Motorweek; 2306

- Transcript
This time on Motor Week Ciccio returns for a hot new Mercedes and eye helping hand from Jaguar. So come drive with us next. With. Little TV's original automotive magazine. Goodbye Pep Boys we're car people. Motor Week starting. It's my kind of show. It's our kind of show all about cars and trucks and the cool stuff people put on their cars and trucks and there are tips on tires and service and maybe we should just watch. I agree right with you. And buy. What are you looking for. Your host for Motor Week. John Davis. Well and welcome again to motor week. We're glad to have you with us. And the annals of 60s American performance cars one name stands out. The Pontiac GTO you know
where the big V-8 stuffed into a mid-size Tempest chassis and virtually invented the muscle car. Now 30 years after its retirement the GTL returns from Detroit but by way of Down Under. So is it still real American muscle car. Over the decades the reputation of the original Pontiac GTO has taken on mythical proportions. In truth as were always noted for their super clean unassuming exterior is packed with way more muscle than brains. When the Raps were taken off the 2004 Pontiac GTO at this year's greater Los Angeles Auto Show. First impressions were indeed that this reincarnated rear wheel drive muscle car looked the part but one drive down the spec sheets of the 2004 edition shows that while go is still the new GTA hallmarks that this is a product of totally up to date engineering with the suspension brakes and chassis hardware back up the punch
of its five point seven leader pushrod. That's the word from the man behind the GM vice chairman Bob Lutz. The combination of how this car feels on the road with. The precision that you feel the wonderful steering of a very agile handling that nice compliant ride. Coupled with this amazing surge of power when you step into it it's just going to anybody who likes cars and likes to drive is just going to be blown away by the city. That's not just hype since lunch was a key player in selecting the new GTA hardware coming from what might sound like an unlikely source. GM is Australian Holden division but a robust be a rear wheel drive cars have never fallen out of favor in Australia and GM chose a high performance version of its well regarded Monaro coupe the CVA as the basis for an American GTA. But since the menorah is not available here we asked our own Alex luck to
slip down under to provide us with a taste of what to expect from the new GTA 0. Paul can stop playing with the idea of getting a Pontiac GTL from Australia is hard for you to appreciate. With Mr. Dondi After all who made us believe that this whole big beautiful country is full of crocodiles and kangaroos which by the way are not available to the tourists and civilised parts of this country unless you order them off the menu in a great amount of money and I'm reliably told they taste like chicken and old winter tires. The person we should be looking to for for inspiration here is of course Mel Gibson has Mad Max Max and his friends who tore around this country in a desperate and deadly search for gas in a post-apocalyptic world. Now that's the kind of background we need when it comes to building a muscle car for America. Alex discovered that Holden is no stranger to building ultra high performance hardware Holden's in-house tuner HSV produces limited edition minority coops one already using the name RG tio will share all
aluminum 5.7 leader V8 power with the Monaro a retune version of the Corvettes based LS one small block exhaling through a true dual exhaust output is three hundred fifty horsepower and three hundred sixty five pound feet of torque. It's made into a proper six speed manual. Two more gears in the original GTA or for those that must have been a four speed automatic both with a limited slip rear differential. GM claims the manual can dispatch 0 to 60 in less than 5.5 seconds. And we've got no reason to doubt it. Top speed is expected to nudge 160 miles per hour. Cornering will come by way of a fully independent suspension. A first for a jeep with a rear semi trailing arms 17 inch rims and rubber the power rack and pinion steering and electronic driving aids abs and traction control. The basic smooth but understated shape of the NRO coupe will be retained for the show but with Pontiac's decidedly more aggressive twin port front in an extremely well-equipped car
in its own right. The Monaro CV a sporty interior is re decorated and gains American amenities like OnStar an XM Satellite Radio and enough bright interior trim because more than a little glare the new GTA was also a true coupe with two plus two accommodations under stock car swift roofline. Indeed the NRO has a reputation as a rewarding challenging car to drive hard not as refined as some of its competitors. Yet a lot more fun. And that certainly sounds like a GTA Oh and the designers knew it early on. The package size of the car you can see over there is probably more in chain with what Americans would like and I think that the biggest forces we have in America were using the engine for 61 transmissions I think there are things there in shooting with the American market. Will appeal to the American custom. With the demise of the Firebird. The new GI Joe will give GM performance
division something new to crow about. Now all that's left is to see if this muscle from Down Under can make it up north. We'll know that in a couple of months. But Alex is already convinced by the end of 2003 should be able to see for yourself if General Motors Holden division can actually build a Pontiac PTO that's worthy of the name. Reporting from Melbourne Australia I'm Alex law for Motor Week. Coming up Jaguar style drives art education. Well that's garage time again Goss's garage that is. So let's see what our Karkare guy has for us this week. John one of the handiest tools you can have in the garage is an air compressor and to help us explain some of the things you should and shouldn't do with buying an air compressor. We have Jennifer Morrison Oh from Ingersoll-Rand.
OK now one of the very first things is to take inventory of what you're going to be using right cracks. The big thing when you're picking out a compressor is know what your C FM is and what you're running on that compressor. OK see you fam cubic feet per minute. Correct. And different tools require different amounts of air. Correct. The impacts are about four so you have found and then Sanders and grinders that you're holding all the time go up to 12 grains. OK so we need more air to run cinders than we do in bank branches or something like this powder coating gun and so on. Then another popular thing is a blast cabinet. Right you need a lot more to run than any of you. OK. Now here's a popular compressor. Very small very inexpensive but how's it going to apply to do it yourself.
This is a great one if you're going to just be using it every so often you can maybe do a tire if you have if you're running a half unpacked on it. OK so you would have to pump back up before you could continue. Correct. OK here we have an Ingersoll. This is our garage mate which you could do about two to three tires on with the impacts. And it's great for the weekend warrior a little more than that. OK and here this is still suitable for the home garage right. Yes it is but that will do the whole car and you'll have a little left over for something else afterwards. And this would also run the sanders and so on correct. OK now buy a compressor like this. You don't have to bolt it to the floor it can be mounted on rubber pants correct. And if you do then you would certainly want some kind of a tie strap on it so that it can't accidentally get tipped over. Right compressors are top heavy because you have a compressor unit and motor on there. So you want to make sure you have some safety harness on it. OK Jennifer thank you very much. If you have a question or comment write to
me the address is Motor Week always Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. As we've shown you many times on Motor Week the worlds of art and automobiles share a lot of common ground. In fact many of the world's greatest automobiles are considered great works of art. But as a fly I Reporter Jennifer because Naba shows us the auto industry's artistic endeavors can involve much more than styling and design. In the spirit of Hollywood celebrities typically attend charity events to lend their support. Well the automotive industry does the same thing. They donate their time and money. But tonight the two groups get together all for a good cause and. With some of the biggest names in show business showed up for a night of glitz glamour and the arts. But more importantly they all came to support a cause dear to their hearts. Jaguars tribute to style draws A-list Hollywood celebrities
all to support the entertainment industry Foundation's National Arts education and mission. Well I'd like to see a lot more inner city kids get the opportunity to participate in the arts. I think secondly I'd like to see other potential sponsors who can't do his involvement with the n Entertainment Industry Foundation and have to consider whether they themselves can play a role in really improving but to suffice to me are so important. Rodeo Drive was home for this year's event and where there are celebrities there must be a red carpet. You might call this a scaled down version of the Oscars and all in attendance agree that the link between tonight's style theme and Jaguar cars is obvious. Jack us about glamour it's about cars it's about fast cars beautiful class cars it's about a woman and so now it's all about performance performance on stage and off stage and the motor of a jaguar is very quiet it's very very is the quietest border on the road much me that talk. My wife gave me a job worst silence.
But the evening message was anything but silent. Since its inception in 1996 this event has raised over three million dollars from various inner city and arts organizations. Many of the celebrities here have firsthand knowledge of what arts education can do for underprivileged children. I know for me it had a huge impact on my life I chose a career as an actress and I think if I didn't have that influence in school. I may not have gone this route. Studies have shown that children are far better academically if they're involved in music or some kind of creative artistic expression. So that's really important number two I think it helps children self-esteem and I think it's a good thing for kids is you know I want to be a part of a new event supporting the arts would be complete without a few big performances. American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson performed along with Slash from Guns N Roses. And the Debbie Allen Dance Academy displayed with dance a geisha for children can produce. Urges them to write for the Arts for the Phillies. Find a creative outlet for themselves and I think that also encourages people to be good citizens and to get a start and get you got to start kids at a young age
of love starting with special inside of them. No no no you do that is through some kind of creative outlet and the power of our imagination. And we naturally can't forget the automotive side of the evening Jaguar Formula One drivers Eddie Irvine and painter Dolorosa came out to lend their support but the highlight of the evening was going to auction off his 2003 X K.R. convertible filled with goodies in the trunk Jaguars tribute to style is an evening of fabulous cars and famous people. But much more importantly it's also a tribute to arts education and will help enrich children's lives for years to come. We're here today at the home of Bart Mitchell outside of Baltimore. Bart's got a very interesting collection of American cars and we'd like to go inside now and have a look. I've been assemble this collection over about 30 years. You don't realize it
when you start but it doesn't take long before you realize that what you're interested in acquiring reflects what you grew up around or what you might have on yourself or. What your friends might have had just cars that were part of your upbringing. 56 Ford is pretty close to. The car that my dad surprised me with when I was 16. Has a louder mufflers on right now that he would allow me. Ahead. Of time but. I see the first car I ever had was the old limo to which of the 34 Cadillac. Factory limo. We used to use f a coke games till the kids got too big we could cram them all in Zawiya to get a van but when they were little it worked us just fine. The link in the gride show. Is a 1960 Continental Mark 5 4 door hard top complete with a when a back window that goes up and down. I've had a car since 1985. It has 21000 miles on it. Backseat of bison looks like you've never been sat
in. And the Mustang was the only car I've ever bought where I had to grant the seller visiting rights. She was the daughter of a fellow who worked with our company and he he bought that for for a sixteenth birthday. You know there's a story for every one of these cars. I I do think that. When you're in the hobby that. You're doing yourself and the public in the car or service. To be to drive there they're not meant I don't think to be display objects. You know every time I turn around I find more new car keys and they start everything from sports cars to sport utes. So let's try a few of them out. If there's one car for 2004 that American enthusiasts have been waiting for more than any other it has to be the new Ford GTI inspired by America's first real super car the Ford 40 of the 1960s
4G is the most exciting thing to roll out of Michigan since the Detroit Red Wings. While it may look like the car they conquered the GTI shares little with its illustrious predecessor. The winning 40 was a mere 40 inches high the new GTA is taller and over a foot and a half longer the like white body panels are made of aluminum and carbon fiber instead of the 60s era fiberglass and surround a complex aluminum space frame chassis which is much lighter and stiffer than the 40 steel monocoque. It's super charged five point four leader V8 engine easily makes 500 horsepower and 500 pound feet of torque while meeting modern emission standards and should allow the 30 200 lbs. Did a top speed of almost 190 miles per hour but the difference that will matter to many drivers is the roomy retro style cabin. That's a far cry from the cramped noisy cockpit of a Sixties race car.
Been a big fan of the original GTA 40 I can tell you this car is everything the original was and more. The GTA is really stunning to look at in person. It's hip and rakish. It feel like I'm ready to take a pull in Long's plans to build about fifteen hundred a year for a bargain supercar price of less than $150000. So Sign us up. Coming back down to earth we turn to a much more affordable sporty 2 door. A 2004 Toyota Camry Solara looking leaner and lower than the previous Camry Solara. This all new Kentucky model is actually longer and taller and stretch one hundred seven point two inch wheelbase power comes from a 2.4 liter four cylinder engine with 157 horsepower or a new three point three liter V-6 with 225 horsepower. That's twenty seven horses more than last year's six transmission choices are a five speed manual four speed automatic or an all new five speed sequential automatic.
The first thing you notice about the new slot is the styling it looks a lot cooler than the previous generation. But really the best thing about the car is the handling. It handles a lot better. It's still not a sports car but it's still a lot of fun to get behind the wheel and throw it around. The interior also reflects the new Solara sporty are bent with sharper dash styling and features like optional satellite radio. The 2004 Camry Solara will be available in SL E S E N S E sport models prices started just over $19000 for the four cylinder model and under $22000 for the V-6. If you favor something with a few more doors from a domestic brand then we suggest you check out the vastly improved mid-size 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Looking like the Chevy engineers just got back from a European vacation the Malibu is built on GM as new Epsilon front drive platform the same one used on the impressive new soft 9 3. It's available as either a four door sedan
or a very flexible Malibu Max 5 door hatchback this sedan is powered by a standard 145 horsepower eco tech four cylinder DM's new 3.5 lieder 200 horsepower is optional on the four door and standard on the MX. Both come attached to a four speed automatic. The Malibu sedan rides on a very rigid one hundred six point three inch wheel base while the Malibu Max is six inches longer at one hundred twelve point three. This gives the max the rear cabin environment of a limousine complete with overhead sky lights an available DVD player side curtain airbags are also an option. The split rear seat slides for an AF seven inches and it also folds combined with the folding front passenger seat you can carry items up to nine feet long. Prices started nineteen thousand dollars for the Malibu sedan and just over 22000 for the highly flexible Malibu Max. And will grab hold of a few more sets of car keys in just a few weeks.
A N G those three little letters are guaranteed to get any Mercedes-Benz fans heart racing. That's because the tuning wizards of Mercedes performance division builds some of the most exciting road cars in the world. Cars like a CEO OK 55 coupe and the x 55 sedan. True drivers cars that we never miss an opportunity to try. And try them we did as we recently tested both a 2004 Mercedes Benz 55 AMG and a 2003 s 55 AMG. And what we found behind the wheel probably won't surprise you the see OK 55 coupe starts with the best of current Mercedes styling. Clean Lines rake over the chrome ribbed black grille design features sculpted front air dam with mesh intakes side skirts and rear apron. The rear supports a smooth spoiler integrated red fog lamp chrome exhaust dips and of
course an EMG badging beneath its hood is the built single cam normally aspirated be a proven performance comes with a 360 horsepower and three hundred seventy six pound feet of torque on the track the CEO. Jump from zero to sixty five point two seconds thirteen point seven seconds at 104 miles per hour. That's the go power we expect from this bends. But for all its might it can stop quickly to its dual circuit power assisted or will this brakes pull the three thousand six hundred thirty five pound bends from 60 to zero in only one hundred twenty three feet on the road the automatic transmission holds its own touch manual capabilities allow faster gear changes for maximum acceleration yet also prevent unwanted downshifts during cornering. This is a real sport coupe without compromise. Inside the four seater greets you with modest chrome
accents rich leather upholstery on the front side and curtain airbags plus Mercedes cabin features too numerous to list. So what could be better than the 55 AMG coupe. Well for a lucky few It's the hearty yes 55 AMG sedan the top of the mark when it comes to AMG performance in a four door its body stretches to under three inches and weighs in at 40 300 pounds. Sporty cues are discreet even more presents to its tall roofline and long sloping hood. The rear aphasia boast for polished stainless steel exhaust pipes below the signature AMG badging. Pretty sure this is a case of love at first drive and the s fifty five point four leader super charge single overhead can be eight throws out an awesome four hundred ninety three horsepower and five hundred sixteen pound feet of torque. The ES 55 makes serious tracks taking the 0 to 60 and 5.1
seconds and running the quarter mile and thirteen point five seconds at 107 mph. The blower 8 has no lag instantly jumping off the line and fortunately braking is equally competent. Or lying on its cross drilled ventilated for Will desk. Yes 55 AMG stops in one hundred twenty four feet from 60 to zero. It's muscular V8 is linked to an electronic by speed automatic and also features touch shift and EMG speed shift steering his sperm for a big luxury sedan testability is solid and roll virtually nonexistent thanks to electronic stability control and active body control suspension. Overall the ES 55 is the most impressive big sedans we've ever tested. The cabin exudes the maximum of European creature comfort. But the borough walnut accents and leather seats also make the cabin purely posh and sure these cruisers are light on their feet but they do make a dent in the tank.
EPA estimates for the s 55 AMG are 14 city and 22 highway with our average return of just 14. The C Ok 55 AMG does better. 15 city and 22 highway. But our average of 17 mpg. Now to the larger out of pocket item the see OK 55 AMG base price is seventy one thousand nine hundred twenty dollars with a gas guzzler tax included a CD changer Motorola phone and rear sunshade brought our tester to seventy four thousand three hundred fifty five dollars. The starting price for the ES 55 AMG is one hundred eight thousand nine hundred twenty dollars. REAR side window blinds electronic trunk closer and more. And you'll pay one hundred sixteen thousand four hundred thirty five dollars. The price people pay to play and play is what you'll do when you get your shot to cruise in a big capable desirable breathless car's Mercedes-Benz tank says ANZ.
Well I hope you'll join us next week for more motorways. When will test the new Cadillac luxury utility and Porsche is amazing 911 T3. I'm John Davis CNN. To learn more about motorway TV's original automotive magazine visit PBS online at PBS dot org. You order a video cassette of this program call 1 800 a 7 3 6 1 5 4 motor week has been brought to you by Cowboys where car people. We love cars we live cars we breathe cars. That's why we're such big motor week fans. After all they love cars too proud to support Motor Week on PBS boys where car people and buy. What are you looking for.
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- Series
- Motorweek
- Episode Number
- 2306
- Producing Organization
- Maryland Public Television
- Contributing Organization
- Maryland Public Television (Owings Mills, Maryland)
- AAPB ID
- cpb-aacip/394-01bk3k1p
If you have more information about this item than what is given here, or if you have concerns about this record, we want to know! Contact us, indicating the AAPB ID (cpb-aacip/394-01bk3k1p).
- Description
- Episode Description
- MotorWeek, television's original Automotive Magazine: Acura TL, Mercedes Benz, Toyota Camry Solaro, Ford Freestar, Chevy Malibu.
- Series Description
- "MotorWeek is a magazine feauring segments on automotive news, reviews, and road tests."
- Created Date
- 2003-10-07
- Asset type
- Episode
- Genres
- Magazine
- Topics
- Transportation
- Media type
- Moving Image
- Duration
- 00:27:21
- Credits
-
-
Copyright Holder: MPT
Producing Organization: Maryland Public Television
- AAPB Contributor Holdings
-
Maryland Public Television
Identifier: 14469 (MPT)
Format: Digital Betacam
Generation: Master
Duration: 00:30:00
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- Citations
- Chicago: “Motorweek; 2306,” 2003-10-07, Maryland Public Television, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed June 6, 2025, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-394-01bk3k1p.
- MLA: “Motorweek; 2306.” 2003-10-07. Maryland Public Television, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. June 6, 2025. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-394-01bk3k1p>.
- APA: Motorweek; 2306. Boston, MA: Maryland Public Television, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-394-01bk3k1p