HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !
JOIN US AS WE UPSHIFT INTO HYUNDAI'S ELANTRA N LINE... THEN, IT'S 200K CAR CARE FROM GOSS' GARAGE...
IT'S FLAT TRACK TWO WHEELIN' ON THE INDIAN FTR S... THEN, STRAP IN FOR A SUPERCHARGED SPRINT IN THE DODGE CHARGER HELLCAT REDEYE...
SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.
* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE 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.
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YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR TIRES ONLINE AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
"I DO."
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AND, TOOLS TO HELP.
"LIKE OUR TIRE DECISION GUIDE.
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John: WHEN WE RECENTLY TESTED THE ALL-NEW 7TH GENERATION HYUNDAI ELANTRA, WE SAID IT DELIVERED EXACTLY WHAT COMPACT CARS ARE SUPPOSED TO DELIVER.
WELL, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE EYE-CATCHING, THEY'VE GOT YOU COVERED THERE, TOO, WITH A NEW ELANTRA N LINE.
* BY NOW, YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD ALL ABOUT HYUNDAI'S N PERFORMANCE DIVISION, LAUNCHED HERE IN THE U.S. WITH 2019s VELOSTER N HATCHBACK.
THE KONA UTILITY AND ELANTRA SEDAN ARE NEXT IN LINE TO GET THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE TREATMENT, AND WE'LL HAVE FULL TESTS OF THOSE VERY SOON.
BUT FIRST, JUST TO WHET YOUR APPETITE, IS THIS 2021 ELANTRA N LINE.
NOW, TO ENSURE WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE; IF THERE'S JUST AN N FOLLOWING THE NAME, IT'S THE FULL HIGH-PERFORMANCE VERSION; WHILE, N LINE VEHICLES MERELY TAKE INSPIRATION FROM THE N DIVISION.
MEANING IT GETS A MUCH MILDER UPGRADE IN PERFORMANCE, YET, LOOKS A WHOLE LOT SPORTIER THAN THE STANDARD ELANTRA; VERY SIMILAR IN SPECS TO LAST GENERATION'S ELANTRA SPORT.
THE N LINE TREATMENT FEATURES AN UPGRADED CASCADING GRILLE IN A UNIQUE FRONT FASCIA.
THERE ARE BLACK SILL EXTENSIONS DOWN THE SIDES, AS WELL AS AN UPDATED REAR WITH CHROME EXHAUST TIPS INTEGRATED INTO A NEW DIFFUSER, WITH A DECK-LID SPOILER UP TOP.
WINDOW TRIM IS BLACKED OUT, A SUNROOF IS STANDARD, THERE ARE UPGRADED HEAD AND LED TAIL LIGHTS, AND OF COURSE, NEW WHEELS; 18s WITH ALL SEASON TIRES IF YOU GET THE 7-SPEED DCT, WHILE SUMMER TIRES COME WITH THE MANUAL.
YES, YOU CAN GET A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.
EITHER TRANSMISSION IS ATTACHED TO A 1.6 LITER TURBOCHARGED I4 ENGINE WITH 201 HORSEPOWER AND 195 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
WHILE THAT'S FAR FROM AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF POWER, IT'S 54 HP MORE THAN THE STANDARD ELANTRA AND INCREASES THE FUN FACTOR WITHOUT BEING ANY LESS RELAXING TO DRIVE.
INSIDE, YOU'LL GRIP A PERFORATED LEATHER SPORT STEERING WHEEL, SIT IN N LINE SPORT SEATS WITH LEATHER BOLSTERS, GET INFORMATION FROM A UNIQUE N LINE GAUGE CLUSTER, AND HAVE PLENTY OF RED STITCHING AND METAL TRIM TO LOOK AT.
FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE CHASSIS UPGRADES TOO: STIFFER ENGINE MOUNTS, FIRMER SPRINGS, THICKER STABILIZER BARS, NEW SHOCKS, QUICKER STEERING RATIO, AND 1.0 INCH LARGER BRAKE ROTORS UP FRONT.
AND FINALLY, N LINE DROPS THE STANDARD ELANTRA'S TORSION BEAM REAR AXLE SUSPENSION FOR A MULTI-LINK INDEPENDENT SETUP.
SOMETHING WE COULDN'T WAIT TO EXPERIENCE AT OUR ALTERNATE HEADQUARTERS AT MASON DIXON DRAGWAY.
THROUGH THE CONES, IT WAS VERY QUICK TO RESPOND; WHIPPING IN AND OUT WITH EASE, AND PROVIDING GREAT FEEDBACK THROUGH THE WHEEL.
ALSO, WELL-COMPOSED WITH VERY LITTLE BODY ROLL.
WE HAD TO PUSH QUITE HARD TO FIND SOME UNDERSTEER; AND ONCE FOUND, IT WAS EASY TO MODULATE.
BOTH THE CLUTCH AND THE GAS PEDAL ARE A LITTLE SOFT AND VAGUE, MAKING LAUNCHES A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT THAN THEY NEED TO BE; BUT, AS THE TACH NEEDLE SWEEPS PAST 4,000 RPM, POWER POURS ON QUITE EFFECTIVELY, TAKING US TO 60 IN 7.1 SECONDS.
THAT'S MORE THAN A SECOND QUICKER THAN THE STANDARD ELANTRA WITH THE NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 2.0 LITER.
THE MANUAL SHIFTER IS EASY TO WORK; AND WE SHIFTED OUR WAY TO A 15.3 SECOND QUARTER-MILE AT 90 MILES PER HOUR.
THE UPGRADED BRAKES FELT GREAT; GOOD FIRMNESS TO THE PEDAL, APPRECIABLE FEEDBACK, AND FADE-FREE CONSISTENT STOPS FROM 60 OF ONLY 101 FEET.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS WITH THE MANUAL ARE 25-CITY, 34-HIGHWAY, AND 28-COMBINED.
WE AVERAGED AN ACCEPTABLE 26.8 MILES PER GALLON OF REGULAR.
THAT'S SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN AVERAGE FOR THE ENERGY IMPACT SCORE; 11.8 BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMED AND 5.3 TONS OF CO2 EMITTED ANNUALLY.
THE N LINE SLOTS JUST BELOW TOP LIMITED TRIM IN THE ELANTRA HIERARCHY, STARTING AT $25,105 FOR THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION, $26,205 FOR THE DCT.
TWEENER MODELS ARE ALL ABOUT COMPROMISE AND THAT'S NOT ALWAYS A BAD THING.
NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO DRIVE A TRACK-READY, STIFF-CLUTCHED TEMPERAMENTAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE HOT ROD ON THE STREET EVERY DAY; BUT MOST, IF NOT ALL OF US, APPRECIATE THE INTEGRATION OF A LITTLE MORE PERFORMANCE INTO OUR DAILY DRIVES WITHOUT SACRIFICING LIVABILITY.
THE 2021 HYUNDAI ELANTRA N LINE HITS THAT SWEET SPOT JUST RIGHT.
* NOW THAT INDIAN MOTORCYCLES HAS FIRMLY RE-ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A MAJOR PART OF THE AMERICAN CRUISER LANDSCAPE, IT'S TIME FOR THE BRAND TO BRANCH OUT AND EXPLORE NEW TERRITORIES.
BUT AS BRIAN ROBINSON IS ABOUT TO TELLS US, AT INDIAN, EVEN WHAT'S NEW COMES WITH A SENSE OF HISTORY.
* Brian Robinson: THE INDIAN MOTORCYCLE BRAND DOES INDEED HAVE A VERY LONG HISTORY HERE IN THE U.S., BUT THIS FTR 1200 IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT THE PAST AS IT IS ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.
RACING DOESN'T GENERALLY COME TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF INDIAN MOTORCYCLES OR AMERICAN CRUISERS IN GENERAL.
BUT, WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING THE BOARD TRACK INSANITY OF THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, OR THE HUNDREDS OF DIRT OVALS SCATTERED ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, INDIAN HAS BEEN A MAJOR PLAYER FOR AS LONG AS IT'S BEEN AROUND.
AND THAT CONTINUES TO THIS DAY WITH THEIR FACTORY TEAM FTR 750 REGULARLY WINNING IN AMERICAN FLAT TRACK RACING.
AND THAT'S WHERE THIS 2022 INDIAN FTR S COMES IN.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, THIS IS NOT A STREET VERSION OF A FLAT-TRACK RACER, BUT A BIKE INSPIRED BY ONE; WHICH IS ACTUALLY A BETTER SCENARIO.
BECAUSE AS AWESOME AS IT SOUNDS TO BE RIDING A FLAT TRACK BIKE ON THE STREET EVERY DAY, IT WOULDN'T REALLY BE AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE.
BUT IT'S NOT ALL FLAT TRACK HERE, AS THE TIDY TAIL SECTION, UPSWEPT EXHAUST, BIG FORK TUBES, AND 17 INCH WHEELS WITH METZELER SPORTEC TIRES, ALL COME FROM THE MODERN SPORTBIKE PLAYBOOK.
THIS FTR S ADDS RIDE MODES, VARIOUS RIDER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS, AND A USB PORT.
OUR TESTER ALSO MADE A QUICK RUN THROUGH INDIAN'S ACCESSORIES CATALOG WITH ADDED AKRAPOVIC EXHAUST, UPGRADED OHLINS SUSPENSION, A FLY SCREEN, AND MIRRORS.
THE S ALSO COMES WITH INDIAN'S WELL-DESIGNED 4.3 INCH RIDE COMMAND LCD.
IT WORKS BOTH AS A TOUCHSCREEN AND WITH TRIGGER AND TOGGLE SWITCHES.
IT DOES FALL WELL OUTSIDE OF YOUR GENERAL FIELD OF VIEW, ESPECIALLY WITH A FULL FACE HELMET ON, SO IT REQUIRES A CLEAR LOOK DOWN TO SEE BY HOW MUCH YOU'RE CURRENTLY VIOLATING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT.
AND THAT'S EASY TO DO AS THE POWER IS AMAZING.
THIS LIQUID-COOLED V-TWIN OFFERS ALL OF THE TORQUE THAT YOU EXPECT A BIG TWIN TO DELIVER, YET, SEEMS TO ADD PLENTY MORE ON TOP AS YOU KEEP THE REVS BUILDING, AND IT WILL REV, THOUGH NOT WITH I4 SPORTBIKE SMOOTHNESS.
THE FTR ACTUALLY, FIRST WENT ON SALE IN 2019, AND MOST OF THE UPDATES FOR '22 ARE ALL ABOUT IMPROVING THE RIDING EXPERIENCE.
THAT ENGINE HAS BEEN RETUNED FOR BETTER COLD START PERFORMANCE, AND FUEL DELIVERY IMPROVED FOR SMOOTHER AND MORE LINEAR THROTTLE RESPONSE.
MEASURES WERE ALSO TAKEN TO DIVERT ENGINE HEAT AWAY FROM THE RIDER.
WHEEL SIZES ALSO CHANGE FROM 19-FRONTS AND 18-REARS TO 17s ALL AROUND, IMPROVING HANDLING, AND GREATLY INCREASING YOUR OPTIONS FOR PERFORMANCE TIRES.
WHICH ONLY ADDS TO THE SPECTACULAR SUSPENSION SETUP.
THE FTR FEELS NOTHING LIKE A CRUISER, RATHER LIKE A BIG HAIRY SUPERMOTO BIKE THAT'S ABOUT TO SPIT YOU OFF, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENCOURAGING YOU TO DO THINGS THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR DRIVING RECORD.
PRICING STARTS AT $12,999 FOR A BASIC FTR WITH MANY OPTIONS TO ESCALATE FROM THERE; THIS S COMES IN JUST UNDER $15,000.
THE 2022 INDIAN FTR S IS ONE OF THOSE BIKES THAT DEFIES CATEGORIES; BECOMING JUST AN INCREDIBLY FUN MACHINE THAT DELIVERS A MORE REWARDING EXPERIENCE THE MORE FAMILIAR YOU BECOME WITH IT.
ALL OF THIS FROM AMERICA'S FIRST MOTORCYCLE BRAND.
John: EVERYONE WANTS THEIR CAR TO LAST LONGER AND KEEP THEM SAFE ON THE ROAD.
WELL, AS PAT GOSS EXPLAINS DOWN AT GOSS' GARAGE, IT'S ALL ABOUT NEVER IGNORING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.
* Pat Goss: IN MY MANY YEARS HERE ON MOTORWEEK , I'VE BEEN GIVING YOU POINTERS ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR CARS LAST LONGER.
AND THAT COMES DOWN TO A VERY SIMPLE RULE: PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE.
TAKE CARE OF IT SO IT DOESN'T BREAK INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL IT DOES BREAK AND THEN FIXING IT.
WELL THAT MEANS THINGS LIKE OIL CHANGES, AND FLUSHING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND FLUSHING THE POWER STEERING IF YOU HAVE THAT TYPE OF STEERING.
DIFFERENTIAL SERVICES AND ALL OF THESE THINGS... FLUSHING THE COOLING SYSTEM, KEEPING THE PROPER COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE ALL THE TIME.
WELL, SOME OF YOU HAVE GIVEN ME COMMENTS THAT I MAY OVER-EXAGGERATE THESE THINGS.
WELL, HERE WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE.
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO A FRIEND OF MINE WHO HAS ADHERED TO THE RULES THAT I SUGGEST AS FAR AS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE GOES.
THIS CAR IS TEN YEARS OLD, HAS 215,000 MILES ON IT, HAS NEVER HAD ANY KIND OF MAJOR REPAIR TO IT.
THE ENGINE IS ALL ORIGINAL, HAS THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION AND THE ORIGINAL DRIVETRAIN IN IT.
SO, IT'S A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE.
SO, THE BIG THING HERE IS TO REMEMBER THAT OIL CHANGES ARE CRITICAL, ESPECIALLY ON THESE NEWER VEHICLES.
YOU'VE GOT TO CHANGE THE OIL, YOU WANT TO USE THE PROPER OIL FILTER AND ALSO ALWAYS USE THE PROPER OIL.
REMEMBER, THICKER IS NOT BETTER AS SOME PEOPLE WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE.
NOW ALONG WITH THAT, TRANSMISSION FLUSHES AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS THAT GO ALONG WITH FLUSHING AND MAINTAINING A VEHICLE.
IF YOU DO THAT, YOU CAN DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF YOUR VEHICLE, AND LET'S FACE IT: IT'S A LOT CHEAPER TO DO PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE THAN IT IS TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE.
AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR A COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK !
John: NO CAR IS TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL, TOO FAST OR THE OTHER WAY FOR US AROUND HERE, SO LET'S HEAD OUT FOR MORE QUICKSPINS.
* Stephanie Hart: THE REVISED 2022 PORSCHE MACAN IS FINALLY HERE AND IT HAS A NEW LOOK AND MORE POWER!
WE RECENTLY GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS PYTHON GREEN MACHINE AND DROVE AROUND BEAUTIFUL PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA.
* IT FELT POWERFUL, SMOOTH AND SPORTY, WHICH IS WHAT WE'VE COME TO LOVE AND EXPECT FROM PORSCHE.
NO WONDER THE MACAN HAS BEEN THEIR BESTSELLING MODEL SINCE 2016.
EXTERIOR DESIGN CHANGES TO THE COMPACT SUV MAKE IT LOOK MODERN AND COOL, LIKE THIS ROOF SPOILER WITH A FIXED TWIN WING DESIGN AND FIN IN HIGH-GLOSS BLACK.
AND THERE'S A NEW REAR DIFFUSER DESIGN.
IT COMES STANDARD WITH 19 INCH WHEELS AND THERE ARE A BUNCH OF NEW WHEEL DESIGNS AVAILABLE.
THE MACAN GTS ALSO SLITHERS INTO THE TOP SPOT OF THE MACAN FAMILY, REPLACING THE PORSCHE MACAN TURBO.
I DON'T THINK IT'S POSSIBLE TO HATE DRIVING THIS SUV.
THE MACAN GTS HAS MORE POWER THAN EVER, PLUS, A LOT MORE STANDARD EQUIPMENT.
THE MACAN'S STANDARD 2.0 LITER TURBO 4 NOW OUTPUTS 261 HORSEPOWER, WHILE, THE GTS HAS A 2.9 LITER V6 TWIN-TURBO ENGINE GIVING OUT 434 HORSEPOWER AND 406 POUND FEET OF TORQUE.
THE 7-SPEED PDK DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION IS STANDARD, SO IS ALL WHEEL DRIVE.
THIS SMALL LUXURY SUV ALSO COMES WITH A NEW OPTIONAL GTS SPORT PACKAGE, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO TAKE YOUR DRIVING EXPERIENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
AIR SUSPENSION, INCLUDING PORSCHE ACTIVE SUSPENSION MANAGEMENT, IS STANDARD ON THE GTS; WITH AN UP TO 15 PERCENT STIFFER SET-UP THAN BEFORE.
INSIDE, YOU'LL NOTICE STYLING CHANGES FOR 2022.
THE CENTER CONSOLE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REDESIGNED.
THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER IS NOW SHORTER.
PLUS, THERE ARE VIRTUALLY NO MORE PHYSICAL BUTTONS; EVERYTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH TOUCH-BUTTONS.
I PERSONALLY LIKE IT, BUT IT MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE.
THERE'S EVEN A NEW OPEN STORAGE COMPARTMENT THAT'S CONVENIENT FOR STORING A CELL PHONE, WALLET OR OTHER SMALL ITEMS.
ALL MACAN'S COME WITH A 10.9 INCH TOUCHSCREEN WITH STANDARD NAVIGATION AND APPLE CARPLAY.
THE 2022 PORSCHE MACAN STARTS AT JUST OVER $56,000 AND WILL BE AVAILABLE TO BUY IN THE SPRING OF 2022.
John: ALONG WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW TAOS, VOLKSWAGEN HAS ALSO GIVEN THE TIGUAN AN UPSCALE MAKEOVER FOR 2022 WITH THE AIM OF CREATING A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN THEM, AS THEY ARE BOTH TECHNICALLY IN THE SAME COMPACT SUV CLASS.
THE TIGUAN IS, INDEED, BIGGER THAN THE TAOS AND MANY RIVALS, AS ITS 186 INCHES OF OVERALL LENGTH STILL GIVES IT AN EDGE OVER THE RAV-4 AND CR-V.
THE FRONT-END IS RESHAPED, TAKING CUES FROM THE ARTEON AND ATLAS, WHILE THE REAR'S BIG CHANGE IS THE UPDATED FONT, AND RELOCATION OF THE TIGUAN BADGE.
ALL INTERIORS ARE FITTED WITH SOME FORM OF VOLKSWAGEN'S DIGITAL COCKPIT, BE IT THE STANDARD 8.0 INCH OR THE OPTIONAL 10.25 INCH DIGITAL COCKPIT PRO.
VOLKSWAGEN INVITED US UP TO CHELSEA, MICHIGAN, TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE NEWEST TIGUAN AND TRY OUT THE UPDATES FOR OURSELVES.
Greg Carloss: IF YOU WERE A FAN OF HOW THE 2021 TIGUAN DROVE, GOOD NEWS, THE 2022 DRIVES BASICALLY THE SAME.
THERE ARE NO SUSPENSION UPDATES.
POWERTRAIN IS STILL THE SAME.
STILL, USES THE 2.0 LITER TURBO 4.
184 HORSEPOWER, 221 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
THEY KIND OF TWEAKED THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION A LITTLE BIT AND I GOT TO SAY, IF I FEEL ANYTHING, IT'S SLIGHTLY LESS HESITANT TO SHIFT AT SOME TIMES.
John: FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AND 4MOTION ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TIGUAN'S JUMP TO 26 AND 25 MILES PER GALLON COMBINED, RESPECTIVELY, WHILE...THE 4-MOTION EQUIPPED R-LINE MAINTAINS ITS 24 MPG COMBINED RATING.
AT DEALERS NOW, 2022 TIGUAN PRICING STARTS AT AROUND $27,000, WITH THE TOP SEL R-LINE TRIM TAKING OFF AT JUST UNDER $38,000.
AND WE'LL HAVE MORE QUICKSPINS, SOON!
* Greg: WE'RE HEADING FULL SPEED INTO WINTER HERE IN THE MID-ATLANTIC; AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE ACTUALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN WE'RE DRIVING THIS 2021 SUBARU CROSSTREK SPORT.
THERE IS S A REASON YOU SEE, SO MANY SUBARU'S THE FURTHER NORTH YOU GO IN THIS COUNTRY; AND THAT REASON IS SYMMETRICAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE.
STANDARD HERE IN THE CROSSTREK SPORT, IT'S CONSTANTLY DISTRIBUTING TORQUE WHERE IT'S NEEDED.
NOW, IT HASN'T SNOWED HERE YET, BUT WE'VE STILL FELT THE SYSTEM IN ACTION.
WHETHER, IT'S ACCELERATING QUICKLY FROM A STOP OR PUSHING A LITTLE HARDER THAN WE SHOULD ON A BACK ROAD, THERE'S NEVER A SHORTAGE OF GRIP.
ONE NITPICK: ADJUSTING THE CRUISE CONTROL IS FINICKY WHEN DIALING IN PRECISE SPEEDS THAT AREN'T IN FIVE MILE PER HOUR INCREMENTS; BUT ONCE SET, THE 182 HORSEPOWER CROSSTREK SPORT HAS NO PROBLEMS CRUISING AT HIGH SPEEDS.
AND, THROUGH NINE MONTHS AND SOME 11,000 MILES OF CRUISING, WE'VE AVERAGED AN EXCELLENT 30.4 MILES PER GALLON, BETTERING THE EPA'S COMBINED CITY/HIGHWAY RATING.
ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WILL HELP US THROUGH WINTER'S WORST IS THIS 2022 NISSAN PATHFINDER.
WE'LL CHECK IN ON IT ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!
John: IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHAT DODGE HAS BEEN UP TO LATELY WHEN OUR REACTION TO THIS CHARGER SRT HELLCAT REDEYE WIDEBODY IS, "OH...WELL, ANOTHER 700 HORSEPOWER CHARGER, THAT'S COOL!
WELL, WHAT'S REALLY SPECIAL ABOUT THIS VEHICLE?"
WE THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER ASK.
* AH, HELLCAT.
JUST SAYING THE NAME SENDS CHILLS DOWN OUR SPINES AND MAKES US GLAD TO KNOW THAT DODGE HAS NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF BUILDING GINORMOUS FIRE-BREATHING V8-POWERED REAR-DRIVE MUSCLE CARS, YET.
THEY EVEN BUILD THEM WITH 4-DOORS, LIKE THIS 2021 DODGE CHARGER SRT HELLCAT REDEYE WIDEBODY.
GETTING RIGHT TO THE FUN STUFF AT MASON DIXON DRAGWAY; THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY CARS IN WHICH YOU CAN TAKE OFF WITH A HORRIBLE CROSSED-UP WHEEL-SPINNING LAUNCH AND STILL GET TO 60 IN LESS THAN 5.0 SECONDS.
HIT IT JUST RIGHT AND YOU CAN GET DEEP DOWN INTO THE THREES.
BUT, WE'LL TAKE 4.0 SECONDS FLAT ANY DAY.
YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE ALWAYS WALKING A TIGHTROPE WHEN IT COMES TO THROTTLE INPUT AND AVAILABLE GRIP UNTIL YOU'RE WELL INTO THIRD GEAR.
BETWEEN THE SUPERCHARGER WHINE AND THE HEALTHY DOSE OF EXHAUST SNARL; IT'S A FULL-ON AUDIO ASSAULT ACCOMPANYING YOU THROUGHOUT THE QUARTER-MILE.
AS ALWAYS, AN 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEALS OUT THE GEARSHIFTS WITH PRECISION.
IT'S A BLAST FOR SURE; EVEN IF IT DOES ONLY LAST FOR 12.0 SECONDS, BUT FINISHES AT 126 MILES PER HOUR.
NOT THAT YOU NEED ANY HELP DOING BURNOUTS, BUT DODGE WAS NICE ENOUGH TO NOW INCLUDE THE DEMON'S DRAG-STRIP LINE-LOCK HERE IN THE CHARGER.
NOW, UNLIKE THE CHARGER YOU OR YOUR DAD MAY HAVE OWNED BACK IN THE 1970s, THIS 21ST CENTURY CHARGER IS BUILT TO HANDLE A ROAD COURSE TOO...SORT OF; YOU CERTAINLY NEED TO HAVE THE PROPER MINDSET WHEN TAKING TO THE TRACK.
HERE AT SUMMIT POINT MOTORSPORTS PARK, YOU'D THINK THERE WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH RUBBER IN THE WORLD TO HARNESS THE HELLCAT'S WRATH.
BUT, CORNERING GRIP WAS SURPRISINGLY HIGH, PROVIDED OUR THROTTLE INPUTS STAYED SMOOTH.
AND DESPITE ITS FEROCIOUS NATURE, THE REDEYE, IN TERMS OF HANDLING, IS ACTUALLY VERY PREDICTABLE.
IT GIVES YOU PLENTY OF TIME TO REACT TO ANY REAR END MOVEMENT, AND IT REMAINS EASY TO STEER WITH THE THROTTLE.
THE FRONT SEATS PROVIDE A COMMANDING VIEW, AND OFFER GREAT COMFORT ON THE HIGHWAY; BUT HERE ON THE TRACK THEY DON'T EXACTLY HOLD YOU IN PLACE, AND THEY POSITION YOU SO FAR ABOVE THE TRACK IT FEELS LIKE YOU'RE RIDING ON TOP OF THE CAR, NOT IN IT.
NO UPGRADE FOR THE BRAKES; STANDARD HELLCAT BREMBOS.
THEY TEND TO FADE QUICKLY, AND THE PEDAL FEEL IS NOT CONFIDENCE INSPIRING AT ALL.
BUT HAVING SAID THAT, THE CHARGER HELLCAT REDEYE IS A HEAP OF FUN ON THE TRACK; PROVIDED YOU DON'T FOCUS SO MUCH ON LAP TIMES AND JUST ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.
SO, HOW DID WE GET HERE?
WELL, IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, THE ORIGINAL 707 HORSEPOWER SRT HELLCAT ARRIVED FOR 2015 IN BOTH CHALLENGER COUPE AND CHARGER BODY STYLES.
OVER THE YEARS, THEY'VE INCREASED PERFORMANCE HERE AND THERE, AS WELL AS ADDED A WIDEBODY TREATMENT.
GOING NEXT-LEVEL, THE REDEYE ESSENTIALLY ADDS A DE-TUNED VERSION OF THE CHALLENGER DEMON'S 6.2 LITER SUPERCHARGED HEMI V8; WHICH MEANS A BIGGER SUPERCHARGER DELIVERING MORE BOOST THAN THE STANDARD HELLCAT, HIGHER 6,500 RPM LIMIT, DUAL STAGE FUEL PUMPS, AND LARGER INTAKE FEATURING SRT'S POWER CHILLER.
BUILT FOR THE STREET AND NOT NECESSARILY THE TRACK, IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ULTRA-HIGH OCTANE GAS; SO, OUTPUT COMES IN AT 797 HORSEPOWER AND 707 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.
THERE'S ALSO A UNIQUE GRILLE UP FRONT; ALONG WITH A NEW HOOD, SATIN BLACK TRIM, AND 20 INCH LIGHTWEIGHT CARBON BLACK WHEELS.
WHILE INSIDE, YOU GET A SPECIAL GAUGE PANEL WITH A 220 MILES PER HOUR SPEEDOMETER; NOT TO MENTION PLENTY OF ROOM TO TAKE THE FAMILY OR A FEW FRIENDS ALONG FOR A HELL RAISING CRUISE.
GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 12-CITY, 21-HIGHWAY, AND 15-COMBINED; WE AVERAGED 15.6 MILES PER GALLON OF PREMIUM FUEL.
THE FACT THAT DODGE PUTS HELLCAT INSANITY ON THE STREET FOR AS LITTLE AS $74,165 IS STILL PRETTY AMAZING; STEPPING UP TO REDEYE COSTS $82,765.
SORRY, NO MATTER HOW MANY MOTORS IT HAS, OR THE THEORETICAL POUND-FEET OF TORQUE IT CAN DELIVER, OR HOW FAST ANY EV IS; IT JUST CAN'T GIVE YOU THE SENSATION THAT A CAR LIKE THIS 2021 DODGE CHARGER SRT HELLCAT REDEYE WIDEBODY CAN.
AND, IT REMAINS THE MOST POWERFUL AND FASTEST MASS-PRODUCED SEDAN IN THE WORLD.
THERE'S NOTHING ABOUT IT THAT'S SUBTLE, SMOOTH, OR EVEN ALL THAT MODERN.
AND THAT'S WHY WE LOVE IT.
LONG LIVE THE HELLCAT!
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'LL COVER NEW GROUND WITH NISSAN'S REDESIGNED FRONTIER MIDSIZE PICKUP.
THEN, WE'LL DROP THE TOP IN BMW'S LUXURY-LADEN 4 SERIES CONVERTIBLE.
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.
YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR TIRES ONLINE AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
"I DO."
WE'RE TIRERACK.COM AND WE HAVE ANSWERS, AND, TOOLS TO HELP.
"LIKE, OUR TIRE DECISION GUIDE.
IT'S, UH, TAKE A LOOK."
"OH!"
FIND, DELIVER, INSTALL.
* Announcer: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.
[SOUND OF CAR ENGINE REVVING] * YOUR WATCHING PBS.