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Accuracy powerful new luxury sports sedan to tweak sleek and big 2019 we'll see how much punch the All-New T.L. really next week. Hi I'm Matt Goss bogus gas savers. This time on Goss's garage I'm Stephen Chapman and we're having a hard time for Knight and the Dodge Durango Hemi hybrid a greener big SUV so come drive with us next. Motor Week TV's original automotive magazine brought to you by cars dot com. Let's say you're looking for a car. Cars dot com can help research locate even contacted us cars. My idea of a symphony a Pistons playing the tune my ride for you to listen to the bell feeling

100 percent. We like best LFC and all the places people have to go. I love being part of the company that helps those people get. You know these things here so you can get there. You accuse your host from over a week. John Davis. Well Lois Welcome to the start of the 28 season of Motor Week. America's original automotive magazine for television. We're glad to have you with us. For much of its existence the fortunes of Honda's Acura division have rested on the tires of one car the TVL. The TLC show the world that a midsize front driver could be a benchmark sport luxury sedan and a technological bargain to boot. Well now the TTL is back for an all new fourth generation with the most power ever. But there is a lot at stake with the new T.L.. So let's see how else this new effort can wow us.

As the Acura sales leader the TTL is a critically important model. So designers of the 2009 Acura T.L. made sure that it will not only give loyalists solid improvements on all fronts but boast some new ingredients as well like adding an all wheel drive option improvements start however with the basics and a new chassis with a 50 percent boost in rigidity. The new TTL is also larger 1.4 inches more wheel base. A big six inches added to link and a wider front rear track TTL styling has grown too in this case for aggressive the controversial Acura gladiator shield grill is there along with an angrier 18 Id projector beam headlamps standard fog lamps and brake cooling ducts on all wheel drive cars are housed down below the TVL sleek profile is punched up with

muscular wheel arches and expressive character lines and the roof line gets faster as it moves towards the rear where a shield shaped trunk an angular tail lamps mimic the front in treatment an optional trunk lid spoiler in either dual or quad exhaust finishers complete the TLC cohesive outer show. The entire package meets the pavement by way of 17 18 or 19 inch alloy wheels. The new T.L. comes in two models front drive or super handily all wheel. Draw this is the first TLT OP or sh AWB and it replaces the previous two yells typists at least for now. The front drive actually uses a three point five leader B6 similar to last year's type A S B rated slightly the 280 horsepower and 250 for pound feet of torque. Meanwhile t l s h a W D receives the most powerful Acura engine ever a three point seven leader B6 with 305 horsepower and 273 pound feet of torque. We expect zero to 60 runs of about

5.5 seconds. Both sixes make one new sequential sports shift 5 speed automatic transmission with a paddle shifter handling hardware includes a double wishbone setup in the front and a multi Ling geometry in the rear power steering assist is now electric with the SH 8 of you d option using specific Springs dampers and stabilizer bar. Super handling all wheel drive has the potential of turning up great handling front drive sedan into a no excuses performance for door. As in the RL RDX an MDX it includes a truck rear differential to direct extra torque to the outside rear wheel in a turn this over driving of the outside rear wheel produces a yawn moment that pivots the car into the corner thus reducing understeer. We drove the t l s h a deputy on the nondescript suburban roads of Western Connecticut. Not the ideal place to experience all the cars after Butte but we still got a sense of how flat it is in corners and how complicated it feels in high speed

sweepers stopping power comes from 4 will just breaks with ABS and brake assist all wheel drive and brake booster tuning and cooling ducts to cope with more spirited driving as well as hill start ASIS. Step inside the new T.L. to an upscale cabin with a civilized twin cockpit layout. The sculpted lines of metallic trim really rejuvenates the TLC atmosphere larger dimensions allow for more leg and shoulder room too. Gauges are large and clear wall controls are overall smart looking and well organized. The center stack is still fussy but it's an improvement over the MDX like previous to yells most everything is standard that includes heated leather sports seats with hidden weight power for the driver and 8 weight for the front passenger push button start tools on climate and a hands free phone link. The technology package adds up 440 watt ten speaker stereo navigation rear view camera real time traffic and weather maps all

seen on a larger eight inch display standard occupant safety comes from six airbags while the three person rear seat is now slightly larger than before. Cargo space is also grown by about 6 percent to thirteen point one cubic feet. Room enough for four golf bag. Preliminary government fuel economy ratings are 18 City 26 highway for the TTL and 17 city 25 highway for the SH AWB prices were not available when we went to tape. However the base DL is expected to start around a bargain $34000. Yes we are wow. Acura has once again pulled out all the stops to make the 2009 T.L. a high value luxury sports sedan leader along with the new TSX the T.O. gives Acura a four door to some of the combines driving dynamics and domestication better than any other brand. The addition of SH A W D is just icing on the cake and we'd slice pavement with a new TLC any

day of the week. Now let's stop by Goss's garage and see what automotive hot buttons our favorite car Dokken hit for us this week. John as fuel prices go higher and higher drivers become more desperate for better fuel economy. Well that's OK but remember that there are all kinds of crooks out there that would like to take your money and sell you something that sounds wonderful but in reality doesn't work. Take the things that swirl the air that goes into the engine. This is counterproductive to what the engineers did when they designed the engine they want to straighten out the air flow and take advantage of that momentum. Not good. Look at the magnets there are thousands of different kinds of magnets that clamp over the fuel lines. They're supposed to align the molecules in the gas well. OK first

gas is not magnetic and second even if you did align the molecules there's one hundred twenty five thousand BT use of energy in a gallon of gas. And no matter what you do you can't create energy. Oh here's one. This one I tried on one of my own vehicles this has a bunch of different types of metals and so on inside it supposed to give about a 30 percent increase in gas mileage. Extensive test on two cars zero improvement and 300 some odd dollars out of pocket. Here's something Brown's Gas or h h o or drive your car on water you buy a kit or you buy plans to build one of these things. What you do is you put electrodes in the water put the water in here and the electrode separate out hydrogen from the water and that's supposed to propel your car. OK you can run a car on hydrogen but you're not

out of this little bit of water. See the reality of it is in order to have enough hydrogen to run your car the same distance that you would on 15 gallons of gas you would have to have 45 thousand gallons of hydrogen. So consider towing 6 or so of those big gasoline tankers behind your car to have enough room to store that hydrogen gas. And if you have a question or comment write to me or send me a DVD-Video of your question and you might see yourself on TV. The address is Motor Week always Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. Here's a different kind of automotive publication. It's the billed book a series of full color softcover books each one a detailed history of the construction of a top custom car. And we do mean detail

each issue not only introduces you to the mechanical wizards who build these amazing movie deals but show every single step of the build an exhausting photographic detail. The photos are backed up by equally detailed copy that covers every cut 12 piece or part that goes into the car. If you're a serious custom car fan and find regular magazine articles to be seriously short on detail then the bill book is the book that you've been waiting for. One problem with hot cars is that there are very few places where you can legally strut their stuff all race tracks are great but they're also expensive. That's why hot important to such a national success. They set the time to the places where the young car culture can freely make wheels with the latest music were all totally fun party. And what better place for our own Stephen Chapnick to jump over the edge. So you say you're in the cars then you want to go we're all the hottest cars bands and

people hang out. Catch a trip to hot import nights. Night shift rock and through 15 cities from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles California. Night Shift is a full throttle traveling show that brings the best of the current car culture right to your door. Forget about those boring old exhibits full of eight or nine night shift is about drifting free style motor cross hip hop the newest technology and some of the wildest rides you'll ever see. Motor Week work the night shift last year up in New York and this year we're in Landover Maryland for another difference. And despite the bout of rain the crowds still came out to enjoy the show for 2008. There's a whole new set of highlights. Think you know motor oil that put your brain on the dye know for a chance to drive home in one of the coolest cars on the road. A custom one off Roush Mustang designed by auto and media whiz R.J. device was kind of a grand scheme to try to build a car that would really not only into a muscle car or Nascar hot rod guys like you know any charade but also to this young effort that we do which is called nightshift or hot import

nights and it's fun to actually be able to take something like this on the road to any event like this and to be able to see what the cars really have understood it's a great great traveling you know if you already own some Hot Wheels showing off by entering the national custom car Association car competition and crank up the redline at a real mobile. 9 mm hmm. Unlike illegal street racing the diner was a great way to win bragging rights over your buddies without having to risk life limb and an up close and personal encounter with the police. But while there's plenty of heart stopping machinery and scenery the exhibit that stops everyone in their tracks is National Guard Sergeant Nick outby he's fallen heroes chief 35 which is this card reader rolling tribute with the support of the Army National Guard and it shows you a million people these soldiers but they serve 33 years and never seen anything like this. Disagree I want to be a sharpshooter strictures

against the United States. I just tell you. Story about National Guard and what it meant to him to his fellow soldiers serving in Iraq. Just as Nick's car is a tribute to America's Heroes Night Shift is a tribute to the incredible energy of the tuner Carsey excitement explodes all day and all night long in the demo area as high powered cars filled the air with tires right next to that. The freestyle motocross rider sail through the air pulling stunts that defy the laws of physics. Of course there's plenty of electricity at model central once the music. Check out the sick beats from a powerhouse performance by Washington DC's newest hip hop phenomenon. And when you need a break from all the madness head over to the exhibitor area to check out all the latest audio gear with parts to make your ride louder faster and flashier. All this in only one night and it happens over and over again all around the country. Haha time in the old judge tonight indeed.

I've got a grip I never thought it would get mid-fi me. Not anymore night. 50 a night car after house if you need a full sized pickup truck. High gas prices have dealers discounting like never before. Now one of the best deals is the Toyota Tundra. Our long term test with this 2007 Tundra group x 4 by 4 has been a very good experience. Besides plenty of power from its modern 381 horsepower 5.7 leader of the eight after twenty eight thousand miles fuel economy of sixteen point two miles per gallon of regular is better than expected. It's no Prius but if you have to do a £10000 trailer the tundra is a fine rig. We had no mechanical problems and found fault only with cheap plastics on the dash and bed rail tie down to a tiny screen for the backup camera and overly jittery

rod for hauling we really appreciated a tailgate assist system which lessens the effort both opening and closing. The toy or the tundra is an impressive pickup truck no matter what the price of gas. Diesel is the diet of our 24 foot Itasca navvy on IQ class C motorhomes with us for the summer months. It proved perfect for weekend getaways and is a mobile production van. No matter where the location it is almost all the comforts of home. The navvy on sleeps 4 has a full kitchen and bath a rear slide out queen bed and who burnable dine at bed up front. Built up on a sprinter chassis the standard 154 horsepower 3 liter Mercedes-Benz turbo diesel basics has returned 14 mpg economy over nearly 3000 miles of highways and byways. So when it comes to a downsized RV the Itasca Nabby on IQ gives up nothing but fall to more traditional people movers. The Dodge Grand Caravan and Suzuki has

x4. But our next motor week long term road test update. Now let's see what Jessica choccy has for us with this week's Motor News with the future of fuel still in question. Hybrid electric technology is only going to get more popular. But even with hybrid sales booming there is one characteristic that some fine is a huge flaw. They're very quiet and some say too quiet. As nice as it is to be behind the wheel of a hybrid when it's running on electric power alone it's self like nature is actually considered a danger to pedestrians particularly the blind as well as children and cyclist. But British performance car builder Lotus has stepped in to make some noise for the silent runners. They've come up with a new system that makes hybrid cars louder called Safe and sound the unit generates artificial noise mimicking in the turn. The combustion engine that is generated during electric only operation Lotus is using a toy Prius to demonstrate their device and hopes it is the solution for

increasing pedestrian safety without impacting hybrids environmental benefits. No indication when safe and sound will come to the market or of its cost. But for those worried about hybrid sneaking up on them this kind of technology could be priceless. And that's it for this week's Motor News. When we heard about BMW as collaboration with General Motors Chrysler Mercedes-Benz to develop hybrid technology we weren't sure what would come of it. But now we see clearly why they got involved. On the heels of BMW new X export activity could come spy photos of the 2010 x 6 hybrid. What will be BMW is first hybrid American made. XXIX actually showed off its hybrid and conceptualized formed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Now spy for Tiger worse have snagged cameo shots of the green the xxix showing this performance crossovers potential as a fuel saver. The Hyperball utilize a

BMW modified version of the same GM two mode hybrid transmission as a Chevrolet Toho and Dodge Durango Hemi hybrid. While an exact release date has not been confirmed the 2010 x 6 hybrid will arrive at US dealer sometime in 2009. If a large body on frame an SUV have any hope of staying around it has to be through better fuel economy. It's specially for city driving. Now that's the story behind GM Chevrolet hybrid and GMC Yukon hybrid and it's the same approach Chrysler is taking for its big SUV. Like the new Dodge Durango Hemi hybrid. But even with the greener game plan are a few more mpg. Enough to keep these former favorites from fading away completely. Chrysler's efforts to stem the downward tide of big SUV sales is being

spearheaded by both the 2009 Dodge Durango himi hybrid and its cousin the Chrysler Aspen Hemi hybrid. Moreover these large all wheel drive full hybrid SUV these are the automakers first hybrids. They result from the joint venture with GM Mercedes Benz and BMW and utilize the general's highly publicized two mode hybrid transmission as its name implies the Durango's hybrid system includes a 5.7 leader Hemi V-8 output is three hundred forty five horsepower and three hundred eighty pound feet of torque to mitigate fuel used further to himi includes multi displacement system which shuts down four of the eight cylinders when less power is needed like ta hoe the two mode transmission includes two AC synchronous electric motor two mode means these motors can provide a continuous variable assistance above city and highway speeds. The hybrid transmission runs in continuous mode under light loads but can activate its for fixed gear ratios for a higher load.

Energy is stored in a 300 volt nickel metal hydride battery pack tucked neatly away under the second row seat. Like other full hybrids you can manage low speeds on electric power alone and the engine cuts off completely at stops. And of course there's regenerative braking to recharge the batteries with each stop. So what does all this fuel saving technology have up to. Government fuel economy ratings are 19 city 20 highway a 40 percent gain in city economy and a 25 percent boost overall. We did see 19 mpg in mixed driving on regular gas. A big gain in only 1 mpg behind the tommo hybrid we tested earlier. Durango is also close to the top o in telling capacity using to haul mode it can pull 6000 pounds compared to the top of those 60 200. One reason Durango's economy might not quite match Talos is that Chrysler didn't add aerodynamic AIDS found in the GM SUV. Also the two most

hardware adds about 400 pounds to the Durango GM took weight out of the tonneau for a near zero weight gain. Aside from special hybrid badging there's no discernible exteriors difference to the Durango Hemi hybrid over gas only models. The Durango hybrid does however ride atop small or 18 inch alloys to cut down on rotating mass as well as low rolling resistance tires. In normal driving this Durango's electric assist grants a competent launch from standstill but it is a little slow to shift into second gear. Hybrid operation is seamless as is the cylinder deactivation are tracked 0 to 60 result was on par for its class at eight point nine seconds with a quarter mile of sixteen point eight seconds at 83 mph with its standard electronic stability program the Durango hybrid mats many smaller utilities in handling steering is reasonably quick and body roll is heavy but

predictable. And a four wheel ABS this brakes are fully capable of bringing this Goliath to straight halts but in the longest 140 feet beyond the track the single speed transfer case allows the Durango to maintain much of its rugged off road character so you can be green and still get to the green. Inside you'll find the same handsome and spacious three rows seven or eight passenger interior. That's the regular Durango added to the cluster as a gauge and let you know when you're driving the vehicle and it's most efficient. The nav screen also displays details of the system operation including instant mpg. The Durango himi hybrid comes only as an almost fully loaded limited model. The only interior options are rear DVD and the sunroof with all seats down total cargo volume is fit for a big SUV. At one hundred two point four cubic feet. But there's more good news sticker shock for the Durango himi hybrid is less than expected. Base price is

forty five thousand three hundred forty dollars. That's roughly $4000 more than a comparable gas Durango. But about $8000 less than a talo hybrid Durango hybrid buyers may also qualify for an $800 tax credit. That means payback could be three years or less. For anyone needing large SUV capabilities the 2009 Dodge Durango Hemi hybrid is a pretty attractive package. Along with GM is efforts to keep these once flourishing dinosaurs from becoming extinct for a long time to come. Well I hope you'll join us next week for more motorways when we wrapped up pavement clean and Chevy's Corvette. See our one and see if a three wheeler makes sense as a fuel efficient commuter. I'm John Davis. We'll see you then. To learn more about Motor Week TV's original automotive magazine visit people to order a DVD or

VHS copy of this program call 1 800 8 7 3 6 1 5 4 Motorway has been brought to you by cars dot com. Let's say your looking for a car. Cars dot com can help research locate even contact a dealer cause dot com. Some guys like to relax in a leather recliner but the weather's There's nothing better than cardboard on concrete Valvoline 100 years younger than me I guess. I love seeing all the places people have to go live in part of the company that house most people get there. You know being here so you can get there. This program was produced by American Public Television which is soley responsible for its

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