Motorweek; 2823

It's classic. What's more with a sharper mustache. Is the new Mustang ready to run as well against all comers. We'll take you for the ride. Next stop on the motorway. And the helpers this time my boss's garage. They were selling this week. Really. Just how easy it is to get your. Great. Rolls out its newest sports sedan. Do we TV's original automotive magazines brought to you by cars dot com. Let's say you're looking for a car. Cars dot com can help research locate even contact a dealer. Cars dodge. Your host for Motor Week. John Davis. Well hello and welcome again to motor week. We're glad to have you with us. Like

any winner the trick of a car staying out in front of its rivals is a constant series of careful nips tucks and updates. Now it's been less than five years since Ford completely redesigned their original pony car the Mustang that reworked produced a totally modern sport coupe that quickly became an industry benchmark benchmark that a lot of others are now taking aim at. So it's time for a nip tuck and maybe a whole lot more. With the 2010 Mustang Ford has actually gone far beyond the typical mid-cycle freshening. The result is a totally up to date interpretation of the original pony car with a tremor sharper more muscular for. The effort readies the Mustang convertible and glass hard top to face off against a herd of rivals like the new Chevrolet Camaro Dodge Challenger and

even the Nissan 370 Z. Bottom line form is largely unchanged. The new Mustang is wrapped in a new and much sharper sheet metal. The result is more revisited 69 than ever. I'm more swept back front in a narrower grille are adorned by an energized pony logo charcoal on RG teak chrome on the V-6 on the GTI the grill is also home to retro fog lamps flanked by turn signals and classic round headlamps at the edges and the long hood is now landscape with chiseled lines and a Ford signature a power dome. The new Mustang is more svelte profile as punctuated by finally drawn wheel flares and a more defined character line that slices rearward the fast back greenhouse still leads back to rear quarter windows and chop corners. But around those corner said new tail lights were sequential turn signals on novelty not seen on a Ford product since the 1970s. All finishing with a

bolder rear badging and on the Mustang G.T. I declared spoiler and rolled the chrome exhaust tips. All wheels are new and up and into ranging from 17 to 19. It's this revisionist dream really picks up speed inside where the classic twin cockpit cabin is far more refined. Dare we say less domestic than before. While the new one piece instrument panel downplays the classic twin cockpit theme it plays up the softer touch points and vastly improved fit and finish chrome ring ground gauges an added aluminum trim highlight the upscale appearance as does the pony stamp steering wheel with aluminum spokes and cruise Plus available audio controls. The circular center air vents have been replaced by rectangular ones which are positioned atop an all new center stack. There you'll find yours are friendly technologies such as the latest version of Ford Sync with 9 1 1 assist and Vehicle Health Report as well as an available 8 inch

navigation screen with backup camera. This year my collar expands beyond the gauge cluster allowing adjustable ambient lighting from composters to sill plates using a palette of 125 hues as before the rear seat remains two plus two tied but retained a split fold add versatility to the thirteen point four cubic foot truck. The new Mustang sees far less change in the engine bay but that's OK. The base for leader of the six remains a 210 horsepower and 240 pound feet of torque. The GTI standard 4.6 leader v 8 gets a slight blues thanks to a cold air induction system similar to the bullet and now rates 350 Nourse power at three hundred twenty five pound feet. But if monster performance is what you see Ford has also announced a 2010 shell BGT 500 it supercharge Farpoint for leader B A is expected to make a whopping 540 horses and

510 pound feet of torque. This standard Mustang pushes power rearward through a 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic. The manual is upgraded shifter has a more solid feel less clunky if you will. The same goes for the suspension which has been retune for a better ride and handling springs and shocks have been adjusted but it still defined by the same MacPherson strut design up front. And a three lane geometry live axle with Panhard rod in the rear. A stiffer suspension package using Titi 500 hardware and summer performance tires will be available shortly. We sorted out a Mustang G.T. by carving up the canyon roads around Malibu California. Now it certainly is tighter and more balanced than ever before. Most body roll. And understeer a banana mocked all while enhancing ride quality which is not just smoother but also quieter. That is until you test the VHA wonderful frontal volume. Electronic stability control joints traction control and

abs the stator the stability control can be turned on and off and as a sport mode on the GTI pricing in the 2010 Mustang is up slightly but still covers a moderate spread from twenty one thousand eight hundred forty five dollars for the base basics to twenty eight thousand eight hundred forty five dollars for the PAGG convertible base prices are two grand higher. But this new horse does have to be fit. Government fuel economy ratings are 16 city 24 highway for the 56 automatic and 15 city 22 highway for the GTV eight automatic. The 2010 Ford Mustang is more of a looker and doer than ever. Their original pony car has answered its critics with a leaner and meaner make over having both a vastly improved interior and driving experience. This data is nicely done and clearly ready for the pony car wars that are sure to follow.

Time once again for a stop by Goss's garage where this week pad shares a helping hand. John I'm sure you're like me you've been in the middle of a job and you say gee I wish there was this little something that would help me out of a mess. Well maybe there are some things. Let's begin with products from help. Here we have a tail lamp socket assembly this fits General Motors pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. In the past what you had to do was to buy the entire lamp assembly which is expensive. This way you only buy the circuit board itself saves a lot of money. OK here's something we see all the time in the repair shop. Keefe break off right where the ring goes through them. What do you do well I've seen a lot of jury rigs but here's something that makes a

permanent and effective fix. And it's real simple again from help. It's just a case that snaps around the existing file and gives you a new connection. Something else right here. If you looked at this you wouldn't have a clue what it was. But when you see what it does it makes a lot of sense. The diffuser in the Danish for the air conditioner. Lots of times they flop all over the place they won't stay in position. Well you take this little wedge and you push it in course you would push it all the way and it can't be seen but it does re store the operation of the diffuser. No more match books or anything like that stuffed into the dash. Now maybe you have an older car and maybe you want to keep that older car going for a long period of time but it doesn't have a lot of value in it. Maybe has a seized up or really noisy air conditioning compressor. Can't really drive it because the belt slips on it and all kinds of problems like that. Well instead of

replacing the compressor you may get one of these from help this replace is the compressor uses the same size pulley in the same position so you can use the original belt. And you don't have to lay out hundreds of dollars for a replacement compressor. Pretty clever. Now five point four leader Ford V8 engines in pickups and sport utilities. They have a problem. You go to take the spark plugs out of the engine and pop the spark plug brakes off you've got the top of the plug the threads are down inside the cylinder it. Now presuming that these other threads in that they're still down in the cylinder head what do we do. Snap on tools has the answer and that is very simple. You take the tap that comes with the tool kit. The tap threads the inside of those remaining portions of the spark plug.

Now you take this tool. It screws into those threads that you just cut. Then you tighten this top down which wedges everything together. You put a wrench right up here on the very tip of it and you turn the broken threads out of the cylinder head and you're not spending three or four or five thousand dollars for a new cylinder heads. What a savings that is. And if you have a question or comment write to me the address is Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. Making automobiles your hobby is fun but it's also rarely an easy or inexpensive pastime whether you're building a classic hot rod firing up that restored Porsche or going amateur racing. It's weight and money that really keeps things running. But as Dave Duerson now shows us not every four wheeled past time has to be difficult or costly. At one time or another every auto enthusiast thinks about going racing and then they find out how much

it costs and take up golf instead. But if you really want to get on the track there's an organization called Nassau that wants to help you get there and it's both a lot easier and a lot less expensive than you might think. That's a standard. The national out of sport Association. And while it may not put men on the moon this grassroots organization has helped launch plenty of enthusiastic drivers on to the racetrack. You know NASA's mission really is to. Get. Allowing easy access to racing and to road course types of events. And anybody who wants to bring the streetcar out plan the track anybody who wants to go to full tilt wheel to wheel racing full competition. And the paddock area of a recent NASCAR event at West Virginia's Summit Point Raceway reflects that diversity with everything from McConnell boxes right off the street to fully prepped competition machines all waiting for their turn on the track. Your nasty experience begins with a hyper drive. This first taste of the track

starts in the tech shed for each car gets a thorough technical inspection and safety checks. Then it's on to the classroom where Nessa veterans teach new drivers the rules and procedures of the racetrack. Finally it's into your car with a certified instructor for 25 minutes of real fast as you can go race track driver turned green and then thinking. We. Can. Cram everything. They're going to do for you. I mean again if you hang around and read good but the best part of the hyperdrive is the price of a mere fifty dollars gets you out there. That's less than the price of one tire. And all you need is a car and a helmet. If the hyper drive gets you hooked then it's on to the high performance driving event. HPD takes the enthusiast driver through four levels. From novice to advanced. Each allowing the driver more freedom on track as his or her skills improve. And like the hyperdrive HPD is a bargain with a

typical weekend costing from 300 to $350. If HPD doesn't totally satisfy your need for speed or to spend money. NASCAR also offers a full schedule of nationally recognized racing classes. Don't feel like driving this weekend. You can also volunteer to work in the pits. Do timing and scoring are the most important job of all the corner workers. But no matter which class you choose to drive you'll find a relaxed and helpful atmosphere in the NASCAR paddock. That makes every novice feel welcome. So if you think getting your car on to the race track has to be difficult or expensive check out the nearest National Auto Sport Association of it. And let Nessa help get your new race track hobby out of the pits. And up to speed. You can tell a lot about a new car from even just a few minutes behind the wheel. So let's see what first impression these keys made with us. Nissan delivers driving thrills galore with a fully redesigned 2009

370 sports car. The iconic Z Cars change in nomenclature indicates a larger more powerful engine under its long hood. The variable timing 3.7 leader V-6 outputs three hundred thirty two horse power and upshot of 26 over the outgoing 350 C. It mates to a new six speed manual gearbox that with the support package has Nissan synchro Rav mat system it lifts the throttle to match RPMs during shifts. You can forget all about healing telling. It does it for you. For a more passive left foot there's an optional 7 speed automatic with adaptive shift control steering control is bolstered by a shorter wider lighter and more rigid chassis combined with upgraded steering gear. The new Z not only handles with more precision it also rides better on properly our first turns in the 370 we're on a racetrack and we quickly discovered just how balanced and fun this car is.

The 370 dives in the corners with even more precision and for more sports car now so you really need to focus on maintaining control. Do that you'll find the Newseum to be extremely capable and still affordable to see experience visually the evolving retro 370 Z has a more aggressive stance with tighter skin and sharper angles all stressed over a shorter wheelbase with wider track giving the Zio more planted appearance and reality within an enhanced driver's cockpit remains with better ergonomics all around. Larger gauges once again move with the steering wheel rake. The Nissan 370 is on sale now starting at around $30000 next Cadillac scores a complete make over of its crossover utility with the all new 2010 s r X.. Introduced at the 2009 North American International Auto Show the downsized five passenger s are X is built on the same faded chassis as the Saturn Vue and equally new Chevrolet Equinox shorter in length but taller

in stature the look is current Cadillac elevated to a new level with light towers Pince fenders and lots of it. Rooms are 18 and 20 inches so all in all the S R X comes off as more aggressive than its Lexus BMW n Acura rivals the standard 3 liter V-6 employs high tech direct injection that boost both economy and power output is 260 horsepower optional as a turbo charged two point eight leader V-6 with 300 horsepower. The new 6 speed auto includes a driver selectable eco mode to maximize fuel economy. There is an optional all wheel drive system with electronic limited slip differential and the S R X has a maximum total limit of thirty five hundred pounds. The interior is even more head turning than the exteriors with fine lines drawn from the Ts and available technologies like Pop Up 3D navigation screen harddrive audio and dual screen rear DVD. The s r x is a blend of techno luxury and sport.

It says this Cadillac is about much more than just posh expect prices for the s Oryx to begin under $40000. When sales began in late spring Ford is set to make a lot of green impact with its latest gasoline electric effort. The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid true five adult midsize hybrid sedan. While the power train is based on the foredeck scaped hybrid crossover. It has been completely updated a 155 horsepower 2.5 liter Atkinson four cylinder a permanent magnet electric motor and a CVT automatic are all tied to a smaller lighter nickel metal hydride battery pack. The result is an impressive 41 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway. That's better than the Toyota Camry hybrid while less miserly than the new Toyota Prius hybrid. Plus while the Escape Hybrid can run on electric power alone to about 20 mph the Fusion hybrid can reach an outstanding forty seven miles per

hour before the gas engine cuts in the Fusion hybrid can also go up to 700 miles on a single tank of gas. The cutting edge smart gauge interface with an eco guide LCD display gives feedback on driving habits and helps drivers learn which techniques deliver higher fuel economy other green features include a climate control system that minimizes engine use and special eco friendly club seating. The Ford Fusion hybrid will start at around twenty seven thousand dollars. That's a $3000 premium over a gas powered fusion. And sales will start in April. Join us next time as we turn more new sets of car keys. It's time to get out the yard stick because it looks like Audi's compact a four sports sedan is all grown up and ready to play with the big guys. Now we tested the A4 Avant wagon last fall and came away suitably impressed that the new generation A4 is a job well done. Now it's the mainstream A4 sedan

that has our attention and maybe a lot of others too. Like the Audi A4 Avant we tested last fall the 2009 Audi A4 sedan is all new. But with this latest total redress it aims to cement its place on the short list of Europe's most desirable compact sports sedan. It's a list that traditionally is headed by the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. And the new A4 certainly looks like it has the right stuff to keep it spot with a stiff new modular chassis the A4 is now longer wider and lower riding on six point six inches of added will base the same stretch as the avant but with its three box form the A4 sedan wears the brand's aggressive design language far better than the wagon the available by Xenon headlamps are accented by

stylish Ellie the daytime running lamps inherited from the R8 and its top profile is even more dynamic. With the help of a trimmer front overhang and sweeping character line the rear view improves too. With a sporty trunk lip spoiler and bright exhaust tips all sitting atop either 17 or 18 inch alloy wheels the A4 sedan start button fires up one of. Direct injected variable valve timing engine standard isn't all new to literature both for putting 211 horsepower and a stout 250 eight pound feet of torque. Our car came with the enhanced 3.2 leader V-6 with 265 horsepower and 240 three pound feet of torque direct injection is the main reason for a roughly 10 percent greater efficiency over last years power trains. Government fuel economy ratings for the three point six are 17 City 26 highway on premium gas. We saw a predictable twenty two point seven miles per gallon in everyday driving. A force of engine energy impact score

as a moderate seventeen point one barrels of oil consumed per year with a carbon footprint of nine point two annual tons of CO2. Footprint 0 4 is low and 16 is higher. Gear changes come from a six speed manual gearbox for the 2.0 or a tiptronic six speed automatic with dynamic shift program that's standard with a three point two. The 2.0 comes in front wheel or Quatro all wheel drive models. The three point tv six is Quatro only with a 40 60 torque rear bias in normal driving. A new option for the A4 is how to drive select. It coordinates engine mapping shift point steering and suspension damping through driver selected modes. With the throttle down are three points to be six dash from zero to 60 in 6.7 seconds and finished off the quarter mile and fifteen point one seconds at 95 mph. Pretty good but actually a few ticks slower than the torque here 2.0 only

A4 Avant. Still the three point to the six has a smoothness not found in the 2.0 and it sounds great to tiptronic ships are a little soft but quick. The longer wheel base allowed ality engineers to reposition the engine and help neutralize the push of previous A4 Quatro. That plus greater body rigidity and new multi link front and rear aluminum intensive suspensions really seems to pay off. Our car prove tight and very nimble like the avant. There is a lightness to the rear end that adds to the fun factor turn into our direct and the tires are good and grippy with ABS and brake assist heart stops were stable and straight averaging one hundred twenty seven feet from 60 to zero. A good result. Only it just didn't leave us with the same sporty impressions as the rest of the car. Inside the cabin is more spacious air here as well as more elegant than before with finer details borrowed from the flagship 8. The driver's

cockpit blends classic Audi gauges and commonsense controls with a large new central display are three point two perfectly shaped front heated seats came with memory for the driver. The Prestige package brings extras such as three zone climate control and Bluetooth while the optional voice activated navigation adds on a driver information system and a rear view camera. The standard Audi symphony stereo can be upgraded to the 505 bang and Olafson sound system an occupant safety comes from 6 standard airbags plus technologies such as blind spot warning the expanded dimensions added badly needed leg room to the three person rear seat. A 60 40 split vote feature makes carrying large items easier. The trunk itself includes over cargo floor and opens up to a very usable 34 cubic feet with the seats down competitively priced for the three series and the C class base sticker for the A4 2.0

is thirty three thousand five hundred twenty five dollars for three point two begins at forty thousand eight hundred twenty five dollars. The 2009 Audi A4 certainly deserves a spot as one of Europe's finest compact sports sedans. It matches expertly coordinated performance with head turning styling and an interior package that is just about perfect and short the A4 is one very desirable car. Wreck. But I hope you will join us here next week for more motor we will announce our Motor Week 2009 drivers Choice Awards including our best of the Year winner. I'm John Davis. We'll see then. To learn more about Motor Week TV's original automotive magazine visit PBS dot org. To order a DVD or VHS copy of this program call 1 800 aid 7 3 6 1 5 4. Motor Week has been brought to you by cars dot com.

Let's say you're looking for a car. Cars dot com can help research locate even contact your dealer cars Dodge cars. This program was produced by Maryland Public Television which is solely responsible for its content. On PBS.