHICLES: JACK UP THE RIDE HEIGHT, AND ADD SOME SKID PLATES.
WELL, THAT MIGHT BE AN OVERSIMPLIFICATION OF IT, BUT WE GET WHY THEY DO IT.
AND THE LATEST TO GET THE CC TREATMENT IS THE V60 WAGON.
ANYTHING TO MAKE IT MORE LIKE AN SUV HELPS IN TODAY'S MARKET, AND THE V60 CROSS COUNTRY DOES A GOOD JOB OF LOOKING THE PART.
RIDE HEIGHT IS INCREASED JUST OVER 2.5 INCHES, BRINGING OVERALL GROUND CLEARANCE TO 7.9 INCHES.
SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO TEST THE LIMITS OF THAT 7.9 INCHES, THE FRONT AND REAR SKID PLATES ARE PRETTY SERIOUS, AS ARE THE ROCKER PANEL SCUFF PLATES.
THE FENDER EXTENSIONS ARE MORE FOR SHOW THOUGH, BUT GOOD FOR THAT TOUGH GUY LOOK.
THE LOOK INSIDE IS MUCH MORE RELAXED, AND LIKE EVERY RECENT VOLVO, A GOOD MIX OF TOP NOTCH MATERIALS AND UNPARALLELED COMFORT.
CARGO ROOM, LIKE THE V60 WAGON, TOTALS A REASONABLE 43.8 CUBIC FEET.
POWER COMES AS A T5 ONLY, WHICH MEANS VOLVO'S 2.5 LITER TURBO I4.
IN THE V60 CROSS COUNTRY, IT DELIVERS 250 HORSEPOWER MATED TO A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, AND HILL DESCENT CONTROL ARE BOTH STANDARD, PROVIDING ALL-WEATHER, AND EVEN SOME ALL-TERRAIN CAPABILITIES.
OF COURSE, WE HAD TO GIVE THAT A TRY... SAFETY IS A VOLVO STAPLE, AND THE V60s STANDARD CITY SAFE SYSTEM BRINGS LOW SPEED AUTO BRAKING ASSIST WITH FORWARD COLLISION WARNINGS.
FULL AUTO BRAKING IS AVAILABLE ON HIGHER TRIMS.
ON SALE NOW, THE 2016 VOLVO V60 CROSS COUNTRY STARTS AROUND $42,000.
THE HUMBLE HYUNDAI ELANTRA SEDAN HAS NEVER REALLY BEEN ABOUT FLAIR AND FLASH; IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT VALUE.
BUT TODAY, PEOPLE WANT IT ALL, AND THE ALL-NEW, 6TH GENERATION 2017 ELANTRA AIMS TO PROVIDE JUST THAT.
STYLING ADDS A LOT OF ELEMENTS FROM BIG BROTHER SONATA, INCLUDING A HEXAGONAL GRILLE AND LED RUNNERS.
YET, THE SMOOTH 4-DOOR COUPE CONTOURS THAT WORKED SO WELL FOR ITS PREVIOUS REDESIGN CARRY OVER.
LENGTH AND WIDTH GROW SLIGHTLY, ABOUT AN INCH EACH.
CLIMBING INSIDE REVEALS A CABIN THAT'S A MORE SIGNIFICANT DEPARTURE.
GONE IS THE CENTER STACK THAT FLOWS INTO THE CONSOLE.
INSTEAD IS A HIGHLY SEGMENTED, MORE GROWNUP SETUP, REMINDING US OF TOYOTAS AND EVEN OLDER BMWS.
THE UPSCALE LAYOUT AND FEEL OF CONTROLS MAKE FOR A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION, AND COMFORT IS BETTER THAN EXPECTED.
APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO ARE BOTH AVAILABLE.
INITIAL ENGINE CHOICES ARE A 2.0 LITER I4, MAKING 147 HORSEPOWER RUNNING ON AN ATKINSON CYCLE, OR FOR THE ELANTRA ECO, A 1.4 LITER TURBO I4, WITH 128 HORSEPOWER.
TRANSMISSIONS RANGE FROM A 6-SPEED MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC FOR THE 2.0 LITER, TO A 7-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH AUTO FOR THE 1.4 TURBO.
NEITHER ENGINE REALLY EXCITES, BUT THEN AGAIN, THAT'S NOT REALLY THE POINT.
INSTEAD, THE FOCUS IS ON EFFICIENCY, AS WELL AS A QUIET AND COMFORTABLE RIDE.
AND HERE THE ELANTRA SHINES EVER BRIGHTER.
Lauren: IN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS, THIS WAS A VERY NOISY RIDE, SOMETHING YOU CAN TELL THEY'VE WORKED ON BECAUSE TODAY'S RIDE WAS ANYTHING BUT.
IT WAS VERY SMOOTH AND VERY QUIET.
THEY'VE ACTUALLY REDESIGNED THE CARPETS INSIDE OF THE CAR TO ABSORB SOME OF THAT EXTERIOR NOISE AND INCREASED THE THICKNESS IN THE DOOR GLASS.
John: A MUCH MORE RIGID CHASSIS HELPS TOO, WHILE ALSO REDUCING RIDE BUMP HARSHNESS AND IMPROVING HANDLING.
THE 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IS ON SALE NOW STARTING AT JUST UNDER $18,000.
AND WE'LL SET OUT ON MORE QUICKSPINS, SOON!
LIKE THE AUTO INDUSTRY ITSELF, IT'S BEEN QUITE A ROLLER COASTER OF LATE FOR THE HONDA CIVIC.
AFTER ITS 2011 REDESIGN WAS MET WITH MUCH DISDAIN BY PROFESSIONAL CAR TESTERS, IT WAS HASTILY RE-DONE JUST A YEAR LATER.
BUT THERE WAS ONLY SO MUCH THEY COULD DO.
IT WOULD TAKE A FULL REENGINEERING TO RETURN THE CIVIC BACK TO ITS ACCUSTOMED PEDESTAL.
WELL NOW, IT'S ARRIVED, THE 10TH GENERATION HONDA CIVIC.
SO, LET'S SEE IF IT STILL DESERVES ITS PERCH.
* REDESIGNING THE HONDA CIVIC IS SURELY A TIGHTROPE ACT THAT EVEN THE FLYING WALLENDAS WOULD THINK TWICE ABOUT.
ON ONE HAND, PEOPLE HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT A CIVIC IS AND SHOULD BE, AND ON THE OTHER HAND PEOPLE WANT TO SEE LOTS OF IMPROVEMENTS THAT MAKE UPGRADING WORTH IT.
AND MUCH LIKE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HIGH WIRE ACT, GETTING IT WRONG WOULD BE A REAL DISASTER.
SO, HONDA'S GOAL FOR THE 2016 CIVIC; LIKE ANY STUNT PERFORMER WILL TELL YOU, IS TO DO ALL OF THE PREP WORK POSSIBLE, LEAVING NOTHING TO CHANCE.
FOR HONDA, THAT MEANS MAKING IT BETTER IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY.
STARTING IT OFF, THERE'S SOME EXCITING NEWS UNDER THE HOOD FOR A CHANGE, TWO NEW 4-CYLINDER ENGINES.
A 158 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER, AND A 174 HORSEPOWER 1.5 LITER TURBO THAT SPINS UP 162 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
THE TINY TURBO IS THE MORE INTRIGUING OF THE TWO, AND THE ONE WE SPENT THE MOST TIME WITH ON OUR FIRST DRIVE OPPORTUNITY JUST OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT LAGGY WITH POWER DELIVERY, CLEARLY FEELING MORE ENTRY LEVEL THAN SPORTY.
BUT S MODE TIGHTENS THINGS UP, THOUGH NOT SO MUCH THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE IT IN THERE ALL OF THE TIME, WHICH WE EVENTUALLY DID.
THE CVT TRANSMISSION ATTACHED TO IT DOES THE BEST JOB YET OF ACTING LIKE A REAL AUTOMATIC, UNLESS YOU'RE KEEPING IT PINNED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS A LA HIGHWAY ON RAMPS.
AND EVEN THEN, IT'S FAIRLY QUIET.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS AREN'T OFFICIAL, BUT HONDA PUTS THE 1.5 LITER AT 31-CITY, 42-HIGHWAY, AND 35-COMBINED.
THE 2.0 LITER IS REMARKABLY SIMILAR AT 31-CITY, 41-HIGHWAY, AND 35-COMBINED WITH A CVT.
A 6-SPEED MANUAL IS ALSO AVAILABLE WITH THE 2.0 LITER.
COUPE AND FIRST TIME 5-DOOR HATCHBACK BODY STYLES WILL BE AVAILABLE, BUT SALES WILL START OFF WITH THE BREAD AND BUTTER 4-DOOR SEDAN.
IT'S STILL HIGHLY RECOGNIZABLE, BUT THE NEW CIVIC HAS GOTTEN A LOT MORE STYLISH WITH A COUPE FLAVORED SILHOUETTE, EXAGGERATED FENDERS, AND VERY AGGRESSIVE LOOKING FACE WITH LED RUNNING LIGHTS.
WHEELBASE IS 1.2 INCHES LONGER THAN BEFORE AT 106.3, AND OVERALL LENGTH SEES A GAIN OF ALMOST 3 INCHES.
IT ALSO SITS LOWER AND WIDER.
* OF COURSE THAT ADDS TO INTERIOR SPACE WHICH NOW FEELS MORE MID-SIZE THAN COMPACT.
THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM UP FRONT, WITH MORE THAN EXPECTED HIP, LEG, AND HEAD ROOM IN BACK, EVEN WHEN EQUIPPED WITH A SUNROOF.
TRUNK SPACE ALSO SEES A BIG BOOST TO 15.1 CUBIC-FEET.
SEAT COMFORT IS VERY GOOD AND THE LOW SEATING POSITION IS REMINISCENT OF '80s JAPANESE CARS.
SMALL A-PILLARS AND A BIG WINDSHIELD PROVIDES THE TYPICAL HONDA GREAT VISIBILITY, AIDED BY BIG SIDE MIRRORS AND A STANDARD BACKUP CAMERA.
THE DASH IS VERY LINEAR LOOKING WITHOUT MUCH TO BREAK UP THE FLOW.
BOTH FIT, AND FINISH, AND MATERIAL QUALITY ARE IMPRESSIVE.
THANKFULLY THE TWO TIERED GAUGE EXPERIMENT HAS COME TO AN END.
DESPITE OUR TURBOCHARGED CAR'S LAG TIME AT LAUNCH, WE WERE OFF TO A DECENT 0-60 TIME OF 7.5 SECONDS.
WITH BOTH THE LITTLE TURBO CRANKED AND CVT SCREAMING, THE QUARTER MILE PASSED IN A RESPECTABLE 15.7 SECONDS AT 93 MILES PER HOUR.
THROUGH THE CONES THERE IS A NOTICEABLY FIRMER FEEL, AND A LOT LESS UNDERSTEER THAN BEFORE.
THROW ON BEEFIER TIRES WITH ACTUAL GRIP, AND HONDA MIGHT REALLY HAVE SOMETHING HERE.
THE STEERING STIFFENS UP AS YOU GO, BUT IT'S A VERY ARTIFICIAL FEEL, AND NOT NECESSARILY A HELPFUL ONE.
CIVIC PRICING IS UP SLIGHTLY, BUT REMAINS UNDER 20 Gs, WITH A BASE, WELL EQUIPPED LX SEDAN STARTING AT $19,475.
TOP TOURING TRIM WITH THE TURBO AND HONDA SENSING ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE PACKAGE BEGINS AT $27,335.
DESPITE RECENT JOURNALISTIC PANS, THE CIVIC HAS REMAINED A COMPACT CAR SALES LEADER.
STILL, HONDA TOOK NO CHANCES THIS TIME AROUND, AND HAS UPDATED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IN THE 2016 CIVIC.
IT LOOKS LIKE THE 10TH TIME IS A CHARM.
WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.
NOW, FOR MORE MOTORWEEK WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST AND COMPLETE EPISODES AT PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME, FOR A MUSCLE CAR SHOWDOWN, TO SEE WHO COMES OUT ON TOP: FIRST A BATTLE OF THE GREAT V8s... THEN IT'S THE DAILY DRIVERS.
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.
Announcer: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.
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