HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US FOR A GRAND CRUISE IN BMW'S ALL-ELECTRIC I4 GRAN COUPE... WE'LL HEAD INTO THE VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS FOR AN OVERLANDING ADVENTURE... THEN, DON OUR GEAR FOR A RIDE ON HONDA'S CB500X... AND WRAP IT UP WITH A SWOOPY ELECTRIC FROM KIA, THE EV6 GT LINE...
SO, COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.
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FIRST, THERE WAS THE WHEEL.
THEN, THE TIRE.
"WE'LL CALL IT TIRE RACK."
FORTY YEARS LATER, WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN.
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: IT TOTALLY MAKES SENSE THAT THE CENTERPIECE OF BMW'S DRIVE TOWARDS ELECTRIFICATION WOULD INCLUDE A DYNAMIC SPORT SEDAN, OR AS CLOSE AS WE GET THESE DAYS, AS THIS ALL-NEW 5-DOOR I4 IS ACTUALLY WHAT THEY CALL A "GRAN COUPE."
BUT, WE'LL GLADLY TRADE A TRUNK LID FOR A HATCH AS LONG AS IT BRINGS THE EXPERIENCE WE'VE COME TO LOVE FROM BMW'S SPORT SEDANS.
SO, LET'S SEE IF THIS I4 DELIVERS.
* THERE ARE TWO ALL-NEW BATTERY-ELECTRIC ENTRIES FROM BMW FOR 2022, AND THEY SEEM TO BE ATTACKING THE COMING ALL-ELECTRIC FUTURE FROM TWO DIFFERENT ANGLES.
THIS 2022 BMW I4 M50 FEELS FAMILIAR, DELIVERING EVERYTHING WE'VE COME TO LOVE FROM A BMW SPORT SEDAN, ONLY WITH BATTERY POWER.
THE IX UTILITY IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE, FEELING VERY UNFAMILIAR AND UNLIKE ANY BMW, WE'VE EVER DRIVEN BEFORE.
WE'LL EXPLAIN THAT MORE IN THE COMING WEEKS WITH A FULL TEST OF THE IX.
BUT, FOR NOW, OUR FOCUS IS ON THIS FANTASTIC I4.
YES, IT IS BUILT AROUND BMW'S GRAN COUPE BODY SHAPE, WHICH MEANS 4-DOORS FOR ACCESSING THE MIDSIZE 5-PASSENGER CABIN, AND A REAR HATCH FOR PRACTICAL CARGO STOWAGE.
POWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BMW PERFORMANCE ARE BMW-DESIGNED ELECTRIC MOTORS THAT ARE FREE OF RARE EARTH MATERIALS.
SIMPLISTICALLY, THAT MEANS THEY'RE SET INTO MOTION WITH DIRECT PULSES OF ELECTRICITY RATHER THAN THROUGH MAGNETS.
STANDARD IN THE EDRIVE40 IS A SINGLE REAR-MOUNTED MOTOR DRIVING JUST THE BACK WHEELS TO THE TUNE OF 335 HORSEPOWER.
THIS M50 DIALS THAT MOTOR DOWN A BIT, BUT ADDS A SECOND MOTOR TO THE FRONT AXLE FOR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE AND A TOTAL OUTPUT OF 536 HORSEPOWER AND 586 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
A SINGLE-MOTOR EDRIVE35, WITH 281 HORSEPOWER WILL BE THE BASE MODEL LATER ON.
FOR NOW, ENERGY IS STORED IN AN 83.9 KILOWATT HOUR BATTERY PACK SHELTERED LOW IN THE I4s CHASSIS.
THE REAR DRIVE'S MAX RANGE OF 301 MILES FALLS TO 270 WITH ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, AND OUR TEST CAR'S 20 INCH WHEEL OPTION GETS THE LOWEST RATING OF ALL AT 227 MILES.
BUT WE WERE ACTUALLY ON PACE TO GET 243 MILES, TAKING IT ALMOST DOWN TO ZERO BEFORE PLUGGING IN.
THAT RESULTS IN A FAIR EFFICIENCY RATING OF 42 KILOWATT HOUR PER 100 MILES.
BUT LET'S FACE IT, THE REAL NUMBERS YOU'RE WAITING FOR COME FROM MASON DIXON DRAGWAY.
AND WE'RE HAPPY TO REPORT THE M50 EXPLODES OFF THE LINE AS BRUTALLY AS WE'D HOPED, WITH THE KIND OF LAUNCH THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR HEAD IS ALREADY PRESSED AGAINST THE HEAD REST, OR IT WILL BE SLAMMED THERE SHORTLY.
THREE POINT EIGHT SECONDS IS ALL THAT'S NEEDED FOR A LEAP TO 60.
THAT WAS ON A DAMP TRACK DAY WHERE, EVEN WITH ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, WE BATTLED A LITTLE BIT OF WHEEL SLIP.
PERFECT CONDITIONS WOULD DEFINITELY SHAVE A FEW TENTHS OFF OF THAT.
NO GEARS TO SHIFT, NO DROP-OFF IN POWER, JUST SPACESHIP-LIKE SOUNDS TO ACCOMPANY US THROUGH THE 12.4 SECOND QUARTER-MILE WHICH ENDED AT 113 MILES PER HOUR.
THE M-TUNED ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION IS JUST THE TIP OF THIS PRECISE-HANDLING ICEBURG.
THERE ARE ANTI-ROLL BARS, A STRUT TOWER BRACE, UNIQUE "LIFT-RELATED" SHOCKS, AND REAR AIR SUSPENSION; ALL INTEGRATED INTO STABILITY CONTROL ALONG WITH ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE AND BRAKING SYSTEMS.
NONE OF THAT DOES ANYTHING TO HIDE THIS CAR'S WEIGHT, BUT THERE ARE LOFTY LIMITS TO ITS GRIP.
WITH HARDLY ANY BODY ROLL, STEERING IS HEAVY IN A GOOD WAY, WITH MINIMAL INPUT NEEDED TO CHANGE DIRECTION.
WE WERE ALSO VERY HAPPY TO FIND THAT EVERYTHING INSIDE THE I4s CABIN IS FAMILIAR DRIVER-CENTRIC BMW, BUT TAKEN TO A SLIGHTLY TECHIER LEVEL; WITH THE 12.3 INCH GAUGE DISPLAY AND 14.9 INCH INFOTAINMENT SCREEN BLENDED TOGETHER INTO A SINGLE CURVED HOUSING IN FRONT OF THE WAVY DASH.
AND REST ASSURED, THERE ARE PLENTY OF ADDITIONAL CREATURE COMFORTS THAT MAKE STEPPING UP TO THE M50 WORTH IT, INCLUDING A 16-SPEAKER HARMON KARDON SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM, THROUGH WHICH YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE SOUNDS CREATED BY HANS ZIMMER AND BMW'S CREATIVE SOUND TEAM.
ON THE OUTSIDE, IT LOOKS DIFFERENT ENOUGH, WITH A UNIQUE BLOCKED-OFF TREATMENT APPLIED TO THE KIDNEY GRILLE, AND SMOOTHER THAN TYPICAL BODY PANELS.
BUT THE FAMILIAR BMW STANCE AND PROPORTIONS KEEP IT FROM LOOKING OUT OF STEP.
M50 PRICING COMES IN AT $68,295; AND WHILE THAT MAY SCREAM EARLY ADOPTER MORE THAN MAINSTREAM, CONSIDERING WHAT A NICE M3 GOES FOR THESE DAYS, WE'D SAY, IT'S JUST ABOUT RIGHT, AND WELL-DONE BMW.
THE EDRIVE40 STARTS AT $56,895, AND THERE ARE MORE AFFORDABLE OPTIONS ON THE WAY.
THE 2022 BMW I4 M50 IS A FANTASTIC FULLY-ELECTRIC SUCCESSOR TO BMW M THREE-BOX MODELS AS WE HAVE COME TO KNOW THEM.
WHERE BMW TAKES IT FROM HERE WILL BE TRULY EXCITING TO SEE.
THE ELECTRIC FUTURE MAY STILL BE SCARY TO SOME, BUT BMW HAS A WAY OF SETTING EVERYTHING STRAIGHT.
* OVERLANDING IS A COMBINATION OF OFF-ROADING AND CAMPING, WAY OFF THE GRID, WHERE THE JOURNEY IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE DESTINATION.
OUR STEPHANIE HART TEAMED UP WITH A VIRGINIA BASED ADVENTURE COMPANY, TERRA OVERLAND, AND WHAT SHE FOUND WAS AN ADRENALINE RUSH GOOD FOR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT!
* Stephanie Hart: WE'RE GOING OVERLANDING THROUGH THE BACK COUNTRY OF THE GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST.
THE TRAILS WE'RE GONNA BE ON WERE NOT MADE FOR TOURISM, SO THERE ARE NO SAFETY TRACKS; THERE ARE NO GUARD RAILS.
IT'S GOING TO BE A PRETTY FUN DAY, PRETTY INTERESTING, AND I CANNOT WAIT TO HOP BEHIND THE WHEEL OF OUR JEEP RUBICON.
MEET ALPHA ONE.
HE HAS A 6.0 INCH TERAFLEX LIFT AND 38 INCH MICKEY THOMPSON TIRES.
HE'S MORE THAN CAPABLE TO HANDLE WHATEVER UNION SPRINGS TRAIL THROWS AT US.
Shawn Vanderpoel: IT HAS 5.13 GEAR RATIO AND COMPLETELY ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS, AND A RIPP SUPERCHARGER TO GET US UP OVER SOME OF THESE ROCKS TODAY.
[CAR ENGINE GROWLS] Stephanie: SHAWN VANDERPOEL IS MY GUIDE AND THE OWNER OF TERRA OVERLAND.
Shawn: OUR MISSION IS TO SET PEOPLE FREE AND THAT REALLY IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO OUT HERE.
Stephanie: BY KEEPING IT SLOW AND LOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EPIC JOURNEY OFF THE GRID.
Shawn: ALRIGHT, SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT NICE AND EVEN THROUGH THE SWITCHBACK, THIS IS YOUR FIRST SWITCHBACK, SO YOU WANT TO TAKE-- MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THAT THROTTLE CONTROL ALL THE WAY EVEN.
YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOUR MOMENTUM, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO GUN IT EITHER...
THERE YOU GO, OH...COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT BETTER MYSELF.
Stephanie: THANK YOU.
Shawn: YOU GOT THIS.
Stephanie: THANK YOU.
I'M FOCUSING ON MY APPROACH ANGLE, DEPARTURE ANGLE AND BREAKOVER ANGLE.
USING THE TERRAIN TO MY ADVANTAGE, 95% OF THE TIME, [LAUGHING] YOU'RE SWEATING OVER THERE.
Shawn: NO, NOT AT ALL.
NOT AT ALL.
I'M LOVING IT.
Stephanie: CRYING?
Shawn: NOPE, NOT AT ALL.
THERE'S NOTHING ON THIS TRUCK IF IT, IF IT DOESN'T BREAKS YOU CAN'T FIX.
SO, YOU'RE OUT HERE ON AN ADVENTURE AND YOU'RE LEARNING, AND YOU'RE DOING AN AMAZING JOB.
Stephanie: JUST MAKE SURE YOU DON'T BILL ME, YOU BILL JOHN DAVIS, MOTORWEEK .
[LAUGHS] Shawn: [LAUGHS] POOR JOHN.
Stephanie: AND WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED; A SERIES OF DEEP MUD HOLES ALONG THE WAY IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!
Shawn: [LAUGHS] RIGHT-- YOU STAY DRIVER WHEN YOU COME UP OVER.
THERE YOU GO.
Stephanie: OH, THAT MUST HAVE GOT US.
Shawn: WOOHOO!
[LAUGHS] PERFECT, PERFECT.
Stephanie: AS I CONTINUE TO CRAWL UP THE MOUNTAIN, MY CONFIDENCE GROWS AND MY CELL BARS SHRINK.
Shawn: VERY LITTLE CELL SERVICE, CLOSE TO NONE, YOU ARE NOT INUNDATED WITH TEXT MESSAGES AND PUSH NOTIFICATIONS, AND WORK.
THE IDEA IS TO FORGET THE WORLD BEHIND YOU AND JUST LET NATURE TAKE YOU OVER.
LIKE, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT SAID, "IS TO LIVE WITH NATURE AND EMBRACE THAT ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE."
Stephanie: WHEN WE MEADOW KNOB, THAT CAME NATURALLY TO ME.
FROM HERE, YOU CAN SEE SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, MASSANUTTEN RESORT AND WEST VIRGINIA.
AND OUR OVERLANDING ADVENTURE ONLY GETS BETTER AS WE CONTINUE OUR TREK TO THE SUMMIT WHICH IS KNOWN AS "FLAGPOLE KNOB."
(BEEP SOUND) Shawn: SHE'S AWESOME.
SHE'S GOT THIS.
SHE'S A PRO.
Stephanie: DRIVING A $100,000 TRICKED OUT JEEP RUBICON, OFF THE GRID, IS A BUCKET LIST KIND OF THING; HOWEVER, YOU CAN STILL HAVE AN ADVENTURE LIKE THIS WITHOUT BREAKING YOUR BUDGET.
Shawn: ALL YOU NEED IS A GOOD PAIR OF TIRES AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE, AND JUST COME.
THAT'S ALL YOU NEED.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING CRAZY LIKE, WE'RE GOING TO DO TODAY; UM, YOU CAN JUST STICK TO THE BASIC FIRE ROADS.
Stephanie: BUT IF YOU WANT THAT ADRENALINE HIGH, YOU CAN RENT IT.
TERRA OVERLAND OFFERS SUPPORT WITH DAY AND OVERNIGHT JEEP ADVENTURE PACKAGES.
* I KNEW, WE WERE GETTING CLOSER TO THE TOP WHEN MY EARS POPPED.
* WHAT A CLIMB!
IT FEELS GREAT TO HAVE REACHED OUR DESTINATION, AT 4500 FEET ELEVATION.
IT'S PRETTY HARD TO BELIEVE WE STARTED WAY OVER THERE AT 1300 FEET ELEVATION.
IT DIDN'T DISAPPOINT.
DRIVING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AT THE END OF OUR SIX-HOUR JOURNEY, I FELT A REAL SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.
I CONQUERED ALL OF MOTHER'S NATURES CHALLENGES BY ACTIVATING MY INNER ADVENTURER THROUGH OVERLANDING.
ALPHA ONE WORE MUD LIKE A BADGE OF HONOR AND WE WORE SMILES!
* Jessica Ray: DID YOU KNOW ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAVE A 12 VOLT BATTERY?
AND FOR THE SAME REASON WE USE THEM IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CAR: TO POWER THE ACCESSORIES.
THINGS LIKE HEADLIGHTS, POWER SEATS, WINDOWS, INFOTAINMENT.
THEY'RE ALL MADE WITH A 12 VOLT BATTERY IN MIND.
BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT SAFETY.
THE LARGER LITHIUM-ION BATTERY HAS TOO MUCH VOLTAGE TO SAFELY POWER SMALLER ELECTRONICS WITHOUT BETTER CABLING OR INSULATION.
SO, JUST ADDING A TRUSTY LEAD-ACID 12-VOLT AND YOU'RE GOOD TO GO!
OF COURSE, THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS POWERED BY THE LITHIUM-ION ONE, SO IF IT DIES, YOU'RE GOING TO NEED A JUMP START JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
John: MUCH LIKE SUVs HAVE TAKEN OVER THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD, GO-ANYWHERE ADVENTURE BIKES ARE BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY POPULAR CHOICE FOR MORE AND MORE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS.
WELL, THIS WEEK OUR BRIAN ROBINSON HAS HIS OWN ADVENTURE ON AN ENTRY-LEVEL MACHINE THAT BRINGS THE DO-IT-ALL VIBE TO THE MASSES.
* Brian Robinson: IF YOU'VE GOT THE ADVENTURE BIKE BUG, BUT ARE ON A LIMITED BUDGET, HONDA'S JUST MAY HAVE THE RIDE YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.
THE CB500X HAS BEEN IN HONDA'S LINEUP FOR FEW YEARS NOW; BUT IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, IT HAS TRANSITIONED FROM BEING AN ADVENTURE-STYLED BIKE TO AN ADVENTURE-CAPABLE MACHINE.
THE 471CC LIQUID-COOLED PARALLEL TWIN THAT SETS IT IN MOTION IS FED BY REVISED FUEL-INJECTION FOR '22 AND GETS A LIGHTER RADIATOR.
IT HAS A COOL THUMPER-LIKE VIBE WHEN YOU FIRE IT UP; AND WHILE ITS 40-PLUS HORSEPOWER WILL CERTAINLY NOT BE ENOUGH FOR ADRENALINE JUNKIES, IT'S PLENTY FOR THOSE OF US GOING THROUGH LIFE AT A MORE RELAXED PACE, PROVIDED YOU AREN'T THE TYPE WHO LIKES TO OVER PACK.
IT HAD NO PROBLEM KEEPING UP WITH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, AND EVEN STAYS RELATIVELY SMOOTH DESPITE REVVING AT AROUND SEVEN OR EIGHT-GRAND.
THE REST OF THE DRIVETRAIN IS TYPICAL: 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION, THROUGH CHAIN-DRIVE; WITH A DOUBLE-SIDED SWINGARM AND 17 INCH REAR WHEEL AND TIRE.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT UPGRADE FOR THE '22 CB500X IS A NEW INVERTED SHOWA BIG PISTON FORK, WHICH HOLDS A 19 INCH FRONT WHEEL AND AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE ROTOR, WITH ABS STANDARD.
IT COMBINES WITH THE PRO-LINK REAR SHOCK TO PROVIDE MORE THAN 5.0 INCHES OF SUSPENSION TRAVEL AND DELIVER A SURPRISINGLY PLUSH RIDE.
IN FACT, SOME ENGINE BUZZ FELT THROUGH THE SEAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT KEEPS THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE FROM BEING ALMOST BMW-LIKE.
THE RIDING POSITION IS ALSO NEAR-PERFECT; AND THE WINDSCREEN IS QUITE EFFECTIVE AT KEEPING BOTH WIND AND BUGS OFF OF YOU.
IT IS ADJUSTABLE, BUT NOT ON THE FLY, AS IT REQUIRES TOOLS TO DO SO.
MIRRORS ARE GREAT; VIBRATION FREE, AND SET WIDE ENOUGH TO PROVIDE A GOOD REAR VIEW.
WHILE, NOT A TRUE DUAL-SPORT, IT'S PLENTY CAPABLE OFF-PAVEMENT; THOUGH, IF YOU PLAN ON DOING MUCH OF THAT, YOU'LL WANT MORE AGGRESSIVE TREAD FOR THE TIRES, AND CERTAINLY SOME PROTECTION FOR THE EXPOSED EXHAUST PIPES.
IN SIMPLER TIMES WE WOULD HAVE CALLED THIS PAINT JOB ARMY GREEN, BUT NOW WE GET NAMES LIKE PEARL ORGANIC GREEN AND BLACK.
IT'S YOUR ONLY CHOICE FOR '22, AND THERE ARE NO OTHER TRIMS OR OPTIONS PER SE; JUST THE USUAL ADD-ON ACCESSORIES.
THE FULL LCD GAUGE CLUSTER PROVIDES JUST THE BASICS, BUT DOES SO IN A CLEAR MANNER THAT'S EASY TO READ EVEN IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT.
ON THE PRACTICAL FRONT, AT LESS THAN 33 INCHES, THE SEAT HEIGHT IS NOT AS TALL AS MOST ADVENTURE BIKES, AND YOU CAN EASILY GET MORE THAN 50 MILES PER GALLON OUT OF THIS 500, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL APPRECIATE THESE DAYS.
PRICED AT JUST $7,199 MEANS THAT AFTER BUYING IT, YOU'LL STILL HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY LEFT OVER FOR GOING ON ACTUAL ADVENTURES WITH YOUR ADVENTURE BIKE.
SO YES, THE VALUE PROPOSITION IS INDEED VERY HIGH, BUT THE FUN FACTOR IS UP THERE, TOO, AS HONDA'S MID-SIZE CBS HAVE ALWAYS PROVIDED A FUN AND FRUGAL GATEWAY TO THE JOY OF MOTORCYCLING.
THIS 2022 HONDA CB500X IS OUTFITTED AND READY TO TAKE YOU EVEN FARTHER.
* Greg Carloss: WELL, WE KNEW THIS DAY WOULD COME; TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO OUR 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME.
WE'VE SPENT AN ENTIRE YEAR WITH THIS COMPACT HYBRID, FINISHING WITH 19,774 MILES.
OVERALL EFFICIENCY RESTS AT 59.9 MILES PER GALLON COMBINED-- A TESTAMENT TO TOYOTA'S HYBRID SYSTEM.
A PEPPY POWERPLANT, EVEN WHEN IT RELIED SOLELY ON THE PRIME'S 1.8 LITER 4-CYLINDER.
IT'S NOT WITHOUT FLAWS; WE STILL WISH THE CENTER STACK CONTROLS WERE EASIER TO USE.
STILL, A SMALL GRIPE IT MORE THAN MADE UP FOR DURING THESE TIMES OF HIGH-PRICED PETROL.
AFTER BEING SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR OF HARD LABOR AT MOTORWEEK , THIS PRIUS PRIME HASN'T FUSSED ONE BIT.
AND FOR THE MOST PART, NEITHER HAVE WE.
YOU COULD ALWAYS ASK FOR MORE HORSEPOWER OR IN THIS CASE MORE ALL-ELECTRIC DRIVING RANGE, BUT THE TRUTH IS, THE 25 MILES IT GAVE US WAS USUALLY ENOUGH.
AND THOSE QUIET, BATTERY-POWERED MILES JUST MADE IT THAT MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE.
NOT BAD FOR A 6-YEAR-OLD CAR DUE FOR A REDESIGN.
THE PRIUS PRIME WEATHERED SNOWSTORMS, EXTREME SUMMER HEAT, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.
IT KEPT US COZY FOR THE LONG HAULS AND PROVIDED AMPLE ROOM FOR EVERYDAY ERRANDS.
AT THE RISK OF SOUNDING TOO SENTIMENTAL: SO LONG, PRIUS PRIME.
MAY YOU LIVE ON TO PINCH PENNIES FOR YEARS TO COME.
WE'LL KEEP ON WAVING GOODBYE AS WE PART WAYS WITH THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE.
John: WITH ALL OF THE BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES COMING ONLINE, WE'RE QUICKLY LEAVING THE "EARLY ADOPTER" STAGE AND GOING FULL MAINSTREAM.
SO, IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE THAT WE'VE GOT YET, ANOTHER ALL-NEW BEV TO TEST: THE MUCH TALKED-ABOUT KIA EV6!
* THE 2022 KIA EV6 CROSSOVER IS THE FIRST STEP IN KIA'S PLAN TO DELIVER 11 ALL-NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLES WORLDWIDE BY 2026.
KIA IS NO STRANGER TO BEVs, BUT PRIOR TO NOW, THEIR OFFERINGS HAVE BEEN BUILT ON EXISTING KIA PRODUCTS SUCH AS THE SOUL AND NIRO.
THE EV6, HOWEVER, RIDES ON A DEDICATED ELECTRIC-GLOBAL MODULAR PLATFORM SHARED WITH HYUNDAI.
IT BRINGS WITH IT, 800 VOLT DC FAST-CHARGING, WHICH CAN ADD MORE THAN 200 MILES OF RANGE IN UNDER 18 MINUTES; 70 MILES IN JUST 5-MINUTES.
THE 77.4 KILOWATT HOUR BATTERY FOUND IN THIS EV6 GT-LINE DUAL MOTOR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE IS RATED AT 274 MILES OF RANGE, 310 MILES IF YOU STICK WITH REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE.
STANDARD, IS A 58 KILOWATT HOUR BATTERY WHICH DELIVERS A RANGE OF 232 MILES.
ENCAPSULATING A 5-DOOR COUPE-LIKE PROFILE, FLUSH DOOR HANDLES, AND UNIQUE LED LIGHTING, THE EV6 LOOKS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN ITS EDGIER HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 PLATFORM-MATE, AND IS AS TRENDY AS IT IS SPORTY.
AND, OF COURSE, IT FEATURES AN UPDATED TAKE ON KIA'S "TIGER NOSE" DESIGN THEME.
* A DEDICATED EV PLATFORM ALLOWS FOR MAXIMIZED INTERIOR SPACE.
SO, WITH THE FOOTPRINT OF A TYPICAL MIDSIZE SUV, ITS WHEELBASE IS MORE AKIN TO THE LARGER KIA TELLURIDE, MEANING LOTS OF ROOM INSIDE FOR BOTH PEOPLE AND CARGO.
HELPING THE REAR SEAT LEGROOM CAUSE EVEN FURTHER, ARE FRONT SEATS CONSTRUCTED OF SLIM AND ULTRA-LIGHT "GIGA-STEEL."
RECYCLED PLASTIC IS USED THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR.
STANDARD, IS A 125 KILOWATT REAR-MOUNTED MOTOR WITH 167 HORSEPOWER.
WITH THE EXTENDED RANGE BATTERY, HORSEPOWER JUMPS TO 225; WHILE AN ADDITIONAL MOTOR CAN BE ADDED TO THE FRONT AXLE PROVIDING ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, AND BOOSTING TOTAL OUTPUT TO 320 HORSEPOWER WITH 446 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
AND FINALLY, THE UPCOMING EV6 GT UPGRADES TO A 270 KILOWATT MOTOR FOR THE REAR WHEELS, FOR A TOTAL OF 576 HORSEPOWER; WHICH SHOULD BE PLENTY TO ROCKET TO 60 IN WELL UNDER 4.0 SECONDS.
FOR NOW, OUR TRACK TIME AT MASON DIXON DRAGWAY WILL BE IN THE LESSER 320 HORSEPOWER GT-LINE.
THOUGH, IT CERTAINLY DIDN'T FEEL MUCH LESSER.
AFTER A QUICK CHIRP OF THE TIRES OUR EV6 RIPPED TO 60 IN JUST 4.5 SECONDS.
LIKE, THE IONIQ 5, SEAMLESS POWER AND COOL SOUNDS FROM THERE, WANING SOMEWHAT AS WE SPED DOWN THE TRACK.
REGARDLESS, A QUARTER-MILE OF 13.3 SECONDS AT 104 MILES PER HOUR IS IMPRESSIVE FOR A FAMILY-STYLE SUV.
KIA CLAIMS THIS IS THE WORLD'S FIRST MASS-PRODUCED VEHICLE WITH AN INTEGRATED DRIVE AXLE DESIGN, INCORPORATING WHEEL BEARINGS WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT TO SAVE WEIGHT, AS WELL AS ENHANCE RIDE COMFORT AND HANDLING ABILITIES; WHICH ARE ALSO AIDED BY A FULLY-INDEPENDENT 5-LINK REAR SUSPENSION.
INDEED, THE EV6 IS A MORE THAN CAPABLE HANDLER WITH POWER DELIVERY FAVORING THE REAR.
GOOD BALANCE THROUGH THE CONES.
IT DIDN'T FEEL HEAVY AT ALL LIKE SOME EVs CAN WITH ONLY MILD BODY ROLL.
LIKE, MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS, KIA IS PROMOTING THE FACT THAT ALL EVs ARE ESSENTIALLY MOBILE POWER STATIONS.
THE EV6 CAN DELIVER 1,900 WATTS OF ELECTRICITY TO KEEP ALL OF YOUR ELECTRONICS CHARGED, POWER TOOLS AT A JOBSITE, OR EVEN CHARGE OTHER KIA EVs.
MORE THAN 20 ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS ARE STANDARD, WITH SEMI-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING AT THE NEW HDA2 LEVEL.
AND WHEN YOU'RE DOING THE DRIVING, A 3D AUGMENTED REALITY HEAD-UP DISPLAY GIVES YOU PLENTY OF INFORMATION.
A NEW ERA OF VEHICLE REQUIRES A NEW LANGUAGE WHEN IT COMES TO TRIM STRUCTURE; ONLY OUR GT-LINE, WHICH STARTS AT $52,415, WILL BE FAMILIAR TO CURRENT KIA OWNERS, AS LOWER TRIMS TAKE ON MORE EARTH-FRIENDLY NAMES, BASE LIGHT, WHICH STARTS AT $42,115 AND MID-GRADE WIND COMING IN AT $48,215, WITH DUAL MOTOR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE A $3,900 OPTION.
KIA CLEARLY HAS THEIR DIGITAL TIGER NOSE POINTED TOWARDS THE ELECTRIC FUTURE; AND VEHICLES SUCH AS THIS 2022 EV6 PROVE THEY'RE PLANNING TO BRING PLENTY OF PRACTICALITY AND FUN ALONG FOR THE RIDE.
WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.
NOW, FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , INCLUDING DAILY NEWS UPDATES, PODCASTS, AND EVEN COMPLETE EPISODES, CRUISE ON OVER TO PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME... WE'RE CLOSING OUT SUMMER WITH A LOOK AT TWO ELECTRIC ALL-STARS, THE LUXURY LADENED MERCEDES-BENZ EQS AND THE CAPABLE FORD F-150 LIGHTNING... WE'LL SEE HOW RURAL AMERICA IS KEEPING UP WITH THE EV TIMES... THEN, STRAP IN FOR AN OVER THE EDGE RUN AROUND DOMINION'S OVAL... 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... MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY... FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS HAS HELPED PEOPLE TACKLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE, MARINE, AND INDUSTRIAL FIELDS.
FROM OUR ORIGINAL FOUR CORE PRODUCTS... LUCAS OIL HAS DEVELOPED OVER 400 CUSTOM PRODUCTS TO HELP BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND DO IT YOURSELFERS.
TO LEARN MORE VISIT LUCASOIL.COM.
LUCAS OIL, KEEP THAT ENGINE ALIVE.
TIRERACK.COM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT  MOTORWEEK .
FIRST, THERE WAS THE WHEEL.
THEN, THE TIRE.
"WE'LL CALL IT TIRE RACK."
FORTY YEARS LATER, WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN.
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.
[SOUND OF CAR ENGINE REVVING] * YOUR WATCHING PBS.